Functional Subdomains within Human FFA

Cataloged from PDF version of article.The fusiform face area (FFA) is a well-studied human brain region that shows strong activation for faces. In functional MRI studies, FFA is often assumed to be a homogeneous collection of voxels with similar visual tuning. To test this assumption, we used natural movies and a quantitative voxelwise modeling and decoding framework to estimate category tuning profiles for individual voxels within FFA. We find that the responses in most FFA voxels are strongly enhanced by faces, as reported in previous studies. However, we also find that responses of individual voxels are selectively enhanced or suppressed by a wide variety of other categories and that these broader tuning profiles differ across FFA voxels. Cluster analysis of category tuning profiles across voxels reveals three spatially segregated functional subdomains within FFA. These subdomains differ primarily in their responses for nonface categories, such as animals, vehicles, and communication verbs. Furthermore, this segregation does not depend on the statistical threshold used to define FFA from responses to functional localizers. These results suggest that voxels within FFA represent more diverse information about object and action categories than generally assumed. © 2013 the authors

Hadamard Slice Encoding for Reduced-FOV Diffusion-Weighted Imaging

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Methods: A 2D echo-planar RF pulse and matching multiband refocusing RF pulses were designed using the Shinnar-Le Roux algorithm to reduce band interference, and variable-rate selective excitation to shorten the pulse durations. Hadamardencoded images were resolved through a phase-preserving image reconstruction. The performance of the method was evaluated via simulations, phantom experiments, and in vivo high-resolution axial DWI of spinal cord. Purpose: To improve the clinical utility of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) by extending the slice coverage of a highresolution reduced field-of-view technique. Theory: Challenges in achieving high spatial resolution restrict the use of DWI in assessment of small structures such as the spinal cord. A reduced field-of-view method with 2D echo-planar radiofrequency (RF) excitation was recently proposed for high-resolution DWI. Here, a Hadamard sliceencoding scheme is proposed to double the slice coverage by exploiting the periodicity of the 2D echo-planar RF excitation profile. Results: The proposed scheme successfully extends the slice coverage, while preserving the sharp excitation profile and the reliable fat suppression of the original method. For in vivo axial DWI of the spinal cord, an in-plane resolution of 0.7 × 0.7 mm2 was achieved with 16 slices. Conclusion: The proposed Hadamard slice-encoding scheme doubles the slice coverage of the 2D echo-planar RF reduced field-of-view method without any scan-time penalty. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Comparison of Protective Effects of Melatonin and Amifostine on Radiation-Induced Renal Oxidative Stress in Rats

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΗΨΗIn this study, we aimed to compare the protective effects of melatonin and amifostine on radiation-induced oxidative stress. Fifty female Wistar rats (3-4 months old, weighing 200±25 g) were divided into five groups (with ten rats each) and treated as follows: control (Cont), radiotherapy alone (RT), radiotherapy + amifostine (RT+AMI), radiotherapy + melatonin (RT+MEL), radiotherapy + amifostine + melatonin (RT+AMI+MEL). Rats were irradiated individually with a single dose of 8 Gy and amifostine (200 mg/kg) and melatonin (10 mg/kg) was administered to rats 30 minutes before irradiation. At the end of this follow-up period (72 hours) the rats were sacrificed. Spectrophotometric Analysis has been performed to kidney tissue samples. As a result of statistical comparison between groups after RT, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) decreased, total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) increased, although the statistically significant change was only for OSI (p = 0.030). Addition of AMI or MEL to RT increased TAC and OSI significantly (p = 0.000), but there was no additive effect for TAC and OSI when both drugs were given together (p = 1.000, p = 0.172, respectively). In terms of TOS, statistically significant increasing was only for AMI (p = 0.000). There was protective effect when both drugs were given together against on Radiation-Induced Renal Oxidative Stress

A synthesis-based approach to compressive multi-contrast magnetic resonance imaging

In this study, we deal with the problem of image reconstruction from compressive measurements of multi-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We propose a synthesis based approach for image reconstruction to better exploit mutual information across contrasts, while retaining individual features of each contrast image. For fast recovery, we propose an augmented Lagrangian based algorithm, using Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM). We then compare the proposed algorithm to the state-of-the-art Compressive Sensing-MRI algorithms, and show that the proposed method results in better quality images in shorter computation time. © 2017 IEEE

Uncovering the Internal Structure of the Indian Financial Market: Cross-correlation behavior in the NSE

The cross-correlations between price fluctuations of 201 frequently traded stocks in the National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India are analyzed in this paper. We use daily closing prices for the period 1996-2006, which coincides with the period of rapid transformation of the market following liberalization. The eigenvalue distribution of the cross-correlation matrix, $\mathbf{C}$, of NSE is found to be similar to that of developed markets, such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE): the majority of eigenvalues fall within the bounds expected for a random matrix constructed from mutually uncorrelated time series. Of the few largest eigenvalues that deviate from the bulk, the largest is identified with market-wide movements. The intermediate eigenvalues that occur between the largest and the bulk have been associated in NYSE with specific business sectors with strong intra-group interactions. However, in the Indian market, these deviating eigenvalues are comparatively very few and lie much closer to the bulk. We propose that this is because of the relative lack of distinct sector identity in the market, with the movement of stocks dominantly influenced by the overall market trend. This is shown by explicit construction of the interaction network in the market, first by generating the minimum spanning tree from the unfiltered correlation matrix, and later, using an improved method of generating the graph after filtering out the market mode and random effects from the data. Both methods show, compared to developed markets, the relative absence of clusters of co-moving stocks that belong to the same business sector. This is consistent with the general belief that emerging markets tend to be more correlated than developed markets.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures, to appear in Proceedings of International Workshop on "Econophysics & Sociophysics of Markets & Networks" (Econophys-Kolkata III), Mar 12-15, 200

Seismogenic faults, landslides, and associated tsunamis off southern Italy - Cruise No. M86/2, December 27, 2011 - January 17, 2012, Cartagena (Spain) - Brindisi (Italy)

Summary The continental margins of southern Italy are located along converging plate boundaries, which are affected by intense seismicity and volcanic activity. Most of the coastal areas experienced severe earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis in historical and/or modern times. The most prominent example is the Messina earthquake of Dec. 28, 1908 (Ms=7.3; 80,000 casualties), which was characterized by the worst tsunami Italy experienced in the historical time (~2000 casualties). It is, however, still unclear, whether this tsunami was triggered by a sudden vertical movement along a major fault during the earthquake or as a result of a giant marine slide initiated by the earthquake. The recurrence rates of major landslides and therefore the risk associated with landslides is also unknown. Based on detailed bathymetric data sets collected by Italian colleagues in the frame of the MaGIC Project (Marine Geohazards along the Italian Coast), we collected seismic data (2D and 3D) and gravity cores in three working areas (The Messina Straits, off Eastern Sicily, the Gioia Basin). A dense grid of new 2D-seismic data in the Messina Straits will allow to map fault patterns in great detail. One interesting outcome in this context is the identification of a set of normal faults striking in an EW-direction, which is almost perpendicular to the previously postulated faults. This EW-striking faults seem to be active. The area off eastern Sicily is characterized by numerous landslides and a complex deformation pattern. A 3D-seismic data set has been collected during the cruise using the so called P-cable in order to investigate these deformation patterns in detail. The new data will be the basis for a risk assessment in the working areas

Narcissism and the Strategic Pursuit of Short-Term Mating: Universal Links across 11 World Regions of the International Sexuality Description Project-2

Previous studies have documented links between sub-clinical narcissism and the active pursuit of short-term mating strategies (e.g., unrestricted sociosexuality, marital infidelity, mate poaching). Nearly all of these investigations have relied solely on samples from Western cultures. In the current study, responses from a cross-cultural survey of 30,470 people across 53 nations spanning 11 world regions (North America, Central/South America, Northern Europe, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, Middle East, Africa, Oceania, Southeast Asia, and East Asia) were used to evaluate whether narcissism (as measured by the Narcissistic Personality Inventory; NPI) was universally associated with short-term mating. Results revealed narcissism scores (including two broad factors and seven traditional facets as measured by the NPI) were functionally equivalent across cultures, reliably associating with key sexual outcomes (e.g., more active pursuit of short-term mating, intimate partner violence, and sexual aggression) and sex-related personality traits (e.g., higher extraversion and openness to experience). Whereas some features of personality (e.g., subjective well-being) were universally associated with socially adaptive facets of Narcissism (e.g., self-sufficiency), most indicators of short-term mating (e.g., unrestricted sociosexuality and marital infidelity) were universally associated with the socially maladaptive facets of narcissism (e.g., exploitativeness). Discussion addresses limitations of these cross-culturally universal findings and presents suggestions for future research into revealing the precise psychological features of narcissism that facilitate the strategic pursuit of short-term mating

500,000 Years of Environmental History in Eastern Anatolia: The PALEOVAN Drilling Project

International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP) drilled a complete succession of the lacustrine sediment sequence deposited during the last ~500,000 years in Lake Van, Eastern Anatolia (Turkey). Based on a detailed seismic site survey, two sites at a water depth of up to 360 m were drilled in summer 2010, and cores were retrieved from sub-lake-floor depths of 140 m (Northern Basin) and 220 m (Ahlat Ridge). To obtain a complete sedimentary section, the two sites were multiple-cored in order to investigate the paleoclimate history of a sensitive semi-arid region between the Black, Caspian, and Mediterranean seas. Further scientific goals of the PALEOVAN project are the reconstruction of earthquake activity, as well as the temporal, spatial, and compositional evolution of volcanism as reflected in the deposition of tephra layers. The sediments host organic matter from different sources and hence composition, which will be unravelled using biomarkers. Pathways for migration of continental and mantle-derived noble gases will be analyzed in pore waters. Preliminary 40Ar/39Ar single crystal dating of tephra layers and pollen analyses suggest that the Ahlat Ridge record encompasses more than half a million years of paleoclimate and volcanic/geodynamic history, providing the longest continental record in the entire Near East to date