Hippocampal volume in Provisional Tic Disorder predicts tic severity at 12-month follow-up

Previous studies have investigated differences in the volumes of subcortical structures (e.g., caudate nucleus, putamen, thalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus) between individuals with and without Tourette syndrome (TS), as well as the relationships between these volumes and tic symptom severity. These volumes may also predict clinical outcome in Provisional Tic Disorder (PTD), but that hypothesis has never been tested. This study aimed to examine whether the volumes of subcortical structures measured shortly after tic onset can predict tic symptom severity at one-year post-tic onset, when TS can first be diagnosed. We obtained T1-weighted structural MRI scans from 41 children with PTD (25 with prospective motion correction (vNavs)) whose tics had begun less than 9 months (mean 4.04 months) prior to the first study visit (baseline). We re-examined them at the 12-month anniversary of their first tic (follow-up), assessing tic severity using the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale. We quantified the volumes of subcortical structures using volBrain software. Baseline hippocampal volume was correlated with tic severity at the 12-month follow-up, with a larger hippocampus at baseline predicting worse tic severity at follow-up. The volumes of other subcortical structures did not significantly predict tic severity at follow-up. Hippocampal volume may be an important marker in predicting prognosis in Provisional Tic Disorder

Enhancing neuroimaging genetics through meta-analysis for Tourette syndrome (ENIGMA-TS): A worldwide platform for collaboration

Tourette syndrome (TS) is characterized by multiple motor and vocal tics, and high-comorbidity rates with other neuropsychiatric disorders. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), major depressive disorder (MDD), and anxiety disorders (AXDs) are among the most prevalent TS comorbidities. To date, studies on TS brain structure and function have been limited in size with efforts mostly fragmented. This leads to low-statistical power, discordant results due to differences in approaches, and hinders the ability to stratify patients according to clinical parameters and investigate comorbidity patterns. Here, we present the scientific premise, perspectives, and key goals that have motivated the establishment of the Enhancing Neuroimaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis for TS (ENIGMA-TS) working group. The ENIGMA-TS working group is an international collaborative effort bringing together a large network of investigators who aim to understand brain structure and function in TS and dissect the underlying neurobiology that leads to observed comorbidity patterns and clinical heterogeneity. Previously collected TS neuroimaging data will be analyzed jointly and integrated with TS genomic data, as well as equivalently large and already existing studies of highly comorbid OCD, ADHD, ASD, MDD, and AXD. Our work highlights the power of collaborative efforts and transdiagnostic approaches, and points to the existence of different TS subtypes. ENIGMA-TS will offer large-scale, high-powered studies that will lead to important insights toward understanding brain structure and function and genetic effects in TS and related disorders, and the identification of biomarkers that could help inform improved clinical practice

Porównanie algorytmów wyszukiwania Google i Yandex

W artykule przedstawiono rezultaty analizy porównawczej wyszukiwarek Google i Yandex. Analizę przeprowadzono pod kątem szybkości wyszukiwania oraz liczby znalezionych wyników. Przy pomocy metody kryteriów ważonych porównano Google i Yandex dla wyszukiwania w języku angielskim i rosyjskim. Analiza wielokryterialna pozwoliła wskazać wyszukiwarkę o szybszych i wydajniejszych algorytmach.The article presents the results of a comparative analysis Google’s and Yandex’s search algorithms. The analysis was made from the point of view of search speed and number of results. Google and Yandex were compared for search in Russian and English language, using the method of weighted criteria. Multi-criteria analysis allowed to find faster and efficient search engine

Role of non-wood forest products for local livelihoods in countries with transition and market economies: case studies in Ukraine and Sweden

The role of non-wood forest products (NWFPs) in local economies differ in time and space. We analysed Ukrainian and Swedish national policies and management rules related to the use of NWFPs, and described how different forest stakeholders utilised NWFPs in rural areas in Ukraine and Sweden. In total we interviewed 114 local forest stakeholders in one rural region’s settlements in both countries. The topics for the field study were (1) the reasons and amounts of NWFPs harvested by different forest user categories; (2) traditional practices of NWFP use, including harvesting methods and (3) how these practices have changed over the past decades. At the national level, both countries allowed the utilisation of most NWFPs, did not regulate the use, and did not include NWFPs into forest management plans. In both case studies, historical use of NWFPs was intensive. This use remained important in Ukraine, but not in Sweden. Due to difficult economic transition in Ukraine, use of NWFPs by locals has increased. While hunting as a tradition was more popular in the Swedish case study, recreational use of forest was popular in both case studies. Finally, we discuss the role of NWFPs in countries with transition and market economies, and the extent to which the countries support sustainable use of NWFPs

The Problem of Hydraulic Calculation of Pressure Distribution Pipelines

Most production technologies require a uniform flow path of liquid from pressure distribution pipelines. To achieve this goal, it is proposed to introduce polymer additives into the liquid flow or to use converging distribution pipelines with a continuous longitudinal slot in the wall. To reduce the uneven operation of the distribution pipeline during discrete liquid dispensing, it is proposed to use cylindrical output rotary nozzles with a lateral orthogonal entry of the jet into the nozzle. The problem is the lack of methods for accurate hydraulic calculation of the operation of distribution pipelines. Adequate calculation methods are based on differential equations. Finding the exact solution of the differential equation of fluid motion with variable path flow rate for perforated distribution pipelines is urgent, because it still does not exist. The available calculation methods take into account only the right angles of separation of the jets from the flow in the distribution pipeline. These methods are based on the assumption that the coefficient of hydraulic friction and the coefficient of resistance of the outlets are constant along the flow. A calculation method is proposed that takes into account the change in the values of these resistance coefficients along the distribution pipeline. The kinematic and physical characteristics of the flow outside the distribution pipeline are also taken into account. The accuracy of calculating the value of the flow rate of water distributed from the distribution pipeline has been experimentally verified. The error in calculating the water consumption by the method assuming that the values of the resistance coefficients are unchanged along the distribution pipeline reaches 18.75 %. According to the proposed calculation method, this error does not exceed 6.25 %. However, both methods are suitable for the design of pressure distribution pipelines, provided that the jet separation angles are straight. Taking into account the change from 90° to 360° of the angle of separation of the jets from the flow in the distribution pipeline will expand the scope and accuracy of calculation methods