High periventricular T1 relaxation times predict gait improvement after spinal tap in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus

Purpose:The diagnosis of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) can be challenging. Aim of this study was to use a novel T1 mapping method to enrich the diagnostic work-up of patients with suspected iNPH.Methods:Using 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) we prospectively evaluated rapid high-resolution T1 mapping at 0.5 mm resolution and 4 s acquisition time in 15 patients with suspected iNPH and 8 age-matched, healthy controls.T1 mapping in axial sections of the cerebrum, clinical and neuropsychological testing were performed prior to and after cerebrospinal fluid tap test (CSF-TT). T1 relaxation times were measured in 5 predefined periventricular regions.Results:All 15 patients with suspected iNPH showed gait impairment, 13 (86.6%) showed signs of cognitive impairment and 8 (53.3%) patients had urinary incontinence. Gait improvement was noted in 12 patients (80%) after CSF-TT. T1 relaxation times in all periventricular regions were elevated in patients with iNPH compared to controls with the most pronounced differences in the anterior (1006 ± 93 ms vs. 911 ± 77 ms; p = 0.023) and posterior horns (983 ± 103 ms vs. 893 ± 68 ms; p = 0.037) of the lateral ventricles. Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) scores at baseline were negatively correlated with T1 relaxation times (r 0.6 and p Conclusion:In iNPH-patients, periventricular T1 relaxation times are increased compared to age-matched controls and predict gait improvement after CSF-TT. T1 mapping might enrich iNPH work-up and might be useful to indicate permanent shunting

Glioma infiltration of the corpus callosum: early signs detected by DTI

The most frequent primary brain tumors, anaplastic astrocytomas (AA) and glioblastomas (GBM): tend to invasion of the surrounding brain. Histopathological studies found malignant cells in macroscopically unsuspicious brain parenchyma remote from the primary tumor, even affecting the contralateral hemisphere. In early stages, diffuse interneural infiltration with changes of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) is suspected. The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of DTI as a possible instrument of depicting evidence of tumor invasion into the corpus callosum (CC). Preoperatively, 31 patients with high-grade brain tumors (8 AA and 23 GBM) were examined by MRI at 3 T, applying a high-resolution diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) sequence. ADC- and FA-values were analyzed in the tumor-associated area of the CC as identified by fiber tracking, and were compared to matched healthy controls. In (MR-)morphologically normal appearing CC the ADC values were elevated in the tumor patients (n = 22; 0.978 × 10(−3) mm²/s) compared to matched controls (0.917 × 10(−3) mm²/s, p < 0.05), and the corresponding relative FA was reduced (rFA: 88 %, p < 0.01). The effect was pronounced in case of affection of the CC visible on MRI (n = 9; 0.978 × 10(−3) mm²/s, p < 0.05; rFA: 72 %, p < 0.01). Changes in diffusivity and anisotropy in the CC can be interpreted as an indicator of tumor spread into the contralateral hemisphere not visible on conventional MRI

Анализ средств измерений количества и показателей качества нефти на примере приемно-сдаточного пункта Томской области

Объектом исследования является: система измерений количества и показателей качества нефти на примере приемо-сдаточного пункта Томской области. Цель работы: провести анализ средств измерений, участвующих в товаро-коммерческих операциях, а также рассмотреть основное оборудование по автоматическому контролю за качественными и количественными характеристиками на ПСП Томской области. В процессе работы проводился: Анализ средств измерений количества и показателей качества нефти на примере приемо-сдаточного пункта Томской области. Произведен расчет погрешностей измерений при прямом методе динамических измерений массы нефти.The object of study is: a system for measuring the quantity and quality indicators of oil on the example of an acceptance point of the Tomsk region. Purpose of work: to analyze the measuring instruments involved in commodity-commercial operations, as well as to consider the basic equipment for automatic control of qualitative and quantitative characteristics at the border crossing point of the Tomsk region. In the process of work was carried out: Analysis of measuring instruments for the quantity and quality indicators of oil on the example of the acceptance point of the Tomsk region. The measurement errors were calculated with the direct method of dynamic measurements of oil mass

Succinate in dystrophic white matter: A proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy finding characteristic for complex II deficiency

A deficiency of succinate dehydrogenase is a rare cause of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy. Three patients, 2 sisters and I boy from an unrelated family, presented with symptoms and magnetic resonance imaging signs of leukoencephalopathy. Localized proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy indicated a prominent singlet at 2.40ppm in cerebral and cerebellar white matter not present in gray matter or basal ganglia. The signal was also elevated in cerebrospinal fluid and could be identified as originating from the two equivalent methylene groups of succinate. Subsequently, an isolated deficiency of complex II (succinate:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) was demonstrated in 2 patients in muscle and fibroblasts. One of the sisters died at the age of 18 months. Postmortem examination showed the neuropathological characteristics of Leigh syndrome. Her younger sister, now 12 months old, is also severely affected; the boy, now 6 years old, follows a Milder, fluctuating clinical course. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy provides a characteristic pattern in succinate dehydrogenase deficiency

Plastic Representation of the Reachable Space for a Humanoid Robot

Reaching a target object requires accurate estimation of the object spatial position and its further transformation into a suitable arm-motor command. In this paper, we propose a framework that provides a robot with a capacity to represent its reachable space in an adaptive way. The location of the target is represented implicitly by both the gaze direction and the angles of arm joints. Two paired neural networks are used to compute the direct and inverse transformations between the arm position and the head position. These networks allow reaching the target either through a ballistic movement or through visually-guided actions. Thanks to the latter skill, the robot can adapt its sensorimotor transformations so as to reflect changes in its body configuration. The proposed framework was implemented on the NAO humanoid robot, and our experimental results provide evidences for its adaptative capabilities

Shaping the scientific future of environmental sciences in times of multiple crises: a summary of the 12th SETAC Young Environmental Scientists Meeting in Landau in der Pfalz 2023 -

SETAC has a long‑standing history of supporting students and early career scientists in the fields of ecotoxicol‑ ogy and environmental chemistry. The Student Advisory Council (SAC) advocates for the diverse interests of young SETAC members offering guidance to peers and serving as a resounding voice for aspiring scientists in dialogues with the SETAC Europe Council. Founded and shaped by a rewarding liaison between SETAC Europe and its German Language Branch, the SAC now has a strong international representation, with its members being distributed all over Europe. With this publication, we want to build upon the relationship between the SETAC Europe students and the SETAC German Language Branch. The Young Environmental Scientists (YES) Meeting, which was first held as a regular conference 14 years ago, is a key‑ stone event organized by the students of SETAC and the SAC. This year, in 2023, the 12th YES meeting took place in Landau in der Pfalz, Germany. Not only has it been the first European in-person YES Meeting since the COVID‑19 pandemic, but with this year’s iteration, the YES meeting returned to its roots in Landau, where 2009 the very first YES meeting was hosted. From August 28th to September 1st, 107 participants from 37 countries and five continents had the opportunity to show‑ case their research in seven thematic sessions, engage in four workshops, listen to six expert/career talks, and two keynotes from established scientists. In reference to the meeting‑motto science through crises, this comment pays special emphasis on topical program points in touching the ongoing multiple crises. We are convinced that sharing our experience from hosting this conference will underline the importance of continuing this unique meeting format and hopefully inspire future scientific events organized by students for students