A method for independent component graph analysis of resting-state fMRI

Introduction: Independent component analysis (ICA) has been extensively used for reducing task-free BOLD fMRI recordings into spatial maps and their associated time-courses. The spatially identified independent components can be considered as intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs) of non-contiguous regions. To date, the spatial patterns of the networks have been analyzed with techniques developed for volumetric data. Objective: Here, we detail a graph building technique that allows these ICNs to be analyzed with graph theory. Methods: First, ICA was performed at the single-subject level in 15 healthy volunteers using a 3T MRI scanner. The identification of nine networks was performed by a multiple-template matching procedure and a subsequent component classification based on the network neuronal properties. Second, for each of the identified networks, the nodes were defined as 1,015 anatomically parcellated regions. Third, between-node functional connectivity was established by building edge weights for each networks. Group-level graph analysis was finally performed for each network and compared to the classical network. Results: Network graph comparison between the classically constructed network and the nine networks showed significant differences in the auditory and visual medial networks with regard to the average degree and the number of edges, while the visual lateral network showed a significant difference in the small-worldness. Conclusions: This novel approach permits us to take advantage of the well-recognized power of ICA in BOLD signal decomposition and, at the same time, to make use of well-established graph measures to evaluate connectivity differences. Moreover, by providing a graph for each separate network, it can offer the possibility to extract graph measures in a specific way for each network. This increased specificity could be relevant for studying pathological brain activity or altered states of consciousness as induced by anesthesia or sleep, where specific networks are known to be altered in different strength

Size differences of Arctic marine protists between two climate periods - using the paleoecological record to assess the importance of within-species trait variation

Mean body size decreases with increasing temperature in a variety of organisms. This size–temperature relationship has generally been tested through space but rarely through time. We analyzed the sedimentary archive of dinoflagellate cysts in a sediment record taken from the West Greenland shelf and show that mean cell size decreased at both intra‐ and interspecific scales in a period of relatively warm temperatures, compared with a period of relatively cold temperatures. We further show that intraspecific changes accounted for more than 70% of the change in community mean size, whereas shifts in species composition only accounted for about 30% of the observed change. Literature values on size ranges and midpoints for individual taxa were in several cases not representative for the measured sizes, although changes in community mean size, calculated from literature values, did capture the direction of change. While the results show that intraspecific variation is necessary to accurately estimate the magnitude of change in protist community mean size, it may be possible to investigate general patterns, that is relative size differences, using interspecific‐level estimates

La disputa entre China e India y la redefinición de la geopolítica asiática

The Chinese and Indian clash in June 2020 along their disputed border, despite being a long non-resolved issue, has acquired new meaning in the present global geopolitical tensions. It could erupt into a deep feud which will involve the two Asian giants in a much wider confrontation. Because their relevance in world affairs, this conflict would affect countries not only nearby, but all over the globe, amidst the substratum of the ongoing confrontation China is having with the United States. This article analyses the different aspects that are affecting this misunderstanding, linking historical concerns with recent developments. Based on the classical geopolitical analysis of the Rimland, it envisions the various constraints and impulses that will define the future of the two most populous countries of the Eurasian landmass, which are now among the largest global economies. The analysis points to the anxieties that drove China and India to the frontier clash and the mutual insecurities with regard to each other’s behavior, particularly in their relationships with third countries. In lieu of this, a solution of the dispute seems out of reach as it has become part of the present century’s geopolitical shift which is once again putting Asia in the center of the global competition.El enfrentamiento chino e indio en junio de 2020 a lo largo de su disputada frontera, pese ser un tema sin resolver desde hace tiempo, ha adquirido un nuevo significado en las actuales tensiones geopolíticas globales. Podría estallar en una profunda disputa que involucrará a los dos gigantes asiáticos en una confrontación mucho más amplia. Por su relevancia conjunta, el conflicto afectaría no solo a países cercanos, sino a todo el mundo, en medio de la confrontación sino-estadounidense. Este artículo analiza los diferentes aspectos que están afectando este malentendido, vinculando preocupaciones históricas con desarrollos recientes. En base al análisis geopolítico clásico del Rimland, se destacan las diversas limitaciones e impulsos que definirán el futuro de los dos países que ahora se encuentran entre las mayores economías mundiales. El análisis apunta a las ansiedades que llevaron al choquefronterizo y a las inseguridades mutuas con respecto al comportamiento de cada uno, particularmente en sus relaciones con terceros países. Frente a esto, una solución de la disputa parece fuera de alcance, ya que se ha convertido en parte del cambio geopolítico del presente siglo, que una vez más está poniendo a Asia en el centro de la competencia mundial

The efficacy of etodolac and ibuprofen, regarding gender, on pain, edema and trismus after impacted lower third molar surgery:a randomized prospective clinical split-mouth study

This study aimed to conduct a randomized prospective study about the efficacy of etodolac and ibuprofen on trismus, pain and edema regarding gender of patients submitted to impacted lower third molar teeth extraction. Thirty patients aging between 16 and 35 year-old were submitted to the exodontia of impacted lower third molars. During the postoperative period, patients received nine ibuprofen (600 mg) or etodolac (300 mg) pills via oral administration immediately after surgery and repeated doses every eight hours during three days. Patients were evaluated regarding pain, trismus and edema. Sixteen men and fourteen women participated of the study. No statistical difference was established regarding gender according to the evaluated parameters. However, etodolac use showed better results regarding pain, trismus and edema. Pain, edema and trismus after impacted third molars extraction were not influenced by gender

Privatization of Eletrobras: A real right-wing liberal move or just another stumble? / Privatização da Eletrobras: Um passo liberal ou mais um engano?

O decreto provisório número 1.031 de 2021 define os planos do governo brasileiro para a privatização da maior empresa do setor elétrico na América Latina. Como resultado, o estado deverá abdicar de seu controle sobre a estatal de capital aberto ao reduzir a participação acionária na União na estrutura de capital da Eletrobras. Com isso, o governo brasileiro espera que a privatização renda mais de 50 bilhões de reais ao tesouro nacional. Contudo, o que deveria ser reflexo de uma estratégia política neoliberal de diminuição do tamanho do estado, tornou-se alvo de ceticismo e críticas multilaterais pela forma com que o processo tem sido conduzido e pelos riscos de distorção no mercado energético brasileiro e de elevação dos custos de eletricidade, produzidos pela introdução de diversas ementas parlamentares colaterais ao processo central de privatização. Este trabalho tem como objetivo examinar os aspectos gerais do projeto de privatização da Eletrobras e seus potenciais benefícios e riscos à sociedade civil brasileira

Black jurema bark powder as new alternative material for treatment of water containing two toxic dyes / Emprego do pó da casca de jurema preta como uma nova alternativa para o tratamento de água contendo dois corantes tóxicos

Black jurema bark powder (BJBP) (Mimosa hostilis Benth) was studied for the removal of textile dyes Methylene Blue (MB) and Indigo Blue (IB) in water. The chemical and physical analysis of BJBP showed a heterogeneous surface with chemical groups capable to interact with MB and IB. The experiments were optimized for use of 1g of BJBP and stirring time of 3 minutes for IB, and 0.5g of BJBP and stirring time of 2 minutes for MB. The maximum adsorptive capacities for IB (115.21 mg/g) and MB (3.50 mg/g), obtained through the Langmuir Mathematical Model, were favorable for the use of BJBP as an adsorbent in water containing both dyes. The results obtained in this work suggest BJBP as a new alternative for the removal of IB and MB in aqueous medium. Besides, this work stimulates new studies to evaluate the BJBP adsorption capacity for other chemical pollutants

ECG-Based Electrolyte Prediction: Evaluating Regression and Probabilistic Methods

Objective: Imbalances of the electrolyte concentration levels in the body can lead to catastrophic consequences, but accurate and accessible measurements could improve patient outcomes. While blood tests provide accurate measurements, they are invasive and the laboratory analysis can be slow or inaccessible. In contrast, an electrocardiogram (ECG) is a widely adopted tool which is quick and simple to acquire. However, the problem of estimating continuous electrolyte concentrations directly from ECGs is not well-studied. We therefore investigate if regression methods can be used for accurate ECG-based prediction of electrolyte concentrations. Methods: We explore the use of deep neural networks (DNNs) for this task. We analyze the regression performance across four electrolytes, utilizing a novel dataset containing over 290000 ECGs. For improved understanding, we also study the full spectrum from continuous predictions to binary classification of extreme concentration levels. To enhance clinical usefulness, we finally extend to a probabilistic regression approach and evaluate different uncertainty estimates. Results: We find that the performance varies significantly between different electrolytes, which is clinically justified in the interplay of electrolytes and their manifestation in the ECG. We also compare the regression accuracy with that of traditional machine learning models, demonstrating superior performance of DNNs. Conclusion: Discretization can lead to good classification performance, but does not help solve the original problem of predicting continuous concentration levels. While probabilistic regression demonstrates potential practical usefulness, the uncertainty estimates are not particularly well-calibrated. Significance: Our study is a first step towards accurate and reliable ECG-based prediction of electrolyte concentration levels.Comment: Code and trained models are available at https://github.com/philippvb/ecg-electrolyte-regressio

Influence of surgical ultrasound used in the detachment of flaps, osteotomy and odontosection in lower third molar surgeries. A prospective, randomized, and ?split-mouth? clinical study

As third molar surgery is the most commonly procedure performed in Dentistry and has been accompanied by serious postoperative disorders such as pain, edema and trismus, the study aimed to evaluate if ultrasound device would be able to reduce such postoperative features. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of soft tissue flap elevation, osteotomy and odontosection using piezosurgery versus conventional technique in mandibular third molar extractions. Twenty patients with impacted mandibular third molars underwent tooth extractions using two different methods. Ten patients were included in the Piezo Flap Group (PFG - the flap was elevated using piezosurgery) and ten patients were part of the Piezo Ostectomy Group (POG - osteotomy and odontosection were carried out with ultrasound tips). The contralateral tooth was included in the Control Group (CG - conventional technique). The patients were evaluated at postoperative periods of 1, 3, 7 and 14-days. The measured parameters were duration of surgery, pain, trismus and swelling. The mean duration of surgery for the PFG was 17.21 minutes (CG 10.07 minutes) and POG was 40.09 minutes (CG 15.97 minutes). There was no statistically significant difference in pain and trismus for any of the postoperative periods evaluated in PFG and POG (p>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in swelling between the PFG and POG, presenting less swelling at the 3-day postoperative period (p=0.038; p0.05). Piezosurgery for tissue elevation of the surgical flap, osteotomy and dental sectioning in mandibular third molar extraction surgery promoted less edema in the early postoperative stages in mandibular third molar extractions despite the longer surgical duration