83 research outputs found
Task-related edge density (TED) - a new method for revealing large-scale network formation in fMRI data of the human brain
The formation of transient networks in response to external stimuli or as a
reflection of internal cognitive processes is a hallmark of human brain
function. However, its identification in fMRI data of the human brain is
notoriously difficult. Here we propose a new method of fMRI data analysis that
tackles this problem by considering large-scale, task-related synchronisation
networks. Networks consist of nodes and edges connecting them, where nodes
correspond to voxels in fMRI data, and the weight of an edge is determined via
task-related changes in dynamic synchronisation between their respective times
series. Based on these definitions, we developed a new data analysis algorithm
that identifies edges in a brain network that differentially respond in unison
to a task onset and that occur in dense packs with similar characteristics.
Hence, we call this approach "Task-related Edge Density" (TED). TED proved to
be a very strong marker for dynamic network formation that easily lends itself
to statistical analysis using large scale statistical inference. A major
advantage of TED compared to other methods is that it does not depend on any
specific hemodynamic response model, and it also does not require a
presegmentation of the data for dimensionality reduction as it can handle large
networks consisting of tens of thousands of voxels. We applied TED to fMRI data
of a fingertapping task provided by the Human Connectome Project. TED revealed
network-based involvement of a large number of brain areas that evaded
detection using traditional GLM-based analysis. We show that our proposed
method provides an entirely new window into the immense complexity of human
brain function.Comment: 21 pages, 11 figure
Improving the fatigue life of printed structures using stochastic variations
Additive manufacturing allows designers to create geometries that would not be possible or economical to manufacture using traditional manufacturing processes. Production with these technologies does, however, introduce a large amount of variation and additional unknowns. These random variations from idealized geometry or material properties can harm the performance of the design. The current work presents an approach to improve the fatigue life of such structures, and simultaneously reduce its influence from random variations in local thickness. Following an initial numerical study, the results are experimentally validated. Experimental results show a significant improvement in fatigue life in the redesigned sample with a tailored thickness distribution
Space Charge Transfer in Hybrid Inorganic/Organic Systems
We discuss density functional theory calculations of hybrid inorganic/organic
systems (HIOS) that explicitly include the global effects of doping (i.e.
position of the Fermi level) and the formation of a space-charge layer. For the
example of tetrafluoro-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TCNQ) on the
ZnO(000) surface we show that the adsorption energy and electron
transfer depend strongly on the ZnO doping. The associated work function
changes are large, for which the formation of space-charge layers is the main
driving force. The prominent doping effects are expected to be quite general
for charge-transfer interfaces in HIOS and important for device design
Is Micro X-ray Computer Tomography a Suitable Non-Destructive Method for the Characterisation of Dental Materials?
The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of X-rays used in micro X-ray computer tomography (”XCT) on the mechanical performance and microstructure of a variety of dental materials. Standardised bending beams (2 à 2 à 25 mm3) were forwarded to irradiation with an industrial tomograph. Using three-dimensional datasets, the porosity of the materials was quantified and flexural strength was investigated prior to and after irradiation. The thermal properties of irradiated and unirradiated materials were analysed and compared by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Single ”XCT measurements led to a significant decrease in flexural strength of polycarbonate with acrylnitril-butadien-styrol (PC-ABS). No significant influence in flexural strength was identified for resin-based composites (RBCs), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and zinc phosphate cement (HAR) after a single irradiation by measurement. However, DSC results suggest that changes in the microstructure of PMMA are possible with increasing radiation doses (multiple measurements, longer measurements, higher output power from the X-ray tube). In summary, it must be assumed that X-ray radiation during ”XCT measurement at high doses can lead to changes in the structure and properties of certain polymers
Molecular beam epitaxy of the half-Heusler antiferromagnet CuMnSb
We report growth of CuMnSb thin films by molecular beam epitaxy on InAs(001)
substrates. The CuMnSb layers are compressively strained (0.6~\text{%}) due
to lattice mismatch. The thin films have a full width half max of
according to high resolution X-ray diffraction, and a root mean
square roughness of as determined by atomic force microscopy.
Magnetic and electrical properties are found to be consistent with reported
values from bulk samples. We find a N\'eel temperature of , a
Curie-Weiss temperature of and an effective moment of
. Transport measurements confirm the
antiferromagetic transition and show a residual resistivity at of
.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, accepted in PR
The Bible and Violence in Africa. Papers presented at the BiAS meeting 2014 in Windhoek (Namibia), with some additional contributions
BiAS 20 contains papers presented at the BiAS meeting 2014 in Windhoek (Namibia), with some additional contributions. Scholars from Nigeria, Cameroon, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia and Germany are dealing with the urgent question of how the Bible is involved in the widespread use of violence in political, social, religious, and gender conflicts. One leading question is how to deal with the textual representation of violence in the Bible. It is taken up by more general hermeneutical contributions. The other leading question is how biblical texts and/or concepts are used to cause and justify violence. This is taken up by a greater number of articles which deal with concrete societal and political contexts in Zimbabwe and other African countries. The conference in Namibia was supported as a Humboldt-Kolleg on the Bible and Violence in Africa by the German Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Patterns of subregional cerebellar atrophy across epilepsy syndromes: An ENIGMAâEpilepsy study
Objective: The intricate neuroanatomical structure of the cerebellum is of longstanding interest in epilepsy, but has been poorly characterized within the current corticocentric models of this disease. We quantified crossâsectional regional cerebellar lobule volumes using structural magnetic resonance imaging in 1602 adults with epilepsy and 1022 healthy controls across 22 sites from the global ENIGMAâEpilepsy working group. Methods: A stateâofâtheâart deep learningâbased approach was employed that parcellates the cerebellum into 28 neuroanatomical subregions. Linear mixed models compared total and regional cerebellar volume in (1) all epilepsies, (2) temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (TLEâHS), (3) nonlesional temporal lobe epilepsy, (4) genetic generalized epilepsy, and (5) extratemporal focal epilepsy (ETLE). Relationships were examined for cerebellar volume versus age at seizure onset, duration of epilepsy, phenytoin treatment, and cerebral cortical thickness. Results: Across all epilepsies, reduced total cerebellar volume was observed (d = .42). Maximum volume loss was observed in the corpus medullare (dmax = .49) and posterior lobe gray matter regions, including bilateral lobules VIIB (dmax = .47), crus I/II (dmax = .39), VIIIA (dmax = .45), and VIIIB (dmax = .40). Earlier age at seizure onset ( η Ï max 2 = .05) and longer epilepsy duration ( η Ï max 2 = .06) correlated with reduced volume in these regions. Findings were most pronounced in TLEâHS and ETLE, with distinct neuroanatomical profiles observed in the posterior lobe. Phenytoin treatment was associated with reduced posterior lobe volume. Cerebellum volume correlated with cerebral cortical thinning more strongly in the epilepsy cohort than in controls. Significance: We provide robust evidence of deep cerebellar and posterior lobe subregional gray matter volume loss in patients with chronic epilepsy. Volume loss was maximal for posterior subregions implicated in nonmotor functions, relative to motor regions of both the anterior and posterior lobe. Associations between cerebral and cerebellar changes, and variability of neuroanatomical profiles across epilepsy syndromes argue for more precise incorporation of cerebellar subregional damage into neurobiological models of epilepsy
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