Regional gray matter correlates of vocational interests.

BackgroundPrevious studies have identified brain areas related to cognitive abilities and personality, respectively. In this exploratory study, we extend the application of modern neuroimaging techniques to another area of individual differences, vocational interests, and relate the results to an earlier study of cognitive abilities salient for vocations.FindingsFirst, we examined the psychometric relationships between vocational interests and abilities in a large sample. The primary relationships between those domains were between Investigative (scientific) interests and general intelligence and between Realistic ("blue-collar") interests and spatial ability. Then, using MRI and voxel-based morphometry, we investigated the relationships between regional gray matter volume and vocational interests. Specific clusters of gray matter were found to be correlated with Investigative and Realistic interests. Overlap analyses indicated some common brain areas between the correlates of Investigative interests and general intelligence and between the correlates of Realistic interests and spatial ability.ConclusionsTwo of six vocational-interest scales show substantial relationships with regional gray matter volume. The overlap between the brain correlates of these scales and cognitive-ability factors suggest there are relationships between individual differences in brain structure and vocations

Injectable autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) in acetabular cartilage defects—three-year results

To evaluate the clinical outcome after arthroscopic matrix-associated injectable autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) in patients with large full-thickness acetabular cartilage defects. ACI was performed in young patients with full-thickness acetabular cartilage defects >= 2 cm(2) in a two-step arthroscopic procedure. The patients were followed closely with clinical examinations and pre- and postoperative scores. The modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), iHOT33 questionnaire (iHOT33) and the Subjective Hip Value (SHV) were surveyed. Demographic patient data was evaluated for influencing factors for the pre- and postoperative results. Thirty-two consecutive cases (4 female, 28 male, mean age 33 years) were included. The average defect size was 4.9 (range: 2-6) cm(2). They were followed at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months postoperatively. Patients had improved significantly from 64 to 91 points (P < 0.001) in the mHHS, from 44% to 86% (P < 0.001) in the iHOT33 and from 54% to 87% (P < 0.001) in the SHV. No surgery related complications were noted. Cell cultivation failed in two cases (7%) and the patients decided for a repeated harvesting of cartilage cylinders followed by a successful ACI. Patients age and size of the cartilage defect showed no significant correlation with the pre- or postoperative results. Injectable ACI is a reliable procedure treating full-thickness acetabular cartilage defects leading to promising results 3 years postoperatively with a significant increase in all scores despite large acetabular cartilage defects in the weight-bearing zone

Correlation of the Subjective Hip Value with Validated Patient-Reported Outcome Measurements for the Hip

Background: The subjective hip value (SHV) was developed as a patient-reported outcome measurement (PROM) that is easily and quickly performed and interpreted. The SHV is defined as a patient's subjective hip measurement tool expressed as a percentage of an entirely normal hip joint, which would score 100%. The hypothesis is that results of the subjective hip value correlate with the results of the modified Harris hip score and the International Hip Outcome Tool in patients with hip-related diseases. Methods: 302 patients completed the modified Harris hip score (mHHS), the International Hip Outcome Tool (iHot-33) as well as the SHV. The SHV consist of only one question: "What is the overall percent value of your hip if a completely normal hip represents 100%?". The patients were divided into five different groups depending on the diagnosis. Pearson correlation was used to evaluate the correlation between the different PROMs and linear regression analysis was used to calculate R2. Results: 302 complete datasets were available for evaluation. There was a high correlation between the SHV and the iHOT-33 (r = 0.847; r2 = 0.692, p < 0.001) and the mHHS (r = 0.832; r2 = 0.717, p < 0.001). The SHV showed a medium (r = 0.653) to high (r = 0.758) correlation with the mHHS and the iHOT-33 in all diagnosis groups. Conclusion: The SHV offers a useful adjunct to established hip outcome measurements, as it is easily and quickly performed and interpreted. The SHV reflects the view of the patient and is independent of the diagnosis. Further research with prospective studies is needed to test the psychometric properties of the score

Crystal structure, magnetism and magnetocaloric properties of Mn\u3csub\u3e2−x\u3c/sub\u3eSn\u3csub\u3e0.5\u3c/sub\u3eGa\u3csub\u3e0.5\u3c/sub\u3e (x=0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.8) alloys

Magnetic refrigeration based on the magnetocaloric effect has attracted recent attention due to advantages such as high efficiency and environmental friendliness. We have investigated the structural, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of Mn2−xSn0.5Ga0.5 (x=0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.8) alloys prepared using arc-melting and meltspinning techniques with prospects for magnetic refrigeration. The Mn2−xSn0.5Ga0.5 alloys, except for Mn1.2Sn0.5Ga0.5, have a single-phase hexagonal crystal structure. The Mn1.2Sn0.5Ga0.5 alloy also contains a small amount of MnSn2 impurity phase. The Curie temperature and high-field (30 kOe) magnetization at 55 K decrease with increasing Mn concentration from 306 K and 64.1 emu/g (1.07 μB/Mn) for Mn1.2Sn0.5Ga0.5 to 262 K and 46.7 emu/g (0.85 μB/Mn) for Mn2Sn0.5Ga0.5, respectively. The peak values of magnetic entropy change are relatively small with ΔSM,max=1.7 Jkg−1K−1for Mn1.5Sn0.5Ga0.5 at 30 kOe. Despite this, these materials show considerable relative cooling power (RCP) along with a wide working temperature range near room temperature and negligible magnetic and thermal hysteresis, where Mn1.2Sn0.5Ga0.5 shows a highest RCP of 102.3 Jkg−1 at 30 kOe

Near-field testing of the 15-meter hoop-column antenna

A 15-m-diameter antenna was tested to verify that dimensional tolerances for acceptable performance could be achieved and to verify structural, electromagnetic, and mechanical performance predictions. This antenna utilized the hoop column structure, a gold plated molybdenum mesh reflector, and 96 control cables to adjust the reflector conformance with a paraboloid. The dimensional conformance of the antenna structure and surface was measured with metric camera and theodolites. Near field pattern data were used to assess the electromagnetic performance at five frequencies from 2.225 to 11.6 GHz. The reflector surface was adjusted to greatly improve electromagnetic performance with a finite element model and the surface measurements. Measurement results show that antenna surface figure and adjustments and electromagnetic patterns agree well with predictions

Imaging Asteroid 4 Vesta Using the Framing Camera

The Framing Camera (FC) onboard the Dawn spacecraft serves a dual purpose. Next to its central role as a prime science instrument it is also used for the complex navigation of the ion drive spacecraft. The CCD detector with 1024 by 1024 pixels provides the stability for a multiyear mission and its high requirements of photometric accuracy over the wavelength band from 400 to 1000 nm covered by 7 band-pass filters. Vesta will be observed from 3 orbit stages with image scales of 227, 63, and 17 m/px, respectively. The mapping of Vesta s surface with medium resolution will be only completed during the exit phase when the north pole will be illuminated. A detailed pointing strategy will cover the surface at least twice at similar phase angles to provide stereo views for reconstruction of the topography. During approach the phase function of Vesta was determined over a range of angles not accessible from earth. This is the first step in deriving the photometric function of the surface. Combining the topography based on stereo tie points with the photometry in an iterative procedure will disclose details of the surface morphology at considerably smaller scales than the pixel scale. The 7 color filters are well positioned to provide information on the spectral slope in the visible, the depth of the strong pyroxene absorption band, and their variability over the surface. Cross calibration with the VIR spectrometer that extends into the near IR will provide detailed maps of Vesta s surface mineralogy and physical properties. Georeferencing all these observation will result in a coherent and unique data set. During Dawn s approach and capture FC has already demonstrated its performance. The strong variation observed by the Hubble Space Telescope can now be correlated with surface units and features. We will report on results obtained from images taken during survey mode covering the whole illuminated surface. Vesta is a planet-like differentiated body, but its surface gravity and escape velocity are comparable to those of other asteroids and hence much smaller than those of the inner planets o

Lorentz transmission electron microscopy and magnetic force microscopy characterization of NiFe/Al-oxide/Co films

Magnetization reversal process of NiFe/Al-oxide/Co junction films was observed directly using Lorentztransmission electron microscopy (LTEM) and magnetic force microscopy(MFM).In situmagnetizing experiments performed in both LTEM and MFM were facilitated by a pair of electromagnets, which were mounted on the sample stages. A two-stage magnetization reversal process for the junction film was clearly observed in LTEM with NiFe magnetization reversed first via domain wall motion followed by Co magnetization reversal via moment rotation and domain wall motion. Reversal mechanism and domain characteristics of the NiFe and Co layers showed very distinctive features. The magnetization curve of the junction filmmeasured using alternating gradient force magnetometry showed a nonzero slope at the antiparallel magnetization configuration region, which implies that magnetization directions of the NiFe and Co layers were not exactly antiparallel due to Co moment rotation existed in that region. After the magnetization reversal of the Co was complete, MFM images revealed some magnetic contrast, which suggests that an out-of-plane magnetization component remained in the Co layer. Such magnetic contrast disappeared at higher magnetic fields when the Co moments further rotated and aligned parallel to the applied field direction

Observation-based modeling of ozone chemistry in the Seoul metropolitan area during the Korea-United States Air Quality Study (KORUS-AQ)

The Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA) has a population of 24 million and frequently experiences unhealthy levels of ozone (O3). In this work, measurements taken during the Korea-United States Air Quality Study (KORUS-AQ, 2016) are used to explore regional gradients in O3 and its chemical precursors, and an observationally-constrained 0-D photochemical box model is used to quantify key aspects of O3 production including its sensitivity to precursor gases. Box model performance was evaluated by comparing modeled concentrations of select secondary species to airborne measurements. These comparisons indicate that the steady state assumption used in 0-D box models cannot describe select intermediate species, highlighting the importance of having a broad suite of trace gases as model constraints. When fully constrained, aggregated statistics of modeled O3 production rates agreed with observed changes in O3, indicating that the box model was able to represent the majority of O3 chemistry. Comparison of airborne observations between urban Seoul and a downwind receptor site reveal a positive gradient in O3 coinciding with a negative gradient in NOx, no gradient in CH2O, and a slight positive gradient in modeled rates of O3 production. Together, these observations indicate a radical-limited (VOC-limited) O3 production environment in the SMA. Zero-out simulations identified C7+ aromatics as the dominant VOC contributors to O3 production, with isoprene and anthropogenic alkenes making smaller but appreciable contributions. Simulations of model sensitivity to decreases in NOx produced results that were not spatially uniform, with large increases in O3 production predicted for urban Seoul and decreases in O3 production predicted for far-outlying areas. The policy implications of this work are clear: Effective O3 mitigation strategies in the SMA must focus on reducing local emissions of C7+ aromatics, while reductions in NOx emissions may increase O3 in some areas but generally decrease the regional extent of O3 exposure