Induced Gravitational Waves from Ultra Slow-Roll Inflation and Pulsar Timing Arrays Observations

The stochastic gravitational wave background (SGWB) detected recently by the pulsar timing arrays (PTAs) observations may have cosmological origins. In this work we consider a model of single field inflation containing an intermediate phase of ultra slow-roll. Fixing the amplitude of the peak of curvature perturbations by the PBHs bounds we calculate the gravitational waves (GWs) induced from the curvature perturbations enhanced during USR. The spectrum of the induced GWs depends on the sharpness of the transition from the USR phase to the final attractor phase as well as to the duration of the USR period. While the model can accommodate the current PTAs data but it has non-trivial predictions for the induced GWs on higher frequency ranges which can be tested by future observations.Comment: 16 pages, 5 fig

The Relationship between Osteogenesis Imperfecta and Spinal Muscular Atrophy

ObjectiveA 4-month-old female with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) type II was admitted in PICU of our center due to severe respiratory distress and fever with a diagnosis of severe pneumonia, and mechanical ventilation was initiated. Due to severe hypotonia, NCV and EMG were performed, and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type I was diagnosed.Keywords: Osteogenesis imperfecta; spinal muscular atrophy; hypotoni

PBHs and GWs from T2\mathbb{T}^2-inflation and NANOGrav 15-year data

In this paper, we propose a novel mechanism in $\mathbb{T}^2$-inflation to enhance the power spectrum large enough to seed primordial black holes (PBHs) formation. To accomplish this, we consider the coupling function between the inflaton field and $\mathbb{T}^2= T_{\mu \nu}T^{\mu \nu}$ term. PBHs formed within this scenario can contribute partially or entirely to dark matter (DM) abundance. Furthermore, the amplification in the scalar power spectrum will concurrently produce significant scalar-induced gravitational waves (SIGWs) as a second-order effect. In addition, the energy spectrum associated with SIGWs can be compatible with the recent NANOGrav 15-year stochastic gravitational wave detection and fall into the sensitivity range of other forthcoming GW observatories.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, and one tabl

A Study on Causes and Types of Abnormal Increase in Infants’ Head Circumference in Kashan/Iran

How to Cite This Article: Talebian A, Soltani B, Moravveji AR, Salamati L, Davami M. A Study on Causes and Types of Abnormal Increase in infants’ Head Circumference in Kashan/Iran. Iran J Child Neurol. 2013 Summer; 7(3): 28- 33. ObjectiveHead circumference is a valuable index of brain growth and its disturbances can indicate different disorders of nervous system. Abnormal increased head circumference (macrocephaly) is common and observed in about 2% of infants. In this study, the causes and clinical types of abnormal increase in infants’ head circumference were investigated in Kashan, Iran.Materials & MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed on 90 infants less than 2 years of age with abnormal increase in head circumference in Kashan, during 2009- 2011. The data were collected by history taking, physical examination, growth chart, and imaging.Results65 (72%) cases out of 90 infants were male and 25 ( 28%) cases were female. Fifty-three (58.8%) cases had familial megalencephaly, 30 (33.4%) had hydrocephalus, and other causes were observed in 7 (7.8%) cases. Eighty-three percent of Infants with familial megalencephaly and 50% with hydrocephalus had normal fontanels. In 90.6% of cases withfamilial megalencephaly, family history for large head was positive. Motor development was normal in 100% of cases with familial megalencephaly and 76.7% of hydrocephalic infants.Conclusion Familial megalencephaly was the most common cause of macrocephaly in the studied infants, and most of them had normal physical examination and development, so, parental head circumferences should be considered in the interpretation of infant’s head circumference and in cases of abnormal physical examination or development, other diagnostic modalities, including brain imaging should be done. References1. Lunde A, Melve KK, Gjessing HK, Skjaerven R, Irgens LM. Genetic and environmental influences on birth weight, Birth length, Head circumference, and gestational age by use of population-based parentoffspring data. American J Epidemiol 2007;165(7):734-41.2. Sankaran S, Das A, Bauer CR, Bada HS, Lester B, Wright LL, et al. Association between patterns of maternal substance use and infant birth weight, length and head circumference.Pediatrics 2004;114(2):e226-34.3. Demestre Guasch X, Raspall Torrent F, Vila Ceren C, Sala Castellvi P, Elizari Saco MJ, Martinez-Nadal S, et al. Influence of socioeconomic factors on weight, length and head circumference measurements in newborns from 35 to 42 weeks gestational. An Pediatr (Barc) 2009;70(3):241-52.4. Fenichel, GM. Disorders of cranial volume and shape. In: Clinical Pediatric Neurology: A Signs and Symptoms Approach, 6th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders; 2009.p. 368.5. Kinsman SL, , Johnston MV. Hydrocephalus. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St Geme JW, Schor NF, Behrman RE, editors. Nelson textbook of pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders, Philadelphia; 2011. p. 2008-11.6. Nard, JA. Abnormal head size and shape. In: Gartner JC,Zitelli BJ, editors. Common and Chronic Symptoms in Pediatrics. St. Louis: Mosby; 1997.7. Menkes JH, Sarnat HB, Flores-Sarnat L. Malformations of the central nervous system. In: Menkes JH, Sarnat HB, Maria BL, editors. Child Neurology. 7th ed. Philadelphia:  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2006. p. 284.8. Williams CA, Dagli A, Battaglia A. Genetic disorders associated with macrocephaly. Am J Med Genet A 2008;146A(15):2023-37.9. Varma R, Williams SD, Wessel HB. Neurology. In: Zitelli BJ, Davis HW, edtors. Atlas of Pediatric Physical Diagnosis. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. p. 563.10. Rekate HL. Hydrocephalus in children. In: Winn HR, Youmans JR, editors. Youmans Neurological Surgery. 5th ed. St Louis: Saunders. 2003. 3387-404.11. Gupta SN, Belay B. Intracranial incidental findings on brain MR images in a pediatric neurology practice: a retrospective study. J Neurol Sci 2008;264(1-2):34-7.12. Alper G, Ekinci G, Yilmaz Y, Arikan C, Telyar G, Erzen C. Magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of benign macrocephaly in children. J Child Neurol 1999;14(10):678-82.13. Smith R, Leonidas JC, Maytal J. The value of head ultrasound in infants with macrocephaly. Pediatr Radiol 1998;28(3):143-6.14. Day RE, Schutt WH. Normal children with large heads benign familial megalencephaly. Arch Dis Child 1979;54(7):512-7.15. Kumar R. External hydrocephalus in small children. Childs Nerv Syst 2006;22(10):1237-41.16. Rollins JD, Collins JS, Holden KR. United states head circumference growth reference charts: birth to 21 years. J Pediatr 2010;156(6):907-13.17. Medina LS, Frawley K, Zurakowski D, Buttros D, DeGrauw AJ, Crone KR. Children with macrocrania: Clinical and imaging predictors of disorders requiring surgery. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2001;22(3):564-70.18. Lorber J, Priestly BL. Children with large heads: a practical approach to diagnosis in 557 children, with special reference to 109 children with megalencephaly. Dev Med Child Neurol 1981;23(4):494-504.19. Zahl SM, Wester K. Routine measurement of head circumference as a tool for detecting intracranial expansion in infants: what is the gain? A nationwide survey. Pediatrics 2008;121(3):e416-20.20. Alvarez LA, Maytal J, Shinnar S. Idiopathic external hydrocephalus: natural history and relationship to benignfamilial macrocephaly. Pediatrics 1986;77(6):901-7.21. Yew AY, Maher CO, Muraszko KM, garton HJ. Longterm health status in benign external hydrocephalus. Pediatr Neurosurg 2011;47(1):1-6.22. Muenchberger H, Assad N, Joy P, Brunsdon R, Shores EA. Idiopathic macrocephaly in the infant: long-term neurological and neuropsychological outcome. Childs Nerv Syst 2006;22(10):1242-48

The reliability and validity of a designed setup for the assessment of static back extensor force and endurance in older women with and without hyperkyphosis.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the intra-rater reliability and validity of a designed load cell setup for the measurement of back extensor muscle force and endurance.ParticipantsThe study sample included 19 older women with hyperkyphosis, mean age 67.0 ± 5.0 years, and 14 older women without hyperkyphosis, mean age 63.0 ± 6.0 years.MethodsMaximum back extensor force and endurance were measured in a sitting position with a designed load cell setup. Tests were performed by the same examiner on two separate days within a 72-hour interval. The intra-rater reliability of the measurements was analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard errors of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC). The validity of the setup was determined using Pearson correlation analysis and independent t-test.ResultsUsing our designed load cell, the values of ICC indicated very high reliability of force measurement (hyperkyphosis group: 0.96, normal group: 0.97) and high reliability of endurance measurement (hyperkyphosis group: 0.82, normal group: 0.89). For all tests, the values of SEM and MDC were low in both groups. A significant correlation between two documented forces (load cell force and target force) and significant differences in the muscle force and endurance among the two groups were found.ConclusionThe measurements of static back muscle force and endurance are reliable and valid with our designed setup in older women with and without hyperkyphosis

The Reliability of Standing Sagittal Measurements of Spinal Curvature and Range of Motion in Older Women With and Without Hyperkyphosis Using a Skin-Surface Device.

OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to investigate the intrarater reliability of a skin-surface instrument (Spinal Mouse, Idiag, Voletswil, Switzerland) in measuring standing sagittal curvature and global mobility of the spine in older women with and without hyperkyphosis. METHODS:Measurements were made in 19 women with hyperkyphosis (thoracic kyphosis angle ≥50°), mean age 67 ± 5 years, and 14 women without hyperkyphosis (thoracic kyphosis angle <50°), mean age 63 ± 6 years. Sagittal thoracic and lumbar curvature and mobility of the spine were assessed with the Spinal Mouse during neutral standing, full spinal flexion, and full spinal extension. Tests were performed by the same examiner on 2 days with a 72-hour interval. The intrarater reliability of the measurements was analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient, standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change. RESULTS:Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.89 to 0.99 in both groups. The standard errors of measurement ranged from 1.02° to 2.06° in the hyperkyphosis group and from 1.15° to 2.22° in the normal group. The minimal detectable change ranged from 2.85° to 5.73° in the hyperkyphosis group and from 3.20° to 6.17° in the normal group. CONCLUSIONS:Our results indicated that the Spinal Mouse has excellent intrarater reliability for the measurement of sagittal thoracic and lumbar curvature and mobility of the spine in older women