Background: Brain connectome fingerprinting represents a recent and valid approach in assessing individual identifiability on the basis of the subject-specific brain functional connectome. Although this methodology has been tested and validated in several neurological diseases, its performance, reliability and reproducibility in healthy individuals has been poorly investigated. In particular, the impact of the changes in brain connectivity, induced by the different phases of the menstrual cycle (MC), on the reliability of this approach remains unexplored.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Sociodemographic factors influence outcomes in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). We predict an association between measures of social isolation and outcomes in infants with complex CHD. These measures, racial (RI) and educational (EI) isolation range from 0 to 1, with 0 being no isolation and 1 being fully isolated within a specific population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExisting steel frames not complying with modern seismic codes are often vulnerable to earthquakes due to inadequate seismic detailing. These types of framed structures typically feature semi-rigid and partial strength column-base connections; the behaviour of such connections may significantly affect their seismic performance. However, current code provisions offer limited guidance for the assessment and retrofit of column-base connections To fill the knowledge gap, the H2020 EU-funded Earthquake Assessment of Base-Column Connections in Existing Steel Frames project experimentally investigated, the response of exposed column-base plate connections.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Behavioral and neuropsychological functions are frequent long-term sequelae of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Neuropeptides, such as nerve growth factor (NGF), can enhance neurogenesis and improve cognitive functions after TBI, playing a pivotal role in neuroplasticity. A limited number of studies documented the safety and efficacy of intranasal NGF administration in children with severe TBI.
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