Speech in noise listening correlates identified in resting state and DTI MRI images.

This study presents an examination of the neural connectivity associated with processing speech in noisy environments, an ability that declines with age. We correlated subjects' speech-in-noise (SIN) ability with resting-state MRI scans and Fractional Anisotropy (FA) values from the auditory section of the corpus callosum, both with and without correcting for age. The results revealed that subjects who performed poorly on the right ear SIN test (QuickSIN, MedRx) had higher correlations between the primary auditory cortex and regions of the brain that process language.

Crystallography relevant to Mars and Galilean icy moons: crystal behavior of kieserite-type monohydrate sulfates at extraterrestrial conditions down to 15 K.

Monohydrate sulfate kieserites ( SO·HO) and their solid solutions are essential constituents on the surface of Mars and most likely also on Galilean icy moons in our solar system. Phase stabilities of end-member representatives ( = Mg, Fe, Co, Ni) have been examined crystallographically using single-crystal X-ray diffraction at 1 bar and temperatures down to 15 K, by means of applying open He cryojet techniques at in-house laboratory instrumentation. All four representative phases show a comparable, highly anisotropic thermal expansion behavior with a remarkable negative thermal expansion along the monoclinic axis and a pronounced anisotropic expansion perpendicular to it.

Extending the Stability Field of Polymeric Carbon Dioxide Phase V beyond the Earth's Geotherm.

We present a study on the phase stability of dense carbon dioxide (CO_{2}) at extreme pressure-temperature conditions, up to 6200 K within the pressure range 37±9 to 106±17  GPa. The investigations of high-pressure high-temperature in situ x-ray diffraction patterns recorded from laser-heated CO_{2}, as densified in diamond-anvil cells, consistently reproduced the exclusive formation of polymeric tetragonal CO_{2}-V at any condition achieved in repetitive laser-heating cycles. Using well-considered experimental arrangements, which prevent reactions with metal components of the pressure cells, annealing through laser heating was extended individually up to approximately 40 min per cycle in order to keep track of upcoming instabilities and changes with time.

CuSO/[Cu(NH)]SO-Composite Thermochemical Energy Storage Materials.

The thermochemical energy-storage material couple CuSO/[Cu(NH)]SO combines full reversibility, application in a medium temperature interval (<350 °C), and fast liberation of stored heat. During reaction with ammonia, a large change in the sulfate solid-state structure occurs, resulting in a 2.6-fold expansion of the bulk material due to NH uptake.

2/ Postorthopyroxene γ-LiScGeO, a New Dense High-Pressure Polymorph and Its Direct Transformation from the Structure.

Orthorhombic β-LiScGeO single crystals were compressed hydrostatically up to 10.35 GPa using a diamond anvil cell and investigated in situ by means of X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Crystal-structure investigations at ambient conditions and at high pressure show a structural transition from an orthopyroxene-type structure ( ≈ 18.

High-Pressure Behavior of Nickel Sulfate Monohydrate: Isothermal Compressibility, Structural Polymorphism, and Transition Pathway.

Single crystals of synthetic nickel sulfate monohydrate, α-NiSO·HO (space-group symmetry 2/ at ambient conditions), were subject to high-pressure behavior investigations in a diamond-anvil cell up to 10.8 GPa. By means of subtle spectral changes in Raman spectra recorded at 298 K on isothermal compression, two discontinuities were identified at 2.

Clinical FDG-PET Findings in Patients with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: Concordance with EEG and MRI.

Background And Purpose: We aimed to study the yield of PET in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) by analyzing the correlation of PET findings with MRI, and interictal and ictal EEG findings, in a single-center cohort of patients with TLE. Predictors of PET thalamic changes and its role in predicting postsurgical outcome were also studied.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 39 patients with TLE who underwent MRI, PET, and scalp video EEG monitoring at the University at Buffalo, New York from 2001 to 2011 during presurgical evaluation.

Cycle Stability and Hydration Behavior of Magnesium Oxide and Its Dependence on the Precursor-Related Particle Morphology.

Thermochemical energy storage is considered as an auspicious method for the recycling of medium-temperature waste heat. The reaction couple Mg(OH)₂⁻MgO is intensely investigated for this purpose, suffering so far from limited cycle stability. To overcome this issue, Mg(OH)₂, MgCO₃, and MgC₂O₄·2H₂O were compared as precursor materials for MgO production.

The hydrocarbon-bearing clathrasil chibaite and its host-guest structure at low temperature.

The natural sII-type clathrasil chibaite [chemical formula SiO·(,), where denotes a guest mol-ecule] was investigated using single-crystal X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy in the temperature range from 273 to 83 K. The O atoms of the structure at room temperature, which globally conforms to space group [ = 7348.9 (17) Å, = 19.

Crystalline polymeric carbon dioxide stable at megabar pressures.

Carbon dioxide is a widespread simple molecule in the Universe. In spite of its simplicity it has a very complex phase diagram, forming both amorphous and crystalline extended phases above 40 GPa. The stability range and nature of these phases are still debated, especially in view of their possible role within the deep carbon cycle.

Evolution of the α-BaMg(CO) low-temperature superstructure and the tricritical nature of its α-β phase transition.

The crystal structure of the synthetic double carbonate norsethite [BaMg(CO)] has been reinvestigated using X-ray diffraction data within the temperature range 100-500 K using a high-sensitivity PILATUS pixel detector. The previously assumed positional shift of the crystallographically unique oxygen atom is confirmed. The shift is associated with a coupled rotation of symmetry-equivalent carbonate groups.

Positron Emission Tomography and Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography in Neurology.

Purpose Of Review: Positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) are now available for routine clinical applications in neurology. This article discusses their diagnostic use in dementia, brain tumors, epilepsy, parkinsonism, cerebrovascular disease, and traumatic brain injury.

Recent Findings: Neuromolecular imaging, also known as nuclear neurology, involves clinical imaging of both basal regional physiology (perfusion, metabolism, and transport mechanisms) and specific neurochemical physiology (currently, only the dopamine transporter).

Correlation of cognition and SPECT perfusion: easy Z score and SPM analysis of a pilot sample with cerebral small vessel disease.

Background/aims: To associate neuropsychology test performance with perfusion on single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) among 12 patients with cerebral small vessel disease.

Methods: The easy Z score imaging system (eZIS) was used to compare patient images to those of normal controls. Scores from neuropsychological tests commonly used to screen for dementia were associated with SPECT resting perfusion image values using the statistical parametric mapping (SPM) program.

Novel treatment for radiation optic neuropathy with intravenous bevacizumab.

Radiation optic neuropathy is a devastating form of vision loss that can occur months to years after radiation therapy for tumors and other lesions located in close proximity to the visual pathways. We present the case of a 24-year-old woman who underwent external beam radiation for treatment of a tectal pilocytic astrocytoma, and 5 years later she developed bilateral radiation optic neuropathy and radiation necrosis of the right temporal lobe. We opted to treat her with intravenous bevacizumab with 3 doses every 3 weeks, as well as dexamethasone and pentoxifylline.

Cerebral small vessel disease: cognition, mood, daily functioning, and imaging findings from a small pilot sample.

Cerebral small vessel disease, a leading cause of cognitive decline, is considered a relatively homogeneous disease process, and it can co-occur with Alzheimer's disease. Clinical reports of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/computed tomography and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging and neuropsychology testing for a small pilot sample of 14 patients are presented to illustrate disease characteristics through findings from structural and functional imaging and cognitive assessment. Participants showed some decreases in executive functioning, attention, processing speed, and memory retrieval, consistent with previous literature.

Multipurpose high-pressure high-temperature diamond-anvil cell with a novel high-precision guiding system and a dual-mode pressurization device.

A novel diamond-anvil cell (DAC) design has been constructed and tested for in situ applications at high-pressure (HP) operations and has proved to be suitable even for HP sample environments at non-ambient temperature conditions. The innovative high-precision guiding mechanism, comparable to a dog clutch, consists of perpendicular planar sliding-plane elements and is integrated directly into the base body of the cylindrically shaped DAC. The combination of two force-generating devices, i.

Comparison between beryllium and diamond-backing plates in diamond-anvil cells: application to single-crystal x-ray diffraction high-pressure data.

A direct comparison between two complete intensity datasets, collected on the same sample loaded in two identical diamond-anvil pressure cells equipped, respectively, with beryllium and diamond-backing plates was performed. The results clearly demonstrate that the use of diamond-backing plates significantly improves the quality of crystal structure data. There is a decrease in the internal R factor for averaging, structure refinement agreement factors, and in the errors and uncertainties of the atomic coordinates, atomic displacement parameters, and individual bond lengths.

Serotonergic hyperinnervation and effective serotonin blockade in an FGF receptor developmental model of psychosis.

The role of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) in normal brain development has been well-documented in transgenic and knock-out mouse models. Changes in FGF and its receptors have also been observed in schizophrenia and related developmental disorders. The current study examines a transgenic th(tk-)/th(tk-) mouse model with FGF receptor signaling disruption targeted to dopamine (DA) neurons, resulting in neurodevelopmental, anatomical, and biochemical alterations similar to those observed in human schizophrenia.

Positron emission tomography for neurologists.

This short review focuses on practical, present day, clinical application of FDG PET, a technology available to practicing neurologists for managing their patients. Indications in the disease states of dementia, neuro-oncology, epilepsy, parkinsonism, and other less common settings are reviewed. Many third-party payers currently make reimbursements based on these indications.

Tuning of inter- versus intrachain magnetic interactions in cyano-bridged Ni(II)/M(III) (M = Cr, Fe, Co) chain complexes.

The reaction of [M(CN)6]3- (M = Cr3+, Fe3+, Co3+) with the nickel(II) complex of 2,4-diamino-1,3,5-triazin-6-yl-{3-(1,3,5,8,12-pentaazacyclotetradecane)} ([NiL]2+) in excess of ANO3 or ACl (A = Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+, NH4+) leads to the cyano-bridged dinuclear assemblies A{[NiL][M(CN)6]}.xH2O (x = 2-5). X-ray structures of Li{[NiL][Cr(CN)6]}.

Myoangiogenesis after cell patch cardiomyoplasty and omentopexy in a patient with ischemic cardiomyopathy.

We describe a procedure to promote angiogenesis and impregnation of skeletal myoblast into infarcted myocardium. At the completion of coronary artery bypass surgery, the midline sternotomy incision was extended to open the abdomen, and the greater omentum was tailored to reach the myocardium. Four pieces of autologous rectus muscle were applied to the infarcted left ventricle.

Encapsulation of cyanometalates by a tris-macrocyclic ligand tricopper(II) complex: syntheses, structural variation, and magnetic exchange coupling pathways.

The reaction of [M(CN)(6)](3-) (M = Cr(3+), Mn(3+), Fe(3+), Co(3+)) and [M(CN)(8)](4-/3-) (M = Mo(4+/5+), W(4+/5+)) with the trinuclear copper(II) complex of 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyltris[3-(1,3,5,8,12-pentaazacyclotetradecane)] ([Cu(3)(L)](6+)) leads to partially encapsulated cyanometalates. With hexacyanometalate(III) complexes, [Cu(3)(L)](6+) forms the isostructural host-guest complexes [[[Cu(3)(L)(OH(2))(2)][M(CN)(6)](2)][M(CN)(6)]][M(CN)(6)]30 H(2)O with one bridging, two partially encapsulated, and one isolated [M(CN)(6)](3-) unit. The octacyanometalates of Mo(4+/5+) and W(4+/5+) are encapsulated by two tris-macrocyclic host units.

Role of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in the diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis.

A 45-year-old man developed seizures and myelopathy. MRI showed bitemporal and cervical spinal cord hyperintense lesions on T2-weighted and FLAIR images that contrast-enhanced. Initial evaluation for sarcoidosis was negative, including serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and chest X-ray.

Reduced prefrontal activity predicts exaggerated striatal dopaminergic function in schizophrenia.

Both dopaminergic neurotransmission and prefrontal cortex (PFC) function are known to be abnormal in schizophrenia. To test the hypothesis that these phenomena are related, we measured presynaptic dopaminergic function simultaneously with regional cerebral blood flow during the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and a control task in unmedicated schizophrenic subjects and matched controls. We show that the dopaminergic uptake constant Ki in the striatum was significantly higher for patients than for controls.

How to couple Landau theory to an equation of state.

We show how to construct a Landau-type free energy based on a primary order parameter coupled to finite strain with an elastic energy derived from an arbitrary equation of state V = V(P). The resulting class of models provides an excellent and efficient framework for the systematic study of phase transformations for a wide range of materials up to ultrahigh pressures.