Analysis Of Asymmetry Research Articles

Physical Vascular Therapy (BEMER) Affects Heart Rate Asymmetry in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease.

The aim of this study was to assess the acute effects of physical vascular therapy (PVT) on the autonomous nervous system by heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate asymmetry (HRA) analysis. The low-frequency, pulsed electromagnetic field (<35 μTesla) with a patented BEMER pattern can improve vasomotion and microcirculation. A non-invasive confirmation of the instant effects of PVT may provide an opportunity to give an immediate feedback to the patient and therapist. Altogether 48 patients on inward rehabilitation with coronary heart disease (CHD) were involved, their treatment included PVT with B.Box Professional and B.Body Pro applicator (BEMER International AG, Triesen, Lichtenstein). After 15 min of postural adaptation, 6-min electrocardiograms (ECG) were taken immediately before, in the first and in the last 6 min of the 20-min PVT, and one hour after the treatment. Of the 48 patients, the last twenty patients received sham PVT with the same protocol. Off-line analysis was blinded. We used linear mixed statistical model to compare HRV and HRA parameters. The time domain parameters did not show any statistically significant differences between the changes in the real PVT and sham groups but, in the first stage of the treatment, Porta and Guzik indices significantly rose everywhere except in the sham group. PVT significantly increases the Guzik and Porta indices in chronic ischemic heart disease patients reflecting a delicate autonomic response. HRA as a measure of autonomic regulation seems to be more sensitive than time domain parameters.

A review on patch-wise asymmetry analysis of thermograms for predicting breast abnormality in breast cancer detection

Thermography, also referred to as thermal imaging, is a technique for identifying breast irregularities through the capturing of temperature patterns using an infrared camera. It is being explored as a potential tool for diagnosing breast cancer, particularly in young women with thick breasts, due to the limitations of mammography. However, it is important to note that thermal imaging is not currently considered a replacement for mammography and should be used in conjunction with other diagnostic tools such as mammography and ultrasound. Further research is necessary to determine the effectiveness of thermal imaging in diagnosing breast cancer.

Price transmission between international and domestic prices in the Brazilian citrus sector

The orange juice chain is a representative sector of the Brazilian agribusiness sector and its performance warrants analysis to identify strategies to enhance its competitiveness. Analysis of asymmetry in food value chain is important because it provides valuable information on market structure and performance. We use an asymmetric threshold error correction model to examine threshold, short- and long-run asymmetries on price transmission from international to domestic prices of oranges in Brazil. We use monthly data on international frozen concentrated orange juice prices and domestic prices of oranges in Brazil for the period from January 1996 to December 2020 in the analysis. We find evidence of threshold and asymmetries in short- and long-run price transmission and asymmetric adjustment towards a long-run relationship between international and domestic orange prices in Brazil. Decreases in international prices that lead to reductions in marketing margins are passed on quickly to domestic prices, but this is not the case for increases in international prices. We discuss implications for the Brazilian citrus industry.

Facial Paralysis Detection in Infrared Thermal Images Using Asymmetry Analysis of Temperature and Texture Features.

Facial temperature distribution in healthy people shows contralateral symmetry, which is generally disrupted by facial paralysis. This study aims to develop a quantitative thermal asymmetry analysis method for early diagnosis of facial paralysis in infrared thermal images. First, to improve the reliability of thermal image analysis, the facial regions of interest (ROIs) were segmented using corner and edge detection. A new temperature feature was then defined using the maximum and minimum temperature, and it was combined with the texture feature to represent temperature distribution of facial ROIs. Finally, Minkowski distance was used to measure feature symmetry of bilateral ROIs. The feature symmetry vectors were input into support vector machine to evaluate the degree of facial thermal symmetry. The results showed that there were significant differences in thermal symmetry between patients with facial paralysis and healthy people. The accuracy of the proposed method for early diagnosis of facial paralysis was 0.933, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.947. In conclusion, temperature and texture features can effectively quantify thermal asymmetry caused by facial paralysis, and the application of machine learning in early detection of facial paralysis in thermal images is feasible.

Аналіз статистичних показників дисперсії, асиметрії та ексцесу при визначенні порушень інформаційної безпеки кіберфізичних систем вітрових генераторів

The active introduction of intelligent systems that closely interact with physical processes to solve a wide range of different tasks of human life increases the relevance of risk analysis associated with the functioning of such systems. Such hybrid complex intelligent systems belong to the class of cyberphysical systems (CPS). Violations of CPS security caused by outside interference in the information flow can lead to economic losses, environmental threats, and threats to human life and health. A significant increase in incidents of violation of the safety of CPS wind turbines determines the relevance of research on methods for protecting such systems. The subject matter of the study in the article is the process of determining violations of the information security of the CPS of a wind generator based on the analysis of statistical indicators of variance, asymmetry, and kurtosis of the input parameter "Power" collected by CPS sensors. The goal is to develop an algorithm for determining violations of the information security of the CPS using methods for analyzing statistical indicators of variance, asymmetry, and kurtosis. The tasks to be solved are: to formalize the process of identifying falsified data in the information flow of the CPS; to determine the advantages and disadvantages of existing methods for ensuring the information security of the CPS; to determine the degree of changes in statistical indicators of variance, asymmetry, and kurtosis of the sample of the "Power" parameter of the wind generator in the presence of misinformation in the information flow; to analyze the possibility of supplementing and further improving the proposed algorithm. The methods used are analysis of statistical indicators of variance, asymmetry, and kurtosis of the sample of the parameter "Power" of the wind generator. The following results are obtained: the general characteristics of the CPS and features of the functioning of the CPS of the wind turbine as the object of research of this work are considered; an initial algorithm for determining violations of the information security of the CPS of wind turbine based on the use of statistical indicators of variance, asymmetry, and excess is developed; the fact of artificial substitution of data for the parameter "power" of the information flow of the CPS of a wind turbine is determined; ways to improve the developed algorithm using one-factor variance analysis, bootstrap methods are proposed. Conclusions. The scientific novelty of the results obtained consists of the development of an improved algorithm for determining the fact of data falsification in the CPS information flow based on the analysis of variance, asymmetry, and kurtosis indicators; the use of a statistical method for determining CPS security violations, analyzing the shortcomings of existing methods for determining CPS security violations and the possibility of their comprehensive improvement. The issues of the possibility of improving the developed method and testing the method in the future are also considered.

Early Activity in Comet C/2014 UN271 Bernardinelli–Bernstein as Observed by TESS

Abstract We used long duration observations from the Transient Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) to investigate the behavior of comet C/2014 UN271 Bernardinelli–Bernstein at large heliocentric distances. By combining data from sector 03 (976 30 minute exposures from 2018), and sectors 29 and 30 (3585 and 3410 10 minute exposures, respectively, from 2020), we produced deep coadded images of the comet. A comparison of these results with similarly processed images of inactive Kuiper Belt objects and asteroids reveals that the comet was already exhibiting coma at heliocentric distances 23.8 and 21.2 au, making this one of the most distant comets for which preperihelion activity has been directly detected. A simple syndyne analysis of asymmetries in the coma suggests that activity probably started several years prior to these observations, and likely arose from emission in roughly the sunward direction. The images were used to produce photometric lightcurves, though no rotational variability was detected. We used NEOWISE observations from 2020 November 26–28 to place an upper limit of 2 × 1028 molecules s−1 (3σ) on the CO production rate.

Gait characteristics under single-/dual-task walking conditions in elderly patients with cerebral small vessel disease: Analysis of gait variability, gait asymmetry and bilateral coordination of gait

BackgroundDual-task walking (DTW) is common in daily life and represents an ideal paradigm for elucidating gait irregularity. Under single-task walking (STW) and DTW conditions, the symmetric and bilaterally coordinated human gait pattern found in healthy individuals is absent in individuals with neurological ailments such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and post-stroke issues. Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a neuropathological and radiological issue that has been reported to be associated with cognitive and motor disorders. However, few gait analyses have focused on elderly individuals with CSVD under DTW conditions. Research questionAre parameters of gait analysis helpful in elucidating gait abnormalities in elderly patients with CSVD under DTW conditions? MethodsA total of 46 elderly patients with CSVD (CSVD group) and 22 healthy, age-matched individuals (HE group) were recruited. Gait data were collected from both groups under STW and DTW conditions. Direct parameters and metrics reflecting gait variability, gait asymmetry, and bilateral coordination of gait in the two groups were compared. ResultsUnder STW conditions, elderly individuals with CSVD showed markedly shorter stride length, were slower, and had higher gait asymmetry (GA) and phase coordination index (PCI) than healthy controls after adjusting for age, sex and level of education. Under DTW conditions, there were statistically significant differences between the two groups in stride time, stride length, cadence, stride time variability, GA and PCI after adjusting for age, sex, and level of education. SignificanceReanalysis-generated parameters, such as gait variability, GA, and PCI, are biomarkers for gait dysfunction in elderly patients with CSVD. In this study, elderly individuals with CVSD showed abnormal gait features under both STW and DTW conditions.

Effects of the calorie content of visual food stimuli and simulated situations on event-related frontal alpha asymmetry and event-related potentials in the context of food choices

Approach and avoidance tendencies play an important role in everyday food choices when choosing between high-caloric, rather unhealthy, and low-caloric, rather healthy options. On a neuronal level, approach and avoidance motivation have been associated with asymmetrical activity of the frontal cortex, often quantified by alpha power averaged over several seconds of resting electroencephalogram (EEG). Going beyond the analysis of resting EEG, the present study aimed to investigate asymmetrical frontal activity in direct response to food stimuli in an event-related design and in combination with event-related potentials (ERPs). Therefore, a sample of 56 young and healthy participants completed a food choice task. They were asked to choose from a selection of high-caloric and low-caloric foods which they would want to eat on a normal day (baseline), when being on a diet, and in a reward situation. On the behavioural level, there was a clear preference for low-caloric foods. Well in line with that, time-frequency analyses of alpha asymmetry revealed relatively stronger temporary (950–1175 ms) left-hemispheric frontal activity, that is, a stronger approach tendency, in response to low-caloric as compared to high-caloric foods. Furthermore, larger P300 for low-caloric foods indicated an increased task relevance of low-caloric foods in the baseline and the reward situation. In contrast, the late positive potential (LPP), an index of subjective value, was larger for high-as compared to low-caloric foods, reflecting the intrinsic rewarding properties of high-caloric foods. ERPs, but not frontal alpha asymmetry, were influenced by the situational context.

Encoding capability prediction of acquisition schedules in CEST MR fingerprinting for pH quantification.

To identify a reliable metric for predicting the encoding capability of CEST MR fingerprinting acquisition schedules for pH quantification, which may facilitate CEST MR fingerprinting protocol optimization. Numerical simulations and Cr phantom MRI experiments were conducted at 3 Tesla under representative CEST MR fingerprinting sampling scenarios, including the pseudorandomization of imaging parameters (e.g., saturation power B1 , saturation frequency offset, saturation time, and relaxation time), and variation of the maximum saturation power B1max , B1 number, and sampling pattern. The CEST effect at 2 ppm was measured using asymmetry analysis and matched to a predefined dictionary to determine the pH. The pH quantification error was assessed using RMSE. Three metrics, namely the Cramer-Rao bound, dot product, and Euclidean distance, were calculated for each sampling scenario, and their relationships with the pH RMSE were investigated to examine their effectiveness for predicting the encoding capability of sampling schedules for pH quantification. Both simulation and phantom studies revealed that the Cramer-Rao bound metric consistently exhibited superior performance for predicting the pH quantification error. Although dot product exhibited good encoding capability prediction in most sampling scenarios, it failed in the scenario with varied B1 numbers. In contrast, Euclidean distance exhibited the worst performance among the 3 metrics in all scenarios. Superior over dot product and Euclidean distance, the Cramer-Rao bound metric may reliably predicting the encoding capability of CEST MR fingerprinting sampling strategies and may be useful for guiding CEST MRI protocol optimization.

Gait Asymmetry Comparison between Subjects with and without Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain

Individuals with chronic low back pain (LBP) report impaired somatosensory function and balance. However, there is a lack of investigation on limb motion similarities between subjects with and without LBP during gait. The aim of this study was to compare gait parameters as well as combined limb motions using the kinematic similarity index (KSI) between subjects with and without LBP. Twenty-two subjects with LBP and 19 age- and body mass index-matched control subjects participated in this study. The combined limb motions in the gait cycle of subjects with LBP were compared with those of a prototype derived from healthy subjects. The calculations resulted in response vectors that were analyzed in comparison to control-derived prototype response vectors for the normalized index at 5% increments in the gait cycle. The results of our study indicated that the KSI of the control group demonstrated higher similarities in the swing (t = 4.23, p = 0.001) and stance (t = 6.26, p = 0.001) phases compared to the LBP group. The index for the whole gait cycle was significantly different between the groups (t = 6.52, p = 0.001), especially in the midstance and swing phases. The LBP group could have adjusted the gait patterns during these specific phases. The KSI is useful for clinical outcome measures to differentiate kinematic changes and to demonstrate quantified similarities in the gait cycle between subjects with and without LBP. It is warranted to validate the KSI for the analysis of physiological gait asymmetry using a larger sample in future studies.

Analysis of postural asymmetry on sagittal plane between right and left side views using photogrammetry

BackgroundPostural asymmetry is natural and expected during postural assessment. Besides, there are conditions that exacerbate the difference between right and left side views, such as Idiopathic Scoliosis (IS). However, the photogrammetric postural assessment on sagittal plane is usually performed using only one side view. This study aimed testing if there are differences between the right and the left-side views in photogrammetric postural assessment of adults on sagittal plane. MethodsPatients with and without scoliosis were assessed and were grouped into Control Group (CG) and Positive Adam's test Group (PAG) according to Adam's forward bending test. After screening, participants were assessed using the right and the left-side views according DIPA© protocol. Descriptive and inferential analysis were made using Paired t-Test and Independence Chi-square Test (χ2). ResultsSignificant differences were found between right and left side views to knee angle and head position angle to overall sample. The mean difference was low, about 1° on head position and 2.6° on knee angle and did not affect the classification of body segments. ConclusionWe conclude that the postural assessment on sagittal plane of adults without IS can be performed using only one side view, becoming the photogrammetric postural assessment an easy-to-use tool.

Determination of flexibility and mobility levels for female physical education students and motor asymmetry analysis

Background and Study Aim. The aim of the study is the determination of flexibility and mobility levels (norm values) for female physical education students and analyses of the motor asymmetry.&#x0D; Material and Methods. In the study, 10 female physical education and sport students whose mean body weight was 59.3 kg and body height were 167.7 centimeters were included. Flexibility and mobility performance was measured by using tests such as a Forward-Backward Split (FBS0), Leg Raise forward (LRF0), Leg Raise Sideward (LRS0), Side Spit (SS0), Arm-Trunk Angle (AT0), Seat and reach hip angle degree (SRHA0). Data analysis in the study was made by using the IBM SPSS statistics 26 program. To handle the results of the study, the Independent-samples T-test and percentile(s) statistics were used. Norm values were given in four categories (20th, 40th, 60th, 80th) and middle fifty (50th). Calculation of the angle degrees was made by using the Kinovea-0.9.4-x64.exe program.&#x0D; Results. The findings have shown that the forward-backward split and leg raise forward angle degree when the right leg was ahead is significantly higher (better flexibility) than the forward-backward split and leg raise forward angle degree when the left leg was ahead (p&lt;0.05). However, differences in the leg raise sideward angle degree in the right and left leg were not statistically significant (p&gt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusions. The study determined the level (norm values) of flexibility and mobility of female physical education students. The right leg flexibility and mobility level resulted to be significantly higher in comparison to the left leg.

Effects of Fishing on the Population of Speckled PavonCichla temensisin the Middle Negro River (Amazonas State, Brazil): A Decrease in the Size of the Trophy Fish?

AbstractFishing acts selectively on exploited fish stocks, catching larger individuals and altering age and size structure. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of a multi‐use fishery in regards to the size truncation of populations of Speckled PavonCichla temensis. Data collection was carried out in the middle Negro River region, where the two modalities of recreational and commercial fishing occur with greater intensity. Questionnaires were administered to fishers in order to collect information on fishing. Individual fish were captured by recreational fishers in different rivers, were measured and weighed, and were released back into their environments. Weight (g) and TL (mm) data were used to assess the size structure at different fishing intensities. Asymmetry measurements were performed, and kurtosis of the distribution curve of the population was assessed. Linear models were also performed for both fisheries. The analysis of length distribution, asymmetry, and kurtosis showed a trend toward a decrease in the mean length of Speckled Pavon in line with the increase in fishing intensity. In linear models, the average distance (km) between fishing grounds and the fleet headquarters showed a positive relationship only for recreational fishing, which indicates that with an increasing distance from the municipality, the possibility of catching larger individuals increases and, consequently, the fishing yield also increases. The number of fishers presented a negative relationship, indicating a decrease in mean size and mean yield with increasing numbers of fishers in both modalities. The model predicted that low exploitation would cause a decline in the abundance of trophy fish. The results suggest that the Speckled Pavon population of this region exhibits signs of high exploitation and that fisheries management measures should be implemented to ensure the sustainability of stocks and fisheries that have high socioeconomic importance in the region.

Analysis of information asymmetry in the instructions for medical use on the example of Enterol

There may be variations in the texts of instructions for medical use of medicines (hereinafter – the instructions) containing the same active pharmaceutical ingredient, and registered in the pharmaceutical markets of different countries. First of all this applies to medicines manufactured in one country and distributed to other countries. Therefore, there are questions related to incorrect use of medicines due to the existing asymmetry of information. This problem is especially relevant in connection with tourist activity and labour migration.&#x0D; The aim of the study was to identify discrepancies in the instructions of Enterol, registered in different countries.&#x0D; The materials of the study were the registers of medicines in France, Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria, Poland, the Czech Republic and Russia, as well as the texts of instructions of Enterol (Biocodex, France), registered in the above countries. Methods of generalization, systematization, as well as contextual and comparative analysis were used.&#x0D; It was found that the original (French) instruction has two indications for the use of Enterol (treatment of acute diarrhea in children under 12 years old; prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile or recurrence of diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile), while Belarusian and Russian instructions have one indication. Polish instruction contains 5 indications, while Bulgarian and Czech – 8. The largest number of indications for the use of Enterol (11) is given in Ukrainian instruction.&#x0D; A contradictory information is in the sections «Therapeutic Indications», «Posology and method of administration», «Contraindications», «Undesirable effects», «Special warnings and precautions for use», including «Pregnancy and lactation». In the text of one instruction there is no information available in the text of another, and none of the instructions is identical to the instructions of Enterol, registered in France (country of manufacture). Actually, these information discrepancies, as well as the patient's perception of information, can lead to improper use of medicines and, as a consequence, drug-related problems. Thus, to minimize the asymmetry of information, the applicant during the registration of the drug must submit a notarized translation of the manufacturer's instructions.

Deep learning-based classification of preclinical breast cancer tumor models using chemical exchange saturation transfer magnetic resonance imaging.

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) magnetic resonance imaging has shown promise for classifying tumors based on their aggressiveness, but CEST contrast is complicated by multiple signal sources and thus prolonged acquisition times are often required to extract the signal of interest. We investigated whether deep learning could help identify pertinent Z-spectral features for distinguishing tumor aggressiveness as well as the possibility of acquiring only the pertinent spectral regions for more efficient CEST acquisition. Human breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7, were used to establish bi-lateral tumor xenografts in mice to represent higher and lower aggressive tumors, respectively. A convolutional neural network (CNN)-based classification model, trained on simulated data, utilized Z-spectral features as input to predict labels of different tissue types, including MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and muscle tissue. Saliency maps reported the influence of Z-spectral regions on classifying tissue types. The model was robust to noise with an accuracy of more than 91.5% for low and moderate noise levels in simulated testing data (SD of noise less than 2.0%). For in vivo CEST data acquired with a saturation pulse amplitude of 2.0 μT, the model had a superior ability to delineate tissue types compared with Lorentzian difference (LD) and magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry (MTRasym ) analysis, classifying tissues to the correct types with a mean accuracy of 85.7%, sensitivity of 81.1%, and specificity of 94.0%. The model's performance did not improve substantially when using data acquired at multiple saturation pulse amplitudes or when adding LD or MTRasym spectral features, and did not change when using saliency map-based partial or downsampled Z-spectra. This study demonstrates the potential of CNN-based classification to distinguish between different tumor types and muscle tissue, and speed up CEST acquisition protocols.

Liposomal Fe(III) Macrocyclic Complexes with Hydroxypropyl Pendants as MRI Probes.

Paramagnetic liposomes containing Fe(III) complexes were prepared by incorporation of mononuclear (Fe(L1) or Fe(L3)) or dinuclear (Fe2(L2)) coordination complexes of 1,4,7-triazacyclononane macrocycles containing 2-hydroxypropyl pendant groups. Two different types of paramagnetic liposomes were prepared. The first type, LipoA, has the mononuclear Fe(L1) complex loaded into the internal aqueous core. The second type, LipoB, has the amphiphilic Fe(L3) complex inserted into the liposomal bilayer and the internal aqueous core loaded with either Fe(L1) (LipoB1) or Fe2(L2) (LipoB2). LipoA enhances both T1 and T2 water proton relaxation rates. Treatment of LipoA with osmotic gradients to produce a nonspherical liposome produces a liposome with a chemical exchange saturation transfer effect as shown by an asymmetry analysis but only at high osmolarity. LipoB1, which contains an amphiphilic complex in the liposomal bilayer, produced a broadened Z-spectrum upon treatment of the liposome with osmotic gradients. The r1 relaxivity of LipoB1 and LipoB2 were higher than the r1 relaxivity of LipoA on a per Fe basis, suggesting an important contribution from the amphiphilic Fe(III) center. The r1 relaxivities of paramagnetic liposomes are relatively constant over a range of magnetic field strengths (1.4-9.4 T), with the ratio of r2/r1 substantially increasing at high field strengths. MRI studies of LipoB1 in mice showed prolonged contrast enhancement in blood compared to the clinically employed Gd(DOTA), which was injected at a 2-fold higher dose per metal than the Fe(III)-loaded liposomes.

Comparison of Different Machine Learning Classifiers for Glaucoma Diagnosis Based on Spectralis OCT.

Early detection is important in glaucoma management. By using optical coherence tomography (OCT), the subtle structural changes caused by glaucoma can be detected. Though OCT provided abundant parameters for comprehensive information, clinicians may be confused once the results conflict. Machine learning classifiers (MLCs) are good tools for considering numerous parameters and generating reliable diagnoses in glaucoma practice. Here we aim to compare different MLCs based on Spectralis OCT parameters, including circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cRNFL) thickness, Bruch’s membrane opening-minimum rim width (BMO-MRW), Early Treatment Diabetes Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) macular thickness, and posterior pole asymmetry analysis (PPAA), in discriminating normal from glaucomatous eyes. Five MLCs were proposed, namely conditional inference trees (CIT), logistic model tree (LMT), C5.0 decision tree, random forest (RF), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). Logistic regression (LGR) was used as a benchmark for comparison. RF was shown to be the best model. Ganglion cell layer measurements were the most important predictors in early glaucoma detection and cRNFL measurements were more important as the glaucoma severity increased. The global, temporal, inferior, superotemporal, and inferotemporal sites were relatively influential locations among all parameters. Clinicians should cautiously integrate the Spectralis OCT results into the entire clinical picture when diagnosing glaucoma.

Isolated thalamic stroke \u2013 analysis of clinical characteristics and asymmetry of lesion distribution in a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundMore patients with left-hemispheric than right-hemispheric strokes are admitted to hospitals. This is due to the easier recognition of cortical symptoms of the dominant-hemisphere. The thalamus constitutes a “micro-model” of the brain cortex with structure-function relationships known to be asymmetric, especially for language, memory, and visuo-spatial neurocognitive functions. The goal of this study was to characterize clinical symptoms and lesion distribution patterns of patients with acute isolated thalamic stroke (ITS) and to evaluate whether left-sided lesions are overrepresented in the hospital.MethodsWe performed a radiological database search including all brain scans performed in the Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery of the University Hospital Frankfurt between 2010 and 2019. A total of 5733 patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke were screened for ITS. Based on the MRI data, a lesion-overlap map was then generated to visualize the ITS lesion distribution.ResultsFifty-eight patients with unilateral ITS were identified. A majority of 38 patients (65.5%) showed left-sided ITS, whereas only 20 patients (34.5%) had right-sided ITS (p = 0.012). A particular difference was found for ITS lesions in the anterior thalamus of the anterolateral (n = 10) and anteromedian (n = 3) vascular territory, which were located in the left thalamus in 85% of patients (p = 0.011). No distribution difference was found for ITS lesions in the inferomedial (n = 7), central (n = 8), inferolateral (n = 23) and posterior (n = 7) vascular territories. The neuropsychological symptoms of thalamic aphasia (n = 8), neurocognitive impairment (n = 6), behavioral changes (n = 2), neglect (n = 2) and memory deficits (n = 3) were described predominantly in patients with left-sided ITS (p < 0.01). In contrast, other stroke symptoms (e.g., sensorimotor hemi-syndromes) did not reveal a side preponderance.ConclusionsThe better recognizability of left anterior compared to right anterior thalamic stroke symptoms may have an impact on the frequency in which ITS patients are admitted to the hospital. Clinical characteristics of right anterior thalamic stroke should therefore be further investigated, and diagnostic instruments towards their detection be identified.

Probing Jets from Young Embedded Sources: Clues from HST Near-IR [Fe ii] Images

Abstract We present near-infrared [Fe ii] images of four Class 0/I jets (HH 1/2, HH 34, HH 111, HH 46/47) observed with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Wide Field Camera 3. The unprecedented angular resolution allows us to measure proper motions, jet widths and trajectories, and extinction along the jets. In all cases, we detect the counterjet, which was barely visible or invisible at shorter wavelengths. We measure tangential velocities of a few hundred kilometers per second, consistent with previous HST measurements over 10 years ago. We measure the jet width as close as a few tens of au from the star, revealing high collimations of about 2° for HH 1, HH 34, and HH 111 and about 8° for HH 46, all of which are preserved up to large distances. For HH 34, we find evidence of a larger initial opening angle of about 7°. Measurement of knot positions reveals deviations in trajectory of both the jet and counterjet of all sources. Analysis of asymmetries in the inner knot positions for HH 111 suggests the presence of a low mass stellar companion at separation 20–30 au. Finally, we find extinction values of 15–20 mag near the source, which gradually decrease moving downstream along the jet. These observations have allowed us to study the counterjet at unprecedentedly high angular resolution and will be a valuable reference for planning future JWST mid-infrared observations that will peer even closer into the jet engine.

Hydrosedimentological Response to Estuarine Deepening: Conceptual Analysis

This paper describes the effects of anthropogenic deepening of tidal rivers in a conceptual way, with focus on tidal distortion and the residual transport of coarse sediment, driven by asymmetries in peak velocity. The rivers under consideration are fairly small, with small river discharge, and may have irregular hypsometry, with substantial intertidal area, or not. Residual sediment transport is driven by asymmetries in tidal velocity (horizontal tide), which is, however, difficult to establish in general. This paper discusses how and under which cases asymmetries in tidal elevations (vertical tide) can provide appropriate information on residual sediment transport. It is argued that deepening may induce a competition between an increase in tidal amplitude by amplification and a reduction in the asymmetry itself. Linear analysis shows that tidal asymmetry may show irregular behavior locally even for regular river configurations. It is therefore expected that these irregularities become larger in natural and engineered rivers. Analysis of local asymmetries may therefore be misleading in assessing the river's response to deepening with respect to the overall residual sediment transport and the river's morphology. Thus analysis of the overall morphodynamic response of a tidal river to tidal asymmetry, as affected by deepening, requires integration of the nonlinear effects along the entire river. It is argued that tidal asymmetry can be quantified by determining the difference in travel times of the high and low waters at any location within the river. This also implies that tidal water level variations and their asymmetries are governed by the entire tidal volume up-river of the cross section under consideration. River discharge further complicates the analyses by affecting residual water flows, effective hydraulic drag, tidal asymmetry, and mean water level. These effects reduce in response to deepening. However, salinity intrusion and gravitational circulation increase with deepening. We believe that assessing the (long-term) effects of deepening a fairway in a tidal river or estuary requires the use of process-based numerical models to account for all these nonlinear interactions, next to appropriate data collection. The current paper may help in analyzing and interpreting the numerical results.