Asymmetry Index Research Articles

Bulgeless disks, dark galaxies, inverted color gradients, and other expected phenomena at higher z

The spectral energy distribution (SED) of galaxies varies both between galaxies and within them. For instance, early-type spiral galaxies have a red bulge surrounded by a bluer star-forming disk with H II regions within. When observing redshifted galaxies, a given photometric filter probes light at a bluer rest frame, and in relating the observed magnitudes to the rest frame of the filter, so-called k corrections are commonly applied to account for the relative dimming or brightening in addition to the pure distance effect. The amount of correction depends on the shape of the spectrum (SED), so different k corrections apply to galaxies of different spectral types. This is, however, only part of the story, since any galaxy with a spatially non-homogeneous SED will experience a spatially varying relative dimming or brightening as a function of observed wavelength. Also, the morphological appearance of galaxies will therefore change with redshift. For instance, an early spiral galaxy observed in the V band would show a prominent bulge at z = 0, whereas, if at redshift z ∼ 1, the V filter probes emission in the rest-frame near-ultraviolet where the bulge is faint and the disk relatively brighter, thus the galaxy may appear as bulgeless. One popular way of studying spatial variations in the stellar population and dust content of galaxies is the use of color maps. For star-forming galaxies that have an appreciable contribution from nebular emission (lines and continuum), an additional effect is that the shifting of strong features in or out of filters will result in a non-monotonous color evolution with redshift. Hence, unlike the effects of distance, cosmological surface brightness dimming, and gravitational lensing, which are all achromatic, the fact that most galaxies have a spatially varying SED leads to a chromatic surface brightness modulation (CMOD) with redshift. While the CMOD effects are in principle easy to grasp, they affect multicolor imaging surveys and photometric properties derived from such surveys in a complex fashion. Properties such as the bulge-to-disk ratio, Sérsic exponent, light concentration, asymmetry index and effective radius, radial color gradients, and stellar mass determinations from SED fitting will depend on the redshift, the filters employed, and the rest-frame 2D SED patterns in a galaxy and will bias results inferred on galaxy evolution across cosmic time (e.g., the evolution of the mass-size, bulge-supermassive black hole, and Tully-Fisher relation), and potentially also weak lensing, if these effects are not properly taken into account. In this article we quantify the CMOD effects for idealized galaxies built from spectral synthesis models and from galaxies with observed integral field spectroscopy, and we show that they are significant and should be taken into account in studies of resolved galaxy properties and their evolution with redshift.

Stress exposure, hand preference, and hand skill: A deep phenotyping approach

ABSTRACT Stress exposure and reactivity may show differential associations with handedness, but shallow phenotyping may influence the current knowledge. Importantly, different handedness measures do not necessarily show high correlations with each other and should not be used interchangeably as they may reflect different dimensions of laterality. Here, data on handedness from 599 participants in the population-based, longitudinal Dortmund Vital Study was used to determine various asymmetry indices. Hand preference was assessed with the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI) and the lateral preference inventory (LPI) measuring handedness, footedness, earedness, and eyedness. Hand performance was determined using the pegboard test. In addition, data on several dimensions of stress exposure and reactivity, including hair cortisol, and mental well-being was analysed to determine associations with handedness. All handedness measures correlated significantly with each other, with the strongest correlation between the EHI and the LPI handedness score. The EHI and LPI hand measures resulted in the highest effect sizes and most consistent correlations with stress or mental well-being. In contrast, the pegboard test only showed very little association with the stress and mental well-being measures. This highlights the importance of handedness phenotyping. Including preference measures is recommended to disentangle the link between handedness and mental health.

Asymmetry of radiomics features in the white matter of patients with Primary Progressive Aphasia (P6-12.005)

<h3>Objective:</h3> Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) is a neurological disease characterized by linguistic deficits. Semantic (svPPA) and non-fluent/agrammatic (nfvPPA) variants are the two main subtypes of PPA. <h3>Background:</h3> Several studies have investigated brain morphometric changes in PPA patients documenting patterns of asymmetry in gray and white matter (WM) properties. We applied a novel radiomics framework to investigate WM asymmetry. Moreover, we examined whether WM asymmetry in specific brain regions could be associated with verbal fluency impairments. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> Analyses were performed on 3 Tesla T1-MRI. We included 31 svPPA, 25 nfvPPA and 53 age- and sex-matched controls. Asymmetry Index (AI) was computed for 86 radiomics features in 34 WM regions. Between-group comparisons in AIs were performed using analysis of variance. Correlation analyses investigated the relationships between performance at verbal fluency tasks (semantic and phonemic) and at Boston Naming Test and AIs. <h3>Results:</h3> Relative to controls, WM asymmetry in svPPA patients involved regions adjacent to middle temporal cortex as part of the inferior longitudinal (ILF), fronto-occipital (IFOF) and superior longitudinal (SLF) fasciculi. Conversely, nfvPPA patients showed an asymmetry of WM in lateral occipital brain regions (ILF/IFOF). A higher lateralization of radiomics features involving IFOF, cingulum and forceps minor was found in nfvPPA compared to svPPA patients. Correlation analysis highlighted a positive relationship between semantic fluency and AI in WM adjacent to the lateral occipital gyrus in nfvPPA patients. Performances at Boston Naming Test were significantly associated with AI in WM regions located close to the middle temporal and parahippocampal gyri in svPPA patients. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Radiomics depicted distinct pathways of WM asymmetry in svPPA and nfvPPA involving damage of fiber tracts associated to linguistic functions. Assessing asymmetry of radiomics in PPA allows achieving a deeper insight into the neuroanatomical damage and a possible marker to evaluate the language severity changes related to drug therapy or rehabilitation speech treatments. <b>Disclosure:</b> Dr. Tafuri has nothing to disclose. Dr. Filardi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Urso has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gnoni has nothing to disclose. Dr. DE BLASI has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nigro has nothing to disclose. Dr. Logroscino has nothing to disclose.

Quantitative assessment of cognitive profile and brain asymmetry in the characterization of autism spectrum in children: A task-based EEG study.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by learning, attention, social, communication, and behavioral impairments. Each person with Autism has a different severity and level of brain functioning, ranging from high functioning (HF) to low functioning (LF), depending on their intellectual/developmental abilities. Identifying the level of functionality remains crucial in understanding the cognitive abilities of Autistic children. Assessment of EEG signals acquired during specific cognitive tasks is more appropriate in identifying brain functional and cognitive load variations. The spectral power of EEG sub-band frequency and parameters related to brain asymmetry has the potential to be employed as indices to characterize brain functioning. Thus, the objective of this work is to analyze the cognitive task-based electrophysiological variations in autistic and control groups, using EEG acquired during two well-defined protocols. Theta to Alpha ratio (TAR) and Theta to Beta ratio (TBR) of absolute powers of the respective sub-band frequencies have been estimated to quantify the cognitive load. The variations in interhemispheric cortical power measured by EEG were studied using the brain asymmetry index. For the arithmetic task, the TBR of the LF group was found to be considerably higher than the HF group. The findings reveal that the spectral powers of EEG sub-bands can be a key indicator in the assessment of high and low-functioning ASD to facilitate appropriate training strategies. Instead of depending solely on behavioral tests to diagnose autism, it could be a beneficial approach to use task-based EEG characteristics to differentiate between the LF and HF groups.

Minimally invasive craniectomy and postoperative cranial remolding orthotic treatment in infants with craniosynostosis: A multicenter prospective study

ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of minimally invasive suturectomy (MIS) with cranial remolding orthosis (CRO) for treatment of patients with single-suture craniosynostosis. MethodsIn this multicenter prospective study, all patients included underwent MIS followed by postoperative CRO. The values of the cephalic index (CI) and cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI) were measured and recorded before the surgery, at initiation of CRO, and at the cessation of CRO. The total cranial volume (TV), anterior hemisphere cranial volume (AV), and AV to TV were also acquired with a non-contact optical scanner. All patients were followed up at least until the end of the twelfth month of age. ResultsA total of 38 patients were included. The average operative time including anesthesia was 95.38 minutes. The average length of hospital admission was 2.5 days. There was a statistically significant difference in CI values for the patients with sagittal craniosynostosis (p < 0.05). The improvement in CVAI values were statistically significant in all three groups of participants (p < 0.001). The AV and TV from initiation to cessation of CRO treatment were statistically significant in all three groups of participants (p < 0.001). Regarding the AV to TV ratio, there was a significant difference from initiation to the cessation of CRO treatment in sagittal and metopic groups of participants (p < 0.05). The average daily hours of CRO wearing was 18.54 hours. ConclusionsThe findings of this investigation complement those of earlier studies and showed that MIS with CRO treatment is a good strategy with satisfactory results for patients with single-suture craniosynostosis.

Towards cohesion at the interface between the European Union states? Cross-border asymmetry and convergence

ABSTRACT The objective of this article is to investigate cross-border real economic convergence, defined as the process of reducing the asymmetry of the economic development of cross-border areas in the conditions of European (territorial) integration. The analysis applies the relative asymmetry index which compares the level of regional gross domestic product (GDP) per capita (purchasing power standards – PPS) of neighbouring border areas. Its results confirm the occurrence of σ-convergence (in the periods 1980–85, 1985–94 and 2004–15) and absolute cross-border β-convergence (in different subperiods in the period 1980–2015). The obtained results also suggest that cross-border convergence generally progresses slower than convergence at the international level.

Corneal topometric indices and proclivity toward corneal ectasia in vernal keratoconjunctivitis

To investigate changes in topometric corneal indices and proclivity toward corneal ectasia, as well as keratometric indices and anterior chamber dimensions in palpebral vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC). This study included 80 patients with clinically established symptoms of grade 0 or grade 1 palpebral VKC (group 1) and 66 healthy participants (group 2). After a comprehensive ophthalmic examination including best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure measurements and slit-lamp biomicroscopy, pachymetric indices and anterior chamber dimensions were measured using the Pentacam HR rotating Scheimpflug device. Topometric indices, which are particularly useful for determining proclivity toward corneal ectasia, were extracted from a topometric map. In groups 1 and 2, the mean ages were 13.11±5.22 and 16.45±5.09 years, respectively. The mean age at disease onset in group 1 was 10.09±5.03 years, and the mean disease duration was 36.23±8.43 months. Group 1 had significantly higher mean topometric indices than group 2, particularly the index of surface variance (P=0.001), index of vertical asymmetry (P=0.007), center keratoconus index (P=0.050), and Belin/Ambrosio enhanced ectasia total deviation value (P=0.032). Mean posterior corneal astigmatism differed significantly between groups 1 and 2 (P=0.003). Significantly higher mean topometric indices in VKC indicate a proclivity for corneal ectasia, which could be attributed to general changes in the corneal ultrastructure caused by persistent itching-induced eye rubbing.

Brainprint based on functional connectivity and asymmetry indices of brain regions: A case study of biometric person identification with non‐expensive electroencephalogram headsets

AbstractBrain‐computer interface applications for biometric person identification have increased their interest in recent years since they are potentially more secure and more difficult to counterfeit than traditional biometric techniques. However, it is necessary to consider how brain waves are acquired for this purpose, not only in terms of efficiency but also of practical comfort for the user and the affordability degree of the biosignal acquisition device so that their everyday application can become a realistic possibility. In this context, this paper presents the capabilities of using a non‐expensive wireless electroencephalogram (EEG) device to extract spectral‐related and functional connectivity information of brain activity. The proposed method achieved a sufficient biometric identification with two datasets of 13 and 109 subjects when comparing the performance of a sizeable classification algorithm set. In addition, a novel feature in EEG biometric identification, called asymmetry index, is introduced here. Furthermore, this is the first study in this field to consider the effect of the time‐lapse between different recording sessions on the system's behaviour when using a low‐cost EEG device with identification accuracy rates of up to 100%.

Gait Asymmetry Variation in Kinematics, Kinetics, and Muscle Force along with the Severity Levels of Knee Osteoarthritis.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients exhibit greater gait asymmetry than healthy controls. However, gait asymmetry in kinematics, kinetics and muscle forces across patients with different severity levels of knee OA is still unknown. The study aimed to investigate the changes of gait asymmetry in lower limb kinematics, kinetics, and muscle force across patients with different severity levels of knee OA. This is a cross-sectional study. From January 2020 to January 2021, 118 patients with symptomatic and radiographic medial knee OA were categorized into three groups using the Kellgren and Lawrence scale (mild: grade 1 and 2, n=37; moderate: grade 3, n=31; severe: grade 4, n=50). During self-paced walking, marker trajectories and ground reaction forces data were recorded. Musculoskeletal simulations were used to determine gait kinematics, kinetics, and muscle force. One-way analysis of variance with Tukey's post-hoc test was used to evaluate group difference. Paired-sample t-test was used to compared the between-limb difference. In the Severe group, significantly greater asymmetry index in knee flexion/extension range of motion (45%) was observed with a greater value on the contralateral side (p < 0.01), compared to the Mild (15%) and Moderate (15%) groups. Significantly higher peak hip contact force (JCF) on the contralateral side was found in the Mild (more affected side: 3.80 ± 0.67 BW, contralateral side: 4.01 ± 0.58 BW), Moderate (more affected side: 3.67 ± 0.56 BW, contralateral side: 4.07 ± 0.81 BW), and Severe groups (more affected side: 3.66 ± 0.79 BW, contralateral side: 3.94 ± 0.64 BW) (p < 0.05). Significantly greater gluteus medius muscle force on the contralateral side was found in Mild (more affected side: 0.48 ± 0.09 BW, contralateral side: 0.52 ± 0.12 BW), Moderate (more affected side: 0.45 ± 0.10 BW, contralateral side: 0.51 ± 0.15 BW), and Severe groups (more affected side: 0.42 ± 0.15 BW, contralateral side: 0.47 ± 0.12 BW) (p < 0.05). The contralateral side showing significantly higher peak knee adduction moment and medial knee JCF was only observed in the Mild group (p < 0.05). Gait asymmetry in kinematics and muscle forces increased from mild to severe knee OA. Asymmetrical gait pattern tends to transfer loads from the more affected side to the contralateral side. Peak hip JCF and gluteus medius muscle force can be used to detect this asymmetrical gait pattern in patients with knee OA, regardless of severity levels.

Leg skeletal muscle mass asymmetry is independently associated with gait speed in older adults requiring long-term care.

Decreased gait speed in older adults has been associated with incident disability, cognitive impairment, institutionalization, falls, deterioration in level of care, and mortality. Gait speed has been reported to be related to leg asymmetry. However, the relationship between gait speed and leg skeletal muscle mass asymmetry in older adults requiring long-term care has not been clarified. In this study, we examined the association between gait speed and leg skeletal muscle mass asymmetry and the cutoff values of leg skeletal muscle mass asymmetry that may affect gait speed. The asymmetry index of leg skeletal muscle mass was measured in 230 older adults under the Japanese long-term care insurance system using bioelectrical impedance analysis. This cross-sectional study used multiple regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to determine the relationship between gait speed and the asymmetry index of leg skeletal muscle mass. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the asymmetry index of leg skeletal muscle mass (β = -0.19, P = 0.002, R2 = 0.261) was independently and significantly associated with gait speed. Furthermore, ROC analysis showed that the cutoff value of the asymmetry index of leg skeletal muscle mass that identified reduced gait speed (<1.0 m/s) was 3.02% (Area under the curve = 0.62, sensitivity 47.3%, specificity 81.0%, P = 0.014). The asymmetry index of leg skeletal muscle mass was associated with gait speed in older adults requiring long-term care. Future assessment and interventions directed towards symmetry of leg skeletal muscle mass may help to improve gait speed in older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 371-375.

Corneal topographic changes in patients with thyroid eye disease: A retrospective cross-sectional study

PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate corneal topographic findings in patients with thyroid eye disease (TED) using a Galilei camera and compare their corneal topographic parameters with those of control patients. MethodsThis retrospective cross-sectional study included 52 eyes of 26 patients with TED (study group) and 40 eyes of 20 controls treated at a tertiary medical center in Taiwan between January and December 2021. All participants underwent basic ophthalmological examinations, corneal topography examination using a Galilei dual Scheimpflug camera, thyroid function examination, and orbital computed tomography. The corneal topographic parameters and cross-sectional area of the extraocular muscles were compared between the TED and control groups. ResultsSeveral corneal topographic parameters, including the Inferior-Superior Index, Keratoconus Prediction Index, Surface Asymmetry Index, Surface Regularity Index, simulated keratometry astigmatism, and anterior instantaneous astigmatism axis, differed significantly between the groups (P ≤ 0.05). The anterior instantaneous astigmatism axis was more oblique in the TED group than in the control group. A scatter plot revealed a more scattered distribution in the anterior instantaneous astigmatism axis in the TED group than in the control group. However, the corneal topographic parameters did not differ significantly among the different thyroid dysfunction groups. ConclusionsThe corneas of patients with TED are suspicious and keratoconus-like, and TED can increase anterior corneal astigmatism in the oblique axis, albeit with large variations in the extent of change. These TED-related corneal changes may aid in the early diagnosis of TED, especially “silent” TED.

Analysis of brain volume asymmetry and clinical application in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis based on automatic brain segmentation

Objective: To analyze whole brain structural volume asymmetry in temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS) using automated brain segmentation technology, and to investigate the application value of this technology in the diagnosis of TLE-HS and the performance in determining the location the lateralization of epileptogenic focus. Methods: Twenty-eight patients with TLE-HS were enrolled in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from April 2019 to October 2020, including 13 females and 15 males, aged ranged from 18 to 63 (30±12) years, and these patients were divided two group according to the epilepsy lateralization, left TLE-HS(LTLE-HS) group (n=11), right TLE-HS(RTLE-HS) group (n=17) and 28 normal controls [aged ranged from 18 to 49 (29±10) years]. All of these subjects underwent three-dimensional T1 weighted image (3D T1WI). The differences of brain structure and volumes in LTLE-HS, RTLE-HS and normal controls group were retrospectively analyzed, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the left and right volume correlations, and effect size was used for evaluating the differences in left and right volume averages. The asymmetry index (AI) of the left and right lateral volumes in each group was also calculated and compared among the three groups. Results: Standard volumes of all structures within the brain were asymmetric in the normal controls, LTLE-HS, and RTLE-HS groups, with smaller volumes of ipsilateral hippocampus than contralateral hippocampus in both the LTLE-HS and RTLE-HS groups(0.20%±0.03% vs 0.24%±0.02%,0.21%±0.03% vs 0.25%±0.02% respectively;both P<0.001), and smaller volumes of gray and white matter of the ipsilateral temporal lobe than contralateral in the LTLE-HS group(4.41%±0.38% vs 5.01%±0.43%,1.83%±0.22 % vs 2.22%±0.14%;both P<0.001). There was a moderate to strong linear correlation (0.553<r<0. 964,all P<0.05) between left and right lateral volumes in the normal controls, LTLE-HS, and RTLE-HS groups. All three groups showed the largest effect sizes in the cingulate gyrus (The effect sizes were 3.07, 4.85 and 4.22 in control, LTLE-HS and RTLE-HS, respectively.). The AI values of the hippocampus, temporal lobe gray matter, and temporal lobe white matter were statistically different among the three groups (-1.48±8.64 vs 15.91±10.15 vs -17.59±10.00, 7.46±2.67 vs 12.67±6.67 vs 3.67±6.15, 6.53±3.71 vs 19.91±9.85 vs 1.57±8.38;all P<0.001). Conclusion: Volumetric measurements by automated brain segmentation techniques can play an important role in preoperative assessment of TLE, and the asymmetry of brain volume may be of value in determining the localization and extent of the epileptogenic focus.

CYTOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM L.) GERMPLASM

Germplasm diversity of any crop plays a significant role in the establishment of a successful breeding programme. In this study, five tomato germplasm, namely Roma Savannah, Tima, UTC, Dan Zaria and Tagino were collected from the Nasarawa State College of Agriculture, Lafia were evaluated for their cytological characterization to determine the germplasm cytological karyotyping parameters. The number of chromosomes in all lines was 2n = 24, except for Tagino, in which the number was 2n = 26, whereas chromosome sizes were small, ranging from 322.09 to 461.17µm. The Roma Savannah cultivar was a symmetrical cultivar (primitive), having the highest total form percentage (TF%) and symmetry index (Syi) values and the minimum karyotype asymmetry index (ASK) value, whereas Dan Zaria was asymmetrical (advanced) which makes it a superior germplasm among the other five evaluated. On the whole, the application of cytological techniques could be considered as a means to provide suitable parameters for studying the evolution of the genetic divergence between the studied tomato lines which can aid in preserving genetic resources in gene banks and improving new cultivars in breeding systems.

Alteration in corneal topography asymmetry indices following corneal refractive surgery

Purpose We aimed to follow up corneal refractive asymmetry index changes following refractive surgery for cornea after correction of low-grade myopia and to determine which technique causes marked affection of the indices. Patients and methods This prospective study conducted from October 2020 to December 2021 included two groups of patients, the photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) group and the laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) group. Every patient in each group had to follow a schedule of visits after surgery for the next day, 1 week, 1 month, and after 3 months. Patients who failed to follow this schedule were excluded from the study. Results The PRK group contained 42 eyes with a mean uncorrected visual acuity that improved significantly, corneal power (K-reading) and pupil center thickness reduced significantly. Surface variance index, central keratoconus index, and height decentration index did not change significantly. Vertical asymmetry index and minimum radius of curvature (Rmin) increased significantly while height asymmetry index decreased significantly. Our LASIK group contained 40 eyes that underwent changes similar to those in the PRK group regarding uncorrected visual acuity, the K-reading, and the pupil center thickness. The surface variance index, vertical asymmetry index, and height asymmetry index, height decentration index and Rmin increased significantly while the central keratoconus index decreased significantly. The keratoconus index reduced significantly in both groups. Conclusion The PRK is a more conservative technique than the LASIK technique regarding the affection of corneal asymmetry indices.

Preoperative Anatomical Variables Affecting the Outcome of Surgical Correction in Class III Face Asymmetry

Objective: The study investigated the preoperative anatomical variables that affect the outcome of surgical correction in patients with Class III facial asymmetry. Methods: The study recruited 37 consecutive patients with facial asymmetry who had 2-jaw orthognathic surgery. They were divided into two groups based on the surgical outcome: symmetrical (S group) or asymmetrical (A group), according to the asymmetry index. The CBCT images were obtained before surgery (T0) and after debond (T1). The 3D dentofacial measurements were compared between groups S and A by the Mann–Whitney test. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationship of all dentoskeletal variables in T0 with the facial symmetry outcome. Results: Significant between-group differences were observed in preoperative time, including maxillary anterior occlusal canting, maxillary posterior occlusal canting, the gonion–Frankfort horizontal plane (FHP) distance, the mandibular ramus axis–FHP distances, and sagittal and transverse of condyle position. Conclusions: For patients with severe skeletal Class III asymmetry, preoperative anatomical variables, particularly preoperative “roll” and “yaw” discrepancies and anatomical limitations of the mandible, should be considered for favorable asymmetry correction. Based on the anatomic variables that affect the outcomes of facial asymmetry correction, prognosis and treatment limitation could be predicted before treatment.

Dependence of NmF2 Local Annual Asymmetry Index on Local Time and Solar Activity

Dependence of NmF2 Local Annual Asymmetry Index on Local Time and Solar Activity

Hemispheric Sunspot Numbers from the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Valencia (1940 – 1956)

In this work, we present hemispheric sunspot number counts made in the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Valencia for the period 1940 – 1956. We found these data in a secondary source (the bulletins of the Madrid Astronomical Observatory). We digitized the hemispheric sunspot number and group number recorded by the observers. Unfortunately, the sunspot positions or areas were not published in this secondary source. A machine-readable version of the dataset is available as supplementary material. We compare the Valencia hemispheric series with others from other observatories, such as the Madrid Astronomical Observatory, finding similar hemispheric behaviors. We also computed the asymmetry index from the hemispheric data. We found that the northern hemisphere was predominant in our study period (declining phase of Solar Cycle 17, Solar Cycle 18, and rising phase of Solar Cycle 19), and the southern hemisphere was leading. These results agree with those obtained in previous studies. Therefore, the Valencia hemispheric records are one more piece of information to know the behavior of the northern and southern hemispheres during the 20th century.

Dynamics of indicators of vestibular dysfunction and walking locomotion in men aged 25-42 years with the consequences of a combat wound as a result of the influence of physical culture and sports rehabilitation

The purpose of the study was to investigate and evaluate the dynamics of basometry and stabilometry in men aged 25-42 with the consequences of a combat injury.&#x0D; Material &amp; Methods: examined 38 men aged 25-42 years with long-term consequences of closed craniocerebral injury in the late long-term period, which were divided into Gr1 (n=20) and Gr2 (n=18). Vestibular dysfunction, mobility was determined by the Bohannon and "TUG" tests. To determine the biomechanical characteristics of walking, a hardware-software basometric complex and methods of the Ukrainian Research Institute for Prosthetics, Prosthetic Engineering and Recovery were used.&#x0D; Results: when developing a correctional and rehabilitation program, thanks to the concept of the ICF, Smart goals were set. At stage 1 of inpatient rehabilitation (28 days), the program is composed of components. For men in both groups, the normative component was the same. Kinesitherapy, classes on the C-mill system, on the «Cosmos» treadmill, and massage were prescribed. Persons Gr1 in the variable part were trained on the Redcord suspension system, Nordic walking and vestibular gymnastics. The men of Gr2 were prescribed a general training on a multifunctional block simulator, training walking. At the 2nd stage (42 days) the persons of both groups were exercising independently, however, the persons of Gr1, with the help of modern telecommunication technologies, were exercising under the supervision of a specialist in physical rehabilitation. The dynamics of the balance indicator according to the Bohann test indicated that the persons Gr1 balance indicator almost approached the normative value. In Gr2 positive changes were observed, however, after stage 2 the difference was only 0.44 points compared with the dynamics of stage 1 (p&gt;0,05). The dynamics of functional mobility and balance according to the "TUG" test indicated that the average time to complete the test after stage 2 approached the standard value. In patients, Gr2 tended to decrease (p&gt;0,05). Biomechanical studies of statics, namely the coefficient of resistance, rotation of pressure centers, the common center of pressure in the frontal and sagittal plane in men Gr1 acquired significant differences (p&lt;0,05); in men Gr2 tended to improve (p&gt;0,05). The main indicators of walking locomotion, namely the pace and speed in men Gr1 and Gr2, acquired a standard value (p&lt;0,05). The walking rhythm coefficient and load asymmetry index in men Gr2 did not acquire the normative value (p&gt;0,05), in comparison with the indices of men Gr1 (p&lt;0,05), who were engaged under the supervision of a specialist in physical culture and sports rehabilitation.&#x0D; Conclusions: the results of the study revealed a violation of walking in men aged 25-42 years with the consequences of a combat injury in the form of temporal, kinematic and dynamic asymmetry. The analysis of the dynamics of the parameters of vestibular dysfunction and walking locomotion confirmed the advantages of the author's program.

Is there any biomechanical justification to use hopping as a return to running test? A cross-sectional study

ObjectiveTo assess the agreement and the correlation between asymmetry indexes of leg stiffness (AI(Kleg)) in running and hopping and the correlation between leg stiffness (Kleg) in running and hopping. DesignCross-sectional study. SettingClinical facility. ParticipantsTwelve healthy runners (5 women and 7 men; mean (SD) age = 36.6 (10.1) years; activity level = 6.4 (0.9) on Tegner scale). Main outcome measuresA treadmill instrumented by photoelectric cells was used to collect data (flight and contact times) during running assessment (preferential and imposed velocity (3.33 m s−1) and during a hopping test. Kleg and AI(Kleg) were computed for each modality. Correlation tests were performed, and Bland Altman's plot was created. ResultsA significant and large correlation was found between Kleg in hopping and running at imposed speed (r = 0.6, p = 0.001). An acceptable agreement was found between the AIs in hopping and running, with a bias of 0.04 (−0.15–0.06) at imposed speed and 0.03 (−0.13–0.07) at preferred speed. ConclusionOur results suggest that testing an athlete for asymmetry in hopping might help to understand what happens in running. For this purpose, further research is needed, especially in an injured population, to better understand the association between biomechanical asymmetry in hopping and running.

Large-scale analysis of structural brain asymmetries in schizophrenia via the ENIGMA consortium

Left-right asymmetry is an important organizing feature of the healthy brain that may be altered in schizophrenia, but most studies have used relatively small samples and heterogeneous approaches, resulting in equivocal findings. We carried out the largest case-control study of structural brain asymmetries in schizophrenia, with MRI data from 5,080 affected individuals and 6,015 controls across 46 datasets, using a single image analysis protocol. Asymmetry indexes were calculated for global and regional cortical thickness, surface area, and subcortical volume measures. Differences of asymmetry were calculated between affected individuals and controls per dataset, and effect sizes were meta-analyzed across datasets. Small average case-control differences were observed for thickness asymmetries of the rostral anterior cingulate and the middle temporal gyrus, both driven by thinner left-hemispheric cortices in schizophrenia. Analyses of these asymmetries with respect to the use of antipsychotic medication and other clinical variables did not show any significant associations. Assessment of age- and sex-specific effects revealed a stronger average leftward asymmetry of pallidum volume between older cases and controls. Case-control differences in a multivariate context were assessed in a subset of the data (N = 2,029), which revealed that 7% of the variance across all structural asymmetries was explained by case-control status. Subtle case-control differences of brain macrostructural asymmetry may reflect differences at the molecular, cytoarchitectonic, or circuit levels that have functional relevance for the disorder. Reduced left middle temporal cortical thickness is consistent with altered left-hemisphere language network organization in schizophrenia.