Regional Centrality Research Articles

Investment and the banking system: a Kaleckian approach for regions in Brazil

ABSTRACT This paper analyzes the effects of the regional distribution of the banking system on investment rates in Brazil. The investigation relies on a perspective whereby the role of external funds in inducing firms’ investment is determined by the disparate regional distribution of the banking system. Empirical results from a panel-data multilevel model indicate that the regional concentration and centralization of the banking system are relevant for firms’ investment choices. More importantly, the fitness of the multilevel model indicates the need to consider that investment rates vary according to a regional hierarchical banking structure (centre versus periphery).

The Posterior Insula Shows Disrupted Brain Functional Connectivity in Female Migraineurs Without Aura Based on Brainnetome Atlas

Long-term headache attacks may cause human brain network reorganization in patients with migraine. In the current study, we calculated the topologic properties of functional networks based on the Brainnetome atlas using graph theory analysis in 29 female migraineurs without aura (MWoA) and in 29 female age-matched healthy controls. Compared with controls, female MWoA exhibited that the network properties altered, and the nodal centralities decreased/increased in some brain areas. In particular, the right posterior insula and the left medial superior occipital gyrus of patients exhibited significantly decreased nodal centrality compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, female MWoA exhibited a disrupted functional network, and notably, the two sub-regions of the right posterior insula exhibited decreased functional connectivity with many other brain regions. The topological metrics of functional networks in female MWoA included alterations in the nodal centrality of brain regions and disrupted connections between pair regions primarily involved in the discrimination of sensory features of pain, pain modulation or processing and sensory integration processing. In addition, the posterior insula decreased the nodal centrality, and exhibited disrupted connectivity with many other brain areas in female migraineurs, which suggests that the posterior insula plays an important role in female migraine pathology.

Large-scale cortical volume correlation networks reveal disrupted small world patterns in Parkinson's disease.

To date, the most frequently reported neuroimaging biomarkers in Parkinson's disease (PD) are direct brain imaging measurements focusing on local disrupted regions. However, the notion that PD is related to abnormal functional and structural connectivity has received support in the past few years. Here, we employed graph theory to analyze the structural co-variance networks derived from 50 PD patients and 48 normal controls (NC). Then, the small world properties of brain networks were assessed in the structural networks that were constructed based on cortical volume data. Our results showed that both the PD and NC groups had a small world architecture in brain structural networks. However, the PD patients had a higher characteristic path length and clustering coefficients compared with the NC group. With regard to the nodal centrality, 11 regions, including 3 association cortices, 5 paralimbic cortices, and 3 subcortical regions were identified as hubs in the PD group. In contrast, 10 regions, including 7 association cortical regions, 2 paralimbic cortical regions, and the primary motor cortex region, were identified as hubs. Moreover, the regional centrality was profoundly affected in PD patients, including decreased nodal centrality in the right inferior occipital gyrus and the middle temporal gyrus and increased nodal centrality in the right amygdala, the left caudate and the superior temporal gyrus. In addition, the structural cortical network of PD showed reduced topological stability for targeted attacks. Together, this study shows that the coordinated patterns of cortical volume network are widely altered in PD patients with a decrease in the efficiency of parallel information processing. These changes provide structural evidence to support the concept that the core pathophysiology of PD is associated with disruptive alterations in the coordination of large-scale brain networks that underlie high-level cognition.

Remapping the German Homeland: Germania and Catholic Efforts to Mobilise Continued Support during the First World War

Despite a minority status that often left them viewed as outsiders, German Catholics – like their compatriots more generally – rallied behind the war effort in 1914. Indeed, intense involvement in the war effort came to be seen as a way to finally squash any remaining suspicions about whether Catholics could truly ever be at home in a country with a Protestant majority. Yet, as the war continued and conditions in Germany worsened, the divisions both within the Catholic Centre Party and among all political parties in the Reich began to resurface and cast a shadow on the common war effort. In an attempt to maintain unity and continued mobilisation for the war, Catholic rhetoric in outlets like the newspaper Germania – a leading organ of the Centre Party – crafted a narrative that redrew the mental map of the German homeland. To do so, the rhetoric relied upon formative geographic tropes established right after unification in 1871 that stressed regionalism and diversity as the hallmark of unity and Germanness. At first sticking closely to efforts at emphasising the centrality of Catholic regions on the periphery, the rhetoric in late 1915 and early 1916 turned towards stretching the map of the German homeland east, especially to the Baltics.

Trait-Related Cortical-Subcortical Dissociation in Bipolar Disorder: Analysis of Network Degree Centrality.

Bipolar disorder is a systemic brain disorder. Accumulated evidence suggested that cortical-subcortical imbalance could be a trait-related pathogenic factor of bipolar disorder. Degree centrality, a robust index of focal connectivity in which the number of direct connections from one node to all nodes is counted, has not previously been studied in bipolar disorder as a whole. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed on 52 patients with DSM-IV bipolar I disorder and 70 healthy controls recruited between September 2009 and July 2014. Degree centrality was calculated within cerebral gray matter for each subject and compared between patients with bipolar disorder and healthy controls. Hub distributions of both groups were explored. Effects of medication exposure and mood state on degree centrality, as well as cortical-subcortical degree centrality correlations, were explored. Compared to healthy controls, patients with bipolar disorder exhibited significant decrease in degree centrality in cortical regions, including the middle temporal pole, inferior temporal gyrus, and ventral prefrontal cortex, but showed significant increase in degree centrality mainly in subcortical regions, including caudate, thalamus, parahippocampal gyrus, hippocampi, anterior cingulate, insula, and amygdala, and a small portion of cortical regions, such as superior and middle frontal gyrus (P < .05, corrected). Spatial distributions of the 2 groups were very similar. No significant effects of medication exposure or mood state on degree centrality were found. Patients with bipolar disorder also showed significant decrease in cortical-subcortical degree centrality correlation (P = .003). These findings further contribute to the mounting evidence of cortical-subcortical dissociation in bipolar disorder pathophysiology. In addition, this study supports the continued development and implementation of graph-based techniques to enhance our understanding of the underlying neural mechanisms in mental disorders such as bipolar disorder, which are increasingly viewed as systemic brain disorders rather than disorders arising from disruption within a single structure or a limited number of structures. Due to the heterogeneity of our sample, as well as the small sample size of each medication and mood state subgroups, further investigation is needed to support our findings.

EEG Cortical Connectivity Analysis of Working Memory Reveals Topological Reorganization in Theta and Alpha Bands.

Numerous studies have revealed various working memory (WM)-related brain activities that originate from various cortical regions and oscillate at different frequencies. However, multi-frequency band analysis of the brain network in WM in the cortical space remains largely unexplored. In this study, we employed a graph theoretical framework to characterize the topological properties of the brain functional network in the theta and alpha frequency bands during WM tasks. Twenty-eight subjects performed visual n-back tasks at two difficulty levels, i.e., 0-back (control task) and 2-back (WM task). After preprocessing, Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals were projected into the source space and 80 cortical brain regions were selected for further analysis. Subsequently, the theta- and alpha-band networks were constructed by calculating the Pearson correlation coefficients between the power series (obtained by concatenating the power values of all epochs in each session) of all pairs of brain regions. Graph theoretical approaches were then employed to estimate the topological properties of the brain networks at different WM tasks. We found higher functional integration in the theta band and lower functional segregation in the alpha band in the WM task compared with the control task. Moreover, compared to the 0-back task, altered regional centrality was revealed in the 2-back task in various brain regions that mainly resided in the frontal, temporal and occipital lobes, with distinct presentations in the theta and alpha bands. In addition, significant negative correlations were found between the reaction time with the average path length of the theta-band network and the local clustering of the alpha-band network, which demonstrates the potential for using the brain network metrics as biomarkers for predicting the task performance during WM tasks.

Altered eigenvector centrality is related to local resting-state network functional connectivity in patients with longstanding type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Longstanding type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is associated with microangiopathy and poorer cognition. In the brain, T1DM is related to increased functional resting-state network (RSN) connectivity in patients without, which was decreased in patients with clinically evident microangiopathy. Subcortical structure seems affected in both patient groups. How these localized alterations affect the hierarchy of the functional network in T1DM is unknown. Eigenvector centrality mapping (ECM) and degree centrality are graph theoretical methods that allow determining the relative importance (ECM) and connectedness (degree centrality) of regions within the whole-brain network hierarchy. Therefore, ECM and degree centrality of resting-state functional MRI-scans were compared between 51 patients with, 53 patients without proliferative retinopathy, and 49 controls, and associated with RSN connectivity, subcortical gray matter volume, and cognition. In all patients versus controls, ECM and degree centrality were lower in the bilateral thalamus and the dorsal striatum, with lowest values in patients without proliferative retinopathy (PFWE < 0.05). Increased ECM in this group versus patients with proliferative retinopathy was seen in the bilateral lateral occipital cortex, and in the right cuneus and occipital fusiform gyrus versus controls (PFWE < 0.05). In all patients, ECM and degree centrality were related to altered visual, sensorimotor, and auditory and language RSN connectivity (PFWE < 0.05), but not to subcortical gray matter volume or cognition (PFDR > 0.05). The findings suggested reorganization of the hierarchy of the cortical connectivity network in patients without proliferative retinopathy, which is lost with disease progression. Centrality seems sensitive to capture early T1DM-related functional connectivity alterations, but not disease progression. Hum Brain Mapp 38:3623-3636, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Sex differences in the influence of body mass index on anatomical architecture of brain networks.

Background/ObjectiveThe brain plays a central role in regulating ingestive behavior in obesity. Analogous to addiction behaviors, an imbalance in the processing of rewarding and salient stimuli results in maladaptive eating behaviors that override homeostatic needs. We performed network analysis based on graph theory to examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and network measures of integrity, information flow, and global communication (centrality) in reward, salience and sensorimotor regions, and to identify sex-related differences in these parameters.Subjects/MethodsStructural and diffusion tensor imaging were obtained in a sample of 124 individuals (61 males and 63 females). Graph theory was applied to calculate anatomical network properties (centrality) for regions of the reward, salience, and sensorimotor networks. General linear models with linear contrasts were performed to test for BMI and sex-related differences in measures of centrality, while controlling for age.ResultsIn both males and females, individuals with high BMI (obese and overweight) had greater anatomical centrality (greater connectivity) of reward (putamen) and salience (anterior insula) network regions. Sex differences were observed both in individuals with normal and elevated BMI. In individuals with high BMI, females compared to males showed greater centrality in reward (amygdala, hippocampus, nucleus accumbens) and salience (anterior mid cingulate cortex) regions, while males compared to females had greater centrality in reward (putamen) and sensorimotor (posterior insula) regions.ConclusionsIn individuals with increased BMI, reward, salience, and sensorimotor network regions are susceptible to topological restructuring in a sex related manner. These findings highlight the influence of these regions on integrative processing of food-related stimuli and increased ingestive behavior in obesity, or in the influence of hedonic ingestion on brain topological restructuring. The observed sex differences emphasize the importance of considering sex differences in obesity pathophysiology.

Centrality of regions in R&D networks: a new measurement approach using the concept of bridging paths

ABSTRACTCentrality of regions in R&D networks: a new measurement approach using the concept of bridging paths. Regional Studies. This paper introduces a novel measure of regional centrality in the context of research and development (R&D) networks. It first demonstrates some substantial problems of social network analysis (SNA)-based centrality measures to cope with regional R&D networks in a meaningful way. It then proposes a new measurement approach of regional network centrality based on the concept of interregional bridging paths (indirect connections at the regional level). The paper shows that the formal definition of the regional bridging centrality measure can be expressed in terms of three simple components: the participation intensity of a region in interregional R&D collaborations; its relative outward orientation in terms of all established links; and its diversification of R&D collaborations among partner regions. The measure and its behaviour with respect to other conventional centrality measures are illustrated by its application to the European co-patent network at the NUTS-2 level.

Procurement in public & private hospitals in Australia and Costa Rica – a comparative case study

This article summarizes exploratory research conducted on supply chain management practices in public hospital systems in the Australian State of Victoria and in Costa Rica. Victoria is the site of a clearly articulated (centralized) supply chain strategy as opposed to Costa Rica, where there is a strong presence of government procurement rules but no such articulated strategy. Importantly, both systems have mixed governance structures (public vs private) and had a willingness to share information pertaining to their purchasing practices. Relatively open-ended interviews, analyzed utilizing MAXQDA 11, allowed us to scrutinize the influence of public policy, supply chain integration, supply chain/clinician collaboration, value analysis teams and group purchasing. We found that centralization of procurement was prevalent in public hospitals in both countries, with more regional centralization in Victoria, Australia due to its size. Also, Private hospital systems are encouraged to take advantage of the centralized procurement policy of the government in both the countries. While standardization was achieved in both countries by better integrating procurement and information technology functions, collaboration between clinicians led to more standardization.

Early adverse life events are associated with altered brain network architecture in a sex- dependent manner

IntroductionEarly adverse life events (EALs) increase the risk for chronic medical and psychiatric disorders by altering early neurodevelopment. The aim of this study was to examine associations between EALs and network properties of core brain regions in the emotion regulation and salience networks, and to test the influence of sex on these associations. MethodsResting-state functional and diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging were obtained in healthy individuals (61 men, 63 women). Functional and anatomical network properties of centrality and segregation were calculated for the core regions of the two networks using graph theory. Moderator analyses were applied to test hypotheses. ResultsThe type of adversity experienced influences brain wiring differently, as higher general EALs were associated with decreased functional and anatomical centrality in salience and emotion regulation regions, while physical and emotional EALs were associated with increased anatomical centrality and segregation in emotion regulation regions. Sex moderated the associations between EALs and measures of centrality; with decreased centrality of salience and emotion regulation regions with increased general EALs in females, and increased centrality in salience regions with higher physical and emotional EALs in males. Increased segregation of salience regions was associated with increased general EALs in males. Centrality of the amygdala was associated with physical symptoms, and segregation of salience regions was correlated with higher somatization in men only. ConclusionsEmotion regulation and salience regions are susceptible to topological brain restructuring associated with EALs. The male and female brains appear to be differently affected by specific types of EALs.

The metropolitan name game: The pathways to place naming shaping metropolitan regions

The centrality of metropolitan regions in policy and research does not mean they are perceived by their population as having a meaningful identity. This affects their political legitimacy, economic development prospects and place qualities. However, the ongoing scalar expansion of our spatial attachments creates the potential for a metropolitan identity, which can contribute to a stronger metropolitan region vision. As a component of identity formation, place naming becomes relevant both to represent and construct this scale. This article evaluates the geographical, institutional and social factors that shape naming processes in metropolitan regions undergoing integration. We consider historical examples representing different modes of name formation: New York, Stoke-on-Trent, Budapest, Charleville-Mézières, Metroplex and Thunder Bay. We find that metropolitan toponyms emerge from a nexus of interdependent factors, some of which decisively push naming processes into specific paths, and that such processes reflect the socio-political and cultural contexts shaping metropolitan regions. This provides a framework of questions that metropolitan institutions can consider to envision the names they are more likely to develop.

Mapping Multiplex Hubs in Human Functional Brain Networks.

Typical brain networks consist of many peripheral regions and a few highly central ones, i.e., hubs, playing key functional roles in cerebral inter-regional interactions. Studies have shown that networks, obtained from the analysis of specific frequency components of brain activity, present peculiar architectures with unique profiles of region centrality. However, the identification of hubs in networks built from different frequency bands simultaneously is still a challenging problem, remaining largely unexplored. Here we identify each frequency component with one layer of a multiplex network and face this challenge by exploiting the recent advances in the analysis of multiplex topologies. First, we show that each frequency band carries unique topological information, fundamental to accurately model brain functional networks. We then demonstrate that hubs in the multiplex network, in general different from those ones obtained after discarding or aggregating the measured signals as usual, provide a more accurate map of brain's most important functional regions, allowing to distinguish between healthy and schizophrenic populations better than conventional network approaches.

Globally Efficient Brain Organization and Treatment Response in Psychosis: A Connectomic Study of Gyrification.

Background:Converging evidence suggests that patients with first-episode psychosis who show a poor treatment response may have a higher degree of neurodevelopmental abnormalities than good Responders. Characterizing the disturbances in the relationship among brain regions (covariance) can provide more information on neurodevelopmental integrity than searching for localized changes in the brain. Graph-based connectomic approach can measure structural covariance thus providing information on the maturational processes. We quantified the structural covariance of cortical folding using graph theory in first-episode psychosis, to investigate if this systems-level approach would improve our understanding of the biological determinants of outcome in psychosis.Methods:Magnetic Resonance Imaging data were acquired in 80 first-episode psychosis patients and 46 healthy controls. Response to treatment was assessed after 12 weeks of naturalistic follow-up. Gyrification-based connectomes were constructed to study the maturational organization of cortical folding.Results:Nonresponders showed a reduction in the distributed relationship among brain regions (high segregation, poor integration) when compared to Responders and controls, indicating a higher burden of aberrant neurodevelopment. They also showed reduced centrality of key regions (left insula and anterior cingulate cortex) indicating a marked reconfiguration of gyrification. Nonresponders showed a vulnerable pattern of covariance that disintegrated when simulated lesions removed high-degree hubs, indicating an abnormal dependence on highly central hub regions in Nonresponders.Conclusions:These findings suggest that a perturbed maturational relationship among brain regions underlies poor treatment response in first-episode psychosis. The information obtained from gyrification-based connectomes can be harnessed for prospectively predicting treatment response and prognosis in psychosis.

EDUCAÇÃO SUPERIOR A DISTÂNCIA EM SECRETARIADO NO BRASIL: REALIDADES E PERSPECTIVAS DA OFERTA DE CURSOS

Abstract: The varied ways of communication and the daily requirements have made the people less and less available. Given this reality that adds itself to the necessity of academic background to the world of work, the Distance Education (DE) introduces itself as a democratic offer in expansion. The goal of this study is to outline a view of the offer of superior Distance courses in Secretariat in Brazil. In order to do so, it was developed a literature review focused on the reality of Distance Education (DE) in Brazil, as well as in Education in Secretariat. Thereafter, it was performed a field research by means of observational study of the superior courses of Secretariat in distance mode placed on the website of the Ministry of Education. It has been observed aspects such as: quantity of courses and centers in activity, regional centralization, degree assured, kind of Institution of Superior Education (ISE) owner of the course and quantity of vacancies offered. It has been possible to infer that the offer of Secretariat courses in the distance mode in Brazil is diachronic, although incipient. The absence of courses in public institutions and of courses that certificate bachelor’s degree were the two lacks identified that require attention and studies that identify the demand for such kind of ISE and degree as well as the search for its substantiation. It is believed that these blanks impose limitations on the course offers in the DE mode in Secretariat in Brazil.

Aberrant Global and Regional Topological Organization of the Fractional Anisotropy-weighted Brain Structural Networks in Major Depressive Disorder.

Background:Most previous neuroimaging studies have focused on the structural and functional abnormalities of local brain regions in major depressive disorder (MDD). Moreover, the exactly topological organization of networks underlying MDD remains unclear. This study examined the aberrant global and regional topological patterns of the brain white matter networks in MDD patients.Methods:The diffusion tensor imaging data were obtained from 27 patients with MDD and 40 healthy controls. The brain fractional anisotropy-weighted structural networks were constructed, and the global network and regional nodal metrics of the networks were explored by the complex network theory.Results:Compared with the healthy controls, the brain structural network of MDD patients showed an intact small-world topology, but significantly abnormal global network topological organization and regional nodal characteristic of the network in MDD were found. Our findings also indicated that the brain structural networks in MDD patients become a less strongly integrated network with a reduced central role of some key brain regions.Conclusions:All these resulted in a less optimal topological organization of networks underlying MDD patients, including an impaired capability of local information processing, reduced centrality of some brain regions and limited capacity to integrate information across different regions. Thus, these global network and regional node-level aberrations might contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of MDD from the view of the brain network.

The ADMM-Plus and the U.S. Department of Defense: Beyond the “Talk Shop” Paradigm

The ADMM-Plus and the U.S. Department of Defense:Beyond the “Talk Shop” Paradigm Kurt Leffler (bio) For years, pundits referred derisively to ASEAN as a “talk shop.” Over just a six-year history, however, the eighteen-country ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) has moved past this perception to serve as a key mechanism for regional cooperation and become an engagement priority for the U.S. Department of Defense. By working with the ADMM-Plus, the Defense Department supports the broader U.S. government commitment to political stability and economic growth in the Asia-Pacific, as well as pursing practical opportunities for familiarization and interoperability with allied and partner militaries—all while respecting the principle of ASEAN centrality. First, it must be clarified that this multilateral participation does not replace historical U.S. relationships. The Department of Defense will continue to actively maintain and expand bilateral treaty alliances and partnerships in the region. U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) has also initiated trilateral and quadrilateral defense discussions with key partners. To supplement those relationships, however, ASEAN-centered relationships are of growing utility as the strategic terrain evolves. In a region affected by frequent natural disasters, the threat of terrorism, rival maritime claims, illegal fishing, food security challenges, environmental degradation, and other shared threats, multilateral responses are crucial. And while the ADMM-Plus is the most direct avenue for military engagement in ASEAN, the Department of Defense will also continue to play a role in supporting other ASEAN-centered mechanisms, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), to increase civil-military cooperation and integration. These emerging patterns are a natural continuation of the U.S. commitment to the region over the greater part of a century. The United States was formally elevated to the status of strategic dialogue partner to ASEAN last November. Therefore, engagement at every opportunity, including through ASEAN’s defense-led mechanisms, allows the United States to solidify its current and future role as an Asia-Pacific country. [End Page 123] This essay describes how involvement in the ADMM-Plus allows the Department of Defense to complement whole-of-government approaches to ASEAN engagement. It also describes some of the reasons that the ADMM-Plus, in particular, serves as the priority avenue for the Department of Defense’s security cooperation with ASEAN and discusses internal challenges that the department faces in these efforts. The ADMM-Plus and Other ASEAN Mechanisms: A Team Approach Engagement with the ADMM-Plus allows the Department of Defense to support broader interagency efforts. The cohesion of ASEAN into its current form over the last several decades has enhanced the regional security architecture of not just Southeast Asia but the Asia-Pacific writ large. The ten ASEAN member states have managed to not only create a functioning coordination mechanism for their own subregion; they have placed themselves squarely in the middle of transregional discussions involving dialogue partners spanning Northeast Asia, South Asia, and Oceania. The broader U.S. government actively supports ASEAN’s regional centrality and leadership role. The ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Social-Cultural Community can only really be implemented in an ASEAN Political-Security Community with wide-reaching stability and security. By providing a forum in which defense policy issues can be discussed, and in which habits of practical multilateral security cooperation can be established, the ADMM-Plus plays an important role in improving the regional political-security situation, thereby having a positive impact on the broader economic and sociocultural spheres. How does the ADMM-Plus relate to and compare with other ASEAN-centered mechanisms? First, the ADMM-Plus is the mechanism designated for defense engagement by ASEAN dialogue partners. Although interagency coordination is important, and the Department of Defense will support those efforts, militaries must first reach out to each other, with civil-military engagement occurring under the appropriate civilian leadership. Engagement through the ADMM-Plus is therefore part of an interagency and cross-sectoral approach in which the Department of Defense partners with the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of Commerce, and other government agencies to engage across the entire spectrum of ASEAN political-security, economic, and sociocultural mechanisms...

The Regional Centralization of Electronic Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring and Its Impact on Neonatal Acidemia and the Cesarean Birth Rate.

Objective. The improvement of the accuracy of fetal heart rate (FHR) pattern interpretation to improve perinatal outcomes remains an elusive challenge. We examined the impact of an FHR centralization system on the incidence of neonatal acidemia and cesarean births. Methods. We performed a regional, population-based, before-and-after study of 9,139 deliveries over a 3-year period. The chi-squared test was used for the statistical analysis. Results. The before-and-after study showed no difference in the rates of acidemia, cesarean births, or perinatal death in the whole population. A subgroup analysis using the 4 hospitals in which an FHR centralization system was continuously connected (compliant group) and 3 hospitals in which the FHR centralization system was connected on demand (noncompliant group) showed that the incidence acidemia was significantly decreased (from 0.47% to 0.11%) without a corresponding increase in the cesarean birth rate due to nonreassuring FHR patterns in the compliant group. Although there was no difference in the incidence of nonreassuring FHR patterns in the noncompliant group, the total cesarean birth rate was significantly higher than that in the compliant group. Conclusion. The continuous FHR centralization system, in which specialists help to interpret results and decide clinical actions, was beneficial in reducing the incidence of neonatal acidemia (pH < 7.1) without increasing the cesarean birth rate due to nonreassuring FHR patterns.

Network Centrality of Resting-State fMRI in Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma Before and After Surgery.

PurposeUsing voxel-wise degree centrality (DC), as measured by resting-state fMRI, we aimed to study alterations in the brain functional networks in patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) and to reveal the plastic trajectories of surgery.MethodsA total of 23 preoperative PACG patients (49.48 ± 14.37 years old) were recruited to undergo a resting-state fMRI scan, and 9 of them were rescanned 3 months after surgery. All PACG patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including intraocular pressure (IOP), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, vertical cup to disc ratio (V C/D), and average cup to disc ratio (A C/D). Another 23 gender- and age-matched healthy controls (48.18 ± 9.40 years old) underwent scanning once for comparison. The group difference in DC was calculated in each voxel, and the correlations between the DC value and each of the clinical variables were analyzed in the PACG patients.ResultsPreoperative PACG (pre-PACG) patients showed significantly decreased DC in the bilateral visual cortices but increased DC in the left anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and caudate (p < 0.05, corrected) compared with the controls. Statistical analysis showed a significantly negative correlation between DC in the bilateral visual cortices and the IOP score and between DC in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and both the A C/D and V C/D scores in the pre-PACG patients. Three months after surgery, these postoperative PACG (post-PACG) patients showed a significantly increased DC in both the bilateral visual cortices and the left precentral gyrus compared with the pre-PACG patients.ConclusionsOur results suggest that PACG may contribute to decreased functional centrality in the visual system and to increased degree centrality in cognition-emotional processing regions. Alterations in visual areas seem to parallel the cup to disc ratio, but not the duration of angle closure. The changes of functional centrality in PACG patients after operation may reveal the plasticity or degeneration of the visual-associated brain areas. Our findings may provide further understanding of the pathophysiology of PACG.

Nodal centrality of functional network in the differentiation of schizophrenia

A disturbance in the integration of information during mental processing has been implicated in schizophrenia, possibly due to faulty communication within and between brain regions. Graph theoretic measures allow quantification of functional brain networks. Functional networks are derived from correlations between time courses of brain regions. Group differences between SZ and control groups have been reported for functional network properties, but the potential of such measures to classify individual cases has been little explored. We tested whether the network measure of betweenness centrality could classify persons with schizophrenia and normal controls. Functional networks were constructed for 19 schizophrenic patients and 29 non-psychiatric controls based on resting state functional MRI scans. The betweenness centrality of each node, or fraction of shortest-paths that pass through it, was calculated in order to characterize the centrality of the different regions. The nodes with high betweenness centrality agreed well with hub nodes reported in previous studies of structural and functional networks. Using a linear support vector machine algorithm, the schizophrenia group was differentiated from non-psychiatric controls using the ten nodes with the highest betweenness centrality. The classification accuracy was around 80%, and stable against connectivity thresholding. Better performance was achieved when using the ranks as feature space as opposed to the actual values of betweenness centrality. Overall, our findings suggest that changes in functional hubs are associated with schizophrenia, reflecting a variation of the underlying functional network and neuronal communications. In addition, a specific network property, betweenness centrality, can classify persons with SZ with a high level of accuracy.