Spectrum Conditions Research Articles

Spectral properties of Schrödinger operators with locally $H^{-1}$ potentials

We study half-line Schrödinger operators with locally H^{-1} potentials. In the first part, we focus on a general spectral theoretic framework for such operators, including a Last–Simon-type description of the absolutely continuous spectrum and sufficient conditions for different spectral types. In the second part, we focus on potentials which are decaying in a local H^{-1} sense; we establish a spectral transition between short-range and long-range potentials and an \ell^{2} spectral transition for sparse singular potentials. The regularization procedure used to handle distributional potentials is also well suited for controlling rapid oscillations in the potential; thus, even within the class of smooth potentials, our results apply in situations which would not classically be considered decaying or even bounded.

Disrupted cognitive and affective empathy network interactions in autistic children viewing social animation.

Empathy can be divided into two core components, cognitive empathy (CE) and affective empathy (AE), mediated by distinct neural networks. Deficient empathy is a central feature of autism spectrum conditions (ASCs), but it is unclear if this deficit results from disruption solely within empathy networks or from disrupted functional integration between CE and AE networks. To address this issue, we measured functional connectivity (FC) patterns both within and between empathy networks in autistic children (4-8 years, n = 31) and matched typically developing (TD) children (n = 26) using near-infrared spectroscopy during the presentation of an animated story evoking CE and AE. Empathy and social communication ability were also assessed using the Empathy Quotient/Systemizing Quotient (EQ/SQ) and Social Responsiveness Scale, respectively. The results showed that the FC in the AE network of autistic children did not differ from the TD group across conditions; however, the ASC group showed weaker FC in the CE network under the CE condition and weaker FC between networks when processing AE information, the latter of which was negatively correlated with EQ scores in ASC. The empathy defect in ASC may involve abnormal integration of CE and AE network activities under AE conditions.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in Fragile X syndrome and Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome: prospect use of antioxidants and mitochondrial nutrients

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a genetic disorder characterized by mutation in the FMR1 gene, leading to the absence or reduced levels of fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMRP). This results in neurodevelopmental deficits, including autistic spectrum conditions. On the other hand, Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a distinct disorder caused by the premutation in the FMR1 gene. FXTAS is associated with elevated levels of FMR1 mRNA, leading to neurodegenerative manifestations such as tremors and ataxia.Mounting evidence suggests a link between both syndromes and mitochondrial dysfunction (MDF). In this minireview, we critically examine the intricate relationship between FXS, FXTAS, and MDF, focusing on potential therapeutic avenues to counteract or mitigate their adverse effects. Specifically, we explore the role of mitochondrial cofactors and antioxidants, with a particular emphasis on alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), carnitine (CARN) and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Findings from this review will contribute to a deeper understanding of these disorders and foster novel therapeutic strategies to enhance patient outcomes.

Exploration of Emotion Analysis and Personalized Emotion Adjustment Algorithm in English Learning Process

An important component of human existence and behaviour is emotion. The automatic identification of emotions has gained significant importance in the domains of affective computing and human-machine interaction in recent times. Getting pictures of people's facial expressions is one of the simplest and least expensive methods for identifying emotions among the several physiological and kinematic data that may be utilised. Because of variations in anatomy, culture, and environment, developing a generalised, cross-subject model for emotion identification from facial expression remains difficult.This study presents an intelligent classroom that uses e-learning to help persons with autism spectrum condition strengthen their emotional abilities. Monitoring autism child engagement and participation in class while looking for signs of attention is necessary for effective classroom education. Teaching quality is increasingly being determined by the teachers' capacity to assess and evaluate the behaviour of their pupils in the classroom. Modern classroom systems are enhanced with the most recent technologies in educational institutions to make them more interactive, student-centered, and personalised. Even with these tools, it can be challenging for teachers to gauge their pupils' levels of interest and focus. This study makes use of contemporary technology to establish a real-time, intelligent vision-based classroom that can track students' moods, attendance, and levels of focus even when they are wearing face masks. In order to evaluate students' attention or lack thereof in a classroom, we trained AlexNet models that recognise student behaviour, including recognising facial expressions. Another designed to manage the irregular relationship between pupils and activities is the Interaction Students Education Neural Network ( Int_Edu_NN). The Q-matrix is used to firstly determine the pupil variable and the assignment indicator. This network is analyzed using two datasets in terms of various parameters and hence the proposed Int_Edu_NN achieves 99.% and 98% of accuracy.

Challenges Associated with the Identification of Autism Spectrum Condition Symptomatology in Girls: A Grounded Theory Lite Approach

IntroductionFemale Autism Spectrum Conditions (FASC) often go without a proper diagnosis, receive misdiagnoses, or are diagnosed late in life compared to males.These circumstances can lead to negative consequences in their overall health, emotional well-being, educational attainment, job opportunities, and independence. There is a growing body of literature highlighting distinctions between females and males in the context of autism. Regrettably, these insights are not effectively making their way into practical applications. While shifting entrenched perspectives among practitioners is a gradual process, there is an immediate and pressing need for change in this regard. Numerous misconceptions persist regarding the presentation of FASC, hindering the recognition of its diverse effects based on an individual’s cis-gender identity or other factors.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study is to identify key challenges associated with the identification of ASC symptomatology in girls, with the goal of informing future research and clinical practice.MethodsUsing constant comparative analysis applicable to grounded theory lite with an inductive approach, this study employs an interpretative research methodology with a focus on generating theory from qualitative data, albeit with certain shortcuts or less resource-intensive steps. Data were collected through interviews providing insights into their experiences, behaviors, and developmental history, observations enabling to capture real-time behavioral and communicative patterns., and notes during first and initial developmental assessment, as well as using ADOS-II with some participants (according to referrals and parents’ decision), in the period of 3 years (2020-2023) from 25 girls age 18 months to 15 years and their mothers, and occasionally both parents.ResultsPreliminary findings indicate a complex interplay of behavioral, communicative, and social challenges in these girls, shedding light on potentially distinctive patterns of symptom expression in comparison to boys. Furthermore, barriers hindering parental involvement in the diagnostic process have also been identified. This study holds significant importance as it may inform future research efforts aimed at addressing these challenges that currently impede clinicians in the early identification of FASC, which manifests quite differently in girls compared to boys.ConclusionsTaking into account certain study limitations, the significance of this research lies in its capacity to influence future research initiatives. By illuminating the obstacles that hinder clinicians in the early detection of FASC, which manifest distinctively in girls compared to boys, it emphasizes the pressing need to address these challenges. This, in turn, enhances early detection and support systems for FASC, ultimately contributing to their well-being and quality of life.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Indistinguishable behavioural and neural correlates of perceptual self-other distinction in autistic and neurotypical adults

Previous research has suggested that self-bias (i.e., enhanced cognitive processing of self-versus other-relevant information) may be atypical in autism spectrum conditions (ASC), perhaps due to difficulties with self-other distinction. However, empirical evidence for this is inconsistent, and the neural basis of processing differences remains unknown. We present two experiments that aimed to test perceptual self-bias and familiarity effects in ASC using a perceptual-association task. Participants were asked to distinguish face/label associations of the self from those of other people of differing levels of familiarity (i.e., friend vs stranger). Experiment 1 took an individual differences approach by testing whether behavioural self-bias is associated with the number of autistic traits in a neurotypical adult sample (N = 59). Experiment 2 took a case–control approach by testing whether behavioural self-bias and associated ERP responses differ between neurotypical (N = 27) and autistic (N = 30) adults. Across both experiments, behavioural results showed that participants experienced a self-bias (self > friend and stranger) and a familiarity effect (e.g., friend > stranger); neither effect was affected by the number of autistic traits or autism diagnosis. In Experiment 2, analysis of N1, N2, and P3 ERP components revealed a typical self-bias in both groups (self distinct from friend and stranger), and only the autistic group showed evidence of a familiarity effect (N2 more negative-going for stranger than friend). The findings are discussed in relation to self-other distinction ability, and the relevance of other neuropsychological and psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and alexithymia are also considered.

A de-noising method of magnetotelluric signals based on the generalized S-transform

The generalized S-transform has excellent time-frequency resolution capability. It can effectively demonstrate the non-stationary characteristics of signals and the dynamic changes in energy. This provides the conditions for denoising in the time-frequency domain. The magnetotelluric (MT) survey method is often affected by various artificial noises, and these noises are very prominent in certain frequency bands. To address this problem, a method based on the generalized S transform is proposed to de-noise MT data. The generalized S transform is used to improve the time-frequency localization of the different signal components, meanwhile the electromagnetic noise can be conveniently suppressed in the time-frequency domain. Simulated signals and measured MT signals contaminated by common sinusoidal and triangular wave interference are processed. The results were compared with those of the Wavelet threshold method. Results show that the presented method is more conducive to the identification and suppression of electromagnetic noise and shows better de-noising results than the Wavelet threshold method. After de-noising, the useful information of the MT signal affected by strong interference is highlighted, which provides favorable conditions for power spectrum and impedance estimation in the future. Further, the response parameter curve calculated from the de-noised data becomes stable. The proposed method provides a new alternative for de-noising of MT signals, especially those with low signal-to-noise ratios.

Predictive Factors for Requiring Salter Osteotomy in DDH

Purpose: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a wide spectrum condition, ranging from stable acetabular dysplasia to irreducible dislocation, with a variety of different treatment approaches. We aim to find any correlation between some of the most in use pre-operative values and requiring a concomitant salter osteotomy (SO). Methods: In our retrospective cohort study, all defined DDH over 12 months old, assessed between the years of 2017 and 2021 in our orthopedic hospital and categorized under two groups: open reduction, and salter group. Retrospectively, we compared age, gender, pre-operative acetabular index (AI) and medial gap (MG) between two groups. Results: There was no relationship between SO requirement and patient’s gender (p=0.186). There was a higher chance of requiring SO in bilateral cases without any significance (p=0.11). Also, the difference between the two groups, in MG terms, was not significant (p=0.91). With an AI over 30°, salter osteotomy requirement would increase 2.5-fold and 4.8-fold, with each year (age) and degree (AI) increase, respectively. And if we include age over 3.5 years in the matter, SO requirement would increase by 15.7-fold and 5.8-fold with each year and degree increase, respectively. Conclusions: OR with wide safe zone would be a safe treatment method. According to our analysis, pelvic osteotomy would be done more often when age or pre-operative AI increases, but exact determination of osteotomy requirement pre-operatively, is considered highly difficult.

Towards control in agents for human behavior change: an autism case

This paper introduces an automated decision-making framework for providing controlled agent behavior in systems dealing with human behavior-change. Controlled behavior in such settings is important in order to reduce unexpected side-effects of a system’s actions. The general structure of the framework is based on a psychological theory, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), capturing causes to human motivational states, which enables reasoning about dynamics of human motivation. The framework consists of two main components: 1) an ontological knowledge-base that models an individual’s behavioral challenges to infer motivation states and 2) a transition system that, in a given motivation state, decides on motivational support, resulting in transitions between motivational states. The system generates plans (sequences of actions) for an agent to facilitate behavior change. A particular use-case is modeled regarding children with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) who commonly experience difficulties in everyday social situations. An evaluation of a proof-of-concept prototype is performed that presents consistencies between ASC experts’ suggestions and plans generated by the system.

Emotion recognition and social functioning in individuals with autism spectrum condition and intellectual disability.

Most previous studies have examined emotion recognition in autism spectrum condition (ASC) without intellectual disability (ID). However, ASC and ID co-occur to a high degree. The main aims of the study were to examine emotion recognition in individuals with ASC and co-occurring intellectual disability (ASC-ID) as compared to individuals with ID alone, and to investigate the relationship between emotion recognition and social functioning. The sample consisted of 30 adult participants with ASC-ID and a comparison group of 29 participants with ID. Emotion recognition was assessed by the facial emotions test, while. social functioning was assessed by the social responsiveness scale-second edition (SRS-2). The accuracy of emotion recognition was significantly lower in individuals with ASC-ID compared to the control group with ID, especially when it came to identifying angry and fearful emotions. Participants with ASC-ID exhibited more pronounced difficulties in social functioning compared to those with ID, and there was a significant negative correlation between emotion recognition and social functioning. However, emotion recognition accounted for only 8% of the variability observed in social functioning. Our data indicate severe difficulties in the social-perceptual domain and in everyday social functioning in individuals with ASC-ID.

Dopamine and entrepreneurship: Unifying entrepreneur personality traits, psychiatric symptoms, entrepreneurial action and outcomes

Research conducted over the last three decades confirms that dopaminergic personality traits (Openness, Extraversion and the Industriousness aspect of Conscientiousness) are prominent among entrepreneurs. We highlight the continuum between dopaminergic traits, dimensions, temperaments, symptoms and psychiatric conditions (bipolar spectrum conditions, ADHD, substance and behavioral addictions, and OCPD) among entrepreneurs, and how behavioral manifestations of this continuum affect entrepreneurial action. Despite the pathological potential, the connection with some favorable outcomes of dopaminergic traits and psychiatric conditions suggests that atypical dopamine physiology may be one biomarker of the neurodiversity that distinguishes, empowers and endangers entrepreneurs. By showing the dopaminergic underpinnings of traits, dimensions, symptoms and conditions among entrepreneurs, we offer a unifying framework that contextualizes findings within the construct of dopaminergic differences – a framework that integrates otherwise isolated findings about the personality traits and psychiatric conditions of entrepreneurs. In other words, the neurodiversity biomarkers and bio-psycho-social characteristics found among entrepreneurs often reflect a polygenic endophenotype that features atypical dopamine physiology.

Behavioural, developmental and psychological characteristics in children with germline PTEN mutations: a carer report study.

PTEN is primarily known as a tumour suppressor gene. However, research describes higher rates of difficulties including intellectual disability and difficulties relating to autism spectrum conditions (ASCs) in people with germline PTEN mutations. Other psychological characteristics/experiences are less often reported and are explored in this study. The parents of 20 children with PTEN mutations completed an online survey exploring adaptive behaviour, ASC-associated behaviours, anxiety, mood, hypermobility, behaviours that challenge, sensory experiences, quality of life and parental wellbeing. Published normative data and data from groups of individuals with other genetic neurodevelopmental conditions were used to contextualise findings. Overall levels of adaptive behaviour were below the 'typical' range, and no marked relative differences were noted between domains. Higher levels of ASC-related difficulties, including sensory experiences, were found in comparison with 'typically developing' children, with a possible peak in restrictive/repetitive behaviour; ASC and sensory processing atypicality also strongly correlated with reported joint hypermobility. A relative preservation of social motivation was noted. Anxiety levels were found to be elevated overall (and to relate to sensory processing and joint hypermobility), with the exception of social anxiety, which was comparable with normative data. Self-injurious behaviour was common. Results suggest a wide range of possible difficulties in children with PTEN mutations, including elevated anxiety. Despite elevated ASC phenomenology, social motivation may remain relatively strong. Firm conclusions are restricted by a small sample size and potential recruitment bias, and future research is required to further explore the relationships between such characteristics.

Isomers-oriented separation of forty-five plasma bile acids with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Some bile acids (BAs) were considered as biomarkers or have therapeutical effect on metabolic diseases. However, due to the existence of isomers and limitations in sensitivity, simultaneous quantification of multiple BAs remains a challenge. The aim of this study is to establish an accurate and sensitive method for the determination of multiple BAs with similar polarity. A LC-MS/MS analytical method capable of quantifying forty-five BAs simultaneously using nine stable isotope internal standards was developed and fully validated based on key isomers-oriented separation strategy. The method was further applied to analyze plasma samples to describe the dynamic profile of BAs after high glucose intake. The chromatography and mass spectrum conditions were optimized to enable the accurate quantification of forty-five BAs, while ensuring the lower limit of quantification between 0.05–10 ng/mL. The results of system suitability, linearity, dilution integrity, accuracy and precision demonstrated the good quantitative capacity and robustness of the method. A total of thirty-five BAs were quantified in plasma samples from twelve healthy Chinese individuals. The established method featured superior sensitivity and better separation efficiency compared to previous studies. Meanwhile, BAs exhibited correlations with glucose and insulin, suggesting their potential as biomarkers for metabolic disorders.

The impact of circumscribed interest distractors on attentional orienting in young children with autism: eye-tracking evidence from the remote distractor paradigm

ABSTRACT Studies from free-viewing tasks report that children with autism spectrum condition (ASC) exhibit an attentional bias for circumscribed interest (CI) objects (e.g., vehicles) over non-CI objects (e.g., furniture). This atypical preference has led researchers to hypothesise that ASC children would be more distracted by CI-related objects than non-CI-related objects. The current study aimed to explore this issue using a remote distractor paradigm. We found longer saccade latencies for centrally presented distractors in ASC, suggesting delayed endogenous disengagement. Additionally, higher error rates and fewer corrective saccades in ASC indicated poorer attentional control. Neither latencies nor errors were modulated by stimulus types but increased dwell time for CI-related objects over non-CI-related objects in ASC, demonstrated some support for the CI attentional bias reported in previous free-viewing studies. The findings are discussed in relation to how task demands in basic orienting paradigms might mask any CI-related preference bias in children with ASC.

The causal axioms of algebraic quantum field theory: A diagnostic

Algebraic quantum field theory (AQFT) puts forward three “causal axioms” that aim to characterize the theory as one that implements relativistic causation: the spectrum condition, microcausality, and primitive causality. In this paper, I aim to show, in a minimally technical way, that none of them fully explains the notion of causation appropriate for AQFT because they only capture some of the desiderata for relativistic causation I state or because it is often unclear how each axiom implements its respective desideratum. After this diagnostic, I will show that a fourth condition, local primitive causality (LPC), fully characterizes relativistic causation in the sense of fulfilling all the relevant desiderata. However, it only encompasses the virtues of the other axioms because it is implied by them, as I will show from a construction by Haag and Schroer (1962). Since the conjunction of the three causal axioms implies LPC and other important results in QFT that LPC does not imply, and since LPC helps clarify some of the shortcomings of the three axioms, I advocate for a holistic interpretation of how the axioms characterize the causal structure of AQFT against the strategy in the literature to rivalize the axioms and privilege one among them.

Dynamic functional connectivity in the right temporoparietal junction captures variations in male autistic trait expression.

Autistic individuals can experience difficulties with attention reorienting and Theory of Mind (ToM), which are closely associated with anterior and posterior subdivisions of the right temporoparietal junction. While the link between these processes remains unclear, it is likely subserved by a dynamic crosstalk between these two subdivisions. We, therefore, examined the dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) between the anterior and posterior temporoparietal junction, as a biological marker of attention and ToM, to test its contribution to the manifestation of autistic trait expression in Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC). Two studies were conducted, exploratory (14 ASC, 15 TD) and replication (29 ASC, 29 TD), using resting-state fMRI data and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange repository. Dynamic Independent Component Analysis was performed in both datasets using the CONN toolbox. An additional sliding-window analysis was performed in the replication study to explore different connectivity states (from highly negatively to highly positively correlated). Dynamic FC was reduced in ASC compared to TD adults in both the exploratory and replication datasets and was associated with increased SRS scores (especially in ASC). Regression analyses revealed that decreased SRS autistic expression was predicted by engagement of highly negatively correlated states, while engagement of highly positively correlated states predicted increased expression. These findings provided consistent evidence that the difficulties observed in ASC are associated with altered patterns of dFC between brain regions subserving attention reorienting and ToM processes and may serve as a biomarker of autistic trait expression.

It brought us closer: How couples in the United States with children diagnosed with ASC create and maintain relationship functioning

AbstractCouples raising a child diagnosed with autism spectrum condition (ASC) experience unique challenges that can affect their relationship. This grounded theory study explores how couples maintain functioning in their relationship despite ongoing stressors related to raising a child on the spectrum. The presented model shows what couples can do to create and maintain their relationship functioning. It utilises four major themes developed from our analysis of interviews with 19 couples in the United States with a child diagnosed with ASC. This study increases understanding of couple functioning when raising a child on the spectrum. The grounded theory defines couple functioning for couples with a child diagnosed with ASC as balancing four mutually influential themes: togetherness, adaptability, resilience and communication. We also discuss clinical implications for systemic therapists to work with couples with a child diagnosed with ASC effectively.

Attentional processing of preserved face and scrambled face distractors in preschool children with autism spectrum condition

ABSTRACT The current study investigated attentional processing of preserved neutral face and scrambled neutral face distractors at both involuntary and voluntary orienting levels in children with and without autism spectrum condition (ASC). The findings suggest similar influences of face configuration on reflexive orienting in both groups but reveal group differences in voluntary disengagement from face-related distractors. The ASC group exhibited difficulties in disengaging from the central neutral faces, and the TD group showed longer latencies for scrambled faces. These group differences suggest inefficiency in adopting a global face processing strategy at the voluntary attentional level in ASC. We discuss how the observed effects might impact upon the development of social communication skills in ASC.

Standard translation twists and an operator-bounded energy inequality

Twist operators implement symmetries in bounded regions of the space. Standard twists are a special class of twists constructed using modular tools. The twists corresponding to translations have interesting special properties. They can move continuously an operator from a region to a disjoint one without ever passing through the gap separating the two. In addition, they have generators satisfying the spectrum condition. We compute explicitly these twists for the two-dimensional chiral fermion field. The twist generator gives place to a new type of energy inequality where the smeared energy density is bounded below by an operator. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Circulating Levels of 5-HT and BDNF in Adults with Autism Spectrum Conditions: An Investigation in a Sample of Subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorder, their First-degree Relatives and Controls.

Several studies investigated circulating levels of serotonin (5- HT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in children with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). More limited literature focused on ASD adults or on populations with subthreshold autism spectrum manifestations, such as relatives of ASD probands. This study aimed to investigate 5-HT and BDNF levels in adults with autism spectrum conditions. Correlations between levels of biochemical variables and ASD symptoms were also evaluated. a sample of ASD adults, their first-degree relatives (Broad autism phenotype, BAP group), and controls were recruited and assessed with psychometric scales. Blood samples were collected from all participants. 5-HT and BDNF levels were measured by means of ELISA kits. ASD adults showed significantly lower platelet-poor plasma (PPP) 5-HT levels than BAP and control groups. No significant difference was found among groups for PPP BDNF levels and intra-platelet 5-HT levels. 5-HT levels were reported to be specifically correlated with some autism symptoms. This work highlighted the presence in ASD adults of reduced PPP 5-HT levels than in other groups, without significant differences with respect to BDNF levels, supporting the hypothesis that biochemical correlates of ASD in adults may be different from those typically reported in children.