Review of \u3ci\u3eEverett Baker\u27s Saskatchewan: Portraits of an Era.\u3c/i\u3e Selected by Bill Waiser

The photographs that Everett Baker (1893- 1981) took in Saskatchewan from the 1940s to the 1960s cover just about one-half of the province, mostly the prairie part, at the northern end of the Great Plains. An American citizen, Baker was not drafted into World War I because of an asthmatic condition; after obtaining a BS degree he went to work in Saskatchewan in the hope that the dry climate would be better for his health. There he sold books and farmed in the Palliser Triangle, soon sharing with its rural population the hardships that accompanied the Great Depression. This was for him and his wife the school of hard knocks: Their second child, daughter Jean Marie, died before she was one. Everett was also struck down with typhoid fever, followed by a bout with Spanish influenza that nearly killed him. Then his father and two sisters perished in a car crash in Minnesota. In keeping with the cooperative entrepreneurial spirit then characterizing the province, he became involved in the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Field Service Division, within which he showed education and entertainment-oriented films to sundry audiences in isolated communities: By the end of the 1930s, field men were hosting about seven hundred film nights a year, a phenomenon that is remembered with affection to this day. Soon Baker would take advantage of these evenings to show his own slides of contemporary rural life. He had bought a Leica in 1939, at the very end of the Great Depression. With the help of this lightweight camera and the recently developed Kodachrome 16 and 25 ASA films, he was able to take fine-grained, long-lasting color slides of local people and their landscapes. Two comparisons come to mind immediately: with Walker Evans and Henri Cartier-Bresson. In Let Us Now Praise Famous Men (1941), the former illustrated with stark black-and-white, mostly posed, photographs a poetic text James Agee dedicated to the rural poverty of the American South. As for CartierBresson, who also worked with a Leica, his blackand- white snapshots are famous for the artistry caught at what he called the decisive moment

Diffusion tensor MRI of the corpus callosum in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106143/1/jmri24218.pd

Pattern of gray matter volumes related to retinal thickness and its association with cognitive function in relapsing–remitting MS

Background Neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS) may be investigated in the visual system as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows examining structural integrity in detail. The association between thickness of retinal layers and focal cortical volumes beyond the primary visual system has not been thoroughly investigated. Objective To investigate the association between focal cortical volume and thickness of retinal layers. Methods Fifty-four patients (relapsing–remitting MS, mean age 40.5 years, mean disease duration 7.6 years, median EDSS 2) underwent OCT and MRI. The association between focal cortical volume and OCT measurements was investigated with voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Patterns of association were determined with Yeo's functional network atlas and the Harvard-Oxford cortical atlas. We used GEE models with cortical volumes from the FreeSurfer parcellation to confirm VBM results. Post hoc, we analyzed the association between OCT, focal cortical volumes, and an extended neuropsychological assessment in a subgroup of 14 patients. Results Macular retinal nerve fiber layer (mRNFL) and ganglion cell /inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) showed a robust association with mainly the insular cortex and the cingulate cortex. VBM findings were confirmed with FreeSurfer volumes. The post hoc analysis detected significant correlations between both OCT outcomes and cognition. Conclusion Besides the primary visual system, OCT outcomes show a correlation pattern with cortical regions that are known to be important for cognitive performance, predominantly the insula in both hemispheres. Thus, OCT should be further investigated as a marker for neurodegeneration in MS

Diffusion tensor tractography in children with sensory processing disorder: potentials for devising machine learning classifiers

The “sensory processing disorder” (SPD) refers to brain's inability to organize sensory input for appropriate use. In this study, we determined the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) microstructural and connectivity correlates of SPD, and apply machine learning algorithms for identification of children with SPD based on DTI/tractography metrics. A total of 44 children with SPD and 41 typically developing children (TDC) were prospectively recruited and scanned. In addition to fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and radial diffusivity (RD), we applied probabilistic tractography to generate edge density (ED) and track density (TD) from DTI maps. For identification of children with SPD, accurate classification rates from a combination of DTI microstructural (FA, MD, AD, and RD), connectivity (TD) and connectomic (ED) metrics with different machine learning algorithms – including naïve Bayes, random forest, support vector machine, and neural networks – were determined. In voxel-wise analysis, children with SPD had lower FA, ED, and TD but higher MD and RD compared to TDC – predominantly in posterior white matter tracts including posterior corona radiata, posterior thalamic radiation, and posterior body and splenium of corpus callosum. In stepwise penalized logistic regression, the only independent variable distinguishing children with SPD from TDC was the average TD in the splenium (p < 0.001). Among different combinations of machine learning algorithms and DTI/connectivity metrics, random forest models using tract-based TD yielded the highest accuracy in classification of SPD – 77.5% accuracy, 73.8% sensitivity, and 81.6% specificity. Our findings demonstrate impaired microstructural and connectivity/connectomic integrity in children with SPD, predominantly in posterior white matter tracts, and with reduced TD of the splenium of corpus callosum as the most distinctive pattern. Applying machine learning algorithms, these connectivity metrics can be used to devise novel imaging biomarkers for neurodevelopmental disorders

Contralateral interictal spikes are related to tapetum damage in left temporal lobe epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: In temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), the epileptogenic focus is focal and unilateral in the majority of patients. A key characteristic of focal TLE is the presence of subclinical epileptiform activity in both the ictal and contralateral healthy hemisphere. Such interictal activity is clinically important, as it may reflect the spread of pathology, potentially leading to secondary epileptogenesis. The role played by white matter pathways in this process is unknown. METHODS: We compared three interhemispheric white matter tracts (anterior commissure, fornix, and tapetum) to determine the pathway most associated with the presence of contralateral interictal spikes. Forty patients with unilateral left or right TLE were categorized based on the presence or absence of contralateral interictal spikes. Analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were run on diffusion properties from each tract. RESULTS: The analyses revealed that patients with left TLE and with bilateral interictal spikes had lower fractional anisotropy (FA) and higher mean diffusivity (MD) in the tapetum. Patients with right TLE did not show this effect. No significant associations with bilateral activity were observed for the other tracts. Blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional connectivity data revealed that homotopic lateral, not mesial, temporal areas were reliably correlated in bilateral patients, independent of ictal side. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results indicate that, among the tracts investigated, only the tapetum was associated with contralateral epileptiform activity, implicating this structure in seizures and possible secondary epileptogenesis. We describe two mechanisms that might explain this association (the interruption of inhibitory signals or the toxic effect of carrying epileptiform signals toward the healthy hemisphere), but also acknowledge other rival factors that may be at work. We also report that patients with TLE with bilateral spikes had increased lateral bitemporal lobe connectivity. Our current results can be seen as bringing together important functional and structural data to elucidate the basis of contralateral interictal activity in focal, unilateral epilepsy. A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here

Exponential Nonlinearity and the Method of Symmetrization (Variational Problems and Related Topics)

AbstractUK Biobank is a large-scale prospective epidemiological study with all data accessible to researchers worldwide. It is currently in the process of bringing back 100,000 of the original participants for brain, heart and body MRI, carotid ultrasound and low-dose bone/fat x-ray. The brain imaging component covers 6 modalities (T1, T2 FLAIR, susceptibility weighted MRI, Resting fMRI, Task fMRI and Diffusion MRI). Raw and processed data from the first 10,000 imaged subjects has recently been released for general research access. To help convert this data into useful summary information we have developed an automated processing and QC (Quality Control) pipeline that is available for use by other researchers. In this paper we describe the pipeline in detail, following a brief overview of UK Biobank brain imaging and the acquisition protocol. We also describe several quantitative investigations carried out as part of the development of both the imaging protocol and the processing pipeline.</jats:p

Identification et caractérisation de la mutation responsable de l'épilepsie photosensible chez la poule

L'épilepsie réflexe photosensible est provoquée par l'association de la sensibilité génétique ou idiopathique des individus, appelée photosensibilité, et de stimuli lumineux (télévision, jeux vidéo...). A ce jour, aucun gène n'a été identifié chez l'homme comme étant responsable de la photosensibilité génétique. La lignée Fepi, un modèle génétique poulet qui présente une prédisposition à ce type d'épilepsie, a été utilisée dans un pedigree expérimental dédié de type backcross, qui a permis de localiser la mutation epi sur le microchromosome GGA25. L'objectif de ma thèse était d'identifier, puis de caractériser la mutation responsable de l'épilepsie photosensible du modèle poulet. Pour cela, j'ai d'abord construit la carte génétique de GGA25 et participé à la construction de la carte d'hybrides irradiés près de la mutation epi. En parallèle, j'ai participé à la construction de la carte génétique à haute résolution qui a permis de restreindre la localisation de la mutation dans un intervalle de 6,6 cM, comportant un gène candidat : SV2A (Synaptic Vesicle glycoprotein 2A), puis dans un intervalle final de 0,5 cM à l'intérieur du gène. J'ai également pu montrer que le phénotype épileptique était associé à une diminution significative de l'expression du gène SV2A chez les poulets épileptiques. Le séquençage de la région codante du gène m'a ensuite permis de mettre en évidence un épissage aberrant de l'exon 3 survenant spécifiquement chez les individus épileptiques. Enfin, j'ai pu identifier une mutation survenant dans le site accepteur de l'intron 2 pouvant expliquer l'épissage aberrant.Photosensitive reflex epilepsy is caused by the combination of individual sensitivity, either genetic or idiopathic, with light stimuli (television, video games ...). To date, no gene responsible for the genetic photosensitivity has been identified in human. The chicken strain Fepi, with genetic predisposition to photosensitive epilepsy, was used in a dedicated experimental backcross pedigree, allowing the mapping of the epi mutation on microchromosome GGA25. The objective of my thesis was to identify and characterize the mutation causing photosensitive epilepsy in chicken. To this end, I first built a genetic map of GGA25 and participated in the construction of the radiation hybrid map surrounding the epi mutation. In parallel, I participated in the construction of a high resolution genetic map, restricting the location of the mutation to a first 6.6 cM interval containing a candidate gene: SV2A (Synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A), and thereafter to a final interval of 0.5 cM within the gene. I was also able to show that the epileptic phenotype was associated with a significant decrease in the expression level of SV2A in epileptic chicken. Sequencing the coding region of the gene allowed me to identify an aberrant splicing of exon 3, occuring specifically in epileptic individuals. Finally, I identified a mutation in the acceptor site of intron 2 that could be responsible for the aberrant splicing

Laser-induced dewetting of silver-doped chalcogenide glasses

We report the observation of laser-induced dewetting responsible for the formation of periodic relief structures in silver-based chalcogenide thin-films. By varying the concentration of silver in the Agx(As20S80)100-x system (with x = 0, 4, 9 and 36), different surface relief structures are formed. The evolution of the surface changes as a function of laser parameters (power density, duration of exposure, and polarisation) as well as film thickness and silver concentration has been investigated. The scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy images of irradiated spots show periodic ripples aligned perpendicularly to the electric field of incident light. Our results show that addition of silver into sulphur-rich chalcogenide thin-films improves the dewetting when compared to pure As20S80 thinfilms. The changes in surface morphology were attributable to photo-induced chemical modifications and a laser-driven molecular rearrangement

Templated dewetting for self-assembled ultra low-loss chalcogenide integrated photonics

Integrated photonics is of growing interest but relies on complex fabrication methods that have yet to match optical losses of bulkier platforms like optical fibers or whispering gallery mode resonators. Spontaneous matter reorganization phenomenon (e.g. dewetting) in thin-films provides a way for self-assembled structures with atomic scale surface rugosity, potentially alleviating the problems of roughness scattering loss and fabrication complexity. In this article, we study solid-state dewetting in chalcogenide glass thin-films and demonstrate its applicability to the fabrication of high-quality integrated photonics components. Optimal dewetting parameters are derived from a comprehensive experimental study of thin-film properties under high temperature rapid annealing. Atomic scale surface roughness are obtained using dewetting, with RMS values as low as Rq = 0.189 nm. Several integrated photonics components are fabricated using the method and characterized. We show that the use of pre-patterned templates leads to organized, reproducible patterns with large-scale uniformity and demonstrate the record high quality-factor of 4.7 × 106 in compact (R = 50 µm) microdisks, corresponding to 0.08 dB⋅cm−1 waveguide propagation loss. The integrated devices are directly fabricated on standard silicon-on-insulator dice using the micro-trench filling technique and coupled to silicon waveguides, making them readily deployable with existing silicon devices and systems

Étude du phénomène de démouillage dans les couches-minces de verres de chalcogénures du système As-S-Ag

Dans les domaines de l'optique et de l'électronique, la fabrication de structures nano et microscopiques organisées nécessitent l'utilisation de méthodes coûteuses d'un point de vue énergétique mais aussi de temps de travail et de quantité de matériel : dans la plupart des cas, les structures sont fabriquées par le biais de photo-lithographie, de gravure, et de FIB (sonde ionique focalisée) sur des matériaux tels que le silicium. Ces méthodes, bien que très utilisées et maîtrisées, produisent des structures dont la surface possède une certaine rugosité causée par le processus de gravure. Une alternative, plus simple et moins coûteuse, se trouve dans l'exploitation du phénomène de démouillage qui peut se définir comme étant une diffusion de la matière gouvernée par des forces interfaciales tentant de réduire la surface entre deux matériaux. En plus des effets décrits ci-après, le démouillage permet d'obtenir une réduction de la rugosité de la surface ; propriété très importante pour une application optique. Le phénomène de démouillage est bien connu dans la littérature et particulièrement dans le domaine des recouvrements polymériques (peintures, traitements de surface, etc.) puisqu'il s'agit d'un e et néfaste causant une réduction de la surface de la couche polymérique appliquée sur un matériau (décollement, formation de gouttelettes, etc.). Mais lorsque ce phénomène est contrôlé et appliqué aux couches-minces, il peut s'avérer très intéressant pour la fabrication de structures à l'échelle microscopique voire nanoscopique. De nos jours il existe plusieurs exemples de couches-minces polymériques ayant subit un démouillage contrôlé pour des applications telles que le développement de surfaces anti-réflectives. De même, le démouillage a été appliqué à des couches-minces métalliques pour former des structures possédant des propriétés plasmoniques (Au, Ag) ou magnétiques (FePt). L'application du démouillage aux systèmes vitreux reste cependant peu développée, mais possède d'attrayantes propriétés, particulièrement pour les verres de chalcogénures. Dans cette thèse, nous discutons des différents types de démouillages appliqués aux couches minces de verres de chalcogénures, et plus particulièrement au système Agx(As20S80)100-x. L'avantage de ce système réside dans sa bonne transmission dans l'infrarouge proche et moyen, permettant ainsi de possibles applications dans cette région sous formes de guides d'ondes, résonateurs, etc. Deux méthodes de démouillages sont étudiées : la première, thermique ; la deuxième, photoII induite. Pour le démouillage induit thermiquement, les couches-minces doivent subir un traitement thermique à des températures supérieures à la température de transition vitreuse du verre a n d'obtenir une viscosité suffisamment faible pour que la tension interfaciale entre la couche-mince et le substrat cause le démouillage de l'échantillon. Cette méthode permet l'obtention de structures circulaires quasiment hémisphériques dont la taille et la forme sont contrôlables par changement de la composition chimique et des paramètres thermiques. Pour le démouillage photo-induit, nous avons utilisé différents lasers à ondes entretenues (CW) dont les longueurs d'onde d'émission sont proches de celles des bandes interdites des différentes couches-minces. Le démouillage ainsi causé par l'irradiation laser est différent du démouillage induit thermiquement. L'exposition au faisceau laser va créer des structures démouillées linéairement et de manière perpendiculaire au champs électrique du faisceau incident. En plus du phénomène de démouillage, lorsque la couche-mince est irradiée par un faisceau laser de longueur d'onde proche de celle de la bande interdite, il apparaît un processus photoanisotropique de biréfringence. Nous avons étudié l'impact des différents paramètres liés au faisceau laser tels que la densité de puissance et le temps d'exposition. Ce processus est indépendant du démouillage et va apparaître avant celui-ci.The fabrication of self-assembled nano and microscopic structures has been of great interest in the past decades, mainly for the production of optical devices. The methods of fabrication are based on photo-lithography, liquid and/or gas etching, and focused ion beam (FIB). Those methods are costly and time consuming and might create poor surface quality. In this thesis, we present an alternative method of fabrication based on the dewetting phenomenon. It is de ned as the di usion of matter driven by interfacial forces and a reduction of the shared area between two materials. One interesting property of this process is a decrease in surface roughness leading to good optical quality. The dewetting phenomenon is well reported for polymeric lms as well as metallic thin- lms. In the case of polymeric materials, dewetting can be used for the formation of nano and micro-structures, for example, the fabrication of anti-re ective surfaces. For metallic materials, plasmonic (Au, Ag) and magnetic (FePt) structures can be produced on the surface of metallic thin- lms. However, for glassy thin- lms, dewetting is still in its early stages. In this thesis, we will explore di erent types of dewetting on chalcogenide glassy thin- lms of the Agx(As20S80)100-x system. An interesting property of the prepared thin- lms is their transparency in the infrared region allowing promising applications such as waveguides and resonators. Two distinct approaches are studied in this thesis: the rst one is a thermally-induced process; the second one is based on photo-induced e ects. For thermal dewetting, glassy thin- lms must undergo thermal treatments above the glass transition temperature (Tg) in order to decrease the viscosity until interfacial tensions between the lm and its substrate are high enough to induce dewetting. With this technique, we can obtain quasi-hemispherical structures whose shape and size can be controlled by varying chemical composition and thermal parameters (temperature, time, atmosphere, etc.). For laser-induced dewetting, we use a continuous wave (CW) laser whose wavelength must be near the bandgap of the material. Laser-induced dewetted structures are very di erent from their thermal counterparts: instead of being worm-like or hemispherical, they auto-organise in parallel lines, separated by a distance proportional to the initial thickness of the lm. IV Furthermore, structures are always perpendicular to the electric eld of the incident laser beam. Additionally, when thin- lms are exposed to a laser irradiation of near-bandgap energy, a photo-anisotropic process of birefringence appears. We have reported the e ect of di erent laser parameters such as power density and exposure time. This process of photo-birefringence is independant and appears before dewetting