Narrow band quantitative and multivariate electroencephalogram analysis of peri-adolescent period.

BACKGROUND: The peri-adolescent period is a crucial developmental moment of transition from childhood to emergent adulthood. The present report analyses the differences in Power Spectrum (PS) of the Electroencephalogram (EEG) between late childhood (24 children between 8 and 13 years old) and young adulthood (24 young adults between 18 and 23 years old). RESULTS: The narrow band analysis of the Electroencephalogram was computed in the frequency range of 0-20 Hz. The analysis of mean and variance suggested that six frequency ranges presented a different rate of maturation at these ages, namely: low delta, delta-theta, low alpha, high alpha, low beta and high beta. For most of these bands the maturation seems to occur later in anterior sites than posterior sites. Correlational analysis showed a lower pattern of correlation between different frequencies in children than in young adults, suggesting a certain asynchrony in the maturation of different rhythms. The topographical analysis revealed similar topographies of the different rhythms in children and young adults. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) demonstrated the same internal structure for the Electroencephalogram of both age groups. Principal Component Analysis allowed to separate four subcomponents in the alpha range. All these subcomponents peaked at a lower frequency in children than in young adults. CONCLUSIONS: The present approaches complement and solve some of the incertitudes when the classical brain broad rhythm analysis is applied. Children have a higher absolute power than young adults for frequency ranges between 0-20 Hz, the correlation of Power Spectrum (PS) with age and the variance age comparison showed that there are six ranges of frequencies that can distinguish the level of EEG maturation in children and adults. The establishment of maturational order of different frequencies and its possible maturational interdependence would require a complete series including all the different ages.

Mechanism of freeze-thaw instability of aluminum hydroxycarbonate and magnesium hydroxide gels.

The effect of freeze-thaw cycles on the physical stability of aluminum hydroxycarbonate and magnesium hydroxide gels was studied. Coagulation following a freeze-thaw cycle, leading to the formation of visible aggregates, affected the content uniformity of both gels. The freeze-thaw cycles did not affect the crystal form or surface characteristics of the gels as determined by X-ray powder diffraction and point of zero charge, but caused a slight reduction in the rate of acid neutralization and a large increase in the rate of sedimentation. The greatest effect was observed after the first freeze-thaw cycle. While the duration of freezing was not a factor, the rate of freezing was important and was inversely related to the aggregate size. The aggregates which formed following a freeze-thaw cycle were not redispersed by shaking, but were reversed by ultrasonic treatment or homogenization. The adsorption of polymers or surface-active agents prior to freezing reduced and, in some cases, prevented the formation of aggregates. The physical instability produced by a freeze-thaw cycle was explained by the modified DLVO theory. The force exerted on the particles by the growing ice crystals forced the particles into the primary minimum, producing strong interparticle attraction. On thawing, simple agitation did not provide enough force to overcome the attractive force of the primary minimum. Adsorption of polymers or surface-active agents increased the steric repulsive force and prevented the particles from reaching the primary minimum.