Multiple Areas Research Articles

A - 94 A Case of New Onset Refractory Status Epilepticus (NORSE) Associated with COVID-19.

New Onset Refractory Status Epilepticus (NORSE) is a rare condition of prolonged medication-refractory seizures potentially due to elevated inflammatory molecules in the brain. NORSE can be triggered by a viral infection and is a documented neurologic consequence of COVID-19. A 74-year-old, left-handed, Hispanic male was in his usual state of health until experiencing 1-2weeks of speech decline, which culminated in an episode of altered mental status (disorientation and mumbling speech). He presented to the Emergency Department with drowsiness and complaints of a "funny feeling" on the left side of his head. Upon arrival, he was found to be COVID-19 positive and hyperglycemic with normal CT, MRI, lumbar puncture, and bloodwork. An EEG showed "focal temporal activity" and he was diagnosed with non-convulsant status epilepticus. Hospitalization and medical sedation lasted 2months followed by 8months of inpatient rehabilitation. The patient was discharged shortly before presenting for neuropsychological evaluation. Neuropsychological evaluation showed weaknesses in learning and free recall, visuospatial skills (due to disorganization and poor attention to details), processing speed, and executive functioning. The patient reported elevated anxiety symptoms. Collateral report indicated severe declines in executive organizational abilities, as well as mild memory and divided attention declines. Results suggest frontal cortical and subcortical impairments affecting multiple areas of cognition and functional decline consistent with a diagnosis of major neurocognitive disorder. Similar to the literature, status epilepticus was attributed to inflammatory meningoencephalitis triggered by the prior COVID-19 infection. Interdisciplinary care was an integral factor in this case.

Assessing the taxonomic identity and distribution of endemic and critically endangered Cynometra cebuensis F. Seid. (Fabaceae) in Cebu Island, Philippines

Abstract. Lillo EP, Malaki AB, Alcazar SMT, Chavez MLM, Cañarijo III DM, Pantinople EM, Redoblado BR, Margate MA, Diaz JL, Flores KMC, Lillo JMP, Gonzaga CFO, Rosales R, Almirante A, Tomol CJ. 2023. Assessing the taxonomic identity and distribution of endemic and critically endangered Cynometra cebuensis F. Seid. (Fabaceae) in Cebu Island, Philippines. Biodiversitas 24: 4854-4861. Cynometra cebuensis F. Seid. is a newly discovered species and considered endemic to Cebu Island, Philippines. Yet, it faces extinction threats, making it a critically endangered species. Information on the taxonomical certainty and geographical ranges is important to facilitate its protection and conservation. Therefore, this study focuses on the identification and distribution of C. cebuensis in Cebu Island, Philippines. Field surveys were conducted across various Key Biodiversity Areas and the Cebu Central Protected Landscape, specifically the Tabunan forest, to ascertain the distribution of these species. The Leaf Architectural Working Group Manual was employed to meticulously describe leaf characteristics, supplemented by information from published literature. Contrary to previous assumptions that C. cebuensis F. Seid. exclusively inhabited the Tabunan forest within Cebu Central Protected Landscape, this study reveals its presence in multiple areas outside Tabunan. Notably, C. cebuensis F. Seid. displays several distinct characteristics that differentiate it from other congeners, encompassing leaf structure, shape, fruit dimensions, growth patterns, and a unique identification key. Given its confinement to Cebu Island, C. cebuensis F. Seid. is acknowledged as an endemic species. Accurate identification of this species assumes pivotal importance in steering effective conservation endeavors. However, its distribution is observed to be confined to a few remaining forested patches. This emphasizes the urgency of safeguarding the Key Biodiversity Areas within Cebu Island, Philippines, where the exclusive presence of C. cebuensis F. Seid. has been ascertained.

SAT554 Follicular Variant of PTCA Initially Presenting with Widespread Metastases

Abstract Disclosure: N.N. Bisquera: None. R.C. Mirasol: None. Background: Papillary thyroid carcinoma accounts for most cases of thyroid cancer. Most cases of PTC have a good prognosis and low incidence of metastases. The follicular variant is the most common variant. First described in the 1960’s, the understanding of FV-PTC began to evolve with molecular profiling demonstrating a similarity with FTC, and clinical behavior profiling showing that a subtype may behave like PTC with a propensity for lymph node metastases. We are presented with an unusual case of an infiltrative FV-PTC presenting with widespread multiple metastases on diagnosis. Clinical Case: A 64-year-old female, presented with 1-year history of a slowly enlarging mass on the left mandible, which was also associated with an enlarging anterior neck mass. She had no constitutional symptoms and had previously been in good health. On examination, there was a 7x8x3 cm hard, fixed left mandibular mass. There was also a palpable right thyroid nodule measuring 2.5x2 cm. There was no difficulty in swallowing or breathing, but she had some difficulty in eating due to trismus. There were no associated symptoms of hypo/hyperthyroidism. Investigations revealed a euthyroid status. CT scan showed a solid lobulated heterogeneously enhancing mass measuring 4.2x5.1x5.2cm on the body and angle of the left mandible. Ultrasound showed multiple thyroid nodules, the largest - a mixed cystic and solid mass measuring 2.9 x 2.7 x 2.17 cm on the right thyroid lobe, for which FNA was performed. Histopathology showed benign follicular nodules. Incision biopsy of the mandibular mass showed presence of thyroid tissue. Further imaging showed metastases to the left frontal, parietal bone, T7 vertebra, and bilateral lungs. The case was discussed in a multi-disciplinary tumor board meeting. With a pre-operative diagnosis of a primary thyroid malignancy, the patient then underwent a total thyroidectomy with segmental mandibulectomy. Post-operative histopathology showed a metastatic multifocal infiltrative follicular variant of PTC. RAI was administered post-surgery, and she was started on suppressive thyroxine therapy. Steroids were given during RAI, with no untoward events post treatment. Post-ablative whole body scanning revealed increased tracer uptake in multiple areas: left frontal and parietal bone, bilateral thyroidal beds, left supraclavicular lymph node, the sternomanubrial junction, bilateral lung lobes, right humeral head and T7 vertebra. Further doses of RAI was planned and she is currently maintained on suppressive thyroxine therapy. Conclusion: Diagnosis of FV-PTC may be a greater challenge than conventional forms because of possible false-negative results on cytology. The infiltrative subtype has greater metastatic potential and higher recurrence rates. Multidisciplinary team management and careful preparation prior to treatment with RAI is indicated in these cases. Presentation Date: Saturday, June 17, 2023

THU111 Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Pituitary Metastasis

Abstract Disclosure: M.S. Martinez Cruz: None. C.J. Haas: None. S.Z. Bhat: None. Background: The Hypothalamus-Pituitary axis (HPA) is a rare location for metastasis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Case description: A 57-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with a one day of acute, severe fatigue, nausea, and anorexia. She reported a history of stage IIIB diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with R-CHOP three months prior, complicated by a recent recurrence in the lumbar spine requiring a short dexamethasone taper and radiation therapy two weeks prior to admission. On presentation, she remained hemodynamically stable with an otherwise unremarkable exam. Diagnostics revealed severe hypotonic hyponatremia suggestive of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). CT scan of the head revealed thickening of the paramedian hypothalamic structures and the pituitary infundibulum. Subsequent pituitary MRI w/wo contrast demonstrated marked thickening and enhancement of the infundibulum with restricted diffusion, as well as T2/FLAIR hyperintensity and thickening in multiple hypothalamic areas concerning for HPA metastasis. Hormonal workup demonstrated panhypopituitarism for which she was started on hydrocortisone and levothyroxine. Lumbar puncture was performed with CSF flow cytometry revealing phenotypically abnormal monoclonal B-cells consistent with DLBCL leptomeningeal metastasis. Three days prior to induction chemotherapy, she developed massive polyuria, with a rapid increase in the serum sodium and markedly low urine-specific gravity consistent with acute diabetes insipidus (DI). Management included vasopressin, as needed, followed by standing doses of desmopressin. She was initiated on methotrexate and leucovorin chemotherapy. However, three week later, she developed acute onset diplopia, headache, nausea and vomiting, urinary and bowel incontinence, and fatigue. Follow-up pituitary MRI revealed progression of her known HPA metastatic disease, and she passed away one month later. Conclusion: This is an unprecedented case of metastatic DLBCL to the leptomeninges, hypothalamus, and pituitary infundibulum confirmed by CSF cytologic analysis that presented in the context of associated panhypopituitarism that manifested initially as SIADH followed by sudden DI. Abbreviations: R-CHOP: Rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023

SAT474 A Case Report Of Moyamoya Disease Associated With Uncontrolled Graves' Disease

Abstract Disclosure: Z. Tan: None. E. Briggie: None. M. Correia: None. Background: Moyamoya disease is an uncommon cerebrovascular disease that is featured by narrowing of large intracranial arteries and the development of prominent small-vessel collaterals. The etiology of Moyamoya disease is unknown, but it can be associated with multiple conditions including atherosclerosis, sickle cell disease, and Protein S deficiency. It is rarely associated with uncontrolled Graves’ disease. Clinical Case: A 37-year-old female with a history of Graves’ disease and type 1 diabetes presented with sudden onset of slurred speech and right-sided weakness. A CTA of the head and neck showed a small hypodensity in the left basal ganglia without corresponding perfusion deficit and narrowed left internal carotid arteries without focal stenosis. In addition, a brain MRI showed patchy infarcts in the left middle cerebral artery territory. A cervical and cerebral angiogram showed multiple areas of stenosis which was concerning for Moyamoya disease. She ultimately underwent balloon angioplasty of the left internal carotid artery with improvement in perfusion. During the workup for secondary causes of Moyamoya disease, her TSH was < 0.01 µIU/mL (0.270-4.20 µIU/mL), with elevated T4 at 3.84 ng/dl (0.80-1.80 ng/dl) and elevated TSI at 15.5 IU/L (< 0.54 IU/L). Importantly, she was diagnosed with Graves’ disease 2 years before admission, and this condition has never been well controlled due to poor compliance with methimazole. A TSH measured 5 months before admission was also undetectable with elevated T4 at 2.8 ng/dl. Her other workups for Moyamoya disease were negative including HIV antigen/antibody, syphilis IgG antibody, Lyme disease IgG & IgM antibodies, hepatitis panel antibodies, ANA, ANCA, free protein S, dsDNA antibody, factor 5 Leiden mutation, vascular endothelial growth factor-D and urine drug screening test. She started methimazole 20 mg daily and was discharged to acute rehabilitation. After rehabilitation, her Graves’ disease is slowly improving with most recent TSH < 0.008 µIU/mL and free T4 at 2.39 ng/dl. She is almost back to her baseline with significant improvement in speech and strength. Conclusion: Uncontrolled Graves’ disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of Moyamoya disease in young subjects who present with stroke-like symptoms. Reference: Ischemic Stroke and Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Moyamoya Syndrome Associated With Graves' Disease: A Case Report. Neurologist 2022 Presentation Date: Saturday, June 17, 2023

FRI368 Thyroid Paraganglioma: A Rare Manifestation Of Paraganglioma Syndrome Associated With SDHD Mutation

Abstract Disclosure: K. Samuel: None. C. McMullen: None. C. Veloski: None. S. Kushchayev: None. J.E. Hallanger-Johnson: None. J. Hernandez Prera: None. J. Muzaffar: None. G.Q. Yang: None. V. Tarasova: None. Background: Thyroid paragangliomas (TP) are exceptionally rare, representing 0.5% of all paragangliomas (PGL) with total of less than 70 cases reported to date. We report a case of a TP presenting with an indeterminate thyroid nodule, as a first manifestation of multifocal head and neck PGL, associated with succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit D (SDHD) mutation. Clinical case: A 59-year female was initially seen at the tertiary referral center for an indeterminate thyroid nodule discovered incidentally on neck ultrasound (US) ordered for evaluation of a palpable posterior left neck mass. Neck/thyroid US showed multiple nonspecific bilateral lymph nodes measuring up to 1.2 cm and a 1.7 cm right interpolar markedly hypoechoic and hypervascular solid thyroid nodule (TR5). Clinically, the patient did not have symptoms related to the thyroid nodules or lymph nodes in the neck. Thyroid function tests were within normal range. An US-guided FNA biopsy was nondiagnostic. Core biopsy was suspicious for papillary thyroid carcinoma (hypercellular thyroid parenchyma with some follicular cells with nuclear irregularity, grooves, and hyperchromasia). Pathology slides review at the tertiary center showed nondiagnostic sample (Bethesda I) on cytopathology and neuroendocrine neoplasm consistent with PGL on core biopsy (immunohistochemical stains showed tumor cells positive for synaptophysin, chromogranin and GATA3. TTF1, TG, calcitonin, CEA and AE1/3 negative). US of the neck/thyroid 4 months later showed stable disease. Calcitonin and 24-h urinary catecholamines, metanephrines were within normal limits. There was no family history of pheochromocytoma or PGL. Genetic testing showed germline SDHD mutation (p.P81L(c.242c>5). 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT revealed multifocal areas of increased somatostatin receptor expression from the skull base to the left thoracic inlet, which included right and left skull base lesions, left neck level IIA lymph node, right and left level III lymph nodes, right thyroid lobe lesion, and left prevascular superior mediastinal lesion. An MRI of the brain and neck with and without contrast showed 1.7 cm right jugular, 0.6 cm right carotid, and 0.6 cm left vagal PGL, 1.3 cm right thyroid nodule, left level II 1.1x.6 cm lymphadenopathy, and 0.4 cm left superior mediastinal nodule. A CT of the neck w/contrast showed multiple areas likely representing bilateral carotid body tumors, left vagal PGL, right glomus jugular, and thyroid PGL stable over 6 months. MIBG nuclear medicine scan revealed no radiotracer accumulation in the lesions. EBRT therapy is planned to the skull base lesion. Conclusions: TP should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypervascular thyroid nodules in patients with SDH-related pheochromocytoma-PGL syndromes. This case illustrates the importance of experienced multidisciplinary team evaluation and management of complex and rare PRG cases. Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023

Metal ion and hydrogen bonding synergistically mediated carboxylated lignin/cellulose nanofibrils composite film

In order to alleviate the resource and environmental problems caused by plastic film materials, the development of biodegradable cellulose-based films is crucial. Inspired by the strengthening mechanism of cellulose-lignin network from wood, carboxylated lignin (CL) was isolated using maleic acid (MA) pretreatment catalyzed by metal chlorides. Compared with pure MA, the presence of metal ions yielded CL with high carboxyl content (0.34 mmol/g), small size and good dispersibility. CL was then composited with CNF to prepare various CL/cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) composite films. When the addition of ferric chloride was 0.3 mmol/g maleic acid, the corresponding composite films exhibited highest tensile strength (180.0 MPa), Young's modulus (13.0 GPa) and excellent ultraviolet blocking rate (97.0 %). Meanwhile, the interaction forces measured by atomic force microscope showed that the binding between CNF and various CLs (276–406 nN) was higher than that between pure CNFs (202 nN), verifying that CL enhanced the mechanical properties of composite films. In summary, this work constructs a super-strong network between CL and CNF synergistically mediated by metal ion crosslinking and hydrogen bonding, which can be a promising alternative to replace conventional plastics in multiple areas.

An Adaptive Generalized Leaky Integrate-and-Fire Model for Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Neurons and Interneurons

Full-scale morphologically and biophysically realistic model networks, aiming at modeling multiple brain areas, provide an invaluable tool to make significant scientific advances from in-silico experiments on cognitive functions to digital twin implementations. Due to the current technical limitations of supercomputer systems in terms of computational power and memory requirements, these networks must be implemented using (at least) simplified neurons. A class of models which achieve a reasonable compromise between accuracy and computational efficiency is given by generalized leaky integrate-and fire models complemented by suitable initial and update conditions. However, we found that these models cannot reproduce the complex and highly variable firing dynamics exhibited by neurons in several brain regions, such as the hippocampus. In this work, we propose an adaptive generalized leaky integrate-and-fire model for hippocampal CA1 neurons and interneurons, in which the nonlinear nature of the firing dynamics is successfully reproduced by linear ordinary differential equations equipped with nonlinear and more realistic initial and update conditions after each spike event, which strictly depends on the external stimulation current. A mathematical analysis of the equilibria stability as well as the monotonicity properties of the analytical solution for the membrane potential allowed (i) to determine general constraints on model parameters, reducing the computational cost of an optimization procedure based on spike times in response to a set of constant currents injections; (ii) to identify additional constraints to quantitatively reproduce and predict the experimental traces from 85 neurons and interneurons in response to any stimulation protocol using constant and piecewise constant current injections. Finally, this approach allows to easily implement a procedure to create infinite copies of neurons with mathematically controlled firing properties, statistically indistinguishable from experiments, to better reproduce the full range and variability of the firing scenarios observed in a real network.

The Neurobiology of Activational Aspects of Motivation: Exertion of Effort, Effort-Based Decision Making, and the Role of Dopamine.

Motivational processes are complex and multifaceted, with both directional and activational aspects. Behavioral activation and exertion of effort are functions that enable organisms to overcome obstacles separating them from significant outcomes. In a complex environment, organisms make cost/benefit decisions, assessing work-related response costs and reinforcer preference. Animal studies have challenged the general idea that dopamine (DA) is best viewed as the reward transmitter and instead have illustrated the involvement of DA in activational and effort-related processes. Mesocorticolimbic DA is a key component of the effort-related motivational circuitry that includes multiple neurotransmitters and brain areas. Human studies have identified brain areas and transmitter systems involved in effort-based decision making and characterized the reduced selection of high-effort activities associated with motivational symptoms of depression and schizophrenia. Animal and human research on the neurochemistry of behavioral activation and effort-related processes makes an important conceptual contribution by illustrating the dissociable nature of distinct aspects of motivation.

Advances in E-Skin research: materials, functions and applications

The need for long-term physiological signal surveillance during everyday life is brought on by the ageing of the population and the rise in health-related worries. Electronic skin is a system that replicates the properties of human skin as well as performs comparable sensory tasks. It has recently demonstrated significant promise in the fields of health monitoring, human-machine interface, and machine perception as a result of its high abrasion resistance and adaptability. The material qualities, functional aspects, as well as typical applications of contemporary electronic skin research are reviewed in this paper. The goal of the project is to make e-skins stretchable, self-healing, and bio-compatible while simultaneously monitoring physical, chemical, and electrophysiological signals in real-time. Finally, the difficulties and potential solutions for e-development skin’s are examined. In order to realize its full potential, e-skin requires the scientists collaboration from multiple areas, including materials, information, engineering, and life, to realize its full potential.

Spatial sampling versus acquisition time of room impulse responses for low-frequency sound zones

Sound zone methods aim to create multiple listening areas within a room, allowing independent playback of different audio content. Achieving this requires a loudspeaker array, multiple microphones per sound zone, and a set of control filters, which design involves the room impulse responses (RIRs) between loudspeakers and microphones. Under certain acoustic conditions, acquiring these RIRs is possible using very short acquisition times. At lower frequencies, longer wavelengths enable spatial sampling of the sound zones with fewer points, reducing the number of microphone positions required and amount of data to process. This study exploits this characteristic to render and evaluate low-frequency sound zones in two real rooms, with few spatial sampling points. We assess the performance by objectively evaluating multiple spatial sampling configurations and RIR acquisition times. Furthermore, we evaluate the system's ability to control sound beyond the sampled regions by assessing the sound field over wider areas. For sound zones roughly the size of a human head, satisfactory performance is achieved in low reverberation conditions with at least two microphones per ear, even for RIR acquisition times as short as 150 μs. Conversely, the performance degradation in highly reflective environments cannot be compensated using additional microphones nor longer acquisition times.

Embracing Digital Transformation in Financial Services: From Past to Future

Financial services are significantly impacted by digital transformation, which has been believed as one of the primary trends reshaping society and industry. A comprehensive understanding of digital transformation from an academic and management perspective is required, and it is crucial to close the knowledge gap using bibliometric and qualitative research techniques. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to identify the extensive research themes in digital transformation in financial services from 2000 to 2021, their significance and interdependencies, to determine which trending topics seem to be the most influential, to trace the evolution of digital transformation in the financial service, and to address new and under-researched field of research that is intriguing for future research. This study used a bibliometric analysis of 288 peer-reviewed research articles published over the last 22 years in digital transformation in financial services. The data were extracted from the Scopus database and used various bibliometric analyses such as conceptual structure analysis, co-citation network analysis, social structure, and keyword analysis using R software. The findings show an overall increasing trend in journal publications, author productivity, collaborative research by institutions, and countries’ collaboration from the year 2019, as well as major insights from co-citation analysis. According to Lotka’s law, most authors (769, or 95.77%) contributed only one article. In addition, the study assesses multiple research areas, such as the effects of digital transformation in financial services, applied technology and insights, and digitalization processes, comprising the latest trending topics in this research stream that extensively cover up in financial services. One of the limitations of this study is that it used only a single database. The author recommends that the findings of this research be reinforced with more targeted and extensive qualitative literature in this field of study. This study establishes a framework for policymakers, academics, and researchers to investigate the areas where digital technologies influence financial services. This study also highlighted several cutting-edge digital technologies used for different functions of the financial services of an organization. This study illustrates the bibliometric structure of the digital transformation literature in financial services and provides insights into the literature’s growth year over year. It provides a comprehensive understanding of this evolving field, guiding future research and facilitating informed decision-making in the financial industry.

A Review on Traditional and Modern Methods for the Synthesis of Aromatic Azo Compounds

Abstract: Aromatic azo compounds are “derivatives of diazene/diimide”, wherein the two hydrogens are substituted by phenyl groups. Azo compounds are very important universal scaffolds that show multiple applications in many areas of science, mainly chemical industries, where they are used in the synthesis of organic dyes, pigments, food additives, indicators, etc. They also remarkably exhibit various potential applications in the fields of pharmaceuticals, electronics, optics, etc., because of their fascinating photophysical properties. Moreover, several azo compounds have been strongly utilized as chemosensors, diagnostic probes, radical initiators, nanotubes, and building blocks of various polymers as well as natural products. This interesting and immense importance of the azo compounds has attracted the attention of researchers to establish novel synthetic routes to synthesize these important scaffolds. In organic chemistry, azo compounds can be synthesized by various methods utilizing coupling reactions with the aid of a catalyst or sometimes in the absence of it. The main purpose of writing this review was to provide a summary of the synthesis of both symmetric and asymmetric azobenzenes via various traditional and recently developed oxidative aza-coupling reactions.

Single basolateral amygdala neurons in macaques exhibit distinct connectional motifs with frontal cortex

Basolateral amygdala (BLA) projects widely across the macaque frontal cortex, and amygdalo-frontal projections are critical for appropriate emotional responding and decision making. While it is appreciated that single BLA neurons branch and project to multiple areas in frontal cortex, the organization and frequency of this branching has yet to be fully characterized. Here, we determined the projection patterns of more than 3,000 macaque BLA neurons. We found that one-third of BLA neurons had two or more distinct projection targets in frontal cortex and subcortical structures. The patterns of single BLA neuron projections to multiple areas were organized into repeating motifs that targeted distinct sets of areas in medial and ventral frontal cortex, indicative of separable BLA networks. Our findings begin to reveal the rich structure of single-neuron connections in the non-human primate brain, providing a neuroanatomical basis for the role of BLA in coordinating brain-wide responses to valent stimuli.

The Tennessee Center for AIDS Research HIV Research Training Program for Minority High School and Undergraduate Students: Development, Implementation, and Early Outcomes.

The Southern region of the United States has the highest HIV incidence, and new infections disproportionately affect Black Americans. The Tennessee Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pathway Initiative (CDEIPI) program supports the training of individuals from groups underrepresented in medicine and science in multiple areas of research to increase the pool of HIV-focused investigators at early educational and career stages. The Tennessee CFAR is a partnership between Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Meharry Medical College (one of the oldest historically Black medical colleges), Tennessee Department of Health, and Nashville Community AIDS Resources, Education and Services (a sophisticated community service organization, which emphasizes research training responsive to regional and national priorities). The Tennessee CFAR CDEIPI program leverages existing Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Meharry Medical College structured biomedical training programs for high school and undergraduate students to provide an intensive, mentored, HIV research experience augmented by CFAR resources situating this training within the broader history, scientific breadth, and societal and political aspects of the HIV epidemic. The first year of the Tennessee CFAR CDEIPI program trained 3 high school and 3 undergraduate students from underrepresented in medicine and science backgrounds in basic, clinical/translational, and community-focused research projects with a diverse group of 9 mentors. All students completed the program, and evaluations yielded positive feedback regarding mentoring quality and effectiveness, and continued interest in HIV-related research. The Tennessee CFAR CDEIPI program will continue to build upon experience from the first year to further contribute to national efforts to increase diversity in HIV-related research.

Estimating Air Pollution in Operation Rooms Generated from Cautery, Drills, and Other Equipment, Utilizing a Particulate Counter and Gas Analyzer.

Air pollution, especially indoor air pollution, is increasingly recognized as a worldwide hazard that reduces life expectancy. Pollution caused by equipment such as surgical cautery is not just a nuisance but a workplace hazard that exposes the staff to respirable particulate matter and toxic chemical agents. It has not yet received much recognition in India, nor have mitigating measures like smoke evacuators and dedicated scavenging systems become prevalent. We aimed to do a prospective observational study of the extent of this hazard in the operation rooms in our tertiary care, Government-run hospital using a consumer-grade pollution measuring equipment (CAIR +™, Prana Air, New Delhi). We measured and compared the particulate pollutant matter (PM) levels, Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC), formaldehyde, and carbon dioxide at multiple areas of interest at different time points. The particulate pollution level in PM 1.0, PM 2.5, and PM 10 and TVOCs rose many times the baseline near the surgical team during cautery use. It remained high near the anesthesia workstation. The median PM 2.5 level in µg/m3(micrograms/cubic meter) was 181 near the surgical team during cautery use, and it was 25 at the anesthesia workstation. This peak level was 30 times the basal level of 6 µg/m3 at the start of the day and was above the annual population-weighted mean PM 2·5 breakpoint of 40 μg/m3 recommended by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards in India. The pollution levels increase dramatically when surgical cautery is used, potentially exposing the team to large peak elevations in particulate matter and TVOCs. We recommend the mandatory use of smoke evacuators and optimization of the air conditioning.

Distinctiveness and continuity in transcriptome and connectivity in the anterior-posterior axis of the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus

The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) projects axons to multiple areas, mediates a wide range of behaviors, and exhibits regional heterogeneity in both functions and axonal projections. Still, questions regarding the cell types present in the PVT and the extent of their differences remain inadequately addressed. We applied single-cell RNA sequencing to depict the transcriptomic characteristics of mouse PVT neurons. We found that one of the most significant variances in the PVT transcriptome corresponded to the anterior-posterior axis. While the single-cell transcriptome classified PVT neurons into five types, our transcriptomic and histological analyses showed continuity among the cell types. We discovered that anterior and posterior subpopulations had nearly non-overlapping projection patterns, while another population showed intermediate patterns. In addition, these subpopulations responded differently to appetite-related neuropeptides, with their activation showing opposing effects on food consumption. Our studies unveiled the contrasts and the continuity of PVT neurons that underpin their function.

Examination of Physical Education and Sports Teachers' Intelligence Areas Based on the Theory of Multiple Intelligence

Whether inherited or acquired, intelligence has always been the subject of debate. Educators have accepted and widely applied Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligence. Physical education and sport is one of the most crucial teaching fields for individuals' healthy development and efficient education. The study intended to analyse the relationship among the multiple intelligence areas of physical education teachers and their demographic characteristics. The research universe consists of physical education and sports teachers working in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). By the stratified sampling method in the research, 168 teachers were reached out of 182 physical education teachers working in the 2019-2020 academic year. The Multiple Intelligence Scale adapted into Turkish by Babacan (2012) and the personal information data prepared by the researchers were applied in the research. While evaluating the data, the means and the standard deviations of the demographic characteristics of the research group were extracted. T-test, ANOVA, and MANOVA were used to determine group differences. Tukey and post hoc tests were used to define in which groups the differences were. The outcomes showed that the school teachers graduated from can affect intelligence. The findings also show that different factors can affect teachers in different ways.

Cognitive Crescendo: How Music Shapes the Brain's Structure and Function.

Music is a complex phenomenon with multiple brain areas and neural connections being implicated. Centuries ago, music was discovered as an efficient modality for psychological status enrichment and even for the treatment of multiple pathologies. Modern research investigations give a new avenue for music perception and the understanding of the underlying neurological mechanisms, using neuroimaging, especially magnetic resonance imaging. Multiple brain areas were depicted in the last decades as being of high value for music processing, and further analyses in the neuropsychology field uncover the implications in emotional and cognitive activities. Music listening improves cognitive functions such as memory, attention span, and behavioral augmentation. In rehabilitation, music-based therapies have a high rate of success for the treatment of depression and anxiety and even in neurological disorders such as regaining the body integrity after a stroke episode. Our review focused on the neurological and psychological implications of music, as well as presenting the significant clinical relevance of therapies using music.

Public acceptance of nuclear waste disposal sites: a decision-making process utilising the ‘veil of ignorance’ concept

This study demonstrates that a decision-making process utilising ‘the veil of ignorance’ concept, defined in process terms as beginning from a blank slate encompassing the entire country as potential sites and shortlisting candidate sites based on scientific (geological) safety, promotes public acceptance of siting a repository for the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste and fosters procedural fairness. A hypothetical scenario experiment was conducted in Japan, manipulating the site selection process by setting two conditions—one being the application/proposal condition that the Japanese government currently employs, such as an application by municipalities or a proposal by the government, and the other being the veil of ignorance condition, in which multiple candidate areas are selected from a blank slate for the entire land area based purely on geological factors. Three stages of acceptance were presumed—at the level of general management policy, the site selection process itself with a specified decision policy, and the siting of a repository in their area of residence. Two hypotheses were tested: (a) the veil of ignorance condition will be evaluated as a more acceptable and fairer procedure and will engender increased national consensus than the application/proposal condition at the site selection and repository siting stages, and (b) procedural fairness and national consensus will impact acceptance at each stage; these variables at each stage help shape the same variables in the next stage. The results supported these hypotheses. This study discusses the importance of the site selection process, beginning where any de facto site can be a candidate and shortlisting the candidate sites based on scientific criteria.