Inter-study reproducibility of arterial spin labelling magnetic resonance imaging for measurement of renal perfusion in healthy volunteers at 3 Tesla

Background: Measurement of renal perfusion is a crucial part of measuring kidney function. Arterial spin labelling magnetic resonance imaging (ASL MRI) is a non-invasive method of measuring renal perfusion using magnetised blood as endogenous contrast. We studied the reproducibility of ASL MRI in normal volunteers.<p></p> Methods: ASL MRI was performed in healthy volunteers on 2 occasions using a 3.0 Tesla MRI scanner with flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR) perfusion preparation with a steady state free precession (True-FISP) pulse sequence. Kidney volume was measured from the scanned images. Routine serum and urine biochemistry were measured prior to MRI scanning.<p></p> Results: 12 volunteers were recruited yielding 24 kidneys, with a mean participant age of 44.1 ± 14.6 years, blood pressure of 136/82 mmHg and chronic kidney disease epidemiology formula estimated glomerular filtration rate (CKD EPI eGFR) of 98.3 ± 15.1 ml/min/1.73 m2. Mean kidney volumes measured using the ellipsoid formula and voxel count method were 123.5 ± 25.5 cm3, and 156.7 ± 28.9 cm3 respectively. Mean kidney perfusion was 229 ± 41 ml/min/100 g and mean cortical perfusion was 327 ± 63 ml/min/100 g, with no significant differences between ASL MRIs. Mean absolute kidney perfusion calculated from kidney volume measured during the scan was 373 ± 71 ml/min. Bland Altman plots were constructed of the cortical and whole kidney perfusion measurements made at ASL MRIs 1 and 2. These showed good agreement between measurements, with a random distribution of means plotted against differences observed. The intra class correlation for cortical perfusion was 0.85, whilst the within subject coefficient of variance was 9.2%. The intra class correlation for whole kidney perfusion was 0.86, whilst the within subject coefficient of variance was 7.1%.<p></p> Conclusions: ASL MRI at 3.0 Tesla provides a repeatable method of measuring renal perfusion in healthy subjects without the need for administration of exogenous compounds. We have established normal values for renal perfusion using ASL MRI in a cohort of healthy volunteers.<p></p&gt

Reactor Neutrino Experiments with a Large Liquid Scintillator Detector

We discuss several new ideas for reactor neutrino oscillation experiments with a Large Liquid Scintillator Detector. We consider two different scenarios for a measurement of the small mixing angle $\theta_{13}$ with a mobile $\bar{\nu}_e$ source: a nuclear-powered ship, such as a submarine or an icebreaker, and a land-based scenario with a mobile reactor. The former setup can achieve a sensitivity to $\sin^2 2\theta_{13} \lesssim 0.003$ at the 90% confidence level, while the latter performs only slightly better than Double Chooz. Furthermore, we study the precision that can be achieved for the solar parameters, $\sin^2 2\theta_{12}$ and $\Delta m_{21}^2$, with a mobile reactor and with a conventional power station. With the mobile reactor, a precision slightly better than from current global fit data is possible, while with a power reactor, the accuracy can be reduced to less than 1%. Such a precision is crucial for testing theoretical models, e.g. quark-lepton complementarity.Comment: 18 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables, revised version, to appear in JHEP, Fig. 1 extended, Formula added, minor changes, results unchange

Obligatory Role of NR2A for Metaplasticity in Visual Cortex

Light deprivation lowers the threshold for long-term depression (LTD) and long-term potentiation (LTP) in visual cortex by a process termed metaplasticity, but the mechanism is unknown. The decreased LTD/P threshold correlates with a decrease in the ratio of NR2A to NR2B subunits of cortical NMDA receptors (NMDARs) and a slowing of NMDAR-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs). However, whether and how changes in NR2 subunit expression contribute to LTD and LTP remains controversial. In the present study, we used an NR2A knockout (KO) mouse to examine the role of this subunit in the experience-dependent modulation of NMDAR properties, LTD, and LTP. In wild-type (WT) mice, we found what has previously been shown in rats, that dark rearing alters NMDAR EPSC kinetics and temporal summation, LTP, and LTD in layer 2/3 of visual cortex. Deletion of NR2A mimicked the effect of dark-rearing on NMDAR EPSCs, and there was no additional effect of dark-rearing in the NR2A KO mice. Thus, deletion of NR2A abrogates the effects of visual experience on NMDAR EPSCs. Moreover, metaplasticity of LTP and LTD was completely lost in the absence of NR2A. These data support the hypothesis that experience-dependent changes in NR2A/B are functionally significant and yield a mechanism for an adjustable synaptic modification threshold in visual cortex

DFT calculation of the intermolecular exchange interaction in the magnetic Mn4_4 dimer

The dimeric form of the single-molecule magnet [Mn$_4$O$_3$Cl$_4$(O$_2$CEt)$_3$(py)$_3$]$_2$ recently revealed interesting phenomena: no quantum tunneling at zero field and tunneling before magnetic field reversal. This is attributed to substantial antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between different monomers. The intermolecular exchange interaction, electronic structure and magnetic properties of this molecular magnet are calculated using density-functional theory within generalized-gradient approximation. Calculations are in good agreement with experiment.Comment: 4 page

Magnetic ordering, electronic structure and magnetic anisotropy energy in the high-spin Mn10_{10} single molecule magnet

We report the electronic structure and magnetic ordering of the single molecule magnet [Mn$_{10}$O$_{4}$(2,2'-biphenoxide)$_{4}$Br$_{12}$]$^{4-}$ based on first-principles all-electron density-functional calculations. We find that two of the ten core Mn atoms are coupled antiferromagnetically to the remaining eight, resulting in a ferrimagnetic ground state with total spin S=13. The calculated magnetic anisotropy barrier is found to be 9 K in good agreement with experiment. The presence of the Br anions impact the electronic structure and therefore the magnetic properties of the 10 Mn atoms. However, the electric field due to the negative charges has no significant effect on the magnetic anisotropy.Comment: 4 pages, submitted to PR

Local Mapping of Polar Ionospheric Electrodynamics

An accurate description of the state of the ionosphere is crucial for understanding the physics of Earth's coupling to space, including many potentially hazardous space weather phenomena. To support this effort, ground networks of magnetometer stations, optical instruments, and radars have been deployed. However, the spatial coverage of such networks is naturally restricted by the distribution of land mass and access to necessary infrastructure. We present a new technique for local mapping of polar ionospheric electrodynamics, for use in regions with high data density, such as Fennoscandia and North America. The technique is based on spherical elementary current systems (SECS), which were originally developed to map ionospheric currents. We expand their use by linking magnetic field perturbations in space and on ground, convection measurements from space and ground, and conductance measurements, via the ionospheric Ohm's law. The result is a technique that is similar to the Assimilative Mapping of Ionospheric Electrodynamics (AMIE) technique, but tailored for regional analyses of arbitrary spatial extent and resolution. We demonstrate our technique on synthetic data, and with real data from three different regions. We also discuss limitations of the technique and potential areas for improvement.publishedVersio

Model-Based Security Testing

Security testing aims at validating software system requirements related to security properties like confidentiality, integrity, authentication, authorization, availability, and non-repudiation. Although security testing techniques are available for many years, there has been little approaches that allow for specification of test cases at a higher level of abstraction, for enabling guidance on test identification and specification as well as for automated test generation. Model-based security testing (MBST) is a relatively new field and especially dedicated to the systematic and efficient specification and documentation of security test objectives, security test cases and test suites, as well as to their automated or semi-automated generation. In particular, the combination of security modelling and test generation approaches is still a challenge in research and of high interest for industrial applications. MBST includes e.g. security functional testing, model-based fuzzing, risk- and threat-oriented testing, and the usage of security test patterns. This paper provides a survey on MBST techniques and the related models as well as samples of new methods and tools that are under development in the European ITEA2-project DIAMONDS.Comment: In Proceedings MBT 2012, arXiv:1202.582

Molecular structures and vibrations of neutral and anionic CuOx (x = 1-3,6) clusters

We report equilibrium geometric structures of CuO2, CuO3, CuO6, and CuO clusters obtained by an all-electron linear combination of atomic orbitals scheme within the density-functional theory with generalized gradient approximation to describe the exchange-correlation effects. The vibrational stability of all clusters is examined on the basis of the vibrational frequencies. A structure with Cs symmetry is found to be the lowest-energy structure for CuO2, while a -shaped structure with C2v symmetry is the most stable structure for CuO3. For the larger CuO6 and CuO clusters, several competitive structures exist with structures containing ozonide units being higher in energy than those with O2 units. The infrared and Raman spectra are calculated for the stable optimal geometries. ~Comment: Uses Revtex4, (Better quality figures can be obtained from authors

Substance Use: Prevalence, Pattern and Risk Factors among Undergraduate Students in a Tertiary Institution in Southwest Nigeria

Background: Substance use is a global public health problem with increasing burden among university students. This study assessed the prevalence, pattern and risk factors of substance use among undergraduate students of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of undergraduate students of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select respondents. Data collection tool was a structured self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. Statistical significance was set at p value <0.05Results: The respondents’ mean age was 19.5 ± 2.0 years and all 416 (100.0%) were aware of substance abuse. The prevalence of substance use was 299 (71.9%). Alcohol 133 (32.0%) and over-the-counter drugs (29.9%) were the two most commonly used substance. Being male (p=0.017) and in 400 level (p=0.047) were associated with substance use while curiosity 112 (37.5%), peer pressure 95 (31.8%) and school stress 85 (28.4%) were reasons given. Predictors of substance use were being a female (aOR: 2.54; 95% CI=1.89-3.66; p=0.011), civil servant mother (aOR: 5.75; 95% CI=1.90-17.4; p=0.002) and mother with secondary education (aOR: 5.27; 95% CI= 2.20- 12.65; p<0.001).Conclusion: There was high prevalence of substance use with curiosity, peer pressure and school stress being influencers of substance use among the study population. Predictors of substance use were being a female, civil servant mother and mother with secondary education. The University authority should institute measures to prevent access to alcohol and other substances by the students