Exploring the use of the bass guitar as a clinical instrument within music-centered practice

There is limited research on the use of the bass guitar in music therapy. This study explored the use of the bass guitar as a clinical instrument from a music-centered perspective in clinical work with individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders and emotional challenges. Data were collected from filming individual music therapy sessions with three participants. Each participant had four sessions of music therapy. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Five themes which reflect the interventions and social processes within music-centered work with the bass were identified: following the client’s lead, grounding, client and therapist as rhythm section, client and therapist as soloist and accompanist, and co-creative thematic development. These themes provided structure for further examining the role of the bass within clinical interventions. Clinical descriptions of musical interactions, with audio excerpts, are included to show how the bass guitar was used within improvisational interventions within each theme, as well as to provide context for clinical techniques and roles within the music. Understanding the role of the bass and its aesthetic qualities within the musical process can contribute to providing effective interventions, supporting the role of the client, and facilitating further development in music when working within these themes

Dual-Sensitizer Photoanode for Bromide Oxidation

A dual-sensitizer mesoporous thin-film photoanode has been characterized for visible light-driven bromide oxidation in an aqueous pH 5.6 solution. The thin film is composed of interconnected nanoparticles with a rutile SnO2 core, a TiO2 shell sensitized to visible light with (1-cyano-2-(4-(di-p-tolylamino)­phenyl)­vinyl)­phosphonic acid (Org), and an Al2O3 overlayer to which [Ru­(bpz)2(4,4'-(PO3H2)2-2,2-bipyridine]2+ (Ru) was anchored, where bpz is 2,2'-bipyrazine. This material herein referred to as CS|Org|Al2O3|Ru is composed of two spatially isolated sensitizers: Org, a potent photoreductant that facilitates quantitative excited-state electron injection into the core/shell nanoparticle (φ = 1), and Ru that regenerates Orgox and catalyzes bromide oxidation. The Ruox product was found to react with bromide with a rate constant k reg = 2 x 107 M-1 s-1. In an operational HBr splitting cell, the dual-sensitizer photoanode sustained 200 μA/cm2 of photocurrent, significantly outperforming photoanodes with either Org (40 μA/cm2) or Ru (2 μA/cm2) alone. The photocurrent enhancement was achieved in spite of a nonproductive reductive quenching pathway (Org + Ru* → Orgox + Rured ) that was identified through transient absorption spectroscopy. The thickness of the insulating Al2O3 layer between the two sensitizers was found to impact the yield of the reductive quenching pathway. Time-resolved anisotropy measurements with Monte Carlo simulations provided the rate constant for the lateral intermolecular Ru* + Ru → Ru + Ru* energy transfer across an insulating oxide surface, a behavior expected to enhance the probability of encounters with Orgox in CS|Org|Al2O3|Ru. The data indicate that a dual-sensitizer photoanode approach could be utilized for a mediated water oxidation that exploits conditions where catalysis is more favorable

PCB 126 and Other Dioxin-Like PCBs Specifically Suppress Hepatic PEPCK Expression via the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor

Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds encompass a group of structurally related heterocyclic compounds that bind to and activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). The prototypical dioxin is 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a highly toxic industrial byproduct that incites numerous adverse physiological effects. Global commercial production of the structurally similar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), however, commenced early in the 20th century and continued for decades; dioxin-like PCBs therefore contribute significantly to total dioxin-associated toxicity. In this study, PCB 126, the most potent dioxin-like PCB, was evaluated with respect to its direct effects on hepatic glucose metabolism using primary mouse hepatocytes. Overnight treatment with PCB 126 reduced hepatic glycogen stores in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, PCB 126 suppressed forskolin-stimulated gluconeogenesis from lactate. These effects were independent of acute toxicity, as PCB 126 did not increase lactate dehydrogenase release nor affect lipid metabolism or total intracellular ATP. Interestingly, provision of cells with glycerol instead of lactate as the carbon source completely restored hepatic glucose production, indicating specific impairment in the distal arm of gluconeogenesis. In concordance with this finding, PCB 126 blunted the forskolin-stimulated increase in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) mRNA levels without affecting glucose-6-phosphatase expression. Myricetin, a putative competitive AhR antagonist, reversed the suppression of PEPCK induction by PCB 126. Furthermore, other dioxin-like PCBs demonstrated similar effects on PEPCK expression in parallel with their ability to activate AhR. It therefore appears that AhR activation mediates the suppression of PEPCK expression by dioxin-like PCBs, suggesting a role for these pollutants as disruptors of energy metabolism

Risk Factors for Appendiceal Cancer After Appendectomy

BackgroundAppendiceal cancer (AC) is a rare malignancy usually diagnosed incidentally after appendectomy. Risk factors for AC are poorly understood. We sought to provide a descriptive analysis for patients with AC discovered after appendectomy for acute appendicitis (AA).MethodsThe 2016-2017 American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Procedure-Targeted Appendectomy database was queried for adult patients who underwent appendectomy for image-suspected AA. Patients with pathology consistent with AA were compared to patients found to have AC. A multivariable logistic regression model was used for analysis.ResultsFrom 21 058 patients, 203 (1.0%) were found to have AC on pathology. Compared to patients with AA, patients with AC were older (median, 48 vs. 40 years old, P < .001). The AA group had a similar rate of perforated appendix compared to the AC group (16.3% vs. 13.4% P = .32). After adjusting for covariates, associated risk factors for AC were: age ≥65 years old (odds ratio (OR) 2.25, 1.5-3.38, P < .001), absence of leukocytosis (OR 1.58, 1.16-2.17, P = .004), and operative time ≥1 hour (OR 1.57, 1.14-2.16, P = .006). Gender, race, and history of smoking were not independent associated risk factors for AC.ConclusionThe incidence of AC after appendectomy for suspected AA is approximately 1% in a large national analysis. These factors may be used to help identify patients at higher risk for AC after appendectomy

Human Fear Conditioning Conducted in Full Immersion 3-Dimensional Virtual Reality

Fear conditioning is a widely used paradigm in non-human animal research to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying fear and anxiety. A major challenge in conducting conditioning studies in humans is the ability to strongly manipulate or simulate the environmental contexts that are associated with conditioned emotional behaviors. In this regard, virtual reality (VR) technology is a promising tool. Yet, adapting this technology to meet experimental constraints requires special accommodations. Here we address the methodological issues involved when conducting fear conditioning in a fully immersive 6-sided VR environment and present fear conditioning data

A donor-chromophore-catalyst assembly for solar CO2 reduction

We describe here the preparation and characterization of a photocathode assembly for CO2 reduction to CO in 0.1 M LiClO4 acetonitrile. The assembly was formed on 1.0 μm thick mesoporous films of NiO using a layer-by-layer procedure based on Zr(IV)–phosphonate bridging units. The structure of the Zr(IV) bridged assembly, abbreviated as NiO|-DA-RuCP22+-Re(I), where DA is the dianiline-based electron donor (N,N,N′,N′-((CH2)3PO3H2)4-4,4′-dianiline), RuCP2+ is the light absorber [Ru((4,4′-(PO3H2CH2)2-2,2′-bipyridine)(2,2′-bipyridine))2]2+, and Re(I) is the CO2 reduction catalyst, ReI((4,4′-PO3H2CH2)2-2,2′-bipyridine)(CO)3Cl. Visible light excitation of the assembly in CO2 saturated solution resulted in CO2 reduction to CO. A steady-state photocurrent density of 65 μA cm−2 was achieved under one sun illumination and an IPCE value of 1.9% was obtained with 450 nm illumination. The importance of the DA aniline donor in the assembly as an initial site for reduction of the RuCP2+ excited state was demonstrated by an 8 times higher photocurrent generated with DA present in the surface film compared to a control without DA. Nanosecond transient absorption measurements showed that the expected reduced one-electron intermediate, RuCP+, was formed on a sub-nanosecond time scale with back electron transfer to the electrode on the microsecond timescale which competes with forward electron transfer to the Re(I) catalyst at t1/2 = 2.6 μs (kET = 2.7 × 105 s−1)

<i>Plasmodium </i>Condensin Core Subunits SMC2/SMC4 Mediate Atypical Mitosis and Are Essential for Parasite Proliferation and Transmission

Condensin is a multi-subunit protein complex regulating chromosome condensation and segregation during cell division. In Plasmodium spp., the causative agent of malaria, cell division is atypical and the role of condensin is unclear. Here we examine the role of SMC2 and SMC4, the core subunits of condensin, during endomitosis in schizogony and endoreduplication in male gametogenesis. During early schizogony, SMC2/SMC4 localize to a distinct focus, identified as the centromeres by NDC80 fluorescence and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) analyses, but do not form condensin I or II complexes. In mature schizonts and during male gametogenesis, there is a diffuse SMC2/SMC4 distribution on chromosomes and in the nucleus, and both condensin I and condensin II complexes form at these stages. Knockdown of smc2 and smc4 gene expression reveals essential roles in parasite proliferation and transmission. The condensin core subunits (SMC2/SMC4) form different complexes and may have distinct functions at various stages of the parasite life cycle

Structural resolution of switchable states of a de novo peptide assembly

De novo protein design is advancing rapidly. However, most designs are for single states. Here we report a de novo designed peptide that forms multiple α-helical-bundle states that are accessible and interconvertible under the same conditions. Usually in such designs amphipathic α helices associate to form compact structures with consolidated hydrophobic cores. However, recent rational and computational designs have delivered open α-helical barrels with functionalisable cavities. By placing glycine judiciously in the helical interfaces of an α-helical barrel, we obtain both open and compact states in a single protein crystal. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate a free-energy landscape with multiple and interconverting states. Together, these findings suggest a frustrated system in which steric interactions that maintain the open barrel and the hydrophobic effect that drives complete collapse are traded-off. Indeed, addition of a hydrophobic co-solvent that can bind within the barrel affects the switch between the states both in silico and experimentally