Brain Functional and Structural Networks Underpinning Musical Creativity

Musical improvisation is one of the most complex forms of creative behavior, which offers a realistic task paradigm for the investigation of real-time creativity. Despite previous studies on the topics of musical improvisation, brain activations, and creativity, the main questions about the neural mechanisms for musical improvisation in efforts to unlocking the mystery of human creativity remain unanswered. What are the brain regions that are activated during the improvised performances of music? How do these brain areas coordinate activity among themselves and others during such performances? Whether and how does the brain connectivity structure encapsulate such creative skills? In attempts to contribute to answering these questions, this dissertation examines the brain activity dynamics during musical improvisation, explores white matter fiber architecture in advanced jazz improvisers using functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. A group of advanced jazz musicians underwent functional and structural magnetic resonance brain imaging. While the functional MRI (fMRI) of their brains were collected, these expert improvisers performed vocalization and imagery improvisation and pre-learned melody tasks. The activation and connectivity analysis of the fMRI data showed that musical improvisation is characterized by higher brain activity with less functional connectivity compared to pre-learned melody in the brain network consisting of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), supplementary motor area (SMA), lateral premotor cortex (lPMC), Cerebellum (Cb) and Broca’s Area (BCA). SMA received a dominant causal information flow from dlPFC during improvisation and prelearned melody tasks. The deterministic fiber tractography analysis also revealed that the underlying white matter structure and fiber pathways in advanced jazz improvisers were enhanced in advanced jazz improvisers compared to the control group of nonmusicians, specifically the dlPFC - SMA network. These results point to the notion that an expert\u27s performance under real-time constraints is an internally directed behavior controlled primarily by a specific brain network, that has enhanced task-supportive structural connectivity. Overall, these findings suggest that a creative act of an expert is functionally controlled by a specific cortical network as in any internally directed attention and is encapsulated by the long-timescale brain structural network changes in support of the related cognitive underpinnings

Comparative in vitro estimates of inhalation toxicity of selected nanoparticles

Master of Public HealthDepartment of Diagnostic Medicine/PathobiologyJohn A. PickrellAirway inflammation is characterized by the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6) and chemokine (IL-8) from airway epithelial cells. To screen for the potential inhalation toxicity as inflammation, we tested exposure of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs)-Titanium dioxide, Magnesium oxide, FastAct and Titanium Silicon Oxide-Manganese (TSO-Mn)-Aerogel to BEAS 2B human bronchial epithelial cells. A monolayer of cells having 80 – 90% confluence was treated with different concentrations of the NPs and feedlot dust as positive control for inflammatory processes. Releases of IL-6 and IL-8 into the culture supernatant fluid were measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Characterization of NPs such as solubility and agglomeration in cell culture media were carried out to predict the effect of these properties in cellular responses. Feedlot dust increased the release of both IL-6 and IL-8 by 3 to >5 fold, suggesting an inflammatory effect while NPs did not show any effect either at increasing the dose or duration of the incubation with cell. The NPs at higher doses reduced the total IL-6 and IL-8 released, suggesting that the NPs may have bound with the cytokine and chemokine or somehow interfered with their function. The inert activity of NPs was further investigated by inspecting cell morphology, counting viable cells and assessing mitochondrial membrane potential. Concentrations at 1000 mg/L of TiO2 and 250 mg/L TSO-Mn-Aerogel could apparently limit lung epithelial cell multiplication by partially occupying the intercellular spaces, qualitatively increasing the number of cell pores and resulting in less recovered cells after 12 hours of incubation. Cells exposed to feedlot dust and titanium NPs were less viable as indicated by propidium iodide staining, but cells exposed to TSO-Mn-aerogel were more apoptotic as indicated JC-1 staining. These changes occurred at projected inhalation exposure levels > 40-100 fold above the nuisance dust level for TiO2 and permissible exposure limit for Manganese. No MgO exposures reduced apparently recovered cells to < 50% as indicated by manual hemocytometer counts (+ 15-25% variability). The lack of toxicity was most likely reflected from the high MgO solubility in the incubating media, and the relative non-toxicity of MgO

Rice production in Chitwan district of Nepal: An analysis from economic and environmental perspectives

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the major staple food in the Nepalese context. Chitwan district of Nepal was purposively selected to analyze the rice production from the socio-economic and environmental perspective. A total of 100 rice growing farmers, 50 organic and 50 inorganic were selected as the sample for the purpose of the study using the simple random method of sampling. Primary data were collected through a pre-tested semi-structure interview schedule and key informant interviews; secondary data were collected reviewing related publications. Descriptive statistics, multiple regression and chi-square test were used for data analysis. The multiple regression revealed that the four explanatory variables included in the model: age of the household head, primary occupation of the household head, number of family members involved in agriculture and subsidy in inputs for rice farming were found to have positive and statistically significant effect on rice yield (P&lt;0.01). Moreover, chi-square test revealed that the farming practices that contributes to climate change mitigation such as: minimum tillage practice (P&lt;0.05), crop diversification (P&lt;0.01), green manuring (P&lt;0.01), agro forestry practice (P&lt;0.05), incorporating crop residues (P&lt;0.1), weed management practice (P&lt;0.01) and pest management practice (P&lt;0.01)were found to be well adopted by the organic rice farmers, in contrast, the farming practices of inorganic rice farmers were statistically and significantly different in this respect. Government should make such policy that could grave the attention of the Nepalese people towards organic agriculture; moreover, encouraging them to make it their primary occupation

A Ten-year Retrospective Study of Nasal Bone Fractures at a Tertiary Care Hospital of Nepal

 Introduction: Nasal bone fracture occurs due to its vulnerable position and reduced biomechanical resistance to traumas. If not timely treated, it can result in permanent functional and esthetic damage. Methods: A retrospective and cross-sectional study conducted on 91 patients above 17 years of age with nasal bone fractures in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck surgery of a tertiary care hospital in Kavre. Results: Road traffic accident was the most common cause of fracture (45.1%) followed by fall (36.3%), violence (13.2%), sports-related accidents (4.4%) and occupational accidents (1.1%). Class I fracture was seen in 70 (76.9%), Class II in 17 (18.7%), and Class III in 4 (4.4%). A closed reduction procedure was performed in 74 (81.30%) of the cases, closed reduction with septoplasty was done in 10 (11%), closed reduction with augmentation rhinoplasty was performed for 3 (3.3%), closed reduction with inferior turbinoplasty was required in 3 (3.3%) whereas closed reduction with debridement was done in 1(1.1%). Conclusion: Nasal bone fracture is a complex clinical issue which needs to be addressed early. Violence prevention programs along with drinking and driving campaigns need to be more strengthened to decrease the alarmingly high frequency of nasal bone fracture in the current scenario

Effect of early tranexamic acid administration on mortality, hysterectomy, and other morbidities in women with post-partum haemorrhage (WOMAN): an international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Post-partum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Early administration of tranexamic acid reduces deaths due to bleeding in trauma patients. We aimed to assess the effects of early administration of tranexamic acid on death, hysterectomy, and other relevant outcomes in women with post-partum haemorrhage. Methods In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited women aged 16 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of post-partum haemorrhage after a vaginal birth or caesarean section from 193 hospitals in 21 countries. We randomly assigned women to receive either 1 g intravenous tranexamic acid or matching placebo in addition to usual care. If bleeding continued after 30 min, or stopped and restarted within 24 h of the first dose, a second dose of 1 g of tranexamic acid or placebo could be given. Patients were assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight numbered packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Participants, care givers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. We originally planned to enrol 15 000 women with a composite primary endpoint of death from all-causes or hysterectomy within 42 days of giving birth. However, during the trial it became apparent that the decision to conduct a hysterectomy was often made at the same time as randomisation. Although tranexamic acid could influence the risk of death in these cases, it could not affect the risk of hysterectomy. We therefore increased the sample size from 15 000 to 20 000 women in order to estimate the effect of tranexamic acid on the risk of death from post-partum haemorrhage. All analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ISRCTN76912190 (Dec 8, 2008); ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00872469; and PACTR201007000192283. Findings Between March, 2010, and April, 2016, 20 060 women were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive tranexamic acid (n=10 051) or placebo (n=10 009), of whom 10 036 and 9985, respectively, were included in the analysis. Death due to bleeding was significantly reduced in women given tranexamic acid (155 [1·5%] of 10 036 patients vs 191 [1·9%] of 9985 in the placebo group, risk ratio [RR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·65–1·00; p=0·045), especially in women given treatment within 3 h of giving birth (89 [1·2%] in the tranexamic acid group vs 127 [1·7%] in the placebo group, RR 0·69, 95% CI 0·52–0·91; p=0·008). All other causes of death did not differ significantly by group. Hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (358 [3·6%] patients in the tranexamic acid group vs 351 [3·5%] in the placebo group, RR 1·02, 95% CI 0·88–1·07; p=0·84). The composite primary endpoint of death from all causes or hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (534 [5·3%] deaths or hysterectomies in the tranexamic acid group vs 546 [5·5%] in the placebo group, RR 0·97, 95% CI 0·87-1·09; p=0·65). Adverse events (including thromboembolic events) did not differ significantly in the tranexamic acid versus placebo group. Interpretation Tranexamic acid reduces death due to bleeding in women with post-partum haemorrhage with no adverse effects. When used as a treatment for postpartum haemorrhage, tranexamic acid should be given as soon as possible after bleeding onset. Funding London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Pfizer, UK Department of Health, Wellcome Trust, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Enhanced White Matter Fiber Tracts in Advanced Jazz Improvisers

Human cognition and behavior arise from neuronal interactions over brain structural networks. These neuronal interactions cause changes in structural networks over time. How a creative activity such as musical improvisation performance changes the brain structure is largely unknown. In this diffusion magnetic resonance imaging study, we examined the brain’s white matter fiber properties in previously identified functional networks and compared the findings between advanced jazz improvisers and non-musicians. We found that, for advanced improvisers compared with non-musicians, the normalized quantitative anisotropy (NQA) is elevated in the lateral prefrontal areas and supplementary motor area, and the underlying white matter fiber tracts connecting these areas. This enhancement of the diffusion anisotropy along the fiber pathway connecting the lateral prefrontal and supplementary motor is consistent with the functional networks during musical improvisation tasks performed by expert jazz improvisers. These findings together suggest that experts’ creative skill is associated with the task-relevant, long-timescale brain structural network changes, in support of related cognitive underpinnings

Correlation of solar wind velocity with different parameters during geomagnetic disturbances

We have studied the solar wind velocity and it’s relation with solar wind pressure, southward component of IMF-Bz, solar wind temperature (Tsw), solar wind density (Nsw) and geomagnetic indices during different geomagnetic disturbances. During disturbed days, there is a fluctuation of energy and plasma inside the magnetosphere, which changes the parameters like pressure, velocity, IMF-Bz, SYM-H and AE indices. The solar wind velocity shows very remarkable relationship with pressure. There is weak connection of solar wind pressure with IMF-Bz, although it is more geo-effective.BIBECHANA 16 (2019) 165-176</p

Characterization of Forest Ecosystems in the Chure (Siwalik Hills) Landscape of Nepal Himalaya and Their Conservation Need

As a basic component of the forest ecosystem, the forest structure refers to the general distribution of plant species of different life forms and sizes. The characterization of forest structure is the key to understanding the vegetation history, present status, and future development trajectory of the forest ecosystems. The Chure region of Nepal covers about 12.78% of the country’s land area and extends east to west along the southern foothills. This biologically rich but geologically fragile region is home to many species and provides many ecosystem services to millions of people. The Chure landscape is severely suffered from anthropogenic disturbances including logging, grazing, fuelwood collection, solid waste disposal, encroachment, forest fire, and excavation of sand, gravel, and boulders. In this study, we aim to characterize the forest ecosystem types outside the protected areas in the Chure region of Nepal and analyze the threat and vulnerability of the landscape from the biodiversity point of view. We sampled 62 sites to study the dominant vegetation type, regeneration status, and major threats to the forest ecosystems. A distribution map of the forest ecosystem types in Chure was prepared. We identified 14 forest ecosystem types in Chure including seven new ones. The newly reported forest ecosystems are Hymenodictyon excelsum Forest, Syzygium cumini Forest, Terminalia anogeissiana Forest, Schima wallichii–Shorea robusta Forest, Pinus roxburghii–Shorea robusta Forest, Pinus roxburghii Forest, and Bamboo thickets. We conclude that intensified human activities including forest encroachment and deforestation are mainly responsible for the ecological imbalance in the Chure region. We emphasize an in-depth analysis of biophysical linkage and immediate conservation efforts for the restoration of the Chure landscape in Nepal

Sulfate Conjugates Are Urinary Markers of Inhalation Exposure to 4‑Chlorobiphenyl (PCB3)

PCBs are contaminants in the air of older buildings and cities, which raises the concern of inhalation exposure. No reliable biomarker of such exposure is available. We exposed rats to air containing 2 mg/m³ PCB3 via nose-only inhalation for 2 h, collected urine, and analyzed it by LC/MS. Each rat inhaled an estimated dose of 35 μg PCB3, and excreted 27 ± 2% of it as sulfates within 24 h. Peak excretion occurred within 6 h. PCB sulfates were stable in urine for at least three days at room temperature without chemical preservatives. These data support the use of PCB sulfate conjugates as suitable urinary biomarkers of PCB3 and other airborne PCBs