Variability of oral/taste sensitivity to fat: An investigation of attribution from detection threshold methods with repeated measurements.

Accumulating psychophysical evidence suggests substantial individual variability in oral/taste sensitivity to non-esterified, long-chain fatty acids (NEFA), which is commonly referred to as fat taste or oleogustus. Recent studies have sought to determine its associations with human factors such as body mass index (BMI) and food preferences, as it has been claimed that excessive fat consumption is related to several health conditions, including obesity. Yet, the findings are controversial. On the other hand, it has been noted that considerable variability also occurs based on the methodology used to measure the fatty acid taste. Specifically, learning effects have been observed over repeated measurements of the detection threshold of NEFA, yet there has been no methodology available to take into account these learning effects. Accordingly, in the present study, a novel methodology using a descending-block dual reminder A-Not A (DR A-Not A) method with a warm-up has been proposed to measure the NEFA detection threshold based on the signal detection theory and considering NEFA taste learning effects over repeated sessions. Homogeneous subjects (young adult Korean females within the normal BMI range, non-vegetarians) were randomized to either the novel descending-block DR A-Not A method or ascending triangle method that is commonly used for fat perception studies. Pure oleic acid emulsions were used as fat taste stimuli to be discriminated from pure mineral water. Each subject completed 14 repeated visits. For the ascending triangle method, 14 thresholds were determined using a stopping rule, while for the novel method, 7 thresholds were determined each per two consecutive days, using a criterion of a lower limit of 50% confidence interval of d' = 0.5, considering the practical aspects of taste studies in food sensory science. Based on the group median results of the last two visits, the variability of the detection thresholds was reduced using the novel descending-block DR A-Not A method due to better learning effects over repeated sessions. This shows the potential of the descending-block DR A-Not A threshold method for further studies on oral/taste sensitivity to fat.

A topological nonlinear parametric amplifier.

Topological boundary states are well localized eigenstates at the boundary between two different bulk topologies. As long as bulk topology is preserved, the topological boundary mode will endure. Here, we report topological nonlinear parametric amplification of light in a dimerized coupled waveguide system based on the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model with a domain wall. The good linear transmission properties of the topological waveguide arising from the strong localization of light to the topological boundary is demonstrated through successful high-speed transmission of 30 Gb/s non-return-to-zero and 56 Gb/s pulse amplitude 4-level data. The strong localization of a co-propagating pump and probe to the boundary waveguide is harnessed for efficient, low power optical parametric amplification and wavelength conversion. A nonlinear tuning mechanism is shown to induce chiral symmetry breaking in the topological waveguide, demonstrating a pathway in which Kerr nonlinearities may be applied to tune the topological boundary mode and control the transition to bulk states.

Case report: Toceranib as adjuvant chemotherapy in a dog with incompletely resected combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma.

An 11-year-old intact female mixed breed dog was presented with abdominal distention and elevated hepatic enzyme levels. Computed tomography revealed a multicystic hepatic mass at the left medial lobe adjacent to the diaphragm and caudal vena cava. The mass was surgically removed with partial hepatectomy, but it could not be removed completely because of adhesion to the diaphragm. The tissue was submitted for histopathologic evaluation, and the patient was diagnosed with stage IIIA combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC). Considering the residual tumor tissue from incomplete surgical excision, adjuvant chemotherapy was recommended. Tumor tissue obtained from the patient was assessed using an anticancer drug response prediction test, and the results showed that toceranib phosphate was the most effective chemotherapeutic agent for this patient. Toceranib was initiated (3.1 mg/kg, PO, q48 h), and routine adverse effect assessment, including systemic blood pressure measurement, complete blood count, serum biochemical evaluations, and urinalysis were performed at two-week intervals for the first 2 months and every 2 months thereafter. Radiography and ultrasonography were conducted at one-month intervals for the first two months and then every 2 months subsequently. Concurrent hyperadrenocorticism was managed with trilostane (1 to 5 mg/kg, PO, q12h). The patient showed no critical adverse effects of chemotherapy, obvious recurrence, or metastasis. The response to toceranib was assessed as a partial response, and the patient is still alive over 23 months after tumor excision. This is the first case report describing chemotherapy for a dog with cHCC-CC.

Case Report: Non-traumatic Unilateral Forelimb Arterial Thrombosis Associated With Hyperadrenocorticism in a Dog.

A 16-year-old spayed female Pomeranian dog was presented to the hospital with an acute onset of pain and non-weight-bearing lameness in the right forelimb. On physical examination, knuckling, coolness, pain, and cyanosis were observed in the affected forelimb. Peripheral blood glucose concentration and body surface temperature differed between the right and left forelimbs. Hypercoagulable thromboelastographic results and increased D-dimer levels were suggestive of thrombus. Accordingly, recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) was administered intravenously. Prompt clinical improvements (including restored warmth of the affected limb) occurred, and rtPA was discontinued after two shots administered 2 h apart owing to concerns of bleeding side effects. The dog was discharged 6 days after admission, and outpatient treatment with clopidogrel was continued for the prevention of re-thrombosis. Following patient stabilization, further examinations for underlying diseases of hypercoagulability were conducted; hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) was diagnosed, and oral trilostane therapy was thus administered. Eight weeks later, the patient regained normal mobility. Finally, in the present canine patient with arterial thrombosis, thrombolysis with rtPA successfully improved clinical symptoms and the following administration of clopidogrel inhibited the formation of additional thrombus.

High spectro-temporal compression on a nonlinear CMOS-chip.

Optical pulses are fundamentally defined by their temporal and spectral properties. The ability to control pulse properties allows practitioners to efficiently leverage them for advanced metrology, high speed optical communications and attosecond science. Here, we report 11× temporal compression of 5.8 ps pulses to 0.55 ps using a low power of 13.3 W. The result is accompanied by a significant increase in the pulse peak power by 9.4×. These results represent the strongest temporal compression demonstrated to date on a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) chip. In addition, we report the first demonstration of on-chip spectral compression, 3.0× spectral compression of 480 fs pulses, importantly while preserving the pulse energy. The strong compression achieved at low powers harnesses advanced on-chip device design, and the strong nonlinear properties of backend-CMOS compatible ultra-silicon-rich nitride, which possesses absence of two-photon absorption and 500× larger nonlinear parameter than in stoichiometric silicon nitride waveguides. The demonstrated work introduces an important new paradigm for spectro-temporal compression of optical pulses toward turn-key, on-chip integrated systems for all-optical pulse control.

A case of chronic lymphocytic leukemia masked by Cushing's disease in a dog.

A 12-year-old, 3.5-kg, intact female dog was presented with polyuria, polydipsia, and a pendulous abdomen. Laboratory examinations showed elevated hepatobiliary enzyme levels and neutrophilic leukocytosis. The adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test confirmed hyperadrenocorticism (HAC). Trilostane therapy managed the clinical condition and cortisol concentration. However, lymphocytosis and nonregenerative anemia developed after HAC remission. Bone marrow aspiration analysis revealed a lymphoproliferative disorder with a clonal T-cell population. Accordingly, the patient was diagnosed with T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and concurrent HAC. Thereafter, chemotherapy was initiated, which improved the lymphocytosis. However, euthanasia was performed because of worsening quality of life at 45 weeks after the first presentation. These results suggested that CLL could be masked by excessive endogenous cortisol and discovered after HAC remission.

On-chip 1 by 8 coarse wavelength division multiplexer and multi-wavelength source on ultra-silicon-rich nitride.

An 8-channel coarse wavelength division multiplexer (CWDM) based on coupled vertical gratings has been designed, fabricated and characterized. The devices are implemented on the ultra-silicon-rich nitride (USRN) platform. The demonstrated device possesses 8 CWDM channels. The absence of free spectral range (FSR) enabled the overall multiplexed bandwidth to span across the S + C + L bands. The CWDM channels meet the specifications stipulated by the International Telecommunications Union G.694.2 standard. The average channel crosstalk is -25dB. Pseudo-Random Bit Sequence 231-1 Non-Return-Zero data at 30Gb/s was launched into the device and a clear eye diagram was obtained. The device was further used with a USRN waveguide generating supercontinuum to create a multi-wavelength source emitting light at 8 CWDM wavelengths.

Optical nonlinearities in ultra-silicon-rich nitride characterized using z-scan measurements.

The dispersive nonlinear refractive index of ultra-silicon-rich nitride, and its two-photon and three-photon absorption coefficients are measured in the wavelength range between 0.8 µm-1.6 µm, covering the O- to L - telecommunications bands. In the two-photon absorption range, the measured nonlinear coefficients are compared to theoretically calculated values with a simple parabolic band structure. Two-photon absorption is observed to exist only at wavelengths lower than 1.2 µm. The criterion for all-optical switching through the material is investigated and it is shown that ultra-silicon-rich nitride is a good material in the three-photon absorption region, which spans the entire O- to L- telecommunications bands.

Nonlinear characterization of GeSbS chalcogenide glass waveguides.

GeSbS ridge waveguides have recently been demonstrated as a promising mid - infrared platform for integrated waveguide - based chemical sensing and photodetection. To date, their nonlinear optical properties remain relatively unexplored. In this paper, we characterize the nonlinear optical properties of GeSbS glasses, and show negligible nonlinear losses at 1.55 µm. Using self - phase modulation experiments, we characterize a waveguide nonlinear parameter of 7 W-1/m and nonlinear refractive index of 3.71 × 10-18 m2/W. GeSbS waveguides are used to generate supercontinuum from 1280 nm to 2120 nm at the -30 dB level. The spectrum expands along the red shifted side of the spectrum faster than on the blue shifted side, facilitated by cascaded stimulated Raman scattering arising from the large Raman gain of chalcogenides. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic measurements show that these glasses are optically transparent up to 25 µm, making them useful for short - wave to long - wave infrared applications in both linear and nonlinear optics.

Wideband nonlinear spectral broadening in ultra-short ultra - silicon rich nitride waveguides.

CMOS-compatible nonlinear optics platforms with high Kerr nonlinearity facilitate the generation of broadband spectra based on self-phase modulation. Our ultra - silicon rich nitride (USRN) platform is designed to have a large nonlinear refractive index and low nonlinear losses at 1.55 µm for the facilitation of wideband spectral broadening. We investigate the ultrafast spectral characteristics of USRN waveguides with 1-mm-length, which have high nonlinear parameters (γ ∼ 550 W(-1)/m) and anomalous dispersion at 1.55 µm wavelength of input light. USRN add-drop ring resonators broaden output spectra by a factor of 2 compared with the bandwidth of input fs laser with the highest quality factors of 11000 and 15000. Two - fold self phase modulation induced spectral broadening is observed using waveguides only 430 µm in length, whereas a quadrupling of the output bandwidth is observed with USRN waveguides with a 1-mm-length. A broadening factor of around 3 per 1 mm length is achieved in the USRN waveguides, a value which is comparatively larger than many other CMOS-compatible platforms.

Speckle noise reduction on a laser projection display via a broadband green light source.

A broadband green light source was demonstrated using a tandem-poled lithium niobate (TPLN) crystal. The measured wavelength and temperature bandwidth were 6.5 nm and 100 °C, respectively, spectral bandwidth was 36 times broader than the periodically poled case. Although the conversion efficiency was smaller than in the periodic case, the TPLN device had a good figure of merit owing to the extremely large bandwidth for wavelength and temperature. The developed broadband green light source exhibited speckle noise approximately one-seventh of that in the conventional approach for a laser projection display.