Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developing a music programme for preschool children with cochlear implants

Abstract Although music perception is especially challenging for cochlear implant (CI) users, young CI users' musical perception abilities are improved by participation in structured musical activities. Objectives To design, implement, evaluate, and publish a music training programme with a monitoring tool for preschool CI users, for use in family-centred habilitation programmes. Methods We devised a programme of musical activities, Musical EARS®, and a curriculum-related hierarchical Evaluation Form to represent performance. The programme included sections on singing; recognizing songs, tunes, and timbre; and responding appropriately to music and rhythm. It was implemented over 18 months at Ilkses Rehabilitation Centre, with 25 paediatric MED-EL CI users split into three groups of varying age, duration of CI use, and ability. Results Mean total scores increased significantly for all groups. Scores increased unevenly across subscales. Participation in and enjoyment of musical activities increased for both children and parents. Significant correlations were found between scores and length of CI use. Discussion The training programme effectively enriches child CI users' musical experience. To varying degrees, children learned to perform the Musical EARS® activities. The study allowed us to validate the lesson content and the hierarchical nature of the Evaluation Form. We conclude that prelingually deafened CI users should be systematically involved in musical activities to help them acquire skills acquired more easily by hearing peers.
Variability of the Entire Mitochondrial DNA Control Region in a Human Isolate from the Pas Valley (Northern Spain)

Abstract: In this study, we analyzed the entire mtDNA control region in 61 unrelated individuals from the Pas Valley (Cantabria), a human isolate from northern Spain, to evaluate the suitability of this analysis to increase the power of discrimination of this locus for forensic purposes in human isolates. Low values obtained for the diversity parameters confirmed the relative isolation of this human group. The main findings of this study indicated that even the analysis of the entire mtDNA control region may have important limitations for use in forensic casework when dealing with human isolates: none of the 44 individuals who exhibited identical HVI‐HVII haplotypes could be further differentiated by analysis of segment HVIII. Nevertheless, analysis of the entire mtDNA control region proved to be useful to determine the ancestry of the samples examined, by contributing to the confirmation, and, on occasion, even to the refinement of the haplogroup assignment.
Wide-diameter implants: analysis of clinical outcome of 304 fixtures.

BACKGROUND In the last decade, the use of wide-diameter implants (WDIs; diameter >3.75 mm) has increased. Although good clinical outcomes have been reported in recent literature, there are few reports on this topic. Thus, we planned a retrospective study on a large series of WDIs to evaluate the clinical outcome. METHODS From October of 1996 to December of 2004, 205 patients were operated on, and 304 WDIs were inserted. The mean postloading follow-up was 30 months. Implant diameter and length ranged from 5.0 to 6.5 mm and from 8.0 to 15 mm, respectively. Because only five of 304 implants were lost (i.e., a survival rate of 98.4%) and no statistical differences were detected among the studied variables, no or reduced crestal bone resorption (CBR) was considered an indicator of success to evaluate the effect of several host-, surgery-, and implant-related factors. A general linear model (GLM) was performed to detect variables that were associated statistically with CBR. RESULTS Only five of 304 WDIs were lost, and no differences were detected among the studied variables. On the contrary, the GLM showed that distal teeth (i.e., premolars and molars), small implant diameter (i.e., 5.0 and 5.5 mm), and short implant length (i.e., <13 mm) correlated with a statistically significant lower CBR. CONCLUSION The use of WDIs is a viable treatment option, and it may provide benefits in posterior regions for long-term maintenance of various implant-supported prosthetic rehabilitations.
Activations of ERK1/2 and JNK by Transforming Growth Factor β Negatively Regulate Smad3-induced Alkaline Phosphatase Activity and Mineralization in Mouse Osteoblastic Cells*

Transforming growth factor (TGF) β inhibits alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization in mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, whereas local administration of TGF-β stimulates bone formation in vivo. We recently demonstrated that Smad3, a TGF-β signaling molecule, promotes ALP activity and mineralization in MC3T3-E1 cells. Moreover, the target disruption of Smad3 in mouse is reported to cause a decrease in bone mineral density. These findings indicate that Smad3 plays an important role in the regulation of bone formation. However, why the effects of TGF-β and Smad3 on ALP activity and mineralization are different remains unknown. The purpose of the present study is to clarify the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in TGF-β and Smad3 pathways in osteoblast. TGF-β activated extracellular signal-regulated kinases/p42/p44 (ERK1/2), p38 MAPK, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. The expression of dominant negative type Smad3, Smad3ΔC, affected neither TGF-β-activated MAPKs nor TGF-β-inhibited ALP activity. Specific inhibitors of ERK1/2 activation (PD98059 and U0126), as well as JNK inhibitors (curcumin and dicumarol) antagonized the inhibitory effects of TGF-β on ALP activity and mineralization, whereas the specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK (SB203580) did not affect them. PD98059 and curcumin enhanced Smad3-induced ALP activity and mineralization, whereas SB203580 inhibited them. In the luciferase reporter assay using 3TP-lux with the specific Smad3-responsive element, PD98059, and curcumin enhanced TGF-β- and Smad3-induced transcriptional activity in MC3T3-E1 cells. On the other hand, TGF-β-induced production of type I collagen was antagonized by curcumin but not by PD98059. The present study indicated that TGF-β-responsive ERK1/2 and JNK cascades negatively regulate Smad3-induced transcriptional activity as well as ALP activity and mineralization in osteoblasts.
The Future of Banking in America

The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect official positions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Articles may be reprinted or abstracted if the FDIC Banking Review and author(s) are credited. Please provide the FDIC’s Division of Insurance and Research with a copy of any publications containing reprinted material. Single-copy subscriptions are available to the public free of charge. Requests for subscriptions, back issues or address changes should be mailed to FDIC Banking Review, Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, N.W. , Washington, DC 20434. This year’s FDIC Banking Review features papers from the FDIC’s Future of Banking project. Initiated by Chairman Donald Powell, the study projects likely trends in the structure and performance of the banking industry and anticipates the policy issues that will confront the industry and the regulatory community in the coming years.
Amyloid-β Imaging in Older Adults Presenting to a Memory Clinic with Subjective Cognitive Decline: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) in otherwise normal aging may be identified via symptom inventories in a research setting ('questionnaire-discovered complaints') or via patients seeking evaluation/services in a clinical setting ('presenting complainers'). Most studies of SCD and amyloid-β (Aβ) imaging to date have used the former approach, with inconsistent results. OBJECTIVE To test whether 'presenting SCD' participants in an academic memory clinic setting show increased brain Aβ deposition on imaging. METHODS Fourteen patients (mean age 68.1, SD 4.0 years) diagnosed with subjective cognitive complaints with normal neuropsychological testing were recruited into a Pittsburgh compound B (PiB)-PET study. Detailed self-report inventories and additional cognitive tests were administered. Results were compared to a reference cohort of cognitively normal volunteers (NC) from an independent neuroimaging study (mean age 73.6, SD 5.8 years). RESULTS 57% (8/14) of SCD participants were PiB-positive by a sensitive, regionally-based definition, compared to 31% (26/84) of the NC cohort. SCD participants had significantly higher PiB retention (SUVR) than NC in three of six regions of interest: frontal cortex (p = 0.02), lateral temporal cortex (p = 0.02), and parietal cortex (p = 0.04). SCD participants showed measurable deviations on questionnaires reflecting high negative affect (i.e., depressive symptoms and neuroticism). Findings were suggestive that deficits on verbal associative binding may be specific to Aβ-positive versus Aβ-negative SCD. CONCLUSION Older participants with SCD presenting to a memory clinic in this pilot study sample have higher brain Aβ deposition compared to normal aging study volunteers unselected on complaints. Further study of presenting SCD are warranted to determine the prognostic significance of Aβ deposition in this context.
Effects of Reduced Rates of Two Insecticides on Enzyme Activity and Mortality of an Aphid and Its Lacewing Predator

Abstract By applying insecticides at lower rates of active ingredients per unit area, survival rates of the pests’ natural enemies can be enhanced, whereas pest mortality can remain high. The effects of reduced application rates of the insecticides lambda-cyhalothrin and dimethoate on the mortality of bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphon padi (L.), and lacewing Micromus tasmaniae Walker were determined in the laboratory and field. Cholinesterase (ChE) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities in survivors provided a measure of sublethal effects and general fitness. In the laboratory, lacewings were less sensitive than aphids to both insecticides, and dimethoate was more toxic than lambda-cyhalothrin. However, these results could not be recreated in the field, in part due to very low recapture rates. In summary, lambda-cyhalothrin seemed to have no effect on aphids, but it was toxic to lacewings. Dimethoate was far less toxic in the field, but aphids were still more sensitive than were lacewings. Cholinesterase activity was reduced by dimethoate exposure in the laboratory in both species, but there were species-specific differences. Dimethoate and lambda-cyhalothrin had no effects on GST activity in either species. The high mortality rate for lacewings and aphids exposed to dimethoate in the field suggests that the application rate could be reduced to as low as 10% of that recommended by manufacturers, and this should still be highly efficacious against aphids, while protecting the predatory lacewing. Measurement of enzyme activity could provide a useful indicator of “fitness” of survivors.
A Comparative Study of the Vasodilator Effects of Prostaglandin E1 in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension After Mitral Valve Replacement and with Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome

To determine whether the vasodilator effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE (1)) differ according to the etiology and pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension, we studied 30 patients with pulmonary hypertension after mitral valve replacement (MVR) (n = 16) or with the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (n = 14). PGE (1) was administered to decrease the mean pulmonary artery pressure to below 30 mm Hg in both groups. Cardiac index and oxygen delivery tended to increase, whereas mean systemic artery pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure, systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), and pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) significantly decreased in both groups. A vasodilatory index was defined in this study to allow evaluation of vasodilation relative to PGE1 dose: systemic vasodilatory index (VIs) = SVRI change/PGE1 dose; and pulmonary vasodilatory index (VIp) = PVRI change/PGE1 dose. The VIp was similar in both groups, but the VIs was significantly greater in the ARDS group compared with the MVR group (13.3 +/- 7.8 vs 4.8 +/- 5.1, P < 0.01). A good correlation was found between the pretreatment intrapulmonary shunt fraction (Qs/Qt [%]) value and PGE1 extraction rate in the lung (r = 0.60), and between the pretreatment Qs/Qt value and PGE1 concentration in the radial artery (r = 0.65) in an additional 15 patients. We conclude that the vasodilator effects of PGE1 on the pulmonary circulation are similar in the two groups, whereas the vasodilator effects on the systemic circulation are significantly greater in the ARDS group and that significant reduction in VIs in the ARDS group was associated with decreased PGE1 extraction in the lung. Implications: Pulmonary hypertension after mitral valve replacement, or with adult respiratory distress syndrome, is a major medical problem. The authors found that administration of prostaglandin E1 significantly dilated the pulmonary circulation with a concomitant decrease in pulmonary artery pressure. Because the systemic vasodilatory effect was greater in the adult respiratory distress syndrome group, the authors concluded that prostaglandin E1 concentrations in the systemic circulation depend on the severity of lung injury. (Anesth Analg 1997;85:507-13)
Effective Use of Amino Acid Dialysate over four Weeks in CAPD Patients

We studied the effectiveness, tolerance to, and beneficial metabolic effects of amino acid dialysate over an intermediate period in six CAPD patients. Two liters of 1% amino acid solution (Amino-Dianeal) were alternated with dialysate containing glucose. After four weeks there were significant increases in BUN (from 64 to 102 mg%), total body nitrogen (from 1333 to 1380 g), serum transferrin (from 175 to 222 mg%) and anion gap (from 15.1 to 17.3). Initially, there was a significant rise in HDL cholesterol, however, this was not sustained. No significant change was detected in total-body potassium, fasting serum albumin, triglyceride, insulin, glucagon, electrolytes, anthropometric measurements and daily ingestion of calories and proteins. During the study individual fasting, plasma amino acid levels showed significant increments in respect to histidine, tryptophan and glycine but alanine decreased. Several essential amino acids continued to show values below normal. Two hours after consumption of breakfast and concurrent infusion of the amino acid solution, the plasma levels of the amino acids in the dialysate peaked at emia, which develops in almost onehalf of the CAPD patients (7), and the significant weight gain observed in some of them. Furthermore, the daily losses of albumin and amino acids in the dialysate may induce protein malnutrition, especially if these losses are not replaced by an adequate daily protein intake. The presence of protein malnutrition in CAPD patients is indicated by the low serum albumin and total protein, and by the decrease in total body nitrogen over one year of CAPD (8).
An assessment of farmers' awareness and practices of land management techniques in Iddo Local Government Area of Oyo State

The continuous deterioration of the agricultural land resulting in low food output necessitated this study. One hundred and twenty farmers were selected for interview, using a systematic random sampling from the list of 360 registered farmers provided by the ADP officials. A list of ten management practices was drawn for the farmers to indicate their awareness and practice of each. The selected management techniques included agroforestry, farming across slopes, crop rotation, cover crop planting, manuring and mulching, irrigation, drainage, bush burning and planting trees to intercept wind. The data derived was analyzed using Chi Square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The study revealed that the level of awareness of the farmers was very high as they were aware of the techniques provided. It was equally discovered that their attitudes towards the techniques were more of neutral and a few favourable. Their practice of the techniques is however not high. The hypotheses testing shows that age, gender, farm size and contact with Extension agents did not have significant relationship with awareness, while marital status, educational level and religion had significant relationship with awareness. Attitude and participation were significantly related while awareness and participation were not. In highlighting the sources of information for the farmers' awareness, extension agents and inter personal media were reiterated by the respondents. Sequel to the findings from the study. It is recommended that interpersonal media should be adequately utilized to increase the farmers' awareness and incentives should be made available to encourage the farmers to further practice the techniques. [JEXT Vol.1(1) 2000: 98-104]
Ward's area location, physical activity, and body composition in 8‐ and 9‐year‐old boys and girls

Bone strength is the result of its material composition and structural design, particularly bone mass distribution. The purpose of this study was to analyze femoral neck bone mass distribution by Ward's area location and its relationship with physical activity (PA) and body composition in children 8 and 9 years of age. The proximal femur shape was defined by geometric morphometric analysis in 88 participants (48 boys and 40 girls). Using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) images, 18 landmarks were digitized to define the proximal femur shape and to identify Ward's area position. Body weight, lean and fat mass, and bone mineral were assessed by DXA, PA by accelerometry, and bone age by the Tanner‐Whitehouse III method. Warps analysis with Thin‐Plate Spline software showed that the first axis explained 63% of proximal femur shape variation in boys and 58% in girls. Most of this variation was associated with differences in Ward's area location, from the central zone to the superior aspect of the femoral neck in both genders. Regression analysis demonstrated that body composition explained 4% to 7% of the proximal femur shape variation in girls. In boys, body composition variables explained a similar amount of variance, but moderate plus vigorous PA (MVPA) also accounted for 6% of proximal femur shape variation. In conclusion, proximal femur shape variation in children ages 8 and 9 was due mainly to differences in Ward's area position determined, in part, by body composition in both genders and by MVPA in boys. These variables were positively associated with a central Ward's area and thus with a more balanced femoral neck bone mass distribution. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Analysis of motion detectors evolved by Genetic Programming

Genetic Programming (GP) is reputable for its power in finding creative solutions for complex problems. However the downside of it is also well known: the evolved solutions are often difficult to understand. This interpretability issue hinders GP to gain acceptance from many application areas. To address this issue in the context of motion detection, GP programs evolved for various detection tasks are analyzed in this study. Previous work has shown the capabilities of these evolved motion detectors such as ignoring uninteresting motions, differentiating fast motions from slow motions, identifying genuine motions from a moving background, and handling noises. This study aims to reveal the behavior of these GP individuals by introducing simplified motion detection tasks. The investigation on these GP motion detectors shows that their good performance is not random. There are contributing characteristics captured by these detectors, of which the behaviors are more or less explainable. This study validates GP as a good approach for motion detection.
Anthropometric measurements in infants conceived by assisted reproductive techniques versus spontaneous conception

Abstract Objective: To compare body length and head circumference at birth of neonates conceived after in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic injection (IVF/ICSI), ovarian stimulation alone (OSa) or by natural conception (NC). Methods: A retrospective, cohort study of all singleton neonates conceived after fertility treatment and born at 38–40 gestational weeks in 2011 in a tertiary, university-affiliated hospital. Pregnancy, delivery and neonatal data were obtained from the medical records. NC singleton neonates born at 38–40 weeks were selected to serve as controls. Results: The sample included 81 IVF/ICSI neonates, 102 OSa neonates and 91 neonates after NC. Mean gestational age (GA) was 38.8 weeks. Gravidity and parity were significantly higher in the NC group. Mean neonatal length was 50.0 ± 2.1 cm in the IVF/ICSI group, 49.7 ± 2.6 cm in the OSa group and 50.3 ± 2 cm in the NC group (p = 0.123). Corresponding mean head circumference was 34.4 ± 1.5, 34.2 ± 1.8 and 34.5 ± 1.2 cm (p = 0.287). Neither of these parameters was significantly different even after adjustment for GA at delivery and sex. Conclusions: Our study showed no significant difference in body length or head circumference at birth related to the mode of conception. Previously reported differences in anthropometric parameters in childhood may be related to other factors.
The Histopathology of Congenital Pouch Colon Associated with Anorectal Agenesis

The colonic pouch excised during surgery in 17 patients with congenital pouch colon associated with anorectal agenesis (CPC) was subjected to detailed histological examination after staining with hematoxylin and eosin. The patients included 11 newborns, 3 infants, and 3 older children. The most frequently observed abnormalities were acute and chronic inflammation of the mucosa and submucosa, focal or generalized thinning of muscle layers, especially of the outer muscle coat, disorganized muscle layers, a decreased number of mature ganglion cells, and neuronal hyperplasia and hypertrophy in nerve plexuses. Ectopic heteroplastic tissues were identified in 2 patients. These findings suggest that the colonic pouch in CPC represents abnormally developed colonic tissue and points to the similarity with segmental dilatation of the colon. The neuromuscular abnormalities explain the physiological characteristics of the colonic pouch, namely weak peristalsis as well as the propensity to undergo marked dilatation even after tubularization.
Parties, Electoral Systems and Taxation 1870-1945

In this paper I argue that the effect of ideology on tax structure depends on the electoral system. Earlier research has argued that left wing governments tax more progressively, but in light of recent empirical work, this has been challenged. The dominant approach instead posits that the left taxes regressively while spending progressively. That is, the left still redistributes more, but it taxes regressively. I show that in the time period leading up to the Second World War, the impact of having a left wing head of government is different depending on the electoral system. In majoritarian systems, left government leads to a more progressive tax system with a heavier emphasis on income tax and less on excise and consumption. In proportional representation systems, the left taxes consumption heavier and income lighter. I argue that this is the result of representation and post-electoral bargaining shaping the strategic context in which the left operates. ∗Department of Political Science, Lund University, Box 52, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden. Phone: +46 2228942. Email: per.andersson@svet.lu. se