Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Music Recognition, Music Listening, and Word Recognition by Deaf Children with Cochlear Implants

Objectives: To examine the ability of congenitally deaf children to recognize music from incidental exposure and the relations among age at implantation, music listening, and word recognition. Design: Seventeen child implant users who were 4 to 8 yr of age were tested on their recognition and liking of musical excerpts from their favorite television programs. They were also assessed on open-set recognition of three-syllable words. Their parents completed a questionnaire about the children’s musical activities. Results: Children identified the musical excerpts at better than chance levels, but only when they heard the original vocal/instrumental versions. Children’s initiation of music listening at home was associated with younger ages at implantation and higher word recognition scores. Conclusions: Child implant users enjoy music more than adult implant users. Moreover, younger age at implantation increases children’s engagement with music, which may enhance their progress in other auditory domains.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase and elastolysis revisited: recent developments

With the determination of the three‐dimensional structure of elastase and the probable identification of the active site and key residues involved in proteolytic activity, our knowledge of the molecular details of this interesting protease is rapidly increasing. Pseudomonas elastase appears to be remarkably similar to the Bacillus metalloproteinase thermolysin. A further significant development has been the discovery of the lasA gene and the fact that Pseudomonas elastase and alkaline proteinase appear to act in concert with the LasA protein to display the notable elastolytic activity exhibited by isolates of this organism. Biochemical and genetic studies indicate that LasA is a second elastase which may be an important virulence factor that has been overlooked in previous studies.
Stimulation of Angiogenesis to Improve the Viability of Prefabricated Flaps

&NA; The cutaneous area in a prefabricated myocutaneous flap surviving after elevation is dependent on the rate and amount of vascular ingrowth that occurs from the underlying muscle. Two modalities, basic fibroblast growth factor and hyperbaric oxygen, were used separately and together in a prefabricated myocutaneous flap animal model to improve flap survival. The semimembranous muscle, based on the saphenous vessels of 40 female Wistar rats weighing between 250 and 325 grams, was tunneled under the ipsilateral abdominal skin and sutured in place. A 3 × 5‐cm silicone sheet was placed beneath the muscle flap, and the ipsilateral epigastric vessels were ligated. Four groups of 10 animals each received one of the following treatment regimes: a 1‐ml normal saline infusion into the saphenous arterial pedicle, a 1‐ml infusion of basic fibroblast growth factor (1.0 &mgr;g/gm of muscle), a 1‐ml normal saline infusion and 14 hyperbaric oxygen treatments, or a 1‐ml basic fibroblast growth factor infusion and 14 hyperbaric oxygen treatments. After 1 week, the muscle, still based on the saphenous vessels, was elevated with a 3 × 5‐cm abdominal skin paddle. The flap was sutured back in place, leaving the silicone sheet intact. The surviving area of each flap was measured 1 week later after it had demarcated into viable and necrotic regions. Laser Doppler skin perfusion measurements were taken before and after flap elevation and before animal euthanasia. Sixteen flaps, 4 in each group, were examined histologically for vascularity by means of hematoxylin and eosin staining. There was a statistically significant increase in flap survival area when either basic fibroblast growth factor or hyperbaric oxygen was used alone. Further improvement was noted with combination therapy. Histology confirmed improved vascularity in the basic fibroblast growth factor and hyperbaric oxygentreated flaps. This study shows a significant and reliable increase in the area of prefabricated myocutaneous flap survival using either basic fibroblast growth factor or hyperbaric oxygen. There is a further complementary effect when these two modalities are combined, leading to near complete flap survival through improved vascularity. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 101: 1290, 1998.)
Reconstructing and deconstructing agonist-induced activation of integrin alphaIIbbeta3.

BACKGROUND Integrin receptors, composed of transmembrane alpha and beta subunits, are essential for the development and functioning of multicellular animals. Agonist stimulation leads cells to regulate integrin affinity ("activation"), thus controlling cell adhesion and migration, controlling extracellular-matrix assembly, and contributing to angiogenesis, tumor cell metastasis, inflammation, the immune response, and hemostasis. A final step in integrin activation is the binding of talin, a cytoskeletal protein, to integrin beta cytoplasmic domains. Many different signaling molecules that regulate integrin affinity have been described, but a pathway that connects agonist stimulation to talin binding and activation has not been mapped. RESULTS We used forward, reverse, and synthetic genetics to engineer and order an integrin activation pathway in cells expressing a prototype activatable integrin, platelet alphaIIbbeta3. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) activated alphaIIbbeta3 only after the increased expression of both recombinant protein kinase Calpha (PKCalpha) and talin to levels approximating those in platelets. Inhibition of Rap1 GTPase reduced alphaIIbbeta3 activation, whereas activated Rap1A(G12V) bypassed the requirement for PKC, establishing that Rap1 is downstream of PKC. Talin binding to integrins mediates Rap1-induced activation because Rap1A(G12V) failed to activate alphaIIbbeta3 in cells expressing integrin binding-defective talin (W359A). Rap1 activated integrins by forming an integrin-associated complex containing talin in combination with the Rap effector, RIAM. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated knockdown of RIAM blocked integrin activation. CONCLUSIONS We have, for the first time, ordered a pathway from agonist stimulation to integrin activation and established the Rap1-induced formation of an "integrin activation complex," containing RIAM and talin, that binds to and activates the integrin.
Human, Organizational Factors (HOF) and workplace accidents among the Ferroalloy industries in Bhutan

Introduction: Human and organisational factors (HOF) are essential components of all types of industry. On one hand, HOF is found to be the influencing factor that contributes to the workplace injuries while on the other hand, HOF has long been accepted as having a significant role in accident prevention in any industries. Nevertheless, no study was found to be conducted on contribution and prevention of workplace accident due to HOF in Ferroalloy industry in Bhutan. Objectives: to describe how the HOF contribute to accident and their association with workplace accident in the ferroalloy industries. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with a sample size of 300 workers selected proportionately among the six ferroalloy industries in Bhutan. Results: Among the human factors, this study found a significant association between regular employment, workers with dependents, and four occupations of 12 listed. Among the occupations, Tapper, Electrician, Mechanic, and Lab technician were found significantly associated with workplace accident. The nature of these jobs was found physically demanding and more hazardous than other occupations. The significant result between workers with dependent and workplace accident was supported by higher incidence of workplace accident among the married and divorced workers (21.2%) compared to single (17.4%). The equipment and training of organisational factors were found to be significantly associated with workplace accident. Conclusion: The social factors were also found to be the triggering factors of a workplace accident. Similarly, poor level of equipment and training of an organisation such as lack of regular safety training, and inadequate and sub-standards equipment were the contributing factors of the workplace accident. HOF was also influenced by lack of strong OHSMS at the workplace and National OHSA in the country.
Confidence Cycles and Liquidity Hoarding

Market confidence has proved to be an important factor during past crises. However, many existing general equilibrium models do not account for agents' expectations, market volatility, or overly pessimistic investor forecasts. In this paper, we incorporate a model of the interbank market into a DSGE model, with the interbank market rate and the volume of lending depending on market confidence and the perception of counterparty risk. In our model, a credit crunch occurs if the perception of counterparty risk increases. Our results suggest that changes in market confidence can generate credit crunches and contribute to the depth of recessions. We then conduct an exercise to mimic some central bank policies: targeted and untargeted liquidity provision, and reduction of the policy rate. Our results indicate that policy actions have a limited effect on the supply of credit if they fail to influence agents' expectations. Interestingly, a policy of a low policy rate worsens recessions due to its negative impact on banks' revenues. Liquidity provision stimulates credit slightly, but its efficiency is undermined by liquidity hoarding.
Collateral drinking on the differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate-schedule : schedule and deprivation effects /

3. When a map, drawing or chart, etc., is part of the material being photo­ graphed the photographer has followed a definite method in “sectioning” the material. It is customary to begin filming at the upper left hand comer of a large sheet and to continue from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. If necessary, sectioning is continued again—beginning below the First row and continuing on until complete.
A clinical trial of antioxidant vitamins to prevent colorectal adenoma. Polyp Prevention Study Group.

BACKGROUND People who consume a diet high in vegetables and fruits have a lower risk of cancer of the large bowel. Antioxidant vitamins, which are present in vegetables and fruits, have been associated with a diminished risk of cancers at various anatomical sites. We conducted a randomized, controlled clinical trial to test the efficacy of beta carotene and vitamins C and E in preventing colorectal adenoma, a precursor of invasive cancer. METHODS We randomly assigned 864 patients, using a two-by-two factorial design, to four treatment groups, which received placebo; beta carotene (25 mg daily); vitamin C (1 g daily) and vitamin E (400 mg daily); or the beta carotene plus vitamins C and E. In order to identify new adenomas, we performed complete colonoscopic examinations in the patients one year and four years after they entered the study. The primary end points for analyses were new adenomas identified after the first of these two follow-up examinations. RESULTS Patients adhered well to the prescribed regimen, and 751 completed the four-year clinical trial. There was no evidence that either beta carotene or vitamins C and E reduced the incidence of adenomas; the relative risk for beta carotene was 1.01 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.85 to 1.20); for vitamins C and E, it was 1.08 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.91 to 1.29). Neither treatment appeared to be effective in any subgroup of patients or in the prevention of any subtype of polyp defined by size or location. CONCLUSIONS The lack of efficacy of these vitamins argues against the use of supplemental beta carotene and vitamins C and E to prevent colorectal cancer. Although our data do not prove definitively that these antioxidants have no anticancer effect, other dietary factors may make more important contributions to the reduction in the risk of cancer associated with a diet high in vegetables and fruits.
TO WHAT EXTENT DO CORPORATE EVENTS AND CONFERENCES IMPACT UPON AN ORGANISATIONS CORPORATE CULTURE? A CASE STUDY OF UNIPART MANUFACTURING GROUP

This dissertation aims to identify to what extent corporate events and conferences impact upon an organisations corporate culture using Unipart Manufacturing Group as a case study. Unipart was selected as a case study due to the scale of the organisation and the close link the researcher has within the organisation. It was deemed the ideal organisation to explore the impact corporate events and conferences can have upon an organisation, as well as the organisations corporate culture. Within this dissertation an extensive literature review was conducted, as well as a breakdown of the methodological choices which have been justified, and a results and discussion chapter which relate back to relevant theory to the research study. With regards to the data collection, the researcher opted for a mixed-method approach including semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. This mixed-method approach enabled the researcher to gain a more in-depth understanding of the participant’s event experiences, motivations, views on networking, corporate culture, mission statements and the type of events they typically attend, in order to gain an insight into the effectiveness of these corporate events and how they reflect Unipart’s corporate culture. The key findings within this research study is that corporate events can be source of communication, networking, motivation and learning and developing, which all reflect Unipart’s strong corporate culture of The Unipart Way. The Unipart Way is a system in which engages employees in order to motivate and equip them with the necessary skills in order to diagnose issues and create innovative solutions. The research study found that through the participant’s experiences corporate events and conferences provide networking opportunities, individual development as well as staying current within innovation. As corporate culture is a strong factor that determines an organisations behaviour, Unipart’s corporate events and conferences allow an opportunity to share these beliefs through achieving the organisations key objectives through these events.
EEG and memory effects of low-dose infusions of propofol.

The purpose of this study was to identify EEG changes associated with low-dose propofol infusion producing only sedative effects, and to describe the memory effects of low-dose propofol infusion. Ten healthy volunteers underwent EEG monitoring (at Fz, Cz, Pz and Oz electrode sites) before, during and after propofol 0.5 mg kg-1 i.v. bolus and 75 micrograms kg-1 min-1 as an infusion. Mean serum concentration of propofol during infusion was 0.86 (SD 0.14) micrograms ml-1. The EEG changed significantly during infusion, with increased power in the beta 1 (15-20 Hz), beta 2 (20.5-30 Hz) and delta (1-3.5 Hz) frequencies. Beta 1 and beta 2 power changes were most marked at the Fz and Cz electrodes. Subjects were sedated, but able to complete cognitive tasks. Visual analogue scales of attention and sleepiness were obtained throughout the study and demonstrated a sedative effect during propofol infusion, but were not a significant factor in memory performance or EEG changes. A verbal learning task (Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Task) administered before, during and after infusion showed a marked reduction in short-term memory capacity and dramatically impaired free recall and recognition during infusion. Nine of 10 subjects had partial amnesia for complex visual scenes presented during infusion, recalling less than 50% of the material. Stronger cueing was required to retrieve information presented during propofol infusion, with an increase in mean retrieval time from 95.4 (41.2) s to 426.8 (83.1) s. EEG and memory effects resolved quickly after the end of infusion. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Jónsson Modules over Noetherian Rings

Let R be a commutative ring with identity, and let M be an infinite unitary R-module. M is said to be a Jónsson module provided every proper submodule of M has strictly smaller cardinality than M. Utilizing earlier results of the author [11] as well as results of Gilmer/Heinzer, Weakley, and Heinzer/Lantz [8, 10, 14], we study Jónsson modules over Noetherian rings. After a brief introduction, we classify the countable Jónsson modules over an arbitrary ring up to quotient equivalence. We then give a complete description of the Jónsson modules over a 1-dimensional Noetherian ring, extending W. R. Scott's classification over ℤ. We show that these results may be extended to Jónsson modules over an arbitrary Noetherian ring if one assumes The Generalized Continuum Hypothesis. Finally, we close with a list of open problems.
Gain or pain? New evidence on mixed syndication between governmental and private venture capital firms in China

I investigate the performance of mixed syndication involving both governmental and private venture capital firms (GVCs and PVCs) in the context of China. Using the data on the investments in start-ups between 1995 and 2011, I find that start-ups backed by mixed syndication in their initial financing round are less likely to survive to the next round to obtain refinancing, compared to those backed by syndication solely among PVCs. I present evidence consistent with two possible explanations of the underperformance of firms backed by mixed syndication: a potentially lower criterion of selecting portfolio companies when led by PVCs and less complementary resources but higher coordination cost in mixed syndication. The empirical results continue to hold when using instrumental variables, propensity score matching analysis and the quasi-maximum likelihood estimation method for mitigating the potential selection bias and endogeneity problems.
Rural Development and Urban Migration: Can We Keep Them down on the Farm?

The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that rural development projects and programs reduce rural-urban migration. Migration theories and empirical research are briefly reviewed, generalizations are established and these are used to test the hypothesis for a variety of rural development interventions. The study concludes that the common belief that rural interventions reduce urban migration is not justified. While the migration impact of any specific intervention depends on its characteristics and those of the rural area into which it is introduced, some generalizations can be made. Rural-urban migration may be reduced by interventions which increase cultivatable land, equalize land or income distribution, or decrease fertility. On the other hand, migration appears to be stimulated by interventions which increase access to cities, commercialize agriculture, strengthen rural-urban integration, raise education and skill levels, or increase rural inequalities.
Stakeholder Orientations and Cost Management

We examine the effect of stakeholder orientation on firms' cost management as proxied by selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) cost stickiness. Using a sample of 19,783 firm‐years, we find that customer and employee orientation are associated with greater SG&A cost stickiness. Furthermore, the effect of customer orientation on SG&A cost stickiness is more prominent in firms where SG&A costs create high future value, growth firms, and firms with strong corporate governance. In contrast, the effect of employee orientation on SG&A cost stickiness is stronger in firms where SG&A costs create low future value, mature firms, and firms with weak corporate governance. Overall, the association between customer orientation and SG&A cost stickiness is consistent with efficiency considerations (i.e., adjustment costs). In contrast, the association between employee orientation and SG&A cost stickiness is consistent with agency motives such as empire building or “a preference for a quiet life. ” In sum, we provide evidence that corporate orientation toward different stakeholders can have different efficiency implications in the context of SG&A resource adjustments and cost management. Attitude a l'egard des parties prenantes et gestion des couts Les auteurs se demandent quelle est l'incidence sur la gestion des couts au sein des entreprises de l'attitude a l'egard des parties prenantes, evaluee a l'aune de la persistance des frais generaux et des frais de vente et d'administration (FGFVA). L'analyse d'un echantillon de 19 783 societes‐annees revele que l'orientation clients et l'orientation employes sont associees a une plus grande persistance des FGFVA. En outre, l'incidence de l'orientation clients sur la persistance des FGFVA est plus marquee dans les societes ou les FGFVA engendrent une valeur future elevee, les societes en phase de croissance et les societes dans lesquelles la gouvernance d'entreprise est rigoureuse. En revanche, l'incidence de l'orientation employes sur la persistance des FGFVA est plus marquee dans les societes ou les FGFVA engendrent une faible valeur future, les societes en phase de maturite et les societes dans lesquelles la gouvernance d'entreprise laisse a desirer. Globalement, le lien entre l'orientation clients et la persistance des FGFVA cadre avec les considerations relatives a l'efficience (c'est‐a‐dire les couts d'ajustement). Au contraire, le lien entre l'orientation employes et la persistance des FGFVA cadre avec les motifs de delegation tels que l'ambition financiere ou l'aspiration a une vie paisible. En somme, les constatations des auteurs confirment que l'attitude a l'egard des differentes parties prenantes peut avoir des repercussions distinctes sur l'efficience dans un contexte d'ajustement des ressources devolues aux FGFVA et de gestion des couts.
Alloimmune thrombocytopenia after organ transplantation.

Transplanted organs, particularly livers and kidneys, carry passenger lymphocytes that can transmit autoimmune diseases1 or initiate alloimmune disorders2 in the recipient. We recently treated three unrelated patients who each received an organ (two kidneys and a liver) from the same donor. In all three patients severe alloimmune thrombocytopenia developed as a result of antibodies against the HPA-1a (PLA1) alloantigen. In these three patients the thrombocytopenia was refractory to all medical maneuvers except the transfusion of HPA-1a–negative platelets. In one patient the thrombocytopenia contributed to death. In another, the thrombocytopenia was cured by splenectomy, and in the third patient the .
Simultaneous Detection of Measles Virus, Rubella Virus, and Parvovirus B19 by Using Multiplex PCR

ABSTRACT We describe here a multiplex reverse transcription-PCR (RTMNPCR) assay designed to detect and differentiate measles virus, rubella virus, and parvovirus B19. Serial dilution experiments with vaccine strains that compared cell culture isolation of measles in B95 cells and rubella in RK13 cells showed sensitivity rates of 0.004 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID50) for measles virus and 0.04 TCID50 for rubella virus. This RTMNPCR can detect as few as 10 molecules for measles virus and rubella virus and one molecule for parvovirus B19 in dilution experiments with plasmids containing inserts of the primary reaction amplification products. Five pharyngeal exudates from measles patients and 2 of 15 cerebrospinal fluid samples from measles-related encephalitis were found to be positive for measles virus by this RTMNPCR. A total of 3 of 27 pharyngeal exudates from vaccinated children and 2 pharyngeal exudates, plus one urine sample from a case of congenital rubella syndrome, were found to be positive for rubella virus by RTMNPCR, whereas 16 of 19 sera from patients with erythema infectiosum were determined to be positive for parvovirus B19 by RTMNPCR. In view of these results, we can assess that this method is a useful tool in the diagnosis of these three viruses and could be used as an effective surveillance tool in measles eradication programs.