Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do Impedance Changes Correlate With a Delayed Hearing Loss After Hybrid L24 Implantation?

OBJECTIVES Preservation of residual hearing is one of the main goals in present cochlear implantation surgery. Especially for this purpose, smaller and softer electrode carriers were developed that are to be inserted through the round window membrane to minimize trauma. By using these electrodes and insertion technique, residual hearing can be preserved in a large number of patients. Unfortunately, some of these patients with initially preserved residual hearing after cochlear implantation lose it later on. The reason for this is unknown but it is speculated about a correlation with an increase in impedance, since increased impedance values are linked to intracochlear inflammation and tissue reaction. Our hypothesis for this study design was that an increase in impedance predicts changes in residual hearing under clinical conditions. DESIGN Data of all adult patients (N = 122) receiving a Hybrid-L24 cochlear implant at our center between 2005 and early 2015 were retrospectively evaluated. Impedance values in Common Ground mode as measured during clinical routine and referring audiological test data (audiometric thresholds under headphones) were collected. Changes between consecutive measurements were calculated for impedance values and hearing thresholds for each patient. Correlations between changes in impedances and acoustic hearing thresholds were calculated. Average values were compared as well as patients with largest impedance changes within the observation period were evaluated separately. RESULTS Group mean values of impedances were between 5 and 7 kΩ and stable over time with higher values on basal electrode contacts compared with apical contacts. Average hearing thresholds at the time of initial fitting were between 40 to 50 dB (250 Hz) and 90 dB (1 kHz) with a loss of about 10 dB compared with preoperative values. Correlation between impedance changes and threshold changes was found, but too inconsistently to imply a true relationship. When evaluating the 20 patients with the largest impedance changes during the observation period (all >1 kΩ from one appointment to the next one), some patients were found where hearing loss is timely connected and highly correlated with an unusual impedance change. But large impedance changes were also observed without affecting hearing thresholds and hearing loss was found without impedance change. CONCLUSIONS Changes in impedance as measured during clinical routine cannot be taken as an indicator for a late acoustic hearing loss.
The Status of Micronutrients (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn) in Tea Plantations in Dibrugarh district of Assam, India

This research was carried out to determine the concentrations of micronutrients of tea plantations in Dibrugarh district. Soil and leaf samples were collected from the ten tea estates in the month of December every year during the period of 2007 to 2009. Soil samples were taken from 0 to 30 cm depth. Leaf samples (two apical leaves and the bud) were collected from the same plots as the soil samples. According to the results, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn concentration of soil varied within the range of 118.53 to 420.57; 89.34 to 307.72; 12.73 to 26.32 and 21.43 to 45.28 mg/kg respectively. Mn, Fe,Cu and Zn concentration of leaf samples were ranged as 224.36 to 568.64; 212.85 to 546.42; 14.34 to 29.78 and 24.82 to 58.26 mg/kg respectively. From the study it was found that the micronutrients concentration of the tea leaves was higher than the concentration of the tea soil. It was also detected that there was no micronutrients deficiency in the study area, when mean values for both soil and leaves samples were taken into consideration.
Adherence to Healthy Dietary Patterns and Risk of CKD Progression and All-Cause Mortality: Findings From the CRIC (Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort) Study.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE Current dietary guidelines recommend that chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients restrict individual nutrients, such as sodium, potassium, phosphorus and protein. This approach can be difficult for patients to implement and ignores important nutrient interactions. Dietary patterns are an alternative method to intervene on diet. Our objective was to define the associations of four healthy dietary patterns with risk of CKD progression and all-cause mortality among people with CKD. STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS 2,403 participants aged 21-74 years with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 20-70 mL/min/1.73 m2 and dietary data in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) study. EXPOSURES Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010), alternate Mediterranean diet (aMed), and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet scores were calculated from food frequency questionnaires. OUTCOMES 1) CKD progression defined as ≥50% eGFR decline, kidney transplantation, or dialysis and 2) all-cause mortality. ANALYTICAL APPROACH Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for demographic, lifestyle, and clinical covariates to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS There were 855 cases of CKD progression and 773 deaths over a maximum of 14 years. Compared with participants with the lowest adherence, the most highly adherent tertile of AHEI-2010, aMed, and DASH had lower adjusted risk of CKD progression with the strongest results for aMed (HR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.62-0.90). Compared with participants with the lowest adherence, the highest adherence tertiles for all scores had lower adjusted risk of all-cause mortality for each index (24-31% lower risk). LIMITATIONS Self-reported dietary intake. CONCLUSIONS Greater adherence to several healthy dietary patterns is associated with a lower risk of CKD progression and all-cause mortality among people with CKD. Guidance to adopt healthy dietary patterns can be considered as a strategy for managing CKD.
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Design of experiments (DOE) offers a great deal of benefits to any manufacturing organization, such as characterization of variables and sets the path for the optimization of the levels of these variables (settings) trough the Response surface methodology, leading to process capability improvement, efficiency increase, cost reduction. Unfortunately, the use of thesemethodologies is very limited due to various situations. Some of these situations involve the investment on production time, materials, personnel, equipment; most of organizations are not willing to invest in these resources or are not capable because of production demands, besides the fact that they will produce non-conformant product (scrap) during the process of experimentation. Other methodologies, in the form of algorithms, may be used to optimize a process. Known as direct search methods, these algorithms search for an optimum on an unknown function, trough the search of the best combination of the levels on the variables considered in the analysis. These methods have a very different application strategy, they search on the best combination of parameters, during the normal production run, calculating the change in the input variables and evaluating the results in small steps until an optimum is reached. These algorithms are very sensible to internal noise (variation of the input variables), among other disadvantages. In this paper it is made a comparison between the classical experimental design and one of these direct search methods, developed by Nelder and Mead (1965), known as the Nelder Mead simplex (NMS), trying to overcome the disadvantages and maximize the advantages of both approaches, trough a proposed combination of the two methodologies.
The nuclear activity and central structure of the elliptical galaxy NGC 5322

We have analysed a new high-resolution e-MERLIN 1.5 GHz radio continuum map together with HST and SDSS imaging of NGC 5322, an elliptical galaxy hosting radio jets, aiming to understand the galaxy’s central structure and its connection to the nuclear activity. We decomposed the composite HST + SDSS surface brightness profile of the galaxy into an inner stellar disc, a spheroid, and an outer stellar halo. Past works showed that this embedded disc counter-rotates rapidly with respect to the spheroid. The HST images reveal an edge-on nuclear dust disc across the centre, aligned along the major-axis of the galaxy and nearly perpendicular to the radio jets. After careful masking of this dust disc, we find a central stellar mass deficit Mdef in the spheroid, scoured by SMBH binaries with final mass MBH such that Mdef/MBH ∼ 1.3 − 3.4. We propose a three-phase formation scenario for NGC 5322 where a few (2 − 7) ‘dry’ major mergers involving SMBHs built the spheroid with a depleted core. The cannibalism of a gas-rich satellite subsequently creates the faint counter-rotating disc and funnels gaseous material directly onto the AGN, powering the radio core with a brightness temperature of TB, core ∼ 4.5 × 107 K and the low-power radio jets (Pjets ∼ 7.04 × 1020 W Hz−1) which extend ∼1.6 kpc. The outer halo can later grow via minor mergers and the accretion of tidal debris. The low-luminosity AGN/jet-driven feedback may have quenched the late-time nuclear star formation promptly, which could otherwise have replenished the depleted core.
An Integrated Approach to Evaluate Urban Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change

Climate change and accelerated urbanization have posed severe challenges to urban development, resulting in a growing series of climate and environmental problems that have a significant impact on industrial production and urban life. In a developing country such as China, more than 57% of the population lives in urban areas. It is vital for these cities to adapt to climate-induced risks. A better understanding of how to improve adaptive capacity could enhance the ability to achieve a desirable state when the city experiences stress. This paper used an integrated approach for evaluating the urban adaptive capacity to climate change. It developed the evaluation index system of urban adaptive capacity (UAC) based on the driver–pressure–state–impact–response model (DPSIR), and adopted grey relational analysis (GRA) and the entropy method to analyze the level of UAC in Changsha, the capital city of Hunan Province, from 2006 to 2015. The results revealed that the UAC of Changsha showed a significant increase from 2006 to 2015. Among the five first-grade indicators, the response dimension had the greatest influence on the improvement of UAC. The study may provide suggestions for adaptive capacity building and sustainable development in other urban areas.
Fisher hypothesis: UK evidence over a century

Using annual data over a long time horizon from 1900 to 2000 for the UK, this study finds the existence of a Fisher relation via Johansen cointegration tests. The cointegrating relationship between the two variables suggests a significant long-run equilibrium with a positive coefficient of more than one during the stated period.
Predictors of administrative innovation: functions and organizational methods -Mexican and Colombian hospitals-

Objective – To determine to what extent functions and organizational methods influence on administrative innovation. Design/methodology/approach – This research is quantitative approach, with a not experimental and transversal design. The hypothesis was supported by using a transactional study with a sample of Mexican and Colombian hospitals through the perception of their high and medium level managers. The hospital sampling was by convenience. Findings - Organizational functions and methods are associated and are predictors of administrative innovation. Practical implications – As long as the hospital encourages the development of training and knowledge methods, autonomy methods for employees are developed, and when performance appraisal takes place in hospital, new methods will be able to develop and organize the routines and the management procedures, allocation of responsibilities and power among employees could be developed, as well as to develop new structure concepts for workplace, organizational practices and external relationships.
Gender determination by morphometric analysis of mandibular ramus in sriganganagar population: A digital panoramic study

Background: Mandible is a dimorphic, dense compact bone that makes it very durable and well preserved in mass disasters for personnel identification. Mandibular ramus morphometric measurements can be used for gender determination using orthopantomogram (OPG) or on dry mandibles. Aim: To determine gender from morphometric analysis of mandibular ramus of 200 digital OPG of patients from Sriganganagar population. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on randomly selected digital OPG of 200 patients of both genders between the ages of 21 and 70 years taken using CS8000C machine from daily OPD. Morphometric analysis of mandibular ramus (maximum ramus breadth, minimum ramus breadth, condylar height, projective height of ramus, and coronoid height) was done twice by single maxillofacial radiologist independently at an interval of 1 day and mean of both the values were considered. The collected data was tabulated and analyzed using SPSS Software version 20 using independent ṯ-test and discriminant function analysis. Results: Out of total 200 subjects, 37% were male and 63% were female. Mean of minimum ramus breadth, maximum ramus height, and projected ramus height was noted significantly more among males while maximum ramus breadth was noted slightly higher in females. The overall accuracy for determining sex from mandibular ramus was found to be 77.6%, whereas for determining male and female, the accuracy was 78.4% and 76.8%, respectively. Conclusion: Mandibular ramus can be used for sexual dimorphism by morphometric analysis done on OPG among Sriganganagar population.
The climatological significance of extratropical transitioning on typhoon precipitation over japan

Extratropical transitioning (XTT) is a frequent occurrence for typhoons in the Northwest Pacific Basin (Fig. 1). XTT has a strong dependence on latitude that is correlated to the poleward increase in baroclinicity combined with the increased likelihood of interacting with upperlevel troughs or shortwaves in the Westerlies as well as decreased sea surface temperatures (SSTs). Seasonality is also important and is correlated to the poleward (equatorward) movement of the baroclinic zone during the peak (beginning/end) of the tropical cyclone season as well as to SSTs.
“Men never cry”: Teaching Mormon Manhood in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

ABSTRACT We examine the ways Mormon leaders establish “what it means to be a man” for their followers. Based on content analysis of over 40 years of archival material, we analyze how Mormon leaders represent manhood as the ability to signify control over self and others as well as an inability to be controlled. Specifically, we demonstrate how these representations stress controlling the self, emotional and sexual expression, and others while emphasizing the development of self-reliance and independence from others’ control. We draw out implications for understanding (1) how religious leaders create ideal notions of manhood, (2) what the religious interpretations of secular constructions of manhood are, and (3) how these relate to the reproduction of gender inequalities.
Macroeconomic Variables and Securities Returns: An Impact Assessment

Volatility is expressed as an extent of movement in the prices of shares from likely level of return. This study examined the effect of macroeconomic factors on instability of return in Indian securities market during the period 2001 to 2019. Stock market returns of Nifty index of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), India and macroeconomic variables namely inflation and interest rate of India are considered for the present research work. Volatility is investigated by the application of symmetric and asymmetric class of GARCH models. This study reveals the existence of leverage and asymmetric effect of macroeconomic factors on share market and concludes that positive and negative blows have unlikely effects on instability of the share prices in Indian market. There have been noteworthy changes in research efforts towards stock market dynamics and macroeconomic factors established in the past years. Documenting such changes has been a major challenge in the study. Nevertheless, the present research work contributes to the literature by integrating two most significant macroeconomic variables that define the volatility in Indian share market. Further, the study explored a large sample comprising a period of 19 years.
Moisture variability over the South American Altiplano during the South American Low Level Jet Experiment (SALLJEX) observing season

[1] During the austral summer, precipitation over the high-altitude plateau of the South American Altiplano exhibits a marked intraseasonal variability which has been associated with alternating moist and dry conditions observed at surface stations near the Altiplano western cordillera. In this study the characteristics of humid (wet) and dry (dry) episodes observed at a station on the western rim of the Altiplano during the summer of 2002–2003 are examined using observational data from the South American Low Level Jet Experiment (SALLJEX) and satellite-based estimates of precipitable water (PW) from Global Positioning System, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer, and Passive Microwave Radiometer instruments. We find that on wet days, mean moist conditions (PW greater than 10 mm) prevail across the entire plateau. This moisture is apparently brought to the Altiplano by sustained westward advection of air at similar altitude above the continental basin and propagates across the Altiplano to moisten the atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean a considerable distance (>1000 km) west of the plateau. In contrast, during dry events, significant drying of the boundary layer is observed mainly along the western mountain range and over the southern Altiplano. There is no evidence of strong midlevel advection of dry air across the northern Altiplano, and moisture remains constant and high over the northern basin and along the Altiplano eastern ridge. Consequently, precipitation and convective cloudiness show the strongest relation to moisture along the western cordillera of the Altiplano. Significant diurnal variability of moisture is found to occur most strongly on the outer slopes of the Altiplano. There is little indication that daytime upslope flow on the eastern slope of the Altiplano plays a major role in the transport of moisture to the Altiplano during wet episodes.
Update on the developmental consequences of cannabis use during pregnancy and lactation

There is a strong increase in prevalence trends for cannabis use during pregnancy and lactation as more states legalize use of this drug. Information on the teratogenic risk of cannabis is limited but some important themes can be gleaned. Studies have not found a unique phenotypic signature of prenatal exposure but an increased risk of congenital anomalies, particularly gastroschisis, has been reported. Changes in fetal growth have been described in some epidemiological studies but long‐term patterns of physical growth appear unaffected. Prenatal exposure to cannabis is not generally associated with reductions in global IQ but specific cognitive skills, especially attention and memory, can be negatively impacted. Long‐term impacts on psychological health include increased rates of depressive symptoms and anxiety as well as delinquency. Relatively little is known about the risk of maternal cannabis use during lactation but data suggest that infant exposure is relatively low compared to maternal exposure. As delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels increase to meet consumer demand and routes of exposure diversify, there is a strong need for prospective birth‐cohort studies that collect biological samples to quantify exposure. Data from such studies will be critical to overcoming the weaknesses of past cannabis research and are essential to establishing reliable information on the risks of maternal use. Until that time, health care providers should be encouraged to talk about the risks and benefits associated with cannabis use during pregnancy and lactation with their patients, emphasizing that fetal and neonatal risks cannot be excluded at this time.
Clinical Efficacy of Topical Tranexamic Acid With Microneedling in Melasma.

BACKGROUND Melasma is a common, recurrent, and refractory cause of facial pigmentation resulting in cosmetic disfigurement. Tranexamic acid (TA) has been used systemically and locally for clearance of pigmentation. OBJECTIVE To assess the clinical efficacy of topical TA (10%) with microneedling in melasma. METHODS A split face, prospective, randomized, open-label study with a sample size of 40. Left or right side of the face was chosen randomly and microneedling was done on both the sides, followed by 10% TA solution application on one side of the face (test side) and distilled water on the other side of face (control). The procedure was done at 2 weekly intervals (0, 2, 4, and 6 weeks). Clinical images were taken at each visit including modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI) scoring of each half of the face to assess the clinical response along with patient satisfaction scores and side effects. RESULTS On the test side, there was 65.92% improvement in the mean mMASI score compared with 20.75% on the control side of the face at the end of 8 weeks. CONCLUSION Tranexamic acid may be a promising therapeutic agent in melasma and the topical solution along with microneedling seems to be efficacious.
Framework for the Monitoring of Functional Requirements Along the Product Life Cycle

This paper presents a framework for the calculation of functional requirements at several stages of the product life cycle. It uses the TTRS/MGRE concept for the determination of dimension chains. The geometry of the assembly is represented using a parametric model constituted of points and vectors. Finally, it also integrates the calculation of part deformation due to changing operating conditions thanks to existing techniques such as ﬁnite elements.