Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Bilateral Cochlear Implantation on Binaural Listening Tasks for Younger and Older Adults

Purpose: This study investigated the objective and subjective benefit of a second cochlear implant (CI) on binaural listening tasks of speech understanding in noise and localization in younger and older adults. We aimed to determine if the aging population can utilize binaural cues and obtain comparable benefits from bilateral CI (BIL_CI) when compared to the younger population. Methods: Twenty-nine adults with severe to profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss were included. Participants were evaluated in two conditions, better CI (BE_CI) alone and BIL_CI using AzBio and Bamford-Kowal-Bench (BKB) sentence in noise tests. Localization tasks were completed in the BIL_CI condition using a broadband stimulus, low-frequency stimuli, and high-frequency stimuli. A subjective questionnaire was administered to assess satisfaction with CI. Results: Older age was significantly associated with poorer performance on AzBio +5 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and BKB-speech in noise (SIN); however, improvements from BE_CI to BIL_CI were observed across all ages. In the AzBio +5 condition, nearly half of all participants achieved a significant improvement from BE_CI to BIL_CI with the majority of those occurring in patients younger than 65 years of age. Conversely, the majority of participants who achieved a significant improvement in BKB-SIN were adults >65 years of age. Years of BIL_CI experience and time between implants were not associated with performance. For localization, mean absolute error increased with age for low and high narrowband noise, but not for the broadband noise. Response gain was negatively correlated with age for all localization stimuli. Neither BIL_CI listening experience nor time between implants significantly impacted localization ability. Subjectively, participants report reduction in disability with the addition of the second CI. There is no observed relationship between age or speech recognition score and satisfaction with BIL_CI. Conclusion: Overall performance on binaural listening tasks was poorer in older adults than in younger adults. However, older adults were able to achieve significant benefit from the addition of a second CI, and performance on binaural tasks was not correlated with overall device satisfaction. The significance of the improvement was task and stimulus dependent but suggested a critical limit may exist for optimal performance on SIN tasks for CI users. Specifically, older adults require at least a +8 dB SNR to understand 50% of speech postoperatively; therefore, solely utilizing a fixed +5 dB SNR preoperatively to qualify CI candidates is not recommended as this test condition may introduce limitations in demonstrating CI benefit.
Self-Detachable Through-Metal Acoustic Wireless Power Transfer

Unlike electromagnetic waves, acoustic vibrations waves can be used to transfer power directly through metal structures without being shielded. In this article, a novel design of a self-detachable acoustic wireless power transfer system that can be used to transfer power through the thickness of a steel plate is presented, which does not require the use of any couplant. Electro-permanent-magnets (EPMs) were used to provide magnetic clamping force along the perimeter of the receiver transducer disk to enhance coupling to the steel plate, while the transmitter transducer was bonded to the other side of the plate. The EPM clamping force can be switched ON/ OFF electronically with low power consumption. Unlike past work reliant on additional bonding materials or liquid/gel couplant, this approach enables the receiver to be attached and detached at will, opening up the possibility of a simple charging pad for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or other consumer devices for harsh environment applications. Power transfer efficiency up to 63% was achieved, and the effect of varying steel plate thickness and clamping force was also investigated. A finite element model was also constructed to understand the vibration mode shape.
Motor Learning and Physical Exercise in Adaptive Myelination and Remyelination

The idea that myelination is driven by both intrinsic and extrinsic cues has gained much traction in recent years. Studies have demonstrated that myelination occurs in an intrinsic manner during early development and continues through adulthood in an activity-dependent manner called adaptive myelination. Motor learning, the gradual acquisition of a specific novel motor skill, promotes adaptive myelination in both the healthy and demyelinated central nervous system (CNS). On the other hand, exercise, a physical activity that involves planned, structured and repetitive bodily movements that expend energy and benefits one's fitness, promotes remyelination in pathology, but it is less clear whether it promotes adaptive myelination in healthy subjects. Studies on these topics have also investigated whether the timing of motor learning or physical exercise is important for successful addition of myelin. Here we review our current understanding of the relationship of motor skill learning and physical exercise on myelination.
Plant extract‐based synthesis of metallic nanomaterials, their applications, and safety concerns

Nanotechnology has attracted the attention of researchers from different scientific fields because of the escalated properties of nanomaterials (NMs) compared with the properties of macromolecules. NMs can be prepared through different approaches involving physical and chemical methods. The development of NMs through plant‐based green chemistry approaches is more advantageous than other methods from the perspectives of environmental safety, animal, and human health. The biomolecules and metabolites of plants act as reducing and capping agents for the synthesis of metallic green NMs. Plant‐based synthesis is a preferred approach as it is not only cost‐effective, easy, safe, clean, and eco‐friendly but also provides pure NMs in high yield. Since NMs have antimicrobial and antioxidant potential, green NMs synthesized from plants can be used for a variety of biomedical and environmental remediation applications. Past studies have focused mainly on the overall biogenic synthesis of individual or combinations of metallic NMs and their oxides from different biological sources, including microorganisms and biomolecules. Moreover, from the viewpoint of biomedical applications, the literature is mainly focusing on synthetic NMs. Herein, we discuss the extraction of green molecules and recent developments in the synthesis of different plant‐based metallic NMs, including silver, gold, platinum, palladium, copper, zinc, iron, and carbon. Apart from the biomedical applications of metallic NMs, including antimicrobial, anticancer, diagnostic, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine applications, their environmental remediation potential is also discussed. Furthermore, safety concerns and safety regulations pertaining to green NMs are also discussed.
Inhibitory control of frontal metastability sets the temporal signature of cognition

Cortical dynamics are organized over multiple anatomical and temporal scales. The mechanistic origin of the temporal organization and its contribution to cognition remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate the cause of this organization by studying a specific temporal signature (time constant and latency) of neural activity. In monkey frontal areas, recorded during flexible decisions, temporal signatures display specific area-dependent ranges, as well as anatomical and cell-type distributions. Moreover, temporal signatures are functionally adapted to behaviourally relevant timescales. Fine-grained biophysical network models, constrained to account for experimentally observed temporal signatures, reveal that after-hyperpolarization potassium and inhibitory GABA-B conductances critically determine areas’ specificity. They mechanistically account for temporal signatures by organizing activity into metastable states, with inhibition controlling state stability and transitions. As predicted by models, state durations non-linearly scale with temporal signatures in monkey, matching behavioural timescales. Thus, local inhibitory-controlled metastability constitutes the dynamical core specifying the temporal organization of cognitive functions in frontal areas.
Leveraging an existing whole‐genome resequencing population data set to characterize toll‐like receptor gene diversity in a threatened bird

Species recovery programs are increasingly using genomic data to measure neutral genetic diversity and calculate metrics like relatedness. While these measures can inform conservation management, determining the mechanisms underlying inbreeding depression requires information about functional genes associated with adaptive or maladaptive traits. Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are one family of functional genes, which play a crucial role in recognition of pathogens and activation of the immune system. Previously, these genes have been analysed using species‐specific primers and PCR. Here, we leverage an existing short‐read reference genome, whole‐genome resequencing population data set, and bioinformatic tools to characterize TLR gene diversity in captive and wild tchūriwat’/tūturuatu/shore plover (Thinornis novaeseelandiae), a threatened bird endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand. Our results show that TLR gene diversity in tchūriwat’/tūturuatu is low, and forms two distinct captive and wild genetic clusters. The bioinformatic approach presented here has broad applicability to other threatened species with existing genomic resources in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.
Surface-modified vacuole-based daunorubicin delivery system for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and their selective therapeutics

Abstract The vacuoles in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are the key players digesting the waste within the cell. This functional organelle corresponding to the lysosome of mammalians contains acidic hydrolases and specific membrane proteins. Vacuoles have more than 60 hydrolytic enzymes and can easily be modified by genetic engineering. In previous study, we optimised the encapsulation condition with appropriate time and concentration and confirmed the use of vacuole as drug delivery carrier for acute myeloid leukaemia treatment. In this study, recombinant vacuole that could target the acute myeloid leukaemia cell line was constructed. The vacuoles derived from genetic engineered yeast were decorated with targeting peptide that has specific affinity with TLR2 on AML cell membrane. The anti-cancer efficacy of AML targeting vacuoles carriers with encapsulated daunorubicin was shown to be higher than normal vacuole carriers and the crude daunorubicin. The results confirmed that target selective chemotherapy using the vacuole drug delivery system is effective and offers potential for cancer therapy.
The Nature of Theory Used in Practice Education: A Scoping Review

Background. Placements are key contexts for occupational therapy students to connect theoretical knowledge (theory) with practice. Theory relates to the prevailing ideas and concepts used by a profession. It can be derived within and outside the profession (discipline-specific knowledge and related knowledge, respectively). Purpose. This scoping review aimed to identify what is known about the nature of theoretical knowledge used in occupational therapy practice education. Method. A search of 4 electronic databases identified 19 relevant publications, data from which was extracted deductively. Findings. Inconsistent descriptions related to discipline-specific knowledge while related knowledge was often presented as not integrated with, or complementing, discipline-specific knowledge. Some authors referred to educational knowledge and methods informing student's theory use during placements. Implications. Educational methods need to provide a foundational platform, enabling novice learners to structure their thinking about ways discipline-specific and related knowledge can be used within an occupational framework on placement.
Machine Learning in the Diagnosis and Prognostic Prediction of Dental Caries: A Systematic Review

We performed a systematic review to evaluate the success of machine learning algorithms in the diagnosis and prognostic prediction of dental caries. The review protocol was a priori registered in the PROSPERO, CRD42020183447. The search involved electronic bibliographic databases: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, and grey literature until December 2020. We excluded review articles, case series, case reports, editorials, letters, comments, educational methodologies, assessments of robotic devices, and articles with less than 10 participants or specimens. Two independent reviewers selected the studies and performed the assessment of the methodological quality based on standardized scales. We summarize data on the machine learning algorithms used; software; performance outcomes such as accuracy/precision, sensitivity/recall, specificity, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and positive/negative predictive values related to dental caries. Meta-analyses were not performed due to methodological differences. Our review included 15 studies (10 diagnostic studies and 5 prognostic prediction studies). Cross-sectional design studies were predominant (12). The most frequently used statistical measure of performance reported in diagnostic studies was AUC value, which ranged from 0.745 to 0.987. For most diagnostic studies, data from contingency tables were not available. Reported sensitivities were higher in low risk of bias prognostic prediction studies (median [IQR] of 0.996 [0.971–1.000] vs. unclear/high risk of bias studies 0.189 [0–0.340]; p value 0.025). While there were no significant differences in the specificity between these subgroups, we concluded that the use of these technologies for the diagnosis and prognostic prediction of dental caries, although promising, is at an early stage. The general applicability of the evidence was limited given that most models were developed outside the real clinical setting with a prevalence of unclear/high risk of bias. Researchers must increase the overall quality of their research protocols by providing a comprehensive report on the methods implemented.
Reliability Evaluation of a Distribution System with wind Turbine Generators Based on the Switch-section Partitioning Method

Considering the randomness and uncertainty of wind power, a reliability model of WTGs is established based on the combination of the Weibull distribution and the Markov chain. To analyze the failure mode quickly, we use the switch-section partitioning method. After defining the first-level load zone node, we can obtain the supply power sets of the first-level load zone nodes with each WTG. Based on the supply sets, we propose the dynamic division strategy of island operation. By adopting the fault analysis method with the attributes defined in the switch-section, we evaluate the reliability of the distribution network with WTGs using a sequential Monte Carlo simulation method. Finally, using the IEEE RBTS Bus6 test system, we demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed model and method by comparing different schemes to access the WTGs.
Health appeal appraisal and memory in older adults: the effects of goal and valence framing

ABSTRACT Relative to younger adults, older adults have a preference and memory advantage for appeals framed to focus on emotion goals (e.g., loving or caring) or positive outcomes (e.g., benefits of health behaviors). Here we examined whether combining goal (emotion vs. future) and valence framing (positive vs. negative) could optimize older adults’ appraisal and memory for health appeals. Sixty younger (ages 18–29) and 60 older (ages 64–87) adults viewed, rated and recalled one of the four versions of a health pamphlet, each with a unique combination of goal and valence framing. The results showed a memory advantage for pamphlets focusing on emotion over future goals in both age groups. Older adults also showed a more favorable appraisal and a weak memory advantage for the positively- and emotion-framed pamphlet, relative to younger adults. Thus combining goal and valence framing could optimize the effectiveness of older adults’ health appeal communication.
Unusual dimeric flavonoids (brachydins) induce ultrastructural membrane alterations associated with antitumor activity in cancer cell lines

Abstract Notwithstanding the advances in molecular target-based drugs, chemotherapy remains the most common cancer treatment, despite its high toxicity. Consequently, effective anticancer therapies with fewer adverse effects are needed. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the anticancer activity of the dichloromethane fraction (DCMF) isolated from Arrabidae brachypoda roots, whose components are three unusual dimeric flavonoids. The toxicity of DCMF was investigated in breast (MCF-7), prostate (DU145), and cervical (HeLa) tumor cells, as well as non-tumor cells (PNT2), using sulforhodamine B (cell viability), Comet (genotoxicity), clonogenicity (reproductive capacity) and wound healing (cell migration) assays, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) for ultrastructural cell membrane alterations. Molecular docking revealed affinity between albumin and each rare flavonoid, supporting the impact of fetal bovine serum in DCMF antitumor activity. The IC50 values for MCF7, HeLa, and DU145 were 2.77, 2.46, and 2.51 µg/mL, respectively, and 4.08 µg/mL for PNT2. DCFM was not genotoxic to tumor or normal cells when exposed to twice the IC50 for up to 24 h, but it inhibited tumor cell migration and reproduction compared to normal cells. Additionally, AFM revealed alterations in the ultrastructure of tumor nuclear membrane surfaces, with a positive correlation between DCMF concentration and tumor cell roughness. Finally, we found a negative correlation between roughness and the ability of DCMF-treated tumor cells to migrate and form colonies with more than 50 cells. These findings suggest that DCFM acts by causing ultrastructural changes in tumor cell membranes while having fewer toxicological effects on normal cells.
Icaritin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles activate immunogenic cell death and facilitate tumor recruitment in mice with gastric cancer

Abstract This study aimed to explore the anti-tumor effect of icaritin loading poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (refer to PLGA@Icaritin NPs) on gastric cancer (GC) cells. Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), size distribution, zeta potential, drug-loading capability, and other physicochemical characteristics of PLGA@Icaritin NPs were carried out. Furthermore, flow cytometry, confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM), Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), Transwell, Elisa assay and Balb/c mice were applied to explore the cellular uptake, anti-proliferation, anti-metastasis, immune response activation effects, and related anti-tumor mechanism of PLGA@Icaritin NPs in vitro and in vivo. PLGA@Icaritin NPs showed spherical shape, with appropriate particle sizes and well drug loading and releasing capacities. Flow cytometry and CLSM results indicated that PLGA@Icaritin could efficiently enter into GC cells. CCK-8 proved that PLGA@Icaritin NPs dramatically suppressed cell growth, induced Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, arrested more GC cells at G2 phase, and inhibited the invasion and metastasis of GC cells, compared to free icaritin. In addition, PLGA@Icaritin could help generate dozens of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within GC cells, following by significant mitochondrial membrane potentials (MMPs) loss and excessive production of oxidative-mitochondrial DNA (Ox-mitoDNA). Since that, Ox-mitoDNA further activated the releasing of damage associated molecular pattern molecules (DAMPs), and finally led to immunogenic cell death (ICD). Our in vivo data also elaborated that PLGA@Icaritin exerted a powerful inhibitory effect (∼80%), compared to free icaritin (∼60%). Most importantly, our results demonstrated that PLGA@Icaritin could activate the anti-tumor immunity via recruitment of infiltrating CD4+ cells, CD8+ T cells and increased secretion of cytokine immune factors, including interferon-γ (IFN-γ) tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 (IL-1). ++ Our findings validate that the successful design of PLGA@Icaritin, which can effectively active ICD and facilitate tumor recruitment in GC through inducing mitoDNA oxidative damage.
CLINICAL RISKS INDICATORS FOR THE CONSTITUTION OF THE SPEAKING SUBJECT

considered indication or clues that lend credibility to the construction of hypotheses about movements that are completely subjective and 1 . The indicators this case are accompanied by the adjective “clinical” since ABSTRACT Purpose: to propose clinical risk indicators of the constitution of the speaking subject. Methods : From the risk indicators for child development and from the operating model of language symptoms, four axes were drawn that support the constitution of the speaking subject: the assumption of a speaking subject, recognition of the speaking subject, recognition of the significant and responsiveness of the speaker to the speech of the other. Parental information mentioned during speech therapy interviews of users of three Basic Health Units were grouped by similarity, classified, and analyzed according to each of the four axes of the constitution of the speaking subject. Results : The analysis allowed us to establish twelve preliminary clinical indicators for the constitution of the speaker. These indicators point to a possibility that the subject might present speech and language disorders, supporting not only their intervention but also measures to promote the health of the speaker. Conclusion : The results suggest the importance of the speech therapist in the primary health care of the population and in promotional health
Localization of Ca 2+ -Activated K + Channel, SK3, in Fibroblast-Like Cells Forming Gap Junctions With Smooth Muscle Cells in the Mouse Small Intestine

In the present study, we examined the expression and the localization of apamin-sensitive small conductance Ca 2+ -activated K + channels (SK channels) in the mouse intestine. SK3-immunoreactivity (IR) was detected in both ileum and colon. Double staining experiments showed that SK3-IR was colocalized with prolyl 4-hydroxylase (PH( (cid:1) ))-IR, but not with c-Kit-IR which are markers of fibroblast cells and the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), respectively. Although SK3-IR was colocalized with vimentin-IR, which is another marker of ICC, the reactivity of SK3-immunopositive cells was weaker than that of ICC. The SK3-immunopositive cells were similarly present in the intestine of c-Kit mutant mice (W / W V ), in which ICC were absent, and its wild-type mice. The immuno-electron microscopic analysis indicated that SK3 was localized in the cells that had some similar morphological features to ICC, but obviously different from ICC. The SK3-immunopositive cells had gap junctions with the smooth muscle cells. The gap junctions were smaller than those between ICC and smooth muscle cells. These results indicate expression of SK3 in fibroblast-like cells, but not in ICC, and suggest participation of the cells in the intestinal motility.