Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Transformation of Music Education: A South African Case Study.

In this paper I reflect on transformation in South African education policy, post-1994. The new curriculum for schools was underpinned by the democratic values of the constitution and was a time of renewal for music education. However, over time as the original curriculum documents were revised, the focus of promoting indigenous traditions was abandoned and replaced by an overtly Western approach to music education. It is against this background that I also reflect on the transformation that occurred as a result of a continuing professional development programme that arose from a need to improve curriculum implementation in the arts.
Inhibition of Histone Deacetylases Potentiates BMP9-Induced Osteogenic Signaling in Mouse Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Background/Aims: We have demonstrated that bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) is one of the most potent BMPs in regulating osteoblast differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) although the molecular mechanism underlying BMP9-induced osteogenesis remains to be fully elucidated. It is known that epigenetic regulations play an important role in regulating the stem cell potency and lineage commitment. Here, we investigate if the inhibition of histone deacetylases (Hdacs) affects BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. Methods: Using the Hdac inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA), we assess that TSA enhances BMP9-mediated osteogenic markers and matrix mineralization in MSCs, and bone formation in mouse embryonic limb explants. Results: We find that the endogenous expression of most of the 11 Hdacs is readily detectable in MSCs. BMP9 is shown to induce most Hdacs in MSCs. We demonstrate that TSA potentiates BMP9-induced early osteogenic marker alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in MSCs, as well as late osteogenic markers osteopontin (OPN) and osteocalcin (OCN) and matrix mineralization. Fetal limb explant culture studies reveal that TSA potentiates BMP9-induced endochondral bone formation, possibly by expanding hypertrophic chondrocyte zone of growth plate. Conclusion: Our findings strongly suggest histone deacetylases may play an important role in fine-tuning BMP9-mediated osteogenic signaling through a negative feedback network in MSCs. Thus, Hdac inhibitors may be used as novel therapeutics for bone fracture healing.
Activity in primary motor cortex during action observation covaries with subsequent behavioral changes in execution

Observing someone else perform a movement facilitates motor planning, execution, and motor memory formation. Rate, an important feature in the execution of repeated movements, has been shown to vary following movement observation although the underlying neural mechanisms are unclear. In the current study, we examined how the rate of self‐paced index finger pressing is implicitly modified following passive observation of a similar action performed at a different rate.
Sharp Asymmetric Resonance Based on 4x4 Multimode Interference Coupler

We propose a method for generating the tunable Fano resonance line sharp by using only one 4x4 multimode interference (MMI) coupler. We show that our new device structure acting an interferometer and we employ a microring resonator and phase shifter to control the shape. The analytical analysis and FDTD simulations have been used for the first order design. The device has advantages of compactness, high tolerance fabrication and ease of fabrication on the same chip.
8 Glioma Stem Cells

Gliomas are the most frequent primary brain tumors and are classified as grade I to IV according to their degree of malignancy (Daumas-Duport et al., 1988). Grade I and II gliomas are clinically benign or semi-benign with relatively long-term survival, while grade III and IV are malignant and lethal within several years. In particular, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most malignant glioma as grade IV often relapse even after radical surgical resection and standard chemo/radiation therapies, because of their diffuse infiltration into the surrounding brain parenchyma and high degree of chemo/radioresistance. Despite extensive efforts, the overall survival of GBM patients remains still short and has not yet been dramatically improved for more than several decades. GBMs are often composed of various types of cells with distinct morphology and clinical phenotypes. Their histological and biological multiformity has been classically explained by the stochastic clonal evolution model (Nowell, 1976). According to this model, all tumor cells should have low but inheritable ability to form tumors. However, recent evidence has suggested another concept, the cancer stem cell (CSC) hierarchy model, which shows that only a rare stem cell population has high ability to proliferate (Jordan et al., 2006). CSCs have similar characters to normal stem cells in the way of having high ability to self-renew and differentiate into multiple types of progenies to organize tissue architectures. Exclusively, CSCs can proliferate uncontrollably to propagate tumor cells. CSC model have direct relevance with tumor replenishment, disease recurrence and metastatic activity, suggesting that CSCs should be the target to eradicate the tumors. The aim of this chapter is to provide our insights into how CSCs in human glioma; i.e. glioma stem cells (GSCs) should be attacked. In the first parts, we summarize the general basis of CSC concept inclusive of the current knowledge on how a CSC is defined, how CSCs should be technically prepared and modeled, and what characteristics CSCs possess. In the following part, we highlight what abnormal signaling pathways regulate CSCs as the potential therapeutic targets. Understanding the framework of a GSC research field could help us to think of novel treatment strategy. Most importantly, however, CSCs have enhanced resistance to conventional chemotherapies. Considering this fact, we finally propose that it could be most promising strategy to disrupt the extracellular environments
Association between High Serum Homocysteine Levels and Biochemical Characteristics in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Elevated homocysteine levels have been observed in previous studies of PCOS; however, the nature of the associations between high homocysteine levels and the biochemical characteristics of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)—such as obesity, insulin resistance (IR), and androgen levels—is still uncertain. Methods A systematic search was conducted electronically up to December 28, 2015 using specific eligibility criteria. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used as a measure of effect size. Results A total of 34 studies (with 1,718 cases and 1,399 controls) of homocysteine levels in PCOS were pooled in this meta-analysis. Significantly lower homocysteine levels were found in controls than in PCOS patients (SMD = 0.895, 95% CI = 0.643–1.146, P<0.001; I2 = 90.4% and P<0.001 for heterogeneity), regardless of the degree of obesity, IR, or androgen levels. Homocysteine levels in non-IR PCOS patients were significantly lower than those of PCOS patients with IR (SMD = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.37–1.01, P<0.01; I2 = 0% and P = 0.50 for heterogeneity). However, metformin treatment did not appear to cause any significant change in the homocysteine levels of PCOS patients (SMD = –0.17, 95% CI = –1.10–0.75, P = 0.71; I2 = 92% and P<0.01 for heterogeneity). Conclusions High homocysteine levels in women with PCOS are not related to degree of obesity, IR, or androgen levels. Metformin treatment cannot decrease the homocysteine levels in PCOS patients.
Amyloid Oligomers Exacerbate Tau Pathology in a Mouse Model of Tauopathy

Background: We aimed to investigate the influence of oligomeric forms of β-amyloid (Aβ) and the influence of the duration of exposure on the development of tau phosphorylation. Methods: Aβ oligomers were injected intracranially either acutely into 5-month-old rTg4510 mice and tissue was collected 3 days later, or chronically into 3-month-old mice and tissue was collected 2 months later. Several forms of phosphorylated tau (p-tau), GSK3 (glycogen synthase kinase-3) and microglial and astrocyte activation were measured. Results: Acute injections of Aβ oligomers had no effect on p-tau epitopes but did result in elevation of phosphorylated/activated GSK3 (pGSK3). Chronic infusion of Aβ oligomers into the right hippocampus resulted in 3- to 4-fold elevations in several p-tau isoforms with no changes in total tau levels. A significant elevation in pGSK3 accompanied these changes. Microglial staining with CD68 paralleled the increase in tau phosphorylation, however, CD45 staining was unaffected by Aβ. Control experiments revealed that the infusion of Aβ from the minipumps was largely complete by 10 days after implantation. Thus, the elevation in p-tau 2 months after implantation implies that the changes are quite persistent. Conclusion: Soluble Aβ1-42 oligomers have long-lasting effects on tau phosphorylation in the rTg4510 model, possibly due to elevations in GSK3. These data suggest that even brief elevations in Aβ production, may have enduring impact on the risk for tauopathy.
Low Frequency Vibration Energy Harvester Using Stopper-Engaged Dynamic Magnifier for Increased Power and Wide Bandwidth

We present a piezoelectric energy harvester with stopper-engaged dynamic magnifier which is capable of significantly increasing the operating bandwidth and the energy (power) harvested from a broad range of low frequency vibrations (<30 Hz). It uses a mass-loaded polymer beam (primary spring-mass system) that works as a dynamic magnifier for another mass-loaded piezoelectric beam (secondary spring-mass system) clamped on primary mass, constituting a two-degree-of-freedom (2-DOF) system. Use of polymer (polycarbonate) as the primary beam allows the harvester not only to respond to low frequency vibrations but also generates high impulsive force while the primary mass engages the base stopper. Upon excitation, the dynamic magnifier causes mechanical impact on the base stopper and transfers a secondary shock (in the form of impulsive force) to the energy harvesting element resulting in an increased strain in it and triggers nonlinear frequency up-conversion mechanism. Therefore, it generates almost four times larger average power and exhibits over 250% wider half-power bandwidth than those of its conventional 2-DOF counterpart (without stopper). Experimental results indicate that the proposed device is highly applicable to vibration energy harvesting in automobiles.
0 The γ-Core and Coalition Formation 1

This paper reinterprets the γ -core (Chander and Tulkens (1995, 1997)) and justifies it as well as its prediction that the efficient coalition structure is stable in terms of the coalition formation theory. It is assumed that coalitions can freely merge or break apart, are farsighted (that is, it is the final and not the immediate payoffs that matter to the coalitions) and a coalition may deviate if and only if it stands to gain from it. It is then shown that subsequent to a deviation by a coalition, the nonmembers will have incentives to break apart into singletons, as is assumed in the definition of the γ characteristic function, and that the grand coalition is the only stable coalition structure. JEL Classification numbers: C71, C72, D62.
Vitamin D 3 supplementation during weight loss : a double-blind randomized controlled trial 1 – 3

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with obesity; whether repletion supports weight loss and changes obesity-related biomarkers is unknown. Objective: We compared 12 mo of vitamin D3 supplementation with placebo on weight, body composition, insulin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in postmenopausal women in a weight-loss intervention. Design: A total of 218 overweight/obese women (50–75 y of age) with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] $10 ng/mL but ,32 ng/mL were randomly assigned to weight loss + 2000 IU oral vitamin D3/d or weight loss + daily placebo. The weight-loss intervention included a reduced-calorie diet (10% weight loss goal) and 225 min/wk of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic activity. Mean 12-mo changes in weight, body composition, serum insulin, CRP, and 25(OH)D were compared between groups (intent-to-treat) by using generalized estimating equations. Results: A total of 86% of participants completed the 12-mo measurements. The mean (95% CI) change in 25(OH)D was 13.6 (11.6, 15.4) ng/mL in the vitamin D3 arm compared with21.3 (22.6,20.3) ng/mL in the placebo arm (P , 0.0001). Changes in weight [27.1 (28.7, 25.7) compared with –7.4 (28.1, 25.4) kg], body mass index (in kg/m: both 22.8), waist circumference [24.9 (26.7, 22.9) compared with 24.5 (25.6, 22.6) cm], percentage body fat [24.1 (24.9, 22.9) compared with 23.5 (24.5, 22.5)], trunk fat [24.1 (24.7, 23.0) compared with 23.7 (24.3, 22.9) kg], insulin [22.5 (23.4, 21.7) compared with 22.4 (23.3, 21.4) mU/mL], and CRP [20.9 (21.2, 20.6) compared with 20.79 (20.9, 20.4) mg/mL] were similar between groups (all P . 0.05). Compared with women who achieved 25(OH)D ,32 ng/mL, women randomly assigned to vitamin D who became replete (ie, 25(OH)D $32 ng/mL) lost more weight [28.8 (211.1,26.9) compared with25.6 (27.2,25.0) kg; P = 0.05], waist circumference [26.6 (29.3, 24.3) compared with 22.5 (24.6, 22.0) cm; P = 0.02], and percentage body fat [24.7 (26.1, 23.5) compared with 22.6 (23.9, 22.2); P = 0.04]. Among women with complete pill counts (97% adherence), the mean decrease in CRP was 1.18 mg/mL (46%) in the vitamin D arm compared with 0.46 mg/mL (25%) in the placebo arm (P = 0.03). Conclusions: Vitamin D3 supplementation during weight loss did not increase weight loss or associated factors compared with placebo; however, women who became replete experienced greater improvements. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01240213. Am J Clin Nutr 2014;99:1015–25.
Exiting the Risk Assessment Maze

Organizations are exposed to threats that increase the risk factor of their ICT systems. The assurance of their protection is crucial, as their reliance on information technology is a continuing challenge for both security experts and chief executives. As risk assessment could be a necessary process in an organization, one of its deliverables could be utilized in addressing threats and thus facilitate the development of a security strategy. Given the large number of heterogeneous methods and risk assessment tools that exist, comparison criteria can provide better understanding of their options and characteristics and facilitate the selection of a method that best fits an organization's needs. This article aims to address the problem of selecting an appropriate risk assessment method to assess and manage information security risks, by proposing a set of comparison criteria, grouped into four categories. Based upon them, it provides a comparison of the 10 popular risk assessment methods that could be utilized by organizations to determine the method that is more suitable for their needs. Finally, a case study is presented to demonstrate the selection of a method based on the proposed criteria.
Soil bacterial diversity patterns and drivers along an elevational gradient on Shennongjia Mountain, China

Understanding biological diversity elevational pattern and the driver factors are indispensable to develop the ecological theories. Elevational gradient may minimize the impact of environmental factors and is the ideal places to study soil microbial elevational patterns. In this study, we selected four typical vegetation types from 1000 to 2800 m above the sea level on the northern slope of Shennongjia Mountain in central China, and analysed the soil bacterial community composition, elevational patterns and the relationship between soil bacterial diversity and environmental factors by using the 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing and multivariate statistical analysis. The results revealed that the dominant bacterial phyla were Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia, which accounted for over 75% of the bacterial sequences obtained from tested samples, and the soil bacterial operational taxonomic unit (OTU) richness was a significant monotonous decreasing (P < 0.01) trend with the elevational increasing. The similarity of soil bacterial population composition decreased significantly (P < 0.01) with elevational distance increased as measured by the Jaccard and Bray–Curtis index. Canonical correspondence analysis and Mantel test analysis indicated that plant diversity and soil pH were significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with the soil bacterial community. Therefore, the soil bacterial diversity on Shennongjia Mountain had a significant and different elevational pattern, and plant diversity and soil pH may be the key factors in shaping the soil bacterial spatial pattern.
Microstent-Assisted Coiling for Wide-Necked Intracranial Aneurysms

Objective: To describe the results, technical feasibility, efficacy and challenges encountered in our preliminary experience using a self-expandable microstent, optimized for intracranial use, as an adjunct in the endovascular treatment of wide-necked aneurysms. Methods: Only broad-necked aneurysms (dome-to-neck ratio £2, or an isolated neck size > 4.5 mm) were treated with Neuroform microstent from July 2003 to May 2004. The techniques used for stent deployment were either parallel or sequential. Angiographic results were recorded immediately for all patients and classified as Class 1 (complete occlusion), Class 2 (neck remnant) or Class 3 (sac remnant) by three interventional neuroradiologists not involved in the procedure. Follow-up angiography at six months was obtained for one case. Modified Rankin Score scale was assessed for all patients. Results: Seventeen intracranial aneurysms in a total of 18 patients were treated (mean age, 52.2 yr). Eight patients (44.4%) presented with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage. Eleven aneurysms (61.1%) were in the posterior circulation. Average dome size was 10.2 mm (range, 3.7-19.8 mm) and average neck size was 5.36 mm (range, 3.0-10.0 mm). Six out of seven aneurysms of the anterior circulation were approached with parallel technique. Eight aneurysms of the posterior circulation were approached with sequential technique. Average number of coils deployed was 9.64 (range, 4-23 coils). Eleven aneurysms (64.8%) resulted in Class 1 and/or Class 2. One technical failure was observed. Technical complications were recognized in four patients (23.5%), all of them with unruptured aneurysms in the anterior circulation. Two patients (11.7%) presented transient immediate clinical complications. One patient (5.8%) had minor permanent neurological complication. Neither major clinical complications nor death were encountered. Favorable clinical outcome (Modified Rankin Scale score 0-2) was observed in 88.2% of the patients (average follow-up time, 4.72 months). Conclusion: Absence of major permanent complications and satisfactory immediate obliteration degree in our preliminary experience indicates that microstent-assisted coiling technique is useful for the minimally invasive treatment of broad-necked complex aneurysms that are not ideal for conventional endovascular treatment and are at a high risk for conventional surgical treatment.
Qualitative changes in hallucinations.

Objective : This study examined which characteristics of hallucinations are most likely to change after inpatient treatment. Method : Fifty hallucinating psychiatric inpatients were given semistructured interviews shortly after admission and again shortly before discharge to elicit detailed descriptions of 12 characteristics of hallucinations. Results : Twenty-eight (56%) of the 50 patients continued to report hallucinations after inpatient treatment. Posttreatment hallucinations differed significantly from pretreatment hallucinations in that they were less frequent, less intense, and less likely to prompt overt behavioral responses. Other characteristics of hallucinations remained relatively stable. Conclusions : Even when treatment does not eliminate hallucinations, it may alter them significantly. Outcome criteria that consider only the presence or absence of hallucinations may miss important changes in the nature of the symptom. This demonstrates that there is no simple on-off switch for hallucinations and supports multifactorial theories of the etiology of hallucinations.
Computing Initial points using Density Based Multiscale Data Condensation for Clustering Categorical data

The K-Modes clustering algorithm [1] has shown great promise for clustering large data sets with categorical attributes. K-Mode clustering algorithm suffers from the drawback of choosing random selection of initial points (modes) of the cluster. Different initial points leads to different cluster formations. In this paper Density-based Multiscale Data Condensation [2] approach with hamming distance [1] is used to extract K-initial points. Experiments show that K-modes clustering algorithm using these initial points produce improved and consistent results then the random selection method.
The HDAC inhibitor 4b ameliorates the disease phenotype and transcriptional abnormalities in Huntington's disease transgenic mice

Transcriptional dysregulation has emerged as a core pathologic feature of Huntington's disease (HD), one of several triplet-repeat disorders characterized by movement deficits and cognitive dysfunction. Although the mechanisms contributing to the gene expression deficits remain unknown, therapeutic strategies have aimed to improve transcriptional output via modulation of chromatin structure. Recent studies have demonstrated therapeutic effects of commercially available histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors in several HD models; however, the therapeutic value of these compounds is limited by their toxic effects. Here, beneficial effects of a novel pimelic diphenylamide HDAC inhibitor, HDACi 4b, in an HD mouse model are reported. Chronic oral administration of HDACi 4b, beginning after the onset of motor deficits, significantly improved motor performance, overall appearance, and body weight of symptomatic R6/2300Q transgenic mice. These effects were associated with significant attenuation of gross brain-size decline and striatal atrophy. Microarray studies revealed that HDACi 4b treatment ameliorated, in part, alterations in gene expression caused by the presence of mutant huntingtin protein in the striatum, cortex, and cerebellum of R6/2300Q transgenic mice. For selected genes, HDACi 4b treatment reversed histone H3 hypoacetylation observed in the presence of mutant huntingtin, in association with correction of mRNA expression levels. These findings suggest that HDACi 4b, and possibly related HDAC inhibitors, may offer clinical benefit for HD patients and provide a novel set of potential biomarkers for clinical assessment.