Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Language and Verbal Reasoning Skills in Adolescents With 10 or More Years of Cochlear Implant Experience

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify factors predictive of successful English language outcomes in adolescents who received a cochlear implant (CI) between 2 and 5 yrs of age. Design: All 112 participants had been part of a previous study examining English language outcomes at the age of 8 and 9 yrs with CIs. The participants were given a battery of language and verbal reasoning tests in their preferred communication mode along with measures of working memory (digit span) and verbal rehearsal speed (sentence repetition duration). The degree to which students' language performance was enhanced when sign was added to spoken language was estimated at both test sessions. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to document factors contributing to overall language outcomes. Results: A substantial proportion of the adolescents obtained test scores within or above 1SD compared with hearing age-mates in the tests' normative samples: 71% on a verbal intelligence test, 68% on a measure of language content, 71% on receptive vocabulary, and 74% on expressive vocabulary. Improvement in verbal intelligence scores over an 8-yr interval exceeded expectation based on age-mates in the test's normative sample. Better English language outcomes were associated with shorter duration of deafness before cochlear implantation, higher nonverbal intelligence, higher family socioeconomic status, longer digit spans, and faster verbal rehearsal speed as measured by sentence repetition rate. Students whose current receptive vocabulary scores were not enhanced by the addition of signs also exhibited higher English language scores than those without sign enhancement; however, sign enhancement demonstrated in the elementary school years was not predictive of later high-school language skills. Conclusions: Results of this study support the provision of CIs to children at the youngest age possible. In addition, it highlights the substantial role that cognition plays in later language outcomes. Although the students' use of sign to enhance language skills during the elementary years does not appear to have a negative impact on later language skills, students who continue to rely on sign to improve their vocabulary comprehension into high school typically exhibit poorer English language outcomes than students whose spoken language comprehension parallels or exceeds their comprehension of speech + sign. Overall, the language results obtained from these teenagers with more than 10 yrs of CI experience reflect substantial improvement over the verbal skills exhibited by adolescents with similar levels of hearing loss before the advent of CIs. These optimistic results were observed in teenagers who were among the first in the United States and Canada to receive a CI. We anticipate that the use of improved technology that is being initiated at even younger ages should lead to age-appropriate language levels in an even larger proportion of children with CIs.
Long-Term Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation in Early Childhood: Sample Characteristics and Data Collection Methods

Objectives: This article describes participants in a follow-up study of a nationwide sample of children who had used a cochlear implant (CI) since preschool. The children were originally tested when they were in early elementary grades, and results were published in a monograph supplement of Ear and Hearing. Recently, many of these children returned for follow-up testing when they were in high school with >10 yrs experience with a CI. This introductory article will (1) discuss the extent to which the sample tested is representative of typical populations and (2) describe how sample characteristics changed over time for the 112 students tested in both elementary grades and high school. Design: Over a 4-yr period, 112 teenagers from across North America, accompanied by a parent, attended a research camp that was similar to one in which they had participated 8 yrs earlier. A battery of auditory, speech, language, and reading tests was administered, and responses to questionnaires and written language samples were obtained and are described in the following articles in this issue. This article summarizes child, family, and educational characteristics that were quantified so that their role in outcome levels achieved could be examined statistically. For example, metrics were devised to reflect the extent to which a student's language improved when sign language was added to spoken language (i.e., sign enhancement) based on test results obtained in elementary grades and in high school. Results: Comparisons of early characteristics of the 112 students who returned for follow-up testing with the 72 who did not return indicated comparable Performance Intelligence Quotients, communication mode ratings, family education/income, and age at implant. However, follow-up participants had better speech perception, speech intelligibility, and language skills at 8 or 9 yrs of age. Seventy-five percent of returning teenagers were fully mainstreamed in high school (compared with 63% in elementary grades). Only 5% of adolescents were in full-time special education. Grade placement of the teenagers was appropriate to their chronologic age. Estimates of sign enhancement, family characteristics, and Performance Intelligence Quotient were consistent over the two test sessions. Conclusions: A large proportion of the original sample returned for follow-up testing in adolescence, but they were a more selective group than nonreturning subjects, and their scores may overestimate long-term CI outcomes for the general population. On the other hand, CI-HS students who participated in this study received their device >10 yrs ago and did not have some of the advantages available to more recently implanted children, so their results may underestimate those outcomes.
Electroencephalography: Basic Principles, Clinical Applications and Related Fields

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Association between CRHR1 polymorphism and improved lung function in response to inhaled corticosteroid in patients with COPD

Background and objective: Inhaled corticosteroids are used to treat COPD and asthma. An association between sequence variants in the corticotrophin‐releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1) gene and improved lung function in asthmatics treated with inhaled corticosteroids was reported recently. This study investigated the association between the change in lung function in response to inhaled corticosteroids and single‐nucleotide CRHR1 polymorphisms in patients with COPD.
Simulation‐based evaluation of the performance of the F test in a linear multilevel model setting with sparseness at the level of the primary unit

In a linear multilevel model, significance of all fixed effects can be determined using F tests under maximum likelihood (ML) or restricted maximum likelihood (REML). In this paper, we demonstrate that in the presence of primary unit sparseness, the performance of the F test under both REML and ML is rather poor. Using simulations based on the structure of a data example on ceftriaxone consumption in hospitalized children, we studied variability, type I error rate and power in scenarios with a varying number of secondary units within the primary units. In general, the variability in the estimates for the effect of the primary unit decreased as the number of secondary units increased. In the presence of singletons (i.e., only one secondary unit within a primary unit), REML consistently outperformed ML, although even under REML the performance of the F test was found inadequate. When modeling the primary unit as a random effect, the power was lower while the type I error rate was unstable. The options of dropping, regrouping, or splitting the singletons could solve either the problem of a high type I error rate or a low power, while worsening the other. The permutation test appeared to be a valid alternative as it outperformed the F test, especially under REML. We conclude that in the presence of singletons, one should be careful in using the F test to determine the significance of the fixed effects, and propose the permutation test (under REML) as an alternative.
Adaptation of Scoring Methods for Testing Cochlear Implant Users Using the Cantonese Hearing In Noise Test (CHINT)

Objectives: It is often difficult to use an adaptive approach to evaluate speech reception in noise in cochlear implant (CI) users, because of variations in performance. Thus, two studies were conducted to develop an alternative method for scoring the Cantonese Hearing In Noise Test (CHINT) and to use this method for evaluating speech reception in CI users. Design: In Study 1, 20 normal-hearing adults were tested using four scoring methods, including three modified and the standard HINT scoring method. The speech was presented in the front, and noise originated from the front, the right, or the left loudspeakers, as a standard HINT protocol. Threshold signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) and word intelligibility percent score (word score) were measured in each CHINT noise condition using each rule. In Study 2, depending on the word score of the individual CI user in the quiet CHINT condition, different adaptive rules were selected to score the responses from 12 CI users in the three noise conditions. The percentage of CI users who could successfully be tested using these scoring methods was evaluated. Results: In Study 1, threshold S/Ns obtained using different rules were significantly different and consistent with expectations. The slopes of the performance-intensity function relating mean word scores and threshold S/Ns were linear and agreed well with previous findings. These results showed that the modified rules could be used to adaptively measure CHINT thresholds in noise. In Study 2, these modified rules were successful in measuring CHINT thresholds in 10 of the 12 participants, whose word scores in quiet exceeded 40%. Conclusions: These modified rules could be used in CI users whose speech reception ability could not have been measured otherwise.
Effects of an EE/CA compared with EE/CA-metformin on serum ADMA levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

To determine the effects of EE/CA (Ethinylestradiol/ Cyproterone Acetate) and EE/CA-metformin treatments on the asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). Among 43 patients diagnosed with PCOS, one study arm (n=22) was administered (35 µg EE, 2mg CA) and the other (n=21) was administered (35 µg EE, 2mg CA plus 1700mg metformin). Serum ADMA, lipid profile, androgens, insulin, and HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance ) values were assessed prior to treatment and after 3 months of therapy. A significant reduction in ADMA levels relative to pre-treatment in the EE/CA+metformin group (1.2±0.4 vs 0.95±0.4, p=0.016) compared to the EE/CA group (1.0±0.5 vs 1.03±0.4, p >0.05). Andogens, insulin and HOMA-IR levels decreased in both treatment groups. All lipid profiles significantly improved in-group EE/CA+metformin while no significant decrease was observed in TG and HDL-cholesterol levels in EE/CA group. Post-treatment levels of HDL-C levels correlated significantly with the reducing ADMA levels in the EE/CA+metformin group (P=0.005, r= 0.602). Adding metformin to EE/CA therapy in PCOS may beneficial endothelium effects associated with reduction of ADMA levels.
Corrective and Reconstructive Surgery in Patients With Postburn Heterotopic Ossification and Bony Ankylosis: An Evidence-Based Approach

Articular heterotopic ossification (HO) and subsequent bony ankylosis (BA) are infrequent yet devastating complications of severe burn injuries. These conditions are diagnosed clinically and confirmed by imaging. Patients then begin active physical therapy until cleared for surgery, which remains the standard of care. This study critically reviews the existing literature on the diagnosis, treatment, and surgical outcomes of HO/BA in severely burned patients and provides an evidence-based treatment algorithm. A comprehensive search for all the studies addressing HO and BA after burn injury was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar from 1957 to 2013. Fifty-one studies on postburn HO/BA have been published, reporting incidences from 0.1 to 35.3%. Most patients suffered from third-degree, thermal burns, with a mean TBSA of 49 ± 14%. The mean time from burn until diagnosis was 7 ± 11 months. Seventy-nine percent of the affected joints were elbows and 84% had adjacent and/or overlying burns. Ninety-one percent of joints had solely extra-articular HO. Ninety percent of HO/BA cases were treated with anatomic excision, and all achieved appreciable increases in range of motion with infrequent recurrence. Perioperative radiotherapy was used infrequently. Surgical articular reconstruction is the standard of care for postburn HO/BA severe enough to limit joint movement and/or function. Early detection and initiation of physical therapy are paramount in preventing progression to complete BA. Increased awareness and more rapid means of detecting postburn articular changes may permit earlier discontinuation of passive range of motion exercises, thereby halting the initiation and progression of HO.
Anomalies of Cartilaginous and Ossified Axial Skeleton in Rat Fetuses Treated with Cyclophosphamide: Type, Frequency, and Stage Specificity

The purpose of the present study was to assess the type, frequency and stage specificity of axial skeletal anomalies induced by cyclophosphamide (CP). Female Crj: Wistar rats were mated with male rats (vaginal sperm = gestation day 0, GDO). They were then injected intravenously with 5 mg/kg of CP in a saline solution on GD7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14, or with saline on GD8 for controls. Dams were sacrificed on GD20. Fetuses were stained with alcian blue and alizarin red S. Eighteen types of axial skeletal anomaly were detected, e. g. , shifted ventral lamina, cervical rib, cleft arch of the atlas, axis fused to atlas, sternebral misalignment, bipartite sternum, fused ribs, change in pre‐sacral vertebral number, supernumerary rib, misdirected transverse process, anteriorly‐shifted spinous process, short spinous process, fused vertebral bodies, cartilaginous short rib at Th.7, short or absent rib at Th.12 or 13, dumbbell‐shaped vertebral body, wavy rib, and rib cartilage not attached to the sternal cartilage. The present experimental study indicates that: 1) observations of cartilaginous skeletons can provide more information than observations of ossified skeletons; 2) the pattern of CP‐induced anomalies along the anterior–posterior axis may depend on the sequence of development progression among structures, spinous process, vertebral arch, vertebral body, rib/transverse process; and 3) in more cranial vertebrae, anteriorly‐shifted anomalies, such as anteriorly‐shifted ventral lamina and anteriorly‐shifted spinous processes, rather than posteriorly‐shifted anomalies, may be the primary indicators for detecting developmental toxicity, since CP injection increased the frequencies of these anomalies.
Shopping behaviour and preferences in e-commerce of Turkish and American university students: Implications from cross-cultural design

With internationalization of commerce and business and with increased use of e-business and e-commerce, it is important to ensure that these systems can be effectively utilized across cultural boundaries. To increase effectiveness, appropriate changes and modifications in the systems may be required. With this in mind, a survey of 300 Turkish university students was undertaken to assess their on-line shopping and behaviour preferences, and these were compared with the results derived from 64 US university students. The results provide guidelines for specific design of features for the Turkish population that may not be necessary for the US population.
Modelling consumer intention to use gambling technologies: an innovative approach

This paper reports the results of a study that sought to analyse the attributes of gambling technologies that affect consumer intention to use card-based gambling in Australia. A 23-item questionnaire was developed from an analysis of interviews with 20 key industry stakeholders, adapted to a modified version of existing technology acceptance model (TAM) questions (Davis 1989, Wang et al. 2003), then administered to 134 patrons of two gambling venues. Data reduction yielded three constructs consistent with the TAM: ‘ease-of-use’, ‘perceived usefulness’ and ‘intention to use’ the technology. Significant correlation was found in each component, and each set of component items exhibited high internal reliability. Further analysis using structural equation modelling revealed that ‘usefulness’ is a significant predictor of ‘intention to use’ card-based gambling systems, and that ‘ease-of-use’ also has a positive effect on intention. Replication of these results, complemented by actual usage data, will enhance understanding of the benefits.
Exercício concorrente: análise do efeito agudo da ordem de execução sobre o gasto energético total

The aim of present study was to analyze the effect of aerobic and strength exercises order on the total energy expenditure in an exercise session. Ten male subjects had their VO2 continuously measured during two sessions: aerobic-resistance (AR) and resistance-aerobic (RA) to estimate caloric expenditure. The aerobic session was a 30-min treadmill run at 90% of anaerobic threshold velocity. The strength exercise session had four exercises, where participants performed three sets of 12 repetitions at 70% of 1RM. Blood lactate concentration (LA) was measured after each strength exercise and at 10, 20 and 30 min during the aerobic exercise. LA during aerobic exercise was higher (p 0.05), indicating that performance order did not affect energy expenditure.
Vitamin D, innate immunity and outcomes in community acquired pneumonia

Background and objective: Vitamin D regulates the production of the antimicrobial peptides cathelicidin and beta‐defensin‐2, which play an important role in the innate immune response to infection. We hypothesized that vitamin D deficiency would be associated with lower levels of these peptides and worse outcomes in patients admitted to hospital with community acquired pneumonia.
Using antibiotics responsibly in companion animals

Antibiotics are regularly prescribed in practice and it is not uncommon for veterinary surgeons to prescribe them without having first documented an infection. As such, antibiotics are not always prescribed appropriately. In contrast to many drugs prescribed, the more frequently antibiotics are used, the less effective they become, due to the selection of resistant bacteria. It is, therefore, important that clinicians understand the implications of the overuse of antibiotics and the principles of optimal prescribing. This article aims to review the concerns regarding antibiotic resistance, the role of antibiotics in the development of resistant bacteria, and to provide guidance on how practitioners can refine their prescribing.
Modelling electronic customer relationship management success: functional and temporal considerations

Previous information systems satisfaction research predominantly focused on generic technological attributes, failing to account for the specificity of the artefact. Furthermore, viewing satisfaction as a static evaluation state, the prevalent cross-sectional approach could not account for the dynamic nature of satisfaction. In this study, we address these gaps by following a functional approach and taking a temporal view in developing and testing a model explaining the effects of various types of electronic customer relationship management (eCRM) functions on customer satisfaction in the context of online shopping. A framework based on the transaction cycle is used to classify eCRM functions into pre-, at-, and post-purchase eCRM. Two distinct temporal phases, i.e. attraction and retention, are identified. The results of a longitudinal survey involving 670 customers of hardware retailers demonstrate the appropriateness of the functional approach in investigating eCRM success and the necessity of the temporal conceptualisation of customer satisfaction. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.
Adverse Clinical Outcomes Associated With Elevated Blood Alcohol Levels at the Time of Burn Injury

Elevated blood alcohol content (BAC) on admission is associated with poorer outcomes, larger burns and more inhalation injury. This study’s purpose was to examine the effects of alcohol through a matched case-controlled study, measuring early and extended markers of clinical outcomes. The hypothesis was that patients with an elevated admission BAC would require more resuscitation and have a longer hospital stay. Admissions 16 to 75 years of age with 15 to 75% TBSA and admission BACs were identified. Patients with BAC >30 mg/dl (BAC+, cases) were matched with patients with undetectable BAC (BAC−, controls), according to age, sex, TBSA, inhalation injury and mechanism. Screening identified 258 patients, 146 with admission BACs. Twenty-seven had a BAC ≥ 30 mg/dl. There were 24 matched pairs. At 24 hours, BAC+ group had larger acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II scores (23.33 vs 18.75, P < .05), fluid requirements (5.25 vs 3.82 L (cc/kg/TBSA), P < . 05), and base deficit (11.15 vs 7.15, P < .05). The duration of mechanical ventilation (14.85 vs 4.23 days, P < .05), intensive care unit length of stay (22.85 vs 9.38, P < .05), hospital length of stay (28.95 vs 15.68, P < .05), and mean hospital charges ($239,507 vs $144,598, P < .05) were increased in the BAC+ patients. Despite matched baseline injury characteristics, elevated BAC was associated with poorer short term and extended clinical outcomes, illustrating the impact of alcohol intoxication on physiologic derangement after burn injury.