The Relationship between Musical Aptitude, Self-efficacy and Achievement of Elementary School Pre-service Teachers

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the self-efficacy of pre-primary teachers for musical aptitude, such as pitch and rhythm, and to examine whether there is a significant change in self-efficacy through individual practice and instruction of Chorubungen exercises for eight weeks. Another purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between the musical experience and musicality of pre-service teachers, and their musical experience and achievement. To this end, a survey was conducted at the end of the semester for first-year students (56 males, 84 females) of a University of Education after regular individual practice in and guidance for eight weeks in the second semester of 2020. According to the results of the analysis, the positive self-efficacy of the pre-service teachers for pitch and rhythm before class participation was about 22.1% and 34.3% of the respondents, respectively, but after participating in the class, self-efficacy increased to 82.1% for pitch and 72.9% for rhythm. In comparison with the lower five variables, namely whether they learned an instrument among musical experiences (t-test) and the degree of singing (F test), pitch sensitivity (t=2.41, p<.05), rhythm sensitivity (t =1.98, p<.05), tempo sensitivity (t=2.79, p<.01), major scale, and major harmony pattern sensitivity (t=2.67, p<.01), all showed significant differences. In comparison to the achievement groups (chi-square test), differences between the achievement groups were measured based on whether they previously had experienced musical instruments (χ2=10.11, p<.01) and whether they had been active in a club (χ2=8.70, p<.05).

Evaluation of In-Office Volitional Snore as a Screening Tool for Candidacy for Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation

Candidacy evaluation for hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS) is resource intensive. This proof-of-concept study investigates use of in-office volitional snore during flexible laryngoscopy as an efficient, cost-effective screening tool for HGNS evaluation. Adults with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea that failed continuous positive airway pressure treatment (n = 41) underwent evaluation for HGNS from 2018 to 2019. Volitional snore and drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) data were collected and scored by VOTE classification (velum/palate, oropharynx, tongue base, epiglottis). A chi-square test of independence was performed that demonstrated a significant relationship between volitional snore and DISE (χ2 = 4.39, P = .036) for velum collapse pattern. Sensitivity and specificity of volitional snore for detecting velum collapse pattern were 93.6% (95% CI, 75.6%-99.2%) and 40% (95% CI, 12.2%-73.8%), respectively, illustrating its utility in screening for HGNS. Patients who demonstrate anterior-posterior velum collapse on volitional snore may be excellent candidates for confirmatory DISE at the time of HGNS implantation.

Tumor microenviromental reaction would diminish incomparable accuracy and swiftness of flow cytometric diagnosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma

Background Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), a relatively rare brain tumor, bears a dire prognosis. On occasion, rapid progression of the tumor makes immediate diagnosis and initiation of therapy imperative. To achieve swift diagnosis, we adopt flow cytometry (FCM) in addition to conventional histopathology. The aim of this study is to reveal utility and drawbacks of FCM diagnosis for PCNSL. Methods Patients with suspected PCNSL on neuroradiological findings and received both FCM and histological diagnosis between August 2015 and April 2020 were retrospectively enrolled into the study. Tumor samples were collected by craniotomy with either of endoscope or microscope. The patients’ electronic medical records were investigated, and histological findings, results of FCM, and other clinical data were evaluated. Results Twenty seven patients met the eligibility criteria. Twenty three patients (11 males and 12 females) were diagnosed with PCNSL by histological confirmation, and 22 cases were B-cell type lymphoma and 1 was T-cell type. Median age at diagnosis was 65. FCM analysis showed lymphoma pattern in 20 cases, but in the other 3 lymphoma cases (FCM discordant: FCM-D) and 4 non-lymphomatous tumor cases, FCM results did not show lymphoma pattern (sensitivity: 86.4%, specificity: 100%). Analysis of FCM-D cases showed infiltration of T lymphocytes or astrocytes into the tumor tissue, indicating tumor microenvironmental reaction, were observed, and it is assumed that those reactions deceived FCM diagnosis. Conclusions Despite some disadvantages, diagnosis of PCNSL by FCM is rapid and reliable.

Influence of blade vibration on part-span rotating stall

This paper presents the interaction between blade vibration and part-span rotating stall in a multi-stage high speed compressor. Unsteady aerodynamic and aeroelastic simulations were conducted using URANS CFD. Steady state computations showed short length scale disturbances formed local to the tip of a front stage rotor. Using a full annulus model, these disturbances were shown to coalesce into flow structures rotating around the annulus at approximately 76% of the shaft rotational speed. Natural evolution of the rotating stall did not result in a coherent spatial pattern. Sensitivity studies showed that operating point and tip clearance have significant impact on the developed state of rotating stall. Subsequent analyses carried out with prescribed rotor blade vibration showed a spatial ‘lock-in’ event where the circumferential order of the part-span rotating stall shifted to match that induced by the vibration mode. Moreover, in contrast to its natural form in the absence of vibration, the fully developed rotating stall showed a coherent stall signal. More importantly, it was found that numerical boundary conditions such as mixing plane and sliding planes can significantly influence the outcome of prediction.

Study of Role of Ultrasonography in Evaluation of Thyroid Nodules

Introduction: Thyroid nodules are a very common clinical finding which can be single ormultinodular and benign or malignant. Ultrasonography (USG) followed by USG guided fineneedle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is usually done in evaluating any thyroid nodule that ispalpable on physical examination. The purpose of this study was to study the role of USG in evaluating thyroid nodules and its correlation with findings of FNAC of thyroid. Methods: One hundred and twenty five patients with palpable thyroid referred for USG neckwere included in the study. Ultrasonography assessments of thyroid with different parameters were done. The findings were later compared with FNAC thyroid. Results: On FNAC and histological analysis, thyroid malignancy was observed in 14 out of 125 (11.21%) subjects. Malignant nodules on USG demonstrated hypoechoic pattern (sensitivity 82.3%, specificity 97.2%, and positive predictive value 82.3%), irregular margins (sensitivity 77.8%, specificity 96.3%, and accuracy 77.8%), central vascularity (sensitivity 82.3%, specificity 95.4%, and positive predictive value 73.7%) and taller-than-wider shape (sensitivity 82.3%, specificity 96.3%, and accuracy 77.8%). Sixteen cases with suspicion of malignant thyroid nodules demonstrated these 2 or more USG features. Sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of thyroid nodules for detecting malignancy increased to 87.5%, 98.2% and 87.5% respectively when two or more of these USG features were present. Conclusions: Thyroid USG demonstrating hypoechoic pattern, irregular margins, centralvascularity and taller-than-wider shape had potential of being malignant. Thyroid nodules were found to have more malignant potential when two or more of these USG features were present.

Diagnostic performance of the endoscopic pressure study integrated system (EPSIS): a novel diagnostic tool for gastroesophageal reflux disease

Background The endoscopic pressure study integrated system (EPSIS) is a prototypic system for monitoring intragastric pressure (IGP) fluctuations that result from opening of the cardia during gastric distension. The performance of EPSIS for the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was evaluated. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted of data prospectively collected over a 2-year period from 59 patients who underwent gastroscopy, EPSIS, and 24-hour pH monitoring. Using a dedicated electronic device and a through-the-scope catheter, maximum IGP (IGPmax) and IGP waveform pattern (uphill/flat) were recorded. Results The optimal IGPmax cutoff was 18.7 mmHg. IGPmax < 18.7 mmHg (sensitivity 74.2 %, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 56.8 – 86.3; specificity 57.1 %, 95 %CI 39.1 – 73.5) and flat pattern (sensitivity 71.0 %, 95 %CI 53.4 – 83.9; specificity 82.1 %, 95 %CI 64.4 – 92.1) were associated with GERD. “Double” EPSIS positivity (IGPmax < 18.7 mmHg and flat pattern) provided maximum specificity (85.7 %, 95 %CI 68.5 – 94.3), whereas “any” EPSIS positivity (IGPmax < 18.7 mmHg or flat pattern) provided maximum sensitivity (80.6 %, 95 %CI 63.7 – 90.8). Maximum specificity and sensitivity for nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) was > 70 %. In multivariate analysis, “double” EPSIS positivity was the strongest predictor of GERD (odds ratio [OR] 16.05, 95 %CI 3.23 – 79.7) and NERD (OR 14.7, 95 %CI 2.37 – 90.8). Conclusion EPSIS emerges as a reliable adjunct to routine gastroscopy for GERD diagnosis, and might prove helpful for the stratification and management of patients with reflux disorders.

Spinal protein phosphatase 1 constrains respiratory plasticity after sustained hypoxia

Plasticity is an important aspect of the neural control of breathing. One well-studied form of respiratory plasticity is phrenic long-term facilitation (pLTF) induced by acute intermittent but not sustained hypoxia. Okadaic acid-sensitive protein phosphatases (PPs) differentially regulate phrenic nerve activity with intermittent vs. sustained hypoxia, at least partially accounting for pLTF pattern sensitivity. However, okadaic acid inhibits multiple serine/threonine phosphatases, and the relevant phosphatase (PP1, PP2A, PP5) for pLTF pattern sensitivity has not been identified. Here, we demonstrate that sustained hypoxia (25 min, 9–10.5% O2) elicits phrenic motor facilitation in rats pretreated with bilateral intrapleural injections of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs; Accell-modified to preferentially transfect neurons, 3.33 μM, 3 days) targeting PP1 mRNA (48 ± 14% change from baseline, n = 6) but not PP2A (14 ± 9% baseline, n = 6) or nontargeting siRNAs (4 ± 10% baseline, n = 7). In time control rats (no hypoxia) treated with siRNAs ( n = 6), no facilitation was evident (−9 ± 9% baseline). siRNAs had no effect on the hypoxic phrenic response. Immunohistochemistry revealed PP1 and PP2A protein in identified phrenic motoneurons. Although PP1 and PP2A siRNAs significantly decreased PP1 and PP2A mRNA in PC12 cell cultures, we were not able to verify “knockdown” in vivo after siRNA treatment. On the other hand, PP1 and PP2A siRNAs significantly decreased PP1 and PP2A mRNA in PC12 cell cultures, verifying the intended siRNA effects. In conclusion, PP1 (not PP2A) is the relevant okadaic acid-sensitive phosphatase constraining phrenic motor facilitation after sustained hypoxia and likely contributing to pLTF pattern sensitivity. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study demonstrates that the relevant okadaic acid-sensitive Ser/Thr protein phosphatase (PP) constraining facilitation after sustained hypoxia is PP1 and not PP2A. It suggests that PP1 may be critical in the pattern sensitivity of hypoxia-induced phrenic motor plasticity.

Erroneous message discovery with data acquisition and secret communication in cellular networks

Cellular networks are susceptible to different varieties of security barrages, inclusive of erroneous message inoculation, message falsification and monitoring. Sensitivity knots can be adjudicate by invaders and the adjudicate knots can misinterpret message integrity by inoculating erroneous message. Erroneous message can be inoculated by adjudicate sensitivity knots in different measures, Inclusive of data acquisition and broadcasting. In a System the erroneous message exposure methods contemplate the erroneous message inoculations during the message promoting only. In an (SEP) symmetric en-route purifying schemes facilitates broadcasting knots and central terminal will expose erroneous message with a assertive possibility. In an interlaced step-by-step validation pattern Sensitivity knots are not granted to execute the data acquisition during message promoting. The Capricious Cipher based En-route purifying scheme (CCEP) nips erroneous message en-route without balanced key distribution. Message confidentiality means message to be enciphered at the origin knot and deciphered at the terminal. However, message acquisition methods usually need any enciphered sensitivity message to be deciphered at data acquisition. The essential idea at the rear of the erroneous message exposure algorithm is to make team of sensitivity knots in which one team operates a message authentication code (MAC) of promoting message and the alternate team afterwards checks the message using the MAC. Data acquisition is equipped in cellular sensitivity network in order to remove message repetition, minimize message communication, and increase message efficiency.