Changes in auditory perceptions and cortex resulting from hearing recovery after extended congenital unilateral hearing loss

Monaural hearing induces auditory system reorganization. Imbalanced input also degrades time-intensity cues for sound localization and signal segregation for listening in noise. While there have been studies of bilateral auditory deprivation and later hearing restoration (e.g. cochlear implants), less is known about unilateral auditory deprivation and subsequent hearing improvement. We investigated effects of long-term congenital unilateral hearing loss on localization, speech understanding, and cortical organization following hearing recovery. Hearing in the congenitally affected ear of a 41 year old female improved significantly after stapedotomy and reconstruction. Pre-operative hearing threshold levels showed unilateral, mixed, moderately-severe to profound hearing loss. The contralateral ear had hearing threshold levels within normal limits. Testing was completed prior to, and three and nine months after surgery. Measurements were of sound localization with intensity-roved stimuli and speech recognition in various noise conditions. We also evoked magnetic resonance signals with monaural stimulation to the unaffected ear. Activation magnitudes were determined in core, belt, and parabelt auditory cortex regions via an interrupted single event design. Hearing improvement following 40 years of congenital unilateral hearing loss resulted in substantially improved sound localization and speech recognition in noise. Auditory cortex also reorganized. Contralateral auditory cortex responses were increased after hearing recovery and the extent of activated cortex was bilateral, including a greater portion of the posterior superior temporal plane. Thus, prolonged predominant monaural stimulation did not prevent auditory system changes consequent to restored binaural hearing. Results support future research of unilateral auditory deprivation effects and plasticity, with consideration for length of deprivation, age at hearing correction, degree and type of hearing loss

Evaluating the Role of Customer Relationship Management in Enhancing Customer Satisfaction: A Study of Arusha Urban Water Supply and Sanitation

This study explores the impact of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) on customer satisfaction at the Arusha Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (AUWSA). Employing a case study research design, the research targeted AUWSA customers and staff, using convenience and purposive sampling techniques to select a sample size of 100 individuals. Both primary and secondary data were utilized, with primary data gathered through questionnaires and interviews, and secondary data obtained from various documentary sources. Data analysis involved both quantitative and qualitative methods, with descriptive and inferential statistics applied to the quantitative data using SPSS. Qualitative data was analyzed through content analysis. The findings reveal that Information Technology (IT) significantly enhances timely information processing, facilitates effective customer communication, and promotes efficient service delivery, thereby reducing customer complaints and administrative errors. The study concludes that IT is crucial for improving customer satisfaction and recommends further research to explore CRM's impact on customer satisfaction in other service industries in Tanzania

Buffy vs. Dracula: Feminism and its Fanged Foe

Writings and artwork critiquing popular vampire culture and strong female characters in popular media through a feminist lens.https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/feminist_zines/1011/thumbnail.jp

Data Outsourcing on Cloud using Secret Key Distribution for Privacy Preserving

Cloud computing has turn out to be a trend with the delivery of innumerable advantages. Cloud has come to be a rising widely recognized that brings about diverse era and computing mind for internet at very low rate. Massive garage centres are supplied with the aid of the cloud which may be accessed without problem from any corner of the centre and at any time however there are positive problems and demanding situations faced thru the person at the same time as using cloud computing with reference to protection. But new stressful situations popped out to ensure Confidentiality, integrity and access control of the records. To deal with the ones troubles we will be inclined to suggest a topic depend that makes use of threshold cryptography internal which records proprietor divides clients in businesses and offers single key to every organization within the imply time, that single key (separate thru approach that will become special mystery key) is distribute to each purchaser of that cluster for decoding of information. The most function of this subject is that cut once more the number of safety key and it additionally make sure that absolutely attested users can get entry to the outsourced know-how

Improving Packet Analysis in Wireless Sensor Network using Bit Rate Classifier

Remote sensor system (WSN) has risen as a promising innovation. Despite the fact that WSN is a promising innovation, there is still a lot of extra research required before it ?nally turns into a developed innovation. An extensive variety of WSN applications have been proposed, for example, living space checking, natural perceptions and estimating frameworks, wellbeing observing, and so on. In these applications, numerous low power and cheap sensor hubs are sent in an unlimited space to coordinate as a system. This paper assesses the impact of utilization of bit rate investigation on bundle approaching to the switch in the remote sensor system. The fundamental point is to accomplish an effective remote sensor system which ought to be not any more defenseless to parcel misfortune. Alternate parameters are deferral, throughput, bundle conveyance proportion, jitter and vitality. The calculation minimizes the postponement that may happen because of high activity rate by utilizing bit rate classifier in this way enhancing the throughput and different parameters

Evaluation of the Impact of Economic Empowerment Initiatives on Poverty Alleviation among Youth and Women's Groups: A Case Study of the Arusha Region, Tanzania

Globally, the Women and Youth Development Fund, channeled through women's groups, has played a crucial role in fostering economic empowerment for women and youth. In Tanzania, population growth has introduced both opportunities and challenges, with a significant issue being the rise in unemployment and poverty, particularly among women and youth. To address these challenges, the Women, Youth, and People with Disabilities Revolving Fund (WYDF) was established within Local Government Authorities (LGAs) to provide accessible loans to the poor, who are often excluded from conventional financial institutions. This study investigates the effectiveness of economic empowerment initiatives in alleviating poverty among youth and women's groups in the Arusha Region, Tanzania. Specifically, it examines the impact of start-up capital provision, financial literacy training, and business capacity-building on poverty reduction. The study employed a survey research design with a quantitative approach, collecting data from 95 respondents through questionnaires. Purposive sampling was used to select the sample. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and SPSS software, with regression analysis employed to explore the relationships between variables influencing poverty reduction among the targeted groups. The findings reveal that start-up capital provision, financial literacy training, and business capacity-building significantly contribute to poverty reduction among youth and women's groups. The study recommends enhanced financial literacy programs to enable entrepreneurs to save and accumulate sufficient capital for business investments. Additionally, the government, through youth and women empowerment programs, should continue providing training, particularly to those without technical skills, focusing on new production techniques, efficient fund allocation, and marketing strategies to ensure sustainable impacts

Subversive evidence regarding the birth of Neohellenic painting

Systematic analysis and comparative study of the eariest known written works on the art of painting in the history of Neohellenic art, has brought to light new evidence regarding its first School of painting, the Heptanese School. The first neohellenic original treatise on the art of painting was proved an anthology of translations selected from current Italian literature on art, and was considered anew as a codification of artistic practices current in the Venetian-ruled Ionian Isles (early 18th c.). Thus questioning long-considered certainties regarding the role of its writer Panaghiotis Doxaras as founder of the School and his alleged will to revolutionise the existing painting practices, it leads to a new understanding of artistic ideals in his time. Further evidence proving the direct involvement of another protagonist of the Heptanese School, Panaghiotis’s son, Nikolaos, with two of the three known written works, adds a new prospect to the study of the first school of Neohellenic painting