Characteristics of self-reported favorite musical experiences

Research supports the folk wisdom that individual preferences are tied to our experiences: we like what we know and as a result, we know what we like. Yet our understanding of the elements contained in lived examples of musical experiences that facilitate enjoyment and investment in music is little described. The current study recruited Australian residents (N = 135) to complete an online survey, which asked them to describe their favorite musical experience with regard to its context and impact. The majority of favorite musical experiences involved listening to live music and performing. The descriptions provided indicated that these experiences resulted in layered emotional experiences, much more subtle than folk psychology would suggest. Further, thematic analysis results revealed that Gabrielsson’s Strong Experiences with Music Descriptive System adequately categorizes the elements of people’s favored experiences, with particular reference to general characteristics, bodily reactions, perceptual phenomena, cognitive aspects, emotional aspects, existential and transcendental aspects, and personal and social aspects. A wide variety of musical genres were involved, though pop, classical, rock, and hip-hop music featured predominately. By detailing key components which lead to favored musical experiences, the findings have implications regarding how musical engagement opportunities can be better designed to support continued musical investment, which has particular relevance for educational and community uses of music for fostering positive individual and community benefits

Stochastic modeling and statistical analysis of fatigue tests on prestressed concrete beams under cyclic loadings

To evaluate the fatigue behavior of prestressed concrete, bridges for instance, it is necessary to determine the built in tendons’ fatigue strength. Therefore, prestressing steel samples (strands), obtained from an existing bridge built in 1957, were examined and tested by TU Dortmund University, see [1, 2]. Additionally, similar prestressing steels were tested in comparable experiments. As large experiments on prestressed concrete beams under cyclic load with small stress range are very time-consuming and expensive, an early prediction of failure trend in the experiment is desirable. Here, it is shown that a crack width function can be evolved dependent on the process of single wire failures. This process will differ for each experiment because of the randomness of single wire failure. Description of this uncertainty is the first step and is achieved by a predictive distribution for the counting process of wire failure. The second step is to include these results into the model for the crack width process for which a nonlinear regression model based on a physically evolved function depending on the counting process is suitable. For both modeling steps, we present a Bayesian estimation and prediction procedure

Faculty and student perceptions of post-exam attendance

This project investigated differences between faculty and student perceptions of student attendance in courses for the class period after an exam, including factors thought to influence student attendance. Participants from a single university completed a mixed-methods on-line questionnaire. Quantitative analyses revealed significant differences between faculty and student perceptions on all but one project variable. Qualitative analyses reinforced those findings and suggested that faculty misunderstand what factors actually influence student attendance. Taken together, the results suggest a substantial disconnect between faculty and student perceptions of the importance of class attendance and highlight areas for faculty to influence student attendance

Cardiac amyloidosis: the great pretender

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is often misdiagnosed because of both physician-related and disease-related reasons including: fragmented knowledge among different specialties and subspecialties, shortage of centres and specialists dedicated to disease management, erroneous belief it is an incurable disease, rarity of the condition, intrinsic phenotypic heterogeneity, genotypic heterogeneity in transthyretin-related forms and the necessity of target organ tissue histological diagnosis in the vast majority of cases. Pitfalls, incorrect beliefs and deceits challenge not only the path to the diagnosis of CA but also the precise identification of aetiological subtype. The awareness of this condition is the most important prerequisite for the management of the risk of underdiagnoses and misdiagnosis. Almost all clinical, imaging and laboratory tests can be misinterpreted, but fortunately each of these diagnostic steps can also offer diagnostic “red flags” (i.e. highly suggestive findings that can foster the correct diagnostic suspicion and facilitate early, timely diagnosis). This is especially important because outcomes in CA are largely driven by the severity of cardiac dysfunction and emerging therapies are aimed at preventing further amyloid deposition

Downregulation Of 14q32 Micrornas In Primary Human Desmoplastic Medulloblastoma.

Medulloblastoma (MB) is one of the most common pediatric cancers, likely originating from abnormal development of cerebellar progenitor neurons. MicroRNA (miRNA) has been shown to play an important role in the development of the central nervous system. Microarray analysis was used to investigate miRNA expression in desmoplastic MB from patients diagnosed at a young age (1 or 2 years old). Normal fetal or newborn cerebellum was used as control. A total of 84 differentially expressed miRNAs (64 downregulated and 20 upregulated) were found. Most downregulated miRNAs (32/64) were found to belong to the cluster of miRNAs at the 14q32 locus, suggesting that this miRNA locus is regulated as a module in MB. Possible mechanisms of 14q32 miRNAs downregulation were investigated by the analysis of publicly available gene expression data sets. First, expression of estrogen-related receptor-γ (ESRRG), a reported positive transcriptional regulator of some 14q32 miRNAs, was found downregulated in desmoplastic MB. Second, expression of the parentally imprinted gene MEG3 was lower in MB in comparison to normal cerebellum, suggesting a possible epigenetic silencing of the 14q32 locus. miR-129-5p (11p11.2/7q32.1), miR-206 (6p12.2), and miR-323-3p (14q32.2), were chosen for functional studies in DAOY cells. Overexpression of miR-129-5p using mimics decreased DAOY proliferation. No effect was found with miR-206 or miR-323 mimics.325

Sensing the (digital) pulse. Future steps for improving the secondary use of data for research in Switzerland.

INTRODUCTION Ensuring that the health data infrastructure and governance permits an efficient secondary use of data for research is a policy priority for many countries. Switzerland is no exception and many initiatives have been launched to improve its health data landscape. The country now stands at an important crossroad, debating the right way forward. We aimed to explore which specific elements of data governance can facilitate - from ethico-legal and socio-cultural perspectives - the sharing and reuse of data for research purposes in Switzerland. METHODS A modified Delphi methodology was used to collect and structure input from a panel of experts via successive rounds of mediated interaction on the topic of health data governance in Switzerland. RESULTS First, we suggested techniques to facilitate data sharing practices, especially when data are shared between researchers or from healthcare institutions to researchers. Second, we identified ways to improve the interaction between data protection law and the reuse of data for research, and the ways of implementing informed consent in this context. Third, we put forth ideas on policy changes, such as the steps necessary to improve coordination between different actors of the data landscape and to win the defensive and risk-adverse attitudes widespread when it comes to health data. CONCLUSIONS After having engaged with these topics, we highlighted the importance of focusing on non-technical aspects to improve the data-readiness of a country (e.g., attitudes of stakeholders involved) and of having a pro-active debate between the different institutional actors, ethico-legal experts and society at large

Yes, we also can! O desenvolvimento de iniciativas de consumo colaborativo no Brasil

The advances and dissemination of information and communication technologies enable the creation of new forms of sharing and the rise of platforms for collective practices which contribute for the development of new ways of consuming, such as the collaborative consumption. This form of consumption refers to the practice of sharing, commercial loans, rents and exchanges that take place mainly in the cyberspace. The practices involved in these systems are still recent in Brazil. Thus, this paper aims to understand the perception of users and organizations regarding the systems of collaborative consumption in the Brazilian context. To accomplish this, a qualitative research with an exploratory character was carried out through semi-structured interviews with managers and users of different systems of collaborative consumption. The results revealed that, even though the collaborative consumption is still in its beginning in Brazil, there is a positive scenario for the development of collective practices in this country. Besides that, many interesting results regarding risks, obstacles, benefits and the ways that trust could be generated within these systems were also identified. Thus, new opportunities are open for the collaborative consumption in the Brazilian context.Keywords: collaborative consumption, virtual platforms, Brazilian context.O avanço e disseminação das tecnologias de informação e comunicação proporcionam o surgimento de novas formas de compartilhamento e a ascensão de plataformas de práticas coletivas que contribuem para o desenvolvimento de novas formas de consumo, como o consumo colaborativo. Este tipo de consumo descreve a prática de partilha, empréstimos comerciais, aluguel e trocas realizados, principalmente, no ciberespaço. As práticas que envolvem estes sistemas ainda são recentes no Brasil. Neste sentido, este artigo tem o objetivo de compreender a percepção de usuários e organizações acerca dos sistemas de consumo colaborativo no contexto brasileiro. Para tanto, foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa, de caráter exploratório, por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com gestores de organizações e usuários de distintos sistemas de consumo colaborativo. Os resultados sugerem que, apesar de o consumo colaborativo estar em processo inicial no contexto brasileiro, existe um cenário positivo para o desenvolvimento das práticas coletivas no país. Além disso, foram encontrados resultados interessantes no que tange aos riscos, obstáculos e benefícios, bem como às formas como a confiança pode ser gerada nestes sistemas. Assim, novas oportunidades abrem-se ao consumo colaborativo no contexto brasileiro.Palavras-chave: consumo colaborativo, plataformas virtuais, contexto brasileiro

Yes, we also can! O desenvolvimento de iniciativas de consumo colaborativo no Brasil

The advances and dissemination of information and communication technologies enable the creation of new forms of sharing and the rise of platforms for collective practices which contribute for the development of new ways of consuming, such as the collaborative consumption. This form of consumption refers to the practice of sharing, commercial loans, rents and exchanges that take place mainly in the cyberspace. The practices involved in these systems are still recent in Brazil. Thus, this paper aims to understand the perception of users and organizations regarding the systems of collaborative consumption in the Brazilian context. To accomplish this, a qualitative research with an exploratory character was carried out through semi-structured interviews with managers and users of different systems of collaborative consumption. The results revealed that, even though the collaborative consumption is still in its beginning in Brazil, there is a positive scenario for the development of collective practices in this country. Besides that, many interesting results regarding risks, obstacles, benefits and the ways that trust could be generated within these systems were also identified. Thus, new opportunities are open for the collaborative consumption in the Brazilian context.Keywords: collaborative consumption, virtual platforms, Brazilian context.O avanço e disseminação das tecnologias de informação e comunicação proporcionam o surgimento de novas formas de compartilhamento e a ascensão de plataformas de práticas coletivas que contribuem para o desenvolvimento de novas formas de consumo, como o consumo colaborativo. Este tipo de consumo descreve a prática de partilha, empréstimos comerciais, aluguel e trocas realizados, principalmente, no ciberespaço. As práticas que envolvem estes sistemas ainda são recentes no Brasil. Neste sentido, este artigo tem o objetivo de compreender a percepção de usuários e organizações acerca dos sistemas de consumo colaborativo no contexto brasileiro. Para tanto, foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa, de caráter exploratório, por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com gestores de organizações e usuários de distintos sistemas de consumo colaborativo. Os resultados sugerem que, apesar de o consumo colaborativo estar em processo inicial no contexto brasileiro, existe um cenário positivo para o desenvolvimento das práticas coletivas no país. Além disso, foram encontrados resultados interessantes no que tange aos riscos, obstáculos e benefícios, bem como às formas como a confiança pode ser gerada nestes sistemas. Assim, novas oportunidades abrem-se ao consumo colaborativo no contexto brasileiro.Palavras-chave: consumo colaborativo, plataformas virtuais, contexto brasileiro

Systemic Embolism in Amyloid Transthyretin Cardiomyopathy

Aims: Although systemic embolism is a potential complication in transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), data about its incidence and prevalence are scarce. We studied the incidence, prevalence and factors associated with embolic events in ATTR-CM. Additionally, we evaluated embolic events according to the type of oral anticoagulation (OAC) and the performance of the CHA2DS2-VASc score in this setting. Methods and results: Clinical characteristics, history of atrial fibrillation (AF) and embolic events were retrospectively collected from ATTR-CM patients evaluated at four international amyloid centres. Overall, 1191 ATTR-CM patients (87% men, median age 77.1 years [interquartile range-IQR 71.4–82], 83% ATTRwt) were studied. A total of 162 (13.6%) have had an embolic event before initial evaluation. Over a median follow-up of 19.9 months (IQR 9.9–35.5), 41 additional patients (3.44%) had an embolic event. Incidence rate (per 100 patient-years) was 0 among patients in sinus rhythm with OAC, 1.3 in sinus rhythm without OAC, 1.7 in AF with OAC, and 4.8 in AF without OAC. CHA2DS2-VASc did not predict embolic events in patients in sinus rhythm whereas in patients with AF without OAC, only those with a score ≥4 had embolic events. There was no difference in the incidence rate of embolism between patients with AF treated with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) (n = 322) and those treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) (n = 239) (p = 0.66). Conclusions: Embolic events were a frequent complication in ATTR-CM. OAC reduced the risk of systemic embolism. Embolic rates did not differ with VKAs and DOACs. The CHA2DS2-VASc score did not correlate well with clinical outcome in ATTR-CM and should not be used to assess thromboembolic risk in this population