Music in the community: investigating the effects of group music making programmes on older adults and higher education music students

This thesis examines the potential of music-based interventions involving residents in nursing homes and higher education music students. While a large amount of research suggests that engagement with music can have positive effects on the health and wellbeing of older adults, many questions related to the access to and the meaning of music for residents in nursing homes are still unanswered. At the same time, recent studies indicate that community-based musical activities can also improve the health and wellbeing of the musicians providing them. However, research addressing higher education music students’ involvement in such activities is still at an early stage, and very few research projects have included the perspectives of both the recipients and the providers of music-based interventions in their investigations. This thesis addresses these gaps through four qualitative studies, employing thematic analysis, carried out in Southern Switzerland. The PERMA model (Seligman, 2011) was used to assess the impact of group music making experiences on the participants, and the concept of mutual recovery (Crawford, et al., 2013) was considered to observe whether the encounter between residents and students generated mutual benefits. For Study 1 (Chapter 5) 20 residents (13 women and 7 men, aged 71-99 years, mean = 84.6, SD ± 7.3) of 6 nursing homes were interviewed about their access to music and the role and function music plays in their lives. The findings revealed that residents, regardless of their musical background, considered music to be an important life resource. Music was linked to their identity and could improve their wellbeing by promoting positive emotions and facilitating social interactions. However, many residents had less access to music than they had in the past and felt that more musical experiences in their daily lives would be welcomed. Study 2 (Chapter 6) focused on a 10-week programme of group music making carried out in four nursing homes. Each session was led by an experienced music teacher from the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana (Lugano, Switzerland) supported by 9 students trained to act as music facilitators. Residents were engaged in singing and drumming with appropriate instruments and were interviewed at the end of the programme about their experiences and what effects they perceived on their health and wellbeing through taking part. Residents of three nursing homes (N = 22, 16 women and 6 men, aged 72-95 years, mean = 83.6, SD ± 6.9) reported positive emotions, engagement and anticipation of the sessions, as the programme offered opportunities to learn and to interact both with peers and highly skilled musicians. Moreover, the opportunity to approach unfamiliar repertoires and to listen to students’ short performances were considered rewarding. Study 3 (Chapter 7) investigated how the 9 students involved (7 women and 2 men, aged 19-26 years, mean = 23.1, SD ± 1.9) experienced the programme and the effects they perceived on their health, wellbeing and career preparation. Data were collected through interviews before the beginning of the training and at the end of the programme, and through an oral diary updated at the end of each session. The results highlighted the students’ appreciation of the humanitarian and innovative components of the programme, which had positive effects on professional and personal spheres. Students reported that this experience enlarged their competences and provided new insights into teaching and audience engagement, as well as encouraging them to question their tendencies towards perfectionism. Moreover, they perceived psychological and physical benefits and experienced meaningful interactions with the residents. Study 4 (Chapter 8), based on the same data collected for Study 3, aimed to understand the shortcomings experienced by the students in terms of their preparation, and their thoughts about how to improve the training they received. The findings suggest that the students at times felt a lack of preparation in interacting with residents and the need to improve teamwork and to be trained further to develop some musical skills. As a consequence of becoming more familiar with residents session by session, and of some changes made to the programme in the second academic year, the shortcomings and the problems experienced by students diminished considerably. Overall, this thesis demonstrates that the encounter between residents and music students generated mutual benefits, and it provides new understanding about the meaning of music-based interventions for both recipients and providers. The thesis highlights the importance of facilitating access to music in nursing homes, and it also describes an activity that can improve the role of musicians and music institutions in the community

Atmospheric Thermodynamic Profiling through the Use of a Micro-Pulse Raman Lidar System: Introducing the Compact Raman Lidar MARCO

It was for a long time believed that lidar systems based on the use of high-repetition micro-pulse lasers could be effectively used to only stimulate atmospheric elastic backscatter echoes, and thus were only exploited in elastic backscatter lidar systems. Their application to stimulate rotational and roto-vibrational Raman echoes, and consequently, their exploitation in atmospheric thermodynamic profiling, was considered not feasible based on the technical specifications possessed by these laser sources until a few years ago. However, recent technological advances in the design and development of micro-pulse lasers, presently achieving high UV average powers (1–5 W) and small divergences (0.3–0.5 mrad), in combination with the use of large aperture telescopes (0.3–0.4 m diameter primary mirrors), allow one to presently develop micro-pulse laser-based Raman lidars capable of measuring the vertical profiles of atmospheric thermodynamic parameters, namely water vapor and temperature, both in the daytime and night-time. This paper is aimed at demonstrating the feasibility of these measurements and at illustrating and discussing the high achievable performance level, with a specific focus on water vapor profile measurements. The technical solutions identified in the design of the lidar system and their technological implementation within the experimental setup of the lidar prototype are also carefully illustrated and discussed

Biological considerations on the use of zirconia for dental devices.

Zirconium oxide, known as zirconia, is a ceramic material with optimal esthetical and mechanical properties. Zirconia stabilized with yttrium oxide has the best properties for medical uses. A stress on ZrO2 surface creates a crystalline modification that opposes to propagation of cracks. Zirconia core for fixed partial dentures (FPD) on anterior and posterior teeth and on implants are now available. Clinical evaluations after 3 years report good percentage of success for zirconia fixed partial denture. Zirconia biocompatibility was studied in vivo and in vitro by orthopedic research; no adverse responses were reported on insertion of ZrO2 samples in bone or muscle. In vitro experimentation showed absence of mutation and a good viability of cells cultured on this material

The Merging System Am 2049-691

Spectroscopic and photometric observations of the peculiar object AM 2049-691 are presented here. Its systemic velocity is V(GSR) = (10956 +-30) km/s, and the derived distance (H(0) = 75 km/s/Mpc) results 146 Mpc. A bridge is observed between two very distinct nuclei whose separation is about 10 kpc, as well as two tails that emerge from the extremes SW and NE of the main body and extend up to 41 and 58 kpc respectively. The spectral characteristics of the all observed zones are typical of H II regions of low excitation. The internal reddening is quit high, particularly in the NE nucleus. All the derived equivalent widths of the H(alpha)+[N II] lines indicate enhanced star formation compared with isolated galaxies, specially in the NE nucleus; the equivalent width corresponding to the integrated spectrum reflects starburst activity in the whole object, and is compatible with a merger of two disk galaxies. All the observed characteristics of AM 2049-691 indicate it is a merger, where a overabundance of nitrogen is detected in one of the nuclei, which has the most evolved population and would be the most massive one. The detected total IR emission is not very high. The integrated total color B - V corresponds to a Sc-Scd galaxy and its average integrated population is about F7 type. Indicative B - V colors of the nuclei, corrected for internal absorption, are in agreement with the spectroscopic results. The central radial velocity dispersions at the nuclei suggest that the most massive galaxy would be the progenitor of the SW component. The observed radial velocity curve shows the presence of two subsystems, each one associated with a different nucleus.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Art for ages: the effects of group music making on the wellbeing of nursing home residents

In many countries, life expectancy has increased considerably in past years, and the importance of finding ways to ensure good levels of wellbeing through aging has become more important than ever. Arts based interventions are promising in this respect, and the literature suggests that musical activities can reduce isolation and anxiety and foster feelings of achievement and self-confidence. The present study examined the effects of group music making programs on the health and wellbeing of nursing home residents in Southern Switzerland. A team of professional and student musicians delivered 10 weekly music sessions in four nursing homes, focusing on singing, rhythm-based activities with percussion instruments, and listening to short, live performances. 22 participants (16 women and 6 men, aged 72-95 years, mean 83.6, SD ± 6.9) were recruited to take part in the study and were interviewed after the last music session. The data were analyzed with thematic analysis to investigate how residents experienced group music making and its effects. The findings show that the music programs were beneficial for residents’ wellbeing. Music plays an important role in their lives, both in their pasts and presently, and being involved in musical activities offers engagement and novelty in daily life, providing learning opportunities and facilitating interpersonal relationships. Moreover, these results were due to interactions with the musicians involved. Residents particularly appreciated the opportunity to listen to live performances as part of the sessions. This study suggests that nursing home residents value music and that music based interventions play an important and direct role in enhancing their wellbeing

Magnetic resonance of rectal cancer response to therapy: an Image quality comparison between 3.0 and 1.5 Tesla

Purpose. To evaluate signal intensity (SI) differences between 3.0 T and 1.5 T on T2-weighted (T2w), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in rectal cancer pre-, during, and postneoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Materials and Methods. 22 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer were prospectively enrolled. All patients underwent T2w, DWI, and ADC pre-, during, and post-CRT on both 3.0 T MRI and 1.5 T MRI. A radiologist drew regions of interest (ROIs) of the tumor and obturator internus muscle on the selected slice to evaluate SI and relative SI (rSI). Additionally, a subanalysis evaluating the SI before and after-CRT (ΔSI pre-post) in complete responder patients (CR) and nonresponder patients (NR) on T2w, DWI, and ADC was performed. Results. Significant differences were observed for T2w and DWI on 3.0 T MRI compared to 1.5 T MRI pre-, during, and post-CRT (all P<0.001), whereas no significant differences were reported for ADC among all controls (all P>0.05). rSI showed no significant differences in all the examinations for all sequences (all P>0.05). ΔSI showed significant differences between 3.0 T and 1.5 T MRI for DWI-ΔSI in CR and NR (188.39±166.90 vs. 30.45±21.73 and 169.70±121.87 vs. 22.00±31.29, respectively, all P 0.02) and ADC-ΔSI for CR (-0.58±0.27 vs. -0.21±0.24P value 0.02), while no significant differences were observed for ADC-ΔSI in NR and both CR and NR for T2w-ΔSI. Conclusion. T2w-SI and DWI-SI showed significant differences for 3.0 T compared to 1.5 T in all three controls, while ADCSI showed no significant differences in all three controls on both field strengths. rSI was comparable for 3.0 T and 1.5 T MRI in rectal cancer patients; therefore, rectal cancer patients can be assessed both at 3.0 T MRI and 1.5 T MRI. However, a significant DWI-ΔSI and ADC-ΔSI on 3.0 T in CR might be interpreted as a better visual assessment in discriminating response to therapy compared to 1.5 T. Further investigations should be performed to confirm future possible clinical application

Sonorous memory in Jonathan Perel’s El predio (2010) and Los murales (2011)

Throughout his filmic production, Argentine director Jonathan Perel has demonstrated strict adherence to a unique aesthetic programme in which human agents appear to have only a minimal role. Each film contains only diegetic sounds and consists of fixed shots of architectural spaces and objects closely associated with the most recent Argentine military dictatorship (1976–1983) and recent attempts to memorialise the atrocities they committed. Through the close analysis of Perel’s first two films – El predio (2010) and Los murales (2011) – this article focusses on Perel’s highly distinctive use of environmental sound and argues that they are, in fact, uniquely musical works. Drawing on the work of John Cage, Michel Chion, Deleuze and Guattari, and Doreen Massey, the article proposes that Perel manipulates sound in order to situate debates over the memorialisation of recent atrocities in a perpetual present and thus critique contemporary abuses of power in Argentina

Impact of Vutrisiran on Quality of Life and Physical Function in Patients with Hereditary Transthyretin-Mediated Amyloidosis with Polyneuropathy

INTRODUCTION: Hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv; v for variant) amyloidosis, also known as hATTR amyloidosis, is a progressive and fatal disease associated with rapid deterioration of physical function and patients' quality of life (QOL). Vutrisiran, a subcutaneously administered RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic that reduces hepatic production of transthyretin, was assessed in patients with ATTRv amyloidosis with polyneuropathy in the pivotal HELIOS-A study. METHODS: The phase 3 open-label HELIOS-A study investigated the efficacy and safety of vutrisiran in patients with ATTRv amyloidosis with polyneuropathy, compared with an external placebo group from the APOLLO study of the RNAi therapeutic patisiran. Measures of QOL and physical function were assessed. RESULTS: At month 18, vutrisiran improved Norfolk Quality of Life-Diabetic Neuropathy (Norfolk QOL-DN) total score (least squares mean difference [LSMD] in change from baseline [CFB]: –21.0; p = 1.84 × 10–10) and Norfolk QOL-DN domain scores, compared with external placebo. This benefit relative to external placebo was evident across all baseline polyneuropathy disability (PND) scores and most pronounced in patients with baseline PND scores I–II. Compared with external placebo, vutrisiran also demonstrated benefit in EuroQoL-Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS) score (LSMD in CFB: 13.7; nominal p = 2.21 × 10–7), 10-m walk test (LSMD in CFB: 0.239 m/s; p = 1.21 × 10–7), Rasch-built Overall Disability Score (LSMD in CFB: 8.4; p = 3.54 × 10–15), and modified body mass index (mBMI) (LSMD in CFB: 140.7; p = 4.16 × 10–15) at month 18. Overall, Norfolk QOL-DN, EQ-VAS, and mBMI improved from pretreatment baseline with vutrisiran, whereas all measures worsened from baseline in the external placebo group. At month 18, Karnofsky Performance Status was stable/improved from baseline in 58.2/13.1% with vutrisiran versus 34.7/8.1% with external placebo. CONCLUSION: Vutrisiran treatment provided significant clinical benefits in multiple measures of QOL and physical function in patients with ATTRv amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. Benefits were most pronounced in patients with earlier-stage disease, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment