Common Cavity Research Articles

Multiple data access via a common cavity bus in circuit QED

SummaryAccessing multiple data through a common bus in quantum information processing is challenging. Experimental demonstration of quantum state transfer between a pair of superconducting phase qubit [M. A. Sillanpää et al., Nature 449, 438 (2007)] motivates us to construct a scheme for accessing and transferring multi‐qubit quantum information through a common cavity bus. Here, we have presented an efficient scheme to access multiple data through single channel using superconducting qubit and superconducting cavity resonator. The qubit–cavity photon coupling offers transfer of quantum data in different location of a quantum processing system from multiple users through a common superconducting cavity resonator. Instead of phase qubit, charge qubit is found to be more advantageous in qubit–cavity interaction for quantum data transformation, because charge qubit is immune to flux and external flux is used to select specific qubit from a set of qubits. The scheme is very generic and provides M‐output from N‐number of inputs via a common cavity in circuit quantum electrodynamics. The flexibility of the scheme allows us to implement multiplexer, demultiplexer, and so on for quantum data manipulation in a similar manner as in classical digital electronics. This scheme is useful to reduce the circuit complexity in quantum processor named as ‘quprocessor’. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The diagnostic value of transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound for uterine cavity lesions

Objective To evaluate the value of transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound(3D-TVS) in the diagnosis of uterine cavity lesions. Methods 100 patients with suspected uterine cavity lesions, firstly underwent transvaginal ultrasound examination, then underwent transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasonography, and the transvaginal ultrasound and transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound examination was judged by hysteroscopy standard.The diagnostic methods and hysteroscopy examination results of the two groups were compared and analyzed, and the three-dimensional ultrasound imaging data were analyzed. Results The ultrasound findings of transvaginal two-dimensional showed that there were 91 cases in line with hysteroscopy(lesion 142), the accuracy was 64.54%, the differences were statistically significant(χ2=4.872, 4.913, 8.198, 13.254, 10.137, all P<0.05). At the same time, the three-dimensional ultrasound examination results of vaginal showed consistent with hysteroscopy 132, the accuracy was 93.62%, the differences were statistically significant(χ2=2.872, 7.387, 10.258, 18.275, 12.259, all P<0.05). Transvaginal three dimensional ultrasound examination of common uterine cavity lesions ultrasound image was clear, and the size, shape and location of the lesion were clearly visible. Conclusion Three dimensional ultrasound in the diagnosis of uterine cavity lesions has high accuracy, its image data is more clear, and in the clinical diagnosis of uterine cavity lesions has high value of application, and it is worth of promoting. Key words: Ultrasonography; Uterine diseases; Diagnosis

Human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cell transplantation improves endometrial regeneration in rodent models of intrauterine adhesions

Background aimsIntrauterine adhesion (IUA) is a common uterine cavity disease characterized by the unsatisfactory regeneration of damaged endometria. Recently, stem cell transplantation has been proposed to promote the recovery process. Here we investigated whether human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSCs), a valuable resource for transplantation therapy, could improve endometrial regeneration in rodent IUA models. MethodsForty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five groups: normal, sham-operated, mechanical injury, hAMSC transplantation, and negative control group. One week after intervention and transplantation, histological analyses were performed, and immunofluorescent and immunohistochemical expression of cell-specific markers and messenger RNA expression of cytokines were measured. ResultsThicker endometria, increased gland numbers and fewer fibrotic areas were found in the hAMSC transplantation group compared with the mechanical injury group. Engraftment of hAMSCs was detected by the presence of anti-human nuclear antigen–positive cells in the endometrial glands of the transplantation uteri. Transplantation of hAMSCs significantly decreased messenger RNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β), and increased those of anti-inflammatory cytokines (basic fibroblast growth factor, and interleukin-6) compared with the injured uterine horns. Immunohistochemical expression of endometrial epithelial cells was revealed in specimens after hAMSC transplantation, whereas it was absent in the mechanically injured uteri. ConclusionshAMSC transplantation promotes endometrial regeneration after injury in IUA rat models, possibly due to immunomodulatory properties. These cells provide a more easily accessible source of stem cells for future research into the impact of cell transplantation on damaged endometria.

A child with severe inner ear malformations with favorable hearing utilization and balance functions after wearing hearing aids

Infants with congenital deafness caused by severe bilateral inner ear malformations frequently suffer from severe hearing loss and poor balance. Unfortunately, the use of hearing aids is usually ineffective in recovering hearing, necessitating cochlear implants. We report a case of a 6-year-old boy with congenital deafness and bilateral inner ear malformations (right side, incomplete partition type I [IP-I]; left side, common cavity deformity). Hearing aids had a remarkable effect in this patient, enabling sufficient and favorable hearing recovery such as to allow the patient to engage in daily conversations. Per-rotatory nystagmus was recorded on an electronystagmogram for both right and left rotations in a damped rotational chair test. It is rare for deaf children with severe bilateral inner ear malformation to demonstrate favorable development in hearing and good equilibrium function. Our findings suggest that auditory–vestibular hair cells in this patient may have been partially preserved despite IP-I in the right ear and common cavity deformity of the left ear.

Editorial: Identifying Colonic Motor Dysfunction in Chronic Constipation with High-Resolution Manometry: Pan-Colonic Pressurizations.

In selected centers, colonic manometry with non-high-resolution catheters is used to document colonic motor dysfunction in chronic constipation. Recently, high-resolution manometry (HRM) catheters, with more closely spaced sensors have been used for this purpose. Corestti et al. assessed colonic pressures with HRM in 17 healthy people and 10 constipated patients. The main finding was pan-colonic pressurizations, which occurred frequently, increased after eating and cholinergic stimulation, were associated with the desire to pass flatus, and were less frequent in slow-transit constipation. These events resemble esophageal common cavity pressure waves. Further studies are necessary to understand the pathogenesis, functional consequences, and clinical utility of pan-colonic pressurizations.

Comparative clinical outcomes of Taiwanese patients with resected buccal and tongue squamous cell carcinomas

ObjectivesAlthough patients with buccal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) usually show acceptable outcomes, local control and survival rates are generally lower than those observed for tongue SCC. This study was designed to compare the clinical outcomes of Taiwanese patients with these two common oral cavity malignancies. MethodsPatients with first primary buccal or tongue SCC who were included in the Taiwanese Cancer Registry Database between 2004 and 2012 were eligible. The study sample consisted of 16,379 patients (7870 buccal SCC and 8509 tongue SCC) who received surgery with or without adjuvant therapy. The 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) rates served as the outcome measures. ResultsCompared with tongue SCC, patients with buccal SCC had a higher prevalence of males (95.7% vs. 86.4%, p<0.0001), pT4 disease (21.4% vs. 12.7%, p<0.0001), and p-Stage IV (30.4% vs. 24.8%, p<0.0001) but a lower frequency of pN2 disease (15.2% vs. 18.5%, p<0.0001). The 5-year DSS and OS rates of buccal SCC patients were slightly higher than those of tongue SCC (78% vs. 77%, p=0.0297; and 71% vs. 69%, p=0.0231, respectively). Multivariate analysis identified tumor site (tongue vs. buccal SCC), sex (male vs. female), age (≥65 vs. <65years), pT classification (T4/T3/T2 vs. T1), and pN classification (N3/N2/N1vs. N0) as independent prognostic factors in the entire study cohort. ConclusionsThe survival advantage of buccal SCC over tongue SCC appears significant in large clinical samples, despite a higher prevalence of p-Stage IV disease in the former.

Novel configuration linear transformer driver with multistages in series sharing common cavity shell

Fast Linear Transformer Drivers (FLTD) can directly produce high-power pulse with peak voltage up to tens of megavolt, peak current up to tens of mega ampere, and rise time 70-200 ns, which are widely used in Z-pinch ICF (Inertial Confinement Fusion)/ IFE (Inertial Fusion Energy), X ray radiography, high power laser and high power microwave, and so on. With the development of high power FLTD drivers for Z-pinch ICF/IFE, it is resolved immediately that hundreds of thousands of high power gas switches should be triggered with accurate sequences. A creative topologic FLTD structure with multistages in series sharing induction cavity shell is presented and a novel trigger method achieving nearly ideal IVA triggering sequence is put forward, by which only one trigger pulse is imported to the novel FLTD cavity shell based on an unclosed cores brick and azimutal line in cavities realizing the gas switches triggering in synchronization. The circuit model and three-dimension electromagnetic model of the new structure of three-stage series FLTD sharing induction cavity shell are developed. The simulating results of the equivalent circuits and electromagnetic models demonstrate that the novel configuration FLTDs have the same output parameters and performances as the traditional FLTDs, and validate the possibility and practicability of the novel configuration FLTDs. Based on the novel configuration FLTD and the triggering method, it is hopeful to resolve the huge challenges and difficulties that high power FLTD drivers for Z-pinch ICF/IFE would have too much import triggering and charging cables and the serious requirements for acute triggering sequences of large-scale gas switches.

Antimicrobial properties of acrylic resins for dentures impregnated with silver nanoparticles

Introduction. Porosity and surface adherence of acrylates make them collectors of infectious content from the mouth. This applies particularly to cold-curable acrylates, whose structure is less compact. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial effects of cold polymerized dental acrylics after impregnation with silver nanoparticles. Material and Methods. Different concentrations (2%, 5% and 10%) of silver nanoparticles were added to the polymer components (powder) of cold polymerizing acrylate, after which disk-shaped samples, 10 mm, in diameter, were made. A disk of silver nanoparticles was used as a control for our study. Antimicrobial activity was investigated using the disc diffusion method on the two most common oral cavity infecting agents - Gram positive bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, and fungus Candida albicans ATCC 2091. The results have shown that the control sample as well as the samples of silver impregnated acrylics resins exhibit antibacterial activity. The growth zone inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus in the culture medium is proportional to the concentration of silver nanoparticles in the cold curing acrylic resin. On the other hand, the test samples did not inhibit the growth of Candida albicans in the medium. Conclusion. Silver nanoparticles in cold curing acrylic resin demonstrated antibacterial activity. Expanding their antimicrobial spectrum of activity and their potential clinical application will be the subject of the future research.

Frozen geometric discord in dissipative cavity quantum electrodynamics system

We investigate the dynamics of geometric quantum correlations for certain decoherence channels and discuss the necessary conditions for the existence of frozen geometric discord. As illustrative examples, we study the phenomenon of double sudden transitions in geometric discord for a system consisting of two noninteracting atoms inserted in two independent dissipative cavities and how the initial state parameters and decay rate of dissipative cavities affect the frozen time during which the geometric discord remains constant. We also explore the dynamics of geometric discord between two noninteracting atoms trapped in a common dissipative cavity and find that the geometric discord exhibits sudden transition between classical and quantum decoherence. Moreover, a nonzero stationary geometric discord can arise in both the independent cavity case and common cavity case.

Synchronization of active atomic clocks via quantum and classical channels

Superradiant lasers based on atomic ensembles exhibiting ultra-narrow optical transitions can emit light of unprecedented spectral purity and may serve as active atomic clocks. We consider two frequency-detuned active atomic clocks, which are coupled in a cascaded setup, i.e. as master & slave lasers, and study the synchronization of the slave to the master clock. In a setup where both atomic ensembles are coupled to a common cavity mode such synchronization phenomena have been predicted by Xu et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 154101 (2014)] and experimentally observed by Weiner et al. [arXiv:1503.06464 (2015)]. Here we demonstrate that synchronization still occurs in cascaded setups but exhibits distinctly different phase diagrams. We study the characteristics of synchronization in comparison to the case of coupling through a common cavity. We also consider synchronization through a classical channel where light of the master laser is measured phase sensitively and the slave laser is injection locked by feedback and compare to the results achievable by coupling through quantum channels.

Quantum Backaction Evading Measurement of Collective Mechanical Modes.

The standard quantum limit constrains the precision of an oscillator position measurement. It arises from a balance between the imprecision and the quantum backaction of the measurement. However, a measurement of only a single quadrature of the oscillator can evade the backaction and be made with arbitrary precision. Here we demonstrate quantum backaction evading measurements of a collective quadrature of two mechanical oscillators, both coupled to a common microwave cavity. The work allows for quantum state tomography of two mechanical oscillators, and provides a foundation for macroscopic mechanical entanglement and force sensing beyond conventional quantum limits.

The Developing Skull Base: Anatomical and Surgical Issues for Hearing Implants

In this roundtable discussion, the developmental aspects of the inner ear, as well as the anatomical conditions of young children's skulls, are presented in order to make the different malformations of the inner ear understandable and to give hints for insertion procedures of the cochlear implants. The normal embryologic development of the inner ear, as well as of the middle ear, is explained and the typical disturbances are discussed. In the next part, two different classification schemes (Jackler, Sennaroglu) of the labyrinthine malformations are given and related to the developmental processes. The following entities are discussed: complete labyrinthine aplasia (Michel dysplasia), common cavity, cochlear aplasia, labyrinthine hypoplasia, cochlear and vestibular hypoplasia, and incomplete partition. Especially it will be outlined that malformations of the facial nerve must be expected if malformations of the inner ear are present. The special anatomical conditions of young children's skull are outlined and demonstrated. The following conclusions from the presentation can be summarized: Embryology is important to understand the malformations, skin incisions should not harm the facial nerve, which is superficially positioned directly under the skin in young children, an injury of the dura, sigmoid sinus or surface of the brain or the cerebellum is easily possible due to the very thin osseous structures, and furthermore the growth potential of the osseous skull can be responsible for lost or dislocation of the electrodes of cochlear implants. For this growth potential, especially the sutures and the mastoid fontanelle are responsible.

Free-flap reconstruction for the management of life-threatening hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant multi-systemic disease that exhibits increasing penetrance with age. Some patients present with severe life-threatening epistaxis which is intractable to all common treatment modalities.A 63-year-old female patient with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) presented with recurrent life-threatening epistaxis that required repeated transfusions despite multiple embolizations and septodermoplasty. Previous septodermoplasty failed due to septal perforation. Resurfacing of the nasal lining with a free flap was planned. Total removal of the nasal mucosa and remaining septum was conducted to make the nasal cavity into one common cavity. Nasal passages were resurfaced with a radial forearm free flap. Following surgery, the patient experienced no further significant epistaxis.Fasciocutaneous free-flap resurfacing might represent a curative solution for cases of HHT intractable to conservative treatment and septodermoplasty, especially for patients with large septal perforation.

A simple standard technique for labyrinthectomy in the rat: A methodical communication with a detailed description of the surgical process.

Aims Labyrinthectomized rats are suitable models to test consequences of vestibular lesion and are widely used to study neural plasticity. We describe a combined microsurgical-chemical technique that can be routinely performed with minimum damage. Methods Caudal leaflet of the parotis is elevated. The tendinous fascia covering the bulla is opened frontally from the sternomastoid muscle's tendon while sparing facial nerve branches. A 4mm diameter hole is drilled into the bulla's hind lower lateral wall to open the common (in rodents) mastoid-tympanic cavity. The cochlear crista (promontory) at the lower posterior part of its medial wall is identified as a bony prominence. A 1mm diameter hole is drilled into its lower part. The perilymphatic/endolymphatic fluids with tissue debris of the Corti organ are suctioned. Ethanol is injected into the hole. Finally, 10µL of sodium arsenite solution (50µM/mL) is pumped into the labyrinth and left in place for 15min. Simple closure in two layers (fascia and skin) is sufficient. Results and conclusion All rats had neurological symptoms specific for labyrinthectomy (muscle tone, body position, rotatory movements, nystagmus, central deafness). Otherwise, their behavior was unaffected, drinking and eating normally. After a few days, they learned to balance relying on visual and somatic stimuli (neuroplasticity).

Phase-dependent multiple optomechanically induced absorption in multimode optomechanical systems with mechanical driving

We investigate theoretically the response of the output field from an optomechanical system consisting of $N$ nearly degenerate mechanical resonators each coupled to a common cavity mode. When the cavity is driven simultaneously by a strong control field and a weak probe field and each mechanical resonator is driven by a coherent mechanical pump, we obtain the analytical expression for the probe transmission. We show that the probe transmission spectrum can exhibit multiple optomechanically induced absorption (OMIA) with at most $N$ narrow absorption dips, which can be tuned by the phase and amplitude of the mechanical driving field as well as the control field. Moreover, it is shown that the peak probe transmission can be enhanced or suppressed by increasing the amplitude of the mechanical pump, which depends on the phase difference. This phase-dependent effect plays an important role in controlling the propagation of the probe field between OMIA and parametric amplification.

Long-term Results of ABI in Children With Severe Inner Ear Malformations.

To report the long-term outcomes of children who received auditory brainstem implant (ABI) because of severe inner ear malformations. Retrospective chart review. Tertiary referral otolaryngology clinic. Between July 2006 and October 2014, 60 children received ABI at Hacettepe University. Preoperative work up included otolaryngologic examination, audiological assessment, radiological evaluation together with assessment of language development and psychological status. The surgeries were performed via retrosigmoid approach with a pediatric neurosurgeon. Intraoperatively, electrical auditory brainstem response was utilized. Initial stimulation was done 4 to 5 weeks postoperatively. Outcomes were evaluated with Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP), speech intelligibility rate (SIR), functional auditory performance of cochlear implant (FAPCI) and Manchester Spoken Language Development Scale scores; receptive and expressive language ages were determined. Sixty children who received ABI were between ages of 12 and 64 months. Thirty-five patients with follow up period of at least 1 year, were reported in means of long-term audiological and language results. The most prevelant inner ear malformation was cochlear hypoplasia (n = 19). No major complication was encountered. Majority of the patients were in CAP 5 category, which implies that they can understand common phrases without lip reading. SIR was found out to be better with improving hearing thresholds. Children with ABI were performing worse than average cochlear implantation (CI) users when FAPCI scores were compared. Patients with the best hearing thresholds have expressive vocabulary of 50 to 200 words when evaluated with Manchester Spoken Language Development Scale. There was no relationship between the number of active electrodes and hearing thresholds. The type of inner ear anomaly with the best and the worst hearing thresholds were common cavity and cochlear aperture aplasia, respectively. Patients with additional handicaps had worse outcomes. Among 35 children, 29 had closed set discrimination and 12 developed open set discrimination above 50%. It was determined that, progress of the patients is faster in the initial 2 years when compared with further use of ABI. ABI is an acceptable and effective treatment modality for pediatric population with severe inner ear malformations. Bilateral stimulation together with CI and contralateral ABI should be utilized in suitable cases.

Validation of criteria for the definition of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations using high‐resolution manometry

Criteria for transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESRs) are well-defined for Dentsleeve manometry. As high-resolution manometry (HRM) is now the gold standard to assess esophageal motility, our aim was to propose a consensus definition of TLESRs using HRM. Postprandial esophageal HRM combined with impedance was performed in 10 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations identification was performed by 17 experts using a Delphi process. Four investigators then characterized TLESR candidates that achieved 100% agreement (TLESR events) and those that achieved less than 25% agreement (non-events) after the third round. Logistic regression and decision tree analysis were used to define optimal diagnostic criteria. All diagnostic criteria were more frequently encountered in the 57 TLESR events than in the 52 non-events. Crural diaphragm (CD) inhibition and LES relaxation duration >10seconds had the highest predictive value to identify TLESR. Based on decision tree analysis, reflux on impedance, esophageal shortening, common cavity, upper esophageal sphincter relaxation without swallow and secondary peristalsis were alternate diagnostic criteria. Using HRM, TLESR might be defined as LES relaxation occurring in absence of swallowing, lasting more than 10seconds and associated with CD inhibition.

Role of Buccal Pad of Fat in Reconstruction of the Buccal Mucosa Defects.

Carcinoma buccal mucosa is the most common oral cavity cancer in India. Following excision of these lesions the defects can be reconstructed using various reconstructive techniques. Buccal pad of fat has been successfully used in the reconstruction of small palatal defects and in the closure of the oro antral fistula. This study aims at evaluating the role of buccal pad of fat in reconstruction of defects following excision of the small to medium premalignant lesions and T1-T2 malignant lesions of buccal mucosa. This study has 20 patients who presented between January 2013 and January 2015, with biopsy proven premalignant lesions and early malignant lesions in the buccal mucosa. The lesions were excised and reconstructed with buccal pad of fat. Patients were followed up for a period of 3months, in this period were evaluated for flap epithelisation, postoperative complications like flap necrosis and infection and also the functional outcomes of the flap. In our study complete epithelisation of the flap was seen in all patients. Wound dehiscence was seen in three patients with larger defetcs(>5cm). None of our patients had any post operative morbidity. This flap is therefore an excellent reconstruction technique for small to medium buccal mucosa defects as it is convenient, reliable, fast, has rich vascularity, easy accessibility, fewer complications and minimal or no donor site morbidity.

Radiological Imaging Findings of Patients with Congenital Totally Hearing Loss.

The aim of this study was to determine and classify inner ear abnormalities in patients who had cochlear implants because of congenital sensorineural hearing loss using preoperative temporal bone computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Patients in the otolaryngology department who had cochlear implants because of congenital sensorineural hearing loss between January 2011 and December 2013 were included in the study. There were 167 male and 133 female patients, a total of 300. All of the patients were evaluated with 4-detector-row computed tomography and 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging. Inner ear abnormalities were found in 136 of 600 ears (20.3%). There were six ears with incomplete partition-II (4.4%), five ears with incomplete partition-I (3.6%), two ears with Michel deformity (1.4%), two ears with cochlear hypoplasia (1.4%), two ears with cochlear otosclerosis (1.4%), and one ear with common cavity deformity (0.7%). Dilatation of the internal acoustic canal was found in 42 ears (30.9%); also, 21 ears with cochlear nerve aplasia/hypoplasia (15.4%), 5 ears with internal acoustic canal aplasia, and 1 ear with internal acoustic canal hypoplasia (0.73%) were detected. There were 10 ears with posterior semicircular canal (7.3%), 10 ears with lateral semicircular canal (7.4%), 8 ears with superior semicircular canal aplasia/hypoplasia (5.9%), and 8 ears with lateral semicircular canal-vestibular dysplasia. An enlarged vestibular aqueduct was found in 16 ears (11.7%). High jugular bulbs were found in 21 ears; however, this variation was not considered to be an inner ear abnormality. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are essential for the evaluation, determination, and classification of inner ear abnormalities in patients with congenital sensorineural hearing loss who are candidates for cochlear implant operations. Also, these radiological instruments aid in determining contraindications and predicting intraoperative difficulties. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings for these patients should be evaluated by an experienced radiologist before the operation.

ROR1 is essential for proper innervation of auditory hair cells and hearing in humans and mice

Hair cells of the inner ear, the mechanosensory receptors, convert sound waves into neural signals that are passed to the brain via the auditory nerve. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms that govern the development of hair cell-neuronal connections. We ascertained a family with autosomal recessive deafness associated with a common cavity inner ear malformation and auditory neuropathy. Via whole-exome sequencing, we identified a variant (c.2207G>C, p.R736T) in ROR1 (receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1), cosegregating with deafness in the family and absent in ethnicity-matched controls. ROR1 is a tyrosine kinase-like receptor localized at the plasma membrane. At the cellular level, the mutation prevents the protein from reaching the cellular membrane. In the presence of WNT5A, a known ROR1 ligand, the mutated ROR1 fails to activate NF-κB. Ror1 is expressed in the inner ear during development at embryonic and postnatal stages. We demonstrate that Ror1 mutant mice are severely deaf, with preserved otoacoustic emissions. Anatomically, mutant mice display malformed cochleae. Axons of spiral ganglion neurons show fasciculation defects. Type I neurons show impaired synapses with inner hair cells, and type II neurons display aberrant projections through the cochlear sensory epithelium. We conclude that Ror1 is crucial for spiral ganglion neurons to innervate auditory hair cells. Impairment of ROR1 function largely affects development of the inner ear and hearing in humans and mice.