Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Speech and song: The role of the cerebellum

An exploration into cerebellar activity during the perception and production of speech and song may elucidate general underlying cerebellar functions. Recently, the cerebellum has been hypothesized to be involved with sharpening sensory input, temporal coordination and processing of motor articulation and perception, as well as instantiation of internal models that simulate the input-output characteristics of a specific system. Sung language and spoken language share many common features (physiology for articulation and perception as well as phonology, phonotactics, syntax, and semantics of the underlying language), although they differ in certain vocal and prosodic aspects. A review of the literature on perception and production of singing and speech reveals considerable overlap in the lateral aspect of the VI lobule of the posterior cerebellum, a region known to somatotopically represent the lips and tongue. This region may instantiate internal models of vocal tract articulation that simulate well learned phonological and/or segmental articulatory—auditory/orosensory mappings utilized for both speech and singing. Recent results show tendencies for left cerebellar hemispheric specialization for processing of singing and right specialization for processing of speech, both in the VI lobule of the cerebellum, inferior to that found for representing both speech and singing. Given the crossed pattern of cerebellar-cortical anatomical connectivity the findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the right cerebellum differentially processes high pass filtered information (segmental properties) and the left cerebellum differentially processes low pass filtered information (prosodic, melodic properties). Further research is necessary to examine these hypotheses and their alternatives directly.
Transneuronal tracing from sympathectomized lumbar epaxial muscle in female rats.

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) has been used as a transneuronal tracer to study central neural networks, including the central control of the lordosis-producing, lumbar epaxial muscles. Within muscles, however, the sympathetic innervation of blood vessels poses a confounding source of tracer labeling in the CNS. The present study destroyed sympathetic nerves before injection of PRV, thereby allowing for a more selective uptake by somatic motoneurons. Specifically, a focal sympathectomy was created by the injection of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase immunotoxin (DHIT). When PRV was injected into control rats, both somatic motoneurons within the ventral horn of the spinal cord and sympathetic preganglionic neurons within the intermediolateral column (IML) of the spinal cord became labeled. Additionally, labeled neurons were observed in many brain regions, including those previously implicated in the control of the lordosis reflex (e.g., the medullary reticular formation; MRF) and those previously implicated in the control of vasomotor tone (e.g., the rostral ventrolateral medulla; RVLM). When injected into DHIT-pretreated animals, PRV labeling in ventral horn neurons persisted in many animals; however, labeling in IML was eliminated in almost every case. In these animals, PRV labeling was absent in brain areas traditionally associated with vasomotor tone, such as RVLM, whereas labeling persisted in brain areas previously implicated in the control of the lordosis response, such as MRF. The results support the connectivity of spinal and medullary structures with the somatic control of the lordosis-producing muscles and provide a more detailed description of these portions of the putative lordosis-relevant neurocircuitry.
Trigeminal ganglion infection by thymidine kinase-negative mutants of herpes simplex virus after in vivo complementation

Infection of trigeminal ganglion by herpes simplex virus (HSV) thymidine kinase-negative (TK-) mutants was investigated in mixed infection studies in mice. Mice were corneally inoculated with TK- HSV alone or with mixtures of TK- HSV-TK+ HSV. When inoculated alone, an arabinosylthymine-selected HSV type 1 TK- mutant and a HSV type 2 TK- deletion mutant infected mouse ocular tissues but rarely infected ganglion tissues. However, both TK- mutants readily infected ganglion tissues when they were inoculated in mixtures with TK+ HSV. By means of mixed infection studies, it was demonstrated that TK- HSV could readily establish acute and latent ganglion infections. It was thought that the frequent infection of trigeminal ganglion tissue by both TK- mutants after mixed TK(-)-TK+ HSV infection was the result of in vivo complementation. After mixed TK(-)-TK+ HSV infection and subsequent cultivation of ganglion explants in arabinosylthymine, results supported the conclusion that when TK- was present in ganglia it was in the same neurons that contained TK+ HSV.
Inverse Lighting for Photography

We introduce a technique for improving photographs using inverse lighting , a new process based on algorithms developed in computer graphics for computing the reﬂection of light in 3D space. From a photograph and a 3D surface model for the object pictured, inverse lighting estimates the directional distribution of the incident light. We then use this information to process the photograph digitally to alter the lighting on the object. Inverse lighting is a speciﬁc example of the general idea of inverse rendering . This refers to the practice of using the methods of computer graphics, which normally are used to render images from scene information, to infer scene information from images. Our system uses physically based rendering technology to construct a linear least squares system that we solve to ﬁnd the lighting. As an application, the results are then used to simulate a change in the incident light in the photograph. An implementation is described that uses 3D models from a laser range scanner and photographs from a high-resolution color CCD camera. We demonstrate the system on a simple test object and a human face.
LA DECONFIRMATION DES ATTENTES COMME MESURE DU CAPITAL MA RQUE D 'UNE REGION D'ORIGINE , UNE ETUDE EMPIRTIQUE AVEC CINQ REGIONS VITICOLES FRANÇAISES

SUMMARY : Disconfirmation of expectations is the mismatch bet ween the expected and blind evaluation of a product (Anderson, 1973). From the consumer’s point of view, the hedonic evaluation of a product under full information (intrinsic and extri nsic) is considered as a measure of perceived quality. Generally, the perceived quality of a prod uct differs according to tasting conditions (blind, or full information). Based on previous lit erature on food marketing we assume that the change of preference between blind and full conditi ons reflects the influence of extrinsic information (here, the region of origin). Two types of results can be expected from disconfirmation : “Assimilation” occurs when the fi nal evaluation of the product changes in the direction of the expectation provided by the extrin sic cue, whereas “contrast” occurs when this change is contrary to the expectation. We experiment on five wines selected among regions with different reputation levels, and two groups of consumers, characterized by their level o f expertise (trained/untrained students). Our experiments suggest that disconfirmation may be use d to measure and interpret brand equity on a behavioural basis rather than just attitudinal.
Accurately detecting students’ lies regarding relational aggression by correctional instructions

This study investigates the effect of correctional instructions when detecting lies about relational aggression. Based on models from the field of social psychology, we predict that correctional instruction will lead to a less pronounced lie bias and to more accurate lie detection. Seventy-five teachers received videotapes of students’ true denial messages (e.g., students were innocent) and untrue denial messages (students were involved in relational aggression). A random half of the teachers were either given no further instructions or were told not to use stereotypical non-verbal cues when forming judgements (correctional instruction condition). As predicted, teachers in the correctional instruction condition were slightly better at detecting true than invented stories.
Impact of major depression and subsyndromal symptoms on quality of life and attitudes toward aging in an international sample of older adults.

PURPOSE The impact of major depression on quality of life (QOL) and aging experiences in older adults has been reported. Studies have demonstrated that the clinical diagnosis of major depression is the strongest predictor for QOL. We postulate that some findings are biased because of the use of inadequate instruments. Although subsyndromal depression is more prevalent than major depression, there are no reports on its impact on QOL or attitudes toward aging. In the present study we aim at assessing the association of major and subsyndromal depression on QOL and attitudes toward aging in a large international sample. DESIGN AND METHODS Our cross-sectional study assessed 4,316 respondents in 20 countries from five continents. The study used the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) Assessment for Older Adults, known as the WHOQOL-OLD; the brief version of the WHOQOL instrument, known as the WHOQOL-BREF; and the Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire. Statistical analyses involved hierarchical multiple regression, as well as comparison of means. RESULTS Even relatively minor levels of depression are associated with a significant decrease in all QOL domains and with a pattern of negative attitudes toward aging (overall WHOQOL-OLD R(2) change =. 421). QOL and attitudes toward aging scores are lower as depression intensity is increased, even in subsyndromal levels (overall WHOQOL-OLD mean scores of 95.7 vs 86.4, p <.001). This phenomenon happens not only for clinically depressed individuals but also for subsyndromic individuals. IMPLICATIONS Present findings suggest that classifying a respondent as nondepressed is not sufficient and is still not informative about his or her QOL and attitudes toward aging status.
Madumycin II inhibits peptide bond formation by forcing the peptidyl transferase center into an inactive state

Abstract The emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria is limiting the effectiveness of commonly used antibiotics, which spurs a renewed interest in revisiting older and poorly studied drugs. Streptogramins A is a class of protein synthesis inhibitors that target the peptidyl transferase center (PTC) on the large subunit of the ribosome. In this work, we have revealed the mode of action of the PTC inhibitor madumycin II, an alanine-containing streptogramin A antibiotic, in the context of a functional 70S ribosome containing tRNA substrates. Madumycin II inhibits the ribosome prior to the first cycle of peptide bond formation. It allows binding of the tRNAs to the ribosomal A and P sites, but prevents correct positioning of their CCA-ends into the PTC thus making peptide bond formation impossible. We also revealed a previously unseen drug-induced rearrangement of nucleotides U2506 and U2585 of the 23S rRNA resulting in the formation of the U2506•G2583 wobble pair that was attributed to a catalytically inactive state of the PTC. The structural and biochemical data reported here expand our knowledge on the fundamental mechanisms by which peptidyl transferase inhibitors modulate the catalytic activity of the ribosome.
Does antenatal education reduce fear of childbirth?

AIM The aim of this study was to determine the effect of antenatal education on fear of childbirth, acceptance of pregnancy and identification with motherhood role. BACKGROUND There is insufficient evidence pertaining to the effect of antenatal education on fear of childbirth, acceptance of pregnancy and identification with motherhood role. INTRODUCTION The purpose of antenatal education is to help couples make the right decisions during delivery. Through antenatal education, couples prepare themselves for delivery. METHODS This is a quasi-experimental and prospective study that employs a pre- and post-education model. In total, 192 pregnant women (education group, n = 69 and control group, n = 123) participated in the study. Data were collected using the pregnancy identification form: the Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire and a version of the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire. RESULTS Prior to participating in the study, the education group and control group had similar levels of acceptance of pregnancy and identification with motherhood role, whereas a significant difference was found in their fear of childbirth levels. When surveyed again after receiving education, the two groups' levels of acceptance of pregnancy and fear of childbirth were found to be significantly different. However, they had similar levels of identification with the motherhood role. CONCLUSION Antenatal education appears to increase the acceptance of pregnancy, does not affect the identification with motherhood role and reduces the fear of childbirth. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY A systematic antenatal education programme, as part of routine antenatal care services, would help reduce the rate of interventional labour and facilitate pregnant women's conscious participation in the act of labour by reducing their fear of childbirth.
Academic persistence factors for students who delay college entry

ACADEMIC PERSISTENCE FACTORS FOR STUDENTS WHO DELAY COLLEGE ENTRY Many more students begin college than complete their degrees. Retaining students to graduation has been the objective of many research studies; however, college students are changing. Changing demographics in the United States are creating changes in the college student population that could not have been foreseen years ago. In order to inform policy in a changing climate, the research community must study the changes in the student body and what factors are important to the persistence of the new college student. This study will use Adelman's framework from The Toolbox Studies in conjunction with the Beginning Postsecondary Survey in order to identify the academic persistence factors for students who delay college entry. The juxtaposition of academic momentum in combination with a break in curriculum (students who delay) offers us a window on the importance of high school and college academics for this growing cohort of students. Academic persistence factors found to be common to all students were high school grades and earning 20 or more credits in the freshman year. Participating in study groups was found to be positively associated with persistence for students who delayed college attendance.
Distribution and Expression of Elicitin Genes in the Interspecific Hybrid Oomycete Phytophthora alni

ABSTRACT Phytophthora alni subsp. alni, P. alni subsp. multiformis, and P. alni subsp. uniformis are responsible for alder disease in Europe. Class I and II elicitin gene patterns of P. alni subsp. alni, P. alni subsp. multiformis, P. alni subsp. uniformis, and the phylogenetically close species P. cambivora and P. fragariae were studied through mRNA sequencing and 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR)-specific PCRs and sequencing. The occurrence of multiple 3′UTR sequences in association with identical elicitin-encoding sequences in P. alni subsp. alni indicated duplication/recombination events. The mRNA pattern displayed by P. alni subsp. alni demonstrated that elicitin genes from all the parental genomes are actually expressed in this allopolyploid taxon. The complementary elicitin patterns resolved confirmed the possible involvement of P. alni subsp. multiformis and P. alni subsp. uniformis in the genesis of the hybrid species P. alni subsp. alni. The occurrence of multiple and common elicitin gene sequences throughout P. cambivora, P. fragariae, and P. alni sensu lato, not observed in other Phytophthora species, suggests that duplication of these genes occurred before the radiation of these species.
Grasp stability assessment through the fusion of proprioception and tactile signals using convolutional neural networks

The growing demand in industry for robots capable of performing a variety of tasks requires an increased capability in robotic grasping. Humans are adept at interacting with novel objects, a skill attributed primarily to tactile feedback in the form of exteroception and proprioception. This paper presents a novel way to incorporate exteroception and proprioception into grasp stability assessment: by using convolutional neural networks. This method improves upon the results of a unsupervised feature learning approach that used similar tactile feedback. 1000 different grasps on 100 objects were used to train and test the network. The network achieved an overall accuracy of 88.4% while predicting the failure class with an accuracy of 92.7%.
Bicultural Normative Conflicts: What Motivates Choice?

BICULTURAL NORMATIVE CONFLICTS: WHAT MOTIVATES CHOICE? Mamta Vaswani Advisor: University of Guelph, 2015 Dr. Benjamin Giguere The present study explored how motivation to gain acceptance and avoid rejection impacts which of their two cultures, mainstream or heritage, South Asian Canadian bicultural individuals (N = 224) will choose to align with when the cultures support conflicting norms. Motivation to gain acceptance and to avoid rejection from each cultural group impacted that choice uniquely. In addition, motivation from one’s heritage group appeared to have a more statistically reliable association with making that choice. The present study also explored how such motivation impacts psychological health. Overall, motivation to avoid rejection was associated with greater ill-being and lower well-being whereas motivation to gain acceptance was associated with greater well-being. The results as they relate to the integration of bicultural youth into broader Canadian society as well as their psychological health, and the unique roles that acceptance and rejection play in motivating group norm adherence are discussed.
Policy Error Bounds for Model-Based Reinforcement Learning with Factored Linear Models

In this paper we study a model-based approach to calculating approximately optimal policies in Markovian Decision Processes. In particular, we derive novel bounds on the loss of using a policy derived from a factored linear model, a class of models which generalize numerous previous models out of those that come with strong computational guarantees. For the first time in the literature, we derive performance bounds for model-based techniques where the model inaccuracy is measured in weighted norms. Moreover, our bounds show a decreased sensitivity to the discount factor and, unlike similar bounds derived for other approaches, they are insensitive to measure mismatch. Similarly to previous works, our proofs are also based on contraction arguments, but with the main differences that we use carefully constructed norms building on Banach lattices, and the contraction property is only assumed for operators acting on "compressed" spaces, thus weakening previous assumptions, while strengthening previous results.
Review: The development of coping across childhood and adolescence: An integrative review and critique of research

Despite consensus that development shapes every aspect of coping, studies of age differences in coping have proven difficult to integrate, primarily because they examine largely unselected age groups, and utilize overlapping coping categories. A developmental framework was used to organize 58 studies of coping involving over 250 age comparisons or correlations with age. The framework was based on (1) conceptualizations of coping as regulation to suggest ages at which coping should show developmental shifts (Skinner & Zimmer-Gembeck, 2009), and (2) notions of hierarchical families to clarify which coping categories should be distinguished at each age (Skinner, Edge, Altman, & Sherwood, 2003). Developmental patterns in coping (e.g., problem-solving, distraction, support-seeking, escape) were scrutinized with a focus on common age shifts. Two kinds of age trends were discerned, one reflecting increases in coping capacities, as seen in support-seeking (from reliance on adults to more self-reliance), problem-solving (from instrumental action to planful problem-solving), and distraction (adding cognitive to behavioural strategies); and one reflecting improvements in the deployment of different coping strategies according to which ones are most effective in dealing with specific kinds of stressors. Results were used to formulate guidelines for future research on the development of coping.
Sciences, Médias et Société : 3. Quand l’Europe mesure les représentations de la science : une analyse critique des Eurobaromètres

Article au format pdf Mots-cles : methodologie, sondages, entretiens, sciences et societe, biotechnologies. L'objectif de cette communication etait, a la demande des organisateurs, d'explorer a nouveaux frais et dans le domaine des representations sociales des sciences, la tres classique opposition entre methodes quantitatives et qualitatives. Leur demande etait en fait plus precise : interroger l'apport possible de grandes enquetes sur les sciences, telles que les Eurobarometres, a la question qui faisait l'objet (.)
Characterization of Common Carp Transcriptome: Sequencing, De Novo Assembly, Annotation and Comparative Genomics

Background Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is one of the most important aquaculture species of Cyprinidae with an annual global production of 3.4 million tons, accounting for nearly 14% of the freshwater aquaculture production in the world. Due to the economical and ecological importance of common carp, genomic data are eagerly needed for genetic improvement purpose. However, there is still no sufficient transcriptome data available. The objective of the project is to sequence transcriptome deeply and provide well-assembled transcriptome sequences to common carp research community. Result Transcriptome sequencing of common carp was performed using Roche 454 platform. A total of 1,418,591 clean ESTs were collected and assembled into 36,811 cDNA contigs, with average length of 888 bp and N50 length of 1,002 bp. Annotation was performed and a total of 19,165 unique proteins were identified from assembled contigs. Gene ontology and KEGG analysis were performed and classified all contigs into functional categories for understanding gene functions and regulation pathways. Open Reading Frames (ORFs) were detected from 29,869 (81.1%) contigs with an average ORF length of 763 bp. From these contigs, 9,625 full-length cDNAs were identified with sequence length from 201 bp to 9,956 bp. Comparative analysis revealed that 27,693(75.2%) contigs have significant similarity to zebrafish Refseq proteins, and 24,371(66.2%), 24,501(66.5%) and 25,025(70.0%) to teraodon, medaka and three-spined stickleback refseq proteins. A total of 2,064 microsatellites were initially identified from 1,730 contigs, and 1,639 unique sequences had sufficient flanking sequences on both sides for primer design. Conclusion The transcriptome of common carp had been deep sequenced, de novo assembled and characterized, providing the valuable resource for better understanding of common carp genome. The transcriptome data will facilitate future functional studies on common carp genome, and gradually apply in breeding programs of common carp, as well as closely related other Cyprinids.