Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Waveform-Feature Dual Branch Acoustic Embedding Network for Emotion Recognition

Research in advancing speech emotion recognition (SER) has attracted a lot of attention due to its critical role for better human behaviors understanding scientifically and comprehensive applications commercially. Conventionally, performing SER highly relies on hand-crafted acoustic features. The recent progress in deep learning has attempted to model emotion directly from raw waveform in an end-to-end learning scheme; however, this particular approach remains to be generally a sub-optimal approach. An alternative direction has been proposed to enhance and augment the knowledge-based acoustic representation with affect-related representation derived directly from raw waveform. Here, we propose a complimentary waveform-feature dual branch learning network, termed as Dual-Complementary Acoustic Embedding Network (DCaEN), to effectively integrate psychoacoustic knowledge and raw waveform embedding within an augmented feature space learning approach. DCaEN contains an acoustic feature embedding network and a raw waveform network, that is learned by integrating negative cosine distance constraint in the loss function. The experiment results show that DCaEN can achieve 59.31 an 46.73% unweighted average recall (UAR) in the USC IEMOCAP and the MSP-IMPROV speech emotion databases, which improves the performance compared to modeling either acoustic hand-crafted features or raw waveform only and without this particular loss constraint. Further analysis illustrates a reverse mirroring pattern in the learned latent space demonstrating the complementary nature of DCaEN feature space learning.
Winter dormancy of the pine sawyer Monochamus galloprovincialis (Col., Cerambycidae) in Portugal

Abstract: The pine sawyer Monochamus galloprovincialis is the vector of the introduced pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in Portugal and has a fixed univoltine life cycle, overwintering as larvae inside the wood. We investigated the possibility of the existence of a phase of winter dormancy affecting the larvae, its induction and termination under controlled conditions and its incidence and termination in the field. In the laboratory, the majority of the newly hatched larvae which were maintained at a constant temperature of 23°C and different photoperiods became dormant in <70 days. Part of the population completed dormancy and reassumed development until adult emergence at the constant temperature, without the need for a chilling period. Although no critical photoperiod for dormancy maintenance or termination could be determined, dormancy termination was more frequent for larvae experiencing changes on daylength duration. In the field, dormancy incidence grew progressively from a minimum of 26% in October to a maximum of 100% in April, and dormancy appeared to be completed only during late winter. The results suggest that M. galloprovincialis larvae underwent an obligatory dormancy associated with the last larval instar, which conforms to the general definition of diapause, although presenting some affinities with oligopause. The role of this dormancy on the regulation of the pine sawyer’s seasonal development and the number of generations is discussed.
Persistence in Problematic Internet Use—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and Aims: Problematic internet use, internet addiction, and internet gaming disorder all describe a global phenomenon where individuals have trouble limiting their use of internet to such an extent that their use has negative consequences. Past systematic reviews and meta-analyses have focused on estimating prevalence, but there has been no comprehensive research synthesis of the trajectory of the problem. The research objective was to create a pooled estimate of the persistence of problematic internet use. This review included studies using a longitudinal panel data design with a follow-up of at least a year. Studies had to be published before the end of the year 2017, in peer-reviewed academic journals, using English language. Samples from populations in any country were accepted, given they were of acceptable quality. Methods: A literature search was conducted in Web of Science, Pro Quest, and Scopus. Several definitions of problematic internet use were included. Inverse-variance, random-effect meta-analysis was used to estimate weighted summary means of persistence. Attrition and selection bias was investigated using pre-specified tools, and heterogeneity was assessed in subgroup analysis. Results: Nine studies fit the criteria, all using samples from Asian or Western countries. The aggregate estimate for 1-year persistence it was 50% (CI: 40–61%), but results were heterogeneous. Prevalence and persistence estimates were correlated and generally higher in Asian countries. Methodological differences only explain part of the heterogeneity. Conclusion: All included studies found individuals with persistent problems, but the between-studies variation is substantial.
Changes in Expression and Cellular Localization of Rat Skeletal Muscle ClC-1 Chloride Channel in Relation to Age, Myofiber Phenotype and PKC Modulation

The ClC-1 chloride channel 1 is important for muscle function as it stabilizes resting membrane potential and helps to repolarize the membrane after action potentials. We investigated the contribution of ClC-1 to adaptation of skeletal muscles to needs induced by the different stages of life. We analyzed the ClC-1 gene and protein expression as well as mRNA levels of protein kinase C (PKC) alpha and theta involved in ClC-1 modulation, in soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of rats in all stage of life. The cellular localization of ClC-1 in relation to age was also investigated. Our data show that during muscle development ClC-1 expression differs according to phenotype. In fast-twitch EDL muscles ClC-1 expression increased 10-fold starting at 7 days up to 8 months of life. Conversely, in slow-twitch SOL muscles ClC-1 expression remained constant until 33 days of life and subsequently increased fivefold to reach the adult value. Aging induced a downregulation of gene and protein ClC-1 expression in both muscle types analyzed. The mRNA of PKC-theta revealed the same trend as ClC-1 except in old age, whereas the mRNA of PKC-alpha increased only after 2 months of age. Also, we found that the ClC-1 is localized in both membrane and cytoplasm, in fibers of 12-day-old rats, becoming perfectly localized on the membrane in 2-month-old rats. This study could represent a point of comparison helpful for the identification of accurate pharmacological strategies for all the pathological situations in which ClC-1 protein is altered.
Understanding Gender and Factors Affecting Fishing in an Artisanal Shellfish Fishery

Fishing strategies, effort and harvests of small-scale fishers are important to understand for effective planning of regulatory measures and development programs. Gender differences in fishing can highlight inequities deserving transformative solutions, but might mask other important factors. We examined fishing modes, fishing frequency, catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE), resource preferences and perceptions of fishery stock among artisanal gastropod (trochus) fishers in Samoa using structured questionnaires and mixed effects models. The fishery has an extremely modest carbon footprint of 18–23 tons of CO2 p.a. , as few fishers used motorized boats. Trochus (Rochia nilotica), an introduced gastropod, was the second-most harvested resource, after fish, despite populations only being established in the past decade. Daily catch volume varied according to gender and villages (n = 34), and was also affected by fishing effort, experience, assets (boat), and fishing costs of fishers. Boat users had much higher CPUE than fishers without a boat. Fishers who practised both gleaning and diving caught a greater diversity of marine resources; effects that explained otherwise seeming gender disparities. Trochus tended to be ranked more important (by catch volume) by women than men, and rank importance varied greatly among villages. Local ecological knowledge of fishers informed the historical colonization of trochus around Samoa and current trends in population abundance. Fishing efficiency, catch diversity and perspectives about stocks were similar between fishermen and fisherwomen, when accounting for other explanatory variables. Greater importance of these shellfish to women, and gender similarities in many of the fishing responses, underscore the need to ensure equal representation of women in the decision making in small-scale fisheries.
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Neonatal Sepsis in a Tertiary Hospital, North West Nigeria

Context: Neonatal sepsis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality of newborns, especially in developing countries. Aims: Our study determined the prevalence of neonatal sepsis and its predisposing factors among neonates admitted in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH). Settings and Design: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in ABUTH. Subjects and Methods: The data were abstracted from the case notes of neonates admitted from May 2017 to May 2018. A pretested pro forma was used to abstract the data. Statistical Analysis Used: Odds ratios and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine the factors associated with neonatal sepsis among the study population. Results: The prevalence of neonatal sepsis was 37.6%. Escherichia coli was the most commonly isolated organism. Neonates 0–7 days of age were 2.8 times less likely to develop neonatal sepsis than older neonates. Babies born with an Apgar score of <6 within the 1st min were 2.4 times more likely to develop neonatal sepsis than those whose Apgar score was higher. Neonates of mothers who had urinary tract infection during pregnancy were 2.3 times more likely to have had sepsis and those whose mothers had premature rupture of membranes were 4.6 times more likely. Conclusions: The prevalence of neonatal sepsis was high among the neonates studied. Neonatal and maternal factors were associated with sepsis in the neonates. These findings provide guidelines for the selection of empirical antimicrobial agents in the study site and suggest that a continued periodic evaluation is needed to anticipate the development of neonatal sepsis among neonates admitted.
Carcass and meat quality of second-cross cryptorchid lambs grazed on chicory (Cichorium intybus) or lucerne (Medicago sativa)

The meat quality of cross-bred cryptorchid lambs (6 months old) that had been grazed on chicory (Cichorium intybus; n = 20) or lucerne (Medicago sativa; n = 20) for 8 weeks preslaughter was studied. Unfasted preslaughter liveweight (range 42.5-51.5 kg) was not affected (P>0.05) by treatment. There was no difference (P>0.05) between groups for age at slaughter, hot carcass weight, or measures of fatness GR and Fat C (fat depth over longissimus thoracis et lumborum) when adjusted to a common carcass weight of 21.9 kg. Lucerne-fed lambs were, however, significantly (P 0.05) difference between groups for pH, colour values (where L* indicates relative lightness, a* relative redness, b* relative yellowness), Warner-Bratzler shear values, or cooking loss. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference between groups for mean fat colour score or for the distribution of the scores. The b* values for subcutaneous fat tended (P = 0.06) to be greater for lucerne-fed lambs. A comparison of the mean values for aroma and flavour of the longissimus thoracis et lumborum showed no significant (P>0.05) difference between groups and no difference in overall acceptability. Finishing lambs on the chicory cultivar used in this experiment did not adversely affect meat quality and did not result in fatter carcasses than lucerne-fed lambs.
Intra-genome variability in the dinucleotide composition of SARS-CoV-2

CpG dinucleotides are under-represented in the genomes of single stranded RNA viruses, and coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, are no exception to this. Artificial modification of CpG frequency is a valid approach for live attenuated vaccine development, and if this is to be applied to SARS-CoV-2, we must first understand the role CpG motifs play in regulating SARS-CoV-2 replication. Accordingly, the CpG composition of the newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 genome was characterised in the context of other coronaviruses. CpG suppression amongst coronaviruses does not significantly differ according to genera of virus, but does vary according to host species and primary replication site (a proxy for tissue tropism), supporting the hypothesis that viral CpG content may influence cross-species transmission. Although SARS-CoV-2 exhibits overall strong CpG suppression, this varies considerably across the genome, and the Envelope (E) open reading frame (ORF) and ORF10 demonstrate an absence of CpG suppression. While ORF10 is only present in the genomes of a subset of coronaviruses, E is essential for virus replication. Across the Coronaviridae, E genes display remarkably high variation in CpG composition, with those of SARS and SARS-CoV-2 having much higher CpG content than other coronaviruses isolated from humans. Phylogeny indicates that this is an ancestrally-derived trait reflecting their origin in bats, rather than something selected for after zoonotic transfer. Conservation of CpG motifs in these regions suggests that they have a functionality which over-rides the need to suppress CpG; an observation relevant to future strategies towards a rationally attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.
Differential neural circuitry behind autism subtypes with imbalanced social-communicative and restricted repetitive behavior symptoms

Social-communication (SC) and restricted repetitive behaviors (RRB) are autism diagnostic symptom domains. SC and RRB severity can markedly differ within and between individuals and may be underpinned by different neural circuitry and genetic mechanisms. Modeling SC-RRB balance could help identify how neural circuitry and genetic mechanisms map onto such phenotypic heterogeneity. Here we developed a phenotypic stratification model that makes highly accurate (97-99%) out-of-sample SC=RRB, SC>RRB, and RRB>SC subtype predictions. Applying this model to resting state fMRI data from the EU-AIMS LEAP dataset (n=509), we find that while the phenotypic subtypes share many commonalities in terms of intrinsic functional connectivity, they also show subtype-specific qualitative differences compared to a typically-developing group (TD). Specifically, the somatomotor network is hypoconnected with perisylvian circuitry in SC>RRB and visual association circuitry in SC=RRB. The SC=RRB subtype also showed hyperconnectivity between medial motor and anterior salience circuitry. Genes that are highly expressed within these subtype-specific networks show a differential enrichment pattern with known ASD associated genes, indicating that such circuits are affected by differing autism-associated genomic mechanisms. These results suggest that SC-RRB imbalance subtypes share some commonalities but also express subtle differences in functional neural circuitry and the genomic underpinnings behind such circuitry.
Liver cell and macrophage surface lectins as determinants of recognition in blood clearance and cellular attachment of bacteria

Neoglycoproteins specific for liver and phagocytic cell membrane lectins inhibited the blood clearance and the attachment to mouse macrophages of group B streptococci bearing surface sugar residues specific for the lectins. It is concluded that lectins present on the surfaces of liver, and other phagocytic cells are involved in the elimination of invading bacteria by receptor-mediated phagocytosis, which does not require the participation of opsonins.
Functionally unique, specialised, and endangered (FUSE) species: towards integrated metrics for the conservation prioritisation toolbox

Identifying species with disproportionate contributions to biodiversity can lead to effective conservation prioritisation. Despite well-established methods for identifying endangered species adding inordinately to evolutionary diversity, in this context functional diversity has been overlooked. Here, we compare different metrics designed to identify threatened species that contribute strongly to functional diversity. We use the diverse and threatened global marine megafauna as a case study. We found that functional contributions of species are not fully captured in a single metric. Although we found a very strong correlation between functional specialisation and distinctiveness, functional uniqueness was only moderately correlated with the other two metrics and identified a different set of top-10 species. These functional contributions were then integrated and combined with extinction risk to identify species that are both important contributors to functional diversity and endangered. For instance, the top-10 Functionally Unique Specialized and Endangered (FUSE) species contains three critically endangered, five endangered and two vulnerable species which - despite comprising only 3% of species - are among the top 10% most functionally unique and hold 15% of the global functional richness. The FUSE index was remarkably robust to different mathematical formulations. Combining one or more facets of a species contribution to functional diversity with endangerment, such as with the FUSE index, adds to the toolbox for conservation prioritisation. Nevertheless, we discuss how these new tools must be handled with care alongside other metrics and information.
Brain Modeling ToolKit: An open source software suite for multiscale modeling of brain circuits

Experimental studies in neuroscience are producing data at a rapidly increasing rate, providing exciting opportunities and formidable challenges to existing theoretical and modeling approaches. To turn massive datasets into predictive quantitative frameworks, the field needs software solutions for systematic integration of data into realistic, multiscale models. Here we describe the Brain Modeling ToolKit (BMTK), a software suite for building models and performing simulations at multiple levels of resolution, from biophysically detailed multi-compartmental, to point-neuron, to population-statistical approaches. Leveraging the SONATA file format and existing software such as NEURON, NEST, and others, BMTK offers consistent user experience across multiple levels of resolution. It permits highly sophisticated simulations to be set up with little coding required, thus lowering entry barriers to new users. We illustrate successful applications of BMTK to large-scale simulations of a cortical area. BMTK is an open-source package provided as a resource supporting modeling-based discovery in the community.
Bursting mitral cells time the oscillatory coupling between olfactory bulb and entorhinal networks in neonatal mice

Shortly after birth, the olfactory system provides to blind, deaf, non-whisking and motorically-limited rodents not only the main source of environmental inputs, but also the drive boosting the functional entrainment of limbic circuits. However, the cellular substrate of this early communication remains largely unknown. Here we combine in vivo and in vitro patch-clamp and extracellular recordings to reveal the contribution of mitral cell (MC) firing to the early patterns of network activity in the neonatal olfactory bulb (OB) and lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC), the gatekeeper of limbic circuits. We show that MCs predominantly fire either in an irregular bursting or non-bursting pattern during discontinuous theta events in OB. However, the temporal spike-theta phase coupling is stronger for bursting MCs when compared to non-bursting cells. In line with the direct OB projections to LEC, both bursting and non-bursting firing augments during coordinated patterns of entorhinal activity, yet to a higher magnitude for bursting MCs. These cells are stronger temporally coupled to the discontinuous theta events in LEC. Thus, bursting MCs might drive the entrainment of OB-LEC network during neonatal development. KEY POINTS During early postnatal development mitral cells show either irregular bursting or non-bursting firing patterns Bursting mitral cells preferentially fire during theta bursts in the neonatal OB, being locked to the theta phase Bursting mitral cells preferentially fire during theta bursts in the neonatal lateral entorhinal cortex and are temporally related to both respiration rhythm- and theta phase Bursting mitral cells act as cellular substrate of the olfactory drive promoting the oscillatory entrainment of entorhinal networks
Revision of Dennyus (Collodennyus) lice (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae) from swiftlets, with descriptions of new taxa and a comparison of host–parasite relationships

Lice of the subgenus Dennyus (Collodennyus) are host specific, permanent parasites of swiftlets (Aves: Apodidae). As a prelude to a test of the hypothesis that these lice have cospeciated with their hosts, we revise the taxonomy of the subgenus, redescribing the seven previously recognized species, and adding thirteen new species and three new subspecies. All twenty‐three of these louse taxa are found on swiftlets (Apodiformes: Apodidae), with four from hosts of the genus Collocalia, eighteen from Aerodramus, and one from Hydrochous. Successful identification is associated in most cases with females; males are only tenuously separable. A complete host–parasite list for the subgenus Collodennyus is provided, as well as a key for the identification of these taxa. Limited morphological variation within the subgenus has prevented ready extraction of discrete characters for cladistic analysis. In the absence of such characters, a cluster analysis of female and male lice is presented. Comparison of a dendrogram for Dennyus (Collodennyus) with a molecular phylogeny for the swiftlet hosts suggests that the history of the swiftlet–louse association has been complex, including episodes of host switching and independent speciation by the lice.
Rapid Population Decline of the Pillar Coral Dendrogyra cylindrus Along the Florida Reef Tract

Coral reefs worldwide are in a state of decline, but the status of populations and stressors for rare species are generally not well documented using broad-scale monitoring protocol. We fate-tracked all known colonies of the pillar coral Dendrogyra cylindrus on the Florida Reef Tract from 2013 – 2020 to assess the population and document the impacts of chronic and acute stressors. Large average colony size, an absence of juveniles, and large geographic distances between genotypes suggest that the Florida D. cylindrus population has been reproductively extinct for decades. During the study period, low-intensity chronic stressors were balanced by regrowth, while back-to-back years of coral bleaching and thermally-exacerbated disease led to declines that the subsequent years of recovery suggest would take 11 uninterrupted years to overcome. The most recent stressor on Florida’s D. cylindrus population is “stony coral tissue loss disease. ” Following the appearance of the disease in Florida in 2015, it resulted in unrecoverable losses to the D. cylindrus population as tissue, colonies, and whole genotypes were driven to extinction. Losses of 91% of coral tissue, 88% of colonies, and 73% of genotypes between 2014 and early 2020 have led to functional extinction of D. cylindrus on the Florida Reef Tract.