Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RAPID ADAPTIVE PLASTICITY IN AUDITORY CORTEX

Title of dissertation RAPID ADAPTIVE PLASTICITY IN AUDITORY CORTEX Serin Atiani, PhD 2010 Directed by Dr. Shihab Shamma, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Navigating the acoustic environment entails actively listening for different sound sources, extracting signal from a background of noise, identifying the salient features of a signal and determining what parts of it are relevant. Humans and animals in natural environments perform such acoustic tasks routinely, and have to adapt to changes in the environment and features of the acoustic signals surrounding them in real time. Rapid plasticity has been reported to be a possible mechanism underling the ability to perform these tasks. Previous studies report that neurons in primary auditory cortex (A1) undergo changes in spectro-temporal tuning that enhance the discriminability between different sound classes, modulating their tuning to enhance the task relevant feature. This thesis investigates rapid task related plasticity in two distinct directions; first I investigate the effect of manipulating task difficulty on this type of plasticity. Second I expand the investigation of rapid plasticity into higher order auditory areas. With increasing task difficulty, A1 neurons’ response is altered to increasingly suppress the representation of the noise while enhancing the representation of the signal. Comparing adaptive plasticity in secondary auditory cortex (PEG) to A1, PEG neurons further enhance the discriminability of the sound classes by an even greater enhancement of the target response. Taken together these results indicate that adaptive neural plasticity is a plausible mechanism that underlies the performance of novel auditory behaviors in real time, and provide insights into the development of behaviorally significant representation of sound in auditory cortex. Rapid Adaptive Plasticity in Auditory Cortex
A small fishery with a high impact on sea turtle populations in the eastern Mediterranean

Sea turtles were targeted by fisheries in the Mediterranean from 1920 to 1970 and have undergone severe exploitation. At least 30,000 to 40,000 turtles were caught along the Palestinian coastline during the 1920s to 1930s. Although intentional cap- ture of marine turtles is now illegal, sea turtles are still incidentally caught by the fishing industry, making it a major cause of sea turtle mortality. The present study as- sesses the impact of the Israeli fishery fleet on the turtle population in the Levantine basin based on on-board observations and a fishermen survey. The results show that gillnets and trawlers are the main threats to sea turtles in this area. 21 turtles were caught during 1385.5 hours of trawling observations – a catch rate of 0.015 turtles per hour. We estimate that a total of 1,315 turtles are caught annually by Israeli trawlers. According to the fishermen survey, ∼21 turtles are caught each year by a single gillnet vessel, yielding an annual estimate of 1,672 turtles for the whole gillnet fleet. We have also found that only a small fraction of the turtles injured by trawlers is represented in the strandings. The mortality rate through trawling and the stranding density is the highest in the region, emphasizing the urgent need to regulate the Israe- li fishery. This fishery poses a major threat to the whole Levantine sea turtle popula- tion, especially during the vulnerable reproduction stage.
PHOSPHORUS STATUS AND CYTOPLASMIC STRUCTURES IN SCENEDESMUS (CHLOROPHYCEAE) UNDER DIFFERENT METABOLIC REGIMES 1

Phosphorus deficiency affects the anatomy of the unicellular green alga Scenedesmus obtusiusculus Chad. and influences the distribution of other inorganic elements in the cell in addition to phosphorus. Scenedesmus was grown under standard conditions with or without phosphorus. Cells were then cultured with phosphorus under conditions favouring glycolysis, respiration, or photophosphorylation for 2 h or photosynthesis for up to 8 h. The dominating features of phosphorus starvation, were loss of phosphorus and coions from polyphosphate bodies, accumulation of starch, decrease in the volume density of ribosomes both in the chloroplast and cytoplasm, and an increase in wall thickness. Under conditions favoring photosynthesis the mass fraction for phosphorus is low after 1 h, exceptionally high by 2 h, and diminishes by 8 h. High amounts of phosphorus are also regained under conditions favoring glycolysis and photophosphorylation but not respiration. After 2 h under photosynthetic conditions the volume densities of the chloroplast, cytoplasmic ribosomes, the vacuole, and the mitochondrion increased over controls. By 8 h the relative volume of the single ramified mitochondrion had decreased slightly and recognizable segments of it were sequestered within the vacuome. The autophagic nature of the vacuole was further evidenced by the presence of ribosomes and whorls of lamellae within it. Serial sections showed that all polyphosphate granules and sequestered materials were located within a continuous vacuolar cisterna.
Development of an advanced one-dimensional stem heating model for application in surface fires

A new one-dimensional heat conduction model for predicting stem heating during fires is presented. The model makes use of moisture- and temperature-dependent thermal properties for layers of bark and wood. The thermal aspects of the processes of bark swelling, desiccation, and devolatilization are treated in an approximate fashion. An energy balance reveals that simulation with a heat flux input boundary condition requires that these phenomena be accounted for. Previous models have used temperaturetime boundary conditions, which prevents them from being used in conjunction with fire behavior models. This model uses a fluxtime profile for its boundary condition, making it possible to eventually couple it to fire behavior models. The model was developed and validated with laboratory experiments on Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) samples. It is intended that this model be used in conjunction with fire behavior and cell mortality models to make predictions of stem heating related mortalit.
Antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and skin care properties of 35 selected plants from Galicia (NW Spain)

In order to contribute to the knowledge of plants from Galician (northwest of the Iberian Peninsula), in the present study, 35 Galician endemic and subendemic plants were examined for their antioxidant activity, total phenolic composition, UV absorption, and skin care properties. The radical scavenging capacity, ferric-reducing antioxidant power, protection against oxidation of the β-carotene/linoleic acid emulsion, antiradical protection of irradiated human skin fibroblast were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity. In several cases, the results of this study strongly indicate in vitro antioxidant activity, which may be due to the presence of a high total phenolic content. Antiradical protection of irradiated human skin fibroblast, stimulation of human skin fibroblast proliferation, and significant absorption of UV radiation were also observed. In order to identify active principles, some extracts were submitted to fractionation and genistein was isolated from Pterospartum tridentatum subsp. tridentatum. The results suggest that some Galician plants extracts have promising skin care properties and could be used as natural antioxidants in cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food materials.
A Laboratory Exercise for Teaching Critical Period for Weed Control Concepts1

Crop–weed interactions is an important topic for introductory weed science courses. The effect of the timing of weed emergence and the duration of weed competition on crop yield are two topics usually covered when discussing competition. Students generally gain a better knowledge of these concepts through observation in addition to discussion of the underlying concepts. An additive removal and plant-back experiment was used, in the undergraduate weed science laboratory at Iowa State University, to demonstrate critical period for weed control concepts for cultivated radish. In one series of treatments, weeds were sown at the time of radish planting and removed at 2, 3, and 4 wk after planting. In another series, weeds were sown at 1, 2, and 4 wk after radish planting and allowed to grow in the flats until completion of the experiment. Two controls, one weed free and one unweeded, were also included. The results from four semesters suggested that the critical period for weed control began immediately after planting and lasted 3 wk. The timing and duration of the critical period was consistent across the four semesters evaluated. This activity was successful in demonstrating the critical period for weed control in radish. Nomenclature: Radish, Raphanus sativus L. Additional index words: Competition, education, weed ecology, weed-free period.
Distribution and ecology of freshwater red algae (Rhodophyta) in some central Finnish rivers

Macroscopic red algae were sampled simultaneously with diatom sampling from 60 locations in central Finnish rivers and at some rivers in south coast rivers in the summers 1986, 1993 and 1994. In those samples 17 red algal taxa from 5 genera (Audouinella (3). Batrachospermum (7). Lemanea (4), Sirodotia (2) and Tuomeya (1)) were identified. Some of these taxa were new to Finland and two were new for Europe.
Biting Midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) as intermediate Hosts for Haemoproteus of Ducks.

Haemoproteus nettionis was transmitted to domestic ducks in late June and in July in 1954, 1955, and 1956. This coincided with the abundance of Simulium rugglesi and biting midges (Ceratopogonidae). Transmission of H. nettionis occurs during the night, at which time certain biting midges, which appear to be ornithophilic, feed on the ducks. It was shown experimentally that these midges (Culicoides sp.) are suitable intermediate hosts for H. nettionis. Ookinetes and structures identified as oocysts and sporozoites were found in specimens of midges that were sectioned. H. nettionis was seen in the peripheral blood of ducks 14–21 days after they were infected. The gametocytes require 4 to 6 days to reach maturity.
Estabelecimento in vitro de oliveira cv. "Arbequina" para início da micropropagação

A utilizacao de tecnicas de cultura de tecidos com o objetivo de melhorar a rentabilidade das culturas tem-se apresentado como um instrumento importante que pode ser explorado pelos pesquisadores, produzindo plantas com elevada qualidade sanitaria. Este trabalho teve como objetivo determinar o meio de cultura e a concentracao de zeatina adequadas no estabelecimento in vitro de oliveira "Arbequina". Foram utilizados segmentos nodais (1cm), obtidos de plantas mantidas em casa de vegetacao. Em laboratorio, o material foi desinfestado com alcool 70% (um minuto) e solucao de hipoclorito de sodio (2,5%), por 15 minutos, e inoculado em meio MO, MS ou WPM, adicionados de diferentes concentracoes de zeatina (0, 2 e 4mg L-1). O material foi mantido em sala de crescimento a 25±2°C, no escuro, por uma semana. Depois, foi transferido para luz, fotoperiodo de 16 horas e densidade de fluxo de fotons de 27µmol m-2 s-1. Aos sete, 14 e 21 dias o material foi avaliado quanto a percentagem de contaminacao bacteriana, percentagem de contaminacao fungica e percentagem de explantes oxidados. Aos 45 dias de cultivo, o material foi avaliado quanto a percentagem de sobrevivencia, a percentagem de estabelecimento, ao numero de brotacoes, ao comprimento de brotacoes e ao numero de folhas. Os resultados permitiram concluir que o material mantido em meio WPM apresentou melhores resultados, seguidos do meio MO.
ECOLOGIA DE XYLOCOPA (NEOXYLOCOPA) CEARENSIS (HYMENOPTERA, ANTHOPHORIDAE) NAS DUNAS LITORÂNEAS DE ABAETÉ, SALVADOR, BAHIA

The study was carried out in a 8.2 ha area in an environmental protection area of tropical sea coastal sand dune with "restinga" vegetation in Salvador, Bahia, northeastern Brazil. A total of 1760 bees of Xylocopa (Neoxylocopa) cearensis Ducke, 1910 were netted during the whole year on flowers of 43 plant species belonging to 26 botanic families. The majority of the individuals (79%) concentrated their foraging activity in five plant species. Individuals foraged all day long being the greatest activity between 8 h and 14 h. Similar proportions of young and old bees were sampled over the year. The density of substrates used for nesting was 4.56/ha. In total, 94% of the nests were found in branches of Agaristha revoluta (Spr.) DC. (Ericaceae). The great occurrence (68.7%) of old perforations indicates that the nests were used twice or more times by bees.
Studies of Predators of the Balsam Woolly Aphid, Adelges piceae (Ratz.) (Homoptera: Adelgidae), VII. Laricobius rubidus Lec. (Coleoptera: Derodontidae), a Predator of Pineus strobi (Htg.) (Homoptera: Adelgidae)

Although Laricobius rubidus LeConte (1861, 1866) is not a common predator of the balsam woolly aphid, Adelges piceae (Ratz.), this paper is included in the series because of the close taxonomic similarities of L. rubidus in all stages to the recently introduced L. erichsonii Rosenh. In the past there has been confusion in the literature because the majority of records of rubidus have been erroneously attributed to erichsonii. These records have been discussed in detail in a paper on L. erichsonii, a species which has been introduced into North America as part of a biological control program against A. piceae (Clark and Brown, 1958).
Emerging epizootic diseases of amphibians and fish : approaches to understanding Ranavirus emergence and spread

Ranaviruses are large dsDNA viruses that cause recurrent mortality events in wild and commercial amphibian and fish populations. Ranaviruses are considered emerging pathogens, and researchers have developed several hypotheses to explain the emergent nature of the viruses including: 1) introduction into naïve host populations via amphibian or fish vectors; 2) geographic spread through the bait, pet, and food industries; and 3) adverse effects on the immune system due to extrinsic immunocompromising agents. Here, we utilize virus challenge assays to examine the role that each mechanism may play in the transfer of ranaviruses between cultured juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and bullfrog tadpoles (Rana catesbeiana), which can cohabit in aquaculture settings. Additionally, a commonly used antiparasitic treatment containing malachite green and formalin (MGF) was utilized to suppress the immune system of largemouth bass to assess the susceptibility of immunocompromised fish to ranaviruses. The results indicate that bullfrog tadpoles are not susceptible to a ranavirus isolated from fish, but that largemouth bass are susceptible to ranaviruses isolated from amphibians. Immunocompromised fish were more susceptible to ranavirus infections than immunocompetent fish. This suggests that juvenile largemouth bass may act as a reservoir for ranaviruses that commonly infect bullfrogs, and that the susceptibility of the fish may be heightened after exposure to commonly used antiparasitic treatments. Considering the extensive introduction of largemouth bass worldwide, precautions should
Oak Regeneration in the Upper Carmel Valley, California

Acorn germination and seedling survival were studied in three species of foothill woodland oaks. Quercus douglasii and Q. lobata acorns matured in October. These nondormant acorns germinated quickly at favorable temperatures. Quercus agrifolia acorns matured later and germinated more slowly. Acorns placed on the surface of a south—aspect plot lost viability. On a north—facing plot they survived autumn heat and germinated during the winter, but rooted poorly. Acorns buried on either aspect germinated well. Burial by birds and squirrels, important in regeneration, insulates acorns from autumn heat, partially hides them from animals, and ensures rooting. Quercus douglasii seedlings had the greatest drought tolerance. In grass cover on a south—facing soil even they can survive their first summer only during wet years. On north aspects seedlings of several species can survive grass competition over a broader range of climatic conditions. Deer and pocket gophers are important in eliminating seedlings that survive the summer drought.
Recent Growth Increases in Old-Growth Longleaf Pine

Longleaf pine (Pinuspalustris Mill.) tree-ring data were obtained from an old-growth stand located in Thomas County, Georgia. The tree-ring chronology from the pine stand is composed of a collection of cores extracted from 26 trees ranging in age from approximately 100 to 400 years. These cores were prepared, dated, and measured, and the resulting data were examined with dendrochronological and statistical techniques. Beginning in approximately 1950 and continuing to the present, annual increments of all age classes examined in this study have increased, resulting in an average annual ring increment approximately 40% greater in 1987 than in 1950. When compared with expected annual increment, the increase for 100- to 150-year-old trees is approximately 45%, while the increase for 200- to 400-year-old trees is approximately 35%. In terms of stand-level aboveground biomass accumulation, the increased growth has resulted in approximately 5% more biomass than expected. The increased growth cannot be explained .
Relationships between tree slenderness coefficients and tree or stand characteristics for major species in boreal mixedwood forests

The slenderness coefficients of trees, defined as the ratio of total height to diameter at 1.3m above ground, have been widely used as an index of the resistance of trees to windthrow. For many European coniferous species, slenderness coefficients have been intensively studied, but very little information is available for the tree species in boreal mixedwoods of Canada. By applying correlation analysis and graphical approaches to permanent sample plots data from Alberta, the relationships between slenderness coefficients and tree or stand variables were investigated for the five major species in boreal mixedwoods. Tree slenderness coefficients were found to be negatively correlated with tree diameter at breast height (DBH), height, crown length and age, but positively correlated with stand density level, species composition, and site index values. For three coniferous species, the results were consistent with those found for European coniferous species in literature. However, for the two deciduous species.
Bacteria and algae in stream periphyton along a nutrient gradient

Summary 1. Stream riffles in southern Ontario and western Quebec were sampled for biomass (58 stations from 51 streams) and production (22 stations from 21 streams) of algae and bacteria in periphyton to test the hypothesis that bacteria in benthic biofilms compete with algae for nutrients. 2. Algal and bacterial biomass were positively correlated, as were algal and bacterial production. Bacterial production was also positively correlated to algal and bacterial biomass, but the relationship was not significant. The ratio of algal to bacterial biomass did not vary with nutrients whereas algal production tended to increase with nutrients more rapidly than bacterial production. 3. Instream nitrogen concentrations explained 38–58% of the variability in algal biomass and production. Bacterial abundance explained an additional 9–29% of the residual variance in algal production and biomass. However, the relationship between bacterial abundance and algal production and biomass, once nutrients were taken into account, was positive, in contrast to the predicted effect of competition. 4. Hence, we reject our original hypothesis that bacteria in biofilms compete with algae for nutrients and instead suggest that bacteria and algae in biofilms coexist in an association that offers space and resources to sustain production of both groups of organisms.
Use of Various Doses of S-Ketamine in Treatment of Depression and Pain in Cervical Carcinoma Patients with Mild/Moderate Depression After Laparoscopic Total Hysterectomy

Background This study investigated the effects of various doses of S-ketamine on depression and pain management of cervical carcinoma patients with mild/moderate depression. Material/Methods This randomized, double-blind, controlled study included 417 cervical carcinoma patients who received laparoscopic modified radical hysterectomy from April 2015 to July 2018 and who also had mild/moderate depression symptoms based on HAMD-17 scores (8~24). All patients were randomized into 4 groups: 1) the control group, 2) the racemic ketamine group, 3) the high-dose S-ketamine group; and 4) the low-dose S-ketamine group. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Score (VAS), and depression was assessed using theHAMD-17 score. Serum levels of BDNF and 5-HT were measured. Results The 4 groups of patients showed no significant differences in operation time, bleeding volume, hospitalization duration, or complications. The high-dose S-ketamine group showed significantly lower VAS and HAMD-17 scores than all other groups at 1 day and 3 days postoperatively, but no differences were observed in the low-dose S-ketamine group and the racemic ketamine group. The high-dose S-ketamine group showed significantly higher serum BDNF and 5-HT levels at 1 day and 3 days after surgery. However, 1 week after surgery, no difference was observed in any of the treatment groups. Conclusions At subanesthetic dose, both 0.5 mg/kg and 0.25 mg/kg S-ketamine improved short-term depression and pain for cervical carcinoma patients after surgery, and the effects were better than with the same dose of racemic ketamine.
Digenetic trematodes in four species of littorina from the West Coast of Sweden

Abstract Four species of Littorina (L. littorea, L. obtusata, L. fabalis and L. saxatilis) from the Swedish west coast were examined for infections with digenetic trematodes. Four species of the genus Microphallus, Podocotyle alomon, Renicola roscovita, Himasthla elongata, Cryptocotyle lingua, and Paramonostomum chabaudi were found, in addition to encysted metacercariae of the two genera Himasthla and Renicola. The prevalence of sporocysts and rediae varied substantially among sampled populations (0-44%), as did the prevalence of metacercarial infections (3-100%), and this variation was due both to different microhabitats and to different host species. In L. saxatilis exposed rocky shore populations had lower prevalence than sheltered boulder shore populations. Within the same shores, L. littorea was the host species with highest prevalence of digeneans. The general pattern of distribution of the nine trematode species over host species was similar to what have been reported from other North Atlantic areas. However, prevalence and intensity differed both at a geographic scale (in comparison with other studies) and at a local scale. The temporal variation over years was less significant.