Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between neural phase-locked responses to speech and speech-in-noise perception in young and older adults

Auditory phase-locked responses are affected by aging and it has been proposed that this increases the challenges experienced during speech perception in noise (SPiN). However, the proposal lacks direct support. This issue was addressed by measuring speech-evoked phase-locked responses at subcortical (frequency-following responses, FFRs) and cortical (theta-band phase-locking, θ-PLV) levels, and studying the relationship between the phase-locked responses and SPiN (word report accuracies in spoken sentences in noise) in adults across a wide age-range (19-75 years old). It was found that: (1) FFR magnitudes declined with age after hearing loss was controlled for; (2) θ-PLV increased with age, suggesting cortical hyperexcitability in audition; (3) SPiN correlated positively with FFR magnitudes obtained in quiet and with θ-PLV obtained in noise, suggesting that impacts of age effects (smaller FFR magnitudes and greater θ-PLV) on SPiN perception differ at subcortical and cortical levels. The current study thus provides evidence for different mechanisms at subcortical and cortical levels by which age affects speech-evoked phase-locked activities and SPiN.
Compensatory replacement of the BigH1 variant histone by canonical H1 supports normal embryonic development in Drosophila

Histone variants carry specific functions in addition to those fulfilled by their canonical counterparts. Variants of the linker Histone H1 are prevalent in vertebrates and based on the pattern of their expression, many are presumed to function during germline and the earliest zygotic stages of development. While the existence of multiple H1 variants has hampered their study in vertebrates, a single variant, BigH1, was identified in Drosophila, promising to accelerate our understanding of the biological functions of H1 and H1 variants. Here we uncovered evidence for a compensatory activity that loads maternal H1 onto BigH1-devoid chromatin. Remarkably, this H1-based chromatin state is fully functional in supporting normal embryonic development, suggesting that H1 carries the essential function of the BigH1 molecule under the same developmental context. In addition, we discovered that this compensatory replacement of BigH1 with H1 might be limited to rapidly cycling cells in early embryos.
Theory of Neural Coding Predicts an Upper Bound on Estimates of Memory Variability

Observers reproducing elementary visual features from memory after a short delay produce errors consistent with the encoding-decoding properties of neural populations. While inspired by electrophysiological observations of sensory neurons in cortex, the population coding account of these errors is based on a mathematical idealization of neural response functions that abstracts away most of the heterogeneity and complexity of real neuronal populations. Here we examine a more physiologically grounded model based on the tuning of a large set of neurons recorded in macaque V1, and show that key predictions of the idealized model are preserved. Both models predict long-tailed distributions of error when memory resources are taxed, as observed empirically in behavioral experiments and commonly approximated with a mixture of normal and uniform error components. Specifically, for an idealized homogeneous neural population, the width of the fitted normal distribution cannot exceed the average tuning width of the component neurons, and this also holds to a good approximation for more biologically realistic populations. Examining eight published studies of orientation recall, we find a consistent pattern of results suggestive of a median tuning width of approximately 20 degrees, which compares well with neurophysiological observations. The finding that estimates of variability obtained by the normal-plus-uniform mixture method are bounded from above leads us to reevaluate previous studies that interpreted a saturation in width of the normal component as evidence for fundamental limits on the precision of perception, working memory and long-term memory.
CtIP promotes the motor activity of DNA2 to accelerate long-range DNA end resection

Significance Homologous recombination is initiated by a two-step nucleolytic processing of DNA breaks to generate overhangs required for the downstream repair steps. The first short-range resection step is slow but versatile because it can remove noncanonical structures from the break end. The second long-range resection step is fast but sensitive to protein adducts or secondary DNA structures. Our results support a model where CtIP is a cofactor that stimulates not only the short-range pathway as defined previously, but also the long-range nucleolytic processing. Specifically, we define here the interplay of CtIP and the DNA2 nuclease-helicase that functions in long-range resection. The involvement of CtIP in both resection steps might help coordinate DNA end processing and initiation of homologous recombination. To repair a DNA double-strand break by homologous recombination, 5′-terminated DNA strands must first be resected to reveal 3′-overhangs. This process is initiated by a short-range resection catalyzed by MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) stimulated by CtIP, which is followed by a long-range step involving EXO1 or DNA2 nuclease. DNA2 is a bifunctional enzyme that contains both single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-specific nuclease and motor activities. Upon DNA unwinding by Bloom (BLM) or Werner (WRN) helicase, RPA directs the DNA2 nuclease to degrade the 5′-strand. RPA bound to ssDNA also represents a barrier, explaining the need for the motor activity of DNA2 to displace RPA prior to resection. Using ensemble and single-molecule biochemistry, we show that CtIP also dramatically stimulates the adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis-driven motor activity of DNA2 involved in the long-range resection step. This activation in turn strongly promotes the degradation of RPA-coated ssDNA by DNA2. Accordingly, the stimulatory effect of CtIP is only observed with wild-type DNA2, but not the helicase-deficient variant. Similarly to the function of CtIP to promote MRN, also the DNA2 stimulatory effect is facilitated by CtIP phosphorylation. The domain of CtIP required to promote DNA2 is located in the central region lacking in lower eukaryotes and is fully separable from domains involved in the stimulation of MRN. These results establish how CtIP couples both MRE11-dependent short-range and DNA2-dependent long-range resection and define the involvement of the motor activity of DNA2 in this process. Our data might help explain the less severe resection defects of MRE11 nuclease-deficient cells compared to those lacking CtIP.
Sowing date and fungicide application in the agronomic performance of oleaginous brassica for the biodiesel production

Submitted on September 20 , 2018 and accepted on July 16th, 2019. 1 This work is part of the master’s thesis of the first author. 2 Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Departamento de Agronomia, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. thiagozorzenoni@gmail.com; andradeaguinaldopacheco@gmail.com; riyuiti@hotmail.com; cassio@uel.br 3 Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Departamento de Química, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. fabio_cajamarca@hotmail.com; 4 Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Parauapebas, Pará, Brazil. ricardo.okumura@ufra.edu. br * Corresponding author: thiagozorzenoni@gmail.com Sowing date and fungicide application in the agronomic performance of oleaginous brassica for the biodiesel production
Análisis morfométrico e índices corporales del capitán de la sabana (Eremophilus mutisii)

Con el objetivo de caracterizar la morfometría e índices corporales de Eremophilus mutisii, se usaron treinta y tres peces (27 hembras y 6 machos) provenientes del río Bogotá, específicamente de la región de Suesca. La relación de aspecto de la aleta caudal se determinó mediante el software de análisis de imágenes ImageJ®. Se calculó el índice gonadosomático, hepatosomático y rendimiento en canal para cada pez. Para el análisis de los datos se usaron correlaciones, regresiones y técnicas de análisis multivariado (análisis discriminante canónico). Como resultado del estudio se encontró que el sexo no afecta la forma del cuerpo de los peces. La relación entre la longitud y el peso se ajustó para cada sexo. La relación de aspecto de la aleta caudal presentó un promedio de 1,57 lo que sugiere que la especie presenta hábito sedentario o de natación lenta. El índice gonadosomático de las hembras en maduración (media: 14,43%, rango: 8,84% a 23,22%) aumentó en función del peso corporal y fue mayor que el de los machos (media: 5,32%, rango: 2,31% a 8,29%). Por lo tanto, el rendimiento de la carcasa fue menor en las hembras en maduración. La media del índice hepatosomático para hembras fue 0,86% (rango: 0,43% a 1,88%) y para machos fue 0,63% (rango: 0,39% a 1,09%). En conclusión, Eremophilus mutisii es una especie sedentaria y las hembras se caracterizarán por presentar mayor índice gonadosomático y menor rendimiento en carcasa que los machos.
Spatiotemporal effects of Hurricane Ivan on an endemic epiphytic orchid: 10 years of follow-up

ABSTRACT Background: Hurricanes have a strong influence on the ecological dynamics and structure of tropical forests. Orchid populations are especially vulnerable to these perturbations due to their canopy exposure and lack of underground storage organs and seed banks. Aims: We evaluated the effects of Hurricane Ivan on the population of the endemic epiphytic orchid Encyclia bocourtii to propose a management strategy. Methods: Using a pre- and post-hurricane dataset (2003–2013), we assessed the population asymptotic and transient dynamics. We also identified the individual size-stages that maximise population inertia and E. bocourtii’s spatial arrangement relative to phorophytes and other epiphytes. Results: Hurricane Ivan severely affected the survival and growth of individuals of E. bocourtii, and caused an immediate decline of the population growth rate from λ = 1.05 to λ = 0.32, which was buffered by a population reactivity of ρ1 = 1.42. Our stochastic model predicted an annual population decrease of 14%. We found an aggregated spatial pattern between E. bocourtii and its host trees, and a random pattern relative to other epiphytes. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that E. bocourtii is not safe from local extinction. We propose the propagation and reintroduction of reproductive specimens, the relocation of surviving individuals, and the establishment of new plantations of phorophytes.
Response of different advanced genotypes of transgenic cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) against Amrasca biguttula biguttula (ishida) (Homoptera: Cicadellidae)

The present study aimed at screening fifteen genotypes of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) for population dynamics of Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Ishida). This study was carried out at the Cotton Research Station, Faisalabad, Pakistan during the two cropping seasons 2016 and 2017. The experiment was conducted under Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The results showed that FH-142 proved to be least attractive cultivar with 0.33 jassid /leaf in October-2016 and 0.67 in September while in 2017 A. biguttula biguttula population observed was 0.67/leaf in October and May, 1.67/leaf in September and 2.67 /leaf in June. The maximum population of A. biguttula biguttula was recorded on FH-490 (7.33/leaf) followed by FH-152 and FH-453 (7.00/leaf) during 2017. On a cumulative basis, highest peak of A. biguttula biguttula population was observed on FH-450 (6.00/leaf). In conclusion, advanced genotypes of transgenic cotton proved to resist the population buildup of A. biguttula biguttula throughout the period of study.
Heliosciurus rufobrachium (Rodentia: Sciuridae)

Abstract: Heliosciurus rufobrachium (Waterhouse, 1842), one of six species of Heliosciurus, is a sciurid commonly called red-legged sun squirrel. It is a medium-sized diurnally adapted tree squirrel occurring at ground-level to upper heights of the canopy of mature forests. It ranges from the west coast of Africa to Garissa County, Kenya. Adapted to an arboreal life, its frugivorous diet makes it a seed disperser for forest plants. In portions of West Africa, it serves as a source of bushmeat and it is a reservoir for human monkey-pox virus and Trypanosoma brucei, which causes African sleeping sickness. H. rufobrachium is listed as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
Varied physiological responses of Amblema plicata and Lampsilis cardium exposed to rising temperatures

We examined the physiological rates of 2 freshwater mussel species, Lampsilis cardium and Amblema plicata, as they experienced rising temperatures in a controlled laboratory setting. We chose these species because they have a widespread distribution, are common throughout North America, and vary in thermal tolerance. We varied the density and species composition of mussels in tanks. We measured algal clearance rate, oxygen consumption, biodeposition, and changes in nutrient concentration as mussels were exposed to incrementally-increasing temperatures relevant to regional climate projections. We found that these species have distinct physiological responses to increasing temperatures. The mass-specific physiological rates of L. cardium changed more than those of A. plicata when exposed to rising temperatures. Additionally, our findings suggest that mussel response to rising temperatures may vary as a result of mussel assemblage, density, and species composition. Thus, negative impacts of warming stream temperatures on freshwater mussels have the potential to affect the entire ecosystem. Understanding how freshwater mussel species may respond to climate change will help us better manage mussel communities and aquatic ecosystems.
Are tropical reptiles really declining? A six-year survey of snakes in Drake Bay, Costa Rica, and the role of temperature, rain and light

Introduction studies in the last two decades have found declining snake populations in both temperate and tropical sites, including informal reports from Drake Bay, Costa Rica. Objective to investigate if reports of decreasing snake populations in Drake Bay had a real basis, and if environmental factors, particularly temperature, rain and light, have played a role in that decrease. Methods we worked at Drake Bay from 2012 through 2017 and made over 4000 h of transect counts. Using head flashlights we surveyed a transect covered by lowland tropical rainforest at an altitude of 12–38 m above sea level, near the Agujas River, mostly at 1930–2200 hours. We counted all the snakes that we could see along the transect. Results snake counts increase from August to September and then decline rapidly. The May snakes/rainfall peaks coincide, but the second snake peak occurs one month before the rain peak; we counted more snakes in dry nights, with the exception of Imantodes cenchoa which was equally common despite rain conditions. We saw less Leptodeira septentrionalis on bright nights, but all other species were unaffected. Along the six years, the number of species with each diet type remained relatively constant, but the number of individuals declined sharply for those that feed on amphibians and reptiles. We report Rhadinella godmani, a highland species, at 12–38 m of altitude. Conclusion night field counts of snakes in Drake Bay, Costa Rica, show a strong decline from 2012 through 2017.
Biological removal of diazinon in a moving bed biofilm reactor – process optimization with central composite design

Abstract Diazinon is one of the most widely used organophosphate pesticides classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “moderately hazardous” Class II, and its removal from water is of unquestionable importance. The aim of this study was the optimization of diazinon biodegradation from synthetic wastewater by moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) using the response surface methodology (RSM). The variables such as initial diazinon concentration (10–50 mg/L), hydraulic retention time (HRT) (12–36 h) and a filling fraction (25–75%) were studied according to the RSM. The highest diazinon removal efficiency using the biological process was 97.66%, under the conditions, i.e. (HRT= 36 h, filling fraction= 75% and diazinon concentration = 10 mg/L). The quadratic model was well fitted with test results (R 2 = 0.986). Moreover, the kinetics of the biological process showed that removal of diazinon from synthetic wastewater adhered to the second-order model (Grau) with a high correlation coefficient (R 2 = 0.97). The results showed that the MBBR process can be effectively used as a biological process to remove diazinon and similar pesticides.
RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF OPHTHALMOPATHIES IN 337 DOGS

Retrospective studies about ophthalmic diseases contribute to establish preventive measures, its diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to carry out a survey of dogs treated at the Ophthalmology Service of Veterinary Medicine Hospital of Federal University of Bahia between January and December 2013. After data collection in the medical records, the main ophthalmic disorders were separated and analyzed for gender, age, breed and unilateral or bilateral ocular involvement. There was a homogeneous distribution between males and females among the 337 animals, most overaged 7 years old, who have been diagnosed with at least one ophthalmopathy. The corneal ulcer was the most frequent illness, followed by uveitis, KCS, cataract and glaucoma. The data obtained in this study underscore the importance of the casuistry in ophthalmic care that can assist in the adoption of preventive measures, and consequently enabling the improvement of animal’s health.
A New Bystrowianid from the Upper Permian of Germany: First Record of a Permian Chroniosuchian (Tetrapoda) Outside Russia and China

ABSTRACT An isolated dorsal osteoderm of a chroniosuchian from a late Permian fissure filling in the lower Zechstein (Z1) of central Germany represents the first Permian-age record of this enigmatic tetrapod clade outside Russia and China. Based on a number of features, the specimen is designated the holotype of a new taxon, Hassiacoscutum munki, and referred to the chroniosuchian clade Bystrowianidae. Phylogenetic analysis based on a recently published data set with addition of Hassiacoscutum and other recently described bystrowianids (Yumenerpeton, Jiyuanitectum, and Vyushkoviana) found good support for the clade Chroniosuchia and its subclades Chroniosuchidae and Bystrowianidae, but with little internal resolution for the latter. A second phylogenetic analysis of all known bystrowianid genera based solely on osteoderm characters yielded a well-supported and well-resolved clade Bystrowianidae with two subclades: (Yumenerpeton + (Synesuchus + Bystrowiella)) and (Jiyuanitectum + (Bystrowiana + (Hassiacoscutum + (Vyushkoviana + (Dromotectum + Axitectum))))). Hassiacoscutum provides a paleobiogeographic link to other middle and late Permian assemblages of Laurasian continental tetrapods. To date, chroniosuchians are known only from Laurasia, and their apparent absence in Gondwana hints at faunal provincialism across Pangaea.
Development of specialty breads as nutraceutical products

Development of Specialty Breads as Nutraceutical Products. (May 2007) Lindsey Renée Hines, B.S, Texas A&M University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Lloyd W. Rooney Bread is widely consumed and is an ideal vehicle for nutraceutical delivery. Sorghum bran, flax, and inulin are nutraceutical ingredients that may be incorporated into bread to provide health benefits. Because celiacs can not consume bread containing wheat flour, a need exists for gluten-free bread containing nutraceutical ingredients. In preliminary research, bread containing 12% brown sorghum bran and 5% flaxseed was developed. In an effort to reduce rapid staling, soy flour was substituted for 0, 2, 4, and 6% of the wheat flour. Bread was evaluated based on specific volume, crumb firmness, color, moisture, nutrition content, and sensory evaluation. Sorghum bran was high in dietary fiber (45%) and antioxidants (oxygen radical absorbance capacity, ORAC). Flaxseed also contained dietary fiber (28%) and omega-3 fatty acids. Soy flour was high in protein. High levels of soy flour increased crumb firmness and decreased specific volume. The bread containing 2% soy flour was preferred, however, by panelists in sensory evaluation. Per 56 g serving, this bread provided ~3 g dietary fiber, ~396 mg omega-3 fatty acids, and ~3417 mol TE antioxidant activity. The use of low levels of soy flour in bread containing sorghum bran and flaxseed may help improve palatability
Exploring the potential of four medicinal plants for antioxidant enzymes activity, proximate and nutritional composition

A study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant enzymes activity, proximate and nutritional composition of four medicinal plants, which may contribute to folk pharmacological use in the treatment of different diseases. Plant samples were extracted and antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and ascorbate peroxide (APX) activity were estimated. Medicinal plants were also analysed for moisture, ash, protein, fibre, carbohydrate, and fats contents. Plant samples were wet digested and mineral composition in terms of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sodium (Na) was determined. The results revealed that antioxidant activity, proximate and nutritional composition differs significantly among tested medicinal plants extract. The leaves of medicinal plants showed more proximate composition (moisture contents, crude protein, fats contents), nutrient accumulation (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Na), and antioxidant enzymes (POD, PPO, and APX activity). Among medicinal plants, Tribulus terrestris L. showed the highest amount of crude protein, crude fibre, gross energy, and N and Ca contents. Maximum K, Mg, Na contents, POD, PPO and APX activity was observed in Cenchrus ciliaris L. The ash, fats, phosphorus and SOD activity was more in Euphorbia hirta L. While, Cyperus rotundus L. produced maximum carbohydrates concentration among the tested plants. It is concluded that the target medicinal species had emerged as a good source of the antioxidant and nutritive source, which could play an important role in human nutrition. The extracts of these plants parts can be used in the synthesis of mineral and antioxidant-containing drugs and medicines. This study will provide a baseline for the pharmacology industry.