Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Abstraction-based efficiency in the lexicon

Listeners learn from their past experience of listening to spoken words, and use this learning to maximise the efficiency of future word recognition. This paper summarises evidence that the facilitatory effects of drawing on past experience are mediated by abstraction, enabling learning to be generalised across new words and new listening situations. Phoneme category retuning, which allows adaptation to speaker-specific articulatory characteristics, is generalised on the basis of relatively brief experience to words previously unheard from that speaker. Abstract knowledge of prosodic regularities is applied to recognition even of novel words for which these regularities were violated. Prosodic word-boundary regularities drive segmentation of speech into words independently of the membership of the lexical candidate set resulting from the segmentation operation. Each of these different cases illustrates how abstraction from past listening experience has contributed to the efficiency of lexical recognition.
PAC-Bayesian aggregation and multi-armed bandits

This habilitation thesis presents several contributions to (1) the PAC-Bayesian analysis of statistical learning, (2) the three aggregation problems: given d functions, how to predict as well as (i) the best of these d functions (model selection type aggregation), (ii) the best convex combination of these d functions, (iii) the best linear combination of these d functions, (3) the multi-armed bandit problems.
In vitro trapping capability of Arthrobotrys spp. on infective larvae of Haemonchus contortus and Nacobbus aberrans

Abstract The trapping capability of Arthrobotrys oligospora and A. conoides (Hyphomycetales) against third stage larvae (L3) of Haemonchus contortus (Trichostrongylidae) was evaluated in an in vitro trial. Arthrobotrys oligospora showed a 35.87% and 25.71% trapping effectiveness against H. contortus infective larvae at 18 and 25°C, respectively; whereas the trapping capability of A. conoides was 92.17% and 90.40% at the same temperatures, respectively. Microscopic examination demonstrated that A. conoides spontaneously developed a large quantity of three-dimensional loops before the nematodes were added. Neither of the two species studied developed three-dimensional adhesive loops at 30°C, consequently no trapped nematode was observed. In a second trial, the trapping capability of A. conoides against H. contortus (L3) and second stage larvae (J2) of Nacobbus aberrans (Pratylenchidae), was evaluated at 25°C. The trapping capability shown by A. conoides was higher than 90% for both kinds of nematode. The possible use of A. conoides to control ovine haemonchosis is discussed.
Multiple Defects in Energy Metabolism in Alzheimers Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in old age. Cognitive impairment in AD may be partially due to overall hypometabolism. Indeed, AD is characterized by an early region-specific decline in glucose utilization and by mitochondrial dysfunction, which have deleterious consequences for neurons through increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), ATP depletion and activation of cell death processes. In this article, we provide an overview of the alterations on energetic metabolism occurring in AD. First, we resume the evidences that link the 'metabolic syndrome' with increased risk for developing AD and revisit the major changes occurring on both extra-mitochondrial and mitochondrial metabolic pathways, as revealed by imaging studies and biochemical analysis of brain and peripheral samples obtained from AD patients. We also cover the recent findings on cellular and animal models that highlight mitochondrial dysfunction as a fundamental mechanism in AD pathogenesis. Recent evidence posits that mitochondrial abnormalities in this neurodegenerative disorder are associated with changes in mitochondrial dynamics and can be induced by amyloid-beta (Aβ) that progressively accumulates within this organelle, acting as a direct toxin. Furthermore, Aβ induces activation of glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and/or excessive release of calcium from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that may underlie mitochondrial calcium dyshomeostasis thereby disturbing organelle functioning and, ultimately, damaging neurons. Throughout the review, we further discuss several therapeutic strategies aimed to restore neuronal metabolic function in cellular and animal models of AD, some of which have reached the stage of clinical trials.
Effect of copper on the utilization of raw soybeans by market pigs.

Three trials, involving a total of 160 Yorkshire SPF pigs, were conducted to evaluate the effect of the addition of copper (Cu) and/or raw ground soybeans (RGS) to diets of market pigs. The addition of RGS to pig diets resulted in decreased feed consumption and slower growth rate when pigs were fed ad libitum. When feed intake was restricted, rate of gain was not influenced by RGS. Dietary Cu supplementation resulted in an improved rate of gain and feed consumption when fed ad libitum, with a greater response exhibited by pigs fed diets containing RGS. Prediction of rate of gain for a constant feed intake suggested that a portion of the Cu effect is due to increased feed intake. Copper supplementation resulted in increased liver Cu, and decreased liver iron. Increased levels of dietary RGS resulted in decreased liver iron. An RGS × Cu interaction was observed in kidney Cu, in which higher dietary levels of both RGS and Cu were accompanied by decreased kidney Cu content. Increased levels of dietary RGS cau.
Effects of Changing the Fat and Fatty Acid Composition of Milk Replacers Fed to Neonatal Calves

Calf milk replacers (MR) in the United States are typically manufactured with predominately animal fat sources with greater concentrations of fatty acids C16:0, C18:0, and C18:1 than the fatty acid profile of cow's milk. Several groupings of fatty acids have research properties related to health, antimicrobial properties, and growth. Four replicated trials using 220 Holstein calves, initially less than 7 d of age, were conducted to examine the effect of including a specific fatty acid and fat sources in 20% CP and 20% fat MR (as-fed) fed at 454 g daily on growth, efficiency, and health. Trial 1 compared 2 MR formulated with and without sodium butyrate (C4:0). Trial 2 compared 4 MR formulated with coconut oil (medium-chain fatty acids), canola oil (source of C18:3), or the combination replacing a portion of the animal fat in the control MR. Trials 3 and 4 compared 2 MR with coconut and canola oil replacing a portion of animal fat in the control MR. Calves fed MR with butyrate (trial 1) and the MR with added coconut and canola oil (trials 2, 3, and 4) grew faster (P < 0.05) with fewer (P < 0.05) abnormal fecal score days than calves fed the control MR. Formulating the calf MR to increase the concentration of short-chain (C4:0), medium-chain (C8:0, C10:0, C12:0,and C14:0), and essential fatty acids (C18:3) above what is provided in a MR based on all animal fat reduced the number of days with abnormal fecal scores and improved ADG in calves.
Estimates of repeatability and heritability of methane production in sheep using portable accumulation chambers

This study was designed to screen a large number of sheep to identify individuals with high and low methane (CH4) production, and to estimate repeatability and heritability of CH4 emissions in sheep, utilising portable accumulation chambers (PAC) designed for in-field use. Mature ewes (n = 710) selected from a research flock with known sires had their CH4 production over 1 h measured in PAC [CH4 (g1h)]. Individuals with High (n = 103) or Low (n = 104) CH4 (g1h), adjusted for liveweight (LW), were selected and re-measured on three occasions 1–4 months later, at another site with more abundant and better quality pasture. Mean of the selected (207) ewes CH4 (g1h) emissions were ~50% higher than at the first measurement site (0.66 g vs 0.42 g). LW was a significant correlate of CH4 production (r = 0.47). Correlations between CH4 (g1h) for the three PAC measurements at Site 2, before adjusting for LW ranged from 0.44 to 0.55. After adjusting for the effect of LW, repeatability was 0.33 at the first and 0.43 at the second site. The correlation between estimates of an animal’s emissions at the first and second sites, adjusted for LW, was 0.24. Initial CH4 production of the selected High group was 32% greater than the Low group (P < 0.0001). On re-measurement there was still a significant difference (9–15%, P < 0.006) between Low and High groups. The initial estimate of heritability of CH4 (g1h), based on variation between the ewes’ sires (0.13), was not maintained across the two sites. This may be due to genotype × environment interactions. We postulate that aspects of rumen physiology, which modulate CH4 production, could be expressed differently in different nutritional environments. Our results indicate that field use of PAC to screen sheep populations for CH4 production is both robust and repeatable. However, further investigations are required into the relationship between CH4 output of individual animals in PAC compared with the more controlled conditions in respiration chambers.
Molecular systematics of the Gelidiales: inferences from separate and combined analyses of plastid rbcL and nuclear SSU gene sequences

Nucleotide gene sequences for both the nuclear-encoded small-subunit RNA (SSU) and plastid-encoded large subunit of RuBisCO (rbcL) were determined for 16 species classified in the red algal order Gelidiales. Sequence comparisons indicate that rbcL is evolving at a faster rate than SSU in these species and that there is a more even distribution of changes across the length of the rbcL gene compared with that observed for the SSU gene. The rbcL sequences also showed a marked anti-GC bias at synonymous third-codon base positions. Parsimony and maximum-likelihood analyses were used to generate phylogenetic trees from both separate and combined analyses of the two sequence data sets. Relationships among most taxa are resolved robustly; however, the relative order of branching for the Capreolia and Ptilophora clades remains uncertain. The molecular data provide unambiguous, independent support for recognition of the newly established genus Pterocladiella. Although the position of Pterocladiella within the Gelid.
Morphology, ultrastructure and phylogeny of Takayama xiamenensis sp. nov. (Gymnodiniales, Dinophyceae) from the East China Sea

Gu H. , Luo Z. , Zhang X. , Xu B. and Fang Q. 2013. Morphology, ultrastructure and phylogeny of Takayama xiamenensis sp. nov. (Gymnodiniales, Dinophyceae) from the East China Sea. Phycologia 52: 256–265. DOI: 10.2216/12-090.1 A new species, Takayama xiamenensis (Kareniaceae, Dinophyceae), was isolated from Xiamen Harbor, East China Sea, and its morphology was examined using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The vegetative cells of T. xiamenensis were 20.0–27.0 μm long, 18.0–23.0 μm wide and 17.0–20.5 μm thick. The apical groove was deeply sigmoid, and the sulcus extended into the epicone as a distinctive finger-like protrusion. Epifluorescence microscopy revealed a large, cup-shaped nucleus, filling most of the epicone. TEM showed that the chloroplasts were enveloped by two membranes and that some chloroplasts possessed large, bulging pyrenoids. Partial large subunit ribosomal DNA sequences of two strains of T. xiamenensis were identical to the putative T. acrotrocha strains from Italy, suggesting these strains might be conspecific. The original description of T. acrotrocha from Australia does not include a finger-like protrusion, thus justifying the new species description.
Lower Seine River and estuary (France) carbon and oxygen budgets during low flow

Ecological processes driving the oxygen budget were investigated in the downstream part of the Seine River and its estuary. Phytoplankton and bacterioplankton production were measured along longitudinal profiles (11 to 17 stations) in a range of low discharges from 300 m3 s−1 in 1993 and 1995 to 140 m3 s−1 in 1996. Values representative of the water column were based on investigations carried out during two tidal cycles. Net primary production was invariably greatest in the freshwater estuary, from Poses to Rouen (from 500 to 1,000 μg C l−1 d−1 between PK 202 and 240) and decreased sharply downstream (from 10 to 25 μg c l−1 d−1 between PK 250 and 310). This decrease was mainly due to the deterioration of the light conditions with the increase in depth and suspended matter concentrations. Heterotrophic activity was maximum in the reach where primary production declined. Judging by the production:respiration ratio (P:R), the system appeared clearly heterotrophic in the Seine River immediately downstream of the Paris region due to high allochthonous organic pollution by the incompletely treated Parisian effluents and in the part of the estuary characterized by intense degradation of autochthonous material. Because the effluents are not treated by a nitrification step, the oxygen consumption due to nitrification was much higher than expected from the P:R ratio. Oxidation of ammonium represented an oxygen consumption of between 1 and 14 g O2 m−2 d−1, almost equalling the sum of heterotrophic respirations that were barely balanced by photosynthesis. The reaeration flux at the water-atmosphere interface was deduced from the calculations and a reaeration coefficient was estimated.
Cohort-Dependent Sex Ratio Biases in the American Crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) of the Tempisque Basin

A male-biased sex ratio of 3:1 has been reported for a population of American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) in the Tempisque River Basin, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. If confirmed, this would constitute one of the largest male-biased sex ratios reported for any population of a member of the genus Crocodylus. Here, we examine the aforementioned population of C. acutus and report on sex ratios of hatchling, juvenile, and adult age classes within a sample of 474 crocodiles captured in the Tempisque Basin between May 2012 and June 2014. Hatchling sex ratio is exceptionally male biased (3.5:1), an imbalance that is maintained in juveniles but is reduced in adults (1.5:1). Mark–recapture data document that juvenile males disperse from the study site, potentially to avoid competition, a process that reduces male bias in the adult age class. An increased role of males in human–crocodile conflict may be a result of juvenile males dispersing to human-inhabited areas.
Soil CO2 efflux measurements in a mixed forest: impact of chamber disturbances, spatial variability and seasonal evolution

A closed‐dynamic‐chamber system (CDCS) was used to measure the spatial and seasonal variability of the soil CO2 efflux (Fs) in beech and in Douglas fir patches of the Vielsalm forest (Belgium). First the difference between natural and measured soil CO2 efflux induced by the presence of the CDCS was studied. The impact on the measurements of the pressure difference between the outside (natural condition) and the inside of the chamber was found to be small (0.4%). The influence of wind disturbance in the closed chamber was tested by comparison with an open‐chamber system characterized by a different wind distribution. A very good correlation between the two systems was found (r2 = 0.99) but the open system yielded slightly lower fluxes than the closed one (slope = 0.88 ± 0.05). A measurement procedure has been developed to minimize the effect of the other sources of perturbation.
A COMPARTIVE STUDY ON TWO DIFFERENT EVAPORATIVE COOLING SYSTEMS FOR PRODUCTING CUCUMBER CROP UNDER HOT-HUMID SUMMER CONDITIONS

The influence of greenhouse evaporative cooling systems (based on misting, and fan pads cooling systems) on the microclimatic conditions of greenhouse cucumber was studied and investigated in two fiberglass greenhouses combined with roof shading black net screen situated on the roof of the Agricultural Engineering Department, University of Mansoura. Measurements were executed during several days (122 days) in the hot summer of 2009; (G1) with a mist system operating 15 sec every 15 min., (G2) with a pad-fan system. In order to compare between the cooling systems, air temperatures and relative humidity inside and outside the greenhouses were measured and recorded. Experimental data revealed that the pad-fan cooling system was able to keep the air temperature within the greenhouse at rather low levels. The internal air temperature stayed 8.0°C below outside, even during hot afternoons (Tao > 35°C). Whereas, the evaporative cooling using mist system kept the greenhouse air temperature above the set point temperature by an average of 4.9°C. Therefore, the internal air temperature stayed 4.2°C below outside. Due to the short length of the greenhouse (8 m), small temperature gradients (2.9°C) were observed from wet pads to extracting fan. The cooling system using fan-pad system inside the greenhouse (G2) was on the average more efficient than the misting system inside the greenhouse (G1) by 22.5% due to the cooling operation period for the greenhouse (2) was longer than that for the greenhouse (1), accordingly, the water temperature of cooling system (2) was lower than that in misting system (G1). The total fresh yield of cucumber crop per square meter for greenhouse (G1) and greenhouse (G2) was 3.805 and 5.491 kg/m 2 , respectively. Therefore, the greenhouse (G2) produced 1.686 kg /m 2 (44.31%) more than the greenhouse (G1).
Feeding and gut structure of Parathemisto gaudichaudi (Guerin) (Amphipoda, Hyperiidea)

Previous (workers who have examined the gut contents of members of the genus Parathemisto, and who have kept and fed specimens in laboratory conditions, have concluded that they are chiefly carnivorous in habit, feeding largely on zooplankton, and to a lesser extent on phytoplankton (Conover, 1960; Baker, 1963; Kane, 1967). The gut of P. gaudichaudi has been found to contain almost intact copepods, especially Calanus and occasionally Temora (Bigelow, 1926 – Gulf of Maine); young specimens of Euphausia superba (Hardy & Gunther, 1935 – Antarctic); and copepods (Nemoto & Yoo, 1970). Siegfried (1965 – west coast of S. Africa) found P. gaudichaudi to be a rather indiscriminate feeder, its gut contents reflecting the composition of the plankton.
Genetic variability and association studies of some quantitative characters in winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Information of the variability and the extent and type of relationship of some quantitative characters in rapeseed is important for an efficient breeding program. In addition, the association between seed yield and quality characters, oil and protein content, is of major interest. 10 winter rapeseed genotypes were evaluated for variation, genetic and phenotypic correlations and broad sense heritability for seed yield, yield and quality characters for 2 years. The results revealed significant differences for all yield and quality characters indicated the presence of sufficient genetic variability for effective selection. Variability, broad sense heritability, genetic advance were maximum for oil yield, seed yield followed by protein yield. In addition, very strong correlations were estimated among them. Simultaneous selection regarding seed yield would be an effective way to increase oil yield and protein yield. Plant height was associated with seed yield, oil yield, protein yield, number of pods on main stem and pod length. In conclusion, plant height, pod length, oil yield and protein yield were efficient characters as selection criteria.
Initiation of a Marinoan Snowball Earth in a state-of-the-art atmosphere-ocean general circulation model

Abstract. We study the initiation of a Marinoan Snowball Earth (~635 million years before present) with the state-of-the-art atmosphere-ocean general circulation model ECHAM5/MPI-OM. This is the most sophisticated model ever applied to Snowball initiation. A comparison with a pre-industrial control climate shows that the change of surface boundary conditions from present-day to Marinoan, including a shift of continents to low latitudes, induces a global-mean cooling of 4.6 K. Two thirds of this cooling can be attributed to increased planetary albedo, the remaining one third to a weaker greenhouse effect. The Marinoan Snowball Earth bifurcation point for pre-industrial atmospheric carbon dioxide is between 95.5 and 96% of the present-day total solar irradiance (TSI), whereas a previous study with the same model found that it was between 91 and 94% for present-day surface boundary conditions. A Snowball Earth for TSI set to its Marinoan value (94% of the present-day TSI) is prevented by doubling carbon dioxide with respect to its pre-industrial level. A zero-dimensional energy balance model is used to predict the Snowball Earth bifurcation point from only the equilibrium global-mean ocean potential temperature for present-day TSI. We do not find stable states with sea-ice cover above 55%, and land conditions are such that glaciers could not grow with sea-ice cover of 55%. Therefore, none of our simulations qualifies as a "slushball" solution. While uncertainties in important processes and parameters such as clouds and sea-ice albedo suggest that the Snowball Earth bifurcation point differs between climate models, our results contradict previous findings that Snowball Earth initiation would require much stronger forcings.
Can Operating Leverage Be the Cause of the Value Premium?

Recent theoretical models (e.g., Carlson, Fisher and Giammarino, 2004) predict an association between the book-to-market (BE/ME) ratio and operating leverage in the cross-section. Consistent with these models, we find a strong positive association between BE/ME and the degree of operating leverage (DOL), and between DOL and subsequent stock returns in the cross-section. Additionally, we also find a positive association between size (i.e., market equity) and the degree of financial leverage (DFL), and a positive association between BE/ME and DFL, controlling for size. Overall, our findings provide support for a risk-based explanation for the value premium that is consistent with existing theoretical models. The evolution of systematic risk associated with firm-level investment activity, rather than financial distress, seems to be the main determinant of the value premium.
Water use and onion crop production in no-tillage and conventional cropping systems

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of crop residue covers (0.0; 4.5; 9.0; 13.5 t ha-1 millet dry matter) on water use and production of onion cultivated in no-tillage planting system (NT) as compared to conventional tillage system (CT). The study was carried out at Embrapa Hortalicas, Brazil, under the typical Savanna biome. Irrigations were performed using a sprinkle irrigation system when soil-water tension reached between 25 and 30 kPa. The experimental design was randomized blocks with three replications. Total net water depth applied to NT treatment was 19% smaller than the CT treatment, however, water savings increased to 30% for the first 30 days following seedlings transplant. Crop biomass, bulb size and yield, and rate of rotten bulbs were not significantly affected by treatments. The water productivity index increased linearly with increasing crop residue in NT conditions. Water productivity index of NT treatments with crop residue was on average 30% higher than that in the CT system (8.13 kg m-3).
Seasonal Occurrence of Helminth Parasites Infecting Anabas testudineus in Awangsoi Lake, Manipur

The present investigation was to study seasonal occurrence of three helminth parasites, Camallanus anabantis Pears,1933, Paraquimperia manipurensis Shomorendra and Jha, 2003 and Astiotrema reniferum (Loose, 1898) Agarwal, 1960 infecting Anabas testudineus (Bloch) from Awangsoi Lake, Manipur on monthly basis from June’08 to May’09. The occurrence of nematode were quite regular but trematode did not show any regularity in their presence all through the months.