Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Real Ear to Coupler Differences in Children and The Effects of Hearing and Microphone Location

An abstract of the thesis of Cindy Richardson for the Master of Science in Speech Communication: Speech and Hearing Science presented July 18, 1997. Title: Real Ear to Coupler Differences in Children and the Effects of Hearing Aid Microphone Location. The early identification of hearing loss and selection of appropriate amplification are the most important goals for children with hearing impairment. Selection of appropriate amplification for a pediatric population involves maximizing the hearing impaired child's residual hearing, for development of speech and language. In addition, it is important to consider the acoustic differences between the 2 cc coupler versus the real ear. During the hearing aid selection process, it is customary to predict how a hearing aid will respond in the real ear, based upon a given 2 cc coupler response. Killion and Monser (1980) developed a formula for converting the 2 cc coupler response of a hearing aid to a real ear insertion response, or conversely, a real ear insertion response to a 2 cc coupler response. This formula was designed to account for the real ear to coupler difference and the effects of hearing aid microphone location. A body of standardized corrections for the real ear to coupler difference and hearing aid microphone location effects is available. However, due to errors which may be introduced when utilizing standardized corrections, several researchers have recommended the use of individualized corrections. The primary purpose of the present study was to quantify real ear to coupler differences in a pediatric group, and evaluate a technique for deriving hearing aid microphone location effects in hearing impaired children. The real ear to coupler difference was measured in ten children and the hearing aid microphone location effects were measured for fourteen behind-the-ear hearing aids. Results demonstrated that the RECD was statistically significant and increased as a function of frequency. Large individual variation in the RECD was noted, particularly in the high frequencies. These results demonstrate the limitations of the 2 cc coupler in predicting the real ear response. The hearing aid microphone location effect results revealed large negative values and large intersubject variability. Inspection of these data, indicate little consistency with other published studies. The RECD and hearing aid microphone location effect results indicate that corrections are necessary when selecting amplification for children. The implications of using standardized versus individualized corrections are discussed for the RECD and aid microphone effect.
A comparative description of the thorax chaetotaxy of the Dolichopodidae (Diptera)

A study of 270 species belonging to 210 genera of the family Dolichopodidae was conducted to examine their characters of thorax chaetotaxy. The quantity of acrostichal setae series, number of dorsocentral setae pairs, and quantity and degree of developed scutellar setae were studied. The humeral, posthumeral, intraalar, notopleural, supraalar, postalar, and sutural setae were also investigated. Combinations of chaetotaxy characters typical of the family Dolichopodidae were discovered. A detailed analysis of these characters allowed for the determination of the diagnostic characters of the subfamilies. The comparative analysis of Dolichopodidae morphology and outgroup taxa allowed for the identification of apomorphic and plesiomorphic character states of thorax chaetotaxy.
Thermal and Catalytic Pyrolysis of Low- Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Wastes into Useful Fuel Oils: Comparative Studies

Catalytic and non-catalytic (thermal) conversion of polyolefinic wastes into useful liquid fuel oils rich in paraffinic and olefinic hydrocarbons were attempted using a self-designed stainless-steel laboratory reactor. For the catalytic process, the waste polymer was degraded in an organic solvent (Toluene) by a bi-metallic catalyst (CoMo/Al2O3) into solid residue, liquid fuel oil and flammable gaseous hydrocarbon products after 11⁄4 hr of the catalytic reaction at temperature range of 260 – 325°C. The thermal process yielded identical products but at a longer reaction time (2hrs) and higher temperature range of 474-520°C. The smell, characteristics and the hydrocarbon distribution of the liquid fuels of both processes overlap with the existing hydrocarbon fuels obtainable in the refineries in that they contain C8-C24 hydrocarbons. The solid residue exhibits the characteristics of grease while the highly volatile gaseous product was eluted without collection due to technical difficulties. Closed-system reaction operations of this nature can be utilized to achieve 100% conversion of polyolefinic wastes to desirable hydrocarbon products that can serve as alternatives to existing fuels thereby reducing the burden of plastic wastes on the environment.
Distribution and genetic variation in venom A and B populations of the Mojavee rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus) in Arizona

: Two geographically distinct venoms (venom A and venom B) are produced by the Mojave rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus) in Arizona. The purpose of this investigation was to define further the distribution and genetic divergence between the two venom populations. Seventy-one specimens were collected from central Arizona for immunological and biochemical venom assays and allozyme electrophoretic assays of divergence. Venom assays indicate that snakes of venom B type are restricted to central Arizona, occupying the region from east and northeast of Phoenix, south to near Tucson. Snakes of venom B type overlap with those of venom A type to the north, west, and south of this region, and they intergrade with snakes of venom A type to produce a third venom type (A+B). The results of starch gel electrophoresis of 55 different tissue enzymes indicate high gene flow between the two venom types with a low genetic divergence (Nei's D = 0.003), indicating that the two venom types are conspecific. Environmental and ecological isolating mechanisms that could have been responsible for the origin and distribution of these venom populations are discussed.
Proximate influences on female dispersal in white-tailed deer

Ultimate causes of animal dispersal have been hypothesized to benefit the dispersing individual because dispersal reduces competition for local resources, potential for inbreeding, and competition for breeding partners. However, proximate cues influence important features of dispersal behavior, including when dispersal occurs, how long it lasts, and direction, straightness, and distance of the dispersal path. Therefore, proximate cues that affect dispersal influence ecological processes (e.g., population dynamics, disease transmission, gene flow). We captured and radio-marked 277 juvenile female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), of which 27 dispersed, to evaluate dispersal behavior and to determine proximate cues that may influence dispersal behavior. Female dispersal largely occurred at 1 year of age and coincided with the fawning season. Dispersal paths varied but generally were non-linear and prolonged. Physical landscape features (i.e., roadways, rivers, residential areas) influenced dispersal path direction and where dispersal terminated. Additionally, forays outside of the natal range that did not result in dispersal occurred among 52% of global positioning system (GPS)-collared deer (n = 25) during the dispersal period. Our results suggest intra-specific social interactions and physical landscape features influence dispersal behavior in female deer. Female dispersal behavior, particularly the lack of directionality, the semi-permeable nature of physical barriers, and the frequency of forays outside of the natal range, should be considered in regard to population management and controlling the spread of disease. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Complicated skin and skin structure infections. From host to pathogen

Cells of the innate immune system are equipped with surface and cytoplasmic receptors for microorganisms called pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs). PRRs recognize specific pathogen-associated molecular patterns and as such are crucial for the activation of the immune system. Currently, 5 different classes of PRRs have been described: Tolllike receptors, C-type lectin receptors, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors, retinoic acid-inducible gene I-like receptors and absent in melanoma 2-like receptors. Following their discovery, many sequence variants in PRR genes have been uncovered and shown to be implicated in human infectious diseases. In this review, we will discuss the effect of genetic variation in PRRs and their signalling pathways on susceptibility to infectious diseases in humans. Genetic variation in pattern-recognition receptors | 21
Clinical application of Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay in diagnosis and treatment of infertility

The diagnosis of male infertility is traditionally based on microscopic evaluating of sperm concentration, motility and morphology. Nowadays, when the assisted reproductive technology has gained a major role in the treatment of infertility, this method is not efficient in assessment of male fertility potential. Among a large number of new diagnostic methods Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA), expressed in DNA fragmentation index (DFI), is the most scrutinized technique and seems to be most promising from a clinical point of view. The overall aim of this thesis was to evaluate the clinical value of Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay in diagnosis and therapy of infertility. The intra-individual variation of DFI, evaluated in the first study, was 30.1% and considered as high compared to previous studies. Nevertheless, 85% of the tested men, when repeating the analysis, were still in the same side of the 30% cut-off value. Moreover, the next study revealed, that 26.1% of men from couples previously diagnosed as unexplained infertile had DFI>20%, compared to 10.5% of men with proven fertility. These findings illustrate that cases with the diagnosis ”unexplained infertility” can, to a certain extent, be explained by impairment of sperm DNA and that SCSA is a good supplement to the traditional semen analysis. The third study illustrates that SCSA can contribute to a choice of the optimal fertilization method in couples undergoing in vitro fertilization. The chance of live birth in standard in vitro fertilization (IVF) when DFI was above 20% was significantly lower than for those with lower DFI. Moreover, for the high DFI subgroup, live birth rates were significantly higher for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) as compared to IVF. The results corresponded with negative association between DFI and fertilization rate as well as the chance of obtaining at least one good quality embryo (GQE), in standard IVF but not in ICSI. This suggests that ICSI might be a preferred method in cases with high DFI. Increased risk of miscarriage was seen in combined calculation for both IVF and ICSI when DFI exceeded 40%. The last study demonstrates that increased DFI makes some early embryo morphokinetics longer within IVF group and shorter in ICSI group which suggests that sperm DNA integrity plays an important role in early embryo development. In addition to clinical conclusions, the finding contributes to the theoretic knowledge about the potential impact of sperm DNA integrity on embryo during the first days after fertilization. In conclusion, SCSA is recommended as a complement to traditional semen test in assessment of male fertility potential.
The cobweb spiders of the genus Anelosimus Simon, 1891 (Araneae: Theridiidae) in Hainan Island, China

Five species of the spider genus Anelosimus Simon, 1891 (Theridiidae) are reported from Hainan Island, China, including two new species: Anelosimus membranaceus n. sp. (male, female) and A. subcrassipes n. sp. (female). A. seximaculatum (Zhu, 1998) n. comb. is transferred from the genus Theridion Walckenaer, 1805. The male of A. seximaculatum and the female of A. chonganicus Zhu, 1998 are described and illustrated for the first time.
Osteology of Living and Fossil New World Quails (Aves, Galliformes)

The family Odontophoridae is divided into two distinct groups on the basis of pelvic structure. The Dendrortyx group contains Miortyx of the Miocene, Neortyx peninsularis new genus and species from the Pleistocene, and the living genera Dendrortyx, Philortyx, Oreortyx, Callipepla, Colinus, and Lophortyx. Dendrortyx is at once the most primitive and aberrant living genus of American quails and is most closely related to Philortyx. Oreortyx is a near relative of the Callipepla-Colinus-Lophortyx complex of genera. The members of this complex are so similar that they might best be considered as subgenera. The Odontophorus group contains the living genera Odontophorus, Dactylortyx, Cyrtonyx, and Rhynchortyx. Odontophorus appears to be the most primitive genus in this group. Dactylortyx and Cyrtonyx are similar. Rhynchortyx is the most aberrant genus of the group. The Miocene species Cyrtonyx tedfordi probably should be transferred from the Odontophoridae to the Cracidae. The study of more than 700 fossils of the genus Colinus shows a progressive trend toward reduction in size and gradual change in qualitative characters. The transition from C. hibbardi to C. suilium took place during the early Pleistocene, and the change from C. suilium to C. virginianus occurred in Wicomico time.
Immunoglobulin gene alterations in normal and neoplastic B cells

The production of high affinity antibodies is crucial in the combat of pathogenic invaders. Somatic hypermutation and class switch recombination are two DNA modifying processes that take place in the lymph node germinal centres, in order to increase antibody affinity and determine its effector function. However, recurrent subjection of B cells to these immunoglobulin gene alteration processes, due to chronic and recurrent infections or autoimmunity, may lead to accumulation of collateral DNA damage, this way increasing the risk of malignant derailment. This thesis deals with the molecular side of antibody diversification and its role in lymphomagenesis. A putative role for alternative splicing in the regulation of the enzyme responsible for the DNA modifications, i.e. activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), is investigated. Structure-function analysis of artificial AID mutants further substantiate this research. The significance of the B cell receptor and its antigen-specificity for lymphoma development, is explored by studying the immunoglobulin sequences of normal germinal centre and malignant lymphoma B cells. Biased immunoglobulin repertoires, in perspective to the genetic and environmental background of these tumours, provide insight in the origin and development of B cell malignancy.
Reduced mycorrhizal responsiveness leads to increased competitive tolerance in an invasive exotic plant

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can exert a powerful influence on the outcome of plant–plant competition. Since some exotic plants interact differently with soil biota such as AM fungi in their new range, range‐based shifts in AM responsiveness could shift competitive interactions between exotic and resident plants, although this remains poorly studied. We explored whether genotypes of the annual exotic Centaurea solstitialis (yellow starthistle), collected from populations across the native and non‐native ranges, differed in responsiveness to AM fungi in the introduced range and whether range‐based differences in mycorrhizal responsiveness affected how strongly C. solstitialis tolerated competition with the North American native bunchgrass, Stipa pulchra. Grown alone, C. solstitialis from both ranges derived only weak benefits from AM fungi. However, association with AM fungi was costly to plants when grown in competition with S. pulchra. The magnitude of the suppressive effect of AM fungi was greater for genotypes from native versus introduced populations. Synthesis. Many exotic invasive species are known to associate weakly with AM fungi, which may be beneficial in disturbed habitats where competition for resources is low. Our results indicate that reduced mycorrhizal associations may also benefit invaders in a competitive environment. Centaurea solstitialis were more strongly suppressed by established S. pulchra plants in the presence versus absence of AM fungi, but exotic genotypes were less suppressed than native genotypes. This suggests that AM fungi may contribute to invasion resistance in established native communities, but range‐based shifts in the way exotic genotypes respond to AM fungal partners may counter such biotic resistance.
Laboratory evaluation on the potential of entomopathogenic fungi, Nomuraea rileyi against tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura Fabricius (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) and its safety to Trichogramma sp.

Tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura was reared in semi-synthetic diet and the different stages were maintained for bioassay. Entomopathogenic fungi, Nomuraea rileyi was sub-cultured using Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). Spore suspensions of four different concentrations (2.4 × 10, 2.4 × 10 and 2.4 × 10, 2.4 × 10 conidia/ml) were prepared from the 15 day old culture of the fungi for evaluation. A preliminary study on N. rileyi against S. litura larvae was done. Cypermethrin 25 EC, Neem Plus and untreated were used as controls. Though the pupation was not suppressed as expected, the pupal weight, length and duration were severely affected. The malformed adults were the highest (96.7%) in pupae treated with 2.4 × 10 spore concentration. Subsequently, the fecundity was completely arrested in N. rileyi at 2.4 × 10, 2.4 × 10and 2.4 × 10 spore conc. The biosafety of N. rileyi against Trichogramma japonicum and Trichogramma chilonis was confirmed by monitoring the parasitization and male-female ratio and proved that the N. rileyi was safe to these egg parasitoids.
So close and yet so far away: long‐distance dispersal events govern bryophyte metacommunity reassembly

Metapopulation dynamics have been used to explain bryophyte dispersal patterns and they predict that population abundances vary with the spatial distribution of habitat and with species traits. However, results from stand and landscape studies are contradictory as both distance‐dependent and distance‐independent patterns have been found. These studies have typically included only a few species, which limits interspecies comparison. It is the time to investigate bryophyte dispersal at the metacommunity scale. We studied bryophyte dispersal patterns in a system made up of burned matrices containing unburned residual forest patches. The importance of short‐ versus long‐distance dispersal was examined by comparing extant and propagule rain communities in residual forest patches of three fire sites using both species and life strategies. Extant and propagule rain communities were distinct. Several propagule rain species, of all life strategies, did not originate from the closest extant community, suggesting that regional dispersal events are important, following the inverse isolation hypothesis. Temporal, spatial and structural characteristics of the environment had a greater influence on dispersal than distance, which only influenced similarity patterns at the regional scale, highlighting the importance of propagule source attributes for the conservation of bryophyte metacommunities. Synthesis. Long‐distance dispersal may be the rule and not the exception in bryophyte metacommunities. Therefore, bryophyte metacommunity dynamics depend on several dispersal scales, and residual forest patches can contribute both to local and regional diaspore clouds. Species’ environmental tolerance during establishment and their ability to produce copious amounts of spores may be more important filters in bryophyte metacommunity dynamics than dispersal distance.
Remote sensing analysis of ecological quality change in Xinjiang

Xinjiang is a region with vulnerable eco⁃environment in western China. It is of significance to carry out eco⁃ environment survey, assessment and timely grasp the ecological status and its changing characteristics for environmental protection. To meet this requirement, this paper developed a Vegetation⁃Moisture⁃Temperature Ecological Index (VMTEI) for measuring of region ecology. As an index for assessment of region ecological status, the VMTEI synthesized three important ecological indicators which were frequently used in evaluating ecology. These are greenness, wetness and heat. The three indicators can be represented respectively by three remote sensing indices or components, which are the perpendicular vegetation index (PVI), perpendicular moisture index (PMI), and land surface temperature (LST). Instead
Life cycle assessment of wastewater treatment in developing countries

Within developing countries, wastewater treatment (WWT) has improved in recent years in but remains a high priority sustainability challenge. Accordingly, life cycle assessment (LCA) studies have recently started to analyse the environmental impacts of WWT technologies on the specific context of less developed countries, mainly in China and India. This work presents a comprehensive review of this knowledge with the aim of critically analysing the main conclusions, gaps and challenges for future WWT-related LCAs in developing countries. The most commonly assessed technologies in the 43 reviewed articles are different variations of activated sludge and extensive treatments applied in decentralized systems; however, studies focused on advanced technologies or new sources of pollution (e.g. micropollutants) are still lacking. Goal and system boundaries are normally clearly defined, but significant stages for some technologies such as the construction and sludge management are frequently not included and functional units should be defined accordingly to specific conditions in developing countries. At the inventory level, a more concise description of sources and technical parameters would greatly improve the quality of the LCAs along with accountability of direct greenhouse gas emissions. Eutrophication and global warming are the two Water Research 153 (2019) 63-79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres. 2019.01. 010 2 most commonly assessed impacts; however, the calculation of terrestrial ecotoxicity when the sludge is used for agricultural purposes, of water use and of the land use change impacts associated to extensive technologies should be encouraged. The estimation of more site-specific databases, characterization factors (especially for eutrophication) or normalization and weighting values combined with more affordable access to background databases and LCA software, would deeply increase the accuracy of WWT-related LCAs in developing countries. An increased usage of the uncertainty analysis should be encouraged to assess the influence of these gaps in the final interpretation of the results. The review finishes with a summary of the main challenges and research gaps identified and with specific guidelines for future researchers to avoid the most common shortcomings found in the reviewed studies.