Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Study of Representational Similarity: The Emergence of Object Concepts in Rapid Serial Visual Presentation Streams

Guided by the observation that similar words in language occur in similar contexts, linguistic computational models trained on statistics of word co-occurrence in texts were shown to be effective in modelling both human performance in psycholinguistic tasks and semantically imbued representations in the brain. But, it remains unclear whether the semantic representation extracted from the distributional behavior of words in the natural language resemble the knowledge that is primarily acquired outside language, through sensory-perceptual experience. Using Representational Similarity Analysis (RSA), the present study endeavours to identify a direct link between the neural representation of object concepts and computational modelling. The broad aim of this study is to examine the extent to which neural representation of object concepts can be modelled by two types of linguistic computational models: distributional word co-occurrence and lexical hierarchical. The more specific aim of the study is to investigate which of the two types of semantic structure, distributional or hierarchical, best explains the time-varying neural representation of object concepts in the brain. Subsequently, this study first applied time-resolved Multivariate Pattern Analysis (MVPA) to neural responses evoked by naturalistic images portraying a broad and large (n = 1854) set of object concepts and decoded the four general concept categories: natural, animal, food and drink, and clothing. Then, using RSA, the study compared the geometric structure in the time-varying neural representation of object concept categories with the structure in semantic representations produced by the two broad types of linguistic models. Contrary to previous research results, this study shows evidence that the structure of time-varying neural representations of object concepts corresponds primarily with the hierarchical structure produce by WordNet models. But it also notes that despite their different conceptualizations of word meaning, all linguistic models showed similar correlation paths with the neural data. This thesis concludes that the temporal synchrony between the models coupled with the potential influence from non-hierarchical relations in WordNet suggest the rapid transition from perception to representation, compatible with language and conceptual thoughts, is underpinned by concept category distinctive features.
Allelic diversity of flowering-time regulatory gene Hd3a in rice

ABSTRACT Flowering time (FT) of rice (Oryza sativa L.) marks its transition from vegetative to reproductive stage. The FT is controlled by many internal and external factors, where Hd3a is the main florigen regulating FT under short-day conditions. This study was designed to identify the different types of Hd3a promoter and genic haplotypes using 2,638 rice accessions and to detect genetic polymorphisms that are diagnostic to FT. Haplotype analysis was conducted for the promoter and genic region of Hd3a. The FT data were analyzed to reveal associations with genic and promoter polymorphisms. The analysis revealed 12 novel promoter haplotypes and four previously identified genic haplotypes based on 36 polymorphic sites. A high haplotype diversity was reported in both promoter (0.78) and genic (0.67) regions. The 12-bp InDel in the promoter, which was previously defined as diagnostic for FT, could not be generalized to predict FT in the current rice panel. The cis-regulatory elements (CRE) belonging to 32 transcription factor families (TFF) were identified in the promoter, of which four TFF families were related to regulation of reproduction, and two of these families had changed in some accessions because of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Of the 36 polymorphic sites used to identify haplotypes, none could be generalized as diagnostic to serve as potential site(s) for marker development. Two SNPs on the Hd3a promoter that caused changes in TFFs could possibly be target sites to study Hd3a expression.
Promoter proximal pausing limits Yki-induced tumorous growth in Drosophila

Promoter proximal pausing (PPP) of RNA Polymerase II has emerged as a crucial rate-limiting-step in the regulation of gene expression. Regulation of PPP is brought about by complexes 7SK snRNP, P-TEFb (Cdk9/cycT) and the Negative Elongation Factor (NELF) which are highly conserved from Drosophila to humans. Here we show that RNAi-mediated depletion of bin3 or Hexim of the 7SK snRNP complex or depletion of individual components of the NELF complex enhance Yki-driven growth leading to neoplastic transformation of Drosophila wing imaginal discs. We also show that increased CDK9 expression cooperates with Yki, in driving neoplastic growth. Interestingly, over-expression of CDK9 on its own or in the background of depletion of one of the components of 7SK snRNP or the NELF complex necessarily and specifically needed Yki over-expression to cause tumorous growth. Genome-wide gene expression analyses suggested that deregulation of protein homeostasis is associated with tumorous growth of wing imaginal discs. As both Fat/Hippo/Yki pathway and PPP are highly conserved, our observations may provide insights into mechanisms of oncogenic function of YAP, the orthologue of Yki in human.
Demographic and outcome evaluation of a paediatric intensive care unit

Introduction. This is a retrospective study of demographic and outcome data on 1 528 paediatric patients admitted to Baragwanath intensive care unit over a 6-year period from 1989 to 1994. Aim. To define the population of patients admitted, and to evaluate the pooled demographic and outcome data To evaluate the performance of the Paediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) score in this population. Patients and methods. This is a retrospective, descriptive study that was undertaken at Baragwanath intensive care unrt from 1989 to 1994. Paediatric patients comprised 40% of all ICU admissions in the study period, and made up 6% of aJl admissions to the Department of Paediatrics. Basic demographic information was retrieved from a computerised database and analysed with standard statistics. PRISM score (which proVides the predicted risk of mortality) and the actual observed mortality rate were also compared. Results. The overall mortaJity rate was 32% with a mean PRISM of 29%. Non-surgical cases accounted for 96% of all admissions, and 97% of all admissions were nonelective. The mean duration of admission was 12 days (survivors 14 days and non-survivors 8 days). Respiratory disorders accounted for the majority of admissions to the unit. There was a significant difference between actual mortality and mortality predicted by PRISM score (goodness-<lf-fil, P < 0.01). Discussion. American and European ICUs report a lower mortality rate (around 8%), but admit older patients and more elective and routine postoperative cases; these patients have a shorter stay in the ICU. Most studies are
Band Sowing with Hoeing in Organic Grains: I. Comparisons with Alternative Weed Management Practices in Spring Barley

Abstract Weeds remain the foremost production challenge for organic small grain farmers in the northeastern United States. Instead of crops sown in narrow, single-line rows, band sowing offers a more uniform spatial arrangement of the crop, maximizing interspecific while reducing intraspecific competition. Weeds in the inter-band zone are controlled by cultivating with aggressive sweeps; tine harrowing can target weeds in both intra- and inter-band zones. Field experiments in Maine and Vermont in 2016 and 2017 evaluated band sowing for improved weed control, crop yield, and grain quality in organic spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L. ‘Newdale'). Specifically, we compared: (1) the standard practice of sowing 16.5-cm rows at a target crop density of 325 plants m–2, (2) narrow-row sowing with increased crop density, (3) wide-row sowing with interrow hoeing, and (4) band sowing both with and (5) without inter-band hoeing. Mustard (Sinapis alba L. ‘Ida Gold') was planted throughout the experiment as a surrogate weed. Compared with the standard practice, band sowing with hoeing reduced surrogate weed density on average by 45% across site-years. However, effects on weed biomass and yield were inconsistent, perhaps due to suboptimal timing of hoeing and adverse weather conditions. In 1 out of 4 site-years, band sowing with hoeing reduced surrogate weed biomass by 67% and increased crop yield compared with the standard treatment. Results also indicate that band sowing with hoeing may improve 1,000-kernel weight and plump kernel grain-quality parameters.
Meningitis Outbreak in Nigeria: Public Health Alert

Volume 7 • Issue 5 • 1000e120 Biol Med (Aligarh) ISSN: 0974-8369 BLM, an open access journal Meningococcal meningitis is a life threatening bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis (13 serogroups), which can result in severe damage to the brain, with a case fatality rate of 50%, if left untreated [1]. Although, outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis have been reported across the world, it has been rated as one of the leading public health concerns in sub-Saharan Africa [1]. In-fact, the region has been named as the meningitis belt (extending from Senegal to Ethiopia comprising of 26 nations), because of the large number of cases being reported in the region [2]. In addition, in the year 2014 alone, close to 12000 cases and 1146 deaths have been reported among the 19 nations of the meningitis belt [1,2].
Shared reproduction and sex ratio adjustment to clutch size in a socially polymorphic orchid bee

Nests of the primitively eusocial orchid bee Euglossa viridissima are generally founded by a solitary female but can be reactivated by female offspring, in the presence or absence of the mother. The population therefore exists of solitary and social nests that co‐occur in an area. A female can stay as a subordinate helper under a dominant female or disperse to become a solitary foundress. Yet, the costs and benefits of the different social phenotypes are so far little understood. Here, we compared solitary and social nests of orchid bees. We used offspring of solitary and social nests to calculate offspring sex ratio, and applied molecular markers to calculate intranidal relatedness, infer maternity and test whether sociality may have a genetic component. We found that social nests had on average more brood than solitary nests. The overall sex ratio in the population did not differ from 1:1. However, social nests tended to produce a split sex ratio with some nests producing mainly males and others mainly female offspring. Regardless of social phenotype, the number of offspring was correlated with the sex ratio, with smaller nests having a more female‐biased offspring. In social nests, not all offspring resulted from a single‐mated mother, which was also the case for some solitary nests. This suggests shared reproduction in social nests and may be an indication that intraspecific parasitism and nest takeover are not uncommon. Structure analyses did not reveal different genetic background of the two social phenotypes. Our results suggest that there is no clear benefit that favours one of the two social phenotypes over the other and that the population is kept at balance in terms of sex ratio.
Catalogue of the vascular epiphytic flora of Uruguay

We provide an updated list of the vascular epiphytic flora occurring in native environments of Uruguay based on literature review, herbarium specimens, and fieldwork throughout the country. The catalogue provides standardized information for each species, including accepted name, synonyms used within Uruguay, epiphytic category, distribution within the country, habitat, conservation status, observations, and a voucher citation. The effort documented 73 species for the epiphytic flora of Uruguay (3 % of the flora), distributed among 29 genera and 12 families. Bromeliaceae was the richest family (17), followed by Polypodiaceae (16) and Orchidaceae (12). Tillandsia stood out as the most speciose genus with 15 species. Characteristic holoepiphytes was the most diverse ecological category. More than half of the epiphytic species documented for Uruguay (53 %) reach their southernmost geographic distribution in the country, whereas only two mostly epipetric species of Tillandsia — T. arequitae and T. uruguayensis — are endemic to the country. Almost half of the epiphytic species found are presently under categories of threat of extinction, with 60 % of them occurring in national protected areas. Both the richest epiphytic families and the predominance of characteristic holoepiphytes coincide with findings from floristic and ecological studies previously carried out in humid subtropical regions.
Health Care Facilities and Nutritional Status of Orphans Residing in Selected Orphanage in Capital City of Bangladesh

A.K. Obidul Huq*, Tanni Chowdhury, Provat Roy, K.M. Formuzul Haque and M.Bellal Hossain Department of Food Technology and Nutritional Science, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Santosh, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh Centre for Child and Adolescent Health (CCAH), International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) Medical Officer, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College, Sylhet, Bangladesh Department of Public Health, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh Department of Nutrition and Food Engineering, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh *Corresponding author
Measurement of pain relief resulting from the administration of Perna canaliculus lipid complex PCSO-524™ as compared to fish oil for treating patients who suffer from osteoarthritis of knee and/or hip joints

Aim: To compare, from baseline, pain relief, changes in the indicat ors of quality of life and safety for osteoarthritis patients taking a patented CO2 stabilised oil from the NZ Greenshell Mussel Perna canaliculus (PCSO-524™) compared with patients taking fish oil (containing an industry standard EPA 18% and DHA 12% blend). Material and methods: 50 patients older than 50 years from the R heumatology Clinic at the Wroclaw Medical University Hospital were administered randomly either Lyprinol® capsules that contained PCSO-524™ or fish oil capsules in a double-blind study. All subjects had a diagnosed history of osteoarthritis of the knee and/or the hip. The patients’ characteristics are presented in Tables I and II. At baseline and then after four, eight and 12 weeks of treatment, information was collected using first the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain; second the health assessment questionnaire (HAQ); and third the patient’s own overall assessment of the progression of osteoarthritis and their health condition. For patient safety control, before enrolment in the study and at the end of the study, patients had a blood cell count, ESR, ALAT and urine analysis. Results: Patients treated with PCSO-524™ showed a s tatistically significant improvement of both their pain symptoms related to osteoarthritis and improved quality of their daily lives (p = 0.05) (Tables III-IV, Fig. 1-2). No side effects were observed with the patients who took PCSO-524™. Patients treated with fish oil showed significantly less improvement and a greater level of physical discomfort caused by the fish oil during the study. Conclusion: Reduction of pain was statistically evident at four w eeks among the subjects who took capsules that contained PCSO-524™. Practitioners can expect quicker long-term results with less risk of side effects for their osteoarthritis patients when they recommend products that contain PCSO-524™, compared with fish oil.
Microhabitat preference of the critically endangered golden mantella frog in Madagascar

The golden mantella (Mantella aurantiaca) is a critically endangered (CR) frog, endemic to the eastern rainforestsof Madagascar. Although the species is very popular in the pet trade and widely bred in captivity, its specific habitat requirements in the wild are poorly understood. Ten forested sites in the Moramanga district of Madagascar were surveyed for microhabitat and environmental variables, and the presence or absence of golden mantellas in quadrats positioned along transects in the vicinity of breeding sites. Mixed models were used to determine which variables best explained microhabitat use by golden mantellas. Sites where golden mantellas were found tended to have surface temperatures of 20-23 ˚C, UVI units at about 2.9, about 30 % canopy cover, and around 30 % herbaceous cover. Within sites, golden mantellas preferred microhabitats that had 70 % leaf litter coverage and relatively low numbers of tree roots. This information can be used to improve the identification and management of habitats in the wild, as well as to refine captive husbandry needs.
Retromer subunit, VPS29, regulates synaptic transmission and is required for endolysosomal function in the aging brain

Retromer, including Vps35, Vps26, and Vps29, is a protein complex responsible for recycling proteins within the endolysosomal pathway. Although implicated in both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, our understanding of retromer function in the adult brain remains limited, in part because Vps35 and Vps26 are essential for development. In Drosophila, we find that Vps29 is dispensable for embryogenesis but required for retromer function in aging adults, including for synaptic transmission, survival, and locomotion. Unexpectedly, in Vps29 mutants, Vps35 and Vps26 proteins are normally expressed and associated, but retromer is mislocalized from neuropil to soma with the Rab7 GTPase. Further, Vps29 phenotypes are suppressed by reducing Rab7 or overexpressing the GTPase activating protein, TBC1D5. With aging, retromer insufficiency triggers progressive endolysosomal dysfunction, with ultrastructural evidence of impaired substrate clearance and lysosomal stress. Our results reveal the role of Vps29 in retromer localization and function, highlighting requirements for brain homeostasis in aging. Impact Statement Vps29 promotes retromer localization in the adult Drosophila brain, engaging Rab7 and TBC1D5, and its loss triggers age-dependent neuronal impairments in endolysosomal trafficking and synaptic transmission.
Thickness of deep layers in the fusiform face area predicts face recognition

People with superior face recognition have relatively thin cortex in face-selective brain areas, while those with superior vehicle recognition have relatively thick cortex in the same areas. We suggest that these opposite correlations reflect distinct mechanisms influencing cortical thickness (CT) for abilities acquired at different points in development. We explore a new prediction regarding the specificity of these effects through the depth of the cortex: that face recognition selectively and negatively correlates with thickness of the deepest laminar subdivision in face-selective areas. With ultra-high resolution MRI at 7T, we estimated the thickness of three laminar subdivisions, which we term MR layers, in the right fusiform face area (rFFA) in 14 adult male humans. Face recognition was negatively associated with the thickness of deep MR layers, while vehicle recognition was positively related to the thickness of all layers. Regression model comparisons provided overwhelming support for a model specifying that the magnitude of the association between face recognition and CT differs across MR layers (deep vs. superficial/middle) while the magnitude of the association between vehicle recognition and CT is invariant across layers. The total CT of rFFA accounted for 69% of the variance in face recognition, and thickness of the deep layer alone accounted for 84% of this variance. Our findings demonstrate the functional validity of MR laminar estimates in FFA. Studying the structural basis of individual differences for multiple abilities in the same cortical area can reveal effects of distinct mechanisms that are not apparent when studying average variation or development. Significance Statement Face and object recognition vary in the normal population and are only modestly related to each other. The recognition of faces and vehicles are both positively related to neural responses in the fusiform face area (FFA), but show different relations to the cortical thickness of FFA. Here, we use very high-resolution MRI, and find that face recognition ability (a skill acquired early in life) is negatively correlated with thickness of FFA’s deepest MR-defined layers, whereas recognition of vehicles (a skill acquired later in life) is positively related to thickness at of all cortical layers. Our methods can be used in the future to characterize sources of variability in human abilities and relate them to distinct mechanisms of neural plasticity.
Linking men's voice pitch to actual and perceived trustworthiness across domains

Previous research suggests that judgments about a male speaker's trustworthiness vary due to the speaker's voice pitch (mean F0) and differ across domains. However, mixed results in terms of the direction and extent of such effects have been reported. Moreover, no study so far has investigated whether men's mean F0 is, indeed, a valid cue to their self-reported and behavioral trustworthiness, and whether trustworthiness judgments are accurate. We tested the relation between mean F0 and actual general, economic, and mating-related trustworthiness in 181 men, as well as trustworthiness judgments of 95 perceivers across all three domains. Analyses show that men's mean F0 is not related to Honesty–Humility (as a trait indicator of general trustworthiness), trustworthy intentions, or trust game behavior, suggesting no relation of mean F0 to general or economic trustworthiness. In contrast, results suggest that mean F0 might be related to mating-related trustworthiness (as indicated by self-reported relationship infidelity). However, lower mean F0 was judged as more trustworthy in economic but less trustworthy in mating-related domains and rather weakly related to judgments of general trustworthiness. Trustworthiness judgments were not accurate for general or economic trustworthiness, but exploratory analyses suggest that women might be able to accurately judge men's relationship infidelity based on their voice pitch. Next to these analyses, we report exploratory analyses involving and controlling for additional voice parameters.
Weed Interference on the Accumulation of Dry Mass and Macronutrients of Eggplant ‘Nápoli’

ABSTRACT: The presence of weeds may affect both growth and nutrition of agricultural crops due to interference. The objective was to evaluate the interference of weeds in the dry mass distribution and in the accumulation of dry mass and macronutrients in eggplant. The treatments consisted of increasing weed-free and weedy periods (0-14, 0-28, 0-42, 0-56, 0-70, 0-84, 0-98, 0-112, 0-126, 0-140 and 0-154 days after transplanting) in eggplant ‘Nápoli’. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with three replicates. Weeds affected the distribution of dry mass between vegetative and reproductive organs of eggplant. There was a significant reduction in the accumulation of dry mass and macronutrients when weeds grew with eggplant crop beyond 42 days after transplanting, reaching the maximum reduction of 79%, 75%, 80%, 82%, 83%, 83% and 80% in the accumulation of dry mass, K, N, Ca, Mg, P and S, respectively. Therefore, the weed community significantly affects the growth and mineral nutrition of eggplant ‘Napoli’, and there should be no weed-crop coexistence beyond 28 days after seedling transplanting.