Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential Representation of Articulatory Gestures and Phonemes in Motor, Premotor, and Inferior Frontal Cortices

Speech is a critical form of human communication and is central to our daily lives. Yet, despite decades of study, an understanding of the fundamental neural control of speech production remains incomplete. Current theories model speech production as a hierarchy from sentences and phrases down to words, syllables, speech sounds (phonemes) and the movements of speech articulator muscles used to produce these sounds (articulatory gestures). Here, we investigate the cortical representation of articulatory gestures and phonemes in speech motor, premotor, and inferior frontal cortices. Our results indicate that primary motor and premotor areas represent gestures to a greater extent than phonemes, while inferior frontal cortex represents both gestures and phonemes. These findings suggest that the cortical control of speech production shares a common representation with that of other types of movement, such as arm and hand movements.
Probiotic mixture ameliorates heat stress of laying hens by enhancing intestinal barrier function and improving gut microbiota

Abstract Heat stress (HS) is a major stressor for laying hens. It causes enormous financial losses worldwide annually. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of a probiotic mixture of Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium on the performance of laying hens under HS. Eight hundred and fifty-six commercial laying hens (Hy-Line Brown, aged 40 weeks) were randomly allocated to three groups, Group C (26 °C), Group H (33 °C) and Group H + PM (33 °C + probiotic mixture), respectively. The trial lasted for 20 days. Compared with Group H, we demonstrated that treatment with the probiotic mixture significantly increased the egg production rate, average daily feed intake (ADFI), and egg weight of laying hens under HS (p < .05). In addition, the eggshell thickness, eggshell strength and albumen height also improved. We further showed that these probiotics improved gut microbiota as well as enhanced intestinal integrity, which may be responsible for inhibiting the invasion of bacteria and improving the performance indices. The study suggests that this probiotic mixture may be an effective strategy for treating laying hens under HS.
Neoliberalising working-class subjectification through affirmative action policies: managerial leadership and ontological coaching in higher education

ABSTRACT Drawing on the notions of neoliberal governmentality, regime of subjectification, as well as on the ordoliberal conception of social policy, self and class, I analyse how neoliberalism is entrenched in the formation of the affirmative action policy in higher education in Chile. Based on a fieldwork focused on the two main affirmative action programmes in Chile -Induction Access Programmes and PACE-, I constructed a counter-archival assemblage to identify the main policy agents creating opportunities to extend and implement affirmative action programmes and mobilising specific conditions to enact entrepreneurial technologies in the design of affirmative actions. Two related entrepreneurial technologies of the self, namely, managerial leadership and ontological coaching, were identified. They were part of a regime of neoliberal subjectification unfolded in the mandatory modules to harness the working-class students’ affective entrepreneurial vitalities as both the true ontology of their selves and the desirable features that make them the legitimate and responsible subjects of right to higher education.
Recent Development in Beta Titanium Alloys for Biomedical Applications

β-type titanium (Ti) alloys have attracted a lot of attention as novel biomedical materials in the past decades due to their low elastic moduli and good biocompatibility. This article provides a broad and extensive review of β-type Ti alloys in terms of alloy design, preparation methods, mechanical properties, corrosion behavior, and biocompatibility. After briefly introducing the development of Ti and Ti alloys for biomedical applications, this article reviews the design of β-type Ti alloys from the perspective of the molybdenum equivalency (Moeq) method and DV-Xα molecular orbital method. Based on these methods, a considerable number of β-type Ti alloys are developed. Although β-type Ti alloys have lower elastic moduli compared with other types of Ti alloys, they still possess higher elastic moduli than human bones. Therefore, porous β-type Ti alloys with declined elastic modulus have been developed by some preparation methods, such as powder metallurgy, additive manufacture and so on. As reviewed, β-type Ti alloys have comparable or even better mechanical properties, corrosion behavior, and biocompatibility compared with other types of Ti alloys. Hence, β-type Ti alloys are the more suitable materials used as implant materials. However, there are still some problems with β-type Ti alloys, such as biological inertness. As such, summarizing the findings from the current literature, suggestions forβ-type Ti alloys with bioactive coatings are proposed for the future development.
Operational Characteristics of Immobilized Ochrobactrum sp. CUST210-1 Biosystem and Immobilized Chromate Reductase Biosystem in Continuously Treating Actual Chromium-Containing Wastewater

Cr(VI) detoxification by biotreatment is considered one of the most practical detoxification methods, especially at low-to-medium concentrations. Although the capabilities of chromium-reducing bacteria and related enzymes in removing Cr(VI) have been explored, little is known about their differences in engineering applications. In this study, Ochrobactrum sp. CUST210-1 was isolated and its chromate reductase identified and separated as biological elements in biosystems developed for Cr(VI) removal. Results indicate that intracellular Cr(OH)3(s) accounted for 88.01% of Cr(VI) reduction product, and a possible reduction mechanism was exposed. The chromate reductase in Ochrobactrum sp. CUST210-1 was ChrR protein, and its crystal structure was revealed. The toxicity of Cr(VI)-containing wastewater was decreased by 57.8% and 67.0% (at minimum) by the CUST210-1 strain and ChrR, respectively. The Ochrobactrum sp. CUST210-1 biosystem demonstrated good adaptability to pH (7–9), and the ChrR biosystem exhibited high removal efficiency (>98.2%) at a wide range of temperatures (25 °C–40 °C). The outlet Cr(VI) concentration of the CUST210-1 biosystem met the industrial discharge limit of 0.5 mg L−1 when the inlet Cr(VI) concentration in the actual Cr(VI)-containing wastewater was <430 mg L−1. The stricter water quality standard of 0.05 mg L−1 could be complied with by the immobilized ChrR biosystem when <150 mg L−1 Cr(VI) concentration was introduced. These developed biosystems can be used in the bioremediation of various Cr(VI)-contaminated wastewaters. Regarding capital costs, those of the CUST210-1 biosystem were higher. To our knowledge, this is the first report comparing differences in the economic and operational characteristics of bacteria and enzyme biosystems for Cr(VI) removal.
Compliance Adjustment of a Gripper System Designed for the Seizing of Objects of Modifiable Consistency

The necessity of seizing objects of unknown forms and/or consistency entails conceiving gripper systems whose design and control strategies are oriented towards the capacity of safe physical handling. This could be achieved by the utilisation of a linear pneumatic muscle benefitting from an inherently compliant behaviour. The paper presents and discusses such a soft gripper system. A gripper system of this type does not require the presence of sensors or complex controllers, as it is the mechanical system itself that provides the required adaptive behaviour. The compliance of the entire system is achieved by modifying air pressure in the pneumatic muscle within a closed loop, thus ensuring the safe gripping of deformable objects.
Dynamic Spatiotemporal Organization of Exocytosis During Cellular Shape Change

Morphological elongation of developing neurons requires plasmalemma expansion, hypothesized to occur primarily via exocytosis. We posited that exocytosis in developing neurons and non-neuronal cells exhibit distinct spatiotemporal organization. We exploited TIRF microscopy to image VAMP-pHluorin mediated exocytosis in murine embryonic cortical neurons and interphase melanoma cells, and developed computer-vision software and statistical tools to uncover spatiotemporal aspects of exocytosis. Vesicle fusion behavior differed between vesicle types, cell types, developmental stage, and extracellular environment. Experiment-based mathematical calculations indicated that VAMP2-mediated vesicle fusion supplied excess material for the plasma membrane expansion that occurred early in neuronal morphogenesis, which was balanced in part by clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Spatial statistics uncovered distinct spatiotemporal regulation of exocytosis in the soma and neurites of developing neurons that was modulated by developmental stage, exposure to the guidance cue netrin-1, and the brain-enriched ubiquitin ligase TRIM9. In melanoma cells, exocytosis occurred less frequently with distinct spatial clustering patterns.
Discussion on Reliability Evaluation Method of Inertial Actuator

The inertial actuator provides the spacecraft with the control torque required for attitude stability or attitude maneuver, and its reliability directly affects the lifespan and accuracy of the spacecraft. In order to improve the lifetime and accuracy of inertial actuators, it is necessary to evaluate the reliability. The types of inertial actuators are introduced, mainly including reaction flywheel, momentum wheel, control torque gyro, etc. This article briefly outlines several different reliability modeling and analysis methods, including failure mode, impact and criticality analysis (FMMECA), fault tree analysis (FTA), Bayesian network model, GO method and Petri net model. The advantages and disadvantages of each analysis method are discussed. The reliability evaluation methods of different inertial actuators are analyzed, which provides a basis for the subsequent reliability analysis and research of inertial actuators.
Disparities in prevalence of metabolic syndrome: A cross-sectional analysis of Indian adults

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of risk factors: central obesity, a low level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high levels of triglyceride, fasting glucose, and blood pressure. Individuals with MS have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. South Asians, including Indians, generally have higher rates, earlier onset, and severe forms of cardiovascular diseases and the associated risk factors compared to other ethnic groups. This study assessed the prevalence of MS in an adult South Indian population, and further examined socioeconomic, gender and rurality disparities. We analyzed data from 7,697 adults aged between 20 and 76 years participating in the baseline PURSE-HIS study, a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in India in 2012. Socioeconomic status was derived from summary scores of three variables: family income, education and occupation. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were conducted to find the association between behavioral risk factors and metabolic syndrome, after adjusting for age, sex, rurality and socioeconomic status. The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 36.3%, with significant gender difference (38.3% for women vs. 33.8% for men, P < 0.01). Women in semi-urban areas were twice as likely to have metabolic syndrome compared to men in urban areas (OR = 2.0, 95%CI:1.2 to 3.1, p < 0.01). Women in higher socioeconomic group were more than four times likely to have metabolic syndrome compared to men in lower socioeconomic group (OR = 4.2, 95%CI:2.3 to 7.6, p < 0.01). The study emphasizes the need of preventative and curative interventions focused on low-socioeconomic populations, particularly women who reside in non-urban areas. The findings have important implications for the USA because there are 2.4 million foreign-born population from India, making it the second-largest immigrant group in the USA after Mexicans. Low socioeconmic population and women residing in non-urban areas are at higher risk for metabolic syndrome. Preventative and curative interventions focused on low-socioeconomic populations should be prioritized.
The effects of Open Cellular Convection on Wind Farm Operation and Wakes

Majority of the severe variability in power production of an offshore wind farm occurs when open cellular convection (OCC) is observed. With a diameter of 10-80 km, the open cells are essentially the main drivers of hour-scale wind fluctuations passing through the wind farm. Here we aim to quantify the impact of the OCC on Horns Rev-I offshore wind farm located in the North Sea, in terms of variance in the power production and turbulence intensity. Using mesoscale simulations, met-mast measurements and high frequency (1 Hz) SCADA data from all the operating turbines, the behaviour of power deficit and added turbulence intensity is explored comparatively with and without presence of open cells. The investigation is a case study performed on a ‘day-to-day’ basis with an in depth analysis of the in-farm effects, such as the wake behaviour and smaller scale atmospheric structures. For the investigated event, the study shows striking difference in wind farm operation under the open cell structures and underlines the importance of taking local mesoscale phenomena into account for wind farm operation monitoring and control, short-term wake estimation, forecasting and market participation.
Review of the history, biology and host plants of the Australian weevil Chrysolopus spectabilis (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Aterpinae)

The larval and adult host plants of the Australian weevil Chrysolopus spectabilis (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Aterpinae) are reviewed from the literature, unpublished museum records and from personal observations of the author. Published biological and historical data are also reviewed. The known larval hosts are as follows : Acacia baileyana, A. decurrens, A. longissima, A. pycnantha, A. suaveolens and A. terminalis (Mimosaceae). There are at least 29 recorded adult host plants, mostly Acacia species (Mimosaceae): Acacia armata, A. aulacocarpa, A. baileyana, A. dealbata, A. decurrens, A. elata, A. falciformis, A. filicifolia, A. fimbriata, A. holosericea, A. implexa, A. leiocalyx, A. leptostachya, A. linifolia, A. longifolia, A. longissima, A. mangium, A. mearnsii, A. melanoxylon, A. parramattensis, A. parvipinnula, A.penninervis, A. podalyriifolia, A. retinodes, A. sophorae, A. spectabilis, A. suaveolens, A. terminalis and Eucalyptus pilularis (Myrtaceae).
Transcranial alternating current stimulation induces long-term augmentation of neural connectivity and sustained anxiety reduction

Although transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has demonstrated short-term effects in modulating neural oscillations, potential clinical efficacy of tACS for treating “oscillopathies” (disorders associated with aberrant neural oscillations) hinges on its ability to generate long-term neural plasticity, which can translate into lasting behavioral changes. Administering alpha-frequency tACS over 4 consecutive days, we evaluated short- and long-term (> 24 hours) effects of α-tACS on local alpha power and oscillatory connectivity, along with behavioral outcomes in anxious arousal and affective sensory perception. The α-tACS (vs. sham stimulation) group exhibited increases in posterior alpha power immediately and 30 minutes post-stimulation but not 24 hours post-stimulation, suggesting transient effects on local neuronal synchrony. Strikingly, long-range alpha-frequency Granger causal connectivity (posterior→frontal) increased not only immediately and 30 minutes but also 24 hours post-stimulation, paralleled by sustained reductions in anxious arousal and aversion to auditory stimuli. Therefore, tACS is capable of eliciting long-term plasticity in long-range oscillatory connectivity with direct, lasting behavioral consequences, while leaving endogenous local oscillations unaltered. This temporal disparity in local and network effects favors the view of large-scale network strengthening by tACS, calling for research attention to the circuit and network impacts of tACS. Critically, with the growing recognition of large-scale network dysfunctions as a transdiagnostic pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, this connectivity plasticity advocates for the clinical application of tACS with its unique advantage in tackling network pathologies.
A report on analysis of vaccine in Tamil Nadu using sampling techniques

Statistics is a division of arithmetic managing the gather, analysis, interpretation, presentation, and organization of information. Data are distinct pieces of information and is collected, observed, or created, for the purposes of analysis to produce original research results. There are many methods used to collect or obtain data for statistical analysis and it can be categorized as Census, Sample Survey, Experiment and etc. In the rapid growth of population and avaricious attitude of industries and residents are generated huge amount of pollutions and diseases which affects our immune system at high level. Due to this reason, the health issues of people are uncontrolled and it becomes a big task to the government. So, many countries interested to influence the awareness among people through campaign, vaccination, and by conducting health camps. A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides an active acquired immunity to a particular disease. Vaccines led to the eradication of smallpox, Hepatitis, polio, measles, mumps, and chicken-pox which are deadly diseases in humans. In this paper, we analyze the people’s awareness about vaccination in and around Tamilnadu by using sampling techniques.
Comparative genomics of bdelloid rotifers: evaluating the effects of asexuality and desiccation tolerance on genome evolution

Bdelloid rotifers are microscopic invertebrates that have existed for millions of years apparently without sex or meiosis. They inhabit a variety of temporary and permanent freshwater habitats globally, and many species are remarkably tolerant of desiccation. Bdelloids offer an opportunity to better understand the evolution of sex and recombination, but previous work has emphasized desiccation as the cause of several unusual genomic features in this group. Here, we evaluate the relative effects of asexuality and desiccation tolerance on genome evolution by comparing whole genome sequences for three bdelloid species: Adineta ricciae (desiccation tolerant), Rotaria macrura and Rotaria magnacalcarata (both desiccation intolerant) to the only published bdelloid genome to date, that of Adineta vaga (also desiccation tolerant). We find that tetraploidy is conserved among all four bdelloid species, but homologous divergence in obligately aquatic Rotaria genomes is low, well within the range observed between alleles in obligately sexual, diploid animals. In addition, we find that homologous regions in A. ricciae are largely collinear and do not form palindromic repeats as observed in the published A. vaga assembly. These findings are contrary to current understanding of the role of desiccation in shaping the bdelloid genome, and indicate that various features interpreted as genomic evidence for long-term ameiotic evolution are not general to all bdelloid species, even within the same genus. Finally, we substantiate previous findings of high levels of horizontally transferred non-metazoan genes encoded in both desiccating and non-desiccating bdelloid species, and show that this is a unique feature of bdelloids among related animal phyla. Comparisons within bdelloids and to other desiccation-tolerant animals, however, again call into question the purported role of desiccation in horizontal transfer.
Inhibition of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay by the cytoplasmic poly(A)-binding protein

The expression of a gene from transcription of the DNA into pre-messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) over translation of messenger RNA (mRNA) into protein is constantly monitored for errors. This quality control is necessary to guarantee successful gene expression. One quality control mechanism important to this thesis is called nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). NMD is a cellular process that eliminates mRNA transcripts harboring premature translation termination codons (PTCs). Furthermore, NMD is known to regulate certain transcripts with long 3′ UTRs. However, some mRNA transcripts are known to evade NMD. The mechanism of NMD activation has been subjected to many studies whereas NMD evasion or suppression still remains rather elusive. It has previously been shown that the cytoplasmic poly(A)-binding protein (PABPC1) is able to suppress NMD of certain transcripts. In this study I show that PABPC1 is able to suppress NMD of a long 3′ UTR-carrying reporter when tethered immediately downstream of the termination codon. I further am able to show the importance of the interaction between PABPC1 and eIF4G for NMD suppression, whereas the interaction between PABPC1 and eRF3a seems dispensable. These results indicate an involvement of efficient translation termination and potentially ribosome recycling in NMD suppression. I am able to show that if PABPC1 is too far removed from the terminating ribosome NMD is activated. After showing the importance of PABPC1 recruitment directly downstream of a terminating ribosome in NMD suppression, I am further able to demonstrate several different methods by which PABPC1 can be recruited. Fold-back of the poly(A)-tail mediated by two interacting proteins on opposite ends of a 3′ UTR manages to bring PABPC1 bound to the poly(A)-tail into close proximity of the terminating ribosome and therefore suppress NMD. Furthermore, small PAM2 peptides that are known to interact with the MLLE domain of PABPC1 are able to strongly suppress NMD initiated by either a long 3′ UTR or an EJC. I am also able to show the NMD antagonizing power of recruited PABPC1 for the known endogenous NMD target β-globin PTC39, which is responsible for the disease β-thalassemia. This shows the potential medical implications and application of suppressing NMD by recruiting PABPC1 into close proximity of a terminating ribosome.
Learning to read in a shallow orthography: the effect of letter knowledge acquisition

ABSTRACT The present study examined the strategies used by Greek novice readers in the initial phases of reading acquisition. Fifty (50) children were assessed at four successive testing periods throughout 1st grade of Primary School. Thus, 21 boys (42%) and 29 girls (58%) participated in this study. Their mean age at the beginning of the study was 74.43 (s = 3.62) and 74.55 (s = 3.68) respectively. Reading performance measures included reading speed and accuracy scores for letters, words and nonwords. No evidence was found to support the development of a logographic process in learning to read Greek. Yet, the results of the present study indicate that the fast rate of letter knowledge acquisition promotes the development of an alphabetic approach in reading. Correlation analyses suggested that reading progress is depended upon the knowledge of 80% or more of the letters.