Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development- and noise-induced changes in central auditory processing at the ages of 2 and 4 years

To be able to acquire, produce, and comprehend language, precise central auditory processing (CAP), neural processes utilized for managing auditory input, is essential. However, the auditory environments are not always optimal for CAP because noise levels in children’s daily environments can be surprisingly high. In young children, CAP and its developmental trajectory as well as the influence of noise on it have scarcely been investigated. Event-related potentials (ERPs) offer promising means to study different stages of CAP in small children. Sound processing, preattentive auditory discrimination, and attention shifting processes can be addressed with obligatory responses, mismatch negativity (MMN), and novelty P3 of ERPs, respectively. In this thesis the developmental trajectory of CAP from 2 to 4 years of age as well as noiseinduced changes on it, were investigated. In addition, the feasibility of the multi-feature paradigm with syllable stimuli and novel sounds in children was evaluated. To this end, obligatory responses (P1, N2, and N4) and MMNs for consonant, frequency, intensity, vowel, and vowel duration changes, as well as novelty P3 responses, were recorded in a silent condition and with babble noise using the multi-feature paradigm. The participants were voluntary, typically developing children. Significant P1, N2, N4, and MMN responses were elicited at both ages. Also a significant novelty P3, studied at the age of 2 years, was found. From 2 to 4 years, the P1 and N2 latencies shortened. The amplitudes of N2, N4, and MMNs increased and the increment was the largest at frontal electrode locations. During noise, P1 decreased, N2 increased, and the latency of N4 diminished as well as MMNs degraded. The noise-induced changes were largely similar at both ages. In conclusion, the multi-feature paradigm with five syllable deviant types and novel sounds was found to be an appropriate measure of CAP in toddlers. The changes in ERP morphology from 2 to 4 years of age suggest maturational changes in CAP. Noise degraded sound encoding, representation forming, and auditory discrimination. The children were similarly vulnerable to hampering effects of noise at both ages. Thus, noise might potentially harmfully influence language processing and thereby its acquisition in childhood.
Mechanical and oxidative stress in osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common age-related degenerative joint disorders. In addition to aging, various life-style-related factors, such as obesity and overuse of joints, have been recognized as major risk factors for OA. It has been revealed that mechanical force acting on articular cartilage induces chondrocytes to produce excess amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are known to be an OA-related catabolic factor. In addition, it has been reported that mechanical stress-induced ROS directly damage chondrocyte DNA, resulting in the downregulation of cellular activity and induction of apoptosis in osteoarthritic chondrocytes. Notably, molecular events associated with DNA oxidative damage influence the regulation of chondrocyte activity and cellular viability, supporting the notion that mechanical stress-induced oxidization of chondrocyte DNA participates in the pathogenesis of OA. Here, we review accumulating evidence supporting the involvement of mechanical and oxidative stresses in cartilage homeostasis and the pathogenesis of OA.
CONTROLE BIOLÓGICO Espécies de Eucoilinae (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Figitidae) Parasitóides de Larvas Frugívoras (Diptera: Tephritidae e Lonchaeidae) no Brasil

Laboratorio de Controle Biologico de Insetos, Universidade Federal doMato Grosso do Sul, Caixa postal 4, 72900-000, Aquidauana, MS.An. Soc. Entomol. Brasil 28(2): 263-273 (1999)Species of Eucoilinae (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Figitidae) Parasitoids ofFrugivorous Larvae (Diptera: Tephritidae and Lonchaeidae) in BrazilABSTRACT – The Eucoilinae, together with the Opiinae (Braconidae) are themost important parasitoids of the flies of the superfamily Tephritoidea. In orderto provide knowledge on the Eucoilinae species in Brazil such as geographicdistribution, hosts and the parasitism levels, 170 samples of parasitoids from 51counties of the five Brazilian regions were examined. A total of 2025 parasitoidswere obtained from which, six species (42.82%) have been associated to larvaeof Tephritoidea. The parasitoids were associated to seven species of fly larvaewhich feed on the fruits of 33 species belonging to 15 families. The Eucoilinaespecies are generalists, as they parasite Anastrepha species (Tephritidae) andLonchaeidae as well. Aganaspis pelleranoi (Brethes) was the most abundantspecies (29.93%) with the broadest distribution in Brazil. Dicerataspis flavipes(Kieffer) was only collected in Sao Paulo State, associated to Anastrepha spe-cies. This parasitoid is attracted to star fruits (Averrhoa carambola L.), since96,34% of D. flavipes were obtained in larvae inside this fruit. Lopheucoilaanastrephae (Rhower) and Odontosema anastrephae Borgmeier were associ-ated to Anastrepha pseudoparallela (Loew) and to species of Neosilba inPassifloraceae (first record). Aganaspis nordlanderi Wharton was recorded inAmazonas State associated to Anastrepha bahiensis Lima (first record). Aganaspis pelleranoi, D. flavipes and L. anastrephae were associated toAnastrepha amita Zucchi in Citharexylum myrianthum Cham. in Sao Paulo State(first record). Trybliographa sp. parasites mainly lonchaeid larvae, and it isbeing recorded for the first time in the State of Sao Paulo. The parasitism levelsvaried from 0.07 to 42.86%, depending on collection sites, fruit types and hostflies.
Social Behavior and Host-Associated Microbes in Wild Baboons

by Elizabeth A. Miller Animal associated microbes—from single microbial taxa to whole microbial communities—have profound effects on animal health. Yet despite their importance, scientific understanding of the forces that shape host-associated microbial populations and communities is limited. A growing body of empirical work indicates that host social organization and behavior play a strong role in shaping these microbial populations and communities. If true, social effects on animal-associated microbes would constitute an unappreciated evolutionary consequence of social interactions and a new means by which social behavior affects animal health. However, many non-social forces—from host physiology to microbe-microbe interactions—also play strong roles in shaping microbiota. I used genetic, behavioral, and comparative analyses to investigate the effects of both social and non-social factors on gut and vaginal microbiota at inter-host, intergroup, and interspecies levels. I did so using data from a well-studied population of
Effects of Biqi Capsule on the expression of TIMP-1 and MMP-3 in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Objective: To investigate the effects of Biqi Capsule on the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) and matrix metalloproteinase-3(MMP-3) in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: 80 knee osteoarthritis patients were randomly divided into treatment group and control group. The treatment group was treated with Biqi Capsule and Glucosamine Hydrochloride Capsule for 12 weeks, the control group was only treated with Glucosamine Hydrochloride Capsule for 12 weeks. ELISA method was used to measure the expression of TIMP-1 and MMP-3 in serum and synovial fluid in two groups before and after treatment. Results: After the treatment, the content of MMP-3 was obviously lower in two groups than before(P0.05), the content of MMP-3 in treatment group was obviously lower than these in control group (P0.05). The content of TIMP-1 in serum and synovial l uid in treatment group was increased than before(P0.05). The content of TIMP-1 was higher in treatment group than these in control group(P0.05). Conclusion: Biqi Capsule could reduce the activity of MMP-3 in serum and synouvial l uid of patients with knee osteoarthritis, improve the activity of TIMP-1, and inhibit the degradation of cartilage matrix and protect articular cartilage.
Evaluation of 11th rib extrapleural-retroperitoneal approach to the thoracolumbar juntion

Objective In the current study the authors describe the 11th rib extrapleural-retroperitions approach to the thoracolumnbar junction, and they evaluate the associated early and late morbidity in these patients. Methods From 2003 to 2005, the author collected prospective data of consecutive patients who underwent surgery for a variety of pathological conditions of the thoracolumbar junction via this approach. In consective patients requiring an anterior spinal procedure, lesions located between T10 and T11 were studied and followed for a mean period of 37.5 months. There were 10 men and 5 women whose mean age was 47.5years (range 23-54 years), with the following pathological entities: trauma(11 cases), neoplasm( 2 cases), infection (2 cases). Results There were no cases of neurological deterioration. There were no significant pulmonary complications, and only one patient required insertion of a postoperative chest tube. Conclusions The 11th rib extrapleural-retroperitional approach was successfully used to treat patients with a variety of lesions in the thoralumbar junction and was associated with little morbidity. The authors believe that previous criticism suggesting that this approach provides only limited access is unsubstantiated.
Comparative analysis of testis transcriptomes from triploid and fertile diploid cyprinid fish 1 Running title: Molecular basis of sterility in triploid male fish

The fertility of fish is a key factor in fish breeding. RNA-seq is widely used in high-throughput sequencing and provides a rapid method to examine the molecular mechanisms underlying a biological process. To probe fertility-related molecular mechanisms, we obtained testis transcriptomes from diploid and triploid cyprinid fish and tested for differentially expressed genes in the testis. A total of 6,730 transcripts were differentially expressed between the triploid and diploid fish. In these transcripts, 2,428 transcripts showed reduced expression and 4,302 transcripts were over-expressed in triploid fish compared to the diploid fish. Functional analyses revealed that partial genes related to reproductive, developmental, and locomotion processes, and the axoneme, were differentially expressed in triploid fish relative to diploid fish. Pathway analysis indicated that variations in the gene expression levels of the “ubiquinone and other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis pathway” and the “apoptotic pathway” played a central role in the sterility of triploid male fish. A series of genes (DNAHs, DNAL1, IFTs, and DNAAF1) associated with sperm flagellar assembly and motility, and testis-specific candidate markers (Tcte1, Tekt1, Tekt4, Spag17, Spag5, Spag9a, Spag1b, and Spef2) had low expression levels in the testis of triploid fish. We validated these differentially expressed genes in triploid fish using qPCR to quantify expression of eight representative genes. Furthermore, 276 putative transcription factors, 6 chromatin remodeling factors, and 35 transcription cofactors exhibited differential expression in triploid compared to diploid fish. This study provides insight into the regulatory mechanisms causing sterility in male triploid fish. Summary sentence: A comparative analysis of testis transcriptomes from diploid and triploid cyprinid fish revealed changes in gene expression associated with sterility of the triploid male fish.
Techniques for Seabed Mapping using Underwater Hyperspectral Imaging : A Survey

High quality mapping of seafloor features has been receiving considerable interest over past few years. The traditional methods of seabed mapping are limited because of water depths and demands for considerable human interpretation. An Optical mapping method, underwater hyperspectral imaging (UHI)is found to leverage the above problems while providing us with a high quality seabed maps. We present the process of identifying/classifying a given object of interest (OOI) on the seabed using UHI. Influence of water layer on the reflectance spectra, being the primary challenge in UHI has been focused and a detailed survey on algorithms to eliminate its effect has been provided. A brief note on the classifiers for UHI and their limitations has been discussed. Possible scope of improvements at different stages of acquiring and processing the hyperspectral imagery in underwater platform has been concluded. 1 International Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics Volume 118 No. 16 2018, 11-30 ISSN: 1311-8080 (printed version); ISSN: 1314-3395 (on-line version) url: http://www.ijpam.eu Special Issue ijpam.eu
ANALYSIS OF THE RADIAL MAGNETIC FIELD IN AN ELECTRIC MACHINE SLOT

The present paper analyse the magnetic field in an open slot of the armature of synchronous generator by using the conformal mapping method. In the paper have been developed analytical relations that have general character allowing the determination of the magnetic field radial component and the additional losses in the winding bars. Such practical relations are useful in windings optimisation of high power generators
GENETIC, PHYSIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION OF ROOT PLAGIOGRAVITROPISM

Basal roots together with the primary root forms the scaffolding of the root system architecture of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) which responds to gravity in concert with various environmental cues like phosphorus and hormonal signals such as ethylene and auxin. Basal roots are a type of secondary roots resembling adventitious roots, and they arise from tissue with shoot anatomy. They appear in tetrarch pattern like adventitious and lateral roots. The basal roots emerge from two-three distinct whorls from a one-centimeter region at the root-shoot interface and exhibit plagiogravitropic growth which changes over time. Gravitropic growth of roots determines the threedimensional root architecture which is essential for efficient acquisition of soil resources. The growth angle of basal roots is a primary determinant of the roots which impacts efficient acquisition of limited and immobile nutrients like phosphorus. Genotypes of common bean vary substantially in the growth angle of basal roots and by altering growth angles the plants are better adapted to low phosphorus availability. Shallow basal roots not only aid in topsoil exploration but also reduce intra and interplant competition for phosphorus. Since ethylene has been implicated in both gravitropic and edaphic stress, we studied the role of ethylene and its interaction with phosphorus availability in regulating growth angles of basal roots. We measured endogenous ethylene production from the basal roots and also analyzed the response of basal roots to exogenous application of ethylene in terms of growth angle and root growth. In addition, we developed a new image analysis program ‘KineRoot’ to study the spatio-temporal patterns of plagiogravitropic growth of basal roots in response to ethylene and phosphorus treatments in a reliable semi-automated way, while minimizing user intervention. The new software allows us to measure the local patterns of basal root growth and graviresponding zones of basal roots and how these zones are affected by ethylene and phosphorus availability. Moreover, the software enables us to measure the root diameter and root midline which was used in calculating root curvature. Since from the available literature we already know that auxin and ethylene are potential candidates regulating
Balloon atrial septostomy is associated with preoperative stroke in neonates with transposition of the great arteries

Background -Preoperative brain injury is common in neonates with transposition of the great arteries(TGA). The objective of this study is to determine risk factors for preoperative brain injury in neonates with TGA. Methods and Results -Twenty-nine term neonates with TGA were studied with MRI before cardiac surgery in a prospective cohort study. Twelve patients(41%) had brain injury on preoperative MRI, and all injuries were focal or multifocal. None of the patients had birth asphyxia. Nineteen patients(66%) required preoperative balloon atrial septostomy(BAS). All patients with brain injury had BAS(12 of 19; risk difference, 63%; 95%confidence interval, 41 to 85; P=0.001). As expected on the basis of the need for BAS, these neonates had lower systemic arterial hemoglobin saturation(SaO2)(P=0.05). The risk of injury was not modified by the cannulation site for septostomy(umbilical versus femoral, P=0.8) or by the presence of a central venous catheter(P=0.4). Conclusions -BAS is a major identifiable risk factor for preoperative focal brain injury in neonates with TGA. Imaging characteristics of identified brain injuries were consistent with embolism; however, the mechanism is more complex than site of vascular access for BAS or exposure to central venous catheters. These findings have implications for the indications for BAS, timing of surgical repair, and use of anticoagulation in TGA.
Characteristics of infrared radiation of moxibustion and meridian-acupoints

The human body is a national infrared source. Infrar ed radiation of the human body is external manifestation of vital activities of the human body and can reflect metabolic changes of organs and various parts in human body. The long-distance transmission of heat by meridians and the phenomena of moxibustion exciting hyperthermal lines along meridians indicate that moxibustion produces, besides the warm-hot effects, the non-hot effects of light which are possibly an important factors exerting therapeutic effects. The infrared radiation spectrums of both the traditional indirect moxibustion and acupoints in human body are very consistent, suggesting that the infrared resonance radiation of moxibustion and acupoints is possibly the basis of moxibustion exerting therapeutic effects, which provides some enlightenment for clinical application of moxibuation and manufacture of moxibustion instruments.
The Effects of Superovulation on the Reproductive Cycle of Mature Female Mus musculus

A total of 38 Mus musculus were used to compare superovulation to normal ovulation in three different areas of the reproductive cycle. The areas studied include the fertilization and abortion rates, alternation of ovarian function, and normalization of estrus cycling. No statistically significant differences were noted between the two groups in either fertility rates or abortion rates. A distinct difference was noted in alternation of ovarian function. Normally ovulating mice showed a distinct right or left preference in the number of ova ovulated from each ovary. Animals showing a left preference exhibited approximately a 2:1 ratio and animals with a right preference exhibited approximately a 3:1 ratio. Superovulated mice showed no preference and exhibited approximately a 1:1 ratio of left to right ova ovulated. A significant difference was also noted in normalization of cycling following mating. There was no significant difference betwe�n the normalization rate following nonnal ovulation as opposed to superovulation treatment. However, when mating occured, a significantly longer time span elapsed before cycling resumed.
Malignant lymphoma in the gingiva of upper jaw: Report of a case

Malignant lymphoma is a neoplasm arising from the lymph node and lymphoid tissues.This tumor occurs frequently in the head and neck, but it occurs rarely in the oral cavity.Recently, we experienced one case of malignant lymphoma arising from the gingiva of upper jaw in a 59 year-old man, and reported on it with some comments based on the existing literature.He was treated by intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical excision.Histopathologically, a diffuse lymphoma of medium sized cell type was diagnosed based on LSG classification (Lymphoma-Study-Groupe, 1979).
Life History Parameters of Blue Sharks

The blue shark, Prionace glauca, is a pelagic elasmobranch that is found globally in tropic, sub-tropic, and warm temperate seas including the Mediterranean. Blue shark populations are not considered to be threatened, but a rapidly changing climate and uncertainties in fishing mortality are causing concern for changes in life history characteristics. Yet, no studies have examined such parameters for this species in over 35 years. We used 858 blue shark specimens, ranging from 1971 to 2016, to determine fork length, age, and weight at maturity, as well as measurements of reproductive organs (e.g., teste length, egg diameter) for both sexes. Males ranged from 62 to 300 cm and females ranged from 63 to 273 cm in fork length (FL). Ogives showed that males currently reach length at maturity (L50) at 211.2 cm and weight (W50) at 62.3 kg. Female blue sharks were smaller and lighter at maturity, with an L50 of 190.9 cm and W50 of 50.1 kg. Statistical models confirmed that L50, W50, and age at maturity all increased through time for males, while females showed only a significant increase in age at maturity and some organ measurements. Differences between individual reproductive organs for males and females were also present through time. These findings provide a current estimate of blue shark life-history parameters and demonstrate that there can be differential changes in life-history parameters between males and females through time.
Nucellar Clones of Commercial Citrus Varieties in Italy—Present Status of Production and Use

PRODUCTION of nucellar clones of citrus was started at the Stazione Sperimentale di Agrumicoltura di Acireale, Italy, in 1949 (4) as part of a general program of citrus improvement including breeding. Since 1949, production of nucellar clones has continued and increased. In 1957, J. W. Cameron et al. (1) reported further research on the nucellar embryony of citrus, which was discovered by Strasburger in 1878. The fruit production and fruit quality of nucellar clones and old-line clones have been compared by several workers (3, 4, 5, 6) . The value of nucellar embryony as a means of freeing citrus clones from viruses was discussed by Weathers and Calavan (7). Recently, Childs and Knorr (2) in Florida reviewed the ten years of indexing rigorously selected and apparently healthy old-line citrus trees and showed that less than 0.5 per cent of the old-line trees survived the test for four viruses. They concluded, "that budwood from nucellar seedling trees is superior to old-line budwood because (i) it is far more certain to be virus free, (ii) it requires little, if any, additional time to produce compared with complete indexing of old-line sources for all known viruses, and (iii) it is cheaper to produce. " This paper describes the research on nucellar citrus conducted at the Stazione Sperimentale di Agrumicoltura di Acireale.
Host density effects on fungal diseases of plants

Parasitic damage to the leading shoot of young regrowth eucalypts was found to vary considerably between trees and between different stands but it averaged greater than 20% ‘effective leaf area loss’ overall. Many fungal parasites and some of the phytophagous insects responsible for this damage exhibited host specificity or host preference towards trees of a particular subgenus of Eucalyptus. These findings are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that parasites play an important role in the maintenance of stable associations between codominant species of Eucalyptus.