Automated acoustic recognition of birds is considered an important technology in support of biodiversity monitoring and biodiversity conservation activities. These activities require processing large ...amounts of soundscape recordings. Typically, recordings are transformed to a number of acoustic features, and a machine learning method is used to build models and recognize the sound events of interest. The main problem is the scalability of data processing, either for developing models or for processing recordings made over long time periods. In those cases, the processing time and resources required might become prohibitive for the average user. To address this problem, we evaluated the applicability of three data reduction methods. These methods were applied to a series of acoustic feature vectors as an additional postprocessing step, which aims to reduce the computational demand during training. The experimental results obtained using Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs) and hidden Markov models (HMMs) support the finding that a reduction in training data by a factor of 10 does not significantly affect the recognition performance.
Cigarette smoke (CS) is convincingly carcinogenic in mice when exposure starts at birth. We investigated the induction and modulation of alterations in the kidney and urinary bladder of CS-exposed ...mice. A total of 484 strain H Swiss mice were either sham-exposed or exposed since birth to mainstream CS (MCS) for 4 months. Dietary agents, including myo-inositol, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, bexarotene, pioglitazone and a combination of bexarotene and pioglitazone, were administered after weaning. Comet analyses showed that, after 2 and 4 months, MCS causes DNA damage in exfoliated urothelial cells, which can be prevented by myo-inositol and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ ligand pioglitazone. After 7 months, the 17.6% of MCS-exposed male mice exhibited lesions of the urinary tract versus the 6.1% of sham-exposed mice, which emphasizes the role of sex hormones in urinary tract carcinogenesis. Myo-inositol and the RXR-specific retinoid bexarotene did not affect these alterations. The histone deacetylase inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (Vorinostat) increased the incidence of kidney epithelium hyperplasia. Pioglitazone significantly enhanced the incidence of kidney lesions as compared with mice exposed to MCS only, indicating possible adverse effects of this antidiabetic drug, which were lost upon combination with bexarotene according to a combined chemoprevention strategy. RXR is a heterodymeric partner for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, thereby modulating the expression of multiple target genes. In conclusion, there is contrast between the ability of pioglitazone to inhibit DNA damage in exfoliated cells and the alterations induced in the urinary tract of MCS-exposed mice, suggesting the occurrence of non-genotoxic mechanisms for this drug.
Changes in the functional state of the sensorimotor cortex associated with reorganization of the natural pattern of postural rearrangement before limb elevation (the "diagonal" patten and of an ...artificial rearrangement (the "unilateral" pattern) were studied in dogs. The state of cortical structures on postural rearrangement was assessed in terms of the pattern of somatosensory evoked potentials produced in response to stimulation of the forelimb during postural preparation of the animal for elevating the hindlimb (acquired avoidance response to a sound signal). Evoked potentials during the natural postural preparation (the "diagonal" pattern) were compared with those during the altered pattern of postural preparation (the "unilateral" pattern), this preparation taking place prior to elevation of the limb. Controls consisted of evoked potentials in the resting state. Decreases were seen in the latencies and amplitudes of most components of evoked potentials during postural rearrangement. In general, changes in evoked potentials were less marked in the "unilateral" pattern than in the "diagonal" pattern, though the differences were significant only for the amplitude of the first negative component. Changes in evoked potentials were similar regardless of whether the supporting forces of the limb to which the test stimulus was applied increased or decreased during postural rearrangement. It is suggested that differences in evoked potentials may reflect changes in the interaction between neuronal populations within the sensorimotor cortex during reorganization of the pattern of postural rearrangement associated with learning.
The objective of this paper was to review the literature on effects of different methods of processing of grain fraction of the starter feeds for young dairy calves, as well as providing another part ...of starter which is a source of protein, minerals and vitamins in different physical forms. The second aim was to discus the impact of the main protein sources for starter feeds on performance of preweaning and posteweaning dairy calves. The main criteria for assessment of physical form effect and sources of protein in the starter feeds were intake of dry feeds, daily live weight gain and frame size growth of calves, morphological and functional development of forestomachs, digestibility of feeds and health status of young calves. Data show big variations and lack of consistency of experimental results. Good results were achieved when calves were fed whole, ground, dry-rolled, pelleted and steam-flaked grains. It seemed that fineness of grinding and quantities of fine fraction were important for starter intake. Steam-flaking and grinding improved digestibility to the same extent, but whole grain stimulated chewing and improved rumen environment for bacteria growth. Soybean meal was the most palatable and ensured best performance of calves. Evidently, it is possible to replace soybean meal with rape seed, canola type meal, dry distillers grain with solubles (DDGS) and other protein sources which contain more fiber and are less digestible. However, it is difficult to appraise how much and at what conditions is it possible to replace completely or a maximum possible portion of soybean meal. Additional studies are needed to clarify interactions between physical form of starters, rumen fermentation environments and age of calves. Information for composition of diets is needed allowing inclusion of maximum amounts of canola meal, DDGS and sunflower meal, which are produced locally and are cheaper than soybean meal, without decreasing live weight gain and development of dairy calves
The aim of the experiment was to determine the effect of inclusion of dry distillers grain with solubles (DDGS) and canola meal, as replacement of soybean meal and sunflower meal in textured starter ...feed for dairy calves. The second object was to compare two starters with the same ingredient and nutrient content composed of whole maize grain (WMG) plus protein concentrate, versus mixture of WMG, pelleted DDGS, pelleted canola meal, and pelleted mineralvitamin premix. A seventy-day experiment was carried out with 30 Black and White female calves weighing 39 kg at birth. Each calf received 2 L of high quality colostrum (above 50 mg immunoglobulin/L) three times during the first day and 2 L colostrum three times at the second day after birth. From 3 to 35 days of age, calves were fed 3 L pasteurized whole unsalable milk twice daily and from 36 to 56 days of age - once daily. Calves were allocated to three treatments based on the day of birth and weight at birth. The calves received texturized starter feed with different composition: 1) 50% whole maize grain (WMG) + 50% pelleted protein concentrate with soybean meal, DDGS and sunflower meal as protein sources for the first group (pBDS); 2) 50% WMG + 50% pelleted protein concentrate with DDGS and canola meal for the second group (pDC); 3) 50% WMG + 24.1% pelleted DDGS + 23.4%, pelleted canola meal + 2.5% pelleted mineral-vitamin premix for the third group (DCVp). Crude protein (CP) content of all three starters was 19.0 to 19.6%. From 1 to 35 days of age the average daily gain (ADG) was 606, 580 and 569 g respectively for pBDS, pDC and DCVp groups, and did not differ (P>0.05) among treatments. From 36 to 56 days of age the ADG was 719, 710 and 695 g (P>0.05), and from 57 to 70 days 971, 964 and 943 g (P>0.05) respectively for pBDS, pDC and DCVp groups. There were no significant differences in feed efficiency, fecal score, health status and behavior of calves receiving different starter feeds. Results of this trial indicated that it is possible to replace soybean meal plus sunflower meal with canola meal and dry distillers grain with solubles, without significant changes of ADG, feed efficiency and health status of calves. Performance of calves was approximately equal when fed DDGS and canola meal as ingredients of pelleted protein concentrate or as separate ingredient in a starter mixture of WMG, pelleted DDGS, pelleted CM and pelleted mineral-vitamin premix. When pelleted DDGS and pelleted canola meal is available, it is possible to use them directly as components of starter, instead of buying protein concentrate with the same protein sources. Starter feed containing whole maize grain, pelleted DDGS, pelleted canola meal, and pelleted mineral-vitamin premix was the cheapest, compared to the other tested starter feeds.
Cell aggregation in the marine sponge Microciona prolifera is mediated by a multimillion molecular-mass aggregation factor, termed MAF. Earlier investigations revealed that the cell aggregation ...activity of MAF depends on two functional domains: (i) a Ca²⁺-independent cell-binding domain and (ii) a Ca²⁺-dependent proteoglycan self-interaction domain. Structural analysis of involved carbohydrate fragments of the proteoglycan in the self-association established a sulfated disaccharide β-d-GlcpNAc3S-(1rightward arrow3)-α-l-Fucp and a pyruvated trisaccharide β-d-Galp4,6(R)Pyr-(1rightward arrow4)-β-d-GlcpNAc-(1rightward arrow3)-α-l-Fucp. Recent UV, SPR, and TEM studies, using BSA conjugates and gold nanoparticles of the synthetic sulfated disaccharide, clearly demonstrated self-recognition on the disaccharide level in the presence of Ca²⁺-ions. To determine binding forces of the carbohydrate-carbohydrate interactions for both synthetic MAF oligosaccharides, atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies were carried out. It turned out that, in the presence of Ca²⁺-ions, the force required to separate the tip and sample coated with a self-assembling monolayer of thiol-spacer-containing β-d-GlcpNAc-(1rightward arrow3)-α-l-Fucp-(1rightward arrowO)(CH₂)₃S(CH₂)₆S- was found to be quantized in integer multiples of 30 ± 6 pN. No binding was observed between the two monolayers in the absence of Ca²⁺-ions. Cd²⁺-ions could partially induce the self-interaction. In contrast, similar AFM experiments with thiol-spacer-containing β-d-Galp4,6(R)Pyr-(1rightward arrow4)-β-d-GlcpNAc-(1rightward arrow3)-α-l-Fucp-(1rightward arrowO)(CH₂)₃S(CH₂)₆S- did not show a binding in the presence of Ca²⁺-ions. Also TEM experiments of gold nanoparticles coated with the pyruvated trisaccharide could not make visible aggregation in the presence of Ca²⁺-ions. It is suggested that the self-interaction between the sulfated disaccharide fragments is stronger than that between the pyruvated trisaccharide.
We have developed a chemical process for incorporating copper into indium gallium selenide layers with the goal of creating a precursor structure for the formation of copper indium gallium diselenide ...(CIGS) photovoltaic absorbers. Stylus profilometry, EDX, Raman spectroscopy, XRD and SIMS measurements show that when indium gallium selenide layers are immersed in a hot copper chloride solution, copper is incorporated as copper selenide with no increase in the thickness of the layers. Further measurements show that annealing this precursor structure in the presence of selenium results in the formation of CIGS and that the supply of selenium during the annealing process has a strong effect on the morphology and preferred orientation of these layers. When the supply of Se during annealing begins only once the substrate temperature reaches ≈
400 °C, the resulting CIGS layers are smoother and have more pronounced preferred orientation than when Se is supplied throughout the entire annealing process.
A goal of the study was to investigate cortical reorganization corresponding to inhibition of innate motor patterns during motor learning. Functional changes in the sensorimotor cortex during learned ...rearrangement of the natural diagonal pattern of postural adjustment (PA) accompanying a hindlimb movement into a new one, the so-called unilateral pattern, were studied in dogs by testing somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) in response to stimulation of a forelimb during PA immediately before the limb movement onset. During PA the latency and the amplitude of several SEP components decreased. In general, changes in SEP were less pronounced in the learned unilateral pattern of postural adjustment in comparison with the innate diagonal pattern, but the difference was significant only for some SEP components. The SEP late positivity in the learned postural pattern was replaced by a negativity. The SEP changes were similar independently of whether the test stimulus was applied on the forelimb loaded or unloaded during postural adjustment. The data suggest that changes in interrelations between different neuronal populations in the sensorimotor cortex during formation and realization of a learned motor program can be reflected in SEP changes.
A description is given of a system for posture analysis based on a specialized language ADAPT for analysis of analogue data, guaranteeing: 1. Analogue-to-digital conversion of the input signals with ...dialogue determination of the conversion parameters and monitoring of the signals on the screen. 2. Storage of the data on a diskette in a format guaranteeing high density of the data and fast exchange with the computer. 3. Calculation of the following parameters of the stabilogram and statokinesigram separately for open and for closed eyes: a) Anterior-posterior and lateral components of the path of the projection of the force centre SPAP and SPLAT; b) Mean frequency of the sways: fAP and fLAT; c) Ratio between the anterior-posterior and the lateral sways: AP/LAT. d) Surface A covered by the shifting of the centre of force; e) The path (SP) of the centre of application of the force; f) Mean amplitude (MA) of the sways for one second; g) Mean frequency (MF) of the sways. Romberg's coefficients are calculated for all parameters. 4. High speed of the calculations. 5. Graphic and digital display of all results on the screen from where they can be transferred to a printer, if necessary.
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