An acoustic comparison of formant frequencies in individuals with normal hearing, profound and severe hearing impairment

The purpose of the present research was to found out the differences in vowel formant production in 156 speakers, exactly between 46 individuals with normal hearing, 36 with severe (M=78.43, SD=16.07) and 74 with profound hearing impairment (M = 108.10, SD = 7.69). The F2 values in anterior vowel production are lower and F2 formant values are higher in the hearing impaired groups, according to the degree of hearing impairment, compared with the values of normal hearing individuals. The range of F1 from high to low vowels is smaller in the hearing impaired groups, according to the degree of hearing impairment, compared with the values of normal hearing individuals. The formant space in The F2-F1 diagram is the smallest in individuals with profound hearing impairment, and the greatest in normal hearing individuals. The formants that are influenced by the degrees of jaw opening (F1) and that are low frequency first formants ([i], [e], [O], [o], [u]) between severe hearing impairment group and normal hearing group don’t statistically significantly differ at sig. 0.05. Profound hearing impairment group statistically significantly differ from the severe hearing impairment group and from the normal hearing group. The same pattern is present in the low frequency second formants of vowels [E], [A], [O], [o], [u]. In the high frequency second formant production ([i], [e]) all the groups are statistically significantly different. Statistically significant similarity between normal hearing group and profound hearing group is observed and a statistically significantly difference between the two groups of hearing impairment in the first formant production of the vowel [E]. We can conclude that according to the cited researches the formant range, especially of F2, is reduced and the vocal formant space restricted most in the profound hearing impaired individuals. The purpose of the present research was to found out the differences in vowel formant production in 156 speakers, exactly between 46 individuals with normal hearing, 36 with severe (M=78.43, SD=16.07) and 74 with profound hearing impairment (M = 108.10, SD = 7.69). The F2 values in anterior vowel production are lower and F2 formant values are higher in the hearing impaired groups, according to the degree of hearing impairment, compared with the values of normal hearing individuals. The range of F1 from high to low vowels is smaller in the hearing impaired groups, according to the degree of hearing impairment, compared with the values of normal hearing individuals. The formant space in The F2-F1 diagram is the smallest in individuals with profound hearing impairment, and the greatest in normal hearing individuals. The formants that are influenced by the degrees of jaw opening (F1) and that are low frequency first formants ([i], [e], [O], [o], [u]) between severe hearing impairment group and normal hearing group don’t statistically significantly differ at sig. 0.05. Profound hearing impairment group statistically significantly differ from the severe hearing impairment group and from the normal hearing group. The same pattern is present in the low frequency second formants of vowels [E], [A], [O], [o], [u]. In the high frequency second formant production ([i], [e]) all the groups are statistically significantly different. Statistically significant similarity between normal hearing group and profound hearing group is observed and a statistically significantly difference between the two groups of hearing impairment in the first formant production of the vowel [E]. We can conclude that according to the cited researches the formant range, especially of F2, is reduced and the vocal formant space restricted most in the profound hearing impaired individuals.

Interannual size changes of adult Aurelia sp.5 medusae stage in the Marine Protected Area of Mljet Island South Adriatic

Aurelia aurita s.l. is the most widespread scyphozoan jellyfish that recurrently appear "en mass" and forms large aggregations mainly in coastal waters, embayments and estuaries. Beside anthropogenic factors controlling jellyfish populations climate change may play an important role. The aim of this study was to assess whether climate-related factors in absence of other anthropogenically induced stressor influence medusae size. We investigated seasonal and interannual changes in the size of Aurelia in a "jelly lake" in the National Park of Mljet Island (Croatia) where minimal human impact on the environment makes the Veliko Jezero a natural mesocosm for understanding the impact of climate change on the Aurelia population. The observed changes suggest Aurelia medusa population response to changing environment, in particular to enhanced temperature, by reduced body sizes. Comparison of Aurelia population dynamics from different regions in the Mediterranean Sea revealed the unique feature of the Veliko Jezero population. Despite the similarity of the environmental windows of medusae occurrences in the Veliko Jezero and regions in the Mediterranean Sea, medusae in the Veliko Jezero are present all year round. It seems that the lake bathymetry enables medusae to vertically migrate to deeper and cooler water layer, avoiding the limiting temperatures developed in the upper layer during the summer. These conditions may prolong the Aurelia medusae life span and together with continuous strobilation support the stability of the Aurelia medusae population all year round

Tribological properties of h-BN nanoparticles as lubricant additive on cylinder liner and piston ring

Friction and wear behaviour of different concentrations of hex-boron nitride (h-BN) nanoparticles in engine oil of grade SAE 20W50 were studied at various loads. These tribological studies were conducted using a four-ball wear test machine and a pin-on-disc universal tribometer. Anti-wear properties of SAE 20W50 + h-BN were studied on the four-ball wear test machine as per ASTM D4172 standard. Friction and wear properties of SAE 20W50 + h-BN on piston ring and cylinder liner tribo-pair were studied using the universal tribometer. Nanoparticles of h-BN mixed in lubricant showed excellent tribological performance. In most of the cases, h-BN nanoparticles as additive reduced the wear loss by 30–70% at various loads. The minimum value of coefficient of friction (0.0401) was found with SAE 20W50 + 3 wt% of h-BN at normal load of 100 N. Scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy were used for characterisation of h-BN and wear scars

Reference values of parathyroid hormone and vitamin D Hormone by chemiluminescent automated assay

ABSTRACT Objective. Provide reference data for parathyroid hormone 1-84 (PTH 1-84) and 25OH Vitamin D (25OH D) using a new technique. Materials and methods. The hormones were evaluated, in serum, using a third generation automated chemiluminescent method for PTH in a group of 60 adult dogs, clinically healthy, grouped according to age in years in GA: 1 to 5, GB: 6 to 10 and GC:>10. Results. Data expressed as average ± DS were for PTH (pg/ml): 9.3±2.3; 12±6.3; 12.2±3.7; and for 25OH D (ng/ml): 84.2±27.8; 68.2±16.0; 63.6±23.1, respectively. The PTH value was significantly greater (p<0.05) in groups B and C in comparison with A, but no significant differences were observed between GB and GC. The 25OH D concentration was significantly less in GB (p<0.05) and in GC (p<0.01) in comparison with GA, showing no differences between GB and GC. A negative correlation between 25OH D and PTH was found (r= -0.28; p=0.015). Conclusions. Data contributed by this study provide reference values for PTH 1-84 and 25OH D, evaluated using a third generation automated chemiluminescent method for PTH in local dogs. The results will facilitate monitoring diseases that alter the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus in dogs. RESUMEN Objetivo. Aportar datos de referencia, para hormona paratiroidea 1-84 (PTH 1-84) y 25OH Vitamina D (25OH D) con una nueva técnica. Materiales y métodos. Las hormonas fueron valoradas, en suero, por un método quimioluminiscente automatizado, y de tercera generación para la PTH, en una población de 60 perros adultos clínicamente sanos, agrupados según edad en años en GA: 1 a 5, GB: 6 a 10 y GC:>10. Resultados. Los datos expresados como media ± DS fueron para la PTH (pg/ml): 9.3±2.3; 12±6.3; 12.2±3.7; y para la 25OH D (ng/ml): 84.2±27.8; 68.2±16.0; 63.6±23.1, respectivamente. El valor de PTH fue significativamente mayor (p<0.05) en los grupos B y C con respecto al A, pero no se observó diferencia significativa entre GB y GC. La concentración de 25OH D fue significativamente menorORIGINALRev.MVZ Córdoba 20(2):4583-4592, 2015. ISSN: 0122-0268 555 en el GB (p<0.05) y en el GC (p<0.01) con respecto al GA, sin haber diferencias entre los GB y GC.Se encontró una correlación negativa entre 25OH D y PTH (r= -0.28; p=0.015). Conclusiones. Losdatos aportados en este trabajo permiten disponer de valores de referencia de PTH 1-84 y de 25OHD, valorados por un método quimioluminiscente automatizado y de tercera generación para la PTH, enuna población local de perros. Los resultados facilitarán el seguimiento de enfermedades que alteranel metabolismo del calcio y fósforo en perros

Environmental Control of Phase Transition and Polyp Survival of a Massive-Outbreaker Jellyfish

A number of causes have been proposed to account for the occurrence of gelatinous zooplankton (both jellyfish and ctenophore) blooms. Jellyfish species have a complex life history involving a benthic asexual phase (polyp) and a pelagic sexual phase (medusa). Strong environmental control of jellyfish life cycles is suspected, but not fully understood. This study presents a comprehensive analysis on the physicochemical conditions that control the survival and phase transition of Cotylorhiza tuberculata; a scyphozoan that generates large outbreaks in the Mediterranean Sea. Laboratory experiments indicated that the influence of temperature on strobilation and polyp survival was the critical factor controlling the capacity of this species to proliferate. Early life stages were less sensitive to other factors such as salinity variations or the competitive advantage provided by zooxanthellae in a context of coastal eutrophication. Coherently with laboratory results, the presence/absence of outbreaks of this jellyfish in a particular year seems to be driven by temperature. This is the first time the environmental forcing of the mechanism driving the life cycle of a jellyfish has been disentangled via laboratory experimentation. Projecting this understanding to a field population under climatological variability results in a pattern coherent with in situ records

Biomass of Scyphozoan Jellyfish, and Its Spatial Association with 0-Group Fish in the Barents Sea

An 0-group fish survey is conducted annually in the Barents Sea in order to estimate fish population abundance. Data on jellyfish by-catch have been recorded since 1980, although this dataset has never been analysed. In recent years, however, the ecological importance of jellyfish medusae has become widely recognized. In this paper the biomass of jellyfish (medusae) in 0–60 m depths is calculated for the period 1980–2010. During this period the climate changed from cold to warm, and changes in zooplankton and fish distribution and abundance were observed. This paper discusses the less well known ecosystem component; jellyfish medusae within the Phylum Cnidaria, and their spatial and temporal variation. The long term average was ca. 9×108 kg, with some years showing biomasses in excess of 5×109 kg. The biomasses were low during 1980s, increased during 1990s, and were highest in early 2000s with a subsequent decline. The bulk of the jellyfish were observed in the central parts of the Barents Sea, which is a core area for most 0-group fishes. Jellyfish were associated with haddock in the western area, with haddock and herring in the central and coastal area, and with capelin in the northern area of the Barents Sea. The jellyfish were present in the temperature interval 1°C<T<10°C, with peak densities at ca. 5.5°C, and the greatest proportion of the jellyfish occurring between 4.0–7.0°C. It seems that the ongoing warming trend may be favourable for Barents Sea jellyfish medusae; however their biomass has showed a recent moderate decline during years with record high temperatures in the Barents Sea. Jellyfish are undoubtedly an important component of the Barents Sea ecosystem, and the data presented here represent the best summary of jellyfish biomass and distribution yet published for the region

Mental health of UK hospitality Workers: Shame, self-criticism and self-reassurance

This study aimed to evaluate shame for mental health problems, and explore relationships between shame, self-criticism, self-reassurance, and mental health among UK hospitality workers, because this group of workers suffer from poor mental health yet report strong shame. An opportunity sample of 114 UK hospitality workers completed measures examining shame for mental health problems, self-criticism, self-reassurance, and mental health problems. A high proportion of workers scored over the midpoint in almost all the shame subscales. Shame, self-criticism, self-reassurance, and mental health were related to one another. External shame and self-criticism were positive predictors, and self-reassurance was a negative predictor for mental health problems. While self-criticism moderated the relationship between shame and mental health problems, self-reassurance did not. Online compassion training was recommended as it can reduce self-criticism and shame, can be undertaken without colleagues knowing and tailored to specific work patterns.N/