Impact of aging on the auditory system and related cognitive functions: A narrative review

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL), presbycusis, is a chronic health condition that affects approximately one-third of the world’s population. The peripheral and central hearing alterations associated with age-related hearing loss have a profound impact on perception of verbal and non-verbal auditory stimuli. The high prevalence of hearing loss in the older adults corresponds to the increased frequency of dementia in this population. Therefore, researchers have focused their attention on age-related central effects that occur independent of the peripheral hearing loss as well as central effects of peripheral hearing loss and its association with cognitive decline and dementia. Here we review the current evidence for the age-related changes of the peripheral and central auditory system and the relationship between hearing loss and pathological cognitive decline and dementia. Furthermore, there is a paucity of evidence on the relationship between ARHL and established biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease, as the most common cause of dementia. Such studies are critical to be able to consider any causal relationship between dementia and ARHL. While this narrative review will examine the pathophysiological alterations in both the peripheral and central auditory system and its clinical implications, the question remains unanswered whether hearing loss causes cognitive impairment or vice versa

Further constraints on the optical transmission spectrum of HAT-P-1b

We report on novel observations of HAT-P-1 aimed at constraining the optical transmission spectrum of the atmosphere of its transiting Hot-Jupiter exoplanet. Ground-based differential spectrophotometry was performed over two transit windows using the DOLORES spectrograph at the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG). Our measurements imply an average planet to star radius ratio equal to $\rm R_p/R_{\star}$=(0.1159$\pm$0.0005). This result is consistent with the value obtained from recent near infrared measurements of this object but differs from previously reported optical measurements being lower by around 4.4 exoplanet scale heights. Analyzing the data over 5 different spectral bins 600\AA$\,$ wide we observed a single peaked spectrum (3.7 $\rm\sigma$ level) with a blue cut-off corresponding to the blue edge of the broad absorption wing of sodium and an increased absorption in the region in between 6180-7400\AA. We also infer that the width of the broad absorption wings due to alkali metals is likely narrower than the one implied by solar abundance clear atmospheric models. We interpret the result as evidence that HAT-P-1b has a partially clear atmosphere at optical wavelengths with a more modest contribution from an optical absorber than previously reported.Comment: Accepted by Ap

Avaliação de curvas de crescimento de bovinos da raça Nelore

Os parâmetros A (valor assintótico), b (constante de integração), k (índice de maturação), e M (parâmetro de inflexão) da função de Richards foram calculados para as curvas de crescimento de 22699 animais da raça de Nelore criados na região Nordeste. As estimativas foram usadas para computar as taxas médias de crescimento absoluto (TCA) e de maturação absoluta (TMA). As estimativas foram analisadas pelo método dos quadrados mínimos, utilizando um modelo linear que incluiu os efeitos fixos de rebanho, sexo, mês e ano de nascimento e sistema de manejo (pasto, semi-intensivo ou intensivo). Herdabilidades e correlações genéticas foram calculadas para A, b, k, M, TCA e TMA, utilizando um modelo animal e o método DFREML. As médias dos quadrados mínimos para A, b, k, M, TCA e TMA foram: 468,33kg, 0,800, 0,00246/dia, 1,742, 0,465kg/dia e 0,001/dia, respectivamente. Com exceção para TCA, as herdabilidades estimadas para todas as características foram de baixa magnitude, indicando pequena possibilidade em alterar a forma da curva de crescimento da população estudada por meio da seleção massal. Foi verificada correlação genética negativa entre peso maduro e taxa de maturação. EVALUATION OF GROWTH CURVES OF NELLORE CATTLE ABSTRACT: The parameters A (asymptotic value), b (constant of integration), k (maturing index), and M (inflection parameter) that define Richards? function were estimated for observed growth curves of 22,699 animals of Nellore breed raised in the Northeast region of Brazil. The estimates were used to compute the weighted average lifetime absolute growth rate (AGR) and the weighted average lifetime absolute maturing rate (AMR) for each curve. The estimates were analysed by least squares, fitting a linear model that included the fixed effects of herd, sex, month and year of birth and raising system (pasture, semi-confined or confined). Heritabilities and genetic correlations were estimated for A, b, k, M, AMR and AGR, by REML method fitting an animal model. The least square means for A, b, k, M, AGR and AMR were: 468.33kg, 0.800, 0.00246/day, 1.742, 0.465kg/day and 0.001/day, respectively. Except to AGR, all estimated heritabilities were of small magnitude, indicating small possibility to alter the shape of the growth curve of studied population by mass selection. It was verified negative genetic correlation between mature weight and rate of maturing

Buildings Sustainability — The Non-Intrusive Load-Identification System Contribution

Buildings are responsible for an important share of the global energy consumed with the associated consequences at economic and environmental level. To overcome this actual concern several objectives were put in perspective, being one of them the energetic performance of systems and appliances. Efficiency depends on working on optimal conditions and user behavior. Monitoring of the energy consumption of each electric load is important but the use of decentralized energy is not feasible at present due to the huge number of loads connected to the electric grid. An alternative consists on the use of a centralized measurement device able to identify loads. This work presents a measurement infrastructure that have, among others, the possibility to make the identification of electrical loads data will be used to improve the energetic performance of households and buildings and increase the sustainability of the energy system.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Estimates of genetic parameters for weights and maturing traits derived by growth functions in Nellore cattle.

As funções de Brody e Richards foram utilizadas para ajustar a curva de crescimento de 22.699 animais da raça Nelore, criados na região Nordeste. Após ser verificado que a curva de Brody promoveu melhor ajuste dos dados, esta foi utilizada para derivar características de crescimenti e maturação, como os pesos e as taxas de crescimento aos 365 e 550 dias de idade, o peso adulto e a taxa de maturação. As variâncias genéticas, direta e materna, as covariâncias genéticas e as variâncias ambientais para estas características e para o peso ao desmame foram estimadas pelo método da Máxima Verossimilhança Restrita (REML), utilizando-se modelos animais com duas características, utilizando sempre o peso ao desmame com cada uma das outras características. Um modelo animal bi-variado, incluindo o peso adulto e a taxa de maturação, também foi avaliado. As estimativas de herdabilidade direta para as taxas de crescimento variaram de 0,23 a 0,47 e para as características de maturação de 0,11 a 0,86. Estimativas de correlações genéticas entre o peso ao desmame e demais características, como pesos preditos e taxas de crescimento, variaram de 0,67 a 0,86. As estimativas de herdabilidade sugerem a possibilidade de alterar a forma da curva de crescimento da população estudada através da seleção massal. Uma correlação genética negativa entre o peso adulto e a taxa de maturação foi verificada. ABSTRACT Brody and Richards functions were tested to fit the growth curve of 22,699 animals of Nellore breed raised in the Northeast region of Brazil. Both curves were tested and due to the best fit, Brody curves were utilized to derive growth and maturing traits, such as weights and growth rates at 365 and 550 days, the age at which animals reached 65% of mature weight, relative growth rates and degrees of maturity at 365 and 550 days, mature weights and maturation rate index. Direct and maternal genetic and environmental variances and covariances were estimated for these traits and for weaning weight by REML, from a set of two-trait animal models including weaning weight paired with the other traits. A two-trait animal model including mature weight and maturation rate index were performed as well. Direct heritability estimates for growth rates ranged form 0.23 to 0.47, and for maturation traits from 0.11 to 0.86. Estimates of direct genetic correlations of weaning weight with predicted weights and growth rates ranged from 0.67 to 0.86. The estimates of heritability suggest the possibility to alter the shape of the growth curve of the studied population by mass selection. The negative genetic correlation between mature weight and rate of maturing was verified

Tecnologia para produção do pirarucu.

bitstream/item/86415/1/Digitalizar0153.pd

Noncommutative geometry, topology and the standard model vacuum

As a ramification of a motivational discussion for previous joint work, in which equations of motion for the finite spectral action of the Standard Model were derived, we provide a new analysis of the results of the calculations herein, switching from the perspective of Spectral triple to that of Fredholm module and thus from the analogy with Riemannian geometry to the pre-metrical structure of the Noncommutative geometry. Using a suggested Noncommutative version of Morse theory together with algebraic $K$-theory to analyse the vacuum solutions, the first two summands of the algebra for the finite triple of the Standard Model arise up to Morita equivalence. We also demonstrate a new vacuum solution whose features are compatible with the physical mass matrix.Comment: 24 page

Resonance induced by repulsive interactions in a model of globally-coupled bistable systems

We show the existence of a competition-induced resonance effect for a generic globally coupled bistable system. In particular, we demonstrate that the response of the macroscopic variable to an external signal is optimal for a particular proportion of repulsive links. Furthermore, we show that a resonance also occurs for other system parameters, like the coupling strength and the number of elements. We relate this resonance to the appearance of a multistable region, and we predict the location of the resonance peaks, by a simple spectral analysis of the Laplacian matrix

Surface abundances of ON stars

Massive stars burn hydrogen through the CNO cycle during most of their evolution. When mixing is efficient, or when mass transfer in binary systems happens, chemically processed material is observed at the surface of O and B stars. ON stars show stronger lines of nitrogen than morphologically normal counterparts. Whether this corresponds to the presence of material processed through the CNO cycle or not is not known. Our goal is to answer this question. We perform a spectroscopic analysis of a sample of ON stars with atmosphere models. We determine the fundamental parameters as well as the He, C, N, and O surface abundances. We also measure the projected rotational velocities. We compare the properties of the ON stars to those of normal O stars. We show that ON stars are usually helium-rich. Their CNO surface abundances are fully consistent with predictions of nucleosynthesis. ON stars are more chemically evolved and rotate - on average - faster than normal O stars. Evolutionary models including rotation cannot account for the extreme enrichment observed among ON main sequence stars. Some ON stars are members of binary systems, but others are single stars as indicated by stable radial velocities. Hence, mass transfer is not a simple explanation for the observed chemical properties. We conclude that ON stars show extreme chemical enrichment at their surface, consistent with nucleosynthesis through the CNO cycle. Its origin is not clear at present.Comment: 18 pages, 10 figures (+ appendix). A&A accepte