The diffusion of /l/ -vocalization in Swiss German

Several western Swiss German dialects roughly grouped around the nation's capital Bern show /l/ > [u] vocalization in various contexts. The spatial boundaries of /l/-vocalization in Swiss German are suspected to have been expanding since being described in the Linguistic Atlas of German-Speaking Switzerland in the middle of the 20th century. The present study assesses the overall expansion of /l/-vocalization by means of a rapid anonymous survey in 20 urban regional centers situated just beyond the traditional boundaries of /l/-vocalization highlighted by the Atlas. Results show that the expansion of /l/-vocalization mainly progresses in southeasterly, southerly, and westerly directions, but with much less success to the north and northwest, where the equally influential dialectal areas of Basel and Zürich seem to exert opposing influences. Further analysis of the data indicates that somewhat differing constraint hierarchies are at work in the different places to which vocalization has diffused.

Complete method of vocalization for the mezzo-soprano.

Mode of access: Internet.

The effect of active immunization against adrenocorticotropic hormone on cortisol, beta-endorphin, vocalization, and growth in pigs

Because the poor growth performance of intensively housed pigs is associated with increased circulating glucocorticoid concentrations, we investigated the effects of glucocorticoid suppression by inducing a humoral immune response to ACTH on physiological and production variables in growing pigs. Grower pigs (28.6 0.9 kg) were immunized with amino acids 1 through 24 of ACTH conjugated to ovalbumin and suspended in diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) dextran-adjuvant or adjuvant alone (control) on d 1, 28, and 56. The ACTH-specific antibody titers generated suppressed increases in cortisol concentrations on d 63 in response to an acute stressor (P = 0.002; control = 71 +/- 8.2 ng/ mL; ACTH-immune = 43 +/- 4.9 ng/mL) without altering basal concentrations. Plasma beta-endorphin concentrations were also increased (P < 0.001) on d 63 (control = 18 +/- 2.1 ng/mL; ACTH-immune = 63 +/- 7.3 ng/mL), presumably because of a release from negative feedback on the expression of proopiomelanocortin in pituitary corticotropes. Immunization against ACTH did not alter ADG (P = 0.120; control = 1,077 25; ACTH-immune = 1,143 25 g) or ADFI (P = 0.64; control = 2,719 42; ACTH-immune = 2,749 42 g) and did not modify behavior (P = 0.681) assessed by measuring vocalization in response to acute restraint. In summary, suppression of stress-induced cortisol responses through ACTH immunization increased beta-endorphin concentrations, but it did not modify ADG, ADFI, or restraint vocalization score in growing pigs.

The Prevalence Of Tic Disorders In Children And Adolescents In Brazil.

Tourette syndrome (TS) and tic disorders represent events of familiar magnitude characterized by involuntary movements and/or vocalization. To determine the prevalence of TS/tic disorders we studied a sample of 762 subjects (388 M, 374 F), between 1992 and 1997, age 6 to 43 years old, taken out of a population of 10,155 subjects (4,918 M, 5,237 F; age: 3-56 years old). A structured 4-item questionnaire, direct interview (multistaged), >1 yr follow-up, were used. 9,565 subjects (4,614 M, 4,951 F) sent back the questionnaires, 3,354 of these (1,671 M, 1,683 F) with positive answers to tics. 42 subjects (31 M, 11 F, age: 7-21 years old, mean: 11 years old) met the DSM-III-R criteria. The total minimal prevalence of TS is 0.43%, with a 3:1 ratio male/female. The minimal prevalence of chronic tic disorder is 2.27%. The total minimal prevalence for tic disorders at all is 2.91%. No special education students participation.

Uso de redes neurais artificiais na identificação de vocalização de suínos

Animal welfare has been an important research topic in animal production mainly in its ways of assessment. Vocalization is found to be an interesting tool for evaluating welfare as it provides data in a non-invasive way as well as it allows easy automation of process. The present research had as objective the implementation of an algorithm based on artificial neural network that had the potential of identifying vocalization related to welfare pattern indicatives. The research was done in two parts, the first was the development of the algorithm, and the second its validation with data from the field. Previous records allowed the development of the algorithm from behaviors observed in sows housed in farrowing cages. Matlab® software was used for implementing the network. It was selected a retropropagation gradient algorithm for training the network with the following stop criteria: maximum of 5,000 interactions or error quadratic addition smaller than 0.1. Validation was done with sows and piglets housed in commercial farm. Among the usual behaviors the ones that deserved enhancement were: the feed dispute at farrowing and the eventual risk of involuntary aggression between the piglets or between those and the sow. The algorithm was able to identify through the noise intensity the inherent risk situation of piglets welfare reduction.

As aves da Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins, Centro do Brasil

A Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins (EESGT) é uma das maiores Unidades de Conservação dentro do Bioma Cerrado. A avifauna desta UC foi inventariada entre os dias 25 de janeiro e 15 de fevereiro de 2008. Durante esse trabalho buscou-se amostrar os diferentes hábitats encontrados na EESGT, bem como algumas localidades no entorno. Além de registros auditivos e visuais foram utilizadas redes-de-neblina e armas de fogo para coletas de material testemunho, que se encontra depositado na coleção ornitológica do Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZUSP). Os resultados obtidos foram comparados com os dados disponíveis para outras unidades de conservação presentes na região. Foram registradas 254 espécies de aves, incluindo 11 endêmicas do Cerrado e outras três ameaçadas de extinção (Taoniscus nanus, Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus e Procnias averano). Três indivíduos pertencentes ao gênero Picumnus foram coletados; estes apresentam um distinto padrão de plumagem e de vocalização, podendo representar um táxon ainda não descrito.

Geographic call variation and further notes on habitat of Ameerega flavopicta (Anura, Dendrobatidae)

We describe habitat and inter-populational call variation of the dendrobatid frog Ameerega flavopicta. Data were collected in the Brazilian states ofminas Gerais and Goias. Principal component analysis separated the Goias population from others because of its higher call rates and shorter calls. The Paranaiba Rivermay represent themajor geographic barrier. We recognize the cephalic amplexus as themain type for the species. Although habitat disturbances increased since 1990, we did not notice differences in the density of callingmales at Serra do Cipo. Ameerega flavopicta appears to be quite resistant to alterations in its natural habitats caused by human activities.

Temporal and spatial distribution of anurans in the Pampa Region (Santa Maria, RS).

The present study aimed to determine the richness, occurrence constancy, reproductive modes. standard of abundance distribution, season of vocalization and to test correlation among climatic variables and activity of vocalization of anurans in a region of the Pampa Biome, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul State. During the period of Novernber/2001 to October/2002 monthly collections were carried out utilizing the `survey at breeding site` method and examination of specimens kept in the Colecao Herpetologica do Setor de Zoologia da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (ZUFSM). Tire Occurrence of 25 species of anurans was recorded. The anurofauna recorded represents 30% of the species known to Occur in Rio Grande do Sul, and comprises species generally associated with grasslands in this state and neighboring countries. Four reproductive modes were recorded: mode 1 (14 species: 58.3%) mode 11 and 30 (9 species` 37.5%) and mode 24 (1 species; 4.2%). The low diversification of reproductive modes is likely related to the homogeneity of the grassland habitat. Most species were constant or accessory in the Study area and the species abundance distribution patterns fit in the Broken Stick and Log-normal models. characterized by homogeneity of species abundance distribution. Most species showed great plasticity in habitat. but few were plastic in vocalization sites use. There was a weak positive correlation between species richness and precipitation. There was also a weak positive correlation between the abundance of species calling activity and maximum average temperatures. These correlations indicated that, in the study area. the abundance of calling males is more affected by the temperature, and species richness is more affected by precipitation, despite the fact that significantly higher species richness occurs during the hottest period of the year. These results showed that the climatological variables examined were not enough to explain the seasonal occurrence of species, thus the influence of other environmental variables merit to be tested in future studies.

Collagen Fiber and Versican Distribution Within the Lamina Propria of Fetal Vocal Folds

Objectives: To analyze the presence and distribution of collagen fibers and versican in human vocal fold lamina propria of fetal larynges. Study Design: Cross sectional analysis of cadaveric vocal folds of human fetuses. Methods: Seven fetal larynges obtained from 28- to 36-week-old fetuses were analyzed with the Picrosirius-polarization method, immunohistochemistry, and image analysis. Results: Collagen fibers within the lamina propria exhibited a monolaminar distribution pattern and spatial arrangement in ""wicker basket."" Versican distribution was larger in the superficial and intermediate layers when compared to the deep layer. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that collagen and versican distribution and arrangement within the lamina propria in the developing fetus are important for vocalization at birth.

Role of cholinergic, opioidergic and GABAergic neurotransmission of the dorsal hippocampus in the modulation of nociception in guinea pigs

Aims: Several physiological, pharmacological and behavioral lines of evidence suggest that the hippocampal formation is involved in nociception. The hippocampus is also believed to play an important role in the affective and motivational components of pain perception. Thus, Our aim was to investigate the participation of cholinergic, opioidergic and GABAergic systems of the dorsal hippocampus (DH) in the modulation of nociception in guinea pigs. Main methods: The test used consisted of the application of a peripheral noxious stimulus (electric shock) that provokes the emission of a vocalization response by the animal. Key findings: Our results showed that, in guinea pigs, microinjection of carbachol, morphine and bicuculline into the DH Promoted anti nociception, while muscimol promoted pronociception. These results were verified by a decrease and all increase, respectively, in the vocalization index in the vocalization test. This antinociceptive effect of carbachol (2.7 nmol) was blocked by previous administration of atropine (0.7 nmol) or naloxone (1.3 nmol) into the same site. In addition, the decrease in the vocalization index induced by the microinjection of morphine (2.2 nmol) into the DH was prevented by pretreatment with naloxone (1.3 nmol) or muscimol (0.5 nmol). At doses of 1.0 nmol, muscimol microinjection caused pronociception, while bicuculline promoted antinociception. Significance: These results indicate the involvement of the cholinergic, opioidergic and GABAergic systems of the DH in the modulation of antinociception in guinea pigs. In addition, the present study suggests that cholinergic transmission may activate the release of endorphins/enkephalin from interneurons of the DH, Which Would inhibit GABAergic neurons, resulting in antinociception. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The semantic interference effect in the picture-word paradigm: An event-related fMRI study employing overt responses

We used event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate neural responses associated with the semantic interference (SI) effect in the picture-word task. Independent stage models of word production assume that the locus of the SI effect is at the conceptual processing level (Levelt et al. [1999]: Behav Brain Sci 22:1-75), whereas interactive models postulate that it occurs at phonological retrieval (Starreveld and La Heij [1996]: J Exp Psychol Learn Mem Cogn 22:896-918). In both types of model resolution of the SI effect occurs as a result of competitive, spreading activation without the involvement of inhibitory links. These assumptions were tested by randomly presenting participants with trials from semantically-related and lexical control distractor conditions and acquiring image volumes coincident with the estimated peak hemodynamic response for each trial. Overt vocalization of picture names occurred in the absence of scanner noise, allowing reaction time (RT) data to be collected. Analysis of the RT data confirmed the SI effect. Regions showing differential hemodynamic responses during the SI effect included the left mid section of the middle temporal gyrus, left posterior superior temporal gyrus, left anterior cingulate cortex, and bilateral orbitomedial prefrontal cortex. Additional responses were observed in the frontal eye fields, left inferior parietal lobule, and right anterior temporal and occipital cortex. The results are interpreted as indirectly supporting interactive models that allow spreading activation between both conceptual processing and phonological retrieval levels of word production. In addition, the data confirm that selective attention/response suppression has a role in resolving the SI effect similar to the way in which Stroop interference is resolved. We conclude that neuroimaging studies can provide information about the neuroanatomical organization of the lexical system that may prove useful for constraining theoretical models of word production. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Acute stress hyperglycemia in cats is associated with struggling and increased concentrations of lactate and norepinephrine

We characterized the changes in blood glucose concentrations in healthy cats exposed to a short stressor and determined the associations between glucose concentrations, behavioral indicators of stress, and blood variables implicated in stress hyperglycemia (plasma glucose, lactate, insulin, glucagon, cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine concentrations). Twenty healthy adult cats with normal glucose tolerance had a 5-minute spray bath. Struggling and vocalization were the most frequent behavioral responses. There was a strong relationship between struggling and concentrations of glucose and lactate. Glucose and lactate concentrations increased rapidly and significantly in all cats in response to bathing, with peak concentrations occurring at the end of the bath (glucose baseline 83 mg/dL, mean peak 162 mg/dL; lactate baseline 6.3 mg/dL, mean peak 64.0 mg/dL). Glucose response resolved within 90 minutes in 12 of the 20 cats. Changes in mean glucose concentrations were strongly correlated with changes in mean lactate (r =.84; P

Como reagimos e interpretamos os latidos dos cães de acordo com a variação acústica?

Os cães dividem o ambiente com os humanos há milhares de anos e essa relação se torna cada vez mais estreita. Estudos mostram que há comunicação intraespecífica entre os cães e interespecífica entre os cães e os humanos, tanto vocal quanto não-vocal. Os latidos se apresentam hipertrofiados nos cães e acredita-se que isso se deva ao processo de domesticação. Neste estudo, investigamos como os humanos percebem o conteúdo emocional dos latidos e como respondem aos latidos quanto ao grau de irritação percebido, em função das características acústicas de cada chamado. Sessenta participantes, divididos de acordo com a experiência com cães e com o sexo, ouviram 27 sequências de latidos gravadas anteriormente. As sequências de latidos foram montadas artificialmente e categorizadas de acordo com a frequência fundamental, harmonicidade e intervalo entre latidos. Os resultados confirmaram o pressuposto de que tais parâmetros acústicos são importantes para a percepção humana de um conteúdo emocional na vocalização de cães e que causam um impacto emocional em nós, a irritação. Os resultados também foram consistentes com as regras de estrutura-motivação de Morton (1977). Quanto mais baixa a frequência fundamental, maior a agressividade percebida e sons mais agudos e tonais estão relacionados ao medo e ao desespero; quanto mais baixa a harmonicidade, ou seja, quanto mais áspero ou rouco, maior a motivação agressiva. O intervalo entre latidos se mostrou significativo apenas na atribuição da agressividade, quanto mais curtos os intervalos, maior a agressividade percebida. A correlação entre o grau de irritação causado pelos latidos e a percepção das emoções mostrou que quanto maior a percepção de agressividade, medo e desespero, maior o grau de irritação e quanto maior a percepção de brincadeira e felicidade, menor o grau de irritação causado pelos latidos. Esses resultados sugerem que a irritação gerada pelos latidos dos cães está associada a emoções negativas. Quanto ao sexo, os homens obtiveram valores médios significativamente maiores do que as mulheres na avaliação da irritação, o que sugere que os homens possam ter uma menor tolerância com os chamados caninos. Os resultados deste estudo nos levam a concluir que os humanos são capazes de identificar os estados emocionais dos cães através de emissões sonoras. Isto sugere que há uma comunicação interespecífica entre estas espécies e que ambas dividem as mesmas regras acústicas de motivação-estrutural de Morton.

Vocalizations of primary forest frog species in the Central Amazon.

The calls of 18 species of Amazonian forest frogs were recorded in 3 localities: the Tapajos National Park near Itaituba, the Reserva Ducke near Manaus, and the INPA-WWF reserves near Manaus. Structural and time parameters and sonographs of these calls including previously undescribed vocalization by 10 species are presented. Unlike open habitat species, several forest frong species characteriscally demonstrated one on more of the following temporal parameters: very low call rates, sporadic intervals, infrequent nights of calling and synchronized chorusing. It is hypothesized that predation has influenced the evolution of vocal behaviour in Amazonian forest frogs.

Vocalizações e interações acústicas em Hyla raniceps (Anura, Hylidae) durante a atividade reprodutiva

The vocalizations of H. raniceps (Cope, 1826) and their functions are described, including an analysis of the influence of temperature, weight, or SVL (snout-vent length) of males on the acoustic parameters. The vocalizations were recorded in three areas in Fazenda Lagoa Grande, Municipality of Pontalina, State of Goiás, central Brazil. Males began their vocalizations just before sunset, extending them, in some cases, to dawn of the following day. The peak of activities happened between 21h and 23h. The height of calling sites varied plenty, being the position horizontal in about 50% of them. Males defended sites in different areas during consecutive nights. Rain and strong winds interrupted the calling activities. Males emitted three vocalizations: advertisement, territorial and distress calls. The advertisement call has pulsionated structures and it is the most common, being emitted in the presence/absence of females. Significant correlation was found between number of notes and air temperature, notes duration and both male weight and air temperature, calling rate and both male SVL or weight, and frequency and male weight.