Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of different pre-treatment strategies on the quality of fatty acid composition, tocols content and metabolic syndrome related activities of Perilla frutescens seed oil.

Article history: Received on: 02/11/2015 Revised on: 23/12/2015 Accepted on: 09/01/2016 Available online: 27/02/2016 Perilla frutescens (Nga-Mon) is an annual herbaceous plant, reported for its antioxidant, anti-allergic, antiinflammatory and neuroprotective properties. The current study was conducted to compare the different pretreatment techniques followed by hexane extraction for perilla seed oil and its pharmaceutical values. There are no significant differences in the yield of seed oil after pre-treatments except sonication. All the pre-treatments diminish the endogenous lipase activity, peroxidation and degradation of the oil. Fatty acid content analysis revealed that the nutrient quality, with respect to fatty acid content, of perilla seed was not compromised with any of the pre-treatments of current study. The results of αamylase, αglucosidase and protein glycation inhibition assays suggested that tested perilla seed oils are pharmaceutical candidate for the treatment of carbohydrate related diseases, especially for diabetes. Selection of appropriate pre-treatment strategies will helps to extract the perilla seed oil without any compromise in its quality. The current study suggested that moist heat with pressure can be an appropriate pre-treatment method for perilla seed oil extraction.
Population Genetics for Autosomal STR Loci in Sikh Population of Central India

This study is an attempt to generate genetic database for three endogamous populations of Sikh population (Arora, Jat and Ramgariha) of Central India. The analysis of eight autosomal STR loci (D16S539, D7S820, D13S317, FGA, CSF1PO, D21S11, D18S51, and D2S1338) was done in 140 unrelated Sikh individuals. In all the three studied populations, all loci were in Hardy -Weinberg equilibrium except at locus FGA in Ramgariha Sikh and locus D16S539 in Arora Sikh. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed 1% variation among the three studied populations. The close genetic relationship between Jat and Ramgariha Sikh population were confirmed in the MDS Plot generated from the pairwise genetic distances.
A comprehensive procedure to measure the body dimensions of large African predators with comments on the repeatability of measurements taken from an immobilized African lion (Panthera leo)

Specific procedures are described to measure the body dimensions of large African predators; these include measurements of body and tail length, head, canines, mane, limbs, paws and testes. Data on body mass and dimensions were collected from an immobilized sub-adult male African lion Panthera leo. He was 40 months old and weighed 190 kg. After being immobilized, data on body mass and dimensions were collected by a team comprising a scribe, two operators and assistants. The procedures of measuring the 43 variables on body dimensions were then repeated three times in quick succession, each session lasting about 10 min. The four sessions were handled as if a different individual was measured each time. Except for reports on body mass of lions, there is a paucity of comparable data in the literature for most of the variables presented in this paper. The small dispersion measures of the 43 variables suggest that the specific procedures to measure the body dimensions of a large African predator such as the lion have a high degree of repeatability and can be applied with confidence. The procedure has been used to obtain data on body dimensions of a large number of lions as well as dead specimens of black-backed jackal Canis mesomelas, caracal Caracal caracal and Cape fox Vulpes chama. The data form part of a database on body dimensions of large African predators created by ALPRU. The objective is to develop non-invasive techniques to determine whether wild predator populations might have been subjected to abnormal growth and development as a result of negative impacts on their habitat and thus food base.
Efficiency of sector sampling for estimating juniper forest attributes vs. fixed area plot

Seraj M.H. , Kiani B. (2017): Efficiency of sector sampling for estimating juniper forest attributes vs. fixed area plot. J. For. Sci., 63: 463–469. Juniper forests grow in mountain areas and many difficulties are encountered in their sampling. Sector sampling as an unbiased and cost-effective method was tested for the sampling of a 12.5-ha juniper forest. To begin with, a pointmap of trees was created and 50 quadrats were determined systematically. Fixed area plots were measured within these 50 × 50 m quadrats. In each quadrat, eight sectors with 45° angle were determined. One-sector and two-sector scenarios randomly besides four-sector scenario systematically were conducted. Accuracy and precision of sampling methods were compared. Also, statistical analysis was conducted to compare sector sampling scenarios with fixed area plot (FAP) and real data. Results showed that four-sector scenario estimates were close to FAP method in precision and accuracy. Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference between sector sampling scenarios and FAP and in real data. But in correlation analysis only the four-sector scenario could compete with FAP method. Regarding consumed time and sampling error simultaneously, the efficiency of sector sampling was higher than that of FAP method for estimating density and close to FAP method for estimating crown cover. It can be concluded that in laborious situations such as in juniper forests, sector sampling can be competitive with FAP method with noticeable parsimony. But more study is still needed to decrease sampling error and optimize sector angle with the purpose of cost saving.
Assuring the quality of online learning in Australian higher education

This paper discusses the major issues confronting the successful adoption and sustained use of online learning in higher education within the Australian context. The paper argues that four main issues which universities must deal with to achieve maximum potential from online learning technologies are: the establishment of cost-effective practices; the achievement and maintenance of quality in online learning delivery; ensuring access and equity in the delivery of programs; and establishing practices which can enable online learning to be sustained and to grow as a mainstream activity in university teaching and learning. While these issues are suggested as discrete entities, it is recognised that there is considerable overlap in the influencing factors and in the strategies and processes by which they can be overcome. The paper describes and proves exemplars of a number of strategies for dealing with the issues in ways which provide the means to support and sustain quality online learning programs within universities and in the broader educational context. These include: the development of proactive programs to improve teacher expertise in the design, development and delivery of online teaching; the use of programs to support and maintain student readiness; the need to provide adequate technology infrastructure to support the programs; and the use of strategies supporting the design and development of online programs based on the customisation and reuse of learning objects.
H55N polymorphism is associated with low citrate synthase activity which regulates lipid metabolism in mouse muscle cells

The H55N polymorphism in the Cs gene of A/J mice has been linked to low activity of the enzyme in skeletal muscles. The aim of the study was to test this hypothesis and examine effects of low citrate synthase (CS) activity on palmitate metabolism in muscle cells. Results of the study showed that carriers of the wild type (WT) Cs (C57BL/6J and Balb/cByJ mouse strains) had higher CS activity (p < 0.01) than carriers of the A/J variant (B6.A-(rs3676616-D10Utsw1)/KjnB6 and A/J mouse strains) in the heart, liver and gastrocnemius muscle. Furthermore, the recombinant CS protein of WT showed higher CS activity than the A/J variant. In C2C12 muscle cells the shRNA mediated 47% knockdown of CS activity reduced the rate of fatty acid oxidation compared to the control cells. In summary, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that H55N substitution causes a reduction in CS activity. Furthermore, low CS activity interferes with metabolic flexibility of muscle cells.
EVALUATION OF NON-DESTRUCTIVE METHODS FOR ASSESSING STIFFNESS OF DOUGLAS FIR TREES

Identification and selection of superior trees in forest management and breeding programmes provide a means to improve the properties and value of future wood products. Non-destructive stiffness assessment of standing trees enables selection of individuals for their stiffness, and so the accuracy and cost of four methods for assessing stiffness were evaluated: (1) IML hammer, (2) 5-mm outerwood density cores, (3) Pilodyn penetrometer, and (4) SilviScan-2®. Sixty 18-year-old Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco (Douglas fir) trees were assessed for stiffness and the results compared with static modulus of elasticity (MoE) measurements of small clears centred on the tenth annual ring at breast height. Data were analysed using linear models and descriptive statistics, and the effects and costs of selection were modelled. The IML Hammer and outerwood density cores both gave corrected selection differentials of 11‐16% with respect to stiffness at a cost of NZ$20‐30 per tree selected. The Pilodyn was also quite cheap, but failed to give an informative measure of stiffness. SilviScan-2® provided a more accurate assessment and subsequent higher estimated selection differential of 22% at a cost of around NZ$500 per selected tree. Technology developments currently being implemented may reduce this cost over time. Selection for stem volume growth alone decreased average stiffness by around 10%.
Convergence and cluster structures in EU area according to fluctuations in macroeconomic indices

The cluster analysis methods are used in order to perform a comparative study of 15 EU countries in relation with the fluctuations of some basic macroeconomic indicators. The statistical distances between countries are calculated for various moving time windows, and the time variation of the mean statistical distance is investigated. The decreasing of the mean statistical distance between EU countries is reflected in the correlated fluctuations of the basic ME indicators: GDP, GDP/capita, Consumption and Investments. This empirical evidence can be seen as an economic aspect of globalization. The Moving Average Minimal Length Path (MAMLP) algorithm allows to search for a cluster-like structures derived both from the hierarchical organization of countries and from their relative movement inside the hierarchy. It is found that the strongly correlated countries with respect to GDP fluctuations can be partitioned into stable clusters. Some of the highly correlated countries, with respect to GDP fluctuations, display strong correlations also in the Final Consumption Expenditure, while others are strongly correlated in Gross Capital Formation. On the other hand, one notices the similitude of the classifications regarding GDP and Net Exports fluctuations as concerns the squared sum of the correlation coefficients (so called country sensitivity). The final structure proves to be robust against the constant size time window moving over the scanned time interval. The policy implications of the above empirical results concern the economic clusters arising in the presence of Marshallian externalities and the relationships between trade barriers, R&D incentives and growth that must be accounted in elaborating a cluster-promotion policy.
Cd 2 + , Cu 2 + , and Pb 2 + sorption , desorption and migration in

The aim of this work was to assess and compare the mono and bimetallic Cd2+, Cu2+ and Pb2+ sorption and desorption capacities as well as the sorption hysteresis in two different types of Fluvisols. The migration of cations through the profiles was evaluated, along with the dependence on soil properties of mono and bimetallic Cd2+, Cu2+ and Pb2+ fixation, hysteresis and mobility. Sorption irreversibility and migration of the studied cations through the profiles were evaluated, by means of hysteresis and migration indexes calculated from retention capacity values (Kr) proposed and validated in a previous work. The results showed that the sorption and retention capacities of the A horizons were higher than those of C and that the individual sorption and retention capacities were greater than the competitive capacities. The highest values of sorption and retention capacities were those for Pb2+, followed by Cu2+ and Cd2+. Mn oxides, organic matter and, consequently, ECEC were the components and properties that most highly influenced Pb2+ monometal and competitive sorption and retention. Cd2+ did not interfere with Pb2+ or Cu2+ sorption and retention. Organic matter content was only correlated with the sorption hysteresis of Pb2+, in accordance with the high Pb2+ fixation capacity of in this component and its lower capacity to retain Cu2+ and Cd2+. Tidalic Fluvisols retained only 0.4 and 0.2% of added Cd2+ when competing with Cu2+ and Pb2+, respectively. However, more than 60% of the added Pb2+, and over 47% of the added Cu2+ were retained. The Pb2+ retained in competition with Cu2+ was 98.2 in TF and 47% in the Umbric Fluvisol, whereas the retained Cu2+ was 93.8 and 29.9% respectively. These retention and Cd2+ mobility indicated that there is a possibility of heavy metals transferring to subsurface waters and, through these, of contamination and even of these metals entering the food chain.
The Relationship between the Environmental Awareness, Environmental Attitude, Curiosity and Exploration in Highly Gifted Students: Structural Equation Modelling

The basic purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between environmental awareness, environmental attitude, curiosity and exploration in highly gifted students with structural equation modelling. The secondary aim was to compare highly gifted and non-gifted students’ environmental awareness, environmental attitude, curiosity and exploration levels. Participants were 311 (154 highly gifted, 157 non-gifted) secondary school students in Turkey who volunteered to take part in this study. All of the participants were either 13 or 14 years old, with a mean age of 13.77 years. For gathering data, Environmental Awareness Scale, Environmental Attitude Scale, Curiosity and Exploration-II were used. While analyzing the data, Pearson correlation analysis, independent samples t test, and structural equation model were used. According to the findings, highly gifted students’ environmental awareness, environmental attitude, curiosity and exploration scores were higher than non-gifted students’. Indices of Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) indicated that the increase in the curiosity and exploration scores of the highly gifted children increased the environmental awareness; in this case, the environmental attitudes were affected
Fish dietary patterns in the eutrophic Lake Volvi (East Mediterranean)

Fish trophic ecology, food preferences, diet composition and diet overlap between coexisting species have been an issue of research for years (e.g. Hynes, 1950; Men delson, 1975; Wootton, 1999). Knowledge of fish diet is important, among others, in defining the role of fish species in a system, their interand intra-specific relationships and their functioning within food webs (Pauly et al., 1998; Stergiou & Karpouzi, 2002), while it has been used for monitoring and management purposes (Zambrano et al., 2006). Furthermore, fish trophic ecology (trophic guilds, feeding habits) has been incorporated, among other metrics, in evalu ating systems for the assessment of the ecological quality of the surface water ecosystems according to the European Water Framework Directive 2000/60/ EC (European Commission, 2000). Fish feeding ecology and food preferences have been described for several marine and freshwater spe cies (see Froese & Pauly, 2012). Especially for the Mediterranean region, such data is of major significance, due to the particulate importance of Mediterranean systems as biodiversity hotspots (Griffiths et al., 2004) and their recognized differences from other temperate systems (Alvarez Cobelas et al., 2005). Fish communities in Greek lakes are characteri zed by the dominance of omnivorous cyprinids (Bobori & Economidis, 2006; Economou et al., 2007) and the rarity of piscivorous species. However, despite their wide dispersal, data concerning their diet composition are limited with most of them referring to a spe cific species from one lake (e.g. Iliadou, 1991; Po li tou et al., 1993; Kleanthidis & Sinis, 2001; Chrisafi et al., 2007; Gkenas et al., 2012). The present study is the first effort to comprise information on the diet preferences of the most commercial fish species in Lake Volvi. The objectives we Journal of Biological Research-Thessaloniki 19: 139 – 149, 2013 J. Biol. Res.-Thessalon. is available online at http://www.jbr. gr Indexed in: WoS (Web of Science, ISI Thomson), SCOPUS, CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) and DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals)
Relationship qualities: Investigating the nature of self-identified couple strengths and language use during a strengths interview

Research and practice in couple therapy has been influenced by positive psychology, and other factors, to create a nuanced viewed of relationship health. Relationship strengths are thought to be informative of overall relationship health, possibly even more so than relationship concerns (Gable, Gonzaga, & Strachman, 2006; Sullivan, Pasch, Johnson, & Bradbury, 2010). The present project explored the association between self-identified relationship strengths and couple satisfaction. Then, the study examined the association between self and partner pronoun use and level of couple satisfaction during an interview about relationship strengths. Aim 1 replicated Gray and colleagues’ (under review) project which examined the association between types of strengths and level of couple satisfaction reported by extremely satisfied and extremely dissatisfied individuals. I predicted similar results, such that type of strength would vary based on relationship satisfaction. More specifically, those individuals who endorse strengths focused on working together as a team will report lower levels of couple satisfaction and those who endorse strengths centered on emotional intimacy will report higher levels of couple satisfaction. Aim 2 expanded on this general research question from looking at what types of strengths partners choose to how they speak about their respective strengths during a focused discussion. Overall, how does language use, specifically pronoun use, during a strengths-based discussion relate to couple satisfaction? I utilized separate actor-partner independence models to (APIMs; Kenny & Kashy, 2010) to determine the path analyses between the associations of unique actor and partner effects of I, me, we, and you pronoun use and level of couple satisfaction. Results for Aim 1 failed to replicate findings from the Marriage Checkup study such that couples most frequently endorsed the same top three strengths across level of satisfaction. Secondly, path analyses revealed significant negative associations for both actor and partner effects for women’s I-talk and significant positive associations for both actor and partner effects for men’s you-talk. The remaining paths were not significantly related.
Traditionally used wild edible greens in the Aegean Region of Turkey

Turkey has the largest coastal area in the Mediterranean, possesses an extraordinarily rich flora, and a great traditional knowledge. This diversity of plants naturally affects the traditional use of plants and is reflected in the rich Turkish cuisine. Consequently, the Mediterranean Diet (whose typical components are wild greens) constitutes one of the important elements of Turkish cuisine. For this reason, the aim of this study was to determine the consumption of wild edible green plants for the Aegean Region of Turkey and to establish the similarities to or differences from consumption in other regions and other cuisine in the Mediterranean Basin. This study compiles and evaluates the ethnobotanical data currently available. There were 111 taxa that were identified as wild edible greens in the study area belonging to 26 different families. Asteraceae (21 taxa) were the most commonly consumed as food. It was followed by Boraginaceae with 19 taxa, Apiaceae with 15 taxa and Lamiaceae with 7 taxa, respectively. Rumex and Erodium were the most represented genera with 4 species. Tamus communis and Asparagus acutifolius , Mediterranean elements and distributed in all of the Mediterranean Basin, are among the most widely consumed wild plants in the area. Wild edible plants are consumed in a variety of ways. The most common type of consumption (79 taxa) was in salads. The fact that the majority of the plants used in the area are consumed in salads shows the close relationship between the local diet and the concept of the Mediterranean Diet. As a result, very promisingly, there is a renewed or increasing interest in consuming wild food plants as part of this diet.
Prediction of Turbidity in Tigris river Using Artificial Neural Networks

Over the past two decades, there has been an increased interest in a new class of computational intelligence systems known as Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). In this work, (ANNs) technique was applied in an attempt to predict the turbidity at intake of Al-Wathba water treatment plant (WTP) in Baghdad. This prediction is useful in the planning, evaluation, management, and operation of such plants, which may produce water of better quality. The available records from (1991-2000) were used for predicting turbidity in Tigris River, based on monthly maximum values of the water quality parameters near intakes of the water treatment plants. Multi-layer perceptron trainings using the back-propagation algorithm were used in this work. The feasibility of ANNs technique for modeling this water quality parameter was investigated. A number of issues in relation to ANNs construction such as the effect of ANNs geometry and internal parameters on the performance of ANNs model were investigated. It was found that ANNs have the ability to predict the Turbidity at Al-Wathba WTP with a good degree of accuracy (the coefficient of determination (R 2 ) was 0.9687). The ANNs model developed to study the impact of the internal network parameters on model performance indicate that ANNs performance was relatively insensitive to the number of hidden layer nodes, momentum term, and learning rate.