Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Picture Guessing Game: The Role of Feedback in Active Artificial Language Learning

Language is acquired within a complex, interactive environment. A key question for cognitive science is whether and how different types of environmental cues might affect the learning and processing of language. In this paper, we explore the role of feedback as a possible cue in a novel active artificial language learning task: The Picture Guessing Game. Subjects were instructed to guess which scene correctly displayed the meaning of a spoken sequence of unfamiliar monosyllabic words. After their response, either positive, negative, or no feedback was provided. The prediction was that feedback would help the subject to eventually learn the vocabulary, syntax, and semantics of the artificial language. The results indeed showed that feedback (both positive and negative) is beneficial and necessary to attain a certain level of learning. Interestingly, the data showed that positive feedback may be particularly helpful for the learner, promoting more in-depth learning of the artificial language.
Solar UVB and warming affect decomposition and earthworms in a fen ecosystem in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Combined effects of co‐occurring global climate changes on ecosystem responses are generally poorly understood. Here, we present results from a 2‐year field experiment in a Carex fen ecosystem on the southernmost tip of South America, where we examined the effects of solar ultraviolet B (UVB, 280–315 nm) and warming on above‐ and belowground plant production, C : N ratios, decomposition rates and earthworm population sizes. Solar UVB radiation was manipulated using transparent plastic filter films to create a near‐ambient (90% of ambient UVB) or a reduced solar UVB treatment (15% of ambient UVB). The warming treatment was imposed passively by wrapping the same filter material around the plots resulting in a mean air and soil temperature increase of about 1.2 °C. Aboveground plant production was not affected by warming, and marginally reduced at near‐ambient UVB only in the second season. Aboveground plant biomass also tended to have a lower C : N ratio under near‐ambient UVB and was differently affected at the two temperatures (marginal UVB × temperature interaction). Leaf decomposition of one dominant sedge species (Carex curta) tended to be faster at near‐ambient UVB than at reduced UVB. Leaf decomposition of a codominant species (Carex decidua) was significantly faster at near‐ambient UVB; root decomposition of this species tended to be lower at increased temperature and interacted with UVB. We found, for the first time in a field experiment that epigeic earthworm density and biomass was 36% decreased by warming but remained unaffected by UVB radiation. Our results show that present‐day solar UVB radiation and modest warming can adversely affect ecosystem functioning and engineers of this fen. However, results on plant biomass production also showed that treatment manipulations of co‐occurring global change factors can be overridden by the local climatic situation in a given study year.
Sediment biogeochemistry along an oyster aquaculture chronosequence

Oyster aquaculture is expanding globally, and there has been a recent research surge examining how oyster farms alter coastal ecosystems. Yet, until now, the role of time in these studies has largely been missing. Here we used an in situ chronosequence approach to determine how the presence of oyster aquaculture (Crassostrea virginica) altered sediment nitrogen (N), oxygen (O2), and phosphorus (P) cycling. Overall we found that the sum of nitrogen fluxes increased significantly following addition of aquaculture, and switched from net N consumption (i.e. net nitrogen fixation: −14.41 μmol N m−2 h−1) to production (i.e. net denitrification: 553.57 μmol N m−2 h−1). Ammonium (NH4) fluxes did not differ between bare sediment and oyster aquaculture. Additionally, both the magnitude of N2 and NH4 fluxes oscillated on an annual scale of aquaculture age, but not predictably so. We observed significantly more variance (σ2) in dinitrogen and NH4 fluxes in sediments beneath aquaculture, indicating increased non-linearity. O2 fluxes increased from Years 4 to 6, before returning to baseline conditions. There were no differences in sediment P cycling. This study demonstrates that sediment biogeochemical processes can become non-linear under the pressure of oyster aquaculture, and this non-linearity likely has important implications for ecosystem function.
Identification of OsSPX1 interacting proteins and their function in low temperature tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana

OF THE THESIS Identification of OsSPX1 Interacting Proteins and Their Function in Low Temperature Tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana by Edgar Igor Campos Master of Science in Biology with a Concentration in Microbiology San Diego State University, 2013 Climate fluctuation represents a major threat to crops that are sensitive to low temperatures. The importance of developing crops with the ability to tolerate low temperatures can potentially save millions from famine. Understanding the mechanisms of in planta signaling pathways in response to low temperature stress can lead to the improvement of crop traits. I propose to study a recently discovered gene from rice, OsSPX1. This gene, when over-expressed, leads to enhanced low temperature tolerance in tobacco and Arabidopsis thaliana. However, the molecular mechanisms by which OsSPX1 functions during cold stress response remains elusive. Especially, at the protein level, it is not known which proteins are interacting with OsSPX1. Protein interactions are essential components in signal transduction. Therefore, the main goal of this project was to understand the molecular and physiological roles of OsSPX1 in the cold signaling pathway, and to identify potential OsSPX1 interacting proteins using in vivo and in vitro approaches.
FLAVONOIDS AND PHENOLIC ACIDS AS ANTIOXIDANTS IN PLANTS AND HUMAN HEALTH Review Article

Flavonoids and phenolic acids are the most persistent groups of plant phenolics therefore they play significant role in plants and human health, thus it is important to better understanding of flavonoid awareness with biological behavior that could indicate their potentials as therapeutic agents. Plants and herbs consumed by humans may contain different phenolic acid and flavonoid components therefore the effect of dietary phenolics is currently of great interest due to their antioxidative activities although Phenolic acids and flavonoids function as reducing agents and free radical scavengers. So it will be significant to examine the possible role of flavonoids and phenolic acids in disease prevention, especially the current status of the subject matter and future prospects, in this review.
Condition and survival of discards in tickler chain beam trawl fisheries

Dutch demersal fisheries in the North Sea is a mixed fishery that mainly targets Dover sole (Solea solea) with plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), brill (Scophthalmus rhombus) and other species as valuable bycatches. The fleet currently uses two gear types: pulse beam trawls and conventional tickler chain beam trawls. Pulse beam trawlers operate with a temporary exemption from the EU prohibition to use electric stimulation in fishing gears, of which the last exemptions will expire in June 2021.To assess the consequences of transitions between pulse and tickler chain beam trawling for discards mortality, knowledge on the discards survival probabilities as well as the amount of discards is required for both gear types. The objective of the current study was to estimate discards survival probabilities for undersized plaice, sole, turbot, brill and thornback ray discarded by tickler chain beam trawl fisheries using fish condition as a proxy for survival probability. To this end the condition and reflex impairment of undersized fish in the catches of tickler chain beam trawlers were assessed and compared to similar data collected from pulse trawl fisheries. For spotted ray we assessed fish condition in tickler chain beam trawling but could not estimate its discards survival probability because a relation between survival probability and fish condition is lacking for this species. In this study direct mortality imposed by the tickler chain beam trawling ranged between 10 and 32% in flatfish species and was between 2-4 times higher than in pulse beam trawling. Direct mortality in ray species was lowest among the investigated species (2-8%) and did not differ between the two gear types. Differences in direct mortality were reflected in the condition scores. Direct mortality of sole was higher in tickler chain beam trawling (17%) than in pulse beam trawling (8%). Brill, turbot and plaice discarded by pulse beam trawling are in better condition than when discarded by tickler chain beam trawl fisheries. For sole no effect of gear type on fish condition could be detected. We consider the lower fish condition scores of brill, plaice and turbot from tickler chain beam trawling a direct reflection of the higher mechanical impact of this gear on the fish. For thornback ray and spotted ray no effect of gear type on fish condition could be detected. The predicted survival of plaice, brill and turbot discards indicate that discards survival could indeed be lower in tickler chain beam trawl fisheries compared to pulse beam trawl fisheries. For sole and thornback ray discards we found no evidence for such difference between gear types. The discards survival probabilities for tickler chain beam trawling as presented in this study should be considered as predictions based on the currently best available information instead of definite values. Actual measurements of discards survival at sea are needed to confirm and quantify survival probabilities in tickler chain beam trawling.
Aptitud combinatoria general y específica de maíces normales y de alta calidad de proteína* General and specific combinatory adequacy of regular and high-quality protein maices

Agronomic traits and genetic components are indicators of quality; additional factors are important to study the traits of germplasm in a breeding program. The effects of general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining adequacy and the type of gene action for agronomic traits of regular maize (Zea mays L.) seeds and high-quality protein were analysed. The genetic material consisted of 10 maize inbred lines: four of regular grain and six high-quality protein. The variables analysed were: days to male and female flowering, plant and ear height, plant and ear score, and grain yield. The results showed significant variation among genotypes (p≤ 0.01) on the effects of GCA and SCA for all agronomic variables. Lines were identified as: T-44, B-41, LT-155, T-45 and CML-144 C, with higher values of GCA, being 0.6379, 0.4592, 0.3286, 0.2945 and 0.3382 t ha-1, respectively, for grain yield. Furthermore, outstanding materials based on its identified SCA crosses 4 * 8 (B-41 * CML-144), 1 * 5 (T-45 * CLQ-6203), and 2 * 7 (T-44 * CML- 142), with SCA estimated values for grain yield of 1.0875, 0.9544 and 0.7591 t ha -1 , respectively. The type of additive gene action was the predominant in agronomic characters.
Variable manifestations in lysinuric protein intolerance: a report of two novel mutations from Bahrain

Background: Lysinuric protein intolerance (LPI) is a metabolic disorder resulting from mutations in the SLC7A7 gene that is inherited in the autosomal recessive pattern. The disease has been described sporadically worldwide, including a few cases from Arab countries. The affected patients typically present with failure to thrive, hepatosplenomegaly, and protein intolerance. Various complications such as autoimmune disorders, infiltrative lung disease, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), and neurological manifestations could be noted during the disease course. Methodology: We described patients diagnosed with LPI in Bahrain by reviewing their presentations, complications encountered, genetic variability, and treatment options. Results: Four patients, two males and two females from three families with an age range between 2 and 14 years, were followed. Failure to thrive and HLH were the main presenting features in all patients. Two novel mutations were detected in the SLC7A7 gene. One of them was a homozygous splice-site mutation of c.1429+1G>C. , whereas the second mutation was a homozygous missense mutation of c.168T>G p. (Phe56Leu). Lung complications were found in two patients, autoimmunity observed in two patients, gastrointestinal complication presenting as hemorrhagic gastritis in one patient, and neurological complications were seen in one patient. Conclusion: The main presenting feature in all the patients was HLH. Two novel mutations in the SLC7A7 gene were detected. Rheumatological complications were variable within the same family members; moreover, hemorrhagic gastritis was reported in one of the patients as a new possible complication related to the disease.
Sorbus pseudomeinichii, a new endemic Sorbus (Rosaceae) microspecies from Arran, Scotland

Sorbus pseudomeinichii Ashley Robertson sp. nov., a new endemic tree from the Isle of Arran, Scotland is described. Its leaf morphology is intermediate between S. pseudofennica and S. aucuparia and molecular studies support the hypothesis that it was formed by hybridisation between S. pseudofennica and S. aucuparia. All three hybridogenous taxa endemic to Arran, S. arranensis, S. pseudofennica and S. pseudomeinichii, can be considered endangered. To maximise their chances of long-term survival, all locations and components of this evolutionary complex should be conserved.
Prediction of velocity profiles and longitudinal dispersion in salt marsh vegetation

To predict the behavior of solutes and suspended particles in wetlands, it is necessary to estimate advection and longitudinal dispersion. To better understand these processes, measurements were taken of stem frontal area, velocity, vertical diffusion, and longitudinal dispersion in a Spartina alterniflora salt marsh in the Plum Island Estuary in Rowley, Massachusetts. Vegetation volumetric frontal area peaked at 0.067 ± 0.007 cm−1 near 10 cm from the bed. If the velocity profile in a dense emergent marsh canopy depends on the local balance between pressure forcing and vegetation drag, the velocity will vary inversely with canopy drag (i.e., velocity is minimum where the frontal area is maximum). In fact, the minimum velocity was observed at 10 cm from the bed. The momentum balance therefore provides a way to predict the velocity profile structure from canopy morphology. The vertical diffusion coefficient also depends on canopy characteristics, such that the vertical diffusion coefficient normalized by the velocity and stem diameter had a constant value of 0.17 ± 0.08 at this study site. The canopy morphology also controls the longitudinal dispersion, observed in this study to be 4 to 27 cm−2 s−1. However, theoretical considerations show that dispersion coefficients of at least 540 cm−2 s−1 can occur under typical marsh conditions. Comparisons to other canopies indicate that the prediction of the velocity profile and shear dispersion from canopy morphology can be extended to other emergent canopies and that shear dispersion may vary widely between stands with different physical characteristics.
Impact of Land use Practices on Soil fertility status of Dryland Alfisols

In order to assess the impact of long term land -use systems on soil fertility, a study was undertaken at Gunegal Research Farm of Central Research Institute for Dry land Agriculture, Hyderabad situated at 17°, 40’, 40.4’ N latitude and 78°, 39’, 55.7” E longitude and at a mean sea level of 626 m. Study revealed that there was considerable variation in the status of organic carbon, available phosphorus and potassium in soil under different land use systems. The organic carbon content in the soil across the land use systems ranged from as low as 0.103% to as high as 1.27%. About 47 and 40% of the blocks under mono-cropping and intercropping system respectively were rated as low with respect to organic carbon (less than 0.5%) which is a measure of available nitrogen also. The blocks with medicinal plantations and forestry were rated as high (more than 0.75%) in organic carbon status. Most of the blocks under horticulture and agro-forestry were also rated as medium to high in organic carbon. The minimum available phosphorus recorded in the farm was 6.63 kg P ha−1 and the maximum content recorded was 36.43 kg P ha−1. A minimum of 86 kg K ha−1 and a maximum of 740 kg K ha−1 were recorded from the different blocks of the farm. Of the three soil fertility parameters, the available potassium content exhibited highest coefficient of variation (77%), followed by organic carbon (38.33%) and available phosphorus (36.4%). The content of DTPA-extractable Fe, Cu and Mn were recorded above the critical limits (4.5,0.2, 2.0 ppm for Fe, Cu and Mn, respectively) in all the blocks indicating that the land use practices do not have any effect on the status of these nutrient cations. However, DTPA-extractable Zn was found above the critical limit (0.6 ppm) only in the blocks where forestry and medicinal systems were practiced and was below the critical limit in blocks continuously covered under mono-cropping.
Assessing and Considering the Wider Impacts of Sport-Tourism Events: A Research Agenda Review of Sustainability and Strategic Planning Elements

Sport-tourism events create a broad spectrum of impacts on and for host communities. However, sustainable sport-tourism events, which emphasize positive impacts, and minimize negative impacts, do not arise by chance—they need careful planning and implementation. This paper aims to review and systematize a wide spectrum of social impacts that outdoor sport-tourism events create from the perspective of key stakeholders and addresses strategic planning elements necessary for achieving event sustainability. To reach its objectives, the authors examined the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database, searching for relevant scientific papers focusing primarily on the impacts and legacy of sport events, strategic planning elements, and attributes necessary for achieving sustainability through a systematic quantitative review and content analysis. The results indicate that the relevant literature mostly focuses on economic impacts, followed by social and environmental impacts. Most studies focus on Europe and Asia, with the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cups being the most popular type of event studied. To systemize event and destination strategic elements and attributes for achieving sustainability, this study considers eight categories: social, cultural, organizational, logistic, communication, economic, tourism, and environmental. This paper identifies the main research gaps, proposes a new holistic sport-tourism events research agenda and provides recommendations so that organizers can avoid planning, organizing, financing mistakes and better leverage future sporting events.
Body mass estimation in armoured mammals: cautions and encouragements for the use of parameters from the appendicular skeleton

This study explores the relationship between body mass and femoral construction in armoured (dasypodids and manids) and unarmoured (caviomorph rodents) mammals. Predictive equations based on diaphyseal cross-sectional parameters provided the most accurate estimates of body mass in caviomorph rodents and dasypodids. When these equations are applied to the estimation of body mass in manids, relatively low predictive errors (<20%) are found only when caviomorph equations derived with diaphyseal cross-sectional area or moments of area are used. Dasypodid equations generally yield less accurate estimates for manids, so that armouring of the integument alone poorly discriminates femoral types. Other factors with potential to differentially impact femoral construction are also considered: although locomotor speed strongly influences mass–structure relationships within caviomorph rodents, the confounding influence of locomotor posture, fossoriality, and arboreality render these relationships less predictable across all three groups considered here. Limb structure and, hence, scaling patterns of each phylogenetic group are influenced by a unique mosaic of factors that is difficult to summarize quantitatively. The results of the study provide cautions as well as encouragements for the estimation of body mass for fossil species that have no adaptively similar living relatives.
Anti-Obesity Effects and Metabolism in DIO Mice of a Novel Hybrid Lipid with Lauric and Lipoic Acid

Obesity is a world-wide epidemic and available anti-obesity drugs are associated with side-effects. The effects of oral administration of a novel hybrid lipid obtained by conjugating fatty acid and α-lipoic acid esterified on a glycerol molecule, 1,3-dilauroyl-2-lipoyl-sn-glycerol (diLaLA), on the body weight and food intake of DIO male mice, as well as some other selected metabolic parameters in such mice, was investigated. DIO mice groups on an HFD were fed diLaLA in doses of 10, 50 or 250 mg/kg/day (DIO-10, -50 or -250) for 6 weeks. A fourth group of mice fed with the vehicle (rapeseed oil) alone and served as the control (DIO-V). In comparison with the DIO-V, the highest dose of diLaLA (DIO-250) significantly reduced the body weight, plasma and hepatic Free Fatty Acids (FFAs), as well as the SCD-16 activity index (C16:1n-7/C16:0) in the white adipose tissue of the DIO mice, whereas the liver weight was similar among all the groups. No significant differences were found in the cumulative food intake over the period of 6 weeks among all the groups. Exploratory RT-qPCR analysis indicated that, in the liver, diLaLA induced up-regulation of PPARα, CD 36, CPT1α, Acox, Acca, and AMPK isoforms α1 and γ1, while Acot isoforms 2, 3 and 12 and AMPK isoforms α2 and β1 were down-regulated. The diLaLA reduced the HFD-induced body weight of the mice, possibly through enhancement of the energy expenditure via β-oxidation and suppression of the in vivo lipogenesis, suggesting the potential of diLaLA as a promising candidate against obesity.
Wall-Making Behavior in Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Abstract Larvae of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) can coexist in a bean and exhibit scramble-type competition although the larvae can kill each other. Mechanisms to prevent or neutralize interference should be necessary for scramble-type competition. Previous studies reported that C. maculatus larvae can make walls to fill in their intersections after they encounter each other in a bean. To examine whether the wall-making is related to a mechanism behind scramble-type competition of C. maculatus, we examined larval wall-making behavior in a geographically isolated strain, in which the larvae exhibit scramble-type competition but retain interference ability. We conducted longitudinal dissection of beans with two hatched eggs to examine the pattern of wall-formation against larval development and the relationship between wall-making behavior and larval coexistence in a bean. The frequency of two individuals separated by the wall structure increased with developmental day, and eventually became higher than that of cases without encounter on the eighteenth day after oviposition. This indicates that the wall-making behavior may be associated with the coexistence of larvae in a bean. We also conducted an artificial interference experiment with pairs of larvae taken from beans with walls to examine whether larvae need to make walls for avoiding interference interaction. The pairs showed lethal fighting after the walls had been removed. This indicates that larvae made walls to avoid interfering with each other in a bean. These results support that wall-making behavior is a mechanism behind scramble-type competition in C. maculatus.