Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aroma Constituents and Enzyme Activities of Japanese Long Coriander Leaves (Culantro, Eryngium foetidum L.)

Long coriander leaves (Eryngium foetidum L.) have become increasingly familiar as culinary herbs in Japan. To investigate the overall aroma characteristics of Japanese long coriander, the volatile composition from different extraction methods was investigated by GC, GC-MS, and GC-O. (E)-2-dodecenal with fruity, sweet and sour notes was found as the major component with the highest flavor dilution factor independent of the extraction methods, and played an important role in the aroma quality. Moreover, the existence of aliphatic aldehyde reductase and aldehyde dehydrogenase was found for the first time in the long coriander herb. The formation of alcohols and acids from their corresponding aldehydes in the volatile concentrate due to the enzymatic activities was observed and found to affect the overall odor of the herb.
Natural history and conservation of Brazilian Merganser Mergus octosetaceus at Serra da Canastra National Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Brazilian Merganser Mergus octosetaceus is considered to be one of the rarest and most threatened species in the Neotropical region, yet little is known about its distribution and life-history. We studied the population of Brazilian Merganser in and around Serra da Canastra National Park (SCNP) in Minas Gerais, Brazil, during 1996, with additional observations from 1997 to 2000. In this paper we report the sighting of previously undiscovered pairs and present some new behavioural data, including a description of calls performed by males and females, feeding behaviour, home ranges, parental care and population density. We also describe a previously unreported plumage of the young. A total of 39 individuals were recorded, comprising 12 adults (six pairs) and 27 young. Brood size ranged from two to four (mean 2.7), being smaller than in other Mergus spp. (e.g. Goosander Mergus merganser). Two pairs were located within the SCNP, and four on unprotected stretches of river outside. Home range was large compared with other Mergus spp. , each pair using on average 9 km of river. Range size was thought to be related to the availability of suitable nesting and feeding sites. SCNP and its environs contain very little mature gallery forest with trees large enough to provide nest sites (most having been selectively logged in the past). There is also competition for nest sites with other birds and mammals. All suitable habitat surrounding the SCNP is now occupied by adult birds, leaving none for young birds. Further research is needed to determine the fate and dispersion routes of juveniles. Future conservation priorities for Brazilian Merganser in and around SCNP include the installation of nest boxes to test whether the availability of good quality nest sites limits breeding success. A captive breeding programme could be established using eggs from these nest boxes. This would help to ensure the survival of this species and to provide birds for future reintroduction programmes should they be deemed necessary. Further surveys, with subsequent establishment of reserves at key sites, are required throughout the Brazilian Merganser's range.
Selection of putative relic cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) genotypes in farmers’ fields in Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago is a repository of putative relic cacao genotypes, given its long history of cultivating cacao from the 1700s onwards. As part of a project conducted between 2009 and 2011, funded by the World Bank Development Market Place, World Bank Project TF 093747 (DM 2008), 106 putative, ancient cacao varieties were collected from farms throughout Trinidad and Tobago to be conserved and utilized to preserve traditional quality (flavour) attributes. The objective of this article is to provide information on agronomic and phenotypic traits of 94 of these 'relic' accessions collected in farmers' fields (FA). These are presumed to be relic Criollos or Trinitarios (selected pre-and post-1930s), and were selected over six cocoa production zones in Trinidad and Tobago. In addition, data for 31 regional Trinitario cacao accessions, which are conserved at the International Cocoa Genebank Trinidad (ICGT) were assessed. Morphological assessment of the selections was based on 22 phenotypic traits including characteristics of economic interest, viz. bean number (BN), individual dried bean weight (DBW), total wet bean weight (TWBW) and pod index (PI), which ranged from 26.4 to 58.0 (CV 16.3%); 0.6g to 2.12g (CV 22.6%); 42.5 to 228g (CV 24.2%) and 10 to 57 (CV 27.5%), respectively. Significant differences (p < 0.0001) were found among the production zones for BN and DBW only. Four zones had selections with significantly higher BN and all six had selections with superior TWBW relative to the ICGT clones studied. No association between cotyledon colour and leaf petiole hairiness was found, suggesting independent inheritance of these traits used for preliminary identification of 'Criollo-like' genotypes in the field. FAs from Tobago generally had selections with paler cotyledons, implying relatively more pronounced Criollo ancestry. Principal Component (PC) scores 1 and 2 accounted for 74.7% of the phenotypic variation expressed by the accessions studied in terms of five traits, based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA). PI and TWBW were major contributors to PC 1, while for PC 2, the major contributors were BN and DBW. The results of PCA and cluster analyses suggest that a phenotypically diverse and unique selection of genotypes was collected from the farmers' fields, relative to studied ICGT types, several of which displayed 'Criollo-like' and Trinitario characteristics (large, plump seeds/beans with pale cotyledons) and favourable yield potential. These can be utilized to enhance the genepool at the ICGT, for breeding to introgress favourable Trinitario genes into national recurrent breeding programmes and for commercial cultivation.
Attempting to break the code in student comprehension of genetic concepts

Conducted in Israel, this research probes students' understanding of the relationships between genetic concepts. Four populations were examined: 9th graders (14–15 year olds), who were exposed to genetics for the first time (n = 184); 12th graders (17–18 year olds), who were studying biology as their main subject (n = 121); college pre-service teachers, who had not yet earned a degree (n = 29); and university pre-service teachers, who had earned biology degrees and were seeking teacher certification (n = 22). Three research instruments were used: a written questionnaire, interviews, and concept maps. The questions were open-ended to enable the identification of students' patterns of comprehensive thinking and understanding, not identifiable in multiple choice testing. Alternative conceptions and compartmentalisation between related concepts were identified. Based on these findings, genetic instruction in 9th and 12th grade and in college needs improvement.
Short-term responses by ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) to selective timber harvesting of an open forest in eastern Australia

Summary In order to determine how timber harvesting might affect the ant community in a Corymbia variegata dominated open forest, the surface-active ant community was quantified by pitfall trapping at two sites and on three occasions over a period of 12 months. At the end of this period, the trees in some plots were experimentally harvested while others remained undisturbed. Pitfall trapping continued for another 12 months at all plots which permitted a comparison between the pre-harvest ant communities and post-harvest ant communities. Using a combination of univariate and multivariate analyses, only small differences could be detected in ant community composition in harvested plots when compared with unharvested plots, indicating that timber harvesting operations such as the ones examined in this study have only a small effect on the structure of the ant community.
Phosphate Utilization in Phaeocystis pouchetii (Haptophyceae)

The phosphate uptake kinetics of single cells and colonies of the haptophycean alga Phaeocystis pouchetii were investigated in short- and long-term experiments. In phosphate-deprived cultures, the highest nutrient uptake rate (Vmax) of both growth forms appeared to be similar. However, the half-saturation constant for phosphate uptake of the cells embedded in a colony (Ks= 3.08 μM) was considerably higher than that of the single cells (Ks= 0.31 μM). This is consistent with the existence of a diffusion barrier formed by the colony membrane and colonial mucus. Over a 24 h light/dark cycle, the phosphate assimilation rate in moderately limited colonies and single cells was nearly identical during the light period. In the following dark phase, colony cells maintained this uptake rate, whereas the uptake of the single cells diminished by 70 %. The high dark uptake rate in colonies ran parallel with the absorption and degradation of intracolonial carbon compounds, suggesting that the dissimilation of these compounds covers the energy requirements for phosphate uptake in the dark. In Phaeocystis cultures during a transition to phosphate depletion, a significant amount of phosphate was found in the colonial mucus, isolated by selective filtration. The possible absorption of phosphate by the mucus and the role of mucus in the energy budget seem to be an essential feature of phosphate uptake of colonies. Short-term measurement of phosphate uptake in colony cells may therefore underestimate the phosphate uptake of the whole colony.
The Effects of Microarthropods on Litter Decomposition in a Chihuahuan Desert Ecosystem

We compared decomposition of surface and buried, untreated, mixed desert shrub litter to that of insecticide— and fungicide—treated litter. Suppression of fungi reduced decomposition by °29%; exclusion of microarthropods reduced decomposition by °53%. Approximately 55% of the organic mass of the untreated litter disappeared during the 6—mo growing season and 23—29% disappeared in the winter months (November through March). There was a consistent pattern of microarthropod colonization of buried litter that was related to the percent organic matter lost. This sequence was tydeid mites, tarsonemid and pyemotid mites, gamasina and predatory Prostigmata, Collembola and Psocoptera, and oribatids. After 1 yr, large numbers of enchytraeid worms were extracted from buried litter. Decomposition of insecticide—treated litter varied directly with rainfall and soil temperature while abiotic factors accounted for <50% of the variation in decomposition of untreated buried litter. We hypothesize that microarthropods affect litter decomposition in deser ecosystems by inoculating litter with fungal spores, by grazing on fungi, and in a heretofore underscribed mode, by preying on free—living nematodes.
The pantropical response of soil moisture to El Niño

Abstract. The 2015–2016 El Niño event ranks as one of the most severe on record in terms of the magnitude and extent of sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies generated in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Corresponding global impacts on the climate were expected to rival, or even surpass, those of the 1997–1998 severe El Niño event, which had SST anomalies that were similar in size. However, the 2015–2016 event failed to meet expectations for hydrologic change in many areas, including those expected to receive well above normal precipitation. To better understand how climate anomalies during an El Niño event impact soil moisture, we investigate changes in soil moisture in the humid tropics (between ±25∘) during the three most recent super El Niño events of 1982–1983, 1997–1998 and 2015–2016, using data from the Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS). First, we use in situ soil moisture observations obtained from 16 sites across five continents to validate and bias-correct estimates from GLDAS (r2=0.54). Next, we apply a k-means cluster analysis to the soil moisture estimates during the El Niño mature phase, resulting in four groups of clustered data. The strongest and most consistent decreases in soil moisture occur in the Amazon basin and maritime southeastern Asia, while the most consistent increases occur over eastern Africa. In addition, we compare changes in soil moisture to both precipitation and evapotranspiration, which showed a lack of agreement in the direction of change between these variables and soil moisture most prominently in the southern Amazon basin, the Sahel and mainland southeastern Asia. Our results can be used to improve estimates of spatiotemporal differences in El Niño impacts on soil moisture in tropical hydrology and ecosystem models at multiple scales.
Genetic distance and its association with heterosis in cacao

The efficiency of cacao breeding program can be increased by choosing superior crosses to be made between divergent clones. We assessed the genetic distance among five clones with RAPD data (genetic distance - GD) and with yield component data (Mahalanobis distance - MD). The clones were evaluated in a diallel, during five years, for five yield components. A total of 130 RAPD bands were scored. GD and MD were used to determine the correlation between genetic distances among clones and the performance of their hybrids. The correlation between GD and MD was 0.67 (P=0.03). Both distances were related to heterotic performance of hybrids for wet seed weight/plant and wet seed weight/fruit. The average hybrid performance for the same two yield components was correlated with only MD. Hence, genetic distances measured by RAPD and yield components can be used as a guide to the choice of the superior crosses.
Saving Endangered Species by TranslocationAre we tinkering with evolution

species itself. Recent studies conducted in Hawaii of the Laysan finch (Telespyza cantans; Figure 1), endemic to Laysan Island, and a rock wallaby (Petrogale sp.; Figure 2) on the island of Oahu suggest that translocated populations may diverge very rapidly from parent populations. If this differentiation is genetically based, such translocations may represent human intervention in the evolutionary process, and wildlife managers need to consider this possibility when deciding whether to try translocation to save a threatened species. Recently Scott and Carpenter (1987) called attention to the fact that past attempts at reintroduction or translocation of a species have been poorly documented, leaving managers at a disadvantage in planning new programs. Translocations can have
Movement upscaled – the importance of individual foraging movement for community response to habitat loss

Habitat loss poses a severe threat to biodiversity. While many studies yield valuable information on how specifi c species cope with such environmental modifi cation, the mechanistic understanding of how interacting species or whole communities are aff ected by habitat loss is still poor. Individual movement plays a crucial role for the space use characteristics of species, since it determines how individuals perceive and use their heterogeneous environment. At the community level, it is therefore essential to include individual movement and how it is infl uenced by resource sharing into the investigation of consequences of habitat loss. To elucidate the eff ects of foraging movement on communities in face of habitat loss, we here apply a recently published spatially-explicit and individual-based model of home range formation. Th is approach allows predicting the individual size distribution (ISD) of mammal communities in simulation landscapes that vary in the amount of suitable habitat. We apply three fundamentally diff erent foraging movement approaches (central place forager (CPF), patrolling forager (PF) and body mass dependent nomadic forager (BNF)). Results show that the effi ciency of the diff erent foraging strategies depends on body mass, which again aff ects community structure in face of habitat loss. CPF is only effi cient for small animals, and therefore yields steep ISD exponents on which habitat loss has little eff ect (due to a movement limitation of body mass). PF and particularly BNF are more effi cient for larger animals, resulting in less steep ISDs with higher mass maxima, both showing a threshold behaviour with regard to loss of suitable habitat. Th ese fi ndings represent a new way of explaining observed ‘ extinction thresholds ’ , and therefore indicate the importance of individual space use characterized by physiology and behaviour, i.e. foraging movement, for communities and their response to habitat loss. Findings also indicate the necessity to incorporate the crucial role of movement into future conservation eff orts of terrestrial communities.
The Effects of Sacubitril/Valsartan on Clinical, Bioumoral and Echocardiographic Parameters in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: The “Hemodynamic Reverse Remodeling”

Background: Sacubitril/valsartan has been shown to be superior to enalapril in reducing the risks of death and hospitalization for heart failure (HF). However the effect on cardiac performance remains unknown. We sought to evaluate the effects of sacubitril/valsartan on clinical, bioumoral and echocardiographic parameters in patients with HFrEF. Methods: Sacubitril/valsartan was administered to 205 HFrEF patients. Results: Among 230 patients (mean age 59 ± 10 years, 46% with ischemic heart disease) 205 (89%) completed the study. After a follow–up of 10.49 (2.93±18.44) months, the percentage of patients in NYHA class III changed from 40% to 17% (p<0.001). Median N–Type natriuretic peptide (Nt-proBNP) decreased from 1865 ± 2318 to 1514 ± 2205 pg/mL, (p=0.01). Furosemide dose reduced from 131.3 ± 154.5 to 120 ± 142.5 (p=0.047). Ejection fraction (from 27± 5.9% to 30 ± 7.7% (p<0.001) and E/A ratio (from 1.67 ± 1.21 to 1.42 ± 1.12 (p=0.002)) improved. Moderate to severe mitral regurgitation (from 30.1% to 17.4%; p=0.002) and tricuspid velocity decreased from 2.8 ± 0.55 m/sec to 2.64 ± 0.59 m/sec (p<0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Sacubitril/valsartan induce “hemodynamic reverse remodeling” and in association with Nt-proBNP concentrations lowering improve NYHA class despite a diuretic dose reduction.
ISSN: 2278-4012, Volume:8, Issue: 4, OCTOBER 2019

Role-Play has a salient function in English speaking classrooms due to the fact that it encourages students to participate in different social contexts and roles. Besides, it motivates them to improve their speaking during their performance. The purpose of this study was to find out which technique, using scripted role-play or unscripted role-play enhances accuracy, fluency and complexity of EFL learners. The participants of this study were 45 male students from Koodakane Bartar institute in western Tehran. MANOVA was used to investigate whether there was any significant difference between the posttest results of scripted group, unscripted group, and control group in their speaking tests. The analyses revealed that learners' speaking accuracy did not improve under neither treatment condition. As for the fluency in their speaking, it was shown that only the scripted role-play was significantly effective. Regarding complexity in the learners' speaking, it was demonstrated that both role-play modes were equally effective.
COPRECIPITATION OF CHEESE WHEY WITH SOYBEAN AND COTTONSEED PROTEINS USING ACID AND HEAT TREATMENT

Soybean- and cottonseed-whey protein coprecipitate isolates (SIW and CIW) and coprecipitate concentrates (SCW and CCW) were all prepared using heat treatment (95°C, 15 min) at acidic pH (4.6). Soybean and cottonseed protein isolates (SI and CI) and concentrates (SC and CC) and whey protein concentrate (WC) were also prepared under similar conditions for comparison with the coprecipitates. In general, the coprecipitation resulted in acidulant savings (7–9% for SIW and CIW, 51–68% for SCW and CCW), higher nitrogen yields (24–29% for SIW and SCW, 10–17% for CIW and CCW), higher protein scores, lighter color, slightly higher solubility, lower water and fat absorption and emulsifying capacities compared with separate precipitation of the oil-seed proteins. The whipping properties decreased in the coprecipitate isolate but increased in the coprecipitate concentrate of soybean and cottonseed. Compared with a commercial soy isolate, all coprecipitates had lower solubility, emulsifying and whipping capacities but equivalent water and fat absorption capacities.
Distribution, activity, life-history and standing crop of Julidae (Diplopoda, Myriapoda) in the Central High Alps (Tyrol, Austria)*

The research area includes subalpine meadows, alder communities, dwarf-shrub heaths, lichen heaths and highalpine meadows (1960 m–3090 m a.s.l.). The material consists of 4419 Julidae (31.6% adult) collected by extraction of litter samples (66.4%), in pitfall traps (26.3%) and by handsampling (7.3%). Cylindroiulus meinerti (Verhoeff) only occurred below 2000 m; Leptoiulus saltuvagus (Verhoeff) was mainly found at Alnus viridis sites; Leptoiulus simplex (Verhoeff) had its main distribution in the lichen heath (2200-2300 m); Ommatoiulus sabulosus (L.) was found most frequently in the subalpine meadow and Leptoiulus alemannicus (Verhoeff) occurred up to 2800 m without any altitudinal concentration. Adults of L. saltuvagus showed only one distinct activity peak in September, those of L. simplex were diplochronous (June/September) and O. sabulosus summer stenochronous (July). L. saltuvagus reached maturity in stage IX (only males), X or XI after four or five Years. In their first year of growth the members of a generation reached the third or fourth stage, in the second year the sixth or seventh, in the third year the eighth or ninth. Females could carry full-sized eggs in the autumn of the fourth year in the tenth stage or in the fifth year in stage eleven. Apparently eggs may be laid in spring of the fifth or sixth year. Overwintering density of L saltuvagus in alder litter was found to be 215.6 ± 38.7 inds m−2, the mean biomass 1.16 g m−2(max. 1.88 g m−2). Mean annual production during the growth period of 4-5 months was in the order of 0.85 g m−2 (max. 1.36 g m−2).
The Grecian anomalous blue Polyommatus (Agrodiaetus) aroaniensis (Brown, 1976) (Lepidoptera: Lycaneidae) discovered in Croatia, at the north-western edge of its distribution

In 2014 and 2015, a survey to improve the knowledge about the distribution of butterflies of the subgenus Polyommatus (Agrodiaetus) was carried out in southern Croatia. The first observations of a new species for the country, P. aroaniensis, were made. These localities present the northwesternmost points of the species distribution, with the closest known population occurring in Bosnia and Herzegovina. New localities for the three species, P. admetus, P. damon, and P. ripartii, were also recorded, extending the range of the latter two species. Our findings increase the number of recorded butterfly species in Croatia to 197.
Museum learning: a study of motivation and learning achievement

According to Reinmann-Rothmeier and Mandl (2001), learning environments should provide an ideal balance between constructivist and instructive elements. Most interesting for constructivist learning processes is the combination of the cognitive and the motivational domain. In an empirical study with 207 fifth-graders of the highest stratification level, we evaluated three different approaches to the learning process based on a visit to the Natural History Museum in Berlin: the three approaches were principally characterised by closed, open and mixed tasks. One objective of our study was to as-sess learning achieved through the visit and the effect of different treatments. Another goal was to evaluate the motivation of the three treatment groups. We conducted a pre/post-test study with follow-up measurement. The test instruments consisted of 26 open and closed questions in the cognitive domain and a further 12 items (subdivided into four subsections) for measuring motivation according to self-determination theory. In contrast to our hypotheses based on constructivist theories, open tasks were less successful for gaining knowledge and less intrinsically motivating.