► The mirror neuron system sub-serves both motor imagery and action observation. ► Both motor imagery and action observation play a role in motor learning. ► In this study we compared these ...strategies in learning a novel complex motor task. ► Action observation revealed better than motor imagery as a motor learning strategy. ► This is relevant in educational activities, sport training and neurorehabilitation.
Both motor imagery and action observation have been shown to play a role in learning or re-learning complex motor tasks. According to a well accepted view they share a common neurophysiological basis in the mirror neuron system. Neurons within this system discharge when individuals perform a specific action and when they look at another individual performing the same or a motorically related action. In the present paper, after a short review of literature on the role of action observation and motor imagery in motor learning, we report the results of a kinematics study where we directly compared motor imagery and action observation in learning a novel complex motor task. This involved movement of the right hand and foot in the same angular direction (in-phase movement), while at the same time moving the left hand and foot in an opposite angular direction (anti-phase movement), all at a frequency of 1Hz. Motor learning was assessed through kinematics recording of wrists and ankles. The results showed that action observation is better than motor imagery as a strategy for learning a novel complex motor task, at least in the fast early phase of motor learning. We forward that these results may have important implications in educational activities, sport training and neurorehabilitation.
A mild solar drying process on melon slices was carried out. During the whole process, Near InfraRed (NIR) spectra (900–1700 nm) were collected continuously in reflectance mode using a portable ...spectrometer (Viavi Solutions). Samplings were performed for the determination of weight, moisture content (MC), water activity (a
w
) and colour. Partial least square (PLS) regressions showed good prediction ability for MC, a
w
and colour parameters: MC:
R
2
CV
= 0.99; RMSECV = 2.49%; a
w
:
R
2
CV
= 0.97; RMSECV = 0.03;
a
*:
R
2
CV
= 0.91; RMSECV = 1.13;
b
*:
R
2
CV
= 0.86; RMSECV = 2.49;
C
*:
R
2
CV
= 0.87; RMSECV = 2.52; total colour difference:
R
2
CV
= 0.85; RMSECV = 1.77; Browning Index:
R
2
CV
= 0.86; RMSECV = 11.00. Ratio Performance in Deviation values higher than 3 for MC and a
w
models allowed their use for the estimation of such parameters’ pattern along the process, providing satisfactory predictions. These preliminary data suggested the potential applicability of NIR spectroscopy in monitoring the dehydration process.
Restoration of wild plant populations in a changing environment is not a simple task, and it becomes increasingly complex and challenging in the context of climate change. In the present study, a ...spatiotemporal approach was used to delimit provisional seed transfer zones (STZs), for restoration activities involving two wild perennial grasses in Argentina. Ecogeographical land characterization maps were built specifically for the two species of Trichloris genus for the present bioclimatic conditions to define the different STZs; then, they were projected for two future climate scenarios (2050 and 2070). This allowed us to identify populations occurring in cells that underwent changes in ecogeographical categories, potential future beneficiaries of germplasm, and populations that could be used as corresponding source populations under the present conditions. Finally, the conservation status of populations was surveyed and a germplasm collection for future restoration activities was proposed. For the 2050 scenario, for Trichloris crinita, 32 potential beneficiary populations belonging to nine changing categories were identified, whereas for Trichloris pluriflora, four changing categories determined seven beneficiary populations. The number of changing categories and, consequently, the beneficiary populations increased in the 2070 scenario in both species. Several potential seed source populations are already stored in Argentine germplasm banks, but there is little representation of potential beneficiary populations. Spatial locations of still non‐conserved populations, both seed sources and beneficiaries, were prioritized for future germplasm collecting missions. This novel approach used for Trichloris spp. can also be adopted for other species for collection and/or restoration purposes in the light of climate change.
The aim of this work was to explore the feasibility of time-resolved reflectance spectroscopy (TRS) in determining the ripening degree and the quality of orange-fleshed melons. Sixty ‘Honey Moon’ ...melons were measured by TRS in the 540-1064 nm range and classified as less (LeM), medium (MeM), and more (MoM) mature according to increasing values of μa540. MoM fruit showed yellower peel color, slightly more orange pulp, higher juiciness and higher carotenoid contents than LeM ones. MoM fruit also showed higher internal ethylene concentration and lower firmness than LeM ones, even if the differences were not significant. The μa540 was positively related to internal ethylene, carotenoid accumulation, and juiciness, indicating that μa540 was linked to different ripening processes in melons. However, the relationship between μa540 and total carotenoid content was not as high as expected due to the low variability of pulp color and of carotenoid content. Changes in flesh color toward a more orange shade were accompanied by increased juiciness and ethylene production and by carotenoid accumulation, while changes in peel color were associated with changes in flesh firmness and juiciness. In conclusion, the absorption coefficient measured at 540 nm (μa540) by TRS could be used to sort melons in different ripening degrees; however, its applicability will need to be evaluated on a larger number of fruits and on other varieties.
The natural areas of the Coastal Plain of Rio Grande do Sul (CPRS) have suffered fragmentation due to anthropic action. The faunal surveys offer a low-cost method to quickly evaluate environmental ...alterations, and Syrphidae flies are often used as models in this kind of study. We aimed to ascertain the diversity of Syrphidae in the South region of Brazil by estimating its species' richness, and to use this data to identify new areas for conservation. In this survey Malaise traps were installed for 8 days in the CPRS, which was divided into five regions. Each region was subdivided into seven collecting areas and each of those areas received four traps, totaling 140 traps. A total of 456 Syrphidae individuals from 18 genera and 49 species were collected. In Region 1, there were nine exclusive species; in Region 2, there were three; in Region 3, there were 13, ten of which came from Estação Ecológica do Taim (ESEC Taim). In the Individual-based rarefaction analysis, Region 1 possessed the largest number of expected species out of the regions in the CPRS; we found 97% of these species. This insect collection effort, as one of the first in the CPRS, has broadened the known geographic distributions of 11 species of Syrphidae, and also indicated areas to be conserved. Additionally, it gave support for expanding ESEC Taim and creating new areas of conservation in Region 1, in Arroio Pelotas and Arroio Corrientes.
Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a toxic undesirable compound in milk. AFM1 affinity for caseins causes a concentration effect during milk process for dairy transformation. In spite of this, no official method ...of analysis, nor maximum tolerance level for aflatoxin M1 in cheese have been established. Thus, the aim of this work was to test the suitability of different HPLC methods for the AFM1 quantification in soft cheese samples at three different contamination levels (low, medium and high, at respectively nearly 30, 100 and 250
ng/kg). Nine participants were selected among Italian laboratories accredited by the Italian accreditation body (ACCREDIA) for HPLC toxin analysis. They were asked to analyze samples applying the method routinely used. The different applied methods were compared, and precision and accuracy parameters were evaluated. The main differences among HPLC procedures were registered at the level of extraction step. The use of an enzymatic digestion for the extraction of the toxin from cheese seemed to be particularly advantageous and the use of immunoaffinity columns seemed to be determinant for the improvement of sensitivity at low contamination levels. In general, the applied methods well discriminated the 3 levels of contamination, even though they performed better at the medium and high concentration levels (100 and 250
ng/kg) than at the low one (30
ng/kg). In fact relative standard deviation for reproducibility at low level was higher (60.1%) than the same value at medium and high levels (22.8% and 28.9%, respectively).
Late Pleistocene and Holocene palaeoenvironmental changes were studied in four gravity cores up to 7.8 m long from the Pennell Trough, a NW–SE-trending basin 160 km long and 60 km wide in the central ...Ross Sea, Antarctica, with depths occasionally greater than 600 m. Differences in environments and depositional processes during the last glacial and postglacial epochs were investigated using X-rays and volume magnetic susceptibility (VMS). Further analyses included bulk and clay mineral composition, micropalaeontological studies (both benthic and planktic foraminifera) and radiometric dating. We compare our sedimentological, geochemical (organic carbon and nitrogen content), and geotechnical (shear strength and water content) results to those on cores previously taken from the region. These analyses suggest that prior to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), a glacial marine diamicton (<
37,000 yr BP uncorrected age) was deposited across the basin from beneath an expanded Ross ice shelf that was grounded on the basin flanks. Sediment gravity flow deposits (27,000–21,000 yr BP uncorrected ages) that overlie the diamicton in the deepest part of the southernmost area of the basin are interpreted to have been deposited during the Last Glacial Maximum (∼18,000 yr BP) as remobilized subglacial diamicton from the flanks of the basin, initiated by the movement of grounded ice. These sediments are followed by a period of non-deposition caused by basin starvation after retreat of the grounding line of Ross Sea ice far to the south. As a consequence, terrigenous supply was limited, and the persistence of floating shelf ice followed by multi-year sea-ice coverage inhibited the biogenic activity. During the Holocene, as climate became warmer, summer open-sea conditions began to dominate, leading to the deposition of a thin diatomaceous mud/ooze draping the basin.
We performed an archaeometric study of the ceramic materials from the facade of the church of Santa Maria del Carmine in Pavia (Italy). We obtained useful information about the firing temperatures, ...the provenance of raw materials and the type of oven used. The ceramics used in the facade are mineralogically rich in quartz, feldspar and phyllosilicates, and newly formed calcium silicate phases were detected in some samples. Microtextural observations revealed the presence of incipient reaction rims, phyllosilicate sintering and partial vitrification of the matrix. Ceramics show high porosity (32 to 45%) and pore sizes of between 0.4 and 1.3 pm. Our study of the different types of decay collected on the facade of the church (green and black patinas and efflorescences) revealed the presence of gypsum, whewellite, thenardite and moolooite.
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