Straight Relationship Research Articles

Investigation of inlet flow influenced on the first rotor flow instability at blade non-synchronous vibration state

Multistage axial compressor first stage rotor blades have occurred non-synchronous vibration (NSV). An experiment, including fluid and structure measurements, is adopted at the NSV occurred conditions to conduct a detailed investigation about NSV and rotating instability. The blade vibration stress was obtained from the strain gauges. High-frequency response two-hole pressure probes captured the flow characteristics at the inlet and outlet of the first stage rotor. NSV has a complex aerodynamic disturbance source. Wavelet and frequency spectrum analyses of pressure and blade stress results were utilized to determine the relationship between the blade vibration and the flow field. The inlet flow angle has been adjusted through the inlet guide vane (IGV) to reduce the vibration intensity. This paper revealed the aerodynamic origin behind this adjustment of IGV angle operation. The yaw angle and the axial direction March number at the first stage rotor inlet at different inlet guide vane (IGV) angles revealed the aerodynamic effect. Three operation points, including the maximum stress point and near surge point, are analyzed to broaden the cognition boundary of the NSV. The time and space characteristics of the rotating instabilities have been studied with the azimuthal mode analysis method. This research confirmed that the enlarged inlet incidence angle and the tip flow worsened caused the first stage rotor non-synchronous vibration in this multistage axial compressor. These experiments help find a straight relationship between the NSV and rotating instability.

Risk Aversion and Entrepreneurial financing Behavior in presence of Self-Efficacy and Cultural Values

Risk aversion is adopted as a valuable and workable access to understand the capitalist financing behaviour. Other variables also have been widely examined to check the results on entrepreneurial financing behavior. Yet, how risk aversion affects entrepreneurial financing behavior with mediating effect of self-efficacy and moderating effects of living style values. The basic aim of this paper to build the integrated model, based on mediating effect of self-efficacy to examine the straight and un-straight result of risk aversion on capitalist financing behavior. In last paper first author uses demographic analysis to study and underlying the mediating force of self-efficacy and moderating effects of cultural values. Then implement correlation and regression analysis to explore the relationship of the variables. In this struggle 371 survey responses gathered from business degree students to show the analysis. The mediating effect of self-efficacy is directly and positively linked with entrepreneurial financing behavior. There is a straight relationship and un-straight relationship of risk hatred and entrepreneurial financing behavior also exists through the mediation effect of self-efficacy. Doubling the value of this sample size can be selected from various educational backgrounds to enhance the significance of this survey. Risk aversion is directly acting upon the entrepreneurial financing behavior.

Effect of Alga Gelidium sp. Flour Extract on Lipid Damage Evolution in Heated Fish Muscle System.

This research aimed to evaluate the antioxidant properties of flour obtained from red alga Gelidium sp., which is underutilised nowadays in food applications. Thus, a model system consisting of minced mackerel (Scomber scombrus) muscle and aqueous flour extract was subjected to heating treatment (50 °C) for 11 days. Resulting levels on conjugated diene (CD) and triene (CT) contents, peroxide value, thiobarbituric acid index, and fluorescent compound and free fatty acid (FFA) formation were monitored at different heating times. As a result, the presence of the aqueous extract of the alga flour led to higher levels (p < 0.05) of primary lipid oxidation compounds (CD and CT assessment) and lipid hydrolysis (FFA content). Contrarily, alga flour addition led to lower (p < 0.05) fluorescent compound formation measured in the aqueous and organic fractions resulting from the lipid extraction of the fish muscle and in the supernatant medium corresponding to the heating reaction system. All effects were found to be more important (p < 0.05) with increased alga flour concentration and heating reacting time. According to the straight relationship between the interaction compound formation and nutritional and sensory values, this study opens the way to the quality enhancement of thermally treated seafood by the addition of flour extract from Gelidium sp.

Pterodon pubescens Benth (sucupira) microencapsulation influence on formulation stability outcome compared to non-encapsulated extract

Pterodon pubescens Benth is a Brazilian native species, used in folk medicine for chronic pain relief. The anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antiproliferative activities attributed to the species have a straight relationship with vouacapans (furanditerpenes) and geranylgeraniol (acyclic diterpenes), identified in P. pubescens extracts. Nevertheless, scarce reports are found on product development and stability studies containing this species. This gap prompted the stability outcome evaluation of carbomer-940 gel-based formulations containing P. pubescens microencapsulated extract compared to non-encapsulated extract reported herein. Seeds were extracted with dichloromethane providing 46.6% (w/w) crude extract yield. Phytochemical markers were monitored by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD) and Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Detection (GC-MS) using the vouacapans 1:1 ratio isomers 6α-hydroxy-7β-acetoxy-vouacapan-17β-oate methyl ester and 6α-acetoxy-7β-hydroxy-vouacapan-17β-oate methyl ester for quantification and identification purposes. Spray-dried microcapsules were produced with cashew gum as wall material with structure confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and size distribution by light scattering parameters. The particles presented a bimodal size distribution ranging from 0.2 to 500 μm, vouacapans content and encapsulation efficiency of 55.6% and 44.4% respectively, with an overall spray-drying yield of 82.6% (w/w). The formulation containing microencapsulated extract did not achieve an acceptable outcome under test condition, with further studies needed for optimization. Nevertheless, the gel containing 2.5% (w/v) of non-encapsulated extract stored at 25 °C protected from light presented the best results within 180 days in stability study. P. pubescens incorporation maintained rheological properties with better performance when exposed to light during storage time compared to the gel base formulation. The formulation delivered vouacapans throughout a synthetic membrane. This formulation is the first step to achieve a novel topical gel-based product containing P. pubescens beneficial activities.

Relação entre Motivação Acadêmica e o Estresse Percebido: um estudo com discentes de Ciências Contábeis

Objetivo: investigar a relação entre a motivação acadêmica e o estresse percebido em graduandos do curso de Ciências Contábeis.Método: realizou-se a aplicação de um questionário aos estudantes do curso de Ciências Contábeis de uma instituição pública brasileira, obteve-se uma amostra de 404 respondentes. O questionário contemplou a Escala de Motivação Acadêmica, que foi analisada a partir da análise fatorial, possibilitando identificar os fatores motivacionais e a Escala de Estresse Percebido, que possibilitou identificar uma pontuação de estresse que foi separada em quatro níveis. Para testar a relação investigada utilizou-se um modelo de regressão linear, o qual considerou os fatores motivacionais e pontuação do estresse.Originalidade/Relevância: o estudo relaciona o estresse e a motivação, duas variáveis que já foram apontadas como fatores que podem afetar a trajetória acadêmica, porém haviam sido investigadas nos cursos de Ciências Contábeis de maneira isolada.Resultados: verificou-se a existência de relação direta do estresse com a desmotivação e dois grupos da motivação extrínseca (motivação introjetada e motivação identificada) e em contraposto identificou-se relação inversa com a motivação intrínseca. Além do mais identificou-se maior nível de estresse em estudantes do sexo feminino.Contribuições teóricas/metodológicas: o estudo traz contribuições ao evidenciar que a motivação, a depender do seu tipo, pode afetar positivamente ou negativamente o nível de estresse dos discentes de Ciências Contábeis. Assim, ao considerar as características de cada grupo motivacional, entende-se que os achados da pesquisa corroboram a Teoria da Autodeterminação e estudos anteriores, e enfatizam a importância do acompanhamento dos discentes durante a graduação.

Composition, structure and productivity of the herbaceous vegetation of five forest stands varying in soil moisture and nitrogen in Central Himalaya, India

Herb layer contributes significantly to the species diversity of forest ecosystem and reacts rapidly to changes in the soil characteristics. Composition, structural parameters and productivity of the herbaceous vegetation of five forest stands in the Central Himalaya of India, situated at Nainital district of Uttarakhand, India were investigated. At each site, 1 ha plot was established and herbaceous vegetation was analysed by placing 30 random quadrats of 50x50 cm at each site. To determine the soil moisture and soil nitrogen, soil samples were collected from each site and analysed in the laboratory. The aim of the present investigation was to comprehend the dependency among herb density, diversity, biomass, soil moisture and total soil nitrogen. Results showed that chosen sites contrasted in terms of soil moisture, total soil nitrogen, herbaceous diversity, and biomass. In this study, 70 genera, 73 species from 31 families of herbs were recorded. Total number of herbaceous species recorded in the stands varied from 28 (PI and HG) to 50 (TA).Total individuals of all herb species were 110, 114,141, 164 and 188 plants m-2 in RU, HG, PI, BP and TA forest stands, respectively. Index of similarity and species turnover ranged from 34.48 to 62.50 and 0.31 to 0.54 respectively. Herb density, diversity and biomass showed positive correlation with soil moisture and soil nitrogen. These findings suggested that the soil moisture and nitrogen enhanced the herbaceous diversity by ameliorating soil conditions. This study also demonstrated a straight relationship between herbaceous diversity and biomass indicating the significance of species diversity for ample generation of biomass in forest ecosystem.

GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLICATIONS OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19).

ABSTRACT Background: It is currently understood that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) directly enters target cells by binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. Accordingly, tissues with high expression levels of ACE2 are more susceptible to infection, including pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells, small intestine enterocytes, cholangiocytes, and vascular endothelial cells. Considering the atypical manifestations of COVID-19 and the challenges of early diagnosis, this review addresses the possible gastrointestinal complications of the disease. Method: The phrase “Gastrointestinal complication of COVID” was searched in the PubMed, Medline, and SciELO databases. Due to the heterogeneity of the studies included in the present review, a narrative synthesis of the available qualitative data was performed. Result: The literature search retrieved 28 articles, primarily case reports and case series, for the qualitative analysis of gastrointestinal complications of COVID-19, in addition to two retrospective cohort and one case-control. The studies focused on hemorrhagic, thrombotic, ischemic, and perforation complications, in addition to acute pancreatitis and pneumatosis intestinalis. Conclusion: There is a straight relationship between high expression levels of ACE2 in the gastrointestinal tract and its greater susceptibility to direct infection by SARS-CoV-2. So, it is important to consider the gastrointestinal infection manifestations for early diagnosis and treatment trying to avoid more serious complications and death.

МЕТОД ДИАГНОСТИКИ ХРОНИЧЕСКОЙ ДЫХАТЕЛЬНОЙ НЕДОСТАТОЧНОСТИ У ПАЦИЕНТОВ С ХРОНИЧЕСКОЙ ОБСТРУКТИВНОЙ БОЛЕЗНЬЮ ЛЕГКИХ, ОСНОВАННЫЙ НА ПРИНЦИПАХ НАГРУЗОЧНОГО ТЕСТИРОВАНИЯ С ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕМ ПУЛЬСОКСИМЕТРИЧЕСКОЙ СИСТЕМЫ

In the article chronic lung failure method of diagnostics in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients based on computer pulse oximetry during stress testing (6-walking test and bicycle ergometer test) is given. The sensitivity and the specificity of method of diagnostics with ROC-analisis is assessed. As it's identified, bicycle ergometer test use allows to increase the informativeness of lung failure degree diagnostics due to identification of COPD persons without lung failure. Different degrees of lung failure are identified in 70% COPD patients using developed method of lung failure degree diagnostics. Sever degree of lung failure is revealed in 56% COPD patients. Lung failure degree that can decrease domestic stress testing tolerance and can get worse the quality of life is revealed in 56% COPD patients. The moderate straight relationship between lung failure degrees and severity lung failure classes and COPD exacerbation risk groups is detected.

Прояв і мінливість біометричних ознак у ліній–батьківських компонентів та гібридів кукурудзи за використання різних генетичних плазм при зрошенні

Прояв і мінливість біометричних ознак у ліній–батьківських компонентів та гібридів кукурудзи за використання різних генетичних плазм при зрошенні

A New Nano Design for Implementation of a Digital Comparator Based on Quantum-Dot Cellular Automata

Quantum-dot is the result of elastic relaxation which has a straight relationship with the optical and electronic aspects of the quantum-dot-based devices. In nanotechnologies, Quantum-dot Cellular Automata (QCA) is a perfect transistor-less computation method where it tries to create general computation at the nanoscale with better switching frequency and enhanced scale integration to overcome the scaling shortfalls of CMOS technology. In this technology, binary information is represented based on the distribution of electron configuration in chemical molecules. Also, the comparator is the essential component in digital circuits, which takes two binary numbers as input and implements their resemblance. In this paper, a 1-bit comparator architecture in an optimized and efficient manner is suggested to bring a new phase of comparator circuit based on QCA, and then a novel 2-bit comparator structure is offered. The simulation and functionality of proposed comparators have been examined by the QCAdesigner tool, and comparison with formerly designs shows a high degree of compactness and consistent performance of proposed designs. Proposed 1-bit and 2-bit QCA comparators exhibit a delay of 0.75 and 2.75 clock cycle, occupy an active area of 0.04 and 0.19 μm2, and use 31 and 125 QCA cells, respectively.

An Ethanolic Extract of Boehmeria caudata Aerial Parts Displays Anti-inflammatory and Anti-tumor Activities

AbstractThe tumor microenvironment presents several therapeutic targets, with inflammation being one of them. In search of new drugs, plants have shown to be an effective source of potent anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents. This study aimed to evaluate the antitumoral and inflammatory activities of Boehmeria caudata aerial parts extract. Bioguided in vitro antiproliferative screening showed that phenanthroquinolizidine obtained from the aerial B. caudata ethanolic extract had a straight relationship with activity. Moreover, the orally administered ethanolic extract reduced Ehrlich solid tumor growth and displayed an anti-inflammatory effect in both evaluated experimental models (carrageenan-induced paw edema and croton oil-induced ear edema). These results suggest that the antitumor activity of the ethanolic extract could be explained by antiproliferative effects associated with anti-inflammatory action.

A specific, rapid and high-throughput cascade catalytic method for determination of plasma uric acid by using uricase and trivalent peroxidase-mimicking DNAzyme

Abstract In this study, we report a facile and cost-effective system for selective measurement of uric acid (UA) using a cascade mechanism composed of Uricase and peroxidase-mimicking trivalent DNAzyme. A three G-quadruplex-hemin complex was engaged as the peroxidase-mimicking DNAzyme. In this cascade catalysis system, UA was oxidized by uricase to produce hydrogen peroxide, which was also acted as a substrate for the oxidation of 3, 3′, 5, 5′ tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) by a peroxidase-mimicking trivalent DNAzyme. TMB oxidation showed a straight relationship with UA concentration. The cascade catalysis system displayed high selectivity toward UA because of the natural selectivity of uricase. This cascade uric acid sensing system revealed the best activity at 30 °C and pH 7.0, which indicated its capacity to uric acid sensing near physiological conditions. The linear regression equation for UA was quantified as A = 0.0072C + 0.0197, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9906. Results suggested that this system could identify as low as 0.66 μM of uric acid with a linear range from 2.5 to 40 μM. Results exhibited that the interfering public components had no noticeable absorbance values. Overall, these results indicated that this facile system would be valuable for uric acid measurement in the medical laboratory.

Sulfur dioxide: Behaviour and trends at the industrial city of Araucaria/Brazil

Introduction: It is known that the levels of sulfur dioxide have a close rela- tionship to the industrial emissions and they are also related to the climate, but it’s dispersion its mainly caused by the wind dynamics. The goal of this paper is to analyze the behaviour of this compound in two stations at Araucária city, in the state of Paraná, Southern Brazil, the city which is located in the indus- trial zone of Curitiba, the capital of the state. Materials and methods: Measurements of SO2 were done in two monitoring stations in different regions of the city; one was located in the industrial zone and the other one was a residential zone. A basic statistical treatment was per- formed the R, which includes the construction of time series plots, histograms and analysis of SO2 levels and wind direction. The Theil-Sen trend estimator was applied on both time series in order to understand the past and present behaviour of the pollutant. Results: The analysis of wind and SO2 levels revealed a straight relationship between the location of the industrial zone and air pollution. The trend calcu- lation revealed for both stations, similar situations, in which the sulfur dioxide levels are decreasing. Conclusion: During this research, it was possible to notice that there is an environmental problem on the suburbs of the city with a direct result from urban growth and the lack of planning for the suburban areas. This study reinforces the importance of urban planning policies as well as monitoring and fiscalization

Protein Engineering of a Metalloprotease in Order to Improve Organic Solvents Stability and Activity

Recently, improve the protease activity in the presence of organic solvents has been appreciated for the researchers. In the current study, we have tried to increase the organic solvent stability of salinovibrio proteolyticus protease (SVP) by site-directed mutagenesis. Five variants were constructed to substitute the surface charged, and polar amino acid residues in SVP with hydrophobic ones (T21V, Y23V, K30P, D25P and N248G) to examine the outcome of surface hydrophobicity on the enzyme efficiency in the presence of organic solvent. The catalytic efficiency of Y23V and N248G mutants not only increased about 1.8 and 2.6 folds in DMF and methanol but also increased it about 3.8 and 5.0 folds in isopropanol and n-propanol, compared to SVP. ∆∆G‡ values of Y23V and N248G variants, increased about 6.5 and 9.5 kcal mol−1 in DMF and methanol, and it improved about 13.6 and 16.6 kcal mol−1 in isopropanol and n-propanol, respectively. These results show that irreversible thermoinactivation rate of protease has a straight relationship with hydrophobicity of organic solvents.

PERUBAHAN SIFAT FISIKO-KIMIAWI SELAMA PROSES FERMENTASI BIJI KAKAO SEGAR

Cocoa is a plantation commodity that requires fermentation to improve the quality of flavor and aroma. Research on changes in physical and chemical properties during the spontaneous fermentation process of fresh cocoa beans for weight scales of 20, 40 and 60 kg have been carried out. This study aims to obtain information as an indicator of the success rate of the fermentation process of fresh cocoa beans, both on a small and large scale. The fermentation process lasts for 6 days with stirring starting on the second day until the sixth day, with an interval of 24 hours. The study design uses a randomized block design method (RBD) with two factors, namely the weight scale of seeds per box and fermentation time with three replications. The data obtained were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Based on the observed parameter indicators, namely temperature, pH and total acid, there was no significant difference in the profile of the physico-chemical properties during the fermentation process between the three weight scale levels. The physico-chemical condition shows a straight relationship with the quality of fermented cocoa beans, in accordance with the results of the cut test.

DuinoBlocks4Kids: Utilizando Tecnologia Livre e Materiais de Baixo Custo para o Exercício do Pensamento Computacional no Ensino Fundamental I por meio do Aprendizado de Programação Aliado à Robótica Educacional

Este artigo apresenta um estudo de caso sobre o desenvolvimento do Pensamento Computacional em crianças do Ensino Fundamental I, através do aprendizado de programação por meio da Robótica Educacional, fazendo-se uso exclusivamente de tecnologia livre e materiais recicláveis e de baixo custo. Busca-se também levantar hipóteses acerca da existência de uma relação direta entre certas características cognitivas de crianças com idade entre 8 e 10 anos (tais como a habilidade de sequenciar eventos ou ideias, a habilidade de realizar operações mentais a partir de experiências concretas, dentre outras) e a habilidade para realizar determinadas atividades relacionadas ao aprendizado de programação de computadores. Os resultados observados indicam (a partir do uso de um kit didático desenvolvido para a realização deste estudo) a possibilidade de desenvolvimento das seguintes habilidades do Pensamento Computacional: capacidade de abstração, compreensão de fluxos de controle, depuração e detecção sistemática de erros, pensamento iterativo, uso da lógica condicional e decomposição de problemas. No tocante às investigações relacionadas à maturidade cognitiva, foram encontrados indícios da existência de uma relação direta entre as características cognitivas analisadas e a realização de determinadas tarefas ligadas à programação de computadores, como o desenvolvimento de programas puramente sequenciais e a compreensão da ideia de processamento.

Frailty in patients admitted to hospital for acute coronary syndrome: when, how and why?

Frailty is an issue of paramount importance for cardiologists, because of the aging of patients admitted to hospital for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and the straight relationship between aging and frailty. Several tools have been provided in this setting, in order to objectively assess frailty status, but important questions are still unsolved. There are conflicting data about a unique definition of frailty in subjects with cardiovascular diseases, the timing to perform a frailty evaluation in the context of an acute myocardial infarction, the mean to assess frailty in these patients and the usefulness of the information derived from the frailty assessment. Frailty results from the analysis of several items and a multidomain evaluation including laboratory values, clinical data and physical performance assessment is required for a comprehensive frailty assessment. However, regardless of the frailty tool, the prevalence of frailty in older ACS patients is high and it could add important information to the decision-making process about invasive strategy, the multivessel disease management, dual antiplatelet therapy and secondary prevention programs. The present overview tries to summarize the current knowledge about the definition and prevalence of frailty in older adults admitted to hospital for ACS, suggesting how frailty assessment may improve the management of older ACS patients.

CORRELATION OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA AND ARTERIAL STIFFNESS AS CARDIOLOGIC RISK FACTORS

Objective: The presence of hypertension is a very well stabilished risk factor for the development of future cardiovascular complications, such as AMI and stroke. Recent data suggest a strong association of arterial stiffness as a new risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The presence of obstructive sleep apnea has a strong association with hypertension, especially on those with resistant hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of obstructive sleep apnea and arterial stiffness as risk factors for future cardiovascular events in a population of patientes at a hypertension clinic. Design and method: We evaluated 14 patients at a private hypertension clinic using a home sleep test with a class 3 device type Resmed Apnealink Plus and an office assessment of arterial stiffness with Mobil O’Graph device and registered pulse wave velocity and Augmentation Index @75bpm. to observe the coexistence of obstructive sleep apnea and elevated pulse wave analyses, probably due to increased arterial stiffness. The data were analysed, including a subanalyses of the population according to BMI sex, and age. Results: The group consisted of 14 patients. 21,4% were female, with age ranging from 33 to 80 years old (average of 55,13 +−13). The average BMI was 28,9 +−5. 4 patients had mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), 5 had moderate OSA and 5 had severe OSA. 8 patients had type 2 D. mellitus. The mean pulse wave velocity was 8,05+−1,7, ranging from 5,8 to 11,4 m/s. The mean systolic central arterial pressure was 131,2 +−15 mmHg and 84,8 +−15 mmHg for diastolic central arterial pressure. In the subgroup with severe sleep obstructive apnea, the mean pulse wave analysis was 8,52 and apneia-hipopneia index was 49,6. There was no straight relationship of elevated apneia-hipopneia index and increased pulse wave velocity, representing increased arterial stiffness, including in the subgroup of diabetec patients. Conclusions: Despite the presence of obstructive sleep apnea and increased arterial stiffness are both considered strong predictors of cardiovascular events, we found no correlation between these 2 findings in the studied population at the same time.

Investigation of the changes in the expression levels of MOZ gene in colorectal cancer tissues.

MOZ is one of the most important histone acetyltransferases (HATs) that has an effective role in gene expression. It is an important partner in chromosomal rearrangement that usually occurs in hematological malignancies such as leukemia. Besides these malignancies, its role in solid tumors has been reported. In the present study, we aimed to quantify of MOZ messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues from a northwest population of Iran and consequently to assess the effect of MOZ in CRC. Tumorous and adjacent non-tumorous tissues recruited from 26 patients with CRC. mRNA extraction and complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis were performed from these tissues, at the next step quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was carried out. Finally, expression levels were statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 24.0 software and independent t-test. Statistical significance was considered as P≤0.05. The results showed significantly higher expression of MOZ in the majority of CRC tissues compared to normal colorectal tissues (P=0.048). There were no significant correlations between expression levels of MOZ and clinical parameters of patients (P>0.05). Our data showed that dysregulation of MOZ is potentially involved in the pathogenesis of CRC and we could suggest that there is a straight relationship between tumor formation and MOZ expression. These results showed possible role of MOZ as a prognostic factor in the said population.

Feeding Habits of Spot-Bellied Salamander &lt;i&gt;Salamandra infraimmaculata semenovi&lt;/i&gt; (Nesterov, 1916) Based on Examination of Three Populations from Zagros Mountains, Western Iran (Caudata: Salamandridae)

Feeding habits in three populations of fire salamander, Salamandra infraimmaculata semenovi have been studied at Zagros Mountains in western part of Iran, Kurdistan and Kermanshah provinces. Adult individuals underwent stomach flushing were applied to in June and September 2014. All three populations consumed 107 prey items from nine taxa categories. Inorganic elements and vegetal maters also were found in stomach contents. The results show that Coleoptera and Homoptera hold highest and lowest percentage abundance food contents of all populations respectively. There are significance differences between the feeding habits of three populations. The most consumption and highest feeding diversity were registered in the steep slope of valley with permanent slow water fall, surrounded with humid soil that covered with carious plants so the salamanders can feed massively in this area. Also results show that the larger salamander (distinguished with SVL) consumed a significantly higher diversity and amount of prey items than smaller individuals so the adult size can affects S. i. semenovi hunting behavior. The findings also suggest that fire salamander has seasonal fluctuation in food items both by the number and variation. In June, salamanders consumed significantly higher diversity and amount of prey items. There is a straight relationship between gender of salamanders and their food habits. Females consumed significantly higher diversity and amount of prey items. Our study highlights the importance of preserving aquatic habitats as well as terrestrial areas because some feeding items (Gastropoda and Trichoptera) spend their life cycle in water.