Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sex Differences in Foetal Biometry, New-born Size and Birth Outcome

Abstract This retrospective study analyses sex differences in foetal biometry from the 1st trimester onwards, and sexual dimorphism in newborn size of 4260 singleton term births taking place at the Viennese Danube hospital between 2005 and 2013. Crown-rump length was determined at the 11th to 12th week, biparietal diameter, fronto-occipital diameter, head circumference, abdominal transverse diameter, abdominal anterior-posterior diameter, abdominal circumference and femur length were determined at the 20th or 21st gestational week and at the 32nd or 33rd week of gestation. Immediately after birth, birthweight, birth length and head circumference were taken, the Apgar scores 1, 5 and 10 minutes after birth were determined. Significant sex differences were found from the first trimester onwards. With exception of femur length, male foetuses exhibited always the significantly larger dimensions. At the time of birth, male newborns were significantly larger and heavier than their female counterparts. Sex had an independent impact on foetal biometry and newborn size.
Insect Resistance Management: Biology Economics and Prediction

Insects, mites, and ticks have a long history of evolving resistance to pesticides, host-plant resistance, crop rotation, pathogens, and parasitoids. Insect resistance management (IRM) is the scientific approach to preventing or delaying pest evolution and its negative impacts on agriculture, public health, and veterinary issues. This book provides entomologists, pest management practitioners, developers of new technologies, and regulators with information about the many kinds of pest resistance including behavioral and phenological resistance. Abstract concepts and various case studies provide the reader with the biological and economic knowledge required to manage resistance. No other source has the breadth of coverage of this book: genomics to economics, transgenic insecticidal crops, insecticides, and other pest management tactics such as crop rotation.Dr. David W. Onstad and a team of experts illustrate how IRM becomes efficient, effective and socially acceptable when local, social and economic aspects of the system are considered. Historical lessons are highlighted with new perspectives emphasized, so that future research and management may be informed by past experience, but not constrained by it. It is the first book in 15 years to provide the history and explore aspects of a variety of stakeholders. Contributors include experts on ecological aspects of IRM, molecular and population genetics, economics, and IRM social issues. Biochemistry and molecular genetics of insecticides is presented with an emphasis on past 15 years of research including Cry proteins in transgenic crops. It encourages scientists and stakeholders to implement and coordinate strategies based on local social conditions.
SEED SPROUTS, A PHARAOH'S HERITAGE TO IMPROVE FOOD QUALITY

Three methods for growing Egyptian clover sprouts hydroponically in dark were compared. Growing sprouts using the glass jar method result-ed in the largest numerical yield of sprouts per equal unit pench area (6781 g/m2) with adequate yield per unit volume of seeds (8.7 g of sprouts/ g of seeds). The highest sprout yield per unit volume of seeds (>9 g of sprouts/ g of seeds) was ob-tained using covered panet method. Seeding den-sity at 4-6 g/100 cm2 of the panet and harvest of clover sprouts at 5 days old with soaking time is recommended to provide a product of highest pos-sible nutritional value (3.73 g of protein and 0.93 g of fiber / 100 g clover sprouts) for human foods. Four seeding rates for growing radish and rocket sprouts in soil in natural sun light were compared. Seeding rate at 60-80 g/m2 for radish and 30-40 g/m2 for rocket seeds were recommended to pro-vide a green sprouts of high yield with good sprout physical characters and good nutritional value (2.1 g of protein and 0.7 g of fiber/ 100 g fresh rocket sprouts and 1.68 g of protein and 0.54 g of fiber/ 100 g fresh radish sprouts). The lipid content of the sprouts was relatively low (0.03 – 0.16 % on a fresh weight basis). Raw clover sprouts had the lowest content of lipid and therefore, could be rec-ommended for lowing weight. Development of food products from germinated clover, radish and rocket may be promising in Egyptian human foods for their nutritional advantageous due to low content of fats and high protein utilization.
Nutritional Biochemistry of the Vitamins

1. The vitamins 2. Vitamin A: Retinol and Beta-Carotene 3. Vitamin D 4. Vitamin E: Tocopherols and Tocotrienols 5. Vitamin K 6. Vitamin B1: Thiamin 7. Vitamin B2: Riboflavin 8. Niacin 9. Vitamin B6 10. Folic Acid and other Pterins and Vitamin B12 11. Biotin (Vitamin H) 12. Pantothenic Acid 13. Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 14. Compounds of doubtful vitamin status: Taurine, Carnitine, Choline and Inositol.
In Vitro Organogenesis of Protea cynaroides L. Shoot-Buds Cultured Under Red and Blue Light-Emitting Diodes

Protea cynaroides L. (King Protea), which belongs to the Proteaceae family, is a slow-growing, semi-hardwood shrub. The Protea genus has the widest distribution area of all the southern Africa Proteaceae, ranging from the predominantly winter or all-year round rainfall area of the Cape in South Africa to the subtropical and tropical areas of southern Africa (PatersonJones, 2007). They occupy a variety of habitats from sea level to up to 1500 metres. P. cynaroides species vary widely in colour, shape and flowering time (Matthews, 1993). Its growth habits vary from dwarf variants to dense, bushy forms reaching heights of 2 m, which are commonly used in cultivation. The most characteristic feature of its blossom is its flowerhead, which typically consists of hundreds of flowers (Rebelo, 2000). Its flowerhead shape ranges from small, narrow, goblet-shapes to large, wide, flat types. Their colours range from greenish-white to deep pink and red (Matthews, 1993). Due to their wide variability, flowers can be seen throughout the year, depending on the variety. In their natural habitat, P. cynaroides are found in well-drained, acidic, nutrient-deficient soils. Their ability to thrive in soil with low nutrients is assisted by the growth of proteoid roots, which are specialized roots that look like very fine bottlebrushes, and are very efficient at absorbing nutrients. The King Protea is a well-known cut flower in many parts of the world, and is a highly sought after commodity in the international flower market due to its attractive flowerhead and long vase life. The demand for the King Protea has remained consistent on the international market and its market price has remained relatively high over the years. Current important production areas include: Australia, South Africa, California, Portugal, Israel, Zimbabwe, Hawaii, Chile, New Zealand, and Ecuador (Dorrington, 2008). Due to its popularity, production areas are expanding in Europe, with new plantations being established in Portugal and Spain (Leonardt, 2008).
Dinosaurs: A Concise Natural History

The ideal textbook for non-science majors, this lively and engaging introduction encourages students to ask questions, assess data critically and think like a scientist. Building on the success of the previous editions, Dinosaurs has been reorganised and extensively rewritten in response to instructor and student feedback. It continues to make science accessible and relevant through its clear explanations and extensive illustrations. Updated to reflect recent fossil discoveries and to include new taxa, the text guides students through the dinosaur groups, emphasising scientific concepts rather than presenting endless facts. It is grounded in the common language of modern evolutionary biology - phylogenetic systematics - so that students examine dinosaurs as professional paleontologists do. The key emerging theme of feathered dinosaurs, and the many implications of feathers, have been integrated throughout the book, highlighted by the inclusion of stunning new photographs in this beautifully illustrated text, now in full colour throughout.
Reproduction in the northern bettong, Bettongia tropica Wakefield (Marsupialia: Potoroidae), in captivity, with age estimation and development of pouch young

Reproduction in the northern bettong, Bettongia tropica, was studied in captivity. B. tropica is capable of breeding throughout the year, and mating behaviour is similar to that reported for other Bettongia species. The length of the oestrous cycle was 21–23 days, and the period of gestation was 20–23 days. Birth was usually followed by an oestrus and mating, and a subsequent lactation-controlled embryonic diapause. The interval between loss of pouch young and birth was 19–20 days. Permanent emergence from the pouch occurred at 102–112 days, and young at foot were weaned at 166–185 days of age. Linear mixed-effects models were used to describe polynomial growth equations for age determination of pouch young using both head and pes length. The relationship between error in age prediction and each body measurement was also defined. Pes measurements provided the most accurate estimates of the age of pouch young.
DESENVOLVIMENTO VEGETATIVO DO FEIJÃO CAUPI IRRIGADO COM ÁGUA SALINA EM CASA DE VEGETAÇÃO

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de diferentes niveis niveis de salinidade da agua de irrigacao no desenvolvimento vegetativo do feijao caupi. utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos (0,5; 2,13; 2,94; 3,5 e 5,0 dS m-1) com tres repeticoes. As plantas foram coletadas aos 45 dias apos a semeadura, sendo avaliados: diâmetro do caule, numero de nodulos das raizes, altura, numero de folhas, area foliar e material seca total. A salinidade influenciou linearmente o desenvolvimento inicial do feijao caupi, sendo todas as caracteristicas reduzidas nos maiores niveis salinas. As caracteristicas mais afetadas foram a area foliar (65,90%), materia seca total (69,10%) e o numero de nodulos das raizes (98,71%).
Range dynamics driven by Quaternary climate oscillations explain the distribution of introgressed mtDNA of Lepus timidus origin in hares from the Iberian Peninsula

A striking case of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) introgression occurs in the Iberian Peninsula: the mtDNA of Lepus timidus, a species that inhabited this territory during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), is almost fixed in the Iberian range of Lepus europaeus, is very frequent in the northern half of Iberia within Lepus granatensis, and is fixed in Lepus castroviejoi. Here, we used a transdisciplinary approach to understand the ecological drivers of the distribution of this introgressed mtDNA in the Iberian hare species.
Studies on a nocardial infection of cultured yellowtail - I. Morphological and biochemical characteristics of Nocardia insolated from diseased fishes.

Since the late summer of 1967, nocardiosis has been prevalent among yellowtails, Seriola quinqueradiata, in fish farms in the western part of Japan and has caused serious damage. In 1968, the causative organism was first isolated by KARIYA et al. who named it Nocardia kampachi. In the present paper, morphological and biochemical characteristics of five organisms isolated from lesions of diseased yellowtails obtained from farms in Kochi Prefecture were studied. The organisms were non-motile gram-positive rods which occasionally showed branching, and were feebly acid-fast. They were non-sporing, and produced aerial hyphae. Catalase, hydrogensulfide production, starch hydrolysis, and nitrate reduction were positive. Decomposition of hypoxanthine and tyrosine was feebly positive. Tests for oxidase, urease, indole production, gelatin liquefaction, and decomposition of casein and xanthine were negative. They utilized citrate and pyruvate, but did not benzoate, mucoate, oxalate and propionate on the medium containing diammonium hydrogen phosphate as the nitrogen source. They showed growth at neither 10°C nor 37°C and survived at 50°C for 4 hours in the nutrient broth. The organisms had much in common with those of Nocardia kampachi, but could be distinguishable from those of Nocardia asteroides (EPPINGER).
Nutritional strategies to reduce environmental emissions from nonruminants

The amount of nutrients (i.e., N, P, Zn, and Cu) and associated odors emitted from production animals into the environment can be modulated by sev- eral different nutritional strategies, but their practical application is dependent on costs and biological limita- tions. In general, nutrient excretion may be reduced by avoiding the overfeeding of specific nutrients or by us- ing nutritional manipulations to enhance nutrient utili- zation in the animal. Loss to the environment can be avoided by manufacturing and handling the feed in a pelletized form that will minimize waste and improve feed/gain. Other strategies for minimizing nutrient losses include: 1) the development of feeding programs that are specific for sex and strain of the animal; 2) increasing the number of feed phases to better meet the animal's age-related requirements; 3) formulating diets to include the minimal amounts of nutrients re- quired to satisfy production goals; 4) meeting the ani- mal's amino acid requirements; 5) using synthetic amino acid supplements to feed to reduce N emission; 6) using feed ingredients with high digestibility and nutrient bioavailability; and 7) formulating diets based on nutrient availability instead of total nutrient con- tent. Nutrient digestibility of feedstuffs is dependent on processing conditions, genetic characteristics of the grains and oilseeds, and the presence of nutritional antagonists in specific feedstuffs used in the diet. Feed ingredients that lead to odor production can be avoided (e.g., fishmeal and some easily fermentable feed ingre- dients). Feed additives, such as antibiotics, nonstarch polysaccharides, direct-fed microbials, organic acids, microbial enzymes (i.e., phytase, carbohydrases, and proteases) can be used to increase the digestibility and absorption of nutrients or to modulate the microflora. Finally, a cost factor for the control or disposal of nutri- ents or odor should be considered in the feed formula- tion to optimize the various nutritional strategies dis- cussed above. Regardless of biological and economic limitations, significant reductions in nutrient and odor emission from nonruminants can be achieved by appro- priate nutritional strategies, but response may differ for swine and poultry.
The natural history of the Hardangerfjord

Abstract Data on phytoplankton and hydrography from the 1955–56 survey of the Hardangerfjord area, western Norway, have been used for tracing environmental influences upon horizontal and vertical distribution in the phytoplankton from offshore waters to the innermost fjord branch. Examples are given of effects of temperature, salinity, and submarine light upon distribution in coccolithophorids, diatoms, and dinoflagellates. A more unusual effect of the hydrographic differences between the outer coastal waters and the fjord waters was recorded in the overall horizontal distribution of diatoms. Relative poverty in number of species of the diatom society in the fjord compared with the outer waters on a yearly basis had no counterpart in the dinoflagellate society. The low level of turbulent activity in the sheltered fjord compared with the outer waters is suggested to place the non-motile pelagic diatoms at a disadvantage with regard to maintenance of pelagic populations in the fjord. Skeletonema costatum, h.
Response of pullets to digestible lysine intake

The objective was to determine the efficiency of utilization of lysine and to describe the responses of pullets to different digestible lysine intakes using three mathematical functions to estimate an optimal intake maxi- mizing body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. The trials were conducted using 2-6-, 8-12-, and 14-18-week- old birds and a completely randomized experimental design with eight treatments and six replicates. The digestible lysine levels ranged 3.20-10.67 g/kg (in 2-6-week-old animals), 2.24-7.48 g/kg (in 8-12-week-old animals), and 1.73-5.78 g/kg (in 14-18-week-old animals) and were obtained using a dilution technique. The efficiency of utiliza- tion was determined by a linear regression between lysine deposition and intake for pullets aged 2-4, 8-10, and 14-16 weeks. Three mathematical functions (quadratic polynomial, broken-line, and broken-line with quadratic ascending function) were used to fit the body weight gain and feed conversion responses. The optimal digestible lysine intake was obtained from the first intercept of the quadratic curve with the broken-line plateau. Based on the body weight gain, the responses obtained from the broken-line function and the broken-line with quadratic ascend- ing were similar to those from the quadratic polynomial function. The feed conversion ratio from the first intercept of the quadratic curve with the broken-line plateau was similar to the value obtained from the broken-line with quadratic ascending function only in 2-6-week-old animals. The digestible lysine intakes required to optimize the body weight gain and feed conversion ratio responses were 202, 338, and 300 and 146, 312, and 259 mg/day and the efficiencies were 80, 76, and 80% for 2-6-, 8-12-, and 14-18-week-old animals, respectively.
Structure and characterization of the gene encoding a subunit of soybean -conglycinin

β-conglycinin, a soybean seed storage protein, is comprised of three different subunits, α, α', and β. Several candidates for the α subunit gene have been isolated, however, the structure of the α subunit gene has not been completely determined. Accordingly, it was also unknown which of the gene candidates are functionally active. Here, we have determined the nucleotide sequence and transcription start site of the α subunit gene, and compared structural components with those of the other subunits or other seed protein genes. The α subunit gene, which is located on a 7.6-kb EcoRI fragment, we composed of six exons that had the same organization as those for the α' subunit gene. Within a 400 bp upstream region of the transcription start site, four regions (designated as boxes I, II, III, and IV) were found to be conserved among the α, α', and other seed protein genes. Genomic Southern blot analysis of soybean varieties lacking the α subunit gene candidate indicated that the gene characterized in this paper actually encodes the α subunit and is functionally active. In addition, these experiments revealed the presence of an additional gene which is also responsible for the expression of the α subunit.
Life history theory and the social clustering of adolescent behaviour

Humans – foragers and megacity dwellers alike – inhabit complex social worlds. Many behavioural and non-behavioural traits show distinct patterns of social clustering: members of social groupings are more similar to each other than to random individuals. This thesis uses social clustering as an entry point for the study of behavioural variation, exploiting the fact that different causal mechanisms will produce different clustering patterns. I combine this with a focus on evolutionary explanations of behavioural variation, particularly those derived from life history theory, and apply this approach to contemporary adolescents in the United Kingdom. Adolescents are a key demographic from a life history theoretical perspective: transitioning from the prereproductive to the reproductive phase of life, adolescents start displaying many of the behaviours and traits of interest to life history theorists. Moreover, paths taken during adolescence may have long-term implications for an individual’s life history trajectory. I quantify social clustering of sexual experience and cooperativeness in neighbourhoods, schools and friendship networks and investigate whether life history predictors, such as socioeconomic deprivation and father absence, explain behavioural variation or their social clustering. I further examine the social clustering patterns across a range of behavioural and non-behavioural traits, in order to assess the explanatory scope of different evolutionary models. Finally, I examine whether measures of the quality of the childhood environment affect a range of measures of pubertal development in girls and boys, in line with theoretical predictions. Overall, results indicate that adolescent behaviours tend to cluster in friendship networks but barely in neighbourhoods or schools. This suggests limited scope for explanatory theories centred on contextual influences on behaviour in this population. While life history predictors do not explain much social clustering of adolescent behaviour, they are associated with sexual experience, cooperativeness, and pubertal development in ways broadly consistent with life history theoretical predictions.
Estimation of Total Leaf Area by Non-destructive Methods in Horse-eye Bean, Mucuna pruriens

A simple, accurate, time saving and non destructive method of leaf area determination for Mucuna pruriens, a medicinal plant, was made at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India. The results revealed that irrespective of stages, the third leaf from the top has high correlation with total leaf area of the plant. It was further observed that the area of the middle leaflet had significant relationship with total area of trifoliate leaf. The correction factors to find out the total leaf area of a plant from the leaflet area measurements were also worked out. The correction factor of 0.74 could be used for the leaflet area using length and breadth of middle leaflet and 0.96 has to be used when the same was found out using leaf area meter. The middle leaflet area of the third leaf from the top has to be multiplied with correction factor and number of leaves to get total leaf area of the plant.
Leaf traits and herbivore selection in the field and in cafeteria experiments

Despite the vast diversity and complexity of herbivores, plants and their interactions, most authors agree that a small number of components of leaf quality affect preference by generalist herbivores in a predictable way. However, herbivore preference is determined not only by intrinsic plant attributes and herbivore biology but also by the environmental context. Within this framework, we aimed to analyse general interspecific trends in the association between herbivory and leaf traits over a wide range of angiosperms from central Argentina. We (i) tested for consistent associations between leaf traits, consumption in the field, and preference of generalist invertebrate herbivores in cafeteria experiments; (ii) assessed how well herbivore preferences in cafeterias matched leaf consumption in the field; and (iii) developed a simple conceptual model linking leaf traits, herbivore preference in cafeterias and consumption in the field. In general, we found that tender leaves with higher nutritional quality were preferred by herbivores, both in the field and in cafeteria experiments. According to our model, this relationship between field and cafeteria consumption and leaf quality is observed when generalist herbivores and plants of high accessibility are considered. However, differences between leaf consumption in the field and in cafeteria experiments can also be found. At least two reasons can account for this: (i) specialized plant-herbivore relationships often occur in the field, whereas cafeteria experiments tend to consider only one or a few generalist herbivores; (ii) different plant species growing in the field often differ in their degree of accessibility to herbivores, whereas in cafeteria experiments all species are equally accessible. Our results add new evidence to a growing consensus that, although herbivory in the field is determined by many factors, consistent patterns of differential susceptibility to foliar feeders can be found in leaves differing in nutritional quality and thus in resource-use strategy.