Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Teaching evolution to creationist students: the ultimate challenge

Despite overwhelming evidence for the common ancestry of life and evolution by natural selection, ideas invoking direct creation persist, disrupting teaching evolution as a central biological concept. While originating within fundamentalist Protestantism in the USA, creationist views are now prominent elsewhere and in other religions. Responses by educators include ignoring evolution; excluding evolutionary topics especially provocative to creationist students; advocating evolution while ignoring, disparaging or ridiculing creationism; distinguishing between scientific and religious approaches before considering only the scientific; and acknowledging evolution and creationist positions as different world views that one may understand, but not necessarily accept. Here, we argue that any chance of success in teaching evolution to creationist students requires elements of the last two of these approaches. Applying them requires understanding students' worldviews and the methods and limitations of science, as well as employing learning activities that engage, not alienate. In this context, we describe the creationist positions that may be encountered when teaching evolution, the fundamentals appropriate to teaching scientific method, and the teaching strategies of affirmative neutrality and procedural neutrality that educators may use to counter creationist views when teaching evolution. We regard understanding of the common ancestry of life and natural selection and other evolutionary mechanisms as threshold concepts that, once grasped, can transform students' interpretations of biology and possibly their world views. Mentioning creationism in the context of science education may be a dangerous idea, but what is worse - to establish some common ground with creationist students in the hope of leading them to an understanding of evolution, or to leave them ignorant of any evolutionary concepts at all?
Influence of Sesbania green manure with or without wheat residues and N fertilization on maize (Zea mays)wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system

Meager information is available on the use of Sesbania in conjunction with-crop residue and N-dose in maize wheat cropping system. Therefore, an attempt was made to substitute the fertilizer N through organic sources in maizewheat cropping sequence. Hence a field experiment was conducted for 2 year from 20062008, on maize ( Zea mays L.)wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol) system to evaluate the influence of four organic
Environmental Variables Influence the Composition of Frog Communities in Riparian and Semi-Deciduous Forests of the Brazilian Cerrado

Abstract. A central issue for ecologists is to understand the variables that determine species distribution. Many studies have suggested that environmental variables are the main factors that shape anuran communities. Nevertheless, several natural environments have not been assessed with ecological studies of this nature, including specific ecosystems of the South American Cerrado morphoclimatic domain. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between environmental variables and the spatial distribution of anurans in ecosystems of semi-deciduous and riparian forests in a transitional region between the Cerrado and Caatinga environments in the western Bahia state, Brazil. We collected fauna and environmental variables data in 10 sampling units during two rainy periods. The original information on species composition and abundance in the community was reduced to a single axis using a non-metric multidimensional scaling method (NMDS) and environmental data were reduced to two main factors using a principal component analysis (PCA). We tested the absence of an association between the structural variation of the environment and spatial distribution of the anuran community using a multiple regression analysis. The anuran community was ordered following a gradient of dry semi-deciduous seasonal areas toward riparian forest with areas of direct insolation and lentic water bodies. Among the components extracted by the PCA, only PC1 was associated with anuran community composition, explaining 69% of the ordination obtained by the NMDS according to variables related to the presence of water bodies. The great contribution of water bodies appears to reflect the degree of modification of the landscape in the region and seasonal restrictions in the availability of water, with both aspects increasing the expected influence of water bodies on the distribution of anurans in the western Bahia state. Future investigations exploring the structure of anurofauna during dry seasons could extend and complement the results provided by this study.
RIPARIAN AND UPLAND BREEDING-BIRD ASSEMBLAGES ALONG HEADWATER STREAMS IN MICHIGAN'S UPPER PENINSULA

Abstract Comparative studies of riparian and upland bird communities have focused primarily on larger streams (greater than second order). We examined breeding-bird assemblages in relation to their proximity to small head-water streams in northern hardwood forests of the Otter River watershed in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, USA. At 10 study sites, we used fixed-radius point counts to survey bird assemblages and measure forest habitat characteristics along riparian and upland transects. Forest structure and composition differed between riparian and upland areas, with more conifer stems and higher conifer basal area on riparian transects. We detected 46 bird species during 1999 and 2000. During each year, total bird abundance was similar for riparian and upland areas, whereas bird species richness and evenness was higher in riparian areas. When we pooled bird species by foraging guild, we found that foliage-gleaning birds were more abundant in riparian areas. We found 12 bird species exclusively in riparian areas and only 2 species exclusively in the uplands. The northern parula (Parula americana) and Black-burnian warbler (Dendroica fusca) were among 5 species more abundant on riparian transects, whereas the least flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) and red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus) were among 5 species more abundant on upland transects. Although the vegetative gradient between riparian and upland habitat was subtle along these first- and second-order streams, breeding-bird assemblages differed between riparian and upland forests. This suggests that individual bird species respond to vegetative features of even narrow riparian areas. Managers working in northern and mixed-hardwood forests therefore should consider maintaining habitat diversity in the form of native conifers, even on the smallest first-order streams.
Identification of QTLs controlling growth, chemical and physical wood property traits in Pinus pinaster (Ait.)

Growth characteristics and wood quality represent important criteria in forestry. Dissection of these quantitative traits into single genetic components using molecular markers and linkage maps, provide useful information for breeders about the genetic determinism of polygenic traits. In order to apply marker assisted breeding in early selection procedures, QTL analyses for growth traits and physical and chemical wood properties were performed in a Pinus pinaster progeny. A highdensity linkage map of P. pinaster was used for this purpose. No significant correlations were found between wood quality and growth traits. A total of 10 QTLs were detected for the growth traits height and diameter and 40 QTLs for seven wood parameters including α-cellulose content, lignin content, pulp yield, brightness and wood densities. QTLs were spread across the genome. The percentages of phenotypic variances explained by individual QTLs ranged from to 4.3% to 18.4% and the sum of trait-specific QTLs explained 20 to 53% of the total variance. The usefulness of marker assisted selection for wood quality traits is discussed.
Gonadal morphology and reproductive traits of the Amazonian fish Arapaima gigas (Schinz, 1822)

Godinho, H. P., Santos, J. E. , Formagio, P. S. and Guimaraes-Cruz, R. J. 2005. Gonadal morphology and reproductive traits of the Amazonian fish Arapaima gigas (Schinz, 1822). — Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 86: 289-294 An account of gonadal morphology and reproductive traits of the Amazonian arapaimatid, Arapaima gigas (Schinz 1822), is given. The only functional ovary (left) was foliaceous in shape having the ventral surface without an ovarian capsule. The absence of the ovarian capsule ventral portion, absence of oviduct and funnel-shaped coelomic cavity are features that imply that oocytes are freed in the coelomic cavity before being shed to the aquatic environment through a genital papilla. The only functional testis (left) was cord-like with a maximum diameter of 1-1.5 cm and was connected to the genital papilla through a spermatic duct. Size at sexual maturity was 145-154 cm and 115-124 cm, total length class, for females and males, respectively.
Provenances variation in growth traits of Aquilaria malaccansis Lam. suitable to south indian condition

Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. is one of the important species to produce resin-impregnated heartwood that is fragrant and highly valuable and traded internationally. A field experiment was laid out in RBD by using plants raised from 22 provenances collection of Aquilaria malacanssis from 3 states of North-Eastern hill regions of India. The genotypes viz., MDLY, NHJA and KHOW-1 recorded significantly higher values than the rest of the genotypes. Genotypic coefficients of variability were less than phenotypic coefficient of variability. Maximum variability was observed for volume index (18.98) followed by number of branches (16.78). Collar diameter (2.465) was recorded as minimum GCV value. Volume index (21.35) was registered maximum PCV followed by number of branches (17.85). High heritability was observed for plant height (0.966) followed by number of branches (0.883) and volume index (0.790). Minimum genetic advance was estimated for collar diameter (2.284%) and maximum for volume index (34.75%). Plant height was significant and positively correlated with volume and collar diameter at phenotypic and genotypic level. Collar diameter showed positive and highly significant correlation with volume index. The path analysis indicated that plant height and collar diameter has maximum direct effect on volume index. This study reveals that selection of better plants with higher variability and other juvenile growth traits of Aquilaria malaccansis provenances is suitable to grow in South Indian condition. And also these characters shoud be used as selection criterion for further improvement of yield in Aquilaria malaccansis.
Conservative species drive biomass productivity in tropical dry forests

Forests account for a substantial part of the terrestrial biomass storage and productivity. To better understand forest productivity, we need to disentangle the processes underlying net biomass change. We tested how above‐ground net biomass change and its underlying biomass dynamics (biomass recruitment, growth and mortality) can be explained by four alternative and contested hypotheses; the soil fertility, biomass ratio, niche complementarity and vegetation quantity hypotheses. Above‐ground biomass dynamics were evaluated over a 5‐year period in 200 permanent sample plots in 8 tropical dry forests in Brazil, and related to soil fertility, community‐weighted mean (CWM) traits that are important for carbon storage and sequestration (wood density, specific leaf area, maximum stem diameter and deciduousness), species richness, functional diversity and initial stand biomass. Initial stand biomass was the best predictor of all three processes of biomass dynamics, providing strong support for the vegetation quantity hypothesis. In these dry forests, the dominance of conservative species, rather than of acquisitive species, is associated with high biomass growth and storage, probably because their low specific leaf area and high wood density allow them to keep on functioning during drought stress. Paradoxically, high soil fertility (Ca) led to low biomass productivity, probably because of nutrient imbalance. In contrast to what is shown for controlled experiments, we found no support for niche complementarity (in terms of functional diversity or species richness) for forest productivity. Biomass storage was favoured by low‐ rather than high trait diversity, as most of the biomass is concentrated in species with large stem diameter and high wood density. Synthesis. Biomass dynamics are mainly shaped by vegetation quantity, and then by vegetation quality, in line with the mass ratio hypothesis. Dry forests show different trait‐productivity relationships than wet forests, as stands with ‘slow’ trait values are ‘fast’ in terms of productivity. Diversity matters, but in a different way than expected; high trait diversity does not enhance productivity, but instead, does low trait diversity enhance carbon storage.
Vegetation, Climate and Soil: Altitudinal Relationships on the East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania

ABSTRACT The floristic composition of forest on the East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania, changes steadily with increasing altitude. Conveniently, two altitudinal zones (lowland, submontane) can be recognised; the altitude between them lying at about 850 m, which is 550 m lower than the equivalent zonal boundary in central Africa. This depression is probably related to lower daytime temperatures, which are 4–5°C lower than in central Africa—attributed to the presence of persistent low-lying cloud at higher altitudes. There is a marked change in topsoil at about 850 m, with a sharp fall in pH and the presence of a thick mor-humus layer at higher altitudes. The vegetation/climate/soil system is dynamic. There is evidence of upward movement of vegetation zones and a warmer and less misty climate over the last 25 years. The mor-humus layer is lost in tree-fall clearings and under the invasive tree Maesopsis eminii; in the latter case (at least) topsoil pH acidity is over a pH point higher. This is a good site for further investigations of climatic, vegetation and soil changes. Forest persistence during the last ice age (assumed from the large number of endemic species) was probably facilitated by an even mistier (though probably otherwise drier) climate.
EFFECT OF SAMPLE SIZE, PLOT SIZE, AND COUNTING TIME ON ESTIMATES OF AVIAN DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE IN A CHILEAN RAINFOREST

Abstract The bird assemblage of a southern temperate rainforest on Chiloé Island, southern Chile, was studied during the breeding season of 1993–1994. The modified variable-circular plot method was used to examine the effects on the estimated overall density and species richness of birds when the size of the plot, duration at the plot, and number of plots were varied, one variable at a time. A total of 459 individuals of 24 species was recorded on 18 plots sampled for a maximum of 10 min with unlimited distance. When increasing either the plot size, sampling length, or number of plots, the number of species detected increased at a decreasing rate, but without reaching an asymptote. The estimated density decreased with increasing plot size, increased with sampling length, and did not change with increasing plot number. However, the precision substantially improved. Plots of 40-m radius counted for 10 min detected 78% of the species found in larger plots and rendered an overall bird density of 34 individuals/ha, almost twice as many as the only comparable study found. On average, more than 75% of all species detected were within 40 m of the observers, using a 4-min sampling period at five plots. The migrant omnivorous flycatcher Elaenia albiceps was the most abundant species (22% of total counts), followed by the hummingbird Sephanoides galeritus, the tapaculo Scelorchilus rubecola, the treecreeper Aphrastura spinicauda, and the parakeet Enicognathus ferrugineus. These species, which were the most common in other studies conducted in similar temperate South American forests, showed species-specific responses to changes in the sampling variables.
28-homobrassinolide Protects Photosynthetic Machinery in Indian mustard Under High Temperature Stress

L. ) for effects on growth, chlorophyll, photosynthesis, photosystem II, antioxidant system and proline. Surface sterilized seeds of Indian mustard were sown in pots, grown for 21 days and treated with double distilled water or 0.01 µM of 28-homobrassinolide. Treated plants, after 24 h, were exposed to 30°C or 40°C for 48 h. One set of plants were kept at ambient temperature, 25°C, as the control. Plants were harvested at 30 days stage of growth to assess the various parameters. Plants exposed to 40°C had a decline in growth, leaf water potential, chlorophyll, photosynthetic rate, and activities of carbonic anhydrase (E.C.4.2.1.1) and nitrate reductase (E.C.1.6.1.1). The 28-homobrassinolide alone improved growth and photosynthesis responses along with various enzymes activities. Treatment of plants with HBL prior to exposure to 40°C, partially reduced damage and completely controlled damage when exposure was to 30°C. Levels of the antioxidative enzymes catalase (E.C.1.11.1.6), peroxidase (E.C.1.11.1.7), and superoxide dismutase (E.C.1.15.1.1), and the level of proline increased in response to 30 or 40°C and were further enhanced in the presence of 28-homobrassinolide. Plants grown under high temperature had increased levels of H
Abyssal benthic foraminifera in the Polar Front region (Pacific sector): Faunal composition, standing stock and size structure

We have evaluated the quantitative composition of Rose Bengal-stained benthic foraminiferal assemblages of surface samples from two box cores (ANTA98-28 bc; ANTA01-01 bc) collected at the Polar Front in the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean. Size structure, faunal composition and standing stock were analysed for living (Rose Bengal-stained) and dead foraminifera. The size fractions among 63–150, 150–250 and >250 µm were counted separately in order to study the foraminiferal size distribution and to compare our results with earlier Antarctic studies. The low organic carbon content of the sediment, and hence the limited food availability, is reflected by very low standing stocks and low diversity values. Calcareous taxa dominated dead foraminiferal assemblages that were more diverse than the stained assemblages. In the sediment samples of ANTA01-01 bc, the living fauna contained agglutinated taxa and soft-shelled monothalamous forms. Our data represent the southernmost record of benthic foraminiferal community (63° S) from the Polar Front region in the Pacific sector. These samples provide further evidence for the occurrence of meiofaunal foraminifera in extreme environments, like the Antarctic region, where the uncoupled annual variations in temperature and production cause strong effects on the structure of benthic communities.
Urination behaviour of non-lactating dairy cows in late gestation offered fodder beet and kale winter forages

Urination Behaviour of Non-Lactating Dairy Cows in Late Gestation Offered Fodder Beet and Kale Winter Forages by Lydia Jane Farrell Prediction of nitrogen (N) leaching from urine events using modelling tools such as OVERSEER is important for regulation of dairy farm outputs and practices. Risk of N leaching is greatest during winter, particularly in systems which adopt high stocking densities such as those grazing fodder beet and kale crops. However large prediction errors for leaching values from OVERSEER are recognised, highlighting the need for more quantitative information on urination behaviour of dairy cows grazing winter forages. The study was conducted at Ashley Dene research farm (-43.65 o North, 172.33 o East) using 24 high producing Friesian x Jersey dairy cows fed two diets representative of industry practice. Diet treatments were 10 kg DM of fodder beet with 5.6 kg DM of ryegrass baleage (FB) or 16.4 kg DM of kale with 6.4kg of oat straw (KA) . All cows were fitted with a urine harness for 24 to 48 hours which collected data on number, volume, and timing of urine events. Urine patch areas were estimated using the urine harness data and a calibration curve of urine volume and wetted area in the paddocks being grazed. Urine volumes were similar (27.6 L/cow/day, p=0.988) though behaviour was affected by diet whereby FB cows urinated less frequently (8.42 vs 10.1 events/cow/day for FB and KA respectively, p=0.128) but with more volume per event than KA (3.58 vs 2.71 L/cow/day for FB and KA respectively, p=0.04). On their own, similarity in total volumes (FB vs. KA) could not be explained by intake of water (55 vs. 69 L/cow/day, p<0.001), N (237 vs. 472 g N/cow/day, p<0.001), DM (13.4 vs. 17.1 kg cow/day, p<0.001), potassium (2.7 vs. 2.9 g/cow/day, p=0.055) or sodium (0.53 vs. 0.40 g/cow/day, p<0.001). The urine patch areas on the FB grazing area were smaller at 0.16m than the kale patches at 0.23m which is attributed to differences in paddock surface microtopography. The smaller, more dense deposits of N in urine patches and the stocking rate being three times as great resulted in a higher predicted volume of N leached from the fodder beet paddock at 123 kg/ha
A molecular, morphological and biological characterisation of the genus Globodera (Nematoda: Heteroderidae) in South Africa

A molecular, morphological and biological characterisation of the genus Globodera (Nematoda: Heteroderidae) in South Africa is presented. The aims of the study were to determine the spread of the genus in South Africa; to study the systematics and describe the characteristics of the group and to gain a more complete understanding of the biology of the group as agricultural pests. Surveys were conducted in the Cape Floristic Region and in all the potato-producing areas of South Africa. The surveys unearthed new species of cyst nematodes and determined the spread of Globodera rostochiensis in the country. Phylogenetic analysis of sequences from ITS-rDNA was used to infer phylogenetic relationships among cyst nematodes from South Africa. The analyses established the distinct phylogenetic positions of cyst nematode populations from South Africa relative to an array of other cyst nematode species and indicated the existence of four new species of cyst nematodes. Analysis of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) banding patterns revealed intraspecific genetic variation amongst populations of Globodera rostochiensis. In order to provide molecular protocols for the accurate identification of South African cyst nematodes, species-specific primers and restriction enzymes were tested for their ability to discriminate between local Globodera spp. A combination of the molecular, morphological and morphometric characteristics of these populations were used to describe three new species of cyst nematodes. Experiments to determine the effect of storage temperature on the viability and hatching of South African populations of G. rostochiensis, showed differences in the responses of different populations to different storage temperatures. Experiments to determine the effect of field conditions on the viability and hatching of South African populations of G. rostochiensis, indicated that a decline in viable eggs in cysts from different populations occur, but suggests that the cysts will be able to survive for much longer in these Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za