Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
VARIATIONS IN PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SHALLOW GROUNDWATER AQUIFERS ACROSS RURAL-URBAN DIFFERENTIALS

The quality of groundwater is controlled mostly by geology, lithology and depth of aquifers. However, anthropogenic activities can also influence the chemical characteristics of groundwater and this relates directly or indirectly to land use/land cover characteristics. To this effect, this study aimed at evaluating the effect of land use/land cover on the quality of shallow groundwater aquifers in Yenagoa City and its Environs, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Fifteen groundwater samples were collected randomly from each of the urban and rural land use types making a total of 30 water samples from hand-dug wells that tap into shallow aquifers in the study area. The water samples were subjected to laboratory analyses for Temperature (T), pH, Salinity (Sal), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Nitrate (NO3), Chloride (Cl ), Sulphate (SO4 ), Total Alkalinity (TA), Total Hardness (TH), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Fluoride (F) and Arsenic (As). Factor analysis and Independent samples t-test were employed for analyses in the study. The results revealed that all minimum concentrations of physic-chemical contaminants analyzed were recorded in the rural land use type with exception of pH and Iron (Fe) while all maximum concentrations were recorded in the urban land use type with exception of Fluoride, Sulfate and Total Hardness. Independent samples t-test show that there is a significant difference in the groundwater physico-chemical characteristics between urban and rural land use types.
ELECTROPHORETIC VARIANTS OF α-GLYCEROPHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE IN THE FIRE ANT SOLENOPSIS INVICTA

aGPDH exists in the fire ant Solenopsis invicfa Buren in two isozymic forms representing two loci. The two isozymic forms are tissue specific and differentially expressed in different developmental stages as well as physiological states. GPDH-2 is monomorphie. GPDH-I is polymorphic with fast and slow alleles. Clear differences in resistance to heat and urea denaturation were observed both between and within the two mobility classes. La fourmi Solenopsis invicta Buren synthCtise deux isszymes de la aGPB, codes par deux locus diffkents. Les deux substances sont specifiques i eertains tissus et se manifestent diffdremment & des stades physiologiques et de dCveloppement distincts. La GDP-2 est mommorphique et la GBP-1 polymorphfique avec les allkles "lent" et "rapide". Des differences au point de vue dhnaturation par la chaleur ou 1'urCe existent entre les deux classes de aapidite et au sein de chacune d9elles. [Traduit par le journal]
DAILY PERIODICITY IN ATTRACTION OF MALE TEPHRITID FRUIT FLIES TO SYNTHETIC CHEMICAL LURES

When specific lure chemicals were placed in open, insecticide‐free, observation chambers, male fruit flies entered the chambers in the early part of the day and departed later in the same day. Peak attraction of Dacus tryoni (Froggatt) to cuelure was earlier in the day than peak attraction of Dacus cacuminatus (Hering) to methyl eugenol. For both species attraction peaks occurred earlier in the day during summer than during spring. These results are considered in relation to theories concerning the natural significance of lure chemicals, and to a possible control method.
CLITIC DOUBLING AND DIFFERENTIAL OBJECT MARKING IN NON- SPECIFIC CONTEXTS IN ROMANIAN1

This paper provides empirical insights into the semantic import of the Differential Object Marker pe (DOM) and of accusative pronominal clitics (CD) as specificity triggers with indefinite direct objects (DOs) in Romanian. The experiment we discuss investigates the behaviour of unmarked and marked DOs when occurring in various contexts forcing a non-specific reading. We compared two types of marked DOs: single differentially marked DPs (DOMed DOs) and clitic-doubled and differentially-marked ones (CDed+DOMed DOs). First inspection shows that, even though marking seems to render the DO a less suitable candidate for non-specific contexts, items containing marked DOs are not actually excluded as unacceptable. Closer inspections reveal, however, that the variation of acceptability judgements can be divided into more homogenous groups of speakers with a distinctive behaviour. Some groups do not accept marked DOs in the non-specific contexts, while others accept both marked and unmarked DOs. This observation leads us to assume that we see a diachronic development of the function of CD and DOM from a marker of specificity towards a marker of true argumenthood of the DO. The paper also contributes to the syntactic analysis of CD and DOM as part of the general layout of the DP.
Taxonomic status of southern South American Conepatus (Carnivora: Mephitidae)

Despite recent taxonomic evaluations of Mephitidae and North American hog-nosed skunks, southern South American species of Conepatus have not been thoroughly examined in a systematic context. Conepatus chinga and Conepatus humboldtii were described more than 150 years ago, based on external characters such as hair coloration and size. Although historically recognized as valid species, to date no detailed systematic analysis has been performed for either of these taxa. Herein, we evaluated the taxonomic status of C. chinga and C. humboldtii within the southern part of South America using geometric morphometrics of the skull and mandible, mitochondrial DNA analysis using the cytochrome b and cytochrome oxidase c subunit I genes, and also control region and pelage pattern variation. We failed to find morphological (skull shape and pelage coloration patterns) or molecular differences between these two species; thus, we considered that the specimens assigned to C. chinga and C. humboldtii belong to the same species. Our results indicate that environmental variation seems to be responsible for shape and size variation in Conepatus skulls from southern South America. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London
Seasonal Change in Cold Tolerance of the House Spider, Achaearanea tepidariorum (Araneae: Theridiidae).

Field-collected nymphs of Achaearanea tepidariorum displayed significant seasonal variation in the level of cold tolerance. The whole body supercooling point (SCP), the absolute limit of freeze avoidance, was ranged from -8.1°C in August to -20.1°C in January, and the median lower lethal temperature (LLT 50), and indicator of chilling tolerance, from -2.1°C in August to -13.7°C in January. Seasonal depression of LLT 50 began to occur one month earlier than that of the SCP, suggesting that these two changes are induced by separate processes. The cold tolerance strategy in term of the seasonal patterns of SCP and LLT 50 was discussed.
Changes in rain forest butterfly diversity following major ENSO-induced fires in Borneo

Aims Throughout South-East Asia, droughts associated with ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) events have resulted in large-scale fires affecting millions of hectares of rain forest. However, the long-term impacts of these fires on the rain forest faunas are only poorly understood. Our aim was to study the recovery of rain forest butterfly assemblages following the 1997–98 ENSO event, which resulted in the largest-scale fires in the recorded history of the region. Location A 420-km2 area in the Balikpapan-Samarinda region of East Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. Methods Four landscapes were assessed after the 1997–98 ENSO event, including one landscape that was assessed prior to the event. Comparisons of species richness, species composition and guild abundance were made among landscapes and years. The relative importance of environment, geographical distance between sampling sites, and time between sampling years was quantified during the succession phase using a variance partitioning technique. Results The fires dramatically altered the butterfly community and resulted in a major decline in observed species richness within the landscape surveyed prior to the ENSO event. Following fires in 1998, butterfly assemblages in all landscapes were dominated by large-winged generalist species. During 1999 and 2000, assemblages became increasingly dominated by smaller specialist species. Species endemic to Borneo that were present before fires were absent in 2000, despite intensive sampling over enhanced spatial and environmental scales. Community similarity was significantly dependent upon local environmental variables, geographical distance between sampling sites, and time between sampling years. Together, these explained over 52% of the observed variation in samples. Conclusions The importance of geographical distance between sampling sites indicates that recovery was dependent upon colonization from proximate habitats. Despite an apparent trend of return to pre-ENSO community structure, low species richness throughout the survey area indicates that full recovery had not taken place by 2000.
Structure and Distribution of a Strain-Biased Tandem Repeat Element in Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Populations in Florida, Texas, and Brazil

Abstract Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a major economic pest throughout the Western Hemisphere. There exist two morphologically identical but genetically distinct strains (corn-strain and rice-strain) that differ in their host plant preferences. These strains can be distinguished by polymorphisms in the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene. There is also a tandem-repeat genetic element called FR that is found in large sex-linked clusters primarily in the rice strain, as characterized by sampling of fall armyworm populations in the southeastern United States. It was recently shown that the FR element is also present in Brazil, where it exhibits a similar strain-biased distribution. In this article, the analysis of FR was extended to populations in southern Texas, one of the principle overwintering locations for fall armyworm that infests the continental United States. DNA sequence analysis and an optimized polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method demonstrated that FR sequences are present in Texas and show the same distribution pattern as observed in Florida. The distribution of FR in Florida has remained relatively unchanged over a 4-yr period, suggestive of polymorphic equilibrium and the existence of at least partial barriers to the generation of interstrain hybrids. The implications of these findings on our understanding of interstrain mating behavior and the utility of the modified detection method to study fall armyworm populations are discussed.
Estimation of height growth patterns and site index curves for Pinus radiata plantations in New South Wales, Australia

The objective of this study was to estimate the mean top height growth patterns and site index curves (base index age 20 years) for Pinus radiata stands grown in New South Wales, Australia. Garcia's stochastic differential equation version of the Bertalanffy-Richards equation was selected for stand height prediction using data from permanent growth and long-term experimental plots. This technique uses simultaneous maximum likelihood methods to estimate the global and local model parameters. Three regional base age invariant site index curves were created based on this height estimation methodology. These models may be used for modelling stand height growth as a component of a stand growth model and can also provide an indication of the productivity of the site quality of Pinus radiata stands planted in New South Wales, Australia.
Quantifying larval retention and connectivity in marine populations with artificial and natural markers

Quantifying larval retention and connectivity remains a major hurdle in the development of realistic spatially-explicit population models in marine systems. This lack of knowledge is primarily due to the difficulty of conducting mark-recapture studies in species that are characterized by the production of large numbers of small pelagic offspring that suffer high initial mortality rates. Advances in artificial and natural tagging methodologies have, however, significantly increased the ability of marine ecologists to track larvae throughout the pelagic larval phase and subsequent recruitment into benthic populations. Many of these empirical approaches are now possible with the development of DNA sequencing and mass spectrometric instrumentation in the last decade. The presence of artificial tags in recaptured individuals remains the only unequivocal method for marking marine larvae. However, the difficulties of tagging sufficient numbers of larvae, with negligible handling effects, are formidable. Natural tags, including genetic markers and geochemical signatures in calcified tissues, are rarely unique indicators of source location, but have a significant advantage because all larvae released from an area are indelibly tagged. Given the strengths and limitations of the techniques, an approach that combines two or more techniques will likely be necessary to quantify larval retention and connectivity over appropriate spatio-temporal scales. Where possible, such a multi-technique strategy should include both artificial and natural tags.
On the Stimulus Situation Releasing the Begging Response in the Newly Hatched Herring Gull Chick (Larus Argentatus Argentatus Pont.)

Hungrige Silbermowenkucken picken nach der Schnabelspitze des Altvogels. Diese Reaktion ist angeboren. Weiterbauend auf die Ergebnisse FR. GOETHES (1937) haben wir mittels Attrappenversuche die das Betteln auslosende Reizsituation so vollstandig wie moglich zu vermitteln versucht. Fur eine experimentelle Schema-Untersuchung war diese Reaktion ein ideales Objekt. Es hat sich aus den abgebildeten Attrappenversuchen ergeben, dass es der Schnabel ist, der die Schlusselreize liefert, wahrend der Kopf nach Form, Farbe und Grosse total irrelevant ist. Der Schnabel reizt durch: 1) Bewegung (Abb. 29); 2) Form; er muss langlich, nicht zu kurz im absolutem Sinne, und dunn sein (Abb. 15 und 17); 3) Niedrigkeit; je niedriger er gehalten wird, um so besser wirkt er (Abb. 22 und 24) ; 4) Nahe; je naher, umso starker reizt er (Abb. 27); 5) Haltung; je starker er nach unten zeigt, je besser wirkt er (Abb. 19); 6) Schnabelfleck; dieser wirkt durch rote Farbe und durch Kontrast mit der Schnabel-farbe (Abb. 2, 3, 4, 6) ; 7) Nahrung; etwas aus der Kontur herausspringendes (Abb. 34). Samtliche Schlusselreize 'enthalten relative Elemente. Von diesen Eigenschaften des Schnabels is nur der 6. ein wirklicher Ausloser in dem Sinne, dass er nicht nur Schlusselreize fur das angeborene Schema der Bettelreaktion liefert, sondern als Anpassung an diese Mitteilungsfunktion betrachtet werden muss. Durch Ubertreibung mancher relativer Eigenschaften des Schnabels war es moglich, eine "ubernormale" Attrappe zu konstruieren (Abb. 33).
Glucose Metabolism in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts

Under normal conditions, non-transformed cells rely on glycolysis followed by oxidative phosphorylation to generate ATPs. When oxygen is scarce or when cells are actively proliferating, cellular ATPs come mainly from glycolysis. Pyruvate is converted into lactate to allow glycolysis to continue. Interestingly, cancer cells have adapted to favor lactate production even at normal oxygen tensions, exhibiting a metabolic shift known as the Warburg effect. However, the metabolic state of other cellular constituents within the tumor remains mostly unknown. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most abundant stromal cells. They aid tumor growth and metastasis by providing growth factors, cytokine, ECM remodeling proteins and interacting with other tumor stromal cells. Here I show that the Warburg effect also operates in stromal fibroblasts of the tumor microenvironment. Using mass spectrometry, genetic mouse models, gene expression and methylation studies, I demonstrate that CAFs from human and mouse mammary tumors exhibit hyperactive glycolysis and a metabolic shift towards lactate production. Furthermore, this phenotype may be sustained through epigenetic modifications of endogenous hypoxia-inducible factor 1α, key regulatory enzymes fructose-bisphosphatase 1 and pyruvate kinase M2. Depletion of stromal fibroblasts or suppression of lactate production specifically in these cells alters the metabolic profile of not only the tumors but also the cancer cells and results in impeded tumor growth.
Effects of exogenous ecdysteroids on reproduction in crickets, Gryllus bimaculatus

Adult field crickets, Gryllus bimaculatus, with a low endogenous moulting hormone titre (animals reared at constant 20°C) were injected with ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone. Repeated injections of 2–5 μg/female caused an increase in ovarian fresh weight and stimulated oviposition. The response to exogenous moulting hormones was shown to be dose dependent. In adult males injections of moulting hormones as well as ringer solution lowered the total number of spermatophores.
The Biology of a Hyperparasite, Euceros frigidus Cress. (Ichneumonidae) and Description of the Planidial Stage

For more than a decade the sawfly, Neodiprion swainei Midd. , has been a serious defoliator of jack pine, Pinus banksiana Lamb. , in the Province of Quebec. In 1955 an intensive research program involving several research officers was initiated at the Forest Biology Laboratory, Quebec, to study the insect. Investigations began near the centre of the infestation at the headwaters of the Gatineau River (47° 55′N., 75° 25′W.). The project dealing with the parasites became the responsibility of the author and constituted approximately 25 pcr cent of the total investigations. Integrated with this project were studies on population dynamics, effect of defoliation on jack pine, and predators of the sawfly with emphasis on the small mammals. The primary object of the parasite studies was to concentrate on the life cycles and descriptions of the immature stages and to publish on each species as sufficient information was obtained. Ultimately, it is planned to publish jointly with other members of the team on the role of parasites in the overall mortality complex of Neodiprion swainei.
Analysis of Successive Internode Growth in Sweet Sorghum Using Leaf Number as a Plant Age Indicator

Abstract In sweet sorghum, which is a potential biomass crop, the diameter of internode is an important component of stem yield. However, the thickening of successive internodes is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to clarify the relationship between the thickening of successive internodes using the age indicated by the leaf number on the main stem (AL) as a time scale. Furthermore, the relationship between the elongating and thickening period of successive internodes along the stem was analyzed. Internodes were collected from AL3, when the 3rd leaf had just expanded above the 2nd leaf sheath, to AL17, and at 9 weeks after heading as final harvest. Although the internode thickening patterns based on AL could not be combined into one or a few patterns, a significant correlation (P<0.001) was found between internode position and AL at which the internodes were thickening, suggesting that a regularity of internode thickening existed among successive internodes. The higher the internode position, the longer the first half of the thickening period (from 15% to 50% of thickening), whereas the period of the second half (50%–85% thickening) was constant irrespective of internode position. These results suggest that the degree of the elongation and thickening of successive internodes can be estimated by using AL.
The Diets and Dietary Preferences of Rattus-Fuscipes and Rattus-Lutreolus at Walkerville in Victoria

The diets of Rattus fuscipes and R. lutreolus from a site in central southern Victoria were investigated by faecal analysis. R. lutreolus was predominantly herbivorous; in heath it selected the basal stems of certain cyperaceous herbs, and in forest it ate non-sclerophyllous grasses. Fungi were an important dietary component and seed might be eaten in some quantity for a short time in spring and early summer. R. fuscipes showed little dietary overlap with R. lutreolus; in forest it was reliant on fungi and fibrous plant material from particular grasses; in heath it relied on particular cyperaceous species in winter, and ate primarily fleshy fruit, seed and arthropods in summer. Dietary preferences are compared with the relative abundance of diet items in the habitat. Both species are selective, and this selectivity changes with season. The effects of the availability of preferred diet items on the species' distributions are discussed.
Limnological evaluation of water in the Rio Grande and Taquacetuba branches of the Billings Complex (São Paulo, Brazil) and management implications

The large population contingent and the precarious urban planning in the metropolitan region of Sao Paulo have resulted in uncontrolled growth in areas where springs exist, generating strong pressures on the reservoirs. Concomitantly, a lack of articulation between public and private policy has led to various socio-environmental conflicts in the Billings watershed. This spring, which is responsible for the direct and indirect supply of water to millions of people, represents an enormous challenge for water resource management. In this context, this study aimed to analyze the seasonal limnological conditions of the Billings Complex, in particular the Rio Grande and Taquacetuba branches, and discuss the implications for the management procedure applied in the branches. Physical (water temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, suspended material, organic and inorganic suspended material) chemical (dissolved oxygen, total phosphorus and nitrogen, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium and inorganic phosphorus) and biological (chlorophyll-a) variables of the water were analyzed and the Trophic State Index was calculated. The results indicate a hypertrophic state in the Taquacetuba branch. The Rio Grande branch presented a mesotrophic state which is, however, artificially maintained due to copper sulfate and hydrogen peroxide treatments. The results are also discussed in light of CONAMA Resolution 357/2005. Levels of chlorophyll-a and total phosphorous in the Taquacetuba branch do not conform to the proposed class of use, class I. In this branch, monitoring must be intensified and measures adopted to reduce the level of nutrients in the main body of the Billings complex.
İzmir Kemalpaşa İlçesi kiraz bahçelerinin verimlilik durumları ve ağır metal içerikleri

The aim of this study was to determine nutritional status and heavy metal contents of cherry orchards in Kemalpasa (Izmir, Turkey). For this purpose, soil and leaf samples were taken from 10 selected orchards. According to the results; soil reaction was lightly high but total soluble salts and CaC03 were adequate levels. Organic matter content was very low in 60 % of soils. Amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus were sufficient in much of soils but amount of potassium was sufficient only in 60 % of soils. From microelements, amounts of Fe (except number 3 orchard), Cu and Mn were determined as sufficient in soils but amount of Zn was sufficient only in number 5, 8 and 9 orchard soils. Heavy metal contents of soil samples were determined below the threshold values except the amount of Ni belong to number 8 orchard. Amounts of N, P and Mg in leaf samples were determined as sufficient but amounts of K and Ca as insufficient Fe amounts of leaf sample belong to 3 orchards were insufficient and Zn amount was very high in only one orchard leaves. Cd level of leaves was below the threshold value but Cr level in 70 %, Co level in 100 % ,Pb level in %90 and N ilevel in 60 % of orchard leaves were above the threshold value.