Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SKELETOCHRONOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF VARIATION IN AGE STRUCTURE, BODY SIZE, AND LIFE HISTORY IN THREE SPECIES OF DESMOGNATHINE SALAMANDERS

We evaluated age structure in three species of desmognathine salamanders at Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, North Carolina, for comparison with the results of an earlier study of age structure in these species at a nearby locality (Wolf Creek, North Carolina). At Coweeta, both Desmognathus quadramaculatus and D. monticola attain larger adult body sizes and greater ages than their Wolf Creek counterparts. The differences appear to stem in part from greater ages at sexual maturation in both species at Coweeta versus Wolf Creek. This disparity is most pronounced in D. quadramaculatus, where the estimated ages at first reproduction are 7–8 yr in males and 9–10 yr in females. The Coweeta populations of D. quadramaculatus and D. monticola may also have higher survivorship and higher rates of post-maturational growth than those at Wolf Creek. In contrast, in the third and smallest species, D. ocoee, the Coweeta population did not differ in size and age attributes from that at Wolf Creek. We hypothesize that the more mesic climate of Coweeta versus Wolf Creek is a safer environment for the two larger, aquatic to semi-aquatic desmognathines, eliciting selection for later maturation and thus larger body sizes. In contrast, selection on the life history of the smaller and more terrestrial D. ocoee at both localities may derive mainly from factors other than the climatic differential.
Effects of atrazine and nitrate on northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens) larvae exposed in the laboratory from posthatch through metamorphosis

A ecent ecological rsk assessment of the herbicideatrazinefound that theecosystemsat greatest risk within North America are the streams, rivers, and reservoirs of the midwestern corn‐growing regions. Habitats adjacent to application areas could be exposed to high levels of atrazine during periods of amphibian activity such as breeding and migration. Because fertilizer application coincides both spatially and temporally with atrazine application in agricultural areas, we tested the effects of atrazine and nitrate on northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens) larvae in the laboratory. Larvae were exposed to atrazine (0, 20, and 200 μg/L) and nitrate (0, 5, and 30 mg NO3‐N/L) from first‐feeding stage through metamorphosis in a factorial design. Atrazine concentrations in metamorphosed juveniles were approximately six times the concentration in the water, indicating bioconcentration of atrazine by larvae. Atrazine, nitrate, and their interaction had no significant effect on development rate, percent metamorphosis, time to metamorphosis, percent survival, mass at metamorphosis, or hematocrit. However, nitrate slowed growth of larvae. Though this growth inhibition is statistically significant, it is probably not biologically important when compared with natural variation in the environment. Thus, concentrations of atrazine and nitrate commonly found in the environment do not appear to pose a significant threat to R. pipiens larvae through direct toxicity.
Protein in varietally derived apple juices

The effect of oxidation during apple juice manufacture on the levels of flavan-3-ol and protein was determined. Increased oxidation reduced levels of protein to 84−184 mg/L in oxidized juice from 133−424 mg/L in less oxidized product. Flavan-3-ol levels were also markedly reduced. Oxidation caused SDS-PAGE patterns to be increasingly smeared or streaked with increasing amounts of material trapped at the origin. Throughout these oxidative effects on juice protein and flavan-3-ol, there was persistence of a protein of approximately 32 kDa in the juices of McIntosh, Golden Delicious, and Jonagold apples. The possible relationship of this “32 kDa” protein to haze formation in clarified apple juice is discussed. Keywords: Apple juice; fruits; polyphenol oxidation; enzymes
Modulation of the Post‐Prandial Plasma Glucose Profile in Juvenile European Sea Bass Dicentrarchus labrax Fed Diets Varying in Starch Complexity

The post-prandial glycemic response of juvenile European sea bass (initial mean weight 10 g) was determined following acclimation to experimental diets that contained a pea seed meal included at two levels. The ingredient provided a source of starch that replaced purified corn starcWyellow dextrin (2:1) in a reference diet based on fishmeal as the main protein component. The total carbohydrate levels amounted to 25% of the dry matter content and contributed (18%) to the overall gross dietary energy value of 20 MJ/kg. After a 12-wk feeding trial, in which the sea bass grew to over 40 g (mean weight), the plasma glucose profile was recorded over a 24-h period (0 h, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 9 h, 12 h, and 24 h) following a meal fed to satiation. Results showed that sea bass are able to regulate their glucostatic tolerance to dietary starch, and that the pea seed meal modulated this effect. Peak post-prandial responses varied between 1 to 9 h and were significantly delayed for the reference diet. Efficacy of glucose assimilation improved for the highest level of pea seed meal inclusion (40% by weight). The relevance of carbohydrate complexity with respect to feed formulation and nutritional requirements of sea bass are discussed.
Accumulation and Redistribution of Dry Matter and Nitrogen by Spring Barley

The grain protein content of barley (L.) is derived from the retranslocation of vegetative N, as well as from the continued uptake and assimilation of N during grain filling. Field trials were conducted at the E.A. Lods Agronomy Research Centre of McGill University on a a Bearbrook soil (fine, mixed, nonacid, frigid Humaquept) to study the effects of fertilizer N on grain and total plant N accumulation, vegetative N retranslocation, and post-heading N uptake, and also to evaluate the importance of pre- and post-anthesis N uptake in determining grain protein concentration (GPC). ‘Cadette’ and ‘Leger’, which are adapted feed types, and ‘Argyle’, an unadapted malting type, were grown with N rates of 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha broadcast at seeding as NHNO. Two other treatments consisted of applying 100 kg N ha at seeding and 50 kg N ha as NHNO (broadcast) or urea (foliar solution) 6 to 10 d after awn emergence. Retranslocation of vegetative N to the grain generally decreased with increased N application in 1988 and 1989, but not in 1990, when it increased. The proportion of vegetative N retranslocated to the grain decreased with increasing rates of fertilizer N in all years. Post-heading N uptake and assimilation increased with fertilizer N, and appeared to be the major contributor of N to the grain. Cultivar differences in GPC were not related to differences in total N uptake, grain N, N harvest index, and apparent post-heading N uptake or N retranslocation.
Ontogenetic changes in the association between antipredator responses and growth variables

Abstract 1. An organism’s growth parameters are expected to depend on environmental constraints, such as predation risk and food supply. However, antipredator responses, food intake, and thus growth of an animal may be mediated by behavioural traits, which are likely to differ among developmental stages. In this study, it was investigated how the relationship between growth and behavioural antipredator responses changes during ontogeny in the time‐constrained dragonfly species Libellula depressa, and which factors influenced specific behavioural decisions at different points in ontogeny.
Genetic Transformation of Crops for Insect Resistance: Potential and Limitations

Transgenic resistance to insects has been demonstrated in plants expressing insecticidal genes such as δ -endotoxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), protease inhibitors, enzymes, secondary plant metabolites, and plant lectins. While transgenic plants with introduced Bt genes have been deployed in several crops on a global scale, the alternative genes have received considerably less attention. The protease inhibitor and lectin genes largely affect insect growth and development and, in most instances, do not result in insect mortality. The effective concentrations of these proteins are much greater than the Bt toxin proteins. Therefore, the potential of some of the alternative genes can only be realized by deploying them in combination with conventional host plant resistance and Bt genes. Genes conferring resistance to insects can also be deployed as multilines or synthetic varieties. Initial indications from deployment of transgenics with insect resistance in diverse cropping systems in USA, Canada, Argentina, China, India, Australia, and South Africa suggest that single transgene products in standard cultivar backgrounds are not a recipe for sustainable pest management. Instead, a much more complex approach may be needed, one which may involve deployment of a combination of different transgenes in different backgrounds. Under diverse climatic conditions and cropping systems of tropics, the success in the utilization of transgenics for pest management may involve decentralized national breeding programs and several small-scale seed companies. While several transgenic crops with insecticidal genes have been introduced in the temperate regions, very little has been done to use this technology for improving crop productivity in the harsh environments of the tropics, where the need for increasing food production is most urgent. There is a need to develop appropriate strategies for deployment of transgenics for pest management, keeping in view the pest spectrum involved, and the effects on nontarget organisms in the ecosystem.
Interspecific and Geographical Variation in Trace Metal Concentrations of New Zealand Scallops

ABSTRACT The concentrations of selected trace metals were measured in commercially harvested New Zealand scallop species: Chlamys delicatula (queen scallop) from the Otago Coastal Shelf and Pecten novaezelandiae (dredge scallop) collected from 6 sites around the South Island, New Zealand (Titirangi Bay, Collingwood, Milford Sound, Breaksea Sound, Paterson Inlet, and the Chatham Islands). Bivalves were dissected into individual parts, the tissues lyophilized by freeze-drying, and then digested by heating with concentrated HNO3 and H2O2. The resulting solutions were analyzed by inductively coupled atomic emission spectrophotometry to determine the Cd, Cu, Zn, and Fe concentrations. For P. novaezelandiae, the trace metals in whole body tissues were site-specific with mean values ranging from 18–59 µg/g dry weight (dwt) for most sites and high Cd in scallops collected from the Chatham Islands (mean, 332 µg/g dwt). Cu concentrations were low, 6–11 µg/g; average concentrations of Zn ranged from 57–127 µg/g, and mean Fe values ranged from 197–2,324 µg/g. For C. delicatula the whole body tissue concentrations for Cd were 65 µg/g; for Cu, 6 µg/g; for Fe, 49 µg/g; and for Zn, 50 µg/g. The Cd concentrations were highest in digestive gland > gills > adductor muscle (striated and smooth) > gonad ∼ mantle. Particularly notable was the average Cd level of 3,985 ± 1,108 µg/ g dwt in the digestive gland and viscera of P. novaezelandiae collected from the Chatham Islands. The highest average Cu level was also measured in the digestive gland of both species. A higher average Fe level was measured in the gills of P. novaezelandiae (2,374 µg/g) compared with the gills of C. delicatula (133 µg/g). Trace metal concentrations in the scallop tissues did not correlate with any known environmental contaminants. Preliminary biochemical measurements using salt precipitation and dialysis indicated variable proportions of Cd bound to a protein with a molecular weight greater than 3,500 Da, depending on the scallop species and collection site. The Cd concentrations in P. novaezelandiae may be influenced by the Subtropical Convergence, with low Cd in areas more remote from this global oceanic current and highest values for samples from the Chatham Islands located within it. It was concluded that some scallop tissues may be useful as biomonitors for specific metals and that the characteristic metal signatures would be useful for fisheries management and compliance purposes in identifying scallops from various areas.
Larvae of the pea and bean weevil, Sitona lineatus, and the yield of field beans

Summary In 16 experiments with field beans at Rothamsted, Woburn and Saxmundham between 1969 and 1976, seed-bed applications to the soil of dieldrin or γ-HCH were used to control subsequent infestations of the roots by larvae of Sitona lineatus. Rates of between 1·12 and 4·48 kg a.i./ha were used. Larval populations on untreated plots plots were variable, but 70–80% control was usually given by rates of 2·24–4·48 kg a.i./ha. Insecticides nearly always increased yields, the mean increase for all treatments being 0·15 t/ha, but a maximum yield response of over 0·5t/ha was achieved. It is suggested that the importance of S. lineatua larvae as pests of field beans in Britain has been under-rated.
Pengaruh Kecemasan terhadap Hasil Belajar Matematika Siswa Kelas VII SMPN 13 Banjarmasin

Hasil belajar dipengaruhi oleh berbagai faktor salah satunya adalah faktor internal, yaitu faktor psikologis. Salah satu faktor psikologis adalah kecemasan. Kecemasan merupakan suatu perasaan yang mengacu pada suasana hati yang tidak nyaman yang berupa perasaan panik, gugup, khawatir ditimbulkan oleh adanya permasalahan. Kecemasan yang dijadikan permasalahan dalam penelitian ini adalah kecemasan yang menyebabkan ketidakmampuan siswa dalam menyelesaikan persoalan matematika. Penelitian ini adalah penelitian deskriptif kuantitatif. Untuk melihat mampu atau tidaknya siswa dalam mengerjakan permasalahan matematika dilakukan dengan menggunakan tes. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh siswa kelas VII SMPN 13 Banjarmasin yang terdiri dari 231 orang yang tersebar dalam 7 kelas. Sampel penelitian ini sebanyak sebanyak 70 orang yang tersebar di 7 kelas yang diambil secara acak. Pengambilan sampel menggunakan rumus slovin. Pengaruh kecemasan dan hasil belajar matematika diuji dengan menggunakan uji chi kuadrat . Hasil penelitian menunjukkan ada pengaruh yang kuat antara kecemasan terhadap hasil belajar matematika siswa kelas VII SMPN 13 Banjarmasin.
Effects of aspect and topography on pasture production in hill country

Abstract Pasture measurements were obtained from a northerly and a southerly aspect containing several soil strata which were defined by their soil profile characteristics and topography. Each aspect was continuously grazed by sheep at various stocking rates to maintain similar amounts of herbage mass. Over 4 years, the mean annual herbage accumulation and the green content of this herbage were greater on the southerly than the northerly aspect. Within an aspect, strata differed in net herbage accumulation, in the quantity and digestibility of herbage mass, and in botanical composition. Differences were larger on the northerly aspect where moisture-retentive strata were most productive. Variation in herbage accumulation among strata on each aspect was greater within an aspect, than the mean difference between aspects. The herbage mass on the southerly aspect was more digestible than that on the northerly aspect over late summer and autumn although on each aspect digestibility declined over the season.
Physiological Responses of Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri) to Electroshock

Electroshocking elicited an immediate increase in plasma corticoid and lactate concentrations and thrombocyte:leucocyte ratio in rainbow troul (Salmo gairdneri). Plasma glucose concentrations increased significantly after 3 h. Plasma protein, calcium, magnesium, and androgen levels were not measurably affected. Plasma lactate returned to preshock levels within 3 h, but corticoid and glucose concentrations remained elevated for at leasi 6 h. The fish coughed violently or did not resume normal breathing rates for 60 s post shocking. Although breathing frequency did not increase, buccal pressure increased substantially and riquired at least I h to return to preshock levels. Cardiac activity was irregular immediately after shocking, but no predictable alterations in rate were evident thereafter. The height of the T wave ln ECGs increased markedly l-3 min after shocking. The electrophoretic patterns of l3 isoenzymes from liver, white muscle, and plasma did not differ between fish captured by dipnet and those captured by electrofishing. Responses exhibited by fish to shocking are most likely attributable to combined effects of trauma, factors associated with paying offofan oxygen debt, and attributes associated with the general adaptation syndrome of stress. A substantial period oftime of more than 6 h is required for fish to return to "normal" preshock conditions.
Effect of lupins and location on soil acidification rates

The effect of years since clearing, frequency of lupin crops, and location on soil acidification rates was determined on a deep yellow sand in the northern wheatbelt of Western Australia. The study involved soil sampling of 87-89 sites at each of 2 locations (Mingenew, East Chapman) representing a range of years (3-40) since land clearing and frequency of lupin crops (0-11). The sites were sampled to a depth of 80 cm in 10-cm increments, and measurements included soil pH, pH buffering capacity, and bulk density. The rate of acidification for the profile at Mingenew (400-450 mm rainfalljyear) in a rotation without lupins (3-4 years pasture and 1 year wheat) was 0.42 kmol H+/ha . year requiring 21 kg CaCO3/ha. year to neutralise. When a lupin-wheat rotation was grown at Mingenew, the net acidification for the profile was 0.62 kmol H+/ha. year (or 31 kg lime/ha. year). The main causes of acidification were organic anion removal and nitrate leaching. At East Chapman (325-375 mm rainfall/year), the acidification rate depended on years since clearing. For 8-14 years since clearing the acidification rate was negative, and for 15-4oyears since clearing it was positive: in year 8 the rate for the profile was -0.39 kmol H+/ha. year; in year 15, 0.04 kmol H+/ha. year; and in year 40, 1.58 kmol H+/ha. year (79 kg CaCO3/ha.year). The main causes of acidification were organic anion removal, nitrate leaching, and ammonium-based nitrogen fertiliser use. There was a significant difference in initial pH (pH of the uncleared sites) of the soil samples from the 2 locations; at East Chapman the initial pH was 0.2-0.3 units higher than at Mingenew, and the rate of pH decline was greater at East chapman.
Skeletomuscular anatomy of the harvestman Leiobunum aldrichi (Weed, 1893) (Arachnida: Opiliones: Palpatores) and its evolutionary significance

Abstract Skeletal muscles of the North American harvestman Leiobunum aldrichi are exhaustively surveyed and compared with other chelicerates to clarify the evolutionary morphology and phylogenetic relationships of arachnids. Representatives of 104 muscle groups are described and illustrated, and their possible functions are proposed. Comparisons of the feeding apparatus of L. aldrichi with that of other opilions, especially Siro (Cyphophthalmi) and Acromares (Laniatores), and two scorpion genera ( Centruroides , Pandinus ) indicate that the pharyngeal apparatus in L. aldrichi is derived and that its ability to accommodate large food particles is a secondary rather than primitive condition. Comparisons reveal several possible synapomorphies between Opiliones and Scorpiones suggesting that these orders may be sister groups. Apparently unique synapomorphies include an extrinsic cheliceral muscle that arises from the carapace and inserts on the second cheliceral article (deutomerite); an epistome divided into distal and proximal parts by a transverse sulcus; pharyngeal dilator muscles supported by a peripharyngeal skeleton formed by one dorsomedial and two ventrolateral epistomal processes, the latter also with muscular attachments to the endosternite; a specialized preoral chamber (stomotheca) derived from extensions (coxapophyses) of the coxae of the pedipalp and first two leg pairs; internal processes associated with the coxapophyses that serve, in part, as an attachment for muscles operating the coxa-trochanter joints, and lateral endosternal suspensor muscles that insert on the arthrodial membrane between the leg coxae. These are the first observations providing explicit support for an Opiliones–Scorpiones clade.
Relationships between fat depots and body condition score or tail fatness in the Rasa Aragonesa breed

The relationships between body fat depots and body condition score (BCS) were determined in 52 adult Rasa Aragonesa ewes aged 10 (s.d. 2) years and ranging in BCS from 1·5 to 4·5. BCS of each ewe was assessed by three people, the repeatability within individuals being 90% and between individuals 80%. The ewes were weighed before slaughter. After slaughter the omental, mesenteric, kidney and pelvic fat were separated and weighed. The fat of the left side of the carcass was separated into subcutaneous and intermuscular depots. The relationship between live weight and BCS was semilogarithmic and those between fat depots and BCS were logarithmic. Regression analysis was also used to describe the relationships between the various fat depots and BCS or live weight. Of the variation in total fat weight, proportionately 0·90 was accounted for by variations in BCS, while 0·84 was accounted for by variations in live weight. For individual fat depots proportionately 0·86 to 0·90 of the variation was accounted for by variation in BCS and 0·69 to 0·79 by variation in live weight. BCS was a better predictor than live weight of the weight of both total body fat and the individual fat depots. A curvilinear regression between BCS and live weight showed that the increases in live weight for a unit change in BCS was 7, 10, 12 and 16 kg for each one point increase in BCS from 1 to 5 respectively. The tail fat depot (tail fatness score) was assessed in the same ewes by score on a three-point scale. Of the variation in the weight of individual fat depots, proportionately 0·79 to 0·86 was accounted for by variation in tail fatness score. Thus the tail fatness score could be used as an additional method of assessing body condition in the Aragonesa breed.