bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Habitat characteristics for New Holland mouse Pseudomys novaehollandiae in Victoria
Authors: Wilson BA , Laidlaw WS
Published: May 2013

Pseudomys novaehollandiae is ‘Endangered’ in Victoria, where it is presently considered to
be extant at only three localities Loch Sport, Providence Ponds, and Wilsons Promontory.
This study aimed to determine indicators of suitable habitat for the species that could assist in
identifying potential habitat and sites for planned re-introductions as part of a recovery
program. Vegetation and site data (soils, topography, rainfall, fire age-time since fire) were
assessed at localities where P. novaehollandiae was recorded. The species occurred in five
structural vegetation groups - open-forest, woodland, heathland, shrubland, grassland, with
the most common being open-forest and woodland. Grassland and shrubland were restricted
to coastal sand-dunes in south Gippsland. Understorey vegetation at most sites was dominated
by sclerophyllous shrubs ranging in cover from 10 - 70%. Classification of quadrats produced
eight floristic groups in which the trend was for quadrats to cluster according to geographical
location. Ordination confirmed the classification pattern and vector-fitting produced
significant correlations between vector points and five variables: species richness, latitude,
longitude, fire age and annual rainfall. The study identified a range of vegetation
communities where P. novaehollandiae occurs and provided evidence that the species is not
restricted to floristically rich and diverse heathlands. The findings can be used to determine
further localities with suitable habitat. However, factors other than vegetation are also likely
to be important in predicting suitable habitat.
Population monitoring for kangaroo management.
Authors: Pople AR
Published: May 2013

In wildlife management, the program of monitoring will depend on the management objective.
If the objective is damage mitigation, then ideally it is damage that should be monitored.
Alternatively, population size (N) can be used as a surrogate for damage, but the relationship
between N and damage obviously needs to be known. If the management objective is a
sustainable harvest, then the system of monitoring will depend on the harvesting strategy. In
general, the harvest strategy in all states has been to offer a quota that is a constant proportion of
population size. This strategy has a number of advantages over alternative strategies, including
a low risk of over- or underharvest in a stochastic environment, simplicity, robustness to bias in
population estimates and allowing harvest policy to be proactive rather than reactive. However,
the strategy requires an estimate of absolute population size that needs to be made regularly for
a fluctuating population. Trends in population size and in various harvest statistics, while of
interest, are secondary. This explains the large research effort in further developing accurate
estimation methods for kangaroo populations. Direct monitoring on a large scale is costly.
Aerial surveys are conducted annually at best, and precision of population estimates declines
with the area over which estimates are made. Management at a fine scale (temporal or spatial)
therefore requires other monitoring tools. Indirect monitoring through harvest statistics and
habitat models, that include rainfall or a greenness index from satellite imagery, may prove
useful.
Aspects of the ecophysiology and the dietary strategy of the greater bilby Macrotis lagotis: a review.
Authors: Gibson LA , Hume ID
Published: May 2013

Since European settlement, the distribution of the greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis), an
omnivorous peramelid marsupial, has contracted into the driest and least fertile parts of its
former range. A review of the dietary, metabolic and digestive strategies used by M. lagotis
provides the basis for an explanation of its ability to persist in the arid regions where it is now
restricted. M. lagotis utilises an opportunistic feeding strategy, selecting dietary items in
accordance with their abundance. Termites, ants and seeds, that form a concentrated food
source, are prevalent in their diet. In captivity, M. lagotis exhibits a flexible digestive strategy
that enables them to use diets of varying nutritional value. However, the absence of a colonic
separation mechanism in the hindgut suggests that they are limited to relatively low-fibre diets,
and this is reflected in their diet in the field. The low water and maintenance nitrogen
requirements of M. lagotis are consistent with arid habitation, but the field metabolic rate is
higher than expected for an arid-zone mammal, which suggests that water rather than energy
conservation is a priority for this species.
Distribution, habitat and conservation status of the eastern pygmy-possum Cercartetus nanus in Tasmania.
Authors: Harris J.M. , Munks S.A. , Goldingay R.L. , Wapstra M. , Hird D.
Published: May 2013

We review literature pertaining to the distribution, habitat and conservation status of the eastern pygmy-possum Cercartetus nanus in Tasmania. Records from fauna surveys, museum specimens, and the Tasmanian Natural Values Atlas database, suggest that although C. nanus is widespread, it occurs in low numbers in Tasmania. From 51 fauna surveys examined, only 19 C. nanus were detected in a total of 47,087 Elliott trap-nights, 5,665 pitfall trap-nights, 196 scats or owl pellets, 899 spotlight hours, and 86 predator stomachs. A total of 102 Tasmanian C. nanus specimens was located in Australian and overseas museums. These records combined with 23 from the Natural Values Atlas database and 61 from an earlier published collation represent 99 of 679 grid squares (10 km x 10 km) overlaid across Tasmania (including King Island and Flinders Island). The patchy distribution of these records may be a reflection of low survey effort, low population numbers, low detectability or a combination of these and other factors. The highest number of records for a single locality was only four. Available data suggest that Tasmanian populations may be small and therefore potentially at risk from habitat loss, inappropriate fire regimes, and firewood collection. We believe there is a pressing need for further surveys to more clearly define the conservation status of C. nanus in Tasmania.
Maternal behaviour at parturition in outdoor conditions differs only moderately between single-bearing ewes selected for their calm or nervous temperament
Authors: Bickell S. L. , Nowak R. , Poindron P. , Ferguson D. , Blache D.
Published: May 2013

Maternal and lamb behaviours play a major role in lamb survival and there is evidence that selection for calm temperament may help improve lamb survival by improving maternal behaviour. However, the apparent better maternal behaviour of calm ewes might be due partly to their lower reactivity to the presence of the human observer rather than to better maternal behaviour per se. The extent to which the selection for temperament influenced the behaviour of the ewe and lamb after parturition with minimal human disturbance was investigated in the present work. Single-bearing multiparous and primiparous ewes were observed to determine any interactions of temperament with maternal experience on ewe and lamb behaviours. Postpartum ewe-lamb interactions under outdoor lambing conditions were captured by continuous video recordings by a remote controlled recording device for up to 2 h postpartum. Calm ewes licked their lambs more and tended to stay longer on the birth site. Nervous lambs stood up earlier and were quicker to start performing exploratory behaviour. However, duration of suckling during the observation period did not differ between the calm and nervous lambs. There were no effects of maternal experience on the behaviour of the lamb and there were no interactions between temperament and maternal experience on the behaviour of the ewe or lamb. Our study indicates that temperament does influence the early postpartum behaviour of ewes and lambs under extensive field conditions.
Moderate levels of dietary sheep milk powder reduce experimentally induced colonic inflammation in rats
Authors: Anderson Rachel C. , Bermingham Emma N. , McNabb Warren C. , Cookson Adrian L. , Tavendale Michael H. , Armstrong Kelly M. , Knowles Scott O. , Roy Nicole C.
Published: May 2013

Anecdotal evidence suggests that sheep milk may be more beneficial than cow milk for people with intestinal health problems; however, there are no published reports on the effects of sheep milk on intestinal function. Our hypothesis was that sheep milk powder can reduce the severity of colonic inflammation in rats with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. A preliminary experiment investigated the palatability of sheep milk powder in the diet of 5-week-old rats with (n = 8) or without (n = 8) DSS-induced colitis. Increasing sheep milk powder from 11 to 56% in the diet had no effect (P > 0.05) on food intake, showing that rats readily eat low and high levels of sheep milk powder in the diet, with or without DSS. Experiment 2 investigated the effects of moderate levels of sheep milk powder (11%) in rat diet on colon morphology, colonic biochemical markers of intestinal function, and caecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations, with (n = 8) or without (n = 8) DSS-induced colitis. Colon total histological injury scores decreased and caecal concentrations of butyric and propionic acids were increased (P < 0.05) in DSS rats fed moderate (11%) dietary levels of sheep milk powder. Experiment 3 investigated the effects of high levels (56%) of sheep milk powder in rat diet on colonic markers of intestinal inflammation, and caecal microbial populations, with (n = 11) or without (n = 8) DSS-induced colitis. Sheep milk powder at 56% of the diet had no effect on colonic biochemical markers of intestinal health, or on caecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations. However, the caecal digesta concentrations of beneficial microbial populations (lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and clostridia) were increased (P < 0.05) and the concentrations of potentially harmful bacteria (coliforms) were decreased (P < 0.05). These results suggest the benefits of moderate levels of sheep milk during DSS-induced colonic inflammation may be due to alterations in the caecal microbiota composition, and further investigation into its health benefits are warranted.
Quantitative nutrition of deer: energy, protein and water
Authors: Dryden G. McL.
Published: May 2013

The quantitative requirements of deer for energy, protein and water are reviewed, using where possible a factorial approach to defining requirements. Deer may be more efficient than cattle and sheep in metabolising digested energy and in utilising metabolisable energy as a source of net energy. The average net energy requirement for maintenance (NEm) of adult, non-lactating deer in winter–spring is 0.39 MJ/W (kg)0.75 per day. Temperate species have a higher requirement in summer–autumn, and tropical species in a subtropical environment have a greater requirement in winter. NEm declines with age, and is increased in lactating females.
Diet protein contents that are reported to be adequate for maintenance and production are ~4–9% and 16–22%, respectively. It is difficult to use a factorial approach to describe deer protein requirements because of a lack of information on basal endogenous N excretion rates, the outflow of metabolisable protein from the rumen and the efficiencies of utilisation of metabolisable protein. Differences in digestive function between deer and other ruminants mean that data for cattle and sheep may not be applicable to deer.
Guides to drinking water consumption by deer are a water  : dry matter intake ratio of ~3.5 : 1 and 139 g drinking water/W (kg)0.75 per day; but ambient temperature, physiological state and diet composition greatly affect water requirements. The salinity tolerances of cervine and rusine deer and of fallow deer are ~8000 and 12 000 mg/kg drinking water, respectively.
Advances in ecology and conservation of Hippocamelus species in South America
Authors: Smith-Flueck J. M. , Barrio J. , Ferreyra N. , Nuñez A. , Tomas N. , Guzman J. , Flueck W. T. , Hinojosa A. , Vidal F. , Garay G. , Jimenez J.
Published: May 2013

A symposium was held for the two South American deer of the genus Hippocamelus: the taruka, H. antisensis and the Patagonian huemul, H. bisulcus. The taruka is recognized as vulnerable and the huemul as endangered on the IUCN red list. To reverse the current trend and prevent further imminent declines, 13 recommendations were proposed. For taruka, national recovery plans should be developed and implemented in each country it inhabits, and hunting must be managed. For huemul’s lack of recovery, much still remains unknown about the causal factors and their overall significance: culpeo fox (Pseudalopex culpaeus) appear not to be an important mortality agent of heumul fawns, whereas habitat suitability may be the fundamental cause for the declines. Research should be conducted to better evaluate the interplay of threats and their relative importance.
The importance of pre-laying behaviour and nest boxes for laying hen welfare: a review
Authors: Cronin Greg M. , Barnett the late John L. , Hemsworth Paul H.
Published: May 2013

The housing of commercial laying hens in conventional cages is one of the most contentious animal welfare issues in animal production in Australia and other developed countries. The main issues are restriction of space and opportunity to perform ‘natural’ behaviours such as pre-laying behaviour, dust bathing and roosting. The provision of a nest box is argued by some to be essential for laying hen welfare. While the majority of hens (at least 70%) will lay in a nest box if provided, neither the lack of a nest box nor the sudden denial of access to a nest box, result in adverse welfare based on physiological stress response measured via corticosterone concentrations in either plasma or egg albumen. However, recent research suggests that hens that spent more time sitting during the 2 h before egg laying had lower plasma corticosterone concentrations, when sampled ~4–5 h post-egg laying. On the other hand, hens that displayed more bouts of sitting before egg laying, perhaps suggesting they were more frequently disturbed and thus less settled, had higher corticosterone concentrations. One function of nest boxes might be to provide those hens that choose to lay there with a location where they are less disturbed before egg laying. Further research on the effects of pre-laying behaviour and nest site selection on physiological stress in laying hens may provide important information regarding how to house commercial laying hens for good welfare.
Ewe movement and ewe-lamb contact levels in shelter are greater at higher stocking rates
Authors: Broster J. C. , Rathbone D. P. , Robertson S. M. , King B. J. , Friend M. A.
Published: May 2013

This experiment used contact loggers and GPS collars to evaluate the effect of stocking rate during lambing on ewe movement and contact levels between animals. Twin-bearing Merino ewes were placed in 0.5-ha paddocks sheltered with rows of hessian at stocking rates of 16 and 30 ewes/ha for the low and high stocking rates, respectively. The ewes did not spend more time in more sheltered areas of the paddock, and use of shelter was not influenced by stocking rate. Ewes at the high stocking rate travelled 11% farther per day but crossed through the hessian rows 37% less than ewes at the low stocking rate. Stocking rate did not change the level of contact between ewes, but higher levels of contact were shown between ewes and their lambs at the high stocking rate. The results suggest that the interaction between ewes and their lambs is modified by stocking rate and/or flock size for small groups lambing in shelter rows.
Mob-based walk-over weights: similar to the average of individual static weights?
Authors: Brown D. J. , Savage D. B. , Hinch G. N. , Semple S. J.
Published: May 2013

Merino ewe liveweight represents an objective measure shown to have a profound effect on production outcomes and therefore research into technology that provides accurate and timely feedback of ewe liveweight change is warranted. Most sheep in Australia are not individually identified and therefore management of sheep is on a flock or ‘mob’ basis. Mob-based walk-over weighing (MBWOW) is a remote weighing concept for sheep flocks whereby animal weights are collected as they pass freely over a strategically placed weighing platform. The weights are then collected by the livestock manager, analysed and interpreted to aid nutritional decision making on a whole-flock basis. The hypothesis tested in this study was that data from MBWOW systems is comparable to data from static weighing sessions. At three sites, MBWOW data was collected simultaneously with monthly static weighing sessions. Raw data from MBWOW from each site was manipulated through a series of methodologies that were compared according to their relationship with the static weight data. All forms of MBWOW data showed a significant relationship with static weighing data (P < 0.05). Using a 25% filter (data within 25% of a predetermined central weight kept) and grouping data into 5-day groups strengthens the relationship between MBWOW data and static weighing data. In 1-day groupings, MBWOW data with a 25% filter and subjectively chosen central weight showed the strongest relationship (R2 = 0.89) with static weighing data. In 5-day groupings, MBWOW data with a 25% filter and reference weight from a previous weighing event as a central weight showed the strongest relationship (R2 = 0.88) to static weighing data. The former MBWOW data manipulation methodology had the least mean numerical difference (±s.d.) between MBWOW data and static weighing data (1.86 ± 0.85 kg), yet the latter had the least mean numerical difference in change-in MBWOW data and change-in static weighing data (1.51 ± 0.39 kg), and as change-in liveweight has the most application to industry, it is recommend as the preferred data manipulation technique. These findings suggest that although MBWOW is not fully congruent with static weighing, a strong relationship (R2 > 0.8) between the two and low mean numerical difference in change-in liveweight indicates that MBWOW has potential to be used to established liveweight profiles for Merino ewes that aid nutritional management.
Managing the weaning transition of Merino lambs by promoting positive growth rates and increasing survival – is yard weaning a viable option?
Authors: Gabb S. , Hatcher S. , Eppleston J. , Watt B. , Thornberry K. J.
Published: May 2013

The effectiveness of yard weaning to manage the weaning transition period for Merino sheep was investigated on three commercial properties in the New South Wales Central Tablelands. Three experiments were conducted, Experiment 1 investigated the duration of yard weaning, Experiment 2 compared two alternative rations provided to yard-weaned animals, while Experiment 3 compared yard weaning with paddock weaning. The ‘Control’ for each of the three experiments was each producers’ normal paddock-weaning strategy with comparisons based on post-weaning growth rates and weaner survival. Liveweights were recorded at weaning and at 15, 50 and 180 days post-weaning. Growth rates were calculated from liveweight measurements. Survival was determined by the continuing presence of an individual animal at subsequent measurements. Compared with the paddock-weaned Control group, variable responses in liveweight, growth rates and weaner survival to 50 and 180 days post-weaning occurred in the three experiments. Yard weaning was not superior to any of the producers’ normal paddock-weaning practices, however, favourable seasonal conditions in early 2010 prompted high growth rates in the paddock-weaned Control animals relative to those achieved by the yard-weaned animals. Further research is required to determine the optimum duration of confinement and ration (including composition and method of delivery). This work should include comparisons of the behaviour of paddock- and yard-weaned animals and model production benefits versus economic costs for a range of production systems and market scenarios.
Lucerne, phalaris, and wallaby grass in short-term pasture phases in two eastern Australian wheatbelt environments. 1. Importance of initial perennial density on their persistence and recruitment, and on the presence of weeds
Authors: Dear B. S. , Virgona J. M. , Sandral G. A. , Swan A. D. , Orchard B. A.
Published: May 2013

The influence of initial plant density on the changes in the populations of 3 perennial pasture species, lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), wallaby grass (Austrodanthonia richardsonii (Cashm.) H.P. Linder), and phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.), over a 3-year pasture phase was examined in the wheatbelt of southern New South Wales. The perennials were sown at 5 rates in combination with subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) at 2 locations, Kamarah [430 mm average annual rainfall (a.a.r.)] and Junee (550 mm a.a.r). The range in initial plant populations for lucerne, phalaris, and wallaby grass was 4–74, 8–94, and 2–20 plants/m2, respectively, at Kamarah and 11–120, 9–149, and 6–48 plants/m2 at Junee.
When sown at higher densities, the density of lucerne and phalaris declined curvilinearly over the 3 years at both sites. At the 3 lower densities, phalaris populations remained constant at both sites. Lucerne, in contrast, declined over all densities at both sites except at the lowest density at the wetter site (Junee). The rate of decline in lucerne was negatively related (R2 = 0.75) to initial density at Junee, but not at Kamarah. The density of the native grass, wallaby grass, increased with time at both sites through seedling recruitment.
The invasion of experimental plots by the summer weed Eragrostis cilianensis (All.) Vign. ex Janchen (stinkgrass) was restricted by lucerne and phalaris, with a negative curvilinear relationship between perennial density and E. cilianensis seedlings in both environments (R2 = 0.65–0.70). In contrast, wallaby grass was ineffective at suppressing E. cilianensis.
By the third year, phalaris had significantly higher herbage yields in spring than lucerne and wallaby grass at both sites and phalaris yield was independent of density. Lucerne yields at this time increased with density only at the wetter site (R2 = 0.64), but wallaby grass yields responded to increasing density at both sites (R2 = 0.27–0.59).
The experiment demonstrated that establishing higher initial perennial populations of lucerne and phalaris, which did not recruit during the experiment, will result in the maintenance of higher populations over the life of a 3–4 year pasture phase despite proportionally higher rates of plant loss. The size of the initial population was less critical for wallaby grass, which was able to increase in density through recruitment. High initial populations are likely to be an advantage for suppressing weeds in swards of perennial species with limited ability to increase their basal area, such as lucerne and wallaby grass, but will be less beneficial for species such as phalaris, which can compensate by greatly increasing its basal area at lower densities.
Across population genetic parameters for wool, growth, and reproduction traits in Australian Merino sheep. 1. Data structure and non-genetic effects
Authors: Safari E. , Fogarty N. M. , Gilmour A. R. , Atkins K. D. , Mortimer S. I. , Swan A. A. , Brien F. D. , Greeff J. C. , van der Werf J. H. J.
Published: May 2013

Accurate estimates of adjustment factors for systematic environmental effects are required for genetic evaluation systems. This study combined data from 7 research resource flocks across Australia to estimate genetic parameters and investigate the significance of various environmental factors for production traits in Australian Merino sheep. The flocks were maintained for several generations and represented contemporary Australian Merino fine, medium, and broad wool bloodlines over the past 30 years. Over 110 000 records were available for analysis for each of the major wool traits, with over 2700 sires and 25 000 dams. Univariate linear mixed animal models were used to analyse 6 wool, 4 growth, and 4 reproduction traits. This first paper outlines the data structure and the non-genetic effects of age of the animal, age of dam, birth-rearing type, sex, flock, bloodline, and year, which were significant with few exceptions for all production traits. Age of dam was not significant for reproduction traits and fleece yield. Generally, wool, growth, and reproduction traits need to be adjusted for age, birth-rearing type, and age of dam before the estimation of breeding values for pragmatic and operational reasons. Adjustment for animal age in wool traits needs to be applied for clean fleece weight (CFW), greasy fleece weight (GFW), and fibre diameter (FD) with inclusion of 2 age groups (2 years old and >2 years old), but for reproduction traits, inclusion of all age groups is more appropriate. For GFW, CFW, and hogget weight (HWT), adjustment for only 2 dam age groups of maiden and mature ewes seems sufficient, whereas for birth (BWT), weaning (WWT), and yearling (YWT) weights, adjustments need to be applied for all dam age groups. Adjustment for birth-rearing type (single-single, multiple-single, multiple-multiple) is appropriate for wool, growth, and reproduction traits. The implications of adjustment for non-genetic effects are discussed.
Expression of a FLOWERING LOCUS T homologue is temporally associated with annual flower bud initiation in Eucalyptus globulus subsp. globulus (Myrtaceae)
Authors: Jones Rebecca C. , Hecht Valérie F. G. , Potts Brad M. , Vaillancourt René E. , Weller James L.
Published: May 2013

The transition to flowering in plants is the result of the balance of endogenous processes and environmental signals that act through a complex genetic pathway that has been studied extensively in annual plants such as Arabidopsis. Perennial trees are characterised by a juvenile non-flowering phase lasting several years followed by an adult phase in which there is repeated cycling between vegetative and reproductive growth. The genetic control of flowering time is potentially more complex in perennials than in annuals and is less understood. Here, we examine the control of flowering in Eucalyptus globulus subsp. globulus, an important forestry species in temperate parts of the world. The E. globulus subsp. globulus homologues of two important flowering genes FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) and LEAFY (LFY) were isolated and quantitative RT-PCR was used to measure their expression over a 2-year period. The expression of the homologue of FT in E. globulus subsp. globulus leaves was associated with the annual transition from vegetative to reproductive growth (i.e. flower bud initiation). Expression of the LFY homologue was associated with early flower bud development. In a comparison of FT and LFY expression patterns in two clones each of an early and late anthesis genotype, no association between the expression of these genes and the timing of anthesis was shown. Taken together, this indicates that FT and LFY could form part of the flower initiation pathway in Eucalyptus but do not regulate the observed differences in anthesis time.
One-Pot Syntheses of Diaryliodonium Salts from Aryl Iodides Using Peracetic Acid as Green Oxidant
Authors: Dohi Toshifumi , Yamaoka Nobutaka , Itani Itsuki , Kita Yasuyuki
Published: May 2013

The rate-accelerating effects of fluoroalcohol solvents for generating trivalent hypervalent iodine species and the conversion into diaryliodonium(iii) salts have been used for the first time to realize a facile and clean one-pot synthesis of diaryliodonium(iii) salts 3 from aryl iodides 1 and suitable arene partners 2 with peracetic acid (PAA). The use of PAA as a green and practical oxidant is significantly effective in fluoroalcohol solvents. The scope and limitations of the methodology are elucidated by investigation of a wide variety of representative substrates.
Cancer-targeting Antibody–Drug Conjugates: Site-specific Conjugation of Doxorubicin to Anti-EGFR 528 Fab' through a Polyethylene Glycol Linker
Authors: Hong Lisa P. T. , Scoble Judith A. , Doughty Larissa , Coia Gregory , Williams Charlotte C.
Published: May 2013

Antibody–drug conjugates have been prepared to examine the effect that attaching small-molecule drugs to an antibody fragment has on antibody activity. The anticancer drug doxorubicin was covalently attached through a polyethylene glycol linker to a cancer-targeting, anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibody fragment (Fab′). The reactivity of maleimide was compared with a substituted maleimide derivative (citraconimide) in conjugation reactions with cysteine residues on a Fab′. Introduction of polyethylene glycol increased aqueous solubility of the cytotoxic drug, which led to an improvement in overall yield of the conjugation reaction with the antibody fragment. Antibody–drug conjugates prepared retained activity of the parent antibody, as determined by antigen binding experiments measured by surface plasmon resonance.
Homo and Heterocoupling of Terminal Alkynes Using Catalytic CuCl2 and DBU
Authors: Balamurugan Rengarajan , Naveen Naganaboina , Manojveer Seetharaman , Nama Masthan Vali
Published: May 2013

Homocoupling of terminal alkynes has been efficiently achieved using catalytic amounts of CuCl2 and DBU. This methodology could be extended to couple two different terminal alkynes together by taking one of the alkyne partners, preferably the electron rich alkyne, in five fold excess than the other.
Cyanide Thermodynamics. III. Enthalpies and Entropies of Ionization of Water and Hydrogen Cyanide
Authors: Solis JS , May PM , Hefter G
Published: May 2013

The heats (enthalpy changes) associated with the ionization of water and of hydrogen cyanide have been determined by titration calorimetry at 25�C as a function of ionic strength up to 5 M in both NaCl and NaClO4 media. The enthalpy changes for both reactions exhibit a 'medium effect' with ?H being more positive in NaCl than in NaClO4 and with the difference becoming more pronounced with increasing ionic strength. This is attributed to the greater solvation of Cl- cf. CN- in aqueous solution. The present ?H values are similar to previous published results at high ionic strengths, and are in excellent agreement with the well established literature values at infinite dilution. The present ?H values were combined with literature stability constant data to calculate the corresponding entropies for the ionization of H2O and HCN as a function of ionic strength.
A method for the simultaneous quantification of 23 C1–C9 trace aldehydes and ketones in seawater
Authors: Hudson Edward D. , Ariya Parisa A. , Gélinas Yves
Published: May 2013

Environmental contextLow-molecular weight aldehydes and ketones formed in the oceans may be transferred to the atmosphere, affecting its oxidant chemistry and capacity. This in turn affects the lifetimes of other trace gases, as well as leading to secondary organic aerosol formation, both of which have climatic implications. We describe a facile, economical and readily available technique to measure low-molecular weight aldehydes and ketones in seawater.
AbstractLow molecular weight aldehydes and ketones in the surface oceans are produced by dissolved organic matter photochemistry or by biology, and can be transferred to the atmosphere, affecting its oxidative capacity. They therefore link the organic carbon biogeochemistry of the atmosphere and the oceans. We have developed and optimised a mobile, economical and facile method which allows for the simultaneous quantification of 23 C1–C9 low molecular weight aldehydes and ketones in seawater. The compounds are derivatised using O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)-hydroxylamine (PFBHA), pre-concentrated by solid-phase microextraction and analysed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric or flame ionisation detection. Detection limits range from 0.01 to 23.5 nM, depending on the compound, with sub-nanomolar detection limits achieved for most compounds. High process blanks were observed for C1–C3 carbonyl compounds; sparging with ultrahigh purity argon, and solid phase extraction of the dissolved PFBHA to remove pre-existing carbonyl oximes, were the most effective blank reduction methods. The method was applied to surface waters from the lower St Lawrence Estuary (Quebec, Canada), revealing C2–C6 carbonyl compounds at concentrations of up to 7.5 nM.
Air concentrations and particle–gas partitioning of polyfluoroalkyl compounds at a wastewater treatment plant
Authors: Vierke Lena , Ahrens Lutz , Shoeib Mahiba , Reiner Eric J. , Guo Rui , Palm Wolf-Ulrich , Ebinghaus Ralf , Harner Tom
Published: May 2013

Environmental contextPolyfluoroalkyl compounds, widely used chemicals in consumer and industrial products, are global pollutants in the environment. Transport mechanisms and environmental pathways of these compounds, however, are not yet fully understood. We show that a wastewater treatment plant can be an important source for polyfluoroalkyl compounds to the atmosphere where they have the potential to be transported long distances.
AbstractAn air sampling campaign was conducted at a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to investigate air concentrations and particle–gas partitioning of polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs). Samples were collected at an aeration tank and a secondary clarifier using both active high volume samplers and passive samplers comprising sorbent-impregnated polyurethane foam (SIP) disks. Water to air transport of PFCs was believed to be enhanced at the aeration tank owing to aerosol-mediated transport caused by surface turbulence induced by aeration. Mean air concentrations of target PFCs at the aeration tank were enriched relative to the secondary clarifier by factors of ~19, ~4 and ~3 for ∑fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) (11 000 v. 590 pg m–3), ∑perfluorooctane sulfonamides & perfluorooctane sulfonamidoethanols (FOSAs & FOSEs) (120 v. 30 pg m–3) and ∑perfluoroalkyl carboxylates & perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFCAs & PFSAs) (4000 v. 1300 pg m–3) respectively. The particle associated fraction in the atmosphere increased with increasing chain length for PFCAs (from 60 to 100%) and PFSAs were predominantly bound to particles (~98%). Lower fractions on particles were found for FTOHs (~3%), FOSAs (~30%) and FOSEs (~40%). The comparison of the active and passive air sampling showed good agreement.
Copper and lead internalisation by freshwater microalgae at different carbonate concentrations
Authors: Sánchez-Marín Paula , Fortin Claude , Campbell Peter G. C.
Published: May 2013

Environmental context Metal–carbonato complexes have been reported to contribute to metal uptake and toxicity in aquatic organisms. We show that in the presence of lead–carbonato complexes, Pb internalisation by the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is higher than that predicted on the basis of the free Pb2+ concentration. This effect, which was not observed for another microalga that takes up Pb more slowly, is attributed to the very high rates of Pb uptake by C. reinhardtii, which result in diffusion limitation. Abstract The possible contribution of metal–carbonato complexes to metal uptake or toxicity has been mentioned several times in the literature, often in studies where dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentrations and pH were varied together, but a thorough study of the effect on DIC on metal bioavailability to aquatic organisms has not been done. By using closed systems – allowing changes in DIC concentrations at fixed pH – and ion selective electrodes to determine free metal ion concentrations, we show that lead internalisation by the unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in the presence of high DIC concentrations is higher than predicted by the free Pb2+ ion concentration at bulk [Pb2+] lower than 50nM, but not at higher [Pb2+]. This effect is not observed for another microalga, Chlorella vulgaris, which shows a lower rate of Pb internalisation. Copper internalisation by C. reinhardtii seems also to be slightly higher than predicted on the basis of free Cu2+ at low (20nM) bulk Cu2+ concentrations but not at higher ones. The possibility that Pb (and Cu) internalisation by C. reinhardtii is partially limited by diffusion from the bulk solution to the algal surface is identified and discussed as a possible explanation for these results.
Degradation of UV filters 2-ethylhexyl-4-methoxycinnamate and 4-tert-butyl-4'-methoxydibenzoylmethane in chlorinated water
Authors: Santos A. Joel M. , Crista Diana M. A. , Miranda Margarida S. , Almeida Isabel F. , Sousa e Silva José P. , Costa Paulo C. , Amaral Maria H. , Lobão Paulo A. L. , Sousa Lobo José M. , Esteves da Silva Joaquim C. G.
Published: May 2013

Environmental context
The increasing use of sun-creams containing UV-filtering chemicals has led to increased inputs of these compounds to the aquatic environment. Chlorinated waters can convert these chemicals into chlorinated products whose toxic effects are of primary concern. To better understand the environmental fate of sun-cream chemicals, we studied the stability of two UV-filtering compounds under varying conditions of pH, chlorine concentration, temperature, dissolved organic matter and solar irradiation.

Abstract
The stability of the UV filters 2-ethylhexyl-4-methoxycinnamate (EHMC) and 4-tert-butyl-4′-methoxydibenzoylmethane (BDM) in chlorinated water was studied. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-UV-diode array detection (DAD) was used to follow the reaction kinetics of both UV filters and HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was used to tentatively identify the major transformation by-products. Under the experimental conditions used in this work both UV filters reacted with chlorine following pseudo-first order kinetics: rate constant k=0.0095±0.0007min–1 and half-life t1/2=73±4min for EHMC and rate constant k=0.006±0.001min–1 and half-life t1/2=119±14min for BDM (mean±standard deviation). The chemical transformation of the UV filters in chlorinated water led to the formation of chlorinated by-products that were tentatively identified as mono- and dichloro-substituted compounds that resulted from substitution of the hydrogen atoms in the benzene rings by one or two chlorine atoms. Experimental Box–Behnken designs were used to assess the effect of experimental factors: pH, temperature, chlorine concentration, dissolved organic matter and artificial sunlight irradiation on the transformation of the UV filters.
Momentum Transfer Cross Section for Electrons in Mercury Vapour Derived from Drift Velocity Measurements in Mercury Vapour?Gas Mixtures
Authors: England JP , Elford MT
Published: May 2013

The Bradbury-Nielsen time-of-flight method has been used to measure electron drift velocities at 573 K in pure mercury vapour, a mixture of 46�80% helium-53� 20% mercury vapour and a mixture of 9�37% nitrogen-90� 63% mercury vapour. The E/N and pressure ranges used were O� 2 to 1� 5 Td and 5�4 to 15�2 kPa for pure mercury vapour, 0 �08 to 3�0 Td and 5 �40 to 26�88kPa for the mixture containing helium and 0�06 to 5�0Td and 3�33 to 16�67kPa for the mixture containing nitrogen. It is shown that the use of mixtures significantly reduces the dependence of the measured drift velocity on the pressure, due to the effect of mercury dimers, from that measured in pure mercury vapour. An iterative procedure to derive the momentum transfer cross section for electrons in mercury vapour over the range 0�04 to 4 eV with an uncertainty between �5 and 10% is described. It is concluded that previously published momentum transfer cross sections for mercury vapour derived from drift velocity data are significantly in error, due to diffusion effects and the procedure used to correct for the influence of dimers. The present cross section is in good agreement with the semi-empirical calculations of Walker (personal communication).
Effect of feeding level on luteal function and progesterone concentration in the vena cava during early pregnancy in gilts
Authors: Athorn R. Z. , Stott P. , Bouwman E. G. , Chen T. Y. , Kennaway D. J. , Langendijk P.
Published: May 2013

This study assessed the effect of feeding level on progesterone concentration in the caudal vena cava during early pregnancy in gilts. Twenty-four Landrace gilts were allocated to either a high (2.8±0.02) or a low (1.5±0.01kg day–1) feeding level at Day 0 of pregnancy. Serial blood samples were collected every 15min for 3h before and 3h after feeding on Days 6 and 9 of pregnancy. Embryo survival and development as well as in vitro luteal progesterone production were assessed at Day 10 of pregnancy. Progesterone concentration in the vena cava was pulsatile with gilts on the high feeding level having more pulses compared with Low gilts on Day 9 of pregnancy (P<0.05). On Day 6 the number of pulses did not differ significantly between treatments; however, the average progesterone concentration in the vena cava tended to be higher in the gilts on the high feeding level (P<0.10). Embryo survival at Day 10 was 92±3% for High gilts compared with 77±3% for Low gilts (P<0.05). No difference in embryo development between the treatments was seen. There was no difference between treatments in in vitro secretion of progesterone by luteal tissue. In conclusion, a high plane of nutrition positively affects progesterone secretion by the ovaries in early pregnancy.
Effects of systemic progesterone during the early luteal phase on the availabilities of amino acids and glucose in the bovine uterine lumen
Authors: Mullen Michael P. , Bazer Fuller W. , Wu Guoyao , Parr Mervyn H. , Evans Alexander C. O. , Crowe Mark A. , Diskin Michael G.
Published: May 2013

The uterine histotroph provides essential nutrition to the developing conceptus during the preimplantation period of pregnancy. The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of cycle stage and progesterone (P4) concentrations in the blood on the recoverable quantities of amino acids and glucose in the histotroph during the preimplantaion period of conceptus development. Following oestrus, dairy heifers were assigned to low, control or high P4 groups (n = 6 heifers per treatment and time point). The uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum was flushed on either Day 7 or Day 13. The present study quantified 24 amino acids and glucose in the uterine flushings using HPLC and fluorometry, respectively. Heifers in the low P4 group had lower plasma concentrations of P4 throughout the cycle, whereas heifers in the high group had higher plasma concentrations of P4 between Days 3 and 7 compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Total recoverable neutral (Ser, Gln, Gly, Thr, Cit, β-Ala, Tau, Ala, Tyr, Trp, Met, Val, Phe, Ile, Leu, Pro and Cys), acidic (Glu) and basic (His, Arg, Orn and Lys) amino acids were greater (P < 0.05) on Day 13 than on Day 7. There was no significant difference in the amount of Asp or Asn between Day 7 and Day 13. The amount of amino acids recovered on Day 7 was similar across treatment groups. On Day 13, the amount of Asn, His and Thr was lower (P < 0.05) in the low P4 heifers compared with the controls and/or high P4 heifers. Quantities of glucose were not altered by cycle stage or P4 treatment. In conclusion, the stage of oestrous cycle and P4 play important roles in modulating amino acids in the histotroph, a potentially critical factor for early embryonic and/or conceptus survival.
Calamoid fossil palm leaves and fruits (Arecaceae: Calamoideae) from Late Eocene Southland, New Zealand
Authors: Hartwich Samuel J. , Conran John G. , Bannister Jennifer M. , Lindqvist Jon K. , Lee Daphne E.
Published: May 2013

Late Eocene prickly-leaved and scaly-fruited palm macrofossils are described from Pikopiko, Southland, New Zealand, and compared with extant Arecaceae: Calamoideae. Lamina prickles and scaly fruits support affinities to the subfamily and tribe Calameae and possible association with the extant genus Calamus. Because isolated calamoid leaf fragments and fruit are difficult to determine precisely, the fossils are placed into a new form genus (Calamoides) for the leaves and the existing form genus Lepidocaryopsis for the fruits. These represent the first calamoid-like palm macrofossils from New Zealand and suggest a subtropical to tropical palaeoclimate at far southern latitudes in the Late Eocene and an early, widespread vicariant Gondwanan distribution for the subfamily.
Influence of sample depth on extractable nutrient concentrations, pH and the phosphorus buffering index of pasture soils in south-eastern Australia
Authors: Coad J. R. , Burkitt L. L. , Gourley C. J. P.
Published: May 2013

Pasture soils of mainland Australia are routinely sampled to a depth of 100 mm, whereas pasture soils of Tasmania and New Zealand are sampled to a depth of 75 mm. Despite this difference, there are no published studies to allow accurate conversion between the 2 sampling depths. This study was undertaken to examine the effect of soil sample depth (75 and 100 mm) on soil nutrient analyses: Olsen phosphorus (P), Colwell P, Colwell potassium (K), KCl40 sulfur (S), pH (H2O and CaCl2), and P buffering index (PBI+ColP). Our findings suggest that on most soil types, Olsen P, Colwell P, and Colwell K soil test results could use a generic factor of 1.17 when converting between 75 and 100 mm samples. More detailed equations including direct or indirect measures of soil texture and P sorption capacity were also determined. We found there was no significant difference in P and K concentrations between the different depths in soils which had very low P sorption capacities, high sand contents, and were located in high rainfall zones. Additionally, soil sampling depth generally had no effect on extractable S concentrations, pH, or PBI+ColP, and therefore no conversion is recommended for these soil tests for any soil type.
Investigation of dryland salinity using the electrical image method
Authors: Acworth R. I.
Published: May 2013

Electrical imaging is a 2-dimensional investigation method that can be used to
rapidly determine subsurface conductivity variation. In dryland salinity
studies, electrical imaging is used to define the vertical extent of high
electrical conductivity zones first identified using electromagnetic (EM)
profiling equipment. Field techniques are described using 25 or 50 electrodes,
connected to a resistance meter by a multi-core cable, to obtain images at a
variety of electrode separations. The model of electrical conductivity
variation obtained by an inversion of the field data is shown to agree very
well with the results of detailed field investigations, including data from
soil sampling, 1 : 5 extract analysis, and borehole electrical conductivity
logging.
Results are described from the Liverpool Plains at Yarramanbah Creek and Round
Island, where a thick sequence of smectite clay overlies sands and gravels.
The image clearly identifies zones of high salt content in the clay which have
been sampled and logged using borehole measurements of electrical
conductivity. Results are also described from a dryland salinity area in the
upper part of Dicks Creek catchment on the Southern Tablelands of New South
Wales. These data show the extent of clay overlying bedrock and correlate very
well with the results of 1 : 5 extract analysis from shallow piezometers along
the profile line.
Electrical imaging is an appropriate follow-up method for the investigation of
electrical conductivity anomalies first identified by EM profiling and is
advisable before drilling at a site to optimise the location of piezometers.