Intraspecies competition in a field population ofGregopimpla himalayensis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) parasitic onMalacosoma neustria testacea (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)

Intraspecies competition in a field population of Gregopimpla himalayensis (Hym.: Ichneumonidae) parasitic on the prepupae of Malacosoma neustria testacea (Lep.: Lasiocampidae) was investigated. The parasite oviposits the sufficient number of progeny (5 individuals/0.1 g dry weight of host) to exhaust a single host in a single attack. However, at the intensity less than 22–26 individuals/0.1 g d.w. of host, all individuals can emerge, i.e. density-dependent mortality does not occur. Within this range of intensity, survival of parasite larvae is guaranteed by diminution in body size and decreasing sex ratio. In contrast, total biomass of parasites showed a peak at 5 individuals/0.1 g d.w. of host at which a single host is exhausted. Above the intensity of 22–26, extraordinary minute individuals appeared and they died before maturation. If intraspecies competition play a role in regulation of G. himalayensis population in the field, the process is usually not through density-dependent mortality but through decreasing reproductive rate caused by decrease in the sex ratio, adult longevity and fecundity.     

Effects of shell morphological traits on the weight trait of the orange strain of the Manila clam

A new strain of Manila clam with orange shell color was produced after selection within a full-sib family for two generations. In the present study, the shell length, height, and width, and the live body weight of the orange strain were measured, and their correlation coefficients were calculated. The shell morphological traits were used as independent variables, and the live body weight was used as the dependent variable for calculating the path coefficients, correlation index, and determination coefficients. The results showed that the correlation coefficients between each shell morphological trait and the live body weight were all highly significant (P < 0.01). The correlation indices (R²) of morphological traits against the live body weight of clams were larger than 0.85, indicating that the morphology traits were the main factors affecting the body weight. Multiple regression equations were obtained to estimate shell length X₁ (cm), shell height X₂ (cm), and shell width X₃ (cm) against live body weight Y (g): Y = ? 2.62 + 0.34 X₁ + 0.145 X₂, (X₁ < 0.05, X₂ < 0.05). The results suggest that the shell length could be used as the main trait for selective breeding and could indirectly make a large improvement in the weight trait.     

七种糕点对赤拟谷盗(鞘翅目：拟步甲科)感染的抗性（英文）

Biscuits are flour-based products,which areconsumed by majority of people,both old and young,throughout the world and most especially by children,teenagers and mid-adults(Majumder,1970).It can beserved as a desert or snacks and as a breakfast foodwhentaken with beverages.Its ready-to-serve state andlong shelf life contribute to its acceptability by themasses.Wheat as humanfoodis used principallyintheformof flour for baked products such as bread,bis-cuits,pastries and crackers(Kent,1983).In th…     

多形拟杆菌对肥胖大鼠减肥影响的初步研究及毒性实验

目的研究人体肠道内的多形拟杆菌对肥胖大鼠的减肥作用。方法从人体肠道中提取、分离和鉴定1株多形拟杆菌。建立高能饲料诱发的大鼠肥胖模型,给大鼠灌胃多形拟杆菌菌液,25 d后观察大鼠体重及肠道内多形拟杆菌的数量变化。结果灌胃多形拟杆菌菌液的给药组的大鼠体重与灌胃生理盐水的模型组相比,增长慢（P〈0.05）,差异有显著性,且体内拟杆菌数量多于模型组,差异有显著性（P〈0.05）。结论提示多形拟杆菌菌液对肥胖大鼠有一定的减肥作用。     

Scrotal circumference of Australian beef bulls

Normal range for scrotal circumference in Australian beef bulls was established using more than 300,000 measurements of breed, management group, age, liveweight, and scrotal circumference. The data used were derived from Australian bull breeders and two large research projects in northern Australia. Most bulls were within 250 to 750 kg liveweight and 300 to 750 days of age. The differences between breeds and variances within breeds were higher when scrotal circumference was predicted from age rather than liveweight, because of variance in growth rates. The average standard deviation for predicted scrotal circumference from liveweight and age was 25 and 30 mm, respectively. Scrotal circumference by liveweight relationships have a similar pattern across all breeds, except in Waygu, with a 50 to 70 mm range in average scrotal circumference at liveweights between 250 and 750 kg. Temperate breed bulls tended to have higher scrotal circumference at the same liveweight than tropically adapted breeds. Five groupings of common beef breeds in Australian were identified, within which there were similar predictions of scrotal circumference from liveweight. It was concluded that liveweight and breed are required to identify whether scrotal circumference is within normal range for Australian beef bulls that experience a wide range of nutritional conditions.     

Height, weight and earnings among coalminers in India

This paper analyses earning/wage differentials by height among coalmine workers in India. Our findings suggest that workers of above average height earn 9-17% more than their shorter counterparts and 6-13% more than average reference height. The results suggest that long-term investments in health human capital might ensure increase of labour productivity and thereby earnings, particularly in underdeveloped economies.     

Cost of reproduction: parental survival and production of recruits in the Willow Tit Parus montanus

Summary Brood sizes of the Willow Tit were altered experimentally by subtracting or adding two nestlings in 1986 and 1987 in the vicinity of Oulu, northern Finland. The manipulated broods were within the normal range observed in natural conditions. Unaltered broods were used as controls. Data from natural broods from 1978–1985 were available for comparison. When the nestlings were 13 days old they were ringed and weighed and their tarsus, wing, and tail lengths were measured. On the same day the parents were caught, weighed, and measured. In 1986 there were no differences in nestling mortality between the reduced, control, or enlarged broods; i.e. parents were able to fledge the two extra young. In 1987 starvation was most pronounced in the enlarged broods. This resulted in the number of fledglings being practically the same in each manipulation category. Especially the body weight, but also the other indices of body size, decreased as a function of the brood size category, suggesting that there may be quality differences between the young reared in different experimental groups. In 1986 there was a non-significant trend towards lower body weight of the parents attending reduced, control, or enlarged broods, in that order. In 1987 the differences were much smaller. These results were not due to size differences between the groups, so possibly the increased reproductive effort of raising extra young was responsible for the trend observed in 1986. There were no significant differences in parental survival associated with the manipulation category, although the trend in the females was consistent with the hypothesis of reproductive cost. It is possible that environmental conditions in 1986 were so favourable that the tits were not unduly stressed even when attending two extra young. Correlative data from 1978–1985 did not support the cost hypothesis either. A non-significant trend towards reduced post-fledging survival and recruitment of the young was observed with increased brood size. The average fitness value of parents, incorporating parental survival and number of recruits, showed that the success of the adults raising enlarged broods may be lower than that of others. It seems that the reproductive cost, if it exists, decreases individual fitness value by reducing the chances of recruiting descendants into the next generation. The reproductive stress may be insufficient to reduce the subsequent survival of parents. More data are however needed to confirm these results.     

Effectiveness of monoterpenes and phenylpropenes on Sitophilus oryzae L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in stored wheat

Six monoterpenes, ((?)-citronellal, p-cymene, (?)-menthone, α-pinene, α-terpinene and (?)-terpinen-4-ol) and two phenylpropenes, (trans-cinnamaldehyde and eugenol) were tested for their insecticidal activity against the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae under laboratory conditions. The bioassays were carried out on wheat at the concentrations of 0.5, 1.0 and 5.0?g/kg. Adult mortality was assessed after 14?days of exposure. After this interval, the treated wheat was retained for an additional period of 90?days, in order to evaluate progeny production and wheat loss. At the concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0?g/kg, trans-cinnamaldehyde and eugenol achieved highest adult mortality. At 5.0?g/kg, all compounds except for p-cymene and α-pinene caused complete (100%) adult mortality. Generally, trans-cinnamaldehyde was the most potent compound causing complete inhibition of progeny at the three concentrations. Similarly, no progeny were observed in the wheat treated with (?)-citronellal, eugenol, p-cymene, (?)-menthone, and (?)-terpinen-4-ol at 5.0?g/kg after 45 and 90?days. Similar trends were noted for wheat weight loss and damage as the treatment with monoterpenes and phenylpropenes at the highest rate preserved the wheat intact and free from damage by S. oryzae for 90?days. Our findings suggest the tested compounds except p-cymene and α-pinene could be recommended for use as part of an integrated pest management program for S. oryzae control in stored wheat.     

A meta-analysis of the effects of exercise and/or dietary restriction on resting metabolic rate

A meta-analysis was used to examine the independent and interactive effects of dietary restriction, endurance exercise training and gender on resting metabolic rate (RMR). Sixty different group means (covering 650 subjects) were identified from the scientific literature and subjected to meta-analysis techniques. Collectively (i.e., all groups combined), body weight loss was greater (P < 0.05) for men ( 18 kg) than for women ( 12 kg). There were no statistically significant exercise training or gender effects on RMR during weight loss. Collectively (i.e., all groups combined), dietary restriction resulted in a – 0.59 kJ min^–1 ( – 12%) decrease in RMR (P < 0.05). When normalized to body weight, RMR was reduced by less than 2% (P < 0.05). These data suggest that exercise training does not differentially affect RMR during diet-induced weight loss. In addition, decreases in resting metabolism appear to be proportional to the loss of the metabolically active tissue.     

Comparing glycaemic benefits of Active Versus passive lifestyle Intervention in kidney Allograft Recipients (CAVIAR): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundLifestyle modification is widely recommended to kidney allograft recipients post transplantation due to the cardiometabolic risks associated with immunosuppression including new-onset diabetes, weight gain and cardiovascular events. However, we have no actual evidence that undertaking lifestyle modification protects from any adverse outcomes post transplantation. The aim of this study is to compare whether a more proactive versus passive interventional approach to modify lifestyle is associated with superior outcomes post kidney transplantation.Methods/designWe designed this prospective, single-centre, open-label, randomised controlled study to compare the efficacy of active versus passive lifestyle intervention for kidney allograft recipients early post transplantation. A total of 130 eligible patients, who are stable, nondiabetic and between 3 and 24 months post kidney transplantation, will be recruited. Randomisation is being undertaken by random block permutations into passive (n = 65, leaflet guidance only) versus active lifestyle modification (n = 65, supervised intervention) over a 6-month period. Supervised intervention is being facilitated by two dietitians during the 6-month intervention period to provide continuous lifestyle intervention guidance, support and encouragement. Both dietitians are accredited with behavioural intervention skills and will utilise motivational aids to support study recruits randomised to active intervention. The primary outcome is change in abnormal glucose metabolism parameters after 6 months of comparing active versus passive lifestyle intervention. Secondary outcomes include changes in a wide array of cardiometabolic parameters, kidney allograft function and patient-reported outcome measures. Long-term tracking of patients via data linkage to electronic patient records and national registries will facilitate long-term comparison of outcomes after active versus passive lifestyle intervention beyond the 6-month intervention period.DiscussionThis is the first randomised controlled study to investigate the benefits of active versus passive lifestyle intervention in kidney allograft recipients for the prevention of abnormal cardiometabolic outcomes. In addition, this is the first example of utilising behaviour therapy intervention post kidney transplantation to achieve clinically beneficial outcomes, which has potential implications on many spheres of post-transplant care.

Trial registration

This study was registered with the Clinical Trials Registry on 27 August 2014 (ClinicalTrials.org Identifier: {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT02233491","term_id":"NCT02233491"}}NCT02233491).