Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
‘why polyploidy is rarer in animals than in plants’: myths and mechanisms

Although polyploidy has been involved in speciation in both animals and plants, the general perception is often that it is too rare to have been a significant factor in animal evolution and its role in plant diversification has been questioned. These views have resulted in a bias towards explanations for what deters polyploidy, rather than the somewhat more interesting question of the mechanisms by which polyploidy arises and becomes established in both plants and animals. The evidence for and against some of the traditional views on polyploidy is reviewed, with an attempt to synthesize factors promoting evolution through genome duplication in both groups. It is predicted that polyploidy should be more common in temperate than in tropical breeders because environmental fluctuations may promote unreduced gamete formation, it should be most common in organisms with sufficient numbers of gametes that random meiotic problems can be overcome, and it should be more frequent when mechanisms to promote assortative mating are a direct byproduct of genome duplication. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 82 , 453‐466.
Chemosensory responses of Aporcelaimellus nivalis (Nematoda: Dorylaimida) towards kairomones emitted by prey nematodes belonging to different trophic groups

Abstract Observations were made on the attraction of Aporcelaimellus nivalis towards kairomones/attractants emitted by prey nematodes belonging to different trophic categories, viz., saprophagous, epidermal, migratory semi-endodermal, predatory nematodes, virus vectors and cortical feeders. Aporcelaimellus nivalis responded positively and significantly to prey kairomones, but showed variation in their individual behaviour. Predators are most attracted towards epidermal feeders and least attracted to virus vectors. The differential responses of A. nivalis towards different prey were attributed to the inert behaviour of predators, their preference for a particular species of prey, chemical composition, concentration, quality, quantity of prey attractant, formation of minimum perceptible attraction gradient of prey and minimum response threshold of predators. Various factors such as prey density, period of prey incubation, starvation of predators, temperature, agar concentration, agar thickness and distance of predators from the source of attraction (prey) govern chemosensory responses of predator. Aporcelaimellus nivalis maximum response was towards Hirschmanniella oryzae, when tested as 10 day starved predators in agar plates containing 2 mm thick layer of 1% water-agar with 200 prey individuals previously incubated for 16 h at 30°C. Prey kairomones were most attractive when A. nivalis were tested from a distance of 2 and 3 cm.
Like Moths Attracted to Flames: Executives and Financial Reporting Frauds

In this paper, we analyze the governance, control and media patterns underlying corporate fraud cases that occurred in Canada over the past decade. From that basis, we develop a framework that synthesizes the drivers underlying the appearance, evolution and ultimate discovery of fraud within corporations. Our analysis suggests that prior work in the area, as well as professional guidance, provides a partial picture of the fraud landscape that does not pay enough attention to the dynamic nature of fraud. More specifically, executive hubris, fed by fawning media and analysts, appears to contribute to corporate fraud. Finally, fraud patterns seem to differ significantly between Canada and the United States.
Lake Acidification as a Limiting Factor in the Distribution of the Freshwater Amphipod Hyalella azteca

The distribution of the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca in 79 Ontario lakes suggests that its absence may be a good indicator of lake acidification. Hyalella azteca was present in 69 of 71 nonacidified lakes, and absent in 8 of 8 lakes which either are now ar recently were considered acidified. Bioassay data indicate a 96-h LC50 of pH 4.4 and a 10-d threshold LC50 of pH 4.5 for H. azteca in a natural surface water. Hyalella azteca is extremely rare in Plastic Lake, which undergoes severe short-term acidification in spring, and recruitment is delayed 2 wk in Heeney Lake which undergoes similar short-term acidification, in Dickie, Harp, Red Chalk, and Blue Chalk lakes, where springtime pH depressions below pH 4.7 were not recorded, H. azteca is abundant.
Effect of variations in sugar presentation to honey bees (Apis mellifera) on their collection of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) pollen

Abstract Trials were conducted to establish appropriate parameters for feeding sugar syrup to honey bee colonies to increase kiwifruit pollen collection. All the groups of colonies fed sugar syrup collected significantly more kiwifruit pollen pellets than the control colonies for at least part of each trial. The type of feeder (top or division-board feeders) and the concentration of syrup (1M or 2M) had no effect on the amount of kiwifruit pollen collected. The grade of sugar (white or industrial raw) had no effect on the total amount of pollen collected. Feeding dry sugar did not increase the number of kiwifruit pollen pellets collected.
The Rapid Colonization and Emerging Biology of Cordylophora caspia (Pallas, 1771) (Cnidaria: Clavidae) in the Connecticut River

ABSTRACT Five freshwater populations of the otherwise estuarine colonial hydrozoan Cordylophora caspia were observed in the Connecticut River, New England. Histological comparison of the body wall of the freshwater and estuarine populations revealed no differences in cell shape or size in the epidermis and gastrodermis, either of the undifferentiated body wall or in regions of tentacles. One freshwater population examined in 2000 had polyps that were shorter and wider than estuarine animals and contained much fewer and smaller sporosacs. All freshwater populations examined in 2001 had feeding polyp shape and size and sporosac size and number comparable to the estuarine population. We conclude that C. caspia has undergone physiological and ecological adjustments for existence in very soft water with low alkalinity. The species has in only a few years become abundant in certain areas of the Connecticut River and has acquired all the facies exhibited during experimentally determined optimal growth conditions. Ecologically, C. caspia is filling the niche of a benthic colonial predator; the hydroid preys on larval insects, predominately chironomids.
Efficacy of sea water in combination with trifloxysulfuron and quinclorac to control weeds in salt tolerant tropical turfgrass.

Research was designed to reduce herbicide use by replacing post emergence herbicides with readily available sea water to control weeds in salt tolerant tropical turfgrass. Different concentration of sea water in combination with trifloxysulfuron-sodium and quinclorac were used in this study. Maximum injury of 70-100% occurred at 21 DAT in Sporobolus diander, Cyperus aromaticus, Cyperus rotundus, and Emilia sonchifolia, except E. atrovirens, when treated with ¾ trifloxysulfuron-sodium{N-(4-6-Dimethoxy2pyrimidinyl)-3-(2,2,2-rifluoroethoxy)-pyridine-2-sulfonamide sodium salt} with sea water, ¾ trifloxysulfuron-sodium with ¾ sea water, trifloxysulfuron-sodium with ½ sea water, ¾ quinclorac (3,7-dichloro-8-quinoline carboxylic acid) with sea water and ¾ quinclorac with ¾ sea water. The trifloxysulfuron-sodium and quinclorac herbicide can be effectively used for weed control in C. dactylon ‘satiri’ and P. vaginatum respectively; and both the herbicides can be used for effective weed control in Z. japonica.
Cahier de recherche 2007-01 DISCLOSURE VERSUS RECOGNITION IN STOCK OPTION REPORTING: ARE USERS’ PERCEPTIONS AND DECSIONS INFLUENCED BY THE DISCLOSURE FORMAT?

The recently passed Statement of Accounting Standard (SAS) 123R mandates that stock option compensation costs should be recognized in the income statement. This supersedes SFAS 148 and the earlier SFAS 123 which required only disclosure in the notes to the financial statements. The motivation of the FASB was to increase transparency in reporting of financial statements. The objective of this paper is to test the functional fixation hypothesis using mandated legislation relating to stock options. We used members of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) as the subjects in this study. Our results show that sophisticated users estimated, in the presence of recognition versus disclosure, a (1) higher perceived risk, (2) lower expected accounting return, (3) more pessimistic overall perception, (4) more negative future stock price direction and (5) lower stock price valuation. We conclude that information content is accentuated in the presence of recognition relative to disclosure. The findings support the stance of the FASB and the functional fixation hypothesis that investors are fixated by numbers reported in the financial statements.
Effects of Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum Intake on Human Intestinal Microflora and Its Metabolism

The growth responses of a variety of human intestinal bacteria to partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) were investigated in vitro and in vivo. In an in vitro experiment, PHGG moderately enhanced growth of some bacterial strains including Bacteroides ovatus, Clostridium coccoides, C. butyricum, and Peptostreptococcus productus.Effects of PHGG intake (7 g/volunteer, 3 times per day, for 14 days) on fecal microflora, bacterial metabolites, and pH were investigated using nine healthy human volunteers. The count of Bifidobacterium spp. and the percentage of these species in the total count increased significantly during the PHGG intake periods. Among the acid-forming bacteria, Lactobacillus spp. also increased. The fecal pH and fecal bacterial metabolites such as β-glucuronidase activity, putrefactive products, and ammonia content were significantly decreased by PHGG intake. Two weeks after the end of PHGG intake, the bacterial counts and their biological manifestations appeared to return to the former state.
Cahier de recherche 2009-08 Market Assessment of Earnings Management: The Moderating Effect of Environmental Uncertainty

In this study, we investigate the market assessment of earnings management in contexts of environmental uncertainty. Overall, our results show that environmental uncertainty moderates the relationship between abnormal accruals and stock volatility and pricing. More specifically, the positive effect of earnings management on share price volatility and stock market valuation is smaller for diversified firms and those facing high volatility, suggesting the difficulty for the market to assess the information content of abnormal accrual in contexts of uncertain. However, for dynamic firms that offer growth opportunities and which are highly followed by financial analysts, our results suggest that earnings management is even more informative. Finally, our results appear to be driven by US-cross listing.
Desert spring refugia: museums of diversity or evolutionary cradles?

Refugia play a critical role in preserving species unable to move or adapt to cope with environmental change. The role of refugia as ‘museums of diversity’ means these environments have a high conservation priority. Less well known, however, is the role that isolated and fragmented refugia can play in the generation of new diversity. Here, we examined the diversification and evolutionary history of a community of endemic invertebrates that inhabit Australian desert spring refugia. We compared the phylogenies of seven endemic groups (Haloniscus and Phreatomerus isopods, chiltoniid amphipods, Ngarawa ostracods, Trochidrobia and Fonscochlea snails and Gymnochthebius beetles) from these springs and examine the rates and timing of diversification and reconstructed the phylogeographic history of each taxon. Despite major life‐history differences among these taxa, they demonstrate remarkable similarities in their evolutionary histories. All groups have multiple lineages that extend back to a time before the formation of present‐day deserts, and significant geographic‐based diversification since adapting to a refugial habitat. The results provide further evidence that refugia act as museums of biodiversity, preserving lineages that would have otherwise gone extinct. However, we also observed that isolation in refugia corresponds with significant diversification, leading to a recently evolved, novel endemic fauna, supporting the idea that fragmented refugia provide ideal conditions for the generation of future biodiversity hotspots.
How does motion affect material perception of deformable objects?

Humans are very efficient at visually estimating material properties from dynamic scenes. Here we ask whether, and how, dynamic information can affect the perception of mechanical properties of cloth. Experiment 1 found that material categories (e.g., Is the cloth silk or felt? ) significantly influence the estimation of the stiffness of cloth in both the image and video condition. However, this effect is largely decreased in the video condition. In Experiment 2, we quantified the motion information using a new visual cue, speed coherency, which is calculated from the spatial-temporal displacement within every two consecutive frames. We provide experimental evidence to show that manipulating the speed coherency can directly alter the impression of objects’ stiffness. In sum, we demonstrate that dynamic information can partially discount the effect caused by the optical properties. Moreover, dynamic information alone influences the perception of mechanical properties.
Leveraging Language Proficiency Through Cultural Intelligence to Improve Global Virtual Team Performance

We examine the effect of group level skills on group processes and collective outcomes in multilingual, multicultural global virtual teams. We test a moderated mediation model in which cultural intelligence (CQ) is found to moderate the relationship between average team perceived English language proficiency, team creativity, and team performance with the variables of elaboration of task information and task conflict serving as mediators in the relationship. Data was gathered from 5,852 people working in 895 teams to test the model. Results show that the average English proficiency of the team is positively associated with both team creativity and overall team performance through the mediator of elaboration of task information. CQ moderates this relationship such that teams high in average CQ are much better at elaborating task information as average team English skills increase while teams with low average CQ experience only minimal increases in task elaboration as English skills increase. The model is not significant, however, when using average levels of task conflict on the team as a mediating variable. CQ does not moderate conflict, and conflict is not significantly related to either creativity or overall team performance. We explore implications for managerial practice and directions for future research.
Risk Appraisal

costs? &dquo; Increasingly, they are finding a tool for answering this question in health risk appraisals, or HRAs. At their best, these evaluations measure the health risks of individual participants and of an employer’s entire workforce. Used properly, they can be powerful tools in the drive to lower health care costs. Hundreds of HRAs are on the market. Varying widely in cost and scope from a simple stress
Demographic influences on cougar residential use and interactions with people in western Washington

Abstract Sound management of large carnivore populations in wildland–urban environments requires accurate information regarding the ecology of these populations and factors contributing to their interactions with people. We quantified cougar (Puma concolor) residential use and interactions with people in western Washington from 2003 to 2008 to characterize the ecology and risks associated with an adaptable large carnivore residing in a wildland–urban environment. We fitted cougars with global positioning system and very-high-frequency radiocollars, quantified residential use, and tested for differences between demographic classes using analysis of variance fixed-effects and multiple-comparison models. We investigated interaction reports to quantify interaction rates and tested for differences among interaction levels for different cougar demographic classes. We captured 32 cougars (16 males and 16 females) and estimated 33 annual utilization distributions (UDs) for 27 individuals. Ninety-three percent of cougars (n = 27; 15 males and 12 females) used residential areas with an average UD overlap of 16.86% (SD = 17.05%, n = 33). There were no differences between male and female (F1,29 = 0.77, P = 0.49) or resident and transient (F1,29 = 0.0003, P = 0.99) use of residential areas, but subadult use was significantly higher than that of adults (F1,29 = 7.20, P = 0.01). Twenty-nine percent of reports were confirmed (n = 73), with livestock depredations accounting for 67% of confirmed reports. The interaction rate for radiocollared cougars was low (1.6 interactions/1,000 radiodays) and all demographic classes were involved in similar numbers of interactions. Use of residential areas in western Washington appears to be a function of the adaptive and mobile nature of the cougar exploiting suitable habitat and resources within the matrix of residential development. Interaction appears to be a function of individual behavior. Management strategies that target problem individuals and maintain older age structures in local populations coupled with proactive landscape planning and public education in residential areas at the wildland–urban interface may provide an effective strategy for decreasing cougar–human interaction.
Protein enrichment of cassava peel by submerged fermentation with Trichoderma viride (ATCC 36316)

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) peel is one of the solid wastes produced as a consequence of cassava processing. It is low in protein but contains a large amount of carbohydrate, causing an environmental problem with disposal. In order to add-value to this major cassava processing waste and also reduce its resultant environmental pollution, this study investigated the effect of submerged fermentation using Trichoderma viride ATCC 36316 on the protein content and amino acid profile of enzyme and non-enzyme pre-treated cassava peel. Compositional analysis of the product obtained with T. viride in the fermentor revealed that dry biomass increased in crude protein, true protein, crude fat, crude fibre, ash and total dietary fibre. The crude protein increased from 4.21 to 37.63 and 36.52% for enzyme and non-enzyme pre-treated fermented samples respectively with 31.6% as true protein for the former and 29.03% as true protein for the latter while the starch contents reduced considerably in both samples. Starch reduction was from 51.93 to 24.34 and 26.07% for enzyme and non-enzyme pre-treated fermented samples, respectively. The fermented products contained all the essential amino acids; however the chemical score of essential amino acids indicated methionine as the limiting amino acid.
Purple Nutsedge Control with Allyl Isothiocyanate under Virtually Impermeable Film Mulch

Abstract Nutsedge control is challenging in commercial vegetable production in the absence of methyl bromide, and therefore, an effective alternative is needed. This study investigated allyl isothiocyanate (ITC) as a methyl bromide alternative for purple nutsedge control under polyethylene-mulch. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to compare the retention of allyl ITC in treated soil (3,000 nmol g−1) under low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and virtually impermeable film (VIF) mulches. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of allyl ITC (6 rates: 0, 15, 75, 150, 750, 1500 kg ai ha−1) under VIF mulch against purple nutsedge. Additionally, a standard treatment of methyl bromide+chloropicrin (67 : 33%) at 390 kg ai ha−1 under LDPE mulch was included for comparison. In the greenhouse experiment, the predicted half-life of allyl ITC under LDPE and VIF mulch was 0.15 and 0.59 d, respectively. In the field experiment, it was predicted that allyl ITC at 1,240 and 1,097 kg ha−1 under VIF mulch is required to control purple nutsedge shoot and tubers equivalent to methyl bromide + chloropicrin at 4 wk after treatment (WAT). It is concluded that allyl ITC under VIF mulch would need to be applied at 2.8 to 3.2 times the standard treatment of methyl bromide + chloropicrin under LDPE mulch for commercially acceptable purple nutsedge control. Nomenclature: Allyl isothiocyanate; purple nutsedge; Cyperus rotundus L. CYPRO. Resumen El control de Cyperus rotundus es un reto en la producción comercial de vegetales en ausencia de methyl bromide, y por esto se necesita una alternativa efectiva. Este estudio investigó el uso de allyl isothiocyanate (ITC) como alternativa al methyl bromide para el control de C. rotundus bajo cobertura de polyethylene. Se realizaron experimentos de invernadero para comparar la retención de allyl ITC en suelos tratados (3,000 nmol g−1) bajo coberturas de polyethylene de baja densidad (LDPE) y de láminas virtualmente impermeables (VIF). Se realizaron experimentos de campo para evaluar la efectividad contra C. rotundus de allyl ITC (6 dosis: 0, 15, 75, 150, 1500 kg ai ha−1) bajo cobertura VIF. Adicionalmente, se incluyó un tratamiento estándar de methyl bromide + chloropicrin (67:33%) a 390 kg ai ha−1 bajo cobertura LDPE para fines de comparación. En el experimento de invernadero, la vida media predicha de allyl ITC bajo coberturas de LDPE y VIF fue 0.15 y 0.59 d, respectivamente. En el experimento de campo, se predijo que se requiere allyl ITC a 1,240 y 1,097 kg ha−1 bajo cobertura VIF para controlar la parte aérea y los tubérculos de C. rotundus a niveles equivalentes a methyl bromide + chloropicrin a 4 semanas después del tratamiento (WAT). Se concluyó que allyl ITC bajo cobertura VIF debería ser aplicado de 2.8 a 3.2 veces el tratamiento estándar de methyl bromide + chloropicrin bajo cobertura LDPE para controlar C. rotundus a niveles comercialmente aceptables.
Listeria spp. E Listeria monocytogenes NA PRODUÇÃO DE SALSICHAS TIPO HOT DOG

Listeria monocytogenes is widely distributed in the environment and it has been isolated from food that were associated to outbreaks of high lethality in many countries. Thus, this bacterium represents an important pathogen to the public health. Ready-to-eat products, like cooked stuffed food, within them, frankfurters, are associated to human listeriosis in many countries. Taking into consideration the importance of the subject and the need of more data about it, the occurrence of Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes in industrial plants, in meat raw materials, in slurry and frankfurters was investigated. These samples were collected in two production plants with SIF (Federal Inspection Service); in one of them GMP, HACCP and SOP were implemented. The results of the 106 microbiological analysis were submitted to the program @Risk to obtain the risk analysis; the mean values results showed that 7 to 9% of the frankfurters in the market may have L. monocytogenes . The analysis indicated that 88 strains of L. monocytogenes were obtained from 106 samples; among them, 76 were collected in the industrial plants that participate in the experiment, and 30 were collected in the market. In serological typification, 95% of these strains were classified as serotypes 4b, 1/2a and 1/2b. Besides the presence of the bacterium in frankfurthers consumed in Brazil and the risk factors associated to this pathogen, the situation concerns because of the lack of epidemiological data, absence of patterns and the deficient information given to the consumer, specially information related to the presence of L. monocytogenes , particularly important to the groups at risk, as well as information related to the importance of heating the product. KEY-WORDS: contamination, cooked stuffed food, listeriosis, industrial plant.