Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sexual Differentiation in Mollusks. II. Gastropods, Amphineurans, Scaphopods, and Cephalopods

I. GASTROPODS IN A preceding review (Coe, 1943) it was mentioned that, among the 10,000 or more species of pelecypod mollusks, there is found every grade of sexual differentiation, from those species that are strictly of separate sexes to others that are functionally hermaphroditic. Furthermore, in certain species the functional sexual phase may change during the individual's lifetime. It was found convenient o classify all these aspects of sexuality into two main groups, namely, (A) ambisexuality (monoecism, hermaphroditism) and (B) unisexuality (dioecism, gonochorism). There are four more or less intergrading categories of ambisexuality: (1) functional ambisexuality (functional hermaphroditism), (2) consecutive sexuality, (3) rhythmical consecutive sexuality and (4) alternotive sexuality. The same categories are found in the gastropods and, indeed, in some other groups of animals and plants. Of the more than 20,000 species of living gastropods, approximately half are hermaphroditic when fully adult, in contrast with the pelecypods, most of which are of separate sexes (Coe, 1943). Two of the three orders of the class Gastropoda, namely Opisthobranchiata and Pulmonata, are hermaphroditic, with few, if any, exceptions. The third order, Prosobranchiata, contains representatives of all of the five categories of sexuality. In this order the type of sexuality is not in all cases cha-racteristic of the family or even of the genus, for two species of the same genus may differ in their sexual conditions. Most of the gastropods are provided with a copulatory organ, or phallus, in the male sex, in the male phase, or in the hermaphroditic condition, as the case may be, whereby the sexes or the sexual phases can be distinguished externally (Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5). There are also some examples of sexual dimorphism in shape of shell. Moreover, some of the dioecious species are characterized by differences in rate of growth and longevity of the two sexes. Males, in such cases, grow more slowly and die at an earlier age than females in the same population. Consequently the sex ratios in a group of small individuals will differ widely from a group consisting of an equal number of large individuals. The group of small ones, if they are also young, will consist of equal numbers of males and females, while a group of the largest and oldest individuals will contain only the longer surviving females (Pelseneer, 1935; Van Cleave and Chambers, 1935; Gallien and de Laramb5ergue, 1938). In a few families, including both unisexual and ambisexual species, the phallus is absent and the reproductive cells of both sexes are discharged into the water, as is usually the case in the pelecypods.
Inbreeding Depression and Maternal Effects in Aquilegia Caerulea, a Partially Selfing Plant

Little is known about how inbreeding depression and maternal effects change from the seed stage through offspring maturation or how these patterns differ for plants germinated under natural vs. artificial conditions. I measured these effects in perennial Aquilegia caerulea (Ranunculaceae) for both field-sown plants and greenhouse-sown prog- eny that were subsequently transplanted to the field. Overall, field-sown plants and trans- plants showed similar cumulative inbreeding depression, averaging 0.54 and 0.52, respec- tively. Selfed individuals had a lower success than outcrossed individuals in all fitness components measured from the number of seeds produced by the cross to size at year 3, and most effects were significant. Inbreeding depression in survival was worse for field- sown progeny in which mortality was much higher. Furthermore, effects of inbreeding on plant size increased each year for greenhouse-sown transplants, but not for field-sown plants, suggesting inbreeding depression is expressed later when survival is artificially high. The effect of seed mass was investigated in greenhouse-sown individuals. Although selfed seeds weighed significantly less than outcrossed seeds, seed mass was not correlated with emer- gence or survival. It did, however, correlate with leaf expansion rate, which, in turn, correlated with year 3 size in both transplants and field-sown plants. Maternal effects explained a much larger proportion of variance in seed mass than did level of inbreeding. In the greenhouse, effects of seed parent were strongest on early characters, becoming small and nonsignificant by year 3 when inbreeding effects again became significant. In contrast, maternal effects on juvenile traits of field-sown progeny were negligible.
Unraveling the Bankruptcy Risk‒Return Paradox across the Corporate Life Cycle

Bankruptcy risk is a fundamental factor affecting the financial sustainability and smooth functioning of an enterprise. The corporate bankruptcy risk‒return association is well founded in the literature. However, there is a dearth of empirical research on how this association prevails at different stages of the corporate life cycle. The present study aims to investigate the bankruptcy‒risk relationship at different stages of corporate life cycle by employing Hierarchical Linear Mixed Model (HLMM) regression estimation on the data of listed non-financial Pakistani firms from 12 diverse industrial segments. We grouped the firms into introduction, growth, mature, shake-out, and decline stages of the life cycle using Dickinson’s model. Empirical results assert that corporate risk-taking at the introduction stage yields superior financial performance in the future, while risk at the growth stage positively contributes to a firm’s current performance. Moreover, because of risk-averse and non-diversified managerial behavior, bankruptcy risk at the mature stage is negatively associated with both current and future performance. Likewise, risk-taking at the decline stage has significant negative implications for firm performance as the managers of such firms undertake heavy investments in a turnaround attempt; however, owing to the risk-averse behavior, they may indulge in negative net present value (NPV) projects. The study findings imply that managers synchronize a firm’s risk exposure with the corresponding life cycle stage to avoid going bankrupt. Moreover, excessive risk-taking during the mature and decline stages can considerably harm the financial sustainability of an enterprise. Hence, investors should exercise a degree of caution when investing in highly indebted later-stage (mature and decline) firms. Overall, bankruptcy risk‒return resembles an inverted U-shaped relationship. Our results are robust and can apply to various econometric specifications.
Rain forest composition and patterns of secondary succession in the Vava'u Island Group, Tonga

The Vava'u island group, Tonga, comprises ca. 60 limestone islands on a single submarine platform overlain with rich soils derived from tephra deposits from nearby volcanic islands. The island group has moderate topographic relief (215 m) and is characterized by plateaus and steep cliffs. Humans settled in Tonga ca. 3000 yr ago and have exploited the flatter terrain for agriculture since that time. We conducted the first survey of forest composition in Vava'u, sampling remnant patches of late-successional forest as well as stands in various stages of secondary succession following agricultural abandon- ment. Plant species composition did not vary greatly with elevation over this short gradient, in contrast with patterns found on 'Eua, a higher island in Tonga. The most significant environmental gradient affecting species composition was coastal or maritime influence. However, the greatest variation in spe- cies composition and structure appeared to be related to species turnover during secondary succession, and we hypothesize a sequence of species replacements. Secondary forest begins to resemble late-successional forest in 30 - 50 yr in terms of struc- ture and native species richness and therefore is of significant conservation value.
Seasonal community structure of the molluscan macrofauna at the marine‐lagoonal environmental transition at Kalloni solar saltworks (Lesvos Island, NE Aegean Sea, Greece)

Solar saltworks are extremely heterogeneous coastal aquatic ecosystems whose benthic biodiversity patterns have not been comprehensively investigated yet. The present study focuses on the seasonal community structure of the macrobenthic molluscs at the marine‐lagoonal environmental transition that takes place at Kalloni solar saltworks (Lesvos Island, NE Aegean Sea, Greece). The molluscan community was studied by means of four seasonal collections carried out in 2004 at four sites in the study area. The molluscan community was found to be considerably species‐rich and forming a coenocline, as marine species were gradually replaced by lagoonal species with increasing distance from the sea. The major variable in the implied environmental gradient structuring the molluscan community appeared to be confinement rather than salinity, although zonation of the molluscan community structure was rather broad. The pattern of spatial organization of the molluscan fauna did not appear to change seasonally, although seasonal shifts of the zones did occur in the study area.
Influence of Clutch Date on Egg and Hatchling Sizes in the Annual Clutch of Lacerta schreiberi (Sauria, Lacertidae)

with egg mass and shows no variation among years. However, egg size and hatchling SVL show among-year and interindividual variation and are not related to female SVL or relative clutch mass. Egg mass is positively correlated only with the laying date. We suggest that clutch size depends only on stored lipids remaining after wintering and environmental factors could be responsible for egg size variation during vitellogenesis.
Desempenho de Cordeiros das Raças Bergamácia e Santa Inês, Terminados em Confinamento, Recebendo Dejetos de Suínos como Parte da Dieta

Thirty three lambs of Bergamacia and Santa Ines the breeds were individually confined for a period of 75 days with the objective to evaluate the influence of breed and the viability of the use of swine wastes as part of the diet on the intake and performance of lambs. Two types of wastes were used: Biju (Wastes obtained through the scratching and sweeping of the floor of the growth and termination stalls) and the Dry Sifted Wastes - DSW (Wastes obtained through the sifting of the solid part of the material contained in the of water sheet of the stalls and in the water of washing of the stalls). The treatments were: T1- Control; T2- Diet with 24% of Biju; and T3- Diet with 24% of DSW, dry matter base. There was influence of the rations (P <0.05) on the intake of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), ethereal extract (EE) and phosphorus (P); and also in the live weight gain (LWG) and in the alimentary conversion (AC). Among the diets with wastes it was not verified differences on the intake of DM, CP, Ca and P; and in LWG. The lambs of the Bergamacia breed showed a higher LWG than the Santa Ines lambs.
Where a springhead becomes a springbrook : a regional zonation of springs

Springs are important freshwater habitats that provide specific abiotic conditions for many species. These conditions may change very rapidly downstream. Limnologists tend to treat spring sources and their adjacent springbrooks as a unity because of the lack of clear criteria to separate these sections. In this study, we investigated the longitudinal distribution of macroinvertebrate assemblages in ten undisturbed springs in north-western Switzerland at three different distances from the source. Using non-metric multidimensional scaling and analysis of similarities, we detected significant differences between the macroinvertebrate assemblages of the investigated sections in all spring ecosystems, even over short distances. These results stress the importance of distinguishing between the sequential habitats in this upper region of headwaters. Although a complex of abiotic factors is responsible for the distribution of macroinvertebrates, we consider temperature to be of special importance. Based on our faunistic data, we propose that the rheocrene-like springs in the Jura Mountains consist of two sections: the springhead and the springbrook, with the springhead consisting of the source and the upper part of the adjacent downstream section. In accordance with literature and our faunistic and temperature data, we place the beginning of the springbrook at approximately 5 m from the springhead. With this distinction, we justify that springheads and springbrooks are unique, discrete ecosystems, and as such must be considered in conservation legislation.
Growth, nutrient dynamics, and efficiency responses to carbon dioxide and phosphorus nutrition in soybean

Plant mineral nutrients such as phosphorus may exert major control on crop responses to the rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. To evaluate the growth, nutrient dynamics, and efficiency responses to CO2 and phosphorus nutrition, soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. ) was grown in controlled environment growth chambers with sufficient (0.50 mM) and deficient (0.10 and 0.01 mM) phosphate (Pi) supply under ambient and elevated CO2 (aCO2, 400 and eCO2, 800 µmol mol−1, respectively). The CO2 × Pi interaction was detected for leaf area, leaf and stem dry weight, and total plant biomass. The severe decrease in plant biomass in Pi-deficient plants (10–76%) was associated with reduced leaf area and photosynthesis (Pnet). The degree of growth stimulation (0–55% total biomass) by eCO2 was dependent upon the severity of Pi deficiency and was closely associated with the increased phosphorus utilization efficiency. With the exception of leaf and root biomass, Pi deficiency decreased the biomass partitioning to other plant organs with the maximum decrease observed in seed weight (8–42%) across CO2 levels. The increased tissue nitrogen (N) concentration in Pi-deficient plants was accredited to the lower biomass and increased nutrient uptake due to the larger root to shoot ratio. The tissue P and N concentration tended to be lower at eCO2 versus aCO2 and did not appear to be the main cause of the lack of CO2 response of growth and Pnet under severe Pi deficiency. The leaf N/P ratio of >16 was detrimental to soybean growth. The tissue P concentration needed to attain the maximum productivity for biomass and seed yield tended to be higher at eCO2 versus aCO2. Therefore, the eCO2 is likely to increase the leaf critical P concentration for maximum biomass productivity and yield in soybean.
The impact of cats and foxes on the small vertebrate fauna of Heirisson Prong, Western Australia. I. Exploring potential impact using diet analysis

The diets of cats (Felis catus) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes) killed during predator control at a semi-arid site in Western Australia were studied to see which prey species may be affected by predation from these introduced predators. The number of items, biomass and frequency of occurrence of each food type in the gut contents from 109 feral cats, 62 semi-feral cats and 47 foxes were used to calculate an Index of Relative Importance for each food category for each predator. Mammals were the most important prey group for all three predators, with rabbit being the most highly ranked prey species. The diets of feral and semi-feral cats were similar in dietary diversity but differed in the frequency of occurrence of some food categories. Native rodents, birds and reptiles occurred more frequently and were ranked higher in the diet of feral cats, and food scraps occurred more frequently in the diet of semi-feral cats. The diet of foxes was less diverse than that of either group of cats. Invertebrates and sheep carrion were more important prey categories for foxes than for cats. In the summer–autumn period, foxes ate more sheep carrion and invertebrates than they did in winter–spring. The diet of feral cats was more diverse in summer–autumn, including a greater range of invertebrates and more rodents, birds and reptiles than in the winter–spring period. We predict that cats are more likely to have an impact on small vertebrates at this site and that the control of cats could lead to recoveries in the populations of native rodents, birds and reptiles. By contrast, the control of foxes alone may lead to a rise in cat numbers and a consequent detrimental impact on small vertebrate populations.
Playing favourites: Israel and Judah in the marriage metaphor of Jeremiah 3

The depiction of Yhwh’s marriage to Rebellious Israel and Treacherous Judah in Jeremiah 3 has resisted interpretation in terms that cohere with the text’s surroundings or our wider historical and theological understanding of the entities named by the text. Though commentators consistently identify the sisters as the northern and southern kingdoms, they are obliged to engage in interpretive gymnastics to explain the text’s preference for Israel, the northern kingdom. This article examines recent interpretations and their underlying assumptions, then reviews immediate and wider evidence for the entities called Israel and Judah, en route to a new proposal for their identification and significance in this passage. It proposes that the apparent incoherence of the allegory and its relationship with the surrounding material may be resolved by the recognition that Israel is meant to signify the community exiled to Babylonia, while Judah represents those left behind in the land.
Human-Smart Environment Interactions in Smart Cities: Exploring Dimensionalities of Smartness

In the context of the challenges facing human computer interaction (HCI) on the one hand and the future Internet on the other, the purpose of this study is to explore the multi-dimensionality of smart cities, looking at relationships and interdependencies through correlating selected dimensions of smartness. Key dimensions of smartness are identified for exploration in the context of smart cities in this work through a review of the research literature. Methodologically, this work combines an exploratory case study approach consisting of multiple methods of data collection including survey and in-depth interviews, with an explanatory correlational design. In terms of results, the main findings of this work shed light on the relationships between selected dimensions of the multi-dimensionality construct of smartness in data-rich urban environments. This work is significant in that it provides correlational information for smart city dimensionalities while contributing to the research literature in this domain; uses a hybrid case study and correlational design in relation to the study of multi-dimensionality; and, opens spaces for the study of innovative urban initiatives, while taking the ideas and experiences of people from many sectors into consideration.
Dynamics of development of late blight [Phytophthora infestans] in potato, and comparative resistance of cultivars in the highland tropics

Host resistance is an important component for the management of late blight [Phytophthora infestans] on potato, in the highland tropics, where effective fungicide use is limited because of the cost of application. Potato cultivars with major resistance genes to late blight (population A) and minor or quantitative resistance genes to the disease (population B) were evaluated in field studies at two locations in Kenya during 2000, 2001, and 2002 cropping seasons. Disease severity, area under disease progress curve (AUDPC), infection rates, tuber blight, and tuber yields were assessed to determine the effectiveness of cultivar resistance to potato late blight. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in AUDPC were detected among cultivars. Progress of late blight on potato cultivars was best described by the nonlinear form of the logistic model. Infection rates ranged from 0.0047 to 0.3105 logits per day and were generally higher on susceptible than resistant cultivars. Rates of disease progress were highest on the susceptible control 'Kerr's Pink' (0.3015 logits per day) and lowest on ‘Rutuku’ (0.0047 logits per day), a cultivar derived from population A. The rates of disease progress on population B cultivars were significantly (P < 0.001) higher than those on population A in seasons of severe late-blight epidemics. Significant (P < 0.05) differences in tuber blight development were also detected among the cultivars. Significant negative correlations were observed between AUDPC and tuber yield for cultivars of population A, but no correlations were observed for cultivars of population B. This suggests that cultivars of population B are less influenced in their yield by late blight than those of population A and may be more suited for use where late blight is a recurring problem.
Compensatory Thermal Adaptation of Soil Microbial Respiration Rates in Global Croplands

Understanding whether soil microbial respiration adapts to the ambient thermal climate with an enhanced or compensatory response, hence potentially stimulating or slowing down soil carbon losses with warming, is key to accurately forecast and model climate change impacts on the global carbon cycle. Despite the interest in this topic and the plethora of recent studies in natural ecosystems, it has been seldom explored in croplands. Using two recently published independent datasets of soil microbial metabolic quotient (MMQ; microbial respiration rate per unit biomass) and carbon use efficiency (CUE; partitioning of C to microbial growth vs. respiration), we find a compensatory thermal adaptive response for MMQ in global croplands. That is, mean annual temperature (MAT) has a negative effect on MMQ. However, this compensatory thermal adaptation is only half or less of that found in previous studies for noncultivated ecosystems. In contrast to the negative MMQ‐MAT pattern, microbial CUE increases with MAT across global croplands. By incorporating this positive CUE‐MAT relationship (greater C partitioning into microbial growth rather than respiration with increasing temperature) into a microbial‐explicit soil organic carbon model, we successfully predict the thermal compensation of MMQ observed in croplands. Our model‐data integration and database cross‐validation suggest that a warmer climate may select for microbial communities with higher CUE, providing a plausible mechanism for their compensatory metabolic response. By helping to identify appropriate representations of microbial physiological processes in soil biogeochemical models, our work will help build confidence in model projections of cropland C dynamics under a changing climate.
Plant feeding by insect vectors can affect life cycle, population genetics and evolution of plant viruses

Summary Transmission from host to host is a crucial step in the life cycle of pathogens, particularly of viruses, ensuring spread and maintenance in host populations. The immobile nature of plants and the strong pectin and cellulose barrier surrounding cells have constrained most plant virus species to use vectors (mainly insects) for exit, transfer and entry from one host to another. A growing body of evidence is showing that plant viruses can influence vector physiology and behaviour to increase their chances of transmission, either directly or through modification of the host plant. In contrast, little is known on the possible reciprocal interaction, where the vector way of life would significantly impact on the viral behaviour and/or phenotype within the infected plants, on its population genetics and its evolution. The complex possible reaches of these three-way interactions on the ecology of each partner have not been exhaustively explored. After briefly summarizing the current knowledge on how viruses can induce changes in insect vector behaviour, physiology and population dynamics, this review focuses on presenting unforeseen aspects related to (i) the impacts that the feeding habits of different insect vectors can have on the evolution of plant viruses and (ii) the possibility that vector-related stresses induce major switches in the ‘behaviour’ of viruses in planta, affecting primarily the efficiency of transmission by insect vectors.