Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Asexual Reproduction by Transverse Fission and Some Anomalies in the Sea Anemone Nematostella vectensis

Nematostella vectensis is one of only 5 sea anemones known to reproduce asexually by transverse fission. Sibling individuals of this species divide at highy variable rates with some individuals dividing rarely or not at all, while others may divide many times a year. Field populations are frequently unisexual, and such populations may be clones derived from a single founder. As individual anemones grow, the asexual fragments produced do not necessarily become larger, nor is the time taken to regenerate a functional oral crown on a fragment related to the size of the fragment. The inclusion of a bolus of undigested food in an aboral fragment may delay completion of regeneration as compared to fragments without a bolus. Increased food intake increases the frequency of fission and results in smaller fragments but does not significantly influence the time fragments take to regenerate. Starvation suppresses fission in individuals but does not totally eliminate it. Multi-crowned anomalies are common in natural and in laboratory populations. Subsequent fission of multi-crowned individuals produces normal, single-crowned anemones and meets the definition of budding, a truly rare phenomenon in sea anemones. Additional key words: Cnidaria, Actiniaria, regeneration, clones The most common means of vegetative asexual reproduction among sea anemones are longitudinal fission and pedal laceration (Stephenson 1929; Shick 1991). Both have been studied in a number of species and no common regulator for these methods has been found (Sebens 1980; Shick 1991). Two less common modes of vegetative reproduction are transverse fission and budding, the latter being restricted to boloceroidarian sea anemones which regenerate new individuals from their tentacles (Shick 1991). Transverse fission occurs in more diverse sea anemones, but is known for only 5 species: Anthopleura stellula (Ehrenberg 1834) (see Schmidt 1970), Aiptasia mutabilis (Gravenhorst 1831) (formerly Aiptasia couchii Cocks 1850: see Stephenson 1935), Gonactinia prolifera (M. Sars 1835) (see Chia et al. 1989), Fagesia lineata (Verrill 1873) (see Crowell & Oates 1980), and Nematostella vectensis Stephenson 1935 (see Lindsay 1975; Williams 1976; Frank & Bleakney 1978; Hand & Uhlinger 1992). Nothing is known about the control of budding in sea anemones, and to date only the reports of Schmidt (1970) on Anthopleura stellula and Hand and Uhlinger (1992) on Nematostella vectensis provide any data on a To whom correspondence should be addressed. the control of transverse fission. Both these studies showed that fission rates were enhanced at lower sa-
Specialists and Generalists in Changing Environments. I. Fitness Landscapes of Thermal Sensitivity

Animals and plants often exhibit narrow ranges of thermal preference in variable environments; fitness-enhancing activities such as reproduction and growth tend to be concentrated during times in which body temperature lies within that narrow range. The relation between fitness-associated performance and temperature is modeled by a performance curve defined by two traits: performance breadth (Tbr), a measure of thermal specialization, and the critical maximum temperature for performance (Tmax). Optimality models are used to define the fitness landscape for these two traits under several different patterns of within- and among-generation variation in temperature. In constant environments and environments in which there is significant within-generation variation, specialists with narrow preference ranges are the favored phenotype. In environments in which there is considerable among-generation but little within-generation variation, generalists with broad preference ranges are favored. Specialists in a constant environment have a mean fitness an order of magnitude higher than any phenotype in more variable environments, demonstrating that homeostatic mechanisms can confer a large fitness advantage. In contrast to previous models of environmental tolerance, these performance models suggest that increasing temporal environmental variation can favor the evolution of thermal specialization.
Effects of temperature on in vitro sediment reworking processes by a gallery biodiffusor, the polychaete Neanthes virens

Temperature-induced variations in bioturbation could affect sediment mixing processes in the marine benthic environment. In this study, sediment reworking by Neanthes virens (Sars), a widely distributed polychaete in muddy sand communities of northern temperate latitudes, was studied under different temperature conditions representing winter (1°C), spring and fall (6°C), summer(13°C), and tide pool (18°C) temperatures in the lower St. Lawrence Estuary, Quebec, Canada. Sediment reworking was quantified using inert fluorescent particles (luminophores) deposited at the sediment surface. Based on the 1-D luminophore distributions obtained after 5 and 30 d, the use of the specific 'gallery-biodiffusor' model allowed us to quantify both biodiffusion (Db) and biotransport (Vb) due to the organisms. Our results showed temperature effects on sediment transport. The lowest biotransport and biodiffusion coefficients were measured at 1 and 6°C and did not change with time. The highest biodiffusion occurred at 13°C for both sampling periods. At 18°C, biodiffusion was intermediate while biotransport was maximal. Differences between the 13°C biodiffusive transport and the other temperatures increased with time. Low transport values at 1 and 6°C suggest that a quiescent stage exists for this species at these temperatures, with sediment mixing occurring mostly during burrow construction. On the other hand, sediment mixing resulted from both the burrow construction and maintenance phases at higher temperatures (13 and 18°C).
Competition between maize and Datura stramonium in an irrigated field under semi-arid conditions

Summary Crop growth of maize (Zea mays L.) and Datura stramonium L. in monoculture and competition was studied over 4 years in a flood irrigated field in Zaragoza (Spain). Plant density was 8.33 m ‐2 for maize and 16.66 m ‐2 (1994 and 1995) and 8.33 m ‐2 (1996 and 1997) for D. stramonium. Maize yield was decreased by 14‐63% when competing with the weed. Yield reduction increased as the time between crop and weed emergence decreased. The development of leaf area per plant during the exponential growth phase was faster in maize primarily because the leaf area of maize seedlings at emergence time was greater than that of the weed. The faster growth of maize in leaf area and height reduced the photosynthetically active radiation received by the weed. Datura stramonium had a lower radiation use eAciency (RUE) than maize. Competition from the weed slightly decreased the maximum leaf area index (LAI) of the crop, and leaf senescence of maize was accelerated. The weed competed with the crop late in the season reducing crop growth rate, grain number per ear and grain weight. Competitive ability of D. stramonium for light was mainly due to its growth habit, with the leaves concentrated in the upper part of the canopy (more than 75% of LAI in the upper 25% of its height), its higher light extinction coeAcient (0.89) and its indeterminate growth habit. The N plant content of maize was not influenced by the presence of the weed. The weed had a higher N plant content than the crop throughout the season and took up more N in monoculture.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in the new world screw‐worm Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

The new world screw-worm, Cochliomyia hominivorax, is one of the most important parasitic insect pests. This species causes myiasis and, consequently, significant losses to livestock industries in neotropical regions. As part of an investigation into the genetic variability and population structure of the new world screw-worm, a set of 10 polymorphic microsatellite markers was isolated from an AC-enriched genomic library. Amplification of the reported loci in 30 screw-worms revealed an average of 6.9 alleles per locus with expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.3831 to 0.8022. Cross-species amplifications suggested that these loci may be useful in other Calliphoridae species.
The biometry of gills of 0‐group European flounder

The gill surface area of 0-group, post-metamorphic Pleuronectes flesus L. was examined using digital image analysis software and expressed in relation to body mass according to the equation logY=loga + c logW (a=239.02; c=0.723). The components that constitute gill area, total filament length, interlamellar space and unilateral lamellar area were measured. The measurement of the length of every filament on all eight arches showed that commonly used methods of calculation can lead to an under-estimation of up to 24% of total filament length. Direct measurements of unilateral lamellar area with digital image analysis showed that previously reported gill area data for the same species was over-estimated by as much as 58%. In addition, in this species the neglect of gill pouch asymmetry after metamorphosis, can bring about a 14% over-estimation of total gill area.
Procedure for analysis of α-tocopherol acetate in bovine ruminal fluid

A procedure was developed for the rapid analysis of vitamin E in bovine ruminal fluid. α-Tocopherol acetate (20 ppm) was not degraded in vitro nor was there evidence of ester hydrolysis when it was incubated for 24 h in ruminal fluid from cattle fed three forage diets. Key words: Vitamin E, α-tocopherol acetate, ruminal fluid, cattle
Maternal Environment Effects on Common Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) Seed Dormancy

Abstract Common groundsel adapts readily to new environments and selection pressures and has been variably described as both a winter and summer annual. We characterized germination response to temperature in seeds from populations occurring at six sites along a 700-km north–south transect (Kentucky to Michigan). Seeds were collected in 2000 and 2002 from randomly selected plants (350 to 400), at each sampling site. Two germination patterns were observed: (1) seeds from the southern locations averaged 80 to 90% germination across the range of 5 to 25 C; and (2) seeds from northern locations had reduced germination when incubation temperatures were close to 5 or 25 C. When seed from all locations were grown in a common environment (14/10-h thermoperiod of 22/18 C), their progeny had a germination response that was similar across the temperature gradient, regardless of original location, suggesting germination of the parent seed was due to maternal environmental effects. In a subsequent experiment, common groundsel was grown in growth chambers with warm long days (22/15 C and 16 h of light), warm short days (8 h of light), cold long days (15/8 C and 16 h of light), and cold short days. Eighty percent of seeds from the warm environments germinated across the range from 5 to 25 C indicating that these maternal conditions had produced nondormant seeds. In contrast, 20% or fewer of the seeds from plants in the cold chambers germinated regardless of temperature, suggesting that dormancy had been induced by the cool maternal environment. Results also indicated that signaling of maternal environment varied with inflorescence development stages, meaning the earlier the inflorescences are exposed to cold conditions, the lower the percent germination in F1 seeds. Preventing seed maturation on common groundsel growing under cool conditions may reduce the formation of a persistent seed bank. Nomenclature: Common groundsel, Senecio vulgaris L. SENVU
Paralytic shellfish toxin profiles of different geographic populations of Gymnodinium catenatum (Dinophyceae) in Korean coastal waters

Paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin profiles of dinoflagellate cultures of Gymnodinium catenatum Graham from the Yellow and South Seas in Korea were investigated by high performance liquid chromatography fluorometric detection. Strains from the Yellow Sea had predominantly carbamate toxins, while strains from Sujeongri and Chindong in the South Sea contained the N‐sulfocarbamoyl toxins, Cl,2, as major components including the presence of GTX5 and dcSTX in some strains. Toxin profiles from St. Deukryang Bay strains (South Sea) showed both characteristics of those in the South Sea and those in the Yellow Sea. Thirty strains could be divided into three groups based on cluster analysis of toxin compositions. Group I (Yellow Sea strains) was distinguished from Group II (Sujeongri and Chindong strains) by the absence of GTX5 and dcSTX. Group III comprised Deukryang Bay strains. In conclusion, the Yellow Sea and the South Sea were found to have different dinoflagellate populations with different toxin compositions.
Effect of parent material, natural available soil boron, and applied boron and lime on the growth and chemical composition of lucerne on some acidic soils of the Central Tablelands of New South Wales

Fifteen acidic soils (0-1 5 cm), three from each of the five main parent materials in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, were collected for a glasshouse experiment. The hot water soluble boron content of these soils and some other related soil properties were measured. Boron at nil and 1.5 ¦g/g air-dried soil and lime at nil and 670 ¦g/g air-dried soil in a factorial combination were applied to the soils. The effects of the treatments on the performance of lucerne (Medicago sativa cv. Hunter River) grown on these soils were studied. Boron application tended to increase the production of lucerne dry matter on sandstone, shale and slate, and granitic soils, but not on basaltic or alluvial soils. Also, it increased the boron concentration in the leaves of lucerne grown in all soils and consequently, reduced the calcium to boron ratio. The boron levels that produced 90% of the maximum yield and below which boron deficiency symptoms were manifested by the plants, were 0.34 ¦g/g in air-dried soil and 25 ¦g/g in oven-dried leaves. There was a linear correlation (r = 0.98) between the hot water soluble boron content of the untreated soils and the boron concentration in the leaves. The hot water soluble boron content of the soils derived from sandstone, shale and slate, and granite was much lower than the basaltic or alluvial soils and were nearly equal to or below the determined critical level. Although liming had the tendency to induce the symptoms of boron deficiency, the effect of lime was greater than boron in increasing the yield. The role of lime in eliminating the problems of these acidic soils and hence promoting the yield of lucerne is discussed.
CARACTERIZAÇÃO AMBIENTAL E ANÁLISE MORFOMÉTRICA DA BACIA HIDROGRÁFICA DO RIO ITAUEIRA, PIAUÍ, BRASIL

The study aimed to perform geoenvironmental characterization, particularly morphometric, of the Itaueira River Basin, state of Piauí, from geometric variables, drainage network and relief, as a possibility to know the environmental dynamics of the basin. For this purpose it used the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) to calculate the morphometric parameters related to the geometric characteristics, drainage network and relief. Thus, the study indicated that the basin area studied is 10122.4 km2 and a perimeter of 757.03 km2. In turn, the basin has an elongated profile and low predisposition to abrupt flooding, as its compactness coefficient is 2.1068, form factor 0.12 and circularity index of 0.222. The total length of the DIAS, A. A. ; AQUINO, C. M. S. ; SANTOS, F. A. CARACTERIZAÇÃO AMBIENTAL E ANÁLISE MORFOMÉTRICA DA BACIA HIDROGRÁFICA DO RIO ITAUEIRA, PIAUÍ, BRASIL Geosaberes, Fortaleza, v. 11, p. 265-276, 2020. 266 watercourses is 735.2 km, drainage density 0.073 km/km2, hydrographic density 0.0014 and 3rd order river channels. The altitude and average slope found were 371.7 m and 4.81%, respectively, while its roughness index was 44.238.
Homosexual behaviour and female‐male mounting in mammals—a first survey

Information from the literature is given on the presence or absence of homosexual behaviour and female-male mounting in 125 species of mammals, both captive and wild. Such behaviour occurs in the male and often female young of many species soon after their birth. It is more common in young, often in play, than in adults. Adult homosexual behaviour is widespread in male and female mammals (recorded in 63 and 71 species respectively), but common in few species. In males it is most likely to be correlated with dominance and thus to occur in species with hierarchies such as terrestrial monkeys and members of the sheep and goat tribe. In females it is often correlated with sexual condition; a female in heat most often mounted another female, and one in heat was next most likely to be mounted by another female. Anoestral females rarely mounted other anoestral females. Females of 43 species mounted males, which often excited them sexually. Captive mammals tended to mount animals of the same sex more often than did wild ones when comparative data were available. Domestic animals also mounted more man did wild ones, with several exceptions. Some phylogenetic groups of animals displayed similar degrees of homosexual mounting, but there was often considerable variation between closely related species. Nor could homosexual mounting be always correlated with the social structure of a group. The four reasons for, or contexts of, homosexual and female-male mountings were social play (in 34 species), aggression (19 species), sexual excitement (36 species), and physical contact—non-play (30 species). This last category included a state of tension, getting attention, greeting, grooming, caressing, reassurance and appeasement. There was some overlap between categories. Homosexual pair-bonds occur in captive mammals and have been observed throughout the year in non-captive female Japanese monkeys.
Calcium transport between tissues and its distribution in the plant

Abstract. The low cytosol concentration of free Ca2+ makes the symplast of roots an ineffective pathway for the supply of the calcium needed for healthy growth in the aerial parts of plants. Ca2+ moves rapidly across the cortical apoplast by diffusion and mass flow but is probably diverted across the plasmamembranes of endodermal cells by Casparian bands. A proposal is made to account for the movement of calcium across the endodermis and it is estimated that Ca-fluxes are likely to be appreciably greater than in the regulation of cell Ca level by cortical cells. Ca transport in the xylem occurs by mass flow of free Ca2+, and some organically complexed Ca, and by chromatographic movement along Ca-exchange sites in the xylem walls. Delivery of Ca to transpiring leaves and to weakly transpiring meristematic zones is discussed in relation to the two modes of Ca movement in the xylem. Competition between sinks is intensified when [Ca2+] in xylem is low and transpiration is great. Tropic growth responses involve pumping of vacuolar calcium into the apoplast followed by its migration along gradients of electrical potential which develop in the apoplast after geo-stimulation. An attempt is made to estimate plasmalemma efflux during this process. Redistribution from mature tissues to meristems in the pholem is likely to be small, if it occurs at all, since sieve tubes cannot have more than micro-molar concentrations of free-Ca2+ in them.
Note on a Fossil Species of Chlamydoselachus

Some years ago a Selachian was obtained by Prof. H. A. Ward, which had been caught off the coast of Japan. It was purchased for the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College; and in January 1884 Mr. S. Garman, of that Museum, gave a preliminary description of the fish in the “Bulletin of the Essex Institute,” vol. xvi. , in which he recognized it as belonging to a new family and instituted for it the genus Chlamydoselachus . I had the pleasure of describing this fish and giving a historical resume of the various opinions respecting it in the proceedings of this society, at a meeting held in 1885. * Until the month of June in the present year, no fossil representative was known. Whilst visiting the Natural History Museum at South Kensington, I came across a fossil representative of the genus closely resembling the recent one. It is extremely interesting to find that ten years ago a fossil representative of Chlamydoselachus was actually discovered and figured by the late Robert Lawley. The specimen is from the Pliocene beds of Orciano in Tuscany, and is described as very rare; the teeth figured are possessed of three sharp, slender, backwardly-curved denticles, with a base forming a broadly-expanded plate divided at its posterior extremity into a pair of prongs, which doubtless extended, as in the existing species, beneath the succeeding tooth, thereby gaining additional firmness and strength. The figures indicate a tooth twice the diameter of the anterior teeth of the existing species. The .
Effect of Medicinal Plant Water Extracts on Glucose-regulating Enzyme Activities in Goto-Kakizaki Rat Liver Cytosol

We have studied the anti-diabetic effects of medicinal plant water extracts on hepatic glucose-regulating enzymes such as glucokinase (GK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). -Glucosidase inhibitor is usually used to prevent and treat type II diabetes; thus, anti--glucosidase activity of medicinal plant water extracts was assayed. The hepatic cytosol faction of a type II diabetic animal (Goto-Kakizaki rat) was used in GK and ACC activity assays. The medicinal plants were Lycium chinense (JGP), Discorea japonica Thunb. (SY), Pyrus pyrifolia (YSB), Cornus officinalis (SSY), Paeonia suffruticosa ANDR. (MDP), Cordyceps militaris (DCH), and Acanthopanax senticosus (GSO). JGP, SY, YSB, and SSY water extracts increased the hepatic GK activity and all medicinal plant water extracts led to an increase in hepatic ACC activity. YSB, SSY, MDP, and GSO water extracts showed significantly higher anti--glucosidase activity than control samples. The highest anti--glucosidase activity was observed in GSO water extract and the anti--glucoside activity was higher than that of Acarbose (reference -glucosidase inhibitor). We suggest that JGP, SY, YSB, and SSY water extracts may exert an anti-diabetic effect by enhancing the glucose metabolism and that YSB, MDP and GSO may be used as natural -glucosidase inhibitors in type II diabetic conditions. Increased ACC activity by plant water extracts may provide additional anti-diabetic effect.
Wagner’s Law and Fiscal Illusion: An analysis of state government finances in Brazil

The aim of this article is to analyze state‐level public finances in Brazil. We examine the dynamics of governmental spending in a panel of 26 Brazilian states in search of evidence of Wagner’s Law and Fiscal Illusion Hypothesis. For the period ranging from 2002 to 2015, three methodologies are applied: dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS), fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS), and pooled mean group (PMG). The main empirical results found indicate that (1) there is strong evidence of Fiscal Illusion caused by public deficit and by central government transfer grants; (2) there are possible Flypaper Effects; (3) there is no evidence in support of Wagner’s Law; (4) there is low publicness degree of local expenditures; (5) due to Fiscal Illusion, less‐developed Brazilian states tend to be stuck in a public expenditure growth mechanism, especially in expenses related to non‐public goods, which tend to benefit private interests and lobby groups.