Vegetative and reproductive variation among unisexual and hermaphroditic individuals of Wurmbea dioica (Colchicaceae)

2001 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Jones ◽  
Martin Burd

Hermaphroditism may constrain the effects of sex-specific selection on life history and reproductive traits. Wurmbea dioica in south-eastern Australia has populations with male, female and hermaphroditic plants, allowing an intraspecific comparison from which inferences may be made about the nature of evolutionary specialisation for each sexual function. We found that pistillate plants of W. dioica in a population in central Victoria were larger than male plants, but that males produced more and larger flowers. When comparing whole-plant means, males did not differ from hermaphrodites in pollen investment and females did not differ from hermaphrodites in fruit mass. However, when data for individual flowers were analysed with a statistical control for floral size, flowers of hermaphrodites had less investment in both pollen and fruit compared with flowers of the corresponding unisexual plants, implying that an intra-floral allocation trade-off occurs. Investment per flower in pollen had no apparent trade-off with flower number per plant, while fruit investment did show a significant relationship to flower number per plant, but the relationship was in different directions for females and hermaphrodites. Sex-specific selection has apparently favoured differentiation of investment strategies for males and females, while hermaphrodites reveal some morphological compromises that must be made to engage in both sexual functions.

Author(s):  
Stephen J. Simpson ◽  
David Raubenheimer

This chapter examines the relationships between nutrition, life span, and sex. It considers the view that dietary restriction without severe malnutrition prolongs life. It is generally believed that the benefits of dietary restriction arise from eating fewer calories. However, Geometric Framework experiments on insects in which the effects of macronutrients have been separated indicate that, rather than calories, a key determinant of the relationship between diet and longevity is the balance of protein to nonprotein (fat and/or carbohydrate) energy in the diet. Meanwhile, the presumption in much of life history theory that life span and reproduction trade off against each other for limiting resources is shown to be too simplistic. These two life-history variables certainly have differing nutritional optima, but they can be dissociated and do not inevitably trade off. Reproductive senescence and aging may proceed at different rates in males and females, as predicted by sexual selection theory.


2004 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrizia Vermigli ◽  
Alessandro Toni

The present research analyzes the relationship between attachment styles at an adult age and field dependence in order to identify possible individual differences in information processing. The “Experience in Close Relationships” test of Brennan et al. was administered to a sample of 380 individuals (160 males, 220 females), while a subsample of 122 subjects was given the Embedded Figure Test to measure field dependence. Confirming the starting hypothesis, the results have shown that individuals with different attachment styles have a different way of perceiving the figure against the background. Ambivalent and avoidant individuals lie at the two extremes of the same dimension while secure individuals occupy the central part. Significant differences also emerged between males and females.


Author(s):  
Tian Wu ◽  
Danyan Hu ◽  
Qingfen Wang

Abstract Background Noni (Morinda citrifolia Linn.) is a tropical tree that bears climacteric fruit. Previous observations and research have shown that the second day (2 d) after harvest is the most important demarcation point when the fruit has the same appearance as the freshly picked fruit (0 d); however, they are beginning to become water spot appearance. We performed a conjoint analysis of metabolome and transcriptome data for noni fruit of 0 d and 2 d to reveal what happened to the fruit at the molecular level. Genes and metabolites were annotated to KEGG pathways and the co-annotated KEGG pathways were used as a statistical analysis. Results We found 25 pathways that were significantly altered at both metabolic and transcriptional levels, including a total of 285 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 11 differential metabolites through an integrative analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics. The energy metabolism and pathways originating from phenylalanine were disturbed the most. The upregulated resistance metabolites and genes implied the increase of resistance and energy consumption in the postharvest noni fruit. Most genes involved in glycolysis were downregulated, further limiting the available energy. This lack of energy led noni fruit to water spot appearance, a prelude to softening. The metabolites and genes related to the resistance and energy interacted and restricted each other to keep noni fruit seemingly hard within two days after harvest, but actually the softening was already unstoppable. Conclusions This study provides a new insight into the relationship between the metabolites and genes of noni fruit, as well as a foundation for further clarification of the post-ripening mechanism in noni fruit.


2020 ◽  
pp. 003329412097175
Author(s):  
Johanna Levallius ◽  
Elin Monell ◽  
Andreas Birgegård ◽  
David Clinton ◽  
Emma Forsén Mantilla

Introduction Binge eating is a common behaviour that is strongly linked to both obesity and eating disorder. There is evidence that binge eating commonly co-occurs with other problematic and addictive-like behaviours; however, this has not been explored systematically. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between binge eating, body weight, disordered eating behaviours and associated addictive-like behaviours, with particular attention paid to gender differences. Method A community sample ( N = 500; 75% female, Mage = 32.5 years) reported disordered eating behaviours (i.e. binge eating, purging, restriction of eating, compulsive exercise), body mass index (BMI), food addiction, starvation addiction, exercise dependence, tobacco use and alcohol consumption. Results 42% of females and 21% of males reported binge eating during the past four weeks. Binge eating was significantly associated with all investigated behaviours in females, and with purging, compulsive exercise and overweight/obesity in males. Controlling for BMI, self-starvation predicted binge eating in males (OR = 1.07), while food addiction (OR = 1.73) and alcohol dependence (OR = 1.11) predicted binge eating in females. Conclusions The multiple associations between binge eating and addictive-like behaviors supports broad screening and generalized prevention efforts. Prevention efforts should reflect gender differences.


1981 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 369 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Mcilroy

The calculated sensitivity (LD50) of a species to 1080 poison (sodium fluoroacetate), used for control of vertebrate pests, is affected by the experimental procedures employed. Variation can be minimized if the most obvious sources are avoided, as described in this paper. Very young mammals and female waterfowl in breeding condition may be more sensitive to 1080 than other members of their populations. No other substantial differences in sensitivity were found between males and females, immatures and adults, or within and between different populations of six species of birds and mammals in eastern Australia.


2021 ◽  
pp. 25-29
Author(s):  
A. E. Barulin ◽  
S. V. Klauchek ◽  
A. E. Klauchek

Purpose of the study. To establish the relationship between neurophysiological status and the level of efficiency in young people with bruxism.Materials and methods. Two groups of 64 and 53 subjects (males and females) aged 20–35 years old with bruxism and non-bruxers were formed according to questionnaire results and physical examination. The level of efficiency was assessed by the results of sensorimotor tracking of a moving object (the ‘Smile’ model). Spectral analysis was performed for evaluation of the baseline electroencephalograms. Microsoft Excel and Statistica 10.0 programs were used for statistical data processing.Results. The level of efficiency was statistically significantly lower in the hardest test of Smile model among the individuals with bruxism (p < 0.05). The bruxers also demonstrated a significantly lower dominant frequency and maximum amplitude of alpha-rhythm (p < 0.05), and significantly higher dominant frequency of beta2 rhythm (p < 0.05). The dominant frequency and the maximum amplitude of the alpha-rhythm are parameters corresponding to significant coefficients of the regression analysis. A negative relationship was found between the degree of error during sensorimotor tracking and the frequency and amplitude of alpha-rhythm.Conclusion. Regression models present the relationship between the level of efficiency and the alpha-rhythm severity. The regression equations make it possible to determine the functional state of the subject using an electroencephalogram.


1993 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Horst Bohn

AbstractBohn, H.: Revision of the panteli-group of Phyllodromica in Spain and Morocco (Blattaria: Blattellidae: Ectobiinae). Ent. scand. 24: 49-72. Copenhagen, Denmark. April 1993. ISSN 0013-8711. The species of the panteli-group are characterized by lobiform wings in both sexes and very specialized glands on tergite 7 in the males consisting of two pairs of long tubular pouches. The five or six species are distributed in southern Spain (P. panteli (Bolívar), P. coniformis sp. n., P. ignabolivari sp. n.) and northern Morocco (P. Janeri (Bolívar), P. vignai (Failla & Messina), P. sp. B). The distribution pattern suggests a colonization of Morocco from Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar. The characteristics of the panteli-group are reported, the relationship with other groups is discussed, all species are described and depicted, and keys for the identification of males and females are presented.


2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac Estevan ◽  
Octavio Álvarez ◽  
Coral Falcó ◽  
Isabel Castillo

Development of self-efficacy scales allows the analysis of athletes’ perceptions and examination of the relationship between perception and performance. The aim of this paper was to: (1) develop a specific self-efficacy scale in a taekwondo task, the roundhouse kick, and (2) analyse the sport performance and its relationship with two self-efficacy scales (specific and general) outcomes according to the athletes’ gender.<strong> </strong>Forty-three taekwondo athletes (33 male and 10 female) participated in this study. The Physical (PSE) and Specific (RKSES) self-efficacy scales were administered. Performance data (impact force and total response time) were acquired by athletes kicking twice to an instrumented target. Results showed that the specific self-efficacy scale has high reliability and is able to predict sport performance in males and females. Males had higher self-efficacy scores and also higher performance results than females. Females’ taekwondo psychological training should be focus on improving their self-efficacy perception in order to increase their performance in the roundhouse kick. This specific self-efficacy scale for the taekwondo roundhouse kick offers empirical information to coaches, sport psychologists and researchers that allow them to predict athletes’ sport performance in the roundhouse kick.


Author(s):  
Zhakiah Ahmed Amer

The objective of the current study was to detect the relationship between the qualitative differences between the creativity and the age of the student and the age of the parents at birth، family size، birth order، economic and cultural level، loss of parents and their habitat (environment) using the descriptive approach. A total of 953 students، from the first level (males and females) and from the scientific and literary colleges in Khartoum University، Sudan. The results showed no significant differences in creativity، no correlative between the age of the parents and the students' ages in creativity، but there are: - a negative correlative relationship with maternal age at level (0. 01) and a positive correlative relationship with the age of the students at the level (0. 01)، but in both flexibility and fluency، there is a negative correlation relationship statistically significant with the age of students at the level of (0. 01). There is no correlation between the creativity and birth order of the student، creativity and family size، negative correlative relation with family size at (0. 01). The differences in creativity could be attributed to the place of residence at a significant level (0. 01).  


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