scholarly journals The distribution and mitochondrial genotype of the hydroid Aglaophenia latecarinata is correlated with its pelagic Sargassum substrate type in the tropical and subtropical western Atlantic Ocean

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette F. Govindarajan ◽  
Laura Cooney ◽  
Kerry Whittaker ◽  
Dana Bloch ◽  
Rachel M. Burdorf ◽  
...  

The pelagic brown macroalga Sargassum supports rich biological communities in the tropical and subtropical Atlantic region, including a variety of epiphytic invertebrates that grow on the Sargassum itself. The thecate hydroid Aglaophenia latecarinata is commonly found growing on some, but not all, Sargassum forms. In this study, we examined the relationship between A. latecarinata and its pelagic Sargassum substrate across a broad geographic area over the course of 4 years (2015–2018). The distribution of the most common Sargassum forms that we observed (Sargassum fluitans III and S. natans VIII) was consistent with the existence of distinct source regions for each. We found that A. latecarinata hydroids were abundant on both S. natans VIII and S. fluitans III, and also noted a rare observation of A. latecarinata on S. natans I. For the hydroids on S. natans VIII and S. fluitans III, hydroid mitochondrial genotype was strongly correlated with the Sargassum substrate form. We found significant population genetic structure in the hydroids, which was also consistent with the distributional patterns of the Sargassum forms. These results suggest that hydroid settlement on the Sargassum occurs in type-specific Sargassum source regions. Hydroid species identification is challenging and cryptic speciation is common in the Aglaopheniidae. Therefore, to confirm our identification of A. latecarinata, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis that showed that while the genus Aglaophenia was not monophyletic, all A. latecarinata haplotypes associated with pelagic Sargassum belonged to the same clade and were likely the same species as previously published sequences from Florida, Central America, and one location in Brazil (São Sebastião). A nominal A. latecarinata sequence from a second Brazilian location (Alagoas) likely belongs to a different species.

Genus ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Priulla ◽  
Nicoletta D’Angelo ◽  
Massimo Attanasio

AbstractThis paper investigates gender differences in university performances in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses in Italy, proposing a novel application through the segmented regression models. The analysis concerns freshmen students enrolled at a 3-year STEM degree in Italian universities in the last decade, with a focus on the relationship between the number of university credits earned during the first year (a good predictor of the regularity of the career) and the probability of getting the bachelor degree within 4 years. Data is provided by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MIUR). Our analysis confirms that first-year performance is strongly correlated to obtaining a degree within 4 years. Furthermore, our findings show that gender differences vary among STEM courses, in accordance with the care-oriented and technical-oriented dichotomy. Males outperform females in mathematics, physics, chemistry and computer science, while females are slightly better than males in biology. In engineering, female performance seems to follow the male stream. Finally, accounting for other important covariates regarding students, we point out the importance of high school background and students’ demographic characteristics.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Demont ◽  
Paul I Ward ◽  
Wolf U Blanckenhorn ◽  
Stefan Lüpold ◽  
Oliver Y Martin ◽  
...  

Abstract Precise mechanisms underlying sperm storage and utilization are largely unknown, and data directly linking stored sperm to paternity remain scarce. We used competitive microsatellite PCR to study the effects of female morphology, copula duration and oviposition on the proportion of stored sperm provided by the second of two copulating males (S2) in Scathophaga stercoraria (Diptera: Scathophagidae), the classic model for sperm competition studies. We genotyped all offspring from potentially mixed-paternity clutches to establish the relationship between a second male’s stored sperm (S2) and paternity success (P2). We found consistent skew in sperm storage across the three female spermathecae, with relatively more second-male sperm stored in the singlet spermatheca than in the doublet spermathecae. S2 generally decreased with increasing spermathecal size, consistent with either heightened first-male storage in larger spermathecae, or less efficient sperm displacement in them. Additionally, copula duration and several two-way interactions influenced S2, highlighting the complexity of postcopulatory processes and sperm storage. Importantly, S2 and P2 were strongly correlated. Manipulation of the timing of oviposition strongly influenced observed sperm-storage patterns, with higher S2 when females laid no eggs before being sacrificed than when they oviposited between copulations, an observation consistent with adaptive plasticity in insemination. Our results identified multiple factors influencing sperm storage, nevertheless suggesting that the proportion of stored sperm is strongly linked to paternity (i.e., a fair raffle). Even more detailed data in this vein are needed to evaluate the general importance of sperm competition relative to cryptic female choice in postcopulatory sexual selection.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 757-762
Author(s):  
Kusum Menon ◽  
Dayre McNally ◽  
Anand Acharya ◽  
Katharine O’Hearn ◽  
Karen Choong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between serum total cortisol (TC) and free cortisol (FC) levels in children with septic shock and the relationship of these levels with baseline illness severity. Methods A sub-study of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of hydrocortisone vs. placebo in pediatric septic shock conducted in seven academic pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in Canada on children aged newborn to 17 years. Thirty children with septic shock had serum sent for TC and FC measurement within 6 h of meeting the study eligibility criteria. Results Baseline FC and TC levels were strongly correlated with baseline Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) score (R2=0.759, p<0.001; R2=0.717, p<0.001) and moderately correlated with admission Vasotropic Inotropic Score (VIS) (R2=0.489, p<0.001; R2=0.316, p<0.001). Serum TC levels were highly correlated with FC levels (R2=0.92, p<0.001) and showed strong agreement (R2=0.98, p<0.001 on a Bland-Altman plot). The ratio of FC to TC moderately correlated with TC levels (R2=0.46, p<0.001) but did not correlate with baseline albumin levels (R2=0.19, p=0.13). Conclusions Random TC and FC levels are strongly correlated, show strong agreement and are reflective of illness severity in children with septic shock. As such, isolated FC measurement does not appear to provide added information relative to TC in acutely ill children with septic shock.


1939 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 544-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Pálsson

1. By establishing the relationship between linear carcass measurements and the quantitative composition of the carcass in terms of bone, muscle and fat, we have provided a scientific basis for the use of many measurements hitherto only presumed to provide an index to carcass quality.2. External carcass measurements are correlated with weight of the skeleton. The most useful for this purpose are length of tibia + tarsus and length of the fore-cannon.3. As indices of muscle, external measures are only of indirect value. Thus, both F – T and G/F × 100 are strongly correlated with weight of muscle as a percentage of skeletal weight.4. Similarly, F provides an index of fat, being negatively correlated with fat as a percentage of bone.5. For muscle and fat internal measures permit a more precise estimate to be made. A + B is the best index of the former while C + J + Y provide the most accurate estimate of the weight of fat.6. Still better indices for muscle and fat are provided by suitable combinations of external and internal measurements. Thus L/10 + A + B is very highly correlated with the weight of muscle, and L/10 × (C + J + Y) is the best index of fat in the hoggets. For bone, a most efficient single index is shown to be the weight of the fore-cannon bone.7. The weight of the skeleton can be estimated with a high degree of accuracy from the weight of the bones in either one leg or loin. Both these joints combined, however, provide a still better estimate.8. The muscle in one leg or loin + leg provides an excellent index of the weight of muscle in the whole carcass.9. The fat in one leg, loin, or both these joints combined provides a good index of the weight of the total fat in the carcass. Both joints combined give the most precise measure.10. The value of certain measurements which are not necessarily associated with the quantity of the major tissues of the carcass, but which nevertheless have important qualitative significance, is emphasized.


2013 ◽  
Vol 368 (1619) ◽  
pp. 20120168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah K. VanWey ◽  
Stephanie Spera ◽  
Rebecca de Sa ◽  
Dan Mahr ◽  
John F. Mustard

The Brazilian agro-industrial frontier in Mato Grosso rapidly expanded in total area of mechanized production and in total value of production in the last decade. This article shows the spatial pattern of that expansion from 2000 to 2010, based on novel analyses of satellite imagery. It then explores quantitatively and qualitatively the antecedents and correlates of intensification, the expansion of the area under two crops per year. Double cropping is most likely in areas with access to transportation networks, previous profitable agricultural production, and strong existing ties to national and international commodity markets. The article concludes with an exploration of the relationship between double cropping and socioeconomic development, showing that double cropping is strongly correlated with incomes of all residents of a community and with investments in education. We conclude that double cropping in Mato Grosso is very closely tied to multiple indicators of socioeconomic development.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011418S0020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Davis ◽  
Todd Hayano ◽  
Adam Tenforde

Category: Other Introduction/Purpose: While the etiology of injuries is multifactorial, impact loading, as measured by the loadrate of the vertical ground reaction force has been implicated. These loadrates are typically measured with a force plate. However, this limits the measure of impacts to laboratory environments. Tibial acceleration, another measure of running impacts, is considered a surrogate for loadrate. It can be measured using new wearable technology that can be used in a runner’s natural environment. However, the correlation between tibial acceleration measured from mobile devices and vertical ground reaction force loadrates, measured from forceplates, is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between vertical and resultant loadrates to vertical and resultant tibial acceleration across different footstrike patterns (FSP) in runners. Methods: The study involved a sample of convenience made up of 169 runners (74 F, 95 M; age: 38.66±13.08 yrs) presenting at a running injury clinic. This included 25 habitual forefoot strike (FFS), 17 midfoot strike (MFS) and 127 rearfoot strike (RFS) runners. Participants ran on an instrumented treadmill (average speed 2.52±0.25 m/s), with a tri-axial accelerometer attached at the left distal medial tibia. Only subjects running with pain <3/10 on a VAS scale during the treadmill run were included to reduce the confounding effect of pain. Vertical average, vertical instantaneous and resultant instantaneous loadrates (VALR, VILR and RILR) and peak vertical and resultant tibial accelerations (VTA, RTA) were averaged for 8 consecutive left steps. Correlation coefficients (r) were calculated between tibial accelerations and loadrates. Results: All tibial accelerations were significantly correlated across all loadrates, with the exception of RTA with VILR for FFS (Table 1) which was nearly significant (p=0.068). Correlations ranged from 0.37-0.82. VTA was strongly correlated with all loadrates (r = 0.66). RTA was also strongly correlated with both loadrates for RFS and MFS, but only moderately correlated with loadrates for FFS (r = 0.47). Correlations were similar across the different loadrates (VALR, VILR, RILR). Conclusion: The stronger correlation between vertical tibial acceleration and all loadrates (VALR, VILR, RILR) suggests that it may be the best surrogate for loadrates when studying impact loading in runners.


2022 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yash Patel ◽  
Nadine Parker ◽  
Giovanni A. Salum ◽  
Zdenka Pausova ◽  
Tomáš Paus

General psychopathology and cognition are likely to have a bidirectional influence on each other. Yet, the relationship between brain structure, psychopathology, and cognition remains unclear. This brief report investigates the association between structural properties of the cerebral cortex [surface area, cortical thickness, intracortical myelination indexed by the T1w/T2w ratio, and neurite density assessed by restriction spectrum imaging (RSI)] with general psychopathology and cognition in a sample of children from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. Higher levels of psychopathology and lower levels of cognitive ability were associated with a smaller cortical surface area. Inter-regionally—across the cerebral cortex—the strength of association between an area and psychopathology is strongly correlated with the strength of association between an area and cognition. Taken together, structural deviations particularly observed in the cortical surface area influence both psychopathology and cognition.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Salvi ◽  
Emanuele Doronzo ◽  
Anastasia Giakoumelou ◽  
Felice Petruzzella

This study examines the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance (CFP), shedding new light on the lack of academic consensus and prevailing failure to deal with endogeneity in data. To this purpose, the authors recalculate ESG performance starting from the four pillars (economic, environmental, governance and social) provided by Thomson Reuters&rsquo; Asset4 database, able to determine a firm&rsquo;s CSP. We adjust each ESG pillar score accounting for the firm&rsquo;s sector, size and headquarter geographic area. We empirically test the relationship with a Generalized Method of Moments approach (GMM) in order to tackle the widely disputed endogeneity issues arising in this type of datasets. Results highlight a positive relationship between CSR, as measured in a tailored manner in this study, and corporate financial performance.


2020 ◽  
Vol V (IV) ◽  
pp. 108-121
Author(s):  
Muhammad Akram ◽  
Farrukh Munir ◽  
Misbah Gilani

This study was designed to measure the relationship between emotional intelligence and the psychological well-being of secondary school teachers. This correlational study used a multistage random sampling technique to select 1200 teachers from 20 boys and 20 girls' high schools in district Lahore. The emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (?=.86) and Psychological Well-Being Scale (?=.89) were adapted as tools for data collection. The results showed that emotional intelligence and psychological well-being were strongly correlated with each other. Factor wise descriptive statistics of emotional intelligence showed that teachers were almost completely agreed with their students while teaching. Descriptive statistics of the psychological well-being of teachers showed that they were almost completely agreed while dealing with stakeholders. Female teachers demonstrated a higher score than male in emotional intelligence and psychological well-being. Married teachers demonstrated a higher score in emotional intelligence and psychological well-being. It was recommended that male and unmarried teachers be motivated to improve emotions and well-being.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana S. Leite ◽  
Erica A.G. Vidal ◽  
Françoise Dantas Lima ◽  
Sergio M.Q. Lima ◽  
Ricardo M Dias ◽  
...  

Abstract The new species, Paroctopus cthulu sp. nov. Leite, Haimovici, Lima and Lima, was recorded from very shallow coastal waters on sandy/muddy and shelter-poor bottoms with natural and human-origin debris. It is a small octopus, adults are less than 35 mm mantle length (ML) and weigh around 15 g. It has short to medium sized arms, enlarged suckers on the arms of both males and females, large posterior salivary glands (25 %ML), a relatively large beak (9 % ML) and medium to large mature eggs (3.5 to > 9 mm). The characteristics of hatchlings of two brooding females, some of their anatomical features, and in-situ observations of their behaviour are a clue to the life history of it and closely related pygmy octopuses. The Bayesian phylogenetic analysis showed that Paroctopus cthulu sp.nov. specimens grouped in a well-supported clade of Paroctopus species, separate from P.joubini and P. cf mercatoris from the Northwestern Atlantic . The description of this new species, living in a novel habitat of human debris in shallow water off Brazil, offered an opportunity not only to evaluate the relationship among the small octopuses of the western Atlantic, Caribbean and eastern Pacific, but also their adaptation to the Anthropocene period.


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