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The rhopalia and statocysts of Periphylla periphylla (Péron and Lesueur in Ann Mus Hist Nat Marseille 14:316-366,) and Chironex fleckeri Southcott (Aust J Mar Freshw Res 7(2):254-280 ) were examined histologically and showed several homologous characteristics. Differences in sensory area distribution could be connected to a slightly different functionality of equilibrium sensing. In P. periphylla, the statoliths (crystals) grow independently of each other; whereas in C. fleckeri, one large crystal covers the smaller ones. The structures of both statoliths were examined in detail with single-crystal diffraction, microtomography and diffraction contrast tomography. The single compact statolith of C. fleckeri consisted of bassanite as was previously known only for other rhopaliophoran medusae. An origin area with several small oligocrystals was located in the centre of the cubozoan statolith. The origin areas and the accretion of statoliths are similar in both species. Our results lead to the assumption that the single bassanite statolith of C. fleckeri (Cnidaria, Cubozoa) is a progression of the scyphozoan multiplex statolith. It is therefore suggested that the Cubozoa are derived from a scyphozoan ancestor and are a highly developed taxa within the Rhopaliophora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The globally distributed coronate scyphomedusa Periphylla periphylla (Peron and Lesueur, 1809) occurs in permanent and extremely high abundance in some Norwegian fjords. Studies on the species in Lurefjorden, 40 km north of Bergen, have revealed a holopelagic life cycle with direct development. We distinguished 14 successive developmental stages, characterised by size and morphology. Eggs and early stages are non-mobile, neutrally buoyant, and found mainly at intermediate depths. Rearing studies indicated a development time of 2-3 months from fertilisation to stage 9, when the medusa starts feeding and becomes motile. The fjord population usually shows a strong diel vertical migration, with aggregations at shallower depths during the night. The development includes a gradual increase in pigmentation (porphyrins), starting with the stomach, and thereafter extending to tentacles and the whole exumbrella. This pigment is photodegraded by natural light. Rearing experiments in the laboratory have shown a lethal effect of light. Here, development stops at stage 5. Pigments become visible in stage 7. Older medusae are severely damaged and killed within a few days by exposure to daylight. All stages of P. periphylla are bioluminescent, with this capacity increasing with growth, probably in connection with the development of the nervous net. The light reaction starts at the point of stimulation and spreads at two different speeds corresponding to the two nerve nets of the medusae. The coronal furrow has a central function in transmission of the reaction. It is hypothesised that the bioluminescence is used mainly as a warning to some potential predators, signalling that the porphyrin-containing medusa is unpalatable. P. periphylla has the same two categories of nematocysts as other coronates, with a total of six different types. Nematocyst abundance, distribution and morphology indicate their function. The giant euryteles (capsule up to 100 µm and tubule up to 1160... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flavor of boiled potatoes was investigated using sensory and instrumental methods to get basic information concerning sensory features and aroma compounds for use in breeding research and quality control. The sensory odor profiles of three genotypes were found to differ especially in negative sensations like “burnt”, “fodder” and “musty”. The aroma volatiles were isolated by a modified simultaneous steam distillation and extraction method. Nineteen character impact compounds of boiled potato aroma were pointed out by gas chromatography with nitrogen specific detection, gas chromatography —mass spectrometry and gas chromatography —olfactometry. The comparison of the quantified odor impressions in three genotypes by chromatography —olfactometry revealed the substances responsible for the typical boiled potato odorants and off-flavor notes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Si- and Mg-ions with energies of 180 keV have been implanted into semi-insulating InP substrates and low doped n- and p-type GalnAs epitaxial layers (3 · l0cm). Sheet resistances and doping profiles are analyzed and compared with LSS theory. Post-implantation annealing is studied with respect to encapsulation, time and temperature. We have tested as new encapsulation techniques for InP the simple proximity cap annealing and for GalnAs the As-doped spun-on SiO. Proximity cap annealing yields decomposition-free surfaces when using a recessed capsubstrate. At annealing temperatures of around 800 °C less activation is obtained than with conventional PSG annealing and a surface accumulation of charge-carriers is established. A time limit of around 3 min is found for Si- and Mg-implanted InP, beyond which the sheet resistance no longer decreases and the doping saturates. For Si in InP, short-time annealing yields to a 68 % activation of carriers, not significantly higher than with conventional long-time annealing. In the case of Si in GalnAs, however, short-time annealing is much more effective. A 100 % activation is obtained for a dose of 2.10 cm, while only 7 % is found for long annealing. Even at such a high dose of 1. 10cm we have achieved about an order of magnitude higher activation with short annealing than with long annealing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In this study, the volatile flavour compounds of baked potatoes from different cultivars were identified and analysed via headspace–gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) together with principal component analysis (PCA). Totally, 89 signal peaks were detected, and 64 compounds were identified and classified into 25 aldehydes, 14 alcohols, 11 ketones, 5 esters, 2 furans, 1 pyrazine and others. Based on the signal intensity of the identified compounds, topographic plots and fingerprints were established to investigate the differences caused by cultivars. The main compounds including aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, esters, furan and pyrazine varied with cultivars; they were more abundant in B5 and B6 cultivars. Moreover, PCA and fingerprint similarity analysis clearly showed that these samples are independent and distinguishable. Results also showed that the GC-IMS technique might be helpful and useful in the rapid detection of volatile compounds in cooked potatoes and provide support for the domestic and industrial products. The obtained information could serve for breeding projects of new varieties with specific flavour profiles which comply with consumer demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The life cycle of the common ancestor of Metazoa is a widely debated topic in EvoDevo. This is intimately linked to a number of questions, such as how the larva appeared in the metazoan life cycle and which larval form can be considered ancestral. To approach these questions, we can analyse the life cycles and larval forms of Cnidaria, the basal metazoans that form a sister group to the Bilateria. Almost all cnidarians have a pelagic larva in their life cycle. These larvae are commonly referred to as "planula," with few exceptions. The planula is a ciliated lecithotrophic larva with epithelial ectoderm and endoderm, a gastric cavity, and an elongated body. The review examines whether the larvae of various Cnidaria fit this description and explores which larval form is ancestral for different cnidarian taxa. It also highlights the enormous diversity of cnidarian larvae, which is still underestimated, and infers the relationship between the evolution of life cycles, reproductive patterns, and larval forms in various phylogenetic groups of cnidarians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deep pelagic ocean is increasingly subjected to human-induced environmental change. While pelagic animals provide important ecosystem functions including climate regulation, species-specific responses to stressors remain poorly documented. Here, we investigate the effects of simulated ocean warming and sediment plumes on the cosmopolitan deep-sea jellyfish Periphylla periphylla, combining insights gained from physiology, gene expression and changes in associated microbiota. Metabolic demand was elevated following a 4 °C rise in temperature, promoting genes related to innate immunity but suppressing aerobic respiration. Suspended sediment plumes provoked the most acute and energetically costly response through the production of excess mucus (at ≥17 mg L−1), while inducing genes related to aerobic respiration and wound repair (at ≥167 mg L−1). Microbial symbionts appeared to be unaffected by both stressors, with mucus production maintaining microbial community composition. If these responses are representative for other gelatinous fauna, an abundant component of pelagic ecosystems, the effects of planned exploitation of seafloor resources may impair deep pelagic biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The deep ocean is increasingly subjected to human-induced environmental change, but little is known about species-specific responses to stressors, including those from deep sea mining. This study shows that elevated temperatures and simulated sediment plumes cause physiological stress in a cosmopolitan deep-sea jellyfish, confirming the detrimental impact of seabed mining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the efficient creation of a sample of 2.2×104 fermionic polar molecules 23Na40K in their rovibrational ground state X1Σ+ |ν = 0, J = 0〉 at 247 nK via an intermediate state of the spin-orbit coupled complex B1Π |ν = 4〉 ∼ c3Σ+ |ν = 25〉. Compared with the intermediate state of the coupled complex B1Π |ν = 12〉 ∼ c3Π+ |ν = 35〉, this intermediate state has the larger Franck-Condon factors for up- and down-leg coupling of stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP). We demonstrate this two-photon pathway to the 23Na40K ground state molecules and find that the one-way STIRAP transfer efficiency reaches 75%. The molecules 23Na40K in their rovibrational ground state are an ideal candidate for the quantum simulation and quantum information of ultracold molecules with long-range interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines laser microdissection pressure catapulting (LMPC) as an innovative method for microplastic research. Laser pressure catapulting as part of commercially available LMPC microscopes enables the precise handling of microplastic particles without any mechanical contact. In fact, individual particles with sizes between several micrometers and several hundred micrometers can be transported over centimeter-wide distances into a collection vial. Therefore, the technology enables the exact handling of defined numbers of small microplastics (or even individual ones) with the greatest precision. Herewith, it allows the production of particle number-based spike suspensions for method validation. Proof-of-principle LMPC experiments with polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate model particles in the size range from 20 to 63 µm and polystyrene microspheres (10 µm diameter) demonstrated precise particle handling without fragmentation. Furthermore, the ablated particles showed no evidence of chemical alteration as seen in the particles' IR spectra acquired via laser direct infrared analysis. We propose LMPC as a promising new tool to produce future microplastic reference materials such as particle-number spiked suspensions, since LMPC circumvents the uncertainties resulting from the potentially heterogeneous behavior or inappropriate sampling from microplastic suspensions. Furthermore, LMPC could be advantageous for the generation of very accurate calibration series of spherical particles for microplastic analysis via pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (down to 0.54 ng), as it omits the dissolution of bulk polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Very little information is reported for parasites of cnidarians, therefore, the present work aimed to investigate parasitic infections in one of the most widespread jellyfish in the Mediterranean Sea, Rhizostoma pulmo. The goals were to determine prevalence and intensity of parasites in R. pulmo, identify the species involved through morphological and molecular analysis, test whether infection parameters differ in different body parts and in relation to jellyfish size. 58 individuals were collected, 100% of them infected with digenean metacercariae. Intensity varied between 18.7 ± 6.7 per individual in 0–2 cm diameter jellyfish up to 505 ± 50.6 in 14 cm ones. Morphological and molecular analyses suggest that the metacercariae belonged to the family Lepocreadiidae and could be possibly assigned to the genus Clavogalea. Prevalence values of 100% suggest that R. pulmo is an important intermediate host in the life cycle of lepocreadiids in the region. Our findings also support the hypothesis that R. pulmo is an important part in the diet of teleost fish, which are reported as definitive hosts of lepocreadiids, since trophic transmission is necessary for these parasites to complete their life cycles. Parasitological data may therefore be useful to investigate fish-jellyfish predation, integrating traditional methods such as gut contents analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In the German National Wheelchair Basketball League, men and women play together. On the national teams, on the other hand, they play separately according to gender. In addition, people without disabilities can also participate in wheelchair basketball. The differences in terms of disability and gender are to be classified and, if possible, eliminated in the competition with a classification system. The intersectional analysis of 12 biographical interviews with current national team players shows a clear reproduction of a traditional gender order. The women report various hierarchical relationships on the playing field that are obviously based on gender. Men play in more important positions and are considered more efficient. Yet these phenomena are mostly taken for granted and hardly questioned. Likewise, certain characteristics are attributed and certain roles are assigned to female players based on their gender. The men interviewed do not see these phenomena or do not reflect on them critically. The difference category of disability also has an influence on the competition setting and the gender discrimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Scyphozoan jellyfish outbreak events are drawing increasing attentions during the past decade. Elemental compositions of statoliths are helpful to understand jellyfish life history and blooming mechanisms, but very rare endeavor has been focused on the Scyphozoan class. In this work, we explored the feasibility of element analysis of Aurelia aurita (a representative Scyphozoan jellyfish outbreak species in China) which may be used as proxies of environment parameters during jellyfish living and moving. Statolith crystals of Aurelia aurita were found to be a gathering of hexahedron type trigonal needle with size of 10–50 µm long, and 5–10 µm in diameter. By using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) downhole profiling method, elements such as Ca, Sr, Mg, Na and P were found to be above the limit of detection and limit of quantification. The epidermis of statocyst could significantly impact the element analyses, so the real statolith element signal section needs to be selected based on elements and Ca profiles together with care. By laser ablated a signal spot repeatedly, the analytical uncertainty was about 3%–4% for Sr/Ca content ratio and Mg/Ca content ratio, but above 10% for other element/Ca content ratios (n=3). Based on the analysis of statolith from temperature-control cultured jellyfish, Sr/Ca content ratios among different statoliths of the same jellyfish were about 6% (n=14), demonstrating biological processes/vital effects causing small variations compared with analytical uncertainties. Therefore, Sr/Ca content ratios may be used as a potential proxy to reveal the living environment variations the Scyphozoan jellyfish has experienced, such as temperature history, which is helpful to understand jellyfish bloom mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In order to investigate possible differences and patterns of body-plan morphogenesis among Scyphozoa, we described the morphology and development of the bell and oral arms of 11 species. We built a model for the development of the group and provide a guide for recognizing development stages. In general, the bell diameter was more efficient than age (days) to identify the stage of development, which suggests that the events of morphogenesis depend more on body size than on age. We used measurements of bell and oral arm to build growth curves and described the timing of developmental events (e.g., appearance of digitata, velar lappets and oral arms, filling of interlobe gaps) and patterns of morphogenesis (contour of marginal lappets, branching of oral arms, and presence of structures/appendages on the oral arms). The time until the appearance of digitata and velar lappets, the marginal lappet contour, and the presence of lateral folds in oral arms supported a phylogenetic relationship between the “Semaeostomeae” and Rhizostomeae (Dactyliophorae and Kolpophorae) lineages. “Semaeostomeae” jellyfish with digitata (family Ulmaridae) and differentiated velar lappets developed such structures at larger bell diameters than rhizostomes; only Dactyliophorae rhizostomes had serrated contour of the lappets; only species of Rhizostomeae showed development of the lateral folds; and only Ulmaridae and Rhizostomeae had differentiated appearance of the velar lappets. We propose a specific definition of oral arms that is based on morphological and functional features. Therefore, estimating development timing and describing the way that these structures develop can help to understand how jellyfish feeding strategies change during initial growth and how the changes in these structures can reflect the differences in feeding habits among the groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A teacher's positive attitude is an important factor for successful inclusive physical education (PE). PE teachers' attitudes are shaped during PE teacher education (PETE) programs. Thus, a valid instrument is needed not only for assessing pre-service PE teachers' attitudes toward inclusive PE but also for evaluating the effect of PETE programs in general and the effect of specific parts of such programs (e.g., seminars) on the development of those attitudes. Regarding the measurement of this attitude, little is known about how a subject-specific attitude toward inclusive education is related to general attitudes toward inclusive education. In this study 362 pre-service PE teachers' attitudes toward inclusive education in general and inclusive PE were assessed using two general attitude scales and one PE-specific attitude scale. By conducting confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs), the factorial and convergent validity of the PE-specific scale was investigated. Results showed that the scale measures attitude toward inclusive PE adequately and that this attitude is related to general attitudes toward inclusive education. In addition, the measurement invariance of the scale among different degree programs of the pre-service PE teachers as well as group differences in the assessed attitude depending on the degree programs were investigated using multigroup CFA. The results support the use of the scale in the context of PETE for inclusion, but also point to general difficulties regarding attitude measurement in the context inclusive of (physical) education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Freezing stress affects the geographic distribution, growth, and development of potato, resulting in yield loss. Solanum malmeanum, a diploid wild species with strong freezing tolerance, was fused with the freezing sensitive dihaploid S. tuberosum by somatic hybridization. In our study, 980 calli were obtained, and 248 differentiated shoots were obtained from the calli. Parental-specific SSR markers were used to analyse the chromosome composition of the 80 randomly selected regenerated plants, obtaining 51 somatic hybrids. Among them, 44 somatic hybrids were tested with ploidy analysis in the years 2016 and 2020. During subculture, the genomic ploidy levels changed due to the composition of the unstable chromosome in 56.82% of the somatic hybrids. The somatic hybrids showed better freezing tolerance than the cultivated parent. Then, freezing-tolerant somatic hybrids were selected to backcross with cultivars, and we obtained valuable breeding resources with enhanced freezing tolerance and tuberization capacity similar to that of cultivars. The correlation analysis showed that freezing tolerance has no relation with tuberization capacity, which indicates that they are controlled by independent genetic loci. Key message: Freezing tolerance was transferred to cultivated potato from S. malmeanum by protoplast fusion for the first time, and valuable resources for freezing tolerance breeding were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecologists and evolutionary biologists have been looking for the key(s) to the success of scyphomedusae through their long evolutionary history in multiple habitats. Their ability to generate young medusae (ephyrae) via two distinct reproductive strategies, strobilation or direct development from planula into ephyra without a polyp stage, has been a potential explanation. In addition to these reproductive modes, here we provide evidence of a third ephyral production which has been rarely observed and often confused with direct development from planula into ephyra. Planulae of Aurelia relicta Scorrano et al. 2017 and Cotylorhiza tuberculata (Macri 1778) settled and formed fully-grown polyps which transformed into ephyrae within several days. In distinction to monodisk strobilation, the basal polyp of indirect development was merely a non-tentaculate stalk that dissolved shortly after detachment of the ephyra. We provide a fully detailed description of this variant that increases reproductive plasticity within scyphozoan life cycles and is different than either true direct development or the monodisk strobilation. Our observations of this pattern in co-occurrence with mono- and polydisk strobilation in Aurelia spp. suggest that this reproductive mode may be crucial for the survival of some scyphozoan populations within the frame of a bet-hedging strategy and contribute to their long evolutionary success throughout the varied conditions of past and future oceans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Ephyrae are produced through the strobilation of polyps in the general life cycle of Aurelia coerulea. However, it has been reported that planulae can also metamorphose directly into ephyrae, without passing through the polyp stage. There is a mixture of ephyrae developed from planulae (planula-strobilated ephyrae) and ephyrae developed from polyps (polyp-strobilated ephyrae) in the ephyra population. However, the effect of the planula-strobilated ephyrae on the ephyra population is yet to be determined, since their morphological characteristics have not yet been elucidated. This study aimed to determine the morphological characteristics to distinguish between planula-strobilated and polyp-strobilated ephyrae. The differences in body dimensions, such as total body diameter (TBD), central disc diameter (CDD), lappet stem length (LStL), rhopalial lappet length (RLL), and total marginal lappet length (TMLL) were compared between the two types of ephyra. Thus, we show that body proportions can be used to identify planula- and polyp-strobilated ephyrae. The ranges for identifying planula-strobilated ephyra were 35.0–38.3% for CDD/TBD, 56.7–64.9% for LStL/CDD, 84.7–99.5% for TMLL/CDD, and 31.0–37.5% for RLL/TMLL. This method could be an important basis for devising countermeasures for jellyfish blooms in areas where ephyrae deriving from planula strobilation occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situ observations of pelagic fish and zooplankton with optical instruments usually rely on external light sources. However, artificial light may attract or repulse marine organisms, which results in biased measurements. It is often assumed that most pelagic organisms do not perceive the red part of the visible spectrum and that red light can be used for underwater optical measurements of biological processes. Using hull-mounted echosounders above an acoustic probe or a baited video camera, each equipped with light sources of different colours (white, blue and red), we demonstrate that pelagic organisms in Arctic and temperate regions strongly avoid artificial light, including visible red light (575–700 nm), from instruments lowered in the water column. The density of organisms decreased by up to 99% when exposed to artificial light and the distance of avoidance varied from 23 to 94 m from the light source, depending on colours, irradiance levels and, possibly, species communities. We conclude that observations from optical and acoustic instruments, including baited cameras, using light sources with broad spectral composition in the 400–700 nm wavelengths do not capture the real state of the ecosystem and that they cannot be used alone for reliable abundance estimates or behavioural studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jellyfish are important components of the marine ecosystem and present a potential resource for different economic domains (e.g. medicine, food and biotechnology). We present an overview of the current state of jellyfish biodiversity in the Macaronesia region, which includes the archipelagos of the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands and Cape Verde, and examine possible biogeography patterns among its archipelagos. Based on a comprehensive literature survey, historical records, richness estimation and biogeographical distribution, our search included organisms belonging to Scyphozoa, Hydrozoa (strictly benthic species excluded) and Ctenophora. Our search detected 229 jellyfish species, with a dominance of holoplankton species, likely reflecting the insular and coastal morphology of the archipelagos. Differences in species richness, endemism and species affinities are found between the Azores, Madeira, Canary and Cape Verde island systems. Shared trend includes the dominance of holoplanktonic hydrozoans, while the second most speciose taxa (Scyphozoa and Ctenophore) vary between the archipelagos. While widespread distributed holoplankton predominate in the area, species with strict affinities suggests a pattern in the spatial distribution of jellyfish, dividing Macaronesia into two biogeographic units: (i) Azores-Madeira-Canary with temperate and subtropical and/or tropical species and (ii) Cape Verde with strictly subtropical and/or tropical species [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have shown that gamma-band oscillations are directly related to pain intensity. Pain can be exacerbated or diminished via deactivation or activation of inhibitory interneurons in the dorsal horn. We consider a biologically plausible network model with different proportion of inhibitory neurons to emulate gamma elicited activity during pain processes. We perform an analysis using graph theory to gain further insight in the functional state of the circuitry underlying nociceptive process, considering all the possible gamma elicited configurations of pain when changing the number of inhibitory neurons. The probability distribution of the signal associated with each node or neuron is estimated through the Bandt and Pompe approach. We evaluate the Jensen–Shannon distance between all the possible pairs of nodes/neurons, characterizing the different network configurations by calculating the closeness centrality. Thus, by building the graph properties through the node strength distributions and using an information theoretical approach, we characterize the dynamics of the network configurations of pain. This allows us to identify the nonlinear dynamical structure underlying the nociceptive process. Importantly, our findings show that a network configuration with a 20 % of inhibitory neurons boosts information transmission of the complex network circuitry associated with the pain processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Scyphozoans display a high level of developmental plasticity, including asexual reproductive strategies in their polyps. Irrespective of the alternating medusa-polyp life cycle, life stages or even complete generations can be omitted, occasionally or consistently, in some species. For example, ephyrae can be produced directly by planulae, leaving out the polyp generation, and polyps can produce free-swimming planula-like propagules, thus bypassing the medusa generation. Here, we raised Chrysaora plocamia polyps under unusually high, naturally occurring temperatures, which resulted in these polyps being unable to strobilate but able to form podocysts. Early excysts that hatched from these podocysts produced ephyrae in a premature type of strobilation. This developmental shortcut, previously unknown in scyphozoan life cycles, is described in the present report. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our future bioeconomy depends on increased utilization of renewable lignocellulosic biomass. Controlling the diffusion of chemicals, such as inorganic ions, within secondary plant cell walls is central to many biomass applications. However, insufficient understanding of intra-cell-wall diffusion within secondary plant cell walls is hindering the advancement of many lignocellulosic biomass applications. In this work, X-ray fluorescence microscopy was used to measure diffusion constants of K+, Cu2+, and Cl− diffusing through loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) cell wall layers under 70%, 75%, or 80% relative humidity (RH). Results revealed that diffusion constants increased with RH, the larger Cu2+ diffused more slowly than the K+, and the Cl− diffusion constant was the same as that for the counter cation, indicating cations and anions diffused together to maintain charge neutrality. Comparison with electrical conductivity measurements showed that conductivity is being controlled by ion mobility over these RH. The results further support that intra-cell-wall diffusion of inorganic ions is a Fickian diffusion process occurring through rubbery amorphous polysaccharides, which contradicts previous assertions that intra-cell-wall diffusion is an aqueous process occurring through water pathways. Researchers can now utilize polymer science approaches to engineer the molecular architecture of lignocellulosic biomass to optimize properties for specific end uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide catches of cannonball jellyfish Stomolophus meleagris (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa) have increased during the last years; nevertheless, this species still lacks updated biological knowledge for its management. This research proposes that the individual growth pattern for jellyfish can be estimated in the absence of age readings through cohort follow-up over time and by multi-model inference approach (MMI). Length data were obtained during 2010–2011 in Gulf of California to obtain cohort information using a multinomial analysis and then assign age; growth model selection was based on MMI. Three cohorts were identified and the von Bertalanffy model suitably described their growth. The species has an accelerated growth with a short life cycle; cohorts one and two reached their asymptotic length, and the third one barely reached the length-at-first sexual maturity. Growth variations among cohorts could be explained by their different biological strategies where the first two prioritized asymptotic length and the third one reproduction length. The three cohorts shared a common goal for medusoid phase, which was sexual reproduction. This information could be used for estimating harvest rates or assessing their capacity for redoubling as an invasive population in coastal ecosystems. The proposed methodology may be applied in other jellyfish species around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of German Journal of Exercise & Sport Research is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract—Differentiation of body axes during formation of primary body plan is one of the most fundamental processes in metazoan development. How did body axes emerge in the course of animal evolution? How did developmental processes associated with axes differentiation evolve? The basal metazoans, representatives of the phylum Cnidaria, are valuable objects for resolving these questions, since they have an evolutionarily simple body plan and only one (oral-aboral) body axis. The high abundance and diversity of the modes of asexual reproduction is an interesting feature of this group. In this review, we summarized the data on the establishment of primary body axis and differentiation of main morphological structures during asexual reproduction in representatives of the class Scyphozoa. We found that the relative orientation of the parental and offspring body axes varies significantly and depends on the mode of asexual reproduction, and that the same body parts of the offspring polyp or medusa can be formed from different parts of the parental organism. The high plasticity of scyphozoan developmental processes can be explained by assuming that various types of asexual reproduction evolved from regeneration processes in this group. To test this assumption, it is necessary to study the molecular mechanisms of differentiation of the primary body axis and the body parts during regeneration and asexual reproduction of scyphozoans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific knowledge and records on staurozoans are limited probably because of their inconspicuous life habit and the small number of specialists for this taxon. To increase the awareness for Staurozoa, we identified morphological and molecular features of the three staurozoan species Haliclystus tenuis Kishinouye, 1910, Haliclystus auricula Clark, 1863, and Craterolophus convolvulus (Johnston, 1835) collected on the coast of the island Helgoland to evaluate their suitability as diagnostic characters. Useful macromorphological diagnostic features were the patterns of white spots of nematocysts and internal arm structures, whereas tentacle and gonad follicle numbers showed high intraspecific variations. Morphometric measurements on photographs of living specimens provided reliable data for interspecific comparisons. Comprehensive nematocyst analyses revealed interspecific shape differences of isorhizas and three types of rhopaloids, indicating that the staurozoan cnidome is more diverse than previously assumed. However, the taxonomic value of nematocyst analyses in Staurozoa remains unclear because comprehensive data is still lacking for most species. Comparative molecular genetic sequence analyses of mitochondrial 16S and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and nuclear 18S ribosomal DNA identified the three species and confirmed their morphological identification. In comparison to published data, our analyses indicate similarities between H. auricula and Haliclystus antarcticus Pfeffer, 1889. Proteomic fingerprinting by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) differentiated all three species, suggesting that this technique could provide an alternative rapid identification method for staurozoans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The attitude of teachers is considered important for successful inclusive physical education (PE); however, no reliable instrument has been developed to assess German PE teachers' subject-specific attitude toward inclusive PE or to determine factors that influence it. In this paper, we reanalyze data gathered from a survey of 900 PE teachers in North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse, Germany to assess the teachers' subject-specific attitude toward inclusive PE and identify institution- and person-related factors that may have influenced it. We measure the factorial and convergent validity of the scale used in that survey to assess PE teachers' attitude by conducting structural equation modelling, and we take into account the complex interdependence of institution- and person-related factors. Results indicate that both factorial and convergent validity of the scale were good. While amount of work experience, teaching conditions for (inclusive) PE, and private experience with people with disabilities had a significant influence on the PE teachers' attitude toward inclusive PE, (inclusion-related) collaboration among PE teachers and occupational stress did not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most used thermal treatments in potatoes to inactivate enzymes and prevent their oxidation is the boiling process. This treatment significantly decreases the taste of the potato and causes “off-odours” during storage, whatsoever, represents a big problem for the production of potato-based foodstuffs. This study focused on evaluating the sensory profile of potato slices subjected to a boiling process of three Mexican potato varieties (Alpha, Chica and Gallo) and on off-odours detection in potato produced during storage. According to the examined parameters through PanelCheck, the trained panel had a good performance, resulting 8 of the 12 attributes evaluated were significant. The formation of “cardboard-like off-odour” was detected in the Alpha and Chica varieties at the 24 and 33 h of storage, respectively. Chica potato presented this off-odours with at level significantly lower than Alpha potato (about 30% lower). With respect of Gallo variety, this presented different oxidation olfactory perceptions described by the assessors as “burnt note”, detected after 5 h of refrigerated storage. An adequate election of the variety of potato according to processing will allow an effective utilization of this vegetable and the obtention of potato-based foodstuffs much more stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review, we present the current state of biodiversity knowledge for the class Staurozoa (Cnidaria), including richness estimates, geographical and bathymetric distributions, substrate use, feeding, behavior, life cycle, and conservation. Based on non-parametric, statistical incidence estimators, the global inventory of 50 known and accepted species of stalked jellyfishes might be regarded as close to complete, but we discuss possible bias related to the lower research effort applied in the Southern Hemisphere. Most of the species occur at mid-latitudes, presenting a distributional pattern that disagrees with the classic pattern of diversity (higher richness near the Equator). Specimens are frequently found on algae, but they have also been reported attached to rocks, seagrasses, shells, mud, sand, coral/gorgonian, sea cucumber, and serpulid tube. Most of the species are found in the intertidal and shallow subtidal regions, but species of Lucernaria have been reported at more than 3000 m deep. Amphipods and copepods are the prey items most frequently reported, and stauromedusae have been observed being actively preyed upon by nudibranch mollusks and pycnogonids. Apparently, stalked jellyfishes have a high sensitivity to anthropic impacts in the environment, and promotion of the class, one of the least studied among Cnidaria, is perhaps the best possible conservation strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The jellyfish Periphylla periphylla, which can have strong ecological impacts on its environment, is ubiquitous in the Norwegian Sea and its range was predicted to extend northwards. The occurrence of P. periphylla in the northern Barents Sea increased since 2014 and, for the first time, several individuals were collected within a high Arctic fjord (> 78°N) in western Spitsbergen in January 2017. The low solar irradiance prevailing during the polar night and an increased inflow of relatively warm Atlantic water in the European Arctic since the last decade likely provide suitable conditions for the medusa to colonize Svalbard’s fjords during the winter months. However, light avoidance constrains the photophobic P. periphylla to deeper offshore areas during the midnight sun period. The current occurrence of P. periphylla in high Arctic fjords during the polar night will have a limited impact on marine ecosystems in the short term, but long-term effects are more uncertain if its abundance continues to increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhizostoma luteum was first described in 1827 by Quoy and Gaimard under the name Orythia lutea, based on nine specimens collected from the Strait of Gibraltar (southern Iberian Peninsula). After 60 years of no scientific records existing for this species, in 2013, a phylogenetic analysis confirmed that R. luteum differed from Rhizostoma pulmo and Rhizostoma octopus. In the present study, we report historical and recent records of living and stranded specimens of R. luteum since 1998. We reviewed historical accounts and photographic and videographic materials taken by citizens from the northeastern Atlantic Ocean and the Alboran Sea. Because of its similarity with the closely related Mediterranean R. pulmo, R. luteum was frequently misidentified in the Alboran Sea and, likewise, with another medusa from the order Rhizostomeae, Catostylus tagi, in the adjacent Atlantic Ocean coastal regions in the last two decades. The results of this investigation confirm the existence of the scyphomedusa R. luteum in the coastal waters of the west and south coasts of the Iberian Peninsula and west and north shores of Africa. Through a citizen science initiative and our own observations, we were able to confirm more than 150 observations of R. luteum over the past 17 years, demonstrating that this medusa is not such a rare species after all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying the hygroscopic behavior of bamboo is important for industrial applications because it influences the dimensional stability and mechanical properties of the final bamboo products. In this study, the water vapor sorption behavior of 14 bamboo species was investigated using a dynamic vapor sorption apparatus and the results were analyzed using the Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) and Hailwood-Horrobin (H-H) models. The different bamboo species exhibited varying sorption isotherms and degrees of hysteresis. The reasons for this may be related to the different sorption isotherms of the two main cell units of bamboo, namely the fiber and parenchyma cells, and the chemical composition of bamboo. The GAB and H-H models provided good fits to the experimental data and meaningful physical parameters regarding the monolayer capacity, especially the water accessible specific surface area can be obtained from the GAB parameters. The fiber saturation point values were also determined using the GAB and H-H models, which ranged from 16.37 to 27.91% for the different bamboo species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Somatic hybridization has been used in potato to overcome the sexual barriers between the cultivated ( Solanum tuberosum L.) and wild species. To date hundreds of inter/intra-specific somatic hybrids have been produced via protoplast fusions using 23 Solanum species and characterized for multiple traits such as agronomic, disease/pest resistance, salinity, frost and others. With increasing success in recovery of fusion products, somatic hybrids have been exploited in potato genetics, breeding and genomics studies. Here, we report on progress in somatic hybridization research in potato during the past 40 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calculations of the adiabatic potential energy curves and the transition dipole moments between the ground (AΣ) and the first excited (AΣ) states have been determined for the LiCs and NaCs molecules. The calculations are performed using an ab initio approach based on non-empirical pseudopotentials for Cs, Li and Na cores, parameterized l-dependent polarization potentials and full configuration interaction calculations. The potential energy curves and the transition dipole moment are used to estimate the radiative lifetimes of the vibrational levels of the AΣ state using the Franck-Condon (FC) approximation and the approximate sum rule method. The radiative lifetimes associated with the AΣ state are presented here for the first time. These data can help experimentalists to optimize photoassociative formation of ultracold molecules and their longevity in a trap or in an optical lattice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the origin and evolution of arthropods requires examining their closest outgroups, the tardigrades (water bears) and onychophorans (velvet worms). Despite the rise of molecular techniques, the phylogenetic positions of tardigrades and onychophorans in the panarthropod tree (onychophorans + tardigrades + arthropods) remain unresolved. Hence, these methods alone are currently insufficient for clarifying the panarthropod topology. Therefore, the evolution of different morphological traits, such as one of the most intriguing features of panarthropods-their nervous system-becomes essential for shedding light on the origin and evolution of arthropods and their relatives within the Panarthropoda. In this review, we summarise current knowledge of the evolution of panarthropod nervous and visual systems. In particular, we focus on the evolution of segmental ganglia, the segmental identity of brain regions, and the visual system from morphological and developmental perspectives. In so doing, we address some of the many controversies surrounding these topics, such as the homology of the onychophoran eyes to those of arthropods as well as the segmentation of the tardigrade brain. Finally, we attempt to reconstruct the most likely state of these systems in the last common ancestors of arthropods and panarthropods based on what is currently known about tardigrades and onychophorans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Spin-exchange cross sections and the magnetic-resonance frequency shift in collision of lithium and potassium atoms in the ground state have been calculated for the first time. The cross sections are calculated based on the data on the singlet () and triplet () interaction potentials of 39K7Li dimer. A passage from the energy dependences to the temperature ones of the real and imaginary parts of the complex spin-exchange cross section yields information about both the broadening of the magnetic resonance line of the atoms under study and the magnetic-resonance frequency shift in their collision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of Cnidaria Medusozoa are known for their wide morphological variation, which is expressed on many different levels, especially in different phases of the life cycle. Difficulties in interpreting morphological variations have posed many taxonomic problems, since intraspecific morphological variations are often misinterpreted as interspecific variations and vice-versa, hampering species delimitation. This study reviews the patterns of morphological variation in the Medusozoa, to evaluate how different interpretations of the levels of variation may influence the understanding of the patterns of diversification in the group. Additionally, we provide an estimate of the cryptic diversity in the Hydrozoa, based on COI sequences deposited in GenBank. Morphological variations frequently overlap between microevolutionary and macroevolutionary scales, contributing to misinterpretations of the different levels of variation. In addition, most of the cryptic diversity described so far for the Medusozoa is a result of previously overlooked morphological differences, and there is still great potential for discovering cryptic lineages in the Hydrozoa. We provide evidence that the number of species in the Medusozoa is misestimated and emphasize the necessity of examining different levels of morphological variations when studying species boundaries, in order to avoid generalizations and misinterpretations of morphological characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sportwissenschaft is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)