Decomposition in lake sediments: bacterial action and interaction

This review discusses the processes involved in the decomposition of organic carbon derived initially from structural components of algae and other primary producers. It describes how groups of bacteria interact in time and space in a eutrophic lake. The relative importance of anaerobic and aerobic processes are discussed. The bulk of decomposition occurs within the sediment. The role of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle and the iron cycle, and in sulphate reduction and methanogenesis as the terminal metabolism of organic carbon are described.

Resveratrol: Anti-Obesity Mechanisms of Action

Resveratrol is a non-flavonoid polyphenol which belongs to the stilbenes group and is produced naturally in several plants in response to injury or fungal attack. Resveratrol has been recently reported as preventing obesity. The present review aims to compile the evidence concerning the potential mechanisms of action which underlie the anti-obesity effects of resveratrol, obtained either in cultured cells lines and animal models. Published studies demonstrate that resveratrol has an anti-adipogenic effect. A good consensus concerning the involvement of a down-regulation of C/EBPa and PPAR. in this effect has been reached. Also, in vitro studies have demonstrated that resveratrol can increase apoptosis in mature adipocytes. Furthermore, different metabolic pathways involved in triacylglycerol metabolism in white adipose tissue have been shown to be targets for resveratrol. Both the inhibition of de novo lipogenesis and adipose tissue fatty acid uptake mediated by lipoprotein lipase play a role in explaining the reduction in body fat which resveratrol induces. As far as lipolysis is concerned, although this compound per se seems to be unable to induce lipolysis, it increases lipid mobilization stimulated by beta-adrenergic agents. The increase in brown adipose tissue thermogenesis, and consequently the associated energy dissipation, can contribute to explaining the body-fat lowering effect of resveratrol. In addition to its effects on adipose tissue, resveratrol can also acts on other organs and tissues. Thus, it increases mitochondriogenesis and consequently fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle and liver. This effect can also contribute to the body-fat lowering effect of this molecule.

Physiological modules for generating discrete and rhythmic movements: action identification by a dynamic recurrent neural network

In this study we employed a dynamic recurrent neural network (DRNN) in a novel fashion to reveal characteristics of control modules underlying the generation of muscle activations when drawing figures with the outstretched arm. We asked healthy human subjects to perform four different figure-eight movements in each of two workspaces (frontal plane and sagittal plane). We then trained a DRNN to predict the movement of the wrist from information in the EMG signals from seven different muscles. We trained different instances of the same network on a single movement direction, on all four movement directions in a single movement plane, or on all eight possible movement patterns and looked at the ability of the DRNN to generalize and predict movements for trials that were not included in the training set. Within a single movement plane, a DRNN trained on one movement direction was not able to predict movements of the hand for trials in the other three directions, but a DRNN trained simultaneously on all four movement directions could generalize across movement directions within the same plane. Similarly, the DRNN was able to reproduce the kinematics of the hand for both movement planes, but only if it was trained on examples performed in each one. As we will discuss, these results indicate that there are important dynamical constraints on the mapping of EMG to hand movement that depend on both the time sequence of the movement and on the anatomical constraints of the musculoskeletal system. In a second step, we injected EMG signals constructed from different synergies derived by the PCA in order to identify the mechanical significance of each of these components. From these results, one can surmise that discrete-rhythmic movements may be constructed from three different fundamental modules, one regulating the co-activation of all muscles over the time span of the movement and two others elliciting patterns of reciprocal activation operating in orthogonal directions.

River Lune salmon action plan March 1997. Draft Copy.

The River Lune was at one time one of the best salmon fisheries in England and Wales with very high catches to both rods and netsmen. During the 1960's, the stock was decimated by the disease Ulcerative Dermal Necrosis which caused a dramatic reduction in catches. Catches have not recovered to pre-disease levels. The target egg deposition rate for the River Lune system which should produce the maximum number of surplus fish returning to the system has been determined at 13.8 million eggs. This will require 4,779 adult salmon to survive to successfully spawn. Under current rates of exploitation, the target egg deposition will occur at a declared rod catch of 1,974 salmon and a net catch of 2,627 salmon. Two automatic fish counters are in operation on the river system. Data from these suggest that, within the measures of compliance, the river has met it's target egg deposition for the last 3 years.

Salmon action plan consultation. River Lune - draft

In February 1996 "A Strategy for the Management of Salmon in England and Wales" was launched by the then National Rivers Authority. The strategy concentrates on four main objectives for the management of salmon fisheries in England and Wales. These are primarily aimed at securing the well being of the stock but in doing so will strive to improve catches and any associated economic returns to the fisheries: (i) Optimise the number of salmon returning to homewater fisheries. (ii) Maintain and improve the fitness and diversity of salmon stocks. , (iii) Optimise the total economic value of surplus stocks. (iv) Ensure necessary costs are met by beneficiaries. These four objectives will be addressed through local Salmon Action Plans (SAPs) which will be produced for each of the principle salmon rivers in England and Wales by the year 2001. Each plan will review the status of the stock and the fisheries on a particular river, seek to identify the main factors limiting performance, draw up and cost a list of options to address these, and, consult 0with local interest groups. This report is the draft version of the Salmon Action Plan for the River Lune.

Salmon action plan. River Lune - February 1998

In February 1996 A Strategy for the Management of Salmon in England and Wales was launched by the National Rivers Authority. The strategy concentrates on four main objectives for the management of salmon fisheries in England and Wales: (i) Optimise the number of salmon returning to home water fisheries, (ii) Maintain and improve the fitness and diversity of salmon stocks, (iii) Optimise the total economic value of surplus stocks, (iv) Ensure necessary costs are met by beneficiaries. These four objectives will be addressed through local Salmon Action Plans (SAPs) which will be produced for each of the principle salmon rivers in England and Wales by the year 2001. This Salmon Action Plan for the River Lune reviews the status of the stock and the fisheries, seeks to identify the main factors limiting performance, to draw up and cost a list of options to address these, and to consult with local interest groups.

Salmon action plan. River Ribble - June 2000

In February 1996 A Strategy for the Management of Salmon in England and Wales was launched by the National Rivers Authority. The strategy concentrates on four main objectives for the management of salmon fisheries in England and Wales: (i) Optimise the number of salmon returning to home water fisheries, (ii) Maintain and improve the fitness and diversity of salmon stocks, (iii) Optimise the total economic value of surplus stocks, (iv) Ensure necessary costs are met by beneficiaries. These four objectives will be addressed through local Salmon Action Plans (SAPs) which will be produced for each of the principle salmon rivers in England and Wales by the year 2001. A consultation report was produced for the River Ribble and released publicly in October 1999. This document determined an egg deposition figure of 8.5 million eggs for the Ribble, that would allow maximum gain from the net and rod fisheries; raised a number of issues which are thought to currently limit salmon production; identified actions which may be undertaken by the Environment Agency and other bodies to improve stocks. This action plan re-addresses the issues raised in the consultation document, taking into account the comments received, and also identifies areas of possible improvement in data gathering that would allow more accurate estimation of the spawning target and compliance in future years. The progress of this plan will be monitored and reported annually.

Salmon action plan. River Ribble - August 2000

In February 1996 A Strategy for the Management of Salmon in England and Wales was launched by the National Rivers Authority. The strategy concentrates on four main objectives for the management of salmon fisheries in England and Wales: (i) Optimise the number of salmon returning to home water fisheries, (ii) Maintain and improve the fitness and diversity of salmon stocks, (iii) Optimise the total economic value of surplus stocks, (iv) Ensure necessary costs are met by beneficiaries. These four objectives will be addressed through local Salmon Action Plans (SAPs) which will be produced for each of the principle salmon rivers in England and Wales by the year 2001. This Salmon Action Plan for the River Ribble reviews the status of the stock and the fisheries, seeks to identify the main factors limiting performance, to draw up and cost a list of options to address these, and to consult with local interest groups.

Salmon action plan: River Kent, July 2001

The report presents the Environment Agency's 5 year Salmon Action Plan for the River Kent for the period from January 2001, providing the background to the plan, responses to the public consultation given, and proposed actions.

River Wyre salmon action plan December 2003

In 1996 a Strategy for the Management of Salmon in England and Wales was launched by the National Rivers Authority setting out objectives for the management of Salmon fisheries. These objectives are to be met through local Salmon Action Plans which are to be produced for each of the 68 principal salmon rivers in England and Wales by December 2003. A consultation document was produced for the river Wyre and released publicly during October 2003. This document: • Determined an egg deposition figure of 1.27 million eggs which would allow maximum gain from the fisheries • Raised a number of issues which are though to limit existing salmon production. • Identified actions which may be undertaken by the Environment Agency and other bodies to improved stocks. The document looks at the issues in the consultation document and also highlights some important changes to historic egg deposition rates following further analysis of the data. Some of the major issues addressed in the plan are: • Severe low flows on specific tributaries • Reduced juvenile production caused by insufficient habitat. • Changes in flow regime resulting in the wash out of gravels and redds. • The impact of man made structures preventing access to suitable spawning areas, and preventing the downstream distribution of spawning gravels.

River Kent salmon action plan - consultation draft

In February 1996, the National Salmon Management Strategy was launched by the Environment Agency's predecessor the National Rivers Authority (NRA, 1996). The strategy concentrates on four main objectives for the management of salmon fisheries in England and Wales. These are primarily aimed at securing the well being of the stock, but in doing so will improve catches and the associated economic returns to the fisheries. The four main objectives are : (i) Optimise the number of salmon returning to home water fisheries, (ii) Maintain and improve fitness and diversity of salmon stocks. (Hi) Optimise the total economic value of surplus stocks, (iv) Ensure necessary costs are met by beneficiaries