Survival of intragravel stages of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) in Teesdale

A study has been undertaken on several streams in Teesdale (UK)in order to examine survival rates of intragravel stages of brown trout and the factors influencing survival. Although all the becks contained brown trout spawning areas, some were utilised by more spawning trout than others. The best spawning sites as judged by this criterion were Thorsgill and Great Eggleshope becks where the research effort was therefore concentrated. There were two different spawning areas in Eggleshope, namely Great Eggleshope beck itself and Great Eggleshope spring fed tributary (Esft), data from these two areas are analysed separately in most parts of the text.

The ecology of chalk-stream invertebrates studied in a recirculating stream

To study and qualify the factors influencing interactions between various trophic levels in natural hard-water streams, a recirculating artificial stream channel was constructed. This structure has enabled patterns of population change of stream fauna to be observed under partially controlled physical and chemical conditions. Initial colonization of the substratum by invertebrates and subsequent succession was studied along with depth distribution and growth and production studies of invertebrates.

Is inbreeding avoidance driving female mate choice in Verreaux's sifaka lemurs?

Females of different species might exert female mate choice for different reasons, one of them the aim of avoiding inbreeding. In this study I examine the implication of inbreeding avoidance as a mechanism driving female mate choice in Verreaux’s sifaka lemurs (Propithecus verreauxi). In fact, in this species females are dominant and appear to be able to choose certain males to mate with, while observations indicate that rank, body size, canine size and proportions of fights won are not factors influencing female mate choice. So I hypothesized that females mate choice is driven by inbreeding avoidance in Verreaux’s sifaka lemurs. Tissue and fecal samples were collected in the Kirindy Mitea National Park in western Madagascar as a source of DNA. Parentage was assigned for a sample of the population and relatedness coefficients between dams and sires were estimated and compared to those of between random female and male pairs, dams and other candidate sires within the population and within the groups were the offspring were conceived. I found that there were no significant differences in none of the comparisons which means that Verreaux’s sifaka females do not mate more with males that are more distantly related to them. I concluded that inbreeding avoidance does not appear to be the main force driving female mate choice in Verreaux’s sifaka lemurs and I addressed explanations for these findings. With this study I contribute to our knowledge of female mate choice in lemurs.

Impacto econômico do absenteísmo de enfermagem por doença em um hospital universitário do Rio de Janeiro-RJ

Trata-se de uma pesquisa documental, retrospectiva de fonte secundária,que adota uma abordagem quantitativa descritiva-exploratória. A partir da constatação de altos índices de absenteísmo nas unidades hospitalares, despertou-se o interesse em estudar os custos diretos das doenças ocupacionais que levam aos afastamentos e seu impacto econômico para o orçamento de recursos humanos de um hospital universitário do Rio de Janeiro. Neste contexto, definiu-se como objeto de estudo, o impacto econômico do absenteísmo por doença na equipe de enfermagem e, como objetivos: identificar as causas prevalentes de afastamentos no hospital universitário, de acordo com Classificação Internacional de Doenças e Problemas Relacionados a Saúde (CID-10); estimar os custos diretos mínimos das doenças que afastaram o trabalhador de enfermagem; estimar o custo real aproximado do absenteísmo relacionado a 1 (um) dia de trabalho prestado pelos trabalhadores de enfermagem, com projeção de 1 (um) mês e 1(um) ano numa visão operacional do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Foi utilizada uma amostra estratificada de prontuários dos profissionais de saúde da equipe de enfermagem (enfermeiros e técnicos de enfermagem), a partir do seguinte critério de inclusão: profissionais de enfermagem concursados com afastamento no ano de 2010 e com diagnóstico médico determinante do afastamento, definido claramente. Para a coleta das informações foi feita a apreciação dos documentos arquivados no Serviço de Saúde do Trabalhador do hospital estudado e contou com a apreciação de especialistas médicos relativos aos grupos de diagnósticos estudados, orientados por roteiros criados pela pesquisadora. Os dados foram analisados e armazenados no programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) versão 15 e no editor Microsoft excel 2003. Dentre os resultados obtidos tiveram destaque para as seguintes causas de afastamento, respectivamente, às doenças do sistema osteomuscular, os fatores que influenciam o estado de saúde e o contato com serviços de saúde, os transtornos mentais e comportamentais, as lesões, envenenamento e outras consequencias de causas externas e, as doenças do sistema circulatório, que representam um custo estimado aproximado de R$ 2,6 milhões. Pôde-se constatar que o impacto econômico do absenteísmo decorrentes dos agravos à saúde para o orçamento de recursos humanos do hospital universitário foi de aproximadamente 2,7%. O custo real aproximado do absenteísmo de enfermagem por dia, foi avaliado em R$ 92,50, tendo projeção mensal de R$ 2.775,00 e anual de R$ 33.300,00. Recomenda-se avaliar o absenteísmo dos profissionais regularmente para identificar as causas reais do absenteísmo por doença, a fim de definir metas para os programas de intervenção à saúde dos trabalhadores e promover uma Gestão participativa que favoreça uma análise do processo de trabalho no que concerne o atendimento das necessidades de saúde e operacionais da força de trabalho, determinantes do absenteísmo.

高重复频率、窄脉宽全固态光纤放大器种子源

高重复频率、窄脉宽的全固态激光器种子源级联光纤放大器是获得高功率脉冲激光输出的有效手段.短上能态寿命的Nd∶YVO4晶体在连续抽运、高重复频率Q开关工作时容易得到接近连续性能的平均输出功率.理论分析了声光(AO)调Q器件中影响输出能量和脉宽大小的主要因素,优化配置了腔型参数.利用激光二极管(LD)光纤耦合模块端面抽运Nd∶YVO4晶体,实现了声-光调Q重复频率100 kHz以上,脉宽20 ns以下,波长1064 nm的激光输出.在抽运功率5.7 W时,得到了脉宽15.3 ns,重复频率150 kHz的种子光输出,在级联单级光纤放大器后,得到了20 W的输出.

Birth Weight, Working Memory and Epigenetic Signatures in IGF2 and Related Genes: A MZ Twin Study

Neurodevelopmental disruptions caused by obstetric complications play a role in the etiology of several phenotypes associated with neuropsychiatric diseases and cognitive dysfunctions. Importantly, it has been noticed that epigenetic processes occurring early in life may mediate these associations. Here, DNA methylation signatures at IGF2 (insulin-like growth factor 2) and IGF2BP1-3 (IGF2-binding proteins 1-3) were examined in a sample consisting of 34 adult monozygotic (MZ) twins informative for obstetric complications and cognitive performance. Multivariate linear regression analysis of twin data was implemented to test for associations between methylation levels and both birth weight (BW) and adult working memory (WM) performance. Familial and unique environmental factors underlying these potential relationships were evaluated. A link was detected between DNA methylation levels of two CpG sites in the IGF2BP1 gene and both BW and adult WM performance. The BW-IGF2BP1 methylation association seemed due to non-shared environmental factors influencing BW, whereas the WM-IGF2BP1 methylation relationship seemed mediated by both genes and environment. Our data is in agreement with previous evidence indicating that DNA methylation status may be related to prenatal stress and later neurocognitive phenotypes. While former reports independently detected associations between DNA methylation and either BW or WM, current results suggest that these relationships are not confounded by each other.

Identification of the main allergen sensitizers in an Iran asthmatic population by molecular diagnosis

Background: There has been a significant growth in the prevalence of allergy, mainly associated to IgE-mediated disorders such as asthma and rhinitis. The identification of atopy in asthmatic patients through the measurement of specific IgE can help to identify risk factors that cause asthmatic symptoms in patients. The development and use of individualized allergen-based tests by the Component Resolved Diagnosis has been a crucial advance in the accurate diagnosis and control of allergic patients. The objective of this work was to assess the usefulness of molecular diagnosis to identify environmental allergens as possible factors influencing the development and manifestation of asthma in a group of asthmatic patients from Iran. Methods: Studied population: 202 adult asthmatic patients treated at the Loghman Hakim Hospital and Pasteur Institute of Teheran (Iran) from 2011 to 2012. Specific IgE determined by the ImmunoCAP system were used to both evaluate the patients' atopic condition and the molecules involved in the allergic sensitization. SDS-PAGE IgE-immunoblotting associated with mass spectrometry was carried out to study the cockroach IgE-binding sensitizing proteins. Results: Forty-five percent of all patients could be considered atopic individuals. Eighty-two percent of atopic patients were sensitized to pollen allergens. The Salsola kali (Sal k 1) and the Phleum pratense (rPhl p 1 and/or rPhl p 5) major allergens were the most common sensitizers among pollens (71% and 18%, respectively). Thirty-five percent of the atopic population was sensitized to cockroach. Four different allergens, including a previously unknown alpha-amylase, were identified in the cockroach extract. No significant associations could be demonstrated between the severity of asthma and the specific IgE levels in the atopic population. Statistical analysis identified the Sal k 1 as the main protein allergen influencing the development and expression of asthma in the studied population. Conclusions: Pollen and cockroach were the most relevant allergen sources in the asthmatic population. The Salsola kali major allergen was the main cause for sensitization in the atopic patients suffering asthma. Using the Component Resolved Diagnosis, it was possible to identify a new Blattella germanica cockroach allergen (Blattella alpha amylase 53 kDa) that could sensitize a relevant percentage of this population.

Espainiako pentsio sistema

Lan honen bidez, Espainiako Pentsioak aztertu dira. Horretarako, lehenik eta behin, pentsioen diseinu oro-korra aztertu eta Espainiako Gizarte Segurantzaren eredua definitu da. Bigarrenik, Pentsio Sistemako erregimenak kontuan hartuz, Erregimen Orokorra hartu da oinarri -hau baita espainiar erregimen erabiliena- eta bere ezaugarriak azaldu dira. Azkenik, Lan Bizitzen Lagin Jarraitutik (LBLJ) lorturiko datuen bidez, ustez pentsioengan eragina duten aldagai ezberdinen (gizabanakoaren sexua, jarduera ekonomikoa, bizilekua eta hezkuntza-maila) aukeraketa egin da eta hauen bilakaera aztertu da 2005-2012 urte bitarteetan. Egindako analisien emaitza nagusiak oinarri hartuz, esan daiteke hainbat direla pentsioen zenbatekoan - Oinarri Arautzaile eta Erretiratze Adinean - eragina duten aldagaiak eta ondorioz, gizabanakoen ordainsarian desberdintasunak sortzen dituztenak.(EUSKERA)

Damage on HfO2/SiO2 high-reflecting coatings under single and multiple Nd:YAG laser pulse irradiation

The single- and multi-shot damage behaviors of HfO2/SiO2 high-reflecting (HR) coatings under Nd:YAG laser exposure were investigated. Fundamental aspects of multi-shot laser damage, such as the instability due to pulse-to-pulse accumulation of absorption defect and structural defect effect, and the mechanism of laser induced defect generation, are considered. It was found in multi-shot damage, the main factors influencing laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) are accumulation of irreversible changes of structural defects and thermal stress that induced by thermal density fluctuations.

A study of salmonid egg and fry survival in the River Taff catchment

This report looks at previous findings that egg survival was related to the percentage of fine solids in the spawning gravels of the River Taff. Green salmonid eggs were planted out at 8 sites in the Taff catchment; and eyed salmonid eggs were planted out at 27 sites. Gravel cores were taken at 18 of these sites and an analysis of their composition was carried out, particular attention being given to the pecentage of particles less than 1mm. As well as its method, the report includes its own findings and recommendations, which includes other factors influencing egg survival such as the need for water quality improvements.

Simulation of Tail Weight Distributions in Biological Year 1986–2006 Landings of Brown Shrimp, Farfantepenaeus aztecus, from the Northern Gulf of Mexico Fishery

Size distribution within re- ported landings is an important aspect of northern Gulf of Mexico penaeid shrimp stock assessments. It reflects shrimp population characteristics such as numerical abundance of various sizes, age structure, and vital rates (e.g. recruitment, growth, and mortality), as well as effects of fishing, fishing power, fishing practices, sampling, size-grading, etc. The usual measure of shrimp size in archived landings data is count (C) the number of shrimp tails (abdomen or edible portion) per pound (0.4536 kg). Shrimp are marketed and landings reported in pounds within tail count categories. Statistically, these count categories are count class intervals or bins with upper and lower limits expressed in C. Count categories vary in width, overlap, and frequency of occurrence within the landings. The upper and lower limits of most count class intervals can be transformed to lower and upper limits (respectively) of class intervals expressed in pounds per shrimp tail, w, the reciprocal of C (i.e. w = 1/C). Age based stock assessments have relied on various algorithms to estimate numbers of shrimp from pounds landed within count categories. These algorithms required un- derlying explicit or implicit assumptions about the distribution of C or w. However, no attempts were made to assess the actual distribution of C or w. Therefore, validity of the algorithms and assumptions could not be determined. When different algorithms were applied to landings within the same size categories, they produced different estimates of numbers of shrimp. This paper demonstrates a method of simulating the distribution of w in reported biological year landings of shrimp. We used, as examples, landings of brown shrimp, Farfantepenaeus aztecus, from the northern Gulf of Mexico fishery in biological years 1986–2006. Brown shrimp biological year, Ti, is defined as beginning on 1 May of the same calendar year as Ti and ending on 30 April of the next calendar year, where subscript i is the place marker for biological year. Biological year landings encompass most if not all of the brown shrimp life cycle and life span. Simulated distributions of w reflect all factors influencing sizes of brown shrimp in the landings within a given biological year. Our method does not require a priori assumptions about the parent distributions of w or C, and it takes into account the variability in width, overlap, and frequency of occurrence of count categories within the landings. Simulated biological year distributions of w can be transformed to equivalent distributions of C. Our method may be useful in future testing of previously applied algorithms and development of new estimators based on statistical estimation theory and the underlying distribution of w or C. We also examine some applications of biological year distributions of w, and additional variables derived from them.

An Ecological Perspective on Inshore Fisheries in the Main Hawaiian Islands

A description of fisheries within a depth of 100 fathoms is provided for the eight southeastern-most islands of the Hawaiian Archipelago, known as the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI). These are the inhabited islands of the State of Hawaii and are those most subject to inshore fishing pressure, because of their accessibility. Between 1980 and 1990, an average of 1,300 short tons of fishes and invertebrates were reported annually within 100 fm by commercial fishermen. Total landings may be significantly greater, since fishing is a popular pastime of residents and noncommercial landings are not reported. Although limited data are available on noncommercial fisheries, the majority of this review is based on reported commercial landings. The principal ecological factors influencing fisheries in the MHI include coastal currents, the breadth and steepness of the coastal platform, and differences in windward and leeward climate. Expansive coastal development, increased erosion, and sedimentation are among negative human impacts on inshore reef ecosystems on most islands. Commercial fisheries for large pelagics (tunas and billfishes) are important in inshore areas around Ni'ihau, Ka'ula Rock, Kauai, and the Island of Hawaii (the Big Island), as are bottom "handline" fisheries for snappers and groupers around Kauai and Molokai. However, many more inshore fishermen target reef and estuarine species. Two pelagic carangids, "akule," Selar crumenopthalmus, and "opelu," Decapterus macarellus, support the largest inshore fisheries in the MHI. During 1980-90, reported commercial landings within three miles of shore averaged 203 and 125 t for akule and opelu, respectively. Akule landings are distributed fairly evenly throughout the MHI, while more than 72% of the state's inshore opelu landings take place on the Big Island. Besides akule and opelu, other important commercial fisheries on all the MHI include those for surgeon, soldier, parrot, and goatfishes; snappers; octopus, and various trevallies. Trends in reported landings, trips, and catch per unit effort over the last decade are outlined for these fisheries. In heavily populated areas, fishing pressure appears to exceed the capacity of inshore resources to renew themselves. Management measures are beginning to focus on methods of limiting inshore fishing effort, while trying to maintain residents' access to fishing.

Local distribution patterns of Opuntia echios echios, Bursera graveolens and Scalesia crockeri on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos

We mapped stems of three plant species in a 2.36 ha plot in the arid zone near the coast of eastern Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Ecuador, to determine factors influencing their local distribution. The three species were Opuntia echios var. echios (Cactaceae), a large cactus, Bursera graveolens (Burseraceae), a small tree that dominates dry woodland near the coast, and the shrub Scalesia crockeri (Asteraceae). In our plot, Opuntia was most abundant near the coast, while Bursera and Scalesia increased in density inland and with increased relief. Scalesia also increased in density with increases in Bursera and decreases in other woody plants and was most abundant 200–250 m from the coast. Both Opuntia and Bursera were clumped in the plot as a whole but selected stem size classes were randomly dispersed within homogeneous portions of the sample area. CDF Contribution Number 1012.

Crab mortality on Chesapeake Bay shedding floats

Reports of high mortality resulting from the impoundment of crabs (Callinectes sapidus) during the preshedding period, to produce soft crabs, have been current in Maryland and Virginia for many years. The death rate of crabs on floats has been estimated by certain of the operators to run as high as 86% at Cape Charles, and to figures nearly as high at Crisfield and elsewhere during one season of the year. A study of this mortality and the factors influencing it have been in progress at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory for two seasons.

影响圆叶牵牛(Ipomoea purpurea)花中花青素含量的因子研究

表型是基因型和环境共同作用的结果，环境对物种进化起到了至关重要的作用。虽然人们已经知道环境因子会影响植物花青素的最终含量，但这样的影响是如何在自然环境中进行的仍是未知。较之以前泛泛研究经济作物或模式植物的花青素总含量与人工环境变量的关系的工作，本文探讨环境变化对半野生的圆叶牵牛自然状态下不同基因型植株、不同花青素的影响。 65株取自全国各地包括3种颜色8种基因型的圆叶牵牛被分别种到了温室和室外，温室32株，室外35株，用高效液相 (HPLC) 的方法检测盛花期 (07年9月-10月) 圆叶牵牛花中花青素的含量，同时每天分早中晚采集3次温室和室外的环境数据-照度、紫外线强度、温度、湿度。记录每朵花着生高度、朝向、当天植株开花数、植株根茎、植株生长天数等个体信息。 通过保留时间、紫外-可见吸收光谱数据、质谱数据以及参考文献确定了圆叶牵牛花瓣中主要的5种花青素，包括三个矢车菊素 (CY) 和两个天竺葵素 (PG)，根据它们所含的咖啡酸和葡萄糖基的个数将它们简写成CY3C4G、CY2C4G、CY3C5G、PG2C4G、PG3C5G。CY2C4G和CY3C4G仅在蓝紫色花中大量存在，PG2C4G及PG3C5G仅在粉色花中大量存在，CY3C5G在两种颜色的圆叶牵牛花中均有存在。 温室和室外的四个环境因子有显著差异，平均照度室外为温室的3.06倍，平均紫外线强度为温室的5.39倍。Z 检验表明，蓝紫色花中的CY3C5G在温室内外没有显著差异 (P=0.3070)，而温室内的CY2C4G (P<0.0001) 和CY3C4G (P<0.0001) 含量明显的低于室外，粉花中CY3C5G和PG3C5G在温室 (P=0.4533) 和室外 (P=0.9577) 没有显著差异，PG2C4G在温室内含量明显 (P=0.0003) 低于室外。 通过Kruskal- Wallis 检验,不同基因型植株各种花青素的相对含量显著不同 (P<0.0001)。室外不同基因型植株的花青素绝对含量显著不同 (P<0.0001)。温室不同基因型植株中，CY2C4G (P=0.0224) 和CY3C4G (P=0.0017) 的绝对含量显著不同，显著性比室外的低些。CY3C5G不同基因型的绝对含量有差异，但是差异不显著 (P=0.0633)。基因型对植株中各个花青素相对含量的影响是尤其显著的，基因型对于花青素绝对含量的影响，可能是基因型直接作用和不同基因型对环境差异的不同响应两方面造成的，所以在环境变异稍大的条件下，基因型更加能显示出它对花青素的含量的影响。 植株的生长天数与粉色圆叶牵牛的PG2C4G、PG3C5G以及蓝紫色圆叶牵牛的三个花青素呈一定的正相关，当天开花数对粉色花的PG3C5G以及蓝紫色花的三个花青素呈负相关，花的朝向 (北-东-南-西-北 对应数值为0-90-180-90-0)，对粉花的PG2C4G以及蓝紫花的CY2C4G和CY3C4G 呈正相关，植株大小对粉花的PG2C4G、PG3C5G以及蓝紫花的CY3C5G呈负相关。花所着生的高度对两种颜色花的影响是不同的，与蓝紫花的三个花色素呈负相关，对于粉色的PG2C4G、CY3C5G呈正相关。