Topography of the motion aftereffect with and without eye movements

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Limnological survey on the most important rivers in the Iranian southern soasts of the Caspian Sea in the Guilan Province with emphasize on the pollutants (Hevigh, Karkanrud and Shafarud rivers)

In order to create a reliable ecological database for Guilans running waters(north Iran near the Caspian sea), at the first step 3 important rivers containing Hevigh, Karkanrud and Shafarud, were selected and limnological survey, during autumn 1380 and summer1381 were seasonally carried out for them. Results showed that the key physico-chemical parameters such as dissolved O2, BOD5, pH, Phosphate, Nitrate, Nitrite, ammonium and in all of the three rivers water were in their normal range suggesting good water quality. Chrysophyta, Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta and Euglenophyta were respectively the most prevalent phytoplankton taxa and Zooplankton fauna of the rivers were fixed and sessile species belong to Protozoa and Rotatoria. 42 benthic macroinvertebrates taxa(Hevigh:36,Karkanrud:22 and Shafarud:30) were identified in these 3 rivers which individuals belong to order Diptera compromise the most divers and frequent one. Regarding macroinvertebrates diversity and indicator groups, it seems that Hevigh river has relatively better water quality than the two other. 23 fish species belong to 9 family,7 order and 2 class , were identified in these rivers during the study period which cyprinid were the most diverse and prevalent of them. Albornoides sp., Capoeta capoeta and Neogobios sp. were the most widespread and frequent species of the identified fishes in all of them. Bacteriological survey including Coliform and E.Colie count showed that the lower parts of the rivers near the estuaries were more infected and the bottom sediments had more bacterial count during the all sampling period. However the total coliform count never exceed of 200 colonies per 100cc , suggesting no risk for direct contact (swimming and washing), according to EPA standards. Chromium, Cadmium and Mercury had very low concentrations in the rivers water but Cupper had relatively high concentration (up to 1.788 mg/l in Hevigh river) amongst the studied heavy metals. The maximum and minimum concentrations of detergent materials or surfactant (LAS) were respectively observed in Shafarud (0.047 mg/l) and Hevigh (0.014 mg/l). According to the results of the study even though all the three rivers water had an overall reasonable quality, but some signs of destructions and degradations such as sedimentation, relatively increase of nutrient, increased concentrations of some pollutants, which all results in the low diversity of macroinvertebrates and prevents migration of anadromous fishes, calls for a continuing monitoring program and precise control for these regions

Feasibility study on Intensive polyculture of chainess and Indian carps in I.R.IRAN (Giulan province)

500000 juvenile Indian majour carps (Labeo rohita,Cirhinus merigala, Catla catla) imported (2004) and transferred to the earthen ponds in Shahid Ansari Carp Breeding Center , In order to assess the viability of rearing under the climatic condition of north part of Iran and also achieve some growth parameters from the larval stage to market size.The fry with 300 mg weight, were released in to 8 ponds.specimens were separated to tree experimental categories: 1= (Labeo rohita) , 2= (Cirhinus merigala) , 3= (Catla catla). fishes were fed with artificial food and also with the natural products of the ponds which were enriched with organic fertilizers, after being equally stocked in the ponds .During the experiment, oxygen level ,PH, turbidity, and temperature were measured . Monthly fry samples were taken, for weight and length biometrical analysis and also determination of the weight gain percentage, average daily growth rate, specific growth rate. Results have indicated adaptations and considerable growth in this species, with an increase from the initial weight of 300 mg to an average of 13.5±1.6 mg in 50 days period until the end of November for fingerlings. Also the average weight of growing phase (second year of production) was 647g. For Labeo rohita ,420 g. for Cirhinus merigala and 734g. For Catla catla. The special growth rate(SGR)in Roho was 4.51 %.and 3.9 % for merigal and6.2 % for Catla while for Chinees carps SGR was 4.9, 6.7, 7.6 and 5.8 for silver carp,grass carp, common carp and big head respectively. Results revealed that the Indian majour carps compatibility with the condition in Gilan province was succesfull and the combination of species and optimization of their compatibility were remind for further studies

High-Utilisation Nanoplatinum Catalyst (Pt@cPIM) Obtained via Vacuum Carbonisation in a Molecularly Rigid Polymer of Intrinsic Microporosity

Polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIM or here PIM-EA-TB) offer a highly rigid host environment into which hexachloroplatinate(IV) anions are readily adsorbed and vacuum carbonised (at 500 °C) to form active embedded platinum nanoparticles. This process is characterised by electron and optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical methods, which reveal that the PIM microporosity facilitates the assembly of nanoparticles of typically 1.0 to 2.5-nm diameter. It is demonstrated that the resulting carbonised “Pt@cPIM” from drop-cast films of ca. 550-nm average thickness, when prepared on tin-doped indium oxide (ITO), contain not only fully encapsulated but also fully active platinum nanoparticles in an electrically conducting hetero-carbon host. Alternatively, for thinner films (50–250 nm) prepared by spin coating, the particles become more exposed due to additional loss of the carbon host. In contrast to catalyst materials prepared by vacuum-thermolysed hexachloroplatinate(IV) precursor, the platinum nanoparticles within Pt@cPIM retain high surface area, electrochemical activity and high catalyst efficiency due to the molecular rigidity of the host. Data are presented for oxygen reduction, methanol oxidation and glucose oxidation, and in all cases, the high catalyst surface area is linked to excellent catalyst utilisation. Robust transparent platinum-coated electrodes are obtained with reactivity equivalent to bare platinum but with only 1 μg Pt cm−2 (i.e. ~100% active Pt nanoparticle surface is maintained in the carbonised microporous host). [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Investigation on probable viral agents associated with grass carp and silver carp mortality in Guilan province

Warm water aquaculture development along with import of eyed eggs, Broodstocks and ornamental fish also transferring of fingerlings and broodstocks from one province to another one has led to spreading of some unwanted diseases. According to the Gilan Fisheries Department report, mortality rate of silver carp(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) in the summer of 2010 caused losing of silver carp production more than 1162 tons which was valued over than twenty-three milion rials that was increased to about 40 million rials in 1391. Also grass carp had a less mortality rate in some farms. Observed symptoms and severity of losses increased the probability of viral diseases such as spring viremia of carp, koi herpes virus and grass carp reovirus. In this research, totally 411 silver carp and grass carp with 5 to 2300 gram weight from 83 farms were sampled during 2011-2012. Clinical symptoms was different in various farms and subcutaneous hemorrhages on the flanks, red fin base or total fin and Red belly and operculum, mild exophthalmia, hemorrhaging in the abdominal cavity (yellow, transparent or red fluid) and petechial haemorrhages of skin and viscera and Ascites in abdominal cavity and some silver carps and grass carps were observed with palied liver and gill. In some cases swelling muscle was observed in Silver carp. Several fries with the severe emaciation were observed. Difference between clinical symptoms can indicate the presence of different causes of mortality in different farms. Various water colors from completely transparent to dark green, yellow or slightly brown observed in different pool, which shows the difference in overall culture management including water quality management. The minimum Water turbidity using secchi disk was 40 centimeters to one meter page in the fields. Source semi-deep wells or deep pools that were used as water source. Average water temperature, oxygen and pH in fileds 26/5-31 °C , 4/3-5/7 mg / L and 7/4-9/38. In order to virological surveys, sampling of internal organs, including kidneys, and spleen were done.and Homogeneous target tissues after spending 0/45 micron filter on EPC and BF2 cell line were inoculated to observe cell damage(CPE) in case of confirmation of antibody detection methods brilliant, RT-PCR and PCR done. In cell culture examination, a kind of cell damage (CPE-like changes) was observed after inoculating of 3 samples of Silver carp those were suspected to SVC, but in the second and third passages there were no sign of cell damage. It may be because of toxic effect of tissue filtrate on the cell monolayer. Concerning sample of Grass carp on two EPC and BF2 cells no evidence of cell damage was found. In indirect fluorescent antibody test, 72 hours after inoculation of tissues filtrates of of silver carp and grass carp samples on EPC, no positive reaction was observed. PCR and RT-PCR tests using specific primer pairs were done to test all of the silver carp and grass carp samples for SVC and KHV diseases Also for GCRV in grass carp samples. In addition, simultaneously commercial PCR kits applied for testing of SVC and KHV (IQ2000. Taiwan). The results of PCR and RT-PCR tests showed no evidence of robdovirus Carpio and grass carp reovirus RNA and no sign of koi herpesvirus DNA in tested samples. In conventional PCR and RT-PCR tests Using specific primer pairs none of positive bands related to SVCV(470 bp) and GCRV(292bp, 697bp and 320bp) were not confirmed in the tested samples. Also in electrophoresis of PCR products using IQ2000 kit revealed 471 bp and 640 bp negative bands in all samples and the positive bands were not observed. For confirmation of the results, three suspected samples were sent to Europe Union Reference Laboratory and none of mentioned diseases were confirmed. Simultaneously bacteriolocical examination applied for 26 using blood agar. In bacterial culture and related analyzes 6 isolates of Pseudomonas and 21isolates of Aeromonas hydrophila were detected from 26 farms while no virus was confirmed in the same samples. Based on the results of cell culture, PCR, RT-PCR and IFAT tests no one of SVCV, KHV and GCRV viruses were confirmed in tested samples. Therefore, the etiological reason of the mortalities in the tested farms was not viral diseases and should be prevent and control by biosecurity and health management in the farms

Process intensification education contributes to sustainable development goals: Part 2

Achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals requires industry and society to develop tools and processes that work at all scales, enabling goods delivery, services, and technology to large conglomerates and remote regions. Process Intensification (PI) is a technological advance that promises to deliver means to reach these goals, but higher education has yet to totally embrace the program. Here, we present practical examples on how to better teach the principles of PI in the context of the Bloom's taxonomy and summarise the current industrial use and the future demands for PI, as a continuation of the topics discussed in Part 1. In the appendices, we provide details on the existing PI courses around the world, as well as teaching activities that are showcased during these courses to aid students’ lifelong learning. The increasing number of successful commercial cases of PI highlight the importance of PI education for both students in academia and industrial staff.We acknowledge the sponsors of the Lorentz’ workshop on“Educating in PI”: The MESA+Institute of the University of Twente,Sonics and Materials (USA) and the PIN-NL Dutch Process Intensi-fication Network. DFR acknowledges support by The Netherlands Centre for Mul-tiscale Catalytic Energy Conversion (MCEC), an NWO Gravitationprogramme funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sci-ence of the government of The Netherlands. NA acknowledges the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)- TRR 63¨Integrierte Chemische Prozesse in flüssigen Mehrphasen-systemen¨(Teilprojekt A10) - 56091768. The participation by Robert Weber in the workshop and thisreport was supported by Laboratory Directed Research and Devel-opment funding at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL).PNNL is a multiprogram national laboratory operated for theUS Department of Energy by Battelle under contract DE-AC05-76RL0183

Lower-Level Stimulus Features Strongly Influence Responses in the Fusiform Face Area

An intriguing region of human visual cortex (the fusiform face area; FFA) responds selectively to faces as a general higher-order stimulus category. However, the potential role of lower-order stimulus properties in FFA remains incompletely understood. To clarify those lower-level influences, we measured FFA responses to independent variation in 4 lower-level stimulus dimensions using standardized face stimuli and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). These dimensions were size, position, contrast, and rotation in depth (viewpoint). We found that FFA responses were strongly influenced by variations in each of these image dimensions; that is, FFA responses were not “invariant” to any of them. Moreover, all FFA response functions were highly correlated with V1 responses (r = 0.95–0.99). As in V1, FFA responses could be accurately modeled as a combination of responses to 1) local contrast plus 2) the cortical magnification factor. In some measurements (e.g., face size or a combinations of multiple cues), the lower-level variations dominated the range of FFA responses. Manipulation of lower-level stimulus parameters could even change the category preference of FFA from “face selective” to “object selective.” Altogether, these results emphasize that a significant portion of the FFA response reflects lower-level visual responses

Shape similarity, better than semantic membership, accounts for the structure of visual object representations in a population of monkey inferotemporal neurons

The anterior inferotemporal cortex (IT) is the highest stage along the hierarchy of visual areas that, in primates, processes visual objects. Although several lines of evidence suggest that IT primarily represents visual shape information, some recent studies have argued that neuronal ensembles in IT code the semantic membership of visual objects (i.e., represent conceptual classes such as animate and inanimate objects). In this study, we investigated to what extent semantic, rather than purely visual information, is represented in IT by performing a multivariate analysis of IT responses to a set of visual objects. By relying on a variety of machine-learning approaches (including a cutting-edge clustering algorithm that has been recently developed in the domain of statistical physics), we found that, in most instances, IT representation of visual objects is accounted for by their similarity at the level of shape or, more surprisingly, low-level visual properties. Only in a few cases we observed IT representations of semantic classes that were not explainable by the visual similarity of their members. Overall, these findings reassert the primary function of IT as a conveyor of explicit visual shape information, and reveal that low-level visual properties are represented in IT to a greater extent than previously appreciated. In addition, our work demonstrates how combining a variety of state-of-the-art multivariate approaches, and carefully estimating the contribution of shape similarity to the representation of object categories, can substantially advance our understanding of neuronal coding of visual objects in cortex

A survey on health status of coldwater rearing and hatcheries fish farms in Iran (Mazandarn, Gilan, Ardebil, West Azerbaiejan, East Azerbaiejan and Kordestan provinces)

The national research plan with title of "Study on health status of Iran Coldwater hatchery and rearing farms" was done in order to identification and tracking of main causative agents of recent mortality in Iran Coldwater hatchery and rearing farms and recognize of infected zones and design of landscape distribution of Epizootic Coldwater fish diseases in the country. This plan was conducted parallel and in same time in some polar provinces of Coldwater fish production such as Mazandaran, Gilan, Ardebil, West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan and Kurdistan in three years from 2006-2008. In this regard, about 23,21 and 20 farms in Mazandaran province, 30 farms in West and East Azerbaijan and Kurdistan provinces and 19 farms in Gilan and Ardebil were selected as randomly and tracking were done yearly from 2006-2008. This research was conducted according to regular planning consists of farms visit that was done according to statistical plan and completion of Questionnaires and sampling. The findings in Mazandaran province revealed that fish infections background and infectious diseases were increased in period of 2006-2008. In fact, 56% of all fish farms in 2006, 71% in 2007 and 85% in 2008 were recorded as infected farms. In other side, average weight of fish final products was more 500gr in consume market. So, regarding to long period of fish culture in mentioned fish occurrence of more morbidity could be expected. The streptococcus infections were most important fish bacterial diseases that have more incidence and pathogenicity in collected questionnaires. Also it revealed more occurrences in summer season in above 15oC temperature in affected fish farms. Also, Enteric Redmouth Disease (ERM) and Saprolegniasis were reported as second and third degree in examined farms. Meanwhile, findings of control, prevention and treatment of our survey revealed that using of antibiotics and detergent materials were increased in mentioned province. Indeed, 34.7% of all fish farms in 2006, 71.4% in 2007 and 75% in 2008 have applied treatment operation and using of detergent materials in affected farms. In other side, frequent using of Erythromycin antibiotic was reported several times in 2008 so fish farmer faced to Bacterial resistance and should be using from Florfenicol as alternative antibacterial. Also, in feed sampling from all fish farms about 3 fish farms in 2006 and 5 fish farms in 2008 were faced with food poisoning that originated from high TVN and peroxidase in fish food consumed. These farms revealed mass mortality that stopped after change feeding regime. In conclusion absence of fish health management could be considered as main agent of mentioned mortality in Mazandaran province. The findings of our survey in West and East Azerbaijan and Kurdistan revealed that absence of sufficient experiences in fish farmers and their neglect from water quality concepts, farm cleanness, using of suitable detergent materials for fish ponds and instruments and disability in continuous monitoring of physic-chemical factors of consumed water could be considered as most important problems. So, fish morbidity and mortality, growth decrement and low production rate were expected. Unfortunately, despite the occurrence of infectious and non- infectious diseases in examined fish farms, there were no documents and information about diseases history, clinical signs in dead fish, feeding regime, fish mortality (rate of daily mortality, age and weight of moribund fish), treatment operation, drugs usage, growth rate, physico-chemical factors and fish density. So planning for control and prevention of mentioned diseases were unsuccessful in affected fish farms. Also, occurrence of some epizootic fish viral diseases such as VHS, IPN and IHN were observed frequently with mass mortality about 40100% in some examined fish farms that produced some tragic economic lost in the mentioned provinces. Similarly, some bacterial, fungal and parasitic diseases were observed repeatedly in some inspected farms such as Flavobacterium, streptococcus infections. Also, some unknown causative agents in parasitic diseases were observed several times such as Dactylogyrus, Gyrodactylus, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Trichodina, Chilodonella, Diplostomum and fungal diseases such as Saprolegniasis. In conclusion it seems that absence of fish health management, inadequate rate of hygienic technical services, absence of quarantine programs for transfer of new eyed-eggs, juvenile and live broodstocks packages without health certificates from authorized organizations, uncontrolled entry of foreign eyed-eggs (France, Denmark, Australia and Armenia) and neglect in using of suitable detergent materials for fish ponds, instruments, consumed water and infected eggs, not screening of broodstocks in hatcheries could be considered as most important causative agents in occurrence of infectious diseases and main problems in affected farms in mentioned provinces. Similarly, our findings in Gilan and Ardebil provinces revealed that their problems were similar to other provinces. In fact, neglect in establish of necessary Infrastructures in fish farms and dereliction in health management concepts could be considered as main reasons of occurrence of fish infectious and non-infectious diseases in studied fish farms in mentioned provinces. In fact, often fish farms visited hadn't suitable structures without control and prevention approach. There were not observed detergent using, quarantine programs and prevention methods. Entrance of unknown persons, birds and wild animals were ordinary in mentioned farms. Unfortunately level of farmer’s knowledge was low and no training courses and extension programs were planned by authorized organizations. Meanwhile, food storages were unsuitable and food packages were stored in inappropriate situation so poisoning conditions were increased in examined farms. In conclusion it could be finalized that Coldwater fish farms in Gilan and Ardebil provinces situated in insufficient position and correction of current situation are needed urgently. In final elicitation, it would be mentioned that lack of basic infrastructures could be introduced as most important reasonfor spread of diseases, mortality and related economic losses in studied provinces. Therefore, attention to environmental affairs and access to Sustainable Development are recommended. Also consideration of biosecurity regulations and health management concepts would be important requirements for modification and reformation of Coldwater fish farms in examined provinces towards A Better Tomorrow