Update of Albacore tag release-recapture information in the North-Atlantic and Mediterranean for the period 1968-1999

This paper updates and completes the ICCAT database on albacore tag release–recapture from the North Atlantic including the Mediterranean Sea. In this revision French tag release– recapture data from the sixties and seventies is included, as well as additional information obtained from existing bibliography.Le présent document actualise et complète la base de données de l'ICCAT sur le marquage et la recapture de germon de l'Atlantique nord, Méditerranée comprise. Cette révision comporte des données françaises de marquage/recapture des années 1960 et 1970, ainsi que des informations additionnelles extraites de la bibliographie disponible.En el presente documento se actualiza y completa la base ICCAT de datos de marcadorecaptura de atún blanco del Atlántico Norte, incluyendo el Mediterráneo. En esta revisión se incluyen los datos de marcado-recaptura franceses de los años los años sesenta y setenta, así como otras informaciones procedentes de revisiones bibliográficas

Characterization of Chemically Modified Human Amniotic Membranes for Tissue Engineering Applications

The human amniotic membrane (hAM) is a collagen-based extracellular matrix derived from the human placenta. It is a readily-available, inexpensive, and naturally biocompatible material. Despite its attractive biological and biochemical properties, the hAM has been restricted for some tissue engineering or regenerative medicine applications by its moderate mechanical properties and rapid biodegradation. In this work, the use of riboflavin, a water-soluble vitamin, is investigated to crosslink and strengthen the human amniotic membrane under UVA light. The effect of riboflavin-UVA crosslinking on hAM properties were determined via infrared spectroscopy, uniaxial tensile testing, proteolytic degradation, permeability testing, SEM, and quantification of free (un-crosslinked) amine groups. Improved hAM mechanical properties must not come at the expense of reduced cellular proliferation and induction capabilities. In this study were assessed the viability, proliferation, immunophenotype, and multilineage differentiation ability of human adipose-derived stem cells seeded on riboflavin-UVA crosslinked membranes. Overall, hAM crosslinked with riboflavin-UVA benefited from a stable 2.5-fold increase in mechanical properties and improved biodegradation, all while retaining their biocompatibility and abilities to support the cultivation and differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells. Together, these results suggest that riboflavin-UVA crosslinking is an effective strategy to enhance the hAM for potential cardiovascular and tendon tissue engineering applications. Additionally, porcine adipose-derived stem cells (pASCs) were identified as a reliable stem cell source thanks to their abundance, straightforward isolation, and broad differentiation abilities. Knowledge of the properties of pASCs is critical for the success of therapeutic studies in preclinical pig models. Finally, the construction of a simple mechanical testing apparatus using off-the-shelf materials and open-source software for a total cost of less than $100 is reported

Age-length keys availability for Atlantic bluefin tuna captured in the eastern management area

This paper analyzes the available direct ageing information in the last decade from Atlantic bluefin tuna caught in the eastern management area. To investigate differences among ALKs, a standard Von Bertalanffy growth function (VB) was fit to length at age data for each stratum. A deficient convergence of VB fitting to the asymptotic length due to the scarcity of old specimens was found for all available ALKs. After these analyses some records were identified as outliers (reading methodological issues) and removed from the data base.En prensa0,000

Estimating albacore movement rates between the North Atlantic and the Mediterraneal from conventional tagging data

A tag attrition model is fit to albacore tag-recapture data in order to estimate albacore movement rates between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The estimated transfer rate from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean is not significantly different from zero, and the estimated annual transfer rate in the opposite direction, under the assumptions of the same catchability and reporting rates is 5,49%. Sensitivity tests to assumed reporting rates and relative catchabilities are performed, and observed lower recovery rates in the Mediterranean may suggest either a lower catchability or reporting rate in this area, that would give an even lower estimate of the transfer rate, which is also supported by information from later tag recaptures of fish tagged in the Mediterranean. The small impact of these transfer rates on stock assessment is discussed and a preliminary assessment of the amount of tagged fish needed in order to get accurate and precise estimates of these low transfer rates is also done by simulating different tagging scenarios.Un modèle de déperdition des marques est ajusté aux données de marquage-recapture du germon afin d’estimer les taux de déplacement du germon entre l’Atlantique et la Méditerranée. Le taux de transfert estimé de l’Atlantique à la Méditerranée n’est pas sensiblement différent de zéro, et le taux de transfert annuel estimé dans la direction opposée, en prenant comme postulat une capturabilité et des taux de soumission de données identiques, s’élève à 5,49%. On a réalisé des tests de sensibilité aux taux de soumission de données supposés et à la capturabilité relative. Les taux de récupération inférieurs observés en Méditerranée suggèrent éventuellement une capturabilité ou un taux de soumission de données plus faible dans cette zone, ce qui donnerait une estimation encore plus faible du taux de transfert. Cela est également appuyé par des informations provenant de récupérations tardives de marques de poissons marqués en Méditerranée. Le faible impact de ces taux de transfert sur l’évaluation du stock est discuté et une évaluation préliminaire du volume de poissons marqués nécessaire pour obtenir des estimations exactes et précises de ces faibles taux de transfert est également réalisée en simulant différents scénarios de marquage.Se ajusta un modelo de tasa de pérdida de marcas a los datos de marcado-recuperación de atún blanco con el fin de estimar las tasas de movimiento del atún blanco entre el Atlántico y el Mediterráneo. La tasa de transferencia estimada del Atlántico al Mediterráneo no se diferencia significativamente de cero, y la tasa de transferencia anual estimada en la dirección opuesta, bajo el supuesto de la misma tasa de capturabilidad y comunicación, es de 5,49%. Se realizaron pruebas de sensibilidad de las tasas de comunicación y capturabilidades relativas supuestas, y las tasas de recuperación inferiores observadas en el Mediterráneo pueden sugerir una tasa de capturabilidad o de comunicación más baja en esta zona, lo que proporcionaría una estimación aún más baja de transferencia, que se ve sustentada por la información de recuperaciones de marcas posteriores de peces marcados en el Mediterráneo. Se discute el bajo impacto de estas tasas de transferencia en la evaluación del stock y también se realiza una evaluación preliminar de la cantidad de peces marcados necesarios para obtener estimaciones precisas y exactas de estas bajas tasas de trasferencia mediante una simulación de diferentes escenarios de marcado

Use of lectins to characterise genetic variability and geographic differentiation in natural populations of Thunnus alalunga (Bonn. 1788)

New tools from cell and molecular biology can be used to implement the knowledge of fish biology and fisheries. In this sense, we suggest that the use of lectins can be an understandable procedure to study population structure of fishes. Lectins are proteins or glycoproteins of nonimmune origin that agglutinate cells and/or precipitate complex carbohydrates. Several lectins behave like blood group antibodies and can be used as specific gene markers. We characterise blood groups of Thunnus alalunga worldwide populations under a population genetics point of view using lectins. Fishes from several populations of Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans were captured and 5 mL blood was obtained from each fish. Each fish was treated with 8 FITC-labelled lectins. The binding activity of the lectins was detected using a fluorescence assay. Several statistical procedures of populations genetics were employed to analyse genetic variability, geographic differentiation, and genetic distance showing that: i) there is genetic variability within Thunnus alalunga populations, ii) we detect highly significant heterogeneity among populations, and considerable geographic differentiation, iii) Mediterranean population is quite distant of North Atlantic population, iv) North and South Atlantic populations are extremely distant, v) Pacific population is the most distant from the others , vi) Gulf of Guinea and South Atlantic populations are distant, vii) Gulf of Guinea and North Atlantic are proximate, viii) Indian and South Atlantic populations are also proximate.De nouveaux moyens fournis par la biologie cellulaire et moléculaire peuvent servir à appliquer les connaissances sur la biologie et la pêche du poisson. A cet égard, nous suggérons que l'utilisation des lectines peut constituer un processus raisonnable pour étudier la structure des stocks de poisson. Les lectines sont des protéines ou des glycoprotéines d'origine non-immunitaire qui agglutinent les cellules et/ou précipitent les carbohydrates complexes. Plusieurs lectines se comportent comme des anticorps de groupes sanguins et peuvent servir de marqueurs génétiques spécifiques. Nous identifions les groupes sanguins des populations globales de Thunnus alalunga du point de vue de la génétique des populations au moyen de lectines. Des poissons de plusieurs stocks de la Méditerranée, de l'Atlantique, du Pacifique et de l'océan Indien ont été capturés, et 5 ml de leur sang a été prélevé. Chacun de ces poissons a été traité avec des lectines dénommées 8 FITC. L'activité agglutinante des lectines a été détectée au moyen de tests de fluorescence. Plusieurs processus statistiques de génétique des populations ont été employées pour analyser la variabilité générique, la différentiation géographique et l'écartement génétique, d'où: i) il existe une variabilité génétique su sein des populations de Thunnus alalunga, ii) nous détectons un degré très significatif d'hétérogénéité entre les populations, et une différentiation géographique considérable, iii) la population méditerranéenne se démarque assez de la population nordatlantique, iv) les populations du nord et du sud de l'Atlantique sont extrêmement distinctes, v) la population du Pacifique est celle qui se différencie le plus des autres, vi) les populations du golfe de Guinée et de l'Atlantique sud sont distinctes, vii) les populations du golfe de Guinée et de l'Atlantique nord sont proches, viii) les populations de l'océan Indien et de l'Atlantique sud sont également proches.Las nuevas herramientas de biología molecular y celular se pueden utilizar para implementar el conocimiento de la biología de los peces y de la pesca. En este sentido, proponemos la utilización de lectinas como procedimiento comprensible para estudiar la estructura de población de los peces. Las lectinas son proteínas o glucoproteínas de origen no inmune que aglutinan células o precipitan carbohidratos complejos. Muchas lectinas se comportan como anticuerpos de grupos sanguíneos y pueden utilizarse como marcadores genéticos específicos. Hemos identificado grupos sanguíneos de poblaciones de Thunnus alalunga de todo el mundo desde el punto de vista de genética de poblaciones mediante lectinas. Se capturaron peces de varias poblaciones del mar Mediterráneo y de los océanos Atlántico, Pacífico e Índico y se les extrajo 5 mL de sangre a cada uno. Se trató a cada pez con lectinas marcadas con FITC 8. La actividad aglutinante de la lectina se detectó utilizando fluorimetrías. Se emplearon varios procedimientos estadísticos de genética de poblaciones para analizar la variabilidad genética, diferenciación geográfica y distancia genética, que mostraron que: i) existe una variabilidad genética dentro de las poblaciones de Thunnus alalunga; ii) detectamos una heterogeneidad muy significativa entre las poblaciones y una considerable diferenciación geográfica; iii) la población mediterránea se distancia bastante de la población del Atlántico Norte, iv) las poblaciones del Atlántico norte y sur son extremadamente distantes; v) La población del Pacífico es la que presenta una mayor distancia con respecto a las demás; vi) las poblaciones del Atlántico Sur y del Golfo de Guinea son distantes; vii) las poblaciones del Golfo de Guinea y el Atlántico norte son próximas; viii) las poblaciones del Índico y el Atlántico sur también son próximas

2PI effective action and gauge invariance problems

The problem of maintaining gauge invariance when truncating the two particle irreducible (2PI) effective action has been studied recently by several authors. Here we give a simple and very general derivation of the gauge dependence identities for the off-shell 2PI effective action. We consider the case where the gauge is fixed by an arbitrary function of the quantum gauge field, subject only to the restriction that the Faddeev-Popov matrix is invertable. We also study the background field gauge. We address the role that these identies play in solving gauge invariance problems associated with physical quantities calculated using a truncated on-shell 2PI effective action.Comment: 11 pages, version accepted for publication in Eur. Phys. Jour.

Detecting the presence-absence of bluefin tuna by automated analysis of medium-range sonars on fishing vessels

This study presents a methodology for the automated analysis of commercial medium-range sonar signals for detecting presence/absence of bluefin tuna (Tunnus thynnus) in the Bay of Biscay. The approach uses image processing techniques to analyze sonar screenshots. For each sonar image we extracted measurable regions and analyzed their characteristics. Scientific data was used to classify each region into a class (“tuna” or “no-tuna”) and build a dataset to train and evaluate classification models by using supervised learning. The methodology performed well when validated with commercial sonar screenshots, and has the potential to automatically analyze high volumes of data at a low cost. This represents a first milestone towards the development of acoustic, fishery-independent indices of abundance for bluefin tuna in the Bay of Biscay. Future research lines and additional alternatives to inform stock assessments are also discussed

Study on the migrations and stock structure of Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) from the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean sea based on conventional tag release-recapture experiences

In this paper a study on the migrations of albacore from the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea is made, based on the information from conventional tag release-recapture experiences. Information on 643 recaptured fish from a total of 23,777 tagged fish has been analyzed. This information highlights the long distance movements of albacore, their transoceanic migrations and the possibility of an interchange of fish between the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean.Le présent document fait état d'une étude sur les migrations du germon de l'Atlantique nord et de la Méditerranée, d'après des informations provenant d'expériences de marquage et de recapture avec marques conventionnelles. L'information correspondant à 643 poissons recapturés sur un total de 23.777 poissons marqués a été analysée. Cette information révèle les déplacements du germon sur de grandes distances, ses migrations transocéaniques et l'éventualité d'échanges de poissons entre l'Atlantique nord et la Méditerranée.En este documento se hace un estudio de las migraciones del atún blanco del Atlántico norte y Mediterráneo en base a las informaciones procedentes de las experiencias de marcado-recaptura convencionales. Se ha analizado la información procedente de 643 peces recapturados de un total de 23.777 peces marcados. Con esta información se ponen de manifiesto los grandes movimientos del atún blanco, sus desplazamientos transoceánicos y la posibilidad de intercambio de peces entre el Atlántico norte y el Mediterráneo

Quantum versus classical statistical dynamics of an ultracold Bose gas

We investigate the conditions under which quantum fluctuations are relevant for the quantitative interpretation of experiments with ultracold Bose gases. This requires to go beyond the description in terms of the Gross-Pitaevskii and Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov mean-field theories, which can be obtained as classical (statistical) field-theory approximations of the quantum many-body problem. We employ functional-integral techniques based on the two-particle irreducible (2PI) effective action. The role of quantum fluctuations is studied within the nonperturbative 2PI 1/N expansion to next-to-leading order. At this accuracy level memory-integrals enter the dynamic equations, which differ for quantum and classical statistical descriptions. This can be used to obtain a 'classicality' condition for the many-body dynamics. We exemplify this condition by studying the nonequilibrium evolution of a 1D Bose gas of sodium atoms, and discuss some distinctive properties of quantum versus classical statistical dynamics.Comment: 19 pages, 10 figure