Evaluando los niveles tróficos de dos tiburones oceánicos del Océano Pacífico suroriental

Indexación: Web of ScienceStable isotope analyses for shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) and blue sharks (Prionace glauca) were conducted to assess their trophic position in two periods of time (before 1980 and after 2000) in the Southeastern Pacific waters (SEP). Both sharks showed that their trophic position decreased over time (P < 0.05). Many factors could be involved in this change such as dietary shifts, prey availability, or indirect fishing effects in SEP waters.RESUMEN. Para evaluar los niveles tróficos de los tiburones marrajo (Isurus oxyrinchus) y azulejo (Prionace glauca) en dos períodos de tiempo (previo a 1980 y posterior al 2000) en aguas del Pacífico suroriental (SEP), se realizaron análisis de isótopos estables. Ambos tiburones mostraron un descenso del nivel trófico en el tiempo (P < 0,05). Varios son los factores que pueden estar involucrados en este evento, como los cambios dietarios, la disponibilidad de las presas o los efectos indirectos de la pesquería en aguas del Pacífico suroriental.http://www.lajar.cl/pdf/imar/v44n2/Art%C3%ADculo_44_2_25.pd

Wavelet probabilistic neural networks

In this article, a novel wavelet probabilistic neural network (WPNN), which is a generative-learning wavelet neural network that relies on the wavelet-based estimation of class probability densities, is proposed. In this new neural network approach, the number of basis functions employed is independent of the number of data inputs, and in that sense, it overcomes the well-known drawback of traditional probabilistic neural networks (PNNs). Since the parameters of the proposed network are updated at a low and constant computational cost, it is particularly aimed at data stream classification and anomaly detection in off-line settings and online environments where the length of data is assumed to be unconstrained. Both synthetic and real-world datasets are used to assess the proposed WPNN. Significant performance enhancements are attained compared to state-of-the-art algorithms

First observation and measurement of the resonant structure of the lambda_b->lambda_c pi-pi+pi- decay mode

We present the first observation of the lambda_b->lambda_c pi-pi+pi- decay using data from an integrated luminosity of approximately 2.4 fb-1 of ppbar collisions at ECM=1.96 TeV, collected with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. We also present the first observation of the resonant decays lambda_b->sigma_c(2455)0 pi+pi- ->lambda_c pi-pi+pi-, lambda_b->sigma_c(2455)++ pi-pi- ->lambda_c pi-pi+pi-, lambda_b->lambda_c(2595)+ pi- ->lambda_c pi-pi+pi- and lambda_b->lambda_c(2625)+ pi- ->lambda_c pi-pi+pi-, and measure their relative branching ratios.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures, to appear in the proceedings of LEPTON PHOTON 2009, Hamburg, German

Concept-level knowledge visualization for supporting self-regulated learning

Mastery Grids is an intelligent interface that provides access to different kinds of practice content for an introductory programming course. A distinctive feature of the interface is a parallel topic-level visualization of student progress and the progress of their peers. This contribution presents an extended version of the original system that features a finegrained visualization of student knowledge on the level of the detailed concepts that are associated with the course. The student model is based on a Bayesian-network which is built using students performance history in the learning activities. Copyright held by the owner/author(s)

Novel insights into the genetic relationship between growth and disease resistance in an aquaculture strain of Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

Breeding for disease resistance has become a highly desirable strategy for mitigating infectious disease problems in aquaculture. However, knowledge of the genetic relationship between resistance and other economically important traits, such as growth, is important to assess prior to including disease resistance into the breeding goal. Our study assessed the genetic correlations between growth and survival traits in a large bacterial infection challenge experiment. A population of 2606 coho salmon individuals from 107 full-sibling families were challenged with the bacteria Piscirickettsia salmonis. Growth was measured as average daily gain prior (ADG0) and during (ADGi) the experimental infection and as harvest weight (HW). Resistance was measured as Survival time (ST) and binary survival (BS). Furthermore, individual measures of bacterial load (BL) were assessed as new resistance phenotypes and to provide an indication of genetic variation in tolerance in salmonid species. Resistant families showed lower bacterial load than those susceptible to P. salmonis. Furthermore, some surviving fish belonging to resistant families, were considered as bacterial-free because their bacterial load was below the detection threshold. Adding logBL as a covariate into the models for growth under infection and survival indicated significant genetic variation in tolerance. Significant moderate heritabilities were estimated for ADG0 (0.30 ± 0.05), HW (0.38 ± 0.03), and for the survival traits ST (0.16 ± 0.03) and BS (0.18 ± 0.03). In contrast, heritabilities for ADGi and log-transformed BL were low (0.07 ± 0.02 (significant) and 0.04 ± 0.03, respectively), although these increased to moderate significant levels (0.20 ± 0.09 and 0.12 ± 0.05, respectively) when traits were assessed in survivors only. Significant favorable genetic correlations were found between ADG0 and ADGi (0.40 ± 0.16), HW (0.64 ± 0.09), and with resistance as ST (0.43 ± 0.18), indicating that fish with higher genetic growth rate early on and prior to infection not only tend to maintain their genetic growth advantage until harvest, but also tend to grow faster and survive longer during infection. Although a significant unfavorable correlation (−0.50 ± 0.13) between HW and ST was found, this value decreased to −0.35 ± 0.20 using uncensored data from non-survivors only. Similarly, no robust unfavorable genetic correlations between ADG0 and LogBL, or ADG0 and any of the other traits considered in this study, was identified. These results suggest that selective breeding for early growth, in the current coho salmon population, would be expected to simultaneously increase survival time and growth performance during an infection with Piscirickettsia salmonis, without negatively impacting on pathogen burden

Transcription factor Pebbled/RREB1 regulates injury-induced axon degeneration

Genetic studies of Wallerian degeneration have led to the identification of signaling molecules (e.g., dSarm/Sarm1, Axundead, and Highwire) that function locally in axons to drive degeneration. Here we identify a role for the Drosophila C2H2 zinc finger transcription factor Pebbled [Peb, Ras-responsive element binding protein 1 (RREB1) in mammals] in axon death. Loss of Peb in Drosophila glutamatergic sensory neurons results in either complete preservation of severed axons, or an axon death phenotype where axons fragment into large, continuous segments, rather than completely disintegrate. Peb is expressed in developing and mature sensory neurons, suggesting it is required to establish or maintain their competence to undergo axon death. peb mutant phenotypes can be rescued by human RREB1, and they exhibit dominant genetic interactions with dsarm mutants, linking peb/RREB1 to the axon death signaling cascade. Surprisingly, Peb is only able to fully block axon death signaling in glutamatergic, but not cholinergic sensory neurons, arguing for genetic diversity in axon death signaling programs in different neuronal subtypes. Our findings identify a transcription factor that regulates axon death signaling, and peb mutant phenotypes of partial fragmentation reveal a genetically accessible step in axon death signaling

The NIKA2 instrument, a dual-band kilopixel KID array for millimetric astronomy

NIKA2 (New IRAM KID Array 2) is a camera dedicated to millimeter wave astronomy based upon kilopixel arrays of Kinetic Inductance Detectors (KID). The pathfinder instrument, NIKA, has already shown state-of-the-art detector performance. NIKA2 builds upon this experience but goes one step further, increasing the total pixel count by a factor $\sim$10 while maintaining the same per pixel performance. For the next decade, this camera will be the resident photometric instrument of the Institut de Radio Astronomie Millimetrique (IRAM) 30m telescope in Sierra Nevada (Spain). In this paper we give an overview of the main components of NIKA2, and describe the achieved detector performance. The camera has been permanently installed at the IRAM 30m telescope in October 2015. It will be made accessible to the scientific community at the end of 2016, after a one-year commissioning period. When this happens, NIKA2 will become a fundamental tool for astronomers worldwide.Comment: Proceedings of the 16th Low Temperature Detectors workshop. To be published in the Journal of Low Temperature Physics. 8 pages, 4 figures, 1 tabl

Complete larval development of the hermit crabs Clibanarius aequabilis and Clibanarius erythropus (Decapoda : Anomura : Diogenidae), under laboratory conditions, with a revision of the larval features of genus Clibanarius

The complete larval development (four zoeae and one megalopa) of Clibanarius aequabilis and C. erythropus, reared under laboratory conditions, is described and illustrated. The larval stages of the two northeastern Atlantic Clibanarius species cannot be easily differentiated. Their morphological characters are compared with those of other known Clibanarius larvae. The genus Clibanarius is very homogeneous with respect to larval characters. All Clibanarius zoeae display a broad and blunt rostrum, smooth abdominal segments and an antennal scale without a terminal spine. Beyond the second zoeal stage, the fourth telson process is present as a fused spine, and the uropods are biramous. In the fourth larval stage all species display a mandibular palp. The Clibanarius megalopa presents weakly developed or no ocular scales, symmetrical chelipeds, apically curved corneous dactylus in the second and third pereiopods, and 5-11 setae on the posterior margin of the telson. Apart from the number of zoeal stages, Clibanarius species may be separated, beyond the second zoeal stage, by the telson formula and the morphology of the fourth telson process.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Navigation support in complex open learner models: assessing visual design alternatives

Open Learner Models are used in modern e-learning to show system users the content of their learner models. This approach is known to prompt reflection, facilitate planning and navigation. Open Learner Models may show different levels of detail of the underlying learner model, and may structure the information differently. However, a trade-off exists between useful information and the complexity of the information. This paper investigates whether offering richer information is assessed positively by learners and results in more effective support for learning tasks. An interview pre-study revealed which information within the complex learner model is of interest. A controlled user study examined six alternative visualisation prototypes of varying complexity and resulted in the implementation of one of the designs. A second controlled study involved students interacting with variations of the visualisation while searching for suitable learning material, and revealed the value of the design alternative and its variations. The work contributes to developing complex open learner models by stressing the need to balance complexity and support. It also suggests that the expressiveness of open learner models can be improved with visual elements that strategically summarise the complex information being displayed in detail