The effects of temperature on hatching and survival of northern rock sole larvae (Lepidopsetta polyxystra)

Northern rock sole (Lepidopsetta polyxystra) is a commercially important flatfish in Alaska and was recently classified as a distinct species from southern rock sole (L. bilineata). Taxonomic and vital rate data for northern rock sole are still not fully described, notably at early egg and larval stages. In this study, we provide new taxonomic descriptions of late-stage eggs and newly hatched larvae, as well as temperature-response models of hatching (timing, duration, success), and larval size-at-hatch and posthatch survival at four temperatures (2°, 5°, 9°, and 12°C). Time-to-first-hatch, hatch cycle duration, and overall hatching success showed a negative relationship with temperature. Early hatching larvae within each temperature treatment were smaller and had larger yolk sacs, but larvae incubated at higher temperatures (9° and 12°C) had the largest yolk reserves overall. Despite having smaller yolks, size-at-hatch and the maximum size achieved during the hatching cycle was highest for larvae reared at cold temperatures (2° and 5°C), indicating that endogenous reserves are more efficiently used for growth at these temperatures. In addition, larvae reared at high temperatures died more rapidly in the absence of food despite having more yolk reserves than cold-incubated larvae. Overall, northern rock sole eggs and larvae display early life history traits consistent with coldwater adaptation for winter spawning in the North Pacific

Imaging Studies in Focal Dystonias: A Systems Level Approach to Studying a Systems Level Disorder

Focal dystonias are dystonias that affect one part of the body, and are sometimes task-specific. Brain imaging and transcranial magnetic stimulation techniques have been valuable in defining the pathophysiology of dystonias in general, and are particularly amenable to studying focal dystonias. Over the past few years, several common themes have emerged in the imaging literature, and this review summarizes these findings and suggests some ways in which these distinct themes might all point to one common systems-level mechanism for dystonia. These themes include (1) the role of premotor regions in focal dystonia, (2) the role of the sensory system and sensorimotor integration in focal dystonia, (3) the role of decreased inhibition/increased excitation in focal dystonia, and (4) the role of brain imaging in evaluating and guiding treatment of focal dystonias. The data across these themes, together with the features of dystonia itself, are consistent with a hypothesis that all dystonias reflect excessive output of postural control/stabilization systems in the brain, and that the mechanisms for dystonia reflect amplification of an existing functional system, rather than recruitment of the wrong motor programs. Imaging is currently being used to test treatment effectiveness, and to visually guide treatment of dystonia, such as placement of deep brain stimulation electrodes. In the future, it is hoped that imaging may be used to individualize treatments across behavioral, pharmacologic, and surgical domains, thus optimizing both the speed and effectiveness of treatment for any given individual with focal dystonia

Middle atmosphere measurements of small-scale electron density irregularities and ion properties during the MAC/Epsilon campaign

Rocket payloads designed to measure small scale electron density irregularities and ion properties in the middle atmosphere were flown with each of the three main salvos of the MAC/Epsilon campaign conducted at the Andoya Rocket Range, Norway, during October to November 1987. Fixed bias, hemispheric nose tip probes measured small scale electron density irregularities, indicative of neutral air turbulence, during the rocket's ascent; and subsequently, parachute-borne Gerdien condensers measured the region's polar electrical conductivity, ion mobility and density. One rocket was launched during daylight (October 15, 1052:20 UT), and the other two launches occurred at night (October 21, 2134 UT: November 12, 0021:40 UT) under moderately disturbed conditions which enhanced the detection and measurement of turbulence structures. A preliminary analysis of the real time data displays indicates the presence of small scale electron density irregularities in the altitude range of 60 to 90 km. Ongoing data reduction will determine turbulence parameters and also the region's electrical properties below 90 km

Atlas of abundance and distribution patterns of ichthyoplankton from the Northeast Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea ecosystems: based on research conducted by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center (1972–1996)

This regional atlas summarizes and illustrates the distribution and abundance patterns of fish eggs and larvae of 102 taxa within 34 families found in the Northeast Pacific Ocean including the Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and U.S. west coast ecosystems. Data were collected over a 20+ year period (1972–1996) by the Recruitment Processes Program of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC). Ichthyoplankton catch records used in this atlas were generated from 11,379 tows taken during 100 cruises. For each taxon, general life history data are briefly summarized from the literature. Published information on distribution patterns of eggs and larvae are reviewed for the study area. Data from AFSC ichthyoplankton collections were combined to produce an average spatial distribution for each taxon. These data were also used to estimate mean abundance and percent occurrence by year and month, and relative abundance by larval length and season. Abundance from each tow was measured as catch per 10 m2 surface area. A larval distribution and abundance map was produced with a geographic information system using ArcInfo software. For taxa with identifiable pelagic eggs, distribution maps showing presence or absence of eggs are presented. Presence or absence of adults in the study area is mapped based on recent literature and data from AFSC groundfish surveys. Distributional records for adults and early life history stages revealed several new range extensions. (PDF file contains 288 pages.

Love Thy Neighbour: Repatriating Precarious Blackfoot Sites

This paper explores responsibility for the care of significant Blackfoot placesparticularly those situated in the province of present-day Alberta. Examples ofsignificant Blackfoot sites are given and the forces that have destroyed many ofthem are recounted. The story of how Blackfoot were removed from their territory toreserves is narrated and the effect of this on Blackfoot knowledge generation andtransfer is interpreted. The forces that destroyed significant sites, since theBlackfoot removal, are described and present-day stresses on the remaining sites arerelated. Pressure to extend hydrocarbon exploration and drilling into protectedwilderness areas are offered as an example. While current legislative and policyinitiatives in Alberta to mandate the inclusion of Blackfoot perspectives in effortsto preserve and protect heritage sites are laudable, this essay offers repatriationas a model for authentic Blackfoot participation in the care of the remaining sitesand the beings who inhabit them. Repatriation acknowledges that these places areanimate beings with whom humans live. In the Blackfoot view, protecting andpreserving places is not enough. Interdependent relationships, like the one betweenhumans and the places and beings that nourish them, must be nurtured throughunimpeded access, continued use, and ceremonies of renewal such as visiting andexchanging of gifts. While Blackfoot acknowledge that the non-Blackfoot newcomersare here to stay, they continue to imagine a future where all that from which theyhave been dispossessed will be repatriated so that they may meet their sacredresponsibilities to their territory and all the beings who dwell there.Le document de recherche porte sur la responsabilité de la protection des lieuxauxquels les Pieds-Noirs sont attachés, en particulier ceux qui sont situés dans laprovince actuelle de l’Alberta. Les auteurs citent plusieurs lieux en exempleet expliquent comment ceux-ci ont été détruits. Ils racontent comment lesPieds-Noirs ont été déplacés de leur territoire vers les réserves et analysent lesconséquences de cet événement sur la production et le transfert du savoir. Ilsdécrivent les forces qui ont détruit d’autres lieux importants depuis leretrait des Pieds-Noirs et les contraintes qui pèsent actuellement sur les lieux quiexistent encore, notamment l’expansion de la recherche d’hydrocarbureset le forage dans des milieux sauvages. Selon les auteurs, les projets de lois et depolitiques en Alberta qui visent à rendre obligatoire l'intégration du point de vuedes Pieds-Noirs aux activités de conservation et de protection des lieuxpatrimoniaux sont louables, mais ils proposent le rapatriement comme modèle departicipation authentique des Pieds-Noirs à la protection des lieux qui restent etdes êtres qui y habitent. Le rapatriement reconnaît que ces lieux sont des êtresanimés avec lesquels les êtres humains coexistent. Pour les Pieds-Noirs, il nesuffit pas de protéger et de conserver des lieux. Les relations d'indépendance commecelles reliant les êtres humains, les lieux et les êtres qui les nourrissent doiventêtre soutenues par un accès libre, une utilisation continue et des cérémonies derenaissance telles que les visites et les échanges de présents. Les Pieds-Noirsreconnaissent que les nouveaux venus non-Pieds-Noirs sont là pour rester mais ilscontinuent d’imaginer un avenir où tout ce dont on les a dépossédés reviendraau même endroit afin de pouvoir remplir leurs devoirs sacrés envers leur territoireet tous les êtres qui y vivent

Auditory feedback control mechanisms do not contribute to cortical hyperactivity within the voice production network in adductor spasmodic dysphonia

Adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD), the most common form of spasmodic dysphonia, is a debilitating voice disorder characterized by hyperactivity and muscle spasms in the vocal folds during speech. Prior neuroimaging studies have noted excessive brain activity during speech in ADSD participants compared to controls. Speech involves an auditory feedback control mechanism that generates motor commands aimed at eliminating disparities between desired and actual auditory signals. Thus, excessive neural activity in ADSD during speech may reflect, at least in part, increased engagement of the auditory feedback control mechanism as it attempts to correct vocal production errors detected through audition. To test this possibility, functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to identify differences between ADSD participants and age-matched controls in (i) brain activity when producing speech under different auditory feedback conditions, and (ii) resting state functional connectivity within the cortical network responsible for vocalization. The ADSD group had significantly higher activity than the control group during speech (compared to a silent baseline task) in three left-hemisphere cortical regions: ventral Rolandic (sensorimotor) cortex, anterior planum temporale, and posterior superior temporal gyrus/planum temporale. This was true for speech while auditory feedback was masked with noise as well as for speech with normal auditory feedback, indicating that the excess activity was not the result of auditory feedback control mechanisms attempting to correct for perceived voicing errors in ADSD. Furthermore, the ADSD group had significantly higher resting state functional connectivity between sensorimotor and auditory cortical regions within the left hemisphere as well as between the left and right hemispheres, consistent with the view that excessive motor activity frequently co-occurs with increased auditory cortical activity in individuals with ADSD.First author draf

Theory of quantum dot spin-lasers

We formulate a model of a semiconductor Quantum Dot laser with injection of spin-polarized electrons. As compared to higher-dimensionality structures, the Quantum-Dot-based active region is known to improve laser properties, including the spin-related ones. The wetting layer, from which carriers are captured into the active region, acts as an intermediate level that strongly influences the lasing operation. The finite capture rate leads to an increase of lasing thresholds, and to saturation of emitted light at higher injection. In spite of these issues, the advantageous threshold reduction, resulting from spin injection, can be preserved. The "spin-filtering" effect, i.e., circularly polarized emission at even modest spin-polarization of injection, remains present as well. Our rate-equations description allows to obtain analytical results and provides transparent guidance for improvement of spin-lasers.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

Landscape as infrastructure

This research is an investigation into the phrase 'landscape as infrastructure' and questions the influence of this notion in the design of new housing developments along the Maribyrnong River, Melbourne. The phrase lends itself to a systems based agenda because the word 'infrastructure' implies that it performs some kind of function. It is through this functioning that we can understand the way landscape acts as a stage for activities to occur, not just background to the object. The main question within the research is how landscape can precede housing development and set the parameters for its location, density, and relationship to the river. This is tested through four overriding themes which summarise the key ideas and methodologies for designing with landscape as infrastructure. The themes 'Catalyst', 'Time', 'Cause and Effect' and 'Experience' are tested on four different sites along the Maribyrnong River responding to different site conditions and the influence of geology and topography. The four sites have been named to reflect the primary function they perform within the overall strategy. To establish a framework for this discourse the research has been filtered through seven principals, originally developed by Stan Allen as a series of propositions for infrastructure. These principals question issues of force, process, typology, scale, invisible form, structure, function and change and visible form and set up a mechanism enabling me to challenge the notion of landscape as infrastructure. If the landscape is infrastructure then Allen's principals will also apply for the design of housing developments. This Appropriate Visual Record (AVR) is a selection of research material and design solutions developed over the last three years as part of the Research Masters Degree at RMIT

Profiling of berries by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GCxGC/TOF-MS)

poster C149, Proceedings Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS 2011), November 9 - 12, 2011, America’s Center, St. Louis, MO, US