Upper visual field distractors preferentially bias attention to the left

No author version is available for upload (MF 8 Dec 2015)Pseudoneglect is influenced by vertical visual field stimulation, such that attentional biases are stronger for upper space distractors. Leftward biases result from right hemisphere visuospatial processing, and may be accentuated by additional right hemisphere activation during upper space distraction. Three experiments examined potential explanations for this finding. Experiment 1 controlled for perceptual grouping and leftward biases remained stronger in upper space. Experiment 2 used peripheral distractors to eliminate two further potential explanations: centre-of-mass and framing effects. Eye tracking was included to compare overt and covert attention. Findings supported the occurrence of a stronger leftward attentional bias during upper space distraction. Distractors were rarely fixated, suggesting covert attentional mechanisms are preferentially drawn toward upper space distractors. Experiment 3 employed a cueing paradigm that purposefully directed attention away from centre to determine whether pseudoneglect was influenced by overt attentional orienting. Results indicated that when attention was overtly directed away from centre, the strength of pseudoneglect did not differ based on visual field. It is concluded that covert attention toward upper space distractors recruits additional right hemisphere activation, leading existing leftward biases to be accentuated.This research was supported by a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship to NAT from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (Grant PDF-387462)

Case report of two siblings with type 2A von Willebrand disease involving a novel mutation within the calcium-binding site of the A2 domain of von Willebrand factor.

: Calcium-binding at the A2 domain protects von Willebrand factor (VWF) from cleavage by a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS13) and is coordinated by five important residues (p.Asp1596, p.Arg1597, p.Ala1600, p.Asn1602, and p.Asp1498). Only variants of p.Arg1597 resulting in type 2A von Willebrand disease have been reported. We report a novel VWF variant, a heterozygous single nucleotide change, c.4493A\u3eG, occurring at the p.Asp1498 residue of the calcium-binding site of the A2 domain in two sisters with type 2A von Willebrand disease. Modest increase in the VWF propeptide/VWF:Ag ratio (2.4 and 2.7) supports increased clearance of VWF. A literature review provided insight into the integral role of p.Asp1498 residue in calcium-binding and its role in the stabilization of other residues including p.Arg1597 and p.Asn1602. Studies done by other groups on engineered mutations involving p.Asp1498 reported increased susceptibility to ADAMTS13 proteolysis. Cellular studies are needed to confirm these mechanisms

Algal bioproducts derived from suspended solids in intensive land-based aquaculture

Land-based aquaculture produces suspended solids in culture pond and settlement pond waters that could be harvested as a bioresource. Suspended solids were quantified, characterised and harvested from these two sources to assess their suitability for conversion to bioproducts. The suspended solids of settlement ponds were less concentrated (87.6 ± 24.7 mg L⁻¹) than those of culture ponds (131.8 ± 8.8 mg L⁻¹), but had a higher concentration of microalgae (27.5 ± 4.0%) and consequently higher particulate organic carbon (24.8 ± 4.7%) and particulate nitrogen (4.0 ± 0.8%). The microalgal community also differed between sources with a higher concentration of fatty acids in the biomass from settlement ponds. Consequently, biochar produced from biomass harvested from settlement ponds was higher in organic carbon and nitrogen, with a lower cation exchange capacity. In conclusion, we characterised a renewable and potentially valuable bioresource for algal bioproducts derived from suspended solids in intensive land-based aquaculture

Improving productivity and environmental performance of aquaculture. Installment 5 of "Creating a sustainable food future"

Fish—including finfish and shellfish—are an important item in the human food basket, contributing 17 percent of the global animal-based protein supply in 2010. They are an especially valuable food source in developing countries, where more than 75 percent of the world’s fish consumption occurs. In addition to protein, fish contain micronutrients and long- chain omega-3 fatty acids that are essential for maternal and child health, but often deficient in the diets of the poor. However, the global supply of wild-caught fish has long peaked and is unlikely to rise again unless overexploited stocks are rehabilitated. As world fish consumption continues to grow, aquaculture (fish farming) has emerged to meet demand. Already, just under half of all fish that people consume come from aquaculture, which is one of the world’s fastest-growing animal food producing sectors. With the supply of wild-caught fish stagnant, any future increase in world fish consumption will need to be supplied by aquaculture. In a resource-constrained world, aquaculture could be an attractive option for expanding animal protein supply. Farmed finfish are similar in feed conversion efficiency to poultry, and much more efficient than beef. Filter-feeding carp and mollusks are even more efficient producers of animal protein, as they require no human-managed feeds and can improve water quality. Because the aquaculture sector is relatively young compared with terrestrial live- stock sectors, it offers great scope for technical innovation to further increase resource efficienc

Homestead pond polyculture can improve access to nutritious small fish

In Bangladesh, homestead pond aquaculture currently comprises a polyculture of large fish species but provides an ideal environment to integrate a range of small fish species. Small fish consumed whole, with bones, head and eyes, are rich in micronutrients and are an integral part of diets, particularly for the poor. Results from three large projects demonstrate that the small fish, mola (Amblypharyngodon mola) contributes significantly to the micronutrients produced from all fish, in homestead ponds, in one production cycle. Mola contributed 98%, 56% and 35% of the total vitamin A, iron and zinc produced, respectively, despite comprising only 15% of the total fish production by weight. If consumed within the household, mola could contribute half of the vitamin A and a quarter of the iron intake recommended for a family of four, annually. Homestead ponds are uniquely accessible to women who prepare the household food. Further dissemination of the carp-small fish technology provides opportunities to target women and men together for training on fish production and consumption, nutrition and gender equity. Women only training is also recommended to enable them to engage fully, without feeling dominated by men. Partnering with the fisheries and health sectors will encourage sustainable uptake of this promising technology. Clearly, dissemination could have significant health benefits; however, improved monitoring and evaluation, particularly of dietary diversity and diet quality are essential. Research priorities should also include the production techniques of other small indigenous fish species (SIS), besides mola, and the power dynamics between women and men in operating homestead ponds