Reproductive Biology and Controlled Reproductive Development of Captive Cobia (Rachycentron canadum)

Cobia aquaculture began in Australia in 2007; however, expansion of commercial production has been limited, due in part to low and inconsistent supply of seed stock for ongrowing. This study aimed to address the constraints of reproductive performance of cobia in captive conditions and investigate strategies to improve the efficiencies of broodstock management in commercial and research facilities. In a study evaluating the growth of three cohorts of captive reared cobia, to determine the existence and extent of sexually dimorphic growth, intersex development in cobia was identified and recorded for the first time. There was no sexually dimorphic growth in the first two cohorts of fish. In contrast, females from third cohort were significantly larger than males once mean body weight exceeded 2 kg. It is proposed that the observed variations in growth and gonad malformations observed in cohorts 1 and 2 were the result of exposure to endocrine disruptors, the type and source of which remains unknown. In order to quantify the ovarian development of cobia, there was a need to develop an accurate method of assessing and quantifying ovarian maturation in the presence of asynchronous development. A simple, commercially applicable methodology was devised that used the proportional distribution of different oocyte stages to describe the developmental state of the ovary. Two trials were conducted to examine the effect of repeated injections of luteinising hormone releasing hormone analogue (LHRHa) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on stimulating vitellogenesis, supporting ovarian maturation and levels of circulating 17βestradiol (E2). Ovarian development was highly variable within treatments and those fish that initiated vitellogenesis continued to develop regardless of treatment with exogenous hormones. There was no change in E2 concentrations as a result of LHRHa injections and limited evidence to suggest a change in plasma E2 in response to hCG injection. While iv hormonal therapy is effective in inducing spawning in cobia, the results suggest that hormone therapy is not an effective approach to initiating or supporting early stage ovarian development in cobia. Two cohorts of cobia broodstock were assessed to examine ovarian development and circulating E2 in response to photothermal manipulation. In each study, broodstock were subjected to either a temporally compressed regime or an ambient regime. In the first study ovarian development was generally limited, irrespective of the phototherm regime and there was no significant difference in development between treatments. At the completion of the second trial there was no significant difference in ovarian development between the compressed and ambient phototherm; however, fish in the compressed phototherm were found to develop earlier in the season than those in ambient conditions. Fish in the first trial showed sporadic development in which ovarian samples contained low numbers of late stage oocytes amongst a large percentage of previtellogenic oocytes, possibly due to exposure to endocrine disruption in the early life history of the cohort. Two cohorts of captive reared cobia were progressively examined as pre- and postpubescent fish to examine the suitability of identifying gender by analysing the androgen 11-ketotestosterone (11KT) in blood and fin clip samples. The gender of individual cobia could be identified by analysing plasma 11KT between the months of October and March, provided the mean population weight was 2 kg or above. The measurement of 11KT concentrations in fin clip samples did not provide an accurate indication of plasma 11KT and as such, was not suitable for predicting gender in cobia. Overall the relative cost, infrastructure and equipment required to conduct steroid analysis limits the application of this methodology in commercial cobia production in comparison to the traditional method of gonadal biopsy.ref:68ga

The Seeker

This book is dedicated to acknowledge and honour the work Prof John P Keeves. A seeker of knowledge, John is exemplary in highlighting the nexus between instruction, learning and research. John’s diversity of learning experiences and contributions to students, colleagues and the broader community are highlighted through the broad range of articles in the book. PART 1 FROM SCHOOL TO UNIVERSITY Chapter 1 Observations from a Family Perspective by John S. Keeves & Wendy Keech Chapter 2 Student Days at PAC by Ren Potts Chapter 3 Prince Alfred College 1934-1977 by Murray Thompson & Alan Dennis Chapter 4 John’s Reflection of PAC and beyond by Ron Gibbs & Murray Thompson Chapter 5 Teaching Days at PAC 1947-49, 52-56, 58-61 by David Prest Chapter 6 Wesley College Council by David Prest Chapter 7 Port Willunga by David Prest Chapter 8 Teacher and Scout Leader by John Willoughby PART 2 CONTRIBUTIONS AND COLLABORATIONS BEYOND AUSTRALIA Chapter 9 Ten Questions by which to Judge the Soundness of Educational Achievement Surveys by T. Neville Postlethwaite Chapter 10 Exploring the Effects of Language Proficiency upon Secondary Students’ Performance in Mathematics in a Developing Context by Sarah J Howie & Tjeerd Plomp Chapter 11 The Subversive Influence of Formative Assessment by Paul Black Chapter 12 Diversity of Research on Teaching by Toh Kok Aun PART 3 FLINDERS UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION AND BEYOND Chapter 13 Investigating Good Quality Knowledge about Learning and Teaching by Michael J. Lawson & Helen Askell-Williams Chapter 14 Future Directions for the Reform of Education in Oceania by G R (Bob) Teasdale Chapter 15 Students’ Knowledge of Normal Swallowing: Tracking Growth and Determining Variables by Ingrid Scholten Chapter 16 Rasch Scaling and the Judging of Produce by Murray Thompson Chapter 17 Modelling and Experiments by Tony Gibbons Chapter 18 Theological Education and the Identity of the Uniting Church in Australia by Andrew Dutney Chapter 19 Teaching Out of the Unconscious: The Role of Shadow and Archetype by Robert Matthews Chapter 20 Collaboration over the Net: HTML & Java, the Necessary Tools by Sivakumar Alagumalai & Jury Mohyla Chapter 21 Factors Influencing Reading Achievement in Germany and Finland: Evidence from PISA 2000 by Dieter Kotte & Petra Lietz Epilogue Lifelong Learning and the Place for ICT: Learning and Research for the Twenty-first Century by John P. Keeveshttps://research.acer.edu.au/saier/1014/thumbnail.jp

Towards the development of an Australian cobia aquaculture industry

The project builds on successful industry collaborations in 2008 and 2009 to research key hatchery, production and marketing issues for cobia production in Queensland. Pacific Reef Fisheries and Ecofish International have identified cobia production as long term company goals and see the research and technology transfer in the project as a key part of this development

Commercialising the production of Cobia in Australia

This project is a collaboration between the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) and the Cobia aquaculture sector, predominantly Pacific Reef Fisheries (PRF). It was undertaken to consolidate the aquaculture in Australia of Cobia, a species offering considerable potential as a diversification option for pond-based culture activities in Queensland. The project addressed key elements of the production cycle in order to move industry towards a more commercial footing and advance both the scientific knowledge and human capabilities of the sector. The project involved DAF staff at the Department’s Bribie Island Research Centre (BIRC) and staff from the PRF farm in Ayr, North Queensland. From 2014-2017, research examined: health issues affecting Cobia in culture both in the hatchery and on-farm; the emerging issue of intersex in Cobia and potential for this to further impact production; capability development of PRF staff in preparation of the establishment of a commercial Cobia hatchery; and, the involvement of some new entrants to Cobia aquaculture utilising tank-based production systems

The development of the understanding of ministry in the Australian church union negotiations 1957-1971

Barely three years after the formation of the Uniting Church in Australia, the Assembly Standing Committee urged the Commission on Doctrine to 'give first priority to matters relating to ministry'. This urgent request was made in spite of the fact that questions concerning the understanding and ordering of ministry had been given close consideration during the twenty years of negotiation prior to union. In this paper we investigate the notion of 'ministry' as it was expressed in the Basis of Union, the foundation document of the UCA. A study of the development of the understanding of ministry during the period between the setting up of the Joint Commission on Church Union (1957) and the publication of their finally revised Basis of Union (1971) is required in order to substantiate the exposition of this understanding in the Basis. Accordingly, six aspects of the development are discussed. (i) An account is given of the evolution, during the decades prior to 1957, of the new perception of the ecumenical task in Australia with which the Commission began their work and which conditioned their development of an understanding of ministry. (ii) A detailed review and analysis of the Commission's two Reports (1959 and 1963) is conducted. (iii) The Commission's understanding is set in its wider context through a discussion of the convergence of missiological and ecclesiological thought between the Whitby Meeting of the IMC and the Mexico Conference of the DWME. (iv) The reception of the Commission's proposals is evaluated through a study of surviving published responses. (v) The Australian 'ecclesiastical climate' in the late sixties is assessed, and a theological response to that 'climate' is identified, as conditioning the Commission's revision of their proposals. (vi)The revised Basis of Union is analysed in detail. In conclusion, four characteristic emphases of the Basis are identified as determinative of the understanding of ministry in the Uniting Church in Australia

Reproductive Biology and Controlled Reproductive Development of Captive Cobia (Rachycentron canadum)

Cobia aquaculture began in Australia in 2007; however, expansion of commercial production has been limited, due in part to low and inconsistent supply of seed stock for ongrowing. This study aimed to address the constraints of reproductive performance of cobia in captive conditions and investigate strategies to improve the efficiencies of broodstock management in commercial and research facilities. In a study evaluating the growth of three cohorts of captive reared cobia, to determine the existence and extent of sexually dimorphic growth, intersex development in cobia was identified and recorded for the first time. There was no sexually dimorphic growth in the first two cohorts of fish. In contrast, females from third cohort were significantly larger than males once mean body weight exceeded 2 kg. It is proposed that the observed variations in growth and gonad malformations observed in cohorts 1 and 2 were the result of exposure to endocrine disruptors, the type and source of which remains unknown. In order to quantify the ovarian development of cobia, there was a need to develop an accurate method of assessing and quantifying ovarian maturation in the presence of asynchronous development. A simple, commercially applicable methodology was devised that used the proportional distribution of different oocyte stages to describe the developmental state of the ovary. Two trials were conducted to examine the effect of repeated injections of luteinising hormone releasing hormone analogue (LHRHa) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on stimulating vitellogenesis, supporting ovarian maturation and levels of circulating 17βestradiol (E2). Ovarian development was highly variable within treatments and those fish that initiated vitellogenesis continued to develop regardless of treatment with exogenous hormones. There was no change in E2 concentrations as a result of LHRHa injections and limited evidence to suggest a change in plasma E2 in response to hCG injection. While iv hormonal therapy is effective in inducing spawning in cobia, the results suggest that hormone therapy is not an effective approach to initiating or supporting early stage ovarian development in cobia. Two cohorts of cobia broodstock were assessed to examine ovarian development and circulating E2 in response to photothermal manipulation. In each study, broodstock were subjected to either a temporally compressed regime or an ambient regime. In the first study ovarian development was generally limited, irrespective of the phototherm regime and there was no significant difference in development between treatments. At the completion of the second trial there was no significant difference in ovarian development between the compressed and ambient phototherm; however, fish in the compressed phototherm were found to develop earlier in the season than those in ambient conditions. Fish in the first trial showed sporadic development in which ovarian samples contained low numbers of late stage oocytes amongst a large percentage of previtellogenic oocytes, possibly due to exposure to endocrine disruption in the early life history of the cohort. Two cohorts of captive reared cobia were progressively examined as pre- and postpubescent fish to examine the suitability of identifying gender by analysing the androgen 11-ketotestosterone (11KT) in blood and fin clip samples. The gender of individual cobia could be identified by analysing plasma 11KT between the months of October and March, provided the mean population weight was 2 kg or above. The measurement of 11KT concentrations in fin clip samples did not provide an accurate indication of plasma 11KT and as such, was not suitable for predicting gender in cobia. Overall the relative cost, infrastructure and equipment required to conduct steroid analysis limits the application of this methodology in commercial cobia production in comparison to the traditional method of gonadal biopsy.ref:68ga

Hoping for the best: Christian theology of hope in the meaner Australia

New York, US

A randomized, blinded study of the impact of intercessory prayer on spiritual well-being in patients with cancer

CONTEXT: Cochrane reviews have analyzed multiple studies on intercessory prayer that treatment teams had added to health interventions; however, the reviewers could draw no conclusions about the efficacy of prayer because the studies showed either positive or no effects and used different endpoints and methodologies. OBJECTIVE: The study intended to determine whether researchers could measure the impact of intercessory prayer on spiritual well-being. DESIGN: The research team conducted a randomized blinded trial of intercessory prayer added to normal cancer treatment with participants agreeing to complete quality of life (QOL) and spiritual well-being scales at baseline and 6 months later. The research team had shown previously that spiritual well-being is an important, unique domain in the assessment of QOL. Participants remained blinded to the randomization. Based on a previous study, the research team determined that the study required a sample of 1000 participants to detect small differences (P = .05, 2-tailed, 80% power). SETTING The research team performed this research at the Royal Adelaide Hospital Cancer Centre, South Australia, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were patients at the cancer center between June 2003 and May 2008. Of 999 participants with mixed diagnoses who completed the baseline questionnaires, 66.6% provided follow-up. The average age was 61 years, and most participants were married/de facto (living with partners), were Australians or New Zealanders living in Australia, and were Christian. Intervention The research team asked an external group offering Christian intercessory prayer to add the study's participants to their usual prayer lists. They received details about the participants, but this information was not sufficient to identify them. Outcome Measures The research team used the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-being questionnaire to assess spiritual wellbeing and QOL. Results The intervention group showed significantly greater improvements over time for the primary endpoint of spiritual well-being as compared to the control group (P = .03, partial η2 = .01). The study found a similar result for emotional well-being (P = .04, partial η2 = .01) and functional well-being (P = .06, partial η2 = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Participants with cancer whom the research team randomly allocated to the experimental group to receive remote intercessory prayer showed small but significant improvements in spiritual well-being.I.N. Olver and A. Dutneyhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2289488

Religion, infertility and assisted reproductive technology

Amsterda