Reproduction, early development, and larval rearing strategies for two sponge-dwelling neon gobies, Elacatinus lori and E.colini

A major goal of the aquaculture industry is to reduce collection pressure on wild populations by developing captive breeding techniques for marine ornamental species, particularly coral reef fishes. The objective of this study was to develop a rearing protocol for two recently described species of neon gobies that are endemic to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef: 1) Elacatinus lori; and 2) Elacatinus colini. First, the current study describes the reproductive behavior and larval development of both species. Second, it evaluates the effects of different rotifer and Artemia densities on the survival and growth of E. lori and E. colini larvae. Third, it compares the survival and growth of E. colini larvae fed wild plankton to those fed a combination of rotifers and Artemia. Once acclimated, pairs of E. lori began spawning in 53.2 ± 12.4 d (mean ± sd), while pairs of E. colini took only 12.2 ± 10.3 d. E. lori produced more embryos per clutch (1009 ± 477) than E. colini (168 ± 83). E. lori larvae hatched 8.18 ± 0.4 days after initial observation with a notochord length of 3.67 ± 0.2 mm. In comparison, E. colini larvae hatched 6.8 ± 0.4 days after initial observation with a notochord length of 3.51 ± 2.3 mm. Both species settled as early as 28 days post hatch at 9–9.5 mm standard length, following the fusion of the pelvic fins to form a pelvic disc. During rotifer density trials, from 0 to 6 days post hatch, there was no significant difference in survival or standard length between treatments fed 10, 15 or 20 rotifers ml^− 1 for either species. During Artemia density trials, from 6 to 14 days post hatch, control treatments fed solely on 15 rotifers ml^− 1 had significantly higher survival than treatments that were fed rotifers in combination with 3, 6 or 9 Artemia ml^− 1. Finally, E. colini larvae that were fed wild plankton had significantly higher survival and growth than those fed with a combination of 15 rotifers ml^− 1 and 3 Artemia ml^− 1. The results of this study suggest that Artemia nauplii are not a suitable prey for E. lori or E. colini larvae. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of rearing E. lori and E. colini to settlement, and suggest that 10–20 rotifers ml^− 1 and wild plankton provide a viable starting point for optimizing the survival and growth of Elacatinus spp. larvae.We would like to thank the Belizean government and Fisheries Department for permission to conduct this research. Thank you to the staff at the International Zoological Expeditions for their support in the field. Special thanks to Katrina Catalano, Kevin David, Robin Francis, Jeremiah Seymour, James Ferrito, Derek Scolaro and Alex Ascher for their assistance in the lab and rearing larvae. Dr. John Crawford, Dr. Karen Warkentin and Dr. Jacqueline Webb provided helpful comments on this manuscript. This research comprises a portion of JEM's doctoral thesis requirements (Boston University). Funding was provided by a start-up award to PMB from the Trustees of Boston University, the IDC account of JA and a Warren McLeod Summer Research Scholarship awarded by the Boston University Marine Department to JEM. Additional funding was provided by two NSF grants (OCE-1260424 and OCE-1459546), and an NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant (IOS-1501651). The authors would also like to thank the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America's Dr. Junda Lin Memorial Fund for Publishing Open Access Marine Aquarium Research for offsetting the open access publishing costs of this article. More info at tiny.cc/MASNAPubFund. All work was approved by the Belize Fisheries Department and the Boston University IACUC (protocol # 10-036). (Trustees of Boston University; Warren McLeod Summer Research Scholarship - Boston University Marine Department; OCE-1260424 - NSF; OCE-1459546 - NSF; IOS-1501651 - NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant; IDC account; Marine Aquarium Societies of North America's Dr. Junda Lin Memorial Fund for Publishing Open Access Marine Aquarium Research)Published versio

Influence of Catalyst Structure and Reaction Conditions on anti ‐ versus syn ‐Aminopalladation Pathways in Pd‐Catalyzed Alkene Carboamination Reactions of N ‐Allylsulfamides

The Pd‐catalyzed coupling of N ‐allylsulfamides with aryl and alkenyl triflates to afford cyclic sulfamide products is described. In contrast to other known Pd‐catalyzed alkene carboamination reactions, these transformations may be selectively induced to occur by way of either anti ‐ or syn ‐aminopalladation mechanistic pathways by modifying the catalyst structure and reaction conditions. A constructive approach : A concise, efficient approach has led to the synthesis of cyclic sulfamides by using Pd‐catalyzed alkene carboamination reactions of N ‐allylsulfamides (see picture; OTf=triflate, RuPhos=2‐dicyclohexylphosphino‐2′,6′‐diisopropoxybiphenyl, X‐phos=2‐dicyclohexylphosphino‐2′,4′,6′‐triisopropylbiphenyl). The mechanism of these transformations is highly dependent on the catalyst structure and reaction conditions. The reactions can be induced to proceed selectively through either syn ‐ or anti ‐aminopalladation pathways under appropriate conditions.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/107505/1/chem_201402258_sm_miscellaneous_information.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/107505/2/8782_ftp.pd

Approximate Near Neighbors for General Symmetric Norms

We show that every symmetric normed space admits an efficient nearest neighbor search data structure with doubly-logarithmic approximation. Specifically, for every $n$, $d = n^{o(1)}$, and every $d$-dimensional symmetric norm $\|\cdot\|$, there exists a data structure for $\mathrm{poly}(\log \log n)$-approximate nearest neighbor search over $\|\cdot\|$ for $n$-point datasets achieving $n^{o(1)}$ query time and $n^{1+o(1)}$ space. The main technical ingredient of the algorithm is a low-distortion embedding of a symmetric norm into a low-dimensional iterated product of top-$k$ norms. We also show that our techniques cannot be extended to general norms.Comment: 27 pages, 1 figur

Crystalline optical cavity at 4 K with thermal noise limited instability and ultralow drift

Crystalline optical cavities are the foundation of today's state-of-the-art ultrastable lasers. Building on our previous silicon cavity effort, we now achieve the fundamental thermal noise-limited stability for a 6 cm long silicon cavity cooled to 4 Kelvin, reaching $6.5\times10^{-17}$ from 0.8 to 80 seconds. We also report for the first time a clear linear dependence of the cavity frequency drift on the incident optical power. The lowest fractional frequency drift of $-3\times10^{-19}$/s is attained at a transmitted power of 40 nW, with an extrapolated drift approaching zero in the absence of optical power. These demonstrations provide a promising direction to reach a new performance domain for stable lasers, with stability better than $1\times10^{-17}$ and fractional linear drift below $1\times10^{-19}$/s

Assessment of Kinematics and Electromyography Following Arthroscopic Single-Tendon Rotator Cuff Repair

Background The increasing demand for rotator cuff (RC) repair patients to return to work as soon as they are physically able has led to exploration of when this is feasible. Current guidelines from our orthopedic surgery clinic recommend a return to work at 9 weeks postoperation. To more fully define capacity to return to work, the current study was conducted using a unique series of quantitative tools. To date, no study has combined 3-dimensional (3D) motion analysis with electromyography (EMG) assessment during activities of daily living (ADLs), including desk tasks, and commonly prescribed rehabilitation exercise. Objective To apply a quantitative, validated upper extremity model to assess the kinematics and muscle activity of the shoulder following repair of the supraspinatus RC tendon compared to that in healthy shoulders. Design A prospective, cross-sectional comparison study. Setting All participants were evaluated during a single session at the Medical College of Wisconsin Department of Orthopaedic Surgery\u27s Motion Analysis Laboratory. Participants Ten participants who were 9-12 weeks post–operative repair of a supraspinatus RC tendon tear and 10 participants with healthy shoulders (HS) were evaluated. Methods All participants were evaluated with 3D motion analysis using a validated upper extremity model and synchronized EMG. Data from the 2 groups were compared using multivariate Hotelling T2 tests with post hoc analyses based on Welch t-tests. Main Outcome Measurements Participants\u27 thoracic and thoracohumeral joint kinematics, temporal-spatial parameters, and RC muscle activity were measured by applying a quantitative upper extremity model during 10 activities of daily living and 3 rehabilitation exercises. These included tasks of hair combing, drinking, writing, computer mouse use, typing, calling, reaching to back pocket, pushing a door open, pulling a door closed, external rotation, internal rotation, and rowing. Results There were significant differences of the thoracohumeral joint motion in only a few of the tested tasks: comb maximal flexion angle (P = .004), pull door internal/external rotation range of motion (P = .020), reach abduction/adduction range of motion (P = .001), reach flexion/extension range of motion (P = .001), reach extension minimal angle (P = .025), active external rotation maximal angle (P = .012), and active external rotation minimal angle (P = .004). The thorax showed significantly different kinematics of maximal flexion angle during the call (P = .011), mouse (P = .007), and drink tasks (P = .005) between the 2 groups. The EMG data analysis showed significantly increased subscapularis activity in the RC repair group during active external rotation. Conclusions Although limited abduction was expected due to repair of the supraspinatus tendon, only a single ADL (reaching to back pocket) had a significantly reduced abduction range of motion. Thoracic motion was shown to be used as a compensatory strategy during seated ADLs. Less flexion of the thorax may create passive shoulder flexion at the thoracohumeral joint in efforts to avoid active flexion. The RC repair group participants were able to accomplish the ADLs within the same time frame and through thoracohumeral joint kinematics similar to those in the healthy shoulder group participants. In summary, this study presents a quantification of the effects of RC repair and rehabilitation on the ability to perform ADLs. It may also point to a need for increased rehabilitation focus on either regaining external rotation strength or range of motion following RC repair to enhance recovery and return to the workforce

The Disappearance of Moral Choice in Serially Reproduced Narratives

How do narratives influence moral decision-making? Our ongoing studies use serial reproduction of narratives, that is multiple retellings as in the telephone game, of morally ambiguous situations. In particular, we tested stories that include a minor misdemeanor, but leave open whether the wrongdoer will be punished by a bystander. It turns out that serial reproduction (retelling) of stories tends to eliminate the possibility of intervention by the bystander under certain conditions. We reason that this effect can be explained either by preferences of the readers or by the reader\u27s discomfort to get involved. A second finding is that retellings of third-person narratives of moral situations lead to a higher degree of change and invention of the outcome than first-person narratives

Characterization of Murine Carcinoembryonic Antigen Gene Family Members

The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a human tumor marker whose gene belongs to a family with more than 20 members. This gene family codes for a group of proteins with in vitro cell adhesion properties and for a group of abundantly expressed pregnancy-specific glycoproteins (PSG) with unknown functions. As a basis for in vivo functional studies, we have started to analyze the murine CEA gene family and have identified five new members (Cea-2 to Cea-6). cDNA clones were isolated for Cea-2, Cea-3, and Cea-6. The deduced amino acid sequences of Cea-2 and Cea-6 indicate three IgV-like (N), followed by one IgC-like (A) domain (N1-N2-N3-A). We have also partially characterized the Cea-2 gene and two additional ones, Cea-4 and Cea-5. Cea-2 and Cea-4 are separated by only 16 kb, suggesting a close linkage of murine CEA-related genes, as found for the human CEA gene family. Cea-5 was located to the proximal region of mouse Chromosome (Chr) 7, which is syntenic to part of human Chr 19, containing the human CEA gene family cluster. Cea-2, Cea-3, and a Cea-4-like gene are differentially transcribed in the placenta during pregnancy, but not in other organs tested. This expression pattern strongly suggests that they represent counterparts of the human PSG subgroup members, despite the presence of multiple IgV-like domains, a feature not found for human PSGs. The more distantly related Cea-5 seems to be ubiquitously expressed. The putative promoter region of Cea-2 lacks typical TATA-or CAAT-boxes, but contains other conserved motifs that could play a role in the initiation of transcription

Genetic relationship between predisposition for binge alcohol consumption and blunted sensitivity to adverse effects of alcohol in mice

BACKGROUND: Initial sensitivity to ethanol (EtOH) and the capacity to develop acute functional tolerance (AFT) to its adverse effects may influence the amount of alcohol consumed and may also predict future alcohol use patterns. The current study assessed sensitivity and AFT to the ataxic and hypnotic effects of EtOH in the first replicate of mice (HDID-1) selectively bred for high blood EtOH concentrations (BECs) following limited access to EtOH in the Drinking in the Dark (DID) paradigm. METHODS: Naïve male and female HDID-1 and HS/Npt mice from the progenitor stock were evaluated in 3 separate experiments. In Experiments 1 and 2, EtOH-induced ataxia was assessed using the static dowel task. In Experiment 3, EtOH-induced hypnosis was assessed by using modified restraint tubes to measure the loss of righting reflex (LORR). RESULTS: HDID-1 mice exhibited reduced initial sensitivity to both EtOH-induced ataxia (p < 0.001) and hypnosis (p < 0.05) relative to HS/Npt mice. AFT was calculated by subtracting the BEC at loss of function from the BEC at recovery (Experiments 1 and 3) or by subtracting BEC at an initial recovery from the BEC at a second recovery following an additional alcohol dose (Experiment 2). The dowel test yielded no line differences in AFT, but HS/Npt mice developed slightly greater AFT to EtOH-induced LORR than HDID-1 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that HDID-1 mice exhibit aspects of blunted ataxic and hypnotic sensitivity to EtOH which may influence their high EtOH intake via DID, but do not display widely different development of AFT. These findings differ from previous findings with the high alcohol-preferring (HAP) selected mouse lines, suggesting that genetic predisposition for binge, versus other forms of excessive alcohol consumption, is associated with unique responses to EtOH-induced motor incoordination