Reproductive biology of blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) in the western Pacific Ocean

The reproductive biology of blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) was assessed from 1001 fish (ranging from 121 to 275 cm in eye-to-fork length; EFL) caught by Taiwanese offshore longliners in the western Pacific Ocean from September 2000 to December 2001 and from 843 gonad samples from these fish, The overall sex ratio of the catch was approximately 1:1 dur ing the sampling period, but blue marlin are sexually dimorphic; females are larger than males. Reproductive activity (assessed by histology), a gonadosomatic index, and the distribution of oocyte diameters, indicated that spawning occurred predominantly from May to September. The estimated sizes-at-maturity (EFL50) were 179.76 ±1.01 cm (mean ±standard error) for females and 130 ±1 cm EFL for males. Blue marlin are multiple spawners and oocytes develop asynchronously. The proportion of mature females with ovaries containing postovulatory follicles (0.41) and hydrated oocytes (0.34) indicated that the blue marlin spawned once every 2–3 days on average. Batch fecundity (BF) for 26 females with the most advanced oocytes (≥1000 μm), but without postovulatory follicles, ranged from 2.11 to 13.50 million eggs (6.94 ± 0.54 million eggs). The relationships between batch fecundity (BF, in millions of eggs) and EFL and round weight (RW, kg) were BF = 3.29 × 10 –12 EFL5.31 (r2 = 0.70) and BF = 1.59 × 10–3 RW 1.73 (r2= 0.67), respectively. The parameters estimated in this study are key information for stock assessments of blue marlin in the western Pacific Ocean and will contribute to the conservation and sustainable yield o

Kappa-Opioid Receptors in the Caudal Nucleus Tractus Solitarius Mediate 100 Hz Electroacupuncture-Induced Sleep Activities in Rats

Previous results demonstrated that 10 Hz electroacupuncture (EA) of Anmian acupoints in rats during the dark period enhances slow wave sleep (SWS), which involves the induction of cholinergic activity in the caudal nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and subsequent activation of opioidergic neurons and μ-receptors. Studies have shown that different kinds of endogenous opiate peptides and receptors may mediate the consequences of EA with different frequencies. Herein, we further elucidated that high-frequency (100 Hz)-EA of Anmian enhanced SWS during the dark period but exhibited no direct effect on rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. High-frequency EA-induced SWS enhancement was dose-dependently blocked by microinjection of naloxone or κ-receptor antagonist (nor-binaltorphimine) into the caudal NTS, but was affected neither by μ- (naloxonazine) nor δ-receptor antagonists (natatrindole), suggesting the role of NTS κ-receptors in the high-frequency EA-induced SWS enhancement. Current and previous results depict the opioid mechanisms of EA-induced sleep

Construction of index system for external risk factors of disease on large-scale farm based on the analytic hierarchy process

AbstractAnimal health risk analysis technology on large-scale farm is becoming more important, but the assessment of relevant external risk factors of disease spreading into pig farm is an complex multi-dimensional process. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) has been accepted as a robust and flexible multi-criteria decision-making tool for dealing with complex decision problems. On this study, The index system of external risk factors on large-scale farm is built based on AHP. The result shows that farm management practices, Biosecurity and site are major risk factors and reveals AHP can be used in animal risk analysis for disease control and prevention

SWITCHING THE HORIZONTAL GRF TO THE PATH OF PROGRESSION IN THE TABLE TENNIS FOREHAND DRIVE

Knowing the kinetic strategies of the lower limbs is a crucial factor to investigate the forehand drive which comprises the changes of the foot placement. It is difficult to directly evaluate the movement of feet with the data of ground reaction force (GRF) and impulse (GRI).This study tried to analyze table tennis forehand drives via the GRF and GRI data based upon the anatomical perspective. The motion and the GRF data were collected from eight right-handed Taiwanese elite table tennis players. The horizontal GRF data were transformed to a reference frame and then integrated with time to get the GRI. During the forehand drive shot, the participants performed a greater lateral impulse to cause the trunk rotation and decelerated their body from initial to mid-phase and then accelerated the body to perform a forehand drive shot

HOP llMlNG OF SPLlT STEP AND KINETICS ANALYSIS OF LOWER EXTREMITIES IN BADMINTON START FOOTWORK

The purpose of this study was to compare the split timing, and lower extremity kinetics of badminton players during push-off steps in six directions. Eight collegiate elite male badminton players received the random shot from an opponent in one of six directions. Result: Hop timing was 0.014-0.037 sec after the opponent struck the shuttlecock. The leg that was opposite the movement direction showed significantly greater tower extremity horizontal push-off force than the other leg did. Conclusion: The hop timing of split step simultaneous with the opponent striking the shuttlecock. The leg opposite the movement direction was the main push leg. When lower extremities exhibit the correct pushing direction and reach the peak push off force within 0.3 sec after the opponent strikes the shuttlecock, players should have more effective return in badminton

Building Ubiquitous Computing Environment by Using RFID in Aircraft MRO Process

The implementation of RFID had aroused discussion in every area. Experts believe that the emergence of RFID will cause another business revolution. Many industries had deployed RFID, like aviation industry, in which RFID is used in maintenance materials and baggage management. This paper discusses the implementation of RFID in MRO process and the building of a ubiquitous computing environment. We believe that our proposal has three merits to MRO (1) anti-counterfeit parts (2) MRO liability (3) efficient and effective inspection. The architecture can address the competition pressure that aviation industry faces and consequently enhance competition advantages