Spontaneous melanotic lesions in axillary seabream, Pagellus acarne (Risso)

In this paper, we describe spontaneous melanotic lesions in the skin of axillary seabream, Pagellus acarne (Risso) from a defined area of the Portuguese Coast, located in Cabo da Roca and Foz do Arelho. The lesions corresponded to black pigmentation spots on the skin of the head, fins, lips and conjunctiva and, additionally, black nodules on the skin of the head and lips. In some specimens, the nodular formations in the head changed their anatomical conformation. Histologically, there were melanophores scattered along the basement membrane or forming aggregates in the dermis, infiltrating the subcutaneous tissue but not invading the adjacent muscle tissue. The aim of this study was to characterize the macroscopic and microscopic features of the pigmented lesions. These fish show sessile hyperpigmented lesions (spots) that correspond to proliferative lesions of melanophores in the dermis and nodular lesions that correspond to neoplastic lesions, melanophoromas. The melanophores in such lesions showed high concentration of melanin in the cytoplasm, moderate pleomorphism and compact distribution throughout all of the dermis

Microfluidic detection and analysis by integration of thermocapillary actuation with a thin-film optical waveguide

We demonstrate a nonintrusive optical method for microfluidic detection and analysis based on evanescent wave sensing. The device consists of a planar thin-film waveguide integrated with a microfluidic chip for directed surface flow. Microliter droplets are electronically transported and positioned over the waveguide surface by thermocapillary actuation. The attenuated intensity of propagating modes is used to detect droplet location, to monitor dye concentration in aqueous solutions, and to measure reaction rates with increasing surface temperature for a chromogenic biochemical assay. This study illustrates a few of the capabilities possible by direct integration of optical sensing with surface-directed fluidic devices

Meet the new borrowers

Credit card lenders have been writing off loans at sharply higher rates since 1995, suggesting that riskier borrowers are acquiring credit cards. What makes the new borrowers riskier--even more than their personal characteristics and attitudes toward debt--is the fact that they carry higher debt burdens and work in occupations where income may be more cyclical.Credit cards ; Risk ; Bank loans

The EAGLE. A model for policy analysis of macroeconomic interdependence in the euro area

Building on the New Area Wide Model, we develop a 4-region macroeconomic model of the euro area and the world economy. The model (EAGLE, Euro Area and Global Economy model) is microfounded and designed for conducting quantitative policy analysis of macroeconomic interdependence across regions belonging to the euro area and between euro area regions and the world economy. Simulation analysis shows the transmission mechanism of region-specific or common shocks, originating in the euro area and abroad.