Hybrid striped bass: culture and use in Midwestern waters

In response to increased demand from fisheries managers, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State University worked to produce standard operating procedures for pond culture of hybrid striped bass Morone saxatilis × M. chrysops in Iowa. In 2011 we evaluated an organic fertilization regime in nutrient rich earthen ponds. In addition to pond fertilization, the role of offering a supplemental commercial feed during phase I culture was also investigated within plastic-lined ponds. With greater utilization and stocking of hybrid striped bass fingerlings in local waters, we also sought to evaluate the effects that introductions have on the trophic dynamics of an established reservoir fishery. Within our earthen ponds, the addition of an organic fertilizer (alfalfa meal) had minimal benefits to fish growth. However, final mean (±SE) fish biomass was significantly greater within the fertilized ponds (66 kg/ha ±6.6) than in the non-fertilized (38 kg/ha ±12.4) ponds. Results suggest minimal benefits of organic fertilizers in earthen culture ponds with existing high nutrient levels. Further research should focus on the possible benefits of nutrient ratio manipulations to foster the development of desirable zooplankton for larval hybrid striped bass. Although there were no significant differences in overall zooplankton population densities in both experiments, fertilizer and feed application did affect preferred zooplankton prey. Mean final fish length was significantly greater within the ponds that were offered feed; fish weight, survival, growth, and biomass were not significantly different between treatments (P \u3c 0.1). We found a significant enrichment in both delta 15 N and delta 13 C values of fish, zooplankton, and Chironomidae larvae within fed ponds (P \u3c 0.10). Using a three-source mixing model, the mean (±SE) percent composition of feed in the fish\u27s isotopic signature increased from 5% ±2 to 20% ±6 within 16 days. Although fish production was not greatly impacted through the addition of a commercial fish feed, enriched delta 15 N and delta 13 C values of fish tissue indicated that palmetto bass fingerlings did utilize prepared diets. However, natural pond biota continued to account for ≥ 80% of the fish\u27s isotopic signature, based on tissue analysis. Using the current knowledge of carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ecology, along with multivariate techniques for constructing isotopic niche spaces, we attempted to describe dietary overlap among the top predators in Three Mile Lake, Iowa. From our analysis, we concluded that the hybrid striped bass predominately preyed on prey located in littoral habitats and did not selectively consume the pelagic yellow bass. Niche overlap between hybrid striped bass and largemouth bass also appeared to be greater than that with walleye. Although competition or detrimental effects due to this overlap in resources could not be determined, continued monitoring of the sport fish population dynamics is highly recommended

METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR OBTAINING USEFUL PLANT TRAITS

The present invention provides methods for obtaining plants that exhibit useful traits by perturbation of plastid function in plant rootstocks and grafting the rootstocks to scions. Methods for identifying genetic loci that provide for useful traits in plants and plants produced with those loci are also provided. In addition, plants that exhibit the useful traits, parts of the plants including seeds, and products of the plants are provided as well as methods of using the plants. Recombinant DNA vectors and transgenic plants comprising those vectors that provide for plastid perturbation are also provided

The 6 minute walk in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: longitudinal changes and minimum important difference

The response characteristics of the 6 minute walk test (6MWT) in studies of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are only poorly understood, and the change in walk distance that constitutes the minimum important difference (MID) over time is unknown

Enhancing resolution of natural methylome reprogramming behavior in plants

We have developed a novel methylome analysis procedure, Methyl-IT, based on information thermodynamics and signal detection. Methylation analysis involves a signal detection problem, and the method was designed to discriminate methylation regulatory signal from background noise induced by thermal fluctuations. Comparison with three commonly used programs and various available datasets to furnish a comparative measure of resolution by each method is included. To confirm results, methylation analysis was integrated with RNAseq and network enrichment analyses. Methyl-IT enhances resolution of genome methylation behavior to reveal network-associated responses, offering resolution of gene pathway influences not attainable with previous methods

Enhancing resolution of natural methylome reprogramming behavior in plants

We have developed a novel methylome analysis procedure, Methyl-IT, based on information thermodynamics and signal detection. Methylation analysis involves a signal detection problem, and the method was designed to discriminate methylation regulatory signal from background noise induced by thermal fluctuations. Comparison with three commonly used programs and various available datasets to furnish a comparative measure of resolution by each method is included. To confirm results, methylation analysis was integrated with RNAseq and network enrichment analyses. Methyl-IT enhances resolution of genome methylation behavior to reveal network-associated responses, offering resolution of gene pathway influences not attainable with previous methods

Enhancing resolution of natural methylome reprogramming behavior in plants

We have developed a novel methylome analysis procedure, Methyl-IT, based on information thermodynamics and signal detection. Methylation analysis involves a signal detection problem, and the method was designed to discriminate methylation regulatory signal from background noise induced by thermal fluctuations. Comparison with three commonly used programs and various available datasets to furnish a comparative measure of resolution by each method is included. To confirm results, methylation analysis was integrated with RNAseq and network enrichment analyses. Methyl-IT enhances resolution of genome methylation behavior to reveal network-associated responses, offering resolution of gene pathway influences not attainable with previous methods

Enhancing resolution of natural methylome reprogramming behavior in plants

We have developed a novel methylome analysis procedure, Methyl-IT, based on information thermodynamics and signal detection. Methylation analysis involves a signal detection problem, and the method was designed to discriminate methylation regulatory signal from background noise induced by thermal fluctuations. Comparison with three commonly used programs and various available datasets to furnish a comparative measure of resolution by each method is included. To confirm results, methylation analysis was integrated with RNAseq and network enrichment analyses. Methyl-IT enhances resolution of genome methylation behavior to reveal network-associated responses, offering resolution of gene pathway influences not attainable with previous methods

Development of the ATAQ-IPF: a tool to assess quality of life in IPF

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is no disease-specific instrument to assess health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Patients' perspectives were collected to develop domains and items for an IPF-specific HRQL instrument. We used item variance and Rasch analysis to construct the ATAQ-IPF (A Tool to Assess Quality of life in IPF).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The ATAQ-IPF version 1 is composed of 74 items comprising 13 domains. All items fit the Rasch model. Domains and the total instrument possess acceptable psychometric characteristics for a multidimensional questionnaire. The pattern of correlations between ATAQ-IPF scores and physiologic variables known to be important in IPF, along with significant differences in ATAQ-IPF scores between subjects using versus those not using supplemental oxygen, support its validity.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Patient-centered and careful statistical methodologies were used to construct the ATAQ-IPF version 1, an IPF-specific HRQL instrument. Simple summation scoring is used to derive individual domain scores as well as a total score. Results support the validity of the ATAQ-IPF, and future studies will build on that validity.</p