Theology, News and Notes - Vol. 41, No. 03

Theology News & Notes was a theological journal published by Fuller Theological Seminary from 1954 through 2014.https://digitalcommons.fuller.edu/tnn/1121/thumbnail.jp

Theology, News and Notes - Vol. 51, No. 02

Theology News & Notes was a theological journal published by Fuller Theological Seminary from 1954 through 2014.https://digitalcommons.fuller.edu/tnn/1150/thumbnail.jp

Algunos aspectos de la biología de macrobrachium dux (lenz, 1910) (crustacea:decapoda:natantia) en el río orogodo, delta del niger, nigeria

Una investigación preliminar de algunos aspectos de la biología del langostino Macrobrachium dux (Lenz, 1910) fue realizada en el río Orogota en Abavo, sur de Nigeria entre marzo y agosto de 1995. Los langostinos de agua dulce fueron recolectados con trampas y removidos con una canasta de mano. Este estudio reveló que las especies de langostinos se encontraban distribuídas ampliamente y en abundancia en este río. La abundancia en términos de número y biomasa fue mayor en la estación lluviosa con un pico en agosto. Tanto adultos como juveniles mostraron un crecimiento progresivo desde el final de la estación seca hasta la mitad de la estación luuviosa (agosto). La relación machoshembras fue de 1:1,2. La fluctuación entre el número y porcentaje de hembras ovígeras que los langostinos depositan sus huevos durante la mitad de la estación lluviosa. Hembras ovígeras oscilaron entre 4,6 y 7,5 cm y el tamaño de los huevos varió entre 1,5 y 1,7 cm. Los langostinos alcanzaron longitudes y pesos totales de 7,5 cm y 7 g respectivamente. Su patrón de crecimiento fue alométrico. El promedio mensual del factor de condición osciló entre 1,43 y 2,37 y mostró fluctuación mensual con el pico en julio.Preliminary investigation into some aspects of the biology of the palaemonid prawn, Macrobrachium dux (Lenz, 1910) in River Orogodo at Abavo, southern Nigeria was carried out between March and August 1995. The freshwater prawns were collected with properly baited cage traps and scooping with hand basket. The study revealed that the prawn species were widespread and abundant in the river. Abundance in terms of number and biomass was more during the wet season with a peak in August. Both adults and juveniles showed a progressive increase from late dry season to midrainy season (August). The malefemale ratio was 1:1.2. The fluctuation in the number and percentage of ovigerous females indicated that the prawn spawned during the midrainy season (JuneAugust). Ovigerous females ranged from 4.6 to 7.5 cm and egg size varied from 1.5 to 1.7 mm. The prawn attained a maximum total length and weight of 7.5 cm and 7.0 g respectively. Its growth pattern was allometric. The mean monthly condition factor (k) ranged from 1.43 to 2.37 and generally showed a monthly fluctuation with a peak in July

Theology, News and Notes - Vol. 45, No. 02

Theology News & Notes was a theological journal published by Fuller Theological Seminary from 1954 through 2014.https://digitalcommons.fuller.edu/tnn/1132/thumbnail.jp

Theology, News and Notes - Vol. 30, No. 02

Theology News & Notes was a theological journal published by Fuller Theological Seminary from 1954 through 2014.https://digitalcommons.fuller.edu/tnn/1081/thumbnail.jp

Steroids, spinal cord and pain sensation.

During the whole life, the nervous system is continuously submitted to the actions of different categories of hormones, including steroids. Therefore, the interactions between hormonal compounds and neural tissues are subjected to intense investigations. While a majority of studies focus on the brain, the spinal cord (SC) has received little attention, although this structure is also an important part of the central nervous system, controlling motor and sensory functions. To point out the importance of interactions between hormones and the SC in the regulation of neurobiological activities, we recapitulated and discussed herein various key data, revealing that the pivotal role played by the SC in nociception and pain modulation, directly depends on the SC ability to metabolize and synthesize steroidal molecules. The paper suggests that future investigations aiming to develop effective strategies against chronic pain, must integrate regulatory effects exerted by hormonal steroids on the SC activity, as well as the actions of endogenous neurosteroids locally synthesized in spinal neural networks.journal article2011 Oct 01importe

Neuroimaging Evidence of Major Morpho-Anatomical and Functional Abnormalities in the BTBR T+TF/J Mouse Model of Autism

BTBR T+tf/J (BTBR) mice display prominent behavioural deficits analogous to the defining symptoms of autism, a feature that has prompted a widespread use of the model in preclinical autism research. Because neuro-behavioural traits are described with respect to reference populations, multiple investigators have examined and described the behaviour of BTBR mice against that exhibited by C57BL/6J (B6), a mouse line characterised by high sociability and low self-grooming. In an attempt to probe the translational relevance of this comparison for autism research, we used Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to map in both strain multiple morpho-anatomical and functional neuroimaging readouts that have been extensively used in patient populations. Diffusion tensor tractography confirmed previous reports of callosal agenesis and lack of hippocampal commissure in BTBR mice, and revealed a concomitant rostro-caudal reorganisation of major cortical white matter bundles. Intact inter-hemispheric tracts were found in the anterior commissure, ventro-medial thalamus, and in a strain-specific white matter formation located above the third ventricle. BTBR also exhibited decreased fronto-cortical, occipital and thalamic gray matter volume and widespread reductions in cortical thickness with respect to control B6 mice. Foci of increased gray matter volume and thickness were observed in the medial prefrontal and insular cortex. Mapping of resting-state brain activity using cerebral blood volume weighted fMRI revealed reduced cortico-thalamic function together with foci of increased activity in the hypothalamus and dorsal hippocampus of BTBR mice. Collectively, our results show pronounced functional and structural abnormalities in the brain of BTBR mice with respect to control B6 mice. The large and widespread white and gray matter abnormalities observed do not appear to be representative of the neuroanatomical alterations typically observed in autistic patients. The presence of reduced fronto-cortical metabolism is of potential translational relevance, as this feature recapitulates previously-reported clinical observations

Design and Implementation of an Underwater Sound Recording Device

To monitor the underwater sound and pressure waves generated by anthropogenic activities such as underwater blasting and pile driving, an autonomous system was designed to record underwater acoustic signals. The underwater sound recording device (USR) allows for connections of two hydrophones or other dynamic pressure sensors, filters high frequency noise out of the collected signals, has a gain that can be independently set for each sensor, and allows for 2 h of data collection. Two versions of the USR were created: a submersible model deployable to a maximum depth of 300 m, and a watertight but not fully submersible model. Tests were performed on the USR in the laboratory using a data acquisition system to send single-frequency sinusoidal voltages directly to each component. These tests verified that the device operates as designed and performs as well as larger commercially available data acquisition systems, which are not suited for field use. On average, the designed gain values differed from the actual measured gain values by about 0.35 dB. A prototype of the device was used in a case study to measure blast pressures while investigating the effect of underwater rock blasting on juvenile Chinook salmon and rainbow trout. In the case study, maximum positive pressure from the blast was found to be significantly correlated with frequency of injury for individual fish. The case study also demonstrated that the device withstood operation in harsh environments, making it a valuable tool for collecting field measurements

CASSAVA MOSAIC DISEASE INCIDENCE AND SEVERITY AND WHITEFLY VECTOR DISTRIBUTION IN GABON

Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) is a major constraint to cassava ( Manihot esculenta Crantz) production in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to gain insights into the epidemiology of CMD in cassava production systems in Gabon. An epidemiological survey was conducted throughout Gabon from October 2020 to May 2021 to evaluate the epidemiology of cassava mosaic disease (CMD) in cassava farms. A phytosanitary diagnosis was conducted at each farm, using the harmonised and unified WAVE protocol to assess the incidence and severity of CMD and the abundance of its whitefly vector. All data collected were recorded using WAVE\u2019s mobile application and uploaded into the WAVE Cube data system. The results showed that CMD was present in all farms surveyed (n = 227; 100%), but with a variable incidence rate. At national level, the incidence of CMD was high, with an average of 64.29%. However, incidence differed among regions with 82.22 and 79.20% for Ogooue-Maritime and Nyanga; respectively, but only 40.42% for Estuaire. Woleu-Ntem had the highest mean severity (3.47) and Ogooue-Maritime the lowest (2.64). Overall, incidence and severity differed significantly among regions (P< 0.05). The average abundance was 2.58 whiteflies per plant (w/p), varying between 1.06 (Nyanga) and 5.25 w/p (Estuaire). The use of infected cuttings was the main mode of CMD spread (62.67%). These results highlight the need to identify the viruses responsible for the observed cases of CMD, to sanitise cultivated plant material, and to implement a CMD control strategy in Gabon.La maladie de la mosa\uefque du manioc (CMD) est une contrainte majeure \ue0 la production de manioc (Manihot esculenta Crantz) en Afrique subsaharienne. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait de mieux comprendre l\u2019\ue9pid\ue9miologie de la CMD dans les syst\ue8mes de production de manioc au Gabon. Une enqu\ueate \ue9pid\ue9miologique a \ue9t\ue9 men\ue9e dans tout le Gabon d\u2019Octobre 2020 \ue0 Mai 2021 afin de mieux connaitre l\u2019\ue9pid\ue9miologie de la mosa\uefque du manioc. Un diagnostic phytosanitaire a \ue9t\ue9 fait dans chaque champ prospect\ue9. L\u2019incidence, la s\ue9v\ue9rit\ue9 de la mosa\uefque et l\u2019abondance des mouches blanches vectrices ont \ue9t\ue9 estim\ue9es en utilisant le protocole harmonis\ue9 et unifi\ue9 du programme WAVE. Toutes les donn\ue9es de terrain ont \ue9t\ue9 saisies gr\ue2ce \ue0 l\u2019application mobile de WAVE puis stock\ue9es dans le gestionnaire de donn\ue9es de WAVE, le Cube. Les r\ue9sultats de cette \ue9tude ont montr\ue9 que la mosa\uefque du manioc \ue9tait pr\ue9sente dans toutes les zones prospect\ue9es (n = 227; 100%), avec une incidence variable. Au niveau national, l\u2019incidence de la CMD \ue9tait \ue9lev\ue9e, avec une moyenne de 64,29% pour une s\ue9v\ue9rit\ue9 moyenne de 3,16. Cette incidence varie entre les provinces avec respectivement 82,22% et 79,20% pour l\u2019Ogoou\ue9-Maritime et la Nyanga, mais seulement, 40,42% pour l\u2019Estuaire. La r\ue9gion du Woleu-Ntem a pr\ue9sent\ue9 la plus grande s\ue9v\ue9rit\ue9 moyenne (3,47) et l\u2019Ogoou\ue9-Maritime, la plus faible moyenne (2,64). L\u2019incidence et la s\ue9v\ue9rit\ue9 ont diff\ue9r\ue9 significativement entre les r\ue9gions (P< 0,05). L\u2019abondance moyenne des mouches blanches \ue9tait de 2,58 mouches/plante (m/p). Cette abondance a oscill\ue9 entre 1,06 m/p (Nyanga) et 5,25 m/p (Estuaire). L\u2019utilisation des boutures de manioc infect\ue9es est le principal mode de propagation de la CMD (62,67%). Ces r\ue9sultats pr\ue9liminaires mettent en exergue la n\ue9cessit\ue9 imp\ue9rieuse d\u2019identifier les virus responsables des cas de CMD observ\ue9s, d\u2019assainir le mat\ue9riel v\ue9g\ue9tal cultiv\ue9 et de mettre en place une strat\ue9gie de contr\uf4le de la CMD au Gabon