BONE DEVELOPMENT IN ATLANTIC BLUEFIN TUNA Thunnus thynnus AND SKELETAL EFFECTS OF FIRST FEEDING WITH COPEPODS Acartia tonsa OR ROTIFERS Brachionus ibericus

Juvenile production of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) is characterized by high mortalities and low growth rates during the larval stage. Startfeeding of Bluefin tuna larvae in hatcheries depends on the traditional food organisms rotifers and Artemia nauplii (Biswas et al., 2006), and skeletal malformations have been observed in 70% of larvae and juveniles (Libert et al., 2013). When copepods are used as live food, the results are generally improved compared to the use of traditional live feed organisms (Evjemo et al., 2003), with higher survival, increased growth, normal development, earlier onset of ossification and less skeletal anomalies compared to larvae fed rotifers and Artemia (Imsland et al., 2006). The aims of this study were to describe the bone development in the Atlantic Bluefin tuna fed copepods, and to evaluate the effects of start-feeding with enriched rotifers or with cultivated copepods on skeletal deformities

First feeding of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) with copepods (Acartia tonsa) or rotifers /artemia - larval prey size preferences, growth, and development

The increase of dry weight, standard length and low incidence of skeletal anomalies clearly show that A. tonsa represents an optimal live food organism for tuna larvae

Overexpression of Rubisco subunits with RAF1 increases Rubisco content in maize.

Rubisco catalyses a rate-limiting step in photosynthesis and has long been a target for improvement due to its slow turnover rate. An alternative to modifying catalytic properties of Rubisco is to increase its abundance within C4 plant chloroplasts, which might increase activity and confer a higher carbon assimilation rate. Here, we overexpress the Rubisco large (LS) and small (SS) subunits with the Rubisco assembly chaperone RUBISCO ASSEMBLY FACTOR 1 (RAF1). While overexpression of LS and/or SS had no discernable impact on Rubisco content, addition of RAF1 overexpression resulted in a >30% increase in Rubisco content. Gas exchange showed a 15% increase in CO2 assimilation (ASAT) in UBI-LSSS-RAF1 transgenic plants, which correlated with increased fresh weight and in vitro Vcmax calculations. The divergence of Rubisco content and assimilation could be accounted for by the Rubisco activation state, which decreased up to 23%, suggesting that Rubisco activase may be limiting Vcmax, and impinging on the realization of photosynthetic potential from increased Rubisco content.This research was supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, US Department of Agriculture, under award number 2016-67013-24464. Travel to the Australian National University was supported by the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies, International Research Travel Grant at Cornell University

Preventing and controlling nonnative species invasions to bend the curve of global freshwater biodiversity loss

The Emergency Recovery Plan for freshwater biodiversity recognizes that addressing nonnative species is one of six principal actions needed to bend the curve in freshwater biodiversity loss. This is because introduction rates of nonnative species continue to accelerate globally and where these species develop invasive populations, they can have severe impacts on freshwater biodiversity. The most effective management measure to protect freshwater biodiversity is to prevent introductions of nonnative species. Should a nonnative species be introduced, however, then its early detection and the implementation of rapid reaction measures can avoid it establishing and dispersing. If these measures are unsuccessful and the species becomes invasive, then control and containment measures can minimize its further spread and impact. Minimizing further spread and impact includes control methods to reduce invader abundance and containment methods such as screening of invaded sites and strict biosecurity to avoid the invader dispersing to neighbouring basins. Thesemanagement actions have benefitted from developments in invasion risk assessment that can prioritize species according to their invasion risk and, for species already invasive, ensure that management actions are commensurate with assessed risk. The successful management of freshwater nonnative species still requires the overcoming of some implementation challenges, including nonnative species often being a symptom of degraded habitats rather than the main driver of ecological change, and eradication methods often being non-species specific. Given the multiple anthropogenic stressors in freshwaters, nonnative species management must work with other restoration strategies if it is to deliver the Emergency Recovery Plan for freshwater biodiversity

ATM Gene Variants in Patients with Idiopathic Perifoveal Telangiectasia

PURPOSE. To investigate the prevalence of sequence variants in the ATM gene and to determine the frequency of major agerelated macular degeneration (AMD)-associated variants in CFH, CFB, and 10q26 loci in patients with idiopathic perifoveal telangiectasia (IPT). METHODS. Thirty patients with diagnoses of IPT underwent standard ophthalmologic evaluation that included visual acuity testing, fundus photography, and fluorescein angiography. DNA was screened for variations in the ATM gene by a combination of denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and direct sequencing. Major AMD-associated alleles in CFH, CFB, and 10q loci were screened by PCR-restriction fragment-length polymorphism. RESULTS. Nineteen female and 11 male patients (average age, 59 years) with a median visual acuity of 20/50 were evaluated. Six patients were of Asian-Indian origin, one was Hispanic, and 23 were of European-American ancestry. Nine of 30 (30%) patients had diabetes mellitus, 18 of 30 (60%) patients had hypertension, and 12 of 30 (40%) patients had a history of smoking. Screening of the ATM gene revealed a null allele in 2 of 23 (8.7%) patients of European ancestry, previously disease-associated missense alleles in 4 of 23 (17.4%) patients, and common missense alleles in 7 of 23 (30.4%) patients. No variants were identified in the ATM gene in patients of Asian or Hispanic origin. Frequencies of major AMD-associated alleles in CFH, CFB, and 10q loci in the IPT cohort were similar to those in the ethnically matched general population. CONCLUSIONS. At least 26%, and maybe up to 57%, of IPT patients of European-American descent carried possibly diseaseassociated ATM alleles. Vascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and smoking may be associated with the pathogenesis of the disease. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2008; 49:3806 -3811

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Corrosion and Protection

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Using Quenching To Detect Corrosion on Sculptural Metalwork: A Real-World Application of Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Fluorescence spectroscopy experiments are a frequently taught as part of upper-division teaching laboratories. To expose undergraduate students to an applied fluorescence technique, a corrosion detection method, using quenching, was adapted from authentic research for an instrumental analysis laboratory. In the experiment, students acquire fluorescence spectra of sensing molecules in the presence of mock sculpture samples and discuss the condition of the sculptures based on the levels of soluble iron detected. This real-world-based experiment allows students the chance to engage with ongoing research and further understand the challenges with early detection of corrosion. Most students successfully completed the experiment, wrote a journal-quality report, and met the learning outcomes. Note: Supporting information (Appendices A–H, including learning outcomes rubric, prelab lecture, instructor’s laboratory guide, sample preparation, report rubric, student laboratory guide, prelab activity, and sample student plots) appears at bottom of article