Age and growth of the blackchin guitarfish Glaucostegus cemiculus (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1817) from Iskenderun Bay (Northeastern Mediterranean)

Between September 2010 and June 2012, a total 291 (166 females and 125 males) blackchin guitarfish Glaucostegus cemiculus were captured by a commercial bottom trawler (F/V Coşkun Reis) in Iskenderun Bay, Turkey (northeastern Mediterranean Sea). The total length (L) and total weight (W) of the female and male guitarfish ranged between 32.0–165.0 cm and 88 g–16.68 kg, and 34.3–128.3 cm and 112 g–6.00 kg, respectively. Vertebral age estimates ranged from 0 to 8 years for females and 0 to 5 years for males. The growth models of von Bertanlanffy and Gompertz were fitted to the length at age data using the nonlinear regression method. Model selection was based on the values of the residual standard error and the Akaike's information criterion corrected for small sample size (AIC_C) associated with each fit. The von Bertalanffy growth model provided the best fitting growth curves for each sex with parameters reaching L_∞ = 187.17 cm, K = 0.195 year^-1, t₀ = −1.38 year for females, and L_∞ = 144.85 cm, K = 0.321 year^-1, t₀ = −1.13 year^-1 for males. The W–L relationship parameters did not differ significantly between sexes, the estimated values of a and b were 0.0018 and 3.11, respectively. By using these values of a and b, and also respective estimates of L_∞, the values of W_∞ were obtained as 20.53 kg for females and 9.25 kg for males. The overall percentage ratios of females and males in the samples were 57% and 43% respectively.     

Foot morphology and distribution of Sika deer in relation to snow depth in Japan

The distribution of Sika deer (Cervus nippon) on Japanese islands is biased toward, the east where there is less snow. To explain this biased distribution in relation to snow, the foot morphology of Sika deer was measured. Hoof load was greatest in male adults (0.78 kg cm⁻²) and smallest in fawns (c 0.43 kg cm⁻²). The values were similar to those for white-tailed deer, and were smaller than those for snow-adapted species like caribou and chamois. Foreleg length wasc. 50 cm and 60 cm, and hind feet (lower half) length wasc. 40 cm and 45 cm for fawns and adult deer, respectively. Chest heights werec. 45 cm and 53 cm for fawns and adults, respectively. These figures suggest that areas where snow accumulates deeper than 50 cm are not favorable as a Sika deer habitat. The present distribution of Sika deer is clearly related to snow depth: they are mostly concentrated in the ‘preferable area’ of <50 cm of snow, some of them can live in the ‘habitable area’ of 50–100 cm of snow, and they rarely live in the ‘inhabitable area’ of >100 cm of snow.     

Anthropometric Cutoff Points for Predicting Chronic Diseases in the Mexican National Health Survey 2000

Objective: To determine optimum anthropometric cutoffs for predicting the likelihood ratios of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HT) in Mexicans. Research Methods and Procedures: Data from a randomly selected, nationally representative health survey (2000) with 11, 730 men [37.4 (± 12.9) years] and 26, 647 women [37.3(± 12.9) years] were assessed for values of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) for predicting DM or HT by receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. Likelihood ratios for DM and HT were calculated, and BMIs or WCs for public‐health screening were developed. Subanalyses included regional data. Results: Likelihood ratios of DM and HT increased from BMI values of 22 to 24 kg/m² in both sexes and with WC values of 75 to 80 cm in men and 70 to 80 cm in women. The best BMI cutoffs for predicting DM were 26.3 to 27.4 kg/m² in men and 27.7 to 28.9 kg/m² in women, with similar values for HT, i.e., 26.2 to 27.0 kg/m² and 27.7 to 28.5 kg/m², for men and women, respectively; WC cutoffs for DM were 93 to 98 cm in men and 94 to 99 cm in women, and cutoffs for HT were 92 to 96 cm and 93 to 96 cm for men and women, respectively. The WC cutoffs had higher sensitivity and specificity than those of BMI. Discussion: The risk for DM and HT starts at lower levels of BMI and WC than those suggested by WHO. WC is a better discriminator than BMI measures for use in public health.     

Length‐weight relationships of seven fish species from the Wutong River,northeast China

Length‐weight relationships (LWR) were calculated for seven fish species from the Wutong River, northeast China(47°58'‐47°10'N; 130°07'‐130°48'E), including Ladislavia taczanowskii Dybowski, 1869; Gobio cynocephalus Dybowski, 1869; Rhynchocypris lagowskii (Dybowski, 1869); Lefua costate (Kessler, 1876); Cobitis lutheri Rendahl, 1935; Cobitis sibirica Gladkov, 1935; Perccottus glenii Dybowski, 1877. All fish specimens were collected by electric fishing gear (voltage, 12 V) and gillnets (mesh size: 1.1 cm × 1.1 cm, 1.4 cm × 1.4 cm, 1.8 cm × 1.8 cm, 2.5 cm × 2.5 cm) from May to July 2017. The a values ranged from 0.0038 (Cobitis lutheri) to 0.0084 (Lefua costata), and b values from 2.716 (Lefua costata) to 3.450 (Perccottus glenii) and r² values from 0.973 (Cobitis lutheri) to 0.995 (ladislavia taczanowskii). This study provides the first published the LWRs for the five species, and new maximum total lengths were recorded for two species, including Gobio cynocephalus and Lefua costata.     

南亚热带3种阔叶树种人工幼龄纯林及其混交林碳贮量比较

如何通过优化造林模式来提高人工林生态系统碳贮量已受到广泛关注。以南亚热带8年生格木(Erythrophleum fordii)纯林(PE)、红锥(Castanopsis hystrix)纯林(PC)、米老排(Mytilaria laosensis)纯林(PM)及格木×红锥×米老排混交林(MECM)生态系统为研究对象,对其碳贮量及其分配特征进行了比较研究。结果表明:格木、红锥和米老排不同器官平均碳含量分别为512.4—561.7 g/kg,474.2—553.4 g/kg和512.8—556.3 g/kg。相同树种不同器官之间碳含量差异显著(P0.05)。各器官碳含量的平均值大小顺序为格木(539.3 g/kg)米老排(532.7 g/kg)红锥(515.3 g/kg)。不同林分间,灌木层、草本层和凋落物层碳含量均以米老排纯林最高,混交林(MECM)居次,红锥纯林和格木纯林最低;不同林分之间的土壤碳含量差异显著(P0.05),0—10cm,10—30cm,30—50cm和50—100cm土壤碳含量均以米老排纯林最高,红锥纯林居次,格木纯林和混交林(MECM)土壤碳含量最低。生态系统碳贮量大小顺序为米老排(308.0 t/hm2)混交林(182.8 t/hm2)红锥纯林(180.2 t/hm2)格木纯林(135.2 t/hm2),相同组分不同林分间以及相同林分的不同组分间均存在显著差异(P0.05),但混交林与红锥纯林间碳贮量总量无显著差异(P0.05)。造林模式对人工林碳贮量及其分配有显著影响,营建混交林有利于红锥和格木地上碳的累积,不利于土壤碳的固定,而营建纯林既有利于米老排生物量碳的吸收,也有利于土壤碳的固定。因而,对碳汇林造林模式的选择,应根据树种固碳特性而定。     

Length–weight relationships of three Gobiidae species from the Rupsha River in southwestern Bangladesh

This study reports the length–weight relationships (LWRs) of three Gobiidae fish species (Acentrogobius viridipunctatus, Apocryptes bato, and Odontamblyopus rubicundus) from the Rupsha River, southwestern Bangladesh. A total of 388 individuals were sampled using cast nets (mesh size ranges from 1.5 to 3.0 cm), gill nets (mesh size ranges from 2.0 to 3.0 cm) and square lift nets (mesh size ~1.5 cm) from December 2014 to November 2015. Allometric coefficient (b) values were 3.23 for A. viridipunctatus, 2.70 for A. bato, and 2.67 for O. rubicundus, respectively. The first LWRs records for these three Gobiidae species, they can be used online for FishBase as well as in future studies.     

Length‐weight and length‐length relationships of three small indigenous fishes from the Payra River,southern Bangladesh

Length‐weight relationships (LWRs) and length‐length relationships (LLRs) for three small indigenous fishes (Esomus danrica, Pachypterus atherinoides and Salmostoma bacaila) were reported from the Payra River, southern Bangladesh. Samples were collected using traditional fishing gear including cast net (mesh size ranges from 1.0 to 2.0 cm), seine net (mesh size ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 cm) and square lift net (mesh size ~ 1.0 cm) in August to September 2017. Allometric coefficient (b) values were 2.66 for E. danrica, 3.08 for P. atherinoides and 3.06 for S. bacaila. The LLRs were also highly significant with r² ≥ .956.     

Comparison of self-reported and measured BMI as correlates of disease markers in US adults

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the validity of BMI based on self‐reported data by comparison with technician‐measured BMI and biomarkers of adiposity. Research Methods and Procedures: We analyzed data from 10,639 National Health and Nutrition Education Study III participants ≥20 years of age to compare BMI calculated from self‐reported weight and height with BMI from technician‐measured values and body fatness estimated from bioelectrical impedance analysis in relation to systolic blood pressure, fasting blood levels of glucose, high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol, triglycerides, C‐reactive protein, and leptin. Results: BMI based on self‐reported data (25.07 kg/m²) was lower than BMI based on technician measurements (25.52 kg/m²) because of underreporting weight (?0.56 kg; 95% confidence interval, ?0.71, ?0.41) and overreporting height (0.76 cm; 95% confidence interval, 0.64, 0.88). However, the correlations between self‐reported and measured BMI values were very high (0.95 for whites, 0.93 for blacks, and 0.90 for Mexican Americans). In terms of biomarkers, self‐reported and measured BMI values were equally correlated with fasting blood glucose (r = 0.43), high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (r = ?0.53), and systolic blood pressure (r = 0.54). Similar correlations were observed for both measures of BMI with plasma concentrations of triglycerides and leptin. These correlations did not differ appreciably by age, sex, ethnicity, or obesity status. Correlations for percentage body fat estimated through bioelectrical impedance analysis with these biomarkers were similar to those for BMI. Discussion: The accuracy of self‐reported BMI is sufficient for epidemiological studies using disease biomarkers, although inappropriate for precise measures of obesity prevalence.     

The long-term variation of Cd and Zn hyperaccumulation by Noccaea spp and Arabidopsis halleri plants in both pot and field conditions

Three Cd and Zn hyperaccumulating plant species Noccaea caerulescens Noccaea praecox and Arabidopsis halleri (Brassicacceae) were cultivated in seven subsequent vegetation seasons in both pot and field conditions in soil highly contaminated with Cd, Pb, and Zn. The results confirmed the hyperaccumulation ability of both plant species, although A. halleri showed lower Cd uptake compared to N. caerulescens. Conversely, Pb phytoextraction was negligible for both species in this case. Because of the high variability in plant yield and element contents in the aboveground biomass of plants, great variation in Cd and Zn accumulation was observed during the experiment. The extraction ability in field conditions varied in the case of Cd from 0.2 to 2.9 kg ha^?1 (N. caerulescens) and up to 0.15 kg ha^?1 (A. halleri), and in the case of Zn from 0.2 to 6.4 kg ha^?1 (N. caerulescens) and up to 13.8 kg.ha^?1 (A. halleri). Taking into account the 20 cm root zone of the soil, the plants were able to extract up to 4.1% Cd and 0.2% Zn in one season. However, cropping measures should be optimized to improve and stabilize the long-term phytoextraction potential of these plants.     

水沙条件及氮输入对黄河口滨岸潮滩湿地碱蓬和土壤15N吸收特征的影响

受自然及人为活动的影响,黄河三角洲水沙条件存在较大变化,由此带来的外源营养物质增加对潮滩湿地植被生长及元素吸收利用具有重要的影响。为此采用3因素4水平的正交试验,以黄河口滨岸潮滩湿地先锋物种碱蓬（Suaeda salsa）为研究对象,利用¹⁵N示踪技术,研究了水沙条件及氮输入对碱蓬和土壤¹⁵N吸收特征的影响。结果表明：淹水深度、泥沙沉积及氮输入对土壤全氮含量的影响不显著,但外源氮输入对土壤¹⁵N固持量（N_dff）和比例（N_dff%）的影响达到显著水平,且最大值（10.44 mg/kg和3.83%）均出现在W₄S₂N₃（30 cm淹水+3 cm泥沙沉积+6 g/m²氮输入）处理;碱蓬叶和茎中全氮含量、¹⁵N吸收量（N_dff）及比例（N_dff%）在深淹水和泥沙沉积处理时较大,而根中全氮含量、N_dff及N_dff%在高氮输入较大。且根N_dff和N_dff%最大值（1.10 mg/kg和18.21%）在W₁S₄N₄（2 cm淹水+12 cm泥沙沉积+9 g/m²氮输入）处理时取得,此时碱蓬的生长情况最好,表明适当的淹水和泥沙埋深以及高氮输入（9 g/m²）有利于根系对外源氮的吸收,从而促进植株的生长。由此可见,在黄河三角洲水沙变化大的背景下,淹水、泥沙沉积和外源氮输入的适当把控,可促进碱蓬对外源氮的吸收利用而有助于其生长,从而对维护黄河三角洲潮滩湿地的健康具有重要作用。     

Spacing and Competition Between Planted Grass Plugs and Preexisting Perennial Grasses in a Restoration Site in Oregon

Planting native species into restoration settings where other natives already occur is a common practice. However, the competitive consequences of such plantings are rarely studied. Planting density also affects restoration costs. Here we examined the effects of established individuals of Lemmon's needlegrass (Achnatherum lemmonii) on plugs of bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata) and Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis) in a restoration site in Oregon. All three of these grasses are local native perennials. Plugs were planted at 6, 12, and 18 cm from established A. lemmonii bunchgrasses and also in plots without A. lemmonii neighbors. Plug survival was uniformly high, averaging more than 98%. Plugs planted at 6 cm from established grasses showed significantly lower growth and reproduction than plugs planted at 18 cm, which had similar values to plugs not planted in the vicinity of A. lemmonii. These results suggest that interplanting distances of as little as 18 cm were sufficient to greatly reduce competitive effects on newly planted plugs, at least in early establishment at this site.     

Length–weight and length–length relationships of three fish species from the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet,China

Length–weight relationships and length–length were evaluated for three fish species (Schizopygopsis younghusbandi Regan, 1905; Ptychobarbus dipogon Regan, 1905 and Oxygymnocypris stewartii Lloyd, 1908) from the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet. Specimens were captured monthly using floating gillnets (mesh size 7.5 cm), bottom gillnets (mesh size 6.5 cm), and trap nets (mesh size 1.5 mm) from August 2008 to August 2009, March to August 2012, and March to April 2013. Regression coefficient (b) values of length–weight relationships (LWRs) ranged from 3.045 for P. dipogon to 3.193 for O. stewartii, whereas the a values ranged from 0.0040 to 0.0168 for O. stewartii and P. dipogon, respectively.     

Reproductive biology of the tarpon snook Centropomus pectinatus (Perciformes,Centropomidae) in estuarine waters in the south‐western Atlantic

The reproductive biology of Centropomus pectinatus is described from an artisanal fish landings collaborative monitoring programme between May 2012 and April 2013 in estuarine waters in north‐eastern Brazil. The total length (L_T) at which 50% are mature was 24 cm, corresponding to 37·7% of the maximum recorded L_T. Gonado‐somatic indices were variable, but highest values were in June and August 2012. Length‐frequency distributions showed male dominance in smaller length classes (15–30 cm) and females in larger length classes (>30 cm).     

Relationships between metabolic rate, muscle electromyograms and swim performance of adult chinook salmon

Oxygen consumption rates of adult spring chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha increased with swim speed and, depending on temperature and fish mass, ranged from 609 mg O₂ h^?1 at 30 cm s^?1 (c. 0·5 BL s^?1) to 3347 mg O₂ h^?1 at 170 cm s^?1 (c. 2·3 BL s^?1). Corrected for fish mass, these values ranged from 122 to 670 mg O₂ kg^?1 h^?1, and were similar to other Oncorhynchus species. At all temperatures (8, 12·5 and 17° C), maximum oxygen consumption values levelled off and slightly declined with increasing swim speed >170 cm s^?1, and a third‐order polynomial regression model fitted the data best. The upper critical swim speed (U_crit) of fish tested at two laboratories averaged 155 cm s^?1 (2·1 BL s^?1), but U_crit of fish tested at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory were significantly higher (mean 165 cm s^?1) than those from fish tested at the Columbia River Research Laboratory (mean 140 cm s^?1). Swim trials using fish that had electromyogram (EMG) transmitters implanted in them suggested that at a swim speed of c. 135 cm s^?1, red muscle EMG pulse rates slowed and white muscle EMG pulse rates increased. Although there was significant variation between individual fish, this swim speed was c. 80% of the U_crit for the fish used in the EMG trials (mean U_crit 168·2 cm s^?1). Bioenergetic modelling of the upstream migration of adult chinook salmon should consider incorporating an anaerobic fraction of the energy budget when swim speeds are ≥80% of the U_crit.     

Distribution of potassium in the soil profile of a sandplain soil under pasture species

The influence of pasture species and pasture/crop rotations on the fate of K fertilizer in the soil profile of a sandplain soil was investigated. Results for Lupinus cosentinii, subterranean clover and a subterranean clover/wheat rotation are presented. Potassium was applied as KCl at six rates up to 150 kg K ha^-1 for three years; bicarbonate-extractable K was measured at five depths in the profile (0–100 cm) for four years. The net change in available K in the top 100 cm of the profile (kg ha^-1) was calculated. There was a gradual increase in K down the profile under all species with fertilizer application. The increase was largest for L. cosentinii, which also appeared to redistribute K from below 100 cm to the soil surface. The K residual value on this soil type was higher than expected with most of the fertilizer applied over three years being retained in the top 100 cm.     

Predictive equations for body fat and abdominal fat with DXA and MRI as reference in Asian Indians

Objective: To develop accurate and reliable equations from simple anthropometric parameters that would predict percentage of total body fat (%BF), total abdominal fat (TAF), subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SCAT), and intra‐abdominal adipose tissue (IAAT) with a fair degree of accuracy. Methods and Procedures: Anthropometry, %BF by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) in 171 healthy subjects (95 men and 76 women) and TAF, IAAT, and SCAT by single slice magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at L3–4 intervertebral level in 100 healthy subjects were measured. Mean age and BMI were 32.2 years and 22.9 kg/m², respectively. Multiple regression analysis was used on the training data set (70%) to develop equations, by taking anthropometric and demographic variables as potential predictors. Predicted equations were applied on validation data set (30%). Results: Multiple regression analysis revealed the best equation for predicting %BF to be: %BF = 42.42 + 0.003 × age (years) + 7.04 × gender (M = 1, F = 2) + 0.42 × triceps skinfold (mm) + 0.29 × waist circumference (cm) ? 0.22 × weight (kg) ? 0.42 × height (cm) (R ² = 86.4%). The most precise predictive equation for estimating IAAT was: IAAT (mm²) = ?238.7 + 16.9 × age (years) + 934.18 × gender (M = 1, F = 2) + 578.09 × BMI (kg/m²) ? 441.06 × hip circumference (cm) + 434.2 × waist circumference (cm) (R ² = 52.1%). SCAT was best predicted by: SCAT (mm²) = ?49,376.4 ? 17.15 × age (years) + 1,016.5 × gender (M = 1, F = 2) +783.3 × BMI (kg/m²) + 466 × hip circumference (cm) (R ² = 67.1). Discussion: We present predictive equations to quantify body fat and abdominal adipose tissue sub‐compartments in healthy Asian Indians. These equations could be used for clinical and research purposes.     

Radiological toxicity of some fish and meat tissues consumed in southwestern Nigeria

The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in 30 fish tissues and 30 meat organs have been determined using high purity germanium (HPGe) detector. For the fish tissues, the mean activity concentrations of ²³⁸U and ²³²Th were highest in Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) with values of 5.31 ± 1.30 and 6.09 ± 0.91 Bq/kg, respectively. The lowest mean activity concentrations of ²³⁸U and ²³²Th were seen in Titus (Scomberomorus tritor) and Croaker (Micropogonias undulatus), Croaker with values of 1.51 ± 2.08 and 64.42 ± 6.33 Bq/kg, respectively. The mean activity concentration of ⁴⁰K was highest in Micropogonias undulatus and lowest in Tilapia (Oreohronis niloticus) with values of 64.42 ± 6.33 and 6.53 ± 0.98 Bq/kg. For the meat organs, the highest mean activity concentration of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K was highest in kidney, liver, and heart, respectively with values of 2.82 ± 0.47, 4.57 ± 0.69, and 52.07 ± 7.81 Bq/kg. Small intestine had the lowest mean activity concentrations of ²³⁸U and ²³²Th with values of 1.14 ± 0.16 and 0.89 ± 0.08 Bq/kg, respectively. Beef had the lowest mean activity concentration of ⁴⁰K with a value of 17.61 ± 2.14 Bq/kg.     

Selectivity of diamond (PA) and square (PE) mesh codends for commercially important fish species in the Antalya Bay,eastern Mediterranean

Size selectivity of the 40 mm nominal polyethylene (PE) square mesh codend and the 44 mm nominal polyamide (PA) diamond mesh codend were determined under commercial conditions in the demersal trawl fishery. Data were collected using the covered codend technique and analyzed by logistic equation with a maximum likelihood method. Changing the mesh from a 44 mm PA diamond to a 40 mm PE square increased the mean retention lengths (L₅₀s) of red mullet (Mullus barbatus), picarel (Spicara maena) and bogue (Boops boops) and decreased the selection ranges (SR) for common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus). For large‐eye dentex (Dentex macrophthalmus) and axillary sea bream (Pagellus acarne) mean L₅₀ and SR values were 9.6 and 11.8, and 2.4 and 2.4 cm, respectively, only in the DM44PA codend. For golden banded goatfish (Upeneus moluccensis) values for SM40PE were only 15.0 and 2.7 cm, respectively. Results showed that the 40 mm PE square mesh codend provided higher selectivity for most of the Mediterranean fishes. The results also showed that regulating mesh size and requiring square mesh openings during trawling is essential for the release of immature individuals. This practice will result in a reduction in overfishing and permit recovery of overfished stocks.     

Flow characteristics of a pilot-scale airlift fermentor

The effects of aeration on the flow characteristics of water in a glass pilot-scale airlift fermentor have been examined. The 55-L capacity fermentor consisted of a 15.2-cm-i.d. riser column with a 5.1-cm-i.d. downcomer tube. It was found that the average bubble size diminished with increased aeration. Typically, average bubble sizes ranged from 4.32 mm at a superficial gas velocity of 0.64 cm/s to 1.92 mm at 10.3 cm/s. A gas holdup of 0.19 was attained with superficial gas velocities (v_s) on the order of 10 cm/s, indicating the highly gassed nature of the fluid in the riser section of the fermentor. Circulation velocities of markers placed in the fermentor decreased with increasing aeration rates due to increased turbulence and axial liquid back mixing within the riser section. Actual volumetric liquid circulation rates remained relatively constant (0.36–0.49 L/s) for values of (v_s) up to 10 cm/s. Based on theoretical calculations, the ascending velocity of bubbles in a swarm reached 54 cm/s in the range of (v_s) values studied.     

Length–weight relationships of some fish from the Ganga River,India

Length–weight relationships (LWRs) were determined for seven riverine fish species from the river Ganga, India. Specimens were collected on a bi‐monthly basis from April 2017 to December 2018 using gill nets (mesh size 22–34 mm), cast nets (mesh size 16 mm) and bag nets (mesh size 14–22 mm). Total length was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm using a digital caliper and weight was recorded to the nearest 0.01 g on an electronic balance. From estimated length–weight relationships, the values for parameter “a” ranged from 0.004 (Bregmaceros mcclellandi and Setipinna tenuifilis) to 0.014 (Brachirus pan). Likewise, the values for the parameter “b” of the equation ranged from 2.958 (Bagarius bagarius) to 3.124 (Bregmaceros mcclellandi) and r² from 0.978 (Gonialosa manmina) to 0.996 (Brachirus pan).