Parameter estimation with egg production surveys to estimate snapper, Pagrus auratus, biomass in Shark Bay, Western Australia

Snapper (Pagrusauratus) stocks found inside Shark Bay, Western Australia, are the basis of important recreational fisheries. An evaluation of the daily egg production method for annual snapper stock assessment commenced in 1997. Initial spawning biomass estimates were inconclusive due to wide confidence intervals around egg production in particular. In 1998, more comprehensive surveys were conducted in an effort to improve the accuracy and precision of the estimated parameters. Egg survey design used information on the location of the main spawning areas and spawning times identified in 1997 and employed a systematic stratified adaptive sampling approach. Further refinements to the daily egg production method included use of nonlinear regression and nonparametric bootstrapping techniques. Results are discussed in relation to the precision of parameter estimates, with reference to egg production in particular, and the appropriateness of analytical methods used.     

Pterocarpan profiles for soybean leaves at different growth stages and investigation of their glycosidase inhibitions

Soybean leaves are eaten as seasonal edible greens in Korea. Analysis of the ethyl acetate extract of these leaves showed that it exhibited potent and selective neuraminidase inhibition, which began at the R3 stage and peaked at R7. Ten pterocarpans, including the new 6a-hydroxypterocarpan 10, were isolated from soybean leaves and their inhibition activities tested against a range of glycosidases. The relationship between structure and enzyme inhibition was investigated: 6a-hydroxypterocarpans exhibited much higher inhibition against neuraminidase (IC(50) = 2.4-89.4 μM) than α-glucosidase (IC(50) = 90.4-?>100 μM). Glyceollin VII (7) displayed 40-fold greater activity (IC(50) = 2.4 μM) against neuraminidase than α-glucosidase (IC(50) = 90.4 μM). On the other hand, coumestanes (1-3) were good α-glucosidase inhibitors (IC(50) = 6.0-42.6 μM). In kinetic analysis, the most potent neuraminidase inhibitors (5-10) were noncompetitive. HPLC analysis indicated that most pterocarpan synthesis began from the R3 stage, and a rapid change of pterocarpan concentrations was observed between the R4 and R7 stages.     

Genetic differentiation between fake abalone and genuine Haliotis species using the forensically informative nucleotide sequencing (FINS) method

Abalones ( Haliotis species) are a popular delicacy and commonly preserved in dried form either whole or in slices or small pieces for consumption in Asian countries. Driven by the huge profit from trading abalones, dishonest traders may substitute other molluscan species for processed abalone, of which the morphological characteristics are frequently lost in the processed form. For protection of consumer rights and law enforcement against fraud, there is a need for an effective methodology to differentiate between fake and genuine abalone. This paper describes a method (validated according to the international forensic guidelines provided by SWGDAM) for the identification of fake abalone species using forensically informative nucleotide sequence (FINS) analysis. A study of the local market revealed that many claimed "abalone slice" samples on sale are not genuine. The fake abalone samples were found to be either volutids of the genus Cymbium (93%) or the muricid Concholepas concholepas (7%). This is the first report of Cymbium species being used for the preparation and sale as "abalone" in dried sliced form in Hong Kong.     

Impacts of wetting-drying cycles on short-term carbon and nitrogen dynamics in Amynthas earthworm casts

Effects of earthworm casts on soil nutrient dynamics and their responses to changing moisture availability in subtropical ecosystems remain poorly understood. This study aimed to examine short-term carbon(C) and nitrogen(N) dynamics and their interactions with wetting-drying cycles in three different structural forms(i.e., granular, globular, and heap-like) of Amynthas earthworm casts. The rates of C and N mineralization in the earthworm casts were examined under two different wetting-drying cycles(i.e., 2-d and 4-d wetting intervals) using a rainfall simulation experiment. After three simulated rainfall events, subsamples of the earthworm casts were further incubated for 4 d for the determination of CO_2 and N_2O fluxes. The results of this study indicated that the impacts of wetting-drying cycles on the short-term C and N dynamics were highly variable among the three cast forms, but wetting-drying cycles significantly reduced the cumulative CO_2 and N_2O fluxes by 62%–83% and 57%–85%, respectively, when compared to the control without being subjected to any rainfall events. The C mineralization rates in different cast forms were affected by the amount of organic substrates and N content in casts, which were associated with the food preference and selection of earthworms. Meanwhile, the cumulative N_2O fluxes did not differ among the three cast forms. Repeated wetting and drying of casts not only enhanced aggregate stability by promoting bonds between the cast particles, but also inhibited microbial survival and growth during the prolonged drying period, which together hindered decomposition and denitrification. Our findings demonstrated that the interactions between the structural forms, aggregate dynamics, and C and N cycling in the earthworm casts were highly complex.     

Comparison of Pioneer and Native Woodland Species Growing on Top of an Engineered Landfill,Hong Kong: Restoration Programme

This study dealt with a restoration project conducted at South‐East New Territories Landfill in Hong Kong, in order to screen suitable tree and shrub species (both native and pioneer species) for revegetation. For engineered landfills, landfill gas migration and leachate contamination to the topsoil are rarely problematic, but the lack of nutrients and moisture and poor physical soil conditions may jeopardize potential woodland establishment. The growth performance of 25 woody plant species subjected to 12 different soil amelioration and seedlings planting methods was compared. The results showed that the general performance (mortality rate, apical height, crown diameter and basal diameter) of pioneer species (notably Acacia species) was much better than that of native species in all blocks of woodland mix and scrub mix. The notch planting method was effective in helping seedling roots to have better contact with soil for water uptake, which subsequently increased the survival rates of seedlings, leading to a better tree coverage. Soil ameliorations (horticultural soil with fertilizer and horse and pig manure) generally increased the seedling survival rate and improved plant growth. Tree coverage on all the plant trial blocks was mainly established by the three Acacia species. A planting distance of 1 m was recommended for woodland establishment, and such dense seedlings planting would achieve a better tree coverage under a shorter period of time (than the distance of 3 m). Difficulties in woodland establishment were discussed, and the strategies for achieving a better tree growth were recommended. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Statistical analysis of the relationship among environmental variables, inter-annual variability and smolt trap efficiency of salmonids in the Tucannon River

Spring and fall chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and hatchery spring chinook in the Tucannon River, Washington, USA are listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Restoration and management of both species can be facilitated by understanding how biotic and abiotic factors affect their smolt trap efficiency. In this paper, we examine the effects of the rate of water flow, water temperature, the level of staff gauge, debris load, and Secchi disk readings on their weekly smolt trap efficiency from 1998 to 2003 using a generalized linear model (GLM) with a binomial response (link function – logit). The nonlinear relationships between the smolt trap efficiency and abiotic variables are also analyzed using a generalized additive model (GAM) with a binomial response (link function – logit). Both GLM and GAM analyses showed that the trap efficiency varied among years for fall chinook, steelhead, and wild spring chinook, but not for hatchery spring chinook, and that the level of staff gauge and the rate of water flow were the most important factors altering trap efficiency. The partial residuals from GAM analyses were used to determine the optimal number of sampled fish with a known efficiency and to detect possibly misleading results from GLM analyses.     

Ultraviolet imaging spectroscopy shows an active saturnian system

Neutral oxygen in the saturnian system shows variability, and the total number of oxygen atoms peaks at 4 x 10(34). Saturn's aurora brightens in response to solar-wind forcing, and the auroral spectrum resembles Jupiter's. Phoebe's surface shows variable water-ice content, and the data indicate it originated in the outer solar system. Saturn's rings also show variable water abundance, with the purest ice in the outermost A ring. This radial variation is consistent with initially pure water ice bombarded by meteors, but smaller radial structures may indicate collisional transport and recent renewal events in the past 10(7) to 10(8) years.     

Antiviral efficacy of oseltamivir against avian influenza virus in avian species

Avian influenza is one of the most contagious viral diseases in bird species and, increasingly, interspecies transmission to mammalian species has been reported. Prevention and eradication of avian influenza virus (AIV) infection in birds may require vaccines as part of a comprehensive program including biosecurity, culling, diagnostics, and surveillance. However, for valuable bird species in zoos, novel eradication strategies are needed, including antiviral treatments. The present study evaluated the anti-influenza efficacy of the potent neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir in avian species using the orders Galliformes (chickens) and Anseriformes (ducks). Viral replication of low pathogenic AIV was significantly reduced in the chicken model and completely reduced in the duck model. Anti-influenza drug administration to valuable bird species with an appropriate extrapolation approach could be useful for control of AIV in combination with active surveillance and vaccination strategies. Further, evaluation of oseltamivir against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) using avian models would be needed to optimize the oseltamivir application guideline for HPAI control.