Sexual dimorphism in growth and maturation of turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (Rafinesque, 1810)

Sexual dimorphism in growth and maturation of individually tagged turbot (n= 421), Scophthalmus maximus Rafinesque, was studied in a long-lasting (20 months) growth experiment with four temperature regimes. The influence of onset of puberty and subsequent maturation on growth was evaluated. There were no initial size differences, but the final weight of females was larger than that of males at all temperature regimes, except at the lowest temperature. Surplus energy (sum of increase in somatic weight and gonad weight) in females was on average greater than in males from 8 months prior to first spawning. Significant growth (as specific growth rate, SGR) differences between maturing and immature fish were detected from the age of 9 months post hatch. Maturing females had the highest growth rate and reached the largest size (1.8 kg in 20 months), whereas male body weights reached a plateau and levelled off around 1.0 kg. To optimize production characteristics in turbot aquaculture and achieve more homogeneous growth, methods should be developed to produce all-female broods.     

Challenges in modelling dissolved organic matter dynamics in agricultural soil using DAISY

Because dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays an important role is terrestrial C-, N- and P-balances and transport of these three components to aquatic environments, there is a need to include it in models. This paper presents the concept of the newly developed DOM modules implemented in the DAISY model with focus on the quantification of DOM sorption/desorption and microbial-driven DOM turnover. The kinetics of DOM sorption/desorption is described by the deviation of the actual DOM concentration in solution from the equilibrium concentration, C_eq. The C_eq is soil specific and estimated from pedotransfer functions taking into account the soil content of organic matter, Al and Fe oxides. The turnover of several organic matter pools including one DOM pool are described by first-order kinetics.The DOM module was tested at field scale for three soil treatments applied after cultivating grass–clover swards. Suction cups were installed at depths 30, 60 and 90 cm and soil solution was sampled for quantification of dissolved organic C (DOC) and dissolved organic N (DON). In the topsoil, the observed fluctuations in DOC were successfully simulated when the sorption/desorption rate coefficient k was low. In the subsoil, the observed concentrations of DOC were steadier and the best simulations were obtained using a high k. The model shows that DOC and DON concentrations are levelled out in the subsoils due to soil buffering. The steady concentration levels were based on the C_eq for each horizon and the kinetic concept for sorption/desorption of DOC appeared a viable approach. If C_eq was successfully estimated by the pedotransfer function it was possible to simulate the DOC concentration in the subsoil. In spite of difficulties in describing the DOC dynamics of the topsoil, the DOM module simulates the subsoil concentration level of DOC well, and also—but with more uncertainty—the DON concentration level.     

Validity of protein, retinol, folic acid and n-3 fatty acid intakes estimated from the food-frequency questionnaire used in the Danish National Birth Cohort

OBJECTIVE: To validate intakes of protein, folic acid, retinol and n-3 fatty acids estimated from a food-frequency questionnaire in week 25 of pregnancy (FFQ-25). DESIGN: Validation was done against a 7-day weighed food diary (FD) and biomarkers of the nutrients in gestation week 32-38. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The FFQ-25 to be validated was used in the Danish National Birth Cohort comprising 101 042 pregnant Danish women, of whom 88 participated in the present validation study. RESULTS: Estimated intakes of protein, retinol and folic acid did not differ significantly between the two dietary methods, but intake of n-3 fatty acids was one third larger when estimated from the FFQ-25. The intakes estimated from the two dietary methods were all significantly correlated, ranging from 0.20 for retinol intake to 0.57 for folic acid intake. Sensitivities of being correctly classified into low and high quintiles were between 0.22 and 0.77, and specificities were between 0.62 and 0.89. Urinary protein content did not correlate significantly with protein estimated from the FFQ (r = 0.17, P > 0.05), but did with intake estimated from the FD (r = 0.56, P < 0.0001). Erythrocyte folate correlated significantly with the estimated total intake from the FFQ (r = 0.55, P < 0.0001) and the FD (r = 0.52, P < 0.0001). No correlations with plasma retinol were found. Erythrocyte eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n-3) correlated significantly with n-3 fatty acids intake estimated from both the FFQ-25 (r = 0.37, P < 0.001) and the FD (r = 0.62, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The FFQ-25 gives reasonable valid estimates of protein, retinol and folic acid intakes, but seems to overestimate intake of n-3 fatty acids.