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The most common genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD) is heterozygous mutationsGBA1, which encodes for the lysosomal enzyme, glucocerebrosidase. Reduced glucocerebrosidase activity associates with an accumulation of abnormal α-synuclein (α-syn) called Lewy pathology, which characterizes PD. PD patients heterozygous for the neuronotypic GBA1L444P mutation (GBA1+/L444P) have a 5.6-fold increased risk of cognitive impairments. In this study, we used GBA1+/L444Pmice of either sex to determine its effects on lipid metabolism, expression of synaptic proteins, behavior, and α-syn inclusion formation. At 3 months of age, GBA1+/L444Pmice demonstrated impaired contextual fear conditioning, and increased motor activity. Hippocampal levels of vGLUT1 were selectively reduced in GBA1+/L444Pmice. We show, using mass spectrometry, that GBA1L444P expression increased levels of glucosylsphingosine, but not glucosylceramide, in the brains and serum of GBA1+/L444Pmice. Templated induction of α-syn pathology in mice showed an increase in α-syn inclusion formation in the hippocampus of GBA1+/L444Pmice compared with GBA1+/+mice, but not in the cortex, or substantia nigra pars compacta. Pathologic α-syn reduced SNc dopamine neurons by 50% in both GBA1+/+and GBA1+/L444Pmice. Treatment with a GlcCer synthase inhibitor did not affect abundance of α-syn inclusions in the hippocampus or rescue dopamine neuron loss. Overall, these data suggest the importance of evaluating the contribution of elevated glucosylsphingosine to PD phenotypes. Further, our data suggest that expression of neuronotypic GBA1L444P may cause defects in the hippocampus, which may be a mechanism by which cognitive decline is more prevalent in individuals with GBA1-PD.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTParkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are both pathologically characterized by abnormal α-synuclein (α-syn). MutantGBA1is a risk factor for both PD and DLB. Our data show the expression of neuronotypic GBA1L444P impairs behaviors related to hippocampal function, reduces expression of a hippocampal excitatory synaptic protein, and that the hippocampus is more susceptible to α-syn inclusion formation. Further, our data strengthen support for the importance of evaluating the contribution of glucosylsphingosine to PD phenotypes. These outcomes suggest potential mechanisms by which GBA1L444P contributes to the cognitive symptoms clinically observed in PD and DLB. Our findings also highlight the importance of glucosylsphingosine as a relevant biomarker for future therapeutics.

Objectives: We sought to examine rates of comorbid ADHD and SUD/AUD using a nationally representative dataset, and to compare this data with established estimates. We hoped to increase available research on ADHD within patients with SUD/AUD. Methods: This study is a retrospective secondary analysis of cross-sectional data collected in the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS). Results: The data showed less than 1% of comorbid ADHD in either AUD or SUD, and prevalence of 0.6% in patients with both. Our estimated prevalence of ADHD among SUD/AUD patients is more than 30-fold smaller than the 25% consensus. Conclusion: The stark difference between our data and prior research indicates a need for further examination of the prevalence of ADHD within acute care. This finding of a large reservoir of ADHD that is unrecognized or undocumented indicates a substantive need for ADHD-focused education with opportunity for improvement in patient treatment.

This study evaluated Brewers Spent Grains (BSG) and an enzyme additive (AllzymeTM; ENZ) in practical diets for juvenile (~5 g/fish) Nile tilapia (Trial 1) and channel catfish (Trial 2). Following a...

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency in children. Differentiation of acute appendicitis from conditions that do not require operative management can be challenging in children. This study aimed to identify the optimum risk prediction model to stratify acute appendicitis risk in children. METHODS: We did a rapid review to identify acute appendicitis risk prediction models. A prospective, multicentre cohort study was then done to evaluate performance of these models. Children (aged 5-15 years) presenting with acute right iliac fossa pain in the UK and Ireland were included. For each model, score cutoff thresholds were systematically varied to identify the best achievable specificity while maintaining a failure rate (ie, proportion of patients identified as low risk who had acute appendicitis) less than 5%. The normal appendicectomy rate was the proportion of resected appendixes found to be normal on histopathological examination. FINDINGS:15 risk prediction models were identified that could be assessed. The cohort study enrolled 1827 children from 139 centres, of whom 630 (34·5%) underwent appendicectomy. The normal appendicectomy rate was 15·9% (100 of 630 patients). The Shera score was the best performing model, with an area under the curve of 0·84 (95% CI 0·82-0·86). Applying score cutoffs of 3 points or lower for children aged 5-10 years and girls aged 11-15 years, and 2 points or lower for boys aged 11-15 years, the failure rate was 3·3% (95% CI 2·0-5·2; 18 of 539 patients), specificity was 44·3% (95% CI 41·4-47·2; 521 of 1176), and positive predictive value was 41·4% (38·5-44·4; 463 of 1118). Positive predictive value for the Shera score with a cutoff of 6 points or lower (72·6%, 67·4-77·4) was similar to that of ultrasound scan (75·0%, 65·3-83·1). INTERPRETATION: The Shera score has the potential to identify a large group of children at low risk of acute appendicitis who could be considered for early discharge. Risk scoring does not identify children who should proceed directly to surgery. Medium-risk and high-risk children should undergo routine preoperative ultrasound imaging by operators trained to assess for acute appendicitis, and MRI or low-dose CT if uncertainty remains. FUNDING: None.

Recent evidence suggests that snail predators may aid efforts to control the human parasitic disease schistosomiasis by eating aquatic snail species that serve as intermediate hosts of the parasite. Here, potential synergies between schistosomiasis control and aquaculture of giant prawns are evaluated using an integrated bioeconomic–epidemiological model. Combinations of stocking density and aquaculture cycle length that maximize cumulative, discounted profit are identified for two prawn species in sub-Saharan Africa: the endemic, non-domesticated Macrobrachium vollenhovenii and the non-native, domesticated Macrobrachium rosenbergii. At profit-maximizing densities, both M. rosenbergii and M. vollenhovenii may substantially reduce intermediate host snail populations and aid schistosomiasis control efforts. Control strategies drawing on both prawn aquaculture to reduce intermediate host snail populations and mass drug administration to treat infected individuals are found to be superior to either strategy alone. Integrated aquaculture-based interventions can be a win–win strategy in terms of health and sustainable development in schistosomiasis endemic regions of the world. Predators, including prawns, can suppress schistosomiasis by eating snail hosts. This modelling study finds that two prawn species in sub-Saharan Africa can reduce snail hosts and help control schistosomiasis at densities that maximize profits of associated aquaculture—a potential win–win.

To date, most aquaponic research has been conducted outdoors in tropical climates or in greenhouses in subtropical climates. For more northerly latitudes, aquaponic production will require supplemental light in greenhouses or insulated buildings. Two separate 3-wk growth trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of four different lighting technologies on the growth of Swiss chard, Beta vulgaris (Trial 1) and kale, Brassica oleracea (Trial 2) in aquaponic systems. Light technologies evaluated included fluorescent (FLO), metal halide (MH), induction (IND), and light-emitting diode (LED). Four 1175-L systems were used with all four light types represented in each system in a complete block design. Juvenile Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (241 g) were stocked in each system and fed a floating 32% protein diet at a rate of 60 g/m2 of plant grow space per day. In Trial 1, Swiss chard plants grown under LED lights for 3 wk achieved significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) average individual weights (117.7 g), higher production per unit of area (3535 g/m2), and higher production per unit of energy (32.3 g/m2/kwh) than Swiss chard grown under the other three light types, which did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) from each other. In Trial 2, kale grown under LED lights achieved significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) average individual weights (102.9 g), higher production per unit of area (2136.6 g/m), and higher production per unit of energy (381.5 g/m2/kwh) than kale grown under the other three light types, which did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). The results of the two trials are in agreement and indicate that LED lights were superior to MH, FLO, and IND lights in terms of absolute plant growth as well as growth per unit of energy consumed.

Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, remains the USA's largest aquaculture industry. However, in recent years, high feed prices have negatively impacted profitability. Production of ethanol as a biofuel has increased dramatically. Companies have modified their processes to enhance ethanol yield and these modified processes also increase the crude protein content of the byproduct. The object of this study was to evaluate this high-protein dried distiller's grains (HP-DDG) for its suitability in catfish diets. A total of 25 full-sibling channel catfish (7.1 ± 2.3 g) were randomly stocked into each of twelve 260-L polyethylene tanks to achieve 25 fish per tank. The control diet was similar to a commercial formulation. Experimental diets contained 20, 40, or 40% HP-DDG with added lysine (1% of total diet). There were three replicate tanks per diet. Fish were fed to apparent satiation twice daily for 9 wk. Average harvest weights for fish fed the 40% HP-DDG diet without lysine supplementation (57.0 g) were significantly smaller than that for fish fed the control diet (77.7 g). Average harvest weights of fish fed 20% HP-DDG (86.8 g) were significantly greater than that of fish fed either 40% HP-DDG (57.0 g) or 40% HP-DDG + lysine (73.7 g). There were no significant differences in feed conversion ratios or survivals among treatments, which overall averaged 1.1 and 99%, respectively. These data indicate that HP-DDG appears to be a suitable ingredient in channel catfish diets up to at least 20% of the total formulation. Data also indicate that inclusion levels of at least 40% HP-DDG are likely limiting in lysine.

Largemouth bass (LMB), Micropterus salmoides, are a highly desirable food fish especially among Asian populations in large cities throughout North America. The primary production method for food-size LMB (>500 g) has been outdoor ponds that require two growing seasons (18 mo). Indoor, controlled-environment production using recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technologies could potentially reduce the growout period by maintaining ideal temperatures year-round. Researchers conducted a 26-wk study to evaluate optimal stocking densities for growout of second-year LMB to food-fish size in an indoor RAS. LMB fingerlings (112.0 ± 38.0 g) were randomly stocked into nine 900-L tanks to achieve densities of 30, 60, or 120 fish/m3 with three replicate tanks per density. The RAS consisted of a 3000-L sump, ¼ hp pump, bead filter for solids removal, mixed-moving-bed biofilter for nitrification, and a 400-watt ultraviolet light for sterilization. Fish were fed a commercially available floating diet (45% protein and 16% lipid) once daily to apparent satiation. At harvest, all fish were counted, individually weighed, and measured. Total biomass densities significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) with stocking rate achieving 6.2, 13.2, and 22.9 kg/m3 for fish stocked at 20, 60, and 120 fish/m3, respectively. The stocking densities evaluated had no significant impact (P > 0.05) on survival, average harvest weight, or feed conversion ratio which averaged 92.9 ± 5.8%, 294.5 ± 21.1 g, and 1.8 ± 0.3, respectively. After approximately 6 mo of culture, LMB did not attain target weights of >500 g. Observed competition among fish likely resulted in large size variability and overall poor growth compared to second-year growth in ponds. Additional research is needed to better assess the suitability of LMB for culture in RAS.

Taurine is “conditionally essential” for some fish species, particularly when fish meal levels in their diets are reduced. Taurine supplementation has not yet been evaluated in the Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides. A 12-week feeding trial was conducted using a 2 × 2 factorial design with the main effects being fish meal inclusion (0% or 30%) or taurine supplementation (0% or 2%). The fish meal diets contained sardine fish meal while the nonfish meal diets used pork meal, which has a very low taurine content, as the animal source protein. The four experimental diets were formulated to contain 40% crude protein and 12% lipid. The feeding trial was conducted using juvenile Largemouth Bass (19.3 ± 3.9 g; mean ± SD) stocked at 25 fish/tank into twelve 230-L aquaria within a recirculating system. Fish were fed to apparent satiation twice daily. Dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature were monitored daily, while alkalinity, total ammonia nitrogen, and nitrite-nitrogen were monitored three times weekly...

Recent evidence suggests crustacean snail predators may aid schistosomiasis control programs by targeting the environmental component of the parasite’s life cycle through predation of the snail species that serve as intermediate hosts of the parasite. We evaluate costs, benefits, and potential synergies between schistosomiasis control and aquaculture of giant prawns using an integrated bio-economic-epidemiologic model. We identified combinations of stocking density and aquaculture cycle length that maximize profit and offer disease control benefits for sustainable schistosomiasis control. We consider two prawn species in sub-Saharan Africa: the endemic, non-domesticated Macrobrachium vollenhovenii, and the non-native, domesticated Macrobrachium rosenbergii. We find that, at profit-optimal densities, both M. rosenbergii and M. vollenhovenii can complement conventional control approaches (mass drug treatment of people) and lead to sustainable schistosomiasis control. We conclude that integrated aquaculture strategies can be a win-win strategy in terms of health and sustainable development in schistosomiasis endemic regions of the world.

The aim of the present paper is to summarise current and future applications of dietary assessment technologies in nutrition surveys in developed countries. It includes the discussion of key points and highlights of subsequent developments from a panel discussion to address strengths and weaknesses of traditional dietary assessment methods (food records, FFQ, 24 h recalls, diet history with interviewer-assisted data collection) v. new technology-based dietary assessment methods (web-based and mobile device applications). The panel discussion ‘Traditional methods v. new technologies: dilemmas for dietary assessment in population surveys’, was held at the 9th International Conference on Diet and Activity Methods (ICDAM9), Brisbane, September 2015. Despite respondent and researcher burden, traditional methods have been most commonly used in nutrition surveys. However, dietary assessment technologies offer potential advantages including faster data processing and better data quality. This is a fast-moving field and there is evidence of increasing demand for the use of new technologies amongst the general public and researchers. There is a need for research and investment to support efforts being made to facilitate the inclusion of new technologies for rapid, accurate and representative data.

Most microalgae evaluated in aquaculture diets have been produced autotrophically. In order to produce a cost-efficient biomass at greater magnitudes for biofuel feedstock, heterotrophic production may be warranted. However, the chemical/nutritional attributes of these microalgae could differ from those grown autotrophically. An 8-wk feeding trial was conducted to evaluate Chlorella spp. algae meal (AM) that had been cultured heterotrophically. The oil (lipid) was extracted to simulate biofuel production. Juvenile channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (5.7 ± 1.4 g; 8.9 ± 0.8 cm), were stocked at 10 fish/tank into fifteen 37.7-L aquaria in a closed recirculating system and fed one of the five experimental diets to apparent satiation twice daily. Diets contained either 0 (control, CTL), 10, 20, or 40% AM and an additional diet containing 40% AM was supplemented with 2% lysine (40% AM+LYS). After 8 wk, there were no statistically significant differences in terms of survival, dressout percentages, whole-body proximate composition, or fatty acid composition of the fillets among fish fed the diets containing varying levels of AM without added lysine. Feed consumption and weight gain for fish fed the 10, 40, and 40% AM+LYS diets were significantly greater than those fed the CTL diet. Feed conversion ratio was significantly lower for fish fed the 40% AM+LYS diet compared to those fed all other diets, which did not differ significantly from each other. These data indicate that channel catfish readily accept and can efficiently utilize heterotrophically produced AM at levels up to at least 40% of the total diet and that AM may enhance diet palatability.

Production and population characteristics of monosex male (all-male) giant river prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, were compared with a normal (mixed-sex) population in separate studies in Mississippi and Kentucky (USA) under low and high density stocking conditions, respectively. In Study 1 (Mississippi), juvenile prawns were stocked into eight 0.05–0.06 ha ponds at 24,700/ha. The mean stocking weight of all-male was 0.34 g and mixed-sex was 0.39 g. Prawns were fed 23% crude protein “range cubes” and harvested after 120 d for the all-male prawns and 112 d for mixed-sex prawns. In Study 2 (Kentucky), juvenile prawns from each group were stocked into six 0.04 ha ponds at 60,000 juveniles per hectare. The mean stocking weight for all-male was 0.38 g and for mixed-sex juveniles was 0.34 g. Prawns were fed a commercial sinking pellet (33% protein) once daily at a standardized rate and harvested after 105 d. In both locations survival of mixed-sex prawns and all-male prawns was not significantly different and the final average weight of all-male prawns was significantly greater than the average weight of mixed-sex prawns. For the study in Kentucky, total production was not significantly different between treatments, whereas in Mississippi total production in the all-male ponds was significantly higher than in the mixed-sex ponds. For both studies, the production size index of all-male prawns was significantly greater than that of mixed-sex prawns. In terms of population structure, in all-male ponds there was a significant increase in orange claw (OC) males compared with the mixed-sex ponds both as a percent of sex and a percent of total population. The increase in OC numbers in all-male populations may be due to a lack of females to stimulate the transition of males to the final, sexually mature, blue claw stage. As target weights increase from 20, 30, and 40 g, the all-male populations were increasingly superior in terms of production (kg/ha) of those target sizes. The economic benefit of all-male over mixed-sex populations will be principally based on an examination of tradeoffs that primarily consider the cost difference of juveniles relative to the price differences for different final harvest weights.

The performance of a surface plamon resonance biosensor (SPRB) is directly linked to the excitation and the nature of propagation of surface plasmon (SP) waves. The excitation and propagation of SP wave in further depends on the geometry of the device and type of excitation (e.g., grating coupled, prism coupled etc.). This paper presents the investigation of surface plamon waves in conventional and multilayer SPRB. The multilayer structure of SPRB includes graphene based multilayer SPRB which consists a number of graphene layer on top of gold layer. The propagations of SPs, electric and magnetic field distributions are studied for various conditions. Absolute magnitudes of electric and magnetic field along with their direction are studied. It was found that the strong plasmon is caused on the sensing interface when a resonance is occurred and on the other hand a weak plasmon is formed while resonance is not established in which case most of the field is reflected back to the medium of incidence. It was also validated that SP waves are generated if the polarization of the field is in parallel to the plane of incident. The numerical simulation confirmed that the propagation of SP wave progressed as the phase advanced and then decayed from its highest oscillation after a certain phase value.

We investigated the growth, survival, and feed conversion of Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides fed one of two sizes of floating pellets or a sinking pellet for 151 d in 0.04-ha ponds. The floating and sinking pellets were made from almost identical formulas. The fish were fed once daily to apparent satiation based on observed feeding activity. There was no significant difference in survival, growth, or feed conversion of fish fed the larger floating pellet versus those fed the standard-size floating pellet or sinking pellet. Fish fed the sinking pellet were significantly larger at harvest than fish fed either size of floating pellet. The efficiency of feed utilization was not decreased with the sinking pellet. These results indicate the Largemouth Bass accept and utilize sinking pellets well. However, their use on commercial scale farms would probably require some management modifications.Received May 5, 2014; accepted August 25, 2014

Three genetic strains (Texas [cultured], Hawaii [cultured], and Myanmar [wild]) of freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, were characterized and compared under two pond grow-out management technologies using a 3 × 2 factorial design. Juvenile prawns (45 d nursed juveniles) from each strain were stocked at individual average weights of 0.4 ± 0.3 g (Texas), 0.3 ± 0.2 g (Hawaii), and 0.3 ± 0.2 g (Myanmar). The low input management technology prawns were stocked at 24,700 /ha with no added substrate. The high input management technology prawns were stocked at 74,100 /ha with the addition of artificial substrate. Each of the six treatment combinations were replicated in three, 0.04 ha earthen ponds (total of 18 ponds). Prawns were fed a sinking pellet (32% protein) once daily at a standardized rate. After 112 d, prawns were harvested, bulk weighed, and counted. Survival of Texas strain (95%) was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) than Myanmar strain (77–80%) under both management technologies with survival of Hawaii strain (86–91%) intermediate and not significantly different (P > 0.05) from other strains. Under both management technologies, average weight, total production, and marketable percentage (>20 g) was significantly better (P ≤ 0.05) in Texas and Hawaii strains in comparison to the Myanmar strain. These data appear to indicate that the cultured strains evaluated in this study demonstrate positive impacts of domestication and do not indicate inbreeding depression.

Increasing concerns are noted over the current transportation funding system based on fuel taxes, but there has been little scholarly literature that evaluates the fuel tax system in a comprehensive manner. As a synthesis, this article reviews the background of fuel taxes designated for transportation and examines issues related to the fuel taxes with four tax-evaluation principles, including economic efficiency, social equity, revenue adequacy, and political and administrative feasibility. Although the analysis does not indicate an absolute denial of fuel taxes as a revenue source to support transportation, it shows that the current transportation funding system based on fuel taxes is no longer sustainable with the rapid erosion of fuel tax base.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether uncontrollable stress related to levels of subjective well-being (SWB) in a group of ethnically diverse urban adolescents. Additionally, the researchers examined what types of coping skills were utilized in the face of high levels of uncontrollable stress. Finally, a moderation model was proposed, wherein active coping was hypothesized to exacerbate the inverse relationship between uncontrollable stress and SWB. A group of 147 diverse, urban adolescents were surveyed. Data were analyzed using correlational analysis, hierarchical multiple regression, and stepwise multiple regression. Results revealed that uncontrollable stress was significantly related to negative affect (NA) and active coping strategies were associated with positive affect (PA) and NA. Active coping did serve as a moderator of the relationship between NA and uncontrollable stress, but in an unpredicted direction. Higher levels of uncontrollable stress were related to higher levels of NA a...

Largemouth bass (LMB) Micropterus salmoides fry do not accept prepared diets at first feeding. Fry are initially reared in fertilized ponds on natural live foods until large enough to be feed trained. Unpredictable weather patterns and depletion of natural forages can affect nursery pond survival. A series of experiments was conducted to investigate the use of Artemia nauplii prepared diets and optimal feeding schedules to raise LMB fry from first feeding through habituation to a commercial dry diet. In Studies 1, 2, and 3, swim-up fry were transferred to a recirculating system and stocked into either 3-L (Studies 1 and 2) or 10-L (Study 3) acrylic aquaria. Study 1 screened candidate diets to evaluate whether LMB fry could be transitioned directly to prepared diets or if they required live foods. In Study 2 the optimum duration for feeding live Artemia (1, 2, or 3 weeks) and the appropriate size of commercial diets (

A brain-computer interface (BCI) offers movement-free control of a computer application and is achieved by reading and translating the cortical activity of the brain into semantic control signals. Motion-onset visual evoked potentials (mVEP) are neural potentials employed in BCIs and occur when motion-related stimuli are attended visually. mVEP dynamics are correlated with the position and timing of the moving stimuli. To investigate the feasibility of utilizing the mVEP paradigm with video games of various graphical complexities including those of commercial quality, we conducted three studies over four separate sessions comparing the performance of classifying five mVEP responses with variations in graphical complexity and style, in-game distractions, and display parameters surrounding mVEP stimuli. To investigate the feasibility of utilizing contemporary presentation modalities in neurogaming, one of the studies compared mVEP classification performance when stimuli were presented using the oculus rift virtual reality headset. Results from 31 independent subjects were analyzed offline. The results show classification performances ranging up to 90% with variations in conditions in graphical complexity having limited effect on mVEP performance; thus, demonstrating the feasibility of using the mVEP paradigm within BCI-based neurogaming.

A motion trajectory prediction (MTP) - based brain-computer interface (BCI) aims to reconstruct the three-dimensional (3D) trajectory of upper limb movement using electroencephalography (EEG). The most common MTP BCI employs a time series of bandpass-filtered EEG potentials (referred to here as the potential time-series, PTS, model) for reconstructing the trajectory of a 3D limb movement using multiple linear regression. These studies report the best accuracy when a 0.5-2Hz bandpass filter is applied to the EEG. In the present study, we show that spatiotemporal power distribution of theta (4-8Hz), mu (8-12Hz), and beta (12-28Hz) bands are more robust for movement trajectory decoding when the standard PTS approach is replaced with time-varying bandpower values of a specified EEG band, ie, with a bandpower time-series (BTS) model. A comprehensive analysis comprising of three subjects performing pointing movements with the dominant right arm toward six targets is presented. Our results show that the BTS model produces significantly higher MTP accuracy (R~0.45) compared to the standard PTS model (R~0.2). In the case of the BTS model, the highest accuracy was achieved across the three subjects typically in the mu (8-12Hz) and low-beta (12-18Hz) bands. Additionally, we highlight a limitation of the commonly used PTS model and illustrate how this model may be suboptimal for decoding motion trajectory relevant information. Although our results, showing that the mu and beta bands are prominent for MTP, are not in line with other MTP studies, they are consistent with the extensive literature on classical multiclass sensorimotor rhythm-based BCI studies (classification of limbs as opposed to motion trajectory prediction), which report the best accuracy of imagined limb movement classification using power values of mu and beta frequency bands. The methods proposed here provide a positive step toward noninvasive decoding of imagined 3D hand movements for movement-free BCIs.

Gender differences in predicting subjective well-being (SWB) were examined in 168 urban adolescents. School satisfaction predicted life satisfaction for boys; for girls, family satisfaction predicted life satisfaction and neighborhood satisfaction predicted negative affect. Self-esteem predicted positive affect for both genders, but friends satisfaction and ethnic identity failed to predict SWB. Se examinaron las diferencias de genero al predecir el bienestar subjetivo (SWB, por sus siglas en ingles) de 168 adolescentes urbanos. La satisfaccion escolar predijo la satisfaccion vital en los chicos; en las chicas, la satisfaccion familiar predijo la satisfaccion vital, y la satisfaccion en el vecindario predijo los sentimientos negativos. La autoestima predijo sentimientos positivos en ambos generos, pero la satisfaccion con los amigos y la identidad etnica no fueron predictores del SWB.

We estimate supply and demand functions for the U.S. gasoline market using information from excise tax returns provided by the IRS for the period 1990–2009. We find price and income elasticities of demand similar to those found using EIA data. We find a price elasticity of supply of 0.29, which differs from the common assumption of a perfectly inelastic short-run supply curve. By using a novel data source, the analysis provides a robustness check of aggregate studies of gasoline demand and a consistent, econometric estimate of the price elasticity of gasoline supply. The results are useful in guiding tax and regulatory policies regarding gasoline consumption.

This study explored relations between culturally relevant stressors (i.e., urban hassles, perceived discrimination) and subjective well-being (SWB; i.e., positive/ negative affect, life satisfaction) to examine whether ethnic identity and/or coping strategies would serve as moderators of the relations between stress and SWB for 157 urban, ethnic minority adolescents. Ethnic identity moderated the relation between perceived discrimination and life satisfaction. Selfdistraction coping moderated the relation between urban hassles and negative affect. This article discusses implications for school counseling prevention and interventions.

The development of biofloc production technology has generated significant commercial and research interest directed toward the inland culture of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Most work to date has been conducted in greenhouses, where photoautotrophic organisms are significant contributors to system functionality. In more temperate locations, operations in insulated buildings would reduce heating costs. This experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of light on shrimp cultured in intensive biofloc systems. A 92-d experiment was conducted in 3.8-m3 tanks. There were five light treatments: (1) natural sunlight (SUN) as a control (midday: 718 lx); (2) one metal halide light (MHL) (1074 lx); (3) one fluorescent light (1FL) (214 lx); (4) two fluorescent lights (2FL) (428 lx); and (5) three fluorescent lights (3FL) (642 lx). Artificial light treatments operated on a 12:12 daily cycle. There were three replicate tanks per treatment and each was separated by black plastic to prevent light transmission between replicates. Each tank was stocked at 465 shrimp/m2 of tank bottom (initial mean weight = 0.4 g). Light treatment had a significant (P≤ 0.05) impact on average individual weight, survival, harvest yield (kg/m2), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Harvest yield and survival among shrimp in the SUN, MHL, and 1FL treatments were not significantly different. However, there was an inverse linear relationship (P≤ 0.05; R2 = 0.76) between the number of fluorescent fixtures and survival, which was related to greater concentrations of filamentous bacteria as the intensity of fluorescent light increased, causing gill fouling. Natural light and MHL did not result in high concentrations of filamentous bacteria. These results indicate that natural light, metal halide lighting, and/or relatively low levels of fluorescent lighting are suitable for indoor production of Pacific white shrimp in biofloc systems. Light spectrum and intensity can affect bacterial community structure, which has a profound effect on shrimp survival and production.

This study examines stressors, general stress levels, coping strategies, and subjective well-being in a sample of 144 ethnically diverse, urban adolescents (mean age of 13). The most frequently reported stressors include the death of a family member, feeling socially isolated, family financial problems, injury of a family member, and parents arguing. The most common coping strategies are seeking support, acceptance, active coping, using distraction, and venting. Positive and negative affect are related to many coping strategies, but only humor buffered the relationship between stress and negative affect. Venting exacerbates the negative relationship between stress and life satisfaction. Implications for helping ethnically diverse, urban adolescents cope with stressors and maintain well-being are discussed.

Aquaculturists have often suffered predation losses in the production of freshwater giant river prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii due to the presence of wild fish species in culture ponds. The piscicide rotenone is widely used to remove undesirable fish species from ponds. Although evidence in the technical literature suggests that crustaceans generally have a higher tolerance to rotenone than fish, there are currently no data on the acute or chronic toxicity of rotenone to juvenile freshwater prawns. In this study, two static acute-toxicity bioassays (96 h) were conducted using Prentox Prenfish (5% active ingredient) rotenone to determine the median lethal concentration (LC50) for juvenile freshwater prawns (average weight = 0.55 g, SD = 0.25; length = 41.43 mm, SD = 6.45). In bioassay 1, prawns were exposed to rotenone concentrations of 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/L. In bioassay 2, prawns were exposed to rotenone concentrations of 2.2, 3.6, 6.0, 10.0, and 16.7 mg/L. All rotenone concentrations use...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects and interactions of stocking density and light level on the growth and survival of Litopenaeus vannamei in zero-exchange mixed biofloc systems. The necessity of light and its effects on stocking density could provide essential information for efficient system design in temperate regions. Twelve, 3800-L conical-bottom tanks housed in a greenhouse were filled with dechlorinated city water, adjusted to 25 ppt salinity, inoculated with mixed biofloc communities, and randomly assigned to one of four different treatment combinations. The study was a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with main effects being stocking density (182 shrimp/m2 [low density; LD] vs. 364 shrimp/m2 [high density; HD]) and light (natural light [NL] vs. low level artificial [LL]) with three replicate tanks per treatment. Tanks in the NL treatment received ambient greenhouse light. For the LL treatment black plastic was used to block NL and a single 60-W incandescent bulb was hung over each low-light tank and operated on a 12:12 h schedule. Juvenile L. vannamei (0.40 ± 0.28 g) were stocked in rotation into each tank and fed a 35% protein diet twice daily at an initial 10% of body weight, gradually decreasing to 3% of body weight prior to harvest. After 12 wk, there was a statistically significant (P≤ 0.05) interaction between density and light level; therefore, data were analyzed in terms of treatment combinations. Average harvest weight of shrimp was significantly higher (P≤ 0.05) in the LD/NL treatment (14.5 g) than in the HD/LL treatment (12.4 g), but neither was significantly different from HD/NL (13.6 g) and LD/LL (13.4 g). Survival of shrimp was significantly lower (P≤ 0.05) in the HD/LL treatment (61.8%) than in the LD/NL (89.8%) and LD/LL (89.0%) treatments. Survival in the HD/NL treatment (82.7%) was intermediate and not significantly different (P > 0.05) from the other treatments. Harvest yield was significantly greater (P≤ 0.05) in the HD/NL treatment (4.1 kg/m2) than in the LD/NL, LD/LL, and HD/LL treatments (2.4, 2.2, and 2.8 kg/m2, respectively), which were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from each other. These data indicate that a combination of high stocking rate with high light levels or NL may be needed to achieve maximum production; however, relatively low levels of artificial light may be suitable at low stocking densities. Further research should investigate the type and amount of light needed to achieve optimal results.

Polyculture of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, confined in cages suspended in prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, ponds has been shown to reduce phytoplankton densities, pH levels, and increase prawn production when compared to prawn monoculture ponds. However, as filter feeders, tilapia grazing might be more efficient if allowed free access to all portions of the water column, positively impacting both phytoplankton control and tilapia growth. This study was designed to compare the effects of confined and unconfined tilapia, in polyculture with freshwater prawns, on prawn growth, tilapia growth, algae populations, and water quality. Juvenile prawns were stocked into each of nine, 0.04 ha ponds as 60 d nursed juveniles (0.8 ± 0.3 g) at 62,000/ha. Three control ponds contained only prawns (MONO). In three other ponds, monosex (male) Nile tilapia (89.2 ± 23.6 g) were stocked unconfined into three ponds at 4400/ha (POLY-UNC). In three additional ponds, the same size and number of tilapia were stocked but confined in two, 1 m3 cages at 100 fish/cage (POLY-CON). Prawns were fed a sinking pellet (28% protein) twice daily at a standardized rate for 114 d. Tilapia were fed a floating pellet (32% protein) twice daily to apparent satiation for 106 d. In the POLY-UNC treatment, average prawn harvest weight (26 g) and prawn production (1625 kg/ha) were significantly lower (P 0.05) between the MONO and POLY-CON treatments in terms of prawn harvest weight, production and feed conversion ratio with combined averages of 38 g, 2465 kg/ha, and 1.9, respectively. Average harvest weight and production of adult tilapia were not significantly different (P > 0.05) in the POLY-CON and POLY-UNC treatments averaging 485 g and 2293 kg/ha, respectively. Tilapia in the POLY-CON treatment had a significantly higher (P 0.05) among water quality variables or phytoplankton populations. Lower prawn production in the POLY-UNC is likely due to competition for food with the large number of tilapia juveniles. Despite the use of Genetically Modified Tilapia (GMT) monosex males, several cohorts of juvenile tilapia were produced in each of the POLY-UNC ponds, resulting in over 2500 kg/ha of juveniles in the POLY-UNC treatment. No wild spawn tilapia juveniles were found in the POLY-CON ponds. In summary, confinement of tilapia in cages appears preferable when tilapia are polycultured with freshwater prawn.

This study examined hope, optimism, self-esteem, social support, stress, and indices of subjective well-being (SWB) in 137 low-income, urban, ethnic minority adolescents. Hope, optimism, and self-esteem were significant predictors of SWB indices, but stress predicted only 1 SWB index: negative affect. No moderators of stress and negative affect were identified. Este estudio examino la esperanza, optimismo, autoestima, apoyo social, estres e indices de bienestar subjetivo (SWB, por sus siglas en ingles) de 137 adolescentes urbanos de minorias etnicas y bajo nivel de ingresos. La esperanza, el optimismo y la autoestima fueron indicadores de prediccion de los indices de SWB, pero el estres predijo solamente un indice de SWB: el afecto negativo. No se identificaron moderadores del estres y el afecto negativo.

This study examined the relationship between subjective well-being criteria (negative affect, positive affect, and subjective well-being) and individual, family, friend, school, and neighborhood predictor variables in 159 ethnically diverse, urban adolescents. Results indicated that negative affect was significantly predicted by family variables, positive affect was significantly predicted by individual, school, and friend variables, and satisfaction with life was significantly predicted by individual and family variables. Limitations, directions for future research, and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Development of efficient cost-effective diets is a critical component in the refinement of production technologies for the largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (LMB). One of the first steps in reducing feed costs can be to decrease the amount of fish meal in the diet. The objective of this study was to evaluate reduced levels of fish meal, and a least-cost formulation diet, for second year growout of LMB under practical pond conditions. Twelve 0.04-ha ponds were stocked with juvenile LMB (210.1±3.3 g) at a stocking density of 8650 fish/ha (350 fish/pond). Each pond was randomly assigned one of the four dietary treatments with three replicate ponds per treatment. The three experimental diets contained varying levels of fish meal. Diets FM-45, FM-24, and FM-8 contained 45, 23.5, and 8% fish meal, respectively. In diets FM-24 and FM-8, fish meal was replaced by varying levels of poultry by-product meal, soybean meal, and blood meal. The fourth diet was a commercial salmonid diet widely used as a LMB growout feed (Nelson and Sons, Inc., SilvercupTM, Steelhead, Murray, UT, USA). This diet served as a commercial control (CC) and contained 46% crude protein. The experimental diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric with the CC diet and were fed once daily to apparent satiation for 180 d. At harvest, there were no significant differences between treatments (P > 0.05) in terms of survival, which averaged 95% overall. Mean weights of fish fed the three experimental diets FM-45, FM-24 and FM-8 were not significantly different (P > 0.05) and averaged 518, 546, and 529 g, respectively, but were all significantly greater (P≤ 0.05) than those fed the CC (488 g). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of fish fed the FM-45 and FM-8 diets (1.43 and 1.46, respectively) was significantly greater (P≤ 0.05) than those fed the FM-24 diet (1.34). The FCR of fish fed the CC diet (1.39) was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from fish fed other diets. Feed cost per unit of weight gain ($US/kg) was significantly lower (P≤ 0.05) in fish fed the FM-24 and FM-8 diets ($0.73 and $0.72/kg, respectively) than in fish fed other diets. Feed cost per unit gain of fish fed the FM-45 diet ($0.83/kg) was significantly lower (P≤ 0.05) than those fed the CC diet ($1.04/kg). There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in dress-out percentages or proximate composition among fish fed the four diets. This study indicates that fish meal levels in feeds used for the second year growout of LMB can be reduced to≥8% of the formulation without reducing survival or growth and without negatively impacting body composition.

Water temperature could be an important factor during the feed training phase of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides production, as it could affect appetite and starvation time. We evaluated three water temperatures during largemouth bass feed training. Pond-reared largemouth bass fingerlings (weight = 2.1 ± 0.6 g [mean ± SE]) were randomly stocked into twelve 0.5-m3 polyethylene cages to achieve a stocking density of 350 fish per cage. The cages were suspended in six 3,800-L polyethylene tanks with a common water source housed in a greenhouse with four replicate cages per water temperature treatment (20, 24, and 28°C). Each tank contained two cages, and there were two tanks per treatment temperature. In each cage, fingerlings were initially fed freeze-dried krill, then gradually weaned onto a commercial pellet (floating trout feed; 1.5 mm) over a 24-d period according to an established training protocol. At harvest, the average weight and the percentage of fish successfully trained to commerci...

Excessive carbohydrates (CHO) in diets for largemouth bass (LMB), Micropterus salmoides, are suspected of accumulating glycogen in hepatocytes, which may result in liver dysfunction. This study evaluated the effect of graded levels of dietary CHO on growth, survival, and liver histology of LMB. One hundred feed-trained advanced fingerling LMB (128.5 ± 21.5 g) were stocked into each of nine 3400-L polyethylene tanks. Tanks were randomly assigned one of three experimental diets containing different CHO levels (13, 19, or 25% of diet). The extruded diets were approximately isonitrogenous (42% crude protein) and isocaloric (3 kcal/g energy). There were three replicate tanks per dietary treatment. Bass were fed to apparent satiation twice daily for 148 d. Survival was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) for fish fed the 13 and 19% CHO diets (89 and 90%, respectively) compared to those fed the 25% CHO diets (82%). Average harvest weight of fish fed the 13% CHO diet (380 g) was significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) than for fish fed other diets. Average harvest weight of fish fed the 19% CHO diet (347 g) was significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) than for fish fed the 25% CHO diet (310 g). Specific growth rates (%/d) were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in fish fed the 13 and 19% CHO diets than in fish fed 25% CHO diet. Feed conversion ratios for fish fed the 13 and 19% CHO diets (2.3 and 2.4, respectively) were both significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) than in fish fed the 25% CHO diet (3.6). There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in condition factor, protein efficiency ratio, hepatosomatic index, or liver glycogen concentration among fish fed the different experimental diets. Overall, mean blood glucose levels in fish fed the 13 and 19% CHO diets (61.0 and 71.2 mg/dL, respectively) were significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) than in fish fed the 25% CHO diet (87 mg/dL). Histopathological examination of livers from fish fed the three diets was used to score the degree of vacuolization of hepatic tissues (0 = normal, 1 = slight, 2 = mild, 3 = moderate, and 4 = severe). Regression of vacuolization scores on dietary CHO levels was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) and indicated a direct positive relationship between liver vacuolization and dietary CHO level (R2 = 0.57). These data indicate that LMB grow faster and use feeds more efficiently when CHO are maintained at 20% negatively impacted liver histology, but a liver tissue analyses did not document glycogen accumulation.

Two independent trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of different physical characteristics of substrate materials on growth and survival of freshwater prawn. In Trial 1, juvenile prawns (0.4 ± 0.2 g) were stocked at 123 prawns/m2 of tank bottom into twenty-one 18,000-L fiberglass tanks managed as pond microcosms. Six substrate materials were chosen to allow comparisons of surface area, mesh size, color, and texture. A control treatment received no added substrate. There were three replicate tanks per treatment. Substrates were positioned vertically at a rate sufficient to increase the bottom surface area by 100%. Prawns were fed a 32% protein sinking diet according to a feed chart. After 110 d, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in survival among treatments, averaging 72.6% overall. Prawns in the control treatment (no substrate) had significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) average weights (9.5 g), lower production (1342 kg/ha), and higher feed conversion ratio (FCR; 2.5) than those in substrate treatments, which were not significantly different (P > 0.05) and averaged 13.4 g, 2404 kg/ha, and 1.3, respectively. For Trial 2, the least expensive substrate material from Trial 1 (lightweight polyethylene bird netting) was compared with the substrate most commonly used in commercial production (heavyweight orange polyethylene safety fencing) under practical pond conditions. Juvenile prawns (0.8 ± 0.3 g) were stocked at 61,600/ha into six 0.04-ha earthen ponds. Each was randomly assigned one of the two substrate materials, and there were three replications per treatment. After 101 d, there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between treatments in terms of survival (91%), average weight (34 g), total production (2150 kg/ha), or FCR (3.1). In these studies, physical characteristics of the substrate materials had little impact. The lightweight netting represents a 68% cost savings compared to the currently recommended substrate material.

Fry of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides are typically pond reared on natural foods until they reach approximately 4–6 cm. Fish that are to be raised on pellets are typically feed trained in tanks using freeze-dried krill (FDK), which is gradually replaced with prepared diet. The cost of FDK (retail >US$40 per kg) can be a significant expense in the feed training phase. An experiment was conducted to determine whether FDK could be eliminated by simple diet amendment. The largemouth bass fingerlings (mean weight ± SD = 2.2 ± 0.3 g) were stocked in 190-L tanks at 150 fish/tank. Four treatments with four replicates each were compared: (1) fingerlings were initially fed FDK and then were gradually weaned to a commercial pellet (1.5-mm floating trout feed; control [CTL], current practice); (2) fish were offered only the dry commercial pellet throughout (DRY); (3) commercial pellets were moistened with water before use (MST); and (4) commercial pellets were top-dressed with menhaden fish oil at 10%...

The effects of different densities of caged Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, on water quality, phytoplankton populations, prawn, and total pond production were evaluated in freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, production ponds. The experiment consisted of three treatments with three 0.04-ha replicates each. All ponds were stocked with graded, nursed juvenile prawn (0.9 ± 0.6 g) at 69,000/ha. Control (CTL) ponds contained only prawns. Low-density polyculture (LDP) ponds also contained two cages (1 m3; 100 fish/cage) of monosex male tilapia (115.6 ± 22 g), and high-density polyculture (HDP) ponds had four cages. Total culture period was 106 d for tilapia and 114 d for prawn. Overall mean afternoon pH level was significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) in polyculture ponds than in CTL ponds but did not differ (P > 0.05) between LDP and HDP. Phytoplankton biovolume was reduced in polyculture treatments. Tilapia in the LDP treatment had significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) harvest weights than in the HDP treatment. Prawn weights were higher (P ≤ 0.05) in polyculture than prawn monoculture. These data indicate that a caged tilapia/freshwater prawn polyculture system may provide pH control while maximizing pond resources in temperate areas.