Search

Our study introduces an open general-purpose platform for the embodiment of conversational AI systems. Conversational User-interface Based Embodiment (CUBE) is designed to streamline the integration of embodied solutions into text-based dialog managers, providing flexibility for customization depending on the specific use case and application. CUBE is responsible for naturally interacting with users by listening, observing, and responding to them. A detailed account of the design and implementation of the solution is provided, as well as a thorough examination of how it can be integrated by developers and AI dialogue manager integrators. Through interviews with developers, insight was gained into the advantages of such systems. Additionally, key areas that require further research were identified in the current challenges in achieving natural interaction between the user and the embodiments. CUBE bridges some of the gaps by providing controls to further develop natural non-verbal communication.

The tiny traces of persistence in four non-Latin inscriptions of the Roman territory of Brescia suburbs seem to indicate rather individual situational negotiation strategies, not systematic acculturation between the first century BC and the first century A.D.

The study of the demographic characteristics of the first Mediterranean global network, the Roman Empire, is not an easy task. There are a lot of aspects to consider and an almost equal number of factors affecting them. In addition, the possible sources of information used to be incomplete and biased. Although methodology for conducting this kind of studies has evolved through time, allowing us to extract and to interpret the data in a better way, some aspects remain still obscure. [Contrib Sci 11:49-58 (2015)]Keywords: Roman Empire · Antiquity · demography · slavery · urban life

Esau in Jerusalem is a fascinating piece of highly original and meticulously argued and documented research. It is interesting to read, and it demonstrates how original thinking can shed new light on questions not previously pondered. The writing is lucid, and it is thoroughly grounded in the history of research. The author avoids scholarly jargon. The book is provided with excellent indices, and it includes a rich bibliography that sheds much light on the until now not sufficiently appreciated legacy of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. The book is highly recommended for biblical scholars, university students and seminarians, as well as clergy and educated laypersons. One looks forward to reading many more highly original books and articles by Nissim Amzallag.

This paper explores how, in the light of global economic downturn and rising student populations, new academic–industrial models for research collaboration based upon specific technological expertise and knowledge can be developed as potential mechanisms for preserving and extending central university research infrastructure. The paper explores two case studies that focus upon the new serious games sector: the UK-based Coventry University’s Serious Games Institute – a hybrid model of applied research and business, and the Netherlands-based TU-Delft University’s Serious Game Center – a networked model of semi-commercial funding and public–private co-operation between industry, public sector and research partners. To facilitate these kinds of academic–industrial collaborations, the paper introduces the Innovation Diffusion Model (IDM) which promotes innovation diffusion by bringing academic and industrial experts into close proximity. Overall, the benefits include: sustained intellectual property development and publication opportunities for academics, employment creation, accelerated development and real commercial benefits for industrial partners.

This paper deals with the relationship between serious games and system dynamics. Games have been used in SD since the beginning. However, the field of serious gaming also has its own development. The purpose of this contribution is to provide a broad overview of the combination of serious gaming and SD and discuss the state of the art and promise. We first define serious game, simulation and case study and then point out how SD overlaps with them. Then we move on to define the basic components of a game and continue with an outline of important decisions and challenges of game design. After reviewing different possible purposes of SD-based simulation games, we discuss various approaches to game design with specific attention paid to learning effects. We also review the evolution of the interest for serious gaming in SD over the past 40 years. Our conclusion is that interest has oscillated between rising and declining, but that serious gaming is being recognized as an important component not only in educational settings, but also in policy design. We finish by offering important research questions for the future., Multi Actor Systems, Technology, Policy and Management

This paper explores how, in the light of global economic downturn and rising student populations, new academic–industrial models for research collaboration based upon specific technological expertise and knowledge can be developed as potential mechanisms for preserving and extending central university research infrastructure. The paper explores two case studies that focus upon the new serious games sector: the UK-based Coventry University’s Serious Games Institute – a hybrid model of applied research and business, and the Netherlands-based TU-Delft University’s Serious Game Center – a networked model of semi-commercial funding and public–private co-operation between industry, public sector and research partners. To facilitate these kinds of academic–industrial collaborations, the paper introduces the Innovation Diffusion Model (IDM) which promotes innovation diffusion by bringing academic and industrial experts into close proximity. Overall, the benefits include: sustained intellectual property development and publication opportunities for academics, employment creation, accelerated development and real commercial benefits for industrial partners.

Die energetische Sanierung von Wohnhäusern wird in vielen Städten vorangetrieben. Was im Hinblick auf Energieeffizienz sinnvoll ist, kann aufgrund steigender Mietkosten zu einer Verdrängung der alteingesessenen Bewohner(innen) führen. Damit energetische Sanierung nicht dazu beiträgt, soziale Ungleichheiten auf Stadt- und Quartiersebene zu erhöhen, bedarf es sozialpolitischer Regelungen und Förderinstrumente. Doch fehlt noch eine fundierte Datenbasis, die es erlaubt, entsprechende Empfehlungen zu geben.

This paper deals with the relationship between serious games and system dynamics. Games have been used in SD since the beginning. However, the field of serious gaming also has its own development. The purpose of this contribution is to provide a broad overview of the combination of serious gaming and SD and discuss the state of the art and promise. We first define serious game, simulation and case study and then point out how SD overlaps with them. Then we move on to define the basic components of a game and continue with an outline of important decisions and challenges of game design. After reviewing different possible purposes of SD-based simulation games, we discuss various approaches to game design with specific attention paid to learning effects. We also review the evolution of the interest for serious gaming in SD over the past 40 years. Our conclusion is that interest has oscillated between rising and declining, but that serious gaming is being recognized as an important component not only in educational settings, but also in policy design. We finish by offering important research questions for the future., Multi Actor Systems, Technology, Policy and Management

Increasing attention is being directed at the role played by anti-androgenic chemicals in endocrine disruption of wildlife within the aquatic environment. The co-occurrence of multiple contaminants with anti-androgenic activity highlights a need for the predictive assessment of combined effects, but information about anti-androgen mixture effects on wildlife is lacking. This study evaluated the suitability of the androgenised female stickleback screen (AFSS), in which inhibition of androgen-induced spiggin production provides a quantitative assessment of anti-androgenic activity, for predicting the effect of a four component mixture of anti-androgens. The anti-androgenic activity of four anti-androgens (vinclozolin, fenitrothion, flutamide, linuron) was evaluated from individual concentration-response data and used to design a mixture containing each chemical at equipotent concentrations. Across a 100-fold concentration range, a concentration addition approach was used to predict the response of fish to the mixture. Two studies were conducted independently at each of two laboratories. By using a novel method to adjust for differences between nominal and measured concentrations, good agreement was obtained between the actual outcome of the mixture exposure and the predicted outcome. This demonstrated for the first time that androgen receptor antagonists act in concert in an additive fashion in fish and that existing mixture methodology is effective in predicting the outcome, based on concentration-response data for individual chemicals. The sensitivity range of the AFSS assay lies within the range of anti-androgenicity reported in rivers across many locations internationally. The approach taken in our study lays the foundations for understanding how androgen receptor antagonists work together in fish and is essential in informing risk assessment methods for complex anti-androgenic mixtures in the aquatic environment.

Oil pollution from various sources, including exploration, production and transportation, is a growing global concern. The highest toxicity of hydrocarbon pollutants is associated with the water-soluble phase compounds, including naphthenic acids, a known component found in all hydrocarbon deposits. Recently, naphthenic acids (NAs) have shown estrogenic and anti-androgenic effects in vitro. For this reason we investigated the potential effects of two commercial mixtures of naphthenic acids on fish in vivo, using the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) as a model species. Anti-androgenic and estrogenic properties of tested compounds were evaluated using the androgenized female stickleback screen (AFSS) and a variant of the 21-d fish screen (TG230) respectively. One-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) showed that the complex commercial NAs mixtures were dominated by acyclic carboxylic acids. In one experiment (freshwater) we found a clear effect of NA exposure on spiggin levels; this was contrary to our hypothesis since NAs enhanced the androgenic potency of DHT (when co-administered) without inducing spiggin when tested in the absence of DHT. Exposure to NAs did not have a statistically significant effect on vitellogenin (Vtg) production in male stickleback, although the Vtg responses were increasing with increasing exposure concentrations. This study shows that in contrast to previous in vitro data, NAs did not exhibit either estrogenic or anti-androgenic properties in vivo, at the concentrations tested. On the contrary, at least in freshwater, NAs appear to have an overall androgenic effect that is not mediated via the androgen receptor involved in spiggin synthesis. Possible reasons for this discrepancy between in vitro and in vivo results as well as between our studies are discussed.

Increasing attention is being directed at the role played by anti-androgenic chemicals in endocrine disruption of wildlife within the aquatic environment. The co-occurrence of multiple contaminants with anti-androgenic activity highlights a need for the predictive assessment of combined effects, but information about anti-androgen mixture effects on wildlife is lacking. This study evaluated the suitability of the androgenised female stickleback screen (AFSS), in which inhibition of androgen-induced spiggin production provides a quantitative assessment of anti-androgenic activity, for predicting the effect of a four component mixture of anti-androgens. The anti-androgenic activity of four anti-androgens (vinclozolin, fenitrothion, flutamide, linuron) was evaluated from individual concentration-response data and used to design a mixture containing each chemical at equipotent concentrations. Across a 100-fold concentration range, a concentration addition approach was used to predict the response of fish to the mixture. Two studies were conducted independently at each of two laboratories. By using a novel method to adjust for differences between nominal and measured concentrations, good agreement was obtained between the actual outcome of the mixture exposure and the predicted outcome. This demonstrated for the first time that androgen receptor antagonists act in concert in an additive fashion in fish and that existing mixture methodology is effective in predicting the outcome, based on concentration-response data for individual chemicals. The sensitivity range of the AFSS assay lies within the range of anti-androgenicity reported in rivers across many locations internationally. The approach taken in our study lays the foundations for understanding how androgen receptor antagonists work together in fish and is essential in informing risk assessment methods for complex anti-androgenic mixtures in the aquatic environment.

The brain monoamines serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) and dopamine (DA) both play an integrative role in behavioural and neuroendocrine responses to challenges, and comparative models suggest common mechanisms for dietary modulation of transmission by these signal substances in vertebrates. Previous studies in teleosts demonstrate that 7 d of dietary administration with l-tryptophan (Trp), the direct precursor of 5-HT, suppresses the endocrine stress response. The present study investigated how long the suppressive effects of a Trp-enriched feed regimen, at doses corresponding to two, three or four times the Trp levels in commercial feed, last in juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) when the fish are reintroduced to a diet with standard amino acid composition. We also wanted to determine whether Trp supplementation induced changes in brain monoaminergic neurochemistry in those forebrain structures innervated by DA- and 5-HTergic neurons, by measuring regional activity of DA and 5-HT in the lateral pallial regions (Dl) of the telencephalon and nucleus lateralis tuberis (NLT) of the hypothalamus. Dietary Trp resulted in a dose-dependent suppression in plasma cortisol among fish exposed to confinement stress on the first day following experimental diet; however, such an effect was not observed at 2 or 6 d after Trp treatment. Feeding the fish with moderate Trp doses also evoked a general increase in DA and 5-HT-ergic activity, suggesting that these neural circuits within the NLT and Dl may be indirectly involved in regulating the acute stress response

Bond order and valence indices have been calculated by the method of the three-dimensional `fuzzy atoms' analysis, using the numerical molecular orbitals obtained from plane wave DFT calculations, i.e., without introducing any external atom-centered functions. Weight functions of both Hirshfeld and Becke types have been applied. The results are rather close to the similar `fuzzy atoms' ones obtained by using atom-centered basis sets and agree well with the chemical expectations, stressing the power of the genuine chemical concepts. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

P>The objective of this paper is to characterize some of the sperm motility parameters in European hake (Merluccius merluccius), which is considered to be a species with aquaculture potential. The total ATP, ADP and AMP concentrations were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography on hake sperm samples collected during the winter-early spring in the Bay of Biscay (France) (n = 22) and on hake sperm samples collected during the summer-early autumn in waters off Western Norway (n = 5). The Adenylate Energy Charge (AEC) was deduced from these data. Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) was used to measure a series of parameters characterizing the motility and the sperm swimming performances. Changes in salinity of the swimming medium affected all the measured motility parameters. The sperm velocity and the straightness of the movement were at maximum when sperm was activated with 100% filtrated sea water (100 SW) but decreased sharply later. When sperm was activated in filtrated sea water (50% diluted with distilled water: 50 SW) the values of these parameters increased (with a lower percentage of active cells) during the first 2.5 min and thereafter decreased slowly. In 50 SW, the initial velocity was lowered but the swimming period lasting 4.5 times longer than in 100 SW (but with a lower percentage of actively swimming cells). Initial sperm motility (percentage of swimming cells) in 100 SW was affected by sperm storage duration. Undiluted sperm could be stored at 4 degrees C for 5 days and still show 13 +/- 7% motility; the velocity and straightness of the movement were at maximum at the earliest period of measurement (0.5-1 day of storage) and then decreased gradually to reach their minima after 4 days of storage. Further, both the AEC and ATP content decreased with storage time, with the AEC decreasing from 0.78 +/- 0.07 (mean +/- SD) at stripping time to 0.20 +/- 0.09 after 2 days of storage. Over the same period ATP content decreased from 85 +

P>The objective of this paper is to characterize some of the sperm motility parameters in European hake (Merluccius merluccius), which is considered to be a species with aquaculture potential. The total ATP, ADP and AMP concentrations were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography on hake sperm samples collected during the winter-early spring in the Bay of Biscay (France) (n = 22) and on hake sperm samples collected during the summer-early autumn in waters off Western Norway (n = 5). The Adenylate Energy Charge (AEC) was deduced from these data. Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) was used to measure a series of parameters characterizing the motility and the sperm swimming performances. Changes in salinity of the swimming medium affected all the measured motility parameters. The sperm velocity and the straightness of the movement were at maximum when sperm was activated with 100% filtrated sea water (100 SW) but decreased sharply later. When sperm was activated in filtrated sea water (50% diluted with distilled water: 50 SW) the values of these parameters increased (with a lower percentage of active cells) during the first 2.5 min and thereafter decreased slowly. In 50 SW, the initial velocity was lowered but the swimming period lasting 4.5 times longer than in 100 SW (but with a lower percentage of actively swimming cells). Initial sperm motility (percentage of swimming cells) in 100 SW was affected by sperm storage duration. Undiluted sperm could be stored at 4 degrees C for 5 days and still show 13 +/- 7% motility; the velocity and straightness of the movement were at maximum at the earliest period of measurement (0.5-1 day of storage) and then decreased gradually to reach their minima after 4 days of storage. Further, both the AEC and ATP content decreased with storage time, with the AEC decreasing from 0.78 +/- 0.07 (mean +/- SD) at stripping time to 0.20 +/- 0.09 after 2 days of storage. Over the same period ATP content decreased from 85 +

P>The objective of this paper is to characterize some of the sperm motility parameters in European hake (Merluccius merluccius), which is considered to be a species with aquaculture potential. The total ATP, ADP and AMP concentrations were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography on hake sperm samples collected during the winter-early spring in the Bay of Biscay (France) (n = 22) and on hake sperm samples collected during the summer-early autumn in waters off Western Norway (n = 5). The Adenylate Energy Charge (AEC) was deduced from these data. Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) was used to measure a series of parameters characterizing the motility and the sperm swimming performances. Changes in salinity of the swimming medium affected all the measured motility parameters. The sperm velocity and the straightness of the movement were at maximum when sperm was activated with 100% filtrated sea water (100 SW) but decreased sharply later. When sperm was activated in filtrated sea water (50% diluted with distilled water: 50 SW) the values of these parameters increased (with a lower percentage of active cells) during the first 2.5 min and thereafter decreased slowly. In 50 SW, the initial velocity was lowered but the swimming period lasting 4.5 times longer than in 100 SW (but with a lower percentage of actively swimming cells). Initial sperm motility (percentage of swimming cells) in 100 SW was affected by sperm storage duration. Undiluted sperm could be stored at 4 degrees C for 5 days and still show 13 +/- 7% motility; the velocity and straightness of the movement were at maximum at the earliest period of measurement (0.5-1 day of storage) and then decreased gradually to reach their minima after 4 days of storage. Further, both the AEC and ATP content decreased with storage time, with the AEC decreasing from 0.78 +/- 0.07 (mean +/- SD) at stripping time to 0.20 +/- 0.09 after 2 days of storage. Over the same period ATP content decreased from 85 +

Item does not contain fulltext

Item does not contain fulltext

Item does not contain fulltext

A wide range of environmental contaminants can interfere with hormonal regulation in vertebrates. These endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are of high relevance for human and wildlife health, since endocrine signalling controls many essential physiological processes which impact on the individual's health, such as growth and development, stress response, and ultimately reproduction and population development. Small fish represent a cost-effective model for testing potential EDCs allowing the possibility to integrate from molecular to phenotypic and functional effects. We have comprehensively reviewed exposure-effect data from four different small model fish: zebrafish, medaka, fathead minnow, and the three-spined stickleback. The majority of available data refer to EDCs interfering with reproductive hormones. However, we have also included interactions with other hormone systems, particularly the thyroid hormones. We demonstrate that the available data clearly indicates the predictive potential of molecular biomarkers, supporting the development and regulatory application of simple molecular-based screening assays using small model fish for EDC testing.

Physiological color change in camouflage and mating is widespread among fishes, but little is known about the regulation of such temporal changes in nuptial coloration and particularly concerning female coloration. To better understand regulation of nuptial coloration we investigated physiological color change in female two-spotted gobies (Gobiusculus flavescens). Females of this species develop an orange belly that acts as an ornament. The orange color is caused by the color of the gonads combined with the chromathophore based pigmentation and transparency of the skin. Often during courtship and female-female competition, a rapid increase in orange coloration, in combination with lighter sides and back that increases skin and body transparency, gives the belly an intense 'glowing' appearance. To understand how this increased orange coloration can be regulated we analysed chromatic and transparency effects of neurohumoral agents on abdominal skin biopsies in vitro. We found prolactin and alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) to increase orange coloration of the skin. By contrast, melatonin and noradrenaline increased skin transparency, but had a negative effect on orange coloration. However, mixtures of melatonin and MSH, or melatonin and prolactin, increased both orange coloration and transparency. This effect mimics the chromatic 'glow' effect that commonly takes place during courtship and intra sexual aggression. Notably, not only epidermal chromatophores but also internal chromatophores lining the peritoneum responded to hormone treatments. There were no chromatic effects of the sex steroids 17 beta-estradiol, testosterone or 11-ketotestosterone. We hypothesize that similar modulation of nuptial coloration by multiple hormones may be widespread in nature. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved., #0994 twospots

The OECD is currently in the process of validating a fish screening guideline for endocrine disrupters using three core fish species – Japanese medaka, zebrafish and fathead minnow, and employing three core endpoints – vitellogenin (VTG) induction, gross morphology (secondary sexual characteristics and gonadosomatic index) and gonad histology. None of the core species are indigenous to the UK or other European waters and none of them have an unambiguous, diagnostic endpoint for the detection of androgens and their antagonists. A small inter-laboratory calibration was conducted to generate information on the reproducibility of a stickleback-based method. Three participating laboratories each tested two compounds – the oestrogen 17ß-oestradiol (E2) and the synthetic androgen trenbolone. In the E2 exposure, all three laboratories detected a significant increase in VTG in males after 14 and 21 days at a concentration of 100 ng/L In the trenbolone exposure all three laboratories detected a significant increase in spiggin (the main diagnostic endpoint for androgenic activity) in females after 14 and 21 days at the highest concentration 5000 ng/L. This intercalibration exercise successfully demonstrated that the stickleback is a suitable test species for inclusion in the OECD fish screening guideline, possessing valid, reproducible, diagnostic endpoints for the detection of potent oestrogens and androgens. The OECD has endorsed this work and has requested that, in order to fully align the stickleback method with that of the core species, a larger-scale intercalibration exercise be organised using other, less potent EDCs.

The OECD is currently in the process of validating a fish screening guideline for endocrine disrupters using three core fish species – Japanese medaka, zebrafish and fathead minnow, and employing three core endpoints – vitellogenin (VTG) induction, gross morphology (secondary sexual characteristics and gonadosomatic index) and gonad histology. None of the core species are indigenous to the UK or other European waters and none of them have an unambiguous, diagnostic endpoint for the detection of androgens and their antagonists. A small inter-laboratory calibration was conducted to generate information on the reproducibility of a stickleback-based method. Three participating laboratories each tested two compounds – the oestrogen 17ß-oestradiol (E2) and the synthetic androgen trenbolone. In the E2 exposure, all three laboratories detected a significant increase in VTG in males after 14 and 21 days at a concentration of 100 ng/L In the trenbolone exposure all three laboratories detected a significant increase in spiggin (the main diagnostic endpoint for androgenic activity) in females after 14 and 21 days at the highest concentration 5000 ng/L. This intercalibration exercise successfully demonstrated that the stickleback is a suitable test species for inclusion in the OECD fish screening guideline, possessing valid, reproducible, diagnostic endpoints for the detection of potent oestrogens and androgens. The OECD has endorsed this work and has requested that, in order to fully align the stickleback method with that of the core species, a larger-scale intercalibration exercise be organised using other, less potent EDCs.

Eén van de doelstellingen van het palingmigratie-project was om te kijken of een nabootsing van de reis van 6000 km naar de Sargasso Zee (wat het verondersteld paaigebied van de Europese paling is) tot geslachtsrijping zou leiden. Na een aantal beginproblemen werd overgeschakeld op passief geïmmuniseerde paling uit de kwekerij. Deze palingen waren wel in staat om 5500 km te zwemmen. Over de effecten van deze lange reis op de maturatie (afrijpings) parameters wordt in dit artikel verteld. Wat is de prikkel die de paling tijdens zijn reis tot reproductie brengt?

Part of urn:nbn:se:su:diva-381

Part of urn:nbn:se:su:diva-381

We investigate the reactive association of metastable antiprotonic helium 'atomcules' ([(p) over bar He+](nt)) with positronium(Ps). In the framework of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation, we further discuss the evolution and stability of the intermediate complex (alpha, (p) over bar, e(+), 2e(-)) using a classical trajectory approach for treating the nuclei (alpha, (p) over bar) We predict two possible channels for the atomcule-Ps reaction depending upon the atomcule principal quantum number n : II greater than or equal to 38 states dissociate to (H) over bar, whereas, it < 38 states form a new class of metastable atomcules, which could be confirmed by laser spectroscopy. The present work illustrates the pertinence of simple chemical physics concepts to the study of exotic processes involving antimatter., QC 20100525

Mature male goldfish were exposed to different concentrations of the natural hormone 17 beta -estradiol (El). Two methods of exposure were employed, via ingestion at 0, 1, 10 and 100 ug/g food and via the water at 0, 1 and 10 mug/l. The fish were exposed, Addresses: Bjerselius R, Uppsala Univ, Evolut Biol Ctr, Dept Environm Toxicol, Norbyvagen 18A, S-75236 Uppsala, Sweden. Uppsala Univ, Evolut Biol Ctr, Dept Environm Toxicol, S-75236 Uppsala, Sweden. Hogskolan Gavle, S-80176 Gavle, Sweden. Stockholm Univ

Mature male goldfish were exposed to different concentrations of the natural hormone 17beta-estradiol (E2). Two methods of exposure were employed, via ingestion at 0, 1, 10 and 100 microg/g food and via the water at 0, 1 and 10 microg/l. The fish were exposed for 24-28 days during the spawning period. The males were then paired with an artificially induced, spawning female and their sexual behaviour was observed during a 15 min period. The physiological status of the fish was also examined with respect to GSI, presence of milt and spawning tubercles and the blood plasma concentration of E2. Despite the relatively short exposure period, exposure to physiological levels of E2 was shown to severely affect the male goldfish reproductive behaviour and physiology. In conclusion, the results from this study and the ability to interpret the effects on this well-studied species, show that the effects of E2, and possibly other estrogenic EDCs, have severe effects at several vital levels of male goldfish reproduction. The results also suggests that the hormone E2 can act as an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) in the environment. PMID: 11311390 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Uit een netwerkanalyse van de TU Delft blijkt dat beleid ten aanzien van bestrijding van diffuse lozingen een complex probleem is, doordat het hier politieke en bestuurlijke netwerken betreft, waar andere belangen dan water een grote rol spelen

Sexually mature Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) males were allowed to interact in pairs for 4 days in the absence of females. Agonistic behavior was quantified, and at the end of the experiment, plasma levels of glucose, cortisol, testosterone (T), 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT), and 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17alpha, 20beta-P) were determined alongside brain concentrations of serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA, the major 5-HT metabolite), dopamine (DA), and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC, a major DA metabolite). Plasma cortisol and glucose were significantly elevated in subordinate fish, and the number of aggressive acts received showed positive correlations with plasma levels of glucose on day 1, during the development of the dominance relationship, and of cortisol on day 4, when the dominance relationship was established. In contrast, plasma concentrations of T and 11-KT were significantly higher in dominant than in subordinate males, and there was a similar tendency in plasma concentrations of 17alpha,20beta-P. Further, plasma levels of these gonadal steroids were correlated with the number of aggressive acts performed on day 4, but not with the number of aggressive acts received. The plasma cortisol concentrations did not correlate with either 5-HIAA:5-HT or DOPAC:DA ratios in any of the brain parts analyzed. Plasma glucose levels showed positive correlations with brain 5-HIAA:5-HT ratios. Negative correlations were observed between 5-HIAA:5-HT ratios in the optic tectum and between plasma levels of T, 11-KT, and 17alpha,20beta-P. Telencephalic DOPAC/DA ratios displayed a negative correlation with plasma levels of T, 11-KT, and 17alpha,20beta-P, but only in dominant males.