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The physiological and nutritional condition of fish larvae affect their survival and thus, the success of estuaries as nursery areas. Fatty acid composition has been useful to determine fish nutritional condition, as well as trophic relationships in marine organisms. The present study analyses the fatty acid (FA) composition of fish larvae during spring and summer in the Mondego estuary, Portugal. FA composition, trophic markers (FATM) and fish nutritional condition was analysed for Gobiidae and Sardina pilchardus larvae and the relationships with the local environment evaluated. Results showed that both taxa differed mainly in the stearic acid (C18:0) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) content, with important amounts in Gobiidae and S. pilchardus , respectively. Gobiidae larvae presenting high nutritional condition and omnivore FATM. Fatty acid composition seems to be related with their natural habitat selection and food availability, while fish larvae nutritional condition also showed a strong link with the water temperature and presence of potential predators. This study suggests that FA composition can be a useful tool in assessing planktonic trophic relationships and in identifying species natural habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic literature review shows how innovation is used within teacher education research; how conceptualised; and whether different types of innovation can be distinguished. 156 studies met the selection criteria. Analysis comprised: frequency of use; research design; and type of innovation, adapting Sternberg et al.'s (2003) typology. Demonstrating that the use of innovation is an increasing, international phenomenon in the field, predominant types of innovation are identified – creative contributions towards new directions and others representing incremental change. However, innovation is often left un-theorised. We suggest that, without theorisation, such studies may have limited value in developing practice and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition from a fasted to a fed state is associated with extensive transcriptional remodeling in hepatocytes facilitated by hormonal- and nutritional-regulated transcription factors. Here, we use a liver-specific glucocorticoid receptor (GR) knockout (L-GRKO) model to investigate the temporal hepatic expression of GR target genes in response to feeding. Interestingly, in addition to the well-described fasting-regulated genes, we identify a subset of hepatic feeding-induced genes that requires GR for full expression. This includes Gck , which is important for hepatic glucose uptake, utilization, and storage. We show that insulin and glucocorticoids cooperatively regulate hepatic Gck expression in a direct GR-dependent manner by a 4.6 kb upstream GR binding site operating as a Gck enhancer. L-GRKO blunts preprandial and early postprandial Gck expression, which ultimately affects early postprandial hepatic glucose uptake, phosphorylation, and glycogen storage. Thus, GR is positively involved in feeding-induced gene expression and important for postprandial glucose metabolism in the liver. [Display omitted] • GR controls the expression of a subset of hepatic feeding-induced genes • Hepatic glucokinase (Gck) gene expression is positively regulated by GR • GR disruption leads to reduced preprandial RNAPII recruitment to the Gck promoter • Liver-specific GRKO impairs hepatic glucose uptake, phosphorylation, and utilization Præstholm et al. show that the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) controls a subset of temporally expressed genes in the liver. This includes many feeding-induced genes, such as Gck , encoding the glucokinase, a key enzyme in glucose metabolism. Acute GR disruption ultimately leads to reduced hepatic glucose uptake and storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An eco-friendly approach to control pH in Anaerobic Digestion (AD) is presented. • Red mud-based inorganic polymer spheres were used as buffer material in AD. • The use of inorganic spheres boosted methane volume by 90%. • Inorganic spheres allowed low acid content and high organic removal inside digester. • Inorganic spheres were used repeatedly without losing buffer capacity and integrity. Red mud-based inorganic polymer spheres were used as alternative pH regulators and process enhancers in sequencing batch anaerobic reactors treating cheese whey. This byproduct tends to quickly acidify under anaerobic conditions, and the common route to control pH and ensure suitable conditions for methane production involves the use of commercial alkaline raw materials. The spheres were synthesized using significant amounts of hazardous and toxic waste, red mud (50 wt% of solid components), whose recycling is challenging. The inorganic polymeric spheres, when compared to virgin alkaline raw materials, improved organic matter removal by 44%, prevented VFA accumulation (acidification degree less than 20%), maintained pH values in a range (6.5–7.2) to ensure maximum methanogenic activity by archaea microorganisms, and boosted the methane volume by ~90%. These promising results demonstrate the feasibility and performance advantages of using these innovative spheres instead of virgin raw materials, which is an important tool towards sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]