Search

The responses of tropical anvil cloud and low‐level cloud to a warming climate are among the largest sources of uncertainty in our estimates of climate sensitivity. However, most research on cloud feedbacks relies on either global climate models with parameterized convection, which do not explicitly represent small‐scale convective processes, or small‐domain models, which cannot directly simulate large‐scale circulations. We investigate how self‐aggregation, the spontaneous clumping of convection in idealized numerical models, depends on cloud‐radiative interactions with different cloud types, sea surface temperatures (SSTs), and stages of aggregation in simulations that form part of RCEMIP (the Radiative‐Convective Equilibrium Model Intercomparison Project). Analysis shows that the presence of anvil cloud, which tends to enhance aggregation when collocated with anomalously moist environments, is reduced in nearly all models when SSTs are increased, leading to a corresponding reduction in the aggregating influence of cloud‐longwave interactions. We also find that cloud‐longwave radiation interactions are stronger in the majority of General Circulation Models (GCMs), typically resulting in faster aggregation compared to Cloud‐system Resolving Models (CRMs). GCMs that have stronger cloud‐longwave interactions tend to aggregate faster, whereas the influence of circulations is the main factor affecting the aggregation rate in CRMs. Plain Language Summary: The spatial organization of tropical rainstorms has major effects on weather and climate. This organization influences the duration and intensity of these convective storms, and alters the amount of radiation absorbed and emitted by the atmosphere. There is great uncertainty in the response of organization to a warming climate, and this results in one of the largest sources of uncertainty in climate predictions. Climate projections rely on either General Circulation Models (GCMs) that can represent the large‐scale motions, or smaller high‐resolution models that represent small‐scale features like cloud formations, but not the large motions. In this study, we compare convective organization in GCMs and Cloud‐system Resolving Models (CRMs) across a range of sea surface temperatures (SSTs). We find that the cloud‐radiation feedbacks that make the convective environment more favorable for further convection, and the non‐convective environment less favorable for convection, are stronger in GCMs than CRMs on average. This is related to larger cloud amounts in GCMs, leading GCMs to have typically faster organization than CRMs. We find these feedbacks which drive aggregation decrease as SST increases, yet the aggregation rate is largely insensitive to SST because of the decrease in the effect of atmospheric motions that oppose aggregation. Key Points: General Circulation Models (GCMs) aggregate faster than Cloud‐system Resolving Models (CRMs) on average due to an enhanced longwave feedbackFeedbacks tend to decrease in magnitude as sea surface temperature increases, although the rate of aggregation remains similarAggregation rate in GCMs is correlated with diabatic feedbacks, while in CRMs it is more related to advection feedbacks [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catastrophic population declines due to disease often lead to fragmented remnant populations and loss of gene flow. Managers are left to determine appropriate conservation actions to recover and maintain population persistence. The recent utilization of genomic data to assist in species recovery now allows us to combine genome‐wide surveys of differentiation and diversity with the identification of potentially adaptive regions to develop conservation plans that incorporate ecological and evolutionary processes. The unprecedented global decline of amphibian populations due to the pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis has increased the need to apply genomic tools to amphibian conservation practices. We show here how understanding genetic characteristics of remnant frog populations affected by disease can be applied directly to restoration efforts. Cascades frogs (Rana cascadae) occur in the mountainous regions of the Pacific northwestern United States and have declined dramatically at the southern edge of their range in California. We conducted genome‐wide surveys within this region to inform conservation and reintroduction efforts. We found strong north‐south genetic differentiation between Oregon and California and novel spatial structure within California. Genetic diversity was lower in California than Oregon and genetic drift was the most important driver of genetic diversity and population structure in California, making conservation efforts aimed at boosting overall genetic diversity most urgent. Spatial genetic structure of populations within California suggests that reintroductions to Lassen Volcanic National Park, where they were recently extirpated, should use remaining source populations south of the park. Our findings support the treatment of California's R. cascadae populations separately from the rest of their range and highlight the importance of conservation genomics in applied species conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although several studies have focused on how well anglers identify species using replicas and pictures, there has been no study assessing the confidence that can be placed in angler's ability to identify recreationally important fish. Understanding factors associated with low self-confidence will be useful in tailoring education programmes to improve self-confidence in identifying common species. The purposes of this assessment were to quantify the confidence of recreational anglers to identify 13 commonly encountered warm water fish species and to relate self-confidence to species availability and angler experience. Significant variation was observed in anglers self-confidence among species and levels of self-declared skill, with greater confidence associated with greater skill and with greater exposure. This study of angler self-confidence strongly highlights the need for educational programmes that target lower skilled anglers and the importance of teaching all anglers about less common species, regardless of skill level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visible implant alpha ( VI alpha) tag-induced changes in mortality and condition, as well as tag retention and readability, were examined during a 4-week period for juveniles of three fish species: tiger muskellunge Esox masquinongy × Esox lucius (91 ± 7 mm total length, LT, mean ± s.d.), Snake River cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki behnkei (84 ± 8 mm) and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (85 ± 5 mm). Mortality and condition did not differ between tagged fish and control fish for any species and overall tag retention rates were high (92% for E. masquinongy × E. lucius, 91% for O. c. behnkei and 100% for O. mykiss). Short-term readability of VI alpha tags was low in juvenile E. masquinongy × E. lucius and juvenile O. c. behnkei. Therefore, it is not recommend to use VI alpha tags in juvenile E. masquinongy × E. lucius or juvenile O. c. behnkei for periods >2 weeks, but VI alpha tags seem to be suitable for juvenile O. mykiss for a period of at least 4 weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing body of literature that shows internet search volume on a topic, such as fishing, is a viable measure of salience. Herein, internet search volume for 'fishing' and 'angling' is used as a measure of public interest in fishing, in particular, recreational fishing. An online tool, Google Insights for Search, which allows one to study internet search terms and their volume since 2004, is used to examine trends in interest in fishing for 50 countries. Trends in normalised fishing search volume, during 2004 through 2011, varied from a 72.6% decrease ( Russian Federation) to a 133.7% increase ( Hungary). Normalised fishing search volume declined in 40 (80%) of the countries studied. The decline has been relatively large in English-speaking countries, but also has been large in Central and South American, and European countries. Analyses of search queries provide a low-cost means of gaining insight into angler interests and, possibly, behaviour in countries around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gosch NJC, Pierce LL, Pope KL. The effect of predation on stunted and nonstunted white perch. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 401–407. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Predation is widely regarded as a means to prevent or minimise the establishment of a stunted (high density of slow growing individuals) population. We investigated the effect of predation on two different white perch Morone americana populations (stunted and nonstunted) by examining the stomach contents of piscivorous fishes. White perch and gizzard shad dominated piscivore diets in Branched Oak Lake, whereas white perch dominated piscivore diets in Pawnee Lake. White perch consumed in the stunted population (Branched Oak Lake) were larger and older than white perch consumed in the nonstunted population (Pawnee Lake). Many of the consumed white perch in the stunted population were sexually mature and had the opportunity to spawn at least once. In contrast, all of the consumed white perch in the nonstunted population were sexually immature. Predation may have reinforced the stunting of white perch in Branched Oak Lake through removal of the largest, oldest individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A deterministic, age-structured population model was developed to simulate potential management scenarios designed to increase growth of individuals (quantified by maximum length) in a hypothetical population of white perch, Morone americana (Gmelin). Four scenarios were developed that included non-selective mortality of adult white perch, increased mortality of age groups most influential on population growth, increased age-0 mortality and inhibiting recruitment after spawning. The greatest increase in maximum length occurred with non-selective adult mortality when population biomass was reduced by 97%; lesser increases in maximum length were achieved with the other management scenarios. Populations returned to their original state after control efforts ceased for each scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to assess morphological differences between stunted and non-stunted white perch Morone americana and green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus. Few female M. americana were captured; thus, morphological differences between adult males and juveniles were assessed for M. americana. Similarly, few immature (juvenile) L. cyanellus were captured for the stunted morphotype; thus, male and female morphological differences were assessed for L. cyanellus. Features of the head tended to be relatively larger in stunted fish of both species, whereas the mid-body tended to be relatively larger in non-stunted M. americana, but not in non-stunted L. cyanellus. Adult and juvenile morphology overlapped considerably in non-stunted M. americana, but there was a clear distinction between adult and juvenile morphology of stunted M. americana. There was little sexual dimorphism in shape in stunted L. cyanellus, whereas sexual dimorphism was evident in non-stunted L. cyanellus. It appears that selective forces imposed by predation and food limitation may contribute to morphological diversification between stunted and non-stunted fishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fishery biologists have documented small home ranges, relative to available habitat, for many littoral freshwater fishes. Home ranges for pelagic species, such as white bass Morone chrysops, are generally not well described, yet are thought to be large. We studied white bass movement using acoustic telemetry in two irrigation reservoirs of the Republican River basin in south-western Nebraska. Acoustic transmitters were implanted in fall of the previous year and tracking occurred a minimum of once per week throughout spring (mid-March to May) 2007 and 2008. Linear home ranges were calculated from observed locations of individual fish. Twelve of the twenty-seven tagged fish with at least five locations exhibited localised home ranges throughout the spring whereas the remaining fish exhibited home ranges extending across large portions of each reservoir. Home range size was not correlated with fish size or condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bioenergetics model was developed from observed consumption, respiration and growth rates for zebrafish Danio rerio across a range (18–32° C) of water temperatures, and evaluated with a 50 day laboratory trial at 28° C. No significant bias in variable estimates was found during the validation trial; namely, predicted zebrafish mass generally agreed with observed mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catch-and-release angling is popular in many parts of the world and plays an increasingly important role in fish conservation efforts. Although survival rates associated with catch-and-release angling are well documented for many species, sublethal effects have been less studied. An experiment was conducted to directly assess the effects of catch-and-release angling on growth and survival of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum). Catch-and-release events were simulated in laboratory tanks maintained at 15–16 °C with hooks manually placed in pre-designated locations in the mouths of the fish. There were no differences in standard length ( P = 0.59) or wet weight ( P = 0.81) gained between caught and uncaught fish over a 1-month angling and recovery period. Survival was 96.99 ± 0.06% for rainbow trout caught and released, and did not vary with number (one, two or four) of captures. Thus, catch-and-release angling appears to have little effect on growth and mortality of rainbow trout hooked in the mouth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between growth in white crappie, Pomoxis annularis Rafinesque, and climate, lake morphometry and population density was studied in 103 Texas reservoirs. Growth of age-0 through age-3 white crappie was significantly ( P≤0.05) related to latitude, growing season and surface area. Growth of age-1 through age-5 white crappie also was related to annual precipitation. Multiple linear regression models with precipitation and mean catch per unit effort (CPUE) of white crappie as independent variables explained 14–22% of the variation in growth of age-0, -1 and -2 white crappie. By contrast, growth of age-3, -4 and -5 white crappie was unrelated to CPUE. Apparently, between age 2 and 3, the density of white crappie in Texas reservoirs falls below a density-dependent growth threshold beyond which growth is no longer related to density. This density-dependent threshold was most likely related to angler harvest of larger, older white crappie. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catch-and-release angling is popular in many parts of the world and plays an increasingly important role in management of recreational fisheries. Although the magnitude of catch-and-release mortality is well documented for many species, potential sublethal effects have been little studied. An experiment was conducted to assess directly the effects of catch-and-release angling on growth of largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides Lacépède. Angling mortality was 0.00 ± 0.092% for largemouth bass caught on plastic grubs. There was no difference ( P = 0.57) in weight gain between caught and uncaught fish over a 40-day angling and recovery period. Although catch-and-release angling appears to have no effect on largemouth bass growth, previous studies documented sublethal effects on growth and reproduction in other species, suggesting that the occurrence and magnitude of sublethal effects vary among species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two of the most commonly used substances by adolescents in the United States are cannabis and alcohol. Cannabis use disorder (CUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are associated with impairments in decision-making processes. One mechanism for impaired decision-making in these individuals is thought to be an inability to adequately represent future events during decision-making. In the current study involving 112 adolescents, we used a comparative optimism task to examine the relationship between relative severity of CUD/AUD (as indexed by the CUD/AUD Identification Tests [CUDIT/AUDIT]) and atypical function within neural systems underlying affect-based neural represenation future events. Greater CUDIT scores were negatively related to responses within subgenual anterior and posterior cingulate cortex when processing high-intensity potential future positive and negative events. There was also a particularly marked negative relationship between CUD symptoms and blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) responses within visual and premotor cortices to high-intensity, negatively valenced potential future events. However, AUD symptom severity was not associated with dysfunction within these brain regions. These data indicate that relative risk/severity of CUD is associated with reduced responsiveness to future high-intensity events. This may impair decision-making where future significant consequences should guide response choice., (© 2020 Society for the Study of Addiction.)

Speech and language deficits are commonly associated with Kabuki syndrome. Yet little is known regarding the specific symptomatology of these disorders, preventing use of targeted treatment programs. Here we detail speech and language in 16 individuals with Kabuki syndrome (thirteen with KMT2D mutations, one with a KDM6A mutation, and two mutation-negative cases), aged 4-21 years. The most striking speech deficit was dysarthria, characterised by imprecise consonants, harsh vocal quality, hypernasality, reduced rate and stress, and distorted pitch. Oromotor functioning was also impaired. Delayed, rather than disordered, articulation and phonology was common. Both receptive and expressive language abilities were reduced in the majority and deficits were noted across all language sub-domains (i.e., semantics, syntax, morphology, and pragmatics) with no clear differentiation or specific language profile. Individuals with Kabuki syndrome present with a heterogenous pattern of oromotor, speech, and language deficits. This variability fits with the multisystem nature of the disorder, which may encompass neurological, orofacial structural, hearing, and cognitive deficits, any or all of which may contribute to speech or language impairment. Our results suggest that all individuals with Kabuki syndrome have some level of communication deficit, warranting speech pathology involvement in all cases., (© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Haploinsufficiency of the elastin gene (ELN) on 7q11.23 is responsible for supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS) and other arteriopathies in patients with Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS). These defects occur with variable penetrance and expressivity, but the basis of this is unknown. To determine whether DNA variations in ELN could serve as genetic modifiers, we sequenced the 33 exons and immediately surrounding sequence of the ELN gene (9,455 bp of sequence) in 49 DNAs from patients with WBS and compared cardiovascular phenotypes. Four missense, and four novel intronic variants were identified from a total of 24 mostly intronic single nucleotide variations and one indel. Two missense changes were present in one patient each, one published, p.Gly610Ser in exon 27 (MAF, 0.003) and one novel, p.Cys714Tyr, in exon 33 (MAF, 0.001), were rare in the general population. To identify a statistical association between the variants identified here and cardiovascular phenotypes a larger cohort would be needed., (Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

We report on a child with dextrocardia, atrial septal defect (ASD), severe developmental delay, hypotonia, 13 pairs of ribs, left preauricular choristoma, hirsutism, and craniofacial abnormalities. Prenatal cytogenetic evaluation showed karyotype 46,XY,?dup(8p)ish del(8)pter. Postnatal array CGH demonstrated a 6.8 Mb terminal deletion at 8p23.3-p23, an interstitial 31.1 Mb duplication within 8p23.1-p11, and a terminal duplication of 0.24 Mb at 22q13.33, refining the karyotype to 46,XY,der(8)dup(8)(p23.1p11.1)t(8;22)(p23.1;q13.1).ish der(8)dup(8)(p23.1p11.1)t(8;22)(p23.1;q13.1) (D8S504-,MS607 + ,ARSA + ,D8Z1 + , RP115713 + +). Previous reports of distal 8p deletion, 8p duplication, and distal 22q duplication have shown similar manifestations, including congenital heart disease, intellectual impairment, and multiple minor anomalies. We correlate the patient's clinical findings with these particular areas of copy number. This case study supports the use of aCGH to identify subtle chromosomal rearrangement in infants with cardiac malformation as their most significant or only apparent birth defect. Additionally, it illustrates why aCGH is essential in the description of chromosome rearrangements, even those seemingly visible via routine karyotype. This method shows that there is often greater complexity submicroscopically, essential to an adequate understanding of a patient's genotype and phenotype., (Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The availability of microarray technology has led to the recent recognition of copy number abnormalities of distal chromosome 22q11.2 that are distinct from the better-characterized deletions and duplications of the proximal region. This report describes five unrelated individuals with copy number abnormalities affecting distal chromosome 22q11.2. We report on novel phenotypic features including diaphragmatic hernia and uterine didelphys associated with the distal microdeletion syndrome; and frontomedial polymicrogyria and callosal agenesis associated with the distal microduplication syndrome. We describe the third distal chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletion patient with Goldenhar syndrome. Patients with distal chromosome 22q11.2 copy number abnormalities exhibit inter- and intra-familial phenotypic variability, and challenge our ability to draw meaningful genotype-phenotype correlations., (Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)