1,2-Dibromo-4-(1,2 dibromoethyl)cyclohexane or tetrabromoethylcyclohexane (TBECH) is an additive bromine based flame retardant used primarily in expandable polystyrene beads that are used mainly to produce thermal insulation for housing. Secondary uses include extrusion into polystyrene foam, adhesive in fabric and vinyl lamination, electrical cable coatings and construction materials. The technical formulation contains two diastereoisomers, α- and β-, which are present in equimolar amounts. Under elevated temperatures two other isomers, γ- and δ-, can be formed. The recent detection of TBECH in the environment and suggestions that all four isomers are androgenic prompted me to examine the bioaccumulation and biochemical effects of one of the isomers, β-, in a controlled laboratory environment. I purposely chose to examine this isomer as it has been detected in biota. Juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta) were exposed to three different amounts of the β-isomer via their to three different amounts of the β-isomer via their food for 56 days (uptake phase). This was followed by a depuration phase in which all fish were exposed to unfortified food for 77 days. A fourth group of fish were exposed to unfortified food for the duration of the experiment. On days 0, 7, 14, 35, 49, 56, 63, 77, 91, 105, and 133 eight fish from each treatment group were sacrificed and liver, plasma, thyroid and gonad gland were collected and whole-fish (carcass minus tissues above) were collected. Residues of β-isomer were analyzed in the whole-fish and in liver extracts by gas chromatography mass spectrometry in the electron ionization while estradiol (E2), 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) and testosterone (T) were extracted from plasma and analysed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The bioaccumulation of β-isomer was similar in fish from all treatment groups with steady-state occurring before the end of the uptake phase. Depuration of the β-isomer from fish obeyed first order kinetics and there were no statistically significant differences in the depuration half life (t1/2) among the treatment groups: 22.5 ± 10.4 (low), 13.5 ± 5.9 (med) and 13.8 ± 2.2 (high) days. Steady-state biomagnification factors were much smaller than 1 for fish in all treatment groups. I was unable to detect debrominated metabolites in liver or whole-fish extracts and I also found no evidence of isomerization of the β-isomer to other isoforms in vivo. While there were some differences in E2, T and 11-KT levels in plasma of fish from the treated groups relative to plasma in fish from the control group there were no clear, consistent, discerning trends.

A significant goal in studies on learning and memory is to relate cellular plasticity to the modification of behaviour. The phenomenon of dual-process learning affords an ideal opportunity to explore the complexities inherent in establishing this relationship. Dual-process learning occurs when depression (habituation) and facilitation (sensitization) are expressed simultaneously within a neural network and compete to determine the behavioural outcome. A large body of literature is reviewed to define characteristics which are common across the neural networks that exhibit dual-process learning: depression occurs at loci early in the reflex pathway, upstream of the modulatory system necessary for the induction of facilitation. Consequently, depression not only competes directly with facilitation for the determination, of behavioural change (by serial and/or parallel expression), but depression also precludes the ongoing development and maintenance of sensitization (by serial induction). A mathematical model is presented to formally describe the nature of this competition and how this competition leads to the kinetics of dual-process learning. The tentacle withdrawal reflex of the snag Helix aspersa exhibits dual-process learning and was further investigated in this study. The neural circuit mediating tentacle withdrawal is described along with the nature and the location of plasticity which occurs within that circuit. In turn, plasticity at the cellular level is related, via the network level, to plasticity at the behavioural level. The data demonstrate the importance of localizing the sites of plasticity within a neural network in order to explain (1) how plasticity at a particular locus influences plasticity occurring elsewhere in the network and (2) how plasticity at different loci affect different aspects of behaviour.

The gonad of the snail Helix aspersa is innervated by a branch of the intestinal nerve. Here it is demonstrated that nerve stimulation causes peristaltic contractions and the acceleration of cilia beating in the proximal part of the hermaphroditic duct. Acetylcholine and serotonin induced peristaltic contractions when applied without nerve stimulation. As well, serotonin induced the acceleration of cilia beating. The neuropeptide FMRFamide caused dilation of the hermaphroditic duct. Pharmacological blocking of acetylcholine and serotonin receptors with concurrent nerve stimulation induced a dilation similar to that caused by FMRFamide application. It is suggested that all three transmitters are released from intestinal nerve terminals to facilitate oocyte transport during ovulation. Nerve stimulation induced an increase in gamete transport rates. Because several candidate chemical messengers failed to induce ovulation when injected into the circulatory system, Helix aspersa appears to initiate ovulation differently from related species. Whereas Aplysia and Lymnaea use hormones, Helix apparently signals ovulation via the intestinal nerve.

1,2-Dibromo-4-(1,2 dibromoethyl)cyclohexane or tetrabromoethylcyclohexane (TBECH) is an additive bromine based flame retardant used primarily in expandable polystyrene beads that are used mainly to produce thermal insulation for housing. Secondary uses include extrusion into polystyrene foam, adhesive in fabric and vinyl lamination, electrical cable coatings and construction materials. The technical formulation contains two diastereoisomers, α- and β-, which are present in equimolar amounts. Under elevated temperatures two other isomers, γ- and δ-, can be formed. The recent detection of TBECH in the environment and suggestions that all four isomers are androgenic prompted me to examine the bioaccumulation and biochemical effects of one of the isomers, β-, in a controlled laboratory environment. I purposely chose to examine this isomer as it has been detected in biota. Juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta) were exposed to three different amounts of the β-isomer via their to three different amounts of the β-isomer via their food for 56 days (uptake phase). This was followed by a depuration phase in which all fish were exposed to unfortified food for 77 days. A fourth group of fish were exposed to unfortified food for the duration of the experiment. On days 0, 7, 14, 35, 49, 56, 63, 77, 91, 105, and 133 eight fish from each treatment group were sacrificed and liver, plasma, thyroid and gonad gland were collected and whole-fish (carcass minus tissues above) were collected. Residues of β-isomer were analyzed in the whole-fish and in liver extracts by gas chromatography mass spectrometry in the electron ionization while estradiol (E2), 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) and testosterone (T) were extracted from plasma and analysed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The bioaccumulation of β-isomer was similar in fish from all treatment groups with steady-state occurring before the end of the uptake phase. Depuration of the β-isomer from fish obeyed first order kinetics and there were no statistically significant differences in the depuration half life (t1/2) among the treatment groups: 22.5 ± 10.4 (low), 13.5 ± 5.9 (med) and 13.8 ± 2.2 (high) days. Steady-state biomagnification factors were much smaller than 1 for fish in all treatment groups. I was unable to detect debrominated metabolites in liver or whole-fish extracts and I also found no evidence of isomerization of the β-isomer to other isoforms in vivo. While there were some differences in E2, T and 11-KT levels in plasma of fish from the treated groups relative to plasma in fish from the control group there were no clear, consistent, discerning trends.

The Scottish brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) is identified as an important resource which requires responsible and continual management. This study was divided into two parts; an electrophoretic survey of wild trout populations in Scotland, and a quantitative assessment of the genetic component to growth rate in various stocks, grown under hatchery and farm conditions. Sixty wild populations were sampled by various methods. All fish were typed using brain, eye, heart, liver and muscle tissue and starch gel electrophoresis for thirty four enzyme loci, thirteen of which were found to be polymorphic. Gene diversity analysis was conducted on the data collected, 33% of the diversity being attributed to differences between populations, much of the variation was thought to be due to founder effects. Evidence is presented to support a hypothesis that the trout in Scotland are derived from two main post glacial invasion stocks. Future management strategies for wild stocks of Scottish brown trout are discussed. Growth trials were conducted at Howietoun fish farm in order to calculate heritability estimates for growth rate. Hierarchical and factoral crossing schemes were employed, using broodstock from three stocks. Heritability estimates for growth rate were found to be high and it was concluded, significant genetic gains could be achieved if growth rate was the only trait of commercial interest and truncated mass selection was adopted. Attempts were made to investigate the relationship between heterozygosity and growth rate in the hatchery populations. It was concluded that more data were required to make a meaningful assessment, but from this study little evidence exists for a positive correlation between heterozygosity and growth rate. Correlations between early life cycle stages and subsequent growth are discussed.

Langdon Gilkey's theological method distinguishes three stages of the theological enterprise, namely, prolegomenon, constructive theology and theology of culture. In this dissertation we employ this threefold division as an organizing principle for the exposition and evaluation of Gilkey's thought. We propose further, however, that the whole project is best understood if seen primarily in terms of the third stage. Consequently the dissertation focuses on Gilkey's theology of culture and interprets his prolegomenon and constructive theology in terms of their foundational relevance to his theology of modernity in decline. Interpreted in this way the project as a whole displays a coherent interrelatedness. That coherence also means, however, that ambiguity and weak arguments in both the prolegomenon and constructive theology are reflected in the theology of culture. These deficiencies notwithstanding, Gilkey's theology of culture provides us with an analysis and diagnosis of modernity that plumbs to the religious depths of that culture. Such analysis is necessary for all cultures but especially for cultures in decline.

Partial cDNAs for each of the four known N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor 2 (NMDAR2A-D) subunits have been cloned from the brain of A. leptorhynchus and are found to display a high degree of sequence homology (83--78% amino acid identity) to their mammalian homologues. In situ hybridization experiments reveal that each transcript has a distinct expression pattern in the apteronotid central nervous system (CNS) and is present in a "mosaic" distribution within important cell types of the electrosensory lateral line lobe (ELL). Apt. NMDAR2A transcript is expressed in forebrain regions as well as throughout the pyramidal cell layer (PCL) and granule cell layer (GCL) of the ELL. Apt. NMDAR2B mRNA is enriched in mid- and forebrain structures as well as the PCL and GCL of the ELL. Apt. NMDAR2C transcript is largely restricted to cerebellar regions but is also found in the PCL and GCL of the ELL's medial, centromedial, and centrolateral segments. Apt. NMDAR2D mRNA is expressed in sites of cell proliferation and in a segmental gradient within granule cells of the ELL.

Members of the Dlg/PSD-95 protein family have a modular organization with multiple protein interaction domains and are thought to be important in the organization of synapses. A degenerate primer PCR strategy was used to screen for members of this family in the central nervous system of Apteronotus leptorhynchus, which possesses an electrosensory system that is well-suited for the study of synaptic organization and the subcellular localization of proteins. A. leptorhynchus was found to express at least four Dlg/PSD-95 family genes as in mammals, and the full coding sequences of the homologues of mammalian PSD-95 and SAP102 were determined. In situ hybridization experiments performed for the A. leptorhynchus Dig/PSD-95 family members in brain showed that they have a differential pattern of expression.

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Typescript. / Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references. / Microfiche. / xii, 178 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm