Evaluating the effects of catch-and-release angling on Cape stumpnose Rhabdosargus holubi in a South African estuary

Fisheries managers are increasingly promoting catch-and-release (C&R) to manage recreationally angled fish stocks. Despite this, there is a scarcity of information on the effects of C&R on estuarine-dependent species. Cape stumpnose Rhabdosargus holubi dominates the recreational fisheries catch and provides an important source of food for subsistence fishers in some temperate South African estuaries. The health and survival of R. holubi exposed to a C&R event was investigated by examining their physiological stress response (blood glucose and lactate), reflex impairment (reflex action mortality predictors [RAMP]) and short-term (12-hour) survival. Fish were captured and exposed to one of three air-exposure treatments: 0 s, 30 s or 90 s. Stress and health were measured either immediately (immediate) or one hour after (delayed) the C&R event. There was no significant difference in blood glucose between air-exposure treatments, but there was a significant difference between the mean immediate and delayed glucose levels within each treatment (F_(2,143) = 81.8, p < 0.01). In contrast, blood lactate level was significantly higher in the 90-s treatment (p < 0.05). Immediate blood lactate levels were significantly lower than the delayed samples for each treatment (F = 4.29, p = 0.02; n = 169). Although all fish exhibited at least one reflex impairment, the RAMP score was significantly higher in the 90-s air-exposure treatment (H_(2,86) = 9.73, p = 0.007). Also, RAMP scores were significantly lower in the delayed samples (p < 0.01). Although short-term mortality was relatively low (2.3%) for this species, it was highest in the 90-s treatment (7%). These results suggest that physiological stress is higher when R. holubi are exposed to longer periods of air exposure and that the physiological stress of fish subject to a C&R event is best measured after a delay.     

Borehole pressure correction equation

Conclusion A method of calculation for borehole pressure has been developed and compared to measured data for PETN. The results show that by adjusting the ratio of the specific heats using an equation derived from a curve fit of a pressure as a function of decoupling ratio graph, the plot shifts to a position within the ranges of the measured data. Also, at this point the proper specific heat may be obtained for a given gaseous mixture. Although other mixtures have been considered the results are not yet conclusive, but preliminary values seem to hold for the methodology used.     

Synoptic circulation and stream discharge in the Great Lakes basin, USA

Impacts on water resources caused by human activity, natural climate variation and long-term climate change are unclear in the US Great Lakes region. Improved understanding of the impact of atmospheric circulation on stream discharge variability into the Lakes is thus important. In this analysis, monthly surface and mid-tropospheric circulation patterns suggest that surface pressure variations over Missouri and Illinois are most strongly correlated to discharge. The mid-tropospheric patterns most directly related to discharge place the Great Lakes in a trough-to-ridge flow pattern. The analysis confirms that at this scale, lee shore advection resulting in ‘lake-effect’ precipitation is not very important to regional discharge, and neither are variations in the Pacific–North American teleconnection.     

On increasing the structural damping of a steel chimney

Experimental results of a study which was commissioned to investigate the possible benefit of added structural damping in reducing the susceptibility of a steel chimney to wind-excited swaying vibrations are presented and discussed. The experimental and analytical techniques used are briefly described. The results indicated a significant increase in structural damping when pads of a special damping material were incorporated into the foundation structure of the chimney.     

Sedimentary facies and depositional history of the Swan Islands,Honduras

Swan Island is a Honduran possession in the western Caribbean, located on the southeastern side of the Cayman Trench. Two sedimentary assemblages are found on the island: an older bedded sequence of mid-Tertiary age (Aquitanian or Burdigalian) and a younger sedimentary sequence of Late Pleistocene age. The older sequence is composed of a series of calcarenites, calcilutites, and siliciclastic mudstones; capping these are cliff-forming reefal carbonates of the younger sequence.The rocks of the older bedded sequence accumulated in deep water. Sedimentation consisted of a constant rain of pyroclastic debris interrupted by the episodic introduction of upslope carbonate material by turbidity currents. Uplift and deformation of this sequence was initiated sometime after the Early Miocene. By the Late Pleistocene, uplift had brought the rocks into water depths conducive to coral growth. Pleistocene sedimentation on the island was controlled by the interaction between tectonic uplift and eustatic sea-level changes. The primary controlling force on the tectonic history of the island is its proximity to the boundary between the North American and Caribbean plates.     

Identifying the Real Pollinators? Exotic Honeybees Are the Dominant Flower Visitors and Only Effective Pollinators of Avicennia marina in Australian Temperate Mangroves

The literature suggests that, in the tropics, mangroves are typically pollinated by a range of generalist pollinators, whereas in temperate populations, pollination biology is largely unstudied. We predicted that, for the mangrove Avicennia marina in temperate southeast Australia, pollinator diversity would be low and its pollination system modified by the exotic honeybee Apis mellifera. Multiyear surveys and experiments were used to test these hypotheses by determining the identity and frequency of flower visitors, quantifying pollinator foraging behaviour, determining the species composition of pollen loads, and demonstrating pollen removal and deposition. We identified 38 species that visited flowers, but only A. mellifera was a significant pollinator. It was the only species to carry large amounts of pollen and forage in a manner permitting transfer of pollen to stigmas. Moreover, A. mellifera was the numerically dominant flower visitor and was effective in both pollen removal and deposition. This study demonstrates the importance of distinguishing flower visitors from pollinators and emphasises the surprisingly widespread influence of the exotic A. mellifera. Finally, our study and a worldwide review of the literature on the pollination of mangroves reveal that the pollination biology of other mangrove systems requires similar scrutiny.     

INDUSTRIAL IMPACTS OF FOREIGN ENTERPRISE: A CANADIAN TECHNOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

The technological underdevelopment of secondary manufacturing in Canada is inferred from patterns of trade, industrial structure, and the range of industrial functions performed within firms in Canada. These patterns are explained by reference to the behavior of foreign subsidiaries that have major direct and indirect effects on the linkages and developmental potential of the Canadian industrial system. Canadian manufacturing is found to have a low level of innovative capability because of inadequate R & D and product and design engineering in foreign and domestic firms. In view of the strong need for new policy initiatives, the components of a techno-industrial strategy are evaluated.     

Millisecond pulsar velocities

We present improved timing parameters for 13 millisecond pulsars (MSPs), including nine new proper motion measurements. These new proper motions bring to 23 the number of MSPs with measured transverse velocities. In light of these new results we present and compare the kinematic properties of MSPs with those of ordinary pulsars. The mean transverse velocity of MSPs was found to be 85±13 km s⁻¹, a value consistent with most models for the origin and evolution of MSPs and approximately a factor of 4 lower than that of ordinary pulsars. We also find that, in contrast to young ordinary pulsars, the vast majority of which are moving away from the Galactic plane, almost half of the MSPs are moving towards the plane. This near-isotropy would be expected of a population that has reached dynamic equilibrium. Accurate measurements of MSP velocities have allowed us to correct their measured spin-down rates for Doppler acceleration effects, and thereby derive their intrinsic magnetic field strengths and characteristic ages. We find that close to half of our sample of MSPs have a characteristic age comparable to or greater than the age of the Galactic disc.     

Explosive gas pressure and work

Conclusion The inference is that work produced by an explosive tends to be a result of explosive generated gas pressure rather than the more constant shock energy.The breakage and adiabatic work respond to calculated borehole pressure relationships with a very high correlation. This indicates that the primary mechanism for rock breakage is explosive generated gas pressure.     

中国西部铂矿床类型与找矿方向探讨

中国铂矿资源严重不足,主要分布在中国西部,根据原生矿床特征可划分为4类：①硫化物型;②铬铁矿型;③辉石岩型;④层控型。寻找铂矿新类型和富铂(岩石)资源,应成为解决中国铂矿资源紧缺的重要任务。铂矿找矿方向：地台与地槽接合部位,特别是围绕着基性、超基性岩内外接触带,铂的预富集岩带与层控型铂矿带,另外还有砂铂型铂矿发育区有望扩大找铂前景。