Effect of lowered salinity on the survival, condition and reburial of Soletellina alba (Lamarck, 1818) (Bivalvia: Psammobiidae)

Mass mortalities of fauna are known to occur in estuarine environments during flood events. Specific factors associated with these mortalities have rarely been examined. Therefore, the effect of exposing, to lowered salinities, an infaunal bivalve that is susceptible to mass mortalities during winter flooding in a southern Australian estuary was tested in the present study. In a laboratory experiment, low salinities (≤6 parts per thousand [ppt]), which mimicked those expected during flood events in the Hopkins River estuary, were shown to affect Soletellina alba, both lethally and sublethally. All bivalves died at 1 ppt, while those at 6 ppt took longer to burrow and exhibited a poorer condition than those at 14 and 27 ppt. The limited salinity tolerance of S. alba suggests that lowered salinities are a likely cause of mass mortality for this species during winter flooding.

Hierarchial patterns of invertebrate assemblage structure in stony upland streams change with time and flow permanence

1. Studies in several parts of the world have examined variation in univariate descriptors of macroinvertebrate assemblage structure in perennially flowing stony streams across hierarchies of spatial scale using nested analyses of variance. However, few have investigated whether this spatial variation changes with time or whether these results are representative of habitats other than riffles or of other stream types, such as intermittently flowing streams.

2. We describe patterns in taxon richness and abundance from two sets of samples from stony streams in the Otway Range and the Grampians Range, Victoria, Australia, collected using hierarchical designs. Sampling of riffles was repeated in the Otways, to determine whether spatial patterns were consistent among times. In the Grampians, spatial patterns were compared between intermittent and perennially flowing streams (stream type) by sampling pools.

3. In the Otways streams, most variation in the dependent variables occurred between sample units. Patterns of variation among the other scales (streams, segments, riffles, groups of stones) were not consistent between sampling times, suggesting that they may have little ecological significance.

4. In the Grampians streams, variation in macroinvertebrate taxon richness and abundance differed significantly between replicate streams within each stream type but not between stream types or pools. The largest source of variation in taxon richness was stream type. Little variation occurred among sample units.

5. The pattern of most variation occurring among sample units is robust both to differences in the method of sampling and different dependent variables among studies and increasingly appears to be a property of riffles in stony, perennial upland streams. High variation among sample units (residual variation) limits the explanatory power of linear models and therefore, where samples are from a single sampling time, small but significant components of variation are unlikely to represent features of assemblage structure that will be stable over time.

Ruminations on war, culture war

To descry that this generation of artists has been in the midst of a war, a cultural war, sounds so obvious. After all, what generation in deeply reactionary times could not claim the same? However, who is struggling with whom and over what can often prove far more open than the popular polarities which pitch government, business, bureaucracy on one side and artists, performers, intellectuals on the other.  But what is it to say we on the one side are at war with the other? Is the war, culturally as much as militarily, limited or unconditional, intermittent or continuous, external or internal, declared or undeclared, defensive or aggressive? Is it a warfare aiming to annihilate or to annex, to conquer or to cleanse, to dominate or to displace, to eliminate or to expel, to impregnate or to enslave. In brief, warfare is waged in diverse ways with diverse goals as the brutally concise words of Thoukydides reveal when brooding upon stasis--the strife from 427 B.C. convulsing city after city in the great war between Athens and Sparta--as  the cause of many calamities--as happens and will always happen while human nature is what it is, though there may be different degrees of savagery, and, as different circumstances arise, the general rules will admit of some variety [Bk 3.82; 1972: 242).

Recruitment of the infaunal bivalve Soletellina Alba (Lamark,1818) (Bivalvia: Psammobiidae) in response to different sediment types and water depths within the intermittently open Hopkins River estuary

Studies examining recruitment processes for soft-sediment macroinvertebrate fauna in intermittent estuaries are rare and most studies of active habitat selection have been tested in the laboratory rather than the field. The present field study examined whether recruitment of the infaunal bivalve Soletellina alba was influenced by water depth and sediment particle size in the intermittent Hopkins River estuary, southern Australia. The number of recruits in sediment trays differed between water depths, but active habitat selection was not evident across treatments of varying sediment particle size. The use of sediments with varying particle sizes also provided an opportunity to identify potential discontinuities in body-size distributions of recruits associated with varying habitat architecture. The length (mm) of recruits was converted to the same scale used to express sediment particle size (i.e. phi units: phi = − log2 of sediment particle size). The size of recruits differed across water depths, but did not differ across treatments with fine (phi = 3) versus coarse (phi = 1) sediment, and no relationships were apparent between bivalve size and sediments consisting of varying particle size. These patterns of recruitment do not correspond with the distribution of adult S. alba within the Hopkins River estuary. Previous sampling has shown that abundances of juvenile and adult S. alba are variable across time, site and water depth, but are often greater at the deeper water depth (1.05 m below the Australian Height Datum). However, recruitment during the present study was greatest at the shallower water depth (0.05 m below AHD), and the apparent absence of active habitat selection suggests that the distribution of adults is unlikely to be attributable to differences in recruitment associated with sediments of varying particle size.

Spatial and temporal changes in abundance of the infaunal bivalve Soletellina alba (Lamark, 1818) during a time of drought in the seasonally-closed Hopkins River Estuary, Victoria Australia

The infaunal bivalve Soletellina alba is susceptible to mass mortalities during annual winter flooding in the Hopkins River Estuary, southern Australia. Periods of low salinity (≤1) are the likely cause of these mass mortality events, which can occur in seasonally-closed estuaries when high winter flows are sufficient to flush all salt water from the estuary. Core samples of S. alba were collected from two water depths across four times and at three sites near the mouth of the estuary. Minimal to zero abundances of large S. alba (>1 mm) were expected to be sampled, particularly at the shallower water depth, during a typical winter flood event. However, the present study occurred during a period of drought, which led to the absence of winter flooding. This absence of winter flooding prevented the occurrence of lethal salinities (i.e. ≤1) in the estuary during this period and a greater number of living S. alba adults were sampled. Abundances of juvenile and adult S. alba were still variable, even in the absence of winter flooding, and reflected an interaction between date, site and water depth. However, no mass mortalities of adults were observed during the drought conditions in contrast to what occurs during typical winter flood events and provides support for the hypothesis that winter flooding is responsible for past mass mortalities.

The influence of reduced flow during a drought on patterns of variation in macroinvertebrate assemblages across a spatial hierarchy in two lowland rivers

1. With the aim of determining whether patterns of variation in macroinvertebrate assemblage composition across the hierarchy of spatial units in two lowland rivers changed during a supra-seasonal drought (1997–2000), patterns during a reduced flow season (1999–2000) were compared with those during two preceding higher flow seasons (1997–98 and 1998–99) using samples from the Glenelg and Wimmera Rivers, two lowland regulated rivers in western Victoria, Australia.

2. We hypothesised that (i) differences between reaches would increase during the reduced flow season owing to decreased hydrological connectivity, (ii) differences between the habitats would decrease because the cessation of flow in run habitats should cause them to become more similar to pool habitats and (iii) differences between microhabitats would also decrease because of reduced scour of inorganic substrata and large woody debris.

3. During each season, macroinvertebrates were sampled from three microhabitats (sand/silt substratum, large woody debris and macrophytes) that were hierarchically nested within a run or pool habitat and within one of three reaches within each river. A range of physico-chemical variables was also sampled.

4. Analysis of similarity showed that assemblage composition in both rivers during the higher flow seasons differed more among microhabitats than other spatial units. However, during the reduced flow season, assemblage composition in the Wimmera River differed most among reaches. This change in pattern was associated with the combined effects of decreased flow and longitudinal increases in salinity. In contrast, the fauna of the Glenelg River appeared to be resistant to the effects of the reduced flow season, owing to limited decline in water quality despite lower river discharge.

5. As salinisation and poor water quality in the Wimmera River result from human activities in the catchment, these results support the idea that human impacts on rivers can change macroinvertebrate scaling patterns and exacerbate the effects of drought beyond the tolerance of many riverine macroinvertebrates.

Vascularity and pain in the patellar tendon of adult jumping athletes : a 5 month longitudinal study

Background: This study investigated changes in tendon vascularity in 102 (67 men and 35 women) volleyball players over a 6 month competitive season.

Methods: Athletes were examined with both grey scale ultrasound and standardised colour Doppler settings. Vessel length and pain were measured each month on five separate occasions. Vascular tendons were divided into (i) those that were vascular on all occasions (persistent vascularity) and (ii) those that were vascular on more than two but less than five occasions (intermittent vascularity).

Results: A total of 41 of the 133 abnormal tendons were vascular on two or more occasions. Of these, 16 had persistent vascularity and 25 had intermittent vascularity. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of vascularity between men and women. None of the tendons had a pattern of vascularity over the season that could be clearly interpreted as the onset or resolution of vascularity. Subjects with changes in both tendons were more likely to have persistent vascularity (p = 0.045). Vessels were longer in tendons with persistent vascularity (p<0.000) and pain was significantly greater (p = 0.043) than in tendons with intermittent vascularity. Tendons with intermittent vascularity had similar pain scores on all days, whether or not they had detectable blood flow.

Solar adsorption refrigeration : an alternative/auxiliary way for thermal storage for air conditioning

This paper presents an idea of using solar powered adsorption ice making system as an alternative or an auxiliary way for the traditional ice storage air conditioning systems. A simple solar adsorption refrigeration system runs in intermittent cycle. It makes cooling effect at night, and the cooling effect can be stored for the day use. It fits in well with the cycle of the existing off-peak ice storage air conditioning system. On the top of green effect of the solar powered ice making system, the idea is specifically beneficial for places where the price of the off-peak electricity is not significantly lower than peak price. Based on our many years experience on the solar ice making systems, the paper discusses the technical feature of the solar ice making technology and the solutions we are working on to attack the problems which may have potential damage to application of the solar ice making system for air conditioning purposes.

Flushing away professionalism : is it unsustainable?

Recently, a family was denied the right to subdivide their four-hectare property on the outskirts of Melbourne, Victoria into nine residential allotments ranging in size from 4000 m2 to 6600 m2. Unsuccessful applications and approaches in the past, prior to our commissioning in late 2003, had been rejected on the basis of assessments of poor land capability, onerous wet weather storage requirements and a curious 60 m buffer from a nearby intermittent watercourse. Restriction on the type of interim wastewater systems deemed suitable for five allotments was also a major issue. The site did not have mains power and had no sewer connections. The water authority and Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (V CAT) order, prior to commissioning of the authors, asserted that "reticulated sewer is the preferred infrastructure for the area under investigation". However, the requirements imposed followed the letter of the guidelines rather than the principles. Various professional reports had already been produced on behalf of both the client and the regulator. A review of these indicated that the project had not been assessed in accordance with standard practices, had unusually restrictive assumptions, and did not accord with government policies on ecologically sustainable development.
The paper highlights the importance of sustaining professional and ethical practices to avoid costly litigation. Some professionals may have been in breach of the Institution of Engineers' Code of Ethics; others may have been in need of professional development. The question also arises whether the regulator had sought to use these adverse reports in order to satisfy unrelated planning issues.
While the writers managed to succeed in convincing the VCAT that these restrictions were unnecessary, the client ultimately had to comply with the regulator's wishes because of financial pressures. This unnecessary regimentation raises the issue of how best to safeguard lay people of moderate means against the practices of professional people who know or should know better.

Quantifying turbulent mixing and oxygen fluxes in a Mediterranean-type, microtidal estuary

Experiments were carried out on an intermittent estuary during its closed (summer) and open (winter) states to identify the physical processes responsible for vertical mixing across the halocline, and to quantify vertical fluxes of oxygen and salt between water layers. During the blocked phase a two-layer structure was observed, with a brackish surface layer overlying old seawater. Within a deep basin the wind-driven turbulent mixing was consistent with the measured surface-layer turbulent dissipation, but the dissipation in the bottom layer appeared to be driven by internal seiching. In the shallow regions of the estuary vertical fluxes of dissolved oxygen were indicative of oxygen demand by respiration and remineralization of organic material in bottom water and sediments. During the estuary's open phase a three-layer structure was observed, having a fresh, river-derived surface layer, a middle layer of new seawater, and a bottom layer of old seawater. In the shallower regions surface-layer turbulent diffusion was consistent with the strong, gusty winds experienced at the time. The dissolved oxygen of the incoming seawater decreased to very low values by the time it reached the upstream deep basin as a result of the low cross-pycnocline oxygen flux being unable to compensate for the oxygen utilization. At least 50 % of the cross-pycnocline salt fluxes in the shallow reaches of the open estuary are suggested to be driven by Holmboe instabilities.

The case of "difficult" brands

Purpose – To examine an atypical member of the brand family, “difficult” brands, defined as brands that have intermittent availability, and have inherent performance risks, that, contrary to traditional marketing teachings, may have a positive influence on consumer evaluation and brand loyalty. Findings – Through an examination of the underlying social and psychological reasons that consumers might be attracted to difficult brands, an alternative approach to the marketing of these types of brands might be warranted. Practical implications – The conceptualisation of difficult brands provides marketers with a means to identify potential antecedents to brand bonding under atypical marketing conditions. Originality/value – Suggests how researchers, and marketing practitioners might go about understanding the nature of the bond that consumers form with these types of brands, and therefore, how they can take advantage of consumers' desire to develop a relationship with a difficult brand.

Bonding with cultural brands: exploring the 'binds that tie us'

In contexts such as those in the arts and culture industry, where the use of branded products may be difficult to access due to intermittent availability, or, where the branded product outcomes may be difficult to predict, it is argued that consumers form complex relationships with brands.
In order to explore these complex relationships, this research explores the components of the bond that consumers form with arts and cultural products and brands. This research highlights empirically five components of brand bonding with arts and cultural products, viz., brand trust/affinity, social/self connectedness, loyalty, emotional connectedness and brand involvement. These results found that intricacies emerge, such as consumer optimism about branded product failures, anticipation of usage, and a sense of responsibility for the success of the brand. More importantly, these findings suggest that in situations where service outcomes are uncertain, and where the service is available intermittently, loyal consumers are still willing to develop a relationship based on their connectedness or bond with the brand, despite the situational difficulties associated with accessing it.

The influence of allopurinol on urinary purine loss after repeated sprint exercise in man

The influence of allopurinol on urinary purine loss was examined in 7 active male subjects (age 24.9 ± 3.0 years, weight 82.8 ± 8.3 kg, V˙o₂peak 48.1 ± 6.9 mL · kg⁻¹ · min⁻¹). These subjects performed, in random order, a trial with 5 days of prior ingestion of a placebo or allopurinol. Each trial consisted of eight 10-second sprints on an air-braked cycle ergometer and was separated by at least a week. A rest period of 50 seconds separated each repeated sprint. Forearm venous plasma inosine, hypoxanthine (Hx) and uric acid concentrations were measured at rest and during 120 minutes of recovery from exercise. Urinary inosine, Hx, xanthine, and uric acid excretion were also measured before and for 24 hours after exercise. During the first 120 minutes of recovery, plasma Hx concentrations, as well as the urinary Hx and xanthine excretion rates, were higher (P < .05) with allopurinol compared with the placebo trial. In contrast, plasma uric acid concentration and urinary uric acid excretion rates were lower (P < .05) with allopurinol. The total urinary excretion of purines (inosine + Hx + xanthine + uric acid) above basal levels was higher in the allopurinol trial compared with placebo. These results indicate that the total urinary purine excretion after intermittent sprint exercise was enhanced with allopurinol treatment. Furthermore, the composition of urinary purines was markedly affected by this drug.

Hypnosis in childbirth

The client in this case report self referred for the use of hypnosis during childbirth. The current pregnancy had been uneventful except for intermittent problems with elevated blood pressure. The client was seen for four sessions prior to a successful delivery using hypnosis. This paper describes in detail the preparation for childbirth using hypnotic techniques, an abreaction that occurred during this time and the use of hypnosis to control blood pressure.

'I get by with a little help from my friends' : adults with intellectual disability discuss loneliness

Background This study explored 'loneliness' as experienced by adults with intellectual disability, with 'intermittent' to 'limited' support needs.

Method A measure of loneliness was piloted, and qualitative techniques used to develop a greater understanding of the participants' experience.

Results The Loneliness Scale proved valid and reliable and the participants reported loneliness in ways comparable with the general population.

Conclusions The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of combining quantitative and qualitative techniques to enhance understanding of people's perspective when developing support systems to promote their quality of life. Based on participant perspectives, recommendations are made concerning the issues and types of support families and professionals could consider when seeking to assist people with intellectual disability address loneliness. Further investigation of the effects of differing educational and vocational opportunities on people's post-school social networks appears warranted.