Multiple stable reference points in oyster populations: implications for reference point-based management

In the second of two companion articles, a 54-year time series for the oyster population in the New Jersey waters of Delaware Bay is analyzed to examine how the presence of multiple stable states affects reference-point–based management. Multiple stable states are described by four types of reference points. Type I is the carrying capacity for the stable state: each has associated with it a type-II reference point wherein surplus production reaches a local maximum. Type-II reference points are separated by an intermediate surplus production low (type III). Two stable states establish a type-IV reference point, a point-of-no-return that impedes recovery to the higher stable state. The type-II to type-III differential in surplus production is a measure of the difficulty of rebuilding the population and the sensitivity of the population to collapse at high abundance. Surplus production projections show that the abundances defining the four types of reference points are relatively stable over a wide range of uncertainties in recruitment and mortality rates. The surplus production values associated with type-II and type-III reference points are much more uncertain. Thus, biomass goals are more easily established than fishing mortality rates for oyster population

A Guide for Enhancing Estuarine Molluscan Shellfisheries

In the eastern United States as well as in many countries where most shellfish originate in public beds, shellfishermen, local communities, distributors, and consumers have been dependent on wild stocks for shellfish supplies. Abundance of shellfish is usually much lower than the carrying capacity of the beds and can fluctuate widely among seasons. Thus shellfisheries are built upon a relatively weak foundation: Uncertin supplies, abundance of which is governed by several natural factors.

Report to the Devon River Board on the investigations in the Walla Brook

This is the Report to the Devon River Board on the investigations in the Walla Brook (1955-58). This report provides information on the nature and quantification of the bottom fauna, the population of fish and their habits and behaviour throughout the year, and the relation of this fish population to the potential stock-carrying capacity of the river. It includes a bottom fauna list with occurring invertebrates and an Addendum to the report.

Comportamento estrutural de vigas casteladas em aço inoxidável.

As vigas casteladas já são utilizadas em diversos tipos de estruturas para se vencer grandes vãos. Há uma nova realidade para o uso de perfis castelados, agora em aço inoxidável. Este trabalho apresenta uma análise comparativa entre vigas casteladas e vigas de alma cheia em perfis IPE, baseadas na norma europeia, no método da resistência contínua; e, também, através de um modelo em elementos finitos desenvolvido no programa Ansys. Este trabalho tem como objetivo verificar o comportamento e a resistência à flexão das vigas casteladas em aço inoxidável. As não-linearidades físicas e geométricas foram incorporadas aos modelos, a fim de se mobilizar totalmente a capacidade resistente desta estrutura. A não-linearidade do material foi considerada através do critério de plastificação de von Mises e da lei constitutiva tensão versus deformação multi-linear, de forma a exibir um comportamento elasto-plástico com encruamento. A não-linearidade geométrica foi considerada a partir de uma formulação de Lagrange atualizado. Os resultados numéricos das vigas em estudo foram avaliados quanto aos modos de falha e da distribuição de tensões. Os momentos resistentes analíticos foram comparados com os resultados do modelo numérico apresentando valores satisfatórios e a favor da segurança.

Laboratory culture of Moina with organic ana inorganic fertilizers

An experiment was conducted in the laboratory condition to determine the effect of organic (poultry drop, cow dung and mustard oil cake) and inorganic fertilizer (urea) on production, reproduction rate and maturation time of Moina species. Production rate was also determined in both aerated and non-aerated system in plastic containers with carrying capacity of 2.5-liter each. Total production was significantly higher in both aerated (2475 individuals/2.5 l water) and non-aerated (3253 individuals/2.5 l water) containers using poultry manure compared to other fertilizers. Moreover, the reproduction rate and maturation time in poultry drops showed distinct efficacy in Moina species. Reproduction rate of 11 individuals was the maximal while lowest maturation time was found 78 hours. Reproduction and maturation were induced surprisingly in test tube where the aeration system was absent.

Compact holographic optical interconnections using nematic liquid crystal spatial light modulators

In a fibre-optic communication network, the wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) technique enables an expansion of the data-carrying capacity of optical fibres. This can be achieved by transmitting different channels on a single optical fibre, with each channel modulating a different wavelength. In order to access and manipulate these channels at a node of the network, a compact holographic optical switch is designed, modelled, and constructed. The structure of such a switch consists of a series of optical components which are used to collimate the beam from the input, de-multiplex each individual wavelength into separated channels, manipulate the separated channels, and reshape the beam to the output. A spatial light modulator (SLM) is crucial in this system, offering control and flexibility at the channel manipulation stage, and providing the ability to redirect light into the desired output fibre. This is achieved by the use of a 2-D analogue phase computer generated hologram (CGH) based on liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) technology. © 2011 Copyright Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).

Closely correlating lower and upper bound plastic analysis of real slabs

An engineer assessing the load-carrying capacity of an existing reinforced concrete slab is likely to use elastic analysis to check the load at which the structure might be expected to fail in flexure or in shear. In practice, many reinforced concrete slabs are highly ductile in flexure, so an elastic analysis greatly underestimates the loads at which they fail in this mode. The use of conservative elastic analysis has led engineers to incorrectly condemn many slabs and therefore to specify unnecessary and wasteful flexural strengthening or replacement. The lower bound theorem is based on the same principles as the upper bound theorem used in yield line analysis, but any solution that rigorously satisfies the lower bound theorem is guaranteed to be a safe underestimate of the collapse load. Jackson presented a rigorous lower bound method that obtains very accurate results for complex real slabs.

The soft impact response of composite laminate beams

The quasi-static and dynamic responses of laminated beams of equal areal mass, made from monolithic CFRP and Ultra high molecular weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), have been measured. The end-clamped beams were impacted at mid-span by metal foam projectiles to simulate localised blast loading. The effect of clamping geometry on the response was investigated by comparing the response of beams bolted into the supports with the response of beams whose ends were wrapped around the supports. The effect of laminate shear strength upon the static and dynamic responses was investigated by testing two grades of each of the CFRP and UHMWPE beams: (i) CFRP beams with a cured matrix and uncured matrix, and (ii) UHMWPE laminates with matrices of two different shear strengths. Quasi-static stretch-bend tests indicated that the load carrying capacity of the UHWMPE beams exceeds that of the CFRP beams, increases with diminishing shear strength of matrix, and increases when the ends are wrapped rather than through-bolted. The dynamic deformation mode of the beams is qualitatively different from that observed in the quasi-static stretch-bend tests. In the dynamic case, travelling hinges emanate from the impact location and propagate towards the supports; the beams finally fail by tensile fibre fracture at the supports. The UHMWPE beams outperform the CFRP beams in terms of a lower mid-span deflection for a given impulse, and a higher failure impulse. Also, the maximum attainable impulse increases with decreasing shear strength for both the UHMWPE and CFRP beams. The ranking of the beams for load carrying capacity in the quasi-static stretch-bend tests is identical to that for failure impulse in the impact tests. Thus, the static tests can be used to gauge the relative dynamic performances of the beams. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

High performance fibre-reinforced cementitious composite (CARDIFRC) - Performance and application to retrofitting

This paper describes first some of the recent performance checks on the high performance fibre-reinforced cementitious composite CARDIFRC and then its application to the retrofitting of damaged concrete beams. It is shown that an even distribution of fibres throughout the bulk of the material is crucial to its excellent fatigue performance and to the reduction in the autogenous shrinkage strains. The distribution of fibres in beams, cylinders and strips is examined using computerised tomography imaging and traditional image analysis. Thin strips of CARDIFRC are used to retrofit damaged concrete beams which are subjected to thermal cycling. It is shown that neither the load carrying capacity of the retrofitted beams nor the bond between retrofit strips and concrete deteriorates with thermal cycling. The load carrying capacity of retrofitted beams is predicted with a model based on fracture mechanics, and the predictions are shown to be in good agreement with test data. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Gene transfer into genomes of human cells by the sleeping beauty transposon system

The Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon system, derived from teleost fish sequences, is extremely effective at delivering DNA to vertebrate genomes, including those of humans. We have examined several parameters of the SB system to improve it as a potential, nonviral vector for gene therapy. Our investigation centered on three features: the carrying capacity of the transposon for efficient integration into chromosomes of HeLa cells, the effects of overexpression of the SB transposase gene on transposition rates, and improvements in the activity of SB transposase to increase insertion rates of transgenes into cellular chromosomes. We found that SB transposons of about 6 kb retained 50% of the maximal efficiency of transposition, which is sufficient to deliver 70-80% of identified human cDNAs with appropriate transcriptional regulatory sequences. Overexpression inhibition studies revealed that there are optimal ratios of SB transposase to transposon for maximal rates of transposition, suggesting that conditions of delivery of the two-part transposon system are important for the best gene-transfer efficiencies. We further refined the SB transposase to incorporate several amino acid substitutions, the result of which led to an improved transposase called SB11. With SB11 we are able to achieve transposition rates that are about 100-fold above those achieved with plasmids that insert into chromosomes by random recombination. With the recently described improvements to the transposon itself, the SB system appears to be a potential gene-transfer tool for human gene therapy.

米脂县农地承载力系统动力学分析

在综合分析米脂县农地承载力系统结构、关系的基础上,以1998年为起始年建立系统动力学模型,根据米脂县社会经济发展现状及未来规划,设定了3种不同的方案和3种营养标准,模拟了米脂县2008-2028年农地人口承载力趋势,通过各方案比较,得出了较优的方案,最后提出了提高该地区农地承载力的政策建议。

系统耦合对农地承载力的拓展分析

农地的特性决定了其系统具有耦合性,农地系统耦合的意义在于其对农地承载力产生重要影响.农地系统承载力是一个合力,其大小取决于各子系统承载力的"大小"和"方向",系统耦合正是通过调整分力的"大小"和"方向",实现农地承载力的拓展.系统耦合对农地承载力拓展的途径有:增强种间耦合,调整土地利用结构和农林牧渔复合经营等.

岷江上游地区景观格局与生态承载力变化及预测研究

岷江上游是我国十分典型的山地生态脆弱区。该地区的生态环境意义十分重大，既是长江上游生态屏障的重要组成部分，更是成都平原的重要生态屏障和水源生命线，其生态环境状况直接影响成都平原水资源的质量和数量，以至影响到整个岷江流域甚至整个长江上游的生态环境与社会经济发展。本论文通过3S技术手段，应用转移矩阵、景观指数和Kappa指数系列方法对岷江上游的景观变化从1974到2000年进行了综合分析，同时应用CLUE-S模型在有无“天然林保护工程”两个预案下对该区域2001到2020年的景观变化进行了预测。然后，应用基于能值理论进行改进的生态足迹方法和传统生态足迹方法对岷江上游地区的1982到2000的生态承载力进行了分析，以反映研究区的生态环境质量和可持续发展情况；应用多元统计方法和CLUE-S模型预测的结果预测了研究区2001到2020年的生态足迹和生态承载力。对岷江上游地区的景观格局和生态承载力的变化进行分析和预测得到如下主要结论： 1. 岷江上游地区景观在1974到2000年间格局变化并不十分显著，景观由少数几种景观类型所控制，各景观类型有不断趋于平均化的趋势，但速度缓慢，景观的破碎化程度越来越严重。研究区的景观变化以有林地的不断减少和其它景观类型的相应增加为特点，主要的景观变化发生在有林地、灌木林地、草地、耕地和经济林地之间。此时间段内的景观林地的面积不断减少，大部分转化为灌木林地和草地，使得其面积相应增加。耕地和经济林地面积不断增长，增长速度最为迅速。 2. 在有无“天然林保护工程”两种预案下，有林地向着不同的方向发展，有林地变化情况的不同导致其它景观类型的变化不同。在“无天保”预案下，林地面积不断减少，灌木林地、草地和耕地面积不断增长，景观的破碎化程度不断加剧，斑块形状更加不规划，景观的连通性不断下降。在“天保”预案下，林地面积有增长趋势，灌木林地和草地面积有所下降，耕地面积有下降趋势，景观的破碎化程度有减小的趋势，景观形状变得更加规则，景观的连通性也将得到改善。由此，“天然林保护工程”对景观格局未来变化有着决定性的作用。 3. 岷江上游地区的生态足迹从1982到2000年间呈缓慢的上升趋势，表明研究区内居民的生活水平不断提高，但速度缓慢。虽然研究区在研究时期内的生态承载力大于需求，但生态承载力呈明显的下降趋势，造成这种情况的主要原因是由于资源的不合理利用方式造成的，特别是对森林的过度采伐。连续的木材采伐给岷江上游地区脆弱的生态系统带来严重后果，导致了林地面积减小、森林质量下降、水土流失加剧和泥石流频繁发生。 4. 对于生态足迹和生态承载力在两个预案的预测表明到2020年为止岷江上游地区仍为可持续发展状态。在“无天保”预案下，生态承载力不断下降，生活足迹不断上升，研究区向不可持续的方向发展；在“天保”预案下，生态承载力在2003年后开始逐渐上升，同时，由于木材采伐被禁止，导致岷江上游地区的生态足迹大为下降，研究区将向更加可持续的方向发展。由两种预案的结果对比可以发现1998年开始实施的“天然林保护工程”能够扭转岷江上游地区未来的生态承载力变化方向。生态承载力可以反映生态系统的质量，说明该政策的实施可以有效改善岷江上游地区未来的生态系统。 5. 传统生态足迹方法应用的生物生产能力数据为常量，所以它能够有效地比较不同年份和不同区域间消费数据的变化情况。实际土地需求法应用的生物生产能力和均衡因子均根据研究区实际数据计算得到，其反映研究区的实际情况更为有效。应用能值对生态足迹方法进行改进，改变了传统生态足迹以生物圈为限制的不足。本文改进的方法－区域能值足迹法能够有效地反映研究区的实际情况，同时又能够将科技进步所带来的影响加以考虑。

Thermokinetic investigation of effect of temperature on optimum NaCl concentration for petroleum bacterial growth

The power-time curves of growth of three strains of petroleum bacteria at different NaCl concentrations at 40.0 and 50.0 degreesC have been determined by using a 2277 Thermometric Thermal Activity Analyser. An equation of a power-time curve, ln[alphaP(K)/P(t) - 1] = ln[(alphaK - N-0)/N-0] - alphakt, was established based on the generalized logistic equation, where P(t) is the thermal power at time t, K the carrying capacity, P-K = P0K, P-0 the thermal power of one cell, N-0 the bacterial population at time zero, alpha = (k - D)/k. The method of four observed points with the same time interval was used to calculate the value of P-K. The growth rate constant k and the death rate constant D were calculated. The NaCl concentration of optimum growth rate of petroleum bacteria at 40.0 and 50.0 degreesC, respectively, have been obtained according to the curves k - D versus NaCl concentration, which are 0.26, 0.54 and 0.57 mol l(-1) for B-1, B-2 and B-3, respectively, at 50.0 degreesC, 0.26, 0.55 and 0.56 mol l(-1) for B-1, B-2 and B-3, respectively, at 40.0 degreesC. The results indicated that the effect of temperature on NaCl concentration of optimum growth rate was small. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

滤食性贝类养殖活动对海域生态系统的影响及生态容量评估

滤食性贝类以水体中的浮游植物和有机碎屑为主要食物，养殖海域的初级生产力水平、水动力学特性等生态环境因子的差异，不仅直接影响养殖贝类的产量，而且也与贝类养殖活动对生态环境的压力密切相关。由于养殖的种类、密度、方式及养殖海域的特性不同，关于贝类对生态环境的影响往往有不同的结果。本文以我国北方大连獐子岛扇贝底播海区和荣成桑沟湾贝类筏式养殖区为研究对象，采用现场调查、室内受控实验及生态数值模型模拟方法，分析研究了滤食性贝类对海域生态系统的影响，对这两个海域贝类养殖的生态容量进行了初步的评价。 主要结果： 1. 獐子岛海域底播贝类养殖活动对该海域生态系统的影响较小。非参数统计—符号检验的结果显示，养殖区与非养殖区之间的溶解性无机氮、磷酸盐浓度、氮磷摩尔比及浮游植物群落结构没有统计学上的差异（p>0.05）。但是从变化的趋势上来看，贝类养殖活动对水域环境的某些参数有一定程度的影响。例如，獐子岛底播贝类养殖海域的溶解性无机氮以氨氮为主，可能与贝类的代泄活动有关；不论是叶绿素浓度，还是网采浮游植物的生物量都是贝类高密度养殖区<贝类低密度养殖区<非养殖区（7月份除外），这种趋势可能与贝类的摄食压力有关。 桑沟湾各环境指标表现出明显的区域性。除春季外，非养殖区的DIN浓度高于各养殖区。在春季和冬季，贝类区的磷酸盐浓度显著降低；而硅酸盐浓度在夏季和秋季显著增大。综合分析DIN、PO4-P及SiO3-Si三个参数的四季变化，海带区、贝藻区及贝类区发生显著性变异的概率分别为25%，42%和50%，贝类区的变异较大。浮游植物、小型浮游动物的生物多样性指数都是以非养殖区为最高，贝类区的多样性指数最低。尤其是浮游动物的丰度，贝类区显著低于非养殖区。 2. 利用挪威的MOM (Modelling-Ongrowing fish farms-Monitoring)评价系统，评价了桑沟湾长期大规模的贝藻筏式养殖活动对底质环境的压力。在桑沟湾设10个取样站位，共获得66个底泥样品。比较了MOM－B评价系统的3组参数的季节变化特性。结果显示，底质条件属于1级，说明桑沟湾贝藻长期大规模的养殖活动对底质环境的压力较低。结合桑沟湾的环境及养殖特点，分析了压力较低的原因。 3. 经计算，2006年中国海水养殖的贝类和藻类使用浅海生态系统的碳可达396万吨，并通过收获从海中移出至少136.9万吨的碳。从1995年至2006年，养殖大型藻类和贝类累计移出的碳分别约为365万吨和893万吨，总计达1258万吨。证明了浅海的贝类和藻类养殖活动直接或间接地使用了大量的海洋碳，提高了浅海生态系统吸收大气CO2的能力。 4. 采用模拟现场生物沉积法测定了虾夷扇贝的滤水率、摄食率等生理指标及其与贝类个体大小、水温的关系。虾夷扇贝单位个体的滤水率与组织干重的关系符合幂函数方程CR=a×DWb，b值在0.45～0.65范围内；水温对虾夷扇贝滤水率的影响极其显著(p<0.01)，温度（T）与滤水率（CR）呈抛物线的关系：CR=-0.0009T2+0.0188T-0.0306，水温为10℃时，虾夷扇贝的滤水率、摄食较大。 5. 采用模拟现场流水法测定了3种滤食性贝类的食物选择性。紫贻贝、长牡蛎及栉孔扇贝分别对直径4m, 6m 和 8m颗粒的保留效率达到最大值；对小颗粒（直径2m）的保留效率分别为17%, 19% 和 8％。栉孔扇贝对食物数量和质量浓度的变化相对敏感，随着数量浓度的增加，栉孔扇贝倾向于摄食较大的颗粒；随着颗粒食物质量浓度的增加，倾向于摄食较小的颗粒。 6. 獐子岛海域四个航次的调查结果显示，叶绿素浓度在1.23～2.85mg.m-3范围内，均值为1.78±0.57 mg.m-3；初级生产力的变化范围为30.4～117.0 mg C. m-2.d-1，平均值为76.6±41.9 mg C. m-2.d-1。通过虾夷扇贝生物量断面调查，获得了虾夷扇贝的壳高频率分布情况，7月份的众数值出现在100 mm，10月份壳高的众数值为80 mm。利用以上测定的虾夷扇贝的滤水率等基本生物学特性，结合虾夷扇贝的年产量、海域面积和有关的水文状况等数据，计算了滤水效率、摄食压力、调节比率3个食物限制性指标参数，全年的均值分别为0.048, 0.31和 0.16，都小于1，说明目前该海域虾夷扇贝的养殖量未达到养殖容量。 7. 利用STELLA软件，建立的桑沟湾贝藻养殖的数值模型，模拟了叶绿素a浓度及氮磷营养盐的周年变化情况，及其对贝类养殖生物量变化的响应。以叶绿素a浓度为指标，初步探讨了桑沟湾贝类的生态容量。