The value of Nabugabo lakes in the conservation of Oreochromis esculentus

The wide-spread impact of exotic fishes especially Oreochromis niloticus and Lates niloticus together with over fishing in the Victoria and Kyoga lake basins during the 1950s and 1960s, caused endemic species such as the previously most important Oreochromis esculentus to become virtually extinct in the two lakes by the 1970s. Based on reports of presence of this native species in some satellite lakes within the two lake basins, a set of satellite lakes in the Victoria basin (Nabugabo lakes: Kayanja and Kayugi), were sampled between 1997-2002 with an objective of assessing their value as conservation sites for O. esculentus. Other satellite lakes (Mburo and Kachera) also in the Victoria basin, and Lemwa, Kawi and Nabisojjo, in the Kyoga basin, were sampled for comparison. Among the Nabugabo lakes, O. esculentus was more abundant in Lake Kayanja (20.1 %) ofthe total fish catch by weight compared to Lake Kayugi (1.4 %). The largest fish examined (38.7 cm TL) was caught in Lake Kayugi, (also the largest in all satellite lakes sampled), while the smallest (6.6 cm TL) was from Lake Kayanja. Fish from Lake Kayugi had a higher condition factor K (1.89± 0.02) than that from Lake Kayanja (1.53±0.0I), which was the second highest (compared with other satellite lakes) to Lake Kawi (1.92±0.2). Diatoms, especially Aulacoseira, which were previously known to be the best food for O. esculentus in Lake Victoria were mostly encountered (93.2 %) in fish stomachs from Lake Kayugi. In Lake Kayanja the dominant food item was the blue green algae (Planktolyngbya) while Microcystis was the most abundant diet item in fish from other satellite lakes. There were more male than female fish (ratio 1:0.91 and 1: 0.79 in lakes Kayugi and Kayanja respectively). This is comparable to the situation in Lake Victoria before the species got depleted. The highest mean fecundity was (771±218 eggs) recorded in Lake Kayugi compared to Lake Kayanja (399±143). Based on the results from Lake Kayugi, where diatoms dominated the diet of O. esculentus and where the largest, most fecund and healthy fish were found, this lake would be a most valuable site for the conservation of O. esculentus and the best source of fish, for restocking and for captive-propagation. This lake is therefore recommended for protection from over exploitation and misuse.

Genetic viability of Nabugabo lakes (LVR satellite lakes) fish species

Natural populations of fish species in Lake Victoria Region (LVR) have under gone dramatic changes including severe reduction in sizes, division of original stocks into disjunct subunits, and segregation into several isolated population units either within a single water body or even worse into separate waters. In addition, these changes have been either preceded or precipitated by introductions of non-indigenous species that out competed the native forms and in case of closely related species genetically swamped them through hybridisation. The latter is especially the case in Nabugabo lakes. Such events lead to fragmentation of populations, which results in reduction in genetic diversity due to genetic drift, inbreeding and reduced or lack of gene flow among independent units. Such phenomena make the continued existence of fisheries stocks in the wild precarious, more so in the face of the competition from exotic species. Species introductions coupled with growing exploitation pressure of the fisheries of these lakes have put the native stocks at risk. Nabugabo lakes harbor cichlid species that are unique to these lakes more so species of the cichlid complex. In this paper the ecological status and genetic viability of key Nabugabo lakes fish species is examined and management options are discussed.

Fisheries ecology in the interface zone of Lake Nabugabo

This study was carried out in the interface zone of Lake Nabugabo, which is situated to the west of Lake Victoria. Four study sites were chosen from the south-western to the eastern ends of the euhydrophyte-dominated interface zone, which was about 10 km long, 10 to 50 m wide, 2 m deep and characterized by a thick layer of peat at the bottom. Nymphaea caerulea was the most dominant and widespread euhydrophyte species except in the eastern tip of the lake where it was replaced by Nymphaea lotus. Interspersed among these lilies was Ceratophyllum demersum in certain bays which were thought to be either water inlets or out-flows; Utricularia and Nymphoides indica were associated with monospecific stand of N. caerulea in the south- western end of the zone. The microinvertebrates were dominated by Copepoda (represented mainly by Cyclopoida), and Rotifera, with Cladocera occurring sporadically, while the macroinvertebrates were represented by Mollusca, Acarina, and seven insect orders of which Diptera (represented by Chironomidae) was the most dominant and widespread. Snails were found to have increased in abundance and distribution since the early 1960's. Nymphaea-Ceratophyllum mixed habitats had far more larval fishes and macroinvertebrates than monospecific stands of N. caerulea. Generally, the eastern end of the interface zone had more macroinvertebrates and larval fishes than the south-western end. Food habits of larval fishes were dominated by chironomid larvae; others consumed included detritus, aufwuchs and, periodically, cladocerans.

Nascentes, veredas e áreas úmidas : revisão conceitual e metodologia de caracterização e determinação : estudo de caso na estação ecológica de águas emendadas - Distrito Federal

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Geociências, 2015.

Final report : offsite manufacture in Australia Final report off-site manufacture in Australia

Off-site Manufacture (OSM) has long been recognised, both in Australia and internationally, as offering numerous benefits to all parties in the construction process. More importantly, it is recognised as a key vehicle for driving improvement within the construction industry. The uptake of OSM in construction is however limited, despite well documented benefits. The research aims to determine the ‘state-of-the-art’ of OSM in Australia. It confirms the benefits and identifies the real and perceived barriers to the widespread adoption of OSM. Further the project identifies opportunities for future investment and research. Although numerous reports have been produced in the UK on the state of OSM adoption within that region, no prominent studies exist for the Australian context. This scoping study is an essential component upon which to build any initiatives that can take advantage of the benefits of OSM in construction. The Construction 2020 report predicted that OSM is set to increase in use over the next 5-15 years, further justifying the need for such a study. The long-term goal of this study is to contribute to the improvement of the Australian construction industry through a realisation of the potential benefits of OSM.

Off-site Manufacture in Australia : Current State and Future Directions

Off-site manufacture (OSM) offers numerous benefits to all parties in the construction process. The uptake of OSM in Australia has, however, been limited. This limited uptake corresponds to similar trends in the UK and US, although the level of OSM there appears to be increasing. This project undertook three workshops — one each in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia — and 18 interviews with key stakeholders to assist in identifying the general benefits and barriers to OSM uptake in the Australian construction industry. Seven case studies were also undertaken, involving construction projects that used OSM, ranging from civil projects through to residential. Each of these case studies has been analysed to identify what worked and what didn’t, and suggest the lessons to be learned from each project.

Drivers constraints and the future of off-site manufacture in Australia.

Much has been written on Off-site Manufacture (OSM) in construction, particularly regarding the perceived benefits and barriers to implementation. However, very little understanding of the state of OSM in the Australian construction industry exists. A ‘scoping study' has recently been undertaken to determine the ‘state-of-the-art’ of OSM in Australia. This involved several industry workshops, interviews and case studies across four major states of Australia. The study surveyed a range of suppliers across the construction supply-chain, incorporating the civil, commercial and housing segments of the market. This revealed that skills shortages and lack of adequate OSM knowledge are generally the greatest issues facing OSM in Australia. The drivers and constraints that emerged from the research were, in large measure, consistent with those found in the US and UK, although some Australian anomalies are evident, such as the geographical disparity of markets. A comparative analysis with similar studies in the UK and US is reported, illustrating both the drivers and constraints confronting the industry in Australia. OSM uptake into the future is however dependent on many factors, not least of which is a better understanding of the construction process and its associated costs.

Site survey and analysis of highway trucks overloading status quo in Anhui

In 2004, with the increasing overloading restriction requirements of society in Anhui, a provincial comprehensive overloading transportation survey has been developed to take evaluations on overloading actuality and enforcement efficiency with the support of the World Bank. A total of six site surveys were conducted at Hefei, Fuyang, Luan, Wuhu, Huainan and Huangshan Areas with four main contents respectively: traffic volume, axle load, freight information and registration information. Via statistical analysis on the survey data, conclusions were gained that: vehicle overloading are very universal and serious problems at arterial highways in Anhui now. The traffic loads have far exceeded the designed endure capacity of highways and have caused prevalent premature pavement damage, especially for rigid pavement. The overloading trucks are unimpeded engaged in highway freight transportation actually due to the disordered overloading enforcement strategies and the deficient inspecting technologies.

The role of sensation seeking and need for cognition on web-site evaluations : a resource-matching perspective

The Internet theoretically enables marketers to personalize a Website to an individual consumer. This article examines optimal Website design from the perspective of personality trait theory and resource-matching theory. The influence of two traits relevant to Internet Web-site processing—sensation seeking and need for cognition— were studied in the context of resource matching and different levels of Web-site complexity. Data were collected at two points of time: personality-trait data and a laboratory experiment using constructed Web sites. Results reveal that (a) subjects prefer Web sites of a medium level of complexity, rather than high or low complexity; (b)high sensation seekers prefer complex visual designs, and low sensation seekers simple visual designs, both in Web sites of medium complexity; and (c) high need-for-cognition subjects evaluated Web sites with high verbal and low visual complexity more favourably.

Spectrometric and voltammetric studies of the interaction between quercetin and bovine serum albumin using warfarin as site marker with the aid of chemometrics

The interaction of quercetin, which is a bioflavonoid, with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated under pseudo-physiological conditions by the application of UV–vis spectrometry, spectrofluorimetry and cyclic voltammetry (CV). These studies indicated a cooperative interaction between the quercetin–BSA complex and warfarin, which produced a ternary complex, quercetin–BSA–warfarin. It was found that both quercetin and warfarin were located in site I. However, the spectra of these three components overlapped and the chemometrics method – multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) was applied to resolve the spectra. The resolved spectra of quercetin–BSA and warfarin agreed well with their measured spectra, and importantly, the spectrum of the quercetin–BSA–warfarin complex was extracted. These results allowed the rationalization of the behaviour of the overlapping spectra. At lower concentrations ([warfarin] < 1 × 10−5 mol L−1), most of the site marker reacted with the quercetin–BSA, but free warfarin was present at higher concentrations. Interestingly, the ratio between quercetin–BSA and warfarin was found to be 1:2, suggesting a quercetin–BSA–(warfarin)2 complex, and the estimated equilibrium constant was 1.4 × 1011 M−2. The results suggest that at low concentrations, warfarin binds at the high-affinity sites (HAS), while low-affinity binding sites (LAS) are occupied at higher concentrations.