Trapping success and population analysis of Siren lacertina and Amphiuma means

Siren and Amphiuma are two poorly known genera of aquatic salamanders that occur in the Southeastern United States. A primarily bottom-dwelling existence makes these salamanders difficult to detect with conventional sampling methodologies. Therefore, the current status of their populations is unknown. I compared the capture success of modified crayfish traps and plastic minnow traps in capturing these salamanders. In addition, a mark-recapture study of S. lacertina (Greater siren) and A. means (Two-toed amphiuma) was conducted at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (southern Georgia) and at Katharine Ordway Preserve (north-central Florida) from August 2001 until September 2002. Crayfish traps were much more successful than minnow traps in catching siren and amphiuma. Crayfish traps yielded 270 captures for an overall capture success of 16%, whereas minnow traps yielded only 13 captures for an overall success rate of 0.05%. In addition, several marking techniques were evaluated, and of these, only passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags were retained for the duration of the study. Therefore, I recommend this marking technique for long-term monitoring of S. lacertina and A. means. Several variables were found to have significant effects on capture rates of salamanders. A. means were most often captured in summer and the number of captures was positively correlated with water temperature, water level, and rainfall. S. lacertina were most often captured during winter and spring. Number of captures was negatively correlated with water temperature, while no relationship was found with water level or rainfall. Trap day and baiting had no significant effect on number of A. means or S. lacertina captured. Recapture probabilities of both species were low, 0.025-0.03 for S. lacertina and 0.08-0.11 for A. means. Monthly survival rates were high, 0.77-0.97 for A. means and 0.88-1.00 for S. lacertina. Density estimates of 1.3 salamanders/m2 (S. lacertina) and 0.28 salamanders/m2 (A. means) were obtained for Lake Suggs using Jolly-Seber models. Siren and amphiuma make up a substantial part of wetland biomass and can impact many other wetland species. Thus, more attention must be focused on evaluating and monitoring their populations.

Temperature effects on Florida applesnail activity: implications for snail kite foraging success and distribution

The endangered Florida snail kite (Rostrhamlls sociaiJilis) feeds exclusively on applesnails (Pomacea pailiclosa), yet we lack direct observations that link applesnail behavior to snail kite foraging success. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the temperature-activity profile of applesnails in the context of restricted foraging opportunities for snail kites. Applesnail activity was monitored in water temperatures ranging from 2-24

Keep an "eye" on the text: The Use of Self-mention in the Academic Writing of Experts

One of the most controversial inquiries in academic writing is whether it is admissible to use first person pronouns in a scientific paper or not. Many professors discourage their students from using them, rather favoring a more passive tone, and thus causing novices to avoid inserting themselves into their texts in an expert-like manner. Abundant research, however, has recently attested that negotiation of identity is plausible in academic prose, and there is no need for a paper to be void of an authorial identity. Because in the course of the English Studies Degree we have received opposing prompts in the use of I, the aim of this dissertation is to throw some light upon this vexed issue. To this end, I compiled a corpus of 16 Research Articles (RAs) that comprises two sub-corpora, one featuring Linguistics RAs and the other one Literature RAs, and each, in turn, consists of articles written by American and British authors. I then searched for real occurrences of I, me, my, mine, we, us, our and ours, and studied their frequency, rhetorical functions and distribution along each paper. The results obtained certainly show that academic writing is no longer the faceless prose that it used to be, for I is highly used in both disciplines and varieties of English. Concerning functions, the most typically used roles were the use of I to take credit for the writer’s research process, and also those involving plural forms. With respect to the spatial disposition, all sections welcomed first person pronouns, but the Method and the Results/Discussion sections seem to stimulate their appearance. On the basis of these findings, I suggest that an L2 writing pedagogy that is mindful not only of the language proficiency, but also of the students’ own identity may have a beneficial effect on the composition of their texts.

Academic spin-offs incubation strategies: the case of the Andalusian region

[EN] The objective of this paper is to analyze the incubation strategies developed in the universities of Andalusia, a relatively low-income region of Spain, to promote the creation of university spin-offs. These strategies are also compared to the incubation models noted in the literature. The performance of the university spin-offs created and its relation to the incubation strategies developed by the university are also analysed. The analysis is based on data from a survey of nine public universities that carry out strategies for the promotion of university spin-offs. The result of the analysis shows that university spin-off incubation strategies in Andalusia present specific characteristics not covered by certain models that are well-known in the literature on innovation. Then, a new stage in the process of the university spin-off incubation is proposed. We consider it to be a pre-strategic stage to the academic spin-off incubation strategies. The analysis also finds certain environmental factors associated to those spin-offs promoted by Andalusian universities that achieve the highest level of performance. This result suggests that previous to making any decision involving investment into developing incubation strategies, universities should gauge whether they have sufficient resources and the possibilities of connecting with a Technology Park.

Percepções de formandos do ensino médio acerca das contribuições da escola e da classe social de origem sobre suas chances de ascensão educacional: o que os alunos pensam, querem e como interpretam suas realidades

O presente estudo traz como lócus central de interesse apreender as percepções que alunos formandos do ensino médio de uma escola estadual do município do Rio de Janeiro, possuem sobre suas chances de terem ascensão educacional, via ingresso no ensino superior, focalizando, em especial, como percebem as contribuições da escola e da classe social a que pertencem nesse processo. O estudo foi realizado apenas durante o turno da manhã, utilizando-se de aporte teórico-metodológico ancorado nas pesquisas sobre os efeitos das escolas, campo de estudo que se iniciou fora do Brasil, e que recentemente tem experimentado mais entrada no campo educacional brasileiro. Esta pesquisa congregou o uso das metodologias quantitativa e qualitativa, com aplicação de questionários estruturados a todos os alunos formandos, bem como buscou conhecer mais das expectativas destes estudantes, através de entrevistas semi-estruturadas realizadas com dois alunos de cada turma. Estudos apontam que, ainda que os fatores extra-escolares, especialmente aqueles relacionados às condições socioeconômicas dos indivíduos, exerçam forte influência sobre o desempenho escolar dos alunos, sobre suas trajetórias escolares, e, posteriormente, sobre suas trajetórias profissionais, outros trabalhos vêm sugerindo que há mais elementos que precisam ser introduzidos na análise, elementos estes que dizem respeito a aspectos relacionados à própria escola, que se convencionou chamar no Brasil como efeitos das escolas, ou simplesmente, efeito-escola. Acredita-se, segundo esta perspectiva de análise, que as escolas podem vir a afetar as trajetórias dos alunos, assim como suas expectativas de vida e suas motivações, embaralhando a influência dos fatores socioeconômicos, que, ainda que presentes, não seriam os únicos condicionantes. Estas pesquisas revelam que, depois de controladas as variáveis concernentes às condições socioeconômicas dos indivíduos, os dados sugeririam que as escolas exerceriam influência sobre o desempenho dos alunos, em maior ou menor grau, com maior ou menor êxito, mostrando que as escolas podem fazer diferença, e que não são apenas os fatores extra-escolares os únicos determinantes para o sucesso e insucesso escolar dos indivíduos.

Fracasso escolar e adolescentes infratores: a vulnerabiblidade social de adolescentes de baixa escolaridade

O presente trabalho investigou a relação entre a baixa escolaridade e a prática de atos infracionais, procurando entender alguns fatores associados ao fracasso escolar de adolescentes que passaram pela Vara da Infância e da Juventude de Duque de Caxias. Em especial, buscou entender o fenômeno da exclusão social como elemento relevante relacionado ao tema fracasso escolar: em que medida é possível afirmar que a baixa escolaridade coloca estes adolescentes em situação de vulnerabilidade em relação a práticas ilícitas? Os dados da pesquisa foram obtidos por meio de um questionário e de entrevistas aplicados aos adolescentes infratores seus responsáveis. No total, a pesquisa trabalhou com as respostas de 262 adolescentes infratores que tiveram passagem pela Justiça Infanto-Juvenil de Duque de Caxias, no período compreendido entre maio de 2006 e maio de 2008. Esta pesquisa teve por base principal as idéias de Maria Helena Patto, a respeito da construção do fracasso escolar; Miriam Abramovay, com sua contribuição sobre vulnerabilidade social; Aldaíza Spozati e Miguel Arroyo, que alertam para as questões relacionadas ao acesso, permanência, sucesso e não-fracasso na escola; Alex Eduardo Gallo e Lúcia Cavalcanti de Albuquerque Williams, a respeito do perfil dos adolescentes infratores. A pesquisa revelou que a baixa escolaridade coloca os adolescentes em situação de vulnerabilidade social e que a escola pode ser um fator de proteção à criminalidade.

Physiological Determinants of Invasive Success Linking Distribution Patterns to Metabolic Physiology in Native and Invasive Blue Mussels (genus Mytilus)

In the early 20th century, a blue mussel species from the Mediterranean invaded the California coast and subsequently out-competed the native species south of Monterey Bay. Like other invasive species, Mytilus galloprovincialis has physiological traits that make it successful in habitats formerly occupied by the native M. trossulus, namely its adaptation to warm sea surface temperatures. This study looks at the current genotype distributions and enzymatic activities of field-acclimatized mussels within the hybrid zone where the species co-occur as well as mussels that have been acclimated for four weeks to different temperature and salinity conditions. In the field-acclimatized and laboratory-acclimated mussels, the native species exhibited significantly higher enzyme rates, which may reflect an evolutionary adaptation to compensate to low habitat temperatures. Indeed, the results of the laboratory acclimation indicate that these differences are genetically based. Whether an acclimation capacity exists may require even longer-term acclimation to different temperatures. Current findings suggest that the further spread of the invasive species is likely to be governed in large measure by the potentially counteracting effects of rising temperatures, which would favor the northerly spread of M. galloprovincialis, and increased winter precipitation, which would favor the persistence of M. trossulus. However, the success of M. galloprovincialis during acclimation to ‘dilute’ salinity (25 ppt) suggests that the invasive species can tolerate a greater salinity range than previously thought. Thus, further investigation is needed to build a comprehensive predictive model of the movement of M. galloprovincialis and the hybrid zone along the California coast.

Corpo, propaganda de brasilidade: Gisele Bündchen na publicidade

As representações do corpo feminino na publicidade têm sido pauta para discussões acadêmicas quando entendidas como forma de capital na cultura brasileira. Nesta pesquisa, temos como objetivo compreender como ocorre a representação do corpo como propaganda de brasilidade em campanhas de repercussão midiática protagonizadas pela modelo Gisele Bündchen para as marcas Grendene, Hope e Banco do Brasil. Utilizamos como metodologia a análise de imagem guiada por Martine Joly e Jacques Aumont. O trabalho apresenta como fundamentação teórica as leituras de Gilberto Freyre, Roberto Da Matta e Sérgio Buarque de Holanda para traçar elementos identitários de brasilidade; Jean Baudrillard, Gilles Lipovetsky e Everardo Rocha para refletir sobre os significados da publicidade; Le Breton, Denise Siqueira e Mirian Goldenberg para estudar as nuanças do corpo brasileiro; e os estudos de Sandra Pesavento para tratar das representações. Concluímos que a publicidade toma os referenciais de beleza, de credibilidade e de sucesso da imagem de Gisele Bündchen como o corpo propaganda do Brasil, na intenção de transferir os mesmos significados para a marca anunciada.

Eskola Porrota. Hezitzaileen begirada.

[eus] Eskola Porrota kaltegarria da ez bakarrik jasotzen duten familientzat, gizarte osoarentzat baizik. Kezkagarria da gure eskolak ikasle guztien heziketa egokia ziurtatzeko kapazak ez izatea. Irakasleok ez badugu gure ikasle guztien arrakasta lortzeko baliabiderik, gure ahalegin guztiak alferrikako lana bihurtuko dira. Lan honetan, informazioaren bilketa egin da eta analisiaren bidez, Eskola Porrotaren esangura argitu nahi izan da, diziplinarteko ikuspuntu batetik: bere faktoreak, arrazoiak eta ondorioak identifikatzen dira, egoeraren azterketa bat egiten da eta irakasleentzat Eskola Porrota garaiz aurreikusteko eta saihesteko jarraibidea ere proposatzen da.

The role of mate guarding, Male Size and Male Investment on Individual Reproductive Success in the Blue Crab, Callinectes Sapidus.

Male blue crabs, Callinectes Sapidus, guard their mates before and after mating, suggesting that the conditions regulating both types of mate guarding dictate individual reproductive success. I tested the hypothesis that large male blue crabs have advantages in sexual competition using experimental manipulations, a simulation model, and field data on crabs from mid-Chesapeake Bay between 1991-1994.

Factors determining spawning success in Penaeus monodon Fabricius

Spawning success in relation to the size of spawner, clumping of eggs, percentage of spawning and frequency of spawning was studied in Penaeus monodon collected off Tamil Nadu, India. The results indicated positive correlation between the size of spawner and the fecundity and hatching percentage, but not the start of hatching. Hatching characteristics were influenced by clumping of eggs or abortive spawning; the greater the clumping, the longer the time taken for hatching, resulting in a lower hatching percentage. The start of hatching time increased when the frequency of spawning increased. Lower hatching rate was observed as the frequency of spawning increased.

From drawing board to dining table: the success story of the GIFT project

As compared to crops and livestock, the genetic enhancement of fish is in its infancy. While significant progress has been achieved in the genetic improvement of temperate fish such as salmonids, no efforts were made until the late 1980s for the genetic improvement of tropical finfish, which account for about 90 percent of global aquaculture production. This paper traces the history of the Genetic Improvement of Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) project initiated in 1988 by the WorldFish Center and its partners for the development of methods for genetic enhancement of tropical finfish using Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) as a test species. It also describes the impacts of the project on the adoption of these methods for other species and the dissemination of improved breeds in several countries in Asia and the Pacific.

Community-based marine protected areas in the Bohol (Mindanao) Sea, Philippines

This paper discusses the status, direction and management issues in the marine protected areas (MPAs) of the Bohol (Mindanao) Sea, Philippines. The MPAs in the study area have increased through the years. Many of them were established and managed by the local government units (LGUs) in collaboration with national government agencies (NGAs), academic institutions, people’s and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Several management issues and problems were cited by the MPA managers such as insuffi cient funds and facilities, lack of support from NGAs/NGOs and lack of education among the people. Nevertheless, lessons for sustainability can be learned from the experience of some wellmanaged MPAs in the Bohol Sea. These include strong support from the political leadership, community participation and networking among the concerned sectors. Although the best practices are being followed in a number of MPAs in the Bohol Sea, success is still fragmented. The MPAs are currently managed independently although there are ongoing initiatives to network their efforts. However, it can be observed that, as a management tool, MPAs are gaining popularity and support, not only among the fisherfolk but also among local communities and LGUs in the Bohol Sea area.