Rhyme and Reason: Analyses of Dual Retrieval Cues

If and only if each single cue uniquely defines its target, a independence model based on fragment theory can predict the strength of a combined dual cue from the strengths of its single cue components. If the single cues do not each uniquely define their target, no single monotonic function can predict the strength of the dual cue from its components; rather, what matters is the number of possible targets. The probability of generating a target word was .19 for rhyme cues, .14 for category cues, and .97 for rhyme-plus-category dual cues. Moreover, some pairs of cues had probabilities of producing their targets of .03 when used individually and 1.00 when used together, whereas other pairs had moderate probabilities individually and together. The results, which are interpreted in terms of multiple constraints limiting the number of responses, show why rhymes, which play a minimal role in laboratory studies of memory, are common in real-world mnemonics.

Growth and production of Pacific ocean perch (Sebastes alutus) in nursery habitats of the Gulf of Alaska

Nursery areas for juvenile fishes are often important for determining recruitment in marine populations by providing habitats that can maximize growth and thereby minimize mortality. Pacific ocean perch (POP, Sebastes alutus) have an extended juvenile period where they inhabit rocky nursery habitats. We examined POP nursery areas to link growth potential to recruitment. Juvenile POP were captured from nursery areas in 2004 and 2008, and estimated growth rates ranged from −0.19 to 0.60 g day−1 based on differences in size between June and August. Predicted growth rates from a bioenergetics model ranged from 0.05 to 0.49 g day−1 and were not significantly different than observed. Substrate preferences and the distribution of their preferred habitats were utilized to predict the extent of juvenile POP nursery habitat in the Gulf of Alaska. Based on densities of fish observed on underwater video transects and the spatial extent of nursery areas, we predicted 278 and 290 million juvenile POP were produced in 2004 and 2008. Growth potential for juvenile POP was reconstructed using the bioenergetics model, spring zooplankton bloom timing and duration and bottom water temperature for 1982–2008. When a single outlying recruitment year in 1986 was removed, growth potential experienced by juvenile POP in nursery areas was significantly correlated to the recruitment time-series from the stock assessment, explaining ∼30% of the variability. This research highlights the potential to predict recruitment using habitat-based methods and provides a potential mechanism for explaining some of the POP recruitment variability observed for this population.

Kinship, parentage and temporal stability in nursery colonies of Leisler’s bat (Nyctalus leisleri)

Levels of genetic relatedness within bat colonies are often unknown, and consequently the reasons for group formation and social organization are unclear. The Leisler's bat (Nyctalus leisleri), like most temperate bat species, forms nursery colonies in summer. We used microsatellite markers to examine identity and to attempt to estimate relatedness among females within a nursery colony, over 2 consecutive years, to ascertain whether females show kinship and natal philopatry, testing the hypothesis that this is the basis of colony formation. Parentage and relatedness of young born within a colony was assessed to investigate mating patterns via male reproductive skew and whether males achieve mating success within their natal colony. While there was evidence for female philopatry, levels of genetic relatedness within colonies were low. This suggests that kinship is not a major determinant in group formation, as roosts also comprise a large number of distant relatives or non-kin. Roost switching and gene flow are likely to be high. Both sexes reproduced in their first year, whereas males appear to be the more dispersive sex. We argue that the physical environment as well as information sharing provided by communal roosting are likely to be important factors for the formation of these large natal colonies in N. leisleri and possibly other lineages of bats. © 2012 The Author.

Disinfection of Burkholderia cepacia complex from non-touch taps in a neonatal nursery

Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) comprises nine closely related species or genomovars. It is an important causative agent of opportunistic infections and waterborne nosocomial infections. B. cepacia (formerly genomovar I) was identified from the blood culture of a baby in our neonatal unit (NU) in March 2005. B. cepacia was isolated four times from clinical specimens since the introduction of non-touch taps in the NU from 2000 to 2005 and only once from 1994 to 2000. Environmental samples were collected from the NU, including tap water from non-touch taps. Clinical and environmental isolates of Bcc were characterized using molecular identification and strain typing. A literature review was undertaken to delineate a method for eradication of Bcc. Several variations for hot water eradication of the organism from the taps were attempted. Genotyping and molecular analysis revealed that tap water isolates were B. cenocepacia which was a different species from the B. cepacia isolated from blood cultures of the neonate. However, B. cenocepacia has been known to cause nosocomial outbreaks and it was eventually eradicated from the NU by using repeated thermal shock (hot water at 65 degrees C for 10 min), changing taps and decolonizing sinks with hypochlorite. Molecular typing is useful in assisting the investigation of Bcc nosocomial infections.

A Reflective Encounter With the Fine Sand Area in a Nursery School Setting

This article draws on a model of reflection that involves creating meanings through repeated encounters with evocative objects. Responses to one such evocative object, a 20-second video clip of children playing in the fine sand area, illustrates the “turning toward” and then “turning away” from the object to engage with broader themes. Parten’s play types are used when analyzing children’s play in the fine sand area (the evocative object). The focus then turns away to themes of English as a second language, messy play, energies of childhood, and Foucault’s docile bodies. The intention was to integrate loosely formulated research aims relating to quality of the physical environment within the evolving life of the nursery setting to encourage a developing research orientation and reflective dis-position. This way of approaching practitioner research is well adapted to a longer-term engagement with enduring areas of interest, such as developing the potential of the physical environment.

Role of the wider Azores region as a nursery ground for North Atlantic blue shark (Prionace glauca)

Tese de Doutoramento, Ciências do Mar (Ecologia Marinha)

Tree Fruit (peach) Nursery - Report done for the University of Guelph

A report done by Donald Ziraldo on the topic of Tree Fruit, specifically peach, in nurseries. The report was likely done while he was a student of the University of Guelph in the 1970s.

Receipt from D.W. Beadle Nursery Co. for payment on account

Receipt from D.W. Beadle Nursery Co. for payment on account, Oct. 5, 1887.

Application of Biofloc Technology (BFT) in the nursery rearing and farming of giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (deMan)

In India a study conducted by CIFE and CIBA (1997), concluded that shrimp farming does more good than harm and it is not eco-unfriendly (Krishnan and Birthal, 2002). Upsurge in coastal aquaculture activity induced by high profitability is reported to have caused adverse impacts on coastal ecosystems and social environments (Parthasarathy and Nirmala, 2000). The crustacean farming sector has received criticism for excessive use of formulated feed containing high protein, of which around 50% gets accumulated at the pond bottom as unconsumed (Avnimelech, 1999; Hari et al., 2004, 2006). The wasted feeds undergo the process of degradation and results in the release of toxic metabolites to the culture system. Reduction of protein in the feed, manipulation and utilisation of natural food in the culture system are the remedy for the above problems. But before reducing the feed protein, it should be confirmed that the feed with reduced protein is not affecting the growth and health of the cultured animal. In the present study, biofloc technology is identified as one of the innovative technologies for ensuring the ecological and environmental Sustainability and examines the compatibility of BFT for the sustainable aquaculture of giant prawn, M. rosenbergii. This thesis starts with a general introduction (Chapter-1), a brief review of the most relevant literature (Chapter-2), results of various experiments (Chapter-3-6), summary (Chapter-7) and recommendations and future research perspectives in the field of biofloc based aquaculture (Chapter – 8). The major objectives of this thesis are, to improve the ecological and economical sustainability of prawn farming by the applicationof BFT and to improve the nutrient utilisation in aquaculture systems.