Foraging behaviour, swimming performance and malformations of early stages of commercially important fishes under ocean acidification and warming

Early life stages of many marine organisms are being challenged by climate change, but little is known about their capacity to tolerate future ocean conditions. Here we investigated a comprehensive set of biological responses of larvae of two commercially important teleost fishes, Sparus aurata (gilthead seabream) and Argyrosomus regius (meagre), after exposure to future predictions of ocean warming (+4 °C) and acidification (ΔpH= 0.5). The combined effect of warming and hypercapnia elicited a decrease in the hatching success (by 26.4 and 14.3 % for S. aurata and A. regius, respectively) and larval survival (by half) in both species. The length for newly-hatched larvae was not significantly affected, but a significant effect of hypercapnia was found on larval growth. However, while S. aurata growth was reduced (24.8–36.4 % lower), A. regius growth slightly increased (3.2–12.9 % higher) under such condition. Under acidification, larvae of both species spent less time swimming, and displayed reduced attack and capture rates of prey. The impact of warming on these behavioural traits was opposite but less evident. While not studied in A. regius, the incidence of body malformations in S. aurata larvae increased significantly (more than tripled) under warmer and hypercapnic conditions. These morphological impairments and behavioural changes are expected to affect larval performance and recruitment success, and further influence the abundance of fish stocks and the population structure of these commercially important fish species. However, given the pace of ocean climate change, it is important not to forget that species may have the opportunity to acclimate and adapt.

Summit between West Chester University, Pennsylvania, USA and Universidad Nacional, Heredia Costa Rica. Global Library Literacy Initiative: An Intercultural Learning Experience

 This document describes the experience of academic cooperation between professionals in the field of library science, both from West Chester University (WCU), and the National University (UNA) of Costa Rica. The event took place at West Chester University during the week May 4th to May 8th, 2009. The objectives of this revolved around the exchange of ideas and interests in the academic and cultural relations between the two universities. In addition, it unveiled several services and procedures in the handling of information and highlighted the importance of promoting the exchange of students from both institutions. Finally, this article highlights the schedule of activities to integrate international and intercultural perspective in various areas related to the teaching-learning process, the contribution of university libraries on student success and techniques of information dissemination.

Councellors' Experience During Training and Home Based HIV Councelling and Testing in Zomba District, Malawi

Introduction In 2007, St Luke’s Mission Hospital initiated a district-wide Door to Door HIV counselling and testing (HCT) programme in Zomba district. The intent of the programme was to provide quality HCT services to people in their homes and effectively those found to be HIV positive referred to appropriate services. Methodology This was a cross sectional study using a questionnaire consecutively administered to a sample of 105 counsellors who had resided in the community for a period of over one year. The questionnaire sought to establish, knowledge gained, experiences and recommendations on how the programme has been implemented and assist running of similar future programmes. Data analysis was done manually using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Results We report that nearly 23% of the counsellors thought that during their training as a door to door HTC councelor they had benefited in learning to working with communities; an aspect they found to be highly applicable in discharge of their duties. The major setbacks during the training were lack daily allowances, less amount of time spent on understanding child councelling and the manual used was diffucult to follow. Over 32% of the councellors were satisfied with the participation of their clients during pre-test counselling sessions, however, the major challenge they had was the misconception that they were blood suckers, a view reported by nearly 17% of the counsellors. Close to 72% reported not to have met any problems during post-test counselling compared to 24% who reported to have found challenges. Conclusion The study has revealed that there is a need to re-look child children counselling especially in training door to door HCT counsellors. It has also revealed the prevalent allowance culture despite the benefits of training. The common challenges were refusal of test Results and failure to understand discordance. Misconceptions may still exist in the community regarding anything dealing with removing blood. There is still need for more information regarding discordance especially among couples in the community.

Dinámicas sociales, conservación y desarrollo en espacios naturales protegidos. El caso de la Reserva de la Biosfera "La Sepultura" en el estado mexicano de Chiapas

Los factores que inciden en el proceso de desarrollo de los territorios rurales y que explican el éxito o el fracaso de las estrategias impulsadas desde abajo (bottom-up) o inducidas desde arriba (top-down), han preocupado desde hace varias décadas a los analistas, que observan las limitaciones de los enfoques del “desarrollo territorial rural” para aprehender la complejidad de dicho proceso. Habiéndose centrado, sobre todo, en el ámbito de las políticas públicas y sus efectos en el desarrollo de los territorios rurales, los analistas del desarrollo han visto la necesidad de apoyarse en otras perspectivas que capten las dinámicas que acontecen en el ámbito de la sociedad civil local, tanto en lo que se refiere a las relaciones entre los diversos actores socioeconómicos e institucionales presentes en el territorio, como a su interacción con los organismos públicos encargados de implementar dichas políticas. El objetivo general de esta tesis doctoral ha sido analizar las dinámicas sociales que surgen en espacios naturales sometidos a políticas de gestión y regulación, mostrando el grado de influencia que tienen en la aplicación de esas políticas las diversas redes en que se organizan las poblaciones locales. De la investigación empírica realizada y de su integración en el marco teórico utilizado, hemos podido extraer resultados referidos a la realidad concreta y localizada de la REBISE que muestran cómo es que conciliar los objetivos de la “conservación” y el “desarrollo” en territorios poblados por comunidades locales estrechamente vinculadas a espacios naturales, exige abordar de forma integral los problemas ambientales, sociales y económicos. Tratar de alcanzar esos objetivos con políticas sectoriales conduce al fracaso de los programas de protección, ya que sólo se logran objetivos parciales y limitados. Por muy elevado que sea el valor ecológico de este tipo de espacios naturales y por muy alta que sea la protección que reciban por parte de los organismos internacionales (como ocurre con las “reservas de la biosfera” del programa MaB de la UNESCO), “conservar” estas áreas naturales no puede lograrse sin contar con la colaboración de las poblaciones locales. Esto exige combinar estrategias top-down y bottom-up buscando establecer sinergias entre los responsables públicos y los grupos sociales presentes en el territorio. De nuestra investigación se deduce la necesidad de empoderar a las comunidades locales para inducir en ellos un capital social tipo bridging dirigido a la construcción de un gran pacto territorial que trascienda los intereses particulares de cada grupo y que persiga el interés general del territorio en pro de la conservación de los recursos naturales y de la mejora del bienestar y calidad de vida de las familias que residen allí. Si no se hace así, continuarán promoviéndose proyectos “balsámicos” que paliarán a corto plazo algunos de los problemas de las poblaciones locales, pero que las mantendrán en el estancamiento y la pobreza.

Metodologias de avaliação do desempenho : aplicação do balanced scorecard nas modalidades de combate do Estádio Universitário de Lisboa

No contexto actual, de exigência de serviços de qualidade por parte da sociedade, os sistemas de avaliação do desempenho são essenciais para as organizações trilharem o caminho do sucesso. Assim sendo, a metodologia Balanced Scorecard, é a ideal para dar resposta a um combinado de problemas comuns a várias organizações, sendo um deles a gestão exclusivamente assente em indicadores financeiros. A metodologia empregue neste trabalho é uma investigação descritiva, representativa de um estudo de caso. Os instrumentos de pesquisa utilizados para a recolha de dados, foram as entrevistas não estruturadas, inquéritos de satisfação a utentes e colaboradores da escola e a análise documental. A principal conclusão deste estudo é que a metodologia Balanced Scorecard pode melhorar em vários aspectos, as perspectivas de aprendizagem e desenvolvimento, processo, financeira e clientes, possibilitando uma forma mais clara e precisa do caminho que deve ser percorrido pelo gestor, de forma a atingir todos os seus objectivos, nunca se desviando da sua missão.

Rentabilização de Capital Humano

A Escola Naval apresenta uma taxa de insucesso na ordem dos 64%, acabando por perder, durante o decorrer do curso, mais de metade dos indivíduos admitidos. Este projeto surge com o intuito de perceber as causas associadas ao baixo rendimento, através da análise dos dados dos indivíduos desde a candidatura ao término do curso, para identificar as caraterísticas (designadas de variáveis) dos indivíduos com maior e com menor probabilidade de sucesso na Escola Naval. Os dados são inicialmente analisados graficamente, onde os candidatos são analisados de forma independente, e os admitidos e os finalistas são analisados em conjunto para se avaliar o comportamento das variáveis no início e no fim dos cursos. Um aumento do peso de uma variável no grupo dos finalistas em relação ao grupo dos admitidos é interpretado como um indicador de bom desempenho. É, ainda, utilizada uma análise estatística para avaliar a associação entre o sucesso e cada uma das variáveis no grupo dos admitidos, e, também, para validar as ilações obtidas através da análise gráfica. O estudo revelou que os indivíduos que entram para a Escola Naval com melhores notas e os indivíduos que tomam conhecimento do concurso de candidatura através da internet são os que apresentam uma maior predisposição para o sucesso, enquanto os indivíduos que têm ambos os pais no ativo são os que apresentam menor probabilidade de sucesso.

Efficacy and Safety of Using Amplatzer Ductal Occluder for Transcatheter Closure of Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defect in Pediatrics

Background: Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defect (PMVSD) is the most common subtype of ventricular septal defects. Transcatheter closure of PMVSD is a challenging procedure in management of moderate or large defects. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to show that transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect with Amplatzer Ductal Occluder (ADO) is an effective and safe method. Patients and Methods: Between April 2012 and April 2013, 28 patients underwent percutaneous closure of PMVSD using ADO. After obtaining the size of VSD from the ventriculogram a device at least 2 mm larger than the narrowest diameter of VSD at right ventricular side was chosen. The device deployed after confirmation of its good position by echocardiography and left ventriculography. Follow up evaluations were done 1 month, 6 months, 12 months and yearly after discharge with transthoracic echocardiography and 12 lead electrocardiography. Results: The mean age of patients at procedure was 4.7 ± 6.3 (range 2 to 14) years, mean weight 14.7 ± 10.5 (range 10 to 40) kg. The mean defect size of the right ventricular side was 4.5 ± 1.6 mm. The average device size used was 7.3 ± 3.2mm (range 4 to 12 mm). The ADOs were successfully implanted in all patients. The VSD occlusion rate was 65.7% at completion of the procedure, rising up to 79.5% at discharge and 96.4% during follow-up. Small residual shunts were seen at completion of the procedure, but they disappeared during follow-up in all but one patient. The mean follow-up period was 8.3 ± 3.6 months (range 1 to 18 months). Complete atrioventricular block (CAVB), major complication or death was not observed in our study. Conclusions: Transcatheter closure of PMVSD with ADO in children is a safe and effective treatment associated with excellent success and closure rates, but long-term follow-up in a large number of patients would be warranted.

A brief review on offshore wind turbine fault detection and recent development in condition monitoring based maintenance system

Offshore wind turbine requires more systematized operation and maintenance strategies to ensure systems are harmless, profitable and cost-effective. Condition monitoring and fault diagnostic systems ominously plays an important role in offshore wind turbine in order to cut down maintenance and operational costs. Condition monitoring techniques which describing complex faults and failure mode types and their generated traceable signs to provide cost-effective condition monitoring and predictive maintenance and their diagnostic schemes. Continuously monitor the condition of critical parts are the most efficient way to improve reliability of wind turbine. Implementation of Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) strategy provides right time maintenance decisions and Predictive Health Monitoring (PHM) data to overcome breakdown and machine downtime. Fault detection and CBM implementation is challenging for off shore wind farm due to the complexity of remote sensing, components health and predictive assessment, data collection, data analysis, data handling, state recognition, and advisory decision. The rapid expansion of wind farms, advanced technological development and harsh installation sites needs a successful CM approach. This paper aims to review brief status of recent development of CM techniques and focusing with major faults takes place in gear box and bearing, rotor and blade, pitch, yaw and tower system and generator and control system.

A chain is as strong as its weakest link: assessing the consequences of habitat loss and degradation in a long-distance migratory shorebird

The conservation of migratory species represents a major challenge, as they use multiple sites, all contributing in varying degrees in sustaining high survival and reproductive success. There is particular concern for shorebirds of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF), where declining numbers of migratory species have mostly been attributed to habitat loss along the East Asian coast. Using a stochastic dynamic programming migration model, we assessed the effect of habitat degradation scenarios along the EAAF on migration behaviour, survival and reproductive success of a long-distance migrating shorebird, the Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres). Following manipulation of habitat quality through changes in intake rate, we found that changes on the wintering (major non-breeding) ground in South Australia had the highest negative effect on reproductive success and survival. We also identified Taiwan and the Yellow Sea as sites with high importance for reproductive success. Although habitats along the East Asian coastline are currently most threatened from a range of global change processes, we highlight the importance of conserving high-quality shorebird wintering habitat in Australia. This may be of notable importance to trans-equatorial migratory shorebirds, which often make a long non-stop flight from their wintering grounds in order to skip low-latitude sites that typically provide little food.

Characteristics of teacher training in school-based physical education interventions to improve fundamental movement skills and/or physical activity: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Fundamental movement skill (FMS) competence is positively associated with physical activity (PA). However, levels of both FMS and PA are lower than expected. Current reviews of interventions to improve FMS and PA have shown that many school-based programs have achieved positive outcomes, yet the maintenance of these interventions is variable. Teachers play a central role in the success and longevity of school-based interventions. Despite the importance of teacher engagement, research into the nature and quality of teacher training in school-based PA and FMS interventions has received little attention.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the type and quantity of teacher training in school-based physical education PA and/or FMS interventions, and to identify what role teacher training had on the intervention outcome.

METHODS: A systematic search of eight electronic databases was conducted. Publication date restrictions were not implemented in any database, and the last search was performed on 1 March 2015. School physical education-based interventions facilitated by a school teacher, and that included a quantitative assessment of FMS competence and/or PA levels were included in the review.

RESULTS: The search identified 39 articles. Eleven of the studies measured FMS, 25 studies measured PA and three measured both FMS and PA. Nine of the studies did not report on any aspect of the teacher training conducted. Of the 30 studies that reported on teacher training, 25 reported statistically significant intervention results for FMS and/or PA. It appears that teacher training programs: are ≥ 1 day; provide comprehensive subject and pedagogy content; are framed by a theory or model; provide follow-up or ongoing support; and measure teacher satisfaction of the training, are more effective at improving student outcomes in FMS and/or PA. However, the provision of information regarding the characteristics of the teacher training was largely inadequate. Therefore, it was difficult to ascertain which teacher training characteristics were most important in relation to intervention effectiveness.

CONCLUSION: It is clear that whilst teachers are capable of making substantial improvements in student outcomes in PA and FMS, the findings of this review suggest the teacher training component of school-based PA and/or FMS interventions is not only under-reported but is under-studied, and, perhaps as a result, the value of teacher training is not widely understood. What remains unclear, due to poor reporting, is what role teacher training is having on these outcomes.

Predicting climate warming effects on green turtle hatchling viability and dispersal performance

Ectotherms are taxa considered highly sensitive to rapid climate warming. This is because body temperature profoundly governs their performance, fitness and life history. Yet, while several modelling approaches currently predict thermal effects on some aspects of life history and demography, they do not consider how temperature simultaneously affects developmental success and offspring phenotypic performance, two additional key attributes that are needed to comprehensively understand species responses to climate warming. Here, we developed a stepwise, individual-level modelling approach linking biophysical and developmental models with empirically derived performance functions to predict the effects of temperature-induced changes to offspring viability, phenotype and performance, using green sea turtle hatchlings as an ectotherm model. Climate warming is expected to particularly threaten sea turtles, as their life-history traits may preclude them from rapid adaptation. Under conservative and extreme warming, our model predicted large effects on performance attributes key to dispersal, as well as a reduction in offspring viability. Forecast sand temperatures produced smaller, weaker hatchlings, which were up to 40% slower than at present, albeit with increased energy stores. Conversely, increases in sea surface temperatures aided swimming performance. Our exploratory study points to the need for further development of integrative individual-based modelling frameworks to better understand the complex outcomes of climate change for ectotherm species. Such advances could better serve ecologists to highlight the most vulnerable species and populations, encouraging prioritization of conservation effort to the most threatened systems.

Responding to the widening participation agenda through improved access to and within 3D virtual learning environments

The Australian Government's widening participation agenda - also referred to as the social inclusion agenda - considers equity through the triple focus of access, participation and outcomes. These foci are catalysts for re-examining teaching and learning approaches in formal education. This article considers this national refocus and the possibilities for addressing access and equity issues through and within threedimensional virtual learning environments (3DVLEs). The findings of an Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC)-funded project that investigated the potential of an accessible 3DVLE for increasing access and participation of students with disabilities are reported, and strategies for improving outcomes (i.e. retention, success and completion) proposed. The article also highlights some of the remaining challenges with regard to the goal of improving outcomes for under-represented learner groups. The final section of the article identifies areas for further research.

Building resilience: developing a resilience toolkit for employability in built environment graduates

Upon graduation from University many students lose access to support structures such as peers, academic mentoring, etc. This may lead to tension, stress and failure to perform effectively in new workplaces, especially if the workplace itself is stressful. This is particularly the case for graduates who move into work within construction, as this industry provides a uniquely stressful environment where the development of resilience is imperative for success. The ability to cope and draw on resilience skills provides answers for built environment graduates. The development of resilience skills is not included as learning outcomes within courses, units of study or programs of learning within the built environment discipline. This dilemma, from a student's perspective, draws us to the rationale of the proposed research and its aim to show the development of a resilience toolkit for built environment students. There is considerable evidence that incorporating resilience skills into undergraduate curricula in built environment disciplines will have positive outcomes. Outcomes from an initial review of 3 participating University undergraduate programs, devised to determine resilience training for undergraduates is presented. A compilation and collection of noteworthy examples where resilience learning and teaching exists in undergraduate curricula will also be identified.

INVESTIGATIVE COMPARISON OF TANK AND RECOVERED ASPHALT SAMPLES THROUGH PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE TESTING AND CHEMICAL ANALYSIS

Despite the development of improved performance test protocols by renowned researchers, there are still road networks which experience premature cracking and failure. One area of major concern in asphalt science and technology, especially in cold regions in Canada is thermal (low temperature) cracking. Usually right after winter periods, severe cracks are seen on poorly designed road networks. Quality assurance tests based on improved asphalt performance protocols have been implemented by government agencies to ensure that roads being constructed are at the required standard but asphalt binders that pass these quality assurance tests still crack prematurely. While it would be easy to question the competence of the quality assurance test protocols, it should be noted that performance tests which are being used and were repeated in this study, namely the extended bending beam rheometer (EBBR) test, double edge-notched tension test (DENT), dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) test and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis have all been verified and proven to successfully predict asphalt pavement behaviour in the field. Hence this study looked to probe and test the quality and authenticity of the asphalt binders being used for road paving. This study covered thermal cracking and physical hardening phenomenon by comparing results from testing asphalt binder samples obtained from the storage ‘tank’ prior to paving (tank samples) and recovered samples for the same contracts with aim of explaining why asphalt binders that have passed quality assurance tests are still prone to fail prematurely. The study also attempted to find out if the short testing time and automated procedure of torsion bar experiments can replace the established but tedious procedure of the EBBR. In the end, it was discovered that significant differences in performance and composition exist between tank and recovered samples for the same contracts. Torsion bar experimental data also indicated some promise in predicting physical hardening.

A kingdom near lost: English military recovery in Ireland, 1600-03

Ireland was rarely a peaceful realm for Elizabeth I, but Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone and his allies brought the edifice of English power in Ireland to the brink of collapse. The war in Ireland at the end of the sixteenth century devoured money, lives and reputations at a prodigious rate. However seven years of Irish success ended when in 1600 the Queen appointed Charles Blount, Lord Mountjoy as Lord Deputy. Success replaced failure, but only after the new Lord Deputy transformed English strategy and rebuilt the army into an instrument fit for purpose.