346 research outputs found
Foraging behaviour of king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) in relation to oceanography at South Georgia and Kerguelen
Understanding the levels of variability in oceanographic features where marine predators forage is critical for understanding variability in an animal's foraging behaviour and reproductive success, and for assessing their potential reactions to environmental change. In this thesis, I examine the foraging behaviour of king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) in relation to oceanographic features in both horizontal and vertical dimensions. I used ARGOS and Global Positioning System tracking data combined with Time-Depth-Temperature-Recorder data to follow the at-sea movements for penguins breeding at South Georgia and Kerguelen. Combining penguin behaviour with oceanographic data at the surface and at depth allowed me to explore how animals adjust their horizontal and vertical movements in response to their environment. In this context I investigated how horizontal habitat use may relate to different Antarctic Circumpolar Current frontal zones, and how hydrological structures at depth may impact diving behaviour. At both study locations, the Polar Front (PF) and cold-water features of southern origin were key features used during foraging. The importance of local habitat was reflected in their use of mesoscale eddies at South Georgia, and bathymetry-related upwelling at Kerguelen. The main features used at depth, during prey pursuit, were the thermocline and Winter Water. Penguins also explored Circumpolar Deep Water, which appears to represent an important foraging niche for birds when under increased breeding or environmental constraints. Variability in the PF and in cold-water features in the foraging area significantly affected penguin behaviour. For example, penguins showed altered behavioural responses and low reproductive success following shifts in key oceanographic features during one breeding season. My study of king penguin foraging behaviour in two sectors of the Southern Ocean has generated these key insights into foraging relationships with oceanography, and into penguin's adaptive capacities to environmental variability. This is of importance for assessing possible reactions of king penguins towards environmental change
Liveability analysis of gated and non-gated low middle income communities in kuala lumpur, Malaysia
The aim of this paper is to examine the liveability conditions in gated and non-gated low middle income
communities in Kuala Lumpur where rapid urban growth has led to many disruptions in the urban living
environment. Hence, a livability framework was developed with dimensions from housing condition,
economic condition, functional environment, social relations and community safety towards achieving
the research objectives of – a) to study the liveability level in gated and non-gated communities, b) to
compare the level of liveability between gated and non-gated communities, and c) to determine the
dimensions and indicators which influence the level of liveability in both communities. Residents’ views
were collected through a questionnaire survey which consisted of twenty-four indicators of liveability
belonging to five dimensions from three communities in Kuala Lumpur. Two communities belong to
non-gated and one community had gated living status. The findings of the research revealed that gated
community has a better living conditions compared to the non-gated community. Thus, this research
can be used as a turning point to improve the living environment of both gated and non-gated
communit
A remote Bidayuh area in Sarawak and schooling :a theoretical exploration of socio-cultural transmissions with reference to change conflict and contradiction
The theoretical exploration attempts to explain the structure, and
changes in the structure, of socio-cultural transmissions between a
socially unstratified cognatic social structure and different levels
of schooling.
Using models based on Bernstein's concepts of classification and
framing, it is argued that the village communities have integrated
codes of socio-cultural transmissions and production. Between the
two categories of transmission and production a simple systemic
relationship exists. Egalitarian relations are shown to typify
Bidayuh society and to constitute the dominant socio-cultural category
reproduced by the transmission code.
Schooling as an intrusive social institution is relatively autonomous
of production. It is shown that the socio-cultural transmissions of
schooling are based on a collection code, which reproduces inegalitarian
relations. This reproduction was initially a refraction of alien
British society and culture; but latterly became a reflection of local
communal ethnicity as socio-historical formations and Malaysia's national
ideology (Rukunegara). These reflections are affected by development
capitalism, Chinese economic power, Malay political power and Melanau
political leadership.
The school's collection code is in conflict with and contradictory to
the integrated codes of the Bidayuh village communities, and whilst
inhibiting successful schooling,it also precipitates social
de-regulation of the person. Additionally, the relative autonomy of
schooling and its extended systemic relationship with modes of
production in Sarawak are potential social de-regulators of the person
for the majority in a complex social structure with few common values.
A general conclusion is that schooling will remain a serious threat to
social order and that the policy of promoting national unity and a
national culture through schooling is not likely to succeed
New Insights into the Pathogenesis and Therapies of IgA Nephropathy
IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common form of primary glomerulonephritis worldwide and a frequent cause of kidney failure. Better understanding of the pathogenesis of IgAN and the related genetic, immunological, and cellular susceptibility factors are needed to enable the development of effective disease-specific therapy. This book brings together international experts to provide clinical and experimental studies and reviews with an emphasis on early diagnosis, prognosis, disease pathogenesis, determination of disease activity, and new strategies for treatment for IgAN
- …