Whale sharks of the western Caribbean: an overview of current research and cnservation efforts and future needs for effective management of the species

Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are seasonal visitors to four sites in the Western Caribbean, 3 of which are encompassed by the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Predictable encounters with the world\u27s largest fish have raised this species\u27 profile globally and led to several research and conservation efforts that aim to elucidate the need for information for the species management and balance the growing demand for highly lucrative encounter tourism. Tagging studies have demonstrated that the whale shark population is relatively small and likely forms a single population. Individuals move throughout the region between 3 of 4 known feeding sites and are capable of timing their movements to pulses of productivity. Whale shark tourism\u27s dramatic growth has led to a range of protective measures and scientific studies both precautionary and reactionary that require better harmonization throughout the region to be effective. This paper will provide an overview of the status of whale shark research and conservation efforts in the Western Caribbean and identify future management needs to minimize anthropogenic impacts and enable continued whale shark visitation at key feeding sites

Primary school teachers' encounters with cases of suspected or disclosed child sexual abuse

This study explored 45 primary school teachers' encounters with cases of suspected or disclosed child sexual abuse. Stage I involved a cross-sectional survey which investigated the training experiences and support opportunities for teachers in relation to child abuse. The Maslach Burn-out Inventory assessed levels of occupational stress. Teacher's identification of abuse and their perceived ability to cope with such cases were hypothesised as associated with the perceived adequacy of training and support, and with teacher's reported levels of occupational stress. Stage II involved interviewing seven teachers to explore the emotional impact of working with cases of suspected or disclosed abuse. The entire sample felt that initial teacher training had not adequately prepared them to deal with abused children; over 95 per cent said they would welcome more training. Formal support for teachers was limited and, largely, considered inadequate. Nethertheless, the majority felt they would cope'well'with cases of abuse. Analysis of results revealed that teachers who had not received disclosures were more likely to rate support as adequate; teachers who had harboured suspicions and teachers who had received disclosures reported higher levels of burn-out. Qualitative material revealed factors that affected the ability to cope with cases of abuse and factors that influenced the emotional impact of such work. Aspects of primary school teachers' unique position appear to make encounters with abused children particularly disturbing. It is suggested that the emotional impact of such work could be mediated by resources such as training and support. The implications of insufficient resources extend beyond the psychological well being of the teacher to the effective protection of the child. The implications for clinical psychology are discussed

Staying Strong: Exploring experiences of depression and anxiety in Black Caribbean women in the UK

The image of the Strong Black Woman (SBW) is a western cultural construct that depicts Black women as strong, self-reliant, independent, yet nurturing and self-sacrificing, putting others’ needs before their own. Research in the US has indicated that this image negatively impacts on the emotional well-being of Black African heritage women by increasing depressive and stress symptoms, and acting as a barrier to help-seeking for emotional support (Beauboeuf-Lafontant, 2007, 2008; Watson & Hunter, 2015). The image of the SBW, and how it shapes the emotional wellbeing of Black women, has not been explored in the UK context. This is problematic, since very little is known more broadly about how this group of women experience and manage mental health problems. The current study began the process of addressing this omission by exploring Black Caribbean women’s experiences of mental health issues. Using five focus groups with a total of 18 participants, the study explored how a sample of Black Caribbean women within the UK, experience and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety in relation to the SBW image. Thematic analysis of the focus groups data revealed that participants had an ambivalent relationship with the SBW ideal; they rejected it, describing it as mythical, whilst simultaneously embracing its strength component. The importance of ‘being strong’ consistently underpinned the participants’ narratives. For many, strength and resilience were viewed as necessities to survive a society which they regarded as racist. However, despite the perceived functionality of ‘strength’, many illustrated how this strength impacted upon their ability to effectively cope with symptoms of anxiety and depression, leading them to deal with these symptoms in restrictive and sometimes unproductive ways, such as somatization. The findings from this study offer implications for understanding Black women’s experiences of mental health problems. Furthermore, they also increase awareness of the SBW image for mental health professionals, and demonstrate the impact this image can have on Black women

Topological Superconductivity in Skyrmion Lattices

Atomic manipulation and interface engineering techniques have provided a novel approach to custom-designing topological superconductors and the ensuing Majorana zero modes, representing a new paradigm for the realization of topological quantum computing and topology-based devices. Magnet-superconductor hybrid (MSH) systems have proven to be experimentally suitable to engineer topological superconductivity through the control of both the complex structure of its magnetic layer and the interface properties of the superconducting surface. Here, we demonstrate that two-dimensional MSH systems containing a magnetic skyrmion lattice provide an unprecedented ability to control the emergence of topological phases. By changing the skyrmion radius, which can be achieved experimentally through an external magnetic field, one can tune between different topological superconducting phases, allowing one to explore their unique properties and the transitions between them. In these MSH systems, Josephson scanning tunneling spectroscopy spatially visualizes one of the most crucial aspects underlying the emergence of topological superconductivity, the spatial structure of the induced spin-triplet correlations

Impact of e-learning on learner participation, attainment, retention, and progression in further education : report of a scoping study

Recent and ongoing work has assessed progress in the provision of Information and Learning Technologies (ILT) to support e-learning in the UK further education (FE) sector. On the whole, this indicates that a strong infrastructure is in place with targets for student and staff access to Internet enabled computers being met in most colleges. Some investigations have been undertaken to review the extent of use of ILT for learning and teaching. These have, however, been at a relatively basic level, for example purely quantifying use of virtual learning environments (VLEs) for storing course documentation. The Scottish Centre for Research into Online Learning and Assessment (SCROLLA) and the SCRE Centre at the University of Glasgow undertook a scoping study of the impact of e-learning on participation, attainment, progression and retention in further education. This study was intended to inform the development of a research design for a later large study of impact

Diving behaviour of whale sharks in relation to a predictable food pulse

We present diving data for four whale sharks in relation to a predictable food pulse (reef fish spawn) and an analysis of the longest continuous fine-resolution diving record for a planktivorous shark. Fine-resolution pressure data from a recovered pop-up archival satellite tag deployed for 206 days on a whale shark were analysed using the fast Fourier Transform method for frequency domain analysis of time-series. The results demonstrated that a free-ranging whale shark displays ultradian, diel and circa-lunar rhythmicity of diving behaviour. Whale sharks dive to over 979.5 m and can tolerate a temperature range of 26.4 degrees C. The whale sharks made primarily diurnal deep dives and remained in relatively shallow waters at night. Whale shark diving patterns are influenced by a seasonally predictable food source, with shallower dives made during fish spawning periods

Parasitism and a Shortage of Refuges Jointly Mediate the Strength of Density Dependence in a Reef Fish

Various predator-prey, host-pathogen, and competitive interactions can combine to cause density dependence in population growth. Despite this possibility, most empirical tests for density-dependent interactions have focused on single mechanisms. Here we tested the hypothesis that two mechanisms of density dependence, parasitism and a shortage of refuges, jointly influence the strength of density-dependent mortality. We used mark recapture analysis to estimate mortality of the host species, the bridled goby {Coryphopterus glaucofraenum). Sixty-three marked gobies were infected with a copepod gill parasite {Pharodes tortugensis), and 188 were uninfected. We used the spatial scale at which gobies were clustered naturally (~4 m2) as an ecologically relevant neighborhood and measured goby density and the availability of refuges from predators within each goby\u27s neighborhood. Goby survival generally declined with increasing density, and this decline was steeper for gobies with access to few refuges than for gobies in neighborhoods where refuges were common. The negative effects of high density and refuge shortage were also more severe for parasitized gobies than for gobies free of parasites. This parasite has characteristics typical of emerging diseases and appears to have altered the strength of a preexisting density-dependent interaction

The political preference of Arkansas farmers and ranchers

Access to information is critical to improving production efficiency, but little is known about how farmers are informed on the policy or issues influencing programs related to farming. This research sought to determine the sources of communication used by farmers and ranchers to form opinions about agricultural policy and candidates, identify the issues important in voting, and their level of participation in the political process. Face-to-face interaction was the preferred form of communication in farm organization meetings, with friends, or farm agencies. Magazines were the preferred source of print communication, and university/extension websites were preferred for internet sources. Broadcast media and social media were the least preferred sources for policy information, yet were consulted more often for information about candidates. Friends and family were also the preferred source used to gather information about candidates, along with meet-the-candidate events. The Farm Bureau was the most frequently preferred source of published information. Farmers and ranchers have higher than average levels of voter turnout and typically prefer to take political action by writing letters to their elected representatives. The candidate’s values were the most important characteristic when choosing to support a candidate. While farm advocacy groups are producing information on policy and candidates, this information is frequently shared through friends. Additional research is needed to determine the trusted opinion-leaders who convey the information from community meetings or publications to other producers through face-to-face interactions