Feeding selectivity of brown trout (Salmo trutta) in Loch Ness, Scotland

The aim of this study was to compare statistically the zooplankton assemblage ingested by brown trout (Salmo trutta) in Loch Ness with that of the zooplankton in the water column. This would allow the examination of the apparent paradox that very few copepods appear to be consumed by trout at a time of year when they are numerous and readily available as food. The investigation was limited to the crustacean zooplankters, since the Rotifera are generally so small that they are only of interest to fish in the first few days of life. 25 trout were obtained from anglers, and the stomach contents of non-"ferox" animals analysed. Samples of pelagic zooplankton were obtained approximately monthly from 30-m vertical net-hauls (mesh size 100 km). It is concluded that the variation in dietary composition with trout wet weight indicates an ontogenetic habitat shift producing spatial separation of young and older individuals

Understanding Well-Being Among Black Female Student Activists Attending Predominantly White Institutions: A Narrative Inquiry Approach

As engagement in activism continues to increase on campus and nationally, a paucity of research exists on the experiences of Black student activists attending PWI and their well-being. Narrative inquiry was utilized in this study to better understand the lived experiences of two Black student activists. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with both participants to gain in-depth narratives of their experiences engaging in activism on PWIs. A narrative thematic approach was used to analyze the results. The findings suggested that the Black student participants experienced benefits (increased sense of belonging and racial cohesion) and consequences (activist burnout and decreased academic performance) related to their engagement in activism on PWIs. This study assisted in developing a deeper understanding of how Black students’ engagement in activism on PWIs impacts their well-being. Implications for practitioners include increasing awareness of the potential detrimental effects that Black students experience while attending PWIs, especially when engaging in activism. Future research is needed to explore potential gender differences for Black student activists and their well-being on PWIs

The Meaning of the Child Interview:A new procedure for assessing and understanding parent–child relationships of ‘at-risk’ families

Reder and Duncan’s well-known studies of the 1990s on fatal child abuse drew attention to how parental scripts regarding their children could dangerously distort relationships in ways that were sometimes fatal to children. This article reports on a new system for assessing the ‘meaning of the child to the parent’, called the Meaning of the Child Interview (MotC). Parents are interviewed using the established Parent Development Interview, or equivalent, and the transcript of the interview is then analysed according to parental sensitivity and likely risk to the child. The MotC constructs were developed from those used in observed parent–child interaction (specifically, the CARE-Index) and the form of discourse analysis used in the Dynamic Maturational Model – Adult Attachment Interview, allowing a more systemic and inter-subjective understanding of parenting representations than often put forward. This article discusses the theoretical background to the MotC, gives a brief review of similar measures and then introduces the coding system and patterns of caregiving. The validity of the MotC is addressed elsewhere. </jats:p

The Meaning of the Child Interview (MotC)

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report on the initial validation of a new method, called the “Meaning of the Child Interview” (MotC), to assess the psychological meaning all children have for their parents, but which in cases of risk, submerge or distort the child’s identity. The MotC analyses parental discourse using a method developed from the discourse analysis used to classify the Adult Attachment Interview together with patterns derived from the infant CARE-Index, a procedure that evaluates face-to-face parent-child interaction. This allows the MotC to illuminate how the parent’s thinking influences the developing relationship between parent and child.Design/methodology/approachParents are interviewed using the Parent Development Interview (PDI), or an equivalent, and then the interview transcript is classified using the MotC system. The coding method was developed from interviews drawn from the first author’s work with children and families in the family court system, and then tested with a sample of 85 mothers and fathers, 62 of whom were parents drawn from an “at risk” context. The parents were also videoed in a short free play interaction, using the CARE-Index.FindingsThe study found a strong correspondence between the levels of risk as assessed by the MotC patterns of parental representation of care giving, the risk to the parent-child relationship observed using the CARE-Index. There was also corroboration of the patterns of interaction identified by the MotC.Originality/valueThe results of the study provide good evidence for the Meaning of the Child as an identifiable construct, and as an assessment tool to identify and assess the nature of “at risk” parent-child relationships. MotC was developed in a clinical setting within the Family Court justice system, and is designed to offer assistance to child protection and mental health practitioners deciding how to intervene in particular parent-child relationships.</jats:sec

Forecasting tropical cyclone surge

Hydrodynamic

Big Coastal Physical Models – Controlling Variable Wave Boundaries

In coastal physical modelling, when bathymetries are complex and sea-states vary locally, it becomes necessary to combine all natural features in a single 3D physical model. This leads to physical models requiring long wave generation boundaries over which wave heights and directions could vary significantly. HR Wallingford has developed a novel wave generation method by which the wave height and direction along the paddle can be varied to match target wave parameters along the generation boundary. A recent large physical modelling study of a new port development in Chile, had a wave generation boundary of 5.2 km. The local bathymetry in the model needed to include a deep submarine canyon, which extended several km offshore and reached depths of over 150 m, which lead up to the breakwater of the new port. Due to the canyon, the wave heights along the wave generation boundary varied by 30-40 %. As part of the study, an investigation was carried out to determine the optimal calibration method; whether using variable wave heights and / or variable directions along the paddle front best matched the predicted design conditions at the structure toe. An ARTEMIS numerical model was used as part of the validation and calibration process

Tropical Cyclone Modelling with TELEMAC-2D

Hydrodynamic

The missing ingredient: rethinking the drought disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation nexus in Chirumhanzu District, Zimbabwe

Two of the main challenges facing communities and governments in developing countries are the reduction of risks of hydro-meteorological hazards and adaptation to climate change. As climate variability and change impacts are becoming more visible in the form of disasters, and are negatively affecting climate sensitive livelihoods and eroding communities' ability to fully recover, leading to increased vulnerability to subsequent climate risks. The unpredictability of current weather systems, therefore, makes it very difficult for poor governments and households to deal with adverse impacts of climate change. Furthermore, the fragmented approach to DRR and CCA with regards to practice, policy and organisational frameworks for dealing with climate risks is resulting in coordination challenges for the government departments. This study aimed to explore how local households and communities perceive and are experiencing and coping with climate change and drought, and what that means for integrating hydro-meteorological disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. The study was carried out in Chirumhanzu district and the methods used for data collection included: 217 household surveys; six focus group discussions; participatory learning actions methods; key informant's interviews and document review. The majority of households owned low value material assets and had low levels of livelihood capitals and this exposed them to the impacts of climate variability and successive droughts. This low adaptive capacity largely affected their ability to engage effective drought risk reduction and adaptation strategies for their livelihood activities in small-scale farming and livestock rearing. Vulnerability to climate risks was exacerbated by seasonal weather forecasts, which were deemed by some households to be unreliable, inaccurate and not easily understood, while others used of indigenous knowledge. Successive droughts affected households' access to food and cash income for other household demands. Other non-climatic factors that contributed to adverse drought impacts at the household level were an emphasis on reactive humanitarian aid approach and the poor economy in Zimbabwe. Additionally, the policy framework for dealing with climate change and drought hazards is fragmented and weak; and is housed in different government departments making it difficult to coordinate and implement. To improve climate risk management, there is need for the government to appreciate that drought risk reduction and climate change adaptation are all about reducing vulnerability. Understanding this, might assist in improving government focus on addressing the underlying causes of vulnerability and mainstreaming DRR and CCA into development processes through addressing specific and generic adaptive capacities. The thesis argues that as long as rural households are involved in climate sensitive livelihood activities and not getting meaningful intervention to diversity and/or better intensify their livelihood activities, they will continue to be vulnerable to successive climate risks. This fragmented approach to dealing with climate risks, is not yielding any successful results with regards to building resilience, risk reduction or adaptation of rural households