Reproduction, movements, and population dynamics of the southern kingfish, Menticirrhus americanus, in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico

Menlicirrhus americanus in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico mature at 150-220 mm TL and 12-14 months of age, with males maturing when 10-40 mm smaller than females. Spawning occurs within a broad period from February through November with two discrete peaks which coincide with the periodicity of downcoast alongshore currents (towards Mexico) in spring and fall. This species occurs at depths of less than 5 to 27 m, being most abundant at 5 m or shallower. Young-of-the-year recruit primarily at 5-9 m or shallower and gradually expand their bathymetric range. Age determination by length frequency is feasible in M. americanus but not as simple as in species that spawn in one major period of the year. Only one or two spawned groups normally predominated at anyone time and no more than three co-occurred with few possible exceptions. Observed mean sizes were 138 mm TL at 6 months, and 192 and 272 mm at ages I and II, respectively. Typical maximum size was 296-308 mm and typical maximum age is probably 2-3 years. The largest fISh captured were 392 and 455 mm. Observed sex ratio was 1.2 females to 1 male. Weight, girth, and length-length regressions are presented.(PDF file contains 27 pages.

Particle deposition in replica healthy and emphysematous alveolar models using computational fluid dynamics

Particle deposition in the pulmonary region of the lung has gained increasing interest in the past years. Of particular interest are nano-sized particles, because they have the potential of crossing the blood-gas barrier and into the capillaries. Many factors contribute to how and where particles deposit, such as lung morphology, breathing conditions, fluid flow characteristics, and alveolar wall movement. These many factors make simulating particle deposition in the alveoli difficult. The experimental in vivo studies have commonly used micron sized particles and there is a lack of data for smaller sized particles. Due to these many factors, deposition in the pulmonary region is not well understood. Furthermore, little attention has been paid to the emphysematous lungs, which have characteristics quite different than the healthy lung. In this work, healthy and emphysematous replica acinus models were created from human lung casts using a 3D reconstruction software package. The models were used for simulating the particle deposition due to diffusion using Fine Particle Model (FPM). The FPM program was validated against an analytical solution using a straight tube, before moving on to predict the deposition in the alveolar models. Two particle sizes, 1 and 3 nm, were used to understand and compare pure diffusion in the lung using concentration contours. Results showed the particle deposition rate (particles/s) to be higher in the emphysemic. However, deposition rate per area (particles/m²s) was found to be higher in the healthy model. The deposition efficiency (% of particles that deposit) of the healthy model was greater than the emphysemic model, consistent with literature. Results were found to be lower than experimental in vivo measurements and whole lung model of local alveolar deposition (particles deposited in alveoli/particles entering alveoli) in comparison to our results in the pulmonary region, showing the importance of including axial diffusion effects. More work must be done experimentally and numerically before an understanding of deposition of particles of this size can be determined

A Hierarchy of Sovereigns through the Limitation of Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction

Tribal criminal jurisdiction has been limited by the enactment of the Indian Bill of Rights and acts that give states criminal jurisdiction over tribal lands instead of allowing tribal nations to self-govern criminal acts that occur on their lands. Additionally, Congress has used its plenary power to erode the tribal criminal jurisdiction. The United States Constitution recognizes three sovereigns: States, Foreign Nations, and Tribal Nations. This erosion, along with United States Supreme Court decisions, created a hierarchical class of sovereignty in the sovereigns recognized by the United States Constitution, with tribal nations occupying the lowest position on this hierarchy. In this lower position, tribal members, as American citizens, also occupy a lower position than any other American citizen group. In an effort to rebuild the tribal criminal jurisdiction and provide tribal members, who are victims of crimes by non-members, an appropriate remedy, a federal district court should be created on tribal reservations to provide transparency and inclusion for tribal nations

The Role of Horizontal Processes in Upper-Ocean Prediction: A Forecast Simulation in the Sea of Japan.

Present-day, operational, upper-ocean, thermal-structure forecast models consist of mixed-layer models with local wind-generated horizontal and vertical advection. To extend their applicability into dynamically active regions, e.g. western boundary current regions, the next generation models are envisioned to include mesoscale advection provided by high horizontal resolution circulation nowcast and, eventually forecast models. In this study, I consider the impact of this additional component of advection in a representative dynamic ocean region. I perform four experiments using a modified version of an operational, upper-ocean, thermal prediction model. Each of the four experiments consists of a series of daily, 72-hr-duration, upper-ocean hindcasts. They were each conducted for four weeks during the warming season in the Sea of Japan. The first experiment uses an Nx1 dimensional mixed layer model with no horizontal processes included. The second experiment uses the same model with the addition of horizontal diffusion and local wind-generated horizontal and vertical advection. This model is comparable to present-day operational models. The third experiment repeats the second with the addition of a fixed geostrophic component to the horizontal advection. The fourth experiment allows daily variation of the geostrophic component through each three day forecast. A suite of statistical measures applied to the results indicates a small but statistically significant increase in forecast skill due to the addition of the nowcast mesoscale advection. The additional analysis of a representative individual forecast strengthens this result. The statistical plus individual analyses together lead to three conclusions. First, the addition of geostrophic flow can have a statistically significant impact, especially in frontal regions. Second, global statistical measures alone are not sufficient model comparison criteria since they can mask specific regions or times of significant change. Third, the use of forecast mesoscale circulation in future upper-ocean thermal forecast models will require care due to the potential for artificial cross-frontal advection

Developing Educational Specifications for Elementary Library Quarters in the Monroe School District

This study is to assist in the development and construction of library quarters in the elementary schools of the Monroe School District, Monroe, Washington

Reduction of Crab Mortality in Seed Cages

The purpose of this project is to find out what cage design works best to let the crabs escape and reduce m01tality. My hope is this study will help others in the aquaculture industry reduce mortality and get more yield from their seed