Effects of the Santa Barbara, Calif., Oil Spill on the Apparent Abundance of Pelagic Fishery Resources

Many studies have been made of the effects of oil on marine invertebrates, plants (marine algae and phytoplankton), and vertebrates such as seabirds and marine mammals. An excellent review of these findings, which includes some references to fish and pathological effects of aromatic hydrocarbons, has been published by the Royal Society, London (Clark, 1982). That review dealt with the environmental effects of such major oil spills or releases such as those by the tankers Torry Canyon (119,000 t) on the south coast of England, Metula (50-56,000 t) in the Straits of Magellan, Argo Merchant (26,000 t) off Cape Cod, and the super tanker Amoco Cadiz (223,000 t) on the coast of northern Brittany. Those spills were studied to determine their effect on living resources. In contrast there are few references on the impact of oil spills on pelagic fishery resources

The Results Of A Longitudinal Study Of The Effects Of Network Delays On Learning

The use of interactive web-based teachingmaterials has become an indelible feature of the educational landscape over thelast decade especially for technical subjects such as engineering andmathematics. While web-based simulations present great opportunity to providestudents with the feedback needed for the acquisition of new concepts, it hasbeen demonstrated that even small network delays can adversely affect thepedagogical efficacy of these simulations. In the present work a longitudinalstudy is performed to examine the effects of network delay on learning asstudent’s progress from freshmen to senior year.  Findings indicate that by the time studentshave progressed to their senior year, they have taken on a more conservativelearning style and that their learning style is less sensitive to networkdelays than it was when they were freshmen. The study suggests that the accumulation of experience is an importantfactor in mitigating the effects of network delay on learning

Measurement dynamic strain induced by balloon-expandable endovascular stents in arterial walls

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 1997.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 111-114).by James C. Squire.M.S

The Difference In The Effects Of Longitudinal Effects Of Network Latency On STEM And Non-STEM Students

As enrollment in online courses increases faster than the overall enrollments in higher education, the differences in learning styles and academic disciplines need to be identified.  Further, the focus on the demand for students pursuing degrees in the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) has gained prominence in the past decade.  An experiment was conducted to study the interaction of objective learning and subjective learning, objective learning and enjoyment, and subjective learning and enjoyment on the longitudinal effects of network latency on students who were classified as STEM majors or non-STEM majors (humanities and social sciences).  The findings indicate that students from different majors responded differently by the time students have progressed to their senior year in reference to their learning styles and sensitivity to network delays than it was when they were freshmen.  The study suggests that the accumulation of experience and choice of major are important factors in mitigating the effects of network delay on learning

Distribution and Apparent Abundance of the Basking Shark, Cetorhinus maximus, off the Central and Southern California Coast, 1962-85

Basking sharks, Cetorhinus maximus, are frequently observed along the central and northwestern southern California coast during the winter and spring months. These large plankton feeding elasmobranchs, second in size only to the whale shark, Rhineodon typus, had been the subject of a small commercial fishery off California in the late 1940's and early 1950's for their liver oil, rich in vitamin A, and in later years for reduction into fish meal and oil (Roedel and Ripley, 1950). These fisheries were sporadic and did not take basking sharks in large numbers

Optical Sensors using Biological Photonic Crystals

This dissertation focuses on the application of diatom frustules, the biosilica shell of an algae possessing physical and photonic properties capable of enhancing optical signals, for the enhancement of optical sensing. In this work, we incorporate diatom frustules into biosensors for signal enhancement and improved target molecule detection. The potential for immunoassay improvement from frustules is first demonstrated using standard sandwich immunoassay fluorescence detection and various analytical methods are explored to analyze the signal. The diatom-based sandwich fluorescence immunoassay is then employed to the detection of the clinically important biomarker, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), for the screening of heart failure. Machine learning analyses are employed to further improve the results and enable efficient screening in human plasma. Lastly, the versatility of the frustules is demonstrated by utilizing the frustule, paired with a core-shell nanoparticle, to perform surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy detection of vapors from explosives. This work validates the utilization of diatom frustules as a means of enhancing optical signals and highlights their unique capabilities to enable superior analyte detection

A Multicenter Study Of Students Sensitivity To Screen-Update Delay

In a climate of shrinking educational budgets, online learning courses offer many advantages; however there are several possible problems associated with electronic learning. There may be problems associated with learning style preferences, student apathy, instructional support, accessibility, and problems with technology. This paper examines a technological problem associated with the effects of screen-update-delay and student enjoyment, student self-reported comprehension, and student objective comprehension. In particular, this paper attempts to identify the point at which longer screen updates will be detrimental to the students enjoyment and/or have a significant negative impact on the students self-reported comprehension and retention of material

An Investigation Of The Effect Of Network Latency On Pedagogic Efficacy: A Comparison Of Disciplines

E-learning has become a mainstream educational opportunity, as noted in U.S. News & World Report.  Further, differences among college students have been documented in various disciplines.  An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of network latency on pedagogical efficacy based on the students who were classified as in either humanities programs or engineering and science programs.  The findings indicate that tolerances to screen update latencies are discipline-dependent and that students in engineering and science have a lower tolerance for screen update latency than students in the humanities

Health professionals' experiences of tuberculosis cohort audit in the North West of England : a qualitative study

This research was supported by Public Health England and the Centre for Applied Health Research and Delivery, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM).Objectives. Tuberculosis cohort audit (TBCA) was introduced across the North West (NW) of England in 2012 as an ongoing, multidisciplinary, systematic case review process, designed to improve clinical and public health practice. TBCA has not previously been introduced across such a large and socioeconomically diverse area in England, nor has it undergone formal, qualitative evaluation. This study explored health professionals' experiences of the process after 1515 cases had been reviewed. Design. Qualitative study using semistructured interviews. Respondents were purposively sampled from 3 groups involved in the NW TBCA: (1) TB nurse specialists, (2) consultant physicians and (3) public health practitioners. Data from the 26 respondents were triangulated with further interviews with key informants from the TBCA Steering Group and through observation of TBCA meetings. Analysis. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically using the framework approach. Results. Participants described the evolution of a valuable 'community of practice' where interprofessional exchange of experience and ideas has led to enhanced mutual respect between different roles and a shared sense of purpose. This multidisciplinary, regional approach to TB cohort audit has promoted local and regional team working, exchange of good practices and local initiatives to improve care. There is strong ownership of the process from public health professionals, nurses and clinicians; all groups want it to continue. TBCA is regarded as a tool for quality improvement that improves patient safety. Conclusions. TBCA provides peer support and learning for management of a relatively rare, but important infectious disease through discussion in a no-blame atmosphere. It is seen as an effective quality improvement strategy which enhances TB care, control and patient safety. Continuing success will require increased engagement of consultant physicians and public health practitioners, a secure and ongoing funding stream and establishment of clear reporting mechanisms within the public health system.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe