Regional and seasonal patterns of epipelagic fish assemblages from the central California Current

The coastal Pacific Ocean off northern and central California encompasses the strongest seasonal upwelling zone in the California Current ecosystem. Headlands and bays here generate complex circulation features and confer unusual oceanographic complexity. We sampled the coastal epipelagic fish community of this region with a surface trawl in the summer and fall of 2000–05 to assess patterns of spatial and temporal community structure. Fifty-three species of fish were captured in 218 hauls at 34 fixed stations, with clupeiform species dominating. To examine spatial patterns, samples were grouped by location relative to a prominent headland at Point Reyes and the resulting two regions, north coast and Gulf of the Farallones, were plotted by using nonmetric multidimensional scaling. Seasonal and interannual patterns were also examined, and representative species were identified for each distinct community. Seven oceanographic variables measured concurrently with trawling were plotted by principal components analysis and tested for correlation with biotic patterns. We found significant differences in community structure by region, year, and season, but no interaction among main effects. Significant differences in oceanographic conditions mirrored the biotic patterns, and a match between biotic and hydrographic structure was detected. Dissimilarity between assemblages was mostly the result of differences in abundance and frequency of occurrence of about twelve common species. Community patterns were best described by a subset of hydrographic variables, including water depth, distance from shore, and any one of several correlated variables associated with upwelling intensity. Rather than discrete communities with clear borders and distinct member species, we found gradients in community structure and identified stations with similar fish communities by region and by proximity to features such as the San Francisco Bay

Teachers\u27 and students\u27 perceptions of the effectiveness of a middle school bully patrol

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness, as perceived by teachers and students, of the Glassboro Intermediate School\u27s Bully Patrol in reducing bullying for seventh and eighth grade students. The data gathering procedures were teacher and student surveys using the convenience sampling technique. The results of this study were based upon the analysis of the feedback that the teachers and students provided. The major conclusions of this study provided important insights into the Glassboro Intermediate School\u27s Bully Patrol. The data revealed that almost all of the teachers perceived the bully patrol to be effective in eliminating bullying behaviors. In addition, the majority of seventh grade students also believed the Bully Patrol to be a useful school-wide anti-bullying program. In contrast, a noteworthy portion of the eighth grade students, who generally were pessimistic about the school\u27s policies and programs, did not think that the Bully Patrol was very effective. Even so, the Bully Patrol continued to function at the Glassboro Intermediate School as a deterrent to bullying and bullying behaviors

Effects of adrenocorticotrophin administration during early gestation on conceptus development in swine

The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the effect of exogenous ACTH upon maternal and conceptus parameters in pregnant gilts and (2) to validate an assay for cytoplasmic progesterone receptors in order to quantitate levels in uterine endometrium of pregnant gilts receiving ACTH injections. Seventy-two gilts of similar age and breeding were mixed and ran-domly placed in groups of 12 in one of six pasture lots and observed through one normal estrous cycle. Upon detection of the second estrus, gilts were double mated at 12 and 24 hours after estrus detection using a different boar at each breeding. Mating was accomplished by artificial insemination using fresh semen. Breeding continued until 48 gilts were obtained. Once bred, gilts were randomly assigned to one of 3 treatments and one of 4 injection periods. Treatments consisted of a single, daily, intramuscular injection of either 0, 40 or 80 USP units of corticotrophin in an aqueous suspension containing zinc hydroxide for repository action, for a period of 5 days. Control gilts received an injection of vehicle containing zinc hydroxide with no corticotrophin activity. The injec-tion periods were 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, or 16-20 days of gestation with day one corresponding to 48 hours postestrus detection. All gilts were slaughtered at approximately 37 days of gestation. Forty—two of the 48 gilts bred conceived; there was no difference (P\u3e.10) in conception rate among the 12 treatment-period combinations. Injections of ACTH, regardless of dosage or period given had no apparent effects on fetal survival or any of the maternal or conceptus parameters measured. Conceptus data were pooled and analyzed for differences according to position within the uterus. The three positions analyzed were the utero—tubal portion, the middle portion and the cervical portion. Average allantoic fluid volume was significantly (P\u3c.05) greater, fetal wet weights were heavier (P\u3c.10) and degenerating fetal numbers were greater (P\u3c.05) in the middle portion while placental lengths were significantly (P\u3c.05) longer in the ovarian portion than the cervical portion of the uterus. Validation of an assay for quantitating uterine cytoplasmic pro-gesterone receptors indicated that a specific protein receptor for pro-gesterone existed having a Kd of 26.3 pM and a binding capacity of 3.4 pmol/mg tissue. It was also determined that 12.5 mg of uterine tissue appears to be saturated at a concentration of 15-20 nM 3H-progesterone for an incubation period of 10 to 14 hours

Topography and flora of the satellite islets surrounding the Maltese Archipelago

This present study provides a list of flora species encountered during multiple visits to the following locations listed below during 1998-2010. The majority of species are new records to the respective locations. Also the distributions of various species found and a general description on topography of each islet is given.peer-reviewe

A contribution to the knowledge of alien flora in the Maltese Islands

The occurrence of Limoniun sinuatum L., Malephora crocea var purpureo crocea Schwantes J. , Pennisetum setaceum (Forsskal.) Chiov. and Viola alba Bess. In the Maltese Islands is recorded. Considerations are also made on the distribution of Cyperus alternifolius L. and Solanum elaeagnifolium Car. R.peer-reviewe

Notes on the distribution of Helichrysum Melitense, Hyoseris Frutescens and MatthiolaIncana Melitensis in the Maltese Islands

Considerations are made on the historical distribution of Helichrysum melitense, Hyoseris frutescens and Matthiola incana subsp. melitensis, three floral species endemic to the Maltese Islands, whilst new records for the three species are also reported. A new variety of Matthiola incana subsp. melitensis is also recorded, whilst biogeographical aspects are also discussed for the three species.peer-reviewe

Two specimens of Hypolimnas misippus (Linnaeus, 1764) (Lepidoptera : Nymphalidae) in the Maltese Islands

Two specimens of Hypolimnas misippus (Linnaeus, 1764) are reported in the Maltese islands.peer-reviewe

Additions to the Heteroptera fauna of the Maltese Islands (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Coreidae)

Two new records of species of Hemiptera Coreidae, Leptoglossus occidentalis (Heidemann, 1910) and Gonocerus insidiator (Fabricius, 1787) from the Maltese islands (Central Mediterranean ) are hereby reported.peer-reviewe

Non-Invasive Method for the Rapid Assessment of Central Venous Pressure: Description and Validation by a Single Examiner

Objectives: This study describes a means of assessing the external jugular venous pressure (JVP) as an indicator of normal or elevated central venous pressure (CVP).Methods: Intensive care unit patients having CVP monitoring were examined. With patients in bed, the external jugular vein (EJV) was occluded at the base of the neck and observed to distend. The occlusion was then removed and the vein observed for collapse. Complete collapse was hypothesized to indicate a non-elevated CVP (≤8cm of water). In those patients whose EJV collapsed incompletely, the vein was then occluded with the finger near the angle of the jaw. With the occlusion maintained, the vein was milked downwards with the other hand to cause its emptying and was then observed for filling from below. Filling from below was hypothesized to indicate an elevated CVP (>8cm of water).Results: In 12 of the 40 patients examined, the EJV could not be assessed (EJV not seen at all: 5, and difficult to visualize: 7). For the remaining 28 patients, 11 had a CVP > 8 cm, while 17 had a CVP of < 8. EJV assessment was 100% accurate (95% Confidence Interval 88-100) in predicting whether or not a patient’s CVP was greater or less than 8 cm of water.Conclusion: EJV assessment, when visible, is accurate to clinically assess a patient’s CVP in the hands of the author. Further studies are needed to see if they are reproducible by other observer.[WestJEM. 2008;9:201-205.

401(k) Plan Expenses

Under a 401(k) plan, your benefit is your vested account balance. This account balance reflects the contributions you make to the plan, the contributions your employer makes to the plan on your behalf (if any), and investment gains and losses. Many 401(k) plan participants are responsible for choosing how to invest their account balances. If you direct the investment of your 401(k) plan account balance, it is important to understand that fees and expenses may substantially reduce the growth of your 401(k) plan account balance over the course of your working life. The Department of Labor (DOL) estimates that paying 1% in extraneous fees can reduce your 401(k) plan account balance by 28% over the course of 35 years. Accordingly, it is important to familiarize yourself with the various types of fees and expenses that can affect the growth of your 401(k) plan account balance. This fact sheet summarizes many of these common fees