Using marine ecoengineering to mitigate biodiversity loss on modified structures in the Waitematā Harbour : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Conservation Biology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

The construction of infrastructure on the foreshore is an unavoidable consequence of an ever-expanding human population. Traditionally, this infrastructure has replaced softsubstrates with hard substrates. Furthermore, even for native biota which occupy hard substrates, the flat, featureless construction of most marine infrastructure provides little habitat heterogeneity and results in depauperate communities with little biotic resistance against non-indigenous species. Marine ecoengineering provides a possible solution to this global phenomenon by using intelligent construction techniques that promote the accumulation of native biodiversity. Here, I used eco-engineered settlement plates to examine the effect of habitat complexity on the biodiversity of communities inhabiting existing. Additionally, we examined the effects of climate change driven increases in rainfall on the performance of ecoengineered substrates in the mid-intertidal zone. Last, we reviewed and synthesised the available literature on the species present in The Waitematā Harbour and, to the best of my knowledge, provide the most complete species lists to date. In chapter two, we transplanted eco-engineered settlement plates seeded with local bivalve, Perna canaliculus, onto an existing seawall and monitored the accumulation of biodiversity. Overall, we show that both structural and biological habitat heterogeneity enhanced the biodiversity of the seawall community. Additionally, we found that the cemented pavement of volcanic rock that constituted the existing seawall, accumulated biodiversity faster than flat concrete settlement plates, supporting the use of this type of seawall construction over flat concrete seawalls. However, benefits to biodiversity could be further enhanced by explicitly adopting ecoengineering designs that provide crevices for intertidal organisms. In chapter three, we examined the performance of ecoengineered substrates under the prediction that climate change will enhance rainfall by 20% in the Auckland region. While no effect of increased rainfall was observed for the mobile invertebrate community or the flat plates, increased rainfall did influence the biodiversity of the fouling community on the ridged plates, likely as a consequence of reduced desiccation stress. Although this was only a short-term experiment we predict that given time to develop, a distinct fouling community could influence the diversity mobile invertebrate community, shifting the whole community vertically up the seawall. The review of the Waitematā taxonomy presented in chapter four, provides a reference for future studies of the biodiversity of the Waitematā harbour as well as identifying several gaps in our understanding, a cause for concern. Specifically, we show that non-indigenous species make up a considerable proportion of the fouling species listed for the Harbour and suggest that some of this could have been avoided by the adoption of ecoengineering techniques. Overall, this thesis recognises that habitat heterogeneity, be it natural or man-made, is a vital driver of biodiversity. Each chapter provides additional insight, supporting the benefits of marine ecoengineering. These positive results within the Waitematā Harbour show potential for larger scale experimental trials and for the broader application of these techniques in other locations. By implementing intelligent design and eco-friendly materials in marine infrastructure, we can reduce the impact on local intertidal communities and indirectly reduce the spread of non-indigenous species

Subparallel thrust and normal faulting in Albania and the roles of gravitational potential energy and rheology contrasts in mountain belts

The active tectonics of Albania and surrounding regions, on the eastern margin of the Adriatic Sea, is characterized by subparallel thrust and normal faulting which, we suggest, is likely to be related to gravitational potential energy contrasts between the low-lying Adriatic Sea and the elevated mountainous areas inland. We calculate the magnitude of the force which the mountains and lowlands exert upon each other as a result of this potential energy contrast. It is likely that this force is largely supported by shear stresses on faults, and if so, the average stresses are less than ∼20 MPa. Alternatively, if the mountains are supported by stresses in the ductile part of the lithosphere, the stresses are likely to be ∼80–240 MPa in magnitude. The mountains of Albania are significantly lower than other ranges, such as the Peruvian Andes, which are thought to be extending in response to potential energy differences, and we discuss the relation between Albania and these other, higher, mountain belts from the perspective of differences in lithosphere rheology. We suggest that the lowlands of western Albania and the Adriatic Sea may have been weakened through time as a result of the deposition of large thicknesses of sediment, which lead to heating of the crystalline basement, a reduction in the potential energy contrast that could be supported by the lowlands, and so normal faulting in the mountains of eastern Albania

The use of therapeutic untruths by learning disability nursing students

Background: The use of therapeutic untruths raises a number of ethical issues, which have begun to be explored to some extent, particularly in dementia care services, where their use has been found to be high. Little is known, however, about their use by health professionals working in learning disability services. Research question: The study aimed to explore the frequency of use of therapeutic untruths by student learning disability nurses, and by their colleagues; how effective the students perceived them to be as a means of responding to behaviours that challenge; and their level of comfort with using them. Research design: A correlational design was used to gather data from an online version of the Best Interest Scale, adapted for a learning disability context. Participants were 30 learning disability student nurses (female = 28, ages 18–48 years, M = 26.8, standard deviation = 7.3) studying at a university in the North-East of England. Ethical considerations: The study was reviewed and received ethical approval from the first author’s university ethics committee. Findings: Overall, 96% of participants reported using therapeutic untruths. ‘Omission’ was the most frequently used type of therapeutic untruths, the most effective and the type that the students felt most comfortable using. Frequency of use of therapeutic untruths correlated significantly and positively with perceived effectiveness and the level of comfort that the students felt when using them, for all types of therapeutic untruths. Conclusion: The use of therapeutic untruths by the student nurses was consistent with that found in research in dementia care services in the United Kingdom and abroad. Further research to explore the generalisability of the results to the wider context of learning disability services is needed. The study highlights that there may be a need for more formal guidance and educational input to student nurses in the use of therapeutic untruths with people with a learning disability

Voter Turnout in Texas: Can It Be Higher?

In the 2016 presidential election, Texas’ voter turnout placed near the bottom of all the states, ranking 47th. In Texas’ recent 2018 mid-term election, which featured a closely contested US Senate race and concurrent gubernatorial election, not even half of eligible voters (46.3%) participated. This issue of The Takeaway explores Texas’ consistently low voter turnout and some policies that could help increase it. The author is a Bush School student whose work was supported by a research fellowship from The Texas Lyceum.The Texas Lyceu

Comparison of Compression Schemes for CLARA

CLARA (Compact Linear Advanced Research Accelerator)at Daresbury Laboratory is proposed to be the UK's national FEL test facility. The accelerator will be a ~250 MeV electron linac capable of producing short, high brightness electron bunches. The machine comprises a 2.5cell RF photocathode gun, one 2 m and three 5 m normal conducting S-band (2998MHz) accelerating structures and a variable magnetic compression chicane. CLARA will be used as a test bed for novel FEL configurations. We present a comparison of acceleration and compression schemes for the candidate machine layout.Comment: 3 pages, 5 figures, IPAC 201

Predicted hydrodynamic and sediment transport impacts of breakwater construction in Tauranga Harbour, New Zealand

The study predicted the impact of a proposed breakwater development, along the northern boundary of the Tauranga Bridge Marina, on existing hydrodynamics and sediment transport. Numerical modelling was undertaken using the DHI MIKE 21 modelling suite. A 25 m grid resolution regional hydrodynamic model of Tauranga Harbour was established to provide boundary conditions for a 4 m grid resolution local hydrodynamic model of the Stella Passage, Town Reach, and Waipu Bay region. Calibration and verification was achieved by comparing model predictions with measurements from tidal gauges and field deployed ADV instruments. A wave model was set-up to provide predictions of wave-induced sediment transport. A sediment transport model was developed to identify sediment transport pathways and areas of erosion and accretion. A pile and panel breakwater was recommended based on predictions of reduced current velocity within the marina and a limited increase along the Sulphur Point wharf. Flow diversion and channel constriction contributed to increased maximum velocities of 10% near the Stella Passage drop-off, increased peak tide velocities of up to 0.3 m.s⁻¹ west of the breakwater, and flood jet development off the western tip of the breakwater. Increased accretion north of the drop-off was predicted in response to increased annual spring transport rates in Town Reach from 10 m³/yr/m. Peak tide velocities within the marina were reduced by 0.2 – 0.5 m.s⁻¹ in the north and up to 0.2 m.s⁻¹ in the south and annual spring transport rates decreased from up to 50 m³/yr/m to predominantly <5 m³/yr/m. Two dredging scenarios proposed by the Port of Tauranga were also simulated. In dredging scenario one, the Stella Passage was deepened to 16.0 m below Chart Datum. Variation in flow patterns were predicted within the Stella Passage and flood velocity increased through the western side. In dredging scenario two, the dredged area and Sulphur Point wharf were extended southward into Town Reach. In the western Stella Passage, maximum flood velocity increased by 0.2 m.s⁻¹ and peak ebb velocity increased by up to 0.3 m.s⁻¹. Peak flood velocity decreased by up to 0.3 m.s⁻¹ north of the marina. Breakwater addition to the dredging scenario one simulation produced similar results compared with the combined breakwater and existing bathymetry simulation. The breakwater and dredging extension in scenario two, both independently acted to focus flow through west side of Town Reach. Increased erosion was predicted toward the drop-off into the dredging extension. Dredging reduced the influence of the breakwater through the western Stella Passage. The breakwater increased maximum ebb velocity by 29% for the existing bathymetry, 25% for dredging scenario one, and 20% for dredging scenario two. Existing sediment transport patterns in Waipu Bay were unaltered by breakwater development or the combined breakwater development and dredging and wharf extensions. An area of high seabed elevation, in western Waipu Bay, was the preferred location for an artificial bird roost. The existing bathymetry was altered to simulate different dredge island dimensions. The recommended design was oval shaped with an east-west orientation. This design displayed consistently low annual spring transport rates of <0.1 m³/yr/m

Alien Registration- Mckenzie, James D. (Presque Isle, Aroostook County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/33830/thumbnail.jp