Growth rates and survival of western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus) at twotemperatures (ambient and 23 C) and two feeding frequencies

Wild caught post-pueruli, year one and year two post settlement juvenile western rock lobster, Panuliruscygnus, were held at ambient temperatures (15.6 C to 23.1 C; mean 19.00.07 C) or at 23 C, and fed thesame ration of a formulated pellet diet either once per night, or 3 times per night, over 12 months, todetermine whether elevated temperatures and multiple feeds per night would stimulate growth throughincreased metabolism and feed utilisation without significant negative impacts on survival. Survival of postpueruli(mean 63%) did not differ between ambient and 23 C. Survival of year 1 and 2 juveniles was higher atambient temperatures (pb0.01 ambient: year 1 juveniles, 68%; year 2 juveniles, 88%; 23 C: 57% and 74%,respectively). Feeding frequency did not affect survival of post-pueruli and year 2 juveniles (mean 63%, 81%respectively), but survival was 9% higher for year 1 juveniles fed three times per night (58% versus 67%;pb0.01). All lobsters grew faster at 23 C than at ambient temperatures (pb0.05), with the growth ofpost-pueruli almost doubled at 23 C (weight gain at 23 C versus ambient: post-pueruli, 18 438 % versus 9915 %; year 1 juveniles 259% versus 165%; year 2 juveniles 23% versus 21%). Feed frequency did not influencethe growth of year 1 and 2 juveniles. However, there was an interaction effect of temperature and feedfrequency on post-pueruli where weight and carapace length were significantly higher at ambienttemperatures when post-pueruli were fed three times a day, whereas at 23 C weight and carapace lengthwere significantly greater when fed once per day (pb0.05). Feed intake (g pellet dry matter lobster-1 day-1)of pellet was higher at 23 C for all lobsters (pb0.05), but was the same between lobsters fed 3 times pernight versus once per night. This study has shown that increasing temperatures to 23 C significantlyimproved the growth of P. cygnus post-pueruli without any adverse effects on survival. The faster growthrates exhibited by year 1 and 2 juveniles at 23 C may potentially offset their lower survival by significantlyreducing culture period. There is no benefit of feeding P. cygnus multiple times at night in terms of growthand survival. The implications for P. cygnus culture are that temperatures should be maintained close to 23 Cduring the entire growout period, with due care taken to minimise mortalities through adequate provision offood and shelter. Feeding P. cygnus once daily to excess just prior to dusk to co-incide with nocturnal feedingbehaviour is recommended

Note and Comment

The Death of Professor Knowlton - The loss to the Law School and to his colleagues of the law faculty in the death of Jerome Cyril Knowlton cannot be expressed. For thirty-one years, the longest period of active service ever given by any man to this Law School, Mr. Knowlton was an effective factor in the development of the institution and in the moulding of the character and the legal ideas and ideals of the thousands of graduates who have passed through the Law School into the service of community and state and country, at the bar, upon the bench, in legislative halls, and indeed in all of the walks of life. Few if any men now living have been known to as many law students as was Mr. Knowlton. And few indeed are they whose influence has been as widely felt, for he made a vivid and lasting impression upon all who came in contact with him

Stocking density and shelter type for the optimal growth and survival of western rock lobster Panulirus cygnus (George)

The growth and survival of three size classes of wild caught western rock lobster, Panulirus cygnus (post-pueruli: mean 2.140.07g, 13.20.1mm CL; year1: post-settlement juveniles, 57.11.1g, 38.70.28mm CL; and year2 post-settlement juveniles, mean 138.22.26g, 51.90.25mm CL) were examined at combinations of two stocking densities (post-pueruli: 50 and 100myear1: 11 and 23m2; year2: 10 and 19m2) and two shelter types (a novel rigid plastic mesh shelter or bricks) over a period 6months. Survival of lobsters held at the lower densities (90 95%) was significantly greater than for lobsters held at higher densities (post-pueruli=78%, year1=86%, year2=88%). Post-pueruli survival was significantly higher in tanks with mesh shelters (91.7%) than brick shelters (75.8%) with a similar trend exhibited by year1 and year2 lobsters. Densities tested did significantly affect lobster growth for any size class. Growth of post-pueruli was considerably higher in tanks with mesh shelters (641.7% weight gain; specific growth rate 1.07BWday1) (p<0.05) but there was no difference in the growth of year1 and lobsters between mesh and brick shelters. Feed intake (g pellet dry matter lobster1day1) was not significantly different between densities. This study has shown that P. cygnus is well suited for aquaculture based on the collection and ongrowing of wild caught pueruli, as this species exhibits good survival at high densities (up to 100m2) without adverse effects on growth, and shows captivity-related health problems. We recommend mesh shelters, with stocking densities of 50m2 for post-pueruli and between and 25m2 for year1 and year2 juveniles, to maximise survival and production

Magnetic phase transitions in Gd64Sc36 studied using non-contact ultrasonics

The speed and attenuation of ultrasound propagation can be used to determine material properties and identify phase transitions. Standard ultrasonic contact techniques are not always convenient due to the necessity of using couplant; however, recently reliable non-contact ultrasonic techniques involving electromagnetic generation and detection of ultrasound with electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs) have been developed for use on electrically conducting and/or magnetic materials. We present a detailed study of magnetic phase transitions in a single crystal sample of Gd64Sc36 magnetic alloy using contact and non-contact ultrasonic techniques for two orientations of external magnetic field. Phase diagrams are constructed based on measurements of elastic constant C33, the attenuation and the efficiency of generation when using an EMAT. The EMATs are shown to provide additional information related to the magnetic phase transitions in the studied sample, and results identify a conical helix phase in Gd64Sc36 in the magnetic field orientation

Grazing Behaviour of Dorper Sheep and Farmed Goats and Their Implications for Natural Resource Management in Western NSW

The introduction of exotic herbivores into the semi-arid and arid zones of Australia resulted in dramatic change in the native vegetation (e.g. Noble and Tongway 1986; Friedel et al. 1990). Overgrazing and trampling reduced ground cover and changed species composition from dominance by perennial grasses and shrubs to dominance by annual species over extensive areas (e.g. Gunn 1986), or assisted the encroachment of woody species (Wilcox and Cunningham 1994). It is particularly in this context that the recent introduction of new sheep breeds, reputedly hardier than traditional Merinos, and the increasing trend to farming or re-domestication of feral goats, poses serious questions for the ecological sustainability of the region. This ongoing project aims to combine information from laboratory experiments, field studies and producer experience to develop practical management strategies that are supportive of regional and national ground cover targets aimed at reducing wind erosion and maintaining biodiversity values. We report the preliminary results and recommend management strategies

Fermi Surface as the Driving Mechanism for Helical Antiferromagnetic Ordering in Gd-Y Alloys

The first direct experimental evidence for the Fermi surface (FS) driving the helical antiferromagnetic ordering in a gadolinium-yttrium alloy is reported. The presence of a FS sheet capable of nesting is revealed, and the nesting vector associated with the sheet is found to be in excellent agreement with the periodicity of the helical ordering.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Co-producing research with academics and industry to create a more resilient UK water sector

This is the final version. Available on open access from UCL Press via the DOI in this recordSocietal, economic and environmental impact generated by academic research is a key focus of publicly funded research in the UK. Drawing on experiences from the Safe & SuRe project, a five-year research project that was co-produced with industry, this paper explores the challenges, learnings and benefits of co-producing research with academics and practitioners to create a more resilient UK water sector. Three aspects of the project are explored in detail: the use of a steering group, co-developing research intensively with a water company, and co-dissemination industry-facing events. Emerging themes include: (1) benefits of the industry steering group to develop working relationships and trust among the group; (2) increased dialogue and sharing of information between industry and academics going beyond the one-way communication more commonly reported by STEM academics; and (3) the value of co-disseminating research to maintain and engage new connections and spark new research questions.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC

Challenges in context-aware mobile language learning: the MASELTOV approach

Smartphones, as highly portable networked computing devices with embedded sensors including GPS receivers, are ideal platforms to support context-aware language learning. They can enable learning when the user is en-gaged in everyday activities while out and about, complementing formal language classes. A significant challenge, however, has been the practical implementation of services that can accurately identify and make use of context, particularly location, to offer meaningful language learning recommendations to users. In this paper we review a range of approaches to identifying context to support mobile language learning. We consider how dynamically changing aspects of context may influence the quality of recommendations presented to a user. We introduce the MASELTOV project’s use of context awareness combined with a rules-based recommendation engine to present suitable learning content to recent immigrants in urban areas; a group that may benefit from contextual support and can use the city as a learning environment

Walk well:a randomised controlled trial of a walking intervention for adults with intellectual disabilities: study protocol

Background - Walking interventions have been shown to have a positive impact on physical activity (PA) levels, health and wellbeing for adult and older adult populations. There has been very little work carried out to explore the effectiveness of walking interventions for adults with intellectual disabilities. This paper will provide details of the Walk Well intervention, designed for adults with intellectual disabilities, and a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to test its effectiveness. Methods/design - This study will adopt a RCT design, with participants allocated to the walking intervention group or a waiting list control group. The intervention consists of three PA consultations (baseline, six weeks and 12 weeks) and an individualised 12 week walking programme. A range of measures will be completed by participants at baseline, post intervention (three months from baseline) and at follow up (three months post intervention and six months from baseline). All outcome measures will be collected by a researcher who will be blinded to the study groups. The primary outcome will be steps walked per day, measured using accelerometers. Secondary outcome measures will include time spent in PA per day (across various intensity levels), time spent in sedentary behaviour per day, quality of life, self-efficacy and anthropometric measures to monitor weight change. Discussion - Since there are currently no published RCTs of walking interventions for adults with intellectual disabilities, this RCT will examine if a walking intervention can successfully increase PA, health and wellbeing of adults with intellectual disabilities