The sustainability of deep-sea fishing in Greenland from a benthic ecosystem perspective: the nature of habitats, impacts of trawling and the effectiveness of governance

The deep sea (>200 m) is the world’s least explored and largest biome, covering ~65% of the earth’s surface, it is increasingly subject to anthropogenic disturbance from fishing. The offshore Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) fishery, west Greenland, employs demersal trawl gear at depths of 800-1,400 m. Recent Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification of this fishery highlighted the paucity of knowledge of benthic habitats and trawling impacts. This interdisciplinary thesis employs a benthic video sled to investigate deep-sea habitats and trawling impacts and conducts a critical analysis of the fishery’s governance, with reference to the role of the MSC certification. The results provide new insights into this poorly known region of the Northwest Atlantic, including identifying four candidate vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs). Imagery obtained demonstrates that chronic trawling has had extensive impacts on the seafloor, which are significantly associated with the benthic communities observed. Further, trawling effort is shown to have a significant negative association with the abundance of some VME indicator taxa. The governance case study finds an effective system of state-led governance, supported by scientific, certification and industry actors. Outcomes directly attributable to engagement with the MSC certification include the introduction of a management plan and new benthic research programmes. However, questions are raised about the MSC certification, providing case study examples of existing criticisms. Assessments are weak with respect to benthic habitats and overreliant on the definitive, expert judgement of Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs), whose independence is questioned. The assurance offered by the MSC certification in terms of the sustainability of trawling impacts on benthic ecosystems is found to seriously lack credibility. Findings are of direct relevance to the management of deep-sea fisheries in Greenland and elsewhere. Widely applicable critical insights into deep-sea fishery governance are presented, including into the role of eco-labels as a market-mechanism to promote sustainable fishery management

Automatic vigilance: does emotional state affect search times for positively and negatively valenced targets?

Recent research has suggested that specific emotions, such as fear, may impact visual acuity (Phelps, Ling, & Carrasco, 2006). To see if emotion can influence higher order perceptions, an affective priming visual search task (APVST) was used to examine the effect of either fear or joy on participants\u27 ability to find an associated search stimulus. A face showing either fear or joy was presented to induce a mood state, and participants searched for either a spider or a flower in a wooded background. It was found that search times were faster for the spider, but mood induction seemed to have little effect. The robust phenomenon of automatic vigilance and its contributing factors are discussed, along with its relation to mood congruence. The findings suggest that no mood congruence occurs, but that search times are reduced when the target is threatening

High-speed dynamic domino circuit implemented with gaas mesfets

A dynamic logic circuit (AND or OR) utilizes one depletion-mode metal-semiconductor FET for precharging an internal node A, and a plurality of the same type of FETs in series, or a FET in parallel with one or more of the series connected FETs for implementing the logic function. A pair of FETs are connected to provide an output inverter with two series diodes for level shift. A coupling capacitor may be employed with a further FET to provide level shifting required between the inverter and the logic circuit output terminal. These circuits may be cascaded to form a domino chain

An Examination of Successful Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Males in a Northeast Tennessee Middle School

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the factors that contribute to positive educational outcomes as measured by the EXPLORE test for eighth grade males who qualify for free or reduced price lunch. In addition, this study was conducted for the purpose of improving the educational program at a Northeast Tennessee middle school. Archival EXPLORE data, as well as free and reduced price lunch data, were used to identify high school graduates, 6 males and 6 females, who had performed at or above expectation on the eighth grade EXPLORE test. Females were included in this study for the purpose of determining if the factors vary with respect to gender. The participants were interviewed for the purpose of gaining a rich understanding of the factors that enabled them to experience success, while the majority of their socioeconomically disadvantaged peers did not, as well as to determine if these factors varied with respect to gender. Two overarching themes emerged as a result of the interview data analysis: connection to school and support and motivation. Each of the participants reported a sense of connection to the school via of one or more of the following 5 subcategories: teachers, peers, other adults, extracurricular activities, and school structure, culture, and supports. Also, all of the participants spoke of support and motivation via 1 or more of the following 4 subcategories: parents, other adults, preparation, and ability and talent. Two factors emerged that seemed to be most important to their success: connection through relationships and outside support. Each participant was able to establish meaningful relationships during middle school, with 11 of 12 sharing accounts of their connections with school adults, and 12 of 12 discussing their peer relationships. Additionally, each spoke of feeling supported or motivated by a parent or other outside adult. There was little difference with respect to gender. Boys indicated a slightly higher proclivity towards extracurricular activities, while girls seemed to place slightly more importance upon peer relationships. However, establishing meaningful connections within school was of paramount importance for both genders

Mathematics as (multi)cultural practice: Irish lessons from the Polish weekend school

In this article, the authors challenge the erroneous assumption that mathematics is universal, and thus culturally neutral, by critically investigating diverse cultural meanings and “ways of knowing” that influence individual/social (affective) forms of identity. The authors begin by briefly detailing the structural features of a Polish weekend school and providing an overview profile of the Polish community living in Ireland. The rationale for the “weekend” school is then discussed from both Polish and Irish perspectives. Empirical data suggest a greater need for “parallel integration,” whereby two divergent education systems attempt to culturally coalesce at some level of school policy and/or mathematics classroom practice

Rubisco activation limits photosynthesis in wheat

Light available for photosynthesis fluctuates continuously in the field, as clouds cross the sun and as the movement of the sun causes shadows to move across leaves. Transgenic manipulations to allow more rapid relaxation of non-photochemical quenching during sun-shade transitions increased productivity in the field by 14-20%. Rubisco activation is a key limit on photosynthesis during induction following shade-sun transitions. This suggests there may also be potential to increase photosynthesis and crop productivity by speeding up Rubisco activation