Effects of the trawling ban on the diversity of demersal crustaceans (orders: decapoda and stomatopoda) in the marine environment of Hong Kong, South China

Oral PresentationFisheries & Marine Resources ManagementBottom trawling has been demonstrated to be one of the most destructive fishing methods to marine benthic communities. Since the 1970s, marine fishery resources in Hong Kong, especially large predatory species, have been overexploited by non-selective fishing gears including bottom and pelagic trawlers. This fishing down the trophic level has resulted in a benthic ecosystem primarily dominated by small herbivorous and omnivorous fishes and crustaceans. To mitigate such impacts, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has implemented a territory-wide trawling ban in local waters since 31 December 2012. This study aims to investigate whether crustacean resources, in particular of the orders Decapoda and ...postprin

Population dynamics of the Mantis Shrimp Oratosquilla oratoria before and after the Trawling Ban in Hong Kong's Coastal Waters

Poster presentation: P-53Fisheries & Marine Resources ManagementThrough studying population dynamics of marine benthic species, we can reveal the changes of their population size and structure in relation to environmental changes due to management intervention such as prohibition of trawling based fisheries. The results of population dynamics studies can also provide baseline information for stock assessment and sustainable management of the species. Due to the overexploitation of fishery resources, a territory-wide trawling ban has been implemented in Hong Kong waters ...postprin

Uncovering the complex genetics of human temperament

Experimental studies of learning suggest that human temperament may depend on the molecular mechanisms for associative conditioning, which are highly conserved in animals. The main genetic pathways for associative conditioning are known in experimental animals, but have not been identified in prior genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of human temperament. We used a data-driven machine learning method for GWAS to uncover the complex genotypic-phenotypic networks and environmental interactions related to human temperament. In a discovery sample of 2149 healthy Finns, we identified sets of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that cluster within particular individuals (i.e., SNP sets) regardless of phenotype. Second, we identified 3 clusters of people with distinct temperament profiles measured by the Temperament and Character Inventory regardless of genotype. Third, we found 51 SNP sets that identified 736 gene loci and were significantly associated with temperament. The identified genes were enriched in pathways activated by associative conditioning in animals, including the ERK, PI3K, and PKC pathways. 74% of the identified genes were unique to a specific temperament profile. Environmental influences measured in childhood and adulthood had small but significant effects. We confirmed the replicability of the 51 Finnish SNP sets in healthy Korean (90%) and German samples (89%), as well as their associations with temperament. The identified SNPs explained nearly all the heritability expected in each sample (37-53%) despite variable cultures and environments. We conclude that human temperament is strongly influenced by more than 700 genes that modulate associative conditioning by molecular processes for synaptic plasticity and long-term memory.Peer reviewe

Psychological values and cues as a basis for developing socially relevant criteria and indicators for forest management

Criteria and indicators (C & I) have proven an essential tool for managers implementing sustainable forest management, but have been less effective for communication with the wider community. We demonstrate a new bottom-up approach to developing socially relevant C & I using social analysis and psychology-based concepts and methods. Our conceptual framework links the concepts of valued attributes and environmental cues with, respectively, criteria and indicators. We illustrate our approach using thirty-six semi-structured interviews of individual members of the general public and of stakeholder groups in Victoria, southern Australia. The interviews included a modified cognitive mapping task to identify attributes of forests valued by the interviewees, as well as cues used by them to know if a valued attribute was present or had changed. Seven broad valued attributes of forests were identified: Natural; Experiential; Productive; Setting; Social/Economic; Learning; and Cultural. Four broad categories of cues were identified: Biophysical; Social/Psychological; Economic; and Management/Planning. Cues were translated into a set of measurable ‘socially relevant’ indicators of forest management. Comparison with existing frameworks revealed some similarities, but that an important component of public evaluations, Experiential and Setting valued attributes, was largely absent from C & I used in Victoria, which are based on the Montreal Process framework. Some socially relevant indicators aligned with existing indicators, but others were poorly represented, particularly sensory indicators that are concerned with subjective experiences of forests. Our approach demonstrates a new way of developing C & I and has a strong conceptual basis that enables more explicit consideration and communication of a comprehensive range of social values and cues in environmental management systems

Effects of the trawling ban on demersalcrustacean resources (orders: Decapoda and Stomatopoda) in the marine environment of Hong Kong: a preliminary study

Oral presentation - Session 5: Marine Biological Resources: no. S5-8Conference Theme: Life in the Changing Ocea

A simple genetic test identifies 90% of UK patients with haemochromatosis

Background-The diagnosis of genetic haemochromatosis (GH) before iron overload has developed is difficult. However a convincing candidate gene for GH, HFE (previously HLA-H), has been described recently