The River Lune strategic stock assessment survey 1991 with particular reference to salmonids

In the past stock assessment surveys were generally reactive in response to a particular problem e.g. a pollution incident and as such were limited in the information they provided. A programme of strategic stock assessment would be more beneficial, providing up to date information on the status and composition of the stock. On a national level this could reveal trends in population dynamics and enable comparisons to be made between key rivers and between regions. The Stock Assessment Task Group (1991) has recommended annual strategic surveys for juvenile salmonids and triennial strategic surveys for coarse fish and non- migratory salmonids. The aim of this pilot study was to gain information on species distribution and their relative abundance within the River Lune catchment, and to compare the findings with the surveys carried out between 1981-1985. This would provide valuable information on the current status of the stock and provide an indication of the resources required to conduct such strategic surveys on other river catchments in the North West Region of the National Rivers Authority

The juvenile salmonid populations of the River Lune catchment, 1981 to 1985

The aim of this study was to assess the status of the juvenile salmonid populations of the River Lune and its tributaries. There was special emphasis on juvenile salmon stocks in view of the implementation of a net limitation order in 1980. The number of licensed instruments were reduced as follows: (1) Drift, hang or whammel nets - from 12 to 10 (2) Draft or seine nets - from 3 to 1 (3) Heave or haaf nets - from 4 6 to 2 6 For the purpose of this report, the River Lune system has been divided into 13 subcatchments and these are examined with a view to detecting any trends in the data such as subcatchment productivity, partitioning between salmon and trout nursery streams, and whether the restrictions on salmon fishing had any discernible effects on juvenile salmon productivity. The effect of flow and instream obstructions on salmonid densities are also investigated as these have been shown to be important factors affecting abundance. Throughout the study period a programme of enhancement stocking took place primarily with salmon ova and fry. The possible impact of this on the results of the surveys has been assessed. The distribution and abundance of juvenile salmon was found to be relatively consistent in each of the 13 subcatchments studied over the 1981-1985 period

An evaluation of the survival of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)fry stocked in eight streams in the North West of England.

Eight streams from the North West of England were stocked with Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) fed fry at densities ranging from 1 to 4/m2 over a period of up to three years to evaluate survival to the end of the first an d second growing periods and hence assess the value of stocking as a management practice. Survival to the end of the first growin g period (mean duration of 108 days) was found to vary between 7.8 and 41.3% with a mean of 22% and CV of 0.44. Survival from the end of the first growing period to the end of the second growing period (mean duration of 384 days) ranged from 19.9 to 34.1% with a mean of 26.3% and CV of 0.21. Survival was found to be positively related to 0+ trout density (P < 0.05) and negatively related to altitude (P < 0.05). A comparison of the raw survival data (non standardised with respect to duration of experiments) with that from other studies in relation to stocking densities revealed a negative relationship between fry survival and stocking density (P < 0.05). Densities in excess of 5/m2 tended to result in lower levels of survival. Post stocking fry dispersal patterns were examined for the 1991 data. On average 86.7% of the number of fry surviving remained within the stocked zone by the end of the first growing period. With the exception of one stream there was little in the way of dispersal beyond the stocked zone. The dispersal pattern approximated to the normal distribution (P < 0.05). It was estimated that stocking can result in a net gain of fish to a river system compared with natural productivity, however the numerical significance of this gain and its cost effectiveness need to be determined on a river specific basis

Stock price reaction to earnings announcement: the case of an emerging market

In an efficient stock market stock prices instantaneously and accurately adjust to new information. This paper conducts an event study analysis on an emerging market namely the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) by investigating the stock price reaction to public announcement of quarterly after tax profit by listed firms. By employing 5 year data on stock prices from January 2004 to August 2008 for 114 non financial firms we found that there is no abnormal return post earnings announcement. Moreover the study provides evidence that there is a bigger element of surprise in bad news than in good news as the market reaction to bad news is stronger.Event Study, Earnings Announcement, Emerging Markets

Arctic charr from Ennerdale Water: a pilot study

There are three fish species in the north west of England, Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus, L.), schelly (Coreqonus lavaretus. L.), and vendace (C. albula, L.), which have been reported as rare and vulnerable and have been identified as requiring the preparation and implementation of a conservation management plan. The presence of Arctic charr in Ennerdale Water has resulted in it being designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. These fish and one race of the species in Lake Windermere are the only English populations of charr known to spawn in running water. Associated with Ennerdale charr is the copepod parasite Salmincola edwardsii which has not been recorded from any other charr inhabited waters of the Lake District. However, it has been recorded on charr from four Scottish Lochs (Stack, Lee, Tay and Doon). The unique nature of Ennerdale is further highlighted by the presence of two crustaceans, Mysis relicta and Limnocalanus macrurus. The former has been recorded in Ireland while the latter is not known to exist anywhere else in the British Isles. The aim of this pilot study was to obtain baseline data on charr that spawn in Smithy Beck and the River Liza. This would indicate the current status of the population and help identify areas requiring further investigation. A total of 161 fish (95 males and 66 females) was caught and tagged over the 3 day period, 141 from Smithy Beck and 20 from the Liza. The raw data of the findings is presented in two appendices

Development of a Novel Diagnostic Test Using Podocyturia as a Biomarker for Detection of Kidney Damage

Primary glomerular diseases are the most common cause of progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD) in dogs, a common and significant source of illness that often progresses to kidney failure. It is hypothesized that podocyte cells in the glomerulus are washed away in urine as a result of glomerular damage. Using markers such as podocyte gene products, more sensitive and specific detection of damage to the glomeruli is possible, allowing for earlier treatment of CKD that could potentially prolong the life of dogs. The purpose of this study was to develop novel non-invasive markers of CKD, specifically podocyturia, and optimize primer and probe sets that could be used on urine sediment to detect podocyte gene products effectively and efficiently. Primer-probe sets were developed for both reference genes and podocyte gene products. Primer concentrations were optimized and both reference genes and podocyte genes amplified efficiently under optimal concentrations in kidney tissue. With additional testing using urine sediment, analysis and statistical correlation between podocyte loss and glomerular damage may be able to provide insight into the pathogenesis and treatment of CKD in dogs

A Comparative Study Of Kendall-Theil Sen, Siegel Vs Quantile Regression With Outliers

Researchers in social and behavioral sciences usually interested in study the relationship between a response variable Y_i and one or more independent predictors〖 X〗_i either for the purpose of explanation or prediction. Ordinary Least Square Regression is a parametric approach used to study this kind of relationship. One of the disadvantages of Ordinary Least Square is it does not fit well in the presence of outliers in the response variable Y_i or both in the response variable Y_i and the predictor variable〖 X〗_i, also if the data were sampled from a non-normal distribution. Quantile Regression, Theil-Sen regression, and the modified Theil-Sen Siegel regression are non-parametric approaches that can also be used to study the relationship and are more robust methods to outliers and non-normality of the distribution. Several comparisons are made between Ordinary Least Square Regression, Quantile Regression, Theil Sen Regression, and Theil Sen Siegel Regression, but no direct comparison is yet made between Quantile Regression, Theil Sen Regression and Theil Sen Siegel Regression in the presence of outliers. In order to investigate this claim, Monte Carlo simulation study were employed and observations were generated from three theoretical and eight Micceri family distributions. Similarly, observations for the Monte Carlo simulations will be randomly generated with different sample sizes in the presence of 10% and 20%, 30% and 50% outliers. A comparison based on Mean Bias, Median Bias, Standard Deviation (S.D), Standard Errors (S.E), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Relative Root Mean Square Error (RRMSE), Median Absolute Error (MEDAE), and Relative Median Absolute Error (RMEDAE) of the four regression procedures are used to evaluate the model fitting. The results of the study showed, under the normality assumption with no outliers Ordinary Least Square Regression should be the most suitable regression procedure followed by Quantile Regression, Theil Sen Regression, and Theil Sen Siegel Regression. When there are outliers in both X and Y direction Theil Sen Siegel Regression should be the most suitable followed by Quantile Regression and Theil Sen Regression. Under the non-normality assumption Quantile Regression, Theil Sen Regression and Theil Sen Siegel Regression have more or less same performance. For, Micceri family distribution overall Theil Sen Siegel Regression might be a suitable regression procedure

Teacher Perception of Inquiry-Based Teaching in Mathematics in Early Childhood

Inquiry-based instruction has been pivotal in transforming classrooms into engaging student-centered learning environments. Utilizing inquiry-based instruction in mathematics in early childhood can help build a strong foundation in mathematics. This qualitative study examined the perceptions of teachers and administrators on inquiry-based instruction in early childhood mathematics. This study was guided by three research questions. This study took place at two public schools in NYC. Data was collected through a preinterview survey and interviews. The participants included nine teachers and three administrators. During the analysis process five themes were revealed: professional development, planning and preparation, student engagement, building foundational skills, and curriculum. Many participants felt strongly about the impact of inquiry-based instruction on student engagement and building foundational skills. Some of the participants revealed an increase in student achievement when inquiry-based instruction was implemented in math class. It was also revealed that professional development is vital for teachers to be successful in implementation of inquiry-based instruction. Working together teachers and administrators believe inquiry-based instruction can have a positive impact on students’ success in mathematics. Inquiry-based instruction in early childhood mathematics can have a positive impact on student engagement and student achievement

Teacher Perception of Inquiry-Based Teaching in Mathematics in Early Childhood

Inquiry-based instruction has been pivotal in transforming classrooms into engaging student-centered learning environments. Utilizing inquiry-based instruction in mathematics in early childhood can help build a strong foundation in mathematics. This qualitative study examined the perceptions of teachers and administrators on inquiry-based instruction in early childhood mathematics. This study was guided by three research questions. This study took place at two public schools in NYC. Data was collected through a preinterview survey and interviews. The participants included nine teachers and three administrators. During the analysis process five themes were revealed: professional development, planning and preparation, student engagement, building foundational skills, and curriculum. Many participants felt strongly about the impact of inquiry-based instruction on student engagement and building foundational skills. Some of the participants revealed an increase in student achievement when inquiry-based instruction was implemented in math class. It was also revealed that professional development is vital for teachers to be successful in implementation of inquiry-based instruction. Working together teachers and administrators believe inquiry-based instruction can have a positive impact on students’ success in mathematics. Inquiry-based instruction in early childhood mathematics can have a positive impact on student engagement and student achievement