Estimates of body sizes at maturation and at sex change, and the spawning seasonality and sex ratio of the endemic Hawaiian grouper (Hyporthodus quernus, F. Epinephelidae)

A case study of the reproductive biology of the endemic Hawaiian grouper or hapu’upu’u (Hyporthodus quernus) is presented as a model for comprehensive future studies of economically important epinephelid groupers. Specimens were collected throughout multiple years (1978–81, 1992–93, and 2005–08) from most reefs and banks of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The absence of small males, presence of atretic oocytes and brown bodies in testes of mature males, and both developed ovarian and testicular tissues in the gonads of five transitional fish provided evidence of protogynous hermaphroditism. No small mature males were collected, indicating that Hawaiian grouper are monandrous (all males are sex-changed females). Complementary microscopic criteria also were used to assign reproductive stage and estimate median body sizes (L50) at female sexual maturity and at adult sex change from female to male. The L50 at maturation and at sex change was 580 ±8 (95% confidence interval [CI]) mm total length (TL) and 895 ±20 mm TL, respectively. The adult sex ratio was strongly female biased (6:1). Spawning seasonality was described by using gonadosomatic indices. Females began ripening in the fall and remained ripe through April. A February–June main spawning period that followed peak ripening was deduced from the proportion of females whose ovaries contained hydrated oocytes, postovulatory follicles, or both. Testes weights were not affected by season; average testes weight was only about 0.2% of body weight—an order of magnitude smaller than that for ovaries that peaked at 1–3% of body weight. The species’ reproductive life history is discussed in relation to its management

Winning From the Beginning: International Electronic Discovery in Commercial Litigation and the Home Field Advantage of American Corporations

As technology is increasingly integrated into every aspect of the commercial environment, the amount of data generated from each transaction multiplies. Electronic discovery (eDiscovery) represents the collision of data and the law; in this paper, the powerful influence of the American judicial system is explored as it relates to the pursuit of digitally native file types for use in matters of litigation that transcend International borders. Home of the Silicon Valley, the world’s biggest software companies, and the creative epicenter of social media technologies, America has also emerged as an early leader in establishing eDiscovery practices that are shaping the way the world manages electronically stored information (ESI). For business managers, eDiscovery represents the highest spike in litigation costs in decades and as such corporate litigants recognize the substantial financial risks of International electronic discovery. With each new filing, the very nature of commercial litigation has evolved into a complex battle of digital file types compounded by mountains of ESI. With constitutional safeguards, statute-based protections, and a leading position in developing the software and standards that are defining International electronic discovery, as a legal forum America offers a host of home field advantages for commercial litigation.

Noxious Weed Seeds In Iowa Oats and Red Clover Samples

T The present study is based on the occurrence of noxious weed seeds in oat and red clover seed samples submitted to the seed laboratory by Iowa farmers for seed testing. Extension workers and farmers may find this information helpful in planning local weed control programs. It may also be of value to seedsmen and farmers who purchase local seed, but wish to avoid seed lots containing noxious weed seeds

Test Your Seed Before You Plant or Sell

If you\u27re selling seed, the Iowa Seed Law requires you to test. But a seed test is good business too for the farmer planting home-grown seed. Here\u27s information on tests and costs and on sampling and mailing instructions

Depth of Planting Soybean Seed

Research shows there\u27s good reason to plant all soybeans no deeper than 2 inches. But with some varieities, planting depth is even more critical. All the answers aren\u27t known, but findings so far provide farmers with good guidelines for planting

A comparison of methods and blowers for the purity analysis of Kentucky Bluegrass seed

Three methods for conducting purity analysis of Kentucky bluegrass seed were compared. They were: (1) hand method-preliminary separation made with a blower and the final differentiation of questionable florets by hand, (2) standard method-separation with a blower using the same pure seed criteria as for the hand method and (3) climax method-separation with a blower at a level which gives the maximum pure live seed percentage. Three blowers (the Ottawa, Erickson and Ames) were included in the study. Four laboratories cooperated in the investigation. Variations within laboratories were compared; variations between laboratories were not considered

Make Sure Your Seed is Best by Test

The cost of a seed test is small compared with your investments in land preparation and harvest. Seed tests are required by law if you sell seed. But it\u27s also important to know what to expect when you plant home-grown seed

A New Testament Study of the Charisma

The Day of Pentecost was the beginning of the charismata or spiritual gifts. This was the day that had been looked forward to for hundreds of years, the day that God poured out His Spirit on all flesh as He had done in a measure for His holy prophets. The disciples, at Jesus command, had done many wondrous signs and miracles but the power to do these things was given to them only for a season. Now the Holy Spirit was to abide in the Church forever. A number of the charismata were demonstrated on that first day and those days immediately following. Those that observed, a~d they were many, marveled at the works of God and in adoration, joy, and thankfulness joined the ever increasing number of disciples. The multitudes recognized the power of God in the gifts which the disciples demonstrated. This attraction brought various kinds of people; those seeking help and insight into God\u27s Word and Way, and also unprincipled characters seeking self-glory, fame and riches. Greek and Latin education and philosophy began to find its way into the thinking of the people. The apostles worked hard to instruct the church and maintain the spiritual vigor, but the gifts began to vanish from the main stream of Christianity. B,y the fourth century the gifts had become an extraordinary thing

Good Seed Costs You Less

It\u27s the field performance of the seed you plant that counts, and the field performance of high-quality seed is definitely superior to that of low-quality seed. This article shows why good seed costs you less

Factors relating to the uptake of interventions for smoking cessation amongst pregnant women: a systematic review and qualitative synthesis

Introduction The review had the aim of investigating factors enabling or discouraging the uptake of smoking cessation services by pregnant women smokers. Methods The literature was searched for papers relating to the delivery of services to pregnant or recently pregnant women who smoke. No restrictions were placed on study design. A qualitative synthesis strategy was adopted to analyse the included papers. Results Analysis and synthesis of the 23 included papers suggested ten aspects of service delivery that may have an influence on the uptake of interventions. These were: whether or not the subject of smoking is broached by a health professional; the content of advice and information provided; the manner of communication; having service protocols; follow-up discussion; staff confidence in their skills; the impact of time and resource constraints; staff perceptions of ineffectiveness; differences between professionals; and obstacles to accessing interventions. Discussion The findings suggest variation in practice between services and different professional groups, in particular regarding the recommendation of quitting smoking versus cutting down, but also in regard to procedural aspects such as recording status and repeat advice giving. These differences offer the potential for a pregnant woman to receive contradicting advice. The review suggests a need for greater training in this area and the greater use of protocols, with evidence of a perception of ineffectiveness/pessimism towards intervention amongst some service providers