Distribution, age, and growth of young-of-the year greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) associated with pelagic Sargassum

Patterns of distribution and growth were examined for young-of-the-year (YOY) greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) associated with pelagic Sargassum in the NW Gulf of Mexico. Seriola dumerili were collected off Galveston, Texas, from May to July over a two-year period (2000 and 2001) in both inshore (<15 nautical miles [nmi]) and offshore zones (15−70 nmi). Relative abundance of YOY S. dumerili (32−210 mm standard length) from purse-seine collections peaked in May and June, and abundance was highest in the offshore zone. Ages of S. dumerili ranged from 39 to 150 days and hatching-date analysis indicated that the majority of spawning events occurred from February to April. Average daily growth rates of YOY S. dumerili for 2000 and 2001 were 1.65 mm/d and 2.00 mm/d, respectively. Intra-annual differences in growth were observed; the late-season (April) cohort experienced the fastest growth in both years. In addition, growth was significantly higher for S. dumerili collected from the offshore zone. Mortality was approximated by using catch-curve analysis, and the predicted instantaneous mortality rate (Z) of YOY S. dumerili was 0.0045 (0.45%/d)

LaRC design analysis report for National Transonic Facility for 304 stainless steel tunnel shell. Volume 7S: Special studies

For abstract, see N76-33552

LaRC design analysis report for National Transonic Facility for 304 stainless steel tunnel shell. Volume 4S: Thermal analysis

For abstract, see N76-33552

LaRC design analysis report for national transonic facility for 9% nickel tunnel shell. Volume 7: Special studies

For abstract, see N76-33543

LaRC design analysis report for National Transonic Facility for 9% nickel tunnel shell. Volume 3: Finite element analysis of plenum region including side access reinforcement, side access door and angle of attack penetration

For abstract, see N76-33543

Importance of low-relief nursery habitat for reef fishes

Coastal restoration projects to mitigate environmental impacts have increased global demand for sand resources. Unfortunately, these resources are often extracted from sand/shell banks on the inner continental shelf, resulting in significant alteration or loss of low-relief reefs in coastal oceans. Experimental reefs (oyster shell, limestone rubble, composite) were deployed in the western Gulf of Mexico to assess their potential value as nurseries for newly settled reef fishes. Occurrence, abundance, and species richness of juvenile fishes were significantly higher on all three types of low-relief reefs compared with unconsolidated sediment. Moreover, reefs served as nursery habitat for a range of reef fish taxa (angelfishes, grunts, sea basses, snappers, and triggerfishes). Red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) was the dominant species present on all experimental reefs (100% occurrence), and mean density of this species was markedly higher on each of the three low-relief reefs (\u3e40.0 individuals/reef) relative to comparable areas over unconsolidated sediment (0.2 individuals). Our results suggest creation or restoration of structurally complex habitat on the inner shelf has the potential to markedly increase early life survival and expedite the recovery of exploited reef fish populations, and therefore may represent a critical conservation tool for increasing recruitment and maintaining reef fish diversity

Fish assemblages associated with artificial reefs assessed using multiple gear types in the northwest Gulf of Mexico

Quantitative surveys of fishes associated with artificial reefs in the northwest Gulf of Mexico were conducted over a 4-yr period (2014-2017). Artificial reefs surveyed were comprised of three types: concrete structures, rig jackets, and decommissioned ships. All reefs were surveyed using vertical long line ( VLL), fish traps, and Adaptive Resolution Imaging Sonar (ARIS 1800). Mean fish abundance did not significantly differ using VLL [1.7 ind set(-1) (SD 2.2)] among the three reef types. However, relative abundance among all fishes collected was significantly highest on rig reefs using traps [6.2 ind soak(-1) (SD 3.8)], while results from sonar surveys indicated that the mean relative fish density was highest on concrete reefs [15.3 fish frame(-1) (SD 26.8)]. Red snapper (n = 792), followed by gray triggerfish (n = 130), pigfish (n = 70), tomtate (n = 69), and hardhead catfish (n = 57) were the most numerically abundant species using VLL and traps; red snapper comprised 90.7% of total catch using VLL and 43.9% using traps. Mean Brillouin\u27s diversity (HB) was highest on ships using VLL [0.41 (SD 0.14)] and highest on rigs using traps [0.87 (SD 0.58)] compared to the lowest diversity found on concrete [VLL 0.07 (SD 0.11); traps 0.36 (SD 0.32)]. Findings from this study can be used to inform the planning of future artificial reefs and their effect on the assemblages of reef-associated fishes. Additionally, these results highlight the value of using multiple gear types to survey reef fish assemblages associated with artificial reefs

Juror Perceptions of Trial Testimony as a Function of the Method of Presentation: A Comparison of Live, Color Video, Black-and-White Video, Audio, and Transcript Presentations

Summary of Contents I. Introduction A. Uses of videotape in the litigation process 1. Prelitigation videotape uses 2. Videotaped depositions 3. Electronic trial records 4. Electronic presentation of evidence B. A review of the research literature II. The Research Design: Rationale and Description A. The need to assess the impact of videotape in the litigation process B. The live trial as a standard of comparison C. Description of the research design 1. The stimulus trial 2. The trial participants 3. The physical setting 4. A description of the different trial procedures 5. The questionnaire III. Research Results A. Juror perceptions of the trial participants as rated on the bipolar adjective scales 1. Competency 2. Honesty 3. Friendliness 4. Appearance 5. Objectivity 6. Additional adjective pairs B. The amount of compensation awarded the landowner C. The relationship of the dollar awards to juror ratings of trial participants D. Juror preferences for the trial participants E. Juror reactions to the trials IV. Discussion of the Results A. Comparative merits of deposition presentation methods 1. Read transcript 2. Audiotape 3. Black-and-white videotape 4. Color videotape 5. Conclusion B. An evaluation of the use of videotape to present all testimony at trial C. Recommendations for future researc

Juror Perceptions of Trial Testimony as a Function of the Method of Presentation: A Comparison of Live, Color Video, Black-and-White Video, Audio, and Transcript Presentations

Summary of Contents I. Introduction A. Uses of videotape in the litigation process 1. Prelitigation videotape uses 2. Videotaped depositions 3. Electronic trial records 4. Electronic presentation of evidence B. A review of the research literature II. The Research Design: Rationale and Description A. The need to assess the impact of videotape in the litigation process B. The live trial as a standard of comparison C. Description of the research design 1. The stimulus trial 2. The trial participants 3. The physical setting 4. A description of the different trial procedures 5. The questionnaire III. Research Results A. Juror perceptions of the trial participants as rated on the bipolar adjective scales 1. Competency 2. Honesty 3. Friendliness 4. Appearance 5. Objectivity 6. Additional adjective pairs B. The amount of compensation awarded the landowner C. The relationship of the dollar awards to juror ratings of trial participants D. Juror preferences for the trial participants E. Juror reactions to the trials IV. Discussion of the Results A. Comparative merits of deposition presentation methods 1. Read transcript 2. Audiotape 3. Black-and-white videotape 4. Color videotape 5. Conclusion B. An evaluation of the use of videotape to present all testimony at trial C. Recommendations for future researc

LaRC design analysis report for national transonic facility for 9% nickel tunnel shell. Volume 4: Thermal analysis

For abstract, see N76-33543