bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A knowledge management approach to innovation and learning in the construction industry
Authors: Maqsood Tayyab , Finegan Andrew D.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to summarise a Doctor of Philosophy research study. The purpose is to provide a summary of the scope, literature review, main issues raised in the thesis, the application of a two phase action research methodology, key research findings and potential areas for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The research investigates the role of knowledge management (KM) in supporting innovation and learning in the construction industry. The research is carried out in two phases. Phase 1 employs a grounded theory methodology to develop and map out the current state of knowledge‐related activities being undertaken in two leading Australian construction organisations. This is developed into a model that shows that the segregation between three crucial components – people, process and technology – of an organisation is required to successfully carry out construction work. Phase 2 utilises soft system methodology (SSM) as a KM tool to identify the gap between organisations' internal and external knowledge sources. This gap is significant as it restricts the pull of knowledge from external knowledge sources.

Findings

This investigation provides a model to achieve KM initiatives through adoption of SSM. This results in an improvement in the integration of people, process and technology within an organisation, an increase in the capacity of the organisation to pull external knowledge, and thereby improve its own internal knowledge bank. All these improvements help an organisation to transform itself into a learning organisation that can continually adapt and innovate.

Practical implications

KM research is relatively new in the construction industry. This research has significantly added to the existing body of knowledge in the domain of KM by effectively linking KM with innovation and learning. This provides a strong case for employing KM in order to make innovation a regular phenomenon within the construction industry and encouraging organisations to transform themselves into learning organisations.

Originality/value

This paper provides practitioners with an insight into how KM can be applied in project management (PM)‐oriented organisations. Also the research explores an identified gap between PM research and practice, and argues that industry needs to effectively work in collaboration with knowledge sources found in academia. The paper also demonstrates that SSM can be used to create artefacts of knowledge.
A survey of management views on dividend policy in Iranian firms
Authors: Pourheydari Omid
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the views of chief financial officers (CFOs) of Iranian firms listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange about the factors influencing dividend policy in 2006. The paper aims to update and extend previous research on dividend policy to capture the determinants of the dividend policy of Iranian firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey instruments were used to identify the factors that CFOs consider in formulating dividend policy, based on both theoretical and empirical works on dividends, to identify the factors that are most important in dividend policy of firms.

Findings

The findings show that the most important determinants of a firm's dividend policies are the stability of cash flow, the availability of profitable investment opportunities, and stability of profitability. Also, industry type appeared to influence the importance that respondents placed on one determinant of dividend policy.

Research limitations/implications

It is likely that the firms that did not respond on time may show a non‐response bias. Despite lacking normal precautionary steps to increase the response rate, non‐response bias may affect the findings. Another limitation of the survey methodology was that it measures beliefs and not necessarily actions. Therefore, caution should be taken in generalizing the findings.

Practical implications

The findings have implications for CFOs in formulating dividend policy.

Originality/value

The paper updates and extends previous research on dividend policy to capture the determinants of the dividend policy of Iranian firms.
Accounting treatment for corporate zakat: a critical review
Authors: Akhyar Adnan Muhammad , Barizah Abu Bakar Nur
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the accounting treatments for corporate zakat, as advocated by accounting standards and guidelines, as well as those been practised by relevant corporations. The aim is to determine their appropriateness and adherence to both the Islamic as well as the accounting theoretical perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

Accounting standards and guidelines related to zakat, including the Financial Accounting Standard No. 9 and the Technical Release i‐1, are examined. Additionally, analyses are made on the practices of Islamic financial institutions to determine their compliance with both standards and ontological aspects of zakat.

Findings

The study reveals that there is a general misconception of zakat, as indicated in several standards and guidelines, which has consequently resulted in inappropriateness in their proposed corporate zakat recognition and measurement and hence presentations. These inaccuracies, in one way or another, have not been in line with the true spirit of zakat in Islam. More worryingly, some unfavorable consequences may and in fact have already been implicated on the larger Muslim community as a result.

Research limitations/implications

An alternative view on the accounting treatment of corporate zakat is offered in this paper with the aim to provide a fair and proper assessment of zakat on corporate wealth, which is more parallel to the true spirit of zakat.

Originality/value

The paper integrates both the revealed and the contemporary accounting knowledge in scrutinizing the standards and practices as well as in recommending an improved and meaningful alternative.
Sustainable tourism in India
Authors: Kaul Himani , Gupta Shivangi
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The paper aims to provide a holistic perspective on various dimensions of sustainable tourism. The discussion with key practitioners authenticates the issues that have already been identified.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper combines analysis of government documents as well as insights from practitioners. The paper discusses issues of sustainable tourism, strengths of the industry, challenges faced and policy implications for the government.

Findings

The paper explores the economic importance of sustainable tourism by outlining the strengths and challenges of the Indian tourism industry. The paper has implications for the government and firms in terms of investment in hospitality education, infrastructure and better employment practices.

Practical implications

The paper provides a road map for some of the initiatives that government and industry could adopt.

Originality/value

It combines a policy perspective for government and industry stakeholders.
Managing workforce issues in the hospitality industry in India
Authors: Jauhari Vinnie , Manaktola Kamal
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the workforce issues as they relate to the hospitality industry which if managed well, could lead to higher growth for the firm and consequently the industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The perspectives have been drawn from the hospitality industry and academia in India.

Findings

The key workforce issues that need to be addressed in the hospitality industry are: perceptions about the industry; levels of manpower attrition; education; competencies and skill development; work environment and compensation; opening up of diverse opportunities for the workforce. These have a strong bearing on the firm's growth and consequently industry's growth and contribution to the economy.

Originality/value

The paper integrates viewpoints from industry and academia and specific suggestions are made to address the listed issues.
The online destination image of Goa
Authors: Dwivedi Mridula , Yadav Anil , Raghavjibhai Patel Viral
Published: April 2009

Purpose

India considers tourism a high‐potential sector in terms of its contribution to employment generation and economic growth. A positive destination image has a direct bearing on the tourist arrivals and hence economic growth of that region. The purpose of this paper is to explore the online destination image of Goa, an important tourist destination in India and draw lessons for successful image management in the age of the internet.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative information was downloaded from multiple travel agent web sites, newspaper articles and “threads” on one travel message board. The information is further categorized into suitable destination image attributes to study their impact on the destination image of Goa.

Findings

Managing the communication to create positive experiences is important. There is similarity in coverage on some aspects among the three sources such as beach destination, tourist infrastructure, and attractive night life. However, important differences emerge around the issues of culture, social factors, political factors and the overall atmosphere of Goa.

Research limitations/implications

Government and industry should assess as to how a particular destination is viewed by people at large. There could be inefficiencies which could be dealt with proactively. The paper also has lessons for travellers seeking information about destinations and sites supplying such information.

Practical implications

Consumers are increasingly going to balance out the overly marketing‐oriented information coming from more traditional sources with more realistic travel accounts. Feedback for a destination is easily available online – particularly through consumer generated data. If harnessed properly, it can provide a valuable guide to the better management of a destination and its continued economic success.

Originality/value

Online destination image research is still in its nascent stage. The paper contributes to a better understanding of online sources of information of a destination. Government and the industry are no longer the only providers of information about a destination. Consumer viewpoints can provide low‐cost feedback about the challenges a destination faces and possible solutions to it.
Inflows of foreign technology, indigenous productivity, and international competitiveness
Authors: Li Ning
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of cross‐border diffusion of technology as a contributor to national economic performance at both aggregate and sectoral levels. Specifically, it aims to explore: the relationship between inflows of foreign technology and home country knowledge base; and the impact of international technology diffusion on indigenous productivity and international competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

Values of international trade in manufactured sectors as well as other data sources of economic and scientific performance are used to measure inflows of foreign technology, indigenous knowledge base, or international competitiveness at the aggregate and/or sectoral levels. This paper employs correlation and regression models for data analysis. Sectoral patterns are revealed based on various taxonomies for industrial systems.

Findings

At the aggregate level, it is found that there is a positive relationship between a nation's domestic knowledge base and inflows of foreign technology; and technology inflows, as well as home country knowledge base, significantly contribute to a nation's labor productivity (LP) and its international competitiveness. At the sectoral level, it is found that patterns of contribution from technology inflows to international competitiveness differ from industry to industry. There is a general trend of increase in the contributions from international technology inflows to a nation's international competitiveness over time and from lower to higher technology industries. However, for complex system technologies where tacit knowledge prevails, the diffusion of technology could be a significant challenge.

Originality/value

Empirical findings of this paper have significant public policy implications. National industrial policies should be sector‐specific to reflect the particular features of each industry. In the meantime, a proper balance must be kept between enhancing home country knowledge base and promoting inflows of foreign technology.
Basic concepts and disciplinary position of management
Authors: Chen Yue , Liu Zeyuan
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to recognize the concepts and disciplinary position of management, for faculty members in management circles, which can help them develop their academic career.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on review and clarification of domestic and international disciplinary concepts on management, this paper takes data from academic journals of international management as the sample, making use of the latest mapping knowledge domains method.

Findings

Reveals the disciplinary boundary of modern management and disciplinary position of general management as a basic discipline, demonstrates the relationship between management and other relevant disciplines, such as psychology, sociology, economics, mathematics, etc. shows the trend of ascending position of management in mankind's knowledge system as an independent discipline.

Originality/value

This paper identifies concepts and information in management sciences which will provide inspiration for management in China, to move forward to the international academic frontline.
International comparative analysis of building regulations: an analytical tool
Authors: van der Heijden Jeroen
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a tool for the international comparative analysis of regulatory regimes in the field of building regulation.

Design/methodology/approach

On the basis of a heuristic model drawn from regulatory literature, a typology of building regulatory regimes is introduced. Each type is illustrated with a number of real‐life examples from North America, Europe, and Australia.

Findings

Governments worldwide have introduced building regulatory regimes with a variety of designs. On an abstract level, these designs are shown to have a comparable pattern. This pattern is utilised to draw up a typology of regime‐designs that can be placed on a sliding scale, with a “pure public regime” at the one end and a “pure private regime” at the other. Intermediate regimes display characteristics of both.

Originality/value

The comparative analysis of different regimes assists policy makers by demonstrating which combinations of regulatory characteristics can provide the best results in particular instances. The typology introduced by the paper assists this process by providing a tool for systematic analysis of complex real‐life cases.
Housing and security in England and Wales: casualisation revisited
Authors: Morgan Jill
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use the notion of “casualisation” in an employment context to reflect on similar developments in England and Wales since 1996 which have combined to undermine security of tenure in the private and social rented sectors and exposed the vulnerability of owner occupiers who default on mortgage repayments.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on observations made by commentators in housing and social policy as well as official papers, statutes and cases.

Findings

The problems posed for the long‐term security of residential occupiers are highlighted and are shown to result from a combination of factors including the deregulation of the private rented sector, the dependency of housing association on their rental streams, governmental preoccupation with anti‐social behaviour in social housing and the principle that mortgage lenders have the right to possession of the mortgaged property.

Originality/value

The notion of casualisation is used as an analytical tool to assess changes in law and policy, and to suggest possibilities for reform.
Good practice for providing disabled people with reasonable access to the built environment
Authors: Prideaux Simon , Roulstone Alan
Published: April 2009

Purpose

By comparing the legislative regimes in different states, this paper aims to provide a platform upon which an agenda of “good practice” can be formulated and initiated in relation to the provision of access to the built environment for disabled people.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilizes a desktop approach to examine the various regimes. Particular focus is placed upon the regimes in the European Union States of the UK, Malta, Ireland and France and these are contrasted with those in the non‐European states of Australia and the USA.

Findings

The paper shows how the UK, Malta and possibly Ireland have attempted to take a path of amicable cooperation and negotiation to establish the principle of “reasonable” adjustments to improve access to new and old buildings, whereas France and the USA have tended to adopt a prescriptive course of technical detail and legal compliance to enhance access. The paper also reveals how Australia follows an intermediate route of cooperation and human rights legislation to achieve the same goals.

Practical implications

The paper places new insights into the public domain through the evaluation of the strengths and weakness of each approach.

Originality/value

This paper uniquely recognizes a number of mistakes that have to be avoided in future legislation and makes tangible recommendations on how to make further progress in the quest to make the built environment more accessible to disabled people.
A gender‐aware framework for women's entrepreneurship
Authors: Brush Candida G. , de Bruin Anne , Welter Friederike
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer a new gender‐aware framework to provide a springboard for furthering a holistic understanding of women's entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper builds on an existing framework articulating the “3Ms” (markets, money and management) required for entrepreneurs to launch and grow ventures. Drawing on institutional theory, it is argued that this “3M” framework needs further development and “motherhood” and “meso/macro environment” are added to extend and mediate the “3Ms” and construct a “5M” framework to enable the study of women's entrepreneurship in its own right.

Findings

It was found that “Motherhood” is a metaphor representing the household and family context of female entrepreneurs, which might have a larger impact on women than men. The meso/macro environment captures considerations beyond the market, such as expectations of society and cultural norms (macro), and intermediate structures and institutions (meso).

Practical implications

For the women entrepreneur, this analysis has implications for understanding the sources of the challenges they face by providing insights on the importance of the interplay of both individual and societal factors that impact on their enterprise. For policy makers, it turns the spotlight on the need for an integrated approach for fostering female entrepreneurs that is not blind to overarching institutionalised social structures and gender asymmetries.

Originality/value

The framework helps lay a foundation for coherent research on women's entrepreneurship. It is unique in making explicit the social embeddedness of women entrepreneurs and considers the multiple levels of influence on their entrepreneurial actions.
Women entrepreneurs and venture capital: managing the shadow negotiation
Authors: Nelson Teresa , Maxfield Sylvia , Kolb Deborah
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conceptually and empirically explore issues that explain why women entrepreneurs access only a small percentage of venture capital (VC) investment in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

The focus is on the situations women entrepreneurs face, and the strategies they adopt, to successfully fund their high‐growth businesses with venture funding. Rather than looking for answers at the individual level (men v women), the authors focus on the construct of gender and the way that the socially constructed business practices and processes of access to capital may appear neutral and natural but, in fact, may deliver differential consequences to women and men. When entrepreneurs and capital providers are interacting around the terms and particulars of a business venture, they are also participating in a less obvious conversation – an interaction that is call theShadow Negotiation. Through interviews with women who have been successful or are in the process of accessing VC for their businesses, patterns of women's awareness and strategic responses that illustrate this phenomenon are identified and their implications discussed.

Findings

Women are actors with agency, taking control over situations that may be stacked against them. The analysis suggests that women entrepreneurs vary in the degree to which they identify the gendered landscape they are navigating, and the level of attention and care that management of this landscape demands.

Originality/value

This study complements existing research, both theoretically and prescriptively.
Guru interview with Marsha Firestone
Authors: Wynn Kirsten
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an interview with Dr Marsha Firestone, Founder and President of the Women Presidents' Organization (WPO), to elicit her expert views on the support available to women entrepreneurs and the obstacles which are typically faced by businesswomen in start‐up enterprises and in a wider corporate context.

Design/methodology/approach

The interview was conducted via telephone in June 2008 by Helen Evans, Assistant Publisher for the International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship.

Findings

Dr Firestone points to an aim towards economic security as the keystone of women‐led enterprises. She identifies the common trait of entrepreneurial women as the drive to succeed, often breaking the rules and coming up with better ways of doing things. Support for women entrepreneurs comes from role models and from associations such as the WPO who work to connect women entrepreneurs throughout the world. Dr Firestone criticizes some areas of the Media for their unrelenting focus on the work of women in leadership roles in corporations. The paper goes on to describe the WPO 2008 Conference and Dr Rebecca Henderson's workshop which won best workshop prize.

Originality/value

Marsha Firestone is the Founder and the President of the WPO. Dr Firestone was previously Vice President of Women Incorporated and of Training and Counseling at the American Woman's Economic Development Corporation. She has published research on adult learning theory, nonverbal communication and managerial competency, appearing in both business and educational journals, and The Busy Woman's Guide to Successful Self‐employment, an interactive, easy to read resource. This interview is an opportunity to gain an insight into her expert views of the state of women's entrepreneurship.
Inaccuracy in traffic forecasts: lying or strategizing?
Authors: Dufour Yvon , Steane Peter , Wong Lawrence
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look into the fate of a troubled initiative in Hong Kong that was developed in the midst of discussions between Beijing and London leading towards the 1997 handover. It sets out to shred new light on the “forecasting gap”: the gap between the anticipated level of traffic and the real volume of traffic in the years following the opening of a new infrastructure.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses primarily qualitative methods. The data collection process comprises three main activities: documentary search, observational and ethnographic material, and interviews. The general strategy of data presentation and analysis is to develop a descriptive framework for organizing the longitudinal case‐study.

Findings

The paper puts forward that there is little basis to the claim of Machiavellian practices in the Hong Kong container handling community. The analysis suggests that the gaps are residual of prolonged decision‐making processes featuring a diversity of stakeholders strategizing in pursuing their respective agenda.

Originality/value

Contextualist analysis of the “traffic forecasting gap” challenges the popular and widespread view that traffic forecasts are intentionally biased to serve the interests of the promoters.
Impact of cultural values on young consumers' choice of international tertiary education
Authors: Chung Kim‐Choy , Fam Kim‐Shyan , Holdsworth David K.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the following choice issues among young consumers (Generation Y): how cultural values influence a student's decision on study destinations, and how cultural values influence student's preferred sources of information for university choice?

Design/methodology/approach

High school students from Singapore and Malaysia, intending to study in New Zealand were surveyed with an instrument based on Schwartz's Value Survey and the understanding that cultural values are a powerful force shaping consumers' motivations, lifestyles and product choices.

Findings

The results of this research suggests that cultural values have an impact on student's intended choice of international tertiary education and their preferred sources of information for university enrolment. The results have important implications for marketers of export education.

Originality/value

There are few studies which try to understand how cultural values influence a student's decision on study destinations and their preferred sources of information for university choice.
Aerobic scope for activity in age 0 year Atlantic codGadus morhua
Authors: Hansen S. L. , Hunt Von Herbing I.
Published: April 2009

Key components of swimming metabolism: standard metabolism (Rs), active metabolism (Ra) and absolute aerobic scope for activity (Ra–Rs) were determined for small age 0 year Atlantic codGadus morhua.Gadus morhuajuveniles grew from 0·50 to 2·89 g wet body mass (MWB) over the experimental period of 100 days, and growth rates (G) ranged from 1·4 to 2·9% day−1, which decreased with increasing size. Metabolic rates were recorded by measuring changes in oxygen consumption over time at different activity levels using modified Brett‐type respirometers designed to accommodate the small size and short swimming endurance of small fishes. Power performance relationships were established between oxygen consumption and swimming speed measurements were repeated for individual fish as each fish grew. Mass‐specific standard metabolic rates () were calculated from the power performance relationships by extrapolating to zero swimming speed and decreased from 7·00 to 5·77 μmol O2g−1h−1, mass‐specific active metabolic rates () were calculated from extrapolation to maximum swimming speed (Umax) and decreased from 26·18 to 14·35 μmol O2g−1h−1and mass‐specific absolute scope for activity was calculated as the difference between active and standard metabolism () and decreased from 26·18 to 14·35 μmol O2g−1h−1asMWBincreased. Small fish with lowRshad bigger aerobic scopes but, as expected,Rswas higher in smaller fish than larger fish. The measurements and results from this study are unique asRs,Raand absolute aerobic scopes have not been previously determined for small age 0 yearG. morhua.
The Arabian scad Trachurus indicus, a new Indo‐Pacific species in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Dalyan C. , Eryilmaz L.
Published: April 2009

The Arabian scad Trachurus indicus is recorded for the first time from the Mediterranean Sea (Iskenderun Bay, Turkey). The presence of this Indo‐Pacific fish in the Mediterranean Sea is probably because of migration from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal.
Digestive enzymes of eight Amazonian teleosts with different feeding habits
Authors: López‐Vásquez K. , Castro‐Pérez C. A. , Val A. L.
Published: April 2009

The levels of amylase, maltase, lipase and alkaline protease from eight fish species of the Amazon were analysed. The enzyme levels are not related to fish feeding habits, reflecting their ever‐changing habitats and their opportunistic feeding behaviour.
Magnetic particles associated with the lateral line of the European eel Anguilla anguilla
Authors: Moore A. , Riley W. D.
Published: April 2009

Magnetization measurements of the European eel Anguilla anguilla demonstrated the presence of magnetic material concentrated in the region of the mandibular canals of the lateral line system. The data suggest that the material is magnetite, has a size suitable for magnetoreception and is of biogenic origin. The presence of magnetic particles in the lateral line system is discussed in relation to their possible role in allowing the fish to orientate with respect to the geomagnetic field during their extensive oceanic spawning migrations.
Short‐term cycling of skin colouration in the blackspotted rockskipper Entomacrodus striatus
Authors: Heflin B. , Young L. , Londraville R. L.
Published: April 2009

Physiological colour change was investigated in the blackspotted rockskipper Entomacrodus striatus in Moorea, French Polynesia. Fish colour cycled with significant autocorrelation over the 30 min observation period and was not affected by observation temperature (27 and 31° C). Cycling depended most on dark and yellow pigments (as assayed by separation of colours via software), and therefore, it was hypothesized that short‐term cycling was driven by melanophores and xanthophores.
Stream–floodplain connectivity and fish assemblage diversity in the Champlain Valley, Vermont, U.S.A.
Authors: Sullivan S. M. P. , Watzin M. C.
Published: April 2009

To evaluate the influence of main channel–floodplain connectivity on fish assemblage diversity in floodplains associated with streams and small rivers, fish assemblages and habitat characteristics were surveyed at 24 stream reaches in the Champlain Valley of Vermont, U.S.A. Fish assemblages differed markedly between the main channel and the floodplain. Fish assemblage diversity was greatest at reaches that exhibited high floodplain connectivity. Whereas certain species inhabited only main channels or floodplains, others utilized both main channel and floodplain habitats. Both floodplain fish α‐diversity and γ‐diversity of the entire stream corridor were positively correlated with connectivity between the main channel and its floodplain. Consistent with these results, species turnover (as measured by β‐diversity) was negatively correlated with floodplain connectivity. Floodplains with waterbodies characterized by a wide range of water depths and turbidity levels exhibited high fish diversity. The results suggest that by separating rivers from their floodplains, incision and subsequent channel widening will have detrimental effects on multiple aspects of fish assemblage diversity across the stream–floodplain ecosystem.
River discharge drives recruitment success of the European bitterlingRhodeus amarusin a regulated river in central Europe
Authors: Konečná M. , Jurajda P. , Reichard M.
Published: April 2009

A 15 year data set revealed that the abundance of 0+ yearRhodeus amarusin a regulated river was negatively associated with mean river discharge, while mean standard length was positively related to the cumulative number of degree‐days ≥10° C. Results are discussed in the context of the recent invasion success ofR. amarus.
Habitat and behaviour of yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares in the Gulf of Mexico determined using pop‐up satellite archival tags
Authors: Weng K. C. , Stokesbury M. J. W. , Boustany A. M. , Seitz A. C. , Teo S. L. H. , Miller S. K. , Block B. A.
Published: April 2009

This study presents the first data on movement, habitat use and behaviour for yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares in the Atlantic Basin. Six individuals were tracked in the Gulf of Mexico using pop‐up satellite archival tags. Records up to 80 days in length were obtained, providing information on depth and temperature preferences as well as horizontal movements. Thunnus albacares in the Gulf of Mexico showed a strong preference for the mixed layer and thermocline, consistent with findings for this species in other ocean basins. Fish showed a diel pattern in depth distribution, remaining in surface and mixed layer waters at night and diving to deeper waters during the day. The vertical extent of T.albacares habitat appeared to be temperature limited, with fish generally avoiding waters that were >6° C cooler than surface waters. The vertical and thermal habitat usage of T.albacares differs from that of bigeye Thunnus obesus and bluefin Thunnus thynnus, Thunnus orientalis and Thunnus maccoyii tunas. These results are consistent with the results of earlier studies conducted on T.albacares in other oceans.
Development of a flatbed passive integrated transponder antenna grid for continuous monitoring of fishes in natural streams
Authors: Johnston P. , Bérubé F. , Bergeron N. E.
Published: April 2009

This paper describes a flatbed antenna grid designed for continuous remote monitoring of fish tagged with 23 mm passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags in a natural stream with extensive spatial coverage. A range of applications of the system is presented.
Dietary medicinal plant extracts improve growth, immune activity and survival of tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus
Authors: Immanuel G. , Uma R. P. , Iyapparaj P. , Citarasu T. , Punitha Peter S. M. , Michael Babu M. , Palavesam A.
Published: April 2009

The effects of supplementing diets with acetone extract (1% w/w) from four medicinal plants (Bermuda grass Cynodon dactylon, H1, beal Aegle marmelos, H2, winter cherry Withania somnifera, H3 and ginger Zingiber officinale, H4) on growth, the non‐specific immune response and ability to resist pathogen infection in tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus were assessed. In addition, the antimicrobial properties of the extract were assessed against Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrioparahaemolyticus, Vibrio mimicus, Vibrio campbelli, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio harveyi and Photobacterium damselae. Oreochromis mossambicus were fed 5% of their body mass per day for 45 days, and those fed the experimental diets showed a greater increase in mass (111–139%) over the 45 days compared to those that received the control diet (98%). The specific growth rate of O. mossambicus fed the four diets was also significantly greater (1·66–1·93%) than control (1·52%) diet‐fed fish. The blood plasma chemistry analysis revealed that protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, glucose and triglyceride levels of experimental fish were significantly higher than that of control fish. Packed cell volume of the blood samples of experimental diet‐fed fish was also significantly higher (34·16–37·95%) than control fish (33·0%). Leucocrit value, phagocytic index and lysozyme activity were enhanced in fish fed the plant extract‐supplemented diets. The acetone extract of the plants inhibited growth of Vibrio spp. and P. damselae with extracts from W. somnifera showing maximum growth inhibition. A challenge test with V. vulnificus showed 100% mortality in O. mossambicus fed the control diet by day 15, whereas the fish fed the experimental diets registered only 63–80% mortality at the end of challenge experiment (30 days). The cumulative mortality index for the control group was 12 000, which was equated to 1·0% mortality, and accordingly, the lowest mortality of 0·35% was registered in H4‐diet‐fed group.
Experiments to test if allopatric Salvelinus alpinus are suitable year‐round hosts of Gyrodactylus salaris (Monogenea)
Authors: Winger A. C. , Kristoffersen R. , Siikavuopio S. I. , Knudsen R.
Published: April 2009

There has been an increased focus on Salvelinus alpinus as a potential long‐term host to Gyrodactylus salaris and, here, both susceptibility to G. salaris and ability to sustain a parasite population seasonally, was tested using fry and parr of S. alpinus from the River Skibotnelva, northern Norway. Fry were highly susceptible. Gyrodactylus salaris survived on allopatric S. alpinus parr during the 5 month‐long winter when water temperatures were c. 1° C. Salvelinus alpinus fry also maintained a pulse of G. salaris infection for over 155 days from early May until autumn. Gyrodactylus salaris are thus able to reproduce and survive on S. alpinus for long periods and at low water temperatures. In spring, newly hatched fry of S. alpinus may serve as an important host to maintain a G. salaris metapopulation within a river system. The results suggest that S. alpinus are adequate long‐term hosts of G. salaris independent of the presence of the co‐occurring highly susceptible S. salar.
Seasonal patterns of winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus abundance and reproductive condition on the New York Bight continental shelf
Authors: Wuenschel M. J. , Able K. W. , Byrne D.
Published: April 2009

To resolve varied and sometimes conflicting accounts of spawning and habitat characteristics for winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus, seasonal patterns in abundance and reproductive condition were investigated in the New York Bight, near the southern edge of their current reproductive range. Fish were collected from trawl surveys on the inner continental shelf from October 2006 to October 2007. Pseudopleuronectes americanus were most abundant during January and April surveys, were rarely collected in August, with intermediate abundances in June and October. Measurements of fish condition [hepato‐somatic index (IH), condition factor (K) and the per cent dry mass of muscle tissue (%MD)] and reproductive condition [gonado‐somatic index (IG)] were determined to evaluate seasonal changes in energy accumulation and depletion and reproduction. Males and females had similar patterns in body and reproductive condition, although the magnitude of change was greater for females. IH values were highest during spring and early summer, suggesting increased feeding following spawning. K and %MD increased through spring and summer then declined in the autumn and winter concurrent with gonadal development. Gonads began developing in the autumn, and in January, IG values approached spawning levels, with many spent individuals collected in spring. Within these general patterns, however, there was a large degree of variability among individuals, and a few mature non‐reproductive (‘skipped spawning’) females were observed. In the period after spawning, increased energy intake, indicated by increased IH, may influence reproductive output since this energy is gradually transferred to the muscle and used for gonadal development in the forthcoming year. The occurrence of ripening individuals on the inner continental shelf in January suggests that these fish either rapidly move into estuaries to spawn by February–March or they remain on the inner shelf to spawn, or some combination of these. Future studies should evaluate these possibilities, as both estuarine and inner shelf habitats are potentially affected by activities such as dredging, sand dredging and wind energy development.
Influence of sea temperature and initial marine feeding on survival of Atlantic salmonSalmo salarpost‐smolts from the Rivers Orkla and Hals, Norway
Authors: Hvidsten N. A. , Jensen A. J. , Rikardsen A. H. , Finstad B. , Aure J. , Stefansson S. , Fiske P. , Johnsen B. O.
Published: April 2009

The abundance of returning adult Atlantic salmonSalmo salar, in the River Orkla in mid‐norway (1 sea‐winter, SW, fish) and River Hals in north Norway (1–3 SW fish), was tested against the early marine feeding and the seawater temperature experienced by their corresponding year classes of post‐smolts immediately after entry into the Trondheimsfjord (Orkla smolts, 22 years of data) and Altafjord (Hals smolts, 17 years of data). In both river–fjord systems, there was a significant positive correlation between the abundance of returningS. salarand the mean seawater temperature at the time of smolts descending to the sea. The number of 1SW fish reported caught in River Orkla was positively correlated to the proportion of fish larvae in the post‐smolt stomachs in Trondheimsfjord. The abundance of returningS.salarwas, however, neither correlated to forage ratio (RF) nor other prey groups in post‐smolt stomachs in the two fjord systems. In the Altafjord, the post‐smolts fed mainly on pelagic fish larva (70–98%) and had a stableRF(0·009–0·023) over the 6 years analysed. In the Trondheimsfjord, however, there was a higher variation inRF(0·003–0·036), and pelagic fish larvae were dominant prey in only two (50 and 91%) of the 8 years analysed. These 2 years also showed the highest return rates ofS. salarin River Orkla. These results demonstrate that the thermal conditions experienced by post‐smolts during their early sea migration may be crucial for the subsequent return rate of adults after 1–3 years at sea. Pelagic marine fish larvae seem to be the preferred initial prey forS. salarpost‐smolts. As the annual variation in abundance of fish larvae is related to seawater temperature, it is proposed that seawater temperature at sea entry and the subsequent abundance of returning adultS. salarmay be indirectly linked through variation in annual availability of pelagic fish larvae or other suitable food items in the early post‐smolt phase.
The first record of a natural hybrid of the roach Rutilus rutilus and nase Chondrostoma nasus in the Danube River Basin, Czech Republic: morphological, karyological and molecular characteristics
Authors: VetešnÍk L. , Halačka K. , Papoušek I. , Mendel J. , ŠImkovÁ A.
Published: April 2009

Morphological (meristic and morphometric traits), karyological and molecular (microsatellites, cytochrome b) analyses were performed to characterize a hybrid of the roach Rutilus rutilus and nase Chondrostoma nasus. Meristic and morphometric traits were different between hybrid and both parental species. The number of chromosomes found in hybrid specimen indicated that this individual represents the post‐F1 generation of hybrids and the microsatellite analysis of the hybrid showed the presence of variants typical for R. rutilus and C. nasus.
Effects of putative stressors in public aquaria on locomotor activity, metabolic rate and cortisol levels in the Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus
Authors: Leong H. , Ros A. F. H. , Oliveira R. F.
Published: April 2009

Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus were housed individually during 7 days in a continuous flow‐trough respirometry system and daily exposed to one of three treatments: (1) a series of knocks on the side of the aquarium, (2) a series of photo‐flashes and (3) control group. Exposure to photo‐flashes did not change locomotor activity but decreased both night‐time and daytime oxygen consumption throughout the experiment. Knocking induced a short‐lived increase in locomotor activity and tended to increase oxygen consumption, but this latter effect was not significant. Night‐time oxygen consumption was not affected by knocking exposure. Cortisol levels assayed from fish‐holding water collected at the end of the experiment were significantly lower in subjects exposed to photo‐flashes than in subjects exposed to knocks or controls. Males did not respond differently than females to the treatments in any of the measurements taken. In summary, the data reported here suggest that exposure to repetitive photo‐flashes, but not knocking, suppressed normal energy metabolism and cortisol levels. These effects were present hours to a half day after exposure to the flashes.
Scalloped hammerhead shark Sphyrna lewini, utilizes deep‐water, hypoxic zone in the Gulf of California
Authors: Jorgensen S. J. , Klimley A. P. , Muhlia‐Melo A. F.
Published: April 2009

A hammerhead shark Sphyrna lewini tracked for 74 days revealed an expansion of the range of vertical distribution for the species to include the extreme hypoxic environment of the oxygen minimum layer in the Gulf of California.
Effects of river flows on growth of redbreast sunfishLepomis auritus(Centrarchidae) in Georgia rivers
Authors: Sammons S. M. , Maceina M. J.
Published: April 2009

Effects of river discharge on growth of redbreast sunfishLepomis aurituswere investigated in nine rivers in Georgia, U.S.A. Fish were aged and annular total length increments (LTinc) estimated from measurements from sectioned sagittal otoliths using the generalized regression model that held for the effects of decreasingLTincfrom annual age (X):LTinc=bo−b1(X) ±bi(D), wherebo,b1andbiwere the regression coefficients for the intercept and slopes andD, discharge, was either a single or multiple measurements of annular or seasonal flow volume or variation in flow volume. For eight of nine rivers, higher or greater variation in flows from April to June was associated with greaterL. auritusgrowth; in the last river, higher flows from January to March were associated with greater fish growth. Across all rivers,L. auritusgrowth increments were 22, 45 and 36% greater in a wet yearv. a dry year at ages 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively. Based on the results of this study, increasing water withdrawals by an additional 30% in five Georgia rivers would reduce the predicted number ofL. auritusrecruiting to 203 mm (angler preferred size) by 19–62%.
A relict in New Caledonia: phylogenetic relationships of the family Troglosironidae (Opiliones: Cyphophthalmi)
Authors: Sharma Prashant , Giribet Gonzalo
Published: April 2009

The species richness and endemism of New Caledonia are traditionally held to result from the main island’s Gondwanan origin and progressive diversification subsequent to extended isolation. Recent studies have challenged this hypothesis, promoting a scenario of recent origins and diversifications of New Caledonian arthropod groups. In the present study, the phylogeny of the endemic harvestman family Troglosironidae (Opiliones: Cyphophthalmi) is investigated using DNA sequence data from two nuclear ribosomal genes (18S rRNA and 28S rRNA) and two mitochondrial genes (the protein‐coding cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and the ribosomal 16S rRNA). Phylogenetic analyses support the monophyly of Troglosironidae and a scenario of an ancient (> 200 Ma) origin of the family, with subsequent diversification of extant lineages in the Eocene. These results corroborate the relictual nature of taxa among New Caledonia’s biota while being consistent with diversification in accordance with geological events in the Eocene.
Phylogenetic analysis of 73 060 taxa corroborates major eukaryotic groups
Authors: Goloboff Pablo A. , Catalano Santiago A. , Marcos Mirande J. , Szumik Claudia A. , Salvador Arias J. , Källersjö Mari , Farris James S.
Published: April 2009

Obtaining a well supported schema of phylogenetic relationships among the major groups of living organisms requires considering as much taxonomic diversity as possible, but the computational cost of calculating large phylogenies has so far been a major obstacle. We show here that the parsimony algorithms implemented in TNT can successfully process the largest phylogenetic data set ever analysed, consisting of molecular sequences and morphology for 73 060 eukaryotic taxa. The trees resulting from molecules alone display a high degree of congruence with the major taxonomic groups, with a small proportion of misplaced species; the combined data set retrieves these groups with even higher congruence. This shows that tree‐calculation algorithms effectively retrieve phylogenetic history for very large data sets, and at the same time provides strong corroboration for the major eukaryotic lineages long recognized by taxonomists.