Near real time satellite tracking of striped marlin (Kajikia audax) movements in the Pacific Ocean

High-resolution satellite locations were obtained from striped marlin using Argos transmitters attached to the upper lobe of the caudal fin. Twenty-six striped marlin were tagged off New Zealand (2005–2007) and tracked as far as the central Pacific Ocean. Caudal fin mounted Argos tags generated 1,524 locations during a total of 659 tracking days [mean 25 (±21.24) days per fish and 2.3 (±2.30) locations per day]. 38% of locations have an estimated accuracy of ±1 km or better. Displacement rates from high quality locations ranged from 2.9 to 170.8 km in a 24 h period, with a mode at 20–30 km and a mean of 45 km/day. The caudal fin attachment methodology and antenna configuration was adjusted each season to improve transmission life and data quality, with the best results obtained in the last year of deployments (2007). The longest track duration was 102 days, with a total displacement of 4,959 km and a total track distance from all locations received of 6,850 km. Tag shedding and antenna failure appear to have limited the duration of tracks from SPOT tags. The high temporal and spatial resolution data revealed behaviours not previously observed in striped marlin, including associations to subsurface bathymetric features. High resolution location data such as these are useful inputs for statistical models used to investigate habitat selection and switching between different behavioural modes. The geolocations calculated using ukfsst estimates from PAT tag data had RMS errors of 1.01° latitude and 0.59° longitude when compared with SPOT tag Argos locations.     

Prenatal diagnosis,prediction of outcome and in utero therapy of isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) can be associated with genetic or structural anomalies with poor prognosis. In isolated cases, survival is dependent on the degree of lung hypoplasia and liver position. Cases should be referred in utero to tertiary care centers familiar with this condition both for prediction of outcome as well as timed delivery. The best validated prognostic indicator is the lung area to head circumference ratio. Ultrasound is used to measure the lung area of the index case, which is then expressed as a proportion of what is expected normally (observed/expected LHR). When O/E LHR is < 25% survival chances are < 15%. Prenatal intervention, aiming to stimulate lung growth, can be achieved by temporary fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO). A balloon is percutaneously inserted into the trachea at 26–28 weeks, and reversal of occlusion is planned at 34 weeks. Growing experience has demonstrated the feasibility and safety of the technique with a survival rate of about 50%. The lung response to, and outcome after FETO, is dependent on pre-existing lung size as well gestational age at birth. Early data show that FETO does not increase morbidity in survivors, when compared to historical controls. Several trials are currently under design. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Living the green city: Freiburg's Solarsiedlung between narratives and practices of sustainable urban development

The solar settlement (Solarsiedlung) in Freiburg, Germany, has been widely hailed as an eco-city or green city neighbourhood and a blueprint for sustainable urban development. However, as there is a noticeable lack of critical analysis of what constitutes Solarsiedlung as an “eco-city”, this paper studies narratives and practices of sustainable urban development. First, we look at Solarsiedlung as a best-practice model – a narrative that was produced and perpetuated by architects, urban planners, investors and academics celebrating this neighbourhood as a technologically leapfrogging, economically sound and socially integrated project. Second, we explore the everyday practices and lived experience of the residents in Solarsiedlung. Bringing together these two perspectives, we contribute to a more comprehensive understanding and critical reading of the interplay between the ecological, economic and social dimensions of sustainable development as seen from different viewpoints. Findings indicate that Solarsiedlung as a best-practice model is embedded in growth-oriented neoliberal strategies that are in conflict with the everyday practices and lived experience of the residents. Our findings put into question the widely assumed transferability of best-practice models in sustainable urban development.     

Reducing discards of fish at sea: a review of European pilot projects

This paper is about improving the viability of discard-reduction pilot projects. One way to address the problem of wasteful discarding of fish at sea is to initiate pilot projects to trial potential solutions, such as selective gear, area closures, discard bans and data enhancement, which could subsequently be adopted by the fishing industry, either voluntarily or through regulation. However, such pilot projects are often difficult both to set up and to sustain through to completion and implementation. This study reviewed 15 discard-related pilot projects to find out what were the most important determinants of their success or lack of it, and to recommend ways in which the prospects of future pilots could be improved. The review identifies the seven most important factors associated with the viability of the pilot projects - fisheries crises; incentivization; funding; expertise; leadership; and enforcement - and shows how fisheries regulators could take steps to reinforce these factors – by faster responses to crises; more incentives and funding; greater use of fishers' knowledge and leadership; and better enforcement mechanisms.     

Germination and seedling growth of the water cress Rorippa sp. exposed to the chelant [S,S]-EDDS

With the implementation of the new EU environmental framework directives, high tier risk assessments of chemicals will be increasingly needed. For high production chemicals, additional tests will complement the standard battery for aquatic toxicity assessments (daphnids, algae, and fish). In the context of a new chemical notification at the European Union level, we have developed a seed germination and root elongation toxicity test with the freshwater aquatic plant Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (water cress) to confirm the low environmental risk of the chelant [S,S]-EDDS. A 14 day semi-static growth inhibition test was conducted with daily renewal of the test solution. No concentration related inhibition was found on the basis of any of the criteria investigated, i.e., time and extent of germination, biomass, number of leaves, stalk and root lengths. The no-observed effect concentration was considered to be >or=387 mg SS-EDDS/l. Although germination was selected as an appropriate endpoint to assess the effect of a chelant on an aquatic plant (other endpoints would have been dependant on essential metals that are chelated in standard culture tests), the absence of dose related effects requires further tests with higher exposure concentrations and/or other toxicant(s) to assess the validity of the test as a general tool for aquatic risk assessment.