4,445 research outputs found
Aggregation and euro area Phillips curves
No full textThis paper examines the issue of the impact of aggregation in the empirical analysis of euro area labour markets. A Phillips Curve describing the adjustment of unit labour costs is estimated at the national and aggregate level for the 5 largest euro area countries. Potential sources of aggregation bias are investigated such as differences in parameter coefficients and a lack of correlation in the independent variables across countries as well as the potentially offsetting statistical averaging effect. Finally the out-of-sample forecasting performance of both approaches is evaluated. The results point to some limited advantages of analysing wage developments at the national rather than at the area-wide level. The paper concludes that if major advantages in undertaking national analysis do exist, they are likely to arise from the ability to develop country-specific structures for the Phillips Curves and not from aggregation biases that emerge when a common structure is used. JEL Classification: C52, C53, E24, J30
Freshwater Sawfish (Pristis microdon) movements and population demographics in the Fitzroy River, Western Australia and genetic analysis of P. microdon and Pristis zijsron
No full textThis report is a continuation of the study that was presented to the DEWHA in 2008 entitled:
Whitty, J.M., Phillips, N.M., Morgan, D.L., Chaplin, J.A., Thorburn, D.C. & Peverell, S.C. (2008). Habitat associations of Freshwater Sawfish (Pristis microdon) and Northern River Shark (Glyphis sp. C): including genetic analysis of P. microdon across northern Australia. Centre for Fish & Fisheries Research, Murdoch University report to Australian Government, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
Conservation genetics of Pristis sawfishes in Australian waters
No full textNorthern Australia is believed to contain the last ‘viable’ populations of the critically endangered Freshwater Sawfish, Pristis microdon, Dwarf Sawfish, Pristis clavata, and Green Sawfish, Pristis zijsron, making these populations of global significance. Mitochondrial and microsatellite markers were used to investigate the population structure, levels of genetic diversity, and evolutionary history of each of these species in northern Australian waters. Pristis microdon, which utilizes freshwater rivers as juveniles and marine waters as adults, has high levels of mtDNA heterogeneity and no nDNA heterogeneity; indicating that this species has female philopatry coupled with male-biased dispersal in northern Australian waters. The conservation plans for this species should, therefore, place a high priority on the protection of females, pupping grounds, and nursery areas to minimize the risk of extirpation. Conservation plans also need to consider the likelihood that a decline in the abundance of this species in one location could have an effect on its abundance and genetic ‘health’ in other locations via male gene flow. In contrast, P. clavata and P. zijsron, which spend their entire lives in marine and/or estuarine waters, each have heterogeneity in the mtDNA and nDNA markers, suggesting that gene flow in both males and females is restricted at large spatial scales in northern Australian waters. Consequently, the risk of extirpation for each of these species is relatively high since a decline in abundance is unlikely to be replenished by immigration from other locations. Therefore, conservation plans for P. clavata and P. zijsron should place a high priority on the protection of males and females, as well as pupping grounds and nursery areas. Most of the assemblages of each of the Pristis species contained moderate and high levels of diversity in mtDNA and nDNA markers, respectively. This suggests that the prognosis for the short and medium-term survival of each of these species in Australian waters is relatively good, providing that measures are put in place to curb any further declines in abundance. However, the levels of mtDNA diversity in the assemblage of each of P. clavata and P. zijsron in the Gulf of Carpentaria were reduced and, therefore, these assemblages may warrant special conservation status. Finally, the evolutionary histories of the Pristis species in Australian waters have most likely played an important role in shaping the observed patterns of population structure and levels of genetic diversity, however, the relative influence of contemporary versus historic factors on the amount and distribution of genetic variation in each of these species remains somewhat unresolved
Fishes in groundwater dependent pools of the Fortescue and Yule Rivers; Pilbara, Western Australia
No full textIn order to provide baseline information on the fish in groundwater‐fed ecosystems in two Pilbara rivers, the fish fauna of Bilanoo Pool and Mungajee Pool on the Fortescue River, and Li Lin Pool and Jelliabidina Pool on the Yule River were sampled for fish using a variety of methods that included: gill netting, seine netting and, angling and visual surveys. The majority of the fish (i.e. 95.64%) were captured with seine nets with the remainder captured in gill nets (4.28%) or via hand line (0.08%). Population demographics of each species at the different sites were determined and comparisons made within and between systems. A total of 6650 individual fish from 17 species were captured during this study. This includes 13 species from the Fortescue River sites and 10 species from the Yule River sites; with seven species common to both systems. The sampling and analysis of previous research revealed that the Fortescue River is the most diverse, in terms of freshwater fishes, of the Pilbara (Indian Ocean) Drainage Division.
A total of six native freshwater species had previously been recorded from the freshwaters of the Yule River, including Melanotaenia australis, Nematalosa erebi, Amniataba percoides, Leiopotherapon unicolor, Neosilurus hyrtlii and Anguilla bicolor (Morgan et al. 2003, Morgan & Gill 2004). During this study we recorded four of the above species in the target pools. A further eight marine/estuarine species are known from the river, including H. compressa (which is often referred to as a freshwater species) (Morgan et al. 2003, Morgan & Gill 2004). During this study we recorded seven marine/estuarine species in the Yule River pools, including two species that were previously unrecorded from the river, M. cephalus and S. multifasciata.
Within the Fortescue River pools sampled during this study, we recorded nine freshwater species, each of which has previously been recorded from the river (Morgan et al. 2003, Morgan & Gill 2004, Beesley 2006). Although during this study we sampled only two sites, we recorded all of the known freshwater fish species from this system. However, there are potentially two further undescribed species that were recorded during this study, i.e. Neosilurus sp. and Terapontid sp. (see Table 2). A further four marine/estuarine species were recorded from the freshwaters of river, which represents all but two species previously recorded from it, i.e. S. multifasciata and Hypseleotris compressa, both of which were previously known from only one site reported in Morgan et al. (2003). Thus, the pools sampled within the Fortescue River during this study collectively provide habitat for all known fishes in the entire catchment. On comparing with all rivers in the Pilbara Drainage Division, it is important to note that the Fortescue River has the highest diversity of freshwater fish species of all the rivers of the region.
Utilising data collected both during this study and in those of Morgan et al. (2003) and Morgan & Gill (2004), it was revealed that the diversity of fishes in both the Yule and Fortescue Rivers is considerably greater in the lower sections of these rivers compared to the middle and upper reaches. While this can partly be attributed to the presence of species that are of marine/estuarine origin in the lower reaches, these downstream most riverine sections are ecologically important as they are the only sections of these rivers that house all of the freshwater species of each catchment. Within each system, there is an overall significant difference between riverine reach with the upper sections providing habitat for few species compared to the middle and lower reaches.
Within the Yule River system, the lower section acts as a nursery for at least eight species of marine/estuarine origin, compared to the middle section which houses only one of these species. The mean number of the fish species in the lower Fortescue River is higher but not significantly greater than the middle section of the river. The upper section of the river is significantly lower in terms of species diversity.
Pool connectivity to the estuary and also pool stability (i.e. depth) and habitat complexity are important in maintaining the diversity of fishes in at least the Fortescue system (see Beesley 2006). However, other mechanisms may also influence the diversity of fishes, particularly within the upper Fortescue River, where waterfalls would limit the dispersal throughout the system. The upper pools on the Fortescue River, namely, Hamersley Gorge and Fern Pool are also important refuges for the restricted and endemic Fortescue Grunter (L. aheneus).
Beesley (2006) demonstrated a significant linear relationship between pool persistence and fish species diversity and also habitat heterogeneity and species diversity within the lower and middle reaches of the Fortescue River. Most notably, permanent pools afford fishes permanent habitat, and it is likely that the intrusion of groundwater is crucial in maintaining the assemblages in the middle and lower sections of the Yule and Fortescue Rivers. Within Jelliabidina Pool in the Yule River, it is important to note that there was little difference between the assemblage of fishes captured in spring 2001 (Morgan et al. 2003) compared to spring 2008 (this study). For example, four freshwater species and one marine species were recorded on each sampling event, with a further marine/estuarine species recorded during 2008.
The maintenance of higher water levels, during flooding or through links to groundwater are likely to be important in the survivorship and therefore rates of recruitment of off‐spring, and this is particularly important in desert fish communities where rainfall is sporadic. Higher water levels generally provide larval and juvenile fishes with lower levels of predation and permanent waters are often associated with increased vegetation growth and thus increased egg laying and larval habitats. It is known that while some species breed year round (see Allen et al. 2005, Beesley 2006), others have less protracted breeding periods that often coincide with high water levels during flood events (see Beesley 2006, Morgan & Gill 2006).
There is also likely to be strong relationships between stream order and species occurrences, with lower diversities typical of tributaries compared to main channel waters (see Morgan & Gill 2004). For example, tributaries are more likely to contain L. unicolor, M. australis and A. percoides over larger bodied species such as N. erebi, N. graeffei and the marine/estuarine species.
The study suggests that groundwater intrusion is maintaining pool stability and is critical in sustaining the fish assemblages in these systems
Risk assessment of Record Brook interbasin water transfer scheme to the aquatic fauna of the Donnelly and Warren Rivers
No full textThis report describes the fishes and freshwater crayfishes of the Donnelly and Warren River catchments and provides a risk assessment to these fauna of the proposed extraction of water from Record Brook (tributary of the Donnelly River) and subsequent transfer to Scabby Gully Dam (Warren River catchment). The proposed location of the structure in Record Brook is at the gauging station ~1 km upstream from the confluence with the Donnelly River. The project aims to divert peak flows in the winter and spring flow period, transferring around 500 ML each year. The size and shape of the interception structure is yet to be determined, but are likely to incorporate a concrete weir < 5m high and a reservoir.
A total of six sites in Record Brook, Donnelly River and Scabby Gully Dam were sampled and these data were collated with additional historical information on the aquatic fauna of both catchments. An overview of fishes and freshwater crayfishes in the Donnelly River is summarised in Morgan & Beatty (2006), the authors recorded a high diversity of native freshwater species [Salamanderfish, Western Minnow, Black-stripe Minnow, Western Mud Minnow, Nightfish, Western Pygmy Perch, Balston’s Pygmy Perch, Freshwater Cobbler, (metamorphosed) ammocoetes of the Pouched Lamprey, Marron, (Restricted) Gilgie, Koonac, Freshwater Shrimp] as well as several estuarine [Western Hardyhead, Blue-spot Goby, South-west Goby] and non-native species [Mosquitofish, Redfin Perch, Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout]. The Donnelly River system is one of only two in south-western Australia that houses all of the endemic fishes of the region. The fauna of Record Brook contrasted that within the main channel sites of the Donnelly River. Within Record Brook, the fauna was dominated by the Pouched Lamprey, Koonac and Rainbow Trout, with the occasional Marron, Western Minnow and Western Pygmy Perch recorded. Within the Donnelly River main channel sites, the captures included Nightfish, Blue-spot Gobies, the Restricted Gilgie, Freshwater Shrimp and introduced Eastern Mosquitofish.The ichthyofauna of the Warren River consists of 14 fish species and is similar to the Donnelly River with the notable absence of Balston’s Pygmy Perch and Salamanderfish. However, in Scabby Gully dam only Marron and Redfin Perch were observed.
The risks of transfer of parasites and disease, feral/native fish or crayfish from Record Brook to Scabby Gully Dam are low. Threats to fish and freshwater crayfish in Record Brook include changes to water quality (altered flow, altered habitat and/or changes in temperature, oxygen, salinity) and requires ongoing monitoring should the project be implemented. The highest threat to fish and freshwater fish would be the barrier to fish movement by construction of the proposed dam. The construction of a fishway at the proposed dam would reduce some of the negative impacts to fish migration but would also require ongoing monitoring. No specially protected fish and/or crayfish species have been recorded in Record Brook. However, Record Brook acts as an important nursery area for the Pouched Lamprey and this species is listed as a Priority Species (Priority 1) by the Department of Environment and Conservation. The contents of this report are intended to inform of future management options and do not constitute, or replace any assessment or approval processes that may be required in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and/or Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
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Identifying idiolect in forensic authorship attribution: an n-gram textbite approach
No full textForensic authorship attribution is concerned with identifying authors of disputed or anonymous documents, which are potentially evidential in legal cases, through the analysis of linguistic clues left behind by writers. The forensic linguist “approaches this problem of questioned authorship from the theoretical position that every native speaker has their own distinct and individual version of the language [. . . ], their own idiolect” (Coulthard, 2004: 31). However, given the diXculty in empirically substantiating a theory of idiolect, there is growing concern in the Veld that it remains too abstract to be of practical use (Kredens, 2002; Grant, 2010; Turell, 2010). Stylistic, corpus, and computational approaches to text, however, are able to identify repeated collocational patterns, or n-grams, two to six word chunks of language, similar to the popular notion of soundbites: small segments of no more than a few seconds of speech that journalists are able to recognise as having news value and which characterise the important moments of talk. The soundbite oUers an intriguing parallel for authorship attribution studies, with the following question arising: looking at any set of texts by any author, is it possible to identify ‘n-gram textbites’, small textual segments that characterise that author’s writing, providing DNA-like chunks of identifying material
Characteristics of outdoor falls among older people: A qualitative study
No full textBackground Falls are a major threat to older people’s health and wellbeing. Approximately half of falls occur in outdoor environments but little is known about the circumstances in which they occur. We conducted a qualitative study to explore older people’s experiences of outdoor falls to develop understanding of how they may be prevented. Methods We conducted nine focus groups across the UK (England, Wales, and Scotland). Our sample was from urban and rural settings and different environmental landscapes. Participants were aged 65+ and had at least one outdoor fall in the past year. We analysed the data using framework and content analyses. Results Forty-four adults aged 65 – 92 took part and reported their experience of 88 outdoor falls. Outdoor falls occurred in a variety of contexts, though reports suggested the following scenarios may have been more frequent: when crossing a road, in a familiar area, when bystanders were around, and with an unreported or unknown attribution. Most frequently, falls resulted in either minor or moderate injury, feeling embarrassed at the time of the fall, and anxiety about falling again. Ten falls resulted in fracture, but no strong pattern emerged in regard to the contexts of these falls. Anxiety about falling again appeared more prevalent among those that fell in urban settings and who made more visits into their neighbourhood in a typical week. Conclusions This exploratory study has highlighted several aspects of the outdoor environment that may represent risk factors for outdoor falls and associated fear of falling. Health professionals are recommended to consider outdoor environments as well as the home setting when working to prevent falls and increase mobility among older people
Author Co-Citation Analysis (ACA): a powerful tool for representing implicit knowledge of scholar knowledge workers
No full textIn the last decade, knowledge has emerged as one of the most important and valuable organizational assets. Gradually this importance caused to emergence of new discipline entitled ―knowledge management‖. However one of the major challenges of knowledge management is conversion implicit or tacit knowledge to explicit knowledge. Thus Making knowledge visible so that it can be better accessed, discussed, valued or generally managed is a long-standing objective in knowledge management. Accordingly in this paper author co- citation analysis (ACA) will be proposed as an efficient technique of knowledge visualization in academia (Scholar knowledge workers)
Tradesperson or artist? A critical exploration of chefs' job satisfaction and turnover
No full textThe interest in experiential and embodied aspects of brand and other product usage is under-represented in tourism orientated research, which generally falls to develop a contextualised understanding of the relationships between products and consumers, and within this in particular, considerations of individuality and self, embodiment, emotion and sensation. Aiming to `reverse the causality' (Lannon and Cooper 1983:201) of consumption focused tourism research, in this paper, I draw on the tourism experiences of Audrey, a participant in a larger study to reveal how, rather than just `consuming', tourism consumers interpret the meaning and values in a wide range of products and objects, weaving individual, rich, sensory, embodied experiences which are informed by the interactions and relationships with activities and products, and by their own personalities, past experiences and aspirations. Audrey is highly conscious of her self and of elsewhereness, hers are fragile, self-indulgent, tactile experiences which offer the freedom to step out of everyday life roles into other time and situational spheres where environment, objects and sensory stimulation are paramount. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR
A study to analyze the effects of the Georgia state merit system's classification of the positions of casework aide, caseworker I, and vocational rehabilitation counselor I within the department of human resources, 1987
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