Search

Objective: We sought to identify seasonal, spatial, and water level predictors of black bass angler catch rates and effort densities (i.e., angler‐hours/ha) within Texas reservoirs. Methods: We tested for predictors of effort density and catch rate while building generalized additive models with responses derived from a long‐term creel data set and explanatory variables derived from the season of the creel survey, geoposition of the reservoir, and water level data obtained from the Texas Water Development Board. Result: Season significantly affected models, with strong positive effects on catch rates during the spring and fall and strong positive effects on effort densities during the spring. Spatially, the strongest positive effects were observed for catch rates in the southern and eastern portions of the state and for effort densities in the northern and western portions of the state. Quarterly (i.e., 3 months) fluctuations in water level were identified as environmental drivers of catch rates and effort density during the springtime. Percent full (i.e., surface area relative to full pool) was also identified as a significant predictor, with increasing effort densities and catch rates at higher levels of percent full. Conclusion: Our study provides a comparative baseline for future evaluations of black bass fisheries in Texas and a depiction of key factors influencing black bass angler catch rates and effort densities using a modeling approach that may be applied within a variety of fisheries research applications. Impact statementTexas black bass reservoir fisheries are incredibly important both economically and culturally. Identifying drivers of catch and effort within these fisheries allows managers to better understand mechanisms influencing fishery performance and utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, artificial meta-materials have been reported [1] that have a negative index of refraction, which allows a homogeneous flat slab of the material to behave as a perfect lens [2], possibly even creating sub-diffraction limited focusing. These novel artificial materials have numerous potential applications in science, technology, and medicine [3],especially if their novel behavior can be extended to the technologically critical near-infrared and visible region.The meta-materials consist of split-ring resonators which provide a negative m, and metal strips which provide a negative e. First steps towards scaling the dimensions of these metamaterials have been recently taken with the fabrication of split-ring resonator structures showing magnetic resonances at about1 THz [4] and 100 THz [5] frequencies.