scholarly journals Pruning treatment: A possible method for improving the conservation status of a Ellisella paraplexauroides Stiasny, 1936 (Anthozoa, Alcyonacea) population in the Chafarinas Islands?

2017 ◽  
pp. 479
Author(s):  
LUIS SANCHEZ-TOCINO ◽  
ANTONIO DE LA LINDE RUBIO ◽  
M SOL LIZANA ROSAS ◽  
TEODORO PÉREZ GUERRA ◽  
JOSE MANUEL TIERNO DE FIGUEROA
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Sexual Reproduction ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Substantial Improvement ◽  
General Increase ◽  
Progressive Decline ◽  
The Future ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Population Regeneration

 In the present paper, the results of a four-year conservation study on the giant gorgonian Ellisella paraplexauroides in the Chafarinas Islands are reported. This species, currently protected in Spain, is present as isolated colonies or as a low number of them, except in the Chafarinas Islands, where higher densities can be found below a depth of 20 m. Nevertheless, as revealed by a previous study, a great number of colonies are partially covered by epibionts or totally dead. As a first objective of the present work, seven transects were performed in 2013 and 2014 to evaluate the percentage of colonies affected in areas that had not been previously sampled. Approximately between 35% and 95% of the colonies had different degrees of epibiosis or were dead. In 2015, ten transects were performed to specifically locate young colonies smaller than 15 cm, which could be indicative of population regeneration by sexual reproduction. The high number of dead colonies as well as the colonies covered by epibionts, together with the inexistence of young colonies, indicated a progressive decline of the study population. The last aim of the study consisted of testing a restoration action by means of pruning the affected colonies between 2015 and 2016. The results of this restoration action showed a substantial improvement of the colonies (growth of branches, production of new branches and a general increase in the health status of the colonies). Our results recommend the employment of this technique for the future conservation of this species in the Chafarinas Islands. Nevertheless, this is a pilot study, and further experiments with a large number of samples should be performed to truly understand the significance of this technique.

scholarly journals The impact of coronavirus lockdown on oral healthcare and its associated issues of pre-schoolers in China: an online cross-sectional survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang Liu ◽  
Shuang Zhang ◽  
Chenzheng Zhang ◽  
Baojun Tai ◽  
Han Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preschool Children ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Oral Health Status ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Wuhan City ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Children’S Oral Health

Abstract Background The sudden outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic influenced people’s daily life. During lockdown of Wuhan city, the oral health and its associated issues of preschool children were investigated and guidance for dental clinics when the epidemic were controlled in the future were also provided. Methods A national online survey was conducted among preschool children and completed by their caregivers. The questionnaire related to children’s oral health status and care behaviour, caregivers' attitudes. The information was statistically analyzed between Wuhan residents and others residents. Results 4495 valid questionnaires were collected. In oral health status, during Wuhan lockdown, 60.8%, 35.5% and 18.3% children had self-reported dental caries, toothache and halitosis respectively. In oral health attitudes, respondents who would increase attention to oral health was more than that would decrease. In oral hygiene behaviour, compared to non-Wuhan children, the children in Wuhan became more active in brushing their teeth. In utilization of dental services in the future, less Wuhan residents would choose to have dental visit directly, 28.5% Wuhan residents and 34.7% non-Wuhan residents agreed all of procedures could be done if proper protected. Conclusions Oral health status and associated issues of preschool children in Wuhan were significantly different from that of others during lockdown of Wuhan city and in the future. Effective measures should be taken as early as possible to protect children's oral health.

The Role of External Auditor Responsible in Examining and Assessing the Sustainability Dimensions of the Audited Companies

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asaad Mohammed Ali Wahhab
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Random Sample ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Professional Responsibility ◽  
Global Reporting Initiative ◽  
External Auditors ◽  
The Future ◽  
Study Population ◽  
External Auditor

The study aims to identify the responsibility of the external auditor in examining and evaluating the dimensions of sustainability information from the perspective of the auditors who are working in Iraqi companies and auditing offices. To achieve this goal, a questionnaire was created and distributed to a random sample of the study population consisting of auditors working in Iraqi companies and auditing offices. 83 questionnaires were retrieved, and all were valid for statistical analysis, which indicates100% of the sample study. The results of the study show that there is awareness among the external auditors in Iraq about their responsibility to examine and evaluate information related to dimensions of economic, environmental and social and the governance rules for sustainability and their application of the standards on the global reporting initiative (GRI). Besides, the presence of high trend among the auditors causing them to be accountable to the society who are the stakeholders, causing problems that can hinder the performance of the auditors in fulfilling their professional responsibility. This study will highlight several pieces of evidence from the works of literature as references of information to the external auditor and the corporate sustainability in Iraq to the future empirical and theoretical researcher.

scholarly journals Estudio piloto sobre las respuestas motrices y psicológicas de jugadores y entrenadores durante la competición a la propuesta de reglas para mini-balonmano playa (Pilot study on players’ and coaches’ motor and psychological responses during competition t

Retos ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 623-633
Author(s):  
Juan Antonio Sánchez-Sáez ◽  
Juan Pablo Morillo-Baro ◽  
José Miguel Sánchez Malia ◽  
Daniel Lara Cobos ◽  
Jose Luis Arias-Estero
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Perceived Competence ◽  
Psychological Responses ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
The Future ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Quasi Experimental

 Recientemente se ha planteado una propuesta de reglamento de mini-balonmano playa para adaptar el juego adulto a los jugadores en formación de hasta 11 años. El objetivo del estudio fue conocer las respuestas motrices y psicológicas de jugadores y entrenadores tras haber entrenado y jugado con el reglamento propuesto para mini-balonmano playa. Participaron 35 jugadores (16 niños y 19 niñas, edad: 8-11 años, M = 10.06, SD = 0.91) y cinco entrenadores (4 hombres y 1 mujer). El estudio siguió un enfoque de métodos mixtos, cuantitativo y cualitativo. El diseño fue cuasi-experimental con medidas post-test. La intervención siguió tres procesos: (a) la presentación del reglamento a los entrenadores, (b) el entrenamiento aprovechando las ventajas del nuevo reglamento, (c) la competición en un torneo de mini-balonmano playa. Cuantitativamente, las variables dependientes fueron motrices y psicológicas. Cualitativamente, se preguntó a los participantes por sus experiencias habiendo entrenado y jugado con el nuevo reglamento. Se obtuvieron valores elevados en cuanto a la igualdad en la participación, roles desempeñados, decisiones adecuadas en pase, giro y shoot-outs, competencia percibida, disfrute e intención de práctica futura. En conclusión, el reglamento propuesto para mini-balonmano playa parece que estuvo adaptado para los jugadores en formación del presente trabajo (hasta 11 años), dado que, en general, favoreció la participación de los jugadores por igual, sin especializarse en un rol, la equidad entre niños y niñas, las decisiones adecuadas y la adherencia hacia la actividad. Abstract. A proposal for a mini-beach handball regulation has recently been put forward to adapt the adult game to children up to 11 years of age. The aim of the study was to find out the motor and psychological responses of players and coaches after training and playing with the proposed mini-beach handball rules. Thirty-five players (16 boys and 19 girls, age: 8-11 years, M = 10.06, SD = 0.91) and five coaches (4 males and 1 female) participated. The study followed a mixed methods approach, quantitative and qualitative. The design was quasi-experimental with post-test measures. The intervention consisted of three procedures: (a) the presentation of the regulation to the coaches, (b) to train taking advantage of the new regulations, (c) to compete in a mini-beach handball tournament. Quantitatively, the dependent variables were motor and psychological. Qualitatively, participants were asked about their experiences training and playing with the new rules. High values were obtained in terms of equality in participation, roles played, appropriate decisions in passing, turning and shoot-outs, perceived competence, enjoyment, and intention to practice in the future. In conclusion, the proposed rules for mini-beach handball seem to be adapted for participants in the present study (up to 11 years of age), given that, in general, it favoured equal participation of players, without specialising in one role, equity between boys and girls, appropriate decisions and adherence to the activity.

scholarly journals Oral health status of 6- and 12-year-old children of Roma origin from Eastern Slovakia: a pilot study

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 292-296
Author(s):  
Zuzana Pilát ◽  
Jana Gaľová ◽  
Eva Petrejčíková ◽  
Matúš Mathia ◽  
Iveta Boroňová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Oral Health Status

scholarly journals Long-term monitoring for the surveillance of the conservation status of Tursiops truncatus in an EU Natura2000 site in the Mediterranean Sea. A pilot study in the Tuscan Archipelago

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANTONELLA ARCANGELI ◽  
ROBERTO CROSTI ◽  
ILARIA CAMPANA ◽  
LARA CAROSSO ◽  
MARTINA GREGORIETTI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphin ◽  
Tursiops Truncatus ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Common Bottlenose Dolphin ◽  
The Mediterranean

A pilot study, using the dataset from the research network ‘FLT Med Net’, which regularly monitors transborder regions in the Mediterranean Sea using ferries as platform for systematic surveys, was undertaken to assess common bottlenose dolphin range and population trends within the Natura 2000 EU marine site “Tutela del Tursiops truncatus”. The site was recently designated by the Tuscany Region (Italy) within the requirement of the EU Habitats Directive. In order to evaluate the conservation status of bottlenose dolphin according to the surveillance scheme of the Directive, two six-year periods (2007-2012; 2013-2018) were compared to assess trends in distribution-occurrence (range); Sightings Per Unit of Effort and Density (population). In total, 18146 NM were surveyed along two fixed transects, recording 90 sightings of Tursiops truncatus and a total of 268 specimens. Between the two periods, slight but not statistically significant differences were assessed, with decreasing trend in range and population  of the species; no variation was detected in mean group sizes. Travelling was the most common behaviour, and juveniles were present in 20% of the sightings, concentrated during spring and summer. The consistent FLT Med Net dataset was found to be appropriate to evaluate important parameters for the assessment of trends in the conservation status of Tursiops truncatus at the Natura2000 site scale. 

scholarly journals Depression, sleeping pattern & suicidal ideation among medical students in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional pilot study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Tasdik Hasan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Status ◽  
Suicidal Tendency ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression ◽  
Poor Mental Health Status

Background: Depression is a major morbidity and the most common mental disorder among the medical students in medical schools globally. Undergraduate students suffer stress more due to their academic curriculum than the students of other faculties. In low resource settings like Bangladesh, there is a dearth in research on mental health of undergraduate medical students. This pilot study was conducted to add to the existing limited evidence by reporting the prevalence of depression, describing sleeping pattern & suicidal tendencies among medical students. Relevantly, we have investigated to the overall mental health status among the medical students in Bangladesh. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in two medical colleges of Dhaka in between July 2013 to December 2013, among 221 Bangladeshi medical students from first to fifth year. By convenient sampling technique, data were collected by a pretested, structured, self-administered questionnaire and analysis was done by SPSS 18.0 version. Depression were assessed by validated PHQ-9 tool among the respondents. Goldberg’s General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) was used for assessing overall mental health status. Results: Depression was found in 38.9% of participants with 3.6%, 14.5%, 20.8% of being either severe, moderate and mild depression respectively. 17.6% medical students had suicidal tendency or attempted suicide at least for once after attending medical school. The sleeping hours were inadequate and altered after starting this stressful academic course. 33.5% medical students had poor mental health status. There was a statistically significant association between poor mental health status with age group of less than 22 years and initial academic study year (1st to 3rd of MBBS).Conclusion: The findings are suggestive of a higher prevalence of depression among early year medical students and marginal predominance in males. Suicidal tendency is also higher. These calls for further investigation with situation analysis, qualitative explorations and surveys to explore the burden of such disorders in Bangladesh.

scholarly journals Treating Major Depression by Creating Positive Expectations for the Future: A Pilot Study for the Effectiveness of Future-Directed Therapy (FDT) on Symptom Severity and Quality of Life

2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennice S. Vilhauer ◽  
Sabrina Young ◽  
Chanel Kealoha ◽  
Josefine Borrmann ◽  
Waguih W. IsHak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Major Depression ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
The Future

Efficacy of Intra-Articular Injection of 10 mg and 20 mg Triamcinolone for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Wrist: A Prospective, Randomized, Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (03) ◽  
pp. 490-493
Author(s):  
Takeshi Mochizuki ◽  
Koichiro Yano ◽  
Katsunori Ikari ◽  
Ken Okazaki
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Scale Score ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Numerical Rating Scale ◽  
Wrist Joint ◽  
Power Doppler ◽  
Total Study Population ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Study Population

Background: To compare the efficacy of intra-articular injection (IA) with 10 mg and 20 mg triamcinolone for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of the wrist joint. Methods: We enrolled 20 patients with swelling and pain in wrist due to RA in the present prospective, randomized, pilot study. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the 20 mg or 10 mg group, and received IA of the appropriate dose of triamcinolone. Efficacy was assessed by recording Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain and improvement in power doppler (PD) scale score at weeks 1, 4, and 12 of treatment compared with baseline. The shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (QuickDASH) was recorded at baseline and week 12. Results: The NRS was found to be significantly improved at weeks 4 (p = 0.006) and 12 (p = 0.036) among the total study population. Neither the change in NRS nor the improvement PD scale score from baseline were significantly different between the two groups at any week (NRS: week 1, p = 0.617; week 4, p = 0.727; and week 12, p = 0.878; PD scale score: week 1, p = 0.370; week 4, p = 1.000; and week 12, p = 0.179). Among the entire study population, the QuickDASH was not significantly improved at week 12 nor was the change from baseline significantly different between the two groups at week 12 (p = 0.592). Conclusions: IA of triamcinolone was effective for pain relief in context of RA in the wrist joint. However, in terms of NRS, improvement of PD scale score, and QuickDASH score, the efficacies of 10 mg and 20 mg triamcinolone were not significantly different. Thus, IA of 10 mg triamcinolone may be sufficient for the treatment of RA in the wrist joint.

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