scholarly journals A review of the effectiveness of operational curtailment for reducing bat fatalities at terrestrial wind farms in North America

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0256382
Author(s):  
Evan M. Adams ◽  
Julia Gulka ◽  
Kathryn A. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Linear Model ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Wind Farms ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
The United States ◽  
Continuous Variable ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Exact Nature ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
The Relationship

Curtailment of turbine operations during low wind conditions has become an operational minimization tactic to reduce bat mortality at terrestrial wind energy facilities. Site-specific studies have demonstrated that bat activity is higher during lower wind speeds and that operational curtailment can effectively reduce fatalities. However, the exact nature of the relationship between curtailment cut-in speed and bat fatality reduction remains unclear. To evaluate the efficacy of differing curtailment regimes in reducing bat fatalities, we examined data from turbine curtailment experiments in the United States and Canada in a meta-analysis framework. We used multiple statistical models to explore possible linear and non-linear relationships between turbine cut-in speed and bat fatality. Because the overall sample size for this meta-analysis was small (n = 36 control-treatment studies from 17 wind farms), we conducted a power analysis to assess the number of control-treatment curtailment studies needed to understand the relationship between fatality reduction and change in cut-in speed. We also identified the characteristics of individual curtailment field studies that may influence their power to detect fatality reductions, and in turn, contribute to future meta-analyses. We found strong evidence that implementing turbine curtailment reduces fatality rates of bats at wind farms; the estimated fatality ratio across all studies was 0.37 (p < 0.001), or a 63% decrease in fatalities. However, the nature of the relationship between the magnitude of treatment and reduction in fatalities was more difficult to assess. Models that represented the response ratio as a continuous variable (e.g., with a linear relationship between the change in cut-in speed and fatalities) and a categorical variable (to allow for possible non-linearity in this relationship) both had substantial support when compared using AICc. The linear model represented the best fit, likely due to model simplicity, but the non-linear model was the most likely without accounting for parsimony and suggested fatality rates decreased when the difference in curtailment cut-in speeds was 2m/s or larger. The power analyses showed that the power to detect effects in the meta-analysis was low if fatality reductions were less than 50%, which suggests that smaller increases in cut-in speed (i.e., between different treatment categories) may not be easily detectable with the current dataset. While curtailment is an effective operational mitigation measure overall, additional well-designed curtailment studies are needed to determine precisely whether higher cut-in speeds can further reduce bat fatalities.

scholarly journals Examining the effectiveness of blanket curtailment strategies in reducing bat fatalities at terrestrial wind farms in North America

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan Adams ◽  
Julia Gulka ◽  
Kathryn A. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Wind Farms ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
The United States ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Exact Nature ◽  
Linear Relationships ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
Limited Power ◽  
The Relationship

Blanket curtailment of turbine operations during low wind conditions has become an accepted operational minimization tactic to reduce bat mortality at terrestrial wind facilities. Site-specific studies have demonstrated that operational curtailment effectively reduces impacts, but the exact nature of the relationship between increased cut-in speed and fatality reduction in bats remains unclear. To evaluate the efficacy of differing blanket curtailment regimes in reducing bat fatality, we examined data from turbine curtailment experiments in the United States and Canada in a meta-analysis framework. We tested multiple statistical models to explore possible linear and non-linear relationships between turbine cut-in speed and bat fatality reduction. Because the overall sample size for this meta-analysis was small (n = 35 control-treatment studies from 16 field sites), we conducted a power analysis to assess the number of control-impact curtailment studies that would be needed to understand the relationship between fatality rate and change in cut-in speed under different fatality reduction scenarios. We also identified the characteristics of individual field studies that may influence their power to detect fatality reduction due to curtailment. Using a response ratio approach, we found a 56% reduction in fatality rates when using any blanket curtailment strategy that changes the cut-in speed from 0.5 to 3.5 m/s above the control (p < 0.001). However, we did not find strong evidence for linear (p =0 0.07) or non-linear (p > 0.11) associations between increasing cut-in speeds and fatality reduction. The power analyses showed that the power to detect effects in the meta-analysis was low if fatality reductions were less than 50%. Synthesizing across all analyses, we need more well-designed curtailment studies to determine the effect of increasing curtailment speed and the effect size is likely of a magnitude that we had limited power to detect.

Inferring prior distributions of recruitment compensation metrics from life-history parameters and allometries

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Munyandorero
Keyword(s):  
Life Histories ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Prior Distributions ◽  
Compensation Ratio ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Spawning Biomass

The recruitment compensation metrics, the stock–recruit steepness (h) and compensation ratio (κ), are difficult to estimate, yet they are integral components of contemporary fishery models. To aid in the estimation of κ and h, a hybrid method to construct their prior distributions for a species is developed. The method is hybrid because it integrates (i) a meta-analysis of the relationship between maximum rates of recruit production (α) and asymptotic lengths obtained across fish species of different life histories and (ii) species-specific unfished spawning biomass per recruit (Φ0). This method is applied to five finfish species found off the East Coast of the United States. Uncertainty is introduced by sampling growth parameters, α, and natural mortality and — through Monte Carlo simulations — propagated into Φ0, κ, and h for the Beverton–Holt and Ricker stock–recruit relationships. Descriptive statistics and parameters from probability density functions of the simulated distributions of κ and h are generated. The method developed requires fewer inputs than the reproductive ecology method while likewise allowing the development of species-specific statistics for κ and h. These statistics, rather than their counterparts generated from classical meta-analyses, are better suited for use in fishery models.

scholarly journals 100% Fruit juice intake and cardiovascular risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective and randomised controlled studies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lanfranco D’Elia ◽  
◽  
Monica Dinu ◽  
Francesco Sofi ◽  
Massimo Volpe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Dose Response ◽  
Prospective Studies ◽  
Fruit Juice ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Purpose The relationship between 100% fruit juice (100%FJ) consumption and cardiovascular risk is object of debate: indeed, recently published investigations provided new but discrepant evidence on this important question and International dietary guidelines are not in agreement on recommendations about fruit juice consumption. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis of the prospective studies and the randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that explored the relationship between 100%FJ intake, cardiovascular risk profile and risk of cardiovascular events. Methods We performed a systematic search of publications up to August 2019. Summary relative risks and exploration of linearity of the association were estimated for prospective studies and summary mean differences (MDs) calculated for RCTs. Results A total of 21 prospective studies and 35 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Dose–response analysis detected a significant inverse association between low-moderate 100%FJ consumption and risk of stroke (up to 200 ml/day) or total CV events (up to 170 ml/day) compared with no consumption, with a non-linear relationship (p for non-linearity < 0.05). No significant association was found for coronary heart disease and diabetes risk. In RCTs, a favorable and significant effect of 100%FJ intake was detected on blood pressure (systolic, MD: − 3.14 mmHg; diastolic, MD: − 1.68 mmHg), arterial compliance (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, − 0.38 m/s) and endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation, 2.10%). Neutral effects were found on body weight, blood lipids and glucose metabolism. Conclusions The results of these analyses indicate that 100%FJ consumption is not associated with higher CV risk. A non-linear inverse dose–response relationship occurs between 100%FJ consumption and CV disease, in particular for risk of stroke, probably mediated by the decrease in blood pressure. Trial registration PROSPERO registration number (CRD42019135577).

scholarly journals The effect of temperature on childhood hand, foot and mouth disease in Guangdong Province, China, 2010-2013: A multicity study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zece Xu ◽  
Wenqi Hu ◽  
Kedi Jiao ◽  
Ci Ren ◽  
Baofa Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Local Governments ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Foot And Mouth Disease ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Guangdong Province ◽  
Mouth Disease ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
Foot And Mouth ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a serious infectious disease, which has become a public health problem. Previous studies have shown that temperature may influence the incidence of HFMD, but most only focus on single city and the results are highly heterogeneous. Therefore, a multicity study was conducted to explore the association between temperature and HFMD in different cities and search for modifiers that influence the heterogeneity. Methods We collected daily cases of childhood HFMD (aged 0-5 years) and meteorological factors of 21 cities in Guangdong Province in the period of 2010-2013. Distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) with quasi-Poisson was adopted to quantify the effects of temperature on HFMD in 21 cities. Then the effects of each city were pooled by multivariate meta-analysis to obtain the heterogeneity among 21 cities. Potential city-level factors were included in meta-regression to explore effect modifiers. Results A total of 1,048,574 childhood cases were included in this study. There was a great correlation between daily childhood HFMD cases and temperature in each city, which was non-linear and lagged. High heterogeneity was showed in the associations between temperature and HFMD in 21 cities. The pooled temperature-HFMD association was peaking at the 79th percentile of temperature with relative risk (RR) of 2.474(95%CI: 2.065-2.965) as compared to the median temperature. Latitude was the main modifier for reducing the heterogeneity to 69.28% revealed by meta-analysis. Conclusions There was a strong non-linear and lagged correlation between temperature and HFMD. Latitude was strongly associated with the relationship between temperature and HFMD. Meanwhile, it had an effect on modifying the relationship. These findings can conducive to local governments developing corresponding preventive measures.

Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Body Image and Academic Outcomes Among Males Across the Lifecourse in the United States

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Hoffer
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Academic Outcomes ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Predominantly Female ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Socioemotional Outcomes

Body image is emerging as a multi-faceted and complex topic in developmental science. A sizeable body of literature has demonstrated effects of body image on disordered eating and socioemotional outcomes. However, very few studies have attempted to explore the relationship between body image and academic outcomes. Additionally, much of the research in body image has been conducted with predominantly female samples. Moreover, body image measures are inconsistent and often biased toward female body standards, raising the question of how relevant these measures are for male populations. Thus, this systematic review has the following objectives: (1) determine what the relationship is between body image and academic outcomes for boys; (2) determine what moderates that relationship, focusing on variables of age and measurement. This study will be registered using PsyArXiv.

scholarly journals Early Supplementary Feeding, Child Development, and Health Policy

1994 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernesto Pollitt ◽  
Se-Young Oh
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Motor Development ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
The United States ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Supplementary Feeding ◽  
Young Infants ◽  
At Risk Populations

We carried out a meta-analysis of six field studies that assessed the effects of supplementary feeding on infants’ performance on mental and motor development scales— conducted in nutritionally at-risk populations in Colombia, Guatemala, Indonesia, Jamaica, Taiwan, and the United States—which showed that early high energy and protein supplementary feeding has a beneficial effect on motor development in young infants (8–15 months old) and on both motor and mental development in older infants (1824 months old) who are nutritionally at risk. These findings provide justification for food assistance programmes targeted to young at-risk children. However, positive findings in field studies do not guarantee that similar results will be achieved by large-scale programmes, as complex bureaucracies and inadequate infrastructure are often obstacles to success.

scholarly journals Why Grit Requires Perseverance AND Passion to Positively Predict Performance

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon Jachimowicz ◽  
Andreas Wihler ◽  
Erica Bailey ◽  
Adam Galinsky
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
The United States ◽  
Current Theory ◽  
The Public ◽  
Contradictory Evidence ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Public Imagination

Grit has captured the public imagination and crept into educational policy throughout the United States. However, because prior studies linking grit and performance are beset by contradictory evidence, commentators increasingly state that grit is over-hyped. We propose that the inconsistency between grit's initial promise and its subsequent lack of empirical support has occurred because grit's measurement has not matched its definition. Although grit is defined as the combination of perseverance and passion, its measurement has focused on perseverance and has not adequately captured passion. In a meta-analysis of 127 studies and two field studies, we show that passion is a key component of grit. The current theory and results suggest that perseverance without passion isn't grit, but merely a grind.

scholarly journals Workplace Incivility and Turnover Intention in Organizations: A Meta-Analytic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Boshra H. Namin ◽  
Torvald Øgaard ◽  
Jo Røislien
Keyword(s):  
Turnover Intention ◽  
Turnover Intentions ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Organizational Outcomes ◽  
The United States ◽  
Workplace Incivility ◽  
Analytic Review ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Different Sources

Incivility has been identified as a prevalent and crucial issue in workplaces and one that may be associated with detrimental effects on employees and organizational outcomes, such as turnover intention. Many studies have been published regarding the effects of incivility, but there is a lack of integrative reviews and meta-analyses. The aim of the present study is to conduct an early meta-analysis of the relationship between employees’ perceptions of workplace incivility and their turnover intentions. Six databases, including ISI Web of Science, PsychInfo, Scopus, Emerald, Hospitality & Tourism Complete, and Soc Index, were searched to identify empirical articles for this meta-analytical paper. The results of statistical meta-analyses and meta-regression suggest that there is a positive relationship between perceived incivility and turnover intentions in employees and that relationship is consistent across different sources of workplace incivility. However, we did observe a possible interaction effect of “supervisor” and “coworker incivility”. The results also suggest that the relationship between workplace incivility and turnover intention is stronger in the academic sector than in other industries and stronger in the United States than in other countries.

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