scholarly journals Trialing net illumination as a bycatch mitigation measure for sea turtles in a small-scale gillnet fishery in Ecuador

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 446-455
Author(s):  
Jodie J. Darquea ◽  
Clara Ortiz-Alvarez ◽  
Francisco Córdova-Zavaleta ◽  
Robert Medina ◽  
Alessandra Bielli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Linear Mixed Effect Model ◽  
Catch Per Unit Effort ◽  
Olive Ridley ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Mitigation Measure ◽  
Turtle Species ◽  
Significant Difference

In Ecuador, one of the main hazards for threatened marine species, such as sea turtles, is small-scale fisheries bycatch. At a global scale, currently, bycatch reduction technologies (BRTs) are being tested in many coastal nations to mitigate this issue. Despite some advances in Ecuadorian efforts for wildlife protection, BRTs to reduce bycatch have yet to be assessed. The purpose of this study was to test the BRT of net illumination using violet light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as a mitigation measure to reduce sea turtle interactions in the small-scale driftnet fishery operating from the ports of Santa Rosa, Puerto Lopez and Jaramijo. A total of 146 pairs of experimental sets (control and illuminated panes) were deployed in all ports. A generalized linear mixed-effect model (GLMM) was employed to analyze the bycatch per unit of effort (BPUE) for sea turtles, and the catch per unit of effort (CPUE) for target species; for both control and illuminated panes. Thirty-two sea turtles from three species were observed captured: olive ridley Lepidochelys olivacea (n=18), green Chelonia mydas (n=13) and leatherback turtles Dermochelys coriacea (n=1). Turtle species-specific modeling showed bycatch of green turtles declined by 93% in illuminated nets compared with control, non-illuminated nets, whereas no significant difference between control and illuminated nets was observed for olive ridley turtles. The catch per unit effort of the target pelagic fish species including skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, thresher shark and smooth hammerhead shark was not affected by net illumination. Our results represent the first evaluation of the effects of net illumination using LEDs on reducing marine turtle bycatch in Ecuadorian small-scale driftnet fisheries. Despite its relatively small sample size, these results could be used by fisheries managers to support the implementation or further testing of this BRT in gillnet fisheries along the Ecuadorian coast.

scholarly journals Providing Remote Students with Access to a Video-enabled Standardized Patient Simulation on Interprofessional Competencies and Late-life Depression Screening

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melodee Harris ◽  
Leonie Declerk ◽  
Patricia Schafer ◽  
Lisa Hutchison ◽  
Mary Alice Kelly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interprofessional Education ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Depression Screening ◽  
Linear Mixed Effect Model ◽  
Standardized Patient ◽  
Late Life Depression ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Significant Difference

Background  Standardized patient (SP) simulation is used to teach geropsychiatry. This project tested feasibility and effectiveness of video-enabled SP simulation to teach interprofessional (IP) late-life depression screening.Methods and findings  Nurse practitioner, pharmacy, and medical students (N=177) participated in remote (n = 27) and on-site (n = 150) SP simulation. Linear mixed-effect model determined the effects of time and setting on pretest and posttest Interprofessional Education Collaborative Competencies Attainment Survey (ICCAS) data. Overall, no significant difference was observed in degree of change on ICCAS domains, indicating both modalities produced equally beneficial outcomes. Small sample size and focus on late-life depression screening limits generalizing results.Conclusions  Video-enabled SP simulations can be incorporated to prepare students with IP competencies for late-life depression screening.

scholarly journals Comparative Study of Plasma Parameters in Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys Olivacea) and Hawksbill (Eretmochelys Imbricata) During Nesting

2002 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 231
Author(s):  
A.Y.A. Alkindi ◽  
I.Y. Mahmoud ◽  
J.L. Plude
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Parameter ◽  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Stress Hormones ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Olive Ridley ◽  
Plasma Parameters ◽  
Eretmochelys Imbricata ◽  
Turtle Species ◽  
Lepidochelys Olivacea ◽  
Significant Difference

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of plasma level parameters during nesting activity and provide data potentially useful to future studies on the dynamics of reproductive and stress hormones in the most endangered sea turtle species in the world. Plasma parameters in the sea turtles, olive ridley (Lipodochelys oliveacea) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) from Masirah Island, Oman, were analyzed relative to nesting stress. To date, no study has been conducted on plasma parameter levels in sea turtles during nesting. Field observations were conducted under ideal temperature conditions. At the time of sampling, there was no significant difference for cloacal, sand, air or water temperature for the two species. Electrolytes (Cl¯, Ca++, K+, Na+ and Mg++), cholesterol, urea, uric acid and osmolarity were measured during nesting. Both species were observed to spend between 1.5 and 2.00 hours on the nesting grounds. Some had successful oviposition and completed all nesting phases, while others with incomplete nesting phases failed to oviposit their  eggs. Under both conditions, the turtles of both species had an exhaustive and stressful nesting exercise. Plasma parameter values, both intra-specifically and inter-specifically, were not significantly different for oviposited and non-oviposited turtles. This may indicate that both species have the same physiological adjustment relative to plasma parameters whether or not the turtles oviposited their eggs.  

Variation in Cervical Length over Time during a Single Transvaginal Ultrasound Examination

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (08) ◽  
pp. 781-784
Author(s):  
Katherine A. Connolly ◽  
Luciana Vieira ◽  
Elizabeth M. Yoselevsky ◽  
Stephanie Pan ◽  
Joanne L. Stone
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Intraclass Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Ultrasound Examination ◽  
Transvaginal Ultrasound ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Cervical Length ◽  
Linear Mixed Effect Model ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Significant Difference

Objective To quantify the degree of change in cervical length (CL) over a 3-minute transvaginal ultrasound. Study Design We conducted a prospective observational study of nulliparous patients who underwent routine transvaginal CL screening at the time of their second-trimester ultrasound. We recorded CL at four time points (0, 1, 2, 3 minutes) and compared these values to determine the minute-to-minute change within a single patient. Results A total of 771 patients were included. The mean gestational age was 20.8 weeks (±0.84). We used a linear mixed effect model to assess if each minute during the ultrasound is associated with a change in CL. The intraclass correlation coefficient between minute 0 to minute 3 was 0.82 (95% confidence interval: 0.80, 0.84). This indicates that there is a relatively high within-patient correlation in CL during their ultrasound. Additionally, we stratified patients based on their starting CL; the intraclass correlation coefficient remained high for all groups. We additionally compared CL at each minute. Although there is a statistically significant difference between several time points, the actual difference is small and not clinically meaningful. Conclusion The variation in CL over a 3-minute transvaginal ultrasound examination is not clinically significant. It may be reasonable to conduct this examination over a shorter period.

scholarly journals The use of mindfulness-based intervention to improve bracing compliance for AIS patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
X Li ◽  
C H Y Leung ◽  
T Gao ◽  
V C H Chung ◽  
Yu FWP ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Emotional Regulation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Linear Mixed Effect Model ◽  
Primary Analysis ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Introduction Despite good bracing compliance is crucial to prevent curve progression among braced AIS patients, only few interventions were suggested to improve bracing compliance. This study examined the effect of MBI on bracing compliance for AIS patients. Methods 116 eligible AIS patients were randomized and 86 participants were enrolled in intervention. Patients in the MBI group joint weekly sessions, which is an adapted version of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program, for 8 weeks. Control group consisted of an 8-week PE intervention that is recommended according to the SOSORT 2011 guideline. The primary outcome is the 6-month post-intervention bracing compliance. The secondary outcomes include quality of life and psychosocial measurements. Primary analysis was ANCOVA with treatment as covariate. Trend analysis was conducted using Linear Mixed effect model. Results At the end of intervention, intention-to-treat analysis improved bracing compliance by1.24h/day and 0.08h/day for MBI and PE respectively. MBI group presented an increase in emotional regulation than baseline (ERQ-CCA) (1.92, p = 0.01), especially in Cognitive reappraisal sub-scale (1.00, p = 0.05). Bracing Specific Quality of Life (SRS-22) reduced significantly in both groups, but MBI group decreased less (MBI: -3.08, p = 0.00, PE -4.47, p = 0.00). Effect at six months for compliance progressed negatively but favoured MBI group (MBI: -1.16, p = 0.13, PE: -1.84, p = 0.06) although there was no significant difference between groups (p = 0.78). The Perception of stress (PSS) decreased significantly in PE group (-3,53, p = 0.01) rather than MBI (1.53, p = 0.22), however the between-group difference isn't significant (p = 0.62). Conclusions It is alarming that patients in both interventions group progressed with poorer compliance and worsen QoL. These progressions were less severe in the MBI group than in the PE group, but the differences did not reach statistical significant. Key messages Both groups decreased in compliance and QoL but MBI group reduced less. MBI wasn't more effective in improving participants’ compliance and other measurements.

scholarly journals Incidental capture of sea turtles by industrial bottom trawl fishery in the Tropical South-western Atlantic

2017 ◽  
Vol 98 (6) ◽  
pp. 1525-1531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzana Machado Guimarães ◽  
Davi Castro Tavares ◽  
Cassiano Monteiro-Neto
Keyword(s):  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Bottom Trawl ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Olive Ridley ◽  
Western Atlantic ◽  
Turtle Species

The five sea turtle species occurring in Brazilian waters are susceptible to threats, including incidental catches by fisheries. Studies on incidental captures in fishing gears are the main focus of several conservation actions due to high sea turtle fishery mortality worldwide. This study provides the first evaluation of incidental sea turtle catches by industrial bottom trawl fisheries operating in Brazilian waters. Four twin-trawler vessels were monitored between July 2010 and December 2011 by captains who voluntarily completed logbooks. Forty-four turtles were captured during the 1996 tows (8313 fishing hours), resulting in a catch of 5.3 ± 0.8 turtles per 1000 h per unit effort. Captured species included the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta, 22 individuals), olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea, 21 individuals) and one green turtle (Chelonia mydas). Water depth was the only variable that significantly affected sea turtle captures according to Generalized Linear Models. The capture rates reported in this study ranked sixth in relation to other published studies of similar fisheries occurring worldwide. Considering the importance of this region for sea turtles, the increasing evidence of sea turtle mortality and the goals of the National Action Plan for Conservation of Sea Turtles in Brazil, it is essential to identify the main threats towards these animals and propose mitigating solutions to reduce sea turtle mortality induced by fishing activities. This study provides results that may guide future research and goals in meeting sea turtle conservation strategies.

346 Semi-Individualized Acupuncture for Insomnia Disorder: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A138-A138
Author(s):  
Jerry Wing-Fai Yeung ◽  
Branda Yee-Man Yu ◽  
John Yuen ◽  
Janice Ho ◽  
Ka-Fai Chung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Total Sleep Time ◽  
Sleep Time ◽  
Sleep Diary ◽  
Linear Mixed Effect Model ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Insomnia Symptom ◽  
Insomnia Disorder ◽  
Wrist Actigraphy ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Sleep Parameters

Abstract Introduction Acupuncture is an alternative treatment for improving sleep quality and the effectiveness is thought to be optimized with an individualized approach resembling real practice. However, existing evidence is limited by methodological shortcomings due to blinding issues, standardized measures, and diagnostic procedures. It was of the present study’s interest to examine the efficacy and safety of semi-individualized acupuncture treatment on insomnia. Methods Adults with DSM-5 insomnia disorder (n = 140) were randomized with 1:1 allocation to a 4-week intervention traditional acupuncture (TA) or validated non-invasive sham acupuncture (SA). The selection of acupoints was semi-individualized by the acupuncturist. As the primary outcome, the sleep efficiency (SE) by sleep diary was assessed at baseline, 1-week posttreatment, and 5-week posttreatment. Other sleep parameters derived from sleep diary, the wrist-actigraphy-derived sleep parameters, insomnia symptom severity, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, as well as the health-related quality of life, were also evaluated. Results Although linear mixed-effect model revealed both groups did not attain significant difference in sleep-diary-derived SE and other outcome measures (all P > 0.05), TA promising effect on improving insomnia symptom (within-group effect size, d = 1.13 & 1.30 at 1-week & 5-week posttreatment respectively) and also a higher proportion of subjects achieved SE ≥ 85% compared with SA (55.6% versus 36.4% at week 9, P = 0.03). Besides, subjects in TA group reported significantly greater improvement in both the total sleep time (TST) derived from sleep diary and actigraph than those in the SA group at 1-week posttreatment (difference in mean changes from baseline: sleep diary = 22.0 min, p = 0.01; actigraphy =18.8 min, P = 0.02) but not 5-week posttreatment. Conclusion This study is the first to evaluate the effect of the TCM-theory-based individualized acupuncture on sleep using a sham-control design. A 4-week semi-individualized acupuncture is able to significantly increase total sleep time with few adverse events. Support (if any) Research Grants Council of Hong Kong, Early Career Scheme (Project no.: 25101017)

scholarly journals Ocular ultrasonography of sea turtles

2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caterina Muramoto ◽  
Vinícius Cardoso-Brito ◽  
Ana Cláudia Raposo ◽  
Thais Torres Pires ◽  
Arianne Pontes Oriá
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Chamber ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Corneal Thickness ◽  
Anterior Chamber Depth ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Caretta Caretta ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Olive Ridley ◽  
Turtle Species

Abstract Background Environmental changes contribute to the development of ophthalmic diseases in sea turtles, but information on their eye biometrics is scarce. The aim of this study was to describe ophthalmic ultrasonographic features of four different sea turtle species; Caretta caretta (Loggerhead turtle; n = 10), Chelonia mydas (Green turtle; n = 8), Eretmochelys imbricata (Hawksbill turtle; n = 8) and Lepidochelys olivacea (Olive ridley; n = 6) under human care. Corneal thickness, scleral ossicle width and thickness, anterior chamber depth, axial length of the lens, vitreous chamber depth and axial globe length were measured by B-mode sonography with a linear transducer. Carapace size and animal weight were recorded. A sonographic description of the eye structures was established. Results The four species presented an ovate eyeball, a relatively thin cornea, and a small-sized lens positioned rostrally in the eye bulb, near the cornea, resulting in a shallow anterior chamber. The scleral ossicles did not prevent the evaluation of intraocular structures, even with a rotated eye or closed eyelids; image formation beyond the ossicles and measurements of all proposed structures were possible. B-mode sonography was easily performed in all animals studied. The sonographic characteristics of the eye were similar among the four species. Since there was a correlation between the size of the eye structures and the size of the individual, especially its carapace size, the differences found between E. imbricata and Caretta caretta are believed to be due to their overall difference in size. Conclusions Sonography is a valuable tool in ophthalmic evaluation of these species. Only minor differences were found between the species in this study, reinforcing their phylogenetic proximity and their similar functions and habitats.

scholarly journals Total cholesterol concentration predicts the effect of plasmapheresis on hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis: a retrospective case–control study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhu Chen ◽  
Xiaolong Huang ◽  
Na Han ◽  
Yanxia Guo ◽  
Jing Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Pancreatitis ◽  
Total Cholesterol ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Cholesterol Concentration ◽  
Linear Mixed Effect Model ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Effect Model ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background What kind of patients with hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis (HLAP) might benefit from plasmapheresis (PP) remains unknown. The objective of this study is to determine the predict function of total cholesterol (TC) on the Triglyceride (TG)-lowing effect in patients on either non-PP or PP therapy. Methods Patients were categorized into high total cholesterol (HTC)/low total cholesterol (LTC) groups based on TC level of 12.4 mmol/L. The primary outcome was TG reduction to below 500 mg/dL within 48 h. Linear mixed-effect model and logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association of TC level and TG-lowing efficacy in different therapy groups. Results Compared with LTC group, patients with HTC showed more severe imaging manifestations (p < 0.001) and higher APACH II scores (p = 0.036). Deaths occurred only in HTC groups. Significant interaction of time sequence with the 2 TGs-lowing therapy groups on TG level was only found in HTC group (p < 0.001). In patients with elevated TC level, primary outcome occurred in 66.67% of patients in the PP group, and 27.91% in the non-PP group. After adjustment for age, gender, CT grade and APACH II score, the odd ratio remain significant (OR 5.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.84–16.25, p = 0.002). Furthermore, in patients with lower TC level, no significant difference was found in primary outcome between PP group and non-PP group (81.25% versus 62.30%, adjusted OR 2.05; 95% CI 0.45–9.40; p = 0.353). Conclusions TC could be a potential biomarker to predict the effects of TG-lowing therapy in patients with HLAP.

Biochemical Parameter Analysis of Rescued Olive Ridley Sea Turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Ramakrishnan ◽  
M. Palanivelrajan ◽  
D. Sumathi ◽  
K. Senthilkumar
Keyword(s):  
Biochemical Parameters ◽  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Parameter Analysis ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Olive Ridley ◽  
Turtle Species ◽  
Lepidochelys Olivacea ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Olive Ridley Sea Turtles

Background: The olive ridley sea turtle also known as the Pacific ridley sea turtle is a medium-sized species of turtle found in warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Sea Turtles are an integral part of coastal and marine ecosystems, they have also been fundamental to the culture of coastal societies for millennia. But human activities over the past 200 years have massively tipped the scales against the survival of these ancient mariners, despite its conservation status the olive ridley are considered vulnerable. The aim of the study was to collect biochemical data on olive ridley sea turtles while drawing comparisons with previous published data on sea turtles. Methods: This research work was carried out in rescued Olive Ridley Sea Turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) which were stranded or rescued during various periods of breeding season from September, 2017 to April, 2018 by Trust for Environmental and Education (TREE) foundation, Vettuvankeni, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The Clinical samples were collected from 7 sea turtles in rescue centers and examined for biochemical parameters analysis. The biochemical parameters measured were Glucose, cholesterol, Total protein, albumin and globulin, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Creatinine, Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Calcium and Phosphorus. The statistical analyses of data were carried out by using student’s t-test. Result: The results of this study were more or less unfailing with previous studies but variations with other studies may result from values depends upon the geospatial distribution such as species, age, sex, season, sample site, nutrition and management condition. The data in this research was more specific to olive ridley sea turtles, indicating need to standardize reference values because of little know data on these turtle species, which are intended for health evaluation for free-ranging and captive/rescued sea turtles.

A Monte Carlo Study of Confidence Interval Methods for Generalizability Coefficient

2021 ◽  
pp. 001316442110338
Author(s):  
Zhehan Jiang ◽  
Mark Raymond ◽  
Christine DiStefano ◽  
Dexin Shi ◽  
Ren Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Confidence Intervals ◽  
Generalizability Theory ◽  
Monte Carlo Study ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Interval Methods ◽  
Point Estimate ◽  
Linear Mixed Effect Model ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Measurement Design

Computing confidence intervals around generalizability coefficients has long been a challenging task in generalizability theory. This is a serious practical problem because generalizability coefficients are often computed from designs where some facets have small sample sizes, and researchers have little guide regarding the trustworthiness of the coefficients. As generalizability theory can be framed to a linear mixed-effect model (LMM), bootstrap and simulation techniques from LMM paradigm can be used to construct the confidence intervals. The purpose of this research is to examine four different LMM-based methods for computing the confidence intervals that have been proposed and to determine their accuracy under six simulated conditions based on the type of test scores (normal, dichotomous, and polytomous data) and data measurement design ( p× i× r and p× [ i:r]). A bootstrap technique called “parametric methods with spherical random effects” consistently produced more accurate confidence intervals than the three other LMM-based methods. Furthermore, the selected technique was compared with model-based approach to investigate the performance at the levels of variance components via the second simulation study, where the numbers of examines, raters, and items were varied. We conclude with the recommendation generalizability coefficients, the confidence interval should accompany the point estimate.

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