LONG-TERM DYNAMICS OF THE BREAM STOCKS IN THE AZOV SEA (RUSSIAN WATERS) BASED ON THE RESULTS OF CMSY MODELING UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF LIMITED DATA AVAILABILITY (2002-2020)

Stock assessment of Azov sea roach Rutilus rutilus (Linnaeus, 1758) has been performed by CMSY model in period 1999-2019 by data-limited modelling in R. The current population status – in biological safe zone for stock biomass and no overfishing signals (B2019/BMSY = 1,32, F2019/FMSY = 0,53). Perhaps, current paper results can be a slightly incomplete in background that there is no relevant data about IUU fishery ever exists, which can lead to fishing mortality underestimation. Azov sea roach population continue to be in “depleted” status after river flow regulation in 1950’s. Joined continuous biomass estimates time series over whole fishing his-tory 1932–2019 showed at least 2 population collapses: in 1940’s and 1980’s years. According to model re-sults TAC (total allowed catch) should be accepted at level 516.9 t. If the recommendation is followed stock biomass will stay at safety in level 1828.1 t. Data limited modelling shows a good performance for sea roach in background of data lucking and in this reason still the best choose against cohor or surplus production models.

Download Full-text

Increasing tourism through social entrepreneurship – the case of Croatia

Journal of corporate governance, insurance and risk management ◽

10.51410/jcgirm.7.1.3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 25-38

Author(s):

Mijana Matošević Radić ◽

Ivona Jukić ◽

Antonija Roje

Keyword(s):

Social Entrepreneurship ◽

Quantitative Research ◽

Product Diversification ◽

Data Availability ◽

Future Research ◽

Limited Data ◽

Sustainable Community Development ◽

Study Approach

Social entrepreneurship is a relatively new topic of interest within the academic and the literature on it is limited. With the increase of interest in recent years from various interest groups, the concept of social enterprise has become more widespread. The purpose of this paper is to explore the link between social entrepreneurship and voluntourism, as one of the types of special interest tourism. Voluntourism, according to the concept of sustainable community development, relate all the stakeholders of such development. Moreover, social entrepreneurship could become an important vehicle for sustainable development of destinations. This paper proposes that niche tourism products and more specifically, voluntourism projects, under the prism of social entrepreneurship, can become the means towards Croatian product diversification and long-term environmental, social and economic sustainability. Quantitative research was conducted and the methodology entails a case study approach. Results indicate that there is a limited number of projects concerning social entrepreneurship in voluntourism in Croatia and also that discussed projects are not recognized. This study assessed the situation in Croatia and although it was comprehensive under conditions of limited data availability, it cannot speak to social entrepreneurship in voluntourism globally, but it can offer a foundation for future research in this area.

Download Full-text

SATELLITE DATA FOR INVESTIGATION OF RECENT STATE AND PROCESSES IN THE SIVASH BAY

Proceedings of International Conference "Managinag risks to coastal regions and communities in a changinag world" (EMECS'11 - SeaCoasts XXVI) ◽

10.21610/conferencearticle_58b43159b0693 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Ekaterina Shchurova ◽

Rimma Stanichnaya ◽

Sergey Stanichny ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Satellite Data ◽

Water Exchange ◽

High Salinity ◽

Meteorological Data ◽

Sea Surface ◽

Azov Sea ◽

Seasonal Wind ◽

Ice Regime ◽

Very High

Sivash bay is the shallow-water lagoon of the Azov Sea. Restricted water exchange and high evaporation form Sivash as the basin with very high salinity. This factor leads to different from the Azov Sea thermal and ice regimes of Sivash. Maine aim of the study presented to investigate recent state and changes of the characteristics and processes in the basin using satellite data. Landsat scanners TM, ETM+, OLI, TIRS together with MODIS and AVHRR were used. Additionally NOMADS NOAA and MERRA meteorological data were analyzed. The next topics are discussed in the work: 1. Changes of the sea surface temperature, ice regime and relation with salinity. 2. Coastal line transformation – long term and seasonal, wind impact. 3. Manifestation of the Azov waters intrusions through the Arabat spit, preferable wind conditions.

Download Full-text

COVID-19 Infection during Pregnancy: Risk of Vertical Transmission, Fetal, and Neonatal Outcomes

Journal of Personalized Medicine ◽

10.3390/jpm11060483 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 483

Author(s):

Marwa Saadaoui ◽

Manoj Kumar ◽

Souhaila Al Khodor

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Vertical Transmission ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Limited Data ◽

Pregnancy Risk ◽

Public Health Challenge ◽

Short And Long Term ◽

Critical Public Health ◽

The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic is a worldwide, critical public health challenge and is considered one of the most communicable diseases that the world had faced so far. Response and symptoms associated with COVID-19 vary between the different cases recorded, but it is amply described that symptoms become more aggressive in subjects with a weaker immune system. This includes older subjects, patients with chronic diseases, patients with immunosuppression treatment, and pregnant women. Pregnant women are receiving more attention not only because of their altered physiological and immunological function but also for the potential risk of viral vertical transmission to the fetus or infant. However, very limited data about the impact of maternal infection during pregnancy, such as the possibility of vertical transmission in utero, during birth, or via breastfeeding, is available. Moreover, the impact of infection on the newborn in the short and long term remains poorly understood. Therefore, it is vital to collect and analyze data from pregnant women infected with COVID-19 to understand the viral pathophysiology during pregnancy and its effects on the offspring. In this article, we review the current knowledge about pre-and post-natal COVID-19 infection, and we discuss whether vertical transmission takes place in pregnant women infected with the virus and what are the current recommendations that pregnant women should follow in order to be protected from the virus.

Download Full-text

OP0271 REAL-WORLD CLINICAL BURDEN AND GLUCOCORTICOID USE IN PATIENTS WITH POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.4285 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 169.1-169

Author(s):

R. Punekar ◽

P. Lafontaine ◽

J. H. Stone

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Health Plan ◽

Polymyalgia Rheumatica ◽

Data Availability ◽

Categorical Variables ◽

Continuous Variables ◽

Rank Tests ◽

Medical Claim ◽

Diagnosis Codes

Background:Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by aching and morning stiffness in the neck, shoulders and pelvic girdle. It is a common inflammatory rheumatic disease in patients age >50 years, particularly women. While giant cell arteritis (GCA) is present in 9–21% of PMR cases, many PMR patients have symptoms independent of GCA. Current treatment options are limited to long-term glucocorticoid (GC), however, with risks of GC-related complications, including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes mellitus.Objectives:To compare GC use and subsequent GC-related complications in patients with PMR vs a general population (GnP) cohort.Methods:This retrospective, observational cohort study was based on Optum’s de-identified Clinformatics®Data Mart Database (study period 01Jan2006-30June2018). The PMR cohort included patients with ≥1 inpatient or ≥2 outpatient claims ≥30 days apart with PMR related diagnosis codes (ICD-9: 725.xx or ICD-10: M35.3x) between 01Jan2006–30June2017 (patient identification period) during which first occurrence of a PMR-related medical claim was set as the index date (ID). Patients with ≥1 medical claim related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or GCA during the study period were excluded. The GnP cohort included patients without any RA, GCA or PMR diagnosis codes during the study period, with their ID set as 12 months from the start of continuous health plan enrollment. Patients in both cohorts were required to be age ≥50 years (on ID) with continuous health plan enrollment ≥12 months pre- and post-ID. Cohorts were 1:1 propensity score matched. GC use and incidence of GC-related complications were assessed from GC initiation, starting from the baseline period (12-months pre-ID) through to the end of GC use during the post-index period (i.e. the end of data availability, end of the study period or death [whichever occurred first]). Mean, standard deviation (SD) and median values for continuous variables, and frequency (n and %) for categorical variables were compared between the matched cohorts. Wilcoxon sum rank tests andt-tests on continuous variables and Chi-square tests or Fisher’s exact tests on categorical variables between matched cohorts were conducted. Duration of GC use was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared between matched cohorts using log-rank tests.Results:In each of the PMR and GnP cohorts, 16,865 patients were included. In both matched cohorts, median age was 76 years, median Elixhauser comorbidity index score was 2.0, and the majority (~65%) were women. The median follow-up duration was 45 months and 51 months in the PMR and GnP cohorts, respectively. A higher proportion of patients in the PMR cohort than the matched GnP cohort (90.4% vs 62.8%;p<0.001) used GC. The mean (SD) duration of GC therapy was significantly longer in the PMR cohort than in the matched GnP cohort (242.1 [±317.2] days vs 35.5 [±124.6] days;p<0.001). Although patients in the PMR cohort had a lower average daily dose of GC (prednisone equivalent) vs the GnP cohort (mean [SD] mg 16.3 [± 21.9] vs 27.8 [±24.5], respectively [p<0.0001)], the cumulative GC dose was significantly higher in the PMR cohort than the GnP cohort (2125.4 [±3689.5] mg vs 476.6 [±1450.9] mg;p<0.001). This indicates PMR patients used chronic low dose GC while the GnP patients utilized higher dose GC burst therapy less frequently. The number of incident complications associated with GC use were significantly greater in the PMR cohort, and included hypertension, diabetes, skin toxicity, infections, neuropsychiatric effects, endocrine abnormalities, renal dysfunction/ failure, ocular effects, and cardiovascular disease (p<0.05).Conclusion:The overall GC burden in patients with PMR is high. With a higher incidence of GC-related comorbidities among PMR patients, early onset of these complications may be a significant contributor to long-term healthcare costs in these patients.Acknowledgments:This study was funded by Sanofi, Inc. Medical writing, under the direction of authors, was provided by Gauri Saal, MA Economics, Prime, Knutsford, UK, and funded by Sanofi.Disclosure of Interests:Rajeshwari Punekar Shareholder of: Sanofi, Employee of: Sanofi, Patrick LaFontaine Shareholder of: Sanofi, Employee of: Sanofi, John H. Stone Grant/research support from: Roche, Consultant of: Roche

Download Full-text

Regional Bicycle Network Evaluation and Strategic Planning: A Quantitative Methodological Approach Despite Limited Data Sources for Cycling

Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board ◽

10.1177/03611981211028870 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 036119812110288

Author(s):

Alex van Dulmen ◽

Martin Fellendorf

Keyword(s):

Travel Demand ◽

Choice Model ◽

Methodological Approach ◽

Data Availability ◽

Data Sources ◽

Test Case ◽

Demand Model ◽

Limited Data ◽

Demand Models ◽

Bicycle Infrastructure

In cases where budgets and space are limited, the realization of new bicycle infrastructure is often hard, as an evaluation of the existing network or the benefits of new investments is rarely possible. Travel demand models can offer a tool to support decision makers, but because of limited data availability for cycling, the validity of the demand estimation and trip assignment are often questionable. This paper presents a quantitative method to evaluate a bicycle network and plan strategic improvements, despite limited data sources for cycling. The proposed method is based on a multimodal aggregate travel demand model. Instead of evaluating the effects of network improvements on the modal split as well as link and flow volumes, this method works the other way around. A desired modal share for cycling is set, and the resulting link and flow volumes are the basis for a hypothetical bicycle network that is able to satisfy this demand. The current bicycle network is compared with the hypothetical network, resulting in preferable actions and a ranking based on the importance and potentials to improve the modal share for cycling. Necessary accompanying measures for other transport modes can also be derived using this method. For example, our test case, a city in Austria with 300,000 inhabitants, showed that a shift of short trips in the inner city toward cycling would, without countermeasures, provide capacity for new longer car trips. The proposed method can be applied to existing travel models that already contain a mode choice model.

Download Full-text

The Role of ECT in Schizophrenia

Australasian Psychiatry ◽

10.1046/j.1440-1665.2002.00500.x ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 385-388 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Richard Keuneman ◽

Rajiv Weerasundera ◽

David Castle

Keyword(s):

Acute Onset ◽

Clinical Settings ◽

Limited Data ◽

Term Outcome ◽

Long Term Outcome ◽

Affective Symptoms ◽

Maintenance Ect ◽

The Subject

Objective: To review the place of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the treatment of schizophrenia. Conclusions: ECT is as effective, if not more so, than the antipsychotic drugs in certain clinical settings. It can be rapidly effective in acute episodes. When used alone, antipsychotics have comparable or superior efficacy to ECT alone in the short term. However, ECT possibly confers better long-term outcome. Combination treatment with antipsychotic medications and ECT is superior to either treatment alone, and is safe and effective, notably in medication resistant schizophrenia. Benefits of acute courses of ECT may be short-lived unless maintenance ECT is instituted, although there are limited data on the subject. Clinically, patients with acute onset, shorter episodes are more likely to respond to ECT. Catatonia, preoccupation with delusions and hallucinations, and a relative absence of premorbid schizoid and paranoid personality traits, are other clinical factors less strongly predictive of positive response. The presence of affective symptoms is often thought to be predictive of clinical response. However, there is little research evidence for this. While medications remain the mainstay of treatment in schizophrenia, ECT does have a clear and increasingly recognised role which requires further evaluation.

Download Full-text

Distribution and Abundance of Double-crested Cormorants Nesting in the Interior of California, 2009–2012

Western Birds ◽

10.21199/wb51.4.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (4) ◽

pp. 270-292

Author(s):

W. David Shuford ◽

Kathy C. Molina ◽

John P. Kelly ◽

T. Emiko Condeso ◽

Daniel S. Cooper ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Sonoran Desert ◽

Central Valley ◽

The State ◽

Salton Sea ◽

Limited Data ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Human Needs ◽

Large Fluctuations

As part of an 11-state inventory, we censused the Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) in the interior of California from 2009 to 2012, using a combination of aerial, ground, and boat surveys. An estimated 8791 pairs breeding in the interior of the state in 2009–2012 exceeded the 7170 pairs estimated in 1998–1999. In both periods, cormorants were breeding in 9 of 11 ecoregions, but three-fourths were at one site—Mullet Island at the Salton Sea in the Sonoran Desert ecoregion (abandoned in 2014). The ecoregions with the next highest proportions were the Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley, and Modoc Plateau. The apparent increase in numbers and colony sites since 1999—consistent with the pattern through much of western North America—reflects the (short-lived) increase in numbers at the Salton Sea, an increasing number of colonies and breeding pairs in the Central Valley, and slightly better coverage on the recent surveys. Because of practical survey constraints and limited data to date, evidence of change in numbers of Doublecrested Cormorants breeding in the interior of California between 1998–1999 and 2009–2012 is inconclusive. Plans for monitoring will need to take into account the effects of substantial annual variation in numbers, which may be associated with large fluctuations in cormorants’ prey base, short-term cycles of drought and flood, shifts of nesting cormorants into or out of the interior of California, and the expectation of greater environmental fluctuations with continuing climate change. The factors most likely to limit the number of cormorants breeding in the interior of the state are habitat loss or alteration (particularly from reallocation of water for human needs), disease, human disturbance, and the long-term effects of climate change.

Download Full-text

FDI in the Post-Soviet Space Three Decades after the Disintegration of the Soviet Union

Outlines of global transformations politics economics law ◽

10.23932/2542-0240-2021-14-5-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (5) ◽

pp. 30-60

Author(s):

K. Kalotay ◽

A. Sulstarova

Keyword(s):

Soviet Union ◽

Transition Economies ◽

Structural Characteristics ◽

Academic Research ◽

Data Availability ◽

Outward Fdi ◽

Starting Point ◽

Soviet Space ◽

Post Soviet Space

The former Soviet Union disintegrated three decades ago. That momentous 1991 was not only the starting point for independence of the countries of the post-Soviet space but also the starting point for their transformation from centrally planned economy to capitalism, often with local specificities. At the moment of writing this article aiming at analysing the long-term, structural characteristics of inward and outward foreign direct investment (FDI), these 12 economies are facing new COVID-19-related challenges, different from the problems of transformation undertaken in the past decades. After a brief literature survey, in which the main issues raised by academic research are highlighted, the article analyses the long-term trends and the main characteristics (geographical and sectoral) of FDI, with special reference to greenfield project announcements from 2003 on (the starting year of data availability). It also explores how much economic development was based on either attracting inward or promoting outward FDI or both. The performance of the 12 post-Soviet economies is controlled against the performance of other transition economies such as the Baltic States, South-East Europe and/or the Visegrad Group. The article concludes that indeed efforts towards using inward or outward FDI for development has been modest, even if in inflows one can observe some convergence with the other transition economies, which have been relying more wittingly using FDI for their development.

Download Full-text

Floristic composition and taxonomic structure of algae in the hyperhaline reservoirs of the northwestern Azov Sea coast (Ukraine)

Algologia ◽

10.15407/alg30.04.393 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 393-405

Author(s):

A.M. Solonenko ◽

◽

O.G. Bren ◽

Keyword(s):

Water Exchange ◽

Salt Water ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Hydrological Regime ◽

Taxonomic Structure ◽

Azov Sea ◽

The Family ◽

Saline Habitats ◽

Saline Land

The article represents the results of long-term algological studies of hyperhaline reservoirs of the northwestern coast of the Azov Sea. The features of the floristic composition and taxonomic structure of algae in aquatic (water column and bottom), aquatic-terrestrial (water’s edge, dried up water bodies, drying area) and terrestrial (elevated non-flooding areas) habitats of these objects are displayed. A specificity of the studied algoflora lies in the absence of representatives of certain characteristic phyla for the salt-water and non-saline land and water habitats of the territory of Ukraine. It was established that species composition of the studied reservoirs is depleted in comparison with other non-saline and marine ecosystems. Totally, 123 algae species were identified. They represente 7 phyla, 10 classes, 27 orders, 47 families, 68 genera. The largest number of species included three phyla: Cyanoprocaryota – 65 species (52.9% of the total number of identified species), Bacillariophyta – 26 (21.1%), Chlorophyta – 22 (17.9%). The first places among the six leading orders were taken by cyanoprocaryotes from Oscillatoriales, Nostocales, Chroococcales and diatoms from Naviculales. The most numerous species at the family level are trichomous cyanoprocaryotes from Nostocaceae, Pseudanabaenaceae, and Phormidiaceae. There were found 23 leading genera – their species richness exceeds the average indicator (1.81 species). According to the results of original studies, it was noted that all taxonomic levels of algoflora of the hyperhaline reservoirs shows features of not only saline habitats, but also of the freshwater, marine and terrestrial extreme ecosystems. Such diversity of the algal population indicates an unstable hydrological regime and complex relations of water exchange between the hyperhaline reservoirs and nearby terrestrial and aquatic habitats.

Download Full-text