The relative effectiveness of two expanding bullet designs in young harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus): A randomised controlled field study in the Norwegian harp seal hunt

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-167
Author(s):  
KA Ryeng ◽  
SE Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Relative Effectiveness ◽  
Weather Condition ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Harp Seal ◽  
Time To Death ◽  
Pagophilus Groenlandicus ◽  
Parallel Group ◽  
Seal Population ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Randomised Controlled

The aim of this study was to investigate the relative effectiveness of a rapidly expanding Bonded hunting bullet and an explosively expanding Varmint bullet in young harp seals (P). The study was conducted as an open, controlled and randomised parallel-group designed field trial. The animals were pre-randomised (1:1) into one explosively expanding (Varmint) and one expanding (Bonded) bullet type group, with 75 animals in each. The study sample consisted of young, weaned harp seals, 2–7 weeks of age, of both sexes, from the Greenland Sea harp seal population. The study was conducted during the regular hunt. Instantaneous death rate (IDR) and time to death (TTD) were the main variables. The observed IDR was 84 in both bullet groups. Correcting for Weather Condition Index, the IDR for the Varmint bullet was significantly higher compared to the Bonded. The mean TTD was shortest in the Varmint group, but the difference did not reach significance. Compared to the Bonded, a significantly higher total cranial damage score and bleeding intensity, and significantly lower frequencies of bullet exit wounds were detected in the Varmint group. The post mortem reflex movements caused by the Varmint bullet were significantly more powerful with longer duration and higher frequencies of clonic contractions. In conclusion, the results indicate a higher effectiveness of the Varmint bullet relative to the Bonded. The Varmint bullet may thus improve animal welfare in the hunt of young harp seals.

scholarly journals How well do doctors understand a scientific article in English when it is not their first language? A randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e043444
Author(s):  
Martine Rostadmo ◽  
Siri Lunde Strømme ◽  
Magne Nylenna ◽  
Pal Gulbrandsen ◽  
Erlend Hem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
First Language ◽  
Review Article ◽  
Scientific Article ◽  
Potential Range ◽  
Parallel Group ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Primary Care Medicine

IntroductionEnglish is the lingua franca of science. How well doctors understand English is therefore crucial for their understanding of scientific articles. However, only 5% of the world’s population have English as their first language.MethodsObjectives: To compare doctors’ comprehension of a scientific article when read in their first language (Norwegian) versus their second language (English). Our hypothesis was that doctors reading the article in Norwegian would comprehend the content better than those reading it in English.Design: Parallel group randomised controlled trial. We randomised doctors to read the same clinical review article in either Norwegian or English, before completing a questionnaire about the content of the article.Setting: Conference in primary care medicine in Norway, 2018.Participants: 130 native Norwegian-speaking doctors, 71 women and 59 men. One participant withdrew before responding to the questionnaire and was excluded from the analyses.Interventions: Participants were randomly assigned to read a review article in either Norwegian (n=64) or English (n=66). Reading time was limited to 7 min followed by 7 min to answer a questionnaire.Main outcome measures: Total score on questions related to the article content (potential range −9 to 20).ResultsDoctors who read the article in Norwegian had a mean total score of 10.40 (SD 3.96) compared with 9.08 (SD 3.47) among doctors who read the article in English, giving a mean difference of 1.32 (95% CI 0.03 to 2.62; p=0.046). Age was independently associated with total score, with decreased comprehension with increasing age.ConclusionThe difference in comprehension between the group who read in Norwegian and the group who read in English was statistically significant but modest, suggesting that the language gap in academia is possible to overcome.

scholarly journals Total or partial tonsillar resection (tonsillectomy or tonsillotomy) to change the quality of life for adults with recurrent or chronic tonsillitis: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksi Laajala ◽  
Paulus Tokola ◽  
Timo J. Autio ◽  
Timo Koskenkorva ◽  
Mikko Tastula ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Chronic Tonsillitis ◽  
Recurrent Tonsillitis ◽  
New Information ◽  
Parallel Group ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background Tonsillar surgery has been used for decades to treat recurrent and chronic tonsillitis in adults. Recurrent and chronic tonsillitis result in disturbing symptoms, treatment costs, sick leave, and impaired quality of life (QoL). Theoretically, removing all or part of the altered pathological palatal lymphoid tissue alleviates the symptoms and enhances the QoL. Whether this is true with total or partial tonsillar resection (tonsillectomy (TE) and tonsillotomy (TT), respectively) has not been reported in a randomised trial yet. Methods We conduct a multicentre, partly blinded, randomised, 6-month, parallel-group clinical study including 285 adult participants referred to surgical treatment for chronic or recurrent tonsillitis. The participants will either have TE, TT or watchful waiting (WW). The primary outcome will be the difference between the mean disease-specific Tonsillectomy Outcome Inventory-14 (QoL questionnaire) scores at 6 months. Comparison is made firstly between the combined TE+TT and WW groups (superiority analysis), and secondly between the TE and TT groups (non-inferiority analysis). Discussion This study will add significant new information to the effects and harms of TE and TT procedures in the treatment of adults with chronic or recurrent tonsillitis. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04657549

scholarly journals Total or Partial Tonsillar Resection (Tonsillectomy or Tonsillotomy) To Change Quality of Life for Adults with Recurrent or Chronic Tonsillitis: Study Protocol for a Randomised Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksi Laajala ◽  
Paulus Tokola ◽  
Timo Autio ◽  
Timo Koskenkorva ◽  
Mikko Tastula ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Chronic Tonsillitis ◽  
Recurrent Tonsillitis ◽  
New Information ◽  
Parallel Group ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background Tonsillar surgery has been used for decades to treat recurrent and chronic tonsillitis in adults. Recurrent and chronic tonsillitis result in disturbing symptoms, treatment costs, sick leave and impaired quality of life (QoL). Theoretically, removing all or part of the altered pathological palatal lymphoid tissue alleviates the symptoms and enhances the QoL. Whether this is true with total or partial tonsillar resection (tonsillectomy (TE) and tonsillotomy (TT), respectively) has not been reported in a randomised trial yet. Methods We conduct a multicentre, partly blinded, randomised, 6-month, parallel-group clinical study including 285 adult participants referred to surgical treatment for chronic or recurrent tonsillitis. The participants will either have TE, TT or watchful waiting (WW). The primary outcome will be the difference between the mean disease-specific Tonsillectomy Outcome Inventory − 14 (QoL questionnaire) scores at six months. Comparison is made firstly between the combined TE + TT and WW groups (superiority analysis), and secondly between the TE and TT groups (non-inferiority analysis). Discussion This study will add significant new information to the effects and harms of TE and TT procedures in the treatment of adults with chronic or recurrent tonsillitis. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04657549

Sensitivity Analysis of Two Harp Seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) Population Models

1979 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 404-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. Mohn
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Population Model ◽  
Maximum Sustainable Yield ◽  
Population Models ◽  
Harp Seal ◽  
Sustainable Yield ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Yield Level ◽  
Pagophilus Groenlandicus ◽  
Seal Population

Sensitivity analysis has been used to estimate the relative importance of input parameters both between and within two harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) population models. The population size at maximum sustainable yield is shown to be much more poorly defined than the yield level itself. Key words: sensitivity analysis, harp seal, population model, sustainable yield, management

scholarly journals Estimation of harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) pup production in the North Atlantic completed: results from surveys in the Greenland Sea in 2002

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tore Haug ◽  
Garry B. Stenson ◽  
Peter J. Corkeron ◽  
Kjell T. Nilssen
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
Barents Sea ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Harp Seal ◽  
Greenland Sea ◽  
The North ◽  
Pagophilus Groenlandicus ◽  
Pack Ice ◽  
Photographic Survey ◽  
Strip Transect

Abstract From 14 March to 6 April 2002 aerial surveys were carried out in the Greenland Sea pack ice (referred to as the “West Ice”), to assess the pup production of the Greenland Sea population of harp seals, Pagophilus groenlandicus. One fixed-wing twin-engined aircraft was used for reconnaissance flights and photographic strip transect surveys of the whelping patches once they had been located and identified. A helicopter assisted in the reconnaissance flights, and was used subsequently to fly visual strip transect surveys over the whelping patches. The helicopter was also used to collect data for estimating the distribution of births over time. Three harp seal breeding patches (A, B, and C) were located and surveyed either visually or photographically. Results from the staging flights suggest that the majority of harp seal females in the Greenland Sea whelped between 16 and 21 March. The calculated temporal distribution of births were used to correct the estimates obtained for Patch B. No correction was considered necessary for Patch A. No staging was performed in Patch C; the estimate obtained for this patch may, therefore, be slightly negatively biased. The total estimate of pup production, including the visual survey of Patch A, both visual and photographic surveys of Patch B, and photographic survey of Patch C, was 98 500 (s.e. = 16 800), giving a coefficient of variation of 17.9% for the survey. Adding the obtained Greenland Sea pup production estimate to recent estimates obtained using similar methods in the Northwest Atlantic (in 1999) and in the Barents Sea/White Sea (in 2002), it appears that the entire North Atlantic harp seal pup production, as determined at the turn of the century, is at least 1.4 million animals per year.

scholarly journals Pilot Randomised Evaluation of Singing in Dementia (PRESIDE): protocol for a two-arm, parallel-group randomised controlled feasibility study with waiting-list control

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Becky Dowson ◽  
Justine Schneider ◽  
Boliang Guo ◽  
Philip M. Bath ◽  
Orii McDermott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Waiting List ◽  
Community Group ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Parallel Group ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Person With Dementia

Abstract Background As the number of people living with dementia grows, so does the need to provide them with adequate psychosocial support. Many people with dementia live at home with family carers, who also require social and emotional support to cope with their role. Community group singing has received attention for its potential to support people with dementia and their carers. It is postulated that singing can improve cognitive function, strengthen the bonds between care partners and help to establish social support networks. However, there is a lack of rigorous evidence of singing’s benefits for this population. This study aims to test the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial of community singing in dementia, to pave the way for a larger, conclusive study. Methods The PRESIDE study is designed as a two-arm, parallel-group randomised trial with a waiting list control. Dyads consisting of a person with dementia (n = 80) and their carer (n = 80) will be recruited. Each dyad will be randomised either to attend 10 weeks of community group singing sessions straight away or to wait for 3 months before attending the sessions. The singing sessions will be led by experienced professional musicians and will last about 90 min, including time for socialising. The primary outcome of this study is the attainment of feasibility criteria around recruitment, retention and the acceptability of the waiting list control. Secondary outcomes include the quality of life, mood, cognition, and musical engagement of the person with dementia, and quality of life, mood, and experiences/challenges of the carer. These data will be collected during home visits at baseline, and 3 and 6 months post-baseline. Discussion Despite growing public interest in the positive effects of singing, and encouraging findings from qualitative and non-randomised quantitative studies, there is a lack of rigorous evidence. This is the first randomised controlled trial of community group singing for people with dementia in Europe, to our knowledge. If the results favour a full trial, conclusively demonstrating the effectiveness of group singing could positively affect the opportunities available to community-dwelling people with dementia and their carers. Trial registration Unique identification number in ISRCTN registry: ISRCTN10201482. Date registered: 12 May 2020

scholarly journals Effects of training on quality of peer review: randomised controlled trial

BMJ ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 328 (7441) ◽  
pp. 673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Schroter ◽  
Nick Black ◽  
Stephen Evans ◽  
James Carpenter ◽  
Fiona Godlee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Group Score ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Quality Instrument

AbstractObjective To determine the effects of training on the quality of peer review.Design Single blind randomised controlled trial with two intervention groups receiving different types of training plus a control group.Setting and participants Reviewers at a general medical journal.Interventions Attendance at a training workshop or reception of a self taught training package focusing on what editors want from reviewers and how to critically appraise randomised controlled trials.Main outcome measures Quality of reviews of three manuscripts sent to reviewers at four to six monthly intervals, evaluated using the validated review quality instrument; number of deliberate major errors identified; time taken to review the manuscripts; proportion recommending rejection of the manuscripts.Results Reviewers in the self taught group scored higher in review quality after training than did the control group (score 2.85 v 2.56; difference 0.29, 95% confidence interval 0.14 to 0.44; P = 0.001), but the difference was not of editorial significance and was not maintained in the long term. Both intervention groups identified significantly more major errors after training than did the control group (3.14 and 2.96 v 2.13; P < 0.001), and this remained significant after the reviewers' performance at baseline assessment was taken into account. The evidence for benefit of training was no longer apparent on further testing six months after the interventions. Training had no impact on the time taken to review the papers but was associated with an increased likelihood of recommending rejection (92% and 84% v 76%; P = 0.002).Conclusions Short training packages have only a slight impact on the quality of peer review. The value of longer interventions needs to be assessed.

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