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Scent lures and baits at camera traps improve time to first detection and detection probability of two typically elusive species of weasel
Get PDFThere is a growing body of evidence that weasel species are in decline globally. More data on their ecology and distribution are needed to plan and justify any conservation management actions. Camera trapping can be an effective survey method for many species; however, the small size and quick movements of weasels present challenges in detection and little consensus exists on practices for attracting them to improve detection. This study tested different combinations of meat baits and scent and audio lures to assess the most effective methods. Camera traps were set up in clusters of three at 42 sites to test the effectiveness of these combinations, accounting for season, in terms of the time to first detection (TFD), detection probability using occupancy models, and the number and clarity of weasel photos. We also repeated TFD and detection probability analyses for setups that were ≥ 20 m apart in case of overlap of effects. The average TFD across all sites was 43 days. Fall typically had the shortest TFD with beaver bait in fall achieving the best results. After accounting for occupancy, predicted detection probability across a 60-day survey was highest in fall with the best combination being salmon lure and beaver bait. The treatment type did not impact the average number of photos captured, but the clarity of photos was significantly positively related to use of bait and lure, type of lure, and specific combinations of bait and lure
Firm biodiversity risk, climate vulnerabilities, and bankruptcy risk
Get PDFThis study examines the relationship between firms’ biodiversity risk, climate susceptibility, and bankruptcy risk. The findings indicate that firm exposure to biodiversity risk increases the likelihood of financial distress. Furthermore, we document that firms’ susceptibility to climate risk increases the likelihood of bankruptcy risk. We also demonstrate that financial constraints, growth opportunities, and membership in carbon-intensive industries can worsen or alleviate the bankruptcy implications of climate-related risk. Firms’ continent of operation is also an important consideration. The findings imply that severe climate-related vulnerabilities and firm biodiversity risk have profound consequences for corporate outcomes. This study sheds more light on how corporate financial outlook is impacted by ecological degradation and climate-related vulnerabilities
Development and validation of the caregiver-report version of the international grief questionnaire (IGQ-CG): Results from a Ukrainian sample of parents
Get PDFThe International Grief Questionnaire (IGQ) is a self-report measure of ICD-11 Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) in adults. This study sought to develop and validate a caregiver-report version of the IGQ for children and adolescents aged 7–17 years; the IGQ-Caregiver Version (IGQ-CG). 639 parents living in Ukraine provided data on themselves and one child in their household as part of the “The Mental Health of Parents and Children in Ukraine Study: 2023 Follow-up” study. The latent structure of the scale was tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), while convergent validity was assessed through associations with other mental health correlates. Prevalence rates of probable ICD-11 PGD were estimated. CFA results supported a correlated two-factor model (‘core’ and ‘associated’ symptoms) and the internal reliability of the scale scores were acceptable. Convergent validity was supported through significant correlations with internalizing symptoms, while contact with the deceased, time since bereavement, and parental PGD were associated with higher scores on the IGQ-CG latent variables. The prevalence of probable ICD-11 PGD was 1.4%, and amongst those with a lifetime bereavement, the conditional rate was 3.2%. The IGQ-CG produces reliable and valid scores for ICD-11 PGD symptoms in children and adolescents as reported by their caregivers
You could describe them as artworks: W.G. Sebald’s image practice, and an accomplice, emerge from the shadows
Get PDFUnderstanding the drivers of seagrass loss in Kenya: Evidence for the impacts of population and fishing
Get PDFSeagrass ecosystems are crucial for supporting biodiversity and serve as vital fishing grounds. Unfortunately, their cover is declining globally. In Kenya, seagrass cover is falling by ~ 1.6% annually but the causes are unknown. This study investigated the possible anthropogenic drivers of seagrass decline along the Kenyan coastline. Satellite and large‐scale geographic data on population growth, chlorophyll α trends, housing, and road density were used to explore their effects on seagrass cover loss along the whole coastline. Direct investigations were conducted into the effects of seine netting and basket trapping within seagrasses. There was an average loss of 1.9 km2 per 25 km2 seagrass cover between 2000 and 2016 and a weak but significant relationship between population growth and seagrass decline, with losses concentrated in areas with the highest population density. In contrast with studies elsewhere, there was no evidence implicating eutrophication, supporting the suggestion that declines are linked to direct anthropogenic impacts such as fishing. A field experiment showed that a single instance of seine netting caused a significant loss of seagrass cover of 8.3% within the area fished, while no significant changes were observed with basket traps. These findings support the evidence that declines in seagrass in Kenya and in other African countries are anthropogenic and are linked with fishing pressure and endorse existing efforts to restrict use of seine netting within seagrasses. Understanding the status, changes, and drivers of change in seagrass ecosystems in Africa is crucial for developing effective national and local seagrass conservation plans, and for compliance with international commitments on seagrass conservation
How thermal treatment affects the chemical composition and the physical, mechanical and swelling properties of Scots pine juvenile and mature wood
Get PDFHigh variations in juvenile wood properties in the radial direction and its worse performance than mature wood make it less suitable for some applications and often treated as waste material. This study aimed to assess how thermal modification affects the chemical composition and the physical, mechanical and swelling properties of Scots pine juvenile and mature wood. An additional goal was to evaluate if the modification can equalise the differences in selected properties of juvenile wood to those of mature wood so that from waste material, juvenile wood can become a fully-fledged raw material for various industrial applications. Thermal treatment at 220 °C influenced wood chemical composition, degrading mainly hemicelluloses but also affecting cellulose and lignin, which resulted in a reduction of hydroxyls and carbonyl/carboxyl groups. These changes were more pronounced for mature than juvenile wood. It reduced mass loss and swelling rate, and increased swelling pressure in the tangential and radial directions to a higher degree for juvenile than mature wood. Changes in mechanical properties in compression were statistically significant only for mature wood, while wood hardness remained unaffected. Although the applied heat treatment improved the performance of juvenile wood by reducing its swelling rate, it did not equalise the examined properties between juvenile and mature wood. Since higher juvenile wood proportion is expected in the wood supply from the future intensively managed forests, there is still a need to find suitable modification methods or better processing techniques so that instead of being thrown away as waste, it could be used broadly in various industrial applications
Factors Associated with Unplanned Pregnancy Among Youth at a Selected Hospital in Lesotho
Get PDFUnplanned pregnancy amongst youth is a fundamental health problem that affects both developing and developed countries globally. There are various factors associated with unplanned pregnancy amongst youth and these factors have differing propagators. Unplanned pregnancies account for over half of total pregnancies in Lesotho; youth pregnancies contribute vast percentage overall. This study aimed to assess which factors associated are with unplanned pregnancy among youths who sought antenatal and postnatal care services at a selected government hospital in Lesotho. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, and data was collected from a sample of 100 participants using a structured questionnaire. The results revealed that unplanned pregnancy among youths was associated with age, unemployment, lack of contraceptive use, sexual abuse, living in rural areas and lack of unplanned pregnancy prevention campaigns. The findings of this study support socio-ecological model which postulates that variety of factors influence health outcomes. We conclude that more needs to be done to improve access to formal education, availability and accessibility of unplanned pregnancy prevention campaigns and sexual and reproductive services. Reduction in unplanned pregnancy has several benefits not only to sexual and reproductive health but to life holistically. Sexual and reproductive health benefits include reduced maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality and reduced abortions
Translation and validation of the Polish-language version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R) and its relationship to the type of delivery and the baby’s Apgar score
Get PDFBackgroundMaternal birth experience is being increasingly recognised as a key clinical outcome parameter. The Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R) is a short self-report measure designed to assess birth experience. The current investigation sought to translate the BSS-R into Polish and validate this version of the BSS-R (PL-BSS-R).Participants and procedureThe BSS-R was translated into Polish by an expert panel using forward and backward translation. A complex within- subjects design with an embedded between-subjects component was used to determine the key psychometric characteristics of the PL-BSS-R. Two hundred ninety-four Polish-speaking women in Poland completed the followup component of the study where the PL-BSS-R was administered. The PL-BSS-R measurement properties were examined using confirmatory factor analysis, divergent, convergent validity analysis, internal consistency appraisal and investigation of known-groups discriminant characteristics.ResultsThe PL-BSS-R was found to have generally very good measurement properties and to be equivalent to the original English-language version across key validity indices. The PL-BBS-R was found to be significantly correlated with neonatal physical health immediately postpartum and differed across delivery modes.ConclusionsThe PL-BSS-R is a psychometrically robust measure of birth experience appropriate for clinical and research use within Poland. Important associations were noted between subjective maternal birth experience and objective measures of neonatal physical health, indicating a critically important future research direction
Defending the Surface Microbiome
Get PDFThe recent article appealing for a review of decontamination practices in UK hospitals misunderstands basic cleaning principles and fails to acknowledge the environmental impact of universal disinfection.1 While this is a predictable reaction to the rising tide of multi-resistant pathogens, it will encourage increasing reliance on biocidal products. Lack of awareness of contamination does not justify universal disinfection, simply because pathogens are, and always have been, microscopic.1 The article clearly supports the ‘kill-all’ philosophy when it comes to the lethal threat from healthcare surfaces
Assessing environmental performance of service supply chain using fuzzy TOPSIS method
No full textThis paper aims to apply a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework to evaluate the environmental performance of the medical service supply chain using a case study in India. An application of MCDM method, the fuzzy TOPSIS (Technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution) model, is used for Medical Support Service Provide firms (MSSPF) environmental performance evaluation. We require multiple and conflicting criteria to fix real-life decision-making challenges, which in turn led to the inception of (MCDM). However, MCDM is contracted with various contradictory requirements in which the knowledge of decision-makers is generally vague and thereby more challenging. In this situation, inclusions of fuzzy set theory in MCDM Methods would be good to solve the MCDM problem. In this study, the authors used a fuzzy TOPSIS MCDM model to solve the evaluation framework. Data were collected from the experts from the MSSPF about the more perfect criteria to assess environmental performance using a questionnaire. Case assesses the environmental performance, based on defined criteria, of three MSSPF by the experts. Fuzzy TOPSIS Method ranks three MSSPF according to environmental performance in the following order: Firm B, Firm A and Firm C. The result suggested that ‘Firm B’ performed superior environmental performance followed by ‘Firm A’ and ‘Firm C’. This evaluation framework will help MSSPF to identify potential areas of further improvement in Environmental performance, and thereby creates strategies to overcome and formulate new innovations. Notably, this is one of the few studies to have used this method to gauge the environmental performance of the medical service supply chain in India
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