14 research outputs found
Defining Comprehensive Disease Control for Use as a Treatment Target for Ulcerative Colitis in Clinical Practice: International Delphi Consensus Recommendations
No full textBackground and Aims: Treatment of ulcerative colitis [UC] requires a patient-centric definition of comprehensive disease control that considers improvements in aspects not typically captured by classical landmark trial endpoints. In an international initiative, we reviewed aspects of UC that affect patients and/or indicate mucosal inflammation, to achieve consensus on which aspects to combine in a definition of comprehensive disease control, using a modified Delphi process. Methods: The Delphi panel comprised 12 gastroenterologists and one patient advocate. Two gastroenterologists were elected as chairs and did not vote. To inform statements, we asked 18 patients and the panel members about their experiences of remission and reviewed published literature. Panel members voted on statements anonymously in three rounds, with a live discussion before Round 3. Consensus was met if ≥67% of the panel agreed. Statements without consensus in Rounds 1 and 2 were revised or discarded after Round 3. Results: The panel agreed to measure individual patient benefit using a definition of comprehensive disease control that combines aspects currently measured in trials [rectal bleeding, stool frequency, disease-related quality of life, endoscopy, histological inflammatory activity, inflammatory biomarkers, and corticosteroid use] with additional patient-reported symptoms [bowel urgency, abdominal pain, extraintestinal manifestations, fatigue, and sleep disturbance]. The panel agreed on scoring systems and thresholds for many aspects. Conclusions: Using a robust methodology, we defined comprehensive disease control in UC. Next, we will combine the measurement and scoring of these aspects into a multicomponent tool and will adopt comprehensive disease control as a treatment target in clinical practice and trials.</p
Bird species richness and diversity at montane Important Bird Area (IBA) sites in south-eastern Nigeria
No full textThe mountains of south-eastern Nigeria are a western extension of the Cameroon mountain range, which is classified as an endemic bird area (EBA). Unlike its eastern extension in Cameroon, most of the ornithological surveys in the western extension of the Cameroon highlands in Nigeria have produced only limited checklists and inventories. There is a clear need for quantitative baseline data so that conservation problems can be identified. Twenty line transects covering a total transect length of 28.8 km were used to survey five sites (Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, Oban and Okwangwo Division of Cross River National Park, Sankwala Mountains and Mbe Mountains) in the westernmost extension of the Cameroon Mountains EBA in south western Nigeria. Vegetation measurements were taken to control for the potential confounding effect of variation in vegetation density and structure on detectability of birds between sites. The 193 bird species recorded in Afi, 158 in Sankwala, 124 in Oban, 100 in Mbe and 73 in Okwangwo Division included most of the Cameroon highlands restricted range species. The results show that the mountains of south-eastern Nigeria are important parts of the Cameroon EBA, particularly the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary. However these sites are threatened by fire and livestock grazing on the hilltops, shifting agriculture on the hillsides and lowlands, and logging for timber in some parts, as well as wildlife hunting for bush meat.Peer reviewe
L-Mode and Inter-ELM Divertor Particle and Heat Flux Width Scaling on MAST L-Mode and Inter-ELM Divertor Particle and Heat Flux Width Scaling on MAST L-mode and inter-ELM divertor particle and heat flux width scaling on MAST L-Mode and Inter-ELM Divertor
No full textAbstract The distribution of particles and power to plasma-facing components is of key importance in the design of next-generation fusion devices. Power and particle decay lengths have been measured in a number of MAST L-mode and H-mode discharges in order to determine their parametric dependencies, by fitting power and particle flux profiles measured by divertor Langmuir probes, to a convolution of an exponential decay and a Gaussian function. In all discharges analysed, it is found that exponential decay lengths mapped to the midplane are mostly dependent on separatrix electron density (n e,sep 0.650.15 L-mode, n e,sep 0.760.19 H-mode) and plasma current (I p -0.360.11 L-mode, I p -1.050.18 H-mode) (or parallel connection length). The widths of the convolved Gaussian functions have been used to derive an approximate diffusion coefficient, which is found to vary from 1m 2 /s to 7m 2 /s, and is systematically lower in H-mode compared with L-mode
Assessing the Cost of Global Biodiversity and Conservation Knowledge
No full textabstract: Knowledge products comprise assessments of authoritative information supported by standards, governance, quality control, data, tools, and capacity building mechanisms. Considerable resources are dedicated to developing and maintaining knowledge products for biodiversity conservation, and they are widely used to inform policy and advise decision makers and practitioners. However, the financial cost of delivering this information is largely undocumented. We evaluated the costs and funding sources for developing and maintaining four global biodiversity and conservation knowledge products: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems, Protected Planet, and the World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas. These are secondary data sets, built on primary data collected by extensive networks of expert contributors worldwide. We estimate that US116–204 million), plus 293 person-years of volunteer time (range: 278–308 person-years) valued at US12–16 million), were invested in these four knowledge products between 1979 and 2013. More than half of this financing was provided through philanthropy, and nearly three-quarters was spent on personnel costs. The estimated annual cost of maintaining data and platforms for three of these knowledge products (excluding the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems for which annual costs were not possible to estimate for 2013) is US6.2–6.7 million). We estimated that an additional US12 million. These costs are much lower than those to maintain many other, similarly important, global knowledge products. Ensuring that biodiversity and conservation knowledge products are sufficiently up to date, comprehensive and accurate is fundamental to inform decision-making for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Thus, the development and implementation of plans for sustainable long-term financing for them is critical.The article is published at http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.016064
An analysis of food and beverage advertising on bus shelters in a deprived area of Northern England
No full textObjective: To quantify the extent of food and beverage advertising on bus shelters in a deprived area of the UK that has no restrictions on this activity, to identify the healthfulness of advertised products and the creative strategies used and extent of appeal to young people, and to identify differences by level of deprivation.
Design: Images of all bus shelter advertisements across the two unitary authorities were collected via in person photography (in 2019) and verified using Google Street View (photos recorded in 2018). All advertisements were coded according to advert type. Food and beverage advertisements were coded as brand or product ads and into one of seventeen food categories. These items were classified as healthy/less healthy using the UK Nutrient Profile Model. The deprivation level of the ad location was identified using the UK Index of Multiple Deprivation.
Setting: This study took place in South Teesside, specifically the unitary authorities of Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland.
Participants: There are no participants in this study.
Results: 832 advertisements were identified in total, almost half (48.9%) of which were for foods or beverages. Of the food and beverage adverts, 35.1% were classed as less healthy. Close to a quarter (22.2%) of food advertisements used creative strategies, almost all of these were competitions. Food advertisements were found to be of appeal to children under 12 years (47.3%) and adolescents, 13-17 years (70.5%). Most bus shelters, and therefore most food advertising, was in the most deprived area but not meaningful differences in advertising was found by level of deprivation.
Conclusions: Food advertising is extensive on bus shelters in the UK, and a substantial proportion of this advertising is classified as less healthy and would not be permitted to be advertised around television programming for children. Bus shelter advertising should be considered part of the UK policy deliberations around restricting less healthy food marketing exposure
An analysis of food and beverage advertising on bus shelters in a deprived area of Northern England
No full textObjective: To quantify the extent of food and beverage advertising on bus shelters in a deprived area of the UK, to identify the healthfulness of advertised products, and any differences by level of deprivation. The study also sought to assess the creative strategies used and extent of appeal to young people. Design: Images of bus shelter advertisements were collected via in person photography (in 2019) and Google Street View (photos recorded in 2018). Food and beverage advertisements were grouped into one of seventeen food categories and classified as healthy/less healthy using the UK Nutrient Profile Model. The deprivation level of the advertisement location was identified using the UK Index of Multiple Deprivation. Setting: Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland in South Teesside. Participants: N/A Results: Eight hundred and thirty-two advertisements were identified, almost half (48·9 %) of which were for foods or beverages. Of food and non-alcoholic beverage adverts, 35·1 % were less healthy. Most food advertisements (98·9 %) used at least one of the persuasive creative strategies. Food advertisements were found to be of appeal to children under 18 years of age (71·9 %). No differences in healthiness of advertised foods were found by level of deprivation. Conclusions: Food advertising is extensive on bus shelters in parts of the UK, and a substantial proportion of this advertising is classified as less healthy and would not be permitted to be advertised around television programming for children. Bus shelter advertising should be considered part of the UK policy deliberations around restricting less healthy food marketing exposure
Análise da efetividade de manejo em uma área importante para a conservação das aves e da biodiversidade: o caso do Parque Estadual da Serra do Tabuleiro, Santa Catarina, Brasil
No full textDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geografia, Florianópolis, 2015.O presente estudo objetivou identificar as ameaças existentes sobre a IBA ? Parque estadual da Serra do Tabuleiro (IBA PAEST), os padrões espaciais de 17 espécies de aves ameaças de extinção com hábitos florestais, analisar temporalmente a variação da sua cobertura vegetal entre os anos de 2001 e 2012, que culminaram na identificação do seu estado de conservação, além das ações desenvolvidas pelo órgão gestor da unidade para a manutenção das espécies de aves globalmente ameaçadas de extinção. A efetividade de manejo foi avaliada por meio do quadro metodológico baseado na Estrutura Global de Monitoramento em Áreas Importantes para a Conservação das Aves, idealizada pela BirdLife em 2006. Com esta pesquisa foi identificado que a IBA ? PAEST possui uma efetividade de manejo baixa, o que pode ser traduzida com insatisfatória, tornando-a uma IBA em perigo. As piores classificações entre os indicadores analisados ocorreram nos itens de planejamento da administração e ações de conservação. Quanto aos indicadores que mediram os níveis de ameaça na unidade, os que obtiveram valores de impacto muito alto foram as atividades agrícolas, caça predatória, expansão urbana e poluição por resíduos sólidos. No caso dos indicadores que mediram o estado dos ecossistemas da IBA ? PAEST, obtido pela análise temporal das imagens de satélite, obteve-se uma classificação boa, na qual os valores foram maiores que 90% em relação ao seu potencial ótimo. Os resultados demonstraram uma perda de cobertura florestal de 283 hectares durante o período de doze anos. Com relação a análise dos mapas de distribuição das espécies estudadas, foi constatado que cinco espécies de aves não possuem distribuição para a IBA ? PAEST, conforme o banco de dados da IUCN. Porém, as mesmas foram avistadas na área durante as campanhas de campo. Importante destacar que foram avistadas 87 diferentes espécies de aves durante esta pesquisa, sendo que 10 destas estão ameaçadas de extinção. Este total equivale a 24% das espécies existentes nos limites da unidade (360). Com relação ao método adotado para avaliar e classificar as ameaças sobre a IBA ? PAEST, suas condições e as ações de conservação, o mesmo permitiu a obtenção de um resultado claro e compreensível, podendo ser replicado para análises futuras emoutras IBAs presentes no Estado de Santa Catarina. Em termos gerais, os indicadores corresponderam com eficiência às expectativas iniciais, permitindo responder aos objetivos propostos para a pesquisa.Abstract : This study?s goal is to identify threats within an IBA - Serra do Tabuleiro State Park -, the spatial patterns of 17 forest bird species threatened with extinction and to assess the parks forest cover between 2001 and 2012. By those means, this study intends to identify the park?s conservation state and the actions developed by its management body for the maintenance of bird species globally threatened with extinction. Management effectiveness is assessed within a methodological structure based on the ?Monitoring Important Bird Areas: a global framework?, created by BirdLife in 2006. This study identified that Serra do Tabuleiro State Park has very low or unsatisfactory management success, which means that this is an endangered IBA. The worse indicators were related to management and conservation actions. As for the indicators that measured threat levels in the park, the ones with higher values were farming, predatory hunting, urban growth and solid residues pollution. The indicators that measured ecosystem? state, obtained by temporal analyses of satellite images, reached a good classification, with values higher than 90% (great potential). The results showed 283 hectares of forest lost during the period of twelve years.Five bird species that were not yet correctly included on BirdLife?s distribution maps in fact were visualized in the park?s area. It is important to notice that 87 bird species (24% of the total number of species officially registered within the park?s boundaries, 360) were seeing during field trips ? ten threatened with extinction. The method applied to evaluate and classify the park?s threats, conditions and conservation actions, allowed this study to obtain clear and easily comprehensible results that can be replicated in future assessments in other IBAs on Santa Catarina State. The indicators corresponded efficiently to the initial expectations allowing the author to answer to this research?s objectives
Factors influencing the outcomes of non-pharmacological interventions for managing fatigue across the lifespan of people living with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions: a scoping review protocol.
No full textFatigue is an important and distressing symptom for many people living with chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. Many non-pharmacological interventions have been investigated in recent years and some have been demonstrated to be effective in reducing fatigue and fatigue impact, however, there is limited guidance for clinicians to follow regarding the most appropriate management options. The objective of this scoping review is to understand and map the extent of evidence in relation to the factors that relate to the outcome of non-pharmacological interventions on MSK condition-related fatigue across the lifespan. This scoping review will include evidence relating to people of all ages living with chronic MSK conditions who have been offered a non-pharmacological intervention with either the intention or effect of reducing fatigue and its impact. Databases including AMED, PsycINFO, CINAHLPlus, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Scopus will be searched for peer-reviewed primary research studies published after 1 January 2007 in English language. These findings will be used to identify factors associated with successful interventions and to map gaps in knowledge. Ethical approval was not required for this review. Findings will be disseminated by journal publications, conference presentations and by communicating with relevant healthcare and charity organisations. [Abstract copyright: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.
The broadening of SOL profiles in JET tritium plasma and its impact on machine operation
No full textFunding Information: This work has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium, funded by the European Union via the Euratom Research and Training Programme (Grant Agreement No. 101052200—EUROfusion) and from the RCUK [Grant Number EP/T012250/1]. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them. | openaire: EC/H2020/101052200/EU//EUROfusionUnusually high power loads on the beryllium limiter caused by neutral beam re-ionisation, and much cooler divertor target surfaces were observed during the recent JET tokamak tritium campaign. As both phenomena are driven by scrape-off layer (SOL) physics, the SOL features of 72 tritium H-mode discharges and their deuterium references have been studied. The majority (70) of tritium H-mode discharges had exponentially decaying SOL profiles. The tritium plasmas are observed to have increased separatrix density and collisionality compared to their deuterium references. This is associated with ≈ 2 − 3 times broader SOL width for both density and temperature profiles. This is consistent with previous observations in highly collisional deuterium H-mode plasma on the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak (Sun et al 2015 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 57 075005) and interpreted as high collisionality enhancing cross-field transport across the separatrix and resulting in the broadening of near SOL above a critical value. The other two tritium H-mode discharges had near flat SOL density profiles, similar to the so-called ‘density shoulder formation’ observed in L-mode plasma. The SOL collisionality of these two pulses lies within the range of T pulses without density shoulder formation. This supports the conclusion of previous studies (Vianello et al 2017 Nucl. Fusion 57 116014; Wynn et al 2018 Nucl. Fusion 58 056001) that increased collisionality is not sufficient for the formation of a ‘density shoulder’ and additional factors, likely divertor condition or interaction with neutrals, are required. JET tritium plasma provides evidence of favourable and unfavourable effects of enhanced cross-field SOL transport on machine operation. The larger limiter power loads due to re-ionisation of neutral beam injection observed in the T pulses relative to their D references has been shown to be consistent with the combined effects of the broadening of the SOL profile and larger beam ion Larmor radius. The enhanced cross-field particle transport and the resulting broader SOL width provides more particles to ionize the fast Beam neutrals, causing the unfavourable power load issue on the beryllium limiter. The broader near SOL profiles of the T plasma spreads the heat load over a larger area and, together with the increased separatrix density, results in a favourably cooler divertor target surface.Peer reviewe
Taxonomy, phylogeny and eco-biogeography of southern African white-eyes (Zosterops spp.) Aves: order Passeriformes, Family: Zosteropidae
No full textIncludes abstract.Includes bibliographical references (p. 193-216).The aim of this study was to incorporate all lines of evidence to establish the true taxonomy and phylogeny of southern African Zosterops. Character data sets used include plumage and morphometric measures, vocal characters and molecular (mitochondrial and nuclear) DNA sequences. A broad scale phylogeographic analysis was also performed to establish the evolutionary process driving the diversity observed among these birds
