A voluntary commercial vessel Slowdown trial was conducted through 16 nm of shipping lanes overlapping critical habitat of at-risk southern resident killer whales (SRKW) in the Salish Sea. From ...August 7 to October 6, 2017, the trial requested piloted vessels to slow to 11 knots speed-through-water. Analysis of AIS vessel tracking data showed that 421 of 951 (44%) piloted transits achieved speeds within one knot of the target (i.e., ≤12 knots) and 55% achieved speeds ≤13 knots. Slowdown results were compared to ‘Baseline’ noise of the same region, matched across lunar months. A local hydrophone listening station in Lime Kiln State Park, 2.3 km from the shipping lane, recorded 1.2 dB reductions in median broadband noise (10-100,000 Hz, rms) compared to the Baseline period, despite longer transit durations during the trial. Filtering for commercial vessels within 6 km radius of Lime Kiln listening station (aiming to remove confounding effects of variability in vessel numbers), and excluding small boat noise, high current and wind speed periods, median noise was reduced by 2.5 dB. The reductions were highest in the 1st decade band (-3.1 dB, 10-100 Hz) and lowest in the 4th decade band (-0.3 dB reduction, 10-100 kHz). A regional vessel noise model predicted noise for a range of traffic volume and vessel speed scenarios for a 1133 km2 ‘Slowdown region’ containing the 16 nm of the trial’s shipping lanes. A temporally and spatially-explicit simulation model was used to evaluate the changes in traffic volume and speed on SRKW in their foraging habitat within this Slowdown region. The simulation model tracked the number and magnitude of noise-exposure events that impacted each of 78 SRKW across different traffic volume-speed scenarios. These metrics were simplified to a cumulative effect termed ‘potential lost foraging time’. The model predicted that the voluntary Slowdown trial achieved 22% reduction in ‘potential lost foraging time’ for SRKW, with 40% reductions under 100% 11 knot participation. Slower vessel speeds reduced underwater noise in the Slowdown area despite longer passage times and therefore suggest this is an effective way to benefit SRKW habitat function in the vicinity of shipping lanes.
Background
Nanotechnology and nanomedicine are rising novel fields in plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS). The use of nanomaterials often goes with regenerative medicine. Due to their nanoscale, ...these materials stimulate repair at the cellular and molecular levels. Nanomaterials may be placed as components of nanocomposite polymers allowing enhancement of overall biochemical and biomechanical properties with improved scaffold properties, cellular attachment, and tissue regeneration. They may also be formulated as nanoparticle-based delivery systems for controlled release of signal factors or antimicrobials, for example. However, more studies on nanoparticle-based delivery systems still need to be done in this field. Nanomaterials are also used as frameworks for nerves, tendons, and other soft tissues.
Main body
In this mini-review, we focus on nanoparticle-based delivery systems and nanoparticles targeting cells for response and regeneration in PRS. Specifically, we investigate their roles in various tissue regeneration, skin and wound healing, and infection control. Cell surface-targeted, controlled-release, and inorganic nanoparticle formulations with inherent biological properties have enabled enhanced wound healing, tumor visualization/imaging, tissue viability, and decreased infection, and graft/transplantation rejection through immunosuppression.
Conclusions
Nanomedicine is also now being applied with electronics, theranostics, and advanced bioengineering technologies. Overall, it is a promising field that can improve patient clinical outcomes in PRS.
The correlation of multivariate data is a common task in investigations of soil biology and in ecology in general. Procrustes analysis and the Mantel test are two approaches that often meet this ...objective and are considered analogous in many situations especially when used as a statistical test to assess the statistical significance between multivariate data tables. Here we call the attention of ecologists to the advantages of a less familiar application of the Procrustean framework, namely the Procrustean association metric (a vector of Procrustean residuals). These residuals represent differences in fit between multivariate data tables regarding homologous observations (e.g., sampling sites) that can be used to estimate local levels of association (e.g., some groups of sites are more similar in their association between biotic and environmental features than other groups of sites). Given that in the Mantel framework, multivariate information is translated into a pairwise distance matrix, we lose the ability to contrast homologous data points across dimensions and data matrices after their fit. In this paper, we attempt to familiarize ecologists with the benefits of using these Procrustean residual differences to further gain insights about the processes underlying the association among multivariate data tables using real and hypothetical examples.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
In this paper, we discuss the existing data on the burden of diabetes in the Philippines and present the status of management, prevention, and control of diabetes in the country.
A review of ...literature was conducted to synthesize the status of diabetes mellitus in the Philippines.
An estimated 4.3 million Filipinos were diagnosed with diabetes, while 2.8 million remained undiagnosed in 2021. Diabetic retinopathy is a top cause of preventable blindness in Region 3, Philippines. Diabetic nephropathy contributes to 38% of renal disease cases in the Philippines. The 2021 Philippine Guidelines on Periodic Health Examination (PhEX) advocate for the utilization of fasting blood sugar (FBS) as a screening measure for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in healthy adults aged 40 years and older or in those with specified risk factors. The alternative option of hemoglobin A1c is (HbA1c) deemed appropriate but comes with a conditional recommendation due to its uneven accessibility across different regions of the country. Treatment guidelines align between the Philippines and the US. Initial medical nutrition therapy involves healthy habits, progressing to pharmacologic treatment if necessary. Financial constraints, seen in limited insurance coverage and high out-of-pocket costs, impede care, amplifying disease impact. The complex diabetes care, encompassing pharmacotherapy, nutrition, exercise, and monitoring, faced challenges during COVID-19 quarantines.
In conclusion, the paper outlines diabetes care principles—screening, diagnostics, and multidisciplinary care—alongside economic implications. Local and national initiatives are discussed to mitigate diabetes trends and reduce its burden in the Philippines.
•Diabetes prevalence in the Philippines will reach 7.5 million by 2045.•Complications of diabetes include vascular and nonvascular diseases.•Metformin and sulfonylureas are the most widely available antidiabetic drugs.•There is limited insurance coverage and high out-of-pocket expenses for diabetes care.
Excised lungs from eight marine mammal species harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus), harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), gray seal (Halichoerus grypush), Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus ...acutus), common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) and harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) were used to determine the minimum air volume of the relaxed lung (MAV, N=15), the elastic properties (pressure-volume curves, N=24) of the respiratory system and the total lung capacity (TLC). Our data indicate that mass-specific TLC (sTLC, l kg(-1)) does not differ between species or groups (odontocete vs phocid) and agree with that estimated (TLC(est)) from body mass (M(b)) by applying the equation: TLC(est)=0.135 M(b)(0.92). Measured MAV was on average 7% of TLC, with a range from 0 to 16%. The pressure-volume curves were similar among species on inflation but diverged during deflation in phocids in comparison with odontocetes. These differences provide a structural basis for observed species differences in the depth at which lungs collapse and gas exchange ceases.
We present a decision framework to identify when detailed population‐level assessments are required to understand the potential impacts of a disturbance‐inducing activity on a marine mammal ...population and discuss how the framework can be applied to other taxa. Species at high risk of population‐level effects can be identified using information on the number of individuals that are likely to be disturbed by the activity, total population size, the probability of repeated disturbance, the species' reproductive strategy, and the life stages (e.g., feeding, pregnant, and lactating) of the individuals most likely to be exposed. This hierarchical approach provides those responsible for conducting impact assessments with a time‐efficient, cost‐effective and reproducible workflow that allows them to prioritize their efforts and assign funds to those species with the most pressing conservation needs. A fully worked case study using marine mammals in the vicinity of a naval training activity is supplied.
Monitoring technologies now provide real‐time animal location information, which opens up the possibility of developing forecasting systems to fuse these data with movement models to predict future ...trajectories. State‐space modeling approaches are well established for retrospective location estimation and behavioral inference through state and parameter estimation. Here we use a state‐space model within a comprehensive data assimilative framework for probabilistic animal movement forecasting. Real‐time location information is combined with stochastic movement model predictions to provide forecasts of future animal locations and trajectories, as well as estimates of key behavioral parameters. Implementation uses ensemble‐based sequential Monte Carlo methods (a particle filter). We first apply the framework to an idealized case using a nondimensional animal movement model based on a continuous‐time random walk process. A set of numerical forecasting experiments demonstrates the workflow and key features, such as the online estimation of behavioral parameters using state augmentation, the use of potential functions for habitat preference, and the role of observation error and sampling frequency on forecast skill. For a realistic demonstration, we adapt the framework to short‐term forecasting of the endangered southern resident killer whale (SRKW) in the Salish Sea using visual sighting information wherein the potential function reflects historical habitat utilization of SRKW. We successfully estimate whale locations up to 2.5 h in advance with a moderate prediction error (<5 km), providing reasonable lead‐in time to mitigate vessel–whale interactions. It is argued that this forecasting framework can be used to synthesize diverse data types and improve animal movement models and behavioral understanding and has the potential to lead to important advances in movement ecology.
Recreational boat traffic is increasing worldwide and there is a need for scientifically based regulations that sustain both seabirds and wildlife viewing. The effects of boat disturbance to seabirds ...off Vancouver Island, Canada were quantified by testing distances that roosting or nesting birds showed an agitation response to an approaching motorboat or a kayak. The effects of species sensitivity, vessel type, habituation and season on agitation distance were examined. At 40 m from approaching boats, nesting Double-crested (Phalacrocorax auritus) and Pelagic (P. pelagicus) cormorants, Black Oystercatchers (Haematopus bachmani), Glaucous-winged Gulls (Larus glaucescens), and Pigeon Guillemots (Cepphus columba) had less than 6% probability of being agitated with either a kayak or motorboat, while at 50 m there was less than 2% probability of agitation. Roosting birds had larger response distances than nesting birds. Roosting Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) were particularly sensitive with 24% probability of agitation at distances less than 50 m. Agitation distances were reduced by habituation to boat traffic and a single kayak could approach closer than a motorboat without disturbing seabirds. A general set-back guideline of 50 m would protect most nest and roost sites while allowing viewers to appreciate seabirds. Setbacks could be adjusted to protect locally sensitive sites or species.
Data on fine-scale animal movement are being collected worldwide, with the number of species being tagged and the resolution of data rapidly increasing. In this study, a general methodology is ...proposed to understand the patterns in these high-resolution movement time series that relate to marine animal behavior. The approach is illustrated with dive data from a northern fur seal (
Callorhinus ursinus
) tagged on the Pribilof Islands, Alaska, USA. We apply a state-space model composed of a movement model and corresponding high-resolution vertical movement data. The central goal is to estimate parameters of this movement model, particularly their variation on appropriate time scales, thereby providing a direct link to behavior. A particle filter with state augmentation is used to jointly estimate the movement parameters and the state. A multiple iterated filter using overlapping data segments is implemented to match the parameter time scale with the behavioral inference. The time variation in the auto-covariance function facilitates identification of a movement model, allows separation of observation and process noise, and provides for validation of results. The analysis yields fitted parameters that show distinct time-evolving changes in fur seal behavior over time, matching well what is observed in the original data set.
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