Short-Term Pain and Long-Term Gain: Using Phased-In Minimum Size Limits to Rebuild Stocks-the Pacific Bluefin Tuna Example

Like many stocks, the Pacific Bluefin Tuna Thunnus orientalis has been considerably depleted. High exploitation rates on very young fish have reduced the spawning stock biomass (SSB) to 2.6% of the unexploited level. We provide a framework for exploring potential benefits of minimum size regulations as a mechanism for rebuilding stocks, and we illustrate the approach using simulations patterned after Pacific Bluefin Tuna dynamics. We attempt to mitigate short-term losses in yield by considering a phased-in management strategy. With this approach, the minimum size limit (MSL) is gradually increased as biomass rebuilds, giving fishing communities time to adjust to new restrictions. We estimated short- and long-term effects of different MSLs on yield and biomass by using data from the 2016 assessment. A variety of scenarios was considered for growth compensation, discard mortality, and interest rates. The long-term value of the fishery was maximized by setting an MSL of 92 cm FL, which resulted in a 70% loss in yield during the first year (short-term pain). By implementing the MSL in two phases (64 cm FL in year 1; 92 cm FL in subsequent years), the long-term value of the fishery was maintained, and the short-term pain was reduced to a maximum 46% loss in yield during any 1 year. Under a three-phase implementation (55 cm FL in year 1; 77 cm FL in year 2; and 92 cm FL in subsequent years), the short-term pain was further reduced to a maximum loss of 30% during any 1 year. With no discard mortality, long-term yield increased by 165% and SSB increased 13-fold (to 33% of virgin SSB), regardless of the number of phases used. Long-term benefits were quickly diminished with increasing discard mortality. This simulation approach is widely applicable to cases where minimum size changes are contemplated; for Pacific Bluefin Tuna, our simulations demonstrate that size limits should be considered

The rise of linear borders in world politics

This article argues that the dominance of precise, linear borders as an ideal in the demarcation of territory is an outcome of a relatively recent and ongoing historical process, and that this process has had important effects on international politics since circa 1900. Existing accounts of the origins of territorial sovereignty are in wide disagreement largely because they fail to specify the relationship between territory and borders, often conflating the two concepts. I outline a history of the linearization of borders which is separate from that of territorial sovereignty, having a very different timeline and featuring different actors, and offer an explanation for the dominance of this universalizing system of managing and demarcating space, based on the concept of rationalization. Finally I describe two broad ways in which linearizing borders has affected international politics, by making space divisible in new ways, and underpinning hierarchies by altering the distribution of geographical knowledge resources

Reproductive Schedules in Southern Bluefin Tuna: Are Current Assumptions Appropriate?

Southern bluefin tuna (SBT) appear to comprise a single stock that is assumed to be both mixed across its distribution and having reproductive adults that are obligate, annual spawners. The putative annual migration cycle of mature SBT consists of dispersed foraging at temperate latitudes with migration to a single spawning ground in the tropical eastern Indian Ocean. Spawning migrations have been assumed to target two peaks in spawning activity; one in September-October and a second in February-March. SBT of sizes comparable to that of individuals observed on the spawning ground were satellite tagged in the Tasman Sea region (2003–2008) and demonstrated both migrations to the spawning grounds and residency in the Tasman Sea region throughout the whole year. All individuals undertaking apparent spawning migrations timed their movements to coincide with the second recognised spawning peak or even later. These observations suggest that SBT may demonstrate substantial flexibility in the scheduling of reproductive events and may even not spawn annually as currently assumed. Further, the population on the spawning grounds may be temporally structured in association with foraging regions. These findings provide new perspectives on bluefin population and spatial dynamics and warrant further investigation and consideration of reproductive schedules in this species

Evaluation of a Heparin Nomogram in the Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism

ABSTRACTPosing nomograms have been shown to improve heparin therapy administration for patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE). A pre-printed heparin order, with a standardized dosing nomogram, was recently introduced at our institution and we wished to compare patients who had VTE and who were treated with the nomogram with historical controls.Thirty-four control patients, treated prior to initiation of the heparin nomogram, were compared with 21 patients who were treated according to the nomogram. Baseline characteristics were similar except for age. Twenty-five of 34 control patients (74%) versus 20 of 21 nomogram patients (95%) achieved a therapeutic Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) within the first 24 hours (p=0.04). The mean time to therapeutic aPTT in the control and nomogram groups was 19.3 ±21.8 hours versus 12.5 ± 12.7 hours, respectively (NS). The mean duration of heparin therapy in the control versus nomogram group was 6.2 ± 1.8 days and 5.1 ± 1.6 days, respectively (p=0.03). The number of days until the initiation of warfarin was 2.6 ± 1.5 days versus 1.8 ± 1.5 days in the control and nomogram group, respectively (p=0.03). The nomogram resulted in a significant improvement in heparin therapy and may result in decreased costs.RÉSUMÉLes nomogrammes posologiques se sont révélés utiles pour améliorer l'héparinothérapie chez les patients souffrant de thrombose veineuse profonde (TVP). Une ordonnance préimprimée d'héparine, avec un nomogramme posologique standardisé, a récemment été utilisée à notre établissement et nous avons voulu comparer les patients souffrant de TVP traités selon la nouvelle méthode des nomogrammes à ceux traités selon l'ancienne méthode.Trente-quatre patients traités selon l'ancienne méthode (groupe témoin) ont été comparés à 21 patients traités selon la méthode des nomogrammes d'héparine (groupe nomogramme). Les caractéristiques initiales étaient semblables chez tous les patients, sauf en ce qui concerne l'âge. Vingt-cinq des 34 patients du groupe témoin (74 %) contre 20 des 21 patients du groupe nomogramme (95 %) ont atteint un TCA thérapeutique dans les 24 premières heures du traitement (p = 0,04). Le temps moyen pour atteindre un TCA thérapeutique dans le groupe témoin vs le groupe nomogramme était de 19,3 ± 21,8 heures et de 12,5 ± 12,7 heures, respectivement (N.S). La durée moyenne de l'héparinothérapie dans le groupe témoin comparativement au groupe nomogramme était de 6,2 ± 1,8 jours et de 5, 1 ± 1,6 jours, respectivement (p=0,03). Le nombre moyen de jours avant l'instauration du traitement à la warfarine était de 2,6 ± 1,5 jours pour le groupe témoin comparativement à 1,8 ± 1,5 jours pour le groupe nomogramme (p=0,0.3). L'utilisation du nomogramme a donc considérablement amélioré l'héparinothérapie et pourrai

The Clinical Effects and Cost-Avoidance of a Change in Perioperative Bronchodialator Use

ABSTRACTThe clinical effects and financial impact of a change in prescribing habits from routine to occasional use of perioperative bronchodilators, following the presentation of drug information, were assessed retrospectively by comparing the outcomes of patients admitted for major thoracic surgery.Eighteen of 24 (75%) patients in Period A (prior to change) received salbutamol bronchodilator therapy versus 10 of 17 (59%) in Period B (following the change )(p=.448). Of the patients who did receive salbutamol aerosols, the mean dose in grams per patient was greater in Period A than in Period B (6.85 ± 5.96 vs. 2.64 ± 4.44 respectively p&lt;0.05). Two patients from Period A and one from Period B were receiving digoxin prior to admission. In the remaining patients, 5 of 22 (23%) in Period A and 1 of 16 (6%) in Period B developed atrial fibrillation requiring digoxin (p=.36). The proportion of patients with obstructive airways disease (OAD) who developed an arrhythmia was not different between the two groups. However, in those patients without OAD an arrhythmia was reported in 9 of 16 patients (56%) receiving salbutamol, versus only 1 of 11 (9%) of those not receiving it (p=0.032). The number of days patients were hospitalized during Period A and Period B were 10.2 ± 4.97 and 9.4 ± 3.68 respectively (p=0.85). A potential average cost-avoidance of 68.46 per patient could be realized with this new practice. We conclude that a change in prescribing habits had no adverse clinical outcome and resulted in a considerable cost avoidance.RÉSUMÉOn a évalué rétrospectivement les effets cliniques et l'incidence financière d'une modification des habitudes de prescription, à savoir passage de l'usage régulier à l'usage occasionnel de bronchodilatateurs périopératoires, après présentation de la documentation sur les médicaments, en comparant l'état des malades au terme d'une importante intervention chirurgicale à la cage thoracique.Dix-huit patients sur 24 (75 p. 100) de la période A (avant le changement) ont reçu du salbutamol, un bronchodilatateur, contre 10 sur 17 (59 p. 100) lors de la période B (après le changement) (p=0,448). La dose moyenne en grammes de salbutamol par personne était plus élevée pour les malades qui en avaient reçu sous forme d'aerosol durant la période A que durant la période B (6,85 ± 5,96 contre 2,64 ± 4,44 respectivement; p<0,05). Deux patients de la période A et un de la période B prenaient de la digoxine avant l'admission à l'hôpital. Par ailleurs, cinq patients sur 22 (23 p. 100) durant la période A et un sur 16 (6 p. 100) durant la période B ont souffert de fibrillation auriculaire, ce qui a exigé l'administration de digoxine (p=0,36). La proportion de malades atteints du syndrome respiratoire obstructif qui ont par la suite développé une arythmie était similaire pour les deux groupes, mais pour les autre, on a observé de l'arythmie chez neuf des 16 patients (56 p. 100) qui prenaient du salbutamol, contre un patient seulement sur 11 (9 p. 100) pour ceux à qui on n'avait pas administré le médicament (p=0,032). Les patients ont respectivement été hospitalisés 10,2 ± 4,97 jours durant la période A et 9,4 ± 3,68 jours durant la période B (p=0,85). La nouvelle pratique permettrait une économie moyenne de 68,46 par malade. On en conclut qu'une modification des habitudes de prescription ne nuit en rien à l'issue clinique du traitement et permet une économie considérable au niveau des coûts

SMART Cables for observing the global ocean : science and implementation

The ocean is key to understanding societal threats including climate change, sea level rise, ocean warming, tsunamis, and earthquakes. Because the ocean is difficult and costly to monitor, we lack fundamental data needed to adequately model, understand, and address these threats. One solution is to integrate sensors into future undersea telecommunications cables. This is the mission of the SMART subsea cables initiative (Science Monitoring And Reliable Telecommunications). SMART sensors would "piggyback" on the power and communications infrastructure of a million kilometers of undersea fiber optic cable and thousands of repeaters, creating the potential for seafloor-based global ocean observing at a modest incremental cost. Initial sensors would measure temperature, pressure, and seismic acceleration. The resulting data would address two critical scientific and societal issues: the long-term need for sustained climate-quality data from the under-sampled ocean (e.g., deep ocean temperature, sea level, and circulation), and the near-term need for improvements to global tsunami warning networks. A Joint Task Force (JTF) led by three UN agencies (ITU/WMO/UNESCO-IOC) is working to bring this initiative to fruition. This paper explores the ocean science and early warning improvements available from SMART cable data, and the societal, technological, and financial elements of realizing such a global network. Simulations show that deep ocean temperature and pressure measurements can improve estimates of ocean circulation and heat content, and cable-based pressure and seismic-acceleration sensors can improve tsunami warning times and earthquake parameters. The technology of integrating these sensors into fiber optic cables is discussed, addressing sea and land-based elements plus delivery of real-time open data products to end users. The science and business case for SMART cables is evaluated. SMART cables have been endorsed by major ocean science organizations, and JTF is working with cable suppliers and sponsors, multilateral development banks and end users to incorporate SMART capabilities into future cable projects. By investing now, we can build up a global ocean network of long-lived SMART cable sensors, creating a transformative addition to the Global Ocean Observing System