First record of an Odontaspidid shark in Ascension Island waters

The occurrence of the poorly understood shark species Odontapsis ferox is reported at an oceanic seamount in the central south Atlantic, within the Exclusive Economic Zone of Ascension Island. The presence of the species at this location is confirmed by the discovery of a tooth embedded in scientific equipment, and footage of at least one animal on autonomous underwater video. The new record of this shark species at this location demonstrates the knowledge gaps which still exist at many remote, oceanic structures and their candidacy for status as important conservation areas.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Primary care use of antipsychotic drugs: an audit and intervention study

BACKGROUND: Concerns regarding the use of antipsychotic medication in secondary care suggested an examination of primary care prescribing. AIM: To audit and intervene in the suboptimal prescribing of antipsychotic drugs to primary care patients. DESIGN OF STUDY: Cross-sectional prevalence: subsequent open treatment intervention. SETTING: Seven of the 29 practices in the Eastern Hull Primary Care Trust. METHODS: Criteria for best practice were developed, against which prescribing standards were tested via audit. Patients identified as suboptimally prescribed for were invited to attend an expert review for intervention. RESULTS: 1 in 100 of 53,000 patients was prescribed antipsychotic treatment. Diagnoses indicating this were impossible to ascertain reliably. Half the regimes failed one or more audit criteria, leaving diagnosis aside. Few practices agreed to patients being approached: of 179 invitations sent, only 40 patients attended. Of 32 still taking an antipsychotic drug, 26 required changes. Mean audit criteria failed were 3.4, lack of psychotic disorder diagnosis and problematic side effects being most frequent. Changes were fully implemented in only 16 patients: reasons for complete or partial failure to implement recommendations included the wishes or inaction of patients and professionals, and worsening of symptoms including two cases of antipsychotic withdrawal syndrome. CONCLUSION: Primary care prescribing of antipsychotic drugs is infrequent, but most is unsatisfactory. Intervention is hampered by pluralistic reluctance: even with expert guidance, rationalisation is not without risk. Use of antipsychotic drugs in primary care patients whose diagnosis does not warrant this should be avoided. HOW THIS FITS IN: This study adds to concerns regarding high levels of off-licence use of potentially harmful medication. It adds evidence of major difficulties in rationalizing suboptimal regimes despite expert input. Relevance to the clinician is that it is better to avoid such regimes in the first place especially if there is no clear 'exit strategy': if in doubt, seek a specialist opinion

A Novel and Cost-Effective Monitoring Approach for Outcomes in an Australian Biodiversity Conservation Incentive Program

We report on the design and implementation of ecological monitoring for an Australian biodiversity conservation incentive scheme - the Environmental Stewardship Program. The Program uses competitive auctions to contract individual land managers for up to 15 years to conserve matters of National Environmental Significance (with an initial priority on nationally threatened ecological communities). The ecological monitoring was explicitly aligned with the Program's policy objective and desired outcomes and was applied to the Program's initial Project which targeted the critically endangered White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland ecological community in south eastern Australia. These woodlands have been reduced to <3% of their original extent and persist mostly as small remnants of variable condition on private farmland. We established monitoring sites on 153 farms located over 172,232 sq km. On each farm we established a monitoring site within the woodland patch funded for management and, wherever possible, a matched control site. The monitoring has entailed gathering data on vegetation condition, reptiles and birds. We also gathered data on the costs of experimental design, site establishment, field survey, and data analysis. The costs of monitoring are approximately 8.5% of the Program's investment in the first four years and hence are in broad accord with the general rule of thumb that 5-10% of a program's funding should be invested in monitoring. Once initial monitoring and site benchmarking are completed we propose to implement a novel rotating sampling approach that will maintain scientific integrity while achieving an annual cost-efficiency of up to 23%. We discuss useful lessons relevant to other monitoring programs where there is a need to provide managers with reliable early evidence of program effectiveness and to demonstrate opportunities for cost-efficiencies.Specialist staff within SEWPaC assisted in the design of the monitoring program to ensure its policy relevance. The funders contributed to development of the monitoring program but this did not prejudice the content of the paper in any way. The funders had no role in data collection, analysis and interpretation of results. The funders read and suggested improvements to the manuscript and agreed to publication

Effects of Greenhouse Gases Like Carbon Dioxide Can Be Spotted Earlier in the Middle Atmosphere

Understanding and dealing with climate change requires us to look at the atmosphere as a whole, not just the lowest portion near the surface. Analyzing the effects of greenhouse gases on the middle atmosphere helps to identify and understand the effects of climate change early on.York's Knowledge Mobilization Unit provides services and funding for faculty, graduate students, and community organizations seeking to maximize the impact of academic research and expertise on public policy, social programming, and professional practice. It is supported by SSHRC and CIHR grants, and by the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation. [email protected] www.researchimpact.c

Pancytopenia due to Restrictive Food Intake in an Autistic Adult

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neuro-behavioral syndrome that develops in childhood and can be comorbid with restrictive and avoidant food intake disorder. This case details a young man who was hospitalized with pancytopenia due to restrictive nutritional intake related to his severe ASD. He was found to have undetectable vitamin B12 levels. His blood counts improved with transfusion, nutritional supplementation, and dental care. This report illustrates the importance of understanding ASD and potential medical complications of related behaviors

1943: Abilene Christian College Bible Lectures - Full Text

Delivered in the Auditorium of Abilene Christian College February, 1943 Price: $1.00 FIRM FOUNDATION PUBLISHING HOUSE Austin, Texas Copyright, 1943 By Firm Foundation Publishing House Austin, Texa

Resolvin D1 prevents injurious neutrophil swarming in transplanted lungs

Neutrophils are the primary cell type involved in lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), which remains a frequent and morbid complication after organ transplantation. Endogenous lipid mediators that become activated during acute inflammation-resolution have gained increasing recognition for their protective role(s) in promoting the restoration of homeostasis, but their influence on early immune responses following transplantation remains to be uncovered. Resolvin D1,

World Atlas of Desertification - Introductory Brochure

The brochure introduces the concept of the World Atlas of Desertification which relies on converging evidence of combined human-environment processes pointing out that land degradation cannot be modeled satisfactorily at global scales.The introductory brochure provides a short overview of the main land degradation issues, through illustration of a number key global datasets and some case study examples that reflect the global patterns and pathways to solutions. The brochure start with highlighting the human dominance that drives global environmental changes. The consequences of feeding a growing population include agriculture expansion and intensification, illustrated by maps and data on irrigation and nutrient use. Aridity and drought are important phenomena aggravating the already present human pressures on the environment. Other pressure patterns playing at global scale are illustrated with examples from China, India, S. America and the Sahel, along with a forward view on solutions.JRC.H.5-Land Resources Managemen