A scoping review and thematic analysis of social and behavioural research among HIV-serodiscordant couples in high-income settings.

CAPRISA, 2015.Abstract available in pdf

Use of underwater contactless ultrasonography to elucidate the internal anatomy and reproductive activity of manta and devil rays (family: Mobulidae).

Funder: Manta TrustFunder: Vetsonic LtdFunder: Flying Sharks, Manta Expeditions LtdFunder: University of Cambridge; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000735The ability to visualise the internal anatomical structures of fish provides important information on their reproductive status and body condition and has made important contributions to many areas of fish biology. Obtaining information on the internal anatomy of fish has traditionally required euthanasia and dissection. Although ultrasonography is now increasingly used to study internal fish anatomy without the need for euthanasia, traditional techniques still require restraint and contact with the animal, both of which are known to cause stress. This has prompted the development of waterproof, contactless and portable equipment to allow ultrasonographic examinations to be carried out in free-swimming individuals, which also facilitates the application of this tool in wild populations of endangered species. This study reports the validation of this equipment using anatomical examinations of nine manta and devil ray (Mobulidae) specimens landed at fish markets in Sri Lanka. The species studied were Mobula kuhlii (n = 3), Mobula thurstoni (n = 1), Mobula mobular (n = 1), Mobula tarapacana (n = 1) and Mobula birostris (n = 3). The use of this equipment was further validated with ultrasonographic examinations in 55 free-swimming reef manta rays Mobula alfredi, which enabled maturity status to be quantified in 32 females. Structures successfully identified in free-swimming individuals were the liver, spleen, gallbladder, gastrointestinal tract, skeletal structures, developing follicles and uterus. The study demonstrated that ultrasonography provided a reliable method of determining both sexual maturity and gestational status in free-swimming M. alfredi. The methodology induced no detectable signs of disturbance to the animals involved and therefore offers a viable and practical alternative to invasive techniques currently used to study anatomical changes in both captive and wild marine organisms

Use of underwater contactless ultrasonography to elucidate the internal anatomy and reproductive activity of manta and devil rays (Fam. Mobulidae).

The ability to visualise the internal anatomical structures of fish provides important information on their reproductive status and body condition and has made important contributions to many areas of fish biology. Obtaining information about the internal anatomy of fish has traditionally required euthanasia and dissection. However, although ultrasonography is now increasingly used to study internal fish anatomy without the need for euthanasia, traditional techniques still require restraint and contact with the animal, both of which are known to cause stress. This has prompted the development of waterproof, contactless, and portable equipment to allow ultrasonographic examinations to be carried out in free-swimming individuals which also facilitates the application of this tool in wild populations of endangered species. This study reports the validation of this equipment using anatomical examinations of nine manta and devil ray (Mobulidae) specimens landed at fish markets in Sri Lanka. Species studied were Mobula kuhlii (n = 3), M. thurstoni (n = 1), M. mobular (n = 1), M. tarapacana (n = 1) and M. birostris (n = 3). The use of this equipment was further validated with ultrasonographic examinations in 55 free-swimming reef manta rays Mobula alfredi, which enabled maturity status to be quantified in 32 females. Structures successfully identified in free-swimming individuals were the liver, spleen, gallbladder, gastrointestinal tract, skeletal structures, developing follicles and uterus. The study demonstrated that ultrasonography provided a reliable method of determining both sexual maturity and gestational status in free-swimming M. alfredi. The methodology induced no detectable signs of disturbance to the animals involved and therefore offers a viable and practical alternative to invasive techniques currently used to study anatomical changes in both captive and wild marine organisms. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Manta and devil ray aggregations: conservation challenges and developments in the field

Manta and devil rays (mobulids) are filter feeding elasmobranchs with extreme K-selective life histories found circumglobally from temperate to tropical waters. Their vulnerability to fisheries exploitation, bycatch, boat collisions, entanglement and unregulated tourism is exacerbated by their aggregative behavior. Studies have identified aggregation sites around the world for all nine mobulid species, with these groupings varying from a few individuals to thousands. However, the terminology used to define these aggregations and the drivers underpinning them remain unclear, hindering the development of effective management and conservation strategies. Here, we analyze aggregation behavior for mobulid species, providing consistent definitions for grouping events and summarizing the existing research on drivers and environmental factors triggering these events. We find that aggregation behaviors facilitate socializing and key life history functions in mobulids, including feeding, courtship and mating, predation avoidance, cleaning, and thermoregulation. Conservation threats and management mitigation opportunities associated with aggregations sites include fisheries, tourism, spatial protection, and climate change. Finally, we highlight knowledge gaps for future research prioritization and developments in the field for the identification of aggregation sites, the study of aggregation size and demographics and the functions and timing of aggregations

Measuring need satisfaction and frustration in educational and work contexts: the Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (NSFS)

The satisfaction and frustration of the psychological needs for autonomy, relatedness and competence predict well-being and ill-being outcomes. However, research within educational and work contexts is stifled by the lack of an exhaustively validated measure. Following extensive preparatory and pilot work, the present three studies (total N = 762) aimed to develop such a measure and validate it against the Basic Need Satisfaction at Work Scale (Deci et al. in Personal Soc Psychol Bull 27(8):930–942, 2001) and an adapted version of the Balanced Measure of Psychological Needs (Sheldon and Hilpert in Motivation Emot 36(4):439–451, 2012). The Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale demonstrated a better factor structure and internal reliability than its predecessors, and good criterion validity. This improvement was due to the exclusion of ambiguous items and items measuring antecedents of need satisfaction and frustration. The results also strengthen current evidence showing that need satisfaction and frustration are distinct but related constructs, and each better predicts well-being and psychological health problems, respectively