The coastal fisheries of England & Wales : data poor or a model for the future?

Coastal fisheries account for a significant amount of economic activity and are crucial to the way of life for countless people and their communities. The coastal fleet has reduced in size and effort, but advances in technology and new target species have meant that fleet effort has declined at a slower rate than expected. Coastal fishers are versatile and have adapted to target abundant (increasingly non-quota) species seasonally, showing much less dependence upon any one species or gear, as a result of legislative and environmental pressures. There is evidence that whilst the composition of species targeted has shown little change, the fleet’s effort is impacting upon more of the marine ecosystem, the data highlighted the huge pressure that the marine habitat in the North Sea is under, with bordering districts fishing differing species and at different trophic levels.There are a wealth of data available on the UK coastal fisheries which can be sourced by utilising grey literature sources, indicates over a century of careful and considered management. The SFCs can be considered as a model of fisheries management which has many elements common to many other alternative fisheries management models. With the advent of the IFCAs, analysis of SFCs short comings were identified and presented as options for opportunities to be explored by alternative fisheries managers in the future

Competing Strategies of FDI and Technology Transfer to China: American and Japanese Firms

This is a report based on four field site visits of Sino-foreign joint ventures in China. Two American and two Japanese joint ventures in electronics and auto parts were visited in the Shanghai area in December 1997. The joint ventures were Shanghai Raychem, Shanghai Fleetguard, Shanghai Mitsubishi Elevator, and Shanghai Koito. Although the sample size is extremely small, it does appear as if there are notable differences in how American and Japanese firms transfer technology to China and in their motivations for doing so. Further fieldwork-based research to capture and clarify these differences is recommended.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/39605/3/wp218.pd

Competing Strategies of FDI and Technology Transfer to China: American and Japanese Firms

This is a report based on four field site visits of Sino-foreign joint ventures in China. Two American and two Japanese joint ventures in electronics and auto parts were visited in the Shanghai area in December 1997. The joint ventures were Shanghai Raychem, Shanghai Fleetguard, Shanghai Mitsubishi Elevator, and Shanghai Koito. Although the sample size is extremely small, it does appear as if there are notable differences in how American and Japanese firms transfer technology to China and in their motivations for doing so. Further fieldwork-based research to capture and clarify these differences is recommended.

Effect of processing variables and bulk composition on the surface composition of spray dried powders of a model food system

Abstract The surface compositions of food powders created from spray drying solutions containing various ratios of sodium caseinate, maltodextrin and soya oil have been analysed by Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis. The results show significant enrichment of oil at the surface of particles compared to the bulk phase and, when the non-oil components only are considered, a significant surface enrichment of sodium caseinate also. The degree of surface enrichment of both oil and sodium caseinate was found to increase with decreasing bulk levels of the respective components. Surface enrichment of oil was also affected by processing conditions (emulsion drop size and drying temperature), but surface enrichment of sodium caseinate was relatively insensitive to these. The presence of "pock marks" on the particle surfaces strongly suggests that the surface oil was caused by rupturing of emulsion droplets at the surface as the surrounding matrix contracts and hardens

Rasprostranjenost imposeksa kod vrste Hexaplex trunculus u Kaštelanskom zaljevu, Jadransko more

Imposex, a pseudo-hermaphroditic condition characterized by the development of male sexual characteristics in female prosobranch gastropods, is used as a bioindicator of pollution by tributyltin (TBT) -based antifoulants. The incidence and the intensity of imposex, evaluated from the vas deferens sequence index (VDSI) and the female penis length (FPL), were investigated in Hexaplex trunculus populations from seven locations in Kaštela Bay (Adriatic Sea, Croatia). Analysis of 131 females revealed the absolute prevalence of imposex at all investigated locations. Furthermore, most of the females showed signs of advanced imposex development (VDSI=4.4±0.8, range=2-5). Female penis homologues were found to be well developed (max=20 mm) with mean values ranging from 5.2-12.6 mm. Significant differences were detected regarding both the VDSI (H=36.24, p<0.001) and the FPL (F=7.08, p<0.001) between the locations. The results presented in the study confirm the widespread incidence of imposex and can provide reference values for future monitoring programs.Imposeks, pseudohermafroditizam karakteriziran pojavom muških spolnih obilježja u ženki prednjoškržnih puževa, upotrebljava se kao bionidikator zagađenja tributil-kositrom (TBT), sastojkom protuobraštajnih boja. Za procjenu pojave i intenziteta imposeksa korištene su vrijednosti indeksa stupnja vas deferensa (VDS I) i dužine penisa ženki (FPL ) dobivene analizom primjeraka vrste Hexaplex trunculus prikupljenih sa sedam postaja u Kaštelanskom zaljevu. Na istraživanim postajama analizom 131 ženke (visina kućice=66,3±7,5 mm) utvrđena je potpuna zahvaćenost imposeksom. Štoviše, većina zahvaćenih ženki bila je u uznapredovalom stadiju imposeksa (VDS I=4,4±0,8; raspon vrijednosti=2-5). Penisi su bili dobro razvijeni kod ženki (max=20 mm) sa srednjim vrijednostima od 5,2 do 12,6 mm. Utvrđene su statistički značajne razlike u VDS I (H=36,24, p<0,001) i FPL (F=7,08, p<0,001) između postaja. Rezultati istraživanja potvrđuju široku rasprostranjenost imposeksa i mogu se koristiti kao referentne vrijednosti za daljnje praćenje

Global Variation in Magnetic Resonance Imaging Quality of the Prostate

BACKGROUND: High variability in prostate MRI quality might reduce accuracy in prostate cancer detection. PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the quality of MRI scanners taking part in the quality control phase of the global PRIME (Prostate Imaging Using MRI ± Contrast Enhancement) trial using the Prostate Imaging Quality (PI-QUAL) standardized scoring system, give recommendations on how to improve the MRI protocols, and establish whether MRI quality could be improved by these recommendations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the prospective clinical trial (PRIME), for each scanner, centers performing prostate MRI submitted five consecutive studies and the MRI protocols (phase I). Submitted data were evaluated in consensus by two expert genitourinary radiologists using the PI-QUAL scoring system that evaluates MRI diagnostic quality using five points (1 and 2 = nondiagnostic; 3 = sufficient; 4 = adequate, 5 = optimal) between September 2021 and August 2022. Feedback was provided for scanners not achieving a PI-QUAL 5 score, and centers were invited to resubmit new imaging data using the modified protocol (phase II). Descriptive comparison of outcomes was made between the MRI scanners, feedback provided, and overall PI-QUAL scores. RESULTS: In phase I, 41 centers from 18 countries submitted a total of 355 multiparametric MRI studies from 71 scanners, with nine (13%) scanners achieving a PI-QUAL score of 3, 39 (55%) achieving a score of 4, and 23 (32%) achieving a score of 5. Of the 48 (n = 71 [68%]) scanners that received feedback to improve, the dynamic contrast-enhanced sequences were those that least adhered to the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System, version 2.1, criteria (44 of 48 [92%]), followed by diffusion-weighted imaging (20 of 48 [42%]) and T2-weighted imaging (19 of 48 [40%]). In phase II, 36 centers from 17 countries resubmitted revised studies, resulting in a total of 62 (n = 64 [97%]) scanners with a final PI-QUAL score of 5. CONCLUSION: Substantial variation in global prostate MRI acquisition parameters as a measure of quality was observed, particularly with DCE sequences. Basic evaluation and modifications to MRI protocols using PI-QUAL can lead to substantial improvements in quality. Clinical trial registration no. NCT0457184

Comparing biparametric to multiparametric MRI in the diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer in biopsy-naive men (PRIME): a prospective, international, multicentre, non-inferiority within-patient, diagnostic yield trial protocol

INTRODUCTION: Prostate MRI is a well-established tool for the diagnostic work-up for men with suspected prostate cancer (PCa). Current recommendations advocate the use of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI), which is composed of three sequences: T2-weighted sequence (T2W), diffusion-weighted sequence (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced sequence (DCE). Prior studies suggest that a biparametric MRI (bpMRI) approach, omitting the DCE sequences, may not compromise clinically significant cancer detection, though there are limitations to these studies, and it is not known how this may affect treatment eligibility. A bpMRI approach will reduce scanning time, may be more cost-effective and, at a population level, will allow more men to gain access to an MRI than an mpMRI approach. METHODS: Prostate Imaging Using MRI±Contrast Enhancement (PRIME) is a prospective, international, multicentre, within-patient diagnostic yield trial assessing whether bpMRI is non-inferior to mpMRI in the diagnosis of clinically significant PCa. Patients will undergo the full mpMRI scan. Radiologists will be blinded to the DCE and will initially report the MRI using only the bpMRI (T2W and DWI) sequences. They will then be unblinded to the DCE sequence and will then re-report the MRI using the mpMRI sequences (T2W, DWI and DCE). Men with suspicious lesions on either bpMRI or mpMRI will undergo prostate biopsy. The main inclusion criteria are men with suspected PCa, with a serum PSA of ≤20 ng/mL and without prior prostate biopsy. The primary outcome is the proportion of men with clinically significant PCa detected (Gleason score ≥3+4 or Gleason grade group ≥2). A sample size of at least 500 patients is required. Key secondary outcomes include the proportion of clinically insignificant PCa detected and treatment decision. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was obtained from the National Research Ethics Committee West Midlands, Nottingham (21/WM/0091). Results of this trial will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications. Participants and relevant patient support groups will be informed about the results of the trial

Residential mobility during pregnancy in the north of England

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many epidemiological studies assign exposure to an individual's residence at a single time point, such as birth or death. This approach makes no allowance for migration and may result in exposure error, leading to reduced study power and biased risk estimates. Pregnancy outcomes are less susceptible to this bias, however data from North American populations indicate that pregnant women are a highly mobile group. We assessed mobility in pregnant women in the north of England using data from the Northern Congenital Abnormality Survey (NorCAS).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were extracted from NorCAS for 1985 to 2003. Eligible cases had a gestational age at delivery of ≥ 24 weeks (a viable delivery) (n = 11 559). We assessed mobility between booking appointment (average gestational age 13 weeks) and delivery for pregnancies where the address at booking appointment and delivery were known. The impacts on mobility of maternal age and area-level socio-economic indicators were explored using standard descriptive statistics. A sensitivity analysis and a small validation exercise were undertaken to assess the impact of missing data on the estimate of mobility.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Out of 7 919 eligible cases for whom addresses at booking and delivery were known, 705 (8.9% (95% CI 8.3 - 9.5)) moved between booking and delivery; the mean and median moving distance was 9.7 and 1.4 km respectively. Movers were significantly younger (25.4 versus 27.3 years, p < 0.01) and lived in more deprived areas (index of multiple deprivation score 38.3 versus 33.7, p < 0.01) than non movers.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Mobility in the north of England (9%) is considerably lower than that reported in North America and the only other study from the UK (23%). Consistent with other studies, mobility was related to maternal age and socio-economic status, and the majority of moves were over a relatively short distance. Although this population appears relatively stable, the mobility we have observed may still introduce misclassification or error into an exposure assessment relying solely on postcode at delivery, and migration should still therefore be considered a potential source of bias in future studies.</p