Alternative population estimates of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Hawaiian waters

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (11) ◽  
pp. 2818-2821 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Scott Baker ◽  
Louis M. Herman

Based on a census of photographically identified humpback whales in Hawaiian waters during the years 1977 to 1981, J. D. Darling and H. Morowitz (1986. Can. J. Zool. 64: 105–111) estimate that the number of individuals visiting this breeding ground is 1000 during a single winter and 2100 across five winters. Confidence limits are not reported for either estimate, however, and the authors do not consider fully the potential biases of their capture–recapture analyses. A test of the frequency of capture model used for the within-year analysis showed, in some cases, a poor fit between the theoretical distribution and the reported data, thus indicating that the resulting population estimates may also be incorrect. Alternative estimates of across-years abundance were calculated using data from an independent study of humpback whales in Hawaiian waters conducted during the years 1980 to 1983. From the resighting records of the 519 whales identified during this period, Petersen and Jolly–Seber models provide estimates ranging from 635 to 1536 individuals for contiguous sampling years. These estimates are difficult to reconcile with the larger across-years estimate of Darling and Morowitz and suggest that further study is needed to accurately assess the status of this endangered population.

SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A170-A170
Author(s):  
M Elbaz ◽  
R Robbins ◽  
P Bouchequet ◽  
C Czeisler ◽  
D Leger

Abstract Introduction Many population estimates of sleep duration and quality rely primarily on self-reported data. Passive and ubiquitous digital tracking and wearable devices may provide more accurate estimates of sleep duration and quality. Our objective was to identify trends in sleep duration and social jetlag using data from a popular mobile sleep application (app) in France and Canada ‘iSommeil.’ Methods We examined sleep using 8,207 nights from iSommeil, a popular sleep-tracking app in France and Canada. In this analysis, we explored sleep data collected from this app from 2,126 users. We examine sleep parameters by sex and between week and weekend. Specifically, we explore social jetlag, as calculated by the midpoint of sleep during the weekend, subtracted from the midpoint of sleep during the week. Results Women represented 1,254 (59.7%) of the sample and men represented 857 (40.3%) of the sample. Among women, 16.4% of the sample averaged <6 hours of sleep; 51.9% averaged 6-7.99 hours of sleep, and 31.7% averaged >=8 hours of sleep. Among men, 17.4% averaged <6 hours of sleep; 58.4% averaged 6-7.99 hours of sleep, and 24.2% averaged >=8 hours of sleep. Social jetlag scores among all users averaged 31.4, yet the average for men was 27.1 while that for women was 36.4. Conclusion Our study of data from a popular sleep tracker in France and Canada showed that sleep duration of 6-7.99 hours was most observed among the majority of participants. Our results also showed that women had higher social jetlag scores than men. Future research may compare sleep measures obtained via wearable sleep trackers with validated research-grade measures of sleep. Support  


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 870
Author(s):  
Yuri Perepliotchikov ◽  
Tomer Ziv-Baran ◽  
Musa Hindiyeh ◽  
Yossi Manor ◽  
Danit Sofer ◽  
...  

Response to and monitoring of viral outbreaks can be efficiently focused when rapid, quantitative, kinetic information provides the location and the number of infected individuals. Environmental surveillance traditionally provides information on location of populations with contagious, infected individuals since infectious poliovirus is excreted whether infections are asymptomatic or symptomatic. Here, we describe development of rapid (1 week turnaround time, TAT), quantitative RT-PCR of poliovirus RNA extracted directly from concentrated environmental surveillance samples to infer the number of infected individuals excreting poliovirus. The quantitation method was validated using data from vaccination with bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV). The method was then applied to infer the weekly number of excreters in a large, sustained, asymptomatic outbreak of wild type 1 poliovirus in Israel (2013) in a population where >90% of the individuals received three doses of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). Evidence-based intervention strategies were based on the short TAT for direct quantitative detection. Furthermore, a TAT shorter than the duration of poliovirus excretion allowed resampling of infected individuals. Finally, the method documented absence of infections after successful intervention of the asymptomatic outbreak. The methodologies described here can be applied to outbreaks of other excreted viruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), where there are (1) significant numbers of asymptomatic infections; (2) long incubation times during which infectious virus is excreted; and (3) limited resources, facilities, and manpower that restrict the number of individuals who can be tested and re-tested.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicky Mengqi Qin ◽  
Yuting Zhang ◽  
Kee Seng Chia ◽  
Barbara McPake ◽  
Yang Zhao ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives This study aims to examine: (1) temporal trends in the percentage of cost-sharing and amount of out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) from 2011 to 2015; (2) factors associated with cost-sharing and OOPE; and (3) the relationships between province-level economic development and cost-sharing and OOPE in China. Setting A total of 10,316 adults aged ≥45 years from China followed-up from 2011 to 2015 were included in the analysis. We measured two main outcome variables: (1) patient cost sharing, measured by the percentage of OOPE as total healthcare expenditure, and (2) absolute amount of OOPE. Results Based on self-reported data, we did not find substantial differences in the percentage of cost sharing, but a significant increase in the absolute amount of OOPE among the middle-aged and older Chinese between 2011 and 2015. The percentage of cost-sharing was considerably higher for outpatient than inpatient care, and the majority paid more than 80% of the total cost for prescription drugs. Provinces with higher GDP per capita tend to have lower cost-sharing and a higher OOPE than their counterparts, but the relationship for OOPE became insignificant after adjusting for individual factors. Conclusion Reducing out-of-pocket expenditure and patient cost sharing is required to improve financial protection from illness, especially for those with those with chronic conditions and reside in less developed regions in China. Ongoing monitoring of financial protection using data from various sources is warranted.


Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels J. Brouwer ◽  
Annemijn P. A. Wierenga ◽  
Gülçin Gezgin ◽  
Marina Marinkovic ◽  
Gregorius P. M. Luyten ◽  
...  

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF1a) and its regulator von Hippel–Lindau protein (VHL) play an important role in tumour ischemia. Currently, drugs that target HIF1a are being developed to treat malignancies. Although HIF1a is known to be expressed in uveal melanoma (UM), it is as yet unknown which factors, such as tumour size or genetics, determine its expression. Therefore, we aimed to determine which tumour characteristics relate to HIF1a expression in UM. Data from 64 patients who were enucleated for UM were analysed. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was determined with the Illumina HT-12 v4 chip. In 54 cases, the status of chromosomes 3 and 8q, and BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) protein expression (immunohistochemistry) were determined. Findings were corroborated using data of 80 patients from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) study. A significantly increased expression of HIF1a, and a decreased expression of VHL were associated with monosomy 3/loss of BAP1 expression. The relationship between BAP1 loss and HIF1a expression was independent of chromosome 3. The largest basal diameter and tumour thickness showed no relationship with HIF1a. HIF1a expression related to an increased presence of infiltrating T cells and macrophages. From this study, we conclude that HIF1a is strongly related to tumour genetics in UM, especially to loss of BAP1 expression, and less to tumour size. Tumour ischemia is furthermore related to the presence of an inflammatory phenotype.


Oryx ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Özgün Emre Can ◽  
İrfan Kandemi̇r ◽  
İnci̇ Togan

AbstractThe wildcat Felis silvestris is a protected species in Turkey but the lack of information on its status is an obstacle to conservation initiatives. To assess the status of the species we interviewed local forestry and wildlife personnel and conducted field surveys in selected sites in northern, eastern and western Turkey during 2000–2007. In January–May 2006 we surveyed for the wildcat using 16 passive infrared-trigged camera traps in Yaylacı k Research Forest, a 50-km2 forest patch in Yenice Forest in northern Turkey. A total sampling effort of 1,200 camera trap days over 40 km2 yielded photo-captures of eight individual wildcats over five sampling occasions. Using the software MARK to estimate population size the closed capture–recapture model M0, which assumes a constant capture probability among all occasions and individuals, best fitted the capture history data. The wildcat population size in Yaylacı k Research Forest was estimated to be 11 (confidence interval 9–23). Yenice Forest is probably one of the most important areas for the long-term conservation of the wildcat as it is the largest intact forest habitat in Turkey with little human presence, and without human settlements, and with a high diversity of prey species. However, it has been a major logging area and is not protected. The future of Yenice Forest and its wildcat population could be secured by granting this region a protection status and enforcing environmental legislation.


2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 761-787 ◽  
Author(s):  
John F. McCauley

AbstractInformal institutions continue to govern political exchange in Africa, but the traditional, ethnic-based form of “big man rule” is now threatened by an alternative informal institution — charismatic Pentecostalism. This study evaluates the status of Pentecostalism empirically, in a micro-level experiment in Ghana. Using data from a variant of the dictator game, in which participants divide a resource endowment with randomly assigned partners as well as cultural leaders, the study provides evidence of Pentecostal exclusivity, excessive allegiance to leaders, and a shift away from ethnic-based patronage to Pentecostal patronage. As Pentecostalism continues to expand, these findings suggest a modification in the exchange of resources for loyalty in Africa, and grounds for viewing the movement as a new form of big man rule in the region.


2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-82
Author(s):  
Wiyono Wiyono

The objectives of this study are (1) to describe the implementation of the regulatory supervision of the elementary school learning activities, and (2) to describe the implications of the implementation of the regulatory supervision of the elementary school learning activities. The place of research in SDN  Ngadirejan Pringkuku Pacitan. Collecting data using observations, interviews and documentation. Analysis using data collection, data reduction, data presentation and conclusion. The results showed that: (1) Implementation of the regulatory supervision of teaching in schools on SDN Ngadirejan are in three stages, the school superintendent supervision is based on collaboration with the principal; Problems faced by the school supervisor is supervising the status of rank, seniority and friendship.  (2) The implications of the effectiveness of the regulatory supervision of school on school teaching are the level of preparedness of the schools, the school is very positive perception that supervisors provide assistance, guidance, direction and experience of the teacher towards professionalism and very few negative perceptions, success are achieved after supervision is the existence of physical development for the better.


Author(s):  
Fatahuddin Aziz Siregar

The South Tapanuli community adopts a patrilineal kinship system so that women do not get inheritance, even if there is acquisition of property, women receive it not in their capacity as heirs but in the form of holong ni ate as confirmed in the Supreme Court Jurisprudence number 506K / Sip / 1968 dated January 22, 1969 However, on the other hand the Tapsel community underwent a process of Islamization that was quite deep, so that the customary law of South Tapanuli was also influenced by positive law including Jurisprudence which gave heir to girls later issued by the Supreme Court number 528K / Sip / 1972 dated 17 January 1973. This rule makes the practice of distributing the assets of Tapsel's community inheritance also shifts no longer according to the full provisions of adat law.This paper focuses on answering the factors that cause the shift in Batak customary inheritance in Tapsel, how the form of Batak adat inheritance shifts in Tapsel, and how the role of Islamic law in the shifting Batak customary inheritance in Tapsel. To answer this, use descriptive-analytical field research using data collection techniques in the form of observations and interviews with traditional leaders, religious leaders, judges and the community who carry out the distribution of inheritance.From this search, the authors found that the practice of inheritance in Tapsel society has shifted from adat inheritance caused by two factors, namely, First, the factor of Islamic law because Tapsel people have understood Islam well and run it in various fields of life including in the distribution of inheritance. Given that there are dozens of Islamic education institutions in Tapsel according to the author has given a pretty good understanding of Islamic law. So in general it can be said, that this change is a consequence of the Islamization process experienced by the Tapsel people. Second, is the factor of higher power or positive law because until now the community still believes that only the Religious Courts as a place to solve the problem of inheritance to obtain legal certainty.The shift to adat inheritance occurs in several patterns. The first pattern is a total change from customary form to division according to faraid, this pattern occurs in areas that are fairly Islamic, namely the Mandailing Natal region, although of course there are some people who divide in a way that is not consistent in carrying out Islamic law. The second pattern is to carry out adat law, namely in communities that are relatively strict with adat, namely in the Padang Lawas and Sipirok regions, in this area many cases seem to have carried out faraid formally but the substance still reflects the spirit of adat law. The third pattern, namely the way of division which is a combination of Islamic law and customary law, which is a fairly moderate community in the Angkola region.Islamic law has contributed by shifting the implementation of customary law to Islamic law. People who according to customary law do not receive inheritance become heirs who receive a certain portion. At first the mother did not count as an heir, then given a part 1/3 or 1/6. Istdri initially did not get any portion of the inheritance then received 1/4 or 1/8. Girls initially only have the status of olong ate, then receive a relatively large portion, which is 1/2 or 2/3.


Behaviour ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 151 (5) ◽  
pp. 613-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison S. Craig ◽  
Louis M. Herman ◽  
Adam A. Pack ◽  
James O. Waterman

Humpback whales congregate annually in low-latitude winter breeding and calving grounds. While on these grounds, females with a dependent calf (‘maternal females’) are sometimes closely attended by one or more male escorts. Using data collected from a shore-based observation platform in the Hawaiian Islands, we tested the hypothesis that the spatial distribution of maternal females is driven primarily by avoidance of males. As predicted, we found that (1) pods containing a calf occurred in significantly shallower water than pods that did not contain a calf, (2) unescorted maternal females occurred in significantly shallower water than escorted maternal females, (3) the number of males escorting a female decreased significantly with decreasing water depth, and (4) the swimming speed of maternal females increased as a function of male presence, with escorted females travelling significantly more rapidly than unescorted females and a significant positive correlation between swimming speed and number of escorts. We suggest that maternal females incur increased energetic costs when escorted by males and consequently position themselves in shallow waters to reduce the likelihood of unwanted male attention.


2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (12) ◽  
pp. 2114-2122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay Aylesworth ◽  
Ting-Chun Kuo

Catch rates reported by fishers are commonly used to understand the status of a fishery, but the reliability of fisher-reported data is affected by how they recall such information. Recalling catch may be influenced by the choice of reporting time period. Using interview data from fishers in Thailand, we investigated (1) how the time period for which fishers report their catch rates (e.g., per day or month) correlates with annual catch estimates and (2) the potential of recall bias when fishers reported multiple catch rates. We found that the annual catch estimates of fishers who reported on a shorter time period (haul, day) were significantly higher than those reported on a longer time period (month, year). This trend held true when individual fishers reported over multiple time periods, suggesting recall bias. By comparing fisher reports with external data sets, we identified that the mean across all reports was most similar to other data sources, rather than any time period. Our research has strong implications in using fishers’ knowledge for fisheries management.


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