Gulf of Carpentaria Developmental Finfish Trawl Fishery : Maximum Sustainable Yield

The Gulf of Carpentaria Finfish Trawl Fishery operates under developmental permits and harvests five main tropical snapper species. The fishery operates in eastern Gulf of Carpentaria waters and is managed by Fisheries Queensland on behalf of the Queensland Fishery Joint Authority. For the years 2004–2014, the fishery Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) was fixed at 1250 t and substantially under-filled. In 2011 new stock analyses were published for the fishery. Results were presented to industry including the estimated equilibrium maximum sustainable yield (MSY) of 450 t for east Gulf of Carpentaria waters. The MSY value represented the maximum average combined species harvest that can be taken long-term; combining MSY harvests of the five main species. For the 2015 calendar year, a revised 450 t harvest quota was set for Crimson Snapper, Saddletail Snapper, Red Emperor and other Emperor species; plus a tonnage allowance for other permitted species. The revised quota tonnage represented a considerable reduction from the 1250 t set in previous years. Industry raised questions about not understanding how the MSY was arrived at and why it was less than early 1990s yield estimates. The purpose of this report is to explain the MSY estimates for east Gulf of Carpentaria waters. The 450 t MSY represents at present the best estimate available and is consistent with pre-2011 estimates.

Stout Whiting Fishery Summary : Commercial Quota Setting for 2017

This fishery assessment report describes the commercial stout whiting fishery operation along Australia’s east coast between Sandy Cape and the Queensland-New South Wales border. The fishery is identified by a T4 symbol. This study follows methods applied in (O'Neill & Leigh, 2016a) and extends the results of that study by using the latest data available up to end of March 2016. The fishery statistics reported herein are for fishing years 1991 to 2016. This study analysed stout whiting catch rates from both Queensland and New South Wales (NSW) for all vessels, areas and fishing gears. The 2016 catch rate index from Queensland and NSW waters was 0.86. This means that the 2016 catch rate index was 86% of the mean standardised catch rate. Results showed that there was a stable trend in catch rates from 2012 to 2016, as in the previous study (O'Neill & Leigh, 2016a), with the 2015 and 2014 catch rates 85% of the mean catch rate. The fish-length frequency and age-length-otolith data were translated using two models which showed: • Where patterns of fish age-abundance were estimated from the fish-length frequency and age-length data, there were slightly decreased estimated measures of fish survival at 38% for 2014, compared to fish survival estimates in 2013 at 40%. The 2014 and 2015 estimated age structure was dominated by 1+ and 2+ old fished, with a slightly higher frequency of age 2 - 3 fish for 2015. • Where only the age-length data were used, estimates showed that from 2011 to 2014 the survival index increased. The estimated survival index increased from 35% in 2013 to 64% in 2014, indicating stronger survival of fish as they recruited and aged. Together the stout whiting catch rate and survival indicators showed the recent fishery harvests were sustainable. Since 1997, T4 management (Stout Whiting Fishery) is centred on annual assessments of total allowable commercial catch (TACC). The TACC is assessed before the start of each fishing year using statistical assessment methodologies, namely evaluation of trends in fish catch rates and catch-at-age frequencies measured against management reference points. The TACC has been under-caught in many years. For setting the 2017 T4 stout whiting TACC, the calculations covered a range of settings to account for the variance in the data and provide options for quota change. The overall (averaged) results suggested: • The procedure where the quota was adjusted based on previous TACC setting in year 2016 gave a recommended TACC for 2017 of between 1100 and 1130 t. • The procedure that focussed directly on optimising the average harvest to match target reference points gave a recommended TACC for 2017 of between 860 and 890 t. Use of these estimates to set TACC will depend on management and industry aims for the fishery.

Stout Whiting Fishery Summary : Queensland Total Allowable Catch for 2016

In Queensland, stout whiting are fished by Danish seine and fish otter-trawl methods between Sandy Cape and the Queensland-New South Wales border. The fishery is currently identified by a T4 symbol and is operated by two primary quota holders. Since 1997, T4 management has been informed by annual stock assessments in order to determine a total allowable commercial catch (TACC) quota. The TACC is assessed before the start of each fishing year using statistical methodologies. This includes evaluation of trends in fish catch-rates and catch-at-age frequencies against management reference points. The T4 stout whiting TACC for 2014 was adjusted down to 1150 t as a result of elevated estimates of fishing mortality and remained unchanged in 2015 (2013 TACC = 1350 t quota). Two T4 vessels fished for stout whiting in the 2015 fishing year, harvesting 663 t from Queensland waters. Annual T4 landings of stout whiting averaged about 713 t for the fishing years 2013–2015, with a maximum harvest in the last 10 fishing years of 1140 t and a maximum historical harvest of 2400 t in the 1995. Stout whiting catch rates from both Queensland and New South Wales were analysed for all vessels, areas and fishing gears. The 2015 catch rate index was equal to 0.85, down 15% compared to the 2010–2015 fishing year average (reference point =1). The stout whiting fish length and otolith weight frequencies indicated larger and older fish in the calendar year 2014. This data was translated to show improved measures of fish survival at about 38% per year and near the reference point of about 41%. Together, the stout whiting catch rate and survival indicators show the fishery was sustainable. Earlier population modelling conducted for the year 2013 also suggested the stock was sustainable, but the estimate was only marginally above the biomass for maximum sustainable yield. Irrespective, reasons for reduced catch rates should be examined further and interpreted with precaution, particularly given the TACC has been under-caught in many years. For setting of the 2016 TACC, alternate analyses and reference points were compared to address data uncertainties and provide options for quota change. The results were dependent on the stock indicator and harvest procedure used. Uncertainty in all TACC estimates should be considered as they were sensitive to the data inputs and assumptions. For the 2016 T4 fishing year, upper levels of harvest should be limited to 1000–1100 t following procedure equation 1, with target levels of harvest at 750–850 t for procedure equation 2. Use of these estimates to set TACC will depend on management and industry intentions.

The 2000 BFA Graduating Class: Department of Visual Arts

Sir Wilfred Grenfell Colleges Fine Arts Division offers two BFA programs: visual arts and theatre. They are the only BFA degree programs available in the province. The bachoelor of Fine arts(Visual Arts)program is a professional program designed to educate and train students in the history, theory and practice of the visual arts. The curriculum has been devised to produce well-rounded generalists with solid grounding in all aspects of visual arts. The Curriculum illustrates the philosophy that artistic freedom and creative expression require technical skill, intellectual awareness and personal vision, acquired through a disciplined application of effort and critical understanding of artistic issues, past and present. Academic electives are tended to provide a broad exposure to the liberal arts.

The relationship of early social, mental, and behavioral experiences with adult obesity and Alcohol Use Disorder

Stressful life events early in life, including symptoms of mental disorders or childhood maltreatment, may increase risk for worse mental and physical health outcomes in adulthood. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the effects of childhood Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms and maltreatment experience on two adult outcomes: obesity and alcohol use disorder (AUD). Mediational effects of adolescent characteristics were explored. This dissertation used Waves I, III, and IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. In Paper 1 (Chapter 3), we investigated the association between multiple types of child maltreatment and adult objective (body mass index; BMI) and subjective (self-rated) obesity, as well as mediating effects by adolescent characteristics including depressive symptoms and BMI. Results showed that after adjusting for sex, race/ethnicity, and maternal education, physical maltreatment was moderately associated with adulthood obesity as measured by BMI and self-reported obesity, while sexual maltreatment was more strongly associated with the objective measure but not the subjective measure. The indirect effects of mediation of adolescent BMI and depressive symptoms were statistically significant. In Paper 2 (Chapter 4), the objective was to examine mediation by adolescent depressive symptoms, alcohol consumption, peer alcohol consumption, and delinquency in the relationship between ADHD symptoms and adult AUD. The indirect effects of mediation of adolescent delinquency, alcohol consumption, and peer alcohol consumption were statistically significant in single and multiple mediator models. In Paper 3 (Chapter 5), the objective was to assess the joint effects of maltreatment/neglect on adult AUD. After adjusting for sex, race/ethnicity, child maltreatment, and parental AUD, ADHD symptoms were significantly associated with increased odds of AUD. There was no strong evidence of multiplicative interaction by maltreatment. This association was stronger for males than females, although the interaction term was not statistically significant. This dissertation adds to the literature by examining relationships between several major public health problems: ADHD symptoms, childhood maltreatment, AUD, depressive symptoms, and obesity. This project has implications for understanding how early life stress increases risk for later physical and mental health problems, and identifying potential intervention targets for adolescents.

Sex differences in quality of life in stroke survivors. Data from the Tinzaparin in Acute Ischaemic Stroke Trial (TAIST)

Introduction: Female sex is predictive of poor functional outcome in stroke, even after correction for prognostic factors. Poor quality of life (QoL) is observed in stroke survivors, with lower scores seen in the most disabled patients. We used data from the TAIST trial to assess the relationship between sex and QoL after ischaemic stroke. Methods: TAIST was a randomised controlled trial assessing the safety and efficacy of tinzaparin versus aspirin in 1,484 patients with acute ischaemic stroke. QoL was measured at 180 days post randomisation using the short-form 36 health survey which assesses QoL across eight domains. The relationship between sex and each domain was assessed using ordinal regression, both unadjusted and adjusted for key prognostics factors. Results: Of the 1,484 patients randomised into TAIST, 216 had died at 180 days post randomisation. 1,268 survivors were included in this analysis, 694 males (55%), 574 females (45%). Females tended to score lower than males across all QoL domains (apart from general health); statistically significant lower scores were seen for physical functioning (odds ratio (OR) 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47-0.72), vitality (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.64-0.98) and mental health (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.61-0.93). The results for physical functioning and mental health remained significant after adjustment for prognostic variables (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.58-0.92; OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.60-0.95 respectively). Conclusions: QoL, in particular physical function and mental health domains, is lower in female patients after stroke. This difference persists even after correction for known prognostic factors such as age and stroke severity.

Stroke severity, early recovery and outcome are each related with clinical classification of stroke: data from the 'Tinzaparin in Acute Ischaemic Stroke Trial (TAIST)

Introduction: Baseline severity and clinical stroke syndrome (Oxford Community Stroke Project, OCSP) classification are predictors of outcome in stroke. We used data from the ‘Tinzaparin in Acute Ischaemic Stroke Trial’ (TAIST) to assess the relationship between stroke severity, early recovery, outcome and OCSP syndrome. Methods: TAIST was a randomised controlled trial assessing the safety and efficacy of tinzaparin versus aspirin in 1,484 patients with acute ischaemic stroke. Severity was measured as the Scandinavian Neurological Stroke Scale (SNSS) at baseline and days 4, 7 and 10, and baseline OCSP clinical classification recorded: total anterior circulation infarct (TACI), partial anterior circulation infarct (PACI), lacunar infarct (LACI) and posterior circulation infarction (POCI). Recovery was calculated as change in SNSS from baseline at day 4 and 10. The relationship between stroke syndrome and SNSS at days 4 and 10, and outcome (modified Rankin scale at 90 days) were assessed. Results: Stroke severity was significantly different between TACI (most severe) and LACI (mildest) at all four time points (p<0.001), with no difference between PACI and POCI. The largest change in SNSS score occurred between baseline and day 4; improvement was least in TACI (median 2 units), compared to other groups (median 3 units) (p<0.001). If SNSS did not improve by day 4, then early recovery and late functional outcome tended to be limited irrespective of clinical syndrome (SNSS, baseline: 31, day 10: 32; mRS, day 90: 4); patients who recovered early tended to continue to improve and had better functional outcome irrespective of syndrome (SNSS, baseline: 35, day 10: 50; mRS, day 90: 2). Conclusions: Although functional outcome is related to baseline clinical syndrome (best with LACI, worst with TACI), patients who improve early have a more favourable functional outcome, irrespective of their OCSP syndrome. Hence, patients with a TACI syndrome may still achieve a reasonable outcome if early recovery occurs.

Compression stockings and the prevention of symptomatic venous thromboembolism: data from the Tinzaparin in Acute Ischaemic Stroke Trial

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a well recognised and preventable complication of acute stroke. While graduated compression stockings reduce the risk of VTE in surgical patients their benefit in acute stroke remains uncertain. Methods: The relationship between symptomatic VTE and use of stockings using observational data from the ‘Tinzaparin in Acute Ischaemic Stroke Trial’, which compared 10 days of treatment with tinzaparin (175 IU.kg-1 or 100 IU.kg-1) with, aspirin (300 mg od), was assessed using logistic regression adjusted for known VTE risk factors and treatment. Results: Symptomatic VTE occurred in 28 patients (1.9%, DVT 18, PE 13) within 15 days of enrolment in 1,479 patients. Patients wearing one or two stockings for any period of time during the first 10 days (n=803) had a non-significant increase (odds ratio, OR 2.45, 95% confidence interval, CI 0.95 - 6.32) in the risk of symptomatic VTE. In contrast, those wearing bilateral stockings for 10 days (n=374) had a non-significant reduction in the odds of symptomatic VTE as compared to those who wore no stockings or wore them for less than 10 days (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.26-1.65). Mild stroke and treatment with tinzaparin were associated with a reduced risk of VTE. Conclusions: Bilateral graduated compression stockings may reduce the incidence of VTE by one-third in patients with acute ischaemic stroke. However, the uncertainty in this finding, low frequency of symptomatic VTE, potential for stockings to cause harm, and cost of stockings highlight the need for a large randomised-controlled trial to examine the safety and efficacy of stockings in acute stroke.

Randomised controlled trial of short bursts of a potent topical corticosteroid versus prolonged use of a mild preparation for children with mild or moderate atopic eczema

Objective To determine whether a three day burst of a potent corticosteroid is more effective than a mild preparation used for seven days in children with mild or moderate atopic eczema. Design Randomised, double blind, parallel group study of 18 weeks' duration. Setting 13 general practices and a teaching hospital in the Nottingham area. Participants 174 children with mild or moderate atopic eczema recruited from general practices and 33 from a hospital outpatient clinic. Interventions 0.1% betamethasone valerate applied for three days followed by the base ointment for four days versus 1% hydrocortisone applied for seven days. Main outcome measures Primary outcomes were total number of scratch­free days and number of relapses. Secondary outcomes were median duration of relapses, number of undisturbed nights, disease severity (six area, six sign atopic dermatitis severity scale), scores on two quality of life measures (children's life quality index and dermatitis family impact questionnaire), and number of patients in whom treatment failed in each arm. Results No differences were found between the two groups. This was consistent for all outcomes. The median number of scratch­free days was 118.0 for the mild group and 117.5 for the potent group (difference 0.5, 95% confidence interval - 2.0 to 4.0, P = 0.53). The median number of relapses for both groups was 1.0. Both groups showed clinically important improvements in disease severity and quality of life compared with baseline. Conclusion A short burst of a potent topical corticosteroid is just as effective as prolonged use of a milder preparation for controlling mild or moderate atopic eczema in children.

The relationship between baseline blood pressure and computed tomography findings in acute stroke: data from the Tinzaparin in Acute Ischaemic Stroke Trial (TAIST)

Background and Purpose—High blood pressure (BP) is present in 80% of patients with acute ischemic stroke and is independently associated with poor outcome. There are few data examining the relationship between admission BP and acute CT findings. Methods—TAIST was a randomized controlled trial assessing 10 days of treatment with tinzaparin versus aspirin in 1489 patients with acute ischemic stroke (48 hr) with admission BP of 220/120 mm Hg. CT brain scans were performed before randomization and after 10 days. The relationships between baseline BP and adjudicated CT findings were assessed. Odds ratios per 10 mm Hg change in BP were calculated. Results—Higher systolic BP (SBP) was associated with abnormal CT scans because of independent associations with chronic changes of leukoariosis (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.05–1.17) and old infarction (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.06 –1.17) at baseline, and signs of visible infarction at day 10 (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.00 –1.13). A lower SBP was associated with signs of acute infarction (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.89–0.99). Hemorrhagic transformation, dense middle cerebral artery sign, mass effect, and cerebral edema at day 10 were not independently associated with baseline BP. Conclusion—Although high baseline BP is independently associated with a poor outcome after stroke, this was not shown to be through an association with increased hemorrhagic transformation, cerebral edema, or mass effect; trial design may be suboptimal to detect this. Higher SBP is associated with visible infarction on day 10 scans. The influence of changing BP in acute stroke on CT findings is still to be ascertained.

Construir no construído na cidade de Odivelas

Dissertação de Mestrado para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Arquitectura, apresentada na Universidade de Lisboa - Faculdade de Arquitectura.