Excluder Device Research Articles

Testing and implementation of an exclusion device for mitigating the incidental capture of sea lions in the Chilean small-scale trawl hake fishery

In recent years, the Chilean hake (Merluccius gayi gayi) trawl fishery has implemented measures to reduce discards, bycatch, and incidental captures. In the past ten years, the incidental capture of South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) (SASLs) has become a significant concern, particularly for the small-scale fleet operating from San Antonio in central Chile. To address this issue, a sea lion exclusion device (SLED) was introduced for trawl nets. This paper describes an experiment that was designed to assess the effectiveness of SLEDs. Records of the incidental capture of SASLs and mortality from scientific observers monitoring this small-scale trawl fleet were also analyzed. The results of the experiment indicated that SLEDs greatly reduced incidental captures of SASLs without affecting the capture of the target species. However, given that there was only one year of overlap between non-SLED and SLED data, these findings should be interpreted with caution. The data from scientific observers from 2015 to 2022 suggested a consistent decrease in the incidental capture of SASLs with the use of SLEDs, supporting the potential effectiveness of this mitigation measure.

Challenges to Seagrass Restoration in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida

Seagrasses provide valuable ecosystem services, including improved water quality, carbon sequestration, and sediment stabilization. Unfortunately, these critical habitats are declining globally due to a range of anthropogenic impacts. Restoration practitioners have made efforts to mitigate loss through the introduction of seagrass transplants. However, seagrass restoration has low success rates and is plagued by water quality concerns and ecosystem degradation. Studies to improve seagrass restoration efforts have targeted different functional taxa to allow for greater stability and recovery of threatened ecosystems, and excluded macro-grazers to limit losses to newly established and restored seagrasses. We hypothesized greater seagrass (Halodule wrightii) health when restored in conjunction with hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) and protected from grazers using herbivore exclusion devices (HEDs) in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), Florida. While our study experienced high rates of seagrass mortality, we were able to observe significant differences in seagrass health between IRL sub-lagoons and observed the positive effects of HEDs on seagrass health. The observed high species mortality highlights how restoration in the IRL is hindered by biotic and abiotic stressors, site selection, and a lack of clear restoration protocols. As we see ongoing declines in water quality and loss of foundational species, informed site selection, greater understanding of grazer presence, and multi-species restoration will provide an informed approach for future seagrass restoration projects globally.

Effect on catch efficiency and bycatch by introducing an Excluder device in the trawl fishery for lesser sandeel (Ammodytes marinus).

Sampling of the North Sea trawl fishery for lesser sandeel (Ammodytes marinus) showed that 96% of the catch weight consisted of the target species, and experimental sea trials demonstrated that the observed small bycatch percentages of haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), mackerel (Scomber scombrus) and grey gurnard (Eutrigla gurnardus) could be significantly lowered by inserting a netting-based sorting device, an Excluder, in front of the codend. The sandeel fishery is conducted with small meshes in the codend, due to the small size and elongated body shape of this species. It is not mandatory for sandeel trawls to have any other selection devices than the small-meshed codend, and this can potentially cause problems with bycatch of unwanted species, if these are abundant on the fishing grounds. Therefore, we sampled the catch composition in this fishery and further, we compared the capture efficiency and species composition of a standard trawl, and one fitted with an additional sorting device called the Excluder. Overall, results showed small percentages of bycatch in the trips sampled and during the trials, the excluder significantly reduced the bycatches of mackerel, grey gurnard, and haddock above certain sizes. For other bycatch species results were inconclusive due to wide confidence limits affected by low bycatch numbers during the trials. The overall capture efficiency for the target species was not affected by adding the excluder in the trawl except for a significant reduction for a few semi-centimetre groups of the largest sizes of the species. These results highlight the potential of the Excluder as a bycatch reduction tool in the sandeel fishery for situations where bycatch can constitute a problem.

Language practices in the tension between scholarly prestige and institutional power: a study of negotiations between English and Norwegian at a university in Norway

ABSTRACT This article explores the tensions between the use of English and Norwegian in the everyday lives of employees at a public university in Norway. The university is responsible for educating a large proportion of students for the Norwegian labour market, while also pursuing greater internationalisation. The qualitative interview study includes the voices of researchers with both international and Norwegian backgrounds, administrative staff, and department leaders. In the article, we analyse how language practices are negotiated in the institution, and how language functions as a device for inclusion or exclusion. We have identified three key domains in which language is activated as an inclusion/exclusion device: first, in the onboarding phase; secondly, when navigating bilingual workplaces; and thirdly, while participating in the life of the university as a societal institution. We find that both scientific and administrative staff navigate according to practical concerns, aiming to balance different and sometimes conflicting interests. Our analysis shows how maintaining bilingualism requires work and effort by everyone involved and that this work and its consequences are largely individualised. While academic prestige and power are associated with the use of English, Norwegian skills can function as a gatekeeper to positions of power within the university.

Performance of sorting grids on catching elasmobranchs in a multispecies Mediterranean bottom trawl fishery

Elasmobranchs are among the most threatened long-lived marine species in the Mediterranean Sea. Incidental catch and intense fishing effort are considered the major threats to their conservation. To date, no Mediterranean countries has adopted specific technical measures within current conservation plans to mitigate potential impacts on vulnerable elasmobranchs. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of new elasmobranch bycatch reducing devices (BRD) in a Mediterranean multispecies bottom trawl fishery (northern central Adriatic Sea, one of the most exploited basins in the Mediterranean). Specifically, two types of grids were tested: a novel shark excluder device (SED) and a flexible grid (Flexgrid). Effectiveness was evaluated in terms of bycatch and commercial catch reduction, relying on the different sizes of elasmobranchs and the main commercial species. Results showed that preliminary tests with SED were effective in excluding elasmobranch species. Catches made with this grid showed no significant difference for targeted crustacean (mantis shrimp, Squilla mantis), however, commercial losses were shown for some large bony fish. Flexgrid did not affect the catches of the main target species, such as the red mullet (Mullus barbatus), European hake (Merluccius merluccius) and mantis shrimp, but also retained small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula). The effectiveness of the grids apparently was affected by the small size of the elasmobranchs captured. The study showed that SED and Flexgrid are valuable solutions for elasmobranchs if combined with other conservation measures (e.g. seasonal fishing closure in critical areas and good practices). Finally, strong cooperation between fishers, scientists, and managers is critical to identify the best management options in a regulatory framework where only a few elasmobranch species are formally protected. Interestingly, the study also yielded the identification of two potential aggregation-nursery areas for the small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) and the common smooth-hound (Mustelus mustelus).

Symposium 04: Innovative Ways of Applying Digital Technology in Neuropsychology - A Sneak Peak into the Future

Summary Abstract:The explosion of digital technology in the past decade has led to unprecedented possibilities towards improving cognitive assessment and understanding brain health. Digital technology encompasses using a multitude of devices, such as laptops, smartphones, etc, to collect health-related data. The settings can be varied to include in-clinic, remote/virtual, or a combination of hybrid models for data collection. Data can be collected at a single time point or over a continued period of time. Furthermore, the unique combination of devices used, settings, and methods of collecting digital data can become even more exclusive against the backdrop of the 'purpose’ for conducting the digital study. This symposium, consisting of four abstracts, brings together the unique combination of digital studies with exclusive devices, methodologies, settings, and purposes. The topics range from how smartphone-based assessments can be applied to understand the interaction between day-to-day variability in sleep and cognition, to the use of computerized testing to investigate the associations between cognitive performance and markers of brain pathology (e.g. amyloid and tau status), to understanding cognition from an open-source smartphone application to passively and continuously capture sensor data including global positioning system trajectories, to the development and validation of an online simulated money management credit card task, and to determining the effects of cognitive rehabilitation via digital technology on cognition, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and memory strategies.

Raised BMI is associated with fewer Type I endoleaks in patients treated with the Gore Excluder device: data from the Global Registry for Endovascular Aortic Treatment (GREAT).

Obesity is increasing in prevalence globally and within the cohort of vascular surgical patients, leading to poorer outcomes. There are few data on endoleak as a complication of AAA surgery in obese patients. The aim of this study was to use large scale registry data from the Global Registry for Endovascular Aortic Treatment (GREAT) to interrogate any relationship between obesity and endoleak following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) using a Gore Excluder device (W. L. Gore & Associates, Newark, DE, USA), in order to guide treatment recommendations in the future. A retrospective review of the GREAT Registry was carried out and patients who were recorded as having a postoperative endoleak requiring intervention were included. Patient demographics including Body Mass Index (BMI), aneurysm parameters and on- or off-instructions for use (IFU) were recorded. Ruptured AAA were excluded. Data were obtained for 3326 patients with an operation date between August 25, 2010 and September 22, 2019. Obese patients were significantly less likely to have a Type 1 endoleak (Fisher's Exact P value=0.006), and the association was maintained in a multiple logistic regression model which controlled for age, gender, neck angulation and off IFU device use (OR=0.33, P=0.01). Among AAA patients treated with a Gore Excluder device (W. L. Gore & Associates), a higher BMI category was associated with a lower risk of Type 1 endoleak requiring reintervention. Further work needs to be carried out to assess our findings in other patient cohorts.

833-P: Duodenal Targeting by Oral Pharmacologic Duodenal Exclusion Therapy for Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D)

GLY-200 is an oral, non-absorbed polymeric drug designed to non-invasively and reversibly enhance the mucus lining of the proximal small intestine to mimic the effects of metabolic surgery and duodenal exclusion devices. In healthy volunteers and rat models of T2D (GK, ZDF, and DIO), GLY-200 produced reductions in postprandial glucose and bodyweight compared to control. This study aimed to visualize the retained duodenal barrier in rats using appropriate imaging modalities. Methods: Imaging of GLY-200 after gavage administration to fasted Sprague-Dawley rats was performed using Computed Tomography (CT) and an In Vivo Imaging System (IVIS). For CT imaging, GLY-200 was covalently conjugated with diatrizoate; images were obtained after transient isoflurane administration 1, 2, and 4 hours after gavage. For IVIS imaging, GLY-200 was reacted with FITC to produce a fluorescein-GLY-200 conjugate. Rats were euthanized 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 hours after dosing and the GI tracts were immediately removed for imaging. Results: In CT imaging, GLY-200-diatrizoate was retained in the proximal small intestine 1 and 2 hours after administration, with an intense signal only in the duodenum. In comparison, a diatrizoate control was broadly distributed over the small intestine distal to the duodenum by 1 hour. In IVIS imaging, GLY-200-FITC showed intense fluorescence in the proximal small intestine that was predominantly associated with the gut wall and persisted for >4 hours after administration. In comparison, a FITC-dextran70 control was distributed broadly throughout the distal intestine and cecum by 30 minutes with no retention in the duodenum. Conclusion: Imaging studies confirm that GLY-200 conjugates are retained in the duodenum after oral administration. These data support the hypothesis that GLY-200 treatment results in a pharmacologic duodenal exclusion that could potentially recapitulate the glycemic and weight effects of metabolic surgery and duodenal exclusion devices. Disclosure A.Nimgaonkar: Employee; Glyscend Inc. C.Bryant: Employee; Glyscend Inc. T.Carlson: Employee; Glyscend Inc. F.V.Guerina: Employee; Glyscend Inc. K.Colbert: Consultant; LifeSprout, Employee; Glyscend Inc. S.Polomoscanik: None. J.S.Petersen: None. T.H.Jozefiak: Employee; Glyscend Inc., Stock/Shareholder; Glycologix, LLC. M.Fineman: Employee; Glyscend Inc., Stock/Shareholder; Glyscend Inc.

220-OR: First-in-Human Study of a Pharmacological Duodenal Exclusion Therapy Mimics a Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Biomarker Signature

To address the need for non-invasive alternatives to metabolic surgery or duodenal exclusion devices for the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity, we designed an orally administered therapeutic polymer, GLY-200, that binds to and enhances the barrier function of mucus in the gastrointestinal tract. Methods: A Phase 1, randomized, double-blind, placebo (PBO)-controlled, multiple ascending dose study was conducted in healthy volunteers. Four cohorts (N=32, 19-61 yrs, BMI 26.2 ± 3.20 kg/m2) received 5 days of BID or TID dosing (total daily dose between 2.0 g and 6.0 g GLY-200 or PBO). Assessments included safety and tolerability (primary) and exploratory pharmacodynamics (PD), including serum glucose, insulin, bile acids, and gut hormones. Results: No safety signals were observed; tolerability signals were limited to mild to moderate dose-dependent gastrointestinal events. On Day 5, reductions in glucose and insulin and increases in bile acids, GLP-1, PYY, and glicentin were observed following a non-standardized meal in subjects receiving 2.0 g BID GLY-200 (N=9) vs PBO (N=8). Conclusions: GLY-200 is safe and generally well tolerated. PD results mimic the biomarker signature observed following RYGB and duodenal exclusion devices, indicating a pharmacological effect in the proximal small intestine. Disclosure M.Fineman: Employee; Glyscend Inc., Stock/Shareholder; Glyscend Inc. C.Bryant: Employee; Glyscend Inc. K.Colbert: Consultant; LifeSprout, Employee; Glyscend Inc. T.H.Jozefiak: Employee; Glyscend Inc., Stock/Shareholder; Glycologix, LLC. J.S.Petersen: None. J.Vora: Other Relationship; Avotres Inc., Glyscend Inc. C.K.Rayner: Advisory Panel; Glyscend Inc. A.Nimgaonkar: Employee; Glyscend Inc.

832-P: Coadministration of Metformin with GLY-200, a Clinical-Stage Nonabsorbed Drug for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), Has No Significant Impact on the Oral Absorption of Metformin in the Rat

Background: GLY-200 is a non-absorbed polymer drug currently in Phase 2 clinical trials for the treatment of T2D. GLY-200 was designed to reversibly enhance the barrier properties of the intestinal mucus lining to non-invasively mimic gastric bypass and duodenal exclusion devices. In view of this mechanism of action, GLY-200 has the potential to interfere with the absorption of orally available drugs. As such, we investigated the effect of GLY-200 on the oral absorption of metformin, an antidiabetic agent commonly used in combination with other glucose-lowering medications. Methods: Metformin (100 mpk) was administered by oral gavage in saline to male Sprague Dawley rats (6-8 weeks old). GLY-200 (400 mpk) was dosed either simultaneously in the same gavage solution, or prior (1- or 3-hours) to the metformin dose. Blood samples were drawn at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, and 24 hours following the metformin dose, and a pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis was performed using a noncompartmental model (Phoenix WinNonlin v. 8.3). Results: GLY-200 altered the rate but did not meaningfully alter the extent of metformin absorption. The greatest effect was observed when the two drugs were dosed together (Cmax ↓34%; tmax ↑100%; AUC ↑11%). The observed changes may be a result of slowed GI transit with GLY-200 administration. Conclusions: The oral absorption and PK profile of metformin was not significantly altered when the drug was coadministered with GLY-200 or given 1- or 3-hours after a GLY-200 dose. These results suggest that GLY-200 could be used in combination with metformin, whose pharmacologic action is not dependent on Cmax. Disclosure M.Fineman: Employee; Glyscend Inc., Stock/Shareholder; Glyscend Inc. C.Bryant: Employee; Glyscend Inc. T.H.Jozefiak: Employee; Glyscend Inc., Stock/Shareholder; Glycologix, LLC. A.Nimgaonkar: Employee; Glyscend Inc. T.Carlson: Employee; Glyscend Inc.

823-P: GLY-200, a Pharmacologic Duodenal Exclusion Therapy, Improved Metabolic Parameters in the DIO Rat

Non-invasive alternatives to metabolic surgery or duodenal exclusion devices for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity are lacking. We developed an orally administered therapeutic polymer, GLY-200, designed to create a barrier in duodenum by complexing with mucin. In healthy subjects, 5 days treatment resulted in significant reductions in postprandial glucose and insulin and increases in bile acids and gut hormones. To evaluate the chronic effects of GLY-200, we conducted an 8-week study in the diet-induced obesity (DIO) rat model. Methods: DIO rats (60% kcal fat diet) were gavaged once daily following a 3-hour fast with GLY-200 (120 mg/rat) or saline (n=12/group). Metabolic assessments included body weight, mesenteric fat mass, skeletal muscle mass (gastrocnemius), glycemic responses to an oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT), and gut hormones from fasted samples at study termination. Results: At 8 weeks, GLY-200 treated rats had a significant reduction in % body weight gain (5%, p < 0.05), lower mesenteric fat mass (p < 0.01), and a significant reduction in incremental glucose AUC0-120 min following the oGTT on Day 51 (p < 0.05) compared to control. These metabolic benefits were associated with a significantly higher fasting active GLP-1 level compared to control (p < 0.01). Trends for increased PYY were also observed as compared to control. There was no difference in skeletal muscle mass. Conclusions: In the DIO rat, chronic (8-weeks) once-daily treatment with GLY-200 resulted in significant improvements in metabolic parameters compared to saline control consistent with a duodenal exclusion MOA. These results support further development of GLY-200 for the treatment of T2D and obesity. Disclosure A.Nimgaonkar: Employee; Glyscend Inc. C.Bryant: Employee; Glyscend Inc. K.M.Habegger: Consultant; Glyscend Inc., Research Support; Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk, Glyscend Inc., Stock/Shareholder; Glyscend Inc. K.Colbert: Consultant; LifeSprout, Employee; Glyscend Inc. T.Carlson: Employee; Glyscend Inc. S.Polomoscanik: None. J.S.Petersen: None. T.H.Jozefiak: Employee; Glyscend Inc., Stock/Shareholder; Glycologix, LLC. M.Fineman: Employee; Glyscend Inc., Stock/Shareholder; Glyscend Inc.

Transcatheter Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion: Preclinical and Early Clinical Results With the Laminar Device

BackgroundThe Laminar device rotates and closes the left atrial appendage (LAA) using an integrated ball and lock that excludes and eliminates the LAA pouch. There is a low device surface area, minimizing the risk of peridevice leak (PDL) and device-related thrombus (DRT) formation. ObjectivesThis study evaluates the safety and efficacy of the Laminar LAA exclusion device in healthy animals and human subjects with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation at risk of ischemic stroke and systemic thromboembolism. MethodsThe preclinical study implanted the Laminar device into canine subjects that underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and fluoroscopic evaluation, followed by necropsy and histological assessment at 45 and 150-days post-implant. The early clinical study implanted the device in human subjects, followed to 12 months postimplantation. Procedural success was defined as device implantation in the intended location without residual LAA leak >5 mm as seen by TEE. Safety endpoints included freedom from stroke, systemic embolism, pericardial effusion, or tamponade, life-threatening/major bleeding, or death. ResultsThe Laminar device was successfully implanted in 10 canines. In all animals at 45 days and 150 days, no PDL or DRT was found, and histological examination showed fully closed LAAs covered with neo-endocardium. The device was successfully implanted in 15 human subjects with no safety events out to 12 months postimplantation. All subjects had successful protocol-defined LAA closure without DRT at 45 days by TEE and computed tomography, which remained stable through 12 months’ follow-up. ConclusionsThe preclinical and early clinical results demonstrate a promising safety and efficacy profile for the Laminar LAA exclusion device.

Side-by-side deployment of gore excluder legs at a narrow terminal aorta for endovascular aneurysm repair.

A narrow terminal aorta is a risk factor for endograft occlusion after endovascular aneurysm repair. To minimize limb complications, we used Gore Excluder legs positioned side-by-side at the terminal aorta. We investigated the outcomes of our strategy for endovascular aneurysm repair in patients with a narrow terminal aorta. We enrolled 61 patients who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair with a narrow terminal aorta (defined as < 18mm in diameter) from April 2013 to October 2021. The standard procedure involves complete treatment with the Gore Excluder device. When other types of main body endografts were used, they were deployed proximal to the terminal aorta, and we used the Gore Excluder leg device in the bilateral limbs. Postoperatively, the intraluminal diameter of the legs at the terminal aorta was measured to assess the configuration. During the follow-up period (mean: 2.7 ± 2.0years), there were no aorta-related deaths, endograft occlusions, or leg-related re-interventions. There were no significant differences between the pre- and postoperative ankle-brachial pressure index values in the dominant and non-dominant legs (p = 0.44 and p = 0.17, respectively). Postoperatively, the mean difference rate (defined as [dominant leg diameter-non-dominant leg diameter]/terminal aorta diameter) was 7.5 ± 7.1%. The difference rate was not significantly correlated with the terminal aortic diameter, calcification thickness, or circumferential calcification (r = 0.16, p = 0.22; r = 0.07, p = 0.59; and r = -0.07, p = 0.61, respectively). Side-by-side deployment of Gore Excluder legs produces acceptable outcomes for endovascular aneurysm repair with a narrow terminal aorta. The endograft expansion at the terminal aorta is tolerable without influencing calcification distribution.

Juvenile and Trash Fish Excluder Device (JTED) for Taiwanese Bottom Trawl

Juvenile and trash fish excluder devices (JTEDs) are used to mitigate the ecological impact of trawling. Trawling has a large ecological footprint in Taiwan. Thus, this study designed three JTEDs, which differed only in grid interval, for single boat bottom otter trawls that are commonly used in Taiwan. The designed JTEDs were tested in the waters off of Kaohsiung on a Kaohsiung-based bottom trawler, and the results were as follows. (1) At least 300 species were caught, and 189 of these species had little commercial value; their weight accounted for 52.5% of the total catch. (2) The three JTEDs had good exclusion performance. (3) The ratios of the weight of bycatch excluded to the weight of total catch were 7.9%, 29.1%, and 36.2%, for grid intervals of 10, 15, and 20 mm, respectively. (4) JTEDs with grid intervals of 10, 15, and 20 mm were associated with a 0.4%, 11.5%, and 19.0% loss in revenue, respectively. (5) Mature (and thus commercially valuable) Loliginidae tended to be excluded when the grid interval was 20 or (especially) 15 mm. In general, the designed JTEDs should be used at a grid size of 15 mm because this strikes the best balance between profitability and sustainability.

Thoracoscopic Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion for Atrial Fibrillation Patients Intolerant to Anticoagulation.

Outcomes associated with isolated epicardial left atrial appendage (LAA) exclusion in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with a contraindication or intolerance to anticoagulation are not clearly defined, especially in patients with prior stroke. This study evaluated the perioperative safety, medication use, and stroke outcomes for isolated thoracoscopic LAA exclusion for stroke prevention. A single-center retrospective study was performed of adults undergoing isolated thoracoscopic LAA exclusion with an epicardial exclusion device without a concomitant surgical procedure. Descriptive statistics were performed. Twenty-five patients met the inclusion criteria. The cohort was 68% male (n = 17) with a mean age of 76.4 ± 6.5 years, a mean preoperative CHA2DS2-VASc score of 4.2 ± 1.4, and a mean preoperative HAS-BLED score of 2.68 ± 1.03. Seventeen patients (68%) had nonparoxysmal AF. There were 11 patients with intolerance of anticoagulation due to intracranial hemorrhage (44%), 6 due to gastrointestinal bleeding (24%), and 4 due to genitourinary bleeding (16%). All procedures were performed thoracoscopically with 100% technical success-the mean LAA stump length was 5.5 ± 2.3 mm on intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography. The median hospital length of stay was 2 (interquartile range [IQR] 1, 6.5) days. The median follow-up time was 430 (IQR 125, 972) days. During follow-up, 1 patient with cerebral angiopathy had temporary neurologic deficits at an outside institution, with brain imaging showing no evidence of ischemic injury. There were no other thromboembolic events over the 38.8 postoperative patient-years examined. All patients were off anticoagulation at last follow-up. This study shows the perioperative safety, technical success, freedom from anticoagulation, and stroke outcomes of isolated thoracoscopic LAA exclusion in patients with AF at high risk for thromboembolic disease.

Turtles, TEDs, tuna, dolphins, and diffusion of innovations: key drivers of adoption of bycatch reduction devices

AbstractFisheries extension programmes frequently fail to secure mandatory or voluntary adoption of bycatch reduction devices and techniques. Approaches for improving the outcomes of extension programmes are often based on ad hoc assessments and do not consider human behaviour or change theories. This paper offers an in-depth analysis of extension activities that led to various adoption outcomes in two prominent bycatch case studies in the United States: turtle excluder devices in shrimp trawl fisheries and dolphin bycatch in the tuna purse seine fishery. Using a grounded theory approach to text analysis of interviews and documents, I examine five periods of voluntary or mandatory adoption efforts. I explain the outcomes through the lens of diffusion of innovation theory. The most effective extension programme involved informative and persuasive efforts, enforced regulations, and commercially practical bycatch reduction devices. Voluntary adoption occurred under exceptional circumstances of public and political pressure and a device that offered substantial benefits to the adopter. The two periods of successful adoption applied the most core principles of diffusion theory. This paper concludes with recommendations for how change agents can apply diffusion theory to future fisheries extension programmes to improve the adoption of bycatch reduction devices.

Feasibility of a new bariatric fully endoscopic duodenal-jejunal bypass: a pilot study in adult obese pigs

This study assessed a new natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) bariatric endoscopic procedure in obese adult pigs. This 14-week prospective study compared 6 adult male Yucatan test pigs with baseline mean age 1.5 years to 2 control pigs. The test pigs received a fully endoscopic NOTES-based duodenal-jejunal bypass including measurement of the bypassed limb and creation of a gastrojejunal anastomosis (GJA) using a gastrojejunal lumen-apposing metal stent (GJ-LAMS) at Week 0, placement of a duodenal exclusion device (DED) at Week 2, and endoscopic examinations at Weeks 6 and 10. At Week 14, the pigs were sacrificed for necropsy. All endoscopic procedures were technically successful. By Week 14, the controls had gained a mean 1.1 ± 2.1 kg (+ 1.6%) while the intervention animals lost a mean 6.8 ± 3.9 kg (− 10.5%) since baseline. GJ-LAMS migrations occurred in 3 pigs, two of which also had DED migration and/or partial dislocation. Two other pigs died, one with aberrant splenic vein positioning near the GJA and the other from an unknown cause. An endoscopic bariatric bypass procedure with controlled bypass length was technically successful in all the cases and led to weight loss in test animals. Safety concerns must be further addressed.

Modification of togok (tidal trap) for reducing bycatch by using BRD vent

One effort to reduce bycatch in togok is to modify the togok by creating a vent to reduce bycatch by BRD. The BRD installed on the togok was a rope BRD vent made of Polyethelene (PE) with a diameter of 2 mm. The rope BRD vent is attached to the top of the cod-end as an escape vent 25 x 50 cm. The escape vent and the stash cod-end are covered with a net with a mesh size of 5 mm. The cover net aims to collect data on fish catches that pass through the rope BRD vent. The percentage of fish that pass through the rope BRD vent can be calculated, and measure the size of the fish caught in the cod-end and covered as an indicator of the effectiveness of the rope BRD vent on togok. This experiment was carried out for 20 days of fishing operation and 40 hauls. The results showed that the catch of togok without rope BRD vent (conventional) and togok with modified rope BRD vent were different (p 0.05), where the catch of conventional togok was 468.34 kg, and the catch of modified togok was 305.235 kg. The fishing catches in the cod end and cover sections the most are bycatch with 51% and 54% of the percentage of the total catch, and the least in the cod end is the discarded catch, which is 21% of the percentage of the total catch and on the cover is the main catch (main catch) with 19% of the percentage of the total catch.The average size of the catch of togok species of fish is there are many immature sizes, and the average size of the catch of togok species of shrimp is there are in maturity size.Keywords:BycatchBycatch excluder device (BRD)DiscardMain catch

Amplified Drought Alters Leaf Litter Metabolome, Slows Down Litter Decomposition, and Modifies Home Field (Dis)Advantage in Three Mediterranean Forests.

In Mediterranean ecosystems, the projected rainfall reduction of up to 30% may alter plant–soil interactions, particularly litter decomposition and Home Field Advantage (HFA). We set up a litter transplant experiment in the three main forests encountered in the northern part of the Medi-terranean Basin (dominated by either Quercus ilex, Quercus pubescens, or Pinus halepensis) equipped with a rain exclusion device, allowing an increase in drought either throughout the year or concentrated in spring and summer. Senescent leaves and needles were collected under two precipitation treatments (natural and amplified drought plots) at their “home” forest and were left to decompose in the forest of origin and in other forests under both drought conditions. MS-based metabolomic analysis of litter extracts combined with multivariate data analysis enabled us to detect modifications in the composition of litter specialized metabolites, following amplified drought treatment. Amplified drought altered litter quality and metabolomes, directly slowed down litter decomposition, and induced a loss of home field (dis)advantage. No indirect effect mediated by a change in litter quality on decomposition was observed. These results may suggest major alterations of plant–soil interactions in Mediterranean forests under amplified drought conditions.

Optimal Mechanical Exclusion Devices for Management of Khapra Beetle in Stored Wheat

The effect of mechanical exclusion devices and its number in combination viz. probe trap (A; 1-3), two-in-one trap with 3 mm perforations (B; 1-5) and two-in-one trap with 2 mm perforations (C; 1-3) were investigated to test the efficiency of these traps for trapping larvae and adults of khapra beetle Trogoderma granarium Everts. Colour change and weight loss (%) happening in wheat stored in bins of 50 kg capacity for six months were used as the criteria. The experiments were planned using a three-factor-three-level Box and Behnken design of response surface methodology and were optimized for maximum trapping, with minimum change in colour and weight loss. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher effects of quantity (number) of two in one trap with 3 mm perforations followed by two in one trap with 2 mm perforation on total trapping efficiency. Colour change and weight loss in stored wheat exhibited a negative relationship with trap capture. Among the process parameters studied, the probe trap and its number in experimental combination demonstrated a significantly lower effect on the response variables. The optimal combinations of mechanical exclusion process parameters obtained by numerical optimization technique for trapping larvae and adults were 3:4:3 and 2:5:3 (probe trap: two in one model trap 3 mm: two in one model trap 2 mm) with desirability of 0.61 and 0.63, respectively.