The utility of bioenergetics modelling in quantifying predation rates of marine apex predators: Ecological and fisheries implications.

Predators play a crucial role in the structure and function of ecosystems. However, the magnitude of this role is often unclear, particularly for large marine predators, as predation rates are difficult to measure directly. If relevant biotic and abiotic parameters can be obtained, then bioenergetics modelling offers an alternative approach to estimating predation rates, and can provide new insights into ecological processes. We integrate demographic and ecological data for a marine apex predator, the broadnose sevengill shark Notorynchus cepedianus, with energetics data from the literature, to construct a bioenergetics model to quantify predation rates on key fisheries species in Norfolk Bay, Australia. We account for the uncertainty in model parameters by incorporating parameter confidence through Monte Carlo simulations and running alternative variants of the model. Model and parameter variants provide alternative estimates of predation rates. Our simplest model estimates that ca. 1130 ± 137 N. cepedianus individuals consume 11,379 (95% CI: 11,111-11,648) gummy sharks Mustelus antarcticus (~21 tonnes) over a 36-week period in Norfolk Bay, which represents a considerable contribution to total predation mortality on this key fishery species. This study demonstrates how the integration of ecology and fisheries science can provide information for ecosystem and fisheries management.

Patient compliance with postnatal thromboprophylaxis: An observational study.

Prescription of postnatal thromboprophylaxis has increased with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance. Our study of postnatal women meeting the criteria for thromboprophylaxis aimed to ascertain compliance with low-molecular-weight heparin and barriers to completion of a full course. Women were recruited from the antenatal clinic or postnatal wards. Those who agreed were contacted by telephone 14 days after delivery and asked about their compliance with and experience of thromboprophylaxis. 111 women were followed up. We found reported compliance with postnatal thromboprophylaxis to be high (83% taking the full course); most women self-injected (54%) but a significant number relied on family members (39%). Most would be prepared to take the course in a future pregnancy (94%); however, some felt that they needed more information. Reported compliance with postnatal thromboprophylaxis is high. This may be down to the motivation of the new mother, appropriate information giving and access to health care professionals for advice.

The observer interaction variable in evaluation of socialising properties of pimozide (Orap).

Eighteen chronic, institutionalised patients were randomly assigned to two groups for the purpose of a double blind trial of pimozide (Orap). The results of the study indicated an increase in socialisation, as measured by the Venables scale, for both groups, and no significant difference in this variable between placebo and active preparation groups. It is suggested that greater observer interaction may be responsible for the observed increase in socialisation previously attributed to pimozide.