Evaluation of the effects of recent nature development measures in the Yser Estuary on ground beetle and spider assemblages

Since 1990, populations of ground beetles and spiders are continuously monitored in the coastal dune and saltmarsh habitats of the Yser Estuary (Nieuwpoort), within the context of a long-term study on invertebrate diversity, population dynamics and ecological and genetic effects of habitat fragmentation. By now, we know in detail the faunal composition of practically all available habitats in the study area. This is an ideal framework to monitor the effects of the nature development activities that started in 2001 in the area. Results of five large sampling campaigns in 2001-2003 (more than 25.000 carabid beetles and spiders, 218 species) show a number of new ground beetle and spider species and assemblages, but warrant that many of these could be rapidly lost again

The search for common anthropogenic impacts on biodiversity : a global network

We introduce an initiative to assess and compare landscape changes related to human activities on a global scale, using a single group of invertebrates. The GLOBENET programme uses common field methodology (pitfall trapping), to appraise assemblages of ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in visually-similar land-mosaics (urban-rural gradients). Carabids were selected as the focal taxon as they are sufficiently varied (both taxonomically and ecologically), abundant and sensitive to the environment. However, work on other taxa is comparable with the GLOBENET framework. The continuum of decreasing human pressure from city centres into the surrounding countryside was selected to represent human-caused disturbance for this initial stage of GLOBENET because these gradients can be found virtually all over the world. Through the broad-scale assessment envisioned in the GLOBENET programme, we seek to separate general, repeated effects on biodiversity from those that depend on local environments or particular biotic assemblages. Based on this understanding we aim to develop simple tools and protocols for assessing ecological effects of human-caused landscape changes, which could help to sustainably manage landscapes for biodiversity and for human requirements. For instance, the response of different functional groups of carabids to these landscape changes may help guide management practices. Further GLOBENET developments and information are available at our website: http://www.helsinki.fi/science/globenet

Consumption patterns and living conditions inside Het Steen, the late medieval prison of Malines (Mechelen, Belgium)

Excavations at the Main Square (Grote Markt) of Malines (Mechelen, Belgium) have unearthed the building remains of a tower, arguably identifiable as the former town prison: Het Steen. When this assumption is followed, the contents of the fills of two cesspits dug out in the cellars of the building illustrate aspects of daily life within the early 14th-century prison. An integrated approach of all find categories, together with the historical context available, illuminates aspects of the material culture of the users of the cesspits, their consumption patterns and the living conditions within the building

Evaluation of recent nature development measures in the river IJzer estuary and long-term ground beetle and spider monitoring (Coleoptera, Carabidae: Araneida)

In order to evaluate recent nature development measures, ground beetles and spiders were studied in the river IJzer estuary (Belgium), an area that has been studied for these invertebrates without interruption since 1989. Starting immediately after restoration measures, five intensive short-term pitfall trapping campaigns were performed in 2001 till 2003 along nine transects covering the entire nature reserve. About 25.000 ground beetles and spiders were identified from more than 200 species. Assemblages, derived from these sampling campaigns, are compared between old and new habitats and sites and show quick species responses in the first years after the nature restoration measures. We observe several beetles and spiders new to the study area as well as a marked increase within the area of several target species with high conservation interest (Red data book species). However, beetle and spider results also suggest that additional management measures will probably be necessary for a further successful development of the nature restoration area. These mainly concern problems related to the maintenance of early successional dynamic stages of great biological value as well as those related to recently observed increased sand deposits in new and old salt marshes. Further invertebrate monitoring, including population genetics, therefore is a pre-requisite for a well-founded long-term evaluation of the performed nature development measures. Such monitoring will be of much interest, both for an evidence based nature conservation management and for fundamental ecological research

How an illuminated headline affects catches and species separation in a Celtic Sea mixed demersal trawl fishery

Installing artificial lights on fishing gear is increasingly being explored to alter the behaviour of fish during the capture process and modify selectivity. We investigated the effect of introducing artificial light on a commercial trawler operating in the English southwest mixed demersal fishery. Total catch and species vertical separation were compared and analysed in two identical separator trawls towed simultaneously. One trawl was equipped with blue LEDs along its headline, the other trawl served as a control to allow for pairwise catch comparison. Fishing trials were conducted at night and during the day. In the presence of lights, catches-at-length of haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) were lower during the night and marginally higher during the day. Catches of grey gurnard (Eutrigla gurnardus), megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) and whiting (Merlangius merlangus) were unaffected by lights. In terms of vertical separation, in the presence of lights, more haddock were retained in the lower codend during the day and night. Lights also increased the proportion of catches in the lower codend for grey gurnard, whiting and Northern squid (Loligo forbesii), but only during the day. This study shows there are species-specific reactions to artificial light during the trawl capture process and these reactions can be different between day and night. When reviewed with other studies, some common observations are identified, indicating that lights can change the behaviour of some species which normally rise inside the trawl during the capture process, such as haddock. The use of artificial lights offers an alternative method to modify trawl selectivity, by utilising species-specific reactions to light, and the ability to change the position and characteristics of the light, offers many avenues to investigate

Postcolonial manifestations of African spatiality in Europe : the invisible 'public' spaces of Ghent

The focus of this chapter is on everyday spaces of African migration in the mid-sized city of Ghent. One manifestation of African spatiality is discussed in-depth in relation to its (in)visibility and publicity: an African shop located in an ordinary terraced house. With no less than 12 activities taking place in the building, the shop is rather a “public” place than solely a space of commercial transactions, although this is not signaled in very visible ways. By analyzing the modest stylistic appropriations of the façade and the significant re-arrangements of the buildings’ interior spaces that challenge more conventional usages of spaces in Ghent’s ordinary houses, this chapter puts this African shop to the fore as emblematic of how the process of materialization of transnational lifestyles and connections is always a balancing act between the visibility necessary for functioning as a (semi-)pubic place and the invisibility required to circumvent hegemonic regulatory regimes

Foreign ownership, bank information environments, and the international mobility of corporate governance

This paper investigates how foreign ownership shapes bank information environments. Using a sample of listed banks from 60 countries over 1997–2012, we show that foreign ownership is significantly associated with greater (lower) informativeness (synchronicity) in bank stock prices. We also find that stock returns of foreign-owned banks reflect more information about future earnings. In addition, the positive association between price informativeness and foreign ownership is stronger for foreign-owned banks in countries with stronger governance, stronger banking supervision, and lower monitoring costs. Overall, our evidence suggests that foreign ownership reduces bank opacity by exporting governance, yielding important implications for regulators and governments

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative sars-cov-2 infection: An international cohort study

Background The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (740%) had emergency surgery and 280 (248%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (261%) patients. 30-day mortality was 238% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (512%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 380% (219 of 577), accounting for 817% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 175 [95% CI 128-240], p<00001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (230 [165-322], p<00001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3-5 versus grades 1-2 (235 [157-353], p<00001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (155 [101-239], p=0046), emergency versus elective surgery (167 [106-263], p=0026), and major versus minor surgery (152 [101-231], p=0047). Interpretation Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research