Publications by authors named "J Debora Van der Merwe"

Differences in trophic level may result in differences in chemical exposure between species of sea turtles, as pollutants may bioaccumulate differentially in diet items. It is, therefore, crucial to understand species-specific differences in exposure and effect to accurately assess chemical risk to individual species. This study used blood collected from green and loggerhead turtles foraging in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia, to assess differences in chemical exposure and effect of two species foraging in the same area at different trophic levels.

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Introduction: Patient satisfaction is a critical outcome in total joint arthroplasty (TJA), yet assessing it effectively remains a challenge due to limitations in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS). While these measures are commonly gathered in clinical settings, additional contact through mail or phone is often needed, and low response rates can affect the validity and reliability of collected data. To improve response rates, this study evaluated various methods of incentivizing patient participation in a randomized trial format, focusing on postal questionnaires.

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The rising diversity and concentration of contaminants have surpassed ecological thresholds, threatening marine ecosystems. The effects of pollutants on marine animals, particularly sea turtles, are receiving increased attention due to their role as indicators of human impacts. This study examined the health implications of contaminant exposure in three green turtle (Chelonia mydas) foraging sites in the southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

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Unlabelled: Floods are one of the persistent major risk drivers impacting the Cuvelai-Etosha basin of northern Namibia. Locally known as , this disruptive event negatively impacts particularly the rural population, who have limited resources to combat its effects. Being mostly subsistence farmers in isolated communities, the floods wreak havoc with their homesteads, harvests, animals, and general way of life by cutting them off from their fields, neighbours, and essential services for prolonged periods.

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Background/objectives: MRI is the gold standard for detecting meniscal tears; however, ultrasound may readily detect meniscal changes, obviating the need for MRI. We aim to (1) determine ultrasound sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy in detecting meniscal changes, and (2) describe characteristic meniscal changes in US and their prevalence.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of knee ultrasound scans for the presence of medial and lateral meniscal tears was conducted.

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