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Approximately 330 participants from 30 countries attended the 70th Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) conference held in Merida, Mexico during 4-10 November 2017. The conference featured a symposium on Acoustic Technologies to Improve Reef Fish Ecosystem Surveys, whichprovided presentations on the various acoustic technologies used to monitor reef fish ecosystems. An acoustic workshop was also held to build scientific capacity and foster collaborative acoustic expertise, in order to enhance research and survey operations in reef-fish ecosystems. Recognizing the connectivity of marine populations across the geopolitical jurisdictions of the wider Caribbean region, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) supported the GCFI Ocean Innovation Strategic Initiative grant to build scientific capacity in the region for the sustainability of living marine resources. The acoustic workshop was conducted over three days with collaboration between GCFI, NOAA, Kongsberg-Simrad, Echoview and the South East Acoustic Consortium (SEAC). On the first day (November 4th), 33 participants and instructors from 10 countries departed from city of Progreso aboard the boat Isla Mujeresfor training on the use of three versions of the Simrad EK80 widebandechosounder: EK80 WBTs (designed for ships), EK80 WBAT (designed for autonomous platforms), and portable EK80 EcoSounder. Acoustic data was collected on a reef site approximately 18 miles offshore. During the second day (November 5th), participants received an overview of echosounder data processing and analytical methods using Echoview software, with a focus on reef environments. Participants learned how to load, calibrate and clean their acoustic data, how to detect, track and classify reef fish, and how to quantify their distribution and abundance. The third day of the acoustic workshop (November 9th) brought together the diverse perspectives of 57 participants from 13 countries to address the operational challenges of conducting acoustic surveys of reef-fish ecosystems. Case studies were presented by experts on various topics relevant to conducting acoustic operations in reef-fish habitats, such as statistical survey design, sensor selection and configuration, and interpreting acoustic data. Participants worked to prioritize management and operational objectives that can feasiblybe achieved with acoustic technologies in the region, and developed the framework for the technical report.This report provides guidance on the best practices for active- and passive-acoustic operations to enhance the understanding of reef-fish ecosystems. The acoustic workshop forged collaborative partnerships and provided direction for future training workshops on the integration of acoustic and optical technologies. These collaborative efforts are critical for building the next generation of experts, whose role will be to optimize survey operations with technologies for improving the sustainability of living-marine-resources in reef-fish ecosystems with connectivity across the geopolitical jurisdictions of the region. Published Refereed Current 14.2 Fish abundance and distribution Ocean sound Best Practice Manual (incl. handbook, guide, cookbook etc)

Approximately 24% of adults in the United States have visible varicose veins, and an estimated 6% have evidence of advanced chronic venous disease. The majority of individuals with varicose veins seek treatment because of symptoms, such as aching, throbbing, fatigue, pruritus, ankle swelling, and tenderness, rather than cosmetic reasons. Furthermore, varicose veins are a manifestation of chronic venous insufficiency, which can progress to leg pain, leg edema, chronic skin changes, and nonhealing ulcers.To assess varicose vein treatment patterns and their corresponding outcomes, including additional treatment rates, disease progression to new ulcers, and associated costs from a US perspective.We conducted a retrospective claims database study using data from the Truven Health MarketScan database. Adults who were newly diagnosed with varicose veins between January 1, 2008, and June 30, 2010, and met the study inclusion criteria were eligible to participate and were divided into 6 cohorts based on the type of first or initial therapy they received after the index diagnosis date, including surveillance and compression therapy, surgery, laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation, sclerotherapy, or multiple therapies. The patients were followed for 2 years after the index diagnosis date to assess their treatment patterns and outcomes.A total of 144,098 patients met the study criteria. Of these patients, 100,072 (69.5%) were under surveillance for disease progression and/or received compression therapy; 14,007 (9.7%) received laser ablation; 9125 (6.3%) received radiofrequency ablation; 4778 (3.3%) received sclerotherapy; 4851 (3.4%) had surgery; and 11,265 (7.8%) received multiple therapies. During the 2-year follow-up period, among patients receiving interventional treatment, 54.7% of patients received additional interventional treatment (either with the same mode or a different mode from the initial treatment); 30.1% had1 postintervention claim for symptomatic varicose veins (not including additional procedures) at 8 weeks; and 44.2% had1 postintervention claim for symptomatic varicose veins at 1 year after the initial interventional therapy.A majority of the patients in the study received conservative management. For patients receiving interventional therapy, the outcomes varied based on the treatment cohort. The surgery cohort was associated with the most favorable outcome regarding the need for additional treatment and evidence of postintervention claims for symptomatic varicose veins, followed by the multiple therapies cohort. A better understanding of these treatment outcomes in the real-world setting may affect new strategies to improve the management of patients with varicose veins.