Odontocetes of the Southern Ocean sanctuary

Twenty-eight odontocete species were identified as occupying sub-Antarctic and Antarctic habitat covered by the 1994 IWC established Southern Ocean Sanctuary. Toothed whales evidently play an important part in the Antarctic polar ecosystem. Twenty-two species are autochthonous in showing a regular, apparently year-round, presence in the Sanctuary: Physeter macrocephalus, Kogia breviceps, Orcinus orca, Globicephala melas edwardii, Pseudorca crassidens, Lagenorhynchus cruciger, Lagenorhynchus obscurus, Lissodelphis peronii, Cephalorhynchus commersonii, Cephalorhynchus hectori, Tursiops truncatus, Delphinus delphis, Phocoena dioptrica, Hyperoodon planifrons, Berardius arnuxii, Ziphius cavirostris, Tasmacetus shepherdi, Mesoplodon layardii, Mesoplodon traversii, Mesoplodon grayi, Mesoplodon bowdoini and Mesoplodon hectori. Six species are considered vagrants into the Sanctuary: Kogia sima, Grampus griseus, Steno bredanensis, Mesoplodon peruvianus, Mesoplodon densirostris and Mesoplodon mirus. However, vagrant status of these three mesoplodonts is only provisionally assigned, considering that improved knowledge of diagnostic features of beaked whales should, as in recent years, continue to facilitate at sea identification. Two species are considered as having a ‘contiguous’ range (records less than 2° north of Sanctuary boundaries): Mesoplodon ginkgodens (at 39°S) and Mesoplodon mirus (at 38°24’S). The habitual southern range of at least four odontocetes extends significantly farther poleward than expected. G. melas edwardii is regularly encountered south of the Antarctic Polar Front, much like M. grayi which is known to reach the Ross Sea ice edge (ca. 67°S). Z. cavirostris and L. obscurus cross the Polar Front occasionally. The distribution of M. peruvianus and M. traversii and their relation to SST are unclear. Their southernmost records, 42°31’S and 44°17’S respectively, may either be extralimital or, more likely, reflect ordinary austral range. Temporally non-aligned distribution patterns of Hyperoodon planifrons in Antarctic and South African waters may suggest stock segregation

Morphology and distribution of the spinner dolphin, <i>Stenella longirostris</i>, rough-toothed dolphin, <i>Stenella bredanensis</i> and melon-headed whale, <i>Peponocephala electra</i>, from waters off the Sultanate of Oman

The morphology of three tropical delphinids from the Sultanate of Oman and their occurrence in the Arabian Sea are presented. Body lengths of four physically mature spinner dolphins (three males) ranged from 154-178.3cm (median 164.5cm), i.e. smaller than any known stock of spinner dolphins, except the dwarf forms from Thailand and Australia. Skulls of Oman spinner dolphins (n=10) were practically indistinguishable from those of eastern spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris orientalis) from the eastern tropical Pacific, but were considerably smaller than skulls of populations of pantropical (Stenella longirostris longirostris) and Central American spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris centroamericana). Two colour morphs (CM) were observed. The most common (CM1) has the typical tripartite pattern of the pantropical spinner dolphin. A small morph (CM2), so far seen mostly off Muscat, is characterised by a dark dorsal overlay obscuring most of the tripartite pattern and by a pinkish or white ventral field and supragenital patch. Two skulls were linked to a CM1 colour morph, the others were undetermined. It is concluded that Oman spinner dolphins should be treated as a discrete population, morphologically distinct from all known spinner dolphin subspecies. Confirmed coastal range states off the Arabian Peninsula include the United Arab Emirates, the Sultanate of Oman, Yemen, Somalia, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Egypt. The taxonomic position of the two damaged dolphin calvariae from Oman has been the issue of much debate. This paper discusses the cranial characteristics that allow positive identification as rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis) and melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra) respectively. The calvariae represent the first confirmed specimen records of these dolphin species for the Arabian Sea sensu lato

Spatial and temporal distribution of the minke whale, <i>Balaenoptera acutorostrata</i> (Lacépède, 1804), in the southern northeast Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, with reference to stock identity

New strandings, bycatch and sightings data for minke whales in the northeast Atlantic Ocean south of Cape Finisterre (Galicia) and the Mediterranean Sea were combined with earlier authenticated records, in order to re-assess spatial and temporal distribution, and provide clues to breeding areas and stock identity. The southern range of IWC-defined Northeastern Atlantic and Central North Atlantic stocks with no explicit, but a de facto, boundary of the Equator, was explored in particular. Senegal (6 records), Mauritania (1) and Western Sahara/Southern Morocco (3) are new West African Range States for the North Atlantic minke whale. Morocco and The Gambia are likely Range States. Specimens stranded or captured in Senegal and Mauritania were either calves (n=6) or neonate (n=1), a strong indication for a near-by calving ground. Juveniles and calves (median SL:418cm, n=6) commonly occur off the Canary Islands, without apparent seasonality. Two strandings, one of which was a neonate (in February), were documented in the Azores. Evidence of minke whales is lacking for Madeira and the Cape Verde Islands. The temporal distribution of 33 records from the western coasts of the Iberian Peninsula in the period 1905-1998 included all seasons, but 76% were registered in spring and summer (March-August). The majority of animals were juveniles (mean SL:537.5cm, n=26); none were neonates. Minke whales were encountered in low numbers in the western and central Mediterranean Sea mostly from March to November, although documented strandings in December and February argue for a year round presence. The Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Seas and the Gulf of Lion are concentration areas, presumably (cf. fin whales) linked to the abundance of euphausiids. Small calves (SL:300-360cm) suggest that at least some females give birth in the Mediterranean. An unusual stranding in the eastern Black Sea (Georgia) may be related to migration of schooling fish. The southernmost specimen known from the North Atlantic is a calf captured near Hann (14º41'N, 17º27'W), Senegal, in May. Southernmost sightings include: (a) inshore: a foraging individual at Garnet's Bay (24º51'N, 15º05'W) in November; (b) offshore: three minke whales at 10°40'N, 22°00'W in December. While small, the sample from West Africa does not seem to support a restricted, seasonal presence. Most likely, these individuals constitute the offspring and juveniles from the Northeastern Atlantic and/or Central North Atlantic populations, but an unrecognised local population cannot be discounted. Preliminary cladistic analysis of the mtDNA control region of one Senegal minke whale yielded equivocal results depending on the fragment sequenced. Field research in the region should be continued to provide the necessary samples to resolve the question of stock identity

Social learning against data falsification in sensor networks

Sensor networks generate large amounts of geographically-distributed data. The conventional approach to exploit this data is to first gather it in a special node that then performs processing and inference. However, what happens if this node is destroyed, or even worst, if it is hijacked? To explore this problem, in this work we consider a smart attacker who can take control of critical nodes within the network and use them to inject false information. In order to face this critical security thread, we propose a novel scheme that enables data aggregation and decision-making over networks based on social learning, where the sensor nodes act resembling how agents make decisions in social networks. Our results suggest that social learning enables high network resilience, even when a significant portion of the nodes have been compromised by the attacker

Improved Outcomes with Heavy Silicone Oil in Complex Primary Retinal Detachment: A Large Multicenter Matched Cohort Study

\ua9 2023 American Academy of OphthalmologyPurpose: To establish whether Densiron 68, a heavier-than-water endotamponade agent, is an effective alternative to conventional light silicone oil in primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) surgery for eyes with inferior breaks in the detached retina and severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Design: Cohort study of routinely collected data from the European Society of Retina Specialists and British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons vitreoretinal database between 2015 and 2022. Participants: All consecutive eyes that underwent primary rhegmatogenous RD surgery using Densiron 68 or light silicone oil as an internal tamponade agent. Methods: To minimize confounding bias, we undertook 2:1 nearest-neighbor matching on inferior breaks, large inferior rhegmatogenous RDs, PVR, and, for visual analyses, baseline visual acuity (VA) between treatment groups. We fit regression models including prognostically relevant covariates, treatment–covariate interactions, and matching weights. We used g-computation with cluster-robust methods to estimate marginal effects. For nonlinear models, we calculated confidence intervals (CIs) using bias-corrected cluster bootstrapping with 9999 replications. Main Outcome Measures: Presence of a fully attached retina and VA at least 2 months after oil removal. Results: Of 1061 eyes enrolled, 426 and 239 were included in our matched samples for anatomic and visual outcome analyses, respectively. The primary success rate was higher in the Densiron 68 group (113 of 142; 80%) compared with the light silicone oil group (180 of 284; 63%), with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.90 (95% CI, 1.63–2.23, P &lt; 0.001). We also observed a significant improvement favoring Densiron 68 of –0.26 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) in postoperative VA between the 2 groups (95% CI, –0.43 to –0.10, P = 0.002). The anatomic benefit of using Densiron 68 in eyes with inferior retinal breaks and large detachments was more pronounced among eyes with PVR grade C. We found no evidence of visual effect moderation by anatomic outcome or foveal attachment. Conclusions: Densiron achieved higher anatomic success rates and improved visual outcomes compared with conventional light silicone oil in eyes with inferior retinal pathology and severe PVR. Financial Disclosure(s): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article

Factors influencing nurses' compliance with Standard Precautions in order to avoid occupational exposure to microorganisms: A focus group study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nurses may acquire an infection during the provision of nursing care because of occupational exposure to microorganisms. Relevant literature reports that, compliance with Standard Precautions (a set of guidelines that can protect health care professionals from being exposed to microorganisms) is low among nurses. Additionally, high rates of exposure to microorganisms among nurses via several modes (needlesticks, hand contamination with blood, exposure to air-transmitted microorganisms) occur. The aim of the study was to study the factors that influence nurses' compliance with Standard Precaution in order to avoid occupational exposure to pathogens, by employing a qualitative research design.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>A focus group approach was used to explore the issue under study. Four focus groups (N = 30) were organised to elicit nurses' perception of the factors that influence their compliance with Standard Precautions. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was used as the theoretical framework and the data were analysed according to predetermined criteria.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Following content analysis, factors that influence nurses' compliance emerged. Most factors could be applied to one of the main domains of the HBM: benefits, barriers, severity, susceptibility, cues to action, and self-efficacy.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Changing current behavior requires knowledge of the factors that may influence nurses' compliance with Standard Precautions. This knowledge will facilitate in the implementation of programs and preventive actions that contribute in avoiding of occupational exposure.</p

Overview of biologically digested leachate treatment using adsorption

Biological process is effective in treating most biodegradable organic matter present in leachate; however, a significant amount of ammonia, metals and refractory organic compounds may still remain in this biologically digested leachate. This effluent cannot be released to receiving bodies until the discharge limit is met. Several physical/chemical processes have been practiced as post-treatment to remove the remaining pollutants including coagulation–flocculation, oxidation and adsorption. Adsorption is often applied in leachate treatment as it enhances removal of refractory organic compounds. This chapter will focus on works related to adsorption as one of the commonly used methods to treat biologically digested leachate further down to acceptable discharge limit

Overview of biologically digested leachate treatment using adsorption

Biological process is effective in treating most biodegradable organic matter present in leachate; however, a significant amount of ammonia, metals and refractory organic compounds may still remain in this biologically digested leachate. This effluent cannot be released to receiving bodies until the discharge limit is met. Several physical/chemical processes have been practiced as post-treatment to remove the remaining pollutants including coagulation–flocculation, oxidation and adsorption. Adsorption is often applied in leachate treatment as it enhances removal of refractory organic compounds. This chapter will focus on works related to adsorption as one of the commonly used methods to treat biologically digested leachate further down to acceptable discharge limit

A note on the occurrence of humpback whales (<i>Megaptera novaeangliae</i>) in tropical and subtropical areas: the upwelling link

Information on unusual seasonal presence of humpback whales in (sub)tropical waters worldwide is briefly reviewed. Evidence for the presence of whales out of phase with standard seasonal north-south migratory movements is available for the waters off the Sultanate of Oman, Baja California, Peru/northern Chile and Namibia. We suggest that due to the predictable presence of prey which is the direct result of strong coastal upwelling, in respectively the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of California and the Humboldt and Benguela Current systems, variable numbers of humpback whales may be resident year round in these areas