bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attitude of Adults toward COVID-19 Vaccination in India
Authors: Rath Bandana , Mishra Amit Kumar
Published: February 2023

Introduction:

As on January 12, 2022, India had 955,319 active cases and 484,655 COVID-19-related deaths. In this alarming situation, COVID-19 vaccination is the key in reducing morbidity and mortality. The vaccination could be a game-changer in India and it is critical to understand the attitude of the people toward currently available COVID-19 vaccines.

Materials and Methods:

An online cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the attitude of adults toward COVID-19 vaccination and reasons for vaccine acceptance/reluctance. A predesigned-pretested structured questionnaire was shared through WhatsApp with the target population and responses were recorded. The analysis was done using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0. (developed by IBM Corp, Armonk, New York), and results were presented in percentages/proportions.

Results:

In the current study, 552 responses were analyzed. Most of the participants (58.5%) were between 18 and 30 years of age with 55.4% males. Among the study participants, 96.6% already had received COVID-19 vaccine and 2.5% were waiting for their turn to come, only 5 participants (0.9%) were not interested for the vaccine. The most common reason for vaccine acceptance was that the vaccinated people can protect unvaccinated people from COVID-19 (43.7%) by breaking the chain-of-transmission. The reasons for vaccine reluctance were noted as the available vaccines had low efficacy and were associated with severe adverse events.

Conclusion and Recommendations:

The current study showed a high COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and a very low vaccine reluctance among the study participants. The factors associated with reluctance could be addressed by proper Institutional Ethics Committee practices. Information from the current study could be used to plan a better vaccination drive in the country.
Certain Paracontact Metrics Satisfying the Critical Point Equation
Authors: Patra Dhriti
Published: February 2023

The aim of this paper is to study theCPE (Critical Point Equation) on some paracontact metric manifolds.First, we prove that if a para-Sasakian metric satisfies the CPE,then it is Einstein with constant scalar curvature -2n(2n+1). Next,we prove that if $(\kappa,\mu)$-paracontact metric satisfies theCPE, then it is locally isometric to the product of a flat$(n+1)$-dimensional manifold and $n$-dimensional manifold ofnegative constant curvature$-4$.
El docente de Educación Física como mediador del desarrollo psicomotriz en niños y niñas de transición
Authors: Campo Peña Antonio Enrique , Coba Vides José Gregorio , Rosales García Jean Carlos , Manga Gamero Fabián Alberto , Mora Núñez José Francisco
Published: February 2023

El objetivo de esta investigación fue dar a conocer la incidencia de licenciados de educación física en el desarrollo psicomotriz en niños de transición. La población estuvo conformada por 3 docentes de aula de un institución educativa de Barranquilla (Colombia), con una muestra no probabilística intencionada. Se enmarcó en una metodología descriptiva y transaccional de diseño no experimental. Se utilizó un instrumento tipo encuesta con escala de frecuencia tipo Likert. Los resultados permitieron reconocer falencias de idoneidad docente, didáctica y aspectos curriculares, así como poca disponibilidad de estrategias adecuadas a la enseñanza de la educación física en el nivel de preescolar. Por tanto, se propusieron estrategias curriculares, didácticas orientadas a la enseñanza adecuada de la educación física, la recreación y deportes en preescolar específicamente en el grado de transición, priorizando además la gestión y relevancia del docente en el área de la Educación Física.
Una Semiología de la Educación Física
Authors: González Pérez Alexis , López Brito Yammir
Published: February 2023

La semiótica y su campo disciplinar es basta y rica para procurar discusiones en el marco de la Educación Física. El estudio de la Educación Física puede alimentarse de la revisión de sus sintagmas, sus significados y las praxis de los profesionales de la educación. Apoyados de procesos de estudio semióticos y semioantropológicos, la capacidad interpretativa y significante del educador físico puede madurar haciendo explícitos mecanismos de actuación y de significación en el encuentro de ambas disciplinas para ofrecer otros panoramas de imaginación, pensamiento y actuación en escenarios cada vez más inciertos y complejos para el educador físico. La semiología ofrece oportunidades para procurar una metarracionalidad que poco es desarrollada en el educador físico, a partir de su incorporación, explicitación y acercamiento de estudio apertura nuevas problematizaciones y abordajes para la Educación en general y la Educación Física en particular.
Aprender a ser professor de Educação Física: a experiência sensível do corpo vivido
Authors: Maffei Willer Soares , Maffei Isadora Galaci
Published: February 2023

As temáticas envolvendo a formação docente no Brasil têm sido alvo de muitos debates no meio acadêmico, principalmente após a abertura política ocorrida na década de 1980, período marcante para o atual momento. Ao longo do período foram apresentadas diversas imagens e concepções a respeito do professor e o seu processo de constituição profissional. Buscando contribuir com a temática, esta pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar a percepção de professores de Educação Física sobre o próprio processo de aprendizagem da docência. Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva, cujas informações foram geradas por questionário eletrônico, a partir da questão: “Como aprendeu ser Professor(a)?”. Participaram da pesquisa 81 docentes das diferentes regiões do país. Utilizou-se a técnica da Análise de Conteúdo, com dados organizados a partir de 112 apontamentos, reunidos em 43 campos semânticos, agrupados em 6 categorias temáticas: Aprendizagem Contínua, Aptidão, Experiência Profissional, Formação Continuada, Formação Inicial e Outros. Concluiu-se que a percepção sobre a aprendizagem profissional é constituída pelos hábitos recuperados pela motricidade, ou seja, na relação do sujeito com a própria experiência, sendo que a experiência do corpo vivido ou em outras palavras o viver da experiência significa ao sujeito e se materializa por meio da forma como ele percebe o seu processo de formação.
An overview of the design and development of lunar rover (Chandrayaan-2) for space applications
Authors: Lohit Nimbagal  , Rahul M  , Sneha N. Teggi  , Sushmitha M.R.  , Pavithra G.  , Sindhu Shree M.  , T.C.Manjunath  , Aditya T.G.  , Sandeep K.V.  , Rajashekar M. Koyyeda  , Suhasini V.K.  , Vijayakumar K.N.
Published: February 2023

The paper gives an brief overview of the design and development of lunar rover (Chandrayaan-2) for space applications. The Moon has always been the center of attention for mankind, more than any other heavenly body in More than any other heavenly body in the night sky, the Moon has long been the focus of human interest. The Moon has always presented mankind with a challenge to learn more about it and to marvel at its wonders because it bears the early history of the solar system. We can uncover the early evolution of the solar system and that of planet Earth by having a better understanding of the Moon. With the 2008 launch of the Chandrayaan-1 orbiter mission to the Moon, India's planetary exploration program was launched by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). India launched Chandrayaan-2, its second lunar exploration mission, nearly twelve years after its first lunar exploration mission. Chandrayaan-2, India's most technologically advanced aircraft, is on an unprecedented mission. The South Polar Region of the Moon will be studied by India's second lunar trip, which will draw on nearly ten years of scientific and Engineering advancement. A major accomplishment for both India and humanity, Chandrayaan-2 was the first mission ever to be sent to the southern pole of the moon. Both the high cold and constant darkness in this area make it extremely unsafe and have a bad impact on missions. India faced a tremendously difficult assignment as a result, and the entire world was interested in its outcome. Chandrayaan-1's eleven remote-sensing scientific instruments from ISRO, NASA, and ESA have made important discoveries, such as the identification of a water signature, the discovery of spinel minerals, lunar lava tubes, signs of recent volcanism, impact-triggered boulder movements, and the detection of sputtered atomic oxygen and backscattered helium on the lunar surface. Three components made up Chadrayaan-2: an orbiter, a lander, and a rover. 2019 saw the launch of this mission. During this mission, the Orbiter was successful in reaching the moon's orbit, but communication with the Lander was lost, which caused Lander to perform poorly and crash with the Pragyan rover and other scientific equipment. The work given here is a mini-project that is taken up as a part of the curriculum completed by electronics and communication engineering students in the second year of the electronics & communication engineering department at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering in Bangalore.
Intuitionistic Fuzzy Soft Topology via Neighborhood
Authors: PAZAR VAROL Banu
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we bring out some properties of intuitionistic fuzzy soft topology by using the concept of neighborhood. Firstly, we introduce the concept of intuitionistic fuzzy soft point differently from the previous published papers which is related to intuitonistic fuzzy soft point and study some of its basic properties. We also generate an intuitonistic fuzzy soft topology by using the systems of neighborhood and discuss certain properties of intuitonistic fuzzy soft topology including continuous mapping.
The Influence of Competence and Training on Performance in the Education Department of Labuh batu District with Motivation as Intervening Variables
Authors:   Universitas Prima Indonesia, Harahap Rida Suryani , Nainggolan Tuty ,   Universitas Prima Indonesia, Toni Nagian ,   Universitas Prima Indonesia, Faris Salman ,   Universitas Prima Indonesia
Published: February 2023

Employee performance is a measure of how human resources in a company have played a role or not in the progress of the organization. The potential of well-performing human resources determines the success of the company. To achieve the best performance, of course, it is necessary to have directed management of human resources through various policies that can adjust the common interests of employees and the company. This study aims to determine whether competency and training affect employee performance through motivation as an intervening variable at the Labuhanbatu District Education Office. The study was conducted on 61 employees using a saturated sampling technique. The data collection technique used was primary data in the form of questionnaires and secondary data obtained through documentation studies. The data analysis technique used quantitative data which was processed using the SPSS version 25 program, namely the t test, Sobel test and path analysis. The results obtained in this study show 1) there is a significant influence between competence on motivation, 2) there is a significant effect between training variables on motivation, 3) there is a significant effect between competency variables on performance, 4) there is a significant effect between training variables on performance, 5) there is a significant influence between motivational variables on performance, 6) motivational variables cannot affect competency variables on performance, 7) motivational variables cannot influence training variables on performance.
The Impact of ESG Implementation on the Sovereign Bond Yield Spreads: An Empirical Analysis of ASEAN Countries
Authors:   Insitute of Technology Bandung, Indonesia, Budiarto Angela Davita , Nainggolan Yunieta Anny ,   Insitute of Technology Bandung, Indonesia
Published: February 2023

Sovereign bond performance is gaining traction in ASEAN countries, but there are challenges, such as high sovereign risk. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as economic downturns, political instability, or ineffective fiscal management. Investors may be less willing to invest in a country’s bonds if the country is perceived to have a high bond risk. By maintaining sustainable performance such as implementing ESG can be a solution for lowering risk and gaining investor interest in portfolio diversification. The aggregated ESG score and bond spread have a statistically significant relationship, according to the study’s findings, with a negative relationship of -0.112 and the component social indicator being the most powerful. With a significance of 0.033, the relationship between ESG score and bond yield spread becomes stronger over time. The author recommends that countries assess current ESG practices, establish ESG targets and goals, develop an implementation plan, engage stakeholders, monitor progress, and make necessary changes to reduce sovereign risk. This demonstrates a country’s commitment to ESG while also improving its performance, making it more appealing as an investment destination.
EFFECT OF HYPERTENSION ON PAIN THRESHOLD IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC PAIN
Authors: Koca Tuba Tülay , Aykan Duygun , Berk Ejder , Koçyiğit Burhan Fatih , Güçmen Burhan
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Little is known about the relationship between pain and hypertension (HT). This study aimed to analyze the effect of HT on pain sensitivity in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain complaints.

Methods: This analytical, cross-sectional study included 45 patients aged 29–75 years with HT. The control group comprised 44 normo/hypotensive patients aged 19–66 (P = 0.107). Education status, age, gender, height, weight, smoking, presence of diabetes mellitus, physical activity level, blood pressure measurement, anti-HT drug use, vital parameters, including heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature, were recorded for all participants.

Results: The pain score was significantly higher in the HT group, with a mean of 72.1 ± 30.2 points (P = 0.008). Also, the HT group’s systolic blood pressure and pain score were significantly positively correlated (rho = 0.245, P = 0.02). The pulse rate was found to be significantly related to the pain score and pain threshold (P < 0.001); it was negatively correlated with algometer values (rho = –0.286, P = 0.015). Systolic pressure (P = 0.033) and BMI ( P < 0.001) were significantly different among the groups according to physical activity level. The Spearman correlation analysis showed a positive correlation of diastolic blood pressure with the body mass index (rho = 0.224, P = 0.036) and pain score (rho = 0.456, P < 0.001). 

Conclusion: The present study showed that the pain complaint increases as the blood pressure and weight increase. Also, the pain threshold decreases as the heart rate increases. The pain threshold was lower in women than in men, independent of tension.
Ferramentas digitais de mixagem no desenvolvimento de habilidades musicais
Authors: Santiago Glauber Lúcio Alves , Joaquim Caroline Torkomian
Published: February 2023

O artigo apresenta um software, sendo a estação de trabalho de áudio digital Cakewalk by BandLab, e o site Cambridge Music Technology (sessão: The 'Mixing Secrets' Free Multitrack Download Library) como ferramentas com alto potencial educacional por serem de uso gratuito e com qualidade profissional, em termos do processo comercial de produção musical. Ao final, é apresentada uma listagem de habilidades musicais baseada em literatura e sugestões de quais delas podem ser aprimoradas no estudante durante a atividade prática da mixagem de fonogramas.
Factors that influence aerial line transect detection of BeringChukchi-Beaufort Seas bowhead whales
Authors: Givens Geof H. , Hoeting Jennifer A. , Beri Laura
Published: February 2023

This paper presents a rich, complex dataset including 25 years of aerial line transect surveys for bowhead whales in the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, for which a distance detection function was estimated. The analysis was limited to the autumn migratory period and to the portions of the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas occupied by bowhead whales during this period. The primary purpose of the work was to improve the understanding of what factors significantly affect detection. Comprehensive model selection efforts based on the AIC identified useful predictors. Results showed that Beaufort Sea state, ocean depth, inter-sighting waiting distance and year were among the factors affecting detections. For example, increased depth and long wait distances between sightings were both associated with narrower effective strip widths. Some of the results can be interpreted as evidence for a relationship between detection probabilities and whale behaviour. The complexity of the overall dataset required substantial data organisation and offered many alternative analysis approaches, but the results were fairly consistent across such choices. Notwithstanding successful estimation of the detection function, the data present substantial challenges to standard abundance estimation using line transect methods.
Migration ranks for bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) at Barrow in spring
Authors: Sadykova Dinara , Schweder Tore
Published: February 2023

In a series of aerial photographic surveys of bowhead whales migrating past Barrow in Alaska in the spring, 40 individuals were captured in more than one year. To study individual-specific persistency in migratory pattern, the relative ranks of the captures of these whales among all captures that year were analysed. Controlling for body length and the presence of calves, the correlation of relative ranks in individuals captured multiple times was found not to be significantly different from zero (p-value=0.78).
Seasonal estimates of densities and predation rates of cetaceans in the Ligurian Sea, northwestern Mediterranean Sea: an initial examination
Authors: Laran Sophie , Joiris Claude , Gannier Alexandre , Kenney Robert D.
Published: February 2023

The Ligurian Sea is one of the most attractive areas for cetaceans in the Mediterranean Sea, and is now included in a Marine Protected Area, the Pelagos Sanctuary. Despite a lower species diversity than in other parts of the world, because of their abundance, cetaceans are thought to represent significant consumers in this ecosystem. Surveys were conducted within the Pelagos Sanctuary from 2001 to 2004. Densities of five species: striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba); fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus); sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus); long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas); and Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), were estimated and converted to biomass. Total biomass density of cetaceans in the Ligurian Sea was estimated as 93kg km-2 (CV=28%) in winter (October to March) and 509kg km-2 (CV=16%) in summer (April to September). Daily predation rates by cetaceans were estimated as 2.9kg km-2 d-1 in winter, increasing to 10.4kg km-2 d-1 in summer, corresponding to a total annual ingestion of 2.4t km-2 y-1. The annual primary production required for cetaceans was estimated to be 12.6gC m-2 y-1, corresponding to 6- 15% of the net primary production known for this area. Estimated cetacean predation on fish was similar to reported fisheries landings, nevertheless, management of artisanal fisheries and accurate quantification of the resources they exploit will be necessary for the responsible management of fisheries in this Mediterranean Marine Protected Area.
Marine mammal records from Iran
Authors: Braulik Gillian T. , Ranjbar Sharif , Owfi Fereidoon , Aminrad Teymour , Mohammad Seyed , Dakhteh Hashem
Published: February 2023

Iran has 1,700km of coastline that borders the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea in the northwest Indian Ocean. Apart from a handful of records, almost nothing is known about which marine mammal species occur in Iranian waters. This review was conducted to fill this information gap. A total of 127 marine mammal records of 14 species were compiled from Iranian coastal waters. Ninety-nine were from the Persian Gulf, 26 from the Gulf of Oman and 2 were of unknown location. Records of finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) (25), Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) (24) and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) (22) were by far the most numerous, a probable reflection of their inshore distribution and local abundance. Other species recorded were long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus capensis tropicalis), roughtoothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis), striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris), Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) and dugong (Dugong dugon). Records of 26 mysticetes were compiled, 10 of which were tentatively identified as Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera edeni), 1 possible fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), 3 humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and the remainder were not identified to species. The largest threat to small cetaceans in Iran is likely to be incidental capture in fishing gear. Nine finless porpoises were recorded as bycatch and this and other coastal species may be declining due to unsustainable mortality rates. Some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes pass through Iranian waters and ship strikes are likely to be the largest threat to mysticetes in the area.
A note on the comparison of humpback whale tail fluke catalogues from the Sultanate of Oman with Madagascar and the East African mainland
Authors: Minton G. , Cerchio S. , Collins T. , Ersts P. , Findlay K. P. , Pomilla C. , Bennet D. , Meyer M. A. , Razafindrakoto Y. , Kotze P. G. H. , Oosthuizen W. H. , Leslie M. , Andrianarivelo N. , Baldwin R. , Ponnampalam L. , Rosenbaum H. C.
Published: February 2023

The photo-identification catalogue of humpback whale tail flukes from Oman was compared with those from Antongil Bay, Madagascar and study sites in South Africa and Mozambique collectively termed the ‘East African Mainland’. No matches were found, supporting other lines of evidence that the humpback whales studied off the coast of Oman form part of a discrete Arabian Sea population, which adheres to a Northern Hemisphere breeding cycle, and has little or no ongoing exchange with the nearest neighbouring populations in the southern Indian Ocean. While the sample size from Oman is small, and low levels of ongoing exchange might not be detected in this type of catalogue comparison, the study nonetheless emphasises the need to pursue research and conservation efforts in the known and suspected range of the Endangered Arabian Sea humpback whale population.
Fully corrected estimates of common minke whale abundance in West Greenland in 2007
Authors: Heide-Jørgensen M. P. , Witting L. , Laidre K. L. , Hansen R. G. , Rasmussen M.
Published: February 2023

A visual aerial line transect survey for common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) was conducted off West Greenland in August and September 2007. A total of 8,670km of survey effort covered 11 strata in sea states <5 with a total stratum area of 213,807km2 . The 27 sightings of common minke whales were all within a strip width of 300m and the average time from first detection to when the sighting passed abeam was 1.7 sec. Due to the uniform and narrow distribution of the detections, strip census methods were used to analyse the survey. Two methods were deployed to correct the strip census estimates for whales missed by the observers and whales that were submerged during the passage of the plane. Method 1 included all detections of common minke whales (n = 27) and correction for an instantaneous availability that included submergence of whales. Using data from sea states <3 (n = 22) the ‘at surface’ abundance of common minke whales was 1,866 (CV = 0.30) whales. A correction for whales missed by the observers with a simple mark-recapture estimator resulted in a corrected abundance of 1,904 (CV = 0.30) whales. Adjusting for the availability bias resulted in a fully corrected estimate of 16,609 (95% CI 7,172–38,461) common minke whales. Method 2 used only detections of common minke whales that were observed to break the surface (n = 19). Applying this method to effort data at sea state <3 (n = 14) resulted in an ‘at surface’ abundance of 1,174 (CV = 0.39) whales. A correction for whales missed by the observers increased the abundance to 1,198 (0.39) whales. Adjusting for the availability bias resulted in a fully corrected estimate of 22,952 (95% CI 7,815–67,403) common minke whales.
Abundance of Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) in 2004 estimated from photo-identification data
Authors: Koski W. R. , Zeh J. , Mocklin J. , Davis A. R. , Rugh D. J. , George J. C. , Suydam R.
Published: February 2023

Ice-based surveys near Point Barrow, Alaska, have been used to obtain most estimates of abundance for the Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort (B-C-B) stock of bowhead whales, but global warming has raised concerns that ice-based surveys may not be practical in the future. Aerial photographic surveys provide an alternative method for obtaining abundance estimates and may replace ice-based surveys. Aerial photographic surveys were conducted near Point Barrow during the spring migrations of bowhead whales in 2003 and 2004 and, in 2005, in the northern Bering Sea in spring and near Barrow in fall. The 2003 survey was the most complete photographic survey of the population conducted to date. These surveys provided photo-identification data for use in capture-recapture analyses. A screening procedure was used to define which whales captured in 2003, 2004 and/or 2005 were marked and could be reidentified if photographed on another occasion. An estimate of the number of marked whales was obtained using a closed population model for capture-recapture data. Several models were investigated, including models that accounted for heterogeneity in capture probabilities, but a simple model with no covariates produced the most precise estimate. To account for unmarked whales, the estimate of marked whales was divided by an estimate of the proportion of the bowhead population that was marked based on the 1989–2004 spring photographic surveys near Point Barrow. Abundance of the B-C-B bowhead population in 2004 (excluding calves) was estimated to be 12,631 with CV 0.2442, 95% bootstrap percentile confidence interval (7,900; 19,700) and 5% lower limit 8,400. These results were compared with results that used approximate variance expressions for the estimates of the number of marked whales, the proportion of the population that was marked and population abundance instead of using the bootstrap. The estimates of abundance in 2004 computed for comparison included one based on a modified Petersen estimate of the number of marked whales that omitted the 2005 data as well as the estimate of 12,631 described above. The comparison estimates also included estimates of abundance in 1985 computed from 1984–87 photographic survey data using the same methods. All the abundance estimates computed from photographic data were consistent with expectations based on independent abundance and trend estimates from the ice-based surveys conducted from 1978 to 2001.
Quantification of ferry traffic in the Canary Islands (Spain) and its implications for collisions with cetaceans
Authors: Ritter Fabian
Published: February 2023

The Canary Islands, known for their high cetacean species diversity, have witnessed a rapid expansion of fast ferry traffic during the past few years. At the same time, ship strikes have been repeatedly documented. In this paper an overview of the inter-island ferry traffic in the archipelago is given. Ferry types in use (normal, fast and high speed vessels) are described, and the transects on which they operate are identified. To quantify the extent of the inter-island ferry traffic, three parameters were determined: (1) the actual transects from the different ports on the islands; (2) the number of journeys made per week on each transect; and (3) the length of each transect. Resulting numbers indicate that normal ferries travel approx. 66,000km, fast ferries travel approx. 570,000km and high speed ferries travel approx. 845,000km between islands each year. Fast and high speed ferry traffic is concentrated in the western islands. Areas of high risk for ship strikes within the archipelago are identified by comparing the location of transects with known areas of high cetacean abundance. It is argued that the Canary Islands are a hot spot for vessel-whale collisions and that a policy to counteract this situation is urgently needed.
Exposure of humpback whales to unregulated whalewatching activities in their main reproductive area in New Caledonia
Authors: Schaffar Aline , Garrigue Claire , Constantine Rochelle
Published: February 2023

Whale- and dolphin-watching activities are demonstrating a strong growth worldwide, raising concern of their potential impacts on cetacean populations and emphasising the need for management. Humpback whales recently have become the focus of an important tourism industry in the South Pacific, particularly in New Caledonia, where operators focus on a small population of humpback whales on their main breeding ground. Despite considerable growth since it began in 1995, the industry remains unregulated. Between 2005 and 2007, a study was conducted to assess the impact of whalewatching activities on the behaviour of humpback whales in New Caledonia. All data were collected from a land-based research station using a theodolite. Results show that 54% of all humpback whale groups sighted were exposed to whalewatching boats. Each group was watched simultaneously by an average of 2.5 boats. More than three boats were present within 300m of a group of whales 30% of the time. The length of time a group of whales was observed in the presence of boats each day was an average of one hour and 52 minutes but exceeded two hours 37% of the time. On average, each boat spent 52 minutes with the same group of whales. The closest point of approach was less than 100m for 86% of groups with a calf and 55% of non-calf groups. These results indicate that humpback whales are exposed to whalewatching boats in New Caledonia at a level exceeding the limits commonly recommended by management measures worldwide. Such exposure could be particularly problematic for mother-calf pairs, more vulnerable to threats. The strong site fidelity of individuals on this breeding ground raises concern of potential cumulative impacts. Management measures should be implemented to regulate whalewatching activities and ensure the conservation of this small, endangered population of humpback whales.
Commercial and subsistence harvests of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) in eastern Canada and West Greenland
Authors: Higdon Jeff. W.
Published: February 2023

Commercial harvesting of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) from the eastern Canada-West Greenland population started with Basque whalers in the Strait of Belle Isle ca 1530 AD. Subsistence harvests have an even longer history, and the first culture to be active bowhead whalers was the Thule, which replaced the Dorset culture in the central and eastern Arctic ca 1200 AD. Previous harvest compilations have been incomplete, and back-calculated population models have thus been negatively biased. In recent decades this population has shown significant recovery and is the subject of Inuit subsistence harvests in both Canada and West Greenland. A revised historic abundance estimate is needed to examine the level of recovery; this requires inter alia a revised and updated catch series. Available information from multiple anthropological, archaeological, historic and recent sources, and estimate commercial and subsistence harvests in eastern Canada and West Greenland is summarised. From 1530–1915, commercial whalers took an estimated 55,916–67,537 (median 61,537) bowhead whales (varying assumptions on the intensity of the Basque harvest), which is known to be incomplete. Inuit harvests before commercial whaling began (1200–1529 AD) were estimated at 11,435 whales, based on the abundance of whale bone at winter houses excavated by archaeologists. After 1500 AD, Inuit whaling declined, and the total estimated harvest between 1530 AD and the end of commercial whaling was 8,406 whales. Inuit whaling declined again after commercial whalers overharvested the population and only 65 whales are known to have been harvested (or struck and lost) from 1918–2009. The Inuit harvest statistics are based on scattered data and a number of assumptions, with some evidence that at least parts of the series are underestimated. Even if harvests were higher, they would have probably not been large enough to cause population declines. The long tradition of Inuit bowhead whaling was negatively impacted by commercial harvests. Combining all harvests from 1530–2009 AD results in a total estimated kill of some 70,000 whales (not including struck and lost whales and known gaps for some nations and eras), with most (88%) taken by commercial whalers. Data quality varies considerably by nation and era, and was assigned to a 3-point scale for reliability, with over half the harvest considered to be the least reliable. This is the most comprehensive summary and estimate of bowhead harvests for this region, but is still known to be incomplete and is based on a number of assumptions and disparate data sources.
Asymptotic bias of the hazard probability model under model mis-specification
Authors: Skaug Hans J. , Kleppe Tore Selland , Okamura Hiroshi
Published: February 2023

We compare the sensitivity of the estimated effective strip half-width with respect to choice of hazard probability function (Q). This is done by fitting the model under an erroneous assumption about the parametric form of Q, and comparing the estimated and true effective strip half-width. An ‘infinite sample size’ setting is employed, where fitting the model by maximum likelihood amounts to minimising the Kullback Leibler distance between the assumed and true models. The experiment is carried out in a situation that is relevant to minke whale sighting surveys both in the Antarctic and in the northeastern Atlantic. It is found that the hazard probability model is fairly robust with respect to the choice of parametric class for Q. The largest observed bias in the resulting effective strip half-width is less than 10%, while for most situations there is almost no bias.
Comparison of closing and passing mode from a line-transect survey of delphinids in the eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean
Authors: Schwarz Lisa K. , Gerrodette Tim , Archer Frederick I.
Published: February 2023

Line-transect ship surveys are the primary method used to estimate abundance of pelagic cetaceans. However, survey methods are often modified from traditional methods because observers must approach cetacean groups to identify species and estimate group size. Returning to the trackline after approaching a school dramatically reduces the amount of effective survey time, so ships often resume survey effort at the sighting but parallel to the original trackline (closing mode). Survey effort is no longer independent of group locations, and it is unclear how such methodological modifications affect overall abundance estimates. This research presents the results of a study designed to determine the effects of closing mode methods on abundance estimation for cetacean species in the eastern tropical Pacific. Species identification and group size estimation in closing mode are compared with results using survey techniques where the ship does not approach or slow down to investigate a sighting (passing mode). Both empirical data and simulations were used to compare group encounter rates in the two modes and to better understand the mechanisms that might lead to an encounter rate bias in closing mode. As seen in similar studies, observers are able to identify to the species level less frequently in passing mode (81% vs 57% of sightings), and point estimates of delphinid group size were 58% lower in passing mode than closing mode at distances between 1.0 and 5.5km from the trackline. In addition, uncertainty in group size both within and between observers was higher in passing mode. Closing mode delphinid group encounter rates were generally 20–25% lower than passing mode delphinid group encounter rates. Simulations showed the empirically lower encounter rates in closing mode are due to a loss in detection probability caused by the stop-start nature of the survey method. The closing mode encounter rate bias is greater when groups are in fewer and/or tighter clusters and when overall group density is higher. Methodological adjustments and analytical solutions to improve group size estimation and species identification in passing mode and reduce closing mode encounter rate bias are analytically complex and would also result in the loss of important additional life history data. Nevertheless, such avenues should be explored further.
Abundance estimate of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) in the Pelagos Sanctuary (NW Mediterranean Sea) by means of line transect survey
Authors: Lauriano Giancarlo , Panigada Simone , Canneri Roberta , Zeichen Marta Manca , Notarbartolo-Di Sciara Guiseppe
Published: February 2023

To assess cetacean densities in the Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean Marine Mammals, a Marine Protected Area (MPA) specifically designated to protect cetaceans, a survey was carried out in the Ligurian-Provencal Basin (NW Mediterranean) in August 2008. An area of 58,000 km2 was surveyed in eight days with equally spaced zigzag transects, covering 1,255 km in favourable conditions. Tracklines were designed using Distance 5.0 to allow for homogeneous coverage probability over the selected area. Fifty three sightings of four cetacean species were made: striped dolphins (n = 37), fin whales (n = 12), sperm whales (n = 3) and Cuvier’s beaked whales (n = 1). Estimates of abundance were obtained using Distance 5.0. The estimated dolphin abundance was 13,232 (CV = 35.55; 95% CI = 6,640–26,368), with a density of 0.23 individuals km–1 (CV = 35.55; 95% CI = 0.11–0.45). No fin whale abundance estimate was possible due to the small sample size. The point estimate of the 2008 striped dolphin abundance estimate was almost half of that of a survey conducted in 1992 by Forcada and colleagues (1995) in the same area with comparable effort, platform and methodology (25,614; CV = 25.3; 95% CI = 15,377–42,658); nevertheless, the difference was not statistically significant. These results strongly support the need for further systematic monitoring in the Sanctuary and in the surrounding areas, in order to assess striped dolphin abundance, spatial and temporal trends.
Effect of tourist vessels on the behaviour of the pantropical spotted dolphin, Stenella attenuata, in Drake Bay and Caño Island, Costa Rica
Authors: Montero-Cordero Andrea , Lobo Jorge
Published: February 2023

Despite the exponential increase in whalewatching activities in Costa Rica, little is known about its biological impact on resident coastal populations of dolphins in the country. Globally, this activity has brought economic benefits to the communities where it is practiced and in some cases, has played an important role in conservation of these mammals. However, when intensively practiced, this activity may significantly affect the animals, since its success depends on following cetaceans for extended periods of time. This study was conducted during the 2004–2005 and 2005–2006 dry seasons, to examine the biological factors associated with this activity in two areas where it is intensively practiced: Drake Bay and Caño Island. Three strip transects were followed within a high (vessel) traffic area. The pantropical spotted dolphin was studied through instant sampling, every two minutes. Sighting density of dolphins accompanied by tourist boats was greater within 3km of the island compared to the average density in the whole study area. Dolphins reacted negatively to those boats that did not follow at least one of the rules of boat handling in the current existing national regulation for whalewatching guidelines. Furthermore, a logistic regression analysis showed that feeding and resting are less likely to occur in the presence of tourist boats. These two behaviours are extremely important and mishandled boats could cause the spotted dolphin to leave this area if these flaws continue. Due to the lack of economic resources and staff from state institutions in Costa Rica, the reinforcement of the Whalewatching Executive Decree 32495 (2005) may be more efficient with ‘bottom up’ control, where community representatives control their own resources in conjunction with government oversight.
Subsistence harvest of beluga or white whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in northern and western Alaska, 1987–2006
Authors: Frost Kathryn J. , Suydam Robert S.
Published: February 2023

Four stocks of beluga or white whales (Delphinapterus leucas) are hunted by Alaska Natives in northern and western Alaska. These are the Beaufort Sea, eastern Chukchi Sea, eastern Bering Sea and Bristol Bay stocks. Since 1987, the Alaska Beluga Whale Committee has monitored the subsistence harvests of belugas from these stocks. During this 20 year period, the total landed harvest for the four stocks combined (adjusted for years with missing data) ranged from 208 in 1995 to 494 in 1988, with a 20 year average of 323 per year. For individual stocks the average annual landed harvests for 1987–2006 were: Beaufort Sea – 41; Chukchi Sea – 62; eastern Bering Sea – 191; and Bristol Bay – 20. There was no significant longterm trend (p>0.05) in the rate of harvesting for any stock from 1987–2006. Average landed harvests relative to estimated stock size were: 0.1% for the Beaufort Sea (0.4% including belugas harvested from the Beaufort Sea stock by Canadian hunters); 1.7% for the eastern Chukchi Sea; 1.1% for the eastern Bering Sea; and 1.1% for Bristol Bay. The success of beluga harvest monitoring in Alaska is due to the cooperation of beluga hunters from more than 40 small coastal communities who report their harvests to the Alaska Beluga Whale Committee (ABWC). Through the ABWC, beluga hunters have been able to formalise their role in managing their subsistence resources.
Cetacean distribution in the coastal waters of the Sultanate of Oman
Authors: Minton Gianni , Collins Tim , Findlay Ken , Baldwin Robert
Published: February 2023

Small boat surveys were conducted between 2000 and 2003 in three main regions of Oman’s coastal waters: Muscat, the Gulf of Masirah and Dhofar. Survey data were analysed to calculate relative abundances of the seven most frequently encountered species in these areas. These include (in order of frequency) bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.), long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis), humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris), Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis), Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera sp.) and Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus). Other species observed include false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens), blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) and unidentified beaked whales. Encounter rates per distance searched were plotted by 0.1 x 0.1 degree grid cell, giving an indication of relative abundances and key areas of habitat used by each of the seven most frequently encountered species. These plots demonstrate that the nearshore areas of the Gulf of Masirah, as well as the coastal waters of Dhofar, are areas of concentration for the Arabian Sea’s recently designated Endangered subpopulation of humpback whales, as well as Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, which are considered Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.1 The results presented here provide valuable baseline data for future research and help to inform conservation management efforts that are required to address the highly vulnerable status of the humpback whale and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin populations in question.
Odontocetes of the Southern Ocean Sanctuary
Authors: Van Waerebeek Koen , Leaper Russell , Baker Alan N. , Papastavrou Vassili , Thiele Deborah , Findlay Ken , Donovan Greg , Ensor Paul
Published: February 2023

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.
Способы решения проблемы документального тематического поиска
Authors: Юрченко П.В.
Published: February 2023

В современном мире количество информации несоизмеримо растет. Вследствие этого тематический документальный поиск становится трудоемким процессом. Такой поиск подразумевает поиск документов, содержащих координированную информацию в заданном тематическом сегменте. Библиотеки являются хранилищами знаний, поэтому они могут предоставить сервис для осуществления упомянутого поиска. Рост объёмов библиографической информации обусловливает необходимость цифровизации библиотечной деятельности. В статье рассмотрены технологии обработки естественного языка и интеллектуального анализ текстов. Внедрение этих технологий в библиотечную сферу является перспективным для решения проблемы. Найдены и проанализированы системы, реализующие цифровые технологии для тематического поиска. К таким системам относятся платформа Yewno и модуль Discovery Znanium. Эти продукты действительно делают процесс документального поиска более удобным, но не являются полноценным решением поставленной проблемы. В результате статьи было предложено 2 способа решения проблемы. Первый способ заключается в создании алгоритма обработки запроса читателя с учётом его индивидуальных характеристик. Второй способ предполагает создание системы, выполняющей функции библиографа в рамках справочно-библиографического обслуживания. Таким образом, предложенные способы решения проблемы основываются на интерпретации традиционной библиотечной деятельности в цифровую сферу. По этой причине было исследовано текущее состояние развития библиотек и классическая схема библиотечного обслуживания.