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Fine‐Scale Movement Data Reveal Primarily Surface Foraging and Nocturnal Flight Activity in the Endangered Bermuda Petrel
Publication . Becciu, Paolo; Patterson, Allison; Gjerdrum, Carina; Madeiros, Jeremy; Campioni, Letizia
Foraging behaviour plays a fundamental role in animal fitness and population dynamics., particularly for central‐place foragers like breeding seabirds. Among Procellariiform seabirds, petrels exhibit a wide range of foraging strategies finely tuned to the patchy and unpredictable distribution of resources. The extent and remote nature of their foraging grounds makes direct observation of foraging behaviour impractical, thereby requiring the use of remote tracking technologies. We deployed miniaturised multi‐sensor biologgers and collected fine scale movement data to investigate the at‐sea behaviours of the Bermuda petrel Pterodroma cahow, a poorly studied and highly threatened gadfly petrel, specialised on mesopelagic prey. GPS‐tracking data revealed extensive foraging trips (mean ± SD: 1207 ± 305 km), in consistent directions, over remote oceanic regions. Time‐depth‐recorders provided new insights into Bermuda petrel feeding techniques suggesting that the meso‐bathypelagic prey targeted by petrels must be available in the very upper layer of the water surface, given their very limited diving activity (maximum dive depth of 1.57 m). We identified three flight‐related and three water‐associated behaviours using supervised classification approach to classify behaviour from tri‐axial acceleromtetry. Flying behaviours reflected the expected dynamic soaring flight strategy of Procellariiformes; individuals spent more than 75% of their time in flight (dynamic soaring and flap‐gliding) with dynamic soaring flight being the most common behaviour under all conditions. The behaviour classified as ‘Intensive flight’ was infrequently observed but could indicate aerial dipping, a characteristic foraging technique of Pterodroma species. The remaining time was spent in three water behaviours: active, inactive and intensive, with the latter being less common but thought to reflect scavenging and prey seizing. Flight increased during dusk and in the night, highlighting greater flight activity during night compared to the day, while water behaviours were more common during the day. While some of our findings may require further validation to confirm their relevance to foraging behaviour, our work offers new and valuable insights to consider when assessing the ecological needs of this endangered species and its potential vulnerability to offshore anthropogenic activities.
Post-traumatic stress symptoms, rumination, and posttraumatic growth in women with a traumatic childbirth experience
Publication . Abreu, Wilson; Brandão, Sónia; Brandão, Tânia; Prata, Ana Paula; Silva, Rosa; Riklikiene, Olga; Jarasiunaite-Fedosejeva, Gabija; Mesa, Ernesto S. González; İsbir, Gözde Gökçe; Inci, Figen; Akik, Burku Komurcu; Uriko, Kristiina; Governo, Tatiana; Thompson, Gill
Background: Rumination can either prolong distress or foster
growth following traumatic experiences like childbirth. This study
investigates the association between post-traumatic stress symptoms
and post-traumatic growth in women who underwent traumatic
childbirth, examining the potential mediating role of two
types of rumination – intrusive and deliberate.
Methods: A cross-sectional study in Northern Portugal from
January 2020 to December 2021 surveyed 202 women with infants
under 12 months, self-reporting traumatic childbirth experiences.
Instruments included the City Birth Trauma Scale, Event-Related
Rumination Inventory, and Post-traumatic Growth Inventory.
Results: Women experienced various childbirth-related traumatic
events, with most showing post-traumatic stress symptoms for over
three months. Approximately 60% met post-traumatic stress disorder
criteria.
The results indicate that post-traumatic stress symptoms were positively
correlated with post-traumatic growth, and both showed positive
associations with intrusive rumination and deliberate rumination.
Mediation analysis revealed deliberate rumination significantly
“Until COVID-19 do us part”: A qualitative study on perceived sexual intimacy and mental health in heterosexual older couples during the Covid-19 pandemic
Publication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Low, Gail; Leal, Isabel
This study aims to explore the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on heterosexual older couples’ sexual intimacy and in relation to their mental health. A content analysis of the ideas and insights shared by 391 older persons (between 65 and 87 years of age) from three different countries was most instructive. The most frequent themes were less sexual satisfaction (68%) and less sexual desire (67%). In terms of mental health, the most frequent themes included less anxiety and distress (78%) and greater attention to negative emotional states (55%) Cultural differences emerged, with Brazilian and Portuguese participants more frequently reporting negative themes compared to British participants, who emphasized stronger emotional bonds. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, ongoing research and interventions should prioritize understanding and addressing the implications of reduced physical contact and heightened emotional stress on sexual intimacy.
Challenges and potential in implementing STE(A)M in teachers’ practices: A systematic review
Publication . Teixeira, Patrícia Bertolo; Rocha, Helena; Martins, Cristina
The potential of STE(A)M has been widely recognised in recent years;
however, challenges have also been identified in the implementa-
tion of this approach, making it important to deepen research into
teachers’ practices. In this study, we conducted a systematic review
focused on teaching practices within a STE(A)M approach, to under-
stand what challenges and limitations teachers encounter, as well
as the possibilities authors suggest to overcome them. The research
question is: What are the challenges and potentialities of implement-
ing the STE(A)M approach in teachers’ practices? This review anal-
ysed articles indexed in the Web of Science and Scopus databases
over the last eight years, following the PRISMA scheme. The 26 arti-
cles examined highlight challenges such as time management, lack
of resources and funding, limited guidance, gaps in teacher train-
ing, difficulty integrating subject areas, issues implementing new
technologies and obstacles imposed by school structures. In light of
of these, the following proposals were suggested: placing greater
emphasis on STE(A)M in initial and continuing teacher education,
increasing support from schools and government bodies, encourag-
ing collaborative work between teachers from different areas, adopt-
ing innovative strategies and methodologies and offering a clearer
conceptualisation of STE(A)M.
Investigative interviews with individuals who perpetrated sex crimes: A scoping review
Publication . Sousa, Marta; Cláudia, Gouveia; Castro-Rodrigues, Andreia de; Caridade, Sónia; Cunha, Olga
Sex crimes (CS) are a global public health problem with profound negative consequences for victims, their families, and society. The perpetrator's testimony is crucial for case outcomes because sexual offenses are frequently underreported, often due to limited evidence and lack of victim testimonies. Therefore, perpetrator investigative interviews play a decisive role in criminal investigations. The aim of this scoping review is to identify and describe evidence-based investigative interview techniques for gathering testimony from SC perpetrators using a structured methodology. Studies were identified through manual reference checking and in five electronic databases: Scopus, B-On, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and PubMed. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Most of the studies focused on rape and child sexual abuse. Five studies presented interview protocols, while three focused on interview techniques that interviewers should employ to elicit more information. It was possible to conclude that both the presented interviews and the techniques share a similar general structure. Clinical, forensic, and criminal implications are elaborated.