National Trust

The Mobulidae family comprises nine extant manta and devil ray (mobulid) species in the monogeneric genus Mobula, of which five occur in Peruvian waters. In this study, we assessed mobulid ray landings and trade along the coast of Peru by analysing historical captures, monitoring landing sites, and conducting interviews with fishers (n = 37) and traders (n = 21). A total of 7444.9 tons of mobulids were reported from 2000 to the end of 2023 in artisanal fisheries through data collected by the Marine Institute of Peru. Between 2013 and 2023, mean yearly mobulid ray landings for northern Peru were approximately 11,520 individuals (7414 M. munkiana, 3126 M. mobular, and 981 M. thurstoni) based on species-specific estimates of weight at maturity. This ranks Peru among the top mobulid fisheries globally. Of great concern was a 75.05% decline in mobulid ray landings between 2013 and 2023 relative to 2000–2012. Additionally, six key mobulid landing sites in the Tumbes and Piura region were monitored between April 2017 and February 2019, sampling 257 mobulid ray specimens for detailed morphometric data. In these surveys, the most abundant species was M. mobular (n = 156, 60.7%), followed by M. thurstoni (n = 47, 18.3%), M. munkiana (n = 24, 9.3%), and M. birostris (n = 4, 1.6%). Interviews suggest the highest mobulid landings occur during the warm season (December to May). Although M. birostris has been protected in Peruvian waters since 2016, and recent legislation extends protection to all mobulid species, this study reinforces that all mobulid species are globally threatened. Therefore, the large number of mobulid rays landed in Peru annually is a major concern and requires urgent attention by fisheries management authorities to determine the necessary regulations required to conserve these highly vulnerable species.

In recent years, Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have been gaining ground in Cyber Security (CS) research in an attempt to counter increasingly sophisticated attacks. However, this paper poses the question of qualitative and quantitative data. This paper argues that scholarly research in this domain is severely impacted by the quality and quantity of available data. Datasets are disparate. There is no uniformity in (i) the dataset features, (ii) the methods of collection, or (iii) the preprocessing requirements to enable good-quality analyzed data that are suitable for automated decision-making. This review contributes to the existing literature by providing a single summary of the wider field in relation to AI, evaluating the most recent datasets, combining considerations of ethical AI, and posing a list of open research questions to guide future research endeavors. Thus, this paper contributes valuable insights to the cyber security field, fostering advancements for the application of AI/ML.

Background: Palliative care is seldom integrated in healthcare in fragile, conflict affected and vulnerable settings with significant refugee populations. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the integration of palliative care into a fragile, conflict affected and vulnerable community in Northern Uganda. Design: Consecutive Rapid Participatory Appraisals were conducted to evaluate the integration of palliative care in Adjumani District. The first established a baseline and the second, 4 years later, evaluated progress. Data collection included documentary review, key informant interviews and direct observation. Setting/participants: A rural district in Uganda with equal numbers of refugees and host populations living side-by-side. 104 key informants were interviewed, and practice observed in 11 health facilities. Results: At baseline, palliative care was not routinely integrated in the health system. Barriers included health system challenges, cultural beliefs, understanding and trust, mental health issues, gaps in palliative care provision, the role of the community and beliefs about illness impacted care with the village health teams being a trusted part of the health system. Following integration activities including training, mentorship and community sensitisation, the repeat rapid appraisal after 4 years showed a significant increase in palliative care delivery. New themes identified included increased provision of palliative care, the impact of training and community engagement and ownership of palliative care. Conclusion: Community engagement and participation, training interventions and referral pathways enabled the integration of palliative care. Rapid Participatory Appraisal provides a useful framework to evaluate activities aimed at integration of palliative care in a community.

The ESG (environmental, social, governance) investment landscape remains difficult terrain for chief investment officers to navigate. A review of the ESG literature demonstrates that there is no singular truth about whether a company that manages specific ESG factors can improve individual company performance. Part of the problem is the variety of ways that ESG can be measured and how those metrics can be applied to rank companies as “good” or “bad.” For example, one ESG rating agency focuses on risk management; yet another rating agency focuses on “good performers.” In addition to ranking individual companies, recent attempts to rank investment managers along ESG dimensions also produce inconclusive evidence because of the many differences in investment styles, cap ranges, processes, and skill levels that exist across asset management companies. This article provides guidance to asset owners as they incorporate ESG metrics into their portfolios.

SummaryIn this talk, we will introduce FTP-Europlanet gUG, a not-for-profit organization established in Germany to support educational initiatives related to astronomy and planetary science. We will share experiences with setting up the company, describe current activities and give an update on future plans.BackgroundFTP-Europlanet is a “gemeinnützige Unternehmergesellschaft” (gUG), a non-profit entrepreneurial company founded with the aim of promoting scientific research and education, with a focus on astronomy.The charitable aims of the company are to support:The promotion of astronomy, planetary science and space exploration across Europe; The promotion of the educational and outreach activities of the Faulkes Telescope Project and Europlanet; Teacher training and continuous professional development for STEM educators; Innovative delivery of STEM subjects in schools through astronomy and planetary sciences; Public engagement and outreach in astronomy and planetary sciences; Development of research and education projects using robotic astronomy; Promotion of diverse, inclusive education in a sustainable way; The provision of media services to the astronomy and space community and press office support; Engagement with amateur astronomers. Incorporated in December 2020, FTP-Europlanet gUG grew out of a collaboration between Dr. Lothar Kurtze, an astronomy educator, alongside the Faulkes Telescope Project, a programme of the Dill Faulkes Educational Trust Ltd that offers schools free access to telescopes in the Las Cumbres Observatory global telescope network, and Europlanet’s outreach programme.Current activitiesFTP-Europlanet gUG is currently involved in two Erasmus+ projects:Clic-PoliT (Climate Action and Light Pollution Threat), led by Black Rock Observatory (Ireland), which runs from November 2021-October 2024. The project is working with upper primary and secondary schools to develop strategies to address energy consumption and light pollution and debate them with policymakers in a Students’ Parliament. StAnD (StudenTs As plaNetary Defenders), led by INAF (Italy), which runs from September 2023 – August 2026). StAnD is an ambitious space science education project to involve school children in the search for asteroids and meteorites. In addition, FTP-Europlanet gUG is currently involved in:Teacher training and creation of teaching materials in support of the Faulkes Telescope Project; Creation of materials for astronomy education and on-site technical support for organisations in Salzburg, including the VEGA Observatory, Haus der Natur and the Choros Concept GmbH; Astronomy-themed workshops in collaboration with the shipping company, Oceanwide Expeditions; Teacher training at the House of Astronomy in Heidelberg; Development and testing of observation programs together with schools in the Weinheim, Lampertheim, Münster, Salzburg and at other locations in Germany and Austria; Astronomical imagery for the project TerraVisaMusica. The company also has a close relationship with the Haus der Astronomie in Heidelberg.Future PlansThrough participation in Erasmus+ programmes, FTP-Europlanet has established a number of close collaborations with organisations involved in providing astronomy education across Europe. Collaborations with institutions like NUCLIO in Portugal, Ellinogermaniki Agogi in Greece, INAF in Turin, Italy, and BCO in Ireland exemplify our commitment to broadening educational outreach. Currently, the company is actively part of consortia that have submitted three further Erasmus+ bids, and along with partners, will continue to seek funding, expand resources and opportunities to develop astronomy and planetary-related resources and training for educators across Europe.In the long-term, FTP-Europlanet gUG will also support sustainability for outreach, education and media resources built up through the Europlanet 2024 Research Infrastructure (RI) project (and previous EU investment) by providing a sustainable platform for Europlanet to participate in future funding calls, such as Horizon Europe, and providing training services for the community.Europlanet 2024 RI has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 871149.

ABSTRACT In 1872 the most lauded invention promoted at the International Exhibition in London, was felted paper. The firm, tough material, remaining ‘soft enough to fall readily into graceful folds’ was invented by Pavy, Pretto and Co. as a cheap alternative to cretonnes or chintz fabrics for curtains, roller-blinds and bed-hangings. One hundred and fifty years later a rare example of a paper curtain ensemble was examined at Mount Stewart, a National Trust property in Northern Ireland, and prioritized for conservation treatment. Research unearthed samples of felted paper in the UK and US, and increased our understanding of their manufacture, distribution, and consumption. The multi-disciplinary project involving textile and paper conservators in decision making and carrying out complex treatments is described, including discoveries made about the curtains’ construction, and previous use. Innovative textile printing onto new fabric was used to support the fragile paper, replicating the reverse pattern of the original paper curtains.

Understanding the aggregation and habitat use patterns of a species can aid the formulation and improved design of management strategies aiming to conserve vulnerable populations. We used photo-identification techniques and a novel remote underwater camera system to examine the population sizes, patterns of residency and habitat use of oceanic (Mobula birostris) and reef (Mobula alfredi) manta rays in Seychelles (5.42°S; 53.30°E) between July 2006 and December 2018. Sightings of M. birostris were infrequent (n = 5), suggesting that if aggregation areas for this species exist, they occur outside of the boundary of our study. A total of 236 individual M. alfredi were identified across all surveys, 66.5% of which were sighted at D’Arros Island (Amirante Group) and 22.5% at St. François Atoll (Alphonse Group). Males and females were evenly represented within the identified population. M. alfredi visited a cleaning station at D’Arros Island less frequently during dawn and dusk than at midday, likely due to the adoption of a crepuscular foraging strategy. The remote and isolated nature of the Amirante and Alphonse Group aggregation areas, coupled with the lack of a targeted mobulid fishery in Seychelles, suggests that with appropriate regulations and monitoring, the marine protected areas gazetted within these two groups will benefit the conservation of M. alfredi in Seychelles.

Assessing the foraging ecology of a threatened species is necessary to understand their movement behaviour and habitat use patterns, which are essential for developing effective protection strategies. Here, the foraging ecology of reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) in the Chagos Archipelago, a region encompassed by a vast no-take marine protected area (MPA), was investigated using stable isotope analysis of skin and muscle tissue. Enriched δ 13 C values suggest the population predominantly forages in nearshore environments. Skin δ 13 C values increased with increased rainfall, likely associated with the boosts in primary production and zooplankton biomass due to the coastal advection of seabird guano. Annual variations in δ 13 C values of skin and muscle were observed and are consistent with reduced nutrient transport associated with the effects of Indian Ocean Dipole oscillations, including a deepening of the thermocline, a suppression of cold-water upwelling, and reduced rainfall. Short-and long-term foraging strategies and locations were identified by applying hierarchical clustering, isotopic niche analysis, and Bayesian stable isotope mixing models to δ 13 C and δ 15 N of paired skin and muscle tissue samples. Two isotopically distinct groups of M. alfredi were identified, employing either local foraging strategies restricted to specific locations or wide-ranging strategies that likely mean they engage in regular migrations throughout the archipelago. Ninety-eight percent of M. alfredi were estimated to switch between strategies utilising and connecting multiple discrete nearshore habitats, emphasising their role in ecosystem functioning by facilitating the transport of nutrients across ecosystem boundaries. However, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and lost or abandoned fishing gear commonly occur within the MPA. Locations of particular concern are Egmont Atoll as it is a highly active aggregation location and Peros Banhos Atoll where IUU frequently occurs and