Mental health literacy of adolescents in Bermuda, according to age, gender and race.

Mental health literacy (MHL) is an important part of the help-seeking process, yet there is a lack of knowledge about the MHL of adolescents in the Caribbean. This region is important to study as it is underrepresented in mental health research globally. The aim of this study is to explore the ability of adolescents in Bermuda to recognize depression and social phobia (social anxiety) and their beliefs about the sources of help for a peer with these mental health problems. This cross-sectional study surveyed middle and high school students aged 10-19 years in Bermuda. Online surveys conducted between November 2022 and June 2023 gathered demographic data including age, gender and race, and assessed the ability to recognize depression and social anxiety from descriptions provided in randomly assigned vignettes, and beliefs about sources of help. Across 15 middle and high schools, 2423 adolescents (out of 3593 eligible participants) completed all demographic and MHL survey questions (1139 males, 1272 females). Recognition rates for depression and social anxiety were 60% and 53%, respectively. Compared to females, males endorsed a greater variety of help sources. Reporting symptoms of depression or anxiety reduced the likelihood of endorsing multiple sources of help. MHL of adolescents in Bermuda is sub-optimal, particularly for social anxiety. Mental health promotion programs may be useful in improving recognition rates.

An exploration of the emotional response among nurses in Bermuda, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: This paper utilizes an ontological approach to conduct a qualitative literature review in order to investigate the emotional impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on nurses internationally. After identifying common themes in the literature review, primary research is conducted to investigate the emotional impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on nurses working in Bermuda´s only acute healthcare facility. METHODS: The literature review used the FRAMEWORK approach (Richie and Spencer, 1994, as cited in Hackett et al. (2018) to select a total of 16 papers for review, each of them qualitative primary research, aside from one paper reviewing international literature. Within the second part of this paper, investigating the experience of nurses in Bermuda, a grounded theory approach was utilised to collect primary data. Convenience sampling was used to recruit subjects to participate in one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Data saturation was achieved after 9 interviews. The FRAMEWORK method was utilised to analyse the interview transcripts, and identify, organise and collate themes. RESULTS: The literature review highlights that nurses have strong emotional responses to caring for patients during the Covid-19 pandemic. Specific responses include: higher stress levels at work due to higher, more challenging workload, and a reliance on clinical leaders to assuage this stress. Stigma experienced outside of work lead to feelings of anxiety and isolation. Despite this, there was a common theme that nurses felt a satisfaction within their role to ´play their part´ in the pandemic. The primary research conducted in Bermuda demonstrates that there was an initial fear of Covid-19, receding as the pandemic developed. Much anxiety was due to a perceived lack of knowledge about the disease, lack of a coherent strategy, and inadequate equipment to protect staff, and properly care for patients. An increased level of cooperation amongst staff, and mutual support amongst nurses was noted, as was social stigma leading to feelings of isolation and anxiety. Social interactions and holistic activities were identified as primary resources to alleviate stress and uncertainty. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses in Bermuda elicited many of the same emotional responses as their international colleagues, as a result of caring for patients during the pandemic. These manifested as a result of higher, more challenging workload, and uncertainty about preparedness plan and quickly changing situations within the working environment. The results from this study can help formulate changes in policy to ensure smoother transitions to pandemic preparedness in the future.

Deep metagenomic sequencing unveils novel SAR202 lineages and their vertical adaptation in the ocean.

SAR202 bacteria in the Chloroflexota phylum are abundant and widely distributed in the ocean. Their genome coding capacities indicate their potential roles in degrading complex and recalcitrant organic compounds in the ocean. However, our understanding of their genomic diversity, vertical distribution, and depth-related metabolisms is still limited by the number of assembled SAR202 genomes. In this study, we apply deep metagenomic sequencing (180 Gb per sample) to investigate microbial communities collected from six representative depths at the Bermuda Atlantic Time Series (BATS) station. We obtain 173 SAR202 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs). Intriguingly, 154 new species and 104 new genera are found based on these 173 SAR202 genomes. We add 12 new subgroups to the current SAR202 lineages. The vertical distribution of 20 SAR202 subgroups shows their niche partitioning in the euphotic, mesopelagic, and bathypelagic oceans, respectively. Deep-ocean SAR202 bacteria contain more genes and exhibit more metabolic potential for degrading complex organic substrates than those from the euphotic zone. With deep metagenomic sequencing, we uncover many new lineages of SAR202 bacteria and their potential functions which greatly deepen our understanding of their diversity, vertical profile, and contribution to the ocean's carbon cycling, especially in the deep ocean.

A revision of the genus Wrangelia (Wrangeliaceae, Ceramiales) in Bermuda resolves six new species including W. ryancraigii from the mesophotic zone.

Four species of the genus Wrangelia are presently known from the western Atlantic Ocean: W. argus, W. bicuspidata, W. penicillata, and W. gordoniae, with the first three historically being reported from Bermuda. Morphological and molecular barcode (COI-5P) and phylogenetic analyses used in this study (SSU, LSU, rbcL) indicated eight species groupings of Wrangelia in Bermuda, excluding two of the historically recognized species, retaining only W. argus while adding seven new species, of which six are formally described. What had been historically reported as W. penicillata from Bermuda was shown to be distinct from Mediterranean Sea specimens (type locality) and was shown to be a mixture of W. hesperia sp. nov. and W. incrassata sp. nov. Along with these two, three other new species (W. laxa sp. nov., W. ryancraigii sp. nov., and W. secundiramea sp. nov.) have complete rhizoidal cortication tightly covering axial cells of indeterminate axes below the apices, distinguishing them from the two local incompletely corticated congeners W. argus and W. abscondita sp. nov., the latter a morphologically cryptic sister species with W. bicuspidata from the Caribbean Sea. Only one of the new species, W. ryancraigii, has thus far been observed in the mesophotic zone off the Bermuda platform, and it is morphologically cryptic with the euphotic zone's W. laxa.

Signals of selection and ancestry in independently feral Gallus gallus populations.

Recent work indicates that feralisation is not a simple reversal of domestication, and therefore raises questions about the predictability of evolution across replicated feral populations. In the present study we compare genes and traits of two independently established feral populations of chickens (Gallus gallus) that inhabit archipelagos within the Pacific and Atlantic regions to test for evolutionary parallelism and/or divergence. We find that feral populations from each region are genetically closer to one another than other domestic breeds, despite their geographical isolation and divergent colonisation histories. Next, we used genome scans to identify genomic regions selected during feralisation (selective sweeps) in two independently feral populations from Bermuda and Hawaii. Three selective sweep regions (each identified by multiple detection methods) were shared between feral populations, and this overlap is inconsistent with a null model in which selection targets are randomly distributed throughout the genome. In the case of the Bermudian population, many of the genes present within the selective sweeps were either not annotated or of unknown function. Of the nine genes that were identifiable, five were related to behaviour, with the remaining genes involved in bone metabolism, eye development and the immune system. Our findings suggest that a subset of feralisation loci (i.e. genomic targets of recent selection in feral populations) are shared across independently established populations, raising the possibility that feralisation involves some degree of parallelism or convergence and the potential for a shared feralisation 'syndrome'.

Morphological and genetic mechanisms underlying the plasticity of the coral Porites astreoides across depths in Bermuda.

The widespread decline of shallow-water coral reefs has fueled interest in assessing whether mesophotic reefs can act as refugia replenishing deteriorated shallower reefs through larval exchange. Here we explore the morphological and molecular basis facilitating survival of planulae and adults of the coral Porites astreoides (Lamarck, 1816; Hexacorallia: Poritidae) along the vertical depth gradient in Bermuda. We found differences in micro-skeletal features such as bigger calyxes and coarser surface of the skeletal spines in shallow corals. Yet, tomographic reconstructions reveal an analogous mineral distribution between shallow and mesophotic adults, pointing to similar skeleton growth dynamics. Our study reveals patterns of host genetic connectivity and minimal symbiont depth-zonation across a broader depth range than previously known for this species in Bermuda. Transcriptional variations across life stages showed different regulation of metabolism and stress response functions, unraveling molecular responses to environmental conditions at different depths. Overall, these findings increase our understanding of coral acclimatory capability across broad vertical gradients, ultimately allowing better evaluation of the refugia potential of mesophotic reefs.

Authigenic mineral phases as a driver of the upper-ocean iron cycle.

Iron is important in regulating the ocean carbon cycle1. Although several dissolved and particulate species participate in oceanic iron cycling, current understanding emphasizes the importance of complexation by organic ligands in stabilizing oceanic dissolved iron concentrations2-6. However, it is difficult to reconcile this view of ligands as a primary control on dissolved iron cycling with the observed size partitioning of dissolved iron species, inefficient dissolved iron regeneration at depth or the potential importance of authigenic iron phases in particulate iron observational datasets7-12. Here we present a new dissolved iron, ligand and particulate iron seasonal dataset from the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) region. We find that upper-ocean dissolved iron dynamics were decoupled from those of ligands, which necessitates a process by which dissolved iron escapes ligand stabilization to generate a reservoir of authigenic iron particles that settle to depth. When this 'colloidal shunt' mechanism was implemented in a global-scale biogeochemical model, it reproduced both seasonal iron-cycle dynamics observations and independent global datasets when previous models failed13-15. Overall, we argue that the turnover of authigenic particulate iron phases must be considered alongside biological activity and ligands in controlling ocean-dissolved iron distributions and the coupling between dissolved and particulate iron pools.

No evidence of inbreeding depression despite a historical severe bottleneck in the endangered Bermuda petrel (Pterodroma cahow).

The Bermuda petrel Pterodroma cahow is an island endemic seabird that belongs to the Procellariiformes, one of the most endangered orders of birds. Historical records suggest a significant population size decline following human settlement in Bermuda, bringing the species to near extinction. Since the 1950s, the population has been recovering aided by the implementation of an ongoing conservation plan. However, it still faces several threats, and negative genetic effects resulting from that drastic decline are to be expected, including inbreeding and genetic drift. We studied genetic diversity and levels of inbreeding, and their effects on individual fitness and mating choice. We also tested for a genetic signature of the recent demographic bottleneck. For this, we analyzed variation in thousands of nuclear single-nucleotide polymorphisms derived from double digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing and 1 mitochondrial gene (cytochrome oxidase I). The results revealed that the Bermuda petrel suffered a recent genetic bottleneck and shows low mitochondrial diversity compared with other petrel species. Conversely, nuclear diversity was similar to that of other endangered petrels. Inbreeding levels were not high overall, although some individuals were highly inbred. However, we found no evidence that individual inbreeding or relatedness between mates affected hatching success, or that mate choice is influenced by kinship in this very small population.

Activity patterns and reproductive behavior of the Critically Endangered Bermuda skink (Plestiodon longirostris).

The study of rare or cryptic species in zoos can provide insights into natural history and behavior that would be difficult to obtain in the field. Such information can then be used to refine population assessment protocols and conservation management. The Bermuda skink (Plestiodon longirostris) is an endemic Critically Endangered lizard. Chester Zoo's successful conservation breeding program is working to safeguard, increase and reinforce skink populations in the wild. A key aim of this program is to develop our understanding of the behavior of this species. In this study, using 24 h video recordings, we examined the daily activity patterns, basking behavior and food preferences of four pairs of Bermuda skinks. The skinks displayed a bimodal pattern of activity and basking, which may have evolved to avoid the strength of the midday sun in exposed habitats in Bermuda. Captive Bermuda skinks appear to prefer a fruit-based diet to orthopteran prey. We also documented their reproductive behavior and compared it against two closely related species. Although there were many similarities between the courtship and mating behaviors of the three species, there was a significantly shorter period of cloacal contact in the Bermuda skink. Oophagia was also documented for the first time in this species. This knowledge has enabled the evaluation of the current ex-situ management practices of this species, filled gaps in knowledge that would be challenging to obtain in the field, and enabled the enhancement of both animal husbandry and reproductive success for the conservation breeding program.

'Choice should be made through educated decisions not regressive dictates': discursive framings of a proposed 'sugar tax' in Bermuda: analysis of submissions to a government consultation.

BACKGROUND: Several governments have introduced taxes on products with high sugar content as part of their obesity prevention strategies. Bermuda is the first jurisdiction to apply such measures in the Caribbean - a region of small island developing states and territories with high obesity prevalence and substantial reliance on imported food products. This study examines how commercial and health actors framed the proposed introduction of a 75% import tariff on high-sugar products, based on written submissions to the Bermudan government. METHODS: Eleven submissions containing written comments were analysed with reference to their framing of the proposed import tariff, the 'problem' of obesity, and the relationship between the two (including alternative policy approaches for tackling obesity). RESULTS: Key emergent frames were complexity, partnership, products, personal responsibility, affordability and evidence. Respondents favoured different framings, depending on whether they supported or opposed the proposed import duty. Commercial actors were universally opposed, presenting obesity as a 'complex' problem that would be better addressed through government-industry partnerships (a framing particularly favoured by international and regional business associations). Increased product range and an emphasis on personal responsibility were also positioned as policy alternatives. Health actors expressed partial support for the proposed sugar tax, although this was tempered by a perceived lack of evidence where the proposal differed from sugar taxes introduced elsewhere. Like commercial respondents, health actors framed obesity as a 'complex' problem and emphasised the need for other measures, including efforts to address the affordability of fruits and vegetables. CONCLUSION: In responding to a proposed 'sugar tax' in Bermuda, commercial actors opposed the proposal and stated a clear preference for 'partnership' approaches to tackling obesity. Commercial responses were dominated by local businesses (with only two responses received from international or regional business associations), perhaps reflecting Bermuda's reliance on tourism and hospitality and the specificity of the proposed intervention (that is, an import tariff rather than an excise tax). The much smaller number of responses from health actors suggests limited civil society capacity. Nevertheless, the Bermudan government successfully introduced a 75% tariff on high-sugar imports, demonstrating the potential for policy innovation to address obesity in small-island jurisdictions.

The Dasya baillouviana and D. cryptica complexes (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta) in Bermuda with three additional new species from the archipelago.

Continuing molecular studies of the red algal genus Dasya collected off the coast of Bermuda have revealed two new species in the developing D. cryptica species complex-one from each the euphotic and mesophotic zones, D. orae sp. nov. and D. bathypelagica sp. nov., respectively. Furthermore, what was known as D. baillouviana in Bermuda is shown to represent D. hibernae sp. nov., a sibling of D. pedicellata from New England and New York, USA. Despite morphological similarities to the recently described shallow subtidal species from the islands, D. cryptica, molecular sequencing and morphological comparisons demonstrated that a new set of inshore specimens represented D. orae. The larger, new deep-water species, D. bathypelagica, was genetically compared with recent Bermuda collections of D. baillouviana and others worldwide morphologically falling under this epithet and represented a new species also grouping in the D. cryptica complex. The specimens of D. hibernae from Bermuda were shown to be genetically distinct from specimens of D. pedicellata from southern New England and New York. Molecular analyses necessitated the resurrection of D. pedicellata and uncovered undescribed species in the D. baillouviana complex in the western Atlantic. Based upon genetic evidence provided here, the generitype of Rhodoptilum nested among species in the D. baillouviana complex including the generitype. This finding required the synonymy of the genus Rhodoptilum with Dasya and allowed for the reinstatement of D. plumosa. Furthermore, Dasya collinsiana resolved in the lineage including a closely related species to the generitype of Dasysiphonia, necessitating the transfer of this Bermudian species and others worldwide from the genus Dasya to Dasysiphonia.

The 'sugar tax' in Bermuda: a mixed methods study of general population and key stakeholder perceptions.

BACKGROUND: Taxes on discretionary foods and sugar-sweetened beverages have emerged as a strategy for health promotion. Between 2018-2019, the Bermuda government introduced a phased tax on imported sugar-sweetened beverages, confectionery, products containing cocoa and pure sugar, and eliminated import duties on select healthy food items. The aim of this study was to conduct an mixed methods evaluation of perceptions of the tax among the general population and key stakeholders. METHODS: We conducted a survey of the general population (N = 400), and semi-structured interviews with key informants (N = 14) from the government, food and beverage, and health sectors to understand awareness, acceptability, and perceived impact of the tax after implementation. Survey data was analysed using thematic analysis, summary statistics, and Chi-squared tests. Key informant interviews were analysed using the framework method. RESULTS: General population respondents had high awareness of the sugar tax (94%) but low awareness of the healthy food subsidy (32%). Most respondents (67%) felt the tax was not an appropriate way to motivate healthier consumption due to beliefs the tax would not be effective (44%), and because of the high price of healthy food (20%). However, nearly half (48%) reported consuming fewer taxed products, primarily for health reasons but also motivated by price increases. Key informants indicated there was high awareness but limited understanding of the tax policy. Informants expressed support for taxation as a health promotion strategy, conditional on policy implementation. The lack of clear price differentiation between taxed and un-taxed products and the absence of accompanying health education were key factors believed to affect the impact of the tax. No informants were aware of use of tax revenues for health purposes and tax revenue was reportedly re-directed to other priorities after implementation. CONCLUSIONS: There was high awareness, but limited acceptability of the Bermuda sugar tax as implemented. Clarity in the tax policy, appropriateness of the tax mechanism, and use of revenue in alignment with the tax aim are critical components for acceptance. The absence of complementary education and health promotion affected acceptance and may limit potential health impacts. The lessons learned in Bermuda can inform similar policies in other settings.

Change of coral carbon isotopic response to anthropogenic Suess effect since around 2000s.

The stable carbon isotope composition (δ13C) in coral skeletons can be used to reconstruct the evolution of the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in surface seawater, and its long-term declining trend during the past 200 years (~1800-2000) reflects the effect of anthropogenic Suess effect on carbonate chemistry in surface oceans. The global atmospheric CO2 concentration still has been increasing since 2000, and the Suess effect is intensifying. Considering the coral's ability of resilience and acclimatization to external environmental stressors, the response of coral δ13C to Suess effect may change and needs to be re-evaluated. In this study, ten long coral δ13C time series synthesized from different oceans were used to re-evaluate the response of coral carbonate chemistry to Suess effect under the changing environments. These δ13C time series showed a long-term declining trend since 1960s, but the declining rates slowed in eight time series since around 2000s. Considering that the declining rates of the DIC-δ13C in surface seawater from the Hawaii Ocean Time-series Station and Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Station has not changed since 2000 compared with those during 1960-1999, the change in the coral δ13C trends at eight of ten locations may indicate that the response of coral δ13C to the anthropogenic Suess effect has changed since around 2000s. This change may have resulted from coral acclimatization to external environmental stressors. To adapt to acidifying oceans, coral may have the ability to regulate the source of DIC in extracellular calcifying fluid and/or the utilization way of DIC, therefore the response of coral δ13C to anthropogenic Suess effect will change accordingly.

Field Evidence of Mosquito Population Regulation by a Gregarine Parasite.

Although parasites are by definition costly to their host, demonstrating that a parasite is regulating its host abundance in the field can be difficult. Here we present an example of a gregarine parasite, Ascogregarina taiwanensis Lien and Levine (Apicomplexa: Lecudinidae), regulating its mosquito host, Aedes albopictus Skuse (Diptera: Culicidae), in Bermuda. We sampled larvae from container habitats over 2 yr, assessed parasite prevalence, and estimated host abundance from egg counts obtained in neighboring ovitraps. We regressed change in average egg count from 1 yr to the next on parasite prevalence and found a significant negative effect of parasite prevalence. We found no evidence of host density affecting parasite prevalence. Our results demonstrate that even for a parasite with moderate virulence, host regulation can occur in the field.

Coral calcification responses to the North Atlantic Oscillation and coral bleaching in Bermuda.

The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) has been hypothesized to drive interannual variability in Bermudan coral extension rates and reef-scale calcification through the provisioning of nutritional pulses associated with negative NAO winters. However, the direct influence of the NAO on Bermudan coral calcification rates remains to be determined and may vary between species and reef sites owing to implicit differences in coral life history strategies and environmental gradients across the Bermuda reef platform. In this study, we investigated the connection between negative NAO winters and Bermudan Diploria labyrinthiformis, Pseudodiploria strigosa, and Orbicella franksi coral calcification rates across rim reef, lagoon, and nearshore reef sites. Linear mixed effects modeling detected an inverse correlation between D. labyrinthiformis calcification rates and the winter NAO index, with higher rates associated with increasingly negative NAO winters. Conversely, there were no detectable correlations between P. strigosa or O. franksi calcification rates and the winter NAO index suggesting that coral calcification responses associated with negative NAO winters could be species-specific. The correlation between coral calcification rates and winter NAO index was significantly more negative at the outer rim of the reef (Hog Reef) compared to a nearshore reef site (Whalebone Bay), possibly indicating differential influence of the NAO as a function of the distance from the reef edge. Furthermore, a negative calcification anomaly was observed in 100% of D. labyrinthiformis cores in association with the 1988 coral bleaching event with a subsequent positive calcification anomaly in 1989 indicating a post-bleaching recovery in calcification rates. These results highlight the importance of assessing variable interannual coral calcification responses between species and across inshore-offshore gradients to interannual atmospheric modes such as the NAO, thermal stress events, and potential interactions between ocean warming and availability of coral nutrition to improve projections for future coral calcification rates under climate change.

Infertility and assisted reproductive technology outcomes in Afro-Caribbean women.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the causes of infertility and artificial reproductive technology (ART) outcomes in women of African descent living in the Caribbean and Bermuda. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study composed of a questionnaire administered to providers who care for women undergoing ART in the Caribbean and Bermuda. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire from the Deerfield Institute was adapted to meet the aims of our study with their permission. Eight infertility clinics in the Caribbean and Bermuda were identified. The primary physician at each site was contacted via email and invited to participate in the study. Questionnaires were completed via interview or electronically. Responses were collected in a REDCap database for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were five respondents from Barbados, Bermuda (× 2), Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas. The most commonly reported etiologies of infertility among Afro-Caribbean patients were female-male factor and uterine factor. In vitro fertilization (IVF) combined with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is performed more often than conventional IVF. The cumulative live birth rates (LBR) after ART for those ages ≤ 34, 35-37, 38-42, and > 42 were 52%, 40%, 22%, and 12%, respectively. The cumulative live birth rate was 31.5% for total patients. The factors reported to be most important in hindering patients from cycling were coping emotionally with poor ovarian response and cost. The biggest restraints to infertility care were costs and a lack of local IVF centers on all islands. CONCLUSION: Afro-Caribbean women receiving infertility care in the Caribbean may have better ART outcomes compared to African-American women in the United States (US).

Modeling of the Coral Microbiome: the Influence of Temperature and Microbial Network.

Host-associated microbial communities are shaped by extrinsic and intrinsic factors to the holobiont organism. Environmental factors and microbe-microbe interactions act simultaneously on the microbial community structure, making the microbiome dynamics challenging to predict. The coral microbiome is essential to the health of coral reefs and sensitive to environmental changes. Here, we develop a dynamic model to determine the microbial community structure associated with the surface mucus layer (SML) of corals using temperature as an extrinsic factor and microbial network as an intrinsic factor. The model was validated by comparing the predicted relative abundances of microbial taxa to the relative abundances of microbial taxa from the sample data. The SML microbiome from Pseudodiploria strigosa was collected across reef zones in Bermuda, where inner and outer reefs are exposed to distinct thermal profiles. A shotgun metagenomics approach was used to describe the taxonomic composition and the microbial network of the coral SML microbiome. By simulating the annual temperature fluctuations at each reef zone, the model output is statistically identical to the observed data. The model was further applied to six scenarios that combined different profiles of temperature and microbial network to investigate the influence of each of these two factors on the model accuracy. The SML microbiome was best predicted by model scenarios with the temperature profile that was closest to the local thermal environment, regardless of the microbial network profile. Our model shows that the SML microbiome of P. strigosa in Bermuda is primarily structured by seasonal fluctuations in temperature at a reef scale, while the microbial network is a secondary driver.IMPORTANCE Coral microbiome dysbiosis (i.e., shifts in the microbial community structure or complete loss of microbial symbionts) caused by environmental changes is a key player in the decline of coral health worldwide. Multiple factors in the water column and the surrounding biological community influence the dynamics of the coral microbiome. However, by including only temperature as an external factor, our model proved to be successful in describing the microbial community associated with the surface mucus layer (SML) of the coral P. strigosa The dynamic model developed and validated in this study is a potential tool to predict the coral microbiome under different temperature conditions.

Suicide, fatal injuries and drowning among the crews of United Kingdom and Bermuda registered cruise and passenger ships from 1976 to 2018.

BACKGROUND: Little has been reported about mortality among crews in passenger shipping. The aim of the study was to determine the detailed causes and circumstances of deaths from unnatural causes among crews employed in United Kingdom (UK) and Bermudan registered passenger shipping, their trends, how they relate to the type of passenger ship and crew rank and to discuss preventative measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A longitudinal study from 1976 to 2018, based on reviews of marine accident investigation reports, death inquiry files, cruise shipping websites and online searches. RESULTS: One hundred and forty crew fatalities in UK (127) and Bermudan (13) passenger ships were identified: from accidents and drowning (91), suicides and disappearances at sea (38), homicide, other and unexplained causes (11). Over the 43-year study period, a reduction in mortality (per 1000 ship-years) from accidents and drowning was identified (mean annual reduction: 4.3%; 95% confidence interval: 2.1-6.5%) but no significant reduction for suicides and disappearances at sea (annual reduction: 1.2% confidence interval: -1.3% to +3.7%). Most suicides and disappearances (70%) were among customer service Staff and, of 19 employed on large cruise ships, most (79%) were non-Europeans. CONCLUSIONS: The number of suicides and probable suicides is a cause for concern, especially among customer service staff on cruise ships. These findings indicate the need for interventions to reduce suicide risks. Further studies are needed to improve the targeting of interventions. These will need both to analyse the circumstances of individual deaths and derive suicide rates according to rank, department and nationality, based on reliable population denominators.

Variation of pCO2 concentrations induced by tropical cyclones "Wind-Pump" in the middle-latitude surface oceans: A comparative study.

The Bermuda Testbed Mooring (BTM) and Bay of Bengal Ocean Acidification (BOBOA) mooring measurements were used to identify changes in the partial pressure of CO2 at the sea surface (pCO2sea) and air-sea CO2 fluxes (FCO2) associated with passage of two tropical cyclones (TCs), Florence and Hudhud. TC Florence passed about 165 km off the BTM mooring site with strong wind speeds of 24.8 m s-1 and translation speed of 7.23 m s-1. TC Hudhud passed about 178 km off the BOBOA mooring site with wind speeds of 14.0 m s-1 and translation speed of 2.58 m s-1. The present study examined the effect of temperature, salinity, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), total alkalinity (TA), air-sea CO2 flux, and phytoplankton chlorophyll a change on pCO2sea as a response to TCs. Enhanced mixed layer depths were observed due to TCs-induced vertical mixing at both mooring sites. Decreased pCO2sea (-15.16±5.60 µatm) at the BTM mooring site and enhanced pCO2sea (14.81±7.03 µatm) at the BOBOA mooring site were observed after the passage of Florence and Hudhud, respectively. Both DIC and TA are strongly correlated with salinity in the upper layer of the isothermal layer depth (ILD). Strong (weak) vertical gradient in salinity is accompanied by strong (weak) vertical gradients in DIC and TA. Strong vertical salinity gradient in the upper layer of the ILD (0.031 psu m-1), that supply much salinity, dissolved inorganic carbon and total alkalinity from the thermocline was the cause of the increased pCO2sea in the BOBOA mooring water. Weak vertical salinity gradient in the upper layer of the ILD (0.003 psu m-1) was responsible for decreasing pCO2sea in the BTM mooring water. The results of this study showed that the vertical salinity gradient in the upper layer of the ILD is a good indicator of the pCO2sea variation after the passages of TCs.