Photo-identification methods depend on markings that are stable over time. Using a large dataset of photographs taken over a 31-year period, we evaluate the reliability, rate of change and demographic trends in different mark types on northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus) in the Endangered Scotian Shelf population, and assess the prevalence and severity of anthropogenically caused markings. Only fin notches and back indentations were stable over long timescales, leading to 48% of the overall population being assessed as reliably marked. Males and mature males were found to have higher incidence of most mark types compared to females and juveniles. The proportion of reliably marked individuals increased over time, a trend that should be accounted for in any temporal analysis of population size using mark-recapture methods. An overall increase in marked individuals may reflect the accumulation of scars on an aging population post whaling. Anthropogenic markings, including probable entanglement and propeller-vessel strike scars, occurred at a steady rate over the study period and were observed on 6.6% of the population. The annual gain rate for all injuries associated with anthropogenic interactions was over 5 times the annual potential biological removal (PBR) calculated for the endangered population. As entanglement incidents and propeller-vessel strike injuries are typically undetected in offshore areas, we provide the first minimum estimate of harmful human interactions for northern bottlenose whales. With low observer effort for fisheries across the Canadian Atlantic, photo-identification offers an important line of evidence of the risks faced by this Endangered whale population.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) used in pharmaceutical treatments have been shown to effectively deliver a payload, such as an active pharmaceutical ingredient or image contrast agent, to targeted tissues in need of therapy or diagnostics while minimizing exposure, availability, and accumulation to surrounding biological compartments. Data sets collected in this field of study include some toxico- and pharmacodynamic properties (e.g., distribution and metabolism) but many studies lack information about adsorption of biological molecules or absorption into cells. When nanoparticles are suspended in blood serum, a protein corona cloud forms around its surface. The extent of the applications and implications of this formed cloud are unknown. Some researchers have speculated that the successful use of nanoparticles in pharmaceutical treatments relies on a comprehensive understanding of the protein corona composition. The work presented in this paper uses a suite of data analytics and multi-variant visualization techniques to elucidate particle-to-protein interactions at the molecular level. Through mass spectrometry analyses, corona proteins were identified through large and complex datasets. With such high-output analyses, complex datasets pose a challenge when visualizing and communicating nanoparticle-protein interactions. Thus, the creation of a streamlined visualization method is necessary. A series of user-friendly data informatics techniques were used to demonstrate the data flow of protein corona characteristics. Multi-variant heat maps, pie charts, tables, and three-dimensional regression analyses were used to improve results interpretation, facilitate an iterative data transfer process, and emphasize features of the nanoparticle-protein corona system that might be controllable. Data informatics successfully highlights the differences between protein corona compositions and how they relate to nanoparticle surface charge.

The white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) is a globally distributed top predator. Due to its ecological importance, increasing knowledge through continued research can enhance management measures. One such facet of biological knowledge is the identification of shark nursery areas, as protection of these regions is critical to species survival. Presently, there are two known C. carcharias nursery areas in association with the Eastern Australian subpopulation; however, a nursery area associated with the Southern-Western Australian C. carcharias subpopulation has yet to be identified. Herein, we report opportunistic laser photogrammetry, stereo-photogrammetry, and baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVS) data that resulted in the identification of sixteen young-of-the-year (YOY)-juvenile C. carcharias from two separate regions (i.e., Salisbury Island and Daw Island) in South-West Australia. Additionally, anecdotal bycatch data associated with two YOY C. carcharias (i.e., 1.40 and 1.70 m total length) from another location within the Great Australian Bight are reported. While it is premature to conclude that these sites represent discrete or an expansive interconnected nursery area, the sightings success in this study is indicative that future research may want to consider implementing a study during a similar time period (i.e., February–March) while using a similar attractant methodology (i.e., bottom-set BRUVS baited with squid [Sepioteuthis australis]) to help elucidate the unique life-history characteristics of this C. carcharias subpopulation.