Spatial Models of Abundance and Habitat Preferences of Commerson's and Peale's Dolphin in Southern Patagonian Waters.

Commerson's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus c. commersonii) and Peale's dolphins (Lagenorhynchus australis) are two of the most common species of cetaceans in the coastal waters of southwest South Atlantic Ocean. Both species are listed as Data Deficient by the IUCN, mainly due to the lack of information about population sizes and trends. The goal of this study was to build spatially explicit models for the abundance of both species in relation to environmental variables using data collected during eight scientific cruises along the Patagonian shelf. Spatial models were constructed using generalized additive models. In total, 88 schools (212 individuals) of Commerson's dolphin and 134 schools (465 individuals) of Peale's dolphin were recorded in 8,535 km surveyed. Commerson's dolphin was found less than 60 km from shore; whereas Peale's dolphins occurred over a wider range of distances from the coast, the number of animals sighted usually being larger near or far from the coast. Fitted models indicate overall abundances of approximately 22,000 Commerson's dolphins and 20,000 Peale's dolphins in the total area studied. This work provides the first large-scale abundance estimate for Peale's dolphin in the Atlantic Ocean and an update of population size for Commerson's dolphin. Additionally, our results contribute to baseline data on suitable habitat conditions for both species in southern Patagonia, which is essential for the implementation of adequate conservation measures.

Investigaciones y estrategias para el estudio de infecciones respiratorias agudas de la infancia. / Research and strategies for studying acute respiratory infections in children

Las investigaciones sobre infecciones respiratorias agudas de la infancia deben orientarse en primer lugar a la mejora del tratamiento a nivel de atención primaria y, en segundo lugar, al estudio de intervenciones preventivas específicas, principalmente vacunas. Para esto es necesario proceder en tres direcciones básicas: a) estudios clínicos, etiológicos y epidemiológicos sobre la naturaleza de los agentes causantes comunes, los determinantes de la gravedad de la infección y las características de los grupos más expuestos; b) estudios técnicos sobre vacunas y tratamientos antimicrobianos más económicos y eficaces, medios de indagación (cuestionarios clínicos y epidemiológicos) y procedimientos más sencillos de identificación microbiana, y c) investigaciones operativas para evaluar la eficacia y la eficiencia de intervenciones tales como la mejora de la nutrición, la educación en salud, las vacunas y medicamentos antimicrobianos, los planes de tratamiento y los programas de control