Effects of body size, sex, parental care and moult strategies on auk diving behaviour outside the breeding season

Information on seabird foraging behaviour outside the breeding season is currently limited. This knowledge gap is critical as this period is energetically demanding due to post‐fledging parental care, feather moult and changing environmental conditions. Based on species’ body size, post‐fledging parental strategy and primary moult schedule we tested predictions for key aspects of foraging behaviour (Maximum Dive Depth (MDD), Daily Time Submerged (DTS) and Diurnal Dive Activity (DDA)) using dive depth data collected from three seabird species (common guillemot Uria aalge, razorbill Alca torda and Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica) from the end of the breeding season (July) to mid‐winter (January). We found partial support for predictions associated with body size; guillemots had greater MDD than razorbills but MDD did not differ between razorbills and puffins, despite the former being 35% heavier. In accordance with sexual monomorphism in all three species, MDD did not differ overall between the sexes. However, in guillemots and razorbills there were sex‐specific differences, such that male guillemots made deeper dives than females, and males of both species had higher DTS. In contrast, there were no marked sex differences in dive behaviour of puffins in July and August in accordance with their lack of post‐fledging parental care and variable moult schedule. We found support for the prediction that diving effort would be greater in mid‐winter compared to the period after the breeding season. Despite reduced daylight in mid‐winter, this increase in DTS occurred predominantly during the day and only guillemots appeared to dive nocturnally to any great extent. In comparison to diving behaviour of these species recorded during the breeding season, MDD was shallower and DTS was greater during the non‐breeding period. Such differences in diving behaviour during the post‐breeding period are relevant when identifying potential energetic bottlenecks, known to be key drivers of seabird population dynamics

Intentional coverage of the left subclavian artery during endovascular repair of traumatic descending thoracic aortic transection.

OBJECTIVE: This single-center, prospective study aimed to investigate the technical success and outcome of intentional coverage of the left subclavian artery (LSA) in patients undergoing thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for traumatic rupture of the aortic isthmus at a tertiary care medical center. METHODS: From January 2005 to June 2011, patients who presented with traumatic aortic transection underwent TEVAR with coverage of the LSA when the distance between the artery and the rupture was 60% with respect to the contralateral one was considered relevant. Functional status of the left arm was evaluated using a provocative test. Thoracoabdominal computerized tomographic angiography was performed postoperatively at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients (mean age 35 years) underwent emergency TEVAR for traumatic aortic transection with intentional LSA coverage during the study period. In four cases (12.9%) coverage was partial. Two patients (6.4%) died during the postoperative period due to associated lesions. No signs of vertebrobasilar insufficiency, stroke, or paraplegia were observed in any of the patients. Nine patients (36%) had severe arm claudication (ischemic pain within 60 seconds of beginning arm exercise and decrease of PSV between 50% and 60%). Risk factors for the condition were left vertebral artery diameter <3 mm (P < .0001). A significant correlation was found between the degree of PSV reduction and left arm symptoms (P < .0001). There was an improvement in ischemic arm symptoms (P < .0001) during mean follow-up of 36 months (range, 6-65 months), with only one patient (4.2%) presenting with severe claudication. Freedom from reintervention at 48 months was 93.5%. No signs of endoleaks or graft migrations were detected on computerized tomographic angiography control scans. CONCLUSIONS: Coverage of the LSA during TEVAR for traumatic aortic injuries appears to be a feasible, safe method for extending the endograft landing zone without increasing the risk of paraplegia, stroke, or left arm ischemia. Left vertebral artery diameter can be used to identify patients at risk for postoperative left arm ischemia

Avaliação de clones de borracha natural crua por ensaios padrão e análise dinâmico-mecânica

A qualidade do látex de borracha natural (Hevea brasiliensis) de diferentes clones (RRIM 600, IAN 873, GT 1, PB 235), uma mistura destes clones e uma borracha comercial foi avaliada por ensaios padrões (plasticidade Wallace, PRI, viscosidade Mooney, % de cinzas, extrato acetônico e % de nitrogênio), DMA, DSC e TG. As borrachas estudadas apresentam propriedades competitivas com as da borracha presente no mercado, ficando dentro dos padrões de qualidade exigidos pela norma brasileira e pelo padrão internacional. Entre os clones, o clone RRIM 600 foi o que apresentou o melhor desempenho, principalmente em relação à viscosidade Mooney e ao PRI.Natural rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) from different clones (RRIM 600, IAN 873, GT 1, PB 235), a mixture made from these clones, and a commercial rubber, have been characterized by DMA, DSC, TGA, and standards methods (Wallace plasticity, PRI, Mooney viscosity, ash percentage, acetonic extract and nitrogen percentage). All the samples studied complied with standard specifications required for application in the rubber industry, and can be used in the rubber industry in blended or unblended forms. Among the clones, the best results of the standards methods were obtained from the RRIM 600 clone, and the blended form of the natural rubber increases its storage modulus.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq