Neonatal growth of Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) pups in Alaska

The growth rate of Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) pups was studied in southeast Alaska, the Gulf of Alaska, and the Aleutian Islands during the first six weeks after birth. The Steller sea lion population is currently stable in southeast Alaska but is declining in the Aleutian Islands and parts of the Gulf of Alaska. Male pups (22.6 kg [±2.21 SD]) were significantly heavier than female pups (19.6 kg [±1.80 SD]) at 1−5 days of age, but there were no significant differences among rookeries. Male and female pups grew (in mass, standard length, and axillary girth) at the same rate. Body mass and standard length increased at a faster rate for pups in the Aleutian Islands and the western Gulf of Alaska (0.45−0.48 kg/day and 0.47−0.53 cm/day, respectively) than in southeast Alaska (0.23 kg/day and 0.20 cm/day). Additionally, axillary girth increased at a faster rate for pups in the Aleutian Islands (0.59 cm/ day) than for pups in southeast Alaska v(0.25 cm/day). Our results indicate a greater maternal investment in male pups during gestation, but not during early lactation. Although differences in pup growth rate occurred among rookeries, there was no evidence that female sea lions and their pups were nutritionally stressed in the area of population declin

Monitoring the behavior and multi-dimensional movements of Weddell seals using an animal-borne video and data recorder

We have developed an animal-borne video and data recorder to observe Weddell seals foraging and to reconstruct their three-dimensional movements. The video and data recorder consists of a low-light-sensitive video camera with near-infrared light-emitting diodes that is mounted on top of the seal\u27s head to obtain close-up images of the seal\u27s muzzle and the area in front of the animal. The main housing, which is mounted on the animal\u27s back, contains an 8-mm video tape recorder that can record for 6 h, batteries, a microcomputer and transducers for pressure, water speed, compass bearing, and flipper stroke frequency. Sound is recorded on one audio channel of the tape recorder with a hydrophone. Using these instruments, we have recorded over 500 h of underwater video and over 1000 three-dimensional dive paths with corresponding swimming performance data from 31 adult Weddell seals. We have documented seals foraging in the water column, on the sea floor, and at the under-ice surface. Mid-water foraging included encounters with large Antarctic toothfish and smaller Antarctic silverfish. Multivariate statistical analysis of variables derived from the temporal and spatial characteristics of three-dimensional dive paths have enabled us to classify dive types and, in some cases, assign a function such as foraging

An Experimental Investigation of NACA Submerged-Duct Entrances

The results of an investigation of submerged-duct entrances are presented. It is shown that this type of entrance possesses the following characteristics: 1) very high-critical-compressibility speeds throughout the range of high-speed inlet velocity ratios; 2) very low pressure losses for the air entering the duct at all inlet-velocity ratios; and, 3) low external drag. These characteristics are obtained by the proper shaping of the contour of the upstream approach to the submerged inlets and by proper alignment of the duct lip. Design data are presented and the application of these data to a specific high-speed fighter-airplane design is discussed

Cetaceans, Sea Turtles and Seabirds in the Northern Gulf of Mexico: Distribution, Abundance and Habitat Associations, Volume 1: Executive Summary

This report covers three years of research on the distribution and number of whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and sea birds in the Gulf of Mexico

Holographic principle in the BDL brane cosmology

We study the holographic principle in the brane cosmology. Especially we describe how to accommodate the 5D anti de Sitter Schwarzschild (AdSS$_5$) black hole in the Binetruy-Deffayet-Langlois (BDL) approach of brane cosmology. It is easy to make a connection between a mass $M$ of the AdSS$_5$ black hole and a conformal field theory (CFT)-radiation dominated universe on the brane in the moving domain wall approach. But this is not established in the BDL approach. In this case we use two parameters $C_1, C_2$ in the Friedmann equation. These arise from integration and are really related to the choice of initial bulk matter. If one chooses a bulk energy density $\rho_B$ to account for a mass $M$ of the AdSS$_5$ black hole and the static fifth dimension, a CFT-radiation term with $\rho_{CFT} \sim M/a^{4}$ comes out from the bulk matter without introducing a localized matter distribution on the brane. This means that the holographic principle can be established in the BDL brane cosmology.Comment: 9 pages, a version to appear in PR

Adaptation of The Doubly Labeled Water Method for Subjects Consuming Isotopically Enriched Water

The use of doubly labeled water (DLW) to measure energy expenditure is subject to error if the background abundance of the oxygen and hydrogen isotope tracers changes during the test period. This study evaluated the accuracy and precision of different methods by which such background isotope changes can be corrected, including a modified method that allows prediction of the baseline that would be achieved if subjects were to consume water from a given source indefinitely. Subjects in this study were eight women (4 test subjects and 4 control subjects) who consumed for 28 days water enriched to resemble drinking water aboard the United States space shuttle. Test subjects and control subjects were given a DLW dose on days 1 and 15, respectively. The change to an enriched water source produced a bias in expenditure calculations that exceeded 2.9 MJ/day (35%), relative to calculations from intake-balance. The proposed correction based on the predicted final abundance of 18O and deuterium after equilibration to the new water source eliminated this bias, as did the traditional use of a control group. This new modified correction method is advantageous under field conditions when subject numbers are limited

Gas Sloshing and Bubbles in the Galaxy Group NGC 5098

We present results from Chandra observations of the galaxy pair and associated galaxy group NGC 5098, and find evidence for both gas sloshing and AGN heating. The X-ray brightness images show diffuse emission with a spiral structure, centered on NGC 5098a, and a sharp edge in the diffuse emission surrounding much of the galaxy at about 30 kpc. The spiral structure in the X-ray surface brightness and temperature maps, the offset between the peak of the cool gas and the central AGN, and the structure of the cold front edges all suggest gas sloshing in the core. The most likely perturber is the nearby galaxy NGC 5098b, which has been stripped of its gaseous atmosphere. Detailed images of the core reveal several X-ray cavities, two of which, just north and southeast of the central AGN, correlate with radio emission and have bright X-ray rims, similar to buoyant bubbles seen in the ICM of other systems. We estimate the pressures in the bubbles and rims and show that they are roughly equal, consistent with these being young features, as suggested by their close proximity to the central AGN. We assume that the other X-ray cavities in the core, which show no correlation with existing radio observations, are ghost cavities from previous AGN outbursts. An estimate of the mechanical energy required to inflate the cavities indicates that it is sufficient to offset radiative cooling of the gas for 15 Myr. Therefore, for a typical cycle time of 10^7 yrs, the central AGN energy output is enough to balance cooling over long timescales.Comment: Replaced with accepted version, including small correction to equations 2 & 3, conclusions unchange

Echocardiographic left ventricular structure and function in healthy, non-sedated southern sea Lions (Otaria flavescens)

AbstractThe goal of this study was to test transthoracic echocardiography as a method to characterize heart morphology and function in the southern sea lion (SSL) (Otaria flavescens) for health evaluation. Four clinically healthy captive SSLs (mean weight 110 ± 17.5 kg) were trained to be examined by transthoracic echocardiography at Mar del Plata Aquarium in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Two-dimensional guided M-mode images were obtained using a portable cardiovascular ultrasound system equipped with a 1.5 to 3.5 MHz convex 3S phased-array transducer. The mean left ventricular internal dimension at end-diastole was 73 ± 5.8 mm; the mean interventricular septum thickness and posterior wall thickness at end-diastole were 9 ± 1.1 mm and 8.9 ± 2 mm, respectively. Fractional shortening and ejection fraction were 44.6 ± 1.7% and 74.4 ± 1.7%, respectively. The left atrial diameter-to-aortic root index was 0.92 ± 0.03. The most suitable position for obtaining good quality images was the left lateral recumbency (with slight inclination to 45°), with the probe placed on the left side of the thorax, ventrally just near the sternum, at the level of the caudal portion of the left pectoral fin. The best acoustic window in relation to the breathing cycle occurred between the end of the expiration and the beginning of the next inspiration. We successfully demonstrated that the in vivo structure and function of the SSL heart can be safely and effectively evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography in captive trained animals. These data have clinical and research implications for evaluating diseases of the cardiopulmonary system in pinnipeds.Fil: Castro, Eduardo Fidel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Dassis, Mariela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: de León, Marta Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez, Edgardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Davis, Randall W.. Texas A&m University At Galveston; Estados UnidosFil: Saubidet, Alejandro. Fundación Mar del Plata Aquarium; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Diego Horacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Diaz, Alberto Alejandro. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Escuela Superior de Ciencias de la Salud. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin