Feeding ecology and movements of the Barolo shearwater Puffinus baroli baroli in the Azores, NE Atlantic

Trophic ecology and movements are critical issues for understanding the role of marine predators in food webs and for facing the challenges of their conservation. Seabird foraging ecology has been increasingly studied, but small elusive species, such as those forming the"little shearwater" complex, remain poorly known. We present the first study on the movements and feeding ecology of the Barolo shearwater Puffinus baroli baroli in a colony from the Azores archipelago (NE Atlantic), combining global location-sensing units, stable isotope analyses of feathers (��13C and ��15N), stomach flushings and data from maximum depth gauges. During the chick-rearing period, parents visited their nests most nights, foraged mainly south of the colony and fed at lower trophic levels than during the non-breeding period. Squid was the most diverse prey (6 families and at least 10 different taxa), but species composition varied considerably between years. Two squid families, Onychoteuthidae and Argonautidae, and the fish family Phycidae accounted for 82.3% of ingested prey by number. On average, maximum dive depths per foraging trip reached 14.8 m (range: 7.9 to 23.1 m). After the breeding period, birds dispersed offshore in all directions and up to 2500 km from the breeding colony, and fed at higher trophic levels. Overall, our results indicate that the Barolo shearwater is a non-migratory shearwater feeding at the lowest trophic level among Macaronesian seabirds, showing both diurnal and nocturnal activity and feeding deeper in the water column, principally on small schooling squid and fish. These traits contrast with those of 3 other Azorean Procellariiformes (Cory"s shearwater Calonectris diomedea, the Madeiran storm-petrel Oceanodroma castro and Monteiro"s storm-petrel O. monteiroi), indicating ecological segregation within the Azorean seabird community.

Modelling nitrogen and phosphorus loads in a Mediterranean river catchment (La Tordera, NE Spain)

Human activities have resulted in increased nutrient levels in many rivers all over Europe. Sustainable management of river basins demands an assessment of the causes and consequences of human alteration of nutrient flows, together with an evaluation of management options. In the context of an integrated and interdisciplinary environmental assessment (IEA) of nutrient flows, we present and discuss the application of the nutrient emission model MONERIS (MOdelling Nutrient Emissions into River Systems) to the Catalan river basin, La Tordera (north-east Spain), for the period 1996���2002. After a successful calibration and verification process (Nash-Sutcliffe efficiencies E=0.85 for phosphorus and E=0.86 for nitrogen), the application of the model MONERIS proved to be useful in estimating nutrient loads. Crucial for model calibration, in-stream retention was estimated to be about 50 % of nutrient emissions on an annual basis. Through this process, we identified the importance of point sources for phosphorus emissions (about 94% for 1996���2002), and diffuse sources, especially inputs via groundwater, for nitrogen emissions (about 31% for 1996���2002). Despite hurdles related to model structure, observed loads, and input data encountered during the modelling process, MONERIS provided a good representation of the major interannual and spatial patterns in nutrient emissions. An analysis of the model uncertainty and sensitivity to input data indicates that the model MONERIS, even in data-starved Mediterranean catchments, may be profitably used by water managers for evaluating quantitative nutrient emission scenarios for the purpose of managing river basins. As an example of scenario modelling, an analysis of the changes in nutrient emissions through two different future scenarios allowed the identification of a set of relevant measures to reduce nutrient loads.

Crustacean and aquatic insect assemblages in the Mediterranean coastal ecosystems of Empord`a wetlands (NE Iberian peninsula)

Coastal wetlands are characterized by high biodiversity, which is one of the main criteria considered when establishing protection policies or when proposing adequate management actions. In this study, the crustacean and aquatic insect composition of the Empord`a wetlands is described. These two faunal groups contribute highly to the total biodiversity in these wetlands but are seldom considered when managing natural areas. A selection (84 sampling points) of all water body types present in the Empord`a wetlands were sampled monthly (surber and dip net with a 250 ��m mesh). Sampling was carried out during 3 surveys (1991-92, 1996-97 and 1999-2000). A rich fauna of 125 crustacean and 295 aquatic insect taxa was identified. We characterized each water body type using the most abundant species and the relative species richness of the taxonomic groups. A classification of the water body types, according to similarity between inventories, groups the brackish and hyperhaline systems in one cluster and the various freshwater systems in another one. Among freshwater systems, lotic waters and freshwater wetlands have a high similarity, whereas rice fields and freshwater springs have a low similarity

Effect of Seasonal Dynamics on Queen Densities of the Argentine Ant (Linepithema Humile) in an Invaded Natural Area of the NE Iberian Peninsula

The annual elimination of large numbers of Argentine ant queens near the advance front of an invasion could be a useful tool for weakening the species��� dispersion and, therefore, limiting its establishment in non-invaded areas. However, before carrying out trials to test the effectiveness of this method it would be essential to have sufficient knowledge of the effect of seasonal dynamics acting on the queens��� densities of the species in order to determine the most favourable period of the year to act. We analyzed the seasonal densities and nest dynamics of Argentine ant queens in an invaded Mediterranean natural ecosystem. We observed that the queens��� density varied depending on the season of the year and that this variation was mainly due to the seasonal dynamics of nest aggregations in winter and ant dispersions in summer. The greatest densities per litre of nest soil were observed in winter (December to March, approximately) and the lowest densities were observed in summer ( June to July). This information is essential for improving current knowledge of the Argentine ant���s biology and developing control methods based on the elimination of queens in invaded natural areas

Organic carbon and nutrient (P, N) concentrations of water and sediment in several aquatic environment types of a Mediterranean coastal wetland (Empord�� Wetlands, NE Iberian Peninsula)

Total sediment and water organic carbon and nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) concentrations of different environment types of a Mediterranean coastal wetland (temporary and brackish, temporary and freshwater, semi-permanent and brackish, and permanent and brackish basins) were analysed during two hydroperiods. A nitrogen limitation was found for both sediment and water. The total organic carbon concentration of the water was significantly related to the water level, which varies throughout the hydroperiods. In contrast, the total organic carbon concentration of the sediment was not related to water level. However, significant differences in total organic carbon of the sediment were found between hydroperiods. On the other hand, total organic carbon of the sediment varied spatially, being higher in temporary brackish basins with lower sand content, and lower in permanent and semi-permanent brackish basins with higher sand content

Equilibrium studies of 2,2'-(5-bromo-6-methylpyrimidine-2,4-diyl)bis(azanediyl)dipropanoic acid with some transition-metal ions in aqueous solution

The stability constants of the 1:1 complexes formed between M2+ (M2+: Mn2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, or Cd2+) and BMADA2- (BMADA: 2,2'-(5-bromo-6-methylpyrimidine-2,4 diyl)bis(azanediyl)dipropanoic acid) were determined by potentiometric pH titration in aqueous solution (I = 0.1 mol L-1, NaNO3, 25 ��C). The stability of the binary M - BMADA complexes is determined by the basicity of the carboxyl or amino groups. All the stability constants reported in this work exhibit the usual trend, and the order obtained was Mn2+< Ni2+ < Cu2+ > Cd2+. The observed stability order for BMADA approximately follows the Irving - Williams sequence. In the M - BMADA complexes, the M ion is able to form a macrochelate via the pyrimidine group of BMADA.

A fluorescence probe study of gemini surfactants in aqueous solution: a comparison between n-2-n and n-6-n series of the alkanediyl-a,w-bis (dimethylalkylammonium bromides)

Two series of alkanediyl-a,w-bis (dimethylalkylammonium bromide (n-2-n and n-6-n; n=8, 10,12, and 16) have been synthesized and their micelles properties studied in aqueous solution using pyrene, pyrenecarboxaldehyde (PCA) and 1,8 anilinonaphtalene sulfonic acid sodium salt (ANS) as fluorescent probes. The micelles from these surfactants have been characterized on the basis of the information provided by micelle-solubilized fluorescent probes. The obtained results indicated that the surfactant concentration at which a marked decrease in l max parameter of pyrenecarboxaldehyde (PCA) occurs corresponds to the CMC determined by conductimetric measurements. Changes in the emission spectra of ANS and PCA observed in the submicellar range for both surfactants series (n-2-n and n-6-n) were interpreted as formation of pre-aggregates. It was found that the dimeric surfactants with long spacer (s= 6) form more hydrated aggregates when compared with those formed by the n-2-n and CnTAB surfactants series. This was attributed to a more difficult packing of n-6-n surfactant molecules to form micelles.

Reise durch Schweden und Finnland, bis an die ��ussersten Gr��nzen von Lappland, in den Jahren 1798 und 1799 : von Joseph Acerbi. Aus dem Englischen ��bersetzt von Ch. Weyland. Nebst berichtigenden Bemerkungen eines sachkundigen Gelehrten. Mit zwei Kupfern und einer Landkarte.

Digital reproduction, The National Library of Finland, Centre for Preservation and Digitisation, Mikkeli

���Ich habe gedacht, ich bin ihresgleichen und dann war ich immer ganz jemand anderes��� : das Leben von Pfarrfrauen in der hannoverschen Landeskirche bis Anfang der 1970er Jahre im Licht sozialtechnischer Modernisierung

De protestantiska pr��sternas hustrur, pr��stfruarna, inom Landeskirche Hannover utg��r en liten grupp konfessionellt bundna och troende kvinnor som jag unders��kt ur kvinnohistoriskt och kulturvetenskapligt perspektiv. Jag belyser f��r��ndringarna i synen p�� pr��stg��rd, pr��stfruns v��rv och f��rsamling under mitten av 1900-talet d�� pr��stfruarna f��rlorade sin st��llning i samh��lle och f��rsamling. Pr��stfruarna framst��r som vittnen ��ver slutet p�� en epok som b��rjade med reformationen och som visat sig vara grundl��ggande f��r utformningen av moderniteten liksom ocks�� f��r ��verg��ngen till senmoderna makt- och socialtekniker som lett till dagens emancipatoriska krav p�� sj��lvf��rverkligande med jaget som expert. F��r��ndringarna ledde till kvinnopolitiska segrar, som b��ttre tillg��ng till arbetsmarknaden, men ocks�� till en hittills inte unders��kt tragisk sida av denna modernisering, n��mligen hur det sj��lvst��ndiga handlingsutrymme f��rsvann som pr��stfruarna hade i pr��stg��rd och f��rsamling just som kvinnor. Den protestantiska kyrkan bidrog s�� till en revolutionerande strukturomvandling f��r att referera till historikerna Lutz Raphael och Anselm Doering-Manteuffel.

Late-acting self-incompatibility in Capparis retusa (Capparaceae), a species of Chaco woodland in NE Argentina

The reproductive biology of Capparis retusa was studied by means of controlled pollination experiments and fluorescence microscopy observations of post-pollination events. Self-pollinated flowers mostly failed to form fruits despite the fact that self-pollen tubes grew to the ovary and penetrated ovules within 24 h. Since embryo development to globular stage was observed in some self-fertilized ovules it was concluded that control of self-fertilization in this species occurs by some kind of post-zygotic mechanism.

Influence of He-Ne laser therapy on the dynamics of wound healing in mice treated with anti-inflammatory drugs

We determined the effects of helium-neon (He-Ne) laser irradiation on wound healing dynamics in mice treated with steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Male albino mice, 28-32 g, were randomized into 6 groups of 6 animals each: control (C), He-Ne laser (L), dexamethasone (D), D + L, celecoxib (X), and X + L. D and X were injected im at doses of 5 and 22 mg/kg, respectively, 24 h before the experiment. A 1-cm long surgical wound was made with a scalpel on the abdomens of the mice. Animals from groups L, D + L and X + L were exposed to 4 J (cm��)-1 day-1 of He-Ne laser for 12 s and were sacrificed on days 1, 2, or 3 after the procedure, when skin samples were taken for histological examination. A significant increase of collagen synthesis was observed in group L compared with C (168 �� 20 vs 63 �� 8 mm��). The basal cellularity values on day 1 were: C = 763 �� 47, L = 1116 �� 85, D = 376 �� 24, D + L = 698 �� 31, X = 453 �� 29, X + L = 639 �� 32 U/mm��. These data show that application of L increases while D and X decrease the inflammatory cellularity compared with C. They also show that L restores the diminished cellularity induced by the anti-inflammatory drugs. We suggest that He-Ne laser promotes collagen formation and restores the baseline cellularity after pharmacological inhibition, indicating new perspectives for laser therapy aiming to increase the healing process when anti-inflammatory drugs are used.

Animadversiones subitaneae circa principium universae opticae Leibnitianum quatenus idem in Catoptrica adhibetur

Invokaatio: D.F.G.

RECUEIL DES ��UVRES PO��TIQUES de Jehan Molinet. Ms. in-fol. sur papier de 201 f., demi-rel. v. f, tr. r. (Rel. du XVIIIe si��cle.)

Complainte (La) de Grece

chartularium beatissimae Trinitatis Vindocinensis, ordinis sancti Benedicti, in dioecesi Carnotensi, hodie in dioecesi Blesensi ; quod confecit idem Rogerius de Gaignieres ex chartis ad illud monasterium pertinentibus, quascumque potuit comperire et describere : praemittitur catalogus Abbatum ejusdem monasterii.

Rogerii de Gaignieres

chartularium monasterii S. Vandregisili, ordinis S. Benedicti, in dioecesi Rothomagensi ; quod confecit idem Rogerius de Gaignieres partim ex chartis, partim ex chartulario ejusdem monasterii : praemittitur catalogus Abbatum monasterii sancti Vandregisili.

Rogerii de Gaignieres