Heavy metal and trace element concentrations in the blood of scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) from La Paz Bay, México.

Sharks are particularly susceptible to bioaccumulation due to their life history characteristics and trophic position within marine ecosystems. Despite this, studies of bioaccumulation cover only a small proportion of extant species. In this study we report concentrations of trace elements and heavy metals in blood samples of Sphyrna lewini for the first time. We report high concentrations of several trace elements and heavy metals, with concentrations of some elements exceeding the limit determined safe for human consumption. High elemental concentrations may reflect biochemical differences between blood plasma and other tissues; however, they may also be symptomatic of high levels of exposure triggered by anthropogenic activities. We also provide evidence of elemental accumulation through ontogeny, the nature of which differs from that previously reported. Ultimately, this baseline study increases our understanding of interspecific and intraspecific variation in bioaccumulation and ecotoxicology in elasmobranchs which may prove important in ensuring adequate management.

Evidence of seawater drinking in fasting subadult hooded seals (Cystophora cristata)ˆien

The purpose of this study was to investigate the total water turnover rate of fasting subadult hooded seals in order to elucidate to what extent these animals rely in seawater drinking/mariposia at this life stage. Considering mariposia is important for later accurate estimations of food consumption using water turnover rate as a proxy. Five subadult hooded seals were kept fasting for 4 days in a seawater pool. Total body water (39.6 ± 2.5 % of total body mass) decreased by 3.1 ± 0.4 % of initial body water over the experimental period. Turnover rates were 16.7 ± 3.9 (influx) and 24.6 ± 4.6 (efflux) ml · dayˉ¹ · kgˉ¹ with a net water loss of 710 ± 51 ml · day-1. It was estimated that the seals drank approximately 947 ml of seawater per day, which corresponds to 61 % of total daily water influx. Initial body water was relatively low as a result of the high body fat (46.9 ± 3.2 % of initial body mass) shown in the animals. It is concluded that subadult fasting hooded seals drink significant amounts of seawater during fasting. Although mariposia stands out as the major source of free water in fasting hooded seals, the amount of seawater ingested is unlikely to provide a net gain of free water as it is provided by metabolic water. However, it may contribute to excrete the excess of urea produced during early phase I of fasting.

Evidence of seawater drinking in fasting subadult hooded seals (Cystophora cristata)ˆien

The purpose of this study was to investigate the total water turnover rate of fasting subadult hooded seals in order to elucidate to what extent these animals rely in seawater drinking/mariposia at this life stage. Considering mariposia is important for later accurate estimations of food consumption using water turnover rate as a proxy. Five subadult hooded seals were kept fasting for 4 days in a seawater pool. Total body water (39.6 ± 2.5 % of total body mass) decreased by 3.1 ± 0.4 % of initial body water over the experimental period. Turnover rates were 16.7 ± 3.9 (influx) and 24.6 ± 4.6 (efflux) ml · dayˉ¹ · kgˉ¹ with a net water loss of 710 ± 51 ml · day-1. It was estimated that the seals drank approximately 947 ml of seawater per day, which corresponds to 61 % of total daily water influx. Initial body water was relatively low as a result of the high body fat (46.9 ± 3.2 % of initial body mass) shown in the animals. It is concluded that subadult fasting hooded seals drink significant amounts of seawater during fasting. Although mariposia stands out as the major source of free water in fasting hooded seals, the amount of seawater ingested is unlikely to provide a net gain of free water as it is provided by metabolic water. However, it may contribute to excrete the excess of urea produced during early phase I of fasting.(AU)

A produção decisória do sistema de justiça criminal para o crime de homicídio: análise dos dados do estado de São Paulo entre 1991 e 1998 / Prosecution for murder in the criminal justice system: an analysis of data from the state of São Paulo for the years 1991 to 1998 / La production décisoire du système de justice pénale pour le crime d'homicide: analyse des données de l'état de São Paulo pour la période 1991-1998

The aim of this article is to analyze how the São Paulo criminal justice system handles homicide cases reported through the State's police precincts (from 1991 to 1998) and the respective law enforcement and legal ramifications. The data were obtained from the Seade Foundation database. Using this information, the study showed that non-legal variables like color and age play a key role in understanding the system's rulings and sentences in murder cases.

Dans cet article, on examine le fonctionnement du système de justice pénale dans l'État de São Paulo avec pour base les homicides répertoriés dans les commissariats de police pendant la période 1991-1998, ainsi que leurs conséquences policières et judiciaires. On s'est servi des données fournies par le système d'information établi par la Fondation Seade. À partir de ces renseignements, on a pu voir que des variables extra-légales, comme la couleur de peau et l' âge, jouent un rôle primordial dans la compréhension de la production décisoire du système de justice pénale concernant le délit d'homicide.

Satisfação no trabalho e rotatividade dos médicos do Programa de Saúde da Família / Job satisfaction and physician turnover in the Family Health Program

Um dos problemas mais graves identificados na implantação do Programa de Saúde da Família no Brasil é a rotatividade do médico generalista. Já que o modelo se fundamenta no vínculo entre profissionais da equipe e população, a alta rotatividade dos médicos pode comprometer a efetividade do modelo. Pesquisa realizada no município de São Paulo para verificar a existência de correlação entre satisfação no trabalho dos médicos do programa e a rotatividade desses profissionais confirmou a hipótese da existência de correlação negativa. O prestígio da instituição parceira do município na implantação do programa foi o fator mais importante na determinação da rotatividade dos médicos. Outros fatores de satisfação no trabalho que apresentaram correlação com a rotatividade foram: capacitação, distância das unidades de saúde e disponibilidade de materiais e equipamentos para realização das atividades profissionais.

Monitoreo de pastos marinos en Perezoso, Cahuita, Costa Rica (sitio CARICOMP) / Seagrass monitoring at Perezoso, Cahuita, Costa Rica (CARICOMP site)

The seagrass of Perezoso (Cahuita National Park, Caribbean coast of Costa Rica) was monitored using the CARICOMP protocol. Productivity (2.7 +/- 1.15 g/m2/d; n=74) was intermediate, compared to other Caribbean sites. Total biomass was intermediate to high (750-1500 g/m2) at most CARICOMP sites (Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela) including Costa Rica (822.8 +/- 391.84 g/m2; n=32). Turnover rates were high (5.5 +/- 1.36%; n=74) compared to what was found in March and August at other sites. Shoot densities average 725 shoots/m2, in the Caribbean region, while in Costa Rica the value was higher (1184 +/- 335.5 shoots/m2). Average leaf length and width in the entire region were 14.4 cm and 10.6 mm, respectively, similar to what we found, but leaf area index average 3.4 m2 m(-2), higher than what was found in Costa Rica (0.92 m2 m(-2)). At Cahuita, seagrass productivity was significantly lower in March 2005 compared with the previous six years, and biomass has decreased with time. Seagrass productivity and biomass are being affected by the maximum temperatures, which increased by almost 10 degrees C from 1999 to 2005, and show a high negative correlation. Turnover rate and temperature were not correlated. Recreational boating, swimming and nutrient loading from deforested lands in the coast, the upstream rivers and local pollution are potential sources of impact to the seagrass beds at Cahuita.