Abstract: The factors influencing prolactin (PRL) variation in birds and in wildlife in general have rarely been investigated with respect to the physiological impacts of exposure to environmental contaminants. We investigated the associations between circulating baseline PRL levels and concentrations of eight persistent organohalogen contaminant (OHC) classes (i.e., major organochlorines and brominated flame retardants, and associated metabolic products) in blood (plasma) of free-ranging glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus), a top predator in the Norwegian Arctic, engaged in the process of incubation. We further examined whether plasma OHC concentrations were associated with the variation of PRL in glaucous gulls exposed to a standardized capture/restraint protocol. Plasma OHC concentrations in male glaucous gulls were 2-to 3-fold higher relative to females. Baseline PRL levels tended to be higher in females compared to males, although not significantly (p = 0.20). In both males and females, the 30-min capture/restraint protocol led on average to a 26% decrease in PRL levels, which resulted in a rate of PRL decrease of 0.76 ng/mL/min. The baseline PRL levels and the rate of decrease in PRL levels tended to vary negatively with plasma OHC concentrations in males, but not in females, although several of these associations did not adhere with the criterion of significance (a = 0.05). Present results suggest that in highly OHC-exposed male glaucous gulls, the control of PRL release may be affected by the direct or indirect modulating actions of OHCs and/or their metabolically derived products. We conclude that potentially OHC-mediated impact on PRL secretion in glaucous gulls (males) may be a contributing factor to the adverse effects observed on the reproductive behavior, development and population size of glaucous gulls breeding in the Norwegian Arctic.

Abstract: Rapport de Master 2 BEE, Universite Montpellier 2.

Abstract: Our objective is to review recent advances in ionospheric and thermospheric modeling that
aim at supporting space weather services. The emphasis is placed on achievements of European
research groups involved in the COST Action 724. Ionospheric and thermospheric modeling on time
scales ranging from a few minutes to several days is fundamental for predicting space weather effects
on the Earth's ionosphere and thermosphere. Space weather affects telecommunications, navigation
and positioning systems, radars, and technology in space. We start with an overview of the physical
effects of space weather on the upper atmosphere and on systems operating at this regime. Recent
research on drivers and development of proxies applied to support space weather modeling efforts are
presented, with emphasis on solar radiation indices, solar wind drivers and ionospheric indices. The
models are discussed in groups corresponding to the physical effects they are dealing with, i.e.
bottomside ionospheric effects, trans-ionospheric effects, neutral density and scale height variations,
and spectacular space weather effects such as auroral emissions. Another group of models dealing with
global circulation are presented here to demonstrate 3D modeling of the space environment. Where
possible we present results concerning comparison of the models' performance belonging to the same
group. Finally we give an overview of European systems providing products for the specification and
forecasting of space weather effects on the upper atmosphere, which have implemented operational
versions of several ionospheric and thermospheric models.

Abstract: In Encyclopedia of Ecology.