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There is increasing evidence that attendance is not a reliable predictor of academic performance, which invites the question of whether attendance may have alternative positive effects such as increased student wellness. While conducting an observational cohort study on the relationship of attendance to performance and wellness, the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown changed the ability of students to attend class. Matriculating medical students were recruited to participate at the beginning of their first year in August 2019. In-person attendance was collected prospectively until the lockdown began in March 2020. This was then correlated with performance on course final examinations and responses to two separate incidences of a survey on stress, burnout, social isolation, and loneliness. The first survey was deployed January through February 2020 (pre-COVID) and the second June 2020 (during COVID lockdown). Attendance declined across the year (76.0%-25.0%). There was a small positive correlation of attendance to performance in "module 1" (r = 0.235, P = 0.035) with none in the remaining two modules (P = 0.870, P = 0.410). The high attenders at the time of the lockdown had no decline in their performance when attendance was no longer possible. Attendance negatively correlated with stress and loneliness but not with the remainder of the wellness metrics. There was no significant change in any of the wellness metrics between the pre-COVID and during COVID time points. While the data support the conclusion that attendance is not required to maintain performance in this population, these data suggest a small protective effect against stress and loneliness.

Understanding the spatial distribution of seabirds contributes to comprehending their ecological requirements and dispersion patterns. We studied the at-sea distribution of female Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome (J.R. Forster, 1781)) at Isla de los Estados colony during the early chick-rearing period. We used a clustering analysis approach to identify different groups according to the foraging trip (tracking and diving data from GPS and temperature and depth data loggers) and diet ([[delta].sup.15]N composition on blood samples) characteristics. Foraging trips differed in duration, location, and dive depths explored. Females in clusters 1 and 3 traveled longer distances and in opposite directions (36.3 [+ or -] 21.3 and 40.3 [+ or -] 14.0 km, respectively). Females in cluster 2 fed closer to the colony (16.8 [+ or -] 7.8 km). Dives occurred in pelagic habitats. Higher [[delta].sup.15]N values suggested a greater proportion of fish (e.g., the Fuegian sprat, Sprattus fuegensis (Jenyns, 1842)) consumption in the northern foraging areas (cluster 1). The variability observed in the spatial distribution suggests flexibility in the foraging behavior of Southern Rockhopper Penguins and availability of adequate foraging areas within the colony range during the early chick-rearing period, both important features for Southern Rockhopper Penguin population. These results contribute to understanding the use of the Southern Ocean by marine mesopredators and top predators and to the marine spatial planning in the area. Key words: diving behavior, Eudyptes chrysocome, Southern Rockhopper Penguin, Isla de los Estados, at-sea distribution, stable isotopes, tracking. La comprehension de la repartition spatiale des oiseaux marins aide a mieux comprendre leurs exigences ecologiques et les motifs de leur dispersion. Nous avons etudie la repartition en mer de gorfous sauteurs (Eudyptes chrysocome (J.R. Forster, 1781)) femelles dans la colonie de Isla de los Estados au debut de la periode de soin des oisillons. Nous avons utilise une approche d'analyse typologique pour cerner differents groupes en fonction des caracteristiques des sorties de quete de nourriture (donnees de suivi et de plongee obtenues d'enregistreurs de donnees GPS et de temperature et profondeur) et du regime alimentaire ([[delta].sup.15]N d'echantillons de sang). Les sorties de quete de nourriture differaient sur le plan de la duree, du lieu et des profondeurs de plongee explorees. Les femelles des groupements 1 et 3 parcouraient de plus longues distances en directions opposees (36,3 [+ or -] 21,3 et 40,3 [+ or -] 14,0 km, respectivement). Les femelles du groupement 2 s'alimentaient plus pres de la colonie (16,8 [+ or -] 7,8 km). Les plongees avaient lieu dans des habitats pelagiques. Des [[delta].sup.15]N plus eleves semblaient indiquer une plus grande proportion de consommation de poissons (p. ex. le sprat des lies Falkland, Sprattus fuegensis (Jenyns, 1842)) dans les lieux de quete de nourriture au nord (groupement 1). La variabilite observee de la repartition spatiale indiquerait une certaine souplesse du comportement de quete de nourriture des gorfous sauteurs et la disponibilite de lieux d'alimentation adequats dans l'aire de repartition de la colonie au debut de la periode de soin des oisillons, deux caracteristiques importantes pour la population de gorfous sauteurs. Ces resultats ameliorent la comprehension de l'utilisation de l'ocean austral par des mesopredateurs et des superpredateurs marins et sont utiles pour la planification d'aires marines dans cette region. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : comportement de plongee, Eudyptes chrysocome, gorfou sauteur, Isla de los Estados, repartition en mer, isotopes stables, suivi., Introduction Spatial distribution of seabirds is often determined by biological and physical attributes of the environment that determine appropriate foraging grounds. These areas can change through time according to modifications [...]

Intrinsic and extrinsic factors, such as bioerosion at nesting sites, regulate population dynamics and are relevant for the long-term conservation of penguins. Colony trends (between 2004–2022) were studied in a Magellanic penguin colony on Martillo Island, Beagle Channel, Argentina and compared between zones with contrasting degrees of erosion (high, medium, low). Individuals from each zone were characterized for foraging ecology, stress, and reproductive performance during the 2017–2018 breeding season to better understand the colony dynamics. Changes in nest abundance varied in magnitude between nesting zones with different characteristics of occupation time, density and erosion. Declines in nest abundance in the densest, most eroded and longest occupied zone suggests that environmental degradation may be limiting the colony's carrying capacity. A higher percentage of late breeders (probably younger breeders) occupied the less eroded and more recently occupied zone. Foraging, breeding and stress barely differed between zones. New individuals recruiting into the breeding colony select less-eroded zones, either to reduce competition for nests or to avoid other effects of erosion and high-density areas. If this is the mechanism behind the shift in numbers throughout the island, we expect the island to be progressively occupied to the west. If competition or other density dependent factors are at play, a time will come when the vacant east side will begin to be recolonized by younger individuals. However, if erosion or other long-term effects spread throughout the island, recolonization may not occur and the colony may ultimately be abandoned as individuals search for new breeding grounds. Erosion at the breeding site may be a key factor in regional population trends of this burrow nesting species, by following an extinction / colonization of new sites process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollution caused by anthropogenic debris is a concern for marine biodiversity conservation due to its impact on biota. Debris in seabird nests has been largely unreported in regions like southern South America. Here, novel information is presented regarding the incorporation of marine debris into the nests of Imperial Cormorant (Leucocarbo atriceps) inhabiting the Beagle Channel, Argentina, along an anthropogenic gradient using a photographic method. In doing so, the incorporation of debris was compared under two different scenarios of anthropogenic activities due to the COVID-19 lockdown. The furthest colony away from the city of Ushuaia had no debris at all, while the colony located close to it had a high impact of anthropogenic debris, most of which was plastic. During the lockdown, the colony close to Ushuaia showed a significantly lower proportion of nests (41%) with debris when compared to the following season, with no lockdown (90%). Even more, the amount of anthropogenic debris items per nest increased significantly during the season with no lockdown. Also, the main type of debris varied between seasons, being plastic ropes more dominant during the first season (26%) and plastic bags during the second season (57%). Our study shows that changes in consumer' habits can have a positive impact on seabirds exposed to plastic pollution. Since such changes are possible, we suggest implementing awareness campaigns and seek to establish legal frameworks along with equitable interventions in order to reduce plastic pollution on seabirds' colonies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]