bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contributions of organic matter and nutrients via leaf litter in an urban tropical dry forest fragment
Authors: Castellanos-Barliza Jeiner , León-Peláez Juan Diego , Armenta-Martínez Rosalba , Barranco-Pérez Willinton , Caicedo-Ruíz William
Published: October 2018

The litterfall and decomposition represent the main transfer of organic matter and nutrients from the vegetation to the soil surface and determine positive trajectories in the process of rehabilitating and restoring degraded ecosystems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contributions of organic materials and nutrients through the characterization of fine litter in an urban dry forest fragment. Litter production was monitored for one year by collecting 29 traps (0.5 m2). To evaluate leaf nutrient resorption, green leaves were collected from 5-10 individuals that represented the dominant tree species. Litter-bags (20 x 20 cm, 2 mm pore) were used for six months to evaluate the decomposition of leaf litter. Annual fine litter production was found to be 8 574 kg ha-1, with the Cordia alba species contributing the most leaf litter (1 134 kg ha-1) and nutrients (N: 6.16; P: 0.21; Ca: 4.72; Mg: 0.47; K: 1.27 kg ha-1). Decomposition rates (k constant) followed the decreasing order: C. alba (k: 4.6) > Machaerium milleflorum (k: 3.5). M. milleflorum and Albizia niopoides presented a pattern of rapid N and P release in the first 30 days, with more than 80 % and 60 % released from M. milleflorum and C. alba, respectively, by the end of the experiment. The litterfall monitoring carried out in this urban dry forest fragment revealed some important aspects of the functioning of an ecosystem as seriously threatened as the tropical dry forest. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 571-585. Epub 2018 June 01.
Spatial distribution and habitat use by early fish stages in a dammed river basin, Southern Brazil
Authors: Zoccal Garcia Diego Azevedo , Derly Augusto Costa Alexandro , Simões de Almeida Fernanda , Bialetzki Andréa , Orsi Mário Luís
Published: October 2018

Fish diversity loss is threatened by the construction of dams as they prevent the regular natural dispersal among populations. Thus, conservation of key riverine habitats for fish reproduction may be essential for the recruitment of new native species of fish. The present study aimed to identify key habitats for fish spawning and early development in the Paranapanema River basin, as well as to determine the taxonomic composition, reproductive and life-history strategy, and to report spatial distribution of eggs, larvae and juveniles. The importance of lagoons, tributaries, and sub-tributaries was evaluated in the Paranapanema River basin between October 2012 and March 2013. Eggs and larvae samples were collected at dawn and dusk with conical plankton nets (0.5 mm mesh size), whereas juveniles were captured during the day with seine and sieve (0.5 cm mesh size). A total of 547 eggs, 904 larvae and 1 228 juveniles were captured. We observed that 2 larvae and 288 juveniles of non-migratory species, parental care, and equilibrium life-history strategy, predominated in lagoons and tributaries. On the other hand, 13 larvae and 60 juveniles of short migratory distance, no parental care, and periodic life-history strategy predominated in sub-tributaries. The highest densities of eggs were recorded in tributaries and sub-tributaries (Tukey’s test, P = 0.001 and P = 0.03, respectively), and the highest densities of larvae were recorded for lagoons and tributaries (P = 0.005 and P = 0.0001, respectively). Captures of eggs and larvae were higher at night; while the highest catches per unit effort of juveniles were recorded for tributaries and sub-tributaries. Fish species that adopt different life-history strategies can use diverse types of habitats during the early stages. Lagoons, tributaries and sub-tributaries of the Paranapanema River play different roles in the reproductive success of fish fauna in a heavily modified basin. The preservation of spawning and nursery areas trapped between reservoirs is necessary for Neotropical fish species recruitment and survival. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 605-621. Epub 2018 June 01.
Road kills in tropical ecosystems: a review with recommendations for mitigation and for new research
Authors: Monge-Nájera Julián
Published: October 2018

While roads are indispensable for modern civilization and beneficial for many wildlife species, they have been causing mortality from collisions since high speed chariots were invented 4 000 years ago. Most scientific work about road kill has been done in temperate ecosystems, but some authors have suspected that they have different characteristics in tropical ecosystems. In this review, I summarize publications that focus on road kills in tropical countries from Africa, America, Asia and Oceania. I found 73 studies that focus on tropical road kills. Output increased after 2011 and the most productive countries, in articles per capita, are Costa Rica, Colombia and Brazil. Most studies report that mammals are the main victims, but bird deaths are severely underestimated and amphibians suffer mass mortality in reproductive concentrations. Every road victim is itself a small ecosystem that contains thousands of microscopic species, but “Road Kill Microbiology” is yet to be developed as a new branch of research. No generalization can be made about the role of season or habitat in road kills because pooled data hide individual trends: researchers should keep separate records by age, sex, species, time of day, season and place; otherwise important patterns will be missed. There is not a single study, tropical or temperate, that can completely answer how many animals are killed, where, or when, because many victims are removed by scavengers, end outside the road or are too small to be noticed. Significant contributions from the tropics include emphasis on the ethical use of road kill for research, inclusion of species other than wild vertebrates, study of often overlooked phenomena like hour of day and failed versus successful crossing attempts, and the value of speed control in mitigation. The so-called “citizen science” can identify the most affected species but produces data that are very different from those generated by professional scientists in terms of the proportion of affected groups. Real speed limitation is the simplest effective mitigation measure. Tropical scientists should concentrate on monitoring and experimental studies to fully understand the ecology of road kills and to make a contribution that matches what rich countries do. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 722-738. Epub 2018 June 01.
Actividad in vitro anti-Leishmania (Trypanosomatidae) del epóxido trans-Z-α-bisaboleno y del Safrol, en frutos de Piper auritum (Piperaceae)
Authors: Rodríguez-Chaves Daniela , Bagnarello-Madrigal Vanessa , Alpizar-Cordero Javier , Calvo-Vargas Alonso , Cordero-Villalobos Maribel , Chinchilla-Carmona Misael , Valerio-Campos Idalia , Sánchez Porras Ronald
Published: October 2018

Anti-Leishmania (Trypanosomatidae) activity of trans-Z-α-bisabolene epoxide and isolation of safrole, in fruits of Piper auritum (Piperaceae). The leishmaniosis disease incidence is high in tropical regions, and its current treatment has shown severe secondary effects. Considering this problem, many studies have focused on plants, looking for chemical components that have anti-leishmanial activity, and are free of adverse effects for human beings. The purpose of this work was to find a chemical component with this kind of activity in Piper auritum. In a phytochemical screening of this plant, we found some cumarins, terpens, triterpens and reducing sugars; and later, we identified the components trans-Z-α-bisabolene epoxide and Safrol. The first component presented a CI50 of 50.0 µg/mL of anti-Leishmania activity. The Safrol, which is the major component of the essential oils of this plant, did not show antiparasitic activity. These results are discussed considering treatment of leishmaniasis. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 826-835. Epub 2018 June 01.
Degradación de hojarasca y aporte de nutrientes del manglar en la Laguna Mecoacán, Golfo de México
Authors: Torres V. Jony R. , Infante-Mata Dulce , Sánchez Alberto J. , Espinoza-Tenorio Alejandro , Barba Everardo
Published: October 2018

Leaf litter degradation and nutrient supply in the mangroves of Mecoacán Lagoon, Gulf of Mexico. Mangroves are ecosystems with a high primary productivity that is mainly driven mainly by degradation processes. Energy (nutrients) flows from mangroves toward adjacent zones and the surrounding aquatic environment. The objective of the present study was to estimate the daily degradation coefficient (k) of mangrove leaves in relation to physical-chemical soil factors and in situ nutrient supply (phosphorus and nitrogen) in Mecoacán Lagoon, Gulf of Mexico. Leaf litter degradation bags were placed at six monthly monitoring sites to evaluate degradation and to calculate the corresponding degradation coefficients. A rapid degradation of up to 51 % was observed for Avicennia germinans (L.) Stearn during the first month in association with leaching resulting from flood conditions. The degradation of Rhizophora mangle (L.) (k= 0.0052±0.0002) (F= 12.2 p< 0.05 n= 216) and Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn (k= 0.005±0.0003) (F= 3.7 p= 0.2 n= 108), differed significantly from that of A. germinans (k= 0.009 ± 0.0003) (F= 1.2 p= 0.2 n= 216) did not present significant differences. To reach T50 degradation, R. mangle and L. racemosa required more time (133 and 138 days, respectively) than A. germinans (74 days). Organic matter and soil humidity were significantly correlated with the decay constant of A. germinans (r= 0.65 p< 0.05 and r= 0.55 p< 0.05, respectively). Total nitrogen content was highest in the Pajaral site (2 683 mg.kg) and was also highly correlated with organic matter content (r= 0.9 p= 0.003). Total phosphorus content was highest in the Boca site (2 031 mg.kg) and was also negatively correlated with pH (r= -0.61 p= 0.004). In conclusion, differences in the rate of mangrove leaf degradation depend on the involved species (leaf composition), time of exposure or immersion in water (flooding patterns) and sediment heterogeneity (i.e., texture, pH, humidity content and bulk density). Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 892-907. Epub 2018 June 01.
Substrate, moisture, temperature and seed germination of the threatened endemic tree Eriotheca vargasii (Malvaceae)
Authors: Mamani Godofredo , Chuquillanqui Héctor , Chumbiauca Susana , Sahley Catherine , Alonso Alfonso , Linares-Palomino Reynaldo
Published: October 2018

We studied the germination of Eriotheca vargasii (Malvaceae), a poorly known endemic Peruvian Andean tree species characteristic of the dry forests of the Torobamba river valley. We determined seed characteristics, embryo morphology, viability, and assessed the influence of substrate (natural soil and commercially prepared media), temperature (controlled at 25 ºC and at ambient temperature between 18-22 ºC), and moisture (25 % and 50 % field capacity) on seed germination. Although most seeds were ovoid in shape and contained well-developed embryos, only 46% of them were viable. Substrate moisture levels had no influence on germination capacity or rate. In contrast, temperature and substrate type showed strong effects on germination. We observed the highest proportion of germinated seeds in prepared media at both temperatures tested (> 61 %). Furthermore, substrate types also influenced germination rates, with lower values in natural soil. The strongest effect on germination rates was by temperature, enhancing the difference in responses in substrate types. The low proportion of germinated seeds in soil (< 39 %), together with external local stress factors (e.g. grazing impact by herbivores), may be the critical factors contributing to the nearly total absence of seedlings and saplings of E. vargasii in the study area despite abundant seed production.
Methanolic extract of Rhinella schneideri (cururú toad) poison crude cause ultrastructural changes in nerve terminals of mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparations
Authors: Rostelato-Ferreira Sandro , Rocha Thalita , Dal Belo Cháriston Andre , Rodrigues-Simioni Lea , Ownby Charlote L , Cruz-Hofling Maria Alice
Published: October 2018

Rhinella schneideri (or Bufo paracnemis), popularly known in Brazil as cururu toad, is also found in other countries in South America. The cardiovascular effects of this poison are largely known and recently was shown that it is capable to affect the neuromuscular junction on avian and mice isolated preparation. In this work, we used transmission electron microscopy to investigate the ultrastructure of the motor nerve terminal and postsynaptic junctional folds of phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparations incubated for either 5 or 60 min with the methanolic extract of R. schneideri (50 µg/mL). In addition, the status of the acetylcholine receptors (AChR) was examined by TRITC-α-bungarotoxin immunofluorescence location at the endplate membrane. The results show that 5 min of incubation with the gland secretion extract significantly decreased (32 %) the number of synaptic vesicles into the motor nerve terminal, but did not decrease the electron density on the top of the junctional folds where nicotinic receptors are concentrated; however, 60 min of incubation led to significant nerve terminal reloading in synaptic vesicles whereas the AChR immunoreactivity was not as marked as in control and after 5 min incubation. Muscle fibers were well-preserved but intramuscular motor axons were not.  The findings corroborated pharmacological data since the decrease in the number of synaptic vesicles (5 min) followed by recovery (60 min) is in accordance with the transient increase of MEPPs frequency meaning increased neurotransmitter release. These data support the predominant presynaptic mode of action of the R. schneideri, but do not exclude the possibility of a secondary postsynaptic action depending on the time the preparation is exposed to poison.
Interacciones temporales y espaciales de mesocarnívoros simpátricos en una Reserva de la Biosfera: ¿coexistencia o competencia?
Authors: Carrera-Treviño Rogelio , Astudillo-Sánchez Claudia C. , Garza-Torres Héctor A. , Martínez-García Luis , SORIA-DÍAZ LEROY
Published: October 2018

Interspecific interactions among tropical mesocarnivorous species and other mammalian trophic guilds have been poorly studied, despite they have important implications in the survival, structure, demography, and distribution of these species. In this study we analyzed spatio-temporal interactions of three sympatric mesocarnivores that are located in the Northeastern limit of their geographic distribution in Mexico, with the objective of analyzing if these species coexist or compete in the axis of the temporal and spatial niche. With a sampling period from January 2015 to December 2016 and 26 camera-trapping stations (with in a set of two camera traps opposite to each other) and located along roads and animal trails, we determined the activity pattern and habitat use of L. wiedii (margay), L. pardalis (ocelote) y P. yagouaroundi (yaguarundi). All independent photographs of each species were grouped into three temporal categories (day, night and twilight) and six habitat categories; Oak Forest, Oak-Pine Forest, Cloud Forest, Pine-Oak Forest, Tropical Deciduous Forest and Medium Forest. Temporal and spatial overlap between species (i.e interactions) was obtained with the Czekanowski index and the Pianka index, respectively. These indices are symmetrical and take values from zero to one, where the results close to zero indicate that there is no overlap between species and values close to one indicate overlap. We obtained a total of 379 independent photographs, of which 239 corresponded to margay, 118 to ocelot and 22 to yaguarundi. Margay and ocelot were nocturnal, with 75 % of their records in this category showing a high temporal overlap (0.85); whereas yaguarundi was fully diurnal, suggesting it may be able to coexist with the other two species (margay and ocelot). Moreover, the yaguarundi used habitat similar to ocelot and margay (with high spatial overlap of 0.81 and 0.72, respectively), while the spatial overlap between the margay and ocelot was intermediate (0.53), since they used in most cases different habitat types. Our results suggest that there is no interspecific competition among these tropical mesocarnivorous species, probably due to antagonistic interactions among them on the temporal and spatial axis. These strategies may positively favor populations of mesocarnivores, which are characterized by having a high territorial behavior.
Comparison of cnidae sizes between the two morphotypes of the giant Caribbean sea anemone Condylactis gigantea (Actiniaria: Actiniidae)
Authors: González Muñoz Ricardo Enrique , Hernández-Ortiz Carlos , Garese Agustin , Simões Nuno , Acuña Fabián Horacio
Published: October 2018

The sea anemone Condylactis gigantea is an ecologically important member of the benthic community in coral reefs of the tropical Atlantic, and displays two morphotypes with respect to the color in their tentacular tips: the green tip morphotype and the pink/purple tip morphotype. Although some molecular and ecological differences have been found between these morphotypes, no other morphological distinctions have been reported, and currently both are still considered a single taxonomic species. In the present study, we perform an exploration on the variability in the size of cnidae between these two morphotypes and performed statistical analyses to compare the 10 categories of cnidae from specimens hosted in the Cnidarian Collection of Gulf of Mexico and Mexican Caribbean, of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, which were previously collected in several coral reefs localities of the Yucatán Peninsula. Results reveal no significant variation in cnidae size between the two morphotypes, but significant variations were found within each morphotype. In addition, we update the composition of the cnidom of C. gigantea, and the utility of the size of cnidae to distinguish between morphotypes or closely related species is discussed.
On the Data Deficient amphibians occurring in Colombia
Authors: Román Palacios Cristian , Valencia Zuleta Alejandro
Published: October 2018

Whereas more than 10 % of the global amphibian richness is known to occur in Colombia, almost 16 % of these species are currently classified as Data Deficient according to the IUCN. These estimates suggest that the available data for a large portion of the amphibians occurring in Colombia is insufficient to assess extinction risk. Here we aim to (1) review the available information on the distribution of the Colombian Data Deficient (DD hereafter) amphibians, (2) analyze their geographic distribution, and (3) evaluate the relationship between anthropogenic impact and their current conservation status. For this, we first compiled geographical records for the DD amphibian species using primary sources. Geographical records were obtained mainly from taxonomic descriptions and non-systematic surveys. We then estimated the geographical range and inferred the potential distribution for each species using LetsR and MaxEnt, respectively. We quantified the human footprint for each species and tested the relationship between spatial distribution and anthropogenic change across populations. Analyses are here based on 128 of the 129 amphibians that occur in Colombia and are currently listed as DD. We found that most of these species were recently described and have small geographic ranges. A large proportion of these DD amphibians inhabit the Colombian Andes, and their populations have been strongly affected by human activities. Overall, the spatial clustering suggests that many of these species have faced similar environmental and anthropogenic pressures that have contributed to their rareness. We also suggest that the conservation status of several of the analyzed DD amphibians should be changed to account for the threats they face.
Palpos labiales de Prestonia clarki (Lepidoptera, Pieridae): ultraestructura de órganos sensoriales y sensilas
Authors: Vargas-Fernández Isabel , Castro Gerardino Diana Jimena , Llorente-Bousquets Jorge Enrique
Published: October 2018

Research on labial palps of Lepidoptera is scarce and requires the use of Scanning Electron Microscopy techniques. We describe and illustrate the three segments composing the labial palps of the Coliadinae butterfly Prestonia clarki, as well as the distribution of sensilla and both of palp's distinctive structures: the Reuter's sensitive patch and the Palp pit organ; in the palps, the basal segment is the longest, and the distal segment is the shortest. We found chaetic sensilla type 1 on the lateral outer surface of the segments. In the Reuter's sensitive patch and the Palp pit organ, sensilla are specialized. In a lateral internal view of the proximal section of the basal segment, Reuter's sensitive patch looks as an elongated area with hundreds of microtrichia, differentiated into three sections; the adjacent area shows fewer microtrichia of shorter length. In a longitudinal view of the distal segment, at the apex of the segment, is the bottle-shaped Palp pit organ; inside the Palp pit are coeloconic sensilla in the basal section and microtrichia in the distal one. In addition, two indeterminate types of sensilla similar to chaetic ones were found within the Palp pit; which we called chaetic sensilla types 2 and 3; chaetic sensilla type 1 are located on the edge of the Palp pit. The sensilla types and their distribution in the Palp pit agree with those described in other species of Lepidoptera.
Critical vitrification steps towards survival of Garcinia hombroniana (Clusiaceae) shoot tips after cryopreservation
Authors: Sulong Norafarain , Shahabudin Nurul Farhana , Mohd Noor Normah
Published: October 2018

A cryopreservation protocol was developed for in vitro shoot tips of Garcinia hombroniana using the vitrification technique. Four critical steps in the technique were investigated, namely preculture, loading, dehydration with Plant Vitrification Solution 2 (PVS2), and unloading. Shoot tips precultured for 48 hr gave significantly higher survival (75 %) compared to 24 hr preculture (50 %) after cryopreservation. Treatment with 1 M glycerol plus 0.4 M sucrose as a loading solution gave higher survival (45.83 %) compared to the other treatments (0.4 M sucrose + 2 M glycerol; 0.4 M sucrose). Shoot tips dehydrated with PVS2 for 25 min gave the highest survival after immersion in liquid nitrogen. Stepwise PVS2 treatment for 15 min with 50 % PVS2 followed by 10 min with 100 % PVS2 solution improved survival of the shoot tips after cryopreservation (41.67 %). Murashige and Skoog medium with 0.4 M sucrose gave significantly higher survival (66.67 %) than MS with 1.2 M sucrose (25 %) as an unloading solution. Water content was shown to decrease throughout the whole vitrification steps from 6.83 ± 1.66 g g-1 dw for fresh shoot tips down to 2.93 ± 0.28 g g-1 dw after PVS2 treatment. Further study on each step including recovery medium is required to improve the survival. Nevertheless, the present study showed the potential of using the vitrification technique for cryopreservation of G. hombroniana.
Brunei Publications in the Science Citation Index Expanded (1973-2016): Bibliometrics and comparison with other tropical countries
Authors: Ho Yuh-Shan , Lim Linda Biaw Leng , Monge-Nájera Julián
Published: October 2018

Brunei is a small tropical country located in southeast Asia for which there are no previous bibliometric studies. Here we analyze papers published by Brunei scientists from 1973 to 2016 in the Science Citation Index Expanded and compare results with other tropical countries. We identified 1 547 publications and 11 document types. The most productive categories were ecology, multidisciplinary geosciences, inorganic and nuclear chemistry, and environmental sciences. Singapore Medical Journal published most of these papers, and the three most productive institutions were Universiti Brunei Darussalam, RIPAS Hospital, and Universiti Teknologi Brunei. UK and Malaysia were the most frequent collaborating countries. M.A. Ali from the Universiti Brunei Darussalam was the most prolific author and a Brunei independent article written by C.K. Morley from the Universiti Brunei Darussalam in 2002 had the highest number of citations of the whole period and the highest number in 2016. The tropical countries of Central America and Asia have a few similarities but also important differences, and both are highly heterogeneous in scientific organization and productivity.
Chironomidae (Diptera) species diversity of estuaries across a land use gradient on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica
Authors: Kranzfelder Petra , Ferrington, Jr. Leonard C
Published: October 2018

The family Chironomidae (Diptera) is the most widely distributed, most diverse, and often the most abundant of all families of benthic macroinvertebrates in aquatic ecosystems, including estuaries and other coastal marine ecosystems. Chironomid assemblages are likely to provide a useful measure of biotic integrity in estuaries of Costa Rica, which lack an intensive estuarine bioassessment tool to support environmental monitoring and regulatory programs. We characterized the taxonomic composition of Chironomidae, tested a Chironomidae Index of Biotic Integrity (CIBI) developed from extrinsic pollution tolerance values for its efficacy in evaluating the surface water quality and physical habitat, and made recommendations for increasing the sensitivity of the CIBI to detect differing degrees of stress across a range of estuaries in Costa Rica. Specifically, we selected nine estuaries within six different watersheds across a land use gradient located on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica and collected Chironomidae surface-floating pupal exuviae (SFPE) samples biannually for two consecutive years (July 2012, Jan. 2013, July 2013, Jan. 2014). We identified 228 morphospecies and 70 genera from 17 071 Chironomidae pupal exuviae collected from nine estuaries, which ranked in the following order from lowest to highest biotic integrity based on CIBI scores: Estero Negro, Laguna Cuatro, Laguna Jalova, Laguna del Tortuguero, Río Parismina, Laguna Barra del Colorado, Río Pacuare, Río Bananito, and Río Estrella. The CIBI successfully differentiated between estuaries with poor versus good biotic integrity, indicating that CIBI could be used to evaluate the surface water quality and physical habitat of Costa Rican estuaries. We recommend that future studies refine our approach by developing regionally accurate genus and corresponding species-level tolerance values to improve the sensitivity of the CIBI for biological monitoring of Costa Rican estuaries.
Inhibición de la formación de β-hematina de especies colombianas de los géneros Piper y Calophyllum como potenciales agentes antimaláricos
Authors: Mesa Vanegas Ana Maria , Blair Silvia , Peláez Carlos
Published: October 2018

New antimalarial agents from plants are studied as alternatives in the treatment of malaria. The main antimalarials such as chloroquine have several mechanisms of action against parasites, one of which is the inhibition of polymerization of the heme group, a model that has allowed the design of new antimalarial candidates. In this sense the objective of this work was to evaluate extracts of genus Piper and Calophyllum plants on the inhibition capacity of β-hematin. Inhibitory concentrations of β-hematin are reported from 40 extracts of different polarity obtained from the species P. piedecuestanum, C. brasiliense, C. longinforium, and Calophyllum. sp. 19 extracts showed a greater potential to inhibit β-hematin with IC50 > 3 mg / ml. These activities mainly support future studies with the genus Calophyllum in the development and discovery of new antiplasmodial substances with known modes of action.
Morphometric differentiation and geographic variation among populations of Boana cordobae (Anura: Hylidae): effect to age
Authors: Baraquet Mariana , Otero Manuel Alejandro , Grenat Pablo Raúl , Babini María Selene , Martino Adolfo Ludovico
Published: October 2018

We estimated differences in body size and age structure of six populations of Boana cordobae living at different altitudes, 808-2 310 m.a.s.l. in Córdoba and San Luis provinces (Argentina). We measured 15 morphometric variables and used skeletochronology to age determination of 79 individuals. Morphometric variables showed significant differences between sexes, being females larger than males, even when the effect of age was taken into account. We found a significant relationship between age and most of the morphometric variables. When removing the effects of age, we found significant inter-population differences in body size. Males from the high-elevation populations were larger than individuals from low-elevation populations. These results suggest that a difference in age structure between populations is a main factor for the geographic variation in body size of this species.
Structural, histochemical and photosynthetic profiles of galls induced by Eugeniamyia dispar (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) on the leaves of Eugenia uniflora (Myrtaceae)
Authors: Rezende Uiara , Moreira Ana Silvia , Kuster Vinícius , Oliveira Denis
Published: October 2018

Gall-inducing insects manipulate the structural, histochemical and physiological profiles of host-plant tissues to develop galls. We evaluated galls induced by Eugeniamyia dispar on the leaves of Eugenia uniflora in an attempt to answer the following questions: (i) How does this gall-inducing insect change the structural and histochemical profiles of the host-plant organ? (ii) Despite structural changes, can gall tissues maintain photosynthetic activity? Starch, proteins, reducing sugars and reactive oxygen species were detected mainly in the nutritive tissue surrounding the larval chamber. Despite structural changes, the galls induced by E. dispar on E. uniflora retain chlorophyllous tissue, although its amount and photosynthetic activity are less than that of non-galled leaves. This reduced photosynthetic activity, in association with the presence of large intercellular spaces, could improve gas diffusion and, consequently, avoid hypoxia and hypercarbia in gall tissue.
Respuesta del crecimiento de Pinus oocarpa Schiede a variables climáticas en el noroeste de Lagunas de Montebello, Chiapas, México
Authors: López-Hernández María I. , Cerano-Paredes Julián , Valencia-Manzo Salvador , Cornejo-Oviedo Eladio H. , Villanueva-Díaz José , Cervantes-Martínez Rosalinda , Esquivel-Arriaga Gerardo
Published: October 2018

Dendrochronological studies are used to reconstruct some climatic variables; in México these studies have focused on central and northern temperate forests where trees present well defined annual rings. Few studies have been carried out in the southern part of the country where annual ring growth is not easily identified and thus makes cross-dating problematic. We analyzed the dendrochronological potential of Pinus oocarpa Schiede for reconstructing climatic variables in the northwest portion of Lagunas de Montebello, Chiapas. We used a selective sampling approach and collected 65 increment cores from 34 trees. While our samples showed a high frequency of false rings (8 to 60 %), we were able to date 30 samples from 22 trees (46 %) using standard dendrochronological techniques and developed total chronologies for total ring width, earlywood, and latewood for a period of 91 years (1925-2015). We found a significant influence of mean precipitation and mean maximum and minimum temperature over the annual ring growth of P. oocarpa in the period 1961-2004. Our results show that winter-spring precipitation (January-May) was the most important for the species’ annual ring growth. However, we found the highest correlation between spring (March-May) precipitation and the earlywood chronology (r = 0.719, P < 0.05). The earlywood chronology also showed potential for reconstructing minimum temperatures (March to May) (r = 0.732, P < 0.05), while the latewood chronology had the potential for reconstructing the maximum temperature (September to January) (r = 0.714, P < 0.05). These results showed that P. oocarpa can be used to reconstruct climatic variables in the Mexican tropics. We recommend that new areas with older trees should be explored in order to increase the depth of chronologies and reconstruct climate records several centuries into the past.
Time partitioning between jaguar Panthera onca, puma Puma concolor and ocelot Leopardus pardalis (Carnivora: Felidae) in Costa Rica’s dry and rainforests
Authors: Herrera Hansel , Chávez Elpis Joan , Alfaro Luis Diego , Fuller Todd , Montalvo Victor , Rodrigues Flávio , Carrillo Eduardo
Published: October 2018

Segregation of the daily activity patterns is considered and important mechanism facilitating the coexistance of competing species. Here, we evaluated if temporal separation existed among jaguar (Panthera onca), puma (Puma concolor) and ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and if their activity patterns were related to that of a particular prey. We used camera trap records to estimate the activity schedules of these predators and their prey. We used the coefficient of overlapping (Δ; ranging from 0 to 1) to quantify the temporal interactions between predators and prey, and calculated confidence intervals from bootstrap samples. Strong temporal overlap occurred among the three felids (Δ = 0.63 - 0.82) in both dry and rainforests. However, a greater temporal separation was observed between the closest competitors (jaguar and puma, puma and ocelot). Jaguar and puma had a strong temporal overlap with medium and large-sized prey, while ocelots’ activity matched that of small-sized prey. High overlapping coefficients among the felids suggest that temporal segregation is not the main mechanism facilitating their coexistence in these areas. However, fine-scale or spatiotemporal differences in their activity patterns might contribute to their coexistence in tropical environments.
‘She don’t need no help’
Authors: Casey Christina Schoux , Eberhardt Maeve
Published: October 2018

New Orleans bounce music is a dance-oriented hip-hop form that has emerged as a notably non-normative genre, in which queer Black bounce artists destabilise binary cultural paradigms and emphasise queerness as inclusive and relational. We explore how five artists' lyrics and public personae actively refute the consolidated, naturalised nexus of gender, sex, and sexuality by disentangling each of the three strands from one another. In order to explore how this is accomplished, we created a corpus of bounce lyrics. We analysed lexical indices of gender; self-positioning as feminine subjects; sexual subject-object positioning; normalisation of sex between men; retention of masculine subjectivities; and rejection of gender binarism. Further, the artists repeatedly expose the ubiquitous nature of sex between men in their lyrics, working to assert its existence and normalcy in the popular imagination. The bounce artists we analyse expose and articulate forms of deviance, expressing a blackness and queerness that insists on making visible the humanity and sexuality of Black people and queer people. Bounce music, made by queer people of colour, for an audience of predominantly poor, heterosexual women of colour, is a communitarian cultural labour.
A tailored space syntax approach to the preservation and development of a cultural park
Authors: Ma Ke , Yi Ting , Chen Feihu
Published: October 2018

Chinese civilisation provides fertile ground for the development of cultural heritage tourism products. Against the backdrop of an increased focus on the national preservation of traditional Chinese culture and the rapid development of tourism, this study used a tailored space syntax approach to investigate the space design of China's Meishan culture park, which displays traditional cultural elements of Meishan regions. Originating from Meishan settlements, the overall space of China's Meishan culture park consists mainly of development along local mountains, including main roads and branches. The overall layout of the park combines centralisation and decentralisation. In space syntax analyses, the global space as well as areas, nodes and buildings were analysed, and their characteristics and functions in attracting and gathering tourists as well as preserving traditional culture were discussed. In the process of gradual development, the ecological natural environment and flexible space layout have been maintained. The adaptive space design developed could provide a reference for the optimal development of other cultural parks.
How reliable are lipase/amylase ratio and mean platelet volume in the diagnosis of mild pancreatitis patients?
Authors: UYSAL Emin , Acar Yahya Ayhan , Solak Süleyman , Şam Mehmet , Hançer Hatike Babayiğit , Bilgi Esra Çoşkuntuncel
Published: October 2018

AbstractAim:
The aim of this study is to evaluate the utility of lipase/amylase ratio and
mean platelet volume in the diagnosis of pancreatitis. Material
and Method: This is a retrospective study
conducted in a tertiary hospital’s adult intensive care unit between January 1st,
2010 and December 31st, 2015. Amylase, lipase and mean platelet
volume results were recorded. Mild pancreatitis patients which have Balthazar
score between 1 and 3 were compared to patients with Balthazar score of 0. Results:
A total of 398 (267 pancreatitis, 132 non pancreatitis) patients were enrolled
to the study. Mean age was 58.87±18.65 and 245 (61.6 %) of the subjects were
female. Our results showed that mean amylase and lipase levels were high for
both higher Balthazar score (1779.44±1214.46; 1932.68±1642.06, respectively)
and Balthazar score of 0 (1320.55±1252.24; 1719.81±1501.60, respectively)
groups. There was a significant difference for lipase/amylase ratio between two
groups (p=0.006). The sensitivity and specificity to predict Balthazar score in
adult pancreatitis patients with lipase/amylase ratio at>1.0 were 50% and 6
%, respectively. Mean platelet volume did not show any difference according to
Balthazar score levels (p=0.101).

Conclusion:
Lipase/amylase ratio can be beneficial for the prediction of the severity of
pancreatitis but mean platelet volume does not appear to be valuable marker in
that manner.
Oftalmopleji̇ ile Başvuran Pedi̇atri̇k Olguda Nadi̇r Bi̇r Neden: İdi̇yopati̇k Orbi̇tal Mi̇yozi̇t
Authors: UYUR YALÇIN Emek , ELDEŞ HACIFAZLIOĞLU Nilüfer , AKAY Hatice , AKTÜRK Hacer , ÇELİK Gökhan , YILDIZ Feyza Mediha
Published: October 2018

Özet: İdiyopatik orbital miyozit; çocuklarda oldukça
seyrek görülen, nedeni tam olarak bilinmeyen, otoimmün olduğu düşünülen bir
hastalıktır. Olguların çoğunda kortikosteroidler hızlı ve dramatik düzelme
sağlamaktadır. Bu vaka takdiminde; baş ağrısı ve orbital ağrı yakınması ile
başvuran, nörolojik incelemesinde sağ gözde dışa bakışta, sol gözde ise aşağı
bakışta kısıtlılık saptanan, klinik izlemde nonsteroid antienflamatuar tedavi
ile düzelme gözlenen, idiyopatik orbital miyozit tanısı alan on bir yaşında bir
çocuk olgu sunulmuştur.
Atopik dermatitte biyo belirteç olarak eozinofil ve IgE.
Authors: Özkars Mehmet yaşar
Published: October 2018

Giriş: Atopik dermatit (AD)
süt çocukluğu döneminin en sık görülen dermatolojik hastalğıdır. Genellikle
besin allerjisi bu durumdan sorumludur. Biz çalışmamızda AD ile ilişkili besin
alerjilerini ve bunların eozinofil ve IgE ile ilişkisini incelemek istedik.Gereç ve Yöntem:
Çalışmamız yaşları 2-12 ay arasında olan 128 (64 AD ve
64 Kontrol) çocukta yapıldı. Retrospektif dosya taraması şeklinde yapılan
çalışmamızda AD tanılılarda; tam kan sayımı, total IgE değeri, besin alerji
deri testleri ve kanda alerji testleri belirlendi. Kontrol grubu için aynı yaş
aralığında eşit sayıda hastanın dosyalarındaki tam kan sayımı sonuçları alındı.
Bulgular:
AD
grubunda eozinofili varlığı ile alerji testi pozitifliği arasında pozitif
korelasyon tespit edildi (p<0,01). Atopik dermatitlilerde 64 hastanın 22’sinde
alerji deri testlerinde ve/veya spesifik IgE değerlerinde pozitiflik bulundu.
Alerji testleri pozitif çıkan hastalardan 10 tanesinde sadece süt alerjisi, 7
tanesinde süt ve yumurta alerjisi birlikteliği ve 5 tanesinde sadece yumurta
alerjisi bulundu. AD grubunda besin alerjisi testi pozitif olanlarla (133.54±253.01) olmayanların (37.30±61.71) IgE değerleri
karşılaştırıldığında aralarında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark mevcuttu
(p<0.001). Yine AD olan grupta besin alerjisi testi pozitif olanlarla (6.06±1.67) olmayanların (4.68±3.18) yüzde eozinofil
değerleri karşılaştırıldığında aralarında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark
mevcuttu (p=0.001). Ayrıca AD olan grupta besin alerjisi testi pozitif
olanlarla (737.27±348.01) olmayanların (490.71±367.71) mutlak eozinofil değerleri karşılaştırıldığında
aralarında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark mevcuttu (p=0.005). Sonuç:

AD
klinik tanısı olanlarda eozinofil ve IgE yüksekliği besin alerji testlerinde
pozitiflik tahmini için kullanılabilecek bir belirteç olabilir. AD tanısında
besin eliminasyon diyetinde ilk tercih süt olmalıdır. Eğer süt diyeti ile
yeterli klinik iyileşme olmaz ise süt ile birlikte yumurta diyeti ile tanı
doğrulanmaya çalışılmalıdır.
A Climate Change Impact: Variation In Precipitation Patterns, And Increased Drought Risk In Turkey
Authors: DABANLI İsmail
Published: October 2018

Since the industrial revolution, temperature averages have been changing both in local and global scale. These variations are related with the climate and global warming changes. Such typical changes (i.e., increasing heavy precipitation, and declined light or total precipitation) are also observed in Turkey. As expected, decreased precipitation usually promotes drought conditions, and can cause extended dry days or periods. Thus, strong relationship can be considered between precipitation scarcity and drought conditions. In this study, changes in precipitation (i.e., total, bottom/lowest and extreme 10%), dry days length, dry spells (>6 days) and drought severity risk based on Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) were evaluated quantitatively over Turkey from 1971 to 2000 with regards to climate changes. Trend analysis is performed by using Innovative-Şen analysis (ITA) method to evaluate trend behavior of precipitation, lengths of dry days and spells. Results show that changes in dry days (ΔDD/ΔT) converge to (-2% ±3%)/0C, while changes in prolonged dry spells change (ΔDS/ΔT) are comparatively higher (3% ±5%)/0C. For precipitations, mean values of ΔP/ΔT converges to constant value as      (-6% ±8%)/0C, (0% ±2%)/0C and (-1% ±4%)/0C for total, top 10% heavy and lowest 10% precipitations, respectively. These changes are supported by ITA outputs. All results support and point out that prolonged drought risk frequency and severity has been increasing.
Mitigating interference from switch-mode power supplies in sampling receivers
Authors: Slamdien Muammar , Wheeler Jacques , Van der Merwe Paul
Published: October 2018

This paper presents the research and development of techniques to mitigate interference from switch-mode power supplies (SMPS) in sampling receivers and also more specifically for FMCW radar receiver applications. During the system testing phase of an FMCW Radar at Reutech Radar Systems (RRS), it was found that a large false target was emerging on the Range-Doppler Map (RDM). It was concluded that the problem was originating from interference caused by the SMPS, which supplies DC power to the radar receiver subsystem.  This created the need for a new DC power supply, which is able to minimize the interference itself, and mitigate the effects of the interference caused by the switching of the power supply. The study was divided four main sections, namely, research, simulation, design and evaluation. The research involved obtaining background information on sampling receivers, sampling theory, Range-Doppler Processing, SMPS’s, their effects and mitigation thereof. In the simulation phase, the research was utilised to simulate the various interference mitigation techniques. A power supply PCB was designed in the design phase to practically illustrate the techniques being utilised. Lastly, during evaluation, this PCB was evaluated against the criteria set out in the research phase. The results demonstrated that the techniques of synchronising the PWM clock to the Sampling frequency and Sweep Repetition Frequency yielded a significant reduction in the SMPS noise on the RDM. This technique may also be applied in other electronic sampling systems which perform digitisation of the input data, such as Analog to Digital Converters etc.
Addressing fragmentation in the South African renewable energy governance effort: Lessons to be learnt from France
Authors: Mauger Romain , Barnard Michelle
Published: October 2018

The drive towards increased renewable energy generation and its application in South Africa are codified in a variety of policy documents and pieces of legislation, which together embody the national renewable energy legal framework. In many instances these legal instruments differ in terms of the nature of the field of law influencing their objectives and the governmental department of their origin. This situation is generically labelled as fragmentation and is widely seen as a hindrance to the achievement of the Constitutional objective of promoting sustainable development in South Africa. By necessary implication, integration is proposed as the solution to fragmentation and it is in this regard that this study puts forward the French approach to legal and institutional integration as a possibility for South Africa. The study presents the French energy transition legal framework for consideration by the South African legislature as a potential roadmap towards a more holistic and integrated renewable energy governance effort. In pursuing this objective, the study discusses the suitability of the French approach in the South African context and concludes that a hybrid of the French governance framework could fruitfully be applied locally.
Green economy in the wastewater treatment sector: Jobs, awareness, barriers, and opportunities in selected local governments in South Africa
Authors: Otieno Benton , Ochieng Aoyi
Published: October 2018

The green economy (GE) has increasingly gained international focus, with new strategies aimed at restructuring the economy in an environmentally friendly manner. A study was carried out to analyse existing and potential green jobs and identify green qualifications and skills necessary for the development of the GE. The study was done within the context of the role of local governments in the adoption of green economy strategies in the wastewater treatment sector, in selected local governments across the northern provinces of South Africa. A descriptive survey method with qualitative and quantitative approaches was employed for data collection from twenty-four wastewater treatment plants in eleven local municipalities. The concept of the GE was foreign to several employees, who could not identify green jobs within most sectors of the economy. Only 13.5% of the employees of the surveyed plants were involved in directly green jobs. A further 36% were in green-related jobs while the remaining 50.5% were involved in non-green jobs. Barriers to the creation of green jobs and implementation of green practices were the shortage of employees with green and conventional wastewater treatment skills, and lack of training in green skills. Several opportunities for green jobs creation exist, such as the implementation of renewable energy, re-use of treated effluent, and processing of waste sludge into compost. To spur GE growth and create green jobs, the creation of awareness, development of skills and implementation of green technologies should be intensified.
“La confirmación del don profético en el ministerio de Elena de Whi- te: Una perspectiva bíblica”
Authors: Cabrera Wilson
Published: October 2018

Considerando que la presencia del don profético es una promesa para nuestros tiempos y una caracterísctica que posee la iglesia remanente, el presente estudio describirá brevemente las evidencias bíblicas que confirman el don de profecía en el ministerio de Elena de White con el objetivo de fortalecer nuestra confianza en sus es- critos y comprender su importancia para el tiempo del fin.