The Kateretidae and Nitidulidae of the Maltese Archipelago (Coleoptera)

In the present work, a total of 3 Kateretidae and 26 Nitidulidae are recorded from the Maltese Islands. Of these, 14 Nitidulidae (Epuraea luteola, Epuraea ocularis, Carpophilus bifenestratus, Carpophilus marginellus, Carpophilus quadrisignatus, Carpophilus dimidiatus, Carpophilus nepos, Urophorus humeralis, Urophorus rubripennis, Nitidula carnaria, Omosita discoidea, Meligethes rotundicollis, Meligethes ruficornis, Cybocephalus rufifrons rufifrons) and 1 Kateretidae (Brachypterus curtulus) represents new records for the Maltese Islands. Of these both autochthonous and accidentally introduced but established species are present. The earlier citation of Cybocephalus politus may be due to a misidentification. Three further new records of Nitidulidae, Carpophilus opacus, Brachypeplus deyrollei and Brachypeplus rubidus were collected alive on logs originating from Tropical Africa and intended for the timber industry. So far, there were no local records of establishment of any of these three species. All species were assigned to four faunistic groups. These include introduced but non-established species, cosmopolitan species, species with confined distributions and species with small distribution ranges. The complete absence of other species whose host-plants are locally available and which have typical Mediterranean distribution was highlighted. From a zoogeographical perspective the species assemblages of Kateretidae and Nitidulidae of Malta show strong affinities with those present in Italy.peer-reviewe

Nietzsche and the Role of the Nouvelle Psychologie in the Construction of his Philosophy

Indexación: Revista UNABA partir de los años ochenta del siglo XIX, la filosofía nietzscheana revela una asimilación crítica de la psicología francesa. Particularmente significativas fueron las tesis de dos de los principales impulsores de la Nouvelle Psychologie, Hippolyte Taine y Théodule Ribot. En estas se inspira para desarrollar tópicos centrales de su filosofía: la multiplicidad dinámica de instintos e impulsos que conforman el yo, el “centro de gravedad” (das centrale Schwergewicht) del cuerpo, la voluntad de poder. Al mismo tiempo que realiza una aguda refutación de su positivismo.Since the 1880’, Nietzsche’s philosophy reveals a critical assimilation of the french psychology. Particularly relevant were the theories of two of the major pioneers of the Nouvelle Psychologie, Hippolyte Taine and Théodule Ribot. Nietzsche was inspired by them to develop some core subjects of his philosophy: the dynamic multiplicity of instincts and impulses which constitute the self, the “center of gravity” (das centrale Schwergewicht) of the body, the will to power. At the same time, he performs a sharp discussion of their positivism.http://revistahumanidades.unab.cl/numero-26-julio-diciembre-2012

The role of surgery in the treatment of older women with breast cancer

A significant proportion of women diagnosed with breast cancer are over the age of 70 years and there is evidence that these patients frequently do not receive standard treatments, including surgical procedures and adjuvant therapies, which would be routine practice in younger age groups. The factors underlying this may include the physiological effects of ageing, differences in the biology and stage of the tumour at presentation, patient co-morbidities and patient and clinician preferences. The interaction of all these factors needs to be considered when individualising treatment plans for patients. For some patients this will need to be undertaken in the context of an extended multidisciplinary team setting with additional input from geriatricians, in addition to surgeons and oncologists, in defining a treatment plan. Little is known about the preferences of older patients in their choice of surgical treatment for breast cancer and further research is required to increase the evidence base for the rational management of older women with breast cancer

A new species of Meligethes Stephens from China and additional data on members of the M. chinensis species-complex (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae, Meligethinae)

Meligethes (Odontogethes) inexpectatus sp. n. is described from China, Sichuan Province. The new species is based on a female specimen previously incorrectly referred to as Meligethes scrobescens Chen, Lin, Huang & Yang, 2015, which was recently described from a series of male specimens collected in the same area. Both species belong to the taxonomically difficult species-group related to M. chinensis Kirejtshuk, 1979, including a dozen closely related species distributed throughout Nepal and SW and Central China. The true female of Meligethes scrobescens is also described, based on recently collected material from China (Hubei and Chongqing), including a series of male and female specimens. Diagnostic characters distinguishing the new species from all other known members of the M. chinensis species-group and species-complex are discussed, and their overall range distribution are depicted. Additional data on geographic distribution and larval ecology of some of the closely related species are also reported

Urban floods: a case study in the Savigliano area (North-Western Italy)

Flood processes and effects are examined, concerning two rivers in an urbanized area in North-Western Italy (Piedmont – Cuneo Plain). In May 2008, some areas in Northern Italy were struck by intense and persistent rainfall. In the Cuneo province (Southern Piedmont), floodplain with some urban areas was inundated over ca. ten square kilometres, and the city of Savigliano (about 21 000 inhabitants) was particularly hit by flood. A purposely-made historical research has evidenced approximately fifty flood events as having occurred since 1350 in the Savigliano area. Based upon historical data, both documents and maps, GIS (Geographical Information System) technique and field surveys were used to quantitatively assess the growing urbanization of the city and to describe flood processes and effects over years. This work aims to describe the dynamic behaviour of the 2008 flood, also comparing it to past events, in particular those that occurred in 1896. It is emphasized how the knowledge of past events can be helpful in reducing urban flooding

Two new Lamiogethes Audisio & Cline from China (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae, Meligethinae)

Two new species of the genus Lamiogethes Audisio & Cline, 2009are described from China (Sichuan): L.forcipenissp. n.,and L.con-vexistrigosussp. n., based on a series of recently collected specimens. The new species are both likely morphologically related to L.po-tanini (Kirejtshuk, 1979) from Sichuan and to L. conjungens (Grouvelle, 1910) from Yunnan. These new species clearly differ from their related taxa by details of the body shape and color, and the distinct shape of the male and female genitalia. Both new species are likely associated as larvae with a member of the genus PhlomoidesMoench (Lamiaceae)

Guidelines for the monitoring of Lucanus cervus

Lucanus cervus is one of the most charismatic saproxylic beetles, widely distributed in Europe. The species is typical of mature deciduous forests, especially oak woodlands. Loss and fragmentation of suitable habitats is one of the major threats for this species which is included in Annex II of the Habitats Directive. Despite several studies carried out in the last years for the monitoring methods of the species, an analytical comparison between them is still lacking. The aims of this paper are (i) to review the current knowledge about systematics, ecology and conservation practices on L. cervus and (ii) to present the research carried out during the Life MIPP project, in order to define a standard monitoring method with a suitable protocol to be used for addressing the obligations of the Habitats Directive. Overall, five methods were tested during three years in two different study areas. Based on these results, a suitable standard method for L. cervus is proposed in this paper and, in order to assess the conservation status of populations and to compare them over time, a simple method for the calculation of a reference value is provided

Consideraciones epistemológicas sobre la Teoría de Sistemas Complejos: La propuesta de Rolando García

En el presente trabajo abordaremos la cuestión de los alcances de una definición de complejidad. Nos referimos en este caso a la viabilidad de formular una teoría general de la complejidad. Al respecto afrontamos el dilema planteado por Juan Carlos Moreno (Moreno, 2007:172), según el cual al considerar la complejidad, o bien se trata de un tipo de comprensión que amplía los alcances de planteamientos ontológicos y epistemológicos introducidos en intentos particulares de diversas disciplinas científicas por explicar y sistematizar los diferentes grados de complejidad que poseen los fenómenos específicos que estudian, pero que no tendría un estatuto propio; o bien, se trata de un nuevo tipo de pensamiento o de una nueva ciencia, pero que se encuentra apenas en desarrollo . Nuestro propósito es mostrar que se trata de un dilema aparente que puede disolverse afirmando a la vez la complejidad como un tipo de comprensión que reflexiona sobre los alcances de planteos ontológicos y epistemológicos dados en el desarrollo de modelos científicos particulares designados como complejos (la no linealidad, el emergentismo, la dinámica de los sistemas abiertos); y al mismo tiempo, puede constituirse en un nuevo tipo de pensamiento o teoría general que, basándose en estos diversos elementos, explique su aparición y los vincule sobre el fondo de una nueva fundamentación epistemológica . Creemos que la disolución del dilema es posible siempre y cuando esta perspectiva epistemológica asuma una redefinición de lo que se considera conocimiento

Molecular and morphological analyses confirm two new species of the Hydraena emarginata–saga clade (Coleoptera, Hydraenidae) from Spain and France

El documento auto-archivado en Digital.CSIC es el PRE-PRINT del autor. La versión definitiva se publicó posteriormente en Zootaxa 2760 : 29-38 (2011)Using morphological and molecular analyses, the existence of two undescribed species, H. diazi from north–eastern Spain and French Pyrenees, and H. fosterorum from north–central Spain is confirmed. These species are members of a European endemic complex of hydraenid beetles, the Hydraena emarginata–saga clade, belonging to the ”Haenydra“ lineage. The two new species are described and the geographic range of the widespread H. saga is revised.A visit of the first author to the NMW was supported by Synthesys (Application AT–TAF–53); the work of IR was funded by projects CGL2007–61665 and CGL2010–15755.Peer reviewe