Consequences of eutrophication in the management of water resources in Mediterranean reservoirs: A case study of Lake Cedrino (Sardinia, Italy)

Abstract One of the primary detrimental effects of eutrophication is the tendency of nuisance cyanobacterial species to increase in number and biomass in freshwater ecosystems. The aim of this study was to investigate possible management actions to control eutrophication and assure water use of a eutrophic deep Mediterranean climate reservoir, dominated by cyanobacteria. With this goal, we defined the trophic state of Lake Cedrino (Sardinia, Italy) and studied its phytoplankton, paying particular attention to cyanobacteria, and to seasonal variation of phytoplankton in relation to seasonal variation of environmental variables. The water samples were collected monthly from September 2010 to August 2011 at differing depths from the surface of the water to the bottom at a station located in the deeper portion of the reservoir. Physical, chemical, nutrient, qualitative and quantitative analyses of phytoplankton were performed, and the trophic state was evaluated based on the Trophic State Index and the OECD model. Abundance of nutrients and phytoplankton (cell density, biomass and chlorophyll a ) indicated a eutrophic condition of the reservoir. In summer, phytoplankton species composition was dominated by nuisance cyanobacteria, particularly Aphanizomenon flosaquae , thereby requiring management plans for harmful blooms. On the base of lake features, we propose management actions at different scales and levels to resolve eutrophication and to allow water use: from nutrient load reduction in the watershed (primarily from point-sources) to deep water aeration, to immediately face an attenuation of eutrophic effects. This study is the first explorative step in planning restoration of Lake Cedrino

La imagen y la narrativa como herramientas para el abordaje psicosocial en escenarios de violencia. Municipios de Tunja, Duitama, Chiquinquirá, Manizales y Dosquebradas

El documento evidencia la huella que ha dejado el conflicto armado en la historia y memoria de Colombia y cómo muchas personas se han visto implicadas en esta situación, desde niños hasta adultos mayores, nadie queda fuera de esta lucha. Las afectaciones psicosociales que ha dejado el conflicto son innumerables como la división del tejido social, sufrimiento y resentimiento, sin embargo, muchas de las víctimas desarrollan capacidad resiliente que les permite cambiar la condición de victimas a sobrevivientes, afrontando de manera diferente la situación generando resultados positivos en sus vidas. Posteriormente, se muestra el análisis y la reflexión de dos casos enlazados de manera directa con el conflicto armado; el relato de Carlos Arturo Bravo de tan solo 14 años de edad quien resultó afectado por las esquirlas de una bomba granada la cual fue abandonada por grupos armados en un cafetal cobrando la vida de su mejor amigo. El siguiente caso es el de Peñas Coloradas, una población expropiada de su territorio por ser considerados aliados de las FARC, lo que ocasionó destierro a los habitantes de dicha comunidad. El análisis de los casos desde su propia narrativa permite un acercamiento a la realidad desde la teoría y los conocimientos adquiridos, sin embargo, es necesario visualizar dicha realidad desde la óptica de las víctimas mediante un abordaje psicosocial que en conjunto con las preguntas orientadoras permiten conocer los impactos generados por la violencia, posiciones resilientes y subjetivas en lo individual y en la colectividad.The document shows the mark that the armed conflict has left on the history and memory of Colombia and how many people have been involved in this situation, from children to the elderly, no one is left out of this fight. The psychosocial effects that the conflict has left are innumerable, such as the division of the social fabric, suffering and resentment, however, many of the victims develop resilient capacity that allows them to change the condition of victims to survivors, facing the situation in a different way, generating results positive in their lives. Subsequently, the analysis and reflection of two cases directly linked to the armed conflict is shown; the story of Carlos Arturo Bravo, only 14 years old, who was affected by the splinters of a grenade bomb which was abandoned by armed groups in a coffee plantation, claiming the life of his best friend. The following case is that of Peñas Coloradas, a population expropriated from its territory for being considered accomplices of the FARC, which caused the exile of the inhabitants of that community. The analysis of the cases from their own narrative allows an approach to reality from the theory and the knowledge acquired, however, it is necessary to visualize said reality from the perspective of the victims through a psychosocial approach that, together with the guiding questions, allows knowing the impacts generated by violence, resilient and subjective positions in the individual and in the community

Lung Cancer in Peru

Peru is a South American nation with a growing and aging population of 31 million people with a life expectancy at birth of 76.7 years. The country is divided into 25 regions, 79% of the population is urban, and Lima, the capital, concentrates more than a third of the population.1 Although Peru is an upper-middle-income country, health expenditure represents only 5.1% of the gross domestic product, which is lower than the average of Latin America and the Caribbean (LATAM) (8.56%).2 Out-of-pocket health expenditure is 30.9%.3 Peru has a comprehensive National Cancer Plan and two population-based cancer registries in Lima and Arequipa.Revisión por pare

Evolution in the Genus Rhinella: A Total Evidence Phylogenetic Analysis of Neotropical True Toads (Anura: Bufonidae)

True toads of the genus Rhinella are among the most common and diverse group of Neotropical anurans. These toads are widely distributed throughout South America, inhabiting a great diversity of environments and ecoregions. Currently, however, the genus is defined solely on the basis of molecular characters, and it lacks a proper diagnosis. Although some phenetic species groups have traditionally been recognized within Rhinella, the monophyly of some of them have been rejected in previous phylogenetic analyses, and many species remain unassigned to these poorly defined groups. Additionally, the identity and taxonomy of several species are problematic and hinder the specific recognition and description of undescribed taxa. In this work, we first perform phylogenetic analyses of separate mitochondrial and nuclear datasets to test the possible occurrence of hybridiza-tion and/or genetic introgression in the genus. The comparative analysis of both datasets revealed unidirectional mitochondrial introgressions of an unknown parental species into R . horribilis (“ghost introgression”) and of R . dorbignyi into R . bernardoi; therefore, the mitochondrial and nuclear data-sets of these species were considered separately in subsequent analyses. We performed total-evidence phylogenetic analyses that included revised molecular (four mitochondrial and five nuclear genes) and phenotypic (90 characters) datasets for 83 nominal species of Rhinella, plus several undescribed and problematic species and multiple outgroups. Results demonstrate that Rhinella was nonmono-phyletic due to the position of R . ceratophrys, which was recovered as the sister taxon of Rhaebo nasicus with strong support. Among our outgroups, the strongly supported Anaxyrus + Incilius is the sister clade of all other species of Rhinella. Once R . ceratophrys is excluded, the genus Rhinellais monophyletic, well supported, and composed of two major clades. One of these is moderately supported and includes species of the former R . spinulosa Group (including R . gallardoi); the mono-phyletic R . granulosa, R . crucifer, and R . marina Groups; and a clade composed of the mitochondrial sequences of R . horribilis. The other major clade is strongly supported and composed of all the spe-cies from the non-monophyletic R . veraguensis and R . margaritifera Groups, the former R . acrolophaGroup, and R . sternosignata. Consistent with these results, we define eight species groups of Rhinella that are mostly diagnosed by phenotypic synapomorphies in addition to a combination of morpho-logical character states. Rhinella sternosignata is the only species that remains unassigned to any group. We also synonymize nine species, treat three former subspecies as full species, and suggest that 15 lineages represent putative undescribed species. Lastly, we discuss the apparently frequent occurrence of hybridization, deep mitochondrial divergence, and “ghost introgression”; the incomplete phenotypic evidence (including putative character systems that could be used for future phy-logenetic analyses); and the validity of the known fossil record of Rhinella as a source of calibration points for divergence dating analyses.Peer reviewe

A taxonomic review of tan-brown glassfrogs (Anura: Centrolenidae), with the description of a new species from Southwestern Colombia

Thirty species of the glassfrogs genus Nymphargus, including a new species, are known to inhabit the cloud forest of the Andes of Colombia and Ecuador. Four of these species (Nymphargus anomalus, N. ignotus, N. rosada, and the new species) are unusual by having a tanbrown dorsal coloration instead of the widespread green coloration commonly found in glassfrogs. Herein, we review tan-brown glassfrogs species, providing information on their external morphology, color ontogeny, ecology, and distribution. The new taxon inhabits the Andes of southwestern Colombia, Departamento del Cauca, and it is distinguished from other centrolenids by having a tan-brown dorsum with dark spots lacking ocelli, reduced (basal) webbing between outermost fingers, and lacking iridophores on the digestive tract and hepatic peritonea. We also find that Nymphargus ignotus is a polymorphic species distributed along the western flank of the Cordillera Occidental in Colombia. The egg masses of N. ignotus are similar to those known in others Nymphargus species, except for the presence of supplementary empty capsules. The distribution, abundance and function of empty capsules and the nature of the tan-brown color pattern in glassfrogs are discussed. © 2017 Brazilian Society of Herpetology

Multiannual decrement of nutrient concentrations and phytoplankton cell size in a Mediterranean reservoir

Reservoirs are primary water resources for many uses in the Mediterreanean region and need dedicated studies for understanding the complexity of their dynamics particularly vulnerable to local and global stressors. This study focused on phytoplankton variations in relation to seasonal environmental changes on a multiannual time scale (2006–2015) at a Mediterranean eutrophic reservoir (Bidighinzu Lake, Italy) belonging to the Italian, European and International Long Term Ecological Research networks. Phytoplankton cell density, volume and biomass and chlorophyll a concentrations were analysed together with meteo-climatic, hydrological, physical and chemical variables to detect trends and correlations. The period under study was also compared with previous years to assess the presence of significant differences in the environmental and planktonic compartments. Multiannual changes were more pronounced in summer than in the other seasons during the decade under study. The most conspicuous environmental changes were a significant decrease in summer nutrient concentrations in the reservoir and a simultaneous anthropic pressure reduction in the watershed. In addition, the mixing zone and euphotic zone ratio also increased. Multiannual changes in summer phytoplankton composition consisted of an increased density of smaller Bacillariophyceae and Cyanophyceae, which replaced larger species of the same phytoplankton classes. This resulted in opposite trends of total phytoplankton cell density (increasing) and mean phytoplankton cell volume (decreasing) over the study years. The nutrient decrement was statistically the strongest environmental driver of the phytoplankton changes observed in the reservoir. However, the mixing zone and the euphotic zone ratio and water temperature also significantly affected the multiannual phytoplankton variations. Therefore, we conclude that the success of small cell-sized phytoplankton in Bidighinzu Lake was most probably due to the synergic interactions of more environmental forces related to changing anthropic pressures and climate variability. Our results highlight the importance of long-term monitoring of reservoirs in the Mediterranean basin, especially in semi-arid regions where the need and scarcity of high quality water will be further exacerbated due to the global climate change

CO₂ Methanation over Nickel Catalysts: Support Effects Investigated through Specific Activity and Operando IR Spectroscopy Measurements

Renewed interest in CO2 methanation is due to its role within the framework of the Power-to-Methane processes. While the use of nickel-based catalysts for CO2 methanation is well stablished, the support is being subjected to thorough research due to its complex effects. The objective of this work was the study of the influence of the support with a series of catalysts supported on alumina, ceria, ceria–zirconia, and titania. Catalysts’ performance has been kinetically and spectroscopically evaluated over a wide range of temperatures (150–500 °C). The main results have shown remarkable differences among the catalysts as concerns Ni dispersion, metallic precursor reducibility, basic properties, and catalytic activity. Operando infrared spectroscopy measurements have evidenced the presence of almost the same type of adsorbed species during the course of the reaction, but with different relative intensities. The results indicate that using as support of Ni a reducible metal oxide that is capable of developing the basicity associated with medium-strength basic sites and a suitable balance between metallic sites and centers linked to the support leads to high CO2 methanation activity. In addition, the results obtained by operando FTIR spectroscopy suggest that CO2 methanation follows the formate pathway over the catalysts under consideration