Atopidae (Trilobita) in the upper Marianian (Cambrian Series 2, Stage 4) of Iberia

New atopid trilobites are described from the early Cambrian Cumbres beds and Herreriás shale of northern Huelva Province (Andalusia, Spain) and are dated as middle-late Marianian (Cambrian Series 2, Stage 4). New specimens of Atops calanus Richter and Richter, 1941 are described and the Laurentian species Pseudatops reticulatus (Walcott, 1890b) is recognized for the first time in the Mediterranean subprovince. The associated trilobite assemblage studied herein suggests an age close to the base of Cambrian Stage 4

Acacia Horrida (L.) Willd.: refugio de artrópodos benéficos en la costa peruana

El huarango (Acacia horrida (L.) Willd., 1806) es una leguminosa arbustiva utilizada como cerco vivo en áreas agrícolas para prevenir la erosión, mejorar la nutrición del suelo y servir, además, como refugio para artrópodos benéficos, contribuyendo así a la sostenibilidad de los agroecosistemas productivos. Por ello, se quiso conocer las especies de artrópodos benéficos asociados a A. horrida en agroecosistemas de la costa centro y sur del Perú. Para ello, se colectó especímenes en cercos vivos de A. horrida cercanos a cultivos de hortalizas de La Molina (Lima), campos de mandarina y palto en Cañete (Lima) y huertos caseros con camote y frutales en Los Aquijes (Ica). Los resultados obtenidos permitieron encontrar en La Molina arañas Salticidae y Argiope sp., insectos depredadores como Harmonia axyridis Pallas, 1773, Cycloneda sanguinea Linnaeus, 1743, Scymnus rubicundus Erichson, 1847 y parasitoides del género Bracon. En Cañete se encontró la araña Gasteracantha cancriformis Linnaeus, 1758, insectos depredadores como C. sanguinea, S. rubicundus, Ceraeochrysa cincta (Schneider, 1851), Allograpta sp., Tachycompilus sp., y parasitoides como Venturia sp., Campoletis sp. Anomalon sinuatum Morley, 1912, subfamilias Cryptinae, Campopleginae (Ichneumonidae), Braconinae, Microgastrinae, Opiinae (Braconidae) y la familia Eulophidae. En Los Aquijes se encontró C. sanguinea, Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville, 1842, Polistes sp. y parasitodes del género Bracon, siendo estos últimos depredados por arañas de la familia Thomisidae. Se concluye que al menos 22 taxa de artrópodos benéficos están asociados a A. horrida como refugio

INFLUENCIA DE HELADAS EN EL RENDIMIENTO Y CALIDAD DE CEBADA EN LA SIERRA DE PERÚ

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a strategic crop for the Andean communities because it is not very demanding on soil conditions, tolerates low temperatures and can be used for both human and animal consumption. Frosts, on the other hand, are phenomena that usually occur in the Andes and can affect the proper development of crops. This research aims to illustrate the influence of frost on the yield and quality of barley in the central highlands of Peru. For this, two locations were chosen: Valle del Mantaro (11°50’33” S 75°22’45” W, 3200 m asl) and Ñahuimpuquio (12°19’35” S 75°04’00” W, 3630 m asl). A meteorological frost was recorded during the study. Four cultivars were evaluated, comparing seven yield variables and three quality variables. A randomized complete block design by locality was used. Statistical analyses were performed using the SAS program. The results obtained reflected that the occurrence of said frost during flowering compromised the adequate development of cultivars in Ñahuimpuquio; while, in Valle del Mantaro, there were no effects when it occurred during vegetative growth. Frosts that occur in sensitive stages of the crop can compromise yield and quality, as well as food sovereignty.La cebada (Hordeum vulgare L.), es un cultivo estratégico para las comunidades alto andinas, dado que, es poco exigente en suelo, tolera bien las bajas temperaturas y se le puede aprovechar tanto para la alimentación humana como animal. Las heladas, por otro lado, son fenómenos que suelen presentarse en Los Andes y pueden afectar el desarrollo adecuado de los cultivos. La presente investigación pretende ilustrar la influencia de las heladas en el rendimiento y calidad de la cebada en la sierra central de Perú. Para ello, se escogieron dos localidades: Valle del Mantaro (11°50’33” S 75°22’45” O, 3200 m s.n.m.) y Ñahuimpuquio (12°19’35” S 75°04’00” O, 3630 m s.n.m.). Se registró una helada meteorológica durante el estudio. Se evaluaron cuatro cultivares mejorados, comparando siete variables de rendimiento y tres de calidad. Se empleó un diseño de bloques completos al azar por localidad. Los análisis estadísticos se realizaron mediante el programa SAS. Los resultados obtenidos reflejaron que, la ocurrencia de dicha helada durante la floración comprometió el desarrollo adecuado de los cultivares en Ñahuimpuquio; mientras que, en el Valle del Mantaro, no hubo afectaciones al ocurrir durante el crecimiento vegetativo. En conclusión, las heladas ocurridas en etapas sensibles del cultivo pueden comprometer el rendimiento, la calidad y, por consiguiente, la soberanía alimentaria. &nbsp

Citizen science provides a reliable and scalable tool to track disease-carrying mosquitoes

Recent outbreaks of Zika, chikungunya and dengue highlight the importance of better understanding the spread of disease-carrying mosquitoes across multiple spatio-temporal scales. Traditional surveillance tools are limited by jurisdictional boundaries and cost constraints. Here we show how a scalable citizen science system can solve this problem by combining citizen scientists'' observations with expert validation and correcting for sampling effort. Our system provides accurate early warning information about the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) invasion in Spain, well beyond that available from traditional methods, and vital for public health services. It also provides estimates of tiger mosquito risk comparable to those from traditional methods but more directly related to the human-mosquito encounters that are relevant for epidemiological modelling and scalable enough to cover the entire country. These results illustrate how powerful public participation in science can be and suggest citizen science is positioned to revolutionize mosquito-borne disease surveillance worldwide

Early postpartum administration of equine chorionic gonadotropin to dairy cows calved during the hot season: Effects on fertility after first artificial insemination

Heat stress reduces fertility of high-producing dairy cows, and early administration of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) may improve it. Here, 401 heat-stressed, high-producing dairy cows on a single commercial farm were given eCG (500 UI, n = 214) or saline (n = 187) on days 11–17 after calving, and the effects on fertility after the first artificial insemination (AI) were assessed. On post-partum day 96.34 ± 9.88, all cows were inseminated after a “double short Cosynch” synchronization protocol. Ovarian activity and uterine status were checked by ultrasound on the day of eCG administration and every 7 days thereafter for a total of 3 weeks; checks were also performed during synchronization, and 7 days after AI. On post-partum day 30, cytobrush uterine cytology was performed to check for subclinical endometritis. Pregnancy status was checked on days 30 and 60 after AI. The eCG and control groups did not differ significantly in terms of average lactations per cow (2.33 ± 1.34), days in milk at first AI (96.33 ± 9.88), average milk yield at AI (41.38 ± 7.74 L), or the particular inseminator or bull used for AI. The eCG and control groups showed increasing ovarian activity with time, with approximately 75% of cows in both groups showing a corpus luteum at the beginning of the synchronization protocol. On post-partum day 30, 17.4% of eCG cows and 22.9% of control cows showed subclinical endometritis. Cows treated with eCG showed a tendency toward lower hyperecogenic intraluminal content (16.8 vs. 21.4%, P = 0.15), but ovarian activity during the synchronization protocol was similar between eCG and control groups, with 91% of animals in both groups showing luteolysis after prostaglandin application and 88% showing ovulation after the last administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Fertility was similar between the two groups at both time points after AI (30 days, 34.9 vs. 31.8%; 60 days, 30.6 vs. 28.5%; P > 0.2). These results suggest that early postpartum eCG administration does not improve fertility of heat-stressed dairy cows as long as 60 days after AI. Other strategies may be more effective at mitigating the ability of post-partum heat stress to reduce fertility of high-producing dairy cows

AFINIDAD MORFOMÉTRICA EN LA TRIBU COCCINELLINI (COLEOPTERA: COCCINELLIDAE) DE LA COSTA PERUANA

Insects are important bioindicators of environmental quality; highlighting predators such as ladybugs (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). The objective of this study was to use morphometry to differentiate species of the tribe Coccinellini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from the central and southern Peruvian coast. For this, specimens were collected in the Lima and Ica Departments and identified in the laboratory. A total of 42 individuals were selected, measuring length and width of the body, pronotum and elytra; to develop a hierarchical cluster analysis, Ward's method and square Euclidean distance fixed in 8. According to the results, three groups of species were formed, the third being conformed only by Neda ostrina Mulsant, 1850. In conclusion, morphometry is useful to separate Coccinellini species groups.Los insectos son bioindicadores importantes de calidad ambiental; destacando depredadores como las mariquitas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). El objetivo del estudio fue emplear la morfometría para diferenciar especies de la tribu Coccinellini de la costa centro y sur de Perú. Para ello, se colectaron especímenes en los Departamentos de Lima e Ica y se identificaron en laboratorio. Se seleccionaron 42 individuos, midiéndose la longitud y ancho del cuerpo, pronoto y élitros; para desarrollar un análisis de conglomerados jerárquico, Método de Ward y distancia euclidiana cuadrada fijada en 8. De acuerdo con los resultados, se conformaron tres grupos de especies, siendo el tercero conformado únicamente por Neda ostrina Mulsant, 1850. En conclusión, la morfometría es útil para separar grupos de especies de Coccinellini. &nbsp

COCCINELLIDAE (COLEOPTERA) DEPREDADORES DE Aphis craccivora (HEMIPTERA: APHIDIDAE) EN EL CULTIVO DE Lablab purpureus EN ICA, PERÚ

Lablab-bean (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet), is a legume consumed in the peruvian coast as grain and is frequently used as fodder for livestock. However, it is affected by biting-sucking insects such as aphids (Aphididae); which have natural enemies like ladybeetles (Coccinellidae), frequently used in biological control programs. The aim of this research was to identify the predatory Coccindellidae and the main aphid species in lablab-bean crops in Ica, Peru. For this, random samples were carried out for the collection of specimens, in backyard crops located in the District of Los Aquijes, Department of Ica. A net, glass vials with cap, ethanol 70% and plastic bags were used. Subsequently, the specimens were mounted and labeled, to later identify them with the help of stereoscope and specialized literature. According to the results, 26 adult specimens were identified, corresponding to the Coccinellidae species Harmonia axyridis Pallas, 1773 (7); Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville, 1842 (5); and Cycloneda sanguinea (L., 1763) (14). The predominant aphid species was identified as Aphis craccivora Koch, 1854; being the lablab-bean a new host report. This agrees with other works, since both pest and predators have a wide distribution in America. In conclusion, the plant-pest-predator interaction is constituted by L. purpureus as crop; A. craccivora as pest; H. convergens, C. sanguinea and H. axyridis as predators.  La zarandaja (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet), es una leguminosa consumida en la costa peruana como grano y se aprovecha como forraje para el ganado. Sin embargo, es afectada por especies de insectos picadores-chupadores como los áfidos (Aphididae); los cuales tienen enemigos naturales como las mariquitas (Coccinellidae), utilizadas con frecuencia en programas de control biológico. El presente trabajo consistió en identificar las especies de Coccinellidae depredadores y la especie de Aphididae predominante en el cultivo de zarandaja en Ica, Perú. Para ello, se realizaron muestreos aleatorios para la colecta de especímenes, en cultivos de traspatio situados en el Distrito de Los Aquijes, Departamento de Ica. Se utilizó red, viales de vidrio con tapa, etanol al 70% y bolsas plásticas. Posteriormente, se realizó el montaje y rotulado de especímenes, para luego identificarlos con ayuda del estereoscopio y literatura especializada. Del material colectado, se identificaron 26 especímenes adultos, correspondientes a las especies de Coccinellidae Harmonia axyridis Pallas, 1773 (7); Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville, 1842 (5); y Cycloneda sanguinea (L., 1763) (14). El pulgón predominante se identificó como Aphis craccivora Koch, 1854; siendo la zarandaja un nuevo hospedante a ser incluido. Esto concuerda con lo expuesto en otros trabajos, ya que tanto la plaga como los depredadores son especies de amplia distribución en América. En conclusión, la interacción trófica en Ica estuvo constituida por L. purpureus como cultivo; A. craccivora como plaga; H. convergens, C. sanguinea y H. axyridis como depredadores. &nbsp

The prevalence of axial spondyloarthritis in the UK: a cross-sectional cohort study

Background: Accurate prevalence data are important when interpreting diagnostic tests and planning for the health needs of a population, yet no such data exist for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in the UK. In this cross-sectional cohort study we aimed to estimate the prevalence of axSpA in a UK primary care population. Methods: A validated self-completed questionnaire was used to screen primary care patients with low back pain for inflammatory back pain (IBP). Patients with a verifiable pre-existing diagnosis of axSpA were included as positive cases. All other patients meeting the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) IBP criteria were invited to undergo further assessment including MRI scanning, allowing classification according to the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) and ASAS axSpA criteria, and the modified New York (mNY) criteria for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Results: Of 978 questionnaires sent to potential participants 505 were returned (response rate 51.6 %). Six subjects had a prior diagnosis of axSpA, 4 of whom met mNY criteria. Thirty eight of 75 subjects meeting ASAS IBP criteria attended review (mean age 53.5 years, 37 % male). The number of subjects satisfying classification criteria was 23 for ESSG, 3 for ASAS (2 clinical, 1 radiological) and 1 for mNY criteria. This equates to a prevalence of 5.3 % (95 % CI 4.0, 6.8) using ESSG, 1.3 % (95 % CI 0.8, 2.3) using ASAS, 0.66 % (95 % CI 0.28, 1.3) using mNY criteria in chronic back pain patients, and 1.2 % (95 % CI 0.9, 1.4) using ESSG, 0.3 % (95 % CI 0.13, 0.48) using ASAS, 0.15 % (95 % CI 0.02, 0.27) using mNY criteria in the general adult primary care population. Conclusions: These are the first prevalence estimates for axSpA in the UK, and will be of importance in planning for the future healthcare needs of this population. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN7687321

The Internal-External Security Nexus and EU Police/Rule of Law Missions in the Western Balkans

Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) police/rule of law missions in the Western Balkans are increasingly guided by externally imposed normative agendas that respond primarily to EU internal security needs rather than functional imperatives or local realities. In line with these needs, EU police reform efforts tend to prioritise effectiveness and crime fighting over longer- term democratic policing and good governance reforms. In practice this means that police reform initiatives are technocratically oriented, yet value ridden fitting EU security concerns and needs. As a result, the police reform process can be—and often is—disconnected from the political and socio-economic reforms necessary for long-term stability and sustainable peace. Police assistance in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been shaped by a determined albeit questionable focus on organised crime and corruption. The focus of EU police reform in Macedonia on primarily crime-fighting aspects of policing has compromised the functioning of the Macedonian police. Similarly, the politics of (non-)recognition of Kosovo's self-proclaimed independence and the intrusiveness of EULEX Kosovo's executive mandate contravene meeting local challenges