Assessment of key factors responsible for the pest status of the bean flower thrips Megalurothrips sjostedti (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in West Africa

Megalurothrips sjostedti (Trybom) is an important pest of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) in West Africa. Three key factors assumed to be responsible for its pest status are analysed, the survival on alternative host-plants during the dry season, the inefficient biotic mortality factors regulating population growth, and the effect of larval feeding on the development of cowpea flower buds. Extensive surveys indicate clearly that M. sjostedti survives the dry season on a wide range of alternative hosts all belonging to the Leguminosae, where it can feed and reproduce. Different antagonists were observed attacking eggs and larvae of M. sjostedti; their impact, however, is low and cannot prevent pest outbreaks. Two undescribed Megaphragma spp., and one Oligosita sp., all trichogrammatid egg parasitoids, were recorded for the first time. The anthocorid Orius sp. was the most important larval predator. No hymenopterous parasitoids could be reared from larvae collected on cowpea and three major alternative hosts, whereas a low percentage of the larvae collected from the flowers of Tephrosia candida, an exotic shrub native to India, were parasitized by the eulophid Ceranisus menes (Walker), also recorded for the first time in Africa. The feeding activity of six larvae of Megalurothrips sjostedti during five days induced the shedding of all flower buds of a cowpea inflorescence. The results of the analysis shed new light on the M. sjostedti pest problem, and the ways to solve it. The lack of efficient antagonists, particularly larval parasitoids known from closely related south-east Asian Megalurothrips spp., and the high damage threshold, indicate that M. sjostedti is a potential target for biological control. However, further studies are needed to investigate the migration of M. sjostedti adults to and from alternative host-plants, in order to reinforce the action of biocontrol with cultural pratice

Eating disorders: Reflecting on the sociocultural variables / Trastornos de la conducta alimentaria: Reflexionando en torno a las variables socioculturales

Abstract. Eating disorders (ED) are illnesses that had awakened enormous interest in social and health media in the last years. Thus now days, it is spoken of authentic epidemics, in which the diagnosis is late, existing multiple management difficulties and numerous risks in their development. This article aims to install a reflection on the importance of a socio-cultural context, since cultural beliefs and values associated to beauty and food would be linked to the subjectivity that surrounds this disease. In this sense, the characteristic symptoms of this disorder occur in a cultural reference framework that has to be analyzed.   Key words: Eating Disorders, treatment, culture.   Resumen. Los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA) son enfermedades que han despertado, en los últimos años, enorme interés en medios sociales y sanitarios. En la actualidad se habla de auténticas epidemias, donde el diagnóstico es tardío, existiendo múltiples dificultades de manejo y numerosos riesgos en su evolución. Este artículo tiene como objetivo instalar una reflexión en torno a la importancia de rescatar el contexto sociocultural, ya que las creencias y valores culturales asociados a la belleza y a la comida, estarían vinculados a la subjetividad que rodea dicha patología. En ese sentido, la sintomatología característica de este trastorno se da en un marco referencial cultural importante de ser analizado.   Palabras clave: Trastornos alimentarios, tratamiento, cultura

Uso de la espectroscop\ueda de reflectancia en el infrarrojo cercano para evaluar caracter\uedsticas de calidad en trigo

The aim of this work was to explore the potential of visible (Vis) and near infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy to measure quality characteristics in whole grain wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) as a tool in breeding programs. A total of 100 samples were analyzed by the reference methods for crude protein (CP), wet gluten (WG) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) sedimentation test. Whole grain samples were scanned in a NIR monochromator instrument (400-2500 nm) in reflectance. Partial least squares (PLS) were used to develop calibration equations for the quality characteristics in whole wheat. Calibration models were validated using an independent set of samples (n = 50) randomly selected from the population set. The uncertainty of the PLS models was evaluated by the standard error of prediction (SEP). The SEP obtained were 0.35% for CP, 2.04 for SDS and 4.14% for WG. It was concluded that NIR spectroscopy might be used as a screening tool to segregate early generations of wheat genotypes. At a later stage is needed to improve the accuracy of the NIR calibrations, broadening the calibration spectra with the incorporation of more genotypes and different crop years.El objetivo de este trabajo fue explorar el potencial de la espectroscop\ueda en el visible (Vis) e infrarrojo cercano (NIR) para medir caracter\uedsticas de calidad en el trigo ( Triticum aestivum L.) para su uso en programas de mejoramiento. Cien muestras fueron analizadas por el m\ue9todo de referencia para prote\uedna cruda (CP), gluten h\ufamedo (WG) y sulfato de dodecil de sodio (SDS) o prueba de sedimentaci\uf3n. Las muestras de trigo se analizaron en un instrumento NIR (400-2500 nm) en reflectancia. El m\ue9todo de los cuadrados m\uednimos parciales (PLS) fue utilizado para desarrollar las ecuaciones de calibraci\uf3n para las caracter\uedsticas de calidad en trigo. Los modelos de calibraci\uf3n se validaron utilizando un conjunto independiente de muestras (n = 50) aleatoriamente escogido del conjunto de la poblaci\uf3n. La incertidumbre de los modelos PLS de calibraci\uf3n fue evaluada usando el error est\ue1ndar de la predicci\uf3n (SEP). El SEP obtenido fue de 0,35% para CP, 2,04 para SDS y 4,14% para WG. Se concluy\uf3 que la espectroscop\ueda de NIR podr\ueda utilizarse como una herramienta de selecci\uf3n para segregar genotipos de trigo en generaciones tempranas. En una etapa posterior se necesita mejorar la precisi\uf3n de los an\ue1lisis NIR, ampliando el espectro de calibraci\uf3n con la incorporaci\uf3n de m\ue1s genotipos y diferentes a\uf1os de cultivo

Sinopsis de las Asteraceae de la Provincia de Catamarca

Fil: Freire, Susana Edith. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Bayón, Néstor D.. Área de Botánica, Departamento de Ciencias Biológica Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Monti, Claudia. Área de Botánica. Departamento de Ciencias Biológica. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Giuliano, Daniel A.. Área de Botánica. Departamento de Ciencias Biológica. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Ariza Espinar, Luis. Museo Botánico. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Sáenz, Alcides A.. División Plantas Vasculares. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Perea, Mario V.. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (UNCA). San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca; ArgentinaFil: Delucchi, Gustavo. División Plantas Vasculares. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; Argentin

The risk stratification of adverse neonatal outcomes in women with gestational diabetes (STRONG) study

Aims: To assess the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes in women with gestational diabetes (GDM) by identifying subgroups of women at higher risk to recognize the characteristics most associated with an excess of risk. Methods: Observational, retrospective, multicenter study involving consecutive women with GDM. To identify distinct and homogeneous subgroups of women at a higher risk, the RECursive Partitioning and AMalgamation (RECPAM) method was used. Overall, 2736 pregnancies complicated by GDM were analyzed. The main outcome measure was the occurrence of adverse neonatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by GDM. Results: Among study participants (median age 36.8 years, pre-gestational BMI 24.8 kg/m2), six miscarriages, one neonatal death, but no maternal death was recorded. The occurrence of the cumulative adverse outcome (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.59–3.87), large for gestational age (OR 3.99, 95% CI 2.40–6.63), fetal malformation (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.00–7.18), and respiratory distress (OR 4.33, 95% CI 1.33–14.12) was associated with previous macrosomia. Large for gestational age was also associated with obesity (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.00–2.15). Small for gestational age was associated with first trimester glucose levels (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.04–3.69). Neonatal hypoglycemia was associated with overweight (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.02–2.27) and obesity (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.04–2.51). The RECPAM analysis identified high-risk subgroups mainly characterized by high pre-pregnancy BMI (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.21–2.33 for obese; OR 1.38 95% CI 1.03–1.87 for overweight). Conclusions: A deep investigation on the factors associated with adverse neonatal outcomes requires a risk stratification. In particular, great attention must be paid to the prevention and treatment of obesity

Comparison of phase structures and surface free energy values for the coatings synthesised from linear polyurethanes and from waterborne polyurethane cationomers

WAXS, DSC and AFM methods were employed to compare phase structures of the coatings obtained from waterborne polyurethane cationomers which had been synthesised in the reaction of some diisocyanates (MDI, IPDI, TDI and HDI) with polyoxyethylene glycols (M = 600 and 2,000) and butane1,4-diol or N-methyl- or N-butyldiethanolamine and 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1,4-butanediol. The structures were also analysed of the coatings derived from linear polyurethanes which had been synthesised on the basis of similar raw materials. Better rigidity was found for generally amorphous cationomer coats. Changes were discussed in the surface free energy (SFE) values and in their components, as calculated independently with the use of the van Oss–Good and Owens–Wendt methods. Polyurethane coats turned out more hydrophobic as compared to cationomer ones. In both coat types, fluorine incorporated into cationomers contributed to lower SFE values: from 50 down to about 30 mJ/m2

Catálogo ilustrado de las compuestas (=Asteraceae) de la provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina: Sistemática, Ecología y Usos.

La familia de la Compuestas (=Asteraceae) es la más numerosa de todas las fanerógamas con aproximadamente 23000 especies y más de 1500 géneros ampliamente distribuidos en todos los continentes excepto en la Antártida. En la República Argentina es la familia más abundante con 222 géneros nativos y 1490 especies, en tanto que en la provincia de Buenos Aires, las compuestas representan la sexta parte de la flora de plantas vasculares con 113 géneros y 356 especies, de las cuales 55 son adventicias y el resto indígenas. Muchas de las especies de esta familia son utilizadas por el hombre como plantas alimenticias o medicinales. Algunas especies son tóxicas para el ganado. Otras son utilizadas como repelentes de insectos o son perjudiciales por ser malezas invasoras en los campos y competir con las plantas cultivadas

Impact of climate change on larch budmoth cyclic outbreaks

Periodic outbreaks of the larch budmoth Zeiraphera diniana population (and the massive forest defoliation they engender) have been recorded in the Alps over the centuries and are known for their remarkable regularity. But these have been conspicuously absent since 1981. On the other hand, budmoth outbreaks have been historically unknown in the larches of the Carpathian Tatra mountains. To resolve this puzzle, we propose here a model which includes the influence of climate and explains both the 8–9 year periodicity in the budmoth cycle and the variations from this, as well as the absence of cycles. We successfully capture the observed trend of relative frequencies of outbreaks, reproducing the dominant periodicities seen. We contend that the apparent collapse of the cycle in 1981 is due to changing climatic conditions following a tipping point and propose the recurrence of the cycle with a changed periodicity of 40 years – the next outbreak could occur in 2021. Our model also predicts longer cycles

Path dependence in energy systems and economic development

Energy systems are subject to strong and long-lived path dependence, owing to technological, infrastructural, institutional and behavioural lock-ins. Yet, with the prospect of providing accessible cheap energy to stimulate economic development and reduce poverty, governments often invest in large engineering projects and subsidy policies. Here, I argue that while these may achieve their objectives, they risk locking their economies onto energy-intensive pathways. Thus, particularly when economies are industrializing, and their energy systems are being transformed and are not yet fully locked-in, policymakers should take care before directing their economies onto energy-intensive pathways that are likely to be detrimental to their long-run prosperity