Capture of Triatoma arthurneivai (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) using a new luminous trap in Southeast Brazil

INTRODUCTION: Triatomine bug captures in the wild are laborious and time-consuming. Some traps may assist in this task. We report a new trap design and the capture of a specimen of a triatomine rarely found. METHODS: Two luminous traps were installed in the city of Diamantina, State of Minas Gerais, and surveyed weekly for a year. RESULTS: A Triatoma arthurneivai female and other triatomine bugs were caught. CONCLUSIONS: A new trap design may be used in triatomine bugs field captures, mainly in low density areas. We assume the center of endemism of Triatoma arthurneivai is the Espinhaço Mountain range.

Measurement of the correlation between flow harmonics of different order in lead-lead collisions at root S-NN=2.76 TeV with the ATLAS detector

Correlations between the elliptic or triangular flow coefficients vm (m=2 or 3) and other flow harmonics vn (n=2 to 5) are measured using sNN−−−−√=2.76 TeV Pb+Pb collision data collected in 2010 by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated lumonisity of 7 μb−1. The vm-vn correlations are measured in midrapidity as a function of centrality, and, for events within the same centrality interval, as a function of event ellipticity or triangularity defined in a forward rapidity region. For events within the same centrality interval, v3 is found to be anticorrelated with v2 and this anticorrelation is consistent with similar anticorrelations between the corresponding eccentricities ϵ2 and ϵ3. On the other hand, it is observed that v4 increases strongly with v2, and v5 increases strongly with both v2 and v3. The trend and strength of the vm-vn correlations for n=4 and 5 are found to disagree with ϵm-ϵn correlations predicted by initial-geometry models. Instead, these correlations are found to be consistent with the combined effects of a linear contribution to vn and a nonlinear term that is a function of v22 or of v2v3, as predicted by hydrodynamic models. A simple two-component fit is used to separate these two contributions. The extracted linear and nonlinear contributions to v4 and v5 are found to be consistent with previously measured event-plane correlations.

Dispersión agrícola y cambio social en las Sierras de Córdoba (ca. 1000 a C.- 1600 d C.) Agricultural spread and social change in Córdoba Hills (ca. 1000 b C- 1600 a D.)

El proceso cultural en las Sierras de Córdoba fue habitualmente concebido como marginal con respecto al Noroeste Argentino. Tras el establecimiento del esquema básico de la secuencia prehispánica, a mediados del siglo pasado, se definió una etapa agroalfarera de cronología tardía, que continuaba a una extensa etapa precerámica cuyos límites se aproximaban a la transición Pleistoceno-Holoceno. Se hacía referencia, de este modo, al advenimiento de un modo de vida agrícola y aldeano, que reemplazaba a otro basado en la caza y recolección. Dicha transformación, alternativamente atribuida a la población cazadora local o a una migración de grupos agricultores desde regiones vecinas, se habría consumado hacia 1500 AP, fijando uno de los límites de la dispersión de la agricultura andina. Es necesario destacar la extremada escasez y el carácter indirecto de las evidencias arqueológicas utilizadas para sustentar la ocurrencia de tal proceso. Asimismo, la vigencia de supuestos que han comenzado a mostrar inconsistencias con los resultados de las recientes investigaciones. Entre ellos, principalmente, el que asume que la introducción de la agricultura dio paso a una transformación radical de las sociedades prehispánicas, constituyendo un hito fundamental en su devenir histórico, el comienzo de una nueva etapa. Nuestros últimos estudios en el sector central de las Sierras de Córdoba apuntaron, entre otros objetivos, a reconocer indicadores arqueológicos directos de producción agrícola, así como de la manipulación y consumo de plantas cultivadas. Los primeros resultados nos permiten vislumbrar un escenario complejo que desafía los modelos vigentes. El consumo de maíz, por ejemplo, parece haber antecedido por muchos siglos a la adopción de prácticas agrícolas. El acceso a este cultígeno, sumado a otros elementos, indicaría cambios entre los cazadores-recolectores serranos, promovidos por su integración en redes macrorregionales que los vincularon con sociedades agricultoras de la vertiente oriental andina y quizás del Chaco Santiagueño, por lo menos desde 2500 AP. En definitiva, la agricultura no parece haber sido adoptada rápidamente ni provocado transformaciones profundas e inmediatas en la organización de los grupos prehispánicos. Se ha observado, por el contrario, la incorporación gradual de distintas innovaciones que incluso permiten relacionar la manipulación y más tarde el cultivo de plantas domesticadas, con procesos de intensificación productiva de mayor escala temporal. Uno de nuestros objetivos en este proyecto consiste, básicamente, en profundizar las investigaciones en curso a fin de ampliar el cuerpo de datos con el cual analizar y discutir el problema de la dispersión agrícola en la región. Ello implica el tratamiento de diferentes líneas de evidencia, en particular: 1) la distribución regional de sitios arqueológicos y las modalidades de ocupación de las tierras cultivables; 2) la búsqueda de superficies de cultivo en sitios estratificados; y 3) estudios arqueobotánicos, polínicos y de isótopos estables. Se entiende que no le corresponde a la arqueología asumir apriorísticamente el significado histórico de la introducción de la agricultura, sino establecerlo en cada caso puntual a través de la investigación concreta. Nuestro segundo objetivo consiste, por lo tanto, en delinear los cambios (económicos, tecnológicos, políticos, sociales) que acompañaron al proceso de dispersión agrícola. Ello implica el tratamiento de diferentes problemas, entre otros: 1) las prácticas de apropiación de los recursos silvestres; 2) la continuidad y cambio tecnológico; 3) la movilidad y la articulación microambiental; y 4) los aspectos políticos y sociales ligados a prácticas como la molienda grupal y la producción del arte rupestre. The radical chage of societies from hunter-gatherers to farmers in 1500 BP was considered a milestone whitin the cultural process of pre-hispanic societies in Cordoba Hill. But there is a shortage of archaeological remains to support this change and there are weak hypotheses of absolute transformations. During the last years, our studies carried out on the central area of Cordoba Hill have tried to recognize direct archaeological signs of agriculture production as well as the handling and consumption of crops. The first results show a complex set that challenges the current theoretical models. For example, the corn was probably eatten prior to its adoption for farm practices. Our first main consists in increasing a corpus of data about the spread of agriculture in Cordoba region that we have been researching for the last years. These researches involve different lines of evidence: 1-regional location of archaeological sites and kinds of occupation on cultivable lands; 2-the search for plots at archaeological sites; 3-archaeobotanical, pollen and stable isotopes studies. Our second main consists in outlining changes within the spread of agriculture. It implies to considering different problems: 1-the practices to gatherer wild resources; 2-the continuity and changes of technologies; 3-the mobility and the articulation on the micro-environment; 4-political and social aspects in connection with activities such as groupal grinding and rock art productions.

Movilidad social en barrios de Córdoba: Villa La Tela y áreas colindantes. Social Mobility in Neighborhoods of Cordoba: Villa La Tela and Adjacent Areas.

Esta investigación propone aproximarse al conocimiento y comprensión de los diversos mecanismos de movilidad social en Villa La Tela barrios adyacentes (ciudad de Córdoba). Si bien las poblaciones objetivo poseen diferentes niveles de vida, este proyecto no se propone la comparación entre ambos sectores urbanos, sino la identificación de diversos patrones de movilidad social vigentes. Se intenta también aproximarse indirectamente al esquema de estratificación social vigente en la ciudad de Córdoba. El equipo se propone avanzar en la definición de una estrategia metodológica que permita comprender de una manera integral los diversos mecanismos de movilidad social. Se propone articular una triangulación de métodos cuantitativos y cualitativos que aproveche las fortalezas de cada enfoque para efectuar una mirada multidisciplinaria de las condiciones de vida de la población en estudio. Se intenta también aprovechar la inserción que ya tienen algunos de los investigadores del equipo en los barrios, a fin de aportar conocimientos útiles a las organizaciones que realizan actividades de intervención social. El trabajo se propone en tres fases constituidas por tres instancias que no necesariamente se corresponden con tiempos cronológicos: análisis de información secundaria (censos de población, relevamientos de organismos gubernamentales y civiles) y de resultados de investigaciones previas; en otra fase se generará un espacio recreativo en la comunidad que permita identificar las percepciones subjetivas de los actores locales en relación a las condiciones de vida y la experiencia de movilidad social (etnodrama, etnografía fotográfica); finalmente se realizará una fase de trabajo de encuestas y entrevistas en profundidad a partir de los insumos producidos en las dos fases antes mencionadas. Se tomará para ello, como unidad de análisis socio-económica a los hogares, considerados como el espacio físico y social desde el cual se diseñan e implementan las estrategias familiares de vida de sus miembros. Se considera que el proyecto puede transferir los resultados -parciales y finales- alcanzados a las instituciones intervinientes en los barrios considerados. Esta transferencia constituye una actividad de extensión concreta, dado que las intervenciones en marcha están destinadas a mejorar las condiciones de vida de la población en términos materiales y culturales. La acción sinérgica entre las diversas instituciones que intervienen o investigan sobre estas comunidades es un compromiso, ya que de ello depende la calidad del impacto en las propias comunidades. En este sentido, la descripción de las experiencias intergeneracionales de movilidad social de los hogares y su significación subjetiva, puede considerarse de interés tanto para las instituciones como para la comunidad misma. De esta manera se espera devolver a las comunidades lo que éstas le ofrezcan al equipo de investigación, como flujo de intercambio recíproco de conocimiento y desarrollo humano. Desde el punto de vista metodológico, el equipo espera realizar una evaluación de los distintos abordajes cuantitativos y cualitativos a escala microsocial, a fin de realizar propuestas válidas para nuevas investigaciones en ámbitos locales. This research proposes to approach the knowledge and understanding of the various mechanisms of social mobility in adjacent neighborhoods of Villa La Tela (Cordoba, Argentina). Although the target populations have different levels of life, this project does not intend to compare urban areas, but the identification of different patterns of social mobility nowadays. Indirect approach is also intended to outline the existing social stratification in Cordoba city. We plan to define a methodological approach based on triangulation of quantitative and qualitative methods, exploiting the strengths of each approach to make a multidisciplinary vision of the population living conditions. Project proposes phases consisting of three instances, that do not necessarily correspond with chronological time: 1) secondary data analysis (population censuses, surveys of government agencies and civilian organizations) and previous research results; 2) promotion of a recreation space in the community to identify the subjective perceptions of local actors in relation to living conditions and experience of social mobility; 3) finally there will be a phase of survey work and deep interviews from inputs produced in the two phases mentioned above. Households will be taken as socio-economic unit, also considered as social and physical space where family strategies of life are designed and implemented by its members. We considere this project can transfer the obtained results to the institutions involved in the concerned districts. This transfer is a specific outreach activity, since the interventions in place are aimed to improving the living conditions of population in material and cultural terms.

Social inequalities in health among children and adolescents in Germany : an investigation of political approaches

The present diploma thesis analyses the German political understanding of social inequalities in health (SIH) among children and adolescents, and explores the political strategies that are perceived as most effective to tackle SIH. The study is based on the qualitative content analysis of official political documents developed at different political levels, which were the national level as well as two purposefully selected counties, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Niedersachsen. The study's findings indicate a beginning awareness of the existence of SIH in Germany. Nevertheless, this judgement refers to few publishing ministries only, both at national and county levels. The suggested approaches to tackle SIH vary significantly among the analysed documents, and no consensus can be identified with regard to the preference of upstream or downstream policies. The existence of the social gradient is not criticised in any of the analysed data. However, there seems to be a common agreement on the importance of setting related interventions and the contribution of both the national, regional, and local politic levels. As the absence of a central coordinator can explain these highly heterogeneous findings, key recommendations concern the establishment of a nation-wide coordinator and a nation-wide collection of best practice examples. Here, the Federal Centre for Health Education has an adequate position and the required competences to act as a coordinator and facilitator. Further requirements for a successful reduction of SIH in Germany are the extension of a continuous communication between all actors, the adoption of the planned German Prevention Law, and the nation-wide and early promotion of children as part of education policies in the federal states.

Technological trampolines for new venture creation in Catalonia: the case of the University of Girona

Recent trends in technology transfer show an intensification of spin-off creation as a modality of university research commercialisation, complementary to the conventional ones, contract research and licensing. In this paper we analyse the evolution, objectives, resources and activities of a specialised unit –Technological Trampoline (TT) - in charge of new venture creation at the University of Girona (Catalonia-Spain). Based on two theoretical frameworks, Resource-based-view and Institutional Theory, we adopt a multi-dimensional approach to study the strategy of spinning-off new ventures at the University of Girona in terms of resources and activities, how this process is organised and if the outputs fit with this UdG’s objectives and the local environment. Our main contribution is an in-depth analysis of the spin-off creation unit with special emphasis on its variety of resources and activities. The results have a series of implications and recommendations at both university and TT level.

New specific synonymy in Neotropical Simulium S. L. (Diptera: Simuliidae)

In an attempt to clarify the taxonomy of Neotropical Simuliidae prior to the production of keys to species, various nomenclatural problems are resolved. Information is given on the status of types, their depositories, the condition of type-material where relevant, and on already established synonyms. fifteen new synonyms are established and six lectotypes designated based on an examination of type-material and long series of reared specimens from many localities to take account of intraspecific variation.

A new sand fly in the subgenus Nyssomyia (Diptera, psychodidae) from the Amazon basin of Brazil

Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) waltoni m.sp., uma nova espécie de flebótomo é descrita e ilustrada. Observações ecológicas disponíveis são apresentadas. (AU)

Lymnaea columella: two new Brazilian localities in the states of Amazonas and Bahia

The occurrence of Lymnaea columella is recorded in Tefé, Amazonas state, where it was found together with Drepanotrema anatinum, Physa marmorata and pomacea sp. L. columella was also collected in Salvador, Bahia state, at the dique do Tororó, an urban lake formely mentioned (as "lac Baril") by Moricand (1853) as a breeding-place of Biomphalaria glabrata, Drepanotrema cimex, D. depressissimum, Pomacea lineata, P. decussata and Ancylus moricandi. The four first-mentioned species, as well as physa cubensis and Hemisinus brasiliensis, were also collected now. This is the first record of a lymnaeid in the Northeastern region of Brazil.

The Measurement of social polarization in a multi-group context

Polarization indices presented up to now have only focused their attention on the distribution of income/wealth. However, in many circumstances income is not the only relevant dimension that might be the cause of social conflict, so it is very important to have a social polarization index able to cope with alternative dimensions. In this paper we present an axiomatic characterization of one of such indices: it has been obtained as an extension of the (income) polarization measure introduced in Duclos, Esteban and Ray (2004) to a wider domain. It turns out that the axiomatic structure introduced in that paper alone is not appropriate to obtain a fully satisfactory characterization of our measure, so additional axioms are proposed. As a byproduct, we present an alternative axiomatization of the aforementioned income polarization measure.

Salvia divinorum: an hallucinogenic mint which might become a new recreational drug in Switzerland.

Salvia divinorum Epling & Jativa is an hallucinogenic mint traditionally used for curing and divination by the Mazatec Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico. Young people from Mexican cities were reported to smoke dried leaves of S. divinorum as a marijuana substitute. Recently, two S. divinorum specimens were seized in a large-scale illicit in-door and out-door hemp plantation. Salvinorin A also called divinorin A, a trans-neoclerodane diterpene, was identified in several organic solvent extracts by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The botanical identity of the plant was confirmed by comparing it to an authentic herbarium specimen. More plants were then discovered in Swiss horticulturists greenhouses. All these data taken together suggest that many attempts exist in Switzerland to use S. divinorum as a recreational drug. This phenomenon may be enhanced because neither the magic mint, nor its active compound are banned substances listed in the Swiss narcotic law.

Clinical and genetic investigation of a large Tunisian family with complete achromatopsia: identification of a new nonsense mutation in GNAT2 gene.

Complete achromatopsia is a rare autosomal recessive disease associated with CNGA3, CNGB3, GNAT2 and PDE6C mutations. This retinal disorder is characterized by complete loss of color discrimination due to the absence or alteration of the cones function. The purpose of the present study was the clinical and the genetic characterization of achromatopsia in a large consanguineous Tunisian family. Ophthalmic evaluation included a full clinical examination, color vision testing and electroretinography. Linkage analysis using microsatellite markers flanking CNGA3, CNGB3, GNAT2 and PDE6C genes was performed. Mutations were screened by direct sequencing. A total of 12 individuals were diagnosed with congenital complete achromatopsia. They are members of six nuclear consanguineous families belonging to the same large consanguineous family. Linkage analysis revealed linkage to GNAT2. Mutational screening of GNAT2 revealed three intronic variations c.119-69G>C, c.161+66A>T and c.875-31G>C that co-segregated with a novel mutation p.R313X. An identical GNAT2 haplotype segregating with this mutation was identified, indicating a founder mutation. All patients were homozygous for the p.R313X mutation. This is the first report of the clinical and genetic investigation of complete achromatopsia in North Africa and the largest family with recessive achromatopsia involving GNAT2; thus, providing a unique opportunity for genotype-phenotype correlation for this extremely rare condition.

When Do We Learn to Cooperate? The Role of Social Learning in Social Dilemmas

In this paper, I look at the interaction between social learning and cooperative behavior. I model this using a social dilemma game with publicly observed sequential actions and asymmetric information about pay offs. I find that some informed agents in this model act, individually and without collusion, to conceal the privately optimal action. Because the privately optimal action is socially costly the behavior of informed agents can lead to a Pareto improvement in a social dilemma. In my model I show that it is possible to get cooperative behavior if information is restricted to a small but non-zero proportion of the population. Moreover, such cooperative behavior occurs in a finite setting where it is public knowledge which agent will act last. The proportion of cooperative agents within the population can be made arbitrarily close to 1 by increasing the finite number of agents playing the game. Finally, I show that under a broad set of conditions that it is a Pareto improvement on a corner value, in the ex-ante welfare sense, for an interior proportion of the population to be informed.

The evolution of inbred social systems in spiders and other organisms: from short-term gains to long-term evolutionary dead-ends?

The question of why some social systems have evolved close inbreeding is particularly intriguing given expected short- and long-term negative effects of this breeding system. Using social spiders as a case study, we quantitatively show that the potential costs of avoiding inbreeding through dispersal and solitary living could have outweighed the costs of inbreeding depression in the origin of inbred spider sociality. We further review the evidence that despite being favored in the short term, inbred spider sociality may constitute in the long run an evolutionary dead end. We also review other cases, such as the naked mole rats and some bark and ambrosia beetles, mites, psocids, thrips, parasitic ants, and termites, in which inbreeding and sociality are associated and the evidence for and against this breeding system being, in general, an evolutionary dead end.