Kowalewskiella totani n. sp. (Cestoda: Dilepididae) from Totanus flavipes

Totanus flavipes (Gmelin) 1789 (lesser yellowlegs) collected from the Cheyenne Bottoms Waterfowl Management area, Barton County, Kansas was parasitized by cestodes belonging to the poorly known genus Kowalewskiella Baczynska 1914 and constituting a species new to science. Kowalewskiella totani n. sp. is described from Totanus flavipes from Barton County, Kansas. It differs from K. cingulifera (Krabbe 1869) Sandeman 1959 in being much larger and having roughly twice as many testes as the latter species.

The Probe, Issue 223 – July/August 2002

• Suburban Invasion! By Wildlife? -- Michelle L. Shuey, Southwest Texas State University • What are the health risks of consuming meat from deer or elk infected with Chronic Wasting Disease ? • The 68th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference is set for March 26-30, 2003, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina • Book Review: Living in the Shadows: How to Help the Stray Cat in Your Life (Without Adding to the Problem) by Ann K. Fisher.--“I was impressed with her chapter on taming feral cats. It would certainly take a dedicated soul to put that much work into taming a cat.” • Goose School: the first National Goose Management Training Academy in Indianapolis, Indiana (June 8 & 9, 2002) -- Larry Sullivan • The California Contractors State License Board, (CSLB), recently approved a new sub-classification in its Non-Specialty Contractors License category. The new license is listed as C-61/D-64 "Animal Damage and Bird Control". • Los Angeles animal control recently approved increased efforts to control coyotes in residential areas by using traditional deterrent programs. • Identifying Predator Kills: Texas A&M has a website with some excellent photos to help identify predator kills of livestock. See http://texnat.tamu.edu/ranchref/predator/p-gen.htm • History of Wolf Attacks in Europe and Asia -- Barton Stam, Utah State University

Comparative Genome Analysis of Trichophyton rubrum and Related Dermatophytes Reveals Candidate Genes Involved in Infection

The major cause of athlete's foot is Trichophyton rubrum, a dermatophyte or fungal pathogen of human skin. To facilitate molecular analyses of the dermatophytes, we sequenced T. rubrum and four related species, Trichophyton tonsurans, Trichophyton equinum, Microsporum canis, and Microsporum gypseum. These species differ in host range, mating, and disease progression. The dermatophyte genomes are highly colinear yet contain gene family expansions not found in other human-associated fungi. Dermatophyte genomes are enriched for gene families containing the LysM domain, which binds chitin and potentially related carbohydrates. These LysM domains differ in sequence from those in other species in regions of the peptide that could affect substrate binding. The dermatophytes also encode novel sets of fungus-specific kinases with unknown specificity, including nonfunctional pseudokinases, which may inhibit phosphorylation by competing for kinase sites within substrates, acting as allosteric effectors, or acting as scaffolds for signaling. The dermatophytes are also enriched for a large number of enzymes that synthesize secondary metabolites, including dermatophyte-specific genes that could synthesize novel compounds. Finally, dermatophytes are enriched in several classes of proteases that are necessary for fungal growth and nutrient acquisition on keratinized tissues. Despite differences in mating ability, genes involved in mating and meiosis are conserved across species, suggesting the possibility of cryptic mating in species where it has not been previously detected. These genome analyses identify gene families that are important to our understanding of how dermatophytes cause chronic infections, how they interact with epithelial cells, and how they respond to the host immune response. IMPORTANCE Athlete's foot, jock itch, ringworm, and nail infections are common fungal infections, all caused by fungi known as dermatophytes (fungi that infect skin). This report presents the genome sequences of Trichophyton rubrum, the most frequent cause of athlete's foot, as well as four other common dermatophytes. Dermatophyte genomes are enriched for four gene classes that may contribute to the ability of these fungi to cause disease. These include (i) proteases secreted to degrade skin; (ii) kinases, including pseudokinases, that are involved in signaling necessary for adapting to skin; (iii) secondary metabolites, compounds that act as toxins or signals in the interactions between fungus and host; and (iv) a class of proteins (LysM) that appear to bind and mask cell wall components and carbohydrates, thus avoiding the host's immune response to the fungi. These genome sequences provide a strong foundation for future work in understanding how dermatophytes cause disease.

Determinants of discordance in patients' and physicians' rating of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity

Objective To assess the determinants of patients' (PTGL) and physicians' (MDGL) global assessment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity and factors associated with discordance among them. Methods. A total of 7,028 patients in the Quantitative Standard Monitoring of Patients with RA study had PTGL and MDGL assessed at the same clinic visit on a 0-10-cm visual analog scale (VAS). Three patient groups were defined: concordant rating group (PTGL and MDGL within >= 2 cm), higher patient rating group (PTGL exceeding MDGL by > 2 cm), and lower patient rating group (PTGL less than MDGL by > 2 cm). Multivariable regression analysis was used to identify determinants of PTGL and MDGL and their discordance. Results. The mean +/- SD VAS scores for PTGL and MDGL were 4.01 +/- 2.70 and 2.91 +/- 2.37, respectively. Pain was overwhelmingly the single most important determinant of PTGL, followed by fatigue. In contrast, MDGL was most influenced by swollen joint count (SJC), followed by erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and tender joint count (TJC). A total of 4,454 (63.4%), 2,106 (30%), and 468 (6.6%) patients were in the concordant, higher, and lower patient rating groups, respectively. Odds of higher patient rating increased with higher pain, fatigue, psychological distress, age, and morning stiffness, and decreased with higher SJC, TJC, and ESR. Lower patient rating odds increased with higher SJC, TJC, and ESR, and decreased with lower fatigue levels. Conclusion. Nearly 36% of patients had discordance in RA activity assessment from their physicians. Sensitivity to the "disease experience" of patients, particularly pain and fatigue, is warranted for effective care of RA.

Horizontal distribution of invertebrate larvae around the oceanic island of Gran Canaria: the effect of mesoscale variability

In October 1991, the horizontal distribution of invertebrate larvae was studied in the waters surrounding the island of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands). The cruise was typified by the presence of three recurrent mesoscale hydrographic structures: a cyclonic eddy southwest of the island, a warm lee region downstream of the island and the offshore boundary of an upwelling filament from the African coast reaching the southeast of the island. Decapod larvae were the most abundant group. In general, a rather high spatial variability was found. The horizontal distribution of the invertebrate larvae groups showed that the highest values of abundance occurred in an elongated zone around the island oriented in the overall direction of flow, leeward and windward of the island, while the lowest values occurred off the eastern and western flanks of the islands. On the other hand, Stomatopoda and Mollusca larvae showed a distribution associated with the boundary of the upwelling filament and decapod larvae of pelagic species were distributed around the eddy structure. Our results suggest specific retention mechanisms for the larvae of neritic invertebrate populations that are related to the particular physical oceanography around Gran Canaria. Se estudió la distribución horizontal de las larvas de invertebrados alrededor de la isla de Gran Canaria (Islas Canarias) en octubre de 1991. La campaña se caracterizó por la presencia de tres fenómenos oceanográficos de mesoescala recurrentes: un remolino ciclónico al suroeste de la isla, la estela cálida a sotavento de la misma y el borde de un filamento proveniente del afloramiento africano situado al sureste de Gran Canaria. Las larvas de crustáceos decápodos fueron las más abundantes. En general, las larvas de los diferentes taxa estudiados mostraron una gran variabilidad en cuanto a su distribución espacial. La distribución horizontal de las larvas de los diferentes grupos de invertebrados mostró que las densidades más altas se registraban alrededor de la isla en la banda cercana y orientada hacia el suroeste, en la dirección del flujo, mientras que los valores más bajos se encontraron en el norte y en los flancos este y oeste de la isla. Por otro lado, las larvas de estomatópodos y moluscos presentaron una distribución asociada al frente del filamento, mientras que las larvas de decápodos pelágicos se distribuyeron en torno al remolino ciclónico. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren la existencia de mecanismos de retención específicos para el mantenimiento de las poblaciones insulares, relacionados con los procesos físicos de mesoescala predominantes

IMBER mini-Symposium with Spanish oceanographers

Celebrado en la Sala de Grado de la Facultad de Ciencias del Mar (ULPGC) el 18 de junio de 2013

The secrets of publishing your article in Journal of Geophysical Research (Oceans)

[EN] The editorial and review processes along the road to publication are described in general terms. The construction of a well-prepared article and the manner in which authors may maximise the chances of success at each stage of the process towards final publication are explored. The most common errors and ways of avoiding them are outlined. Typical problems facing an author writing in English as a second language, including the need for grammatical precision and appropriate style, are discussed. Additionally, the meaning of plagiarism, self-plagiarism and duplicate publication is explored. Critical steps in manuscript preparation and response to reviews are examined. Finally, the relation between writing and reviewing is outlined, and it is shown how becoming a good reviewer helps in becoming a successful author

Horacio y el sexo: amor y seducción en la poesía de Horacio

[ES]En el presente trabajo se ofrece una panorámica sobre el tema amoroso en la poesía de Horacio. El amor es un tema importante, aunque no nuclear, en su poesía. Se analizan todas las modalidades de amor que contempla Horacio, según la destinataria de la relación: amor conyugal a la esposa, amor adúltero con esposas ajenas, amor no adúltero con cortesanas y sexo con prostitutas vulgares. Horacio elogia idealmente el amor matrimonial tradicional y denuesta el adulterio, pero prefiere personalmente un amor donjuanesco con múltiples parejas. Esta inclinación tiene una base literaria (pues era el sesgo dominante en el epigrama griego de época helenística), pero también responde a los gustos personales de Horacio. Se concluye que los datos extraídos de su poesía son relevantes para comprender las preferencias eróticas del Horacio hombre.

Il Lessico d’amore nei primi tre libri delle Odi di Orazio

Il presente studio si è posto come obiettivo quello di redigere un lessico dei termini d’amore nella poesia di Orazio, e, specificamente, dei lemmi presenti nei primi tre libri delle Odi. L’interesse per la lirica del Venosino ci ha indotti ad affrontarne la lettura non solo considerando quelle che sono le tematiche diremo topiche della sua poetica ( modus, angulus, mors, tempus, cura, solo per citare quelle più significative ), ma anche quelle meno note, quale appunto il tema dell’amore, oggetto di questo lavoro. Si è proceduto così all’analisi di ogni singolo libro di ogni ode, catalogandone ed analizzandone rispettivamente tutte le occorrenze di quei termini che abbiamo ritenuto essere propri del lessico amoroso. Il commento ad ogni libro è stato supportato dagli studi di Nisbet-Hubbard per il primo ed il secondo libro delle Odi ( cfr. R.G.M. Nisbet-M. Hubbard, A commentary on Horace: Odes Book 1, Oxford 1970; R.G.M. Nisbet-M. Hubbard, A commentary on Horace: Odes Book 2, Oxford 1978 ) e Nisbet-Rudd per il terzo ( cfr. R.G.M. Nisbet-Rudd, A commentary on Horace: Odes Book 3, Oxford, 2003 ). Trattandosi di un lessico è stato altresì fondamentale il contributo dell’ Index uerborum amatorium ( Cfr. R. Pichon, De sermone amatorio apud Latinos elegiarum scriptores, Paris 1902 ) e del ThLL. Si è infine proceduto ad individuare quei termini maggiormente significativi nell’ambito della poesia d’amore in generale, il cui riflesso è presente anche nella poesia oraziana, con una particolare attenzione al rapporto che intercorre tra Orazio e la tradizione neoterica ed elegiaca e al lessico dei colori, che vanta numerose occorrenze nella poesia d’amore, soprattutto in riferimento alla bellezza muliebre e maschile e che quindi appare di rilevante importanza per comprendere l’estetica della poesia oraziana nel ritrarre la forma degli amanti che popolano i suoi più celebri versi d’amore.

L'immagine di Roma nella cultura russa tra fine XVIII secolo e inizio XIX secolo

Nella tesi si osserva come nella cultura russa cambiava l’immagine di Roma. Se ancora alla fine del settecento l’antichità romana poteva risultare solamente uno strumento retorico-filologico da utilizzare per fare il proprio discorso più convincente, la generazione dei decabristi la stessa antica romanità la accostava alla cultura e storia russe tramite gli elevati ideali civici. La romanità ora risultava uno strumento di analisi della esperienza storica e politica della Russia anche nel contesto europeo. Da qui nasceva una serie di modelli russi legati all’antica Roma: il Catone di Radiscev, il Bruto dei decabristi, ecc. Vi attingeva generosamente anche una corrente di lirica russo-antica con i suoi ricchi riferimenti agli autori classici, Ovidio, Tacito, Orazio. Nasceva così una specie di Roma antica russa che viveva secondo le sue regole etiche ed estetiche. Con il fallimento dell’esperienza decabrista cambia anche l’approccio alle antichità: ci si distacca dalla visione storico-morale dell’antico, Roma non è più una categoria da emulare, ma una storia a sé stante e chiusa in sé stessa come ogni periodo storico. Essa smette di essere un criterio universale di giudizio etico e morale. Allo stesso tempo, una parte integrante della cultura russa all’epoca era il viaggio a Roma. I russi cresciuti con interesse e amore verso la Roma antica, impazienti ed emozionati, desideravano ora di vedere quella patria dei classici. Era come se fosse un appuntamento fra gli amici di vecchia data. Si affrettava a verificare di persona le muse di storia e di poesia. E con tutto questo si imparavano ad amare tutti i defetti della Roma reale, spesso inospitale, la Roma del dolore e della fatica. La voce importante nel racconto romano dei russi era anche la Roma del cristianesimo, dove ritrovare e ricoprire la propria “anima cristiana”.