Environmental management problems, future generations and social decisions

The decisions of many individuals and social groups, taking according to well-defined objectives, are causing serious social and environmental problems, in spite of following the dictates of economic rationality. There are many examples of serious problems for which there are not yet appropriate solutions, such as management of scarce natural resources including aquifer water or the distribution of space among incompatible uses. In order to solve these problems, the paper first characterizes the resources and goods involved from an economic perspective. Then, for each case, the paper notes that there is a serious divergence between individual and collective interests and, where possible, it designs the procedure for solving the conflict of interests. With this procedure, the real opportunities for the application of economic theory are shown, and especially the theory on collective goods and externalities. The limitations of conventional economic analysis are shown and the opportunity to correct the shortfalls is examined. Many environmental problems, such as climate change, have an impact on different generations that do not participate in present decisions. The paper shows that for these cases, the solutions suggested by economic theory are not valid. Furthermore, conventional methods of economic valuation (which usually help decision-makers) are unable to account for the existence of different generations and tend to obviate long-term impacts. The paper analyzes how economic valuation methods could account for the costs and benefits enjoyed by present and future generations. The paper studies an appropriate consideration of preferences for future consumption and the incorporation of sustainability as a requirement in social decisions, which implies not only more efficiency but also a fairer distribution between generations than the one implied by conventional economic analysis.

Tropical varieties for non-archimedean analytic spaces

"Vegeu el resum a l'inici del document del fitxer adjunt."

Norm inequalities in multidimensional Lorentz spaces

In this paper we obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for double trigonometric series to belong to generalized Lorentz spaces, not symmetric in general. Estimates for the norms are given in terms of coefficients.

Presence of Psychodopygus wellcomei (Diptera: Psychodidae), a proven vector of Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis, in Ceara State

Psychodopygus wellcomei, a proven vector of (muco-)cutaneous leishmaniasis, has been found for the first time outside of the Amazon Basin, in Ceará State. Parasitological and entomological evidence suggests that the Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis/Ps. wellcomei zoonosis is widespread on the Brazilian Shield.

Reproductive isolation between different forms of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva), (Diptera: Psychodidae), the vector of Leishmania donovani chagasi Cunha & Chagas and its significance to kala-azar distribution in South America

The males of the sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis occur in two forms, one which bears a single pair of pale spots on tergite 4 and another in which an additional pair of spots characterizes tergite 3. In crosses between laboratory reared stocks of the two forms originating from allopatric and sympatric sites in Brazil nearly all males of one form fail to inseminate females of the other. In addition, insemination failure between some allopatric populaytions of Lu. longipalpis with similar tergal spot patterns is recorded, indicating the existence of additional forms in an apparent species complex. The possibility that Lu. longipalpis sensu latu represents more than a single taxon is discussed and the relevance of these findings to future epidemiological studies on kala-azar is considered.

A pilot study to control Lutzomyia umbratilis (Diptera: Psychodidae), the major vector of Leishmania brazileiensis guyanensis, in a peri-urban rainforest of Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil

In the second half of 1980, 112 (or ca. 16%) of the inhabitants of the new settlement of São José, city of Manaus, contracted cutaneous leishmaniasis whilst clearing their properties of terra firme rainforest. With the aid of SUCAM, the authors carried out a pilot study to investigate the feasibility of reducing populations of Lutzomyia umbratilis, the local silvatic vector of Leishmania braziliensis guyanensis, by spraying insecticide on its favoured diurnal resting sites, the bases of the larger forest trees. Most manvector contact is at these resting sites and, therefore, it was encouraging to record a marked reduction of the tree-base populations of L. umbratilis for 21 days following just one application of D.D.T. emulsion in an area 200m square. Most of the treated trunks were not occupied by L. umbratilis for at least eleven months. Suggestions for extending the pilot study are made, and the need for collaboration with a clinical team is emphasized. Leishmania b. guyanensis is the aetiological agent of [quot ]pain bois[quot ], which is hyperendemic from French Guiana to central Amazônia. In the absence of proven vaccines or methods of vector control, some simple methods for limiting transmission of Le. b. guyanensis to man are listed.

El "Status" taxonomico de leishmania garnhami, indicado por su patron de desarrollo en el Vector

Bajo condiciones experimentales, se estabelece el de desarrollo primario de Leishmania garnhami em su vector Lutzomyia townsendi, siguiendo disecciones diarias entre el Iro y 12mo dia post-imnfección. Se demuestra que L. garnhami puede lograr el estabelecimiento inicial de la infección en cualquiera de las regiones del intestino y en los túbulos de Malpighi del insecto vector. Un comportamiento similar fue observado en ejemplares de Lu. longipalpis. Se discute la susceptibilidad de Lu. townsendi a las infecciones por L. mexicana, L. braziliensis y L. garnhami. Se concluye que L. garnhami, a juzgar por su comportamiento en el vector, debe considerarse distinta a las especies del complejo L.mexicana y que su patrón de desarrollo difiere del de las especies de la Sección Suprapylaria, ya que invaden el triângulo pilórico, y del de la Peripylaria por su invasión a los túbulos de Malpighi.

Molluscicide activity of the "Avelós" plant (Euphorbia tirucalli, L. ) on Biomphalaria glabrata, the mollusc vector of schistosomiasis

An aqueous solution of the latex of Euphorbia tirucalli collected at sites receiving large amounts of sunlight showed molluscicide action on Biomphalaria glabrata, with LD50 obtained at the concentration of 28,0 ppm and LD90 at the concentration of 85,0 ppm. The toxicity of the product for fish was similar to that of Bayluscide and of copper sulfate used for comparison. However, the wide distribution of the plant, its easy propagation and the simple procedure for extraction of the active substance, which is biodegradable, favor "avelós" as a promising agent in the control of schistosomiasis.

Lutzomyia gasparviannai Martins, Godoy & Silva, 1962, probable vector of Leishmania mexicana ssp. in Viana municipality, Espírito Santo State, Brazil

Dos flebótomos atraídos pelo Proechimys iheringi numa área onde esse roedor foi achado naturalmente infectado por Leishmania mexicana ssp., 98,1% foram Lutzomyia gasparviannai, o que sugere que essa espécie não antropofílica seja o transmissor entre os roedores mas não habitualmente ao homem.

Taxonomical and biogeographical problems in Mediterranean shrews of the genus Crocidura (Mammalia, Insectivora) with reference to a new karyotype from Sicily (Italy)

Shrews of the genus Crocidura from Sicily revealed a new karyotype from Europe: 2n = 36, NF = 56, NFa = 52. With reference to the revision of Vesmanis (1976), this shrew is provisionally attributed to C. caudata Miller, 1901 and it is proposed to call it the "Sicilian shrew". Its chromosome complement is similar to that of shrews from Canary Islands and a species from Burundi (Central Africa), suggesting that it might have split off from a line of Paleotropical origin. Following these findings, the modern concept of Mediterranean island colonization by shrews must be revised. The distinctive characteristics of Mediterranean shrews should also be revised.

Gestió i desenvolupament d'un conjunt comprensiu de pràctiques per les assignatures de sistemes operatius

En aquest projecte s'ha desenvolupat un entorn repositori de pràctiques per a emmagatzemar i donar una eina de control del material docent que es disposa. El desenvolupament dels mòduls del sistema s'han realitzat després de contemplar els diferents rols que existeixen dintre dels membres del personal docent, sent aquest becaris o professors. Atès que el personal destinat a l'ensenyament està sotmès a un alt grau de rotacions aquest sistema intentarà ser un punt de trobada de totes les seves aportacions, ajudant així la tasca d'avaluació i explicació de les pràctiques. L'estudi d'un nou ventall de pràctiques ha permès conèixer un nou entorn de treball, que ofereix camps no tractats fins al moment a través de la implantació d'un sistema operatiu simulat per sobre del sistema operatiu Linux.

Intervention précoce dans la phase initiale des troubles psychotiques à Lausanne: quels problèmes et quelles solutions [Early intervention for the initial phase of psychotic disorders in Lausanne: what problems and what solutions?]

Schizophrenia has long been considered with pessimism, but the recent interest in the early phase of psychotic disorders has modified this often unjustified perception. Literature has demonstrated the benefit of the development of programs specialised in the treatment of early psychosis, which tend to be developed in many countries. It is however important to match them to local needs as well as to the structure of local health services. This paper reviews elements that justify such a development in Lausanne, Switzerland, and describe its various elements.