A spectroscopic investigation of pigment and ceramic samples from Copán, Honduras

A combination of micro-Raman spectroscopy, micro-infrared spectroscopy and SEM–EDX was employed to characterize decorative pigments on Classic Maya ceramics from Copán, Honduras. Variation in red paint mixtures was correlated with changing ceramic types and improvements in process and firing techniques. We have confirmed the use of specular hematite on Coner ceramics by the difference in intensities of Raman bands. Different compositions of brown paint were correlated with imported and local wares. The carbon-iron composition of the ceramic type, Surlo Brown, was confirmed. By combining micro-Raman analysis with micro-ATR infrared and SEM–EDX, we have achieved a more comprehensive characterization of the paint mixtures. These spectroscopic techniques can be used non-destructively on raw samples as a rapid confirmation of ceramic type.

Nomenclatural corrections in Mesoamerican Plantaginaceae and a new species of Tetranema from Honduras

Study of the Plantaginaceae for the Flora Mesoamericana project has resulted in five lectotypifications, a new combination in Rhodochiton, and the discovery of a new species of Tetranema from Honduras. This species, Tetranema michaelfayanum, is described here, a key to the species of Tetranema is provided, and the T. roseum complex is discussed.

Differential cellular recognition pattern to M. tuberculosis targets defined by IFN-gamma and IL-17 production in blood from TB plus patients from Honduras as compared to health care workers: TB and immune responses in patients from Honduras

Background: A better understanding of the quality of cellular immune responses directed against molecularly defined targets will guide the development of TB diagnostics and identification of molecularly defined, clinically relevant M.tb vaccine candidates. Methods: Recombinant proteins (n = 8) and peptide pools (n = 14) from M. tuberculosis (M.tb) targets were used to compare cellular immune responses defined by IFN-gamma and IL-17 production using a Whole Blood Assay (WBA) in a cohort of 148 individuals, i.e. patients with TB + (n = 38), TB- individuals with other pulmonary diseases (n = 81) and individuals exposed to TB without evidence of clinical TB (health care workers, n = 29). Results: M.tb antigens Rv2958c (glycosyltransferase), Rv2962c (mycolyltransferase), Rv1886c (Ag85B), Rv3804c (Ag85A), and the PPE family member Rv3347c were frequently recognized, defined by IFN-gamma production, in blood from healthy individuals exposed to M.tb (health care workers). A different recognition pattern was found for IL-17 production in blood from M.tb exposed individuals responding to TB10.4 (Rv0288), Ag85B (Rv1886c) and the PPE family members Rv0978c and Rv1917c. Conclusions: The pattern of immune target recognition is different in regard to IFN-gamma and IL-17 production to defined molecular M.tb targets in PBMCs from individuals frequently exposed to M.tb. The data represent the first mapping of cellular immune responses against M.tb targets in TB patients from Honduras.

Prevalencia de Coccidiosis en lechones de patio de el casco urbano de Siguate-Olancho, Honduras

La Coccidiosis neonatal es una de las enfermedades producidas por protozoarios, cuyo agente causal en la especie porcina es la Isospora Suis. Se caracteriza por una invasión aguda al intestino delgado, con frecuencia atacando animales jóvenes, produciendo destrucción de los enterositos y la consiguiente diarrea blanca amarillenta cremosa en los lechones. En Honduras la aldea de Siguate se desconoce el impacto por Coccidiosis. Lo cual motivo a la realización de este trabajo que tiene por titulo: “PREVALENCIA DE COCCIDIOSIS EN LECHONES DE PATIO EN EL CASCO URBANO DE SIGUATE-OLANCHO, HONDURAS”, este estudio se realizo en la aldea de Siguate, municipio de Catacamas departamento de Olancho a 264 kilómetros sur este de la ciudad de Tegucigalpa Francisco Morazán, Honduras C.A., con una población de 71 mil habitantes y ubicado a 14ª 56” y 14ª 23” latitud norte y 86ª 19” longitud oeste, a una altura de 350msnm, presenta una temperatura promedio de 25ªc, con una humedad relativa de 67.66%, precipitación pluvial promedio anual de 1311.25, siendo el objetivo principal, Realizar un diagnostico parasitologico en las especie porcina através de la técnica de flotación, así como, también determinar la prevalencia en porcinos de patio en el casco urbano e identificar el comportamiento de la enfermedad en los porcinos de Siguate-Olancho, Honduras. Para lo cual se elaboraron formatos específicos para obtener datos generales de los lechones, se seleccionó una muestra de 171 lechones, elegidos solamente los que presentaban diarreas, a cada lechón se le realizo valoración clínica, se efectúo encuesta para valorar el historial de esta patología en el área de estudio, concluyendo con una muestra de heces diarreicas para ser analizadas posteriormente obteniendo los siguiente resultados. Que la Coccidiosis en lechones en el casco urbano de Siguate se presento mayormente en lechones menores de un mes con una prevalencia del 65%, que la enfermedad suele ser mortal cuando se presentaba con otras patologías ,como rotavirus, y en muchos casos se determinaron lechones positivos a Coccidiosis también resultaban positivos a rotavirus. No obviando que los cerdos que permanecían en hacinamiento y con prácticas de destete precoz, presentaron mayor numero de casos positivos de diarreas ocasionadas por Coccidiosis. En vista de ello se recomienda que la higiene y el control sanitario debe de ser integral (Limpieza química y limpieza mecánica), por lo que es saludable que residuos de alimentos (maschigue) sean revisados antes de su entrega y levantados los desperdicios al terminar para evitar la presencia de moscas. Aunque es de vital importancia para la producción de alimentos sano, confiable y seguro al consumo humano que tome control el Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería y desarrolle capacitaciones sobre la seguridad alimenticia para la comunidad de Siguate Honduras.

A global experiment on tilapia aquaculture: impacts of the Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture CRSP in Rwanda, Honduras, Philippines and Thailand

The Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture Collaborative Research Support Program (PDA/CRSP) is a global research network to generate basic science that may be used to advance aquaculture development. One of a family of research programs funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the CRSP focuses on improving the efficiency of aquaculture systems. The PDA/CRSP began work in 1982 in Thailand, and subsequently in the Philippines, Honduras, the US and, until recently, Rwanda. At all the sites, the goal is the same: to identify constraints to aquaculture production, and to design responses that are environmentally and culturally appropriate. The research network's global experiment has focused on tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), although some sites have devoted attention to marine shrimp and other locally significant species. Impact of the network's investigations with tilapia is examined in this article.

The Crustacean and Molluscan Fisheries of Honduras

Honduras has many communities of artisanal fishermen who land various species of crustaceans and mollusks, using hands, nets, traps, and free diving from shore and from dugout canoes. It also has industrial fisheries for spiny lobster, Panulirus argus; queen conch, Strombus gigas; and mainly pink shrimp, Penaeus notialis, using traps, scuba divers, and trawl nets.

Regional study on social dimensions of MPA practice in Central America: cases studies from Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras and Panama

This research focuses on the social dimensions of marine conservation, and makes an assessment of the experiences of coastal and fi shing communities with regard to the governance of MPAs in Central America, based on case studies from Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. It examines the national contexts of the above countries in relation to the governance of MPAs. Furthermore, it analyzes the social impacts of MPAs on coastal communities by gathering the experiences and the voices of the communities and institutions involved, and reflects on how to build bridges in the search for forms and models of conservation that respect human rights and which are able to successfully integrate into local development efforts without affecting cultural and/or social patterns. To this end, this monograph looks at nine case studies across the region: in Honduras, the Islas de la Bahia-Guanaja Marine National Park, the Cayos Cochinos Marine Archipelago Natural Monument, and the Cuero and Salado Wildlife Refuge; in Nicaragua, the Chacocente Wildlife Refuge; in Costa Rica, the Guanacaste Conservation Area, the Ballena Marine National Park and the Golfo Dulce Responsible Fishing Area; and, in Panama, the Nargana Protected Area, in the Comarca de la Biosfera Guna-Yala, the Bastimentos Island Marine National Park, and Bocas del Toro.

Estudio regional sobre las dimensiones sociales en el manejo de areas marinas protegidas: casos en Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras y Panama

Explora la percepción de las personas residentes en las comunidades costeras vinculadas a los espacios marinos protegidos en Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica y Panamá. Profundiza, a partir de estudios de caso y el análisis comparativo, los temas de gobernanza, derechos humanos y distribución justa y equitativa de beneficios derivados de la conservación. Los resultados destacan que los esfuerzos de conservación marina no han logrado establecer puentes que permitan satisfacer las necesidades sociales. Las comunidades han sido excluidas de los procesos de toma de decisiones, y los costos de la conservación han recaído en las pueblos costeros. Se plantean recomendaciones orientadas hacia el desarrollo de procesos de conservación marina y desarrollo local en aras de tender puentes en la búsqueda de formas y modelos de conservación marina que sean respetuosos de los derechos humanos y promuevan “el buen vivir” de las comunidades en territorios marino-costeros.

Deep coral and associated species taxonomy and ecology: (DeepCAST) II Expedition Report, Roatan, Honduras, May 21-28, 2011

NOAA has a mandate to explore and understand deep-sea coral ecology under Magnuson-Stevens Sustainable Fisheries Conservation Act Reauthorization of 2009. Deep-sea corals are increasingly considered a proxy for marine biodiversity in the deep-sea because corals create complex structure, and this structure forms important habitat for associated species of shrimp, crabs, sea stars, brittle stars, and fishes. Yet, our understanding of the nature of the relationships between deep-corals and their associated species is incomplete. One of the primary challenges of conducting any type of deep-sea coral (DSC) research is access to the deep-sea. The deep-sea is a remote environment that often requires long surface transits and sophisticated research vehicles like submersibles and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). The research vehicles often require substantial crew, and the vehicles are typically launched from large research vessels costing many thousands of dollars a day. To overcome the problem of access to the deep-sea, the Deep Coral and Associated Species Taxonomy and Ecology (DeepCAST) Expeditions are pioneering the use of shore-based submersibles equipped to do scientific research. Shore-based subs alleviate the need for expensive ships because they launch and return under their own power. One disadvantage to the approach is that shore-based subs are restricted to nearby sites. The disadvantage is outweighed, however, by the benefit of repeated observations, and the opportunity to reduce the costs of exploration while expanding knowledge of deep-sea coral ecology.