Groundwater pollution in tropical and human-altered coastal landscapes is receiving novel attention due to decreasing in annual recharge as a consequence of recurrent droughts and overexploitation, ...whereby saline intrusion, point and diffuse source contamination, and water conflicts are common denominators. This study presents a detailed groundwater evaluation in a coastal aquifer within the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Three sampling campaigns including major ions, heavy metals, and fecal coliform analyses were conducted between July 2013 and March 2014 across 17 wells within the alluvial and fissured units of the Jacó aquifer. The groundwater system is classified as mixed HCO
3
−
–Ca
2+
–Mg
2+
type. Coliforms presence was found in two wells, nearby Mona Creek headwaters and near the coastal line. Heavy metal concentrations were below quantification limits in most of the wells; however, chromium concentrations up to 6.56 μg/L were quantified within the coastal line and central portion of the alluvial aquifer in 20 out of the 48 samples. The spatial distribution of major ions (K
+
, Na
+
, Ca
2+
, Mg
2+
, Cl
−
, SO
4
2−
, and HCO
3
−
) exhibited an increasing trend towards the central portion of the alluvial aquifer, which may be potentially associated with the large unregulated urban expansion, invoking a need of a continuous water quality monitoring program in this touristic hot spot. This study provides useful information for other similar coastal aquifers in Central America, whereby increasing population growth and unregulated touristic, industrial, and agricultural activities are posing a truly challenge to ensure water security and sustainability parallel to the economic development in a changing climate.
Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin were autodisseminated in the house fly, Musca domestica L., when one, five, and 10 virgin, 3-day old males ...exposed to 6 × 108 conidia ml-1 per fungus were confined with 30 females of the same age. Fungal treatments with one or five males killed few, with LT50 of 7 and 5 days, respectively, but when 10 funguscontaminated males were placed with 30 flies, LT50 was 3 days with a sporulation rate of 94% and 66% less oviposition. Moreover, confinement of one, five, or 10 fungal-infected males caused an incremental increase in virulence, reducing the LT50. The regression of the mean of eggs, first-instar larvae, and days of gonotrophic cycle on the LT50 values of nine treatments (six fungal groups and three checks) showed that the three variables decreased about 3–4 units per unit of LT50. Likewise, when the gonotrophic cycle time was regressed on mean oviposition, a linear equation demonstrated that for each decrease of 15 eggs, the gonotrophic cycle was 1 day shorter, which was shortened from 7 days in healthy flies to 2 in females of the fungal treatment with 10 males. Ten virgin males impregnated with spores of either fungus infected and killed 50% of the exposed females in 3 days. This autodissemination could be used to improve integrated control of M. domestica in the field and human environments.
The lobster P. gracilis is important as a fishery resource and also contributes to food security of fishers in coastal communities in the North Pacific of Costa Rica. Due to the importance of ...updating knowledge related to the reproductive pattern of this species, we analyzed 357 specimens of female lobsters caught by the fishing methods of "hookah" and lung diving, from November 2007 to October 2008 in Playa Lagarto. Furthermore, we examined the size composition by depth; monthly pattern of reproductive activity (RAI) associated with the relative increase in sea surface temperature, and also the mean size at maturity using Generalized Linear Models. Four physiological states of sexual maturity showed that females with no signs of mating or sexual maturity have a minimum mean size of 62.3mm of cephalothorax length (CL). There are characteristics of functional maturity from very small sizes ranging from 30 to 50mm CL, being the smallest berried female reported for this specie of 35.8mm CL and the highest percentage of mature females between 70 and 80mm CL. Percentages of RAI remained above 50% during the year except October and January. In addition, it observed an increase in the RAI that started from April and continued until August associated with a relative increase in temperature on March, although the correlation was not significant (r super(2)=0.49, p>0.05). It is possible that the low mean size at maturity (70.2mm LC) for P. gracilis in this region is related to the fishing activity. It recommends the establishment of a ban in the region of at least five months (April-August) in order to protect the reproductive seasonality of the species and to promote a recruitment increase in the fishing areas.Original Abstract: La langosta Panulirus gracilis es importante como recurso pesquero de las comunidades costeras en el Pacifico Norte de Costa Rica. Debido a la importancia de actualizar el conocimiento relacionado con el patron reproductivo de esta especie, se analizaron 357 especimenes de langostas P. gracilis hembras capturados mediante el buceo con compresor y el buceo a pulmon durante noviembre de 2007 a octubre del 2008 en Playa Lagarto. Se examino la composicion de las tallas por estrato de profundidad, el patron mensual de la actividad reproductiva (IAR) asociado al aumento relativo de la temperatura superficial del oceano, y ademas se determino la talla media de madurez sexual utilizando Modelos Lineales Generalizados. Los cuatro estados fisiologicos de madurez sexual mostraron que las hembras sin masa espermatofora y no ovigeras, presentaron las menores tallas con una media de 62.3mm de longitud cefalotoraxica (LC). Se observaron caracteristicas de madurez sexual a partir de tallas muy bajas que van desde 30 a 50mm de LC, encontrandose la menor hembra ovigera reportada para esta especie de 35.8mm de LC y el mayor porcentaje de hembras maduras entre 70 y 80mm de LC. Los porcentajes del IAR se mantuvieron por encima del 50% durante el ano, con excepcion de los meses de octubre y enero. Ademas, se observo un aumento en el IAR que inicio a partir de abril y continuo hasta agosto asociado a un relativo aumento en la temperatura a partir del mes de marzo, sin embargo esta relacion no fue significativa (r super(2)=0.49, p>0.05). No se descarta que la baja talla media de madurez sexual de 70.2mm de LC para P. gracilis en esta region sea causada por las practicas de pesca. Se recomienda que se establezca una veda en la region de cinco meses (abril-agosto) con el fin de proteger la estacionalidad reproductiva de la especie y promover un mayor reclutamiento a las areas de pesca.
An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in a representative sample of the European Union (7155 men and 8077 women) to calculate the underestimation of body weight as assessed by body ...image among the overweight and obese population and identify the associated factors to this behavior. Participants were older than 15 years and they were living in the 15 European Union countries.
Body mass index (BMI) was grouped into 4 categories using the cutpoints established by the WHO, while perceived body image (PBI) was assessed using a nine-silhouettes drawing. The degree of underestimation between PBI as compared to BMI was identified in overweight and obesity categories of BMI. A multivariable logistic regression model for each gender was used to adjust for potentially confounding variables. Men classified themselves worse than women, being more likely to underestimate their body weight (65.2% of men underestimated their weight
vs 32.2% women), regardless of other socioeconomic and attitudinal variables. The greatest degree of underestimation was observed in Mediterranean individuals (68.7% of men and 37.9% of women underestimated their weight). The subjects in the ‘maintenance’ stage of physical activity tended more often to wrongly select their actual image (71.8% for men and 38.7% for women).
Public Health (2000)
114, 468–473.
Objective
To identify the factors associated with an adequate perception of body image in relation to body weight.
Material and methods
An observational, cross‐sectional study was conducted in a ...representative sample of the European Union (7155 men and 8077 women). Body Mass Index (BMI) was grouped into four categories, perceived body image was assessed using the nine silhouettes drawing scheme. A multivariable logistic regression model for each sex was used to adjust for potentially confounding variables.
Results
Underweight men and women classified themselves better than other groups (92.9% of correct answers among men and 79.3% among women). Overall, women classified themselves better than men (57.6% vs. 32.7%).
Discussion
Perceived body image as a method of assessment for body weight has different validity depending on sociodemographic or attitudinal categories. Perceived body image as an estimate of the nutritional status has a limited individualized application. Thus, perhaps it could be applied as a proxy measure of adiposity among slim males and among slim and overweight females, but not among the other groups.
Panulirus gracilis is a high valuable lobster species with considerable captures along the tropical Pacific coast. In this study, I present some biological and fishery parameters described after a ...sample of 843 lobsters, landed in Playa Lagarto from November 2007 to October 2008. From landing records, a total of 74.9% of lobsters were below the minimum legal catch size (80 mm CL). Carapace lengths were in the range of 42.8 and 143.6 mm for males and 115 and 35.8 mm for females. The size structure showed a wide overlapping of population segments, and a trend to increase with depth, where lung diving and "hooka" diving operations take place. Sex ratio was 1.36 M:H. The relationship between weight and LC revealed that females are heavier than males of the same size, and this difference was significant (p < 0.05). The von Bertalanffy growth parameters for males and females respectively (K = 0.45-0.38, LC(infinity) = 166.9-121.7) showed accelerated growth compared to other species. Males observed a higher growth rate than females. Furthermore, natural mortality (M), total mortality (Z) and fishing mortality (F) was higher in males (0.49-2.34-1.92) than in females (0.47-1.82-1.42). Recruitment was continuous for both sexes during the year, with an elevated intensity of 18.5% in July. Under the current fishing regime the population could be at risk of collapse, as indicated by the high exploitation rate (E) 0.80
Seven multisporic isolates, two from Cuba, four from the Southeastern State ofTabasco and two from Central Mexico, weremorphologically and physiologically comparedwith 28 monosporic isolates (four ...permultisporic isolate) of the fungus Lecanicillium (= Verticillium) lecanii.Mycelium type and colony appearance wereassociated with specific conidial length,conidial production and germination speed. Ingeneral, isolates with a cottony-likeappearance of the mycelium and without anystriations had small conidia and a highconidial production; the opposite was found forisolates with sparse mycelium and striatedcolonies. There was an inverse correlationbetween germination time of 50% of theconidia (GT50) and their length (r =−0.72, P = 0.01). Three conidia length groupswere determined: small (2.9–3.9 µm),intermediate (4.6–5.8 µm), and large(6.5–8.8 µm). Based on shape, five groups of conidia were distinguished:cylindrical with half constriction and roundedends; crescent-shape, curved with both endsacute; conidia with one end somewhat moredistinctly narrowed; lanceolate form; andovoid to ellipsoidal shape. Differenceswere found between monosporic cultures andmultisporic isolates, particularly withGTM50 and conidial production where severalmonosporic cultures exceeded their multisporicisolates. Results of analyses with singlecharacteristics were also confirmed withmultivariate analysis helping to identify thatthe four Tabasco groups were morphologicallyand physiologically more variable. Based onthese results it is possible to improve thecontrol potential of isolates of L. lecaniiby making monosporic cultures.
To assess the reproducibility and validity of a 116 item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), designed to assess the relation between dietary intake and chronic diseases.
To test the ...reproducibility of the FFQ questionnaire, the FFQ was administered twice to 134 women residing in Mexico City at an interval of approximately one year; to assess the validity we compared results obtained by the FFQs with those obtained by four 4-day 24-hour recalls at three month intervals. Validity and reproducibility were evaluated using regression analysis and Pearson and intraclass correlation coefficients of log-e and calorie-adjusted nutrient scores.
Mean values for intake of most nutrients assessed by the two food frequency questionnaires were similar. However, means for the 24-hr recall were significantly lower. Intraclass correlation coefficients for nutrient intakes, assessed by questionnaires, administered one year apart, ranged from 0.38 for cholesterol to 0.54 for crude fiber. Correlation coefficients between energy-adjusted nutrient intakes, measured by diet recalls, and the first FFQ ranged from 0.12 for polyunsaturated fatty acids to 0.67 for saturated fatty acids. Regression coefficients between 24-hr recall and FFQ,s were all significant were significant for all nutrients, except for polyunsaturated fat, folic acid, vitamin E and Zinc.
These data indicate that this semi-quantitative FFQ is reproducible and provides a useful estimate by which to categorize individuals by level of past nutrient intake. However, its application outside Mexico City or in different age and gender populations will require additional modifications and validation efforts.
The Mexican prairie dog (Cynomys mexicanus) is an endangered species that is endemic to northeastern Mexico. To obtain basic data on diet, parasites, reproduction, relationship with other small ...mammals, and predators, during the spring and summer, we studied a prairie dog colony at El Manantial, San Luis Potosí, northeastern México. Mexican prairie dogs preferentially fed on grasses in the spring, but as grasses matured, prairie dogs changed to a diet principally composed of forbs. Prairie dogs exhibited low levels of parasitism. Breeding peaked from mid-January to early February, but extended, at low levels, into early April. Nocturnal rodents and lagomorphs were more abundant and had a higher species richness on an abandoned prairie dog colony than on the active one, except for grasshopper mice (Onychomys arenarius), which were less abundant on the abandoned colony site. Coyotes (Canis latrans) appeared to be the most important predators of prairie dogs.
An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in a representative sample of the European Union (7155 men and 8077 women) to calculate the underestimation of body weight as assessed by body ...image among the overweight and obese population and identify the associated factors to this behavior. Participants were older than 15 years and they were living in the 15 European Union countries. Body mass index (BMI) was grouped into 4 categories using the cutpoints established by the WHO, while perceived body image (PBI) was assessed using a nine-silhouettes drawing. The degree of underestimation between PBI as compared to BMI was identified in overweight and obesity categories of BMI. A multivariable logistic regression model for each gender was used to adjust for potentially confounding variables. Men classified themselves worse than women, being more likely to underestimate their body weight (65.2% of men underestimated their weight vs 32.2% women), regardless of other socioeconomic and attitudinal variables. The greatest degree of underestimation was observed in Mediterranean individuals (68.7% of men and 37.9% of women underestimated their weight). The subjects in the 'maintenance' stage of physical activity tended more often to wrongly select their actual image (71.8% for men and 38.7% for women).
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