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2021 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 132-151
Author(s):  
Charlotte M. Taylor ◽  
Carla Poleselli Bruniera

Review of specimens of Rudgea Salisb. (Rubiaceae, Palicoureeae) has discovered some species new to science and clarified the identity of one previously described taxon. Here we raise R. viburnoides (Cham.) Benth. subsp. megalocarpa Zappi of the western Amazon basin to species status, as R. megalocarpa (Zappi) Bruniera & C. M. Taylor. We also describe 11 new species found variously from lowland to montane elevations in Panama and western South America: R. barbosae C. M. Taylor from scattered locations on sandstone in Colombia; R. campanana C. M. Taylor from central Panama; R. cardenasii C. M. Taylor from the Caribbean area of northwestern Colombia; R. chocoana C. M. Taylor from the Pacific drainage of western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador; R. elegans C. M. Taylor from sandstone formations in the Andes of central Peru; R. homeieri C. M. Taylor from the Andean slopes of central Ecuador; R. inflata C. M. Taylor from the northwestern Amazon basin in Colombia and Brazil; R. retiniphylloides C. M. Taylor from northern to north-central Colombia; R. sanluisensis C. M. Taylor & Cogollo from the lower Río Magdalena valley of northern Colombia; R. suberosa C. M. Taylor & Bruniera from cloud forest and pajonal in the Andes from southern Ecuador through southern Peru; and R. zappiae C. M. Taylor & Bruniera from central western Ecuador.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris Barja González ◽  
Jorge Rosas Santana ◽  
Victoria Eugenia Cachorro ◽  
Carlos Toledano ◽  
Juan Carlos Antuña-Marrero ◽  
...  

The effects of cumulus clouds (Cu) and the combination of stratocumulus-cumulus clouds (Sc-Cu) on the solar radiation at the earth’s surface were evaluated at Camagüey (Cuba) for a 6-year period (from June 2010 to May 2016). Two methods to calculate the cloud radiative effect (CRE) were employed. The first method (CREm) uses solar irradiances in cloudy conditions from actinometric observations, where cloud information was also reported by visual observation. In the second method (CRE0) surface solar irradiances were estimated for both cloudy and clear sky conditions using a 1-D radiative transfer model, and cloud optical depth (COD) retrieved from an AERONET sun-photometer as the main input. A temporal correspondence criterion between COD retrievals and actinometric observations was performed in order to classify COD of each cloud type. After the application of this criterion, the COD belonging to the optically thin clouds was removed. Finally, 255 and 732 COD observations for Cu and Sc-Cu respectively, were found. Results show statistically significant difference at the 95% confidence level between CRE calculated for Sc-Cu and Cu, using the both methods. Mean values of CREm and CRE0 for Cu (Sc-Cu) were −442 W/m2 (−390 W/m2) and −460 W/m2 (−417 W/m2), respectively. CRE0 shows a linear relation with ln(COD), with stronger correlation at lower solar zenith angle. The shortwave cloud effect efficiency (CEE) for the two cloud types sharply decreases with the increase of the COD up to the value of 20. For larger COD, the CEE is less sensitive to the increase of COD.


Author(s):  
Edwina E. Pereira ◽  
Albert E. Steenge

AbstractIt is well-known that small states, because of their size, tend to be less endowed with natural resources than big ones. This makes small states vulnerable and raises the question if specific policies can be implemented to offset the drawbacks of their small size and to increase resilience. We address this question in this paper, thereby focusing on the role of connectivity – between states, organisations, parties, or otherwise – in understanding a country’s vulnerability and resilience. Here ‘policies’ are interpreted as ‘institutions’ in the sense of Douglass C. North (1990), i.e. as ‘humanly devised constraints that structure political, economic and social interaction’. We focus on the Caribbean area, which is characterised by a wide variety of small states, each with its own set of rules and regulations. Within this area, we concentrate on the relationship between three Dutch Caribbean islands, i.e., Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, on the one hand, and the Netherlands, the former colonizer, on the other hand. As a first step we have measured the economic vulnerability and resilience of 17 Caribbean island states, both dependent and independent, employing the theoretical framework proposed by Lino Briguglio. The outcomes show that the three Dutch island states are performing comparatively well, although there are individual differences. We provide a first effort to explain this outcome in terms of the continuing interest of the three island states to keep their ties to the former colonizer viable. Here the presence of ‘systemic interest’ as shown by the stakeholders appears to be a most important variable.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. e0009267
Author(s):  
Elodie Curlier ◽  
Laurence Fagour ◽  
Cécile Herrmann-Storck ◽  
Adrien Staelen ◽  
Ingrid Vingadassalom ◽  
...  

Background In 2014, a first outbreak of chikungunya hit the Caribbean area where chikungunya virus (CHIKV) had never circulated before. Methodology/Principal findings We conducted a cross-sectional study to measure the seroprevalence of CHIKV immediately after the end of the 2014 outbreak in HIV-infected people followed up in two clinical cohorts at the University hospitals of Guadeloupe and Martinique. Study patients were identified during the first months of 2015 and randomly selected to match the age and sex distribution of the general population in the two islands. They were invited to complete a survey that explored the symptoms consistent with chikungunya they could have developed during 2014 and to have a blood sample drawn for CHIKV serology. The study population consisted of 377 patients (198 in Martinique and 179 in Guadeloupe, 178 men and 199 women), 182 of whom reported they had developed symptoms consistent with chikungunya. CHIKV serology was positive in 230 patients, which accounted for an overall seroprevalence rate of 61% [95%CI 56–66], with only 153 patients who reported symptoms consistent with chikungunya. Most frequent symptoms included arthralgia (94.1%), fever (73.2%), myalgia (53.6%), headache (45.8%), and skin rash (26.1%). Conclusions/Significance This study showed that the seroprevalence of CHIKV infection was 61% after the 2014 outbreak, with one third of asymptomatic infections. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT 02553369.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Gizéh Rangel-de Lázaro ◽  
Adrián Martínez-Fernández ◽  
Armando Rangel-Rivero ◽  
Alfonso Benito-Calvo

<p class="VARAbstract">During the 19<sup>th</sup> and 20<sup>th</sup> centuries, numerous museums, scientific societies, and royal academies were founded in Europe and America. In this scenario, the Anthropological Museum Montané was founded in Havana, Cuba. Its collection has grown over the years, thanks to researchers, antiquarians, and amateurs. Since its foundation, the Museum Montané has become an essential institution for anthropological and archaeological research in the region. Nowadays, the Museum Montané, like other museums in developing countries, faces a challenge in the introduction of state-of-the-art technologies to digitizing exhibits and the creation of innovative projects to attract visitors. The current possibilities of virtualization of cultural heritage using digital technologies have a favorable impact on the preservation, access, and management of museum collections. The use of three-dimensional (3D) models fosters engagement with visitors, stimulates new forms of learning, and revalorizes the exhibits. In the current study, we use a hand-held structured light scanner to create 3D reality-based models of pre-Columbian crania from the Caribbean and South American collection of the Anthropological Museum Montané. The resulting 3D models were used for producing 3D printing replicas and animated videos. The 3D resources derived will encourage new knowledge through research, and provide broader access to these pre-Columbian crania collection through learning and outreach activities. The significance of digitizing these specimens goes beyond the creation of 3D models. It means protecting these fragile and valuable collections for future generations. The methodology and results reported here can be used in other museums with similar collections to digitally document, study, protect, and disseminate the archaeological heritage. Going forward, we seek to continue exploring the application of novel methods and digital techniques to the study of the pre-Columbian crania collections in Latin American and the Caribbean area.</p><p class="VARAbstractHeader">Highlights:</p><ul><li><p>A hand-held structured light scanner was used to acquire 3D reality-based models of pre-Columbian crania. The 3D models resulting were used for 3D printing replicas and 3D animations.</p></li><li><p>This study provides unprecedented 3D reconstructions of pre-Columbian crania in the Caribbean area, and new 3D reconstructions of artificially deformed crania from South America.</p></li><li><p>The 3D resources created will encourage new knowledge through research, and provide broader access to these pre-Columbian crania collection through learning and outreach activities.</p></li></ul>


2021 ◽  
pp. 00814-2020
Author(s):  
Moustapha Agossou ◽  
Sandy Jean-Baptiste ◽  
Ninon Ehret ◽  
Nicole Desbois-Nogard ◽  
Moustapha Drame ◽  
...  

Mammomonogamosis is a parasitosis caused by a nematode of the genus Mammomonogamus. This parasitosis persists in certain tropical areas, particularly the Caribbean, despite the improvement in the living conditions of the populations. The main symptomatology is cough, which may be accompanied by some general signs and hypereosinophilia. The worms are found in the course of bronchial endoscopy. Patients receive antiparasitic treatment after the extraction.This parasitosis can infect tourists who are frequent in the region.It is important not to ignore such a diagnostic hypothesis when faced with an unexplained cough in a person who has stayed in an endemic area.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caty Martinez ◽  
Hector Serrano ◽  
Salim Mattar ◽  
Álvaro A. Faccini-Martínez ◽  
Veronica Contreras ◽  
...  

Abstract The ability of SARS-CoV-2 to remain in asymptomatic individuals facilitates its dissemination and makes its control difficult. Objective. To establish a cohort of asymptomatic individuals, change to the symptomatic state, and determine the most frequent clinical manifestations. Methods. Between April 9 and August 9, 2020, molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed in 154 asymptomatic people in contact with subjects diagnosed with COVID-19. Nasopharyngeal swabs were performed on these people in different hospitals in Córdoba, the Caribbean area of Colombia. The genes E, RdRp, and N were amplified with RT-qPCR. Based on the molecular results and the Cq values, the patients were subsequently followed up through telephone calls to verify their health conditions. Results. Overall, of 154 asymptomatic individuals, 103 (66.9%) remained asymptomatic, and 51 (33.1%) changed to symptomatic. The most frequent clinical manifestations in young people were anosmia and arthralgia; in adults, they were cough, ageusia, and odynophagia; in the elderly were epigastralgia, dyspnea, and headache. Mortality was 8%. Conclusions. A proportion of 33% of presymptomatic individuals was found, of which four of them died. This high rate could indicate a silent transmission, contributing significantly to the increase in the epidemic associated with SARS-CoV-2.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Salim Mattar ◽  
Nelson Alvis-Guzman ◽  
Evelin Garay ◽  
Ricardo Rivero ◽  
Alejandra García ◽  
...  

Abstract A serological survey was carried out in Monteria (500 000 population), a mid-size city in Colombia. An overall prevalence of 55.3% (95% confidence interval, 52.5%–57.8%) was found among a sample of 1.368 people randomly selected from the population. Test positivity was related to economic characteristics with the highest prevalence found in the most impoverished areas, representing 83.8% of the city’s population. We found a prevalence that might be associated with some important level of population immunity.


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