664 research outputs found
Les défis de la justice administrative à l'horizon des années 2000
No full textLes défis que devra relever la justice administrative à l'horizon
des années 2000 seront axés sur l'amélioration de la qualité des
services fournis par l'Administration gouvernementale et sur un plus
grand respect des droits des administrés. À cet égard, les décideurs
administratifs devront faire preuve de plus de compétence et faciliter
davantage l'exercice des droits. De même, les tribunaux administratifs
devront acquérir l'indépendance judiciaire et voir également à
traiter plus rapidement les causes qui leur seront soumises. Enfin le
Protecteur du citoyen devra non seulement sensibiliser les fonctionnaires
à raffiner leurs rapports avec les administrés, mais encore
devra mieux répondre aux besoins de l'ensemble de la population qui
est en droit de s'attendre à plus d'équité.Abstract: At the dawn of the twenty-first century, administrative law
must aim ut improving the quality of government administrative
services and ut ensuring greater respect for the rights of the citizens.
In this regard, decision makers must prove to be more
competent and ensure that citizens exercise their rights with greater
facility. Administrative tribunals will have to become entirely
autonomous and see to it that each matter be dealt with more
rapidly. Finally, the Public Protector's commitment must not only
be to enjoin the public servants to be more receptive in their
relations with the citizens, but also to better meet the expectations
of the people who are entitled to equity and fair treatment
Calligrapha intermedia Jacoby J. Gomez-Zurita 1882
No full textCalligrapha intermedia Jacoby, 1882 (Figs 6a, 7a, 7b, 8) Calligrapha intermedia Jacoby, 1882. Biol. Centr.-Amer., vol. vi, pt. 1, p. 200. Calligrapha intermedia: Blackwelder, 1946. U.S. Natl. Mus. Bull. 185, p. 674. Calligrapha intermedia: Wilcox, 1975. Checklist Chryomelidae, p. 66. Calligrapha intermedia: Montelongo & Gómez-Zurita, 2014. Zool. Scr. 43, p. 607. Calligrapha intermedia: Benítez-García et al., 2017. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. 88, p. 339. Martin Jacoby described this species simultaneously referring to two specimens in his possession, both coming from A. Sallé's collection and originary from Panistlahuca (sic.), in Mexico (Jacoby 1882). One of the specimens is currently at NHM (London, UK) and the other at MCZ (Cambridge MA, USA). Both differ in several important respects, some of them already pointed out by the original author, and the traits selected in the formal description were sometimes representative of one of the specimens and sometimes of the other. For example, the configuration described for the humeral spot seems to reflect better the specimen at NHM, but that of shape and punctation of pronotum, the spots enclosed by humeral lunule, and the presence of subhumeral spot, clearly describe the specimen at MCZ. The alternative states for these traits, except the configuration of the spots enclosed by humeral lunule, were mentioned as variation in the species and, at least in the case of pronotal differences, attributable to sexual dimorphism (Jacoby 1882). Even though the specimen in Cambridge shows traits that are more consistent with the few other specimens examined for this revision, most notably the presence of subhumeral spot, the one in London was selected by the author to represent the species in Biologia Centrali-Americana (plate XI, fig. 19; Jacoby 1882), and respecting this choice, the latter syntype is selected here as the lectotype of C. intermedia Jacoby. Lectotype, by present designation: Panistlahuca [San Miguel Panixtlahuaca] / Mexico, Sallé Coll. / 642 [pale blue] / C. intermedia [pale blue] / Type. Sp. figured / Godman-Salvin Coll., Biol. Centr.-Amer. (NHM). The specimen lacks the last two tarsomeres of the left protarsus and the claws in left mesotarsus. Paralectotype, by present designation: Panistlahuca / Mexico, Sallé Coll. / 1st Jacoby Coll. / Type 17433 [red] / Jan–July 2004 MCZ database (MCZ). Habitus (Fig. 6a). Length: 9.29 mm (lectotype), 8.50 mm (paralectotype); width: 5.98 mm (lectotype), 5.42 mm (paralectotype). Head and pronotum dark brown with slight bronzy tinge; scutellum, elytral markings, epipleura, ventral surfaces and apex of mandibles dark brown; apical margin of clypeus, labrum, mandibles, mouth appendages, antennae and legs brownish orange, but femora frontally and posteriorly with large darkened spot; ground of elytra creamy yellow. Body elongate oval, moderately convex. Head large, broad, deeply inserted in pronotum; surface with fine microreticulation, rather densely punctured, with finer, sparse punctation medially; supraocular furrow deep, weakly sinuous from antennal calli to above upper eye border, divergent from eye; frontal suture very finely impressed, confluent apically with broad U-shaped clypeal suture, more feebly impressed medially. Clypeus wide, weakly convex, markedly depressed in front, densely and strongly punctured at sides and apex. Labrum relatively long, with very fine microsculpture and median transverse row of about eight fine punctures with long medially convergent pale yellowish setae; anterior border of labrum weakly emarginate. Mandibles large, strong, protruding beyond anterior border of labrum by 1/3 of their length; sides feebly concave and with strong lateral punctures bearing long golden setae. Last maxillary palpomere longer than wide, subtrapezoidal, wider at apex than basally, with sides weakly convex and apex obliquely truncate, also feebly convex; previous palpomere broader at apex than basally, slightly wider at apex than base of last palpomere, regularly curved at external border, strongly bent and shorter at inner border. Antennae slender, slightly clavate, reaching humeri; scape thick and long, slightly bent posteriorly; pedicel relatively long, slightly longer than half length of scape, club-shaped, smooth, nearly glabrous; third antennomere long and slender, about 1.6x longer than pedicel, club-shaped, smooth with sparse short setae and few longer setae near apex; fourth antennomere subequal to pedicel, narrower, and 1.3x longer than fifth antennomere; antennomeres 5–11 progressively longer (sixth antennomere slightly shorther than fourth), and 5–8 progressively thicker but longer than wide (eigth antennomere 0.69x as wide at apex as long); surface of antennomeres 6–11 finely granulate and densely pubescent. Pronotum markedly transverse (W/L = 1.98), narrower at base than base of elytra, broadest behind middle; basal border with convex median lobe, unmargined; posterior angles slightly obtuse and sides weakly convex, more pronouncedly curved at apical third, towards anterior angles, finely margined, with margins visible from above, except near anterior angles owing to lateral convexity of pronotum; anterior angles broad, round, moderately protruding; anterior border weakly convex and finely margined; surface with strong, irregularly sparse punctures on disc, sometimes confluent, and denser, stronger punctures toward sides, and dense, confluent elongate punctures along basal border except in periscutellar area. Hypomera convex, finely microsculptured, unpunctured, with few transversal wrinkles basally; hypomeral suture strongly marked, deep, from near basal angle of pronotum to ventral basal border of anterior angles, weakly divergent from lateral border of pronotum at basal 3/4. Prosternum relatively long, with anterior border concave and finely margined, very strongly punctured with longitudinally elongate punctures, denser near procoxae; prosternal process narrow, sloping behind and gradually expanding to slightly round apex, slightly surpassing posterior coxal border. Surface of mesepimera finely microreticulate, with weakly impressed punctures, denser at posterior angle. Metanepisterna with strong, separate punctures, slightly longitudinally elongated at apical half. Metaventrite finely leathery, sparsely and finely punctured, with stronger punctation close to anterior angles and lateral borders; sides margined, with premarginal row of strong punctures. Scutellum small, with fine microreticulation, unpunctured, shaped as elongate triangle (W/L = 0.91) with round posterior apex. Elytra long, with humeri marked, parallel-sided behind humeri and regularly curved at apical 1/3; surface very finely microsculptured, with sparse dot-like punctures in pale areas and in dark areas of apical half; punctation stronger around and within dark markings in basal half of elytra; premarginal line of fine punctures present, confused in subhumeral area and with strong punctures over midlateral spot; scutellar row of 14–15 punctures, geminate at level with scutellum. Pattern of dark markings on elytra consisting of: (i) sutural stripe strangled narrowly at base, confluent with base of elytra and fully surrounding scutellum, reaching sutural angle, but abruptly narrowed before apex; (ii) basal end of subsutural stripe slightly anterior to apex of scutellum, entirely confluent with sutural stripe, gradually narrowing toward apex, except for weak enlargement at apical declivity and broad preapical lobe before abrupt apical narrowing; (iii) arcuate band relatively short, placed behind middle of elytron, broadly confluent with subsutural stripe laterally, gently curved with slightly divergent and free basal and apical ends; apically produced as recurved volute ending at level with median concavity of band; (iv) humeral spot large, elongate, gradually expanded towards apex, produced as broad transverse lobe directed at right angle towards lateral border of elytron; spot feebly curved following elytral margin at side, free from basal margin of elytron basally and apically ending at level with basal confluence of arcuate band with subsutural stripe; (v) humeral lunule long and rather uniformly wide, broadly sigmoidal, entirely confluent laterally with humeral spot except at apical quarter, slightly convergent towards suture; preapically confluent through dark suffussions with basal quarter of arcuate band externally; (vi) two spots enclosed by humeral lunule; basal spot large, round, with anterior margin at level with base of subsutural stripe, almost free except for a puncture wide dark connection with prebasal area of humeral lunule; apical spot larger, transverse, broadly confluent externally with internal concavity of humeral lunule, subtrapezoidal on left elytron of type and U-shaped on right elytron; (vii) midlateral spot narrow and elongate, covering seven punctures of premarginal line, loosely connected by dark suffussions medially to dark margin of elytron; (viii) spot of apical declivity large, longitudinally elongate, with apical end oriented towards sutural angle and weakly divergent basally from suture, broadly confluent apically with slight enlargement of subsutural stripe at apical declivity; (ix) apical spot large, irregular, with posterior margin parallel to apical border of elytron; (x) 6–7 large additional spots at apical half on lateral declivity of disc of elytra, with differences between elytra of type. Femora long, enlarged medially, with sparse, fine punctures and very fine short hairs. Tibiae slender, nearly as long as corresponding femora, sparsely punctured, except at granulose apex, covered by short, dense golden setae; delicately carinated longitudinally at interior angles and furrowed externally at basal 1/3. Tarsi long and slender, shorter than corresponding tibiae. Abdominal ventrites with rather strong and dense punctation basally and at sides, and regular median transverse row of punctures on ventrites 2–4; surface of median posterior end of ventrites smooth, except apical segment, entirely strongly punctured, particularly at sides. Penis stout (Figs 7a, 7b), with sides almost parallel in ventral side, slightly widened at level with ostium, nearly as thick in lateral as in ventral view, with maximum ventral curvature distal to basal orifice, weakly curved in apical part, tapering to apex at level with ostium dorsally in lateral view; apical border weakly convex at middle and regularly curved at sides, towards lateral, posteriorly oriented teeth, slightly surpassing lateral borders of penis laterally; basal dorsal flap of ostium weakly bilobate; distal end of flagellum membranous dorsally and sclerotized ventrally, two-armed with slightly divergent ends. Distribution. Given the paucity of specimens belonging to this species found in collections, it is still preliminary to define the range of this species. However, the few records available are coherent with the distribution in southwestern Mexico, with additional localities in the States of Guerrero and Morelos, not far from the type locality, Panixtlahuaca, in Oaxaca (Fig. 8). At present, C. intermedia Jacoby has to be considered an endemic Mexican species, Neotropical and characteristic of the southern, Pacific part of the Mexican Transition Zone (Morrone 2006). Material examined (five specimens). MEXICO. IBE-JGZ: (1) two specimens: [IBE-JGZ-C548, IBE-JGZ-C549] Mexico, Morelos, Puente de Ixtla, La Tigra 18°30'57''N 99°19'53.7''W, 25/05/12, María Magdalena Ordóñez Reséndiz leg., Calligrapha intermedia Jacoby J. Gómez-Zurita det. 2012. MCZ: (1) one specimen: Chilpancingo, Gro. Mex. 3800’, 30 July 1962, H.E. Evans collector, Calligrapha intermedia Jac. J. Gómez-Zurita det. 2010. NMNH: (1) one specimen: Mexico, Progreso, Valle Hidalgo, July 27, 1963, Alfred B. Lau, Calligrapha intermedia Jacoby J. Gómez-Zurita det. 2011. UNKNOWN SOURCE. MCZ: (1) one specimen: 40. Variation. As already mentioned above, and as already noted by the author (Jacoby 1882), this species shows some remarkable variation in relevant characters. For example, the lectotype shows a tridigitate apex of the humeral spot, because of lateral fusion of apical spot enclosed by humeral lunule with the humeral lunule, similar to the configuration of this marking observed in C. tortilis Stål and C. suffriani Jacoby. However, the paralectotype, and to some extent the specimen without data also at MCZ, both have the larger spot enclosed by humeral lunule not markedly transverse and very close, but free from the lunule. The apically tridigitate humeral marking is recognizable in the specimens from Chilpancingo (MCZ) and from Puente de Ixtla (IBE-JGZ). The lectotype has a characteristic, convoluted apical end of the arcuate band, very similar to this defining trait of C. tortilis Stål. This feature is missing in all the other specimens analyzed. The lectotype lacks any trace of subhumeral spot, but this feature is conspicuous in the paralectotype, as a medium sized elongate spot contiguous to the external border of the humeral spot, and this feature is also present in the specimen from Chilpancingo and the two specimens from Puente de Ixtla, where it is larger and fused laterally to humeral spot, but still recognizable. The configuration of the midlateral spot is also polymorphic, from nearly missing in the paralectotype to a midlateral spot fused to elytral margin and progressively narrowing behind, as seen in the specimen without data at MCZ and the two specimens from Puente de Ixtla. Punctation on pronotum is variable and possibly not related to sexual differences, as signalled by Jacoby (1882): the specimens from Puente de Ixtla are one male and one female, and have very similar punctation on pronotum, closer in appearance to the lectotype.Published as part of Gómez-Zurita, Jesús, 2018, Systematic revision of Central American Calligrapha Chevrolat of the subgenus Erythrographa subgen. nov. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Chrysomelinae), pp. 1-58 in Zootaxa 4531 (1) on pages 21-24, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4531.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/261431
Calligrapha femorata Jacoby J. Gomez-Zurita 1891
No full textCalligrapha femorata Jacoby, 1891 (Figs 4a, 5) Calligrapha femorata Jacoby, 1891. Biol. Centr.-Amer., vol. vi, pt. 1, suppl., p. 247. Polyspila femorata: Weise, 1916. Coleopt. Cat., p. 39. Calligrapha femorata: Blackwelder, 1946. U.S. Natl. Mus. Bull. 185, p. 674. Calligrapha femorata: Wilcox, 1975. Checklist Chryomelidae, p. 66. Calligrapha femorata: Benítez-García et al., 2017. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. 88, p. 339. This species was described based on a single specimen, as explicitly mentioned in the original description, published in the February 1891 supplement of the Biologia Centrali-Americana (Jacoby 1888–1892). The information provided in the description fits in every detail the only specimen originally labelled as Calligrapha femorata in the beetle collection of the Natural History Museum (London), and this is recognized as Jacoby's holotype for this species. Holotype, by original designation: Xautipa, Guerrero, H.H. Smith / Calligr. femorata Jac. [blue] / Sp. figured / Godman-Salvin Coll., Biol. Centr.-Amer. (NHM). Only two basal antennomeres of right antennae remaining, and right meso-onychium and left metatarsus are also missing. Habitus (Fig. 4a): Length: 8.38 mm, width: 5.40 mm. Body ovoid, moderately convex. Head and pronotum dark metallic green; scutellum, dark markings of elytra, epipleura, and apex of mandibes very dark brown, almost black with slight bronzy reflection; ventral surfaces and large frontal and posterior femoral spots (occupying basal 2/3 of femora) black with bluish-greenish metallic reflections; apical margin of clypeus, labrum, mandibles, antennae, mouth segments, ground of femora, tibiae, tarsi and fine margins of abdominal ventrites reddish orange; pale areas of elytra dark yellow. Head large, deeply inserted in pronotum, rather strongly densely punctured on frons, around frontal and clypeal suture, above antennal calli and around eyes; supraocular furrow as wide impressed region above upper margin of eye. Clypeus punctured apically and at sides. Labrum long (W/L = 1.98), smooth, shiny, with sides regularly round and weakly emarginate anteriorly. Mandibles strong, long, protruding twice length of labrum, weakly concave at sides basally, with few large, deep punctures at sides, umpunctured and shiny frontally. Last palpomere of maxillary palpi strongly dilated apically, apex cut almost straight and sides regularly curved towards narrowed base; previous palpomere as broad at apex as base of last palpomere, markedly narrowing externally towards base; first maxillary palpomere club-shaped. Antennae slender, weakly clavate, reaching behind humeri; scape strongly dilated from very narrow base; pedicel small, as short club, half as long as scape; third antennomere slender, slightly clavate, slightly longer than scape; fourth antennomere slender, 1.5x as long as second; antennomeres 4–6 progressively shorter and more rugose, with sixth antennomere slightly longer than second; antennomeres 7–11 slightly more incrassate but slender, with surface finely rugose and densely pubescent; seventh antennomere as long as fifth, eighth and ninth subequal, slightly longer than fourth, and tenth and eleventh progressively longer, with eleventh as long as third; eighth antennomere about 1.5x as long as wide at apex. Pronotum subtrapezoidal, transverse (W/L = 1.94), narrower than base of elytra; sides nearly straight at basal 2/3, weakly converging and gently curved at apical 1/3 towards moderately protruding anterior angles, finely margined; anterior border feebly concave bewteen angles, narrowly margined; basal border of pronotum bisinuate, unmargined; surface smooth, shiny, with fine microgranulation and sparse, moderately strong punctures on disc, unevenly distributed, stronger and sometimes confluent at sides and angles, elongate and partially aligned with basal border at sides of pronotum. Hypomera weakly convex on disc, smooth and shiny, unpunctured, with some transverse wrinkles basally; hypomeral suture deep and continuous, curved at basal angle and weakly and gradually diverging to base of anterior angles. Prosternum transversely convex at middle, slightly depressed at sides, finely margined anteriorly, with strong, rugose punctures at sides and before procoxae; prosternal process narrow between coxae, convex, slightly spatulate apically, punctured at sides, smooth medially. Mesepimera and mesanepisterna finely microreticulate, punctured at angles. Metanepisterna markedly narrow posteriorly, with strong and elongated scattered punctures. Metaventrite convex, shiny and leathery, with fine scattered punctation on disc, impressed and slightly rugose at sides, punctured at anterior angles. Scutellum longer than wide at base (W/L = 0.84), lancetshaped, glossy, unpunctured. Elytra long and parallel, with humeri marked, widest at middle, and regularly curved at apical third; surface with very fine uneven punctation on pale areas, and with strong punctures around and within dark markings; premarginal row of punctures confused in subhumeral area, regular and gradually approaching margin of elytron toward sutural angle; scutellar row long, with some ten spaced punctures reaching basal 1/3 of elytron. Dark markings on elytra expand clearly beyond associated puncture features: (i) sutural stripe broad, completely surrounding scutellum at base by twice its width, occupying interval between scutellar row and sutural row of punctures, reaching sutural angle; (ii) subsutural stripe entirely confluent with sutural stripe from base, at level with apical 1/3 of scutellum, to apex of elytra, expanded laterally as preapical lobe shortly before sutural angle; (iii) arcuate band entire, externally concave, mostly confluent internally with subsutural stripe except briefly at divergent ends; (iv) humeral spot large, long, nearly reaching middle of elyton and expanded posteriorly, broadly confluent basally with elytral margin and with surrounding features; (v) humeral lunule slightly longer than humeral spot, gently curved inward, broadly confluent basally with margin of elytron, completely fused laterally with humeral spot and confluent apically with basal 1/4 of arcuate band; (vi) subhumeral spot medium sized, elliptic, broadly fused laterally with humeral spot; (vi) spot enclosed by humeral lunule large, subtriangular, broadly confluent with humeral lunule externally and subsutural stripe internally, delimiting two enclosed irregular pale areas, one marginal basal and one postbasal, between base of triangle and confluence of humeral lunule, base of arcuate band and subsutural stripe; spot with strong marginal and insterstitial punctation; (vii) midlateral spot large, irregular, entirely confluent and expanded along margin, narrowing gradually anteriorly, disappearing at level with subhumeral spot, and irregularly narrowing posteriorly almost reaching sutural angle; (viii) spot of apical declivity large, longitudinally elongated and entirely confluent laterally with subsutural stripe; (ix) apical spot large, irregular, broadly confluent laterally with dark marginal expansion of midlateral spot; (x) three additional recognizable spots on disc (right elytron of type); one spot round, large, shortly confluent laterally with broad dark margin of elytron slightly behind midlateral spot; one spot round, slightly smaller (broken into three small spots on left elytron of type), on apical concavity of arcuate band; and one large, irregular elongate spot reaching from near apex of arcuate band to dark lateral margin of elytron at level with base of spot of apical declivity. Epipleura wide at base, microsculptured, glossy, unpunctured. Femora slender, very finely microreticulate, with fine and scattered punctures. Tibiae straight and slender, shorter than femora, gradually widening apically and weakly impressed externally at apical half by apically expanded furrow; smooth, with scattered punctation basally, finely rugose and pubescent apically, with dense golden setae expanding apically on tibiae internally. Tarsi slender, shorter than corresponding tibiae. First abdominal ventrite convex, as long as metaventrite medially, shiny, with sparse fine punctation and short fine hairs; remaining ventrites finely microreticulate, with denser, stronger punctation, feebly impressed at sides. Distribution. This species is rare in collections and so far it is only known from specimens collected in Mexico, in sthe outhwestern slopes of the Sierra Madre Occidental and Transvolcanic belt (Fig. 5). Until more distribution data becomes available for this species, it can be considered a typical element of the Mexican Transition zone (Morrone 2006). Material examined (eight specimens). MEXICO. FSCA: (1) one specimen: Mexico, Veracruz, Fortín de las Flores, at Microwave Station, 30.vi.1992, B.K. Dozier. MCZ: (1) one specimen: Juquila, Mexico, Sallé Coll., 1st Jacoby Coll., Calligrapha femorata Jac. J. Gómez-Zurita det. 2010; (2) one specimen: Juquila, Mohr, Jacoby 2nd Coll., Calligrapha femorata Jac. J. Gómez- Zurita det. 2010. NHM: (1) one specimen: Juquila, Mexico, Sallé Coll., 697, Godman-Salvin Coll., Biol. Centr.- Amer. NMB: (1) one specimen: Ventanas, Durango, Höge, Calligrapha suffriani Jac. J. Bechyné det. 1954, Calligrapha nr. femorata Jac. J. Gómez-Zurita det. 2010. NMNH: (1) one specimen: Mexico, Veracruz, Fortín de las Flores, 2900’, iii.7.1966, in bromeliads, George E. Ball, D.R. Whitehead collectors, Calligrapha femorata Jacoby J. Gómez-Zurita det. 2011. TAMUIC: (1) two specimens: [X0533905, X0534193], Mexico, Oaxaca, Hwy131, 15 mi N San Gabriel Mixtepec, 11.vii.1987, Kovarik & Schaffner coll., Calligrapha femorata Jacoby J. Gómez-Zurita det. 2011. Variation. Martin Jacoby knew a single specimen of his new taxon, which displayed the highly conspicuous dark metallic spots on reddish femora. In fact, among the specimens in the collection of this author currently in the Natural History Museum (London), there was another specimen of this species (I found it mixed with representatives of C. stillatipennis Stål). Interestingly, the specimen shows remarkable differences to the type, including the lack of darkened spots on femora, but also differences in coloration, heavier and more confluent elytral markings, although humeral markings in particular are basally free from basal margin of elytra. Moreover, this specimen shows hypomeral sutures almost obliterated, and more slender proportions (length: 8.13 mm, width: 4.98 mm), but otherwise it matches the type in important, diagnostic characters, such as the long labrum, the pronotum parallel-sided and much narrower than the elytra, the number and arrangements of markings on elytra, the subhumeral spot fused with humeral marking, and the midlateral spot expanded to form a wide elytral dark margin. In the Museum of Comparative Zoology (Cambridge MA) there are other specimens from the same source and almost identical to the one in London, but they are closer to the type in having their humeral marking confluent with basal margin of elytron and deeply furrowed hypomeral suture, an important diagnostic character for this entire lineage of Calligrapha. One of the specimens at MCZ, however, departs again from the type in the shape of pronotum, with sinuous sides, still narrower at base than base of elytra and slightly cordiform; elytral markings in this specimen are even heavier than those in the type, leaving very reduced pale areas, and their femora, particularly metafemora are largely darkened basally. Finally, the specimen found in the beetle collection of the Smithsonian Institution still has another peculiarity: the specimen is darkened and it is difficult to recognize coloration, but it looks as if its legs were uniformly dark with metallic shine; otherwise, the specimens conforms well to the type.Published as part of Gómez-Zurita, Jesús, 2018, Systematic revision of Central American Calligrapha Chevrolat of the subgenus Erythrographa subgen. nov. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Chrysomelinae), pp. 1-58 in Zootaxa 4531 (1) on pages 15-17, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4531.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/261431
Cataclysmic variables from a ROSAT/2MASS selection. I, Four new intermediate polars
No full textWe report the first results from a new search for cataclysmic variables (CVs) using a combined X-ray (ROSAT)/infrared (2MASS) target selection that discriminates against background active galactic nuclei. Identification spectra were obtained at the Isaac Newton Telescope for a total of 174 targets, leading to the discovery of 12 new CVs. Initially devised to find short-period low-mass-transfer CVs, this selection scheme has been very successful in identifying new intermediate polars. Photometric and spectroscopic follow-up observations identify four of the new CVs as intermediate polars: 1RXS J063631.9+353537 P(orb)similar or equal to 201 min, P-spin= 1008.3408 s or 930.5829 s), 1RXS J070407.9+262501 (P(orb)similar or equal to 250 min, P-spin= 480.708 s) 1RXS J173021.5-055933 (P-orb= 925.27 min, P-spin= 128.0 s), and 1RXS J180340.0+401214 (P-orb= 160.21 min, P-spin= 1520.51 s). RX J1730, also a moderately bright hard X-ray source in the INTEGRAL/IBIS Galactic plane survey, resembles the enigmatic AE Aqr. It is likely that its white dwarf is not rotating at the spin equilibrium period, and the system may represent a short-lived phase in CV evolution
Relations between x-ray timing features and spectral parameters of galactic black hole x-ray binaries
No full textWe present a study of correlations between spectral and timing parameters for a sample of black hole X-ray binary candidates. Data are taken from GX
339-4, H 1743-322, and XTE J1650-500, as the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer
(RXTE) observed complete outbursts of these sources. In our study we investigate outbursts that happened before the end of 2009 to make use of the high-energy coverage of the HEXTE detector and select observations that
show a certain type of quasi-periodic oscillations (type-C QPOs). The spectral parameters are derived using the empirical convolution model simpl to model the Comptonized component of the emission together with a disc blackbody for the emission of the accretion disc. Additional spectral features, namely a reflection component, a high-energy cut-off, and excess emission at 6.4 keV, are taken into account. Our investigations confirm the known positive
correlation between photon index and centroid frequency of the QPOs and reveal an anti-correlation between the fraction of up-scattered photons and the QPO frequency. We show that both correlations behave as expected in the “sombrero”
geometry. Furthermore, we find that during outburst decay the correlation between photon index and QPO frequency follow a general track, independent of individual outbursts
A Translational Study of the Mechanisms of Exposure Therapy for Obsessions: Gradual vs. Variable Exposure Intensity
No full textDespite the efficacy of exposure and response prevention (ERP) for OCD, patients who primarily experience obsessions are at heightened risk of attenuated outcomes and relapse. The current study sought to translate laboratory research on inhibitory learning to the use of ERP for primary obsessions, with the ultimate aim of maximizing outcome and reducing the need for follow-up services for this group of at-risk patients. Although preliminary research suggests that learning to tolerate varying levels of fear during exposure therapy enhances long-term outcomes for some anxiety-related problems, no previous studies have examined this in the treatment of obsessions. In the current study, 30 participants with a moderately distressing obsessional thought were randomly assigned either: (a) the gradual exposure condition (EXP-G), emphasizing fear reduction, or (b) the variable exposure condition (EXP-V), emphasizing variability in exposure intensity (EXP-V). Both groups completed four twice-weekly exposure sessions in which subjective and physiological indices of fear were collected. Clinical interview, self-report, and behavioral outcome measures were evaluated by an independent assessor at pre-treatment (PRE), post-treatment (POST), and 1-month follow-up (1MFU). Both the EXP-G and EXP-V interventions were associated with significant decreases in interview, self-report, and behavioral measures of fear from PRE to POST, with no significant differences in PRE/POST changes between the two groups. Furthermore, there was no significant return of fear for either group from POST to 1MFU. Variability in subjective and physiological fear did not predict treatment outcomes, which is in contrast to previous studies suggesting benefits of variability in fear level during exposure for other anxiety-related problems. These results indicate that random/variable exposure warrants future study to better understand the mechanisms, moderators, and implications of this novel approach.Doctor of Philosoph
Revue de droit. Université de Sherbrooke. Volume 13 - Numéro 2
No full textNuméro complet.Articles. Doit-on légiférer par généralités ou doit-on tout dire? / par Daniel Jacoby -- La refonte des actes réglementaires / par Raoul P. Barbe -- L'objection éthique et de conscience : impact de la Charte Canadienne des droits et libertés / par Pierre Patenaude -- La délinquance juvénile, d'hier à demain / par Renée Joyal-Poupart -- Consumer protection legislation: an exercise in property rights economics / par Michel Boucher, Jean-Luc Migué, Christine Viens – Commentaires. L'absence de mise en vigueur des dispositions de la Loi sur la protection du consommateur qui excluent certains champs de l'application de la Loi / par Luc Chamberland -- Dérogation au secret professionnel médical / par Liliane Bronsard -- Réflexions sur la nécessité d'une définition de la mort / par Robert P. Kouri
Toxic Cyanobacteria: Education, Lake Protection
No full textWashington State Department of Health received a Centennial Clean Water Fund grant in 1994 from Washington State Department of Ecology to investigate cyanobacteria blooms in western Washington. Objectives of the grant, entitled "Toxic Cyanobacteria: Education/Lake Protection," were to: (1) educate the public about potential health concerns and train citizens to recognize and report algal blooms in lakes, (2) investigate potential inhibitors of cyanobacteria, and (3) observe blooms in two western Washington lakes. During this grant, Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) tested field samples for toxicity and conducted research on cyanobacteria inhibitors. Seattle University (SU) conducted limnological field work in Lake Steilacoom and American Lake, Pierce County. A review of scientific literature on toxic cyanobacteria included the following topics: toxin-producing cyanobacteria, cyanobacterial toxins (neurotoxins, hepatotoxins, other toxins, detection), occurrence of freshwater cyanobacterial toxicity, impacts on human health, impacts on aquatic life (zooplankton, fish), and conditions leading to toxic bloom formation (nutrients, light and temperature, toxin production and growth cycle, zooplankton, other factors). Also in the literature review was information on control of toxic cyanobacteria blooms (lake management, copper sulfate, calcium hydroxide, aluminum sulfate, other treatments, and drinking water treatment). Education of lake groups and citizens was conducted during the grant. A large part of educating the public and public agencies about toxic cyanobacteria blooms occurred through response to requests for information, primarily from government agencies but also from citizens and businesses associated with aquatic activities. The above interactions were summarized in the final report. In addition, a brochure on toxic cyanobacteria was produced and distributed, a training manual on identification of potentially toxic cyanobacteria was distributed, and public meetings and local workshops on toxic cyanobacterial blooms were conducted. Local health district personnel were trained at three regional workshops in western Washington. Four public workshops were held for various groups, such as Phantom Lake Association (King County), Kitsap County, Long Lake Steering Committee (Thurston County), and the 1996 joint annual meeting of the Western Plant Management Society and North American Lake Management Society. Presentations on cyanobacteria toxicity were given at other conferences and meetings throughout the grant period.
A total of 115 lake samples were tested for toxicity during the 30-month grant. Samples were collected from 20 different lakes in eight western Washington counties: Pierce (5), King (6), Thurston (3), Kitsap (2), Snohomish (1), Skagit (1), Mason (1), and Clark (1). An additional four lakes outside western Washington were tested: Wenas Lake, Yakima County, East Lake, California, and Big Creek Reservoir and Devil's Lake, Oregon. A database summarizing lakes sampled and results of toxicity tests was completed for the final report. Toxic blooms were confirmed by mouse bioassay in five of the twenty-one Washington lakes sampled. Lake Steilacoom, Spanaway Lake, Waughop Lake (Pierce County), and Wenas Lake (Yakima County) contained toxic Microcystis aeruginosa, while American Lake (Pierce County) contained toxic Anabaena flos-aquae. Microcystin-LR was the variant that occurred regularly in the microcystin-containing blooms. No other toxin-producing cyanobacteria was detected during this study, although several genera known to produce toxins were found. Most cyanobacterial blooms occurred during the late summer and early fall, while a small number occurred during the winter months in water temperatures as low as 5-7°C. Of primary public health concern were toxic cyanobacterial blooms in lakes which are used as a source of drinking water. Lake Young, a drinking water reservoir in King County, was monitored for cyanobacteria on a regular basis during the grant. Summit Lake, Thurston County, a source of drinking water to nearby residents, had a cyanobacterial bloom that tested negative for toxicity in July 1995. Residents of Lake Wenas, Yakima County, became ill after their drinking water became toxic in September 1995; the bloom showed microcystin-LR and -RR. In Oregon, a toxic Microcystis bloom in Big Creek Reservoir, the drinking water supply for Newport, led to notification of residents and to further tests for microcystins in tapwater throughout the bloom.
Three reports of illness after swimming in a cyanobacterial bloom were documented. Numerous youths became ill after swimming in a Gloeotrichia bloom in Mason Lake, Mason County, during Labor Day weekend 1995. Reports of human illness, dead trout, and a dead kingfisher were received after a bloom in Goss Lake, Island County. Fort Lewis Fish and Wildlife reported a bloom, a fish kill, and a sick child at Little American Lake, Pierce County, 1995. In each of the above cases, the cyanobacterial bloom had dissipated or decayed before samples were taken for toxicity tests. Several other reports of fish kills associated with blooms were received during the grant. In efforts to isolate cyanobacteria inhibitors, PLU isolated a water-soluble material from the green seaweeds Ulva and Monostroma. The isolate exhibited killing activity (cell lysis) against a toxic strain of Anabaenaflos-aquae. Real-time videomicroscopy showed that the substance caused cell wall perforation, followed by outward extrusion of the cell contents, and death within 1-2 hours. Bioactivity-directed fractionation was used to partially purify the lytic agent from both seaweeds. The agent appeared to be a small glycoprotein (MW=1,000-4,000) and was stable for several months at room temperature. SU investigated two lakes with histories of toxic blooms, American Lake and Steilacoom Lake (Pierce County) in order to: (1) identify and evaluate possible relationships between environmental factors and development of toxic blooms, (2) determine the relationship between the presence and abundance of potentially toxic species and toxin production, and (3) incorporate information gained into approaches for managing toxic cyanobacterial blooms. The two lakes were monitored during 1994 and 1995 for toxicity and for physical, chemical, and biological indicators.
No samples collected in American Lake during winter 1994-1995 elicited a toxic response in mouse bioassays, although low levels of microcystin were detected in selected samples by ELISA. One sample collected near Veterans Hospital along the northern shoreline was identified as toxic in February 1996. Since this sample was the only toxic sample observed, it was not possible to identify relationships between toxicity and environmental conditions in American Lake. A prolonged toxic bloom of Microcystis aeruginosa occurred in Steilacoom Lake during summer 1994. Total microcystin concentrations at the deep-water station ranged from 209 to 1286 ug/g bloom material. During most of summer 1995, cyanobacteria were not abundant and samples tested for toxicity did not give a toxic response. Only one sample in October 1995 was toxic by mouse bioassay.
In Lake Steilacoom, cyanobacterial blooms were associated with decreased water column light intensity and transparency as measured by Secchi depth, and stable water column conditions as estimated by relative thermal resistance to mixing (RTRM). Although cause and effect relationships cannot be discerned from field observations, there was a significant linear relationship between increasing percent cyanobacteria and decreasing Secchi depth measurements (r = 0.69, p < 0.001), a negative exponential relationship between the concentration of cyanobacteria and Secchi depth (r = 0.82, p < 0.0001), and a negative exponential relationship between Microcystis concentration and Secchi depth (r = 0.76, p < 0.0005). RTRM was significantly higher during summer 1994 (p < 0.05), indicating more stable conditions due to a greater density gradient and more resistance to mixing. Stable and turbid conditions during summer 1994 possibly gave buoyancy-regulating cyanobacteria like Microcystis an advantage at obtaining optimum light conditions for photosynthesis. The same type of cyanobacterial bloom did not occur in summer 1995, possibly due to greater water column transparency and lower stability.
Increased water column transparency can be partially explained by trophic level interactions between planktivorous fish, zooplankton, and phytoplankton. Zooplankton abundance dramatically increased between 1994 and 1995 (means of 18.4 and 62.9/L, respectively) concurrent with a large decrease in the number of young hatchery fish planted in the lake and upstream creeks. The number of fingerlings and fry planted in Steilacoom Lake and upstream creeks in 1995 (201,150) was approximately half of the number planted in 1994 (395,050).
Phytoplankton losses due to zooplankton grazing were estimated to be greater during 1995 than 1994, with losses due to grazing potentially contributing approximately 80 percent of the total loss. The large zooplankton population in 1995 exerted a large grazing pressure on phytoplankton and kept the phytoplankton biomass low through September. With a less stable water column and high transparency due to zooplankton grazing, low light conditions (which would have. favored cyanobacteria) did not develop until October 1995.
Other factors were associated with cyanobacterial dominance in 1994. Mean surface water temperature in 1994 was higher than in 1995 (22.6°C and 20.6°C, respectively). Temperature exceeded 20°C in both years, but temperature in 1994 was greater than 22°C more often than in 1995.
Mean surface pH was significantly higher in Lake Steilacoom during the toxic bloom in 1994 (p < 0.05), with pH values consistently close to 10 from mid-July through September. Greater phytoplankton growth earlier in the summer increased pH levels earlier in 1994. Cyanobacteria increase pH during photosynthesis and, in turn, are favored by the high pH conditions that they create. Also, the large biomass of macrophytes present during summer 1994 (both submerged and floating) removed C02 from solution and contributed to the raised pH. Macrophytes were scarce the second summer. Mean summer total phosphorus (TP) concentrations were also different between the years (p < 0.05), with a significant positive relationship between cyanobacteria concentration and surface TP concentration (r = 0.66, p < 0.0005). Additionally, mean summer total nitrogen (TN) was significantly higher during the toxic bloom in 1994 than in 1995 (p < 0.05). Low No3-N concentrations in Lake Steilacoom in 1994 may partly explain the success of Microcystis that year; the only peak in cyanobacteria biovolumn that occurred during 1995 was after No3-N concentrations dropped below 20 ug/L.
Microcystin concentration in Lake Steilacoom was not related to Microcystis in the water column. Different limnological conditions probably affect growth of Microcystis and microcystin production. Microcystin concentration increased with increasing soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) between 1 and 10 ug/L; toxin production by Microcystis may have been limited by SRP.
Management approaches to prevent occurrences of a toxic bloom are the same as those that would be used to address any nuisance phytoplankton blooms. The most important factor to be managed is nutrient loading to the lake. Management methods include dredging, dilution, treatment or diversion of point sources, and watershed best management practices. Sources of P and N should be identified, and if TP inputs to the lake can be decreased, cyanobacterial blooms will be less likely.
Factors that may reduce phytoplankton in Lake Steilacoom are increased dilution and flushing of the lake and a large zooplankton population. Increased flushing rate decreases inflow nutrient concentrations if the inflow concentration is less than the lake concentration. Increased flushing may also increase the phytoplanktonloss rate. Zooplankton populations can be significantly affected by planktivorous fish grazing; increased planktivorous fish mortality may protect zooplankton which then graze phytoplankton. Treatment with algicides such as copper sulfate effectively removes phytoplankton cells from the water column. However, treatment by chemicals causes phytoplankton cells to lyse and release all intracellular compounds, including the toxin. It would be unwise to cause toxin release without concern and caution for public health; toxins may remain in the water for up to 40 days. Avoiding cell lysis and toxin release is imperative when treating drinking water reservoirs that have cyanobacterial blooms. Alternative chemical treatment methods would be alum, lime, or another chemical coagulant.
Lakes with toxic bloom potential should be monitored for the presence of large blooms of cyanobacteria or scums on the surface, especially along the shoreline. Lake residents should be educated to watch for scum formation and alert their public health agency when a large bloom is occurring so that the bloom can be tested for toxicity; toxicity analysis should be conducted using a quantitative technique such as HPLC or ELISA. If a surface scum is observed, lake residents should restrict domestic animal and human use of waters. Lakes or reservoirs serving as drinking water sources should be periodically monitored for cyanobacteria presence and abundance, and, if a potential toxin-producing species is found, a concentrated sample should be analyzed for toxicity. Toxin-producing cyanobacteria may pose a danger to human health due to the potential tumor-promoting characteristics of their toxins
Discount rate policies of five Federal Reserve Chairmen
No full textThis paper investigates the discount rate policies of five Federal Reserve chairmen: Martin, Burns, Miller, Volcker and Greenspan. Both in terms of the reasons given for making discount rate changes and the frequency of discount rate changes, the discount rate policies of Martin and Greenspan were very similar, as were those of Burns and Volcker. The discount rate policy of Chairman Miller differed from either of these groups. Measured by the money market's response to discount rate changes, the discount rate policy of Burns and Volcker was the most effective and Miller's the least effective. Evidence is presented that suggests that the differential response is due to the fact that the discount rate policy of Burns and Volcker provided the market with more complete information than that of Martin and Greenspan. The evidence also supports critics of the Federal Reserve's discount rate policy prior to the early 1960s.Discount ; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.)
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