Essential Oils from Selected Mediterranean Aromatic Plants-Characterization and Biological Activity as Aphid Biopesticides.

The need for alternatives to synthetic pesticides is a priority today, especially when these pesticides are directed against aphids, one of the more challenging pests facing modern agriculture. Essential oils may be one of these alternatives. We assayed the insecticidal potential of essential oils from Thymus vulgaris, Rosmarinus officinalis var. 'prostratus' and Lavandula dentata. Essential oil extraction was carried out by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus for 3 h and their respective composition was elucidated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The essential oil fraction from T. vulgaris contained 81.20% monoterpenoids and 12.85% sesquiterpenoids; R. officinalis var. 'prostratus' contained 91.98% monoterpenoids and 1.93% sesquiterpenoids, while L. dentata contained 69.60% monoterpenoids and 8.05% sesquiterpenoids. The major components found were 1,8-cineole (18.11%), camphor (11.18) and borneol (10.32%) in T. vulgaris; α-pinene (18.72%), verbenone (13.42%) and 1,8-cineole (10.32%) in R. officinalis; and 1,8-cineole (34.65%), camphor (7.58%) and ß-pinene (6.39%) in L. dentata. The insecticidal activity of the essential oils was evaluated by contact toxicity bioassays against the bird cherry oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi L. We observed a mortality rate of 78.3% ± 23.9 at 15 µL/mL with T. vulgaris, 54.7% ± 25.8 with L. dentata (although at a lower concentration, 10 µL/mL), and 56.7% ± 25.6 at 15 µL/mL with R. officinalis. Our results suggest that thyme essential oil may be particularly promising for integrated aphid management provided that specific conditions of use and dosages are observed.

Effect of Abiotic Climatic Factors on the Gonadal Maturation of the Biocontrol Agent Sphaerophoria rueppellii (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Syrphidae).

The hoverfly Sphaerophoria rueppellii is currently one of the most effective predators commercially available for aphid pest control. However, knowledge of the reproductive system of males and females of this syrphid is limited. The present article aims to report how changes in the temperature and photoperiod may affect development of the gonads (ovaries and testes), oviposition, and fecundity during the lifespan of S. rueppellii. Four environmental conditions (14L:10D, T: 20 ± 1 °C; 12L:12D, T: 20 ± 1 °C; 14L:10D, T: 25 ± 1 °C; and 12L:12D, T: 25 ± 1 °C) were used to determine oviposition, hatching percentage, and lifespan during a period of 30 days after the adult emergence. The maturation of the ovaries was done under three treatments (barley leaves with aphids always available; barley leaves two days per week with aphids available; no barley leaves available), and in the same environmental conditions noted above. Males at 14L:10D, 20 ± 1 °C; and 14L:10D, 25 ± 1 °C; were used to analyze and study the maturation of the testes. Females at 14L:10D; T: 25 ± 1 °C showed a significant difference in oviposition, percentage of hatching, and rate of eggs. A detailed description of the male and female gonads was undertaken, and it was determined that the conditions in which males sexually mature early are at 14L:10D, 25 ± 1 °C. These results will improve the application of S. rueppellii in crops, for the control of aphid pests.

Assessing the Diversity and Systematics of Brachyopini Hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) in the Iberian Peninsula, Including the Descriptions of Two New Species.

Five genera of Brachyopini, Chrysogaster Meigen, 1800, Melanogaster Rondani, 1857, Lejogaster Rondani, 1857, Orthonevra Macquart, 1829 and Riponnensia Maibach et al. 1994a are here revised from the Iberian region. Two new species, Melanogaster baetica Ricarte and Nedeljkovic, sp. n. and Orthonevra arcana Ricarte and Nedeljkovic sp. n., are described from Spain, and a third species, Chrysogaster coerulea Strobl in Czerny and Strobl, 1909 stat. n., is reinstated as valid and redescribed. A lectotype is designated for Orthonevra plumbago (Loew, 1840). The holotype of Orthonevra incisa (Loew, 1843) and the lectotype of O. plumbago are described in detail and illustrated. Melanogaster baetica sp. n. is similar to Melanogaster parumplicata (Loew, 1840) in male genitalia morphology, while O. arcana sp. n. is similar to O. incisa in the entirely-pollinose sternum I and the conspicuous incision on the posterior margin of tergum V in female. The first Iberian record of Chrysogaster rondanii Maibach and Goeldlin de Tiefenau, 1995 is provided, whilst Melanogaster aerosa is removed from the Iberian checklist of Syrphidae. Identification keys are presented to the five Brachyopini genera and 18 species now reported from the Iberian Peninsula (Chrysogaster, 6 spp.; Lejogaster, 2 spp.; Melanogaster, 3 spp.; Orthonevra, 5 spp.; Riponnensia, 2 spp.). COI (Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) barcodes of the two new species plus C. coerulea, Chrysogaster solstitialis (Fallén, 1817), Orthonevra nobilis (Fallén, 1817) and Orthonevra frontalis (Loew, 1843) were successfully obtained from Spanish specimens. A COI-based tree was produced to locate these taxa in a wider systematic framework within the tribe.

Percepciones de estudiantes de enfermería con el uso de la herramienta "Libro" de Moodle / Perceptions of Nursing Students regarding the Use of the "Libro" Moodle Tool

Introducción: La formación de las enfermeras en administración y liderazgo tiene una importante repercusión sobre el presente y el futuro de la profesión. Sin embargo, la docencia y la evaluación realizadas en el nivel de pregrado, en su primer contacto con la materia, pueden generarles insatisfacción. Objetivo: Describir las percepciones de estudiantes de Enfermería sobre una innovación docente basada en el uso del "Libro" de Moodle como herramienta pedagógica, dentro de un enfoque general de clase invertida. Métodos: Estudio mixto exploratorio, realizado entre octubre y diciembre de 2020 en la Universidad de Huelva (España), mediante encuesta anónima sobre una muestra de 140 alumnos (del total de 145 estudiantes del 3º curso). Los datos fueron procesados en Excel y analizados de forma descriptiva (datos cuantitativos) y por categorías (datos cualitativos). Resultados: La valoración media del uso de la herramienta "Libro" fue de 9,10 sobre 10. El 92,00 por ciento de los estudiantes se mostró satisfecho con la metodología de enseñanza y 92,90 por ciento con la evaluación. Los estudiantes manifestaron haber mejorado su opinión sobre los contenidos gracias a la metodología empleada. Conclusión: La mayoría de los estudiantes participantes en este estudio se han mostrado satisfechos con el uso de la herramienta de Moodle dentro de un contexto de docencia a través de clase invertida(AU)

Introduction: The training of nurses in management and leadership has an important impact on the present and future of the profession. However, the teaching and evaluation carried out in the undergraduate level, in their first contact with the subject, can generate dissatisfaction. Objective: To describe the perceptions of students of Nursing Administration and Management regarding a teaching innovation based on using the "Libro" tool in the framework of teaching by means of a flipped classroom. Methods: Exploratory and mixed study carried out between October and December 2020 at the University of Huelva, Spain, by means of an anonymous survey conducted with a sample of 140 students (of the total of 145 students from the third academic year). The data were processed in Excel and analyzed descriptively (quantitative data) and by categories (qualitative data). Results: The average evaluation of using the "Libro" tool was 9.10 out of 10. 92.00 percent of the students were satisfied with the teaching methodology and 92.90 percent were satisfied with the evaluation. The students stated that their opinion of the contents had improved thanks to the methodology used. Conclusion: Most of the students participating in this study were satisfied with the use of the Moodle tool within a teaching setting of flipped classroom(AU)

A new Eumerus hoverfly (Diptera: Syrphidae) from Namibia and South Africa, with notes on similar species.

Within the pollinator family Syrphidae, Eumerus Meigen, 1822 is a diverse genus with over 70 species recorded in the Afrotropical Region. A new species is described here from Namibia and South Africa. Adults are small to medium size flies, with spur-like expansions in the metatarsomeres 2 and 3. DNA sequences of the Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene were obtained from Namibian specimens. This is only the second Eumerus species documented from Namibia, where it was recorded from The National Botanic Garden, Windhoek. The new species is compared with similar species such as Eumerus vestitus Bezzi, 1912, for which a lectotype is designated. In addition, a new and preliminary morphological concept of the Eumerus obliquus group is proposed and a key to its African species is provided.

Key Points in Air Pollution Meteorology.

Although emissions have a direct impact on air pollution, meteorological processes may influence inmission concentration, with the only way to control air pollution being through the rates emitted. This paper presents the close relationship between air pollution and meteorology following the scales of atmospheric motion. In macroscale, this review focuses on the synoptic pattern, since certain weather types are related to pollution episodes, with the determination of these weather types being the key point of these studies. The contrasting contribution of cold fronts is also presented, whilst mathematical models are seen to increase the analysis possibilities of pollution transport. In mesoscale, land-sea and mountain-valley breezes may reinforce certain pollution episodes, and recirculation processes are sometimes favoured by orographic features. The urban heat island is also considered, since the formation of mesovortices determines the entry of pollutants into the city. At the microscale, the influence of the boundary layer height and its evolution are evaluated; in particular, the contribution of the low-level jet to pollutant transport and dispersion. Local meteorological variables have a major influence on calculations with the Gaussian plume model, whilst some eddies are features exclusive to urban environments. Finally, the impact of air pollution on meteorology is briefly commented on.

Morphological, Genetic and Biological Evidences to Understand Meromacrus Rondani Diversity: New Species and Early Stages (Diptera: Syrphidae).

Meromacrus is a genus of conspicuous syrphids with saprophagous larvae, ranging from the southern United States to Argentina and Chile. However, this genus is in need of a taxonomic revision. Adults reared from larvae collected in Mexico and Peru, and other material available at different institutional collections were examined. Meromacrus cactorum sp. nov., from Peru, Meromacrus yucatense sp. nov., from Mexico, their puparia and breeding sites were described. A key to Meromacrus puparia is provided. The holotypes of Meromacrus canusium, Meromacrus gloriosus, Meromacrus laconicus and Meromacrus melmoth were also examined. The name Meromacrus draco is proposed as a junior synonym of M. gloriosus. Larvae of M. cactorum sp. nov. were found in decaying columnar cacti in Peru, while those of M. yucatense sp. nov. in a rot-hole of a Ceiba pentandra stump. Obtained results on both taxonomy and biology of these species serve as a first step towards a revision of the entire genus.

Application and evaluation of the best practice guideline: Breastfeeding. / Aplicación y evaluación de la Guía de buenas prácticas: lactancia materna.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the progress of care in the promotion of breastfeeding and describe breastfeeding results following the implementation of the RNAO guideline in various types of national health centres. METHOD: Quantitative descriptive longitudinal study of the results of implementing the recommendations of the RNAO-Breastfeeding guideline in 9 national health centres following the implementation methodology of the programme of the Best Practice Spotlight Organization®. Process and result variables are collected at hospital level and in primary care by registering on the CAREVID platform. The weighted mean was calculated as a summary statistic. RESULTS: The implementation of the recommendations of the Breastfeeding guideline was associated with a relative increase in: skin-to-skin contact 57,7% (p < 0,000), exclusive breastfeeding in the 1st intake 47,8% (p < 0,000), exclusive breastfeeding on hospital discharge 18,4% (p < 0,000) and prenatal education 63,95% (p < 0,00). CONCLUSION: The implementation of the RNAO-Breastfeeding guideline in different national health centres has increased the application of the recommendations based on scientific evidence, generalising appropriate breastfeeding care (such as prenatal education, application of skin-to-skin contact and exclusive breastfeeding in the first intake) and is consequently significantly approaching the international recommendations on breastfeeding.

Emotional and Behavioral Adjustment in a Spanish Sample of Adolescents.

Introducction. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between emotional and behavioral difficulties and suicidal ideation, bullying and cyberbullying, and substance use in adolescents. METHOD: The sample consisted of a total of 1,664 participants (M=16.12 years, SD=1.36, range 14-19 years, 697 males), selected by stratified random sampling. The instruments used were the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Paykel Suicide Scale, the Cyberbullying- Brief Questionnaire, the Modified Substance Consumption Questionnaire, and the Oviedo Infrequency Response Scale. RESULTS: The results showed that 7.7% of adolescents obtained risk scores of poor mental health, and 13.4% would be in the limit score range. In addition, the results indicated that adolescents who showed a possible risk of emotional and behavioral mental health problems also present greater suicidal ideation, behaviors related to bullying and cyberbullying (perception, victimization), and substance use, specifically tobacco and cannabis. CONCLUSIONS: These results increase awareness of the importance of adolescents’ mental health, improve the training of health professionals and guide the implementation of measures to promote health and reduce the risk factors for suicide, school bullying and of substance use and abuse.

Modulation of plant-mediated interactions between herbivores of different feeding guilds: Effects of parasitism and belowground interactions.

Herbivory affects subsequent herbivores, mainly regulated by the phytohormones jasmonic (JA) and salicylic acid (SA). Additionally, organisms such as soil microbes belowground or parasitoids that develop inside their herbivorous hosts aboveground, can change plant responses to herbivory. However, it is not yet well known how organisms of trophic levels other than herbivores, below- and above-ground, alter the interactions between insect species sharing a host plant. Here, we investigated whether the parasitoid Aphidius colemani and different soil microbial communities (created through plant-soil feedbacks) affect the JA and SA signalling pathways in response to the aphid Myzus persicae and the thrips Frankliniella occidentalis, as well as subsequent thrips performance. Our results show that the expression of the JA-responsive gene CaPINII in sweet pepper was more suppressed by aphids than by parasitised aphids. However, parasitism did not affect the expression of CaPAL1, a biosynthetic gene of SA. Furthermore, aphid feeding enhanced thrips performance compared with uninfested plants, but this was not observed when aphids were parasitised. Soils where different plant species were previously grown, did not affect plant responses or the interaction between herbivores. Our study shows that members of the third trophic level can modify herbivore interactions by altering plant physiology.

A review of the early stages and host plants of the genera Eumerus and Merodon (Diptera: Syrphidae), with new data on four species.

The genera Eumerus and Merodon (Diptera: Syrphidae) have a high taxonomic diversity (300+ species altogether), but life histories of most species are unknown. In addition, these hoverfly genera are recognised to be pests (ornamental plants and vegetable crops). In this paper, early stages of four hoverfly species are described, Eumerus hungaricus Szilády, 1940, Eumerus nudus Loew, 1848 and Merodon geniculatus Strobl, 1909, from Spain, and Eumerus strigatus Walker, 1859, from California, USA. Larvae of E. nudus were obtained from swollen roots of Asphodelus cerasiferus J. Gay. Larvae of E. hungaricus were found in bulbs of Narcissus confusus Pugsley. The host plant of the examined specimen of Eumerus strigatus is unknown. Larvae of M. geniculatus were reared from bulbs of different species of Narcissus L. Scanning electron microscope imaging was used to study and illustrate the anterior respiratory processes, pupal spiracles and posterior respiratory processes of the new early stages. A compilation of all available information on the early stages and host plants of Eumerus (21 spp.) and Merodon (15 spp) is provided, as well as an identification key to all known larvae/puparia of these genera. Eumerus elavarensis Séguy, 1961 is proposed as a new synonym of E. hungaricus and first data of this species are reported from Austria, Bulgaria, Spain and Turkey. In Eumerus, larvae are alleged to rely on the previous presence of decay organisms, but in the larvae of E. nudus the sclerotisation and size of the mandibular hooks suggest that this larva can generate decay from intact plant tissue.

A capillary micellar electrokinetic chromatography method for the stereoselective quantitation of bioallethrin in biotic and abiotic samples.

A capillary micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) method was developed enabling the stereoselective separation of the insecticide bioallethrin. The use of sodium deoxycholate bile salt and acetyl-ß-cyclodextrin (acetyl-ß-CD) made possible the separation of bioallethrin stereoisomers with a high enantioresolution (7.4) in a short analysis time (6.5min). The analytical characteristics of the developed method were evaluated in terms of linearity, accuracy, precision, and limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) showing a good performance for the quantitation of bioallethrin stereoisomers with LODs of 0.2 and 0.3mg/L. The developed method was applied to the stereoselective analysis of a commercial bioallethrin pediculicide formulation and to evaluate the toxicity of bioallethrin stereoisomers on the growth of the unicellular freshwater green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and on the germination of the higher plant Sorghum bicolor (non-target organisms). The analysis of the commercial pediculicide showed a good agreement between the contents determined for the two stereoisomers and those labelled in the commercial samples. Different toxic responses and biodegradation profiles were found for each stereoisomer in ecotoxicity assays. The mixture of S/R stereoisomers of bioallethrin resulted more toxic than S-bioallethrin for green algae, with EC50 values of 1.10±0.06 for the mixture and of 1.73±0.05mg/L for the pure S-biallethrin (esbiol). Germination of plants seeds was also affected.