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The marine green alga Brilliantia kiribatiensis gen. et sp. nov. is described from samples collected during two expeditions (2009, 2013) from the coral reefs of the Southern Line Islands, Republic of Kiribati, Pacific Ocean. Phylogenetic analysis of sequences of the large- and small-subunit rDNA and the rDNA internal transcribed spacer region revealed that Brilliantia is a member of the Boodleaceae (Cladophorales),containing the genera Apjohnia, Boodlea, Cladophoropsis, Chamaedoris, Phyllodictyon and Struvea. Within this clade it formed a distinct lineage, sister to Struvea elegans , but more distantly related to the bona-fide Struvea species (including the type S. plumosa). Brilliantia differs from the other genera by having a very simple architecture forming upright, unbranched, single-celled filaments attached to the substratum by a rhizoidal mat. Cell division occurs by segregative cell division only atthe onset of reproduction. Based on current sample collection, B. kiribatiensis seems to be largely restricted to the Southern Line Islands, although it was also observed on neighboring islands, including Orona Atoll in the Phoenix Islands of Kiribati, and the Rangiroa and Takapoto Atolls in the Tuamotus of French Polynesia. This discovery highlights the likeliness that there is still much biodiversity yet to be discovered from these remote and pristine reefs of the central Pacific.

Background Abdominal wall hernia is a common surgical condition. Patients may present in an emergency with bowel obstruction, incarceration or strangulation. Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a serious surgical condition associated with significant morbidity. The aim of this study was to describe current management and outcomes of patients with obstructed hernia in the UK as identified in the National Audit of Small Bowel Obstruction (NASBO). Methods NASBO collated data on adults treated for SBO at 131 UK hospitals between January and March 2017. Those with obstruction due to abdominal wall hernia were included in this study. Demographics, co‐morbidity, imaging, operative treatment, and in‐hospital outcomes were recorded. Modelling for factors associated with mortality and complications was undertaken using Cox proportional hazards and multivariable regression modelling. Results NASBO included 2341 patients, of whom 415 (17·7 per cent) had SBO due to hernia. Surgery was performed in 312 (75·2 per cent) of the 415 patients; small bowel resection was required in 198 (63·5 per cent) of these operations. Non‐operative management was reported in 35 (54 per cent) of 65 patients with a parastomal hernia and in 34 (32·1 per cent) of 106 patients with an incisional hernia. The in‐hospital mortality rate was 9·4 per cent (39 of 415), and was highest in patients with a groin hernia (11·1 per cent, 17 of 153). Complications were common, including lower respiratory tract infection in 16·3 per cent of patients with a groin hernia. Increased age was associated with an increased risk of death (hazard ratio 1·05, 95 per cent c.i. 1·01 to 1·10; P = 0·009) and complications (odds ratio 1·05, 95 per cent c.i. 1·02 to 1·09; P = 0·001). Conclusion NASBO has highlighted poor outcomes for patients with SBO due to hernia, highlighting the need for quality improvement initiatives in this group., This study shows that small bowel obstruction due to abdominal wall hernia is common, typically involves a co‐morbid group of patients and has poor outcomes, including high mortality rates. High mortality from this problem

For many animals and insects that are experiencing dramatic population declines, the only recourse for conservationists is captive-rearing. To ensure success, reared individuals should be biologically indistinct from those in the wild. We tested if this is true with monarch butterflies, Danaus plexippus, which are increasingly being reared for release by citizens and commercial breeders. Since late-summer monarchs should be as migration capable as possible for surviving the arduous long-distance migration, we evaluated four migration-relevant traits across two groups of captive-reared monarchs (n = 41 and 42) and one group of wild-caught migrants (n = 41). Monarchs (descendants of wild individuals) were reared from eggs to adulthood either in a warm indoor room next to a window, or in an incubator that mimicked late-summer conditions. Using an apparatus consisting of a perch mounted to an electronic force gauge, we assessed ‘grip strength' of all groups, then used image analysis to measure forewing size, pigmentation and elongation. In three of the four traits, reared monarchs underperformed compared to wild ones, even those reared under conditions that should have produced migration-ready individuals. The average strength of reared monarchs combined was 56% less than the wild group, even when accounting for size. Their orange wing colour was paler (an indicator of poor condition and flight ability) and their forewings were less elongated (elongation is associated with migration propensity) than wild monarchs. The reason(s) behind these effects is unknown but could stem from the frequent disturbance and/or handling of reared monarchs, or the fact that rearing removes the element of natural selection from all stages. Regardless, these results explain prior tagging studies that showed reared monarchs have lower migratory success compared to wild.

Background: \ud Small bowel obstruction is a common surgical emergency, and is associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality across the world. The literature provides little information on the conservatively managed group. The aim of this study was to describe the burden of small bowel obstruction in the UK.\ud \ud Methods: \ud This prospective cohort study was conducted in 131 acute hospitals in the UK between January and April 2017, delivered by trainee research collaboratives. Adult patients with a diagnosis of mechanical small bowel obstruction were included. The primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included complications, unplanned intensive care admission and readmission within 30 days of discharge. Practice measures, including use of radiological investigations, water soluble contrast, operative and nutritional interventions, were collected.\ud \ud Results: \ud Of 2341 patients identified, 693 (29·6 per cent) underwent immediate surgery (within 24 h of admission), 500 (21·4 per cent) had delayed surgery after initial conservative management, and 1148 (49·0 per cent) were managed non‐operatively. The mortality rate was 6·6 per cent (6·4 per cent for non‐operative management, 6·8 per cent for immediate surgery, 6·8 per cent for delayed surgery; P = 0·911). The major complication rate was 14·4 per cent overall, affecting 19·0 per cent in the immediate surgery, 23·6 per cent in the delayed surgery and 7·7 per cent in the non‐operative management groups (P < 0·001). Cox regression found hernia or malignant aetiology and malnutrition to be associated with higher rates of death. Malignant aetiology, operative intervention, acute kidney injury and malnutrition were associated with increased risk of major complication.\ud \ud Conclusion: \ud Small bowel obstruction represents a significant healthcare burden. Patient‐level factors such as timing of surgery, acute kidney injury and nutritional status are factors that might be modified to improve outcomes.

For many animals and insects that are experiencing dramatic population declines, the only recourse for conservationists is captive rearing. To ensure success, reared individuals should be biologically indistinct from those in the wild. We tested if this is true with monarch butterflies, Danaus plexippus , which are increasingly being reared for release by citizens and commercial breeders. Since late-summer monarchs should be as migration capable as possible for surviving the arduous long-distance migration, we evaluated four migration-relevant traits across two groups of captive-reared monarchs ( n = 41 and 42) and one group of wild-caught migrants ( n = 41). Monarchs (descendants of wild individuals) were reared from eggs to adulthood either in a warm indoor room next to a window, or in an incubator that mimicked late-summer conditions. Using an apparatus consisting of a perch mounted to an electronic force gauge, we assessed ‘grip strength' of all groups, then used image analysis to measure forewing size, pigmentation and elongation. In three of the four traits, reared monarchs underperformed compared to wild ones, even those reared under conditions that should have produced migration-ready individuals. The average strength of reared monarchs combined was 56% less than the wild group, even when accounting for size. Their orange wing colour was paler (an indicator of poor condition and flight ability) and their forewings were less elongated (elongation is associated with migration propensity) than wild monarchs. The reason(s) behind these effects is unknown but could stem from the frequent disturbance and/or handling of reared monarchs, or the fact that rearing removes the element of natural selection from all stages. Regardless, these results explain prior tagging studies that showed reared monarchs have lower migratory success compared to wild.

En la Unión Europea, dentro de la nueva Política Agrícola Común (PAC) del nuevo periodo 2014-2020, y dentro del ámbito de la Organización Común de los Mercados (OCM), cobra un gran relieve las dinámicas de evolución y las problemáticas que surgen en relación a la producción y comercialización de productos hortofrutícolas. La unificación de los reglamentos de las OCM¿s y la continuidad de los Programas Operativos de las Organizaciones de Productores de Frutas y Hortalizas (OPFH), se debe ahora enfocar hacia la resolución de problemáticas, la mejora continua sectorial y la búsqueda o aproximación hacia la eficiencia, en especial en el mundo asociativo y cooperativo.El objeto de este trabajo es sintetizar en primer lugar el marco normativo de la PAC actual y las herramientas que confieren los Programas Operativos de las OPFH para dicha mejora y afrontamiento de problemas, en segundo lugar efectuar un estudio y análisis de conjunto, del grupo de OPFH de fruta dulce del Estado Español, y finalmente, analizar las herramientas utilizables para el afrontamiento y gestión de las crisis de mercado y problemas diversos en este subsector de la fruta dulce.Los actuales problemas más repetidos y conocidos, campaña a campaña, dentro de este subsector de la fruta dulce en este milenio, y sobre todo en las últimas cuatro campañas, han sido las crisis de mercado generadas por la sobreproducción y sobreoferta, el comportamiento a la baja del consumo, sobre todo en las frutas de hueso (melocotón, nectarina, paraguayo), la saturación del mercado, las dificultades para materializar ciertas medidas paliativas (retiradas de producto, producto distribuido para bancos de alimentos, transformación de producto, etc.) y los modelos de financiación de las citadas medidas, con la repercusión pertinente en los precios de mercado, y finalmente la puesta en escena de medidas medioambientales.------------------------------------------------------------------------In European Union, within the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the new period 2014-2020, and within the scope of the Common Market Organization, are very important the dynamics of evolution and the problems in relation to the production and marketing of Fruit and Vegetables products. The unification of the regulations of the CMOs and the continuity of the Operational Programs of the Organizations of Producers of Fruits and Vegetables (OPFH), must to have now focus towards problem solving, continuous sector improvement and the search or approximation towards efficiency.The purpose of this paper is to synthesize, firstly, the normative framework of the current CAP and the tools conferred by OPFH operational programs for such improvement and coping with problems, and secondly to carry out a study and analysis of the Spanish OPFH group of fresh fruit (apples, pears and peaches), and finally, to analyze the usable tools for the confrontation and management of the market crises and problems in this subsector.The most repeated and known problems, campaign to campaign, within this subsector in this millennium, and especially in the last four campaigns, have been the market crises generated by overproduction and oversupply, consumption behavior (peach, nectarine, paraguayan), saturation of the market, difficulties in materializing certain palliative measures (withdrawals of product, product distributed for food banks, product transformation, etc.) and models to Financing those measures, with the relevant impact on market prices, and finally, the introduction of environmental measures., Artículo revisado por pares

Recently acquired swath-bathymetry data and high-resolution seismic reflection profiles offshore Adra (Almería, Spain) reveal the surficial expression of a NW–SE trending 20 km-long fault, which we termed the Adra Fault. Seismic imaging across the structure depicts a subvertical fault reaching the seafloor surface and slightly dipping to the NE showing an along-axis structural variability. Our new data suggest normal displacement of the uppermost units with probably a lateral component. Radiocarbon dating of a gravity core located in the area indicates that seafloor sediments are of Holocene age, suggesting present-day tectonic activity. The NE Alboran Sea area is characterized by significant low-magnitude earthquakes and by historical records of moderate magnitude, such as the Mw = 6.1 1910 Adra Earthquake. The location, dimension and kinematics of the Adra Fault agree with the fault solution and magnitude of the 1910 Adra Earthquake, whose moment tensor analysis indicates normal-dextral motion. The fault seismic parameters indicate that the Adra Fault is a potential source of large magnitude (Mw = 6.5) earthquakes, which represents an unreported seismic hazard for the neighbouring coastal areas.

Potential geological hazard assessment has been carried out in the area where the Prestige vessel was sunk using a broad database that comprises: multibeam, high and ultra-high resolution seismic profiles, gravity cores, onland seismicity stations and Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBS). The main results of this study indicate that among the geologic factors that can be considered as potential hazards, four main categories can be differentiated based on their origin: morphologic, sedimentary, tectonic, and seismicity. Hazards of morphologic origin include steep gradients; the morphologic features suggest the occurrence of mass-wasting instabilities. Hazards of sedimentary origin also includes the occurrence of slope instability processes in form of single slides and a great variety of erosive and depositional gravity flows (debris and turbidity flows). Hazards of tectonic and seismic origin are important because the sinking area straddles the Calida Bank which is a structural seamount with a moderate tectonic activity that results in a latent seismicity of low to moderate magnitude. The interaction of these factors leads to consider to the risk as medium, and the degree of exposure of the bow and stern as high. Several general and specific recommendations are made in order to increase the geological and geophysics knowledgement in the Prestige sinking area and Spanish continental margins and deep sea areas. These recommendations also should be used to elaborate the options for reducing the hazard and loss.

Editors Belén Alonso y Gemma Ercilla.-- 24 pages, 15 figures, El sector Oeste del Sistema Turbidítico del Magdalena (Mar Caribe) ha sido estudiado en detalle con técnicas acústicas que comprenden la sonda multi-haz EM-12, la sonda paramétrica de muy alta resolución TOPAS y el sistema acústico de alta resolución cañones de aire. Los datos obtenidos revelan que los elementos morfoestructurales y morfosedimentarios que conforman la arquitectura estratigráfica reciente de este sistema turbidítico son los siguientes: crestas morfológicas, depósitos de flujos en masa, complejos de canal-dique y ondas de sedimento. Los procesos geológicos activos hoy en día son los procesos tectónicos, los procesos gravitativos y los procesos asociados a corrientes de fondo. Los procesos tectónicos son responsables de la formación de crestas morfológicas en el sector Oeste, que representan el frente de deformación asociado con la interacción de las placas del Caribe y de Sudamérica. Los procesos gravitativos, que actúan en toda la zona de estudio, ocurren en el frente de deformación en forma de deslizamientos, flujos en masa y flujos turbidíticos. Asimismo, la actuación de flujos en masa ha dado lugar a la formación de tres grandes áreas con depósitos de flujos en masa que se extienden desde el talud continental superior hasta el talud continental inferior, mostrando una distribución radial. Las corrientes de fondo son responsables de la formación de un campo de ondas de sedimento en la parte distal del talud continental superior y en el talud continental inferior. En el pasado, además de estos procesos geológicos, los procesos gravitativos en forma fundamentalmente de flujos turbidíticos desarrollaron complejos de canal-dique. El desarrollo de estos complejos estuvo controlado por las áreas fuente y por la tectónica, los cuales gobernaron sus migraciones laterales. Estos complejos han sido destruidos total o parcialmente por los flujos en masa, y retrabajados por las corrientes de fondo que modifican su morfología original. No obstante, los complejos de canal-dique que no han sido totalmente destruidos pueden permanecer localmente activos debido a que los flujos en masa que destruyen sus diques pueden llegar a circular por el fondo del canal a lo largo de un segmento de su trayectoria

Preliminary data of wide-range side-scan sonar T.O.B.I. collected in the Gulf of Naples in September 1998 are presented. The data reveal the presence of a very large submarine debris avalanche off the southern flank of the island of Ischia which extends more than 40 km off-shore, down to a depth of 1000 m. Geometrical and morphological characters of the deposit and comparison with similar case histories suggest that the deposit might be originated by a large scale collapse of the southern flank of the island.

9 pages, 5 figures, 7 tables, [EN] The Gulf of Cadiz has been affected by contamination from terrestrial mining activities (copper and pyrites) since the times of the Tartesians and Romans. This activity has drastically increased during the past century. Industries implanted during recent decades have supplied another input of contaminants to the marine system. Most of the contaminants are discharged into rivers or in the littoral area, but some contaminated industrial waste was dumped on the continental slope from ships until 1990. Sediment from the continental margin has been sampled to study the heavy metal contamination on the sea bed. The strongest heavy metal anomalies were detected on the continental shelf near the mouths of the Guadiana and Tinto-Odiel Rivers and on the continental slope near the head of some submarine canyons. Continental shelf anomalies are associated with flocculation processes in the marine water-freshwater interface. The contaminated river particles that remain suspended in the water column are transported by advective or diffusive processes, transferred to the slope, and reoriented by the Mediterranean outflow. They can accumulate in the slope mud patch, where bottom currents decrease, or can follow the Mediterranean outflow and reach deeper Atlantic areas, [FR] Le Golfe de Cadix a été contaminé par les activités minières (cuivre et pyrites) dès l'époque des Tartésiens et des Romains. Cette activité a crû considérable-ment durant le siècle dernier. Les industries établies pendant les dernières décennies ont apporté de nouveaux contaminants au système marin. La plupart sont déchargés dans les fleuves et les rivières ou dans la zone littorale. Cepen-dant, les déchets contaminés de certaines industries ont été déversés par des bateaux sur le talus continental jusqu'en 1990. Les sédiments de la marge continentale ont été échantillonnés afin d'étudier la contamination en métaux lourds du fond de la mer. Les plus fortes anomalies en métaux lourds ont été détectées sur le plateau continental près de l'embouchure des fleuves Guadiana et Tinto-Odiel ainsi que sur le talus continental près de certains canyons sous-marins. Les anomalies du plateau continental sont associées aux processus de flocculation de l'interface eau de mer - eau douce. Les particules contaminées des fleuves qui restent en suspension dans la colonne d'eau sont transportées par advection et diffusion, puis transférées vers le talus et entraînées par le courant de sortie méditerranéen. Elles peuvent s'accumuler dans la zone vasière du talus, là où le courant de fond diminue, ou bien elle peuvent suivre le courant de sortie de la Méditerranée et atteindre des zones atlantiques plus profondes