A Continuous Time-and-State Epidemic Model Fitted to Ordinal Categorical Data Observed on a Lattice at Discrete Times

We consider a spatio-temporal model to describe the spread of apple scab within an orchard composed of several plots. The model is defined on a regular lattice and evolves in continuous time. Based on ordinal categorical data observed only at some discrete instants, we adopt a continuous-time approach and apply a Bayesian framework for estimating unknown parameters.     

Trace Metal Content Trend of Mussel Perna Perna (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Atlantic Coast of Southern Brazil

The concentration assessment of Hg, Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr, Mnand Fe in marine mussels Perna perna, sampled at 15stations along the 800 km Southern Brazilian Coast, has beencarried out. Samplings were taken twice, in summer andwinter of 2000. The concentrations found were lower thansimilar studies carried out along the Central Coast of Brazil andlower than the maximum limits permitted in bivalve molluscsdesignated for human consumption (Brazilian, Spanish andLuxembourg legislation sets). The data also showed lowervalues compared with other regions of the world. Thecomparison of present data with the data obtained 10 years agoat the same stations did not show significant differences,consequently the concentrations found could be used asbaseline values.     

Traditional medicinal plant knowledge among Albanians, Macedonians and Gorani in the Sharr Mountains (Republic of Macedonia)

A medico-ethnobotanical study was conducted among Albanians, Macedonians, and Gorani in forty-one villages located in the Sharr Mountains in western Macedonia. The survey was conducted by interviewing local people of each community about the medicinal plants and their uses and properties. Seventy-six mainly wild taxa were found to represent the remaining folk medical heritage of the area. The large majority of the recorded plants are used in form of teas, and mainly for minor dysfunctions of the respiratory system. Among the findings, the uncommon uses of Ballota nigra L. (leaves) tea as a digestive, Convolvulus arvensis L. (aerial parts) tea against hypertension, Chenopodium urbicum L. leaves (topically applied) for treating hemorrhoids, and Cornus sanguine L. (leaves and fruits) tea against stomachaches could be of interest for further phytopharmacological studies. A significant portion of study participants raised concerns regarding the possibility of over-exploitation of a few species due to collecting practices serving both local and outside (pharmaceutical) markets. Most of the uses reported by Macedonians and Gorani were also recorded among Albanians, while a significant portion of plants quoted by Orthodox Macedonians showed an idiosyncratic use. This may be explained by the fact that the Gorani lived very close to the Albanian communities in the study area over the last century, with marriages between the two communities being commonplace and facilitated by their shared (Muslim) faith.