Factors Influencing Participation of Adults in Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision in Lindi Region, Tanzania.

Background: Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) is a surgical procedure done by a qualified medical personnel using anesthesia. In Tanzania, there is a gap between adult men who are not circumcised and adolescents. This calls for a review of the current situation of VMMC services in the community at large in order to inform policymakers and stakeholders involved in the fight against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. The present study explored the factors influencing utilisation of VMMC services among adult males in Lindi Region, Tanzania. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults male (15-49 years). Data were collected by using a structured modified measure evaluation quantitative Version 2 questionnaire using a Tablet/Android device with an Open Data Kit (ODK) application (Google Inc. California, USA). Results: The socio-demographic set up of the study participants was mainly composed of males less than 30yrs, single, unemployed, with primary education as the highest level of study and of a Muslim faith. Majority of the respondents (92%) recommended circumcision to a male family member who is not yet circumcised. The study showed that improved sexual performance (81%), penile hygiene (97%) and circumcision as a modern civilization (96%) to be the key factors that motivated respondents' utilisation of VMMC services. However, only 20.6% of the respondents could barely say that VMMC is a surgical procedure done by qualified medical personnel under anaesthesia. The major reasons for recommending the utilisation of VMMC services to their family members were the VMMC usefulness in preventing STIs (48.9%), cultural practices and norms (31.5%), improved penile hygiene (17.4%) and religious reasons (2.2%). Conclusion: VMMC is positively favoured by the local coastal communities of the Lindi region of Tanzania Mainland. Our findings may be inferred to reflect on the other neighbouring regions with similar sociocultural set ups such as Mtwara, Pwani, Rural Dar es Salaam and Tanga and the isles of Unguja and Pemba. Programs addressing VMMC may be well instituted in these local communities with high degree of favourability and success.

A new striking and critically endangered species of Nasa (Loasaceae, Cornales) from North Peru.

Nasaangeldiazioides sp. nov. is described and illustrated. The species is restricted to two forest remnants on the western slope of the northern Peruvian Andes (Dept. Lambayeque) where it is found in the undergrowth of primary forest. The new taxon shows a unique leaf morphology in the family Loasaceae. Molecular and morphological data show that the new species belongs to the Nasatriphylla group. Since the relic forests of the north-western Andes are increasingly threatened by the effects of climate change, i.e. droughts and wildfires, the new species already faces imminent extinction.

ResumenSe describe e ilustra la especie inédita Nasaangeldiazioides sp. nov. Esta especie está restringida a dos remanentes de bosque de la vertiente occidental de los Andes del norte del Perú (Depto. Lambayeque), donde se la encuentra en el sotobosque de bosques primarios. Nasaangeldiazioides muestra una morfología foliar única en la familia Loasaceae. Tanto la evidencia morfológica como la molecular muestran que esta nueva especie pertenece al grupo de Nasatriphylla. Dado que los bosques relictos de los Andes noroccidentales del Perú se encuentran cada vez más amenazados por los efectos del cambio climático, como lo son las sequías e incendios forestales más frecuentes, esta nueva especie podría estar enfrentando una extinción inminente.

Plants as bio-monitors for Cs-137, Pu-238, Pu-239,240 and K-40 at the Savannah River Site.

The Savannah River Site was constructed in South Carolina to produce plutonium (Pu) in the 1950s. Discharges associated with these now-ceased operations have contaminated large areas within the site, particularly streams associated with reactor cooling basins. Evaluating the exposure risk of contamination to an ecosystem requires methodologies that can assess the bioavailability of contaminants. Plants, as primary producers, represent an important mode of transfer of contaminants from soils and sediments into the food chain. The objective of this study was to identify local area plants for their ability to act as bio-monitors of radionuclides. The concentrations of cesium-137 ((137)Cs), potassium-40 ((40)K), (238)Pu and (239,240)Pu in plants and their associated soils were determined using γ and α spectrometry. The ratio of contamination concentration found in the plant relative to the soil was calculated to assess a concentration ratio (CR). The highest CR for (137)Cs was found in Pinus palustris needles (CR of 2.18). The correlation of soil and plant (137)Cs concentration was strong (0.76) and the R(2) (0.58) from the regression was significant (p = 0.006). This suggests the ability to predict the degree of (137)Cs contamination of a soil through analysis of the pine needles. The (238)Pu and (239,240)Pu concentrations were most elevated within the plant roots. Extremely high CR values were found in Sparganium americanum (bur-reed) roots with a value of 5.86 for (238)Pu and 5.66 for (239,240)Pu. The concentration of (40)K was measured as a known congener of (137)C. Comparing (40)K and (137)C concentrations in each plant revealed an inverse relationship for these radioisotopes. Correlating (40)K and (137)Cs was most effective in identifying plants that have a high affinity for (137)Cs uptake. The P. palustris and S. americanum proved to be particularly strong accumulators of all K congeners from the soil. Some species that were measured, warrant further investigation, are the carnivorous plant Utricularia inflata (bladderwort) and the emergent macrophyte Juncus effusus. For U. inflata, the levels of (137)Cs, (238)Pu, and (239,240)Pu (which were 3922, 8399, and 803 Bq kg(-1), respectively) in the leaves were extremely high. The highest (137)Cs concentration from the study was measured in the J. effusus root (5721 Bq kg(-1)).

Una nueva especie de Axinaea (Melastomataceae: Merianieae) del Norte de Perú / A new species of Axinaea (Melastomataceae: Merianieae) of North of Peru

Se describe e ilustra una nueva especie de Axinaea Ruiz & Pav. (Melastomataceae: Merianieae) denominada Axinaea wurdackii Sagást., S. J. Arroyo & E. Rodr. sp.nov., procedente del norte del Perú (Dptos. Cajamarca, La Libertad y Piura), típica de los bosques montanos y aparentemente endémica a esta parte del país. Se compara con sus relacionadas. Adicionalmente se presentan datos sobre su distribución geográfica, ecología, usos y estado de conservación.

Axinaea wurdackii Sagást., S. J. Arroyo & E. Rodr. sp.nov. is described and illustrated as a new species of Axinaea Ruiz & Pav. (Melastomataceae: Merianieae) from Northern Peru (Departments of Cajamarca, La Libertad and Piura). This species is typical of the montane forests and apparently endemic to this part of the country. It is compared with its closest relatives. Additionally data on its geographical distribution, ecology, uses and state of conservation are provided.

Una nueva especie de Pentacalia (Senecioneae: Asteraceae) del Norte de Perú / A new species of Pentacalia (Senecioneae: Asteraceae) from Northern Peru

Es descrita e ilustrada una nueva especie de Pentacalia Cassini (Senecioneae: Asteraceae) procedente del Departamento de La Libertad, Perú, y aparentemente endémica de la Provincia de Santiago de Chuco, denominada Pentacalia vallejiana Sagást. & E. Rodr. sp. nov. Esta nueva especie es suigéneris entre las especies peruanas y dentro del género. Se compara con sus relacionados y adicionalmente se presentan datos sobre su distribución geográfica y ecológica.

Pentacalia vallejiana Sagást. & E. Rodr. sp. nov. is described as a new species of Pentacalia Cassini (Senecioneae: Asteraceae) from the Department of La Libertad, Peru. This new species is apparently endemic to the province of Santiago de Chuco. Pentacalia vallejiana is a remarkable Peruvian species and peculiar within the genus. It is compared with its closest relative and data on its geographical distribution and ecology are provided.

Una nueva especie de Ophryosporus (Eupatorieae: Asteraceae) para el Perú / New species of Ophryosporus (Eupatorieae Asteraceae) from Peru

Se describe e ilustra una nueva especie de Ophryosporus Meyen (Eupatorieae: Asteraceae) procedente del Departamento de Cajamarca, Perú, y aparentemente endémica a la Provincia de Contumazá, denominada Ophryosporus marchii Sagást. & E. Rodr. Esta nueva especie está relacionada con la especie O. sagasteguii H. Rob. con la cual se discute críticamente. Adicionalmente se presentan datos sobre su distribución geográfica y ecológica, así como su estado de conservación.

Ophryosporus marchii Sagást. & E. Rodr. is described as a new species of Ophryosporus Meyen (Eupatorieae: Asteraceae) from the Department of Cajamarca, Peru. This new species is apparently endemic to the province of Contumaza and closest relative to O. sagasteguii H. Rob. It is critically compared with this species and data on its geographical distribution, ecology and conservation status are provided.

Nasa longivalvis (Loasaceae: Loasoideae), una nueva especie del Departamento de La Libertad, Perú / Longivalvis Nasa (Loasaceae: Loasoideae), a new species of the La Libertad, Peru

Se describe e ilustra una nueva especie de Nasa Weigend (Loasaceae) procedente del Departamento de La Libertad, denominada Nasa longivalvis E. Rodr. & Weigend. Esta nueva especie aparentemente es endémica a las Provincias de Bolívar y Sánchez Carrión y pertenece a Nasa ser. Alatae (Urb. & Gilg) Weigend. Es la decimoctava especie de esta serie conocida para el Perú y la decimoquinta especie presente en la zona fitogeográfica de alta riqueza endémica Amotape-Huancabamba en su parte peruana. Se caracteriza por presentar estolones, ausencia de setas en el tallo (sólo cortos pelos escábridos y gloquidiados), pétalos profundamente cimbiformes con base abruptamente angostada, rojo-rosados y las valvas apicales del fruto muy desarrolladas aproximadamente del mismo tamaño de la cápsula. La especie afín inmediata es su vecina norteña N. stolonifera Weigend con quien comparte la presencia de estolones, carácter excepcional en esta serie infragenérica. Se discute críticamente con sus afines y se adicionan datos sobre su sinonimia vulgar, distribución geográfica y ecología.

Nasa longivalvis E. Rodr. & Weigend is described as a new species of Nasa Weigend (Loasaceae) from the Department La Libertad. This new species is a apparently endemic to the two neighbouring provinces Bolívar and Sánchez Carrión and belongs to Nasa ser Alatae (Urb, & Gilg) Weigend. This is the 18th species of this series from Peru and the 15th species endemic to the very species-rich Amotape-Huancabamba Zone. It is characterized by the presence of stolons, the absence of stinging hairs on the stem (only with short scabrid and glochidiate hairs) with an abruptly narrowed base, and very long apical valves on the fruit, nearly equaling the inferior part of the capsule in size, its apparently closest relative to the north is N. stolonifera Weigend, which shares the presence of stolons, a rare character in the series. The species is critically compared to its closest allies and data on its vernacular names, geographical distribution and ecology are provided.

A new unusual Bomarea species in northen Peru (Alstroemeriaceae)

Se describe e ilustra una nueva especie de Bomarea subgénero Bomarea s.str. (Alstroemeriaceae) procedente de la región Andina del Norte del Perú (departamentos de Amazonas, La Libertad y San Martín): B. alstroemeroides Hofreiter & E. Rodr. Se discute la forma típica del crecimiento y su variabilidad, así como las preferencias del hábitat y distribución. La nueva especie se reconoce fácilmente por sus flores grandes, muy abiertas y claramente zigomorfas. La forma de la flor es similar a ciertas especies de Alstroemeria. El nuevo taxón es endémico a la región de Amotape-Huancabamba. Se compara su relación con las especies mas afines.

A new species of Bomarea sbgenus Bomarea s.str. (Alstroemeriaceae), from Northern Peruvian Andean region (Amazonas, La Libertad and San Martin departments) is described and illustrated: B. alstroemeroides Hofreiter & E. Rodr. The typical growth form and its variability, habitat preferences and distribution are discussed. The new species is easily recognized because of its large wide-open, clearly zygomorphic flowers. The shape of the flower appears similar to some Alstroemeria species. The species is endemic to the Amotape-Huancabamba-region. The new species is compared to its next relatives.