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Onshore wind farms remain one of the most widely used technologies for the production of renewable energy. These are known to affect birds through disturbance or collision. Most research focus on the impact of wind farms on raptors or other large bird species, especially those of conservation concern. However, limited information exists on the effect of wind farms on small birds. Recovery of large versus small bird populations impacted by wind farms is also largely unstudied. A reason for this is the lack of long-term datasets based on standardized, systematic assessments. We monitored birds in the vicinity of a wind farm in an upland habitat in southern Spain (Malaga province), immediately after installation and 6.5 years post-construction. During both study periods, we observed 11 raptor and 38 non-raptor species (including 30 passerines). We found differences in recovery rates between raptors and non-raptors. Raptors showed an upturn in numbers but non-raptor abundance fell significantly. Greater attention should be paid to the recovery of wildlife after initial impact assessments than at present. This study confirms that regulatory authorities and developers should consider the likely impacts of wind farms on small bird populations. Mitigation measures focused particularly on non-raptor species should be considered and implemented as a means to reduce these negative effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We present a case of empyema caused by overinfection of pleural fluid secondary to pulmonary thromboembolism, with negative progress, and the symptoms still persisting after optimum anticoagulant treatment. Given the patient′s negative progress, the possibility of an onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered. The diagnosis of onset RA should be considered for unexplained pleural effusion, even though negative rheumatoid factor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article focuses on a serologic study of Rickettsia typhi infections among the human population of the southern region of Spain. Endemic or Murine Typhus (MT) and several Spotted Fever Rickettsioses (SFR) are endemic diseases in the region. Serum samples from 734 people tested for the presence of IgG antibodies against rickettsiae by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA).

Abstract: Networks of protected areas often fail to include favorable areas for all species, even when they cover a considerable percentage of a territory. To assess the effectiveness of protected areas, harsh thresholds are commonly used (e.g. minimum 20% of the cell must be covered by a protected area to define it as protected). Setting a threshold implies a transformation of continuous data into binary data which frequently results in information loss and in outcomes changing sharply depending on the threshold set. To avoid uncertainty and information loss when evaluating the effectiveness of protected areas, we developed the “Insecurity Index” based on species distribution modeling and fuzzy logic. The Insecurity Index (0–1) of a species represents how much of the fuzzy set of favorable areas for the species is not included in the protected areas. The larger the extent of favorable areas of a species that is not covered by protected areas, the higher the Insecurity Index. We applied this approach to Andalusia, in the south of Spain, which sustains 22 out of the 40 raptor species present in Europe, and has about 30% of its territory covered by regional and Natura 2000 protected areas. By measuring and mapping the Insecurity Index of raptors in Andalusia we assessed the extent to which protected areas exclude favorable sites for forest, cliff and steppe nesting raptors, identified species with a high Insecurity Index and mapped high priority areas for implementing conservation actions. The Insecurity Index was significantly higher for steppe nesting raptors (mean Insecurity Index=0.81) compared to forest (mean Insecurity Index=0.62) and cliff nesting raptors (mean Insecurity Index=0.59). We propose areas of high insecurity for steppe nesting raptors, as potential sites for implementing actions aimed at providing nesting habitat for these species. As demonstrated here for raptors in Andalusia, the Insecurity Index can be used to assess and compare the extent to which species’ favorable areas are left unprotected by reserves while avoiding uncertainty and information loss due to the use of thresholds. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We study the usefulness of the haematocrit as a predictor of body condition in birds, using a captive population of the endangered species Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita). This population is 14% of the worldwide captive population, which is far greater than the known free-living population. The haematocrit, body mass and body condition index responded in the same sense to two different nutritional periods, and there was a statistically significant relationship between changes in condition index and haematocrit of individual birds between the two periods. We discuss the relationship of these parameters with subcutaneous fat and muscle mass, and analyse the individuals'' nutritional status in each of the periods studied. The conclusion was that the haematocrit is sensitive to variations in body condition since it responds to mass-loss processes corresponding to phases of mobilization of fat reserves, a situation prior to the mobilization of muscle proteins when there is a manifest deterioration of the individual''s aspect. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]