WHO considers the effects of air pollution one of the most pressing global health priorities. Several years ago, scientists began noting a link between Saharan dust (a meteorological phenomenon that diminishes air quality as it spreads over the globe) and some diseases, but the few studies to date have been inconsistent. Cuba has the human and material resources to study the association between...

First records of peracarid crustaceans obtained from the Cayo Matías Ocean Blue Hole, southwestern Cuba, are documented. In addition, two new species of isopod and amphipod are herein described. Gnathia micheli n. sp. (Isopoda, Gnathiidae) and Boca normae n. sp. (Amphipoda, Aristiidae) were associated with filamentous algae at a depth of 20 m. Both represent the first report for a blue hole and...

Leadership is the perception or acceptance by members of a group of their superior's ability to inspire, influence and motivate them to meet their goals and contribute to the achievement of shared objectives. This article analyzes the characteristics of bioethics and the profile of the bioethicist in relation to the comprehensive development required of health leaders. We address this relations...

In 1998 the Central University Library was in serious difficulties, principally because of deficient funding. Since 1990 Cuba had been in the grips of a grave economic crisis, caused partly by the disappearance of the Soviet Union, until then our main trading partner, and partly by the further tightening of the already long and tough US embargo upon Cuba. But, over and above this, the library d...

In this study we assessed the potential effects of climate variability and change on population health in Cuba. We describe the climate of Cuba as well as the patterns of climate-sensitive diseases of primary concern, particularly dengue fever. Analyses of the associations between climatic anomalies and disease patterns highlight current vulnerability to climate variability. We describe current...

Three new species and a new subspecies of Calisto Hübner are described from Cuba, Calisto torrei sp. n. Núñez, Calisto dissimulatum sp. n. Núñez, Calisto aquilum sp. n. Núñez, and Calisto aquilum occidentalis ssp. n. Núñez. The immature stages of C. torrei and C. dissimulatum are also described. Notes on the distribution and biology of the species are given. All Cuban and Bahamian taxa form a m...

In this paper I examine the impact demographic trends are having on the evolution of Cuba’s population age structure. The analysis is conducted within a comparative perspective and focuses on the most significant demographic development of the late twentieth century and the first half of the twenty-first, the ageing of the world’s population. The analyses suggests that Cuba will confront seriou...

Hepatitis B surface antigen immunopurification using a plant-derived specific antibody coupled to Sepharose CL-4B at different ligand densities Rodolfo Valdés, Yenisley Medina, William Ferro, José A. Montero, Tatiana Alvarez, Déborah Geada, Alberto Leyva, Leonardo Gómez, Sigifredo Padilla, Biunayki Reyes, Leonardo Pacín, Alejandro Figueroa, Andrés Tamayo, Lorely Milá, Yurisleydi Aldama and Marí...

The three known species of the genus Loxosceles Heineken & Lowe from Cuba and Hispaniola are revised and two new species, Loxosceles maisi sp. nov. and Loxosceles mogote sp. nov., are described from the eastern region of Cuba. These new species are included in the reclusa group, and are considered close to Loxosceles taino Gertsch & Ennik as they have a greatly thickened male palpal tibia, a pr...

This paper explores how and why Cuba resists “transition” and introduces ideas for an alternative theoretical approach.