A sensitivity study of the performance of the Weather Research and Forecasting regional model (WRF, version 3.7) to the use of different microphysics, cumulus, and boundary layer parameterizations for short- and medium-term precipitation forecast is conducted in the Central Andes of Peru. Lin-Purdué, Thompson, and Morrison microphysics schemes were tested, as well as the Grell–Freitas, Grell 3d, and Betts–Miller–Janjic cumulus parameterizations. The tested boundary layer schemes were the Yonsei University and Mellor–Yamada–Janjic. A control configuration was defined, using the Thompson, Grell–Freitas, and Yonsei University schemes, and a set of numerical experiments is made, using different combinations of parameterizations. Data from 19 local meteorological stations and regional and global gridded were used for verification. It was concluded that all the configurations over...

Epidemiological studies in rural areas require effort due to the irregular geographic configuration. In Abancay (Peru), a study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of random sampling using Google Earth and GPS to determine the number of dogs per household and the factors associated with demodicosis in domestic dogs. In total, 200 households were analysed using Google Earth from 5950 m altitude and GPS to identify them. Skin samples were collected for laboratory analysis. The identification of households with Google Earth was 96% effective. Besides, 1.29 dogs were found per household. The etiologic agent of scabies was Demodex canis with a prevalence of 22.5% (95% CI, ±5.79). Crossbreed dogs from 1 to 6 years old, not bathed or deworming, and living in peripheral areas of the city were the most affected with prevalences between 12.5 and 18.5%. The parasite was distributed proport...