Search

Dry forests in Ecuador are highly valued diverse ecosystems, but under pressure from anthropogenic activities that alter their composition, structure, and dynamics. The objective of this work was to analyze the structure and abiotic conditions of the tropical dry forest of the La Pila Vieja sector in the Sancán Valley, Manabí, Ecuador. The diameter and height of individuals greater than 5 cm were recorded in plots of 0.10 ha validated by the area-species curve; The value indices of ecological importance, Simpson, Shannon, and diametric structure were calculated. 336 individuals belonging to 31 species within 28 genera and 15 families were recorded. The families with the highest number of species were: Fabaceae, Boraginaceae, Rutaceae, Moraceae and Sapindaceae. The most ecologically important species detected: Ceiba trichistandra, Bursera graveolens, Leucaena trichoides and Mauria heterophylla. According to the Shannon index, the diversity was high (3.72). The abiotic variables related to the abundance of species explained the spatial arrangement satisfactorily and explained 97,40% of the species-abiotic variable relationship. The species found are representative of the tropical dry forest with anthropogenic intervention of selective use and without technical planning, influenced by abiotic variables such as: organic matter, pH and potassium, which condition their distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantifying the responses of rare and vulnerable species to environmental stressors poses special challenges. This study examined the responses of vulnerable fish species listed under the Species at Risk Act to environmental stressors in lakes, streams, and wetlands of the Canadian Great Lakes basin. We used a joint species distribution model (JSDM) to improve the estimates of responses of vulnerable species to environmental stressors, and the effects of functional traits on those responses, by "borrowing information" from abundant species for which we have more information. We measured abundance, functional traits, and taxonomic relationships for 115 freshwater fish species (including 12 vulnerable species), and environmental features, at 1972 sites. The JSDM yielded more precise estimates of responses than single-species models fitted to each vulnerable species. Habitat associations inferred from the JSDM showed substantial overlap with those provided in COSEWIC status reports. Model-derived responses to environmental stressors can provide a management-friendly basis for species classification in terms of species' tolerances to various forms of environmental change, and supplement the qualitative criteria for habitat requirements currently used in assessments of species vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydromorphological descriptors such as substrate type, water depth, and velocity are commonly used to describe fish habitat, but few studies have focused on how underwater sounds affect habitat use by freshwater fish. We evaluated the influence of the underwater soundscape and other habitat descriptors on the spatial distribution of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in a small stream in eastern Canada. Habitat measurements were made at high spatial resolution (2.5 m intervals). High acoustical heterogeneity of stream habitats (40–150 dB re 1 μPa) was related to differences in water velocity and depth as expected from theory. Brook trout densities were positively related to broadband sound pressure levels (SPL), irrespective of water velocity and depth, but in interaction with habitat type. The positive relationship between brook trout densities and SPL could be related to the high auditory threshold of salmonid fishes. Alternatively, brook trout may use the underwater soundscape to select favourable feeding habitats. Underwater sounds integrate the many environmental dimensions of a stream and may be used by fish as cues for habitat selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes the main causes of terrain instability in the urban area of the Tijuana city, Mexico, and describes its main conditioning and triggering factors. We present the case of a fault that occurred in the access road of an industrial park and the study carried out to investigate its causes, which included two stages: in the first, the main pathologies in the fault zone were identified, a terrain geotechnical characterization was made, and hypotheses were analyzed about the probable mechanism of the failure; and in the second, the analysis of the terrain stability and deformability was carried out by means of computer simulations that allowed to evaluate the influence of different conditioning and triggering factors of the event. The analysis of the causes of the terrain instability and the study of the presented case, allowed to issue conclusions on the natural and anthropic factors that most influence the occurrence of faults, and to give recommendations related to the design and construction of roads in urban areas. • The main causes of terrain instability in the urban area of Tijuana are analyzed. • The main conditioning and triggering factors of instability are described. • The case study of a fault occurred in the access road to a industrial park is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines an internship intended for civil engineering students to gain relevant skills and experience in construction project management. It is focused on major aspects of construction projects from conception to completion. Internships are offered not only to civil engineering students, but almost all student engineers, with them playing a very important role in teaching-learning process and professional training. Planning, organization, management, and control are the four core stages of construction projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freshwater fishes exhibit a wide range of auditory adaptations and capabilities, which are assumed to help them navigate their environment, avoid predators, and find potential mates. Yet, we know very little about how freshwater environments sound to fish, or how fish with different auditory adaptations respond to different soundscapes. We first compiled data on fish hearing acuity and adaptations and provided a portrait of how anthropogenic sounds compare to natural sounds in different freshwater soundscapes. We then conducted a sound‐enrichment field experiment at Lake Saint Pierre, a large fluvial lake in Canada, to evaluate the effect of motorboat sound exposure on the fish community by looking at the extent to which changes in species abundances were linked to auditory adaptations. Data compilation showed that the hearing acuity of most species overlaps with a wide range of ambient and anthropogenic underwater sounds while the field experiment showed that species with more specialized auditory structures were captured less often in sound‐enriched traps, indicating avoidance behavior. Our findings highlight the importance of considering species' sensorial adaptations when evaluating the community‐scale effects of anthropogenic sounds on the fish community, especially at low levels of anthropogenic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Although significant differences in bone properties have been extensively studied, results vary when bones are exported to gamma radiation of a range usually used for sterilization purposes (25-35 kGy). Hence, the aim of this work was the study of the mechanical properties and microdamage development of human bones used as allografts following gamma-ray exposure, followed by an extensive statistical analysis of microdamage effects in fatigue behaviour. Methods: Specimens of the cortical region of human femurs were exposed to 15-25 kGy and 26-30 kGy radiation levels, then they were subjected to compression fatigue tests until fracture. The fatigue life was determined in relation to the radiation level, and the evolution of microdamage was assessed using fluorescence microscopy in order to calculate characteristic lengths of microcracks. Results: Significant differences in fatigue life were detected (p < 0.05) between non-radiated (control) and radiated specimens, resulting in a drastic 89.2% fatigue life reduction of the 15-25 kGy group, and 95.3% in the 26-30 kGy group, compared to the reference. Microdamage analysis showed a considerable increase in microcrack lengths when bone was exposed to gamma radiation, which may indicate that bones used as allografts could fracture at some point when subjected to loading conditions in vivo. Conclusions: The results of our research indicate that even if a range of 15-25 kGy is suggested to sterilize bone allografts, such practice needs to be reconsidered. In addition, using Weibull distribution, this work describes the conditions in which microcracks grow towards the fracture of bones in relation to the decrease in their mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we have developed photoconductor devices based on Al0.39In0.61N layers grown on sapphire by reactive radio-frequency magnetron sputtering. The fabricated devices show a sublinear dependence of the photocurrent as a function of the incident optical power. The above-the-band-gap responsivity reaches 7 W/A for an irradiance of 10 W/m2 (405 nm wavelength). The response decreases smoothly for below-the-bandgap excitation, dropping by more than an order of magnitude at 633 nm. The devices present persistent photoconductivity effects associated to carrier trapping at grain boundaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For species living in highly variable environments, the ability to perceive and respond to environmental cues by moving into favorable habitats should convey evolutionary advantages. Here we examined the spatial dynamics of an Amazonian pencil fish species that shows seasonally varying use of stream channel and temporary pool habitats. We hypothesized that movement into the pools should be driven by cues that reflect availability of spawning sites, whereas movement out of the pools should be driven by cues that help avoid entrapment as water level declines. Survival, detection, and movement probabilities were estimated from capture histories of individuals recorded on 13 surveys along a hydrological cycle. Differences between habitats were small for detection probability and survival. Movement from stream to pools was greatest during bankfull overflow, whereas movement from pools to stream was related to rapid decline in pool area. Entry to pools during overflow may allow fish to choose favorable spawning sites while still permitting a swift return to the stream if conditions in pools deteriorate. The ability to interpret hydrological cues seems to allow pencil fish to cope with environmental uncertainty by timing its use of seasonally available spawning sites while avoiding entrapment in desiccating pools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although lakes and rivers are intimately connected, more effort is needed to develop conceptual approaches accounting for lake-stream interactions within the drainage network. Lakes can buffer the impacts of environmental variability in streams and facilitate stream fish recolonization processes. However, lakes have rarely been incorporated in habitat models for stream fish. We examine whether including the presence of lakes in habitat models can improve our understanding of brook trout ( Salvelinus fontinalis) abundance in streams. We quantified brook trout relative abundance in 36 streams over 3 consecutive years by single-pass electrofishing. Relative abundance of brook trout in streams was greatest when lakes were present in the stream network. Lakes had greater influence on relative abundance in headwater streams than in larger streams. These results emphasize the importance of considering lakes as a critical attribute in landscape fish habitat models, many of which focus on terrestrial landscape variables. We discuss potential gains from incorporating the presence of lakes in ( i) multiscale habitat models, ( ii) analyses of spatiotemporal distribution of thermal refuges, and ( iii) metrics of habitat connectivity in lake-stream networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most reviews of stream fish connectivity have highlighted the urgent need for standardized methods to quantify the effects of barriers such as road crossings on fish movement and incorporate the complexity of fish behaviours. A question that has not been fully addressed yet in field assessments of fish stream connectivity is which conditions influence the detectability of road crossing effects. Failure to detect existing road crossing effects can result from shortcomings in sampling design that lead to low statistical power., Here, we propose general barrier dispersal models to allow for asymmetry in barrier permeability and changes in movement behaviours of fish confronting a barrier. Despite the increased realism of these ecological assumptions, it remains to be determined whether asymmetric barriers and altered movement behaviours can be unambiguously detected using mark-recapture trials. We used simulations within a modelling framework that explicitly incorporates barrier and behavioural effects to assess the statistical power of various mark-recapture sampling designs under different combinations of design and ecological constraints., Key insights from our simulations are that (i) the spatial extent of the study reach critically affects detectability of barrier effects; (ii) the number of recaptured individuals that cross a barrier has greater effect on detectability than the total number of recaptures on both sides of the barrier; and (iii) detectability of asymmetry in barrier permeability and of altered movement behaviours increases with both linear fish density and effect size., Synthesis and applications. The proposed dispersal models, incorporating asymmetric barrier permeability and changes in movement behaviours of fish confronting a barrier, are of broad importance in the quantification of habitat connectivity in streams and rivers. Our simulation approach provides precise guidelines for improving the sampling design by adjusting the spatial extent of the study reach based on a priori knowledge of ecological constraints. This study highlights the importance of evaluating the detectability of the effects of barriers such as road crossings and carefully planning the sampling design of mark-recapture studies before conducting costly field trials and provides quantitative tools to help achieve these goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Family members significantly value the professional and humane support that medical teams provide in the process of caring for patients with advanced diseases. Communication is currently changing, making it of interest to explore technology's possible influence on communication and on the care relationship. It remains unknown whether this can vary based on increased use of technology in patient care. Using communication technologies can facilitate recognition of professional support through the expression of gratitude aimed at healthcare professionals. The objective here is to describe expressions of gratitude sent via WhatsApp messages by patients who receive treatment from a palliative care team and their relatives.Method: A generic qualitative methodology was used. The palliative care service studied used WhatsApp in the patient/family-professional relationship. A content analysis of 130 WhatsApp messages sent to the professionals and containing expressions of gratitude was carried out. Two researchers inductively performed the analysis. Analysis included aspects for which senders were most grateful and others, such as who the messages came from, whether they were reactive or spontaneous and to whom they were directed.Results: Almost all of the patients treated transmitted their gratitude via WhatsApp. It was also observed that family members were most grateful for features of the care received (i.e., affection, availability), the professional's support (i.e., accompaniment, comfort) and the professional's qualities (i.e., professionalism, kindness). They also appreciated symptom control and attempts to resignify loss; these aspects received the most expressions of gratitude in the messages. In turn, all the messages contain expressions of support for palliative care professionals, evidencing a patient/family-professional relationship.Conclusion: The use of communication technologies like WhatsApp can contribute to the perception of professionals' availability and closeness and become a facilitator of expressions of gratitude that specify the aspects that family members most appreciate from the palliative care team, such as skills related to humane care and availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of anticoagulation is common practice in medicine today and therein lies its importance. This paper describes the different therapeutic strategies for the treatment of excess anticoagulation, because depending on the agent used, a special agent for the reversal is needed. The introduction of new oral anticoagulants promotes the study of new agents for the treatment of complications resulting there from; for the reversal, these agents are already in the last phase of clinical trials before proposed as a treatment option. The use of new strategies to reverse excessive anticoagulation can be done more safely by using new concentrates of clotting factors, which have well established precise indications and dosage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animals confront behavioral trade-offs whenever the movements required to attain suitable sites for reproduction or resource acquisition also increase exposure to predators. Hence, the consequences of such trade-offs should be considered in analyses of movement behavior. The objective of this study was to quantitatively link shifts in movement behavior of stream fish during the reproductive season to risk of mortality from land-based tetrapod predators. We tagged 30 brook trout with internal radio transmitters and extensively recorded both movement patterns and mortality from predation over the entire spatial range of the population. Our main result is that most of the individuals (19/30) had marked shifts in movement behavior, characterized by alternating periods of low and high movement rates, which were associated with marked shifts in mortality rate. Mortality rate increased from 0.016/day during periods of low movement rate (8.0 m/day; sheltering state) to 0.071/day during periods of high movement rate (91.0 m/day; searching state). Furthermore, individuals presenting no movement shift had low movement rate (9.6 m/day) and high mortality rate (0.096/day), in association with a preference for spawning ground. Mortality rates at the time of spawning were substantially greater than those previously reported in the literature and depended strongly on the movement state of the individuals and their use of spawning ground. Our quantitative analyses highlight the influence of within-individual variation in prey movement on risk of predation by land-based consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current distribution of the bighorn sheep in Mexico represents a reduced proportion of its original area. Previous population genetics studies conducted in Mexico have only included data from Tiburon Island in the Gulf of California and few individuals from the continent. The aim of this article was to describe aspects of the population genetics of Mexican bighorn sheep in order to aid in the management and conservation of the species. We analyzed 117 samples from the states of Sonora and Baja California Sur using 91 intersimple sequence repeat loci. Our results indicated that the Mexican samples of bighorn sheep have relatively low levels of genetic diversity (H ≈ 0.26) and low genetic differentiation (ϴ ≈ 0.07) that may be the result of the recent colonization and origin of the populations in Mexico. The individuals from Southern Baja California are genetically different from the Sonoran sample, but this genetic differentiation is low, perhaps due to the low levels of genetic variation of the Mexican populations. The results obtained in this study are relevant for population management of the bighorn sheep in Mexico in order to design translocation plans and management strategies to maintain genetic diversity and, in consequence, the health and future survival of the populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organic carbon content in aerial and underground biomass, low stratum, litter, rootlets and soil in both Pinus radiata plantation and moor in the south western area of Sangay National Park, in Ecuador, has been determined. Six permanent sample plots were established. In the forest plantation, aerial biomass carbon content average value was 14.69 MgC/ha, 0,68 MgC/ha for low stratum, 2.97 MgC/ha for litter, 0.15 MgC/ha for rootlets and 268.83 MgC/ha for soil. In the moor, low stratum carbon content average value was 6.55 MgC/ha, 56.09 MgC/ha for litter, 0.17 MgC/ha for rootlets and 215.0 MgC/ha for soil. Total average carbon was 287.31 MgC/ha in plantation and 277.81 MgC/ha in moor, an increase of 30% in Pinus radiata plantation relative to moor is observed but with a lower regeneration rate of herbaceous and shrub species. Results indicate that values of the carbon content in the area considered in the study are similar to values reported in the literature for other moors of neighboring provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macroecological comparisons have shown that habitat characteristics have a major influence on the evolution of life-history strategies of fishes in large river systems. Specifically, habitat variability and predictability seem to forge the reproductive strategies of fishes into a trilateral continuum with three main types: seasonal, opportunistic and equilibrium., Despite the usefulness of such a broad categorisation, large-scale patterns of trait distribution should ultimately be influenced by selection at smaller (i.e. individual) spatial scales. However, the scarcity of studies developed at the organismal scale leaves gaps in our understanding of how habitat characteristics affect life history and behavioural tactics of stream fishes., We examined the fine-scale spatial distribution of fishes in pristine Amazonian headwater streams over a full seasonal cycle to test whether segregation into main channel and associated temporary pond habitats was predictably related to hydrological variation and species' life-history traits., Most species could not be unambiguously assigned to one of the three end points of the trilateral continuum, but seemingly occupied instead the intermediate multivariate space between the end points. However, species were clearly ordered along a gradient of relative habitat use, ranging from strict channel dwellers throughout the hydrological cycle to pond specialists, with some species occupying the ponds at high water levels. Hydrological effects on habitat use were significantly related to species' reproductive strategies, with the strongest responses found in species with large eggs and seasonally concentrated reproduction, which were most abundant in ponds at high water levels., We suggest that trophic limitations and hydrological characteristics of Amazonian headwater forest streams may severely limit the seasonal strategy, one of the end points of the trilateral model. The species-specific habitat segregation reported here adds to the list of mechanisms, such as miniaturisation and isolation by distance, previously postulated to contribute to high diversity of stream fish faunas in the Amazon basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Physics-based models of power electronic devices are the most accurate for circuit simulation purposes. However, many parameters of such models are related to device physics and structure and are not directly available for the user. The IGBT is still the most used power semiconductor device for applications at medium power and frequency ranges, due to its good compromise between on-state loss, switching loss, and ease of control. This paper presents a procedure for extracting the most important parameters of the IGBT, with physical background and electrical measurements. The goal is to develop a deeply understanding of the device-structure and to simulate correctly both steady-state and transient period with any circuit simulation software without the IGBT model provided by the manufacturer. The method consists of seven test setups and seven algorithms for extracting 13 physical and structural parameters needed in most physics-based IGBT models; by using only one Reconfigurable Special Test Circuit in order to achieve the different test setups conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response to letter to the editor is presented on the article "The Effects of Body Mass on Optimal Load for Power During Resistance Training".

Abstract: Sodium metasilicate (Na2SiO3) was prepared by two different methods, solid-state reaction and precipitation. Then, samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, N2 adsorption and thermogravimetric analysis. Thermal analyses showed that Na2SiO3 has the capacity to absorb small quantities of CO2 between room temperature and 130°C. Modeling the surface reaction and sodium diffusion, the activation energies for these two processes were estimated to be 17,482J/mol and 23,968J/mol, respectively. Finally, the effect of the particle size, on the CO2 sorption, was found to be very important. The quantities of CO2 absorbed increased three times, when the particle size decreased and consequently the surface area increased. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We quantified fish abundance and environmental variables at 170 sites distributed among 11 tributaries of the Ottawa River, Quebec, Canada, to assess the relative importance of among- and within-tributary variation in riverine fish assemblages. Additionally, we determined (i) which environmental variables were most strongly associated with each type of variation and (ii) whether ecomorphological traits in fish assemblages were predictably related to environmental gradients. Partitioning of variation by means of partial ordination indicated that assemblages were less variable among (38.7% of the total variation) than within (61.3%) tributaries. Water transparency singly accounted for 33.3% of the variation among tributaries, whereas macrophyte cover and river width jointly accounted for 8.3% of the variation within tributaries. These results suggests that differences in habitat features among tributaries may account for a substantial fraction of the predictable variation in assemblage structure at the watershed scale, an aspect not emphasized in previous studies of riverine fish assemblages. Mixed regression analyses relating ecomorphological traits to environmental variables showed that the environmental variables most strongly associated with assemblage structure were significantly related to traits associated with predator avoidance or foraging efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shallow fluvial lakes are heterogeneous ecosystems in which marked spatio-temporal variation renders difficult the analysis of key ecological processes, such as growth. In this study, we used generalized additive modelling of the RNA/DNA ratio, an index of short-term growth, to investigate the influence of environmental variables and spatio-temporal variation on growth of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) in Lake St. Pierre, Quebec, Canada. Temperature and water level had seemingly stronger effects on short-term growth than seasonal change or spatial variation between and along the lakeshores. Consistent with previous studies, the maximum RNA/DNA ratio was found at 20.5 °C, suggesting that our approach provides a useful tool for estimating thermal optima for growth in the field. The RNA/DNA ratio showed a positive relationship with water level, as predicted by the flood pulse concept, a finding with implications for ecosystem productivity in fluvial lakes. The RNA/DNA ratio was more variable along the north than the south shore, possibly reflecting exposure to more differentiated water masses. The negative influence of both high temperatures and low water levels on growth points to potential impacts of climatic change on fish production in shallow fluvial lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used classification trees and regression trees to relate the incidence and density of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) to forestry activities measured at four spatial scales (subbasin and 8, 2, and 0.5 km radii upstream of study sites) and environmental features in 120 stream reaches of the Cascapedia River basin, Québec, Canada. At all scales, incidence increased with reach size and accessibility to the reach from the river mainstem. Incidence declined with areal coverage of logging at all scales, but only in larger reaches. The time horizon over which logging effects were detected increased with spatial scale. At all scales, density in salmon-bearing reaches increased with accessibility. Density in more accessible reaches was negatively related to logging over the preceding 9 years at the subbasin and 8 km scales, but no effects of logging on density were detected at the 2 and 0.5 km scales. Overall, apparent effects of logging activities on salmon incidence and density were mostly negative and strong, but were both markedly scale-dependent and conditional on environmental context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used hierarchical linear regression to examine relationships between brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) density and habitat features nested at three levels: sections within reaches, reaches within streams, and streams within a basin. Brook trout density and environmental variables were quantified at 600 stream sections distributed among 120 reaches and 22 streams in the Cascapedia River basin, Quebec, Canada. Decomposition of variance showed that variation in density among streams was small relative to that among sections or reaches and not statistically significant. Density was influenced by habitat variables at both the section (current velocity, woody debris, cover) and reach (subbasin area, height increment at flood, valley width) levels. A cross-level interaction between current velocity and subbasin area pointed to a "contextual" effect: density showed stronger decline with current velocity in larger subbasins than in smaller subbasins. This result suggests that there was no single "best scale" for examining fish–environment relationships. Accounting for contextual effects by use of hierarchical models can enhance our understanding of how habitat features influence fish densities at multiple spatial scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Forestry activities can greatly modify the structure and function of invertebrate communities in streams, but the ability to detect effects of forestry may depend on the spatial scale considered, the choice of response metric and the environmental context. In this study, a multi-scale, multi-metric approach was used to compare the usefulness of proximate and larger-scale measurements of forestry activity for understanding the impacts of forestry on stream macrobenthos. 2. Site-specific responses of macrobenthic communities to forestry activities measured at four spatial scales (sub-basin and 8-, 2- and 0.5-km radii upstream of study sites) were examined for 90 riffle sites distributed among 22 tributary streams (Strahler order 1–5) of the Cascapedia River basin, Quebec, Canada. 3. Multiple regression models and canonical correspondence analysis were used to relate six biological metrics (taxonomic richness, numerical density, biomass density, normalised biomass spectrum, individual body mass and community structure) to variables quantifying logging 1–19 years prior to the study and road density. Environmental predictors (variables quantifying local habitat or landscape features) were included in all analyses to statistically account for environmental context and increase the likelihood of detecting potentially subtle forestry impacts. 4. Forestry activities measured at the larger (sub-basin and 8 km) scales were linked to decline in taxonomic richness, increase in numerical and biomass densities and shift in size structure of benthic macroinvertebrates, indicating that analyses encompassing larger areas, up to the full basin, may allow for more sensitive detection of effects than those of more limited span. 5. These responses primarily reflected marked increases in the abundance of chironomids and decline in the number of trichopteran taxa with increasing areal coverage of recent (≤2–4 years) cuts, suggesting that larger, longer-lived and possibly more specialised taxa were more vulnerable to forestry impacts than smaller, multivoltine, generalist invertebrates. After partialling out the influence of other variables, rapid decline in richness occurred even when <1% of the basin had been clear cut in the year prior to the study. 6. Effects of forestry were detected after statistically accounting for natural environmental variability, which may have otherwise concealed those effects. The combined use of multiple biological metrics, partialling out of environmental effects and measurement of impacts at multiple spatial scales may be a broadly applicable approach for enhancing sensitivity and facilitating interpretation in studies of anthropogenic effects on macroinvertebrate communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Dispersal can be a major determinant of the distribution and abundance of animals, as well as a key mechanism linking behaviour to population dynamics, but progress in understanding dispersal has been hampered by the lack of a general framework for modelling dispersal. 2. This study tested the capacity of simple models to summarize and predict the lake-wide dispersal of an emerging cohort of young-of-the-year brook charr Salvelinus fontinalis, over 12 surveys conducted during a 2-month period. 3. The models are based on two types of dispersal kernel, the normal distribution from a simple diffusion process, and a Laplace distribution depicting exponential decay of the frequency of dispersers away from the point of origin. In all, four models were assessed: one-group diffusion (D1S) and exponential (E1S) models assuming homogeneous dispersal behaviour within the cohort, and two-group diffusion (D2S) and exponential (E2S) models accounting for intrapopulation differences in dispersal between sedentary and mobile individuals. 4. A rigorous cross-validation, based on calibrating the models to the distributions from the first two surveys only and then validating them on the remaining 10 distributions, was used to compare model predictions with observed values for five properties of the dispersal distributions: counts in individual shoreline sections; mean lateral displacement, variance and kurtosis of displacements; and the percentage of long-distance dispersers. 5. Substantial intrapopulation heterogeneity in dispersal behaviour was apparent: 83% of all individuals were estimated to be sedentary and the remainder mobile. Remarkably, the two-group exponential model E2S – calibrated to data from only two surveys conducted 3·5 and 8·5 days after the beginning of emergence – predicted reasonably well all properties of the spatial distribution of the cohort until the end of the study, 7 weeks later. 6. Standardized measures of mobility derived from simple models may lead to better understanding of population dynamics and improved management. Specifically, the ability to accurately predict long-distance dispersal may be critical to assessing population persistence and cohort strength whenever key habitats, such as refugia or productive areas supporting a large proportion of the cohort, are sparsely distributed or distant from the point of origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. We compared the capacity of logistic regression (LR) and classification tree (CT) models to predict microhabitat use and the summer distribution of juvenile Atlantic salmon,Salmo salar, in two reaches of a small stream in eastern Quebec.2. The models predicted the presence or absence of salmon at a location on the basis of habitat features (depth, current velocity, presence of instream and overhead cover, substratum particle size, and distance to stream bank) measured at that location. Models were validated by means of crossover field tests evaluating the performance of models developed for one reach (calibration trials) when applied to the other reach (validation trials). Model performance was evaluated with regard to accuracy, generality and ease of use and interpretation. Prediction maps based on habitat features were also built to compare the observed position of fish with those predicted by LR and CT models.3. The spatial distribution of active fish differed markedly from that of resting fish, apparently as a result of the selection for water greater than about 30 cm depth by active fish and for the presence of rocky cover by resting fish.4. All models made accurate predictions, validated by crossover trials. For both LR and CT models, the prediction maps reflected well the actual fish distributions. However, CT models were easier to build and interpret than LR models. CT models also had less variable performance and a smaller decline in predictive capability in crossover trials (for fish at rest), suggesting that they may be more transferable than LR models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Movements between a stream reach and two adjacent lentic macrohabitats, a beaver pond and a lake, were followed for the Appalachian crayfish and two fish species, brook charr and brown bullhead, over an 85-d period from early June to late August, and were analysed in relation to water level, maximum water temperature, photoperiod length, lunar luminosity, and age, by use of time-series regressions. 2. Brook charr showed strong net immigration to the stream reach for underyearling (age class 0+) fish but net emigration for 1+ fish. Both immigration and emigration were positively related to water level and temperature; migratory responses to temperature were age-specific. 3. Brown bullhead used the stream primarily as a corridor for downstream migration from the beaver pond to the lake. As with brook charr, water level and temperature had a positive effect on movement and responses were stronger in younger individuals. 4. Crayfish emigrated from the stream during the summer. Movements were positively related to increases in water level and temperature, with responses of 1+ crayfish much stronger than those of older individuals. 5. The results indicate that the stream tributary played different roles for brook charr (nursery), brown bullhead (dispersal corridor) and Appalachian crayfish (early summer refuge), and suggest that variation in water level or temperature resulting from climatic change or local anthropogenic activities might modify connectivity between macrohabitats, particularly for younger individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates restricted movement in stream fish. Measures of mobility; Relationship between turnover and displacement; Characteristics of intra-population variation in mobility; Factors influencing population dispersal.

Eutrophication and climate change scenarios engender the need to develop good predictive models for harmful cyanobacterial blooms (CyanoHABs). Nevertheless, modeling cyanobacterial biomass is a challenging task due to strongly skewed distributions that include many absences as well as extreme values (dense blooms). Most modeling approaches alter the natural distribution of the data by splitting them into zeros (absences) and positive values, assuming that different processes underlie these two components. Our objectives were (1) to develop a probabilistic model relating cyanobacterial biovolume to environmental variables in the Río de la Plata Estuary (35°S, 56°W, n = 205 observations) considering all biovolume values (zeros and positive biomass) as part of the same process; and (2) to use the model to predict cyanobacterial biovolume under different risk level scenarios using water temperature and conductivity as explanatory variables. We developed a compound Poisson-Gamma (CPG) regression model, an approach that has not previously been used for modeling phytoplankton biovolume, within a Bayesian hierarchical framework. Posterior predictive checks showed that the fitted model had a good overall fit to the observed cyanobacterial biovolume and to more specific features of the data, such as the proportion of samples crossing three threshold risk levels (0.2, 1 and 2 mm³ L−1) at different water temperatures and conductivities. The CPG model highlights the strong control of cyanobacterial biovolume by nonlinear and interactive effects of water temperature and conductivity. The highest probability of crossing the three biovolume levels occurred at 22.2 °C and at the lowest observed conductivity (∼0.1 mS cm−1). Cross-validation of the fitted model using out-of-sample observations (n = 72) showed the model's potential to be used in situ , as it enabled prediction of cyanobacterial biomass based on two readily measured variables (temperature and conductivity), making it an interesting tool for early alert systems and management strategies. Furthermore, this novel application demonstrates the potential of the Bayesian CPG approach for predicting cyanobacterial dynamics in response to environmental change. Image 1 • Cyanobacterial biovolume was modeled using a Bayesian compound Poisson-Gamma approach. • The model uses two readily measured predictors: water temperature and conductivity. • Cyanobacterial biovolume in out-of-sample observations was well predicted. • Conductivity and temperature had an interactive effect on cyanobacterial biovolume. • The model has a great potential for water management in coastal ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theoretical and empirical studies often show that within populations, individuals vary in their propensity to disperse. We aspired to understand how this behavioural variation is impacted by the distribution and pattern of food patches across a landscape. In a series of experiments we examined how inter‐patch distance and the distribution of food patches influenced dispersal in wild‐type strains of Drosophila melanogaster with natural allelic variants of the foraging (for) gene known to influence dispersal in this species. The 'rover' strain was homozygous for the forR allele (more dispersive) whereas the 'sitter' strain was homozygous for fors (less dispersive). We also assessed an outbred population of flies with an unknown dispersal propensity. Dispersal was assayed in a multi‐patch lab arena (25 cells, 5 × 5 array). In the inter‐patch distance trials, landscapes of two different sizes (small versus large) were used, both with food in all 25 cells. Dispersal was reduced in the large landscape relative to the small landscape for all three fly strains. Sitter dispersal was lowest relative to both rovers and the outbred flies, whose dispersal tendencies were similar. In the patch distribution trials, flies were assayed in landscapes with varying distribution and number of cells containing food. Dispersal generally increased as the number of patches with food increased, however, rovers and sitters adopted similar dispersal strategies when food was fixed and limited. Conversely, their strategies differed when the total amount of food increased with the number of patches. We find that both the inter‐patch distance and distribution can influence dispersal. However, the effect of inter‐patch distance and distribution on dispersals depends on genotype × environment interaction. Our findings highlight the importance of considering G × E when assessing how dispersal strategies and landscape dynamics influence the distribution of animal communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is heterogeneous in distribution pattern and clinical features. This analysis assessed the effect of dupilumab on the extent and severity of AD across various signs (erythema, edema/papulation, excoriation, lichenification) in different anatomical regions (head and neck, trunk, upper extremities, lower extremities) in patients aged 6 months to 5 years. Methods: In LIBERTY AD PRESCHOOL, a double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III clinical trial, children aged 6 months to 5 years with moderate-to-severe AD were randomized 1:1 to subcutaneous dupilumab or placebo with concomitant low-potency topical corticosteroids (TCS) every 4 weeks for 16 weeks. Changes in AD signs across anatomical regions were assessed using unweighted Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) body region scores. Results: Overall, 162 patients were randomized to dupilumab (n = 83) or placebo (n = 79). A significant improvement in least squares mean EASI area score was seen by week 2 in all four anatomical regions (P < 0.0001 for dupilumab vs. placebo) and sustained throughout treatment. Least squares mean EASI sign scores in erythema, excoriations, and infiltration/papulation showed significant improvement by week 2 in all regions (P < 0.001), while lichenification showed significant improvement in all regions by week 4 (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Dupilumab use with concomitant low-potency TCS treatment resulted in rapid and consistent improvement in AD signs in all anatomical regions, in patients aged 6 months to 5 years with moderate-to-severe AD. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03346434 Part B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Sex is a significant factor in the development of Parkinson’s disease. • Sex differences have been reported in motor and non-motor symptoms and treatment outcome. • Sex differences in Parkinson’s disease are determined by biological sex differences. • Y chromosome- associated genes and sexual hormones contribute to sex differences in mitochondria and neuroinflammation. • Sex hormones contribute to sex differences in the action of other genetic factors. Abstract Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most frequent age-related neurodegenerative disorder. Sex is an important factor in the development of PD, as reflected by the fact that it is more common in men than in women by an approximate ratio of 2:1. Our hypothesis is that differences in PD among men and women are highly determined by sex-dependent differences in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system, which arise from environmental, hormonal and genetic influences. Sex hormones, specifically estrogens, influence PD pathogenesis and might play an important role in PD differences between men and women. The objective of this review was to discuss the PD physiopathology and point out sex differences in nigrostriatal degeneration, symptoms, genetics, responsiveness to treatments and biochemical and molecular mechanisms among patients suffering from this disease. Finally, we discuss the role estrogens may have on PD sex differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a non-atopic 27-year-old Arab woman who attended to the Allergy Department due to the episodes of facial edema. The patient was recommended to avoid using oral contraceptives (OCs) which lead the occurrence of the episodes while the patients' biochemical parameters and complete blood count were in normal range. The patients' clinical diagnosis is a hereditary angioedema (HAE) type III associated with XII gene missense mutation in a family of Arab origin.

It is well known that the composition of land cover within a watershed plays a large role in regulating stream water quality. However, there remains significant uncertainty regarding the effect of spatial configuration of different types of land cover on water quality. Using periphytic algae (diatoms) as indicators of stream trophic state, we investigated the relationship between landscape configuration and water quality in a large number of watersheds (590) at varying catchment scales in Eastern Canada. Variation partitioning analysis showed that landscape configuration explained 48% of the variation in water quality. However, since the physiographic setting constrains most agricultural activities, most of the variation was attributed to the shared influence of surficial deposits, land cover and landscape configuration (34%). The results from regression models showed that the geomorphological setting of watersheds (surficial deposits and slopes) and the proportion of different land cover types (mainly forests, wetlands, crops and urban areas) have a major impact on stream water quality. Nevertheless, a few configuration metrics emerged as important factors. Landscape diversity appeared to have a negative impact on water quality, whereas forest and wetland edge densities had a positive impact. Moreover, the influence of these lanscape metrics seems to occur at certain thresholds. In areas of intensive farming, streams with a forest area that covers at least 47% of the watershed have a better water quality. Below this threshold, eutrophic and meso-eutrophic conditions are more frequent in streams and rivers. The shape and location of forested patches were also found to be relevant. Woodlands and wetlands with an edge density higher than 36 m/ha and located along streams and gullies have a positive impact on water quality. For the same proportion of forest, complex patches will be more efficient filters than large regular patches. Forest edge density seems to control the extent of the interface with the agricultural sources and thus promotes the “sink” effect of forests on nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary 1. Habitat degradation and fragmentation are growing concerns in ecology, yet distinguishing between the effects of these processes can be a challenging task. In riverine landscapes, roads impact fish populations mainly through: (i) restriction of passage of individuals (fragmentation) and (ii) reduction in habitat quality downstream by increases in sediment load (habitat degradation). These two processes can be differentiated during road construction projects. 2. This study examines the impacts of a highway expansion and the presence of existing highway crossings on local population density of brook charr Salvelinus fontinalis in stream reaches traversed by the highway. Density was estimated on three consecutive summers in 212 sections distributed among 36 streams. This extensive sampling design focused on replicated comparison of sites upstream and downstream of highway crossings and included different stages of highway construction (before, during and after) and types of highway crossing (low, intermediate and high passability). Mixed models were used to examine the impacts of the highway on population density. 3. Highway construction activities had no detectable effect on density. However, existing highway crossings appeared to have a strong effect on density, which differed markedly between upstream and downstream sites near highway crossings of intermediate and low passabilities. 4. A Markovian movement model yielded estimates of passability that were consistent with the classification of crossing types and provided evidence for the restriction of upstream movement at crossings as a plausible explanation for observed differences in local population density. 5. Synthesis and applications. Habitat fragmentation resulting from restriction of passage at highway crossings had markedly greater effects on local population density than short-term impacts arising from construction activities. The modelling approaches used in this study can be useful management tools for the conservation of mobile fish species in fragmented riverine landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been linked to the expression of Human Leukocyte Antigens, principally to the Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II, with only scarce reports of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I in specific populations. The objective of the present work was to explore the presence of polymorphisms in the MHC Class I related to T2D in the Mexican population using the Genome-Wide Association Studies Slim Initiative in Genomic Medicine of the Americas (GWAS SIGMA) database. This database contains information on 3848 Mexican individuals with T2D and 4366 control individuals from the same population without a clinical or hereditary history of the disease. The searching criteria considered a p-value of <0.005 and an odds ratio (OR) of >1.0. Ten novel, statistically significant nucleotide variants were identified: four polymorphisms associated with HLA-A (A*03:01:01:01) and six with HLA-C (C*01:02:01:01). These alleles have a high prevalence in Latin American populations and could potentially be associated with autoimmunity mechanisms related to the development of T2D complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The link between spring flood characteristics and climate indices are explored by RDA. [•] AMO is negatively correlated to timing, duration, frequency and CV. [•] NAO is positively correlated to timing, duration and frequency. [•] NAO is negatively correlated to variability (CV). [•] Flood magnitude is not correlated to any climate indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia is essential for early diagnosis, neurologic recovery, the early onset of drug treatment and the prognosis of ischemic events. Experimental models of cerebral ischemia can be used to evaluate the cellular response phenomena and possible neurological protection by drugs. Objective: To characterize the cellular changes in the neuronal population and astrocytic response by the effect of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) on a model of ischemia caused by cerebral embolism. Methods: Twenty Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 5). The infarct was induced with α-bovine thrombin (40 NIH/Unit.). The treated group received 90 mg (100 ul) of DMSO in saline (1:1 v/v) intraperitoneally for 5 days; ischemic controls received only NaCl (placebo) and two non-ischemic groups (simulated) received NaCl and DMSO respectively. We evaluated the neuronal (anti-NeuN) and astrocytic immune-reactivity (anti-GFAP). The results were analyzed by densitometry (NIH Image J-Fiji 1.45 software) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the Graph pad software (Prism 5). Results: Cerebral embolism induced reproducible and reliable lesions in the cortex and hippocampus (CA1)., similar to those of focal models. DMSO did not reverse the loss of post-ischemia neuronal immune-reactivity, but prevented the morphological damage of neurons, and significantly reduced astrocytic hyperactivity in the somato-sensory cortex and CA1 (P <0.001). Conclusions: The regulatory effect of DMSO on astrocyte hyperreactivity and neuronal-astroglial cytoarchitecture , gives it potential neuroprotective properties for the treatment of thromboembolic cerebral ischemia in the acute phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sedimentation during road construction is a human impact that threatens aquatic ecosystems. Despite a large body of literature on the effect of fine sediments on the initial developmental stages of fish, we do not know of any studies that have investigated the return of spawners to spawning grounds in streams impacted by sediment from road construction. The objective of this study was to quantify the return to spawning grounds of brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis at different stages of highway construction (before, during, and after construction). Redd counts were made at a fine spatial resolution (<0.5 m) over two consecutive years in 12 reaches distributed along a 115-km stretch of highway in the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve, Quebec. We found a significant decrease in redd counts in reaches affected by construction during the second year but no evidence of impacts in reaches affected by construction during the first year. A possible explanation is that sediment releases were well controlled during construction except after an extreme weather event occurring during the spawning season of the second year. However, we observed that a reach heavily impacted by sediments still supported high densities of spawners. Overall, we found a significant decrease in the absolute number of redd counts in the second year but strong consistency in the spatial distribution of the spawning sites, both within and among reaches and for all stages of highway construction and sediment loadings, which suggests that the return of spawners is more constrained by habitat variables than by sediment from highway construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to measure and model the response time of the Eastern Canadian Diatom Index (IDEC: Indice Diatomées de l'Est du Canada), a diatom-based index of biological integrity, following substrate translocation from altered sites (nutrient-enriched) to pristine sites and vice-versa. The frequency of sampling, duration (time after substrate translocation), and variety of site conditions in the present study provide strong evidence for an accelerated response of diatoms to a degradation reflecting eutrophication (within a week in certain cases) and a slower path to recovery (up to 4 weeks). Diatom response varied as a function of trophic status; oligotrophic rivers responded rapidly to a degradation, and mesotrophic or eutrophic rivers responded more slowly to an amelioration of the conditions. Variation in response time as a function of trophic status seemed to be partly linked to the diversity and complexity of the assemblages. The less diverse assemblages observed in oligotrophic waters were highly sensitive to nutrient enrichment, whereas the more diverse assemblages sampled in mesotrophic-eutrophic rivers were less sensitive to nutrient fluctuations, and major variations in nutrient concentrations took a longer time to induce a change in index values. L'objectif de notre recherche est de mesurer et de modéliser le temps de réaction de l'Indice Diatomées de l'Est du Canada (IDEC), un indice d'intégrité biologique basé sur les diatomées, à la suite d'un déplacement de substrats de sites altérés (enrichis en nutriments) vers des sites vierges et vice-versa. La fréquence de l'échantillonnage, la durée (temps écoulé depuis le déplacement des substrats) et la variété des conditions dans les sites de notre étude permettent d'obtenir des données probantes qui montrent une réaction accélérée des diatomées à une dégradation qui représente une eutrophisation (en moins d'une semaine, dans certains cas) et une voie de récupération plus lente (jusqu'à 4 semaines). La réaction des diatomées varie en fonction du statut trophique : les rivières oligotrophes réagissent rapidement à une dégradation, alors que les rivières mésotrophes ou eutrophes réagissent plus lentement à une amélioration des conditions. La variation du temps de réaction en fonction du statut trophique semble être reliée en partie à la diversité et la complexité des peuplements. Les peuplements moins diversifiés observés dans les eaux oligotrophes sont très sensibles à l'enrichissement par les nutriments, alors que les peuplements plus diversifiés échantillonnés dans les rivières mésotrophes-eutrophes sont moins sensibles aux fluctuations des nutriments; les variations majeurs dans les concentrations de nutriments mettent donc plus de temps à provoquer un changement dans les valeurs de l'indice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates air quality model sensitivity to input and to model components. Simulations are performed using the California Institute of Technology (CIT) airshed model. Results show the impacts on ozone (O3) concentration in the South Coast Air Basin (SCAB) of California because of changes in: (1) input data, including meteorological conditions (temperature, UV radiation, mixing height, and wind speed), boundary conditions, and initial conditions (ICs); and (2) model components, including advection solver and chemical mechanism. O3 concentrations are strongly affected by meteorological conditions and, in particular, by temperature. ICs also affect O3 concentrations, especially in the first 2 days of simulation. On the other hand, boundary conditions do not significantly affect the absolute peak O3 concentration, although they do affect concentrations near the inflow boundaries. Moreover, predicted O3 concentrations are impacted considerably by the chemical mechanism. In addition, dispersion of pollutants is affected by the advection routine used to calculate its transport. Comparison among CIT, California Photochemical Grid Model (CALGRID), and Urban Airshed Model air quality models suggests that differences in O3 predictions are mainly caused by the different chemical mechanisms used. Additionally, advection solvers contribute to the differences observed among model predictions. Uncertainty in predicted peak O3 concentration suggests that air quality evaluation should not be based solely on this single value but also on trends predicted by air quality models using a number of chemical mechanisms and with an advection solver that is mass conservative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cerro Prieto field of northern Mexico is the largest water-dominated geothermal field under commercial production at the present time. In 2000 more than 115 million tons of fluids were extracted, but only about 20% was injected back into the reservoirs. This deficit has contributed to a drop in pressures resulting in localized boiling, influx of cooler groundwater and other reservoir processes. The influence of geologic features, especially faults, on these processes and on the response of different parts of the field to production is described. The study illustrates the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to gain an understanding of the behavior of geothermal systems under production. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Effective conservation requires that species recovery measures are informed by rigorous scientific research. For imperilled freshwater fishes and mussels in Canada, numerous research gaps exist, in part owing to the need for specialized research methods. The Canadian Freshwater Species at Risk Research Network (SARNET) was formed and identified or implemented approaches to address current research gaps, including (1) captive experimental research populations, (2) nonlethal methods for estimating abundance and distribution, (3) nonlethal field methods to measure life-history parameters, (4) species distribution models informed by co-occurring species, (5) conservation physiology to inform habitat and threat science, (6) evidence syntheses to evaluate threats and recovery measures, (7) disease-transmission models to understand mussel–host relationships, (8) experimental mesocosms and manipulative experiments to evaluate key habitat stressors, (9) threat and hazard models for predictive applications, and (10) rigorous evaluation of surrogate species. Over a dozen threat- and recovery-focused SARNET research applications are summarized, demonstrating the value of a coordinated research program between academics and government to advance scientific research on, and to support the recovery of, imperilled freshwater species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inventory of the vascular flora in the area of comunidad indígena de Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro produced the following results: 108 families with 307 genera, 716 species and 16 infraespecific taxa. From this total 52 species belong to pteridophytes, 16 to gymnosperms, 120 to monocotyledons and 544 to dicotyledons. The best represented families, in terms of species number are: Compositae (135), Leguminosae (58), Gramineae (57), Labiatae (26), Solanaceae (21), Orchidaceae (20), and Polypodiaceae (18). 60.7% of the species are herbaceous (either perennial or annual plants); 19.1% are shrubs, 10.0% trees, 4.2% lianas, 3.3% are epiphytic plants, 1.8% are parasites, "saprophytes" amount to 0.5% and aquatics 0.4%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]