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La infografía es un elemento clave a la hora de sistematizar datos sobre temas de interés social que son representados visualmente, cuyas estructuras narrativas sufren cambios profundos para adaptarse al nuevo escenario digital. La investigación determinó los factores claves de las narrativas, donde se aplicó la técnica de la observación y se analizaron las infografías usadas y los elementos constitutivos. Se evidencia como resultado la presencia de la interactividad, la multimedialidad y la hipertextualidad entre los elementos básicos para la composición armónica de la información. Se concluye que existe una necesidad de un dominio de las herramientas tecnológicas y la utilización de múltiples aplicaciones digitales para mejorar la narrativa de los diseños y cumplir con el objetivo comunicacional de las infografías.

Se presenta el caso de un paciente masculino de 2 meses de edad, admitido a la emergencia de pediatría, con historia de vómitos de contenido biliar, distensión abdominal y fiebre de 3 días de evolución. Al examen físico, presentó abdomen con irritación peritoneal. Fue llevado a sala de operaciones documentando divertículo de Meckel perforado a 2.6 mt de ángulo de Treitz con brida mesodiverticular que provoca obstrucción a este nivel, por lo que se realizó laparotomía exploradora más resección de divertículo y anastomosis de intestino delgado. Paciente egresa en condiciones satisfactorias.

In Rwanda, only 20% of sexually active unmarried young women use family planning as compared to 64% of married women. Adolescence is an important time of growth and development that often includes the initiation of sexual activity. Sexually active adolescents need support in accessing contraceptive services to prevent negative health outcomes. In sub-Saharan Africa, the adolescent population represents a large share of the total population and that proportion is predicted to expand over time. Adolescent contraceptive needs have largely been unmet, and with growing numbers, there is increased potential for negative health sequelae. Due to the low use of contraception by adolescents in Rwanda, and the growing population of adolescents, this study aims to explore the perspectives of family planning providers and adult modern contraceptive users on adolescent contraceptive use. Inclusion of adult community members in the study is a unique contribution, as research on adolescent contraceptive use in sub-Saharan Africa relies primarily on perspectives from adolescents and family planning providers.This qualitative study in 2018 utilized 32 in-depth interviews with modern contraceptive users and eight focus group discussions with family planning providers. Respondents were from Musanze and Nyamasheke districts in Rwanda, the districts with the highest and lowest modern contraceptive use among married women, respectively. Coding was conducted in Atlas.ti.Stigma regarding premarital sex results in barriers to adolescent access to contraceptive services. Family planning providers do provide services to adolescents; however, they often recommend secondary abstinence, offer a limited method selection, and accentuate risks associated with sexual activity and contraceptive use. Providers support adolescent clients by emphasizing the need for privacy, confidentiality, and expedient services, particularly through youth corners, which are spaces within health facilities designed to meet youth needs specifically. Modern contraceptive-using adult female community members advocate for youth access to contraception, however mothers have mixed comfort discussing sexual health with their own youth.To destigmatize premarital sexual activity, government efforts to initiate communication about this topic must occur at national and community levels with the goal of continued conversation within the family. The government should also train family planning providers and all health personnel interacting with youth on adolescent-friendly health services. Dialogue between community members and family planning providers about adolescent access to contraceptive services could also reduce barriers for adolescents due to community members' generally supportive views on adolescent contraceptive use. Efforts to engage adolescent caregivers in how to talk to youth about sex could also contribute to expanded use.In Rwanda, youth who are having sex use family planning less than married women. This study involved asking family planning providers and adults what they think about youth using family planning. Data for this study was collected in 2018, and included 32 interviews with adult family planning users and eight group discussions with family planning providers in two areas of Rwanda. The findings show that Rwandans believe youth should not have sex before they are married. Family planning providers do provide youth with services; however, they often push stopping sexual activity, offer a smaller selection of family planning methods, and exaggerate risks associated with sex and family planning use. Family planning providers support youth by honoring their need for privacy, keeping their secrets, and providing fast services so fewer people see them at the clinic. Providers like to help adolescents in youth corners, which are special spaces within health facilities just for youth. Importantly, adult women who use family planning want youth in their community to be able to use family planning, too. In order to respond to the issues raised, the Rwandan government can start conversations in villages and more broadly about the need for youth to have access to family planning. The government should also teach family planning providers and anyone who comes into contact with youth to offer helpful and friendly services. Setting up spaces for adults to talk with family planning providers about youth access to family planning could also contribute to fewer barriers to services for adolescents.

Methods sections are often missing critical details needed to reproduce an experiment. Methodological shortcut citations, in which authors cite previous papers instead of describing the method in detail, may contribute to this problem. This meta-research study used three approaches to systematically examine the use of shortcut citations in neuroscience, biology and psychiatry. First, we examined papers to determine why authors use citations in the methods section and to assess how often shortcut citations were used. Common reasons for using citations in the methods section included explaining how something was done by citing a previous resource that used the method (methodological shortcut citation), giving credit or specifying what was used (who or what citation), and providing context or a justification (why citation). Next, we reviewed 15 papers to determine what can happen when readers follow shortcut citations to find methodological details. While shortcut citations can be used effectively, problems encountered included difficulty identifying or accessing the cited materials, missing or insufficient descriptions of the cited method, and chains of shortcut citations. Third, we examined journal policies. Fewer than one quarter of journals had policies describing how authors should report methods that have been described previously or asking authors to explain modifications of previously described methods. We propose that methodological shortcut citations should meet three criteria; cited resources should describe a method very similar to the authors’ method, provide enough detail to allow others to implement the method, and be open access. We outline actions that authors and journals can take to use shortcut citations responsibly, while fostering a culture of open and reproducible methods reporting.

Introduction: In Rwanda, only 20% of sexually active unmarried youth use contraception as compared to 64% of married women. Adolescence is an important time of growth and development that often includes the initiation of sexual activity. Sexually active adolescents need support in accessing contraceptive services to prevent negative health outcomes. In sub-Saharan Africa, the adolescent population represents a large share of the total population and that proportion is predicted to expand over time. Adolescent contraceptive needs have largely been unmet, and with growing numbers, there is increased potential for more negative health sequelae. Due to the low use of contraception by adolescents in Rwanda, and the growing population of adolescents, this study aims to explore the perspectives of family planning providers and adult contraceptive users on adolescent contraceptive use. Inclusion of adult community members in the study is a unique contribution, as research on adolescent contraceptive use in sub-Saharan Africa relies primarily on perspectives from adolescent and family planning providers.Methods: This qualitative study in 2018 utilized 32 in-depth interviews with experienced users of modern contraceptive methods and eight focus group discussions with family planning providers. Respondents were from Musanze and Nyamasheke Districts, the districts with the highest and lowest modern contraceptive use, respectively. Thematic content analysis was conducted in Atlas.ti. Results: Stigma regarding premarital sex results in barriers to adolescent access to contraceptive services. Family planning providers do provide services to adolescents; however, they often recommend secondary abstinence, offer a limited method selection, and accentuate risks associated with sexual activity and contraceptive use. Providers do support adolescent clients by emphasizing the need for privacy, confidentiality, and expedient services, particularly through youth corners, which are spaces within health facilities designed to meet youth needs specifically. Contraceptive using adult female community members advocate for youth access to contraception, however mothers are mixed in their comfort with discussing sexual health with their own youth. Conclusion: To destigmatize premarital sexual activity, government efforts to initiate communication about this topic must occur at national and community levels with the goal of continued conversation within the family. The government should also train family planning providers and all health personnel interacting with youth on adolescent-friendly health services. Dialogue between community members and family planning providers about adolescent access to contraceptive services could also reduce barriers for adolescents due to community members' generally supportive views on adolescent contraceptive use. Efforts to engage adolescent caregivers in how to talk with youth about sex could also contribute to expanded use.

In order to assess the response of cocoa trees to drought, changes in water status, gas exchange, leaf carbon isotopic ratio (δ13C), photochemical activity, and leaf N and chlorophyll content during the rainy and dry season were measured in 31 Venezuelan cocoa clones (17 Trinitarios, 6 Criollos, and 8 Modern Criollos) grown in a common garden. Drought caused a 40% decrease in water potential (ψ) in all but the Modern Criollos, and a reduction in net photosynthetic rate (A) and stomatal conductance (gs) without an increase in instantaneous water use efficiency (WUE) in 93% of clones, and an increase inδ13C (long-term WUE) in 74% of clones; these responses suggest differences in tolerance to drought among clones. A positive correlation betweenAand bothgsand leaf N content was found for all genotypes. Leaf N content, chlorophyll content, and photochemical activity were reduced during drought, suggesting that metabolism was also inhibited. The best performance during drought was shown by Modern Criollos with the highest WUE, while five Trinitario clones seemed to be less sensitive to drought, since neither chlorophyll, N, total soluble protein concentration, norgschanged with drought, indicating that those Trinitario clones, with lowerA, have a conservative water use. Modern Criollos showed no reductions in eitherψorgs;Aremained unchanged, as did WUE, which was the highest, suggesting that these clones would be more successful in environments with low water availability. Our results indicate large variation in physiological response to drought over a range of parameters, suggesting possible differences in tolerance among clones.

Background and Aims It is commonly accepted that the leaf of a crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plant is thick, with large mesophyll cells and vacuoles that can accommodate the malic acid produced during the night. The link between mesophyll characteristics and CAM mode, whether obligate or C3/CAM, was evaluated. Methods Published values of the carbon isotopic ratio (δ 13C) as an indicator of CAM, leaf thickness, leaf micrographs and other evidence of CAM operation were used to correlate cell density, cell area, the proportion of intercellular space in the mesophyll (IAS) and the length of cell wall facing the intercellular air spaces (Lmes/A) with CAM mode. Key Results Based on 81 species and relatively unrelated families (15) belonging to nine orders, neither leaf thickness nor mesophyll traits helped explain the degree of CAM expression. A strong correlation was found between leaf thickness and δ 13C in some species of Crassulaceae and between leaf thickness and nocturnal acid accumulation in a few obligate CAM species of Bromeliaceae but, when all 81 species were pooled together, no significant changes with δ 13C were observed in cell density, cell area, IAS or Lmes/A. Conclusions An influence of phylogeny on leaf anatomy was evidenced in a few cases but this precluded generalization for widely separate taxa containing CAM species. The possible relationships between leaf anatomy and CAM mode should be interpreted cautiously.

Background Growing evidence underscores the utility of ketamine as an effective and rapid-acting treatment option for major depressive disorder (MDD). However, clinical outcomes vary between patients. Predicting successful response may enable personalized treatment decisions and increase clinical efficacy. Methods We here explored the potential of pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC) activity to predict antidepressant effects of ketamine in relation to ketamine-induced changes in glutamatergic metabolism. Prior to a single i.v. infusion of ketamine, 24 patients with MDD underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging during an emotional picture-viewing task and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Changes in depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory measured 24 hours pre- and post-intervention. A subsample of 17 patients underwent a follow-up magnetic resonance spectroscopy scan. Results Antidepressant efficacy of ketamine was predicted by pgACC activity during emotional stimulation. In addition, pgACC activity was associated with glutamate increase 24 hours after the ketamine infusion, which was in turn related to better clinical outcome. Conclusions Our results add to the growing literature implicating a key role of the pgACC in mediating antidepressant effects and highlighting its potential as a multimodal neuroimaging biomarker of early treatment response to ketamine.

Between 2005 and 2020, total contraceptive use among married women in Rwanda increased from 17% to 64%. The aim of this study is to better understand how the Rwandan government’s mobilization and demand generation efforts have impacted community norms and interpersonal discourse surrounding family planning. Eight focus group discussions with family planning providers and 32 in-depth interviews with experienced modern contraceptive users were conducted in 2018 in the two Rwandan districts with the highest and the lowest contraceptive prevalence rates. Results suggest that outspoken government support, mass media, and community meetings were valuable sources of information about family planning. Information received through these channels generated interpersonal dialogue about contraceptives through both conversation and observation; however, rumors and misinformation remained a significant barrier to use. A once taboo subject is now normative among married couples. Continuing to address common fears and misinformation through communication channels such as mass media and community meetings may help to further increase contraceptive uptake in Rwanda.

Supporting Information. Synthesis and evaluation of biological activities of bis(spiropyrazolone)cyclopropanes: a potential application against leishmaniasis

Thanks to evolving cellular telecommunication networks, providers can deploy a wide range of services. Soon, 5G mobile networks will be available to handle all types of services and applications for vast numbers of users through their mobile equipment. To effectively manage new 5G systems, end-to-end (E2E) performance analysis and optimization will be key features. However, estimating the end-user experience is not an easy task for network operators. The amount of end-user performance information operators can measure from the network is limited, complicating this approach. Here we explore the calculation of service metrics [known as key quality indicators (KQIs)] from classic low-layer measurements and parameters. We propose a complete machine-learning (ML) modeling framework. This system’s low-layer metrics can be applied to measure service-layer performance. To assess the approach, we implemented and evaluated the proposed system on a real cellular network testbed.

Background Possible cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were diagnosed in primary care in Madrid, some of these cases had pneumonia. Most of the SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia published data came from hospitalised patients. This study set out to describe clinical characteristics of patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia diagnosed in primary care across age groups and type of pneumonia. Methods Observational retrospective study obtaining clinical data from the electronic health records of patients who were followed-up by SARS-CoV-2 possible infection in a primary care practice in Madrid. All the cases were collected by in-person or remote consultation during the 10th March to the 7th of April. Exposure: Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia by chest X-ray ordered by the GP. Main outcomes and measures: Symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, physical examination and diagnostic tests as a blood test, nasopharyngeal swab results for RT-PCR (Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) and chest X-ray results. Results The overall SARS-CoV-2 pneumonias collected were 172 (female 87 [50.6%], mean age 60.5 years standard deviation [SD] 17.0). Comorbidities were body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 (90 [52.3%]), hypertension (83 [48.3%]), dyslipidaemia (68 [39.5%]) and diabetes (33 [19.2%]). The sample was stratified by age groups (p p p p 0.170). Conclusion Clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia were fever, cough and dyspnoea; this was especially clear in the elderly. We described different characteristics between unilateral and bilateral pneumonia.

Additional file 1. Clinical characteristics between survivors and non-survivors SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia patients.

Background Rwanda has markedly increased the nation’s contraceptive use in a short period of time, tripling contraceptive prevalence in just 5 years between 2005 and 2010. An integral aspect of family planning programs is the interactions between family planning providers and clients. This study aims to understand the client-provider relationship in the Rwandan family planning program and to also examine barriers to those relationships. Methods This qualitative study in Rwanda utilized convenience sampling to include eight focus group discussions with family planning providers, both family planning nurses and community health workers, as well as in-depth interviews with 32 experienced modern contraceptive users. Study participants were drawn from the two districts in Rwanda with the highest and lowest modern contraceptive rates, Musanze and Nyamasheke, respectively Data analysis was guided by the thematic content approach, Atlas.ti 8 was utilized for coding the transcripts and collating the coding results, and Microsoft Excel for analyzing the data within code. Results Data analysis revealed that, despite workplace related challenges – including inadequate staffing, training, and resources, relationships between providers and clients are strong. Family planning providers work hard to understand, learn from, and support clients in their initiation and sustained use of contraceptives. Conclusion Given the existing context of purposeful efforts on the part of family planning providers to build relationships with their clients, if the current level of government support for family planning service provision is enhanced, Rwanda will likely sustain many current users of contraception and engage even more Rwandans in contraceptive services in the future.

Introducción: La sepsis es una entidad clínica frecuente que causan una alta morbimortalidad en la población adulta que acude a los servicios de urgencia, la respuesta inflamatoria desregulada que la caracteriza puede ser modulada por lo niveles de lipoproteína de alta densidad, por lo cual el objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la asociación entre los niveles de lipoproteína de alta densidad y las complicaciones en pacientes con diagnóstico de sepsis. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, prospectivo con un diseño no experimental, cuya población estuvo conformada por 60 sujetos de ambos géneros con diagnóstico de sepsis. Los datos se recogieron mediante un formulario que incluyo: datos de identificación, datos clínicos como: presión arterial, frecuencia cardíaca, frecuencia respiratoria, puntaje en escala de Glasgow y datos de laboratorio, leucocitos, nivel de HDL-C, creatinina, bilirrubina total, plaquetas, diuresis, PaO2/FiO2, y tiempos de coagulación. Resultados: Del total de la muestra, el 58,3% (n=35) presentó complicaciones como shock séptico o fallo multiorgánico, con un mayor porcentaje en aquellos con HDL-C más bajas (HDL-C

Background Contraceptive use in Rwanda tripled since 2005. This study aims to understand the role of coordinated and integrated family planning service delivery in achieving this increase in contraceptive use in Rwanda. Methods This qualitative study in 2018 included eight focus group discussions with family planning providers and 32 in-depth interviews with experienced family planning users. Results Results indicate a well-coordinated family planning service delivery system with community health workers and nurses filling different and complementary roles in meeting family planning client needs at the local level. In addition, integration of family planning into other maternal and child health services is the norm. Conclusions The coordination and integration of family planning across both providers and services may help explain the rapid increase in Rwanda’s contraceptive use and has potential applications for enhancing family planning service delivery in other settings.

We evaluated the effects of an elevated [CO2] on photosynthesis and growth of cassava plants grown in open-top chambers with an adequate supply of water and N and a sufficient rooting volume. Cassava plants (Manihot esculenta Crantz. cv. Motilona) showed higher photosynthetic rates (Pn) when grown and measured at elevated [CO2] (680 µmol mol-1) than when grown and measured at ambient [CO2] (480 µmol mol-1). No downregulation of photosynthesis due to elevated [CO2] was found, since carboxylation efficiency increased after 220 d in spite of a decrease in leaf soluble protein, Rubisco, and leaf N content. Soluble sugar and starch contents decreased with time under elevated [CO2], the decrease in starch content coinciding with the beginning of the increase in root mass. Canopy Pn by leaf area decreased with time under elevated [CO2] but, when canopy Pn was expressed by ground area, higher and constant rates were observed, suggesting a higher productivity in plants grown at elevated [CO2]. The absence of differences between growth [CO2] in root : shoot ratio observed suggests that elevated [CO2], while causing increases in the shoot as well as the root, did not affect the pattern of biomass allocation. Acclimation responses of gas exchange parameters changed during the experiment. The absence of downregulation of photosynthesis was associated with a decrease in leaf sugar and starch contents of plants grown at elevated [CO2], which suggests a favourable source/sink relationship.

BackgroundHigh fertility rates pose health risks to both mothers and children and impede economic growth; therefore, family planning use is vital to achieving sustainable population growth and to help build thriving communities. Contraceptive use in Rwanda has tripled since 2005. This study aims to understand the role of coordinated and integrated family planning service delivery in achieving this unparalleled success in Rwanda. MethodsThis qualitative study in 2018 included eight focus group discussions with family planning providers and 32 in-depth interviews with experienced family planning users.ResultsResults indicate a well-coordinated family planning service delivery system with community health workers and nurses filling different and complementary roles in meeting family planning client needs at the local level. In addition, integration of family planning into other maternal and child health services is the norm. ConclusionsThe coordination and integration of family planning across both providers and services may help explain the extraordinary increase in Rwanda’s contraceptive usage, and has potential applications for enhancing family planning service delivery in other settings as well.

Es grato para la Fundación Guardaguas de Cartagena y/o Cartagena Baykeeper, miembro de la organización Waterkeeper Alliance de Estados Unidos, presentar a la comunidad científica este documento de trabajo en conjunto con la Universidad del Sinú Seccional Cartagena, en el cual se reseña el avance de los Derechos Humanos, en las poblaciones que han vivido una alta conflictividad, durante la violencia política que, por más de cincuenta años, ha estado presente en el territorio colombiano.

Introducción: El trastorno antisocial de la personalidad está vinculado a la clasificación de trastornos de la personalidad en la salud mental. Este diagnóstico se les otorga a personas que presenten rasgos de personalidad específicos e inflexibles que afectan su funcionalidad y en los que no se encuentra otra causa médica aparente. Existen diversos tratamientos posibles para estos pacientes y cuyo manejo debe ser individualizado según su edad y progresión de los rasgos de personalidad. Este trastorno genera un impacto adicional a la comunidad debido a su relación con conductas delictivas e inapropiadas de los pacientes con este diagnóstico, convirtiéndolo en un asunto de interés para la convivencia social. Objetivo: Reflexionar acerca del rol de la sociedad en la prevención, inclusión y manejo de pacientes con trastorno antisocial de la personalidad. Discusión: Conociendo las variables involucradas en el desarrollo de trastornos de personalidad como el antisocial, además del impacto social que genera la expresión de dichos síntomas en la comunidad, se hace necesario una intervención multidisciplinaria desde la sociedad y sectores públicos como salud y justicia a la hora de abordar estos pacientes, pues medidas como mejorar el ambiente que los rodea y el reconocimiento a temprana edad mejora los resultados en el tratamiento y podría disminuir la expresión de la misma, así como las consecuencias sociales producto de casos graves. Conclusiones: El trastorno antisocial de la personalidad es un diagnóstico psiquiátrico que involucra necesariamente al paciente y la comunidad. La concientización de esta patología en la sociedad podría dar herramientas para mejorar la prevención, diagnóstico y atención integral con resultados a nivel individual y social. [Herrera-Gómez AL. Una reflexión sobre la labor social en pacientes con trastorno antisocial de la personalidad. MedUNAB 2017-2018; 20(3): 368-373]. Introduction: The antisocial personality disorder is linked to the classification of personality disorders in mental health. This diagnosis is given to people who have specific and inflexible personality traits that affect their functionality and in which no other apparent medical cause is found. There are several possible treatments for these patients and their management must be individualized according to their age and the progression of their personality traits. This disorder generates an additional impact on the community due to its relationship with criminal and inappropriate behavior of patients with this diagnosis, making it a matter of interest for social coexistence. Objective: To reflect on the role of society in the prevention, inclusion and management of patients with antisocial personality disorder. Discussion: By knowing the variables involved in the development of personality disorders such as antisocial, besides the social impact generated by the expression of these symptoms in the community, it is necessary a multidisciplinary intervention from society and public sectors such as health and justice when dealing with these patients. Furthermore, if some measures are adopted such as improving the environment that surrounds patients and the recognition at an early age of this disorder, these measures could improve the results in the treatment and reduce the expression of itself, as well as the social consequences of serious cases of this disorder. Conclusions: The antisocial personality disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis that involves the patient and community. The awareness of this pathology in society could provide tools to improve prevention, diagnosis and comprehensive care with individual and social results. [Herrera-Gómez AL. A Reflection on Social Work in Patients with Antisocial Personality Disorder. MedUNAB 2017-2018; 20(3): 368-373].

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) can be induced by salinity, thus conferring the plant higher water-use efficiency. Talinum triangulare does not frequently encounter salt in its natural habitat but is cultivated in soils that may become salinized. Here we examined whether plants of T. triangulare can grow in saline soils and show salt-induced CAM. METHODS: Leaf gas exchange, carbon isotopic ratio (δ(13)C), nocturnal acid accumulation (ΔH(+)), water relations, photosynthetic pigment and mineral contents, leaf anatomy and growth were determined in greenhouse in plants irrigated with 0, 150, 300 and 400 mm NaCl. KEY RESULTS: Salinity reduced gas exchange and induced CAM, ΔH(+) reaching 50.2 μmol H(+) g(−1) fresh mass under 300 mm NaCl. No nocturnal CO(2) uptake, but compensation, was observed. Values of δ(13)C were lowest under 0 and 400 mm NaCl, and highest under 150 and 300 mm. The difference in osmotic potential (ψ(s)) between control and treated plants averaged 0.45 MPa for the three [NaCl] values, the decrease in ψ(s) being accounted for by up to 63 % by Na(+) and K(+). Pigment contents were unaffected by treatment, suggesting lack of damage to the photosynthetic machinery. Changes in stomatal index with unchanged stomatal density in newly expanded leaves suggested inhibited differentiation of epidermal cells into stomata. Whole-leaf and parenchymata thickness increased under 150 and 300 mm NaCl. Only plants irrigated with 400 mm NaCl showed reductions in biomass (stems, 41 %; reproductive structures, 78 %). The K/Na molar ratio decreased with [NaCl] from 2.0 to 0.4. CONCLUSIONS: The operation of CAM in the recycling mode was evidenced by increased ΔH(+) with no nocturnal CO(2) uptake. Talinum triangulare can be classified as a halo-tolerant species based on its low K/Na molar ratio under salinity and the relatively small reduction in growth only at the highest [NaCl].

Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 18 años de edad, que es evaluada en la unidad de Hospital de Día, con historia de 8 meses de dificultad para deglutir alimentos sólidos, tolerando únicamente la ingestión de alimentos líquidos, asociado a regurgitaciones nocturnas por lo que consulta a médico particular quien realiza exámenes complementarios y la refiere a esta unidad para tratamiento. Al examen físico no presenta alteraciones, persistiendo con disfagia por lo que se programa para realizar esofagomiotomia de Heller videolaparoscópica.

We aimed at determining whether C 4 and CAM species had a higher reproductive efficiency than C 3 species because of their higher water- and nitrogen-use efficiency. The resource-limitation hypothesis was also examined in the context of photosynthetic pathway. Reproductive efficiency was evaluated by measuring fruit set (fruit/flower ratio), seed set (seed/ovule ratio), and relative fecundity (the proportion of well-developed seed formed per ovule per infrutescence), along with seed abortion, and flower, fruit and seed biomass were evaluated. Photosynthetic pathway was determined according to literature, taxonomy, leaf anatomy and carbon isotopic composition (δ 13 C). Additionally, carbon and nitrogen content and nitrogen isotopic composition (δ 15 N) were determined. Plant life form and breeding system were considered. The traits of δ 13 C and δ 15 N were found to be positively correlated to fruit set, seed set and relative fecundity. The C 4 species exhibited the highest values of fruit and seed set associated to the lowest biomass of flower, fruit, seed, and seed/fruit. The CAM species exhibited the highest values of flower and seed/fruit biomass and C 3 species had the highest values of fruit and seed biomass. Reproductive efficiency was negatively related to the cost of reproductive structures in C 3 species. The highest values of maximum relative fecundity were reached in CAM and C 4 species under contrasting costs of reproductive structures: high values of fruits and seeds biomass in CAM species and low values of fruit and seed biomass in C 4 species, suggesting that CAM species may reach high values of maximum fecundity irrespectively of fruit and seed cost. Patterns found in reproductive efficiency may be slightly modified according to life form and breeding system: fruit set was higher for annual than perennial herbs, which may be initially associated to the self-compatibility and autogamy of annual herbs. Fruit set increased from C 3 to CAM species for annual herbs and decreased from C 3 to CAM species for perennial herbs, indicating that C 4 and CAM photosynthetic pathways could be associated with the increment of reproductive efficiency in annual species. Besides the traditionally acknowledged relationship with resistance to stressful environments, reproductive strategies of C 4 and CAM plants could be also related to an increment in plant reproduction.

Background High fertility rates pose health risks to both mothers and children and impede economic growth; therefore, family planning use is vital to achieving sustainable population growth and to help build thriving communities. Contraceptive use in Rwanda has tripled since 2005. This study aims to understand the role of coordinated and integrated family planning service delivery in achieving this unparalleled success in Rwanda. Methods This qualitative study in 2018 included eight focus group discussions with family planning providers and 32 in-depth interviews with experienced family planning users. Results Results indicate a well-coordinated family planning service delivery system with community health workers and nurses filling different and complementary roles in meeting family planning client needs at the local level. In addition, integration of family planning into other maternal and child health services is the norm. Conclusions The coordination and integration of family planning across both providers and services may help explain the extraordinary increase in Rwanda’s contraceptive usage, and has potential applications for enhancing family planning service delivery in other settings as well.

Background Contraceptive discontinuation is a common event. Family planning programs often focus more on recruitment of new users as opposed to maintaining use among current users. A focus on sustaining users is imperative for long-term family planning program success. Methods This qualitative study in Rwanda in 2018 included eight focus group discussions with family planning providers and 32 in-depth interviews with contraceptive users. The data were collected in the two districts with the highest and lowest rates of contraceptive use, Musanze and Nyamasheke, respectively. The aim of this study is to better understand contraceptive use dynamics in Rwanda. Results Family planning providers and current users in Rwanda do not consider method discontinuation an option. Providers give support and medicine for side effects for continuers and counseling for those opting to switch. Current users are willing to try many methods until they find the right one for them – and once they find the right method, they plan to, or use the method, for long durations. Conclusions The Rwandan family planning program is primed to meet the needs of users in their sustained use of contraceptives through empathetic and responsive counseling. Concurrently, family planning users are determined to use family planning to meet their desired family size goals. The matching goals of both providers and clients indicates that contraceptive use will likely continue to increase in the future in Rwanda; however, due to long periods of pregnancy prevention desired – increased use of long acting methods should be encouraged.

Cocoa is sensitive to both water deficit (WD) and waterlogging (WL), especially during the juvenile stage. The aim of this study was to compare in four cocoa clones the water status, gas exchange and photochemical activity of PSII of adult trees subjected to natural drought in the field, and young individuals in the greenhouse subjected to either WD or WL. In the greenhouse, pots in which eight-month-old saplings were growing were placed in 8-L plastic buckets and either weekly watered (control, C), left without watering (WD), or filled with tap water up to 1 cm above soil surface (WL). In the field, drought affected clones differently in their water relations and photosynthetic responses. In the greenhouse, after 35 days of treatment, the four clones showed decreases in water potential which were stronger under WD than WL. Photosynthetic rate ( P N ) decreased on average 86% due to WD and 60% due to WL, clone 415 being the most susceptible to both stresses. On average, P N reached 100% of control values ​​7 d after re-watering but only 74% after drainage. Stomatal closure with maintenance of leaf water was the general response to WD. Clone 439, with highest relative lenticel area, was the one in which P N recovered most from WL. Lenticel hypertrophy, particularly in clone 439, apparently was one of the mechanisms of acclimation to WL. Chronic photoinhibition occurred in no case. We conclude that all clones are adequate for growth in the field, although 415 is the one with lower P N during the rainy season. Saplings of all clones are suitable for cultivation in drought-prone areas for dry periods of at least a month, and clone 439 is the one best suited for soils under short-term WL .

The constant evolution in mobile communications networks have led operators to seek new techniques to optimize their mobile networks with the objective of satisfying the expectations of the users. In this way, traditional optimization techniques based on improving radio indicators, have given way to new techniques based on improving the quality of experience (QoE) perceived by users. This paper is focused on analyzing the impact of the adjustment of radio link control (RLC) layer configuration parameters on the QoE perceived by the users of two different types of services. Firstly, an evaluation of the QoE experienced by the user of a real-time video streaming service with respect to the transmission buffer size of the RLC layer in unacknowledged mode (UM) has been carried out. Secondly, the QoE perceived by the user of a file transfer service in relation to the variation of the configuration parameters of the RLC layer in acknowledged mode (AM) has been evaluated. The study, which has been carried out in a simulated cellular environment, has been performed for different system bandwidth values, thus proving the relationship between the QoE perceived by the users, the optimal RLC configuration parameters values and the available bandwidth.

E-learning is the delivery of education through digital or electronic methods allowing students to acquire new knowledge and develop new skills. E-learning allows students to expand their knowledge whenever and wherever. Several authors consider sentiment analysis as an alternative to improve the learning process in an e-learning environment since it allows analyzing the opinions of the students in order to better understand their opinion and take more effective, better-targeted actions. In this sense, this work presents a systematic literature review about sentiment analysis in education domain. This review aims to detect the approaches and digital educational resources used in sentiment analysis as well as to identify what are the main benefits of using sentiment analysis on education domain. The results show that Naive Bayes is the most used technique for sentiment analysis and that forums of MOOCs and social networks are the most used digital education resources to collect data needed to perform the sentiment analysis process. Finally, some of the main benefits of using sentiment analysis in education domain are the improvement of the teaching-learning process and students’ performance, as well as the reduction in course abandonment.

In many plant species that remain leafless part of the year, CO2 fixation occurring in green stems represents an important carbon gain. Traditionally, a distinction has been made between stem photosynthesis and corticular photosynthesis. All stem photosynthesis is, sensu stricto, cortical, since it is carried out largely by the stem cortex. We proposed the following nomenclature: stem net photosynthesis (SNP), which includes net CO2 fixation by stems with stomata in the epidermis and net corticular CO2 fixation in suberized stems, and stem recycling photosynthesis (SRP), which defines CO2 ling in suberized stems. The proposed terms should reflect differences in anatomical and physiological traits. SNP takes place in the chlorenchyma below the epidermis with stomata, where the net CO2 uptake occurs, and it resembles leaf photosynthesis in many characteristics. SRP is found in species where the chlorenchyma is beneath a well-developed stomata-free periderm and where reassimilation of internally respired CO2 occurs. SNP is common in plants from desert ecosystems, rates reaching up to 60% of the leaf photosynthetic rate. SRP has been demonstrated in trees from temperate forests and it offsets partially a carbon loss by respiration of stem nonphotosynthetic tissues. Reassimilation can vary between 7 and 123% of respired CO2, the latter figure implying net CO2 uptake from the atmosphere. Both types of stem photosynthesis contribute positively to the carbon economy of the species, in which they occur; they are advantageous to the plant because they allow the maintenance of physiological activity during stress, an increase of integrated water use efficiency, and they provide the carbon source used in the production of new organs.

To evaluate if the application of a negative-pressure therapy system (Prevena Incision Management System, Kinetics Concepts Inc, [KCI] an Acelity Company, San Antonio, Texas) on ileostomy-closure surgical wounds would reduce surgical site infections (SSIs) in comparison with conventional closure and dressing.Prospective interventional pilot study.La Paz University Hospital, tertiary care academic hospital in Madrid, Spain.The Prevena device was applied on the wounds of 17 consecutive patients undergoing ileostomy reversal. Control subjects were 43 patients undergoing the same procedure, in which conventional dressings were used for the wound.The device was applied on the wound immediately after surgery (under sterile conditions) and maintained for 5 to 7 days. Patients were evaluated daily, and on the seventh postoperative day, the device was removed and wounds carefully inspected. Another evaluation was performed a month after the surgical intervention in the outpatient clinic.The primary end point of the study was the detection of SSI (defined according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definitions). Other intervention-related complications were also registered.There were no significant differences in demographic variables between groups. In the control group, 9 patients (21%) presented SSI, with statistical significance (P.038) when compared with the intervention group (0%). There were no complications associated with the application of the Prevena device. Other complications (for example, ileus or obstruction) occurred in 30% of patients.The negative-pressure Prevena System was safe and easy to use and may prevent SSIs in dirty wounds, such as those from ileostomy closure.

Nicotiana glauca, a shrub native to southern South America, is widely distributed in the Americas, from Patagonia to the USA, from zero up to 3,700 m; it rapidly invades disturbed environments. In Venezuela, it has been reported from zero up to 2,000 m growing in contrasting conditions of relative humidity, temperature, rainfall, and salinity. In order to gain insight into the extent and mode of resistance to drought and salinity in N. glauca, we studied the effect of these factors on water relations and photosynthesis under both natural and greenhouse conditions. In the field, water potential, photosynthetic rate (A) and stomatal conductance (gs), but not relative water content (RWC) decreased because of drought. Manual removal of epicuticular wax increased excess energy dissipation through non-photochemical quenching without altering the capacity of photochemical quenching. In the greenhouse, water deficit as well as salinity resulted in osmotic adjustment; at the end of the experiment, turgor potential and RWC under water deficit were similar to control and higher under salinity. Water deficit and salinity caused marked decreases in A and gs. There were very few or no changes with natural drought, salinity or experimental water deficit in potential quantum efficiency of PSII, which could be explained partly by an increased non-photochemical quenching. We conclude that the partial tolerance to drought and salinity in plants of N. glauca resides in their ability to achieve water conservation through stomatal closure and osmotic adjustment, reduce absorption of excess radiation through the presence of leaf wax and dissipate it through increased non-photochemical quenching. All these characteristics confer plants of N. glauca advantages to invade disturbed areas, subject to salinity and/or seasonal drought under high irradiance.

In Venezuela 30,000 km2 of land is covered by savannas, of which 410,000 ha have been planted with several species and hybrids of Eucalyptus for lumber and pulp production. Popular concern about possible diminutions in water availability of reservoirs near eucalypt plantations prompted our interest in measuring water use by these trees. Since these savannas are markedly seasonal, the response of species to seasonal drought is important. We aimed to compare the seasonal changes in single-leaf and whole-plant transpiration in a seasonally dry savanna with that of trees of E. urophylla in an experimental plantation. We also examined the seasonal changes in xylem water potential and stomatal response to air water-vapour saturation deficit (D). Transpiration in eucalypts and the dominant savanna species Trachypogon vestitus and Curatella americana was evaluated using measurements of leaf gas exchange in all three species, sap flux in eucalypts, microclimatic variables and allometric and photometric determinations of green area. In E. urophylla and T. vestitus, but not in C. americana, stomatal conductance (g s) proved sensitive to D. Integrated values of daily courses of transpiration rate were scaled to one ha in a preliminary approach to estimating ecosystem transpiration (E ha). The E ha of the savanna (the sum of E ha of T. vestitus and C. americana) was on average 2.4 times that of eucalypts during the daytime; when nocturnal eucalypt transpiration was included, the value was 1.9. The evapotranspiration calculated by the Penman–Montieth equation (ETc) of eucalypts was lower than the savanna all year round. The reference crop ET (ETo) varied little throughout the seasons, the highest value occurring in March. The ratio E ha/ETo for the savanna was on average near one during the dry season and almost two during the rainy season; the corresponding value for E. urophylla was 0.6 for both seasons. The ratio E ha/ETc was on average 0.8 for the species and the savanna. The cumulative E ha for the days of measurements was higher in the savanna than in the eucalypts during the daytime (39.8 and 17.3 mm, respectively), as was the cumulative ETc (37.5 vs. 20.3 mm). Measured and calculated cumulative ET in eucalypts, including nocturnal values, were 22.0 and 28.4 mm, respectively. At the leaf level, both eucalypts and trees of C. americana apparently may have accessed water from deep horizons, since their values of Ψ changed less seasonally than in T. vestitus. At the ecosystem level, the species that presented the largest changes in transpiration was T. vestitus, which markedly increased savanna transpiration during the rainy season. Our results suggest that, for the days of this study, and considering the environmental conditions of the ecosystems studied, the type of measurements and the scaling procedures, stands of E. urophylla transpire less water than the savanna.

Vegetative as well as reproductive phenology of tropical trees frequently occur synchronously at the end of the dry season. It has been repeatedly observed on two individuals of the tropical species Ficus obtusifolia growing in Caracas that they lose their entire foliage in a period of 48 h during the dry season and renew it within the next 72 h. In order to gain knowledge on the mechanisms that govern leaf exchange in F. obtusifolia, we followed in these two individuals the seasonal changes in leaf and fruit phenology, water relations and environmental variables, and in another 25, phenology only. Although foliar exchange was always observed before the rainy season, it also occurred near the end of the rainy season. An increase in leaf turgor potential of mature leaves and a low sap flow velocity coincided with leaf fall. Foliar exchange in all 27 individuals, growing in locations with different elevation and, possibly, access to underground water, was bi-modal and occurred in a period of approximately one month around both equinoxes. The presence of fruits was also bi-modal, occurring after leaf renewal. The sequence of phenological events repeated itself in all the individuals studied, although with inter-annual and individual variations in date of foliar exchange. Leaf fall was independent of leaf water status and significantly correlated with, in decreasing order, day length, minimum air temperature, rainfall, maximum air temperature and total radiation. We conclude that in F. obtusifolia high nocturnal temperature, increasing daytime temperature and radiation, and low cloud cover apparently drove foliar exchange. Day length showed a strong correlation with leaf renewal possibly to due to the significant relationships between day length and environmental variables. Direct effects of day length alone were not evidenced, as foliar exchange took place during a long time-span around the equinoxes.

In the terrestrial bromeliad, Puya floccosa, a value of carbon isotopic composition (δ13C) of −22‰ has been previously reported, suggesting the operation of weak and/or intermediate (C3-CAM) crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). In order to characterize the operation of CAM in P. floccosa and its possible induction by drought, plants were grown in Caracas and subjected to four independent drought cycles. Additionally, since plants of this species grow in Venezuela in a large range of elevations, leaf samples were collected at elevations ranging from 725 to 2,100 m a.s.l. in the Venezuelan Andes and the Coastal Range, in order to evaluate the effect of elevation on CAM performance. Even though nocturnal acid accumulation occurred in both watered and droughted plants, mean ΔH+ was higher in droughted than watered plants [ΔH+ = 60.17.5 and 22.9 ± 5.2 μmol g−1(FM), respectively]. The majority of plants from all the natural populations sampled had low values of δ13C not differing significantly from those of C3 plants collected as standards and δ13C did not change with elevation. We conclude that P. floccosa is capable of a weak CAM activity, with a large variability among populations and drought experiments probably due to local and temporal differences in microclimatic variables and drought stress; elevation bears no influence on values of δ13C in this species.

In trees of the seasonally flooded forest of the Mapire River in Venezuela, early flooding induces a reversible diminution in leaf conductance and photosynthetic rate. With the aim of finding an anatomical explanation for the observed responses of leaf gas exchange, the characteristics of emerged leaves developed under drainage or after three months of flooding were examined in the tree species Acosmium nitens, Campsiandra laurifolia, Duroia fusifera, Eschweilera tenuifolia, Pouteria orinocoensis and Symmeria paniculata and in leaves developed only under flooding in Inga spuria and Tachigali davidsei. Anatomy was remarkably similar among species and families and consisted of a bi-layered palisade parenchyma, a 5-6-cell-thick spongy parenchyma and large whole-leaf thickness. Anatomy also resembled that of xerophytes or evergreen species by possessing thick cuticles, large epidermal cells, thickened anticlinal epidermal cell walls and an abundance of sclerenchyma. Leaves of flooded v. un-flooded trees were not qualitatively different. Specific leaf area resembled values of deciduous species in tropical dry forests. No quantitative differences were found between leaves developed in un-flooded and flooded trees, with the exception of a reduction in whole-leaf thickness of E. tenuifolia, P. orinocoensis and S. paniculata and a change in the contribution of palisade parenchyma to leaf thickness in E. tenuifolia. Both stomatal size and density in these exclusively hypostomatous species remained unaffected by flooding. A decrease under flooding in whole-leaf thickness may have resulted in an increase in mesophyll conductance and therefore photosynthetic rate. Nas árvores da floresta sazonalmente inundada do rio Mapire em Venezuela, a inundação cedo induz uma diminuição reversível na condutância foliar e na taxa fotossintética. Com o objetivo de encontrar uma explanação anatômica para as respostas observadas na trocas gasosas nas folhas, as características das folhas emersas desenvolvidas sob a drenagem ou após três meses de inundação foram examinadas nas espécies nas espécies arbóreas Acosmium nitens, Campsiandra laurifolia, Duroia fusifera, Eschweilera tenuifolia Pouteria orinocoensis e Symmeria paniculata, e nas folhas desenvolvidas somente sob inundação de Inga spuria e Tachigali davidsei. A anatomia foi notavelmente similar entre as espécies e as famílias e consistiu em um parênquima paliçádico bi-celular, um parênquima lacunoso de 5-6 células e grande espessura da folha inteira. A anatomia assemelhou-se também àquele das xerófitas ou das espécies sempre-verdes possuindo cutículas grossas, células epidérmicas grandes, paredes anticlinais das epidermes engrossadas e uma abundância de esclerênquima. Folhas das árvores inundadas v. não inundadas não eram qualitativamente diferentes. A área foliar específica assemelhou-se a valores de espécies decíduas em florestas secas tropicais. Nenhuma diferença quantitativa foi encontrada entre as folhas desenvolvidas em árvores não inundadas e inundadas, à exceção de uma redução na espessura da folha inteira do E. tenuifolia, P. orinocoensis e S. paniculata e uma mudança na contribuição do parênquima paliçádico a espessura foliar em E. tenuifolia. O tamanho e a densidade estomáticos nestas espécies exclusivamente hipostomáticas permanesceram não afetados pela inundação. Uma diminuição sob inundação na espessura foliar pode estar relacionado ao aumento da condutância mesofilar e conseqüentemente da taxa fotossintética.

In order to determine how flooding affects sap flow and hydraulic conductivity of the tolerant species, Campsiandra laurifolia, trees growing in a tropical seasonally flooded forest in Venezuela were studied. We hypothesized that trees respond to rising-waters with a decrease in root-water absorption, caused by hypoxia, and stomatal conductance, and that this is reverted later on through a process of acclimation that involves improvement in water absorption. We followed the seasonal changes, of trees with the whole or part of the canopy exposed to air, in sap flow density, leaf stomatal conductance, leaf transpiration rate and xylem water potential. The highest daytime sap flow density occurred at noon and its proportion relative to the yearly maximum (drainage at falling-waters) was 41 (dry season), 15 (flooding by rising-waters for 2 weeks), 54 (2 months of flooding) and 41% (6 months of flooding). Since at rising-waters dawn xylem water potential remained high, it became apparent that the initial stages of flooding imposed a restriction to sap flow unrelated to water deficit. The decrease at rising-waters in highest daytime sap flow density was due to reduced leaf-specific hydraulic conductivity, whereas the recovery observed 1.5 months later was correlated to an increase in hydraulic conductivity, and attributed to acclimation. Sap flow density was highly and positively correlated with radiation at all seasons but rising-waters; also, the relationship with air water vapor saturation deficit was high and significant on dates other than at rising-waters. Results suggest that early flooding inhibited water absorption by roots and that this inhibition was overcome later on at a higher water column through an acclimation process involving the improvement of internal aeration by adventitious roots.

Clusia minor L. is a C3-CAM species in which Crassulacean acid Metabolism (CAM) is induced, among other factors, by water deficit. We propose that CAM induction by natural drought in C. minor shifts the sap flow pattern from daytime to a night-time one, and that the decreased osmotic potential due to increased malate content in droughted plants aids in the increase in nocturnal sap flow. In order to test these hypotheses, we followed for 2 years the seasonal changes in parameters of water relationships and sap flow velocity in one single, freestanding tree growing in Caracas. Leaf water and osmotic potential were measured psychrometrically, nocturnal proton accumulation by titration of aqueous leaf extracts and sap flow density with thermal dissipation probes. Leaf water, osmotic and turgor potential remained relatively high throughout the seasons. Nocturnal proton accumulation was nil under extreme drought or after frequent and heavy rains, and high after moderate rainfall. Estimated malate and citrate concentrations contributed up to 80 and 60%, respectively, of the value of osmotic potential. The shape of the daily courses of sap flow velocity varied seasonally, from mostly diurnal during the dry season to mostly nocturnal after a short dry spell during the rainy season, when nocturnal acid accumulation attained high values. There was a strong positive relationship between the proportion of the integrated sap flow courses corresponding to the night and dawn [H+] (r 2 = 0.88). Increased nocturnal sap flow in the CAM stage of the tree of C. minor may be explained by a lower osmotic potential due to an increased acid concentration, together with increased stomatal aperture, as suggested by increased nocturnal acid accumulation probably due to nocturnal CO2 fixation.

We studied the seasonal changes in water relations, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and leaf saccharide contents of the tropical flood-tolerant trees Acosmium nitens, Campsiandra laurifolia, Eschweilera tenuifolia, Symmeria paniculata, and Psidium ovatifolium. Xylem water potential increased with flooding to a larger extent than leaf sap osmotic potential in all the species, and soluble sugars contributed up to 66 % of osmotic potential at maximum flooding. Starch was accumulated in leaves. Maximum quantum yield of photosystem 2 decreased in emerged leaves, values being always higher than 0.76. Daily maximum net photosynthetic rate and leaf conductance decreased in all the species. This reduction was associated in all the species but S. paniculata with the absence of a compensatory increase in non-photochemical quenching.

Seasonal changes in water relations, net photosynthetic rate (P(N)), and fluorescence of chlorophyll (Chl) a of two perennial C(3) deciduous shrubs, Ipomoea carnea and Jatropha gossypifolia, growing in a thorn scrub in Venezuela were studied in order to establish the possible occurrence of photoinhibition during dry season and determine whether changes in photochemical activity of photosystem 2 (PS2) may explain variations of PN in these species. Leaf water potential (psi) decreased from -0.2 to -2.1 MPa during drought in both species. The PN decreased with y in T carnea and J. gossypifolia by 64 and 74%, respectively. Carboxylation efficiency (CE) decreased by more than 50 and 70% in I. carnea and J gossypifolia, respectively. In I. carnea, relative stomatal limitation (L(s)) increased by 17% and mesophyll limitation (L(m)) by 65% during drought, while in J. gossypifolia Ls decreased by 27% and L. increased by 51%. Drought caused a reduction in quantum yield of PS2 (theta(PS2)) in both species. Drought affected the capacity of energy dissipation of leaves, judging from the changes in the photochemical (q(P)) and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) coefficients. Photo-inhibition during drought in I. carnea and J gossypifolia was evidenced in the field by a drop in the maximum quantum yield of PS2 (F(v)/F(m)) below 0.8 and also by non-coordinated changes in phi(PS2) and quantum yield of non-photochemical excitation quenching (Y(n)). Total soluble protein content on an area basis increased with psi but the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase content remained unchanged. A reduction of total Chl content with drought was observed. Hence in the species studied photoinhibition occurred, which imposed an important limitation on carbon assimilation during drought.

Water relations and photosynthetic characteristics of plants of Lycium nodosum grown under increasing water deficit (WD), saline spray (SS) or saline irrigation (SI) were studied. Plants of this perennial, deciduous shrub growing in the coastal thorn scrubs of Venezuela show succulent leaves which persist for approx. 1 month after the beginning of the dry season; leaf succulence is higher in populations closer to the sea. These observations suggested that L. nodosum is tolerant both to WD and salinity. In the glasshouse, WD caused a marked decrease in the xylem water potential (y), leaf osmotic potential (ys) and relative water content (RWC) after 21 d; additionally, photosynthetic rate (A), carboxylation efficiency (CE) and stomatal conductance (gs) decreased by more than 90 %. In contrast, in plants treated for 21 d with a foliar spray with 35 ‰ NaCl or irrigation with a 10 % NaCl solution, y and RWC remained nearly constant, while ys decreased by 30 %, and A, CE and gs decreased by more than 80 %. An osmotic adjustment of 0·60 (SS) and 0·94 MPa (SI) was measured. Relative stomatal and mesophyll limitations to A increased with both WD and SS, but were not determined for SI-treated plants. No evidence of chronic photoinhibition due to any treatment was observed, since maximum quantum yield of PSII, Fv/Fm, did not change with either drought in the field or water or salinity stress in the glasshouse. Nevertheless, WD and SI treatments caused a decrease in the photochemical (qP) and an increase in the nonphotochemical (qN) quenching coefficients relative to controls; qN was unaffected by the SS treatment. The occurrence of co-limitation of A by stomatal and non-stomatal factors in plants of L. nodosum may be associated with the extended leaf duration under water or saline stress. Additionally, osmotic adjustment may partly explain the relative maintenance of A and gs in the SS and SI treatments and the tolerance to salinity of plants of this species in coastal habitats. a 2003 Annals of Botany Company

In order to address the question of how elevated CO2 concentration (EC) will affect the water relations and leaf anatomy of tropical species, plants of Jatropha gossypifolia L. and Alternanthera crucis (Moq.) Bondingh were grown in five EC open top chambers (677 μmol mol−1) and five ambient CO2 concentration (AC) open top chambers (454 μmol mol−1) with seasonal drought. No effect of EC was found on morning xylem water potential, leaf osmotic potential, and pressure potential of plants of J. gossypifolia. In A. crucis EC caused a significant increase in morning xylem water potential of watered plants, a decrease in osmotic potential, and an increase of 24–79 % in pressure potential of moderately droughted plants. This ameliorated the effects of drought. Stomatal characteristics of both leaf surfaces of J. gossypifolia and A. crucis showed time-dependent, but not [CO2]-dependent changes. In J. gossypifolia the thickness of whole leaf, palisade parenchyma, and spongy parenchyma, and the proportion of whole leaf thickness contributed by these parenchymata decreased significantly in response to EC. In A. crucis EC caused an increase in thickness of whole leaf, bundle sheath, and mesophyll, while the proportion of leaf cross-section comprised by the parenchymata remained unchanged. These effects disappeared with time under treatment, suggesting that acclimation of the leaf anatomy to the chambers and to EC took place in the successive flushes of leaves produced during the experiment.

We note that the following data error was published in regard to patient numbers in the Results section 1.

A avaliação, nos processos de musicoterapia, tem sido um desafio tanto para a prática clí­nica como para a pesquisa, devido à ausência de ferramentas que possam abordar de forma integral, a riqueza dos dados obtidos pelo musicoterapeuta. Apesar de existirem vários testes psicométricos para o estresse psicológico, torna-se necessário desenvolver novos instrumentos de avaliação musicoterapêutica que permitam integrar conceitos da psicologia com métodos e técnicas próprios da musicoterapia. Esse artigo expõe desenvolvimento de uma ferramenta nova para avaliação em musicoterapia, realizado na disciplina de Psicologia IV, no curso de mestrado em Musicoterapia, na UniversidadeNacional da Colômbia, durante o segundo semestre de 2017.

In obligate Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants, dark CO2 fixation is almost the sole route of CO2 fixation and, under drought, continues for long periods. In contrast, in plants of the facultative CAM species Talinum triangulare under experimental drought, dark CO2 fixation provides a small proportion of the daily assimilation observed in watered plants and occurs only for a few days, after which almost nil CO2 fixation is observed. Under field conditions, with a practically unlimited substrate volume, drought-induced CAM might operate for a longer period and make a higher contribution to daily CO2 fixation. Greenhouse-grown plants of T. triangulare were subjected to low and nearly constant soil water content; the operation of CAM was assessed through the measurement of nocturnal proton accumulation and dark CO2 fixation. Dark CO2 fixation appeared 19d after the onset of drought; its contribution during three months of experiment to daily CO2 assimilation ranged from 0.5 to 30.7% with a mean of 13.5%. Twenty days after the beginning of treatment, nocturnal proton accumulation increased six times and remained high for over three months. In spite of low soil water content, leaves did not engage in dark CO2 fixation all the time but dark CO2 fixation was large enough to produce an increase in relative (13)C composition of mature leaves compared to watered plants but not to the value in short-term drought experiments. Leaf anatomical characteristics may guarantee the achievement of higher rates of dark CO2 fixation but results evidence the occurrence of a limit to the expression of CAM that remains to be determined.