TRY plant trait database – enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits—the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants—determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait‐based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits—almost complete coverage for ‘plant growth form’. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait–environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

Evolution of the use of corticosteroids for the treatment of hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Spain between March and November 2020: SEMI-COVID national registry

Objectives: Since the results of the RECOVERY trial, WHO recommendations about the use of corticosteroids (CTs) in COVID-19 have changed. The aim of the study is to analyse the evolutive use of CTs in Spain during the pandemic to assess the potential influence of new recommendations. Material and methods: A retrospective, descriptive, and observational study was conducted on adults hospitalised due to COVID-19 in Spain who were included in the SEMI-COVID- 19 Registry from March to November 2020. Results: CTs were used in 6053 (36.21%) of the included patients. The patients were older (mean (SD)) (69.6 (14.6) vs. 66.0 (16.8) years; p < 0.001), with hypertension (57.0% vs. 47.7%; p < 0.001), obesity (26.4% vs. 19.3%; p < 0.0001), and multimorbidity prevalence (20.6% vs. 16.1%; p < 0.001). These patients had higher values (mean (95% CI)) of C-reactive protein (CRP) (86 (32.7-160) vs. 49.3 (16-109) mg/dL; p < 0.001), ferritin (791 (393-1534) vs. 470 (236- 996) µg/dL; p < 0.001), D dimer (750 (430-1400) vs. 617 (345-1180) µg/dL; p < 0.001), and lower Sp02/Fi02 (266 (91.1) vs. 301 (101); p < 0.001). Since June 2020, there was an increment in the use of CTs (March vs. September; p < 0.001). Overall, 20% did not receive steroids, and 40% received less than 200 mg accumulated prednisone equivalent dose (APED). Severe patients are treated with higher doses. The mortality benefit was observed in patients with oxygen saturation </=90%. Conclusions: Patients with greater comorbidity, severity, and inflammatory markers were those treated with CTs. In severe patients, there is a trend towards the use of higher doses. The mortality benefit was observed in patients with oxygen saturation </=90%

TRY plant trait database – enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits - the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants - determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait‐based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits - almost complete coverage for ‘plant growth form’. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait–environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

The PREDICTS database: a global database of how local terrestrial biodiversity responds to human impacts

Biodiversity continues to decline in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressures such as habitat destruction, exploitation, pollution and introduction of alien species. Existing global databases of species’ threat status or population time series are dominated by charismatic species. The collation of datasets with broad taxonomic and biogeographic extents, and that support computation of a range of biodiversity indicators, is necessary to enable better understanding of historical declines and to project – and avert – future declines. We describe and assess a new database of more than 1.6 million samples from 78 countries representing over 28,000 species, collated from existing spatial comparisons of local-scale biodiversity exposed to different intensities and types of anthropogenic pressures, from terrestrial sites around the world. The database contains measurements taken in 208 (of 814) ecoregions, 13 (of 14) biomes, 25 (of 35) biodiversity hotspots and 16 (of 17) megadiverse countries. The database contains more than 1% of the total number of all species described, and more than 1% of the described species within many taxonomic groups – including flowering plants, gymnosperms, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, beetles, lepidopterans and hymenopterans. The dataset, which is still being added to, is therefore already considerably larger and more representative than those used by previous quantitative models of biodiversity trends and responses. The database is being assembled as part of the PREDICTS project (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems – www.predicts.org.uk). We make site-level summary data available alongside this article. The full database will be publicly available in 2015

Adsorption of arsenic on granular ferric hydroxide (GEH®). Impact of initial concentration of arsenic(V) on kinetics and equilibrium state

The present study discusses the adsorption kinetics of arsenic(V) on granular ferric hydroxide (GEH) and the GEH adsorption capacity for arsenic(V) at equilibrium. The impact of temperature on GEH adsorption capacity was studied, as well as the effects of the initial concentration of arsenic(V) and GEH concentration on the adsorption rates of arsenic(V). The Freundlich isotherm describes the arsenic(V) adsorption behavior reasonably well (r2 > 0.965). The adsorption kinetics was studied by fitting the experimental data to both first-order and second-order models. The maximum adsorption capacity of arsenic(V) on GEH was 2.701 mg·g–1, which is higher than the adsorption capacities of other adsorbents reported. The kinetics of arsenic(V) adsorption was well defined by the second-order model, with the correlation coefficients in the range of 0.960–0.987. This study shows that due to its properties, GEH is a good candidate for removal of arsenic(V) from groundwater

Removal of As(V) in the presence of Cr(VI) in contaminated water from the Bajio region of Mexico using ferrihydrite-functionalized graphene oxide (GOFH): A case study

The presence of heavy metals such as arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr) can be considered one of the most toxic heavy metals. This study aims to develop and evaluate a graphene oxide (GO) based material functionalized with ferrihydrite for the removal of As(V) in the presence of Cr(VI). The adsorbent ferrihydrite-functionalized graphene oxide (GOFH) was characterized by SEM, FTIR, XRD, XPS, surface charge, BET and TGA. Individual adsorption capacities for As(V) and Cr(VI) were 160 and 66 mg g−1 respectively at pH 4 and 298 K, fitting the Langmuir model. In binary systems, GOFH adsorbed As(V) with an adsorption capacity of 137 mg g−1 in the presence of 20 mg L−1 Cr(VI) at room temperature. Thermodynamic analysis revealed an exothermic and spontaneous process. Additionally, GOFH effectively removed several coexisting anions from groundwater, including SO42−, CO32− and Cl−. This work evidences the potential of GOFH for competitive adsorption of priority pollutants from complex matrices. The GOFH material represents a technically and economically viable technology for application in groundwater decontamination, as it requires inexpensive precursors and ambient conditions during synthesis and operation

Sources and distribution of arsenic in agricultural soils of Central Mexico

The concentrations and distribution of arsenic (As) in two different soil types (Vertisols and Entisols) of Central Mexico impacted by mine activities and irrigation with As-rich groundwater are analyzed in order to determine their impact on the soil quality, and to contribute reliable data that may help to assess the environmental risk that represents the progressive accumulation of As in the arable soils of Guanajuato. Materials and methods: Two Entisol and two Vertisol profiles located in the Guanajuato state (Mexico) were described and sampled from ~ 1.20-m-deep pits. Soils are irrigated with As-rich deep and shallow groundwaters that were sampled from irrigation boreholes. Additionally, a Vertisol profile located in a parcel not impacted by irrigation was sampled and used as a control soil. Minerals were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). Geoaccumulation indexes (Igeo) were calculated to evaluate As enrichment with respect to a control soil and the Upper Continental Crust (UCC). Anions and cations of groundwater were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), respectively. As in soils was determined by ICP-AES. Results and discussion: Near total As concentrations are higher in Entisols (mean As value = 7.20 mg/kg) than in Vertisols (mean As = 1.02 mg/kg). As concentrations in the control soil are lower (0.34 to 0.70 mg/kg). The in-depth distribution of As in Vertisol profiles reveals that the higher As concentrations are found in the uppermost horizons (10 cm) and they tend to decrease with depth. In Entisols, As concentrations do not follow a vertical trend. Igeo values of As indicate moderate to heavy As contamination in Vertisols and moderate contamination in Entisols. SEM-EDS analyses revealed the presence of some potential As-bearing minerals such as magnetite and abundant Fe oxides and Ti-Fe coatings precipitated onto feldspar grains, particularly in Entisols. Conclusions: Irrigation of Vertisols with As-rich groundwater determines As concentrations in the uppermost horizons that exceed the natural background of the region (0.4 mg/kg). In depth, clay grain-sized particles inhibit the downward migration of As, while Fe oxides and organic matter scavenge As by adsorption. As concentrations in Entisols are higher, and the in-depth distribution of this element is controlled by periodic contributions of As-bearing minerals delivered from mine prospects located at the river’s catchments.Fil: Zanor, Gabriela Ana. Universidad de Guanajuato; MéxicoFil: Garcia, Maria Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; ArgentinaFil: Venegas Aguilera, Luis Eduardo. Universidad de Guanajuato; MéxicoFil: Saldaña Robles, Adriana. Universidad de Guanajuato; MéxicoFil: Saldaña Robles, Noé. Universidad de Guanajuato; MéxicoFil: Martínez Jaime, Oscar A.. Universidad de Guanajuato; MéxicoFil: Segoviano Garfias, José Jesús N.. Universidad de Guanajuato; MéxicoFil: Ramírez Santoyo, Luis F.. Universidad de Guanajuato; Méxic