Plant Diversity Study on Four Suburban Farms in Santiago de Cuba

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the diversity behavior of plants grown on four suburban farms in the province of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. Lots of 100 m2 were made for species count. After identification, a floristic list was made. The plants within the same taxonomic category were counted, and the botanical composition was evaluated based on the number of individuals, family, genuses, and species. The group abundance criterion was used to include food plant species, and ecosystem, ornamental, and medicinal services, which were calculated as diversity indicators of alpha diversity (S), Berger-Parker Dominance (d), and general diversity (Shannon H´). For the Beta diversity, the Jaccard index (Ji), Sorenson index (SSi), and Ecological Dependence (ED) were taken into consideration. A total of 39 269 individuals from 45 families, 72 genuses, and 87 species were identified. The botanical composition varied, with an increasing tendency in the number of individuals of the ornamental and medicinal species; the most numerous families were Asteraceae, Leguminosae, Musaceae, Poaceae and Solanaceae. The alpha diversity underwent an increase from one season to another, with values within the set range for each indicator, except for the Shannon H´ index on La Caballería Farm in both periods. The similitude moved between low and dissimilitude, which evidenced the presence of very specific species adapted to the particular environmental conditions of each place

Diversidad de plantas objeto de cultivo en cuatro fincas de la agricultura suburbana de Santiago de Cuba

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the diversity behavior of plants grown on four suburban farms in the province of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. Lots of 100 m2 were made for species count. After identification, a floristic list was made. The plants within the same taxonomic category were counted, and the botanical composition was evaluated based on the number of individuals, family, genuses, and species. The group abundance criterion was used to include food plant species, and ecosystem, ornamental, and medicinal services, which were calculated as diversity indicators of alpha diversity (S), Berger-Parker Dominance (d), and general diversity (Shannon H´). For the Beta diversity, the Jaccard index (Ji), Sorenson index (SSi), and Ecological Dependence (ED) were taken into consideration. A total of 39 269 individuals from 45 families, 72 genuses, and 87 species were identified. The botanical composition varied, with an increasing tendency in the number of individuals of the ornamental and medicinal species; the most numerous families were Asteraceae, Leguminosae, Musaceae, Poaceae and Solanaceae. The alpha diversity underwent an increase from one season to another, with values within the set range for each indicator, except for the Shannon H´ index on La Caballería Farm in both periods. The similitude moved between low and dissimilitude, which evidenced the presence of very specific species adapted to the particular environmental conditions of each placeEl trabajo se realizó con el objetivo evaluar el comportamiento de la diversidad de plantas objeto cultivo en cuatro fincas de la agricultura suburbana de Santiago de Cuba. Se levantaron parcelas con una dimensión de 100 m2 para el conteo de las especies presentes en el área. Identificadas las especies se elaboró un listado florístico. Se contabilizaron aquellas que pertenecieron a una misma categoría taxonómica y se procedió a la evaluación de la composición botánica considerando número de individuos, familia, géneros y especies. Con el criterio de abundancia de grupo considerando especies para la alimentación y servicios ecosistémicos, ornamentales y medicinales, se calcularon como indicadores de diversidad Alfa Riqueza de especies (S), Dominancia de Berger-Parker (d) y Diversidad general (Shannon H´). En el caso de la diversidad Beta se tuvieron en cuenta los índices de Jaccard (Ij), Sorenson (Iss) y Subordinación Ecológica (SE). Se registraron 39 269 individuos pertenecientes a 45 familias, 72 géneros y 87 especies. La composición botánica mostró variación con tendencia al aumento del número de individuos en las especies ornamentales y medicinales siendo Asteraceae, Leguminosae, Musaceae, Poaceae y Solanaceae las familias botánicas más representadas. La diversidad alfa evidenció un aumento de una temporada a la otra con valores dentro del rango establecido para cada indicador excepto para el índice de Shannon H´ en la finca La Caballería en ambos períodos. La similitud osciló entre baja y la disimilitud lo que evidencia la presencia de especies muy específicas adaptadas a las condiciones ambientales de cada lugar. ABSTRACT This aim of this paper was to evaluate the diversity behavior of plants grown on four suburban farms in the province of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. The lots were raised 100 m2 for species count. After species identification, a floristic list was made. The plants within the same taxonomic category  were counted, and botanical composition was evaluated, considering the number of individuals, family, genuses, and species. The group abundance criterion was used to include species for consumption and ecosystem, ornamental, and medicinal services. They were calculated as diversity indicators Alpha Richness (S), Berger-Parker Dominance (d), and general diversity (Shannon H´). For the Beta diversity, the Jaccard index (Ji), Sorenson index (SSi), and Ecologic Subordination (ES) were taken into consideration. The botanical composition varied, with a tendency to increase the number of individuals of the ornamental and medicinal species; the most numerous families were Asteraceae, Leguminosae, Musaceae, Poaceae and Solanaceae. Alpha diversity underwent an increase from one season to another, with values within the set range for each indicator, except for the Shannon H´ index on La Caballería Farm in both periods. The similarity moved between low and dissimilarity, which evidences the presence of very specific species adapted to the particular environmental conditions of each place

Diversidad de plantas objeto de cultivo en cuatro fincas de la agricultura suburbana de Santiago de Cuba

El trabajo se realizó con el objetivo evaluar el comportamiento de la diversidad de plantas objeto cultivo en cuatro fincas de la agricultura suburbana de Santiago de Cuba. Se levantaron parcelas con una dimensión de 100 m2 para el conteo de las especies presentes en el área. Identificadas las especies se elaboró un listado florístico. Se contabilizaron aquellas que pertenecieron a una misma categoría taxonómica y se procedió a la evaluación de la composición botánica considerando número de individuos, familia, géneros y especies. Con el criterio de abundancia de grupo considerando especies para la alimentación y servicios ecosistémicos, ornamentales y medicinales, se calcularon como indicadores de diversidad Alfa Riqueza de especies (S), Dominancia de Berger-Parker (d) y Diversidad general (Shannon H´). En el caso de la diversidad Beta se tuvieron en cuenta los índices de Jaccard (Ij), Sorenson (Iss) y Subordinación Ecológica (SE). Se registraron 39 269 individuos pertenecientes a 45 familias, 72 géneros y 87 especies. La composición botánica mostró variación con tendencia al aumento del número de individuos en las especies ornamentales y medicinales siendo Asteraceae, Leguminosae, Musaceae, Poaceae y Solanaceae las familias botánicas más representadas. La diversidad alfa evidenció un aumento de una temporada a la otra con valores dentro del rango establecido para cada indicador excepto para el índice de Shannon H´ en la finca La Caballería en ambos períodos. La similitud osciló entre baja y la disimilitud lo que evidencia la presencia de especies muy específicas adaptadas a las condiciones ambientales de cada lugar

Diversidad de especies vegetales en fincas de la agricultura suburbana en Santiago de Cuba

La investigación tuvo lugar con el objetivo evaluar el comportamiento de la diversidad de especies arvenses y arbóreas y arbustivas en cuatro fincas de la agricultura suburbana de Santiago de Cuba. Se delimitaron parcelas de 100 m2 para el conteo de las especies presentes en el área. Identificadas las especies se elaboró un listado florístico y se calcularon los indicadores de diversidad Alfa Riqueza de especies (S), Dominancia (Simpson D) y Diversidad general (Shannon H´). En el caso de la diversidad Beta se tuvieron en cuenta los índices de Jaccard (Ij), Morisita-Horn (IM-H) y Subordinación Ecológica (SE). Se registraron62 509 individuos pertenecientes a 65 familias, 154 géneros y 183 especies. Para ambos grupos de especies los indicadores de diversidad Alfa mostraron una tendencia al aumento de un período al otro con valores dentro del rango establecido para cada indicador, excepto para la finca La Caballería donde el índice de Shannon H´  no estuvo dentro del establecido para una correcta diversidad y abundancia en la época poco lluviosa. Los indicadores de la diversidad Beta arrojaron disimilitud entre las muestras que se comparan lo que evidencia la presencia de especies específicas adaptadas a las condiciones ambientales del lugar.Plant diversity on farm of sub urban agriculture in Santiago de Cuba.  ABSTRACTThe research was carried out to   evaluate the performance of the diversity of weeds and tree and shrub species in four farms of suburban agriculture Santiago de Cuba. Plots of 100 m2 were sampled for counting the species. Identified plant species  list was developed and diversity indicators were calculated alfa (α) species richness (S), Dominance (Simpson D) and General Diversity (Shannon H'). In the case of the beta (β) diversity indices Jaccard (Ij), Morisita-Horn (IM-H) and Subordination Environment (SE) were taken into account. 62 509 individuals belonging to 65 families, 154 genera and 183 species were recorded. For both groups of species diversity indicators Alfa showed an increasing trend from one period to another with values within the range established for each indicator, except for the farm La Caballería where Shannon index H 'was not within the set for a correct diversity and abundance in the dry season. Beta indicators of diversity threw similarity between compared samples which showed the presence of specific species adapted to environmental conditions

Gamma Power Is Phase-Locked to Posterior Alpha Activity

Neuronal oscillations in various frequency bands have been reported in numerous studies in both humans and animals. While it is obvious that these oscillations play an important role in cognitive processing, it remains unclear how oscillations in various frequency bands interact. In this study we have investigated phase to power locking in MEG activity of healthy human subjects at rest with their eyes closed. To examine cross-frequency coupling, we have computed coherence between the time course of the power in a given frequency band and the signal itself within every channel. The time-course of the power was calculated using a sliding tapered time window followed by a Fourier transform. Our findings show that high-frequency gamma power (30–70 Hz) is phase-locked to alpha oscillations (8–13 Hz) in the ongoing MEG signals. The topography of the coupling was similar to the topography of the alpha power and was strongest over occipital areas. Interestingly, gamma activity per se was not evident in the power spectra and only became detectable when studied in relation to the alpha phase. Intracranial data from an epileptic subject confirmed these findings albeit there was slowing in both the alpha and gamma band. A tentative explanation for this phenomenon is that the visual system is inhibited during most of the alpha cycle whereas a burst of gamma activity at a specific alpha phase (e.g. at troughs) reflects a window of excitability

Industrial SO2 pollution and agricultural losses in China: evidence from heavy air polluters

This paper aims to assess the agricultural losses caused by the 2069 state-monitored heavily air polluting enterprises located in 899 Chinese counties. We examine the correlation between per capita number of state-monitored enterprises and other socio-economic indices to show the negative impacts of sulphur dioxide (SO2) industrial air pollution on agricultural development in the regions. Despite these enterprises being the main drivers of economic development in China’s counties, surrounding agricultural land continues to be degraded because of the associated SO2 emissions. The cost of agricultural losses due to pollution is estimated at US$ 1.43 billion, representing 0.66% of the total agricultural value added of the 899 Chinese counties. The findings highlight the importance of cleaner production and have policy implications for dealing with industrial air pollution

Global, regional, and national incidence and mortality for HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria during 1990–2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013

BACKGROUND: The Millennium Declaration in 2000 brought special global attention to HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria through the formulation of Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 6. The Global Burden of Disease 2013 study provides a consistent and comprehensive approach to disease estimation for between 1990 and 2013, and an opportunity to assess whether accelerated progress has occured since the Millennium Declaration. METHODS: To estimate incidence and mortality for HIV, we used the UNAIDS Spectrum model appropriately modified based on a systematic review of available studies of mortality with and without antiretroviral therapy (ART). For concentrated epidemics, we calibrated Spectrum models to fit vital registration data corrected for misclassification of HIV deaths. In generalised epidemics, we minimised a loss function to select epidemic curves most consistent with prevalence data and demographic data for all-cause mortality. We analysed counterfactual scenarios for HIV to assess years of life saved through prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) and ART. For tuberculosis, we analysed vital registration and verbal autopsy data to estimate mortality using cause of death ensemble modelling. We analysed data for corrected case-notifications, expert opinions on the case-detection rate, prevalence surveys, and estimated cause-specific mortality using Bayesian meta-regression to generate consistent trends in all parameters. We analysed malaria mortality and incidence using an updated cause of death database, a systematic analysis of verbal autopsy validation studies for malaria, and recent studies (2010-13) of incidence, drug resistance, and coverage of insecticide-treated bednets. FINDINGS: Globally in 2013, there were 1·8 million new HIV infections (95% uncertainty interval 1·7 million to 2·1 million), 29·2 million prevalent HIV cases (28·1 to 31·7), and 1·3 million HIV deaths (1·3 to 1·5). At the peak of the epidemic in 2005, HIV caused 1·7 million deaths (1·6 million to 1·9 million). Concentrated epidemics in Latin America and eastern Europe are substantially smaller than previously estimated. Through interventions including PMTCT and ART, 19·1 million life-years (16·6 million to 21·5 million) have been saved, 70·3% (65·4 to 76·1) in developing countries. From 2000 to 2011, the ratio of development assistance for health for HIV to years of life saved through intervention was US$4498 in developing countries. Including in HIV-positive individuals, all-form tuberculosis incidence was 7·5 million (7·4 million to 7·7 million), prevalence was 11·9 million (11·6 million to 12·2 million), and number of deaths was 1·4 million (1·3 million to 1·5 million) in 2013. In the same year and in only individuals who were HIV-negative, all-form tuberculosis incidence was 7·1 million (6·9 million to 7·3 million), prevalence was 11·2 million (10·8 million to 11·6 million), and number of deaths was 1·3 million (1·2 million to 1·4 million). Annualised rates of change (ARC) for incidence, prevalence, and death became negative after 2000. Tuberculosis in HIV-negative individuals disproportionately occurs in men and boys (versus women and girls); 64·0% of cases (63·6 to 64·3) and 64·7% of deaths (60·8 to 70·3). Globally, malaria cases and deaths grew rapidly from 1990 reaching a peak of 232 million cases (143 million to 387 million) in 2003 and 1·2 million deaths (1·1 million to 1·4 million) in 2004. Since 2004, child deaths from malaria in sub-Saharan Africa have decreased by 31·5% (15·7 to 44·1). Outside of Africa, malaria mortality has been steadily decreasing since 1990. INTERPRETATION: Our estimates of the number of people living with HIV are 18·7% smaller than UNAIDS's estimates in 2012. The number of people living with malaria is larger than estimated by WHO. The number of people living with HIV, tuberculosis, or malaria have all decreased since 2000. At the global level, upward trends for malaria and HIV deaths have been reversed and declines in tuberculosis deaths have accelerated. 101 countries (74 of which are developing) still have increasing HIV incidence. Substantial progress since the Millennium Declaration is an encouraging sign of the effect of global action. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Adolescent transport and unintentional injuries: a systematic analysis using the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: Globally, transport and unintentional injuries persist as leading preventable causes of mortality and morbidity for adolescents. We sought to report comprehensive trends in injury-related mortality and morbidity for adolescents aged 10–24 years during the past three decades. Methods: Using the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors 2019 Study, we analysed mortality and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) attributed to transport and unintentional injuries for adolescents in 204 countries. Burden is reported in absolute numbers and age-standardised rates per 100 000 population by sex, age group (10–14, 15–19, and 20–24 years), and sociodemographic index (SDI) with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). We report percentage changes in deaths and DALYs between 1990 and 2019. Findings: In 2019, 369 061 deaths (of which 214 337 [58%] were transport related) and 31·1 million DALYs (of which 16·2 million [52%] were transport related) among adolescents aged 10–24 years were caused by transport and unintentional injuries combined. If compared with other causes, transport and unintentional injuries combined accounted for 25% of deaths and 14% of DALYs in 2019, and showed little improvement from 1990 when such injuries accounted for 26% of adolescent deaths and 17% of adolescent DALYs. Throughout adolescence, transport and unintentional injury fatality rates increased by age group. The unintentional injury burden was higher among males than females for all injury types, except for injuries related to fire, heat, and hot substances, or to adverse effects of medical treatment. From 1990 to 2019, global mortality rates declined by 34·4% (from 17·5 to 11·5 per 100 000) for transport injuries, and by 47·7% (from 15·9 to 8·3 per 100 000) for unintentional injuries. However, in low-SDI nations the absolute number of deaths increased (by 80·5% to 42 774 for transport injuries and by 39·4% to 31 961 for unintentional injuries). In the high-SDI quintile in 2010–19, the rate per 100 000 of transport injury DALYs was reduced by 16·7%, from 838 in 2010 to 699 in 2019. This was a substantially slower pace of reduction compared with the 48·5% reduction between 1990 and 2010, from 1626 per 100 000 in 1990 to 838 per 100 000 in 2010. Between 2010 and 2019, the rate of unintentional injury DALYs per 100 000 also remained largely unchanged in high-SDI countries (555 in 2010 vs 554 in 2019; 0·2% reduction). The number and rate of adolescent deaths and DALYs owing to environmental heat and cold exposure increased for the high-SDI quintile during 2010–19. Interpretation: As other causes of mortality are addressed, inadequate progress in reducing transport and unintentional injury mortality as a proportion of adolescent deaths becomes apparent. The relative shift in the burden of injury from high-SDI countries to low and low–middle-SDI countries necessitates focused action, including global donor, government, and industry investment in injury prevention. The persisting burden of DALYs related to transport and unintentional injuries indicates a need to prioritise innovative measures for the primary prevention of adolescent injury. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Measuring universal health coverage based on an index of effective coverage of health services in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019 : A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Achieving universal health coverage (UHC) involves all people receiving the health services they need, of high quality, without experiencing financial hardship. Making progress towards UHC is a policy priority for both countries and global institutions, as highlighted by the agenda of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and WHO's Thirteenth General Programme of Work (GPW13). Measuring effective coverage at the health-system level is important for understanding whether health services are aligned with countries' health profiles and are of sufficient quality to produce health gains for populations of all ages. Methods Based on the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we assessed UHC effective coverage for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. Drawing from a measurement framework developed through WHO's GPW13 consultation, we mapped 23 effective coverage indicators to a matrix representing health service types (eg, promotion, prevention, and treatment) and five population-age groups spanning from reproductive and newborn to older adults (≥65 years). Effective coverage indicators were based on intervention coverage or outcome-based measures such as mortality-to-incidence ratios to approximate access to quality care; outcome-based measures were transformed to values on a scale of 0–100 based on the 2·5th and 97·5th percentile of location-year values. We constructed the UHC effective coverage index by weighting each effective coverage indicator relative to its associated potential health gains, as measured by disability-adjusted life-years for each location-year and population-age group. For three tests of validity (content, known-groups, and convergent), UHC effective coverage index performance was generally better than that of other UHC service coverage indices from WHO (ie, the current metric for SDG indicator 3.8.1 on UHC service coverage), the World Bank, and GBD 2017. We quantified frontiers of UHC effective coverage performance on the basis of pooled health spending per capita, representing UHC effective coverage index levels achieved in 2019 relative to country-level government health spending, prepaid private expenditures, and development assistance for health. To assess current trajectories towards the GPW13 UHC billion target—1 billion more people benefiting from UHC by 2023—we estimated additional population equivalents with UHC effective coverage from 2018 to 2023. Findings Globally, performance on the UHC effective coverage index improved from 45·8 (95% uncertainty interval 44·2–47·5) in 1990 to 60·3 (58·7–61·9) in 2019, yet country-level UHC effective coverage in 2019 still spanned from 95 or higher in Japan and Iceland to lower than 25 in Somalia and the Central African Republic. Since 2010, sub-Saharan Africa showed accelerated gains on the UHC effective coverage index (at an average increase of 2·6% [1·9–3·3] per year up to 2019); by contrast, most other GBD super-regions had slowed rates of progress in 2010–2019 relative to 1990–2010. Many countries showed lagging performance on effective coverage indicators for non-communicable diseases relative to those for communicable diseases and maternal and child health, despite non-communicable diseases accounting for a greater proportion of potential health gains in 2019, suggesting that many health systems are not keeping pace with the rising non-communicable disease burden and associated population health needs. In 2019, the UHC effective coverage index was associated with pooled health spending per capita (r=0·79), although countries across the development spectrum had much lower UHC effective coverage than is potentially achievable relative to their health spending. Under maximum efficiency of translating health spending into UHC effective coverage performance, countries would need to reach $1398 pooled health spending per capita (US$ adjusted for purchasing power parity) in order to achieve 80 on the UHC effective coverage index. From 2018 to 2023, an estimated 388·9 million (358·6–421·3) more population equivalents would have UHC effective coverage, falling well short of the GPW13 target of 1 billion more people benefiting from UHC during this time. Current projections point to an estimated 3·1 billion (3·0–3·2) population equivalents still lacking UHC effective coverage in 2023, with nearly a third (968·1 million [903·5–1040·3]) residing in south Asia. Interpretation The present study demonstrates the utility of measuring effective coverage and its role in supporting improved health outcomes for all people—the ultimate goal of UHC and its achievement. Global ambitions to accelerate progress on UHC service coverage are increasingly unlikely unless concerted action on non-communicable diseases occurs and countries can better translate health spending into improved performance. Focusing on effective coverage and accounting for the world's evolving health needs lays the groundwork for better understanding how close—or how far—all populations are in benefiting from UHC

Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 328 diseases and injuries for 195 countries, 1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016

As mortality rates decline, life expectancy increases, and populations age, non-fatal outcomes of diseases and injuries are becoming a larger component of the global burden of disease. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2016 (GBD 2016) provides a comprehensive assessment of prevalence, incidence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) for 328 causes in 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2016