Floristic and forest inventory of Santa Catarina: species of evergreen rainforest.

O presente trabalho objetivou apresentar a lista de espécies da floresta pluvial subtropical (Floresta Ombrófila Densa) em Santa Catarina, com base em 202 unidades amostrais implantadas pelo Inventário Florístico Florestal de Santa Catarina para estudo do componente arbóreo-arbustivo e da regeneração, além de coletas florísticas externas às unidades amostrais. Foram registradas 1.473espécies, 19,0% das espécies citadas para esta tipologia florestal no Brasil, dentre estas três gimnospermas e 1.470 angiospermas. As famílias mais ricas em espécies foram: Orchidaceae (143 espécies), Myrtaceae (142), Asteraceae (98), Melastomataceae (86), Fabaceae (78), Rubiaceae (65), Solanaceae (61), Bromeliaceae (57), Piperaceae (56) e Lauraceae (52). Entre as espécies registradas, oito constam na Lista Oficial das Espécies da Flora Brasileira Ameaçadas de Extinção: Aechmea blumenavii, Araucaria angustifolia, Billbergia alfonsijoannis, Euterpe edulis, Heliconia farinosa, Ocotea catharinensis, O. odorifera e O. porosa

Inventário Florístico Florestal de Santa Catarina: espécies da Floresta Estacional Decidual.

O presente trabalho visou apresentar e analisar a flora da Floresta Estacional Decidual em Santa Catarina, Brasil, tendo como fonte de dados os levantamentos realizados durante o Inventário Florístico Florestal de Santa Catarina. Foram avaliadas as espécies de indivíduos lenhosos de 79 unidades amostrais de 4.000 m². Foram feitas coletas extras de indivíduos férteis, no entorno e nas unidades amostrais, das demais formas de vida. Este esforço amostral registrou 420 espécies, abrangendo 90 famílias e 275 gêneros. Nas unidades amostrais, registrou-se 233 espécies, sendo 204 com diâmetro na altura do peito (DAP) ? 10 cm e 162 com diâmetro na altura do peito DAP ? 10 cm e altura ? 1,50 m, portanto com espécies em comuns. A coleta de material extra registrou 332 angiospermas e uma gimnosperma (Araucaria angustifolia), demonstrando a importância de coletas externas às áreas previamente delimitadas. Entre as ameaçadas de extinção foram registradas Ocotea odorifera e Araucaria angustifolia

Structure of mixed ombrophyllous forests with Araucaria angustifolia (Araucariaceae) under external stress in Southern Brazil.

This study is part of the Floristic and Forest Inventory of Santa Catarina, conceived to evaluate forest resources, species composition and structure of forest remnants, providing information to update forest conservation and land use policy in Southern Brazilian State of Santa Catarina (95 000km²). In accordance to the Brazilian National Forest Inventory (IFN-BR), the inventory applies systematic sampling, with 440 clusters containing four crosswise 1 000m² plots (20x50m) each, located on a 10x10km grid overlaid to land use map based on classification of SPOT-4 images from 2005. Within the sample units, all woody individuals of the main stratum (DBH?10cm) are measured and collected (fertile and sterile), if not undoubtedly identified in field. Regeneration stratum (height>1.50m; DBH<10cm) is registered in 100m² in each sample unit. Floristic sampling includes collection of all fertile trees, shrubs and herbs within the sample unit and in its surroundings. This study performs analysis based on 92 clusters measured in 2008 within an area of 32 320km² of mixed ombrophyllous forests with Araucaria angustifolia located at the state’s high plateau (500m to 1 560m above sea level at 26º00’-28º30’ S and 49º13’-51º23’ W). Mean density (DBH?10cm) is 578 individuals/ha (ranging from 85/ha to 1 310/ha), mean species richness in measured remnants is 35 (8 to 62), Shannon and Wiener diversity index (H’) varies between 1.05 and 3.48. Despite high total species diversity (364 Magnoliophyta, five Coniferophyta and one tree fern) and relatively high mean basal area (25.75m²/ha, varying from 3.87 to 68.85m²/ ha), the overwhelming majority of forest fragments are considered highly impacted and impoverished, mostly by logging, burning and extensive cattle farming, turning necessary more efficient protection measures. Basal area was considered an appropriate indicator for stand quality and conservation status

Structure of the silicon vacancy in 6H-SiC after annealing identified as the carbon vacancy–carbon antisite pair

We investigated radiation-induced defects in neutron-irradiated and subsequently annealed 6H-silicon carbide (SiC) with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), the magnetic circular dichroism of the absorption (MCDA), and MCDA-detected EPR (MCDA-EPR). In samples annealed beyond the annealing temperature of the isolated silicon vacancy we observed photoinduced EPR spectra of spin S=1 centers that occur in orientations expected for nearest neighbor pair defects. EPR spectra of the defect on the three inequivalent lattice sites were resolved and attributed to optical transitions between photon energies of 999 and 1075 meV by MCDA-EPR. The resolved hyperfine structure indicates the presence of one single carbon nucleus and several silicon ligand nuclei. These experimental findings are interpreted with help of total energy and spin density data obtained from the standard local-spin density approximation of the density-functional theory, using relaxed defect geometries obtained from the self-consistent charge density-functional theory based tight binding scheme. We have checked several defect models of which only the photoexcited spin triplet state of the carbon antisite–carbon vacancy pair (CSi-VC) in the doubly positive charge state can explain all experimental findings. We propose that the (CSi-VC) defect is formed from the isolated silicon vacancy as an annealing product by the movement of a carbon neighbor into the vacancy

Inventário de Dicksonia sellowiana Hook. em Santa Catarina.

(Inventário de Dicksonia sellowiana Hook. em Santa Catarina). A intensa exploração comercial de Dicksonia sellowiana a deixaram na categoria de ameaçada de extinção, sendo incluída na lista brasileira de espécies da flora ameaçada de extinção. Por isso, o presente trabalho visa apresentar o estudo da distribuição das populações de D. sellowiana para apontar os locais de maior ocorrência da espécie em Santa Catarina, e avaliar a relação da densidade populacional com fatores ambientais, como altitude e clima. Foram instaladas 225 unidades amostrais, com 4.000 m2 nas regiões do planalto e oeste catarinense, baseadas na grade de 10 km x 10 km conforme procedimento do Inventário Florístico Florestal de Santa Catarina. Nestas 225 unidades amostrais, D. sellowiana foi encontrada em 94, com variação de um a 391 indivíduos. A grande densidade da espécie em áreas mais elevadas (superiores a 1.000 m) está relacionada com os dados climáticos que influenciam a população diretamente, apontados pelo Critério de Informação de Akaike corrigido, ou seja, a altitude e a variação de temperatura que ela provoca. Observou-se também, que a espécie apresenta maior concentração da população nos menores intervalos de altura e diâmetro, chegando a elevadas densidades com até 977 indivíduos/ha em algumas áreas. As informações obtidas pelo inventário sobre esta espécie possibilitam indicar medidas de conservação para a espécie, como área a serem conservadas e apoio a produtores rurais

Digital maturity and its determinants in General Practice: a cross- sectional study in 20 countries

Background: The extent to which digital technologies are employed to promote the delivery of high-quality healthcare is known as Digital Maturity. Individual and systemic digital maturity are both necessary to ensure a successful, scalable and sustainable digital transformation in healthcare. However, digital maturity in primary care has been scarcely evaluated. Objectives: This study assessed the digital maturity in General Practice (GP) globally and evaluated its association with participants' demographic characteristics, practice characteristics and features of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) use. Methods: GPs across 20 countries completed an online questionnaire between June and September 2020. Demographic data, practice characteristics, and features of EHRs use were collected. Digital maturity was evaluated through a framework based on usage, resources and abilities (divided in this study in its collective and individual components), interoperability, general evaluation methods and impact of digital technologies. Each dimension was rated as 1 or 0. The digital maturity score was calculated as the sum of the six dimensions and ranged between 0 to 6 (maximum digital maturity). Multivariable linear regression was used to model the total score, while multivariable logistic regression was used to model the probability of meeting each dimension of the score. Results: One thousand six hundred GPs (61% female, 68% Europeans) participated. GPs had a median digital maturity of 4 (P25–P75: 3–5). Positive associations with digital maturity were found with: male gender [B = 0.18 (95% CI 0.01; 0.36)], use of EHRs for longer periods [B = 0.45 (95% CI 0.35; 0.54)] and higher frequencies of access to EHRs [B = 0.33 (95% CI 0.17; 0.48)]. Practicing in a rural setting was negatively associated with digital maturity [B = −0.25 (95%CI −0.43; −0.08)]. Usage (90%) was the most acknowledged dimension while interoperability (47%) and use of best practice general evaluation methods (28%) were the least. Shorter durations of EHRs use were negatively associated with all digital maturity dimensions (aOR from 0.09 to 0.77). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated notable factors that impact digital maturity and exposed discrepancies in digital transformation across healthcare settings. It provides guidance for policymakers to develop more efficacious interventions to hasten the digital transformation of General Practice

Disclosing conflicts of interest in German publications concerning health services research

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The influence of the pharmaceutical industry and other stakeholders on medical science has been increasingly criticised. When dealing with conflicts of interest in scientific publications it is important to ensure the best possible transparency. The objective of this work is to examine the disclosure practice of financial and non-financial conflicts of interest in German language publications concerning health services research for the first time.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We performed a systematic literature search in the PubMed data base using the MeSH term "health services research". The review was conducted on July 10, 2006, setting the limits "dates: published in the last 2 years" and "languages: German" (only articles with abstracts). 124 articles in 31 magazines were found. In the magazines the instructions for authors were examined as to whether a statement on conflicts of interest is expected – and if, in which form. Regarding the articles in the journals which require a statement, we examined whether the statement is explicitly published. The results are descriptively represented.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>13 magazines (42%) do not require any statement on conflicts of interest, whereas 18 journals (58%) expect a statement. Two of these 18 magazines refer explicitly to the uniform requirements of the <it>International Committee of the Medical Journal Editors </it>(ICMJE); the remaining 16 magazines give differently accentuated instructions on how to disclose conflicts of interest, whereby the focus is primarily on financial issues. A statement on conflicts of interest is explicitly published in 11 of the 71 articles (15%) which are found in the magazines that require a statement with the submission of a manuscript. Related to the total number of included articles, this means that the reader explicitly receives information on potential conflicts of interest in 9% of the cases (11 of 124 articles). Statements of others that are involved in the publication process (reviewers, editors) are not available in any of the articles examined.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A better sensitization for possible conflicts of interest in German publications concerning health services research is necessary. We suggest tightening the criteria for disclosure in the instructions for authors in the scientific journals. Among other things the equivalent consideration of financial and non-financial conflicts of interest as well as the obligatory publication of the statements should be part of good practice.</p

Which DSM validated tools for diagnosing depression are usable in primary care research? A systematic literature review

IntroductionDepression occurs frequently in primary care. Its broad clinical variability makes it difficult to diagnose. This makes it essential that family practitioner (FP) researchers have validated tools to minimize bias in studies of everyday practice. Which tools validated against psychiatric examination, according to the major depression criteria of DSM-IV or 5, can be used for research purposes

End-joining long nucleic acid polymers

Many experiments involving nucleic acids require the hybridization and ligation of multiple DNA or RNA molecules to form a compound molecule. When one of the constituents is single stranded, however, the efficiency of ligation can be very low and requires significant individually tailored optimization. Also, when the molecules involved are very long (>10 kb), the reaction efficiency typically reduces dramatically. Here, we present a simple procedure to efficiently and specifically end-join two different nucleic acids using the well-known biotin–streptavidin linkage. We introduce a two-step approach, in which we initially bind only one molecule to streptavidin (STV). The second molecule is added only after complete removal of the unbound STV. This primarily forms heterodimers and nearly completely suppresses formation of unwanted homodimers. We demonstrate that the joining efficiency is 50 ± 25% and is insensitive to molecule length (up to at least 20 kb). Furthermore, our method eliminates the requirement for specific complementary overhangs and can therefore be applied to both DNA and RNA. Demonstrated examples of the method include the efficient end-joining of DNA to single-stranded and double-stranded RNA, and the joining of two double-stranded RNA molecules. End-joining of long nucleic acids using this procedure may find applications in bionanotechnology and in single-molecule experiments

Understanding older patients' willingness to have medications deprescribed in primary care: a protocol for a cross-sectional survey study in nine European countries.

INTRODUCTION To reduce inappropriate polypharmacy, deprescribing should be part of patients' regular care. Yet deprescribing is difficult to implement, as shown in several studies. Understanding patients' attitudes towards deprescribing at the individual and country level may reveal effective ways to involve older adults in decisions about medications and help to implement deprescribing in primary care settings. In this study we aim to investigate older adults' perceptions and views on deprescribing in different European countries. Specific objectives are to investigate the patients' willingness to have medications deprescribed by medication type and to have herbal or dietary supplements reduced or stopped, the role of the Patient Typology (on medication perspectives), and the impact of the patient-GP relationship in these decisions. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This cross-sectional survey study has two parts: Part A and Part B. Data collection for Part A will take place in nine countries, in which per country 10 GPs will recruit 10 older patients (≥65 years old) each (n = 900). Part B will be conducted in Switzerland only, in which an additional 35 GPs will recruit five patients each and respond to a questionnaire themselves, with questions about the patients' medications, their willingness to deprescribe those, and their patient-provider relationship. For both Part A and part B, a questionnaire will be used to assess the willingness of older patients with polypharmacy to have medications deprescribed and other relevant information. For Part B, this same questionnaire will have additional questions on the use of herbal and dietary supplements. DISCUSSION The international study design will allow comparisons of patient perspectives on deprescribing from different countries. We will collect information about willingness to have medications deprescribed by medication type and regarding herbal and dietary supplements, which adds important information to the literature on patients' preferences. In addition, GPs in Switzerland will also be surveyed, allowing us to compare GPs' and patients' views and preferences on stopping or reducing specific medications. Our findings will help to understand patients' attitudes towards deprescribing, contributing to improvements in the design and implementation of deprescribing interventions that are better tailored to patients' preferences