Non-structural carbohydrate pools in a tropical forest

The pool size of mobile, i.e. non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) in trees reflects the balance between net photosynthetic carbon uptake (source) and irreversible investments in structures or loss of carbon (sink). The seasonal variation of NSC concentration should reflect the sink/source relationship, provided all tissues from root to crown tops are considered. Using the Smithsonian canopy crane in Panama we studied NSC concentrations in a semi-deciduous tropical forest over 22months. In the 9 most intensively studied species (out of the 17 investigated), we found higher NSC concentrations (starch, glucose, fructose, sucrose) across all species and organs in the dry season than in the wet season (NSC 7.2% vs 5.8% of dry matter in leaves, 8.8/6.0 in branches, 9.7/8.5 in stems, 8.3/6.4 in coarse and 3.9/2.2 in fine roots). Since this increase was due to starch only, we attribute this to drought-constrained growth (photosynthesis less affected by drought than sink activity). Species-specific phenological rhythms (leafing or fruiting) did not overturn these seasonal trends. Most of the stem volume (diameter at breast height around 40cm) stores NSC. We present the first whole forest estimate of NSC pool size, assuming a 200tha−1 forest biomass: 8% of this i.e. ca. 16tha−1 is NSC, with ca. 13tha−1 in stems and branches, ca. 0.5 and 2.8tha−1 in leaves and roots. Starch alone (ca. 10.5tha−1) accounts for far more C than would be needed to replace the total leaf canopy without additional photosynthesis. NSC never passed through a period of significant depletion. Leaf flushing did not draw heavily upon NSC pools. Overall, the data imply a high carbon supply status of this forest and that growth during the dry season is not carbon limited. Rather, water shortage seems to limit carbon investment (new tissue formation) directly, leaving little leeway for a direct CO2 fertilization effect

Relationship of organizational culture, teamwork and job satisfaction in interprofessional teams

BACKGROUND: Team effectiveness is often explained on the basis of input-process-output (IPO) models. According to these models a relationship between organizational culture (input = I), interprofessional teamwork (process = P) and job satisfaction (output = O) is postulated. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between these three aspects using structural analysis. METHODS: A multi-center cross-sectional study with a survey of 272 employees was conducted in fifteen rehabilitation clinics with different indication fields in Germany. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was carried out using AMOS software version 20.0 (maximum-likelihood method). RESULTS: Of 661 questionnaires sent out to members of the health care teams in the medical rehabilitation clinics, 275 were returned (41.6 %). Three questionnaires were excluded (missing data greater than 30 %), yielding a total of 272 employees that could be analyzed. The confirmatory models were supported by the data. The results showed that 35 % of job satisfaction is predicted by a structural equation model that includes both organizational culture and teamwork. The comparison of this predictive IPO model (organizational culture (I), interprofessional teamwork (P), job satisfaction (O)) and the predictive IO model (organizational culture (I), job satisfaction (O)) showed that the effect of organizational culture is completely mediated by interprofessional teamwork. The global fit indices are a little better for the IO model (TLI: .967, CFI: .972, RMSEA .052) than for the IPO model (TLI: .934, CFI: .943, RMSEA: .61), but the prediction of job satisfaction is better in the IPO model (R(2) = 35 %) than in the IO model (R(2) = 24 %). CONCLUSIONS: Our study results underpin the importance of interprofessional teamwork in health care organizations. To enhance interprofessional teamwork, team interventions can be recommended and should be supported. Further studies investigating the organizational culture and its impact on interprofessional teamwork and team effectiveness in health care are important. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12913-015-0888-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

The Multidimensional Livelihood Vulnerability Index – an instrument to measure livelihood vulnerability to change in the Hindu Kush Himalayas

In recent years the population of the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) has been confronted with rapid social, economic, demographic, and political changes. In addition, the region is particularly vulnerable to climate change. However, there is a scarcity of cohesive information on the state of the environment and on the socio-economic situation of the approximately 210 million people who reside in the HKH. Specifically, data on livelihood vulnerability are lacking. As part of the Himalaya Climate Change Adaptation Programme, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, in consultation with regional and international partners, has developed the Multidimensional Livelihood Vulnerability Index (MLVI), a measure to explore and describe livelihood vulnerability to climatic, environmental, and socio-economic change in the HKH region. This paper documents how the MLVI was developed and demonstrates the utility of this approach by using primary household survey data of 16 selected districts of three sub-basins in the HKH region. The analysis gives important clues about differences in the intensity and composition of multidimensional livelihood vulnerability across these locations that should be useful to decision makers to identify areas of intervention and guide their measures to reduce vulnerability

Healthcare professionals’ evaluation of interprofessional teamwork and job satisfaction / Evaluation der Teamarbeit und der Arbeitszufriedenheit von Gesundheitsfachberufen

Interprofessional teamwork among healthcare professionals in healthcare organizations is a key factor for both their job satisfaction and patients’ effective and efficient treatment. One precondition for successful interprofessional teamwork is a shared mental model (a common cognitive frame of reference and knowledge) of working together as a team. However, there often exist subcultures, and each of these has its own mental model of teamwork. Hence, it can be assumed that different healthcare professional groups do not share the evaluation of their interprofessional teamwork and job satisfaction (Hypothesis 1). Additionally, based on the input-process-output model of team effectiveness, it can be expected that interprofessional teamwork determines job satisfaction (Hypothesis 2). These hypotheses were tested in a survey of 272 employees in 15 rehabilitation clinics in Germany. Results showed that healthcare professionals’ evaluation of their interprofessional teamwork (F(3, 203) = 9.118, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.119) as well as their job satisfaction (F(3, 210) = 3.357, p = 0.02, η2 = 0.046) differed significantly. Physicians reported the highest level of interprofessional teamwork and job satisfaction compared with other groups. Perceptions of interprofessional teamwork explain approximately 20% of the variance in job satisfaction. Thus, both hypotheses were confirmed. Interprofessional interventions in education and practice are recommended to establish a shared mental model, which could improve teamwork and subsequently job satisfaction

Long-term effects of an e-learning course on patient safety: A controlled longitudinal study with medical students.

BackgroundTo improve patient safety, educational interventions on all system levels, including medical school are necessary. Sound theoretical knowledge on elements influencing patient safety (such as error management or team work) is the basis for behavioral changes of health care professionals.MethodsA controlled, quasi-experimental study with repeated measures was deployed. The intervention group participated in a mandatory e-learning course on patient safety (ELPAS) between October 2016 and December 2016. The control group did not receive any didactic session on patient safety. In both groups we measured technical knowledge and attitudes towards patient safety before the intervention (T0), directly after the intervention (T1) and one year after the intervention (T2). Participants were 309 third-year medical students in the intervention group and 154 first- and second-year medical students in the control group.ResultsTechnical knowledge in the intervention group (but not the control group) improved significantly after the intervention and remained high after one year (F(2, 84) = 13.506, p ConclusionThis study shows, that eLearning interventions can produce significant long-term effects on patient safety knowledge, however, the study did not show long-term effects on attitudes towards patient safety. Our study implies two potential developments for future research: e-learning might be used in combination with face-to-face sessions, or more intensive (in terms of frequency and duration) e-learning sessions may be needed to achieve lasting changes in attitude

Health literacy of trans and gender diverse individuals –a cross sectional survey in Germany

Abstract Introduction To date, there has been little research on the general health literacy of trans and gender diverse individuals, even though previous research undermines the importance of good health literacy in this sample. The aim of the article is therefore to describe the general health literacy of trans and gender diverse individuals based on a German survey. Methods In September 2022, a survey study was conducted in which health literacy was recorded using HLS-EU-16. Data will be presented descriptively; gender differences will be explored using a Χ 2 - test and a univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results Out of N = 223 participants, n = 129 individuals (57.8%) identified as non-binary; n = 49 (22.0%) identified themselves as male, while n = 45 (20.2%) identified as female. Mean age was 28.03 years. Overall, 26.4% of all the participants showed an inadequate health literacy, as proposed by the HLS-EU-16. In trend, health-related task related to media use were more often perceived as easy compared to the German general population. Conclusion Individuals, who identify as trans and gender diverse may have a general health literacy below average compared to the German general population. However, tasks related to media use were perceived as easy, which might be a good starting point for health literacy related interventions. Trial registration DRKS00026249, Date of registration: 15/03/2022