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Dissertação de mestrado em Ecologia, apresentada ao Departamento de Ciências da Vida da Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade de Coimbra.O Jardim Botânico da Universidade de Coimbra (JBUC) é composto essecialmente por espécies de plantas exóticas. A maioria destas espécies não são invasoras, mas algumas possuem comportamento invasor, causando problemas para a conservação do Jardim, sendo importante gerir de forma sustentável as áreas afectadas por estas espécies. Para tal, é necessário, em primeiro lugar, analisar a dimensão da invasão e identificar as suas possíveis causas. Para este efeito, este trabalho focou-se no mapeamento das três espécies invasoras mais problemáticas (Ailanthus altissima, Oxalis pes-caprae e Tradescantia fluminensis) e ainda de uma quarta espécie, Acanthus mollis, que embora não listada como invasora na legislação Portuguesa, apresenta na mata do JBUC um potencial invasor preocupante. Foi também objectivo deste trabalho elaborar um reconhecimento mais detalhado (através de mapeamento das regiões invadidas com respectivo número de espécimes) de A. altissima, a espécie mais “agressiva” de todas as presentes no JBUC. Através de análises de campo e usando Sistemas de Informação Geográfica foi possível mapear as áreas invadidas, determinar o número de indivíduos em cada local, a cobertura vegetal destas espécies, a acessibilidade a cada área e conhecer o historial das acções de controlo de A. altissima realizados anteriormente no Jardim, tentando contribuir, assim, com informação relevante para um plano de gestão eficaz e fundamentado das plantas invasoras na mata do JBUC. A espécie A. altissima encontra-se em elevado número na mata do Jardim e tentativas de controlar esta espécie apenas por corte simples mostraram ser ineficazes. No entanto, metodologias que incorporaram a injecção de herbicida mostraram ser mais eficazes no controlo desta espécie. Oxalis pes-caprae e T. fluminensis são espécies existentes na mata também com uma distribuição batstante extensa. Acanthus mollis encontra-se também espalhada por toda a mata. Contudo, não deve ser uma prioridade para controlo, pois restringe de alguma forma a invasão do subcoberto por outras invasoras mais agressivas. O mapeamento das áreas invadidas realizado neste trabalho conjuntamente com um estudo com base científica do controlo das espécies de plantas que existem na mata do JBUC, ajudará certamente na elaboração de um plano de gestão eficaz a longo prazo deste importante Jardim Botânico.The Botanical Garden of the University of Coimbra (BGUC) is composed mainly by exotic species. Most of these species are not invasive, but some have an invasive behavior, causing problems for the conservation of the Garden, beeing important to sustainably manage the areas affected by this type of species. For this it is necessary to identify and analyze the extent of the invasion and to identify possible causes. To this porpuse, this work focused on mapping the three most problematic invasive species (Ailanthus altissima, Oxalis pes-caprae, and Tradescantia fluminensis) and a fourth species, Acanthus mollis, though not listed as invasive in the Portuguese legislation, presents a concerning invasive potential in the woods of the BGUC. It was also an objective of this study to elaborate a more detailed acknowledgment (through mapping of invaded areas and respective number of specimens) of A. altissima, the more "aggressive" species of all. Through analysis of field work and using Geographic Informations Systems, it was possible to map the invaded areas, to determine the number of individuals for each site, vegetation cover of these species, the accessibility to each area, and previous types of control applied to A. altissima in the Garden, attempting this way, to contribute with relevant information to an effective management plan of the invasive plant species in the BGUC. The species A. altissima is found in large number in the woods of the Garden and attempts to control this species only by simple cut of the trees proved to be ineffective. However, methods that incorporated the injection of herbicide have demonstrated to be most effective in controlling this species. Oxalis pes-caprae and T. fluminensis are also species quite dispersed in the woods. A. mollis has been spread throughout the woods. However, it should not be considered a priority for control because somehow limits invasion at ground level by other invasive species. The mapping of the invaded areas together with a scientific-based study about the control of plant species that inhabit the woods of the BGUC will certainly help in developing a and long-term and effective management plan of this important Botanical Garden

Comparison of Biomarkers in Blood and Saliva in Healthy Adults

Researchers measure biomarkers as a reflection of patient health status or intervention outcomes. While blood is generally regarded as the best body fluid for evaluation of systemic processes, substitution of saliva samples for blood would be less invasive and more convenient. The concentration of specific biomarkers may differ between blood and saliva. The objective of this study was to compare multiple biomarkers (27 cytokines) in plasma samples, passive drool saliva samples, and filter paper saliva samples in 50 healthy adults. Demographic data and three samples were obtained from each subject: saliva collected on filter paper over 1 minute, saliva collected by passive drool over 30 seconds, and venous blood (3 mL) collected by venipuncture. Cytokines were assayed using Bio-Rad multiplex suspension array technology. Descriptive statistics and pairwise correlations were used for data analysis. The sample was 52% male and 74% white. Mean age was 26 (range = 19–63 years, sd = 9.7). The most consistent and highest correlations were between the passive drool and filter paper saliva samples, although relationships were dependent on the specific biomarker. Correlations were not robust enough to support substitution of one collection method for another. There was little correlation between the plasma and passive drool saliva samples. Caution should be used in substituting saliva for blood, and relationships differ by biomarker

Routine chest roentgenography on admission to intensive care unit after heart operations: Is it of any value?

AbstractThe need for routine immediate postoperative chest roentgenography after heart operations has recently been questioned. In this study we investigated the impact of routine postoperative chest roentgenography on treatment instituted in the cardiovascular intensive care unit immediately after heart operations done via median sternotomy. A total of 404 random patients admitted to the cardiovascular intensive care unit underwent clinical (positioning of endotracheal tube, nasogastric tube, and pulmonary artery catheter) and laboratory (oxygenation) assessment by a cardiovascular intensive care unit physician according to a strict protocol. After clinical assessment, chest roentgenography was done for all admitted patients and the findings reviewed by the same physician. Pathologic conditions noted were recorded on the study form together with any required treatment. Eighteen patients (4.5%) out of 404 required intervention because of abnormalities detected by the chest x-ray film but not predicted by the initial physical and laboratory assessment. None of the pathologic conditions detected was life threatening. We conclude that chest roentgenography done on admission to the cardiovascular intensive care unit should be done only if clinical and laboratory assessment indicate the possibility of underlying pathologic conditions that can only be confirmed or diagnosed by chest roentgenography. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1997;113:130-3

'My teeth don't chew on shrapnel': an anthology of poetry by military veterans

This anthology, created by Oxford Brookes Poetry Centre, features poetry written by participants and associates of the Oxford Brookes Veterans' Poetry Workshop, 2019-20. Nine poets are represted here: Jo Young, Tom Laaser, Claire Hughes, Noel Harrower, John Thampi, Jamie Broady, Andrew Fassett, Stewart Hill, and Maggs Vibo. The anthology also includes an introduction by Niall Munro, an explanation of the workshop process by Susie Campbell, an essay about women veteran writers by Jane Potter, and reflections on her research into the perceptions of veterans in the UK and the US by Rita Phillips. Susie Campbell has also provided helpful writing prompts linked to the poems for those readers who are - or would like to be - writers. In addition to the four versions of the anthology, this package of files also includes transcripts of each of the interviews conducted by Dr Niall Munro with ten workshop participants, not all of whom appear in the anthology: Eugene Ratz, John Thampi, J. Robin Whitely, Jo Young (two interviews), Andrew Fassett, Tom Laaser, Stewart Hill, Claire Hughes, Maggs Vibo, and Jamie Broady. The transcriptions were completed by Dr Hester Bradley