Land use intensity indirectly affects ecosystem services mainly through plant functional identity in a temperate forest

Land‐use change is known to affect biodiversity, and there is increasing concern regarding how these changes may impact the provision of ecosystem services. Although functional composition (diversity and identity) could influence ecosystem properties and services at the community level, there is little quantitative understanding of these relationships in the field. Here, we evaluate the direct and indirect effects (through ecosystem properties) of biodiversity on the provision of multiple ecosystem services in native mixed forest in north‐west Patagonia, and how land‐use intensity influences these relationships. We used structural equation modelling to test hypotheses regarding the relationship between understorey plant functional composition, two ecosystem properties, four ecosystem services and silvopastoral use intensity (SUI). We also evaluated two alternative models to assess the mechanism behind biodiversity and ecosystem properties relationships (biomass ratio and niche complementarity). Finally, we performed pairwise correlations to identify synergies and trade‐offs between ecosystem services. SUI affected functional composition, and the provision of three out of four ecosystem services was indirectly affected by land‐use intensity through changes in ecosystem properties. We found that this indirect effect of biodiversity on ecosystem services happens mainly through changes in functional identity rather than functional diversity. Under increasing land‐use intensity, functional composition changed towards a community characterized by a resource acquisition strategy. Trade‐offs between ecosystem services (provisioning vs. regulating) were enhanced under high SUI, while synergies where enhanced under low SUI (provisioning vs. cultural). Thus, although the strength of these relationships varied between SUI, its nature (trade‐off or synergy) stayed the same. Our results expand on previous studies by simultaneously considering the effect of land‐use intensification directly on functional composition and on the ecosystem processes underpinning ecosystem services, as well as on the relationship among them. We provide evidence of an indirect effect of land‐use intensification on multiple ecosystem services through biodiversity. Moreover, we found that functional identity is more important than diversity for ecosystem functionality. Land‐use intensification affects biodiversity, and thus, ecosystem properties, but does not change the relationship among ecosystem services.Fil: Chillo, María Verónica. Universidad Nacional de Río Negro. Sede Andina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Recursos Naturales, Agroecología y Desarrollo Rural; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Vazquez, Diego P.. Albert Ludwigs University Of Freiburg; Alemania. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; ArgentinaFil: Amoroso, Mariano Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Río Negro. Sede Andina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Recursos Naturales, Agroecología y Desarrollo Rural; ArgentinaFil: Bennett, Elena M.. McGill University; Canad

Risk Factors and Prevalence of Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

Highlights  Prevalence of DCM varies widely in SSA.Cardiovascular risk factors are important in patients with DCM.The role of genetics in idiopathic DCM is not studied in major part of SSA

Cardiac Surgery: One year experience of cardiac surgery at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam- TANZANIA

Background: Establishing a cardiac unit in developing countries is usually difficult as it is associated with many obstacles of both expertise and financial constraints and more alarming is the mortality rate that may be high. Even after success in the initial stage sustainability of such program is a dilemma. The aim of this study was to determine pattern of disease profile, type of cardiac surgery done and the overall outcome.Methods: All patients who underwent cardiac operation at the centre were prospectively recruited. Patients’ demography and disease characteristics as demonstrated at echocardiography and its confirmation at operation were recorded. Peri-operative factors were the measurable statistics that determined the overall patients’ outcome. All data were entered and analyzed using a spss11.5 window program.Results: A total of 105 cases of cardiac surgery were done 21% were male and 79% were females. Mean age was 19.4±12.3. The majority of cases were due to Rheumatic heart diseases (47.6%), congenital heart disease (35.2%), myxomatous valvular degeneration (16.2%) and pericardial disease 1%. Mitral valve disease was the commonest cause of cardiac disease (58.1%). Prolonged duration of aortic cross-clamp and total operation time were associated with prolonged intensive care stay and poor patients’ outcome respectively (p<0.05). While, ventricular dysfunction and total cardiopulmonary bypass time were not. The overall mortality rate was 13.3%. Majority of all death (64.3%) followed mitral valve repair.Conclusion: The majority of patients (86.7%) who underwent cardiac surgery had full recovery. The mortality of (13.3%) is probably comparable to other settings. The diversity of spectrum of cardiac disease found elsewhere is also found in our community and therefore need to increase community awareness. Mitral valve repair deserve a special entity that requires skills and expertise. The mere presence of suboptimal ventricular dysfunction is probably not a contraindication to cardiac operation. The duration of aortic cross-clamp and total operation time were determinant of postoperative outcome

Identifying Critical Nutrient Intake in Groups at Risk of Poverty in Europe: The CHANCE Project Approach

The aim of the CHANCE project is to develop novel and affordable nutritious foods to optimize the diet and reduce the risk of diet-related diseases among groups at risk of poverty (ROP). This paper describes the methodology used in the two initial steps to accomplish the project's objective as follows: 1. a literature review of existing data and 2. an identification of ROP groups with which to design and perform the CHANCE nutritional survey, which will supply new data that is useful for formulating the new CHANCE food. Based on the literature review, a low intake of fruit and vegetables, whole grain products, fish, energy, fiber, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12 and C, folate, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium and zinc and a high intake of starchy foods, processed meat and sodium were apparent. However, the available data appeared fragmented because of the different methodologies used in the studies. A more global vision of the main nutritional problems that are present among low-income people in Europe is needed, and the first step to achieve this goal is the use of common criteria to define the risk of poverty. The scoring system described here represents novel criteria for defining at-risk-of-poverty groups not only in the CHANCE-participating countries but also all over Europe

Prevalence and Determinants of Obesity among Primary School Children in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Childhood obesity has increased dramatically and has become a public health concern worldwide. Childhood obesity is likely to persist through adulthood and may lead to early onset of NCDs. However, there is paucity of data on obesity among primary school children in Tanzania. This study assessed the prevalence and determinants of obesity among primary school children in Dar es Salaam. A cross sectional study was conducted among school age children in randomly selected schools in Dar es Salaam. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were taken using standard procedures. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters (kg/m2). Child obesity was defined as BMI at or above 95th percentile for age and sex. Socio-demographic characteristics of children were determined using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to determine association between independent variables with obesity among primary school children in Dar es Salaam. A total of 446 children were included in the analysis. The mean age of the participants was 11.1±2.0 years and 53.1% were girls. The mean BMI, SBP and DBP were 16.6±4.0 kg/m2, 103.9±10.3mmHg and 65.6±8.2mmHg respectively. The overall prevalence of child obesity was 5.2% and was higher among girls (6.3%) compared to boys (3.8%). Obese children had significantly higher mean values for age (p=0.042), systolic and diastolic blood pressures (all p<0.001). Most obese children were from households with fewer children (p=0.019) and residing in urban areas (p=0.002). Controlling for other variables, age above 10 years (AOR=3.3, 95% CI=1.5-7.2), female sex (AOR=2.6, 95% CI=1.4-4.9), urban residence (AOR=2.5, 95% CI=1.2-5.3) and having money to spend at school (AOR=2.6, 95% CI=1.4-4.8) were significantly associated with child obesity. The prevalence of childhood obesity in this population was found to be low. However, children from urban schools and girls were proportionately more obese compared to their counterparts. Primary preventive measures for childhood obesity should start early in childhood and address socioeconomic factors of parents contributing to childhood obesity

Mechanical, microstructure and permeability properties of a model bread crust: Effect of different food additives

The aim of this study was to understand the action of different additives on the crust properties using a layer crust as a model. Moisture content, water vapor barrier properties, water sorption isotherms and mechanical properties were evaluated. Crust model showed multilayer internal structure. Glycerol (10% and 20%) and HPMC-10% increased moisture content, whereas linolenic acid and beeswax, glycerol-1%, HPMC-0.5% and citric acid significantly decreased it. Water vapor permeability (WVP) decreased with lipids and citric acid, due to their hydrophobic nature and crosslinking action, respectively. Hydrophobic additives lowered the WVP of the crust and provided water barrier properties and brittle texture. Crust mechanical properties were greatly correlated with water present as well as with composition of crust layer. Barrier properties of the crust layer were greatly dependent on the hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity of the additives, which determined the internal interactions between starch and proteins and the microstructure and mechanical properties.The authors acknowledge the financial support of Spanish Scientific Research Council (CSIC), the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Sustainability (Project AGL2011-23802), and the Generalitat Valenciana (Project Prometeo 2012/064). R. Altamirano-Fortoul would like to thank her PhD Grant to CSIC.Altamirano Fortoul, RDC.; Hernández Muñoz, PA.; Hernando Hernando, MI.; Molina Rosell, MC. (2015). Mechanical, microstructure and permeability properties of a model bread crust: Effect of different food additives. Journal of Food Engineering. 163:25-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2015.04.019S253116

Hyperbranched polyester polyol plasticized tapioca starch/low density polyethylene blends

ABSTRACT: In this work, low density polyethylene (LDPE)/plasticized starch (TPS) blends were prepared. The TPS employed in this study was obtained by plasticization of tapioca starch with a hyperbranched polyester polyol. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that the melting temperature increased with the TPS content. The opposite effect was exhibited in the crystallization temperature and additional changes were not observed during the heating. X-ray diffraction analysis showed a reduction in intensity of the peak at Bragg’s angle 17.5°, proving a diminution on A type crystallinity with the increasing amount of LDPE. Micrographs obtained by scanning electron microscopy exhibited starch granules without destructure. TPS acted as a filler to LDPE, since the mechanical properties (Young’s modulus and tensile strength) improved ostensibly. The Young’ modulus and tensile strength decreased with the amount of LDPE, however, the elongation at break exhibited an opposite behavior

Prevalence and predictors of left ventricular dysfunction among patients with chronic kidney disease attending Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania &mdash;&nbsp;a cross-sectional study

Pilly Chillo, Eva Mujuni Department of Internal Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Purpose: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and is a significant cause of mortality, which may result from kidney failure or congestive heart failure &ndash; a frequent complication of CKD. There is however scarcity of documented literature on the magnitude and associated factors of echocardiographically determined left ventricular (LV) dysfunction among CKD patients in Tanzania. Patients and methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2014 to January 2015 at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Patients &ge;18 years with CKD were consecutively enrolled. Clinical characteristics, cardiovascular risk profiles, and laboratory findings including serum creatinine, urea, hemoglobin, and cholesterol levels were collected. Echocardiography was performed to assess LV function using standard criteria. Results: One hundred and ninety-one CKD patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The mean &plusmn; SD age was 48 &plusmn; 13 years, and 54.5% were men. A total of 98.4% of the patients were hypertensive, and diabetes was present in 22.8% while 97.9% had end-stage renal disease. The prevalence of LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction was 16.2% and 68.6%, respectively. A&nbsp;&shy;clinical finding of heart failure was the only independent predictor of LV systolic dysfunction (odds ratio [OR] =&nbsp;2.9,&nbsp;p = 0.012), while independent predictors of LV diastolic dysfunction were anemia (OR =&nbsp;4.9, p&nbsp;= 0.01), severe hypertension (OR = 9.2, p = 0.001), and female gender (OR = 1.7, p = 0.002). Conclusion: LV dysfunction is prevalent among CKD patients seen at MNH and is associated with clinical heart failure, anemia, severe hypertension, and female gender. Echocardiography should be performed in patients with CKD to detect overt or subclinical LV dysfunction. Keywords: chronic kidney disease, left ventricular dysfunction, sub-Saharan Afric