Composition, structure and floristic similarity of Atlantic Forest, Serra Negra, Rio Preto - MG

Serra Negra is a region surrounded by some stretches of mountain, covered by Atlantic Forests and cloud scrubs, located in the southern part of Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais, in Serra da Mantiqueira, between the rises of the massif of Itatiaia (RJ, SP e MG) and the Serra do Ibitipoca (MG). The aim of this study was to determine the composition, structure and floristic similarity of arboreal flora among three forest types of Atlantic Forest (Alluvial, Montane and Cloud Forest) and also the similarity with other studies. A total of 2,572 individuals was sampled, from 194 species, 59 families and 118 genera. The highest number of species was recorded in the families Myrtaceae (30 morphospecies), Lauraceae (20), Melastomataceae (17) and Fabaceae (13). The three vegetation types associated with different environmental conditions differ in their composition and structure. The alluvial proved with low diversity and stature and high ecological dominance. The cloud forest stood out for its typical elements of altitude over other common species in the area below the range, where diversity was higher. The tree flora of Sierra Negra presents various indicator species to characteristic distribution of highlands of southeastern Brazil.A Serra Negra, no município de Rio Preto (MG), estende-se por uma região com fisionomias florestais serranas da Mantiqueira e campos altimontanos, entre as elevações do maciço do Itatiaia (RJ, SP e MG) e da Serra do Ibitipoca (MG). Com o objetivo de investigar o comportamento das variáveis comunitárias da flora arbórea em condições diferentes de altitude e alagamento, determinou-se a composição florística, estrutura e similaridade entre três fragmentos de floresta (aluvial, montana e nebular) e a suas relações florísticas com estudos da região. Foram amostrados 2.572 indivíduos, identificados em 194 espécies, distribuídas em 59 famílias e 118 gêneros. As famílias com maior riqueza foram Myrtaceae (30 espécies), Lauraceae (20), Melastomataceae (17) e Fabaceae (13). Os três tipos de vegetação estudados, associados a diferentes condições ambientais, diferem entre si em sua composição e estrutura. A floresta aluvial revelou-se com reduzida diversidade, baixa estatura e alta dominância ecológica. A floresta nebular destacou-se por apresentar elementos típicos de altitude em detrimento de espécies freqüentes na região abaixo da escarpa da serra, onde a diversidade foi maior. A flora arbórea da Serra Negra, formada pelo conjunto das áreas estudadas, apresenta um conjunto considerável de elementos com distribuição característica de ambientes montanhosos do Sudeste do Brasil

ESPÉCIES VEGETAIS POTENCIAIS PARA RECUPERAÇÃO DE ÁREAS SOB A INFLUÊNCIA DA MINERAÇÃO DE BAUXITA EM CAMPOS DE ALTITUDE NA REGIÃO DE POÇOS DE CALDAS - MG

The objective of this work was to perform a survey of the main species derived from the propagules present on the topsoil over bauxite mines in “Altitude Fields in Atlantic Forest”, as a form to suggest potential species for recovering degraded areas. Samples were taken from the first five centimeters of substrate containing the area propagative material. The samples were housed in a nursery where we counted the plant emergences every 24 hours, identifying the individuals at the end. The abundance and diversity indexes were calculated. In this study, three of the higher occurrence species were common in both periods (dry and rainy): Ageratum fastigiatum, Echinolaena inflexa and Borreria latifolia. The value found for the Shannon Index (H’) for the species derived from propagules on the topsoil in vegetation in the altitude fields in Atlantic Forest during the dry period were of 2.79 nats.ind-1 and during the rainy period was of 2.23 nats.ind-1. Pielou’s equability observed for the dry period was of 0.72 and for the rainy period was of 0.63. The similarity between both periods was of 0.36. Comparing the response variable number of individuals between both periods, we identified a statistical difference with a larger mean for the dry period. According to the conditions this work was performed in, it is possible to ascertain that there are species with potential to recover mined areas in vegetation in altitude fields. Therefore, we suggest that ecology complementary studies are performed on these species and seed technology as a way to fundament the application of this knowledge in mined area recovery practices.O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar um levantamento das principais espécies provenientes de propágulos na camada superficial do solo sobre minas de bauxita, em “Campos de Altitude de Mata Atlântica”, como forma de sugerir espécies potenciais para recuperação de áreas degradadas. Foram realizadas amostragens dos cinco primeiros centímetros de substratos contendo o material propagativo da área. As amostras foram acompanhadas em viveiro e realizou-se a contagem da emergência de plantas a cada 24 horas, sendo identificados os indivíduos no final do experimento. Foram calculados os índices de abundância e diversidade. Neste estudo, três das espécies de maior ocorrência foram comuns nos dois períodos (seco e chuvoso): Ageratum fastigiatum, Echinolaena inflexa e Borreria latifolia. O valor do Índice de Shannon (H’) encontrado para as espécies provenientes da camada superficial do solo em vegetação de “Campos de Altitude de Mata Atlântica” no período seco correspondeu a 2,79 nats.ind-1 e 2,23 nats.ind-1 no período chuvoso. Já a equabilidade de Pielou (J’) observada para o período seco foi igual a 0,72 e 0,63 para o período chuvoso. A similaridade entre os dois períodos foi de 0,36. Comparando a variável resposta, número de indivíduos entre os dois períodos, identificou-se diferença estatística com maior média para o período seco. De acordo com as condições que este trabalho foi realizado, é possível afirmar que existem espécies com potencial para recuperação de áreas mineradas em vegetação de Campos de Altitude. Portanto, sugere-se que sejam realizados estudos complementares de ecologia dessas espécies e de tecnologia de sementes como forma de fundamentar a aplicação desses conhecimentos em práticas de recuperação de áreas mineradas

ALLOMETRY AND ARCHITECTURE OF Copaifera langsdorffii (Desf.) Kuntze (FABACEAE) IN NEOTROPICAL PHYSIOGNOMIES IN SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar padr\uf5es alom\ue9tricos e fei\ue7\uf5es arquiteturais de Copaifera langsdorffii em diferentes fisionomias de uma regi\ue3o de tens\ue3o ecol\uf3gica. As fisionomias de floresta, corredor, cerrado e cerrado rupestre foram estudadas nos munic\uedpios de Lavras e Carrancas, sul de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Foram estudadas as rela\ue7\uf5es entre di\ue2metro do tronco, altura, \ue1rea da copa, grau de deflex\ue3o e deslocamento relativo da copa, sendo analisado o grau de semelhan\ue7a, entre as fisionomias, por meio de regress\uf5es e an\ue1lise covari\ue2ncia. Foi realizada uma an\ue1lise de componentes principais (PCA) com vari\ue1veis biom\ue9tricas coletadas e morfom\ue9tricas calculadas, para caracteriza\ue7\ue3o de grupos mais homog\ueaneos que evidenciem a plasticidade morfol\uf3gica da esp\ue9cie e suas diferentes estrat\ue9gias e investimento em recursos. Como resultado das an\ue1lises de regress\ue3o e covari\ue2ncia, encontraram-se padr\uf5es distintos, principalmente entre as fisionomias de floresta e cerrado, das fisionomias de cerrado rupestre e corredor. Um padr\ue3o de crescimento com maior investimento em altura na floresta, objetivando a garantia de espa\ue7o no dossel, e outro mais ligado ao crescimento horizontal da copa, nas fisionomias de cerrado rupestre e corredor. A PCA apresentou um gradiente de plasticidade morfol\uf3gica para a esp\ue9cie. A fisionomia de floresta apresentou maiores valores de altura total, largura de copa e di\ue2metro do tronco, e a fisionomia de cerrado rupestre mostrou valores mais elevados de grau de deflex\ue3o da copa (assimetria). O cerrado e o corredor formaram uma transi\ue7\ue3o entre floresta e cerrado rupestre, no gradiente de fei\ue7\uf5es morfol\uf3gicas da esp\ue9cie nas fisionomias.This study examined allometric patterns and architectural features of Copaifera langsdorffii , in different physiognomies in a region of ecological tension. The forest, corridor, \u2018cerrado\u2019, and rocky cerrado physiognomies were studied in the districts of Lavras and Carrancas, south of Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The relationships between stem diameter, height, crown area, degrees of deflection and relative displacement were analyzed, as well as the degree of similarity between the physiognomies by means of regressions and covariance analysis. The principal component analysis (PCA) was performed with the collected biometric and calculated morphometric variables to characterize the most homogeneous groups which show the morphological plasticity of the species and their different strategies and resources investment. As a result of the regression and covariance analysis, two distinct patterns were found mainly between forest and \u2018cerrado\u2019 physiognomies from rocky cerrado and corridor physiognomies. It was found a pattern of growth through higher investment in height in the forest, aiming to guarantee space in the canopy, and a more connected to the horizontal growth of the crown, in the rocky \u2018cerrado\u2019 and corridor. The PCA showed a gradient of morphological plasticity for the species. The forest physiognomy presented higher values of total height, crown width and stem diameter, while the rocky \u2018cerrado\u2019 physiognomy presented higher degrees of deflection of the crown (asymmetry). The \u2018cerrado\u2019 and the corridor formed a transition between forest and rocky \u2018cerrado\u2019 for the gradient of morphological features of the studied species in these physiognomies

PLANT SPECIES POTENTIALS OF RECOVERY AREAS WITH INTERFERENCE OF BAUXITE MINING IN ALTITUDE FIELDS IN PO\uc7OS DE CALDAS REGION, MG STATE

O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar um levantamento das principais esp\ue9cies provenientes de prop\ue1gulos na camada superficial do solo sobre minas de bauxita, em \u201cCampos de Altitude de Mata Atl\ue2ntica\u201d, como forma de sugerir esp\ue9cies potenciais para recupera\ue7\ue3o de \ue1reas degradadas. Foram realizadas amostragens dos cinco primeiros cent\uedmetros de substratos contendo o material propagativo da \ue1rea. As amostras foram acompanhadas em viveiro e realizou-se a contagem da emerg\ueancia de plantas a cada 24 horas, sendo identificados os indiv\uedduos no final do experimento. Foram calculados os \uedndices de abund\ue2ncia e diversidade. Neste estudo, tr\ueas das esp\ue9cies de maior ocorr\ueancia foram comuns nos dois per\uedodos (seco e chuvoso): Ageratum fastigiatum , Echinolaena inflexa e Borreria latifolia . O valor do \ucdndice de Shannon (H\u2019) encontrado para as esp\ue9cies provenientes da camada superficial do solo em vegeta\ue7\ue3o de \u201cCampos de Altitude de Mata Atl\ue2ntica\u201d no per\uedodo seco correspondeu a 2,79 nats.ind-1 e 2,23 nats.ind-1 no per\uedodo chuvoso. J\ue1 a equabilidade de Pielou (J\u2019) observada para o per\uedodo seco foi igual a 0,72 e 0,63 para o per\uedodo chuvoso. A similaridade entre os dois per\uedodos foi de 0,36. Comparando a vari\ue1vel resposta, n\ufamero de indiv\uedduos entre os dois per\uedodos, identificou-se diferen\ue7a estat\uedstica com maior m\ue9dia para o per\uedodo seco. De acordo com as condi\ue7\uf5es que este trabalho foi realizado, \ue9 poss\uedvel afirmar que existem esp\ue9cies com potencial para recupera\ue7\ue3o de \ue1reas mineradas em vegeta\ue7\ue3o de Campos de Altitude. Portanto, sugere-se que sejam realizados estudos complementares de ecologia dessas esp\ue9cies e de tecnologia de sementes como forma de fundamentar a aplica\ue7\ue3o desses conhecimentos em pr\ue1ticas de recupera\ue7\ue3o de \ue1reas mineradas.The objective of this work was to perform a survey of the main species derived from the propagules present on the topsoil over bauxite mines in \u201cAltitude Fields in Atlantic Forest\u201d, as a form to suggest potential species for recovering degraded areas. Samples were taken from the first five centimeters of substrate containing the area propagative material. The samples were housed in a nursery where we counted the plant emergences every 24 hours, identifying the individuals at the end. The abundance and diversity indexes were calculated. In this study, three of the higher occurrence species were common in both periods (dry and rainy): Ageratum fastigiatum , Echinolaena inflexa and Borreria latifolia . The value found for the Shannon Index (H\u2019) for the species derived from propagules on the topsoil in vegetation in the altitude fields in Atlantic Forest during the dry period were of 2.79 nats.ind-1 and during the rainy period was of 2.23 nats. ind-1. Pielou\u2019s equability observed for the dry period was of 0.72 and for the rainy period was of 0.63. The similarity between both periods was of 0.36. Comparing the response variable number of individuals between both periods, we identified a statistical difference with a larger mean for the dry period. According to the conditions this work was performed in, it is possible to ascertain that there are species with potential to recover mined areas in vegetation in altitude fields. Therefore, we suggest that ecology complementary studies are performed on these species and seed technology as a way to fundament the application of this knowledge in mined area recovery practices

A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

Omecamtiv mecarbil in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, GALACTIC‐HF: baseline characteristics and comparison with contemporary clinical trials

Aims: The safety and efficacy of the novel selective cardiac myosin activator, omecamtiv mecarbil, in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is tested in the Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC‐HF) trial. Here we describe the baseline characteristics of participants in GALACTIC‐HF and how these compare with other contemporary trials. Methods and Results: Adults with established HFrEF, New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA) ≥ II, EF ≤35%, elevated natriuretic peptides and either current hospitalization for HF or history of hospitalization/ emergency department visit for HF within a year were randomized to either placebo or omecamtiv mecarbil (pharmacokinetic‐guided dosing: 25, 37.5 or 50 mg bid). 8256 patients [male (79%), non‐white (22%), mean age 65 years] were enrolled with a mean EF 27%, ischemic etiology in 54%, NYHA II 53% and III/IV 47%, and median NT‐proBNP 1971 pg/mL. HF therapies at baseline were among the most effectively employed in contemporary HF trials. GALACTIC‐HF randomized patients representative of recent HF registries and trials with substantial numbers of patients also having characteristics understudied in previous trials including more from North America (n = 1386), enrolled as inpatients (n = 2084), systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg (n = 1127), estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 528), and treated with sacubitril‐valsartan at baseline (n = 1594). Conclusions: GALACTIC‐HF enrolled a well‐treated, high‐risk population from both inpatient and outpatient settings, which will provide a definitive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of this novel therapy, as well as informing its potential future implementation