NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Relatório sobre Empreendedorismo na EUROACE 2014

As três regiões EUROACE superam o resto dos países europeus analisados no que diz respeito à educação e formação empreendedora. O Alentejo e o Centro também na transferência de R + D e no apoio ao financiamento. A Extremadura apesar de não ter uma avaliação positiva, apresenta um valor superior ao resto dos países baseados na inovação no que diz respeito às políticas e programas de governo regional para o empreendedorismo

Informe - El Empreendimento en La Eurorregión EUROACE 2014

El perfil del empreendedor de la Euroace es el de un hombre, de unos 38 años, con estudios secundarios, con un nivel de renta bajo (<20000 €) y que vive en un hogar de 3 persona

Multiple Sclerosis In South America: Month Of Birth In Different Latitudes Does Not Seem To Interfere With The Prevalence Or Progression Of The Disease [esclerose Múltipla Na América Do Sul: Mês De Nascimento Em Diferentes Latitudes Não Parece Interferir Com A Prevalência Ou Progressão Da Doença]

Objective: To assess whether the month of birth in different latitudes of South America might influence the presence or severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) later in life. Methods: Neurologists in four South American countries working at MS units collected data on their patients' month of birth, gender, age, and disease progression. Results: Analysis of data from 1207 MS patients and 1207 control subjects did not show any significant variation in the month of birth regarding the prevalence of MS in four latitude bands (0-10; 11-20; 21-30; and 31-40 degrees). There was no relationship between the month of birth and the severity of disease in each latitude band. Conclusion: The results from this study show that MS patients born to mothers who were pregnant at different Southern latitudes do not follow the seasonal pattern observed at high Northern latitudes.719:00 AM573579Templer, D.I., Trent, N.H., Spencer, D.A., Season of birth in multiple sclerosis (1992) Acta Neurol Scand, 85, pp. 107-109Bharanidharan, P., Monthly distribution of multiple sclerosis patients' births (1997) Int J Biometeorol, 40, pp. 117-118Salemi, G., Ragonese, P., Aridon, P., Is season of birth associated with multiple sclerosis? (2000) Acta Neurol Scand, 101, pp. 381-383Salzer, J., Svenningsson, A., Sundström, P., Season of birth and multiple sclerosis in Sweden (2010) Acta Neurol Scand, 122, pp. 70-73Bayes, H.K., Weir, C.J., O'Leary, C., Timing of birth and risk of multiple sclerosis in the Scottish population (2010) Eur Neur, 63, pp. 36-40Saastamoinen, K.P., Auvinen, M.K., Tienari, P.J., Month of birth is associated with multiple sclerosis but not with HLA-DR15 in Finland (2012) Mult Scler, 18, pp. 563-568Fernandes de Abreu, D.A., Babron, M.C., Rebeix, I., Season of birth and not vitamin D receptor promoter polymorphisms is a risk factor for multiple sclerosis (2009) Mult Scler, 15, pp. 1146-1152Willer, C.J., Dyment, D.A., Sadovnick, A.D., Timing of birth and risk of multiple sclerosis: Population based study (2005) BMJ, 330, p. 120. , Canadian Collaborative Study GroupDeussing, E.C., Jankosky, C.J., Clark, L.L., Estimated incidence of multiple sclerosis among United States Armed Forces personnel using the Defense Medical Surveillance System (2012) Mil Med, 177, pp. 594-600Staples, J., Ponsonby, A.L., Lim, L., Low maternal exposure to ultraviolet radiation in pregnancy, month of birth, and risk of multiple sclerosis in offspring: Longitudinal analysis (2010) BMJ, 340, p. 1640Givon, U., Zeilig, G., Dolev, M., The month of birth and the incidence of multiple sclerosis in the Israeli population (2012) Neuroepidemiology, 38, pp. 64-68Fragoso, Y.D., Shearer, K.D., Adoni, T., Month of birth does not seem to interfere with the development of multiple sclerosis later in life in Brazilian patients (2012) Neuroepidemiology, 39, pp. 70-71Koch, M., de Keyser, J., Tremlett, H., Timing of birth and disease progression in multiple sclerosis (2008) Mult Scler, 14, pp. 793-798Tremlett, H.L., Devonshire, V.A., Does the season or month of birth influence disease progression in multiple sclerosis? (2006) Neuroepidemiology, 26, pp. 195-198Poser, C.M., Paty, D.W., Scheinberg, L., New diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis: Guidelines for research protocols (1983) Ann Neurol, 13, pp. 227-231McDonald, W.I., Compston, A., Edan, G., Recommended diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis: Guidelines from the International Panel on the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (2001) Ann Neurol, 50, pp. 121-127Polman, C.H., Reingold, S.C., Edan, G., Diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis: 2005 revisions to the "McDonald Criteria" (2005) Ann Neurol, 58, pp. 840-846Kurtzke, J.F., Rating neurologic impairment in multiple sclerosis: An expanded disability status scale (EDSS) (1983) Neurology (Cleveland), 33, pp. 1444-1452Damasceno, A., von Glehn, F., de Deus-Silva, L., Monthly variation of multiple sclerosis activity in the Southern hemisphere: Analysis from 996 relapses in Brazil (2012) Eur J Neurol, 19, pp. 660-662Altmann, D.M., Review series on helminths, immune modulation and the hygiene hypothesis: Nematode coevolution with adaptive immunity, regulatory networks and the growth of inflammatory diseases (2009) Immunology, 126, pp. 1-2Correale, J., Farez, M.F., The impact of environmental infections (parasites) on MS activity (2011) Mult Scler, 17, pp. 1162-1169Watson, P.E., McDonald, B.W., Seasonal variation of nutrient intake in pregnancy: Effects on infant measures and possible influence on diseases related to season of birth (2007) Eur J Clin Nutr, 61, pp. 1271-1280Melcon, M., Melcon, C., Bartoloni, L., Towards establishing MS prevalence in Latin America and the Caribbean (2013) Mult Scler, 19, pp. 145-152. , The "Grupo Colaborativo Multicéntrico para el Estudio de la Esclerosis Multiple en America Latina y el Caribe" (GEEMAL)Taylor, B.V., Pearson, J.F., Clarke, G., MS prevalence in New Zealand, an ethnically and latitudinally diverse country (2010) Mult Scler, 16, pp. 1422-1431Dobson, R., Giovannoni, G., Ramagopalan, S., The month of birth effect in multiple sclerosis: Systematic review, meta-analysis and effect of latitude (2013) J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 84, pp. 427-43