A global meta-analysis of the relative extent of intraspecific trait variation in plant communities.

Recent studies have shown that accounting for intraspecific trait variation (ITV) may better address major questions in community ecology. However, a general picture of the relative extent of ITV compared to interspecific trait variation in plant communities is still missing. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis of the relative extent of ITV within and among plant communities worldwide, using a data set encompassing 629 communities (plots) and 36 functional traits. Overall, ITV accounted for 25% of the total trait variation within communities and 32% of the total trait variation among communities on average. The relative extent of ITV tended to be greater for whole-plant (e.g. plant height) vs. organ-level traits and for leaf chemical (e.g. leaf N and P concentration) vs. leaf morphological (e.g. leaf area and thickness) traits. The relative amount of ITV decreased with increasing species richness and spatial extent, but did not vary with plant growth form or climate. These results highlight global patterns in the relative importance of ITV in plant communities, providing practical guidelines for when researchers should include ITV in trait-based community and ecosystem studies.

Paruresis / Paruresis

Paciente masculino de 36 años de edad, profesional universitario, casado en primeras nupcias, con dos hijos. Refiere dificultad para orinar en presencia de otras personas, “desde siempre”, pero actualmente le crea problemas, pues por el trabajo que ha desempeñado en los últimos 3 años tiene que viajar con relativa frecuencia. Plantea que es una persona sana, sin padecimientos psíquicos; maneja el estrés de forma satisfactoria y su situación económica la considera favorable. Previamente se estudió por urología. Se brinda información sobre la afección y se establece una estrategia de exposición in vivo, con la cooperación de la esposa y empleo de urinarios públicos para la práctica y exploración de avances. Luego de 6 meses de seguimiento y con discretos progresos, deja de asistir a consulta; regresa aproximadamente un año después, plantea que se siente mejor y la mayor parte de las veces logra efectuar la micción. Se espera a partir de la presentación de este caso, motivar a otros autores a estudiar y publicar sus hallazgos sobre esta afección en Cuba. Es la primera vez que en los años de práctica del autor como psiquiatra, un paciente le solicita ayuda por esta causa.

A 36 year-old male patient (college graduate, married his first wife, has two children) referred to always have difficulty at urinating in the presence of others, but currently this is a problem because he has to business travel quite often during in the last three years. He argues that he is healthy with no mental illnesses; he manages stress successfully and he considers having favorable economic situation. Previously he was studied at the urology service. Information about this condition is offered, and a strategy of in vivo exposure is established with the cooperation of his wife and using public urinals to practice and exploration progress. After 6 months follow-up and modest progress, he failed to attend consultation. He returned about a year later, he suggested that felt better and most of the time he achieved urination. It is expected, from the presentation of this case, to motivate others to study and publish their findings on this condition in Cuba. It is the first time a patient asks for support for this cause to this author in his years of practice as a psychiatrist.

Paruresis / Paruresis

Paciente masculino de 36 años de edad, profesional universitario, casado en primeras nupcias, con dos hijos. Refiere dificultad para orinar en presencia de otras personas, “desde siempre”, pero actualmente le crea problemas, pues por el trabajo que ha desempeñado en los últimos 3 años tiene que viajar con relativa frecuencia. Plantea que es una persona sana, sin padecimientos psíquicos; maneja el estrés de forma satisfactoria y su situación económica la considera favorable. Previamente se estudió por urología. Se brinda información sobre la afección y se establece una estrategia de exposición in vivo, con la cooperación de la esposa y empleo de urinarios públicos para la práctica y exploración de avances. Luego de 6 meses de seguimiento y con discretos progresos, deja de asistir a consulta; regresa aproximadamente un año después, plantea que se siente mejor y la mayor parte de las veces logra efectuar la micción. Se espera a partir de la presentación de este caso, motivar a otros autores a estudiar y publicar sus hallazgos sobre esta afección en Cuba. Es la primera vez que en los años de práctica del autor como psiquiatra, un paciente le solicita ayuda por esta causa(AU)

A 36 year-old male patient (college graduate, married his first wife, has two children) referred to always have difficulty at urinating in the presence of others, but currently this is a problem because he has to business travel quite often during in the last three years. He argues that he is healthy with no mental illnesses; he manages stress successfully and he considers having favorable economic situation. Previously he was studied at the urology service. Information about this condition is offered, and a strategy of in vivo exposure is established with the cooperation of his wife and using public urinals to practice and exploration progress. After 6 months follow-up and modest progress, he failed to attend consultation. He returned about a year later, he suggested that felt better and most of the time he achieved urination. It is expected, from the presentation of this case, to motivate others to study and publish their findings on this condition in Cuba. It is the first time a patient asks for support for this cause to this author in his years of practice as a psychiatrist(AU)

Predicting extinction risk of Brazilian Atlantic forest angiosperms.

Understanding how plant life history affects species vulnerability to anthropogenic disturbances and environmental change is a major ecological challenge. We examined how vegetation type, growth form, and geographic range size relate to extinction risk throughout the Brazilian Atlantic Forest domain. We used a database containing species-level information of 6,929 angiosperms within 112 families and a molecular-based working phylogeny. We used decision trees, standard regression, and phylogenetic regression to explore the relationships between species attributes and extinction risk. We found a significant phylogenetic signal in extinction risk. Vegetation type, growth form, and geographic range size were related to species extinction risk, but the effect of growth form was not evident after phylogeny was controlled for. Species restricted to either rocky outcrops or scrub vegetation on sandy coastal plains exhibited the highest extinction risk among vegetation types, a finding that supports the hypothesis that species adapted to resource-limited environments are more vulnerable to extinction. Among growth forms, epiphytes were associated with the highest extinction risk in non-phylogenetic regression models, followed by trees, whereas shrubs and climbers were associated with lower extinction risk. However, the higher extinction risk of epiphytes was not significant after correcting for phylogenetic relatedness. Our findings provide new indicators of extinction risk and insights into the mechanisms governing plant vulnerability to extinction in a highly diverse flora where human disturbances are both frequent and widespread.

Habitat split as a cause of local population declines of amphibians with aquatic larvae.

Most amphibian species have biphasic life histories and undergo an ontogenetic shift from aquatic to terrestrial habitats. In deforested landscapes, streams and forest fragments are frequently disjunct, jeopardizing the life cycle of forest-associated amphibians with aquatic larvae. We tested the impact of habitat split--defined as human-induced disconnection between habitats used by different life-history stages of a species--on four forest-associated amphibian species in a severely fragmented landscape of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We surveyed amphibians in forest fragments with and without streams (referred to as wet and dry fragments, respectively), including the adjacent grass-field matrix. Our comparison of capture rates in dry fragments and nearby streams in the matrix allowed us to evaluate the number of individuals that engaged in high-risk migrations through nonforested habitats. Adult amphibians moved from dry fragments to matrix streams at the beginning of the rainy season, reproduced, and returned at the end of the breeding period. Juveniles of the year moved to dry fragments along with adults. These risky reproductive migrations through nonforested habitats that expose individuals to dehydration, predation, and other hazards may cause population declines in dry fragments. Indeed, capture rates were significantly lower in dry fragments compared with wet fragments. Declining amphibians would strongly benefit from investments in the conservation and restoration of riparian vegetation and corridors linking breeding and nonbreeding areas.

Assemblages of endophagous insects on Asteraceae in São Paulo cerrados.

A survey of the endophagous insects fauna associated to Asteraceae capitula was carried out from 2000 to 2002 in eight cerrado sensu stricto sites located in the Brazilian state of Sdo Paulo. Sixty-four endophagous species of Diptera and Lepidoptera were recorded from 49 asteracean host plants. Approximately half of the species were obtained from a single locality, with a large proportion emerging from a single sample (unicates). Thirty percent of the species were singletons (i.e. only one individual was recorded). The large proportion of rare species suggests a high species turnover among localities. Lepidopteran species were recorded on more host species than dipterans, confirming their more polyphagous food habit, also observed in other Brazilian biomes and in Europe. We conclude that the studied cerrado localities, all within São Paulo State, are isolated with its invertebrate fauna composed of many rare and exclusive species. We suggest that the maintenance of Asteraceae biodiversity and their endophagous insects depend on the conservation of all cerrado remnants in the state.

Assemblages of endophagous insects on Asteraceae in São Paulo Cerrados

A survey of the endophagous insects fauna associated to Asteraceae capitula was carried out from 2000 to 2002 in eight cerrado sensu stricto sites located in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. Sixty-four endophagous species of Diptera and Lepidoptera were recorded from 49 asteracean host plants. Approximately half of the species were obtained from a single locality, with a large proportion emerging from a single sample (unicates). Thirty percent of the species were singletons (i.e. only one individual was recorded). The large proportion of rare species suggests a high species turnover among localities. Lepidopteran species were recorded on more host species than dipterans, confirming their more polyphagous food habit, also observed in other Brazilian biomes and in Europe. We conclude that the studied cerrado localities, all within São Paulo State, are isolated with its invertebrate fauna composed of many rare and exclusive species. We suggest that the maintenance of Asteraceae biodiversity and their endophagous insects depend on the conservation of all cerrado remnants in the state.

No presente estudo foi realizado um levantamento da fauna de insetos endófagos de capítulos de Asteraceae (Compostas), de 2000 a 2002, em oito localidades de cerrados sensu stricto no estado de São Paulo. Foram obtidas 64 espécies de endófagos (dípteros e lepidópteros) de 49 espécies de hospedeiras. Aproximadamente metade das espécies foi obtida de apenas uma área, e destas uma grande proporção ocorreu em apenas uma amostra (unicatas). Trinta por cento das espécies foram consideradas "singletons" (apenas um indivíduo foi obtido). A grande quantidade de espécies raras sugere uma forte troca de espécies entre diferentes áreas. Lepidópteros foram registrados em mais espécies hospedeiras que dípteros, confirmando o já observado para o mesmo sistema de insetos e plantas em outros ambientes no Brasil e Europa. As áreas de cerrado sensu stricto estudadas no estado de São Paulo encontram-se isoladas, com uma grande parte da fauna de invertebrados composta por muitas espécies raras e exclusivas. Diante deste quadro, sugere-se que a manutenção da biodiversidade de Asteraceae e seus endófagos em seus níveis atuais depende da conservação de todo o conjunto de remanescentes de cerrado do estado.

Construcción y validación del cuestionario vulnerabilidad estrés / Making and validation of the stress vulnerability questionnaire

Se realizó la construcción y validación de un test psicométrico para la determinación de vulnerabilidad al estrés. El test, denominado cuestionario vulnerabilidad estrés, fue realizado básicamente a partir de la batería psicométrico del método de enfoque sistémico de evaluación del estrés. Se confeccionó un cuestionario inicial de 63 ítems y 3 subescalas con el que se realizó un estudio piloto; al depurarlo, la forma definitiva fue redactada con 39 ítems y sometida a un estudio para determinar fiabilidad y validez. Se determinó una estructura trifactorial coincidente con el diseño previo. La consistencia interna fue de 0,92 según el alfa de Cronbach y de 0,90 con el coeficiente de Spearman-Brown. Se encontró una correlación test-retest de 0,97 y se correlacionó además, de forma significativa con criterios externos de vulnerabilidad-escala de neuroticismo del test de Eysenck, ansiedad como rasgo de Spielberger y el criterio clínico. Se concluyó que el cuestionario vulnerabilidad estrés constituye un instrumento válido y fiable para medir vulnerabilidad al estrés sobre la base del método de enfoque sistémico.

A psychometric test was constructed and validated to determine stress. The test denominated stress vulnerability questionnaire was basically based on the psychometric battery of the systemic approach method for evaluating stress. An initial questionnaire composed of 63 items and 3 subscales was made to conduct a pilot study. On depurating the questionnaire, the final form contained 39 items and it was subjected to a study to find out reliability and validity. A trifactorial structure coinciding with the previous design was determined. The internal consistency was 0.92 according to Cronbach's alpha and 0.90 according to Spearman-Brown's coefficient.. A test-retest correlation of 0.97 was attained and it was also significantly correlated to the external criteria of vulnerability-neuroticism scale of Eysenck's test, Spielberg's anxiety trait and the clinical criterion. It was concluded that the stress vulnerability questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument to measure vulnerability to stress based on the systemic approach method.

Programa de psicoterapia educativa sexual en el tratamiento de las disfunciones sexuales / Program of educative sexual psychotherapy as part of the treatment of sexual dysfunctions

Dada la importancia de los factores educativos en la aparición y mantenimiento de las disfunciones sexuales, fue elaborado un Programa de Psicoterapia Educativa Sexual (PES). El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la efectividad de la PES, comparado con el sistema tradicional de terapia sexual (TS). Los pacientes fueron divididos en 2 grupos, de acuerdo con la modalidad terapéutica recibida. Se realizó una evaluación antes y después del tratamiento, mediante el test de autovaloración de la esfera sexual. Fueron clasificados, de acuerdo con la mejoría obtenida, en mejorados, resueltos y no resueltos. Resultó que el 38 por ciento de los pacientes que realizaron PES, resolvieron con el tratamiento y mejoró el 54 por ciento. En el grupo de TS, el 56 por ciento quedó incluido en la categoría no resueltos. Con el test de autovaloración de la vida sexual, al concluir el tratamiento, para todos los aspectos evaluados, existieron puntuaciones superiores en la PES. Se concluyó, que el programa propuesto fue más efectivo que el tratamiento que se utiliza tradicionalmente en la psicoterapia sexual

Programa de psicoterapia educativa sexual en el tratamiento de las disfunciones sexuales / Program of educative sexual psychotherapy as part of the treatment of sexual dysfunctions

Dada la importancia de los factores educativos en la aparición y mantenimiento de las disfunciones sexuales, fue elaborado un Programa de Psicoterapia Educativa Sexual (PES). El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la efectividad de la PES, comparado con el sistema tradicional de terapia sexual (TS). Los pacientes fueron divididos en 2 grupos, de acuerdo con la modalidad terapéutica recibida. Se realizó una evaluación antes y después del tratamiento, mediante el test de autovaloración de la esfera sexual. Fueron clasificados, de acuerdo con la mejoría obtenida, en mejorados, resueltos y no resueltos. Resultó que el 38 por ciento de los pacientes que realizaron PES, resolvieron con el tratamiento y mejoró el 54 por ciento. En el grupo de TS, el 56 por ciento quedó incluido en la categoría no resueltos. Con el test de autovaloración de la vida sexual, al concluir el tratamiento, para todos los aspectos evaluados, existieron puntuaciones superiores en la PES. Se concluyó, que el programa propuesto fue más efectivo que el tratamiento que se utiliza tradicionalmente en la psicoterapia sexual(AU)

Correlaciones y estructura factorial en las pruebas psicológicas del método de enfoque sistémico del estrés / Correlations and factor structure in the psychological tests of the method for the systemic approach of stress

Para determinar la correlación entre las pruebas psicométricas que utiliza el método de enfoque sistémico de evaluación del estrés, así como la estructura factorial entre estas, se realizó el análisis de los registros psicométricos de 114 sujetos sometidos a estrés, que incluyeron: test de actividad nerviosa superior de Strelau, inventario de personalidad de Eysenck, patrón de conducta tipo A, ansiedad rasgo-estado de Spielberger y vulnerabilidad al estrés de Miller y Smith. Se utilizó el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson y el análisis de componentes principales con el método de rotación Varimax con Kaiser. Se encontró la existencia de correlaciones significativas entre la mayor parte de las pruebas analizadas, lo que se atribuyó a la medición de similares procesos psicológicos con diferentes instrumentos. Además, se precisó la existencia de una estructura bifactorial, con un primer factor relacionado con la inhibición, neuroticismo y ansiedad rasgo-estado, y un segundo factor relacionado con la excitación y la movilidad. Existió concordancia de los resultados con los criterios de evaluación del método de enfoque sistémico de evaluación del estrés