Plant traits database for climate change adaptation and mitigation in Northwest Portugal.

The database presented in this data article is related to the article "Adaptive planting design and management framework for urban climate change adaptation and mitigation" [1]. It includes a list of 287 plant species presently occurring in Porto, Portugal, more precisely in urban green spaces with high urban ecological novelty levels. The plant species in this list were classified and organized according to several traits with a particular focus on plant species' adaptation, mitigation, and ornamental characteristics. Data collection resorted to articles, books, and various open access and online datasets. Data were organized in an Excel file that organizes information on more than 50 plant species traits/variables.

Urban ecological novelty assessment: Implications for urban green infrastructure planning and management.

Urban areas are continuously subjected to anthropogenic transformations that result in the emergence of novel urban ecosystems. To prepare for and respond to contemporary negative environmental impacts (e.g., climate change, land-use change, biological invasions), it is increasingly urgent to plan and adapt cities' green infrastructure. Accordingly, the inclusion of the novel ecosystems concept in urban planning and management is pertinent and necessary. Nevertheless, identification or measurement of ecological novelty has been challenging and can be problematic without the appropriate methods. The objectives of this study are to 1) develop and test a methodology to assess novelty in urban ecosystems grounded on the combination of both human and biotic dimensions of the novel ecosystems concept, and 2) discuss the implications that urban ecological novelty assessment can have for future urban green infrastructure planning and management. In contrast to other proposed methods, this assessment considers the human dimension of the concept as equally important as the biotic dimension, once the human presence is pervasive and a fundamental component of urban landscapes. The proposed working methodology was tested in Porto, Portugal, in study sites with contrasting human-induced transformation pathways and plant species assemblages, thus theoretically representing different degrees of urban ecological novelty. The methodology developed in this work is straightforward and can be adjusted and replicated to other cities according to available data and tools. Above all, the assessment of urban ecological novelty can inform future urban planning and management and assist in investigating novel urban ecosystems.

Using the OIG model compliance programs to fight fraud.

Many healthcare organizations already have implemented compliance programs for their facilities. However, in light of recent fines and continued scrutiny of such programs by the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG), healthcare organizations should consider reviewing their current programs against the OIG's relevant model compliance program. Although healthcare organizations are not required to adhere strictly to OIG's model programs, they would benefit from ensuring that their programs meet all the OIG's requirements. The common, minimum elements suggested by the OIG model programs include development and distribution of written compliance policies, the designation of a chief compliance officer to manage the program, the development of a corrective action and enforcement system, and the use of audits to monitor compliance. Using these models as guides, healthcare organizations should be better able to avoid the possibility of fraud and abuse within their organizations.