ummary 1. The term 'dispersal limitation' represents two distinct component processes: the number of seeds produced (fecundity) and the spatial pattern of the seed rain (distribution). We present a quantitative evaluation of these component processes of dispersal limitation for a tropical forest tree community. 2. Using a regularly spaced grid of 289 seed traps (0.5 m 2 each), we monitored the seed rain into 1.44 ha of upper Amazonian floodplain forest for 6 years whilst concurrently monitoring sapling recruitment in a 0.81-ha subplot centred within the seed-trapping grid. This arrangement allowed us to compare the spatial pattern of seed rain with that of sapling recruitment. 3. We endeavoured to distinguish between undispersed and dispersed seeds by applying a series of criteria to seeds collected in the traps and by removing from certain analyses all seeds that fell under reproductive conspecifics. Gross fecundity of 30 common species that contribute to the advanced regeneration was uniformly low and the rain of dispersed seeds was lower still, being <1.0 m )2 year )1 in every case.
4.The rain of dispersed seeds with respect to conspecific reproductives closely matched the recruitment of saplings, whereas gross seed rain (all seeds, including undispersed seeds) did not. 5. Synthesis. 'Dispersal limitation' in this faunally intact Amazonian forest is primarily attributable to a scant rain of dispersed seeds, i.e. fecundity limitation, whereas the distribution of dispersed seeds, being random for most species, appears adequate. Evidence from this and earlier research at the same site indicates that the per-capita success of dispersed seeds is many times higher than that of undispersed seeds. Thus, seed dispersal kernels that do not distinguish between dispersed and undispersed seeds are likely to be biologically misleading.
In this article, we present the four-year actions carried out at a public school in Meco (Madrid, Spain). Through the research contract (LOU, Art. 83) “Cooperative teaching and learning to respond to the diversity of students”, during the years 2014 and 2018, various actions were carried out by the school in its process of methodological and organizational transformation towards a more inclusive model based on the cooperation of teachers and students. A journey was made from the actions aimed at traditional training through courses and seminars to the accompaniment actions in the classroom to implement the cooperative learning methodology. Results of the actions and analysis of the interviews carried out with teachers participating in the process during the four years of work as well as field observation notes are presented. The results show the transformation and improvement of teaching practices based on inclusion and the cooperative learning methodology. Among the central conclusions, there is evidence of internal improvement in organizational management and inclusive teaching practices from the involvement, support, and continuous training of teachers in educational quality towards students.
Vitamin D levels among anesthesiologists and other physiciansBackground: Sun exposure is the main source of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D. Since anesthesiologists work inside operating rooms, they are identified as a deficiency risk group. As medical activity in general occurs indoors, added to the work excess and sedentary lifestyle, physicians in general have low sun exposure. Aim: To investigate the determinants of vitamin D levels in physicians. Material and Methods: Anesthesiologists and physicians not working in operating rooms were included. A survey that comprised working hours, diet, skin color, sunscreen use and outdoor activities was also applied. Measurements of vitamin D and parathormone levels in blood were performed. Results: We analyzed samples from 81 volunteers. Median vitamin D values of the whole sample were in the range of insufficiency (25.3 [interquartile range 12.4] ng/ml). Multiple linear regression analysis detected no differences between anesthesiologists and non-anesthesiologists. A higher body mass index was a risk factor for vitamin D deficiency, (p = 0.025). The only protective factor was the intake of a vitamin D supplement (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Anesthesiologists and other specialists were both at risk for vitamin D deficiency. Obesity was a risk factor and the use of a vitamin D supplement was the only protective factor.
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