The PREDICTS database: a global database of how local terrestrial biodiversity responds to human impacts

Biodiversity continues to decline in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressures such as habitat destruction, exploitation, pollution and introduction of alien species. Existing global databases of species’ threat status or population time series are dominated by charismatic species. The collation of datasets with broad taxonomic and biogeographic extents, and that support computation of a range of biodiversity indicators, is necessary to enable better understanding of historical declines and to project – and avert – future declines. We describe and assess a new database of more than 1.6 million samples from 78 countries representing over 28,000 species, collated from existing spatial comparisons of local-scale biodiversity exposed to different intensities and types of anthropogenic pressures, from terrestrial sites around the world. The database contains measurements taken in 208 (of 814) ecoregions, 13 (of 14) biomes, 25 (of 35) biodiversity hotspots and 16 (of 17) megadiverse countries. The database contains more than 1% of the total number of all species described, and more than 1% of the described species within many taxonomic groups – including flowering plants, gymnosperms, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, beetles, lepidopterans and hymenopterans. The dataset, which is still being added to, is therefore already considerably larger and more representative than those used by previous quantitative models of biodiversity trends and responses. The database is being assembled as part of the PREDICTS project (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems – www.predicts.org.uk). We make site-level summary data available alongside this article. The full database will be publicly available in 2015.

Uncovering Dependence Clusters and Linchpin Functions

Dependence clusters are (maximal) collections of mutually dependent source code entities according to some dependence relation. Their presence in software complicates many maintenance activities including testing, refactoring, and feature extraction. Despite several studies finding them common in production code, their formation, identification, and overall structure are not well understood, partly because of challenges in approximating true dependences between program entities. Previous research has considered two approximate dependence relations: a fine-grained statement-level relation using control and data dependences from a program’s System Dependence Graph and a coarser relation based on function-level controlflow reachability. In principal, the first is more expensive and more precise than the second. Using a collection of twenty programs, we present an empirical investigation of the clusters identified by these two approaches. In support of the analysis, we consider hybrid cluster types that works at the coarser function-level but is based on the higher-precision statement-level dependences. The three types of clusters are compared based on their slice sets using two clustering metrics. We also perform extensive analysis of the programs to identify linchpin functions – functions primarily responsible for holding a cluster together. Results include evidence that the less expensive, coarser approaches can often be used as e�ective proxies for the more expensive, finer-grained approaches. Finally, the linchpin analysis shows that linchpin functions can be e�ectively and automatically identified.

Delirium: guidelines for general hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: Delirium is highly prevalent in general hospitals but remains underrecognized and undertreated despite its association with increased morbidity, mortality, and health services utilization. To enhance its management, we developed guidelines covering all aspects, from risk factor identification to preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic interventions in adult patients. METHODS: Guidelines, systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials (RCT), and cohort studies were systematically searched and evaluated. Based on a synthesis of retrieved high-quality documents, recommendation items were submitted to a multidisciplinary expert panel. Experts scored the appropriateness of recommendation items, using an evidence-based, explicit, multidisciplinary panel approach. Each recommendation was graded according to this process' results. RESULTS: Rated recommendations were mostly supported by a low level of evidence (1.3% RCT and systematic reviews, 14.3% nonrandomized trials vs. 84.4% observational studies or expert opinions). Nevertheless, 71.1% of recommendations were considered appropriate by the experts. Prevention of delirium and its nonpharmacological management should be fostered. Haloperidol remains the first-choice drug, whereas the role of atypical antipsychotics is still uncertain. CONCLUSIONS: While many topics addressed in these guidelines have not yet been adequately studied, an explicit panel and evidence-based approach allowed the proposal of comprehensive recommendations for the prevention and management of delirium in general hospitals.

Der Brummer, 1918

A german magazine/newspaper called "Der Brummer". The edition is numbered 217 and is from the year 1918.

L’élaboration d’un langage musical basé sur la musique traditionnelle québécoise et influencé par les musiques savantes

La version intégrale de ce mémoire est disponible uniquement pour consultation individuelle à la Bibliothèque de musique de l’Université de Montréal (http://www.bib.umontreal.ca/MU).

Un paseo por Madrid con Pérez Galdós : El 19 de Marzo y el 2 de Mayo, El amigo Manso, Miau.

Los objetivos de este recurso didáctico son conocer algunos momentos históricos relevantes de la segunda mitad del siglo XIX y principios del XX; conocer la obra literaria de Pérez Galdós; acercar a la sociedad madrileña de la época; estimular la lectura de algunas obras de Pérez Galdós; analizar los elementos urbanos y los estilos arquitectónicos de la zona; fomentar el trabajo interdisciplinar con otras áreas; valorar el patrimonio cultural, artístico e histórico madrileño como medio de disfrute y como recurso para el desarrollo individual y colectivo; aprender fuera del aula de manera lúdica e interactiva y valorar los efectos positivos que tiene el hábito del paseo didáctico. La obra se divide en varias partes. Comienza con un cuadro cronológico de la época objeto de estudio y después se relatan los lugares donde reside Galdós durante su estancia en Madrid. Posteriormente se explican tres obras galdosianas y los conceptos, procedimientos y actitudes para realizar el recorrido por la ciudad de Madrid, escenario de gran parte de su obra. A continuación, se proponen actividades para realizar antes, durante y después del recorrido. Finalmente, se aportan documentos y textos.

Plan de acción tutorial en la ESO : elaboración, desarrollo y materiales.

Contiene: I. Planteamientos y claves para su diseño - II. Materiales de apoyo, ejemplificación, seguimiento individual - III. Materiales de apoyo, seguimiento grupal, desarrollo de las Juntas de evaluación

Programa de diversificación curricular. Ámbito científico-tecnológico : segundo ciclo de ESO.

Material constituido por ocho unidades didácticas del ámbito científico-tecnológico de este programa de diversificación curricular. Cubre todo el currículo del segundo ciclo de la ESO, abordando los contenidos básicos del mismo. Cada unidad comienza con la exposición de los objetivos, un extracto de los contenidos, procedimientos y actitudes, para continuar con una prueba inicial, que sirve al profesor para conocer el nivel de entrada, actividades y ejercicios. Incluye las siguientes unidades: Los números y las medidas; Diversidad y estructura de la materia y cambios químicos; La proporcionalidad. Geometría del plano y del espacio; Aire y agua. Atmósfera e hidrosfera; La Tierra. Materiales terrestres; La energía; Salud humana. Estadísticas; Las fuerzas: conceptos básicos. Ecuaciones. Cinemática.