Reserve Accumulation Is Prioritized Over Growth Following Single or Combined Injuries in Three Common North American Urban Tree Species

Trees that grow in urban areas are confronted with a wide variety of stresses that undermine their long-term survival. These include mechanical damage to the crown, root reduction and stem injury, all of which remove significant parts of plant tissues. The single or combined effects of these stresses generate a complex array of growth and ecophysiological responses that are hard to predict. Here we evaluated the effects of different individual and combined damage on the dynamics of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC, low weight sugars plus starch) concentration and new tissue growth (diameter increment) in young trees. We hypothesized that (i) tissue damage will induce larger reductions in diameter growth than in NSC concentrations and (ii) combinations of stress treatments that minimally alter the “functional equilibrium” (e.g., similar reductions of leaf and root area) would have the least impact on NSC concentrations (although not on growth) helping to maintain tree health and integrity. To test these hypotheses, we set up a manipulative field experiment with 10-year-old trees of common urban species (Celtis occidentalis, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Tilia cordata). These trees were treated with a complete array of mechanical damage combinations at different levels of intensity (i.e., three levels of defoliation and root reduction, and two levels of stem damage). We found that tree growth declined in relation to the total amount of stress inflicted on the trees, i.e., when the combined highest level of stress was applied, but NSC concentrations were either not affected or, in some cases, increased with an increasing level of stress. We did not find a consistent response in concentration of reserves in relation to the combined stress treatments. Therefore, trees appear to reach a new “functional equilibrium” that allows them to adjust their levels of carbohydrate reserves, especially in stems and roots, to meet their metabolic demand under stressful situations. Our results provide a unique insight into the carbon economy of trees facing multiple urban stress conditions in order to better predict long-term tree performance and vitality.

Agroecosystemic Resilience Index (AgRI): a method to assess agrobiodiversity

Agricultural production systems, subjects of study in agroecology, are non-equilibrium open systems permanently influenced by the action of natural or anthropogenic disturbances or “ripple effects.” Faced with this situation, agroecosystems tend to maintain a state of functional equilibrium in time and space, through an emergent property known as resilience. This concept is related to the dissipative capacity of agroecosystems to interact with the disturbance in such a way as to allow it to preserve its functionality and basic structure, through attenuation of the effect that disturbs the system. The literature reports diverse methods with a variable number of indicators or criteria for the evaluation or analysis of resilience. Many of these present conceptual deficiencies considering that the components of the system have similar characteristics and linear responses, that is, they do not show changes due to the action or nature of the disturbance. In this sense, there is a need to propose a generic method to analyze and evaluate agroecosystemic resilience, through a complex and comprehensive approach that takes into consideration the interaction of physical, biotic, socioeconomic or symbolic components of the system. These interactions are differential (weighted), to facilitate decision-making by the community, farmers, or administrators, regarding adaptations, adjustments or modifications that allow the agroecosystem to maintain its productivity and permanence.

The Fundamentals for Craniofacial Morphogenesis -A review with emphasis on the decisive dynamics

A rekindled need to widerstand details of craniofacial morphogenesis stems from the clinicians requirement to distinguish normal Variation from the effect of abnormal or pathologic processes. The understanding of the developmental blueprint is core to diagnosis, timing, planning of treatment and predicting post treatment outcomes. The morphogenesis works constantly towards a State of composite, architectonic balance among all of the separate growing parts. The various parts, developmentally merge into a functional whole with each part complementing the others as they all grow and function together. The present overview takes into account the principal fundamentals of the morphogenesis and the decisive dynamics involved therein. There is a cephalo-caudal gradient in the craniofacial growth pattern. In accordance with functional matrix theory, the major determinant of growth of maxilla and mandible is enlargement of nasal and oral cavities, which grow in response to functional needs. The craniofacial complex can be divided into four areas that grow rather differently.These are cranial vault, cranial base, nasomaxillary complex and mandible. The craniofacial morphogenesis leads to an aggregate State of structural and functional equilibrium. A thorough understanding of the process and patterns is the 'vital key' for successful therapies in this region.

The Evolution and Learner-Centered Status of a Coach Education Program

The history of coach education in Western countries, much like higher education, has been shaped by societal influences and external drivers. The resulting trajectory includes a notable movement and shift in focus related to educational paradigms. Being learner-centered (LC) has become a central theme and mission by many coach education programs. The purpose of this case study was twofold: to explore the evolution of the historically rich coach education program of golf in Canada, and to assess the LC status of the most recently developed context of the program using Blumberg’s (2009) framework for developing and assessing learner-centered teaching (LCT). A series of program documents and interviews with seven coach development administrators involved in the program were analyzed. Findings revealed the turbulent epistemic evolution of the program and its pedagogical approaches, as well as the combination of internal and external drivers that triggered the shift from one extreme (instructor-centered teaching) to another (LCT) until finding a functional equilibrium. Moreover, the assessment of the program confirmed its claims of being LC. Discussions are presented on leading a LC change, facilitating learning, and using the framework to assess LC coach education.

The transposition of the balance sheet to financial and functional balance sheet. Research and development

As the title suggests, through this paper we want to highlight the necessity of treating again the content and the form of the balance sheet in order to adapt it to a more efficient analysis, this way surpassing the informational valences of the classic balance sheet.The functional and the financial balance sheet will be taken into account. These models of balance sheet permit the complex analyses regarding the solvability or the bankruptcy risk of an enterprise to take place, and also other analyses, like the analysis of the structure and the financial/ functional equilibrium, the analysis of the company on operating cycles and their role in the functioning of the company. Through the particularities offered by each of these two models of balance sheet, we want to present the advantages of a superior informing. This content of this material is based on a vast investigation of the specialized literature.

Early Correction of Malocclusion Using Planas Direct Tracks

The correction of functional posterior crossbite through Planas Direct Tracks has many characteristics that can become advantages. The aim of this study was to present a clinical case showing how to use this procedure for early correction with resources available through public health services. The patient, a 4-year-old girl, arrived to receive treatment due to a functional unilateral crossbite. When the mandible was moved to the centric position, it was observed that the teeth had occlusal trauma. An occlusal adjustment was performed. The adjustment was not sufficient to promote functional equilibrium; thus, Planas Direct Tracks were made, resulting in functional equilibrium and correction of the malocclusion. As shown in the case report, the Planas Direct Tracks were effective for the correction of the posterior crossbite. If malocclusion is considered a public health problem, implementation of low-cost and easy-to-execute techniques is needed.