Native Riparian Plant Species Dominate the Soil Seedbank of In-channel Geomorphic Features of a Regulated River.

Flow regulation impacts on riparian vegetation composition, often increasing the prevalence of exotic and terrestrial plant species. Environmental flows may benefit native riparian vegetation via the promotion of plant recruitment from riparian soil seedbanks, but this is dependent on an intact native seedbank. Thus, we assessed the composition of the soil seedbank of different riverine geomorphic features to determine its potential response to environmental flows. Soil seedbank samples were taken from channel bars, benches and floodplains at six sites along the Campaspe River, Australia, a heavily regulated river that receives environmental flows. These geomorphic features represent a gradient in elevation and thus flooding frequency from frequently flooded (bars) to infrequently flooded (floodplain). Seedbank samples were 'grown out' in a glasshouse, and seedlings identified and classified according to taxa, flood tolerance and origin (native or exotic). We identified 6515 seedlings across all geomorphic features and sites, with monocots most abundant. Soil seedbank composition varied between geomorphic features. Overall, seedling abundances were greater for in-channel features (bars and benches) than floodplains, but taxa richness did not vary likewise. Soil seedbanks of in-channel features were dominated by flood tolerant and native taxa, while flood intolerant and exotic taxa were generally associated with floodplains. The dominance of native flood tolerant taxa in the soil seedbanks of in-channel geomorphic features suggest these seedbanks can play an important role in the resilience of native riparian plant communities. Moreover, environmental flows are likely to play a positive role in maintaining native riparian plant communities given such conditions.

Motor performance of HIV-positive children / Desempenho motor de crianças HIV positivas

Abstract Introduction: Evidence indicates that HIV-positive children have a lower motor performance compared to uninfected children. The analysis of the factors that determine these changes is very important for the implementation of rehabilitation strategies. Objective: To analyze the motor development of seropositive children and compare it to the performance of healthy children with normal neuropsycomotor development. Materials and Methods: Eight children were evaluated, aged between four and six years, divided into two groups: Group I (n = 4) composed of HIV-positive children without any secondary disease and Group II (n = 4) composed of healthy children, matched to Group I by sex and age. The Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS-2) for gross motor function and fine motor function were used to evaluate motor performance. Results: In both groups, most of the children presented an average or above average motor performance, according to normal data of PDMS-2. The analysis indicated no inter-group differences in the gross scores (p > 0,05, Mann-Whitney test) or motor quotients (p> 0.05, Mann-Whitney test). However, intra-group analysis indicated a marginally significant difference between motor quotients (p = 0,07, Wilcoxon test), with higher fine motor quotient in both groups. Conclusion: The data suggest no significant difference between the motor performance of HIV-positive children and healthy children. These results contribute to the analysis of motor development of HIV-positive children, raising questions about factors that may influence the motor development of these children.

Resumo Introdução: Evidências indicam que crianças soropositivas apresentam um desempenho motor inferior ao de crianças não infectadas. A análise dos fatores que determinam essas alterações é de extrema importância para a implementação de estratégias de reabilitação. Objetivo: Analisar o desempenho motor de crianças soropositivas e compará-lo ao desempenho de crianças saudáveis, com desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor normal. Materiais e Métodos: Foram avaliadas 08 crianças, com idade entre 4 e 6 anos, divididas em dois grupos: Grupo I (n = 04) composto por indivíduos HIV positivo sem presença de qualquer tipo de doença secundária e o Grupo II ( n = 04) composto por crianças saudáveis, pareadas ao Grupo I quanto ao sexo e idade. As escalas de função motora grossa e função motora fina da Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS-2) foram utilizadas para avaliação do desempenho motor. Resultados: Em ambos os grupos, a maioria das crianças, apresentou desempenho motor na média ou acima da média, segundo os dados normativos da PDMS-2. A análise inter-grupos não indicou diferenças quanto aos escores brutos (p > 0,05; teste de Mann-Whitney) ou quocientes motores(p > 0,05; teste de Mann-Whitney). Entretanto, a análise intra-grupos indicou uma diferença marginalmente significativa entre os quocientes motores (p = 0,07; teste Wilcoxon), com valores mais elevados do quociente motor fino em ambos os grupos. Conclusão: Os dados sugerem que pode não haver diferença significativa entre o desempenho motor de crianças HIV positivo e crianças saudáveis. Estes resultados contribuem para a análise do desenvolvimento motor de crianças soropositivas, levantando questões sobre fatores que podem influenciar o desenvolvimento motor destas crianças.