Disentangling the veil line for Brazilian biodiversity: An overview from two long-term research programs reveals huge gaps in ecological data reporting.

The lack of synthesized information regarding biodiversity is a major problem among researchers, leading to a pervasive cycle where ecologists make field campaigns to collect information that already exists and yet has not been made available for a broader audience. This problem leads to long-lasting effects in public policies such as spending money multiple times to conduct similar studies in the same area. We aim to identify this knowledge gap by synthesizing information available regarding two Brazilian long-term biodiversity programs and the metadata generated by them.

In vivo effects of AZD4547, a novel fibroblast growth factor receptor inhibitor, in a mouse model of endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a chronic disease, characterized by the growth of endometrial-like cells outside the uterine cavity. Due to its complex pathophysiology, a totally resolving cure is yet to be found. The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic efficacy of AZD4547, a novel fibroblast growth factor receptor inhibitor (FGFRI), with a well-characterized progestin, etonogestrel (ENG) using a validated in vivo mouse model of endometriosis.

The beauty we love: MBSR teacher education going forward.

The paper begins with a brief overview of the current field of mindfulness and MBSR. Following this, the paper identifies and details nine domains of MBSR teacher education to consider going forward.

Building an ark: creating a vessel for the education of MBSR teachers.

This paper is a response to an invitation by the editors of this special issue to write a first person account about mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) teacher education as it developed within the Stress Reduction Clinic (SRC) and Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society (CFM) at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. As the founder of Oasis Institute, I have attempted to describe, in very personal terms, the ground out of which Oasis emerged and the ways this ground shaped the intention, educational trajectory, pedagogy, and infrastructure of Oasis Institute.

Most species are not limited by an Amazonian river postulated to be a border between endemism areas.

At broad scales in the Amazon, it is often hypothesized that species distributions are limited by geographical barriers, such as large rivers (river-barrier hypothesis). This hypothesis has been used to explain the spatial-distribution limits of species and to indicate endemism areas for several phylogenetic lineages. We tested the ability of the river-barrier hypothesis to explain patterns of species diversity and spatial-distribution limits for 1952 easily-detected species in 14 taxonomic groups that occur around the Madeira River, and our results indicate that the hypothesis that the Madeira River is the border between endemism areas and explains much of the diversity found in the region is inappropriate for >99% of species.

What defines mindfulness-based programs? The warp and the weft.

There has been an explosion of interest in mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. This is demonstrated in increased research, implementation of MBPs in healthcare, educational, criminal justice and workplace settings, and in mainstream interest. For the sustainable development of the field there is a need to articulate a definition of what an MBP is and what it is not.

Phylogenetic community structure: temporal variation in fish assemblage.

Hypotheses about phylogenetic relationships among species allow inferences about the mechanisms that affect species coexistence. Nevertheless, most studies assume that phylogenetic patterns identified are stable over time. We used data on monthly samples of fish from a single lake over 10 years to show that the structure in phylogenetic assemblages varies over time and conclusions depend heavily on the time scale investigated.

Alterations in brain and immune function produced by mindfulness meditation.

Objective: The underlying changes in biological processes that are associated with reported changes in mental and physical health in response to meditation have not been systematically explored. We performed a randomized, controlled study on the effects on brain and immune function of a well-known and widely used 8-week clinical training program in mindfulness meditation applied in a work environment with healthy employees.

Methods: We measured brain electrical activity before and immediately after, and then 4 months after an 8-week training program in mindfulness meditation.

Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Objective: This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of a group stress reduction program based on mindfulness meditation for patients with anxiety disorders.

Method: The 22 study participants were screened with a structured clinical interview and found to meet the DSM-III-R criteria for generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. Assessments, including self-ratings and therapists' ratings, were obtained weekly before and during the meditation-based stress reduction and relaxation program and monthly during the 3-month follow-up period.