bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Missing in Action: Care by Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners in National Health Surveys
Authors: Morgan Perri A. , Strand Justine , Østbye Truls , Albanese Mark A. 
Published: February 2007

Objective. To assess applicability of national health survey data for generalizable research on outpatient care by physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs).Data Sources. Methodology descriptions and 2003 data files from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, and the Community Tracking Study.Study Design. Surveys were assessed for utility for research on PA and NP patient care, with respect to survey coverage, structure, content, generalizability to the U.S. population, and validity. National estimates of patient encounters, statistically adjusted for survey design and nonresponse, were compared across surveys.Data Collection/Extraction Methods. Surveys were identified through literature review, selected according to inclusion criteria, and analyzed based on methodology descriptions. Quantitative analyses used publicly available data downloaded from survey websites.Principal Findings. Surveys varied with respect to applicability to PA and NP care. Features limiting applicability included (1) sampling schemes that inconsistently capture nonphysician practice, (2) inaccurate identification of provider type, and (3) data structure that does not support analysis of team practice.Conclusions. Researchers using national health care surveys to analyze PA and NP patient interactions should account for design features that may differentially affect nonphysician data. Workforce research that includes NPs and PAs is needed for national planning efforts, and this research will require improved survey methodologies.
Public Savings from the Prevention of Unintended Pregnancy: A Cost Analysis of Family Planning Services in California
Authors: Amaral Gorette , Foster Diana Greene , Biggs M. Antonia , Jasik Carolyn Bradner , Judd Signy , Brindis Claire D. 
Published: February 2007

Objective. To assess the short‐term economic savings associated with the prevention of unintended pregnancies through California's Medicaid family planning demonstration project.Data Sources. Secondary data from health and social service programs available to pregnant or parenting women at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level in California in 2002 and data on the quantity and type of contraceptives dispensed to clients of California's 1115 Federal Medicaid demonstration project.Study Design. The cost of providing publicly funded family planning services was compared with an estimate of public savings resulting from the prevention of unintended pregnancies.Data Collection. To estimate costs and participation rates in each health and social service program, we examined published program reports, government budgetary data, analyses conducted by federal and state level program managers, and calculations from national datasets.Findings. The unintended pregnancies averted by California's family planning demonstration project in 2002 would have incurred $1.1 billion in public expenditures within 2 years and $2.2 billion within 5 years, significantly more than the $403.8 million spent on the project. Each dollar spent generated savings of $2.76 within 2 years and $5.33 within 5 years.Conclusions. The California 1115 Medicaid family planning demonstration project resulted in significant public cost savings. The cost of the project was substantially less than the public sector health and social service costs which would have occurred in its absence.
Are the Current Population Survey Uninsurance Estimates Too High? An Examination of the Imputation Process
Authors: Davern Michael , Rodin Holly , Blewett Lynn A. , Call Kathleen Thiede 
Published: February 2007

Research Objective. To determine whether the imputation procedure used to replace missing data by the U.S. Census Bureau produces bias in the estimates of health insurance coverage in the Current Population Survey's (CPS) Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC).Data Source. 2004 CPS‐ASEC.Study Design. Eleven percent of the respondents to the monthly CPS do not take the ASEC supplement and the entire supplement for these respondents is imputed by the Census Bureau. We compare the health insurance coverage of these “full‐supplement imputations” with those respondents answering the ASEC supplement. We then compare demographic characteristics of the two groups and model the likelihood of having insurance coverage given the data are imputed controlling for demographic characteristics. Finally, in order to gauge the impact of imputation on the uninsurance rate we remove the full‐supplement imputations and reweight the data, and we also use the multivariate regression model to simulate what the uninsurance rate would be under the counter‐factual simulation that no cases had the full‐supplement imputation.Population Studied. The noninstitutionalized U.S. population under 65 years of age in 2004.Data Extraction Methods. The CPS‐ASEC survey was extracted from the U.S. Census Bureau's FTP web page in September of 2004 (http://www.bls.census.gov/ferretftp.htm).Principal Findings. In the 2004 CPS‐ASEC, 59.3 percent of the full‐supplement imputations under age 65 years had private health insurance coverage as compared with 69.1 percent of the nonfull‐supplement imputations. Furthermore, full‐supplement imputations have a 26.4 percent uninsurance rate while all others have an uninsurance rate of 16.6 percent. Having imputed data remains a significant predictor of health insurance coverage in multivariate models with demographic controls. Both our reweighting strategy and our counterfactual modeling show that the uninsured rate is approximately one percentage point higher than it should be for people under 65 (i.e., approximately 2.5 million more people are counted as uninsured due to this imputation bias).Conclusions. The imputed ASEC data are coding too many people to be uninsured. The situation is complicated by the current survey items in the ASEC instrument allowing all members of a household to be assigned coverage with the single press of a button. The Census Bureau should consider altering its imputation specifications and, more importantly, altering how it collects survey data from those who respond to the supplement.Implications for Policy Delivery or Practice. The bias affects many different policy simulations, policy evaluations and federal funding allocations that rely on the CPS‐ASEC data.Primary Funding Source. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Rereading Marc Bloch: The Life and Works of a Visionary Modernist
Authors: Stirling Katherine 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis article seeks to defamiliarize and reassess Marc Bloch, the canonical historian and co‐founder of the Annales School, as a quintessential modernist. In resituating Bloch, I seek to separate him from both the hagiography that has come to dominate studies of his work due to his sympathetic biography and the co‐opting of his ideas by the second‐generation Annalistes, led by Fernand Braudel. It is crucial to examine Bloch's life and works in tandem, and this article seeks to chart them alongside one another in order to elucidate his curiously liminal and groundbreaking perspective. Bloch's revolutionary charting of mentalities at the same time period as the psychological novel came of age is an oft‐overlooked fact of his scholarship, and one that I argue is critical to an understanding of his contribution to twentieth‐century methodological developments. The article examines this essentially stylistic trait alongside Bloch's peculiarly quixotic idealism, which tempered and sometimes compromised his work through his hope for a truly cooperative model of historical inquiry. While humanizing and questioning him, it gives credit to Bloch for helping to break through the monotonous methodological alternance between positivism and narrative history, creating a new, synthetic version of the historical practice that has since become so ingrained in the discipline that it is typically overlooked. This article seeks to shed a fresh light on Bloch by stripping away the tidy packaging that usually surrounds accounts of his life and work and portraying him as the flawed visionary that he was.
Cum Consensu Omnium: Frankish Church Councils from Clovis to Charlemagne
Authors: Halfond Gregory I. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractFor scholars of early medieval Europe, and of the Frankish Kingdoms in particular, the canonical decisions of church councils have proven to be immensely valuable sources for understanding the beliefs and policies of the ecclesiastical elite. Although we cannot always assume their enforcement, the canons offer a priceless window into the minds of their authors and the historical contexts that prompted their action. Less work has been done, however, on the institution that produced this legislation. The following article provides an overview of the function of the church council in the Frankish Kingdoms, as well as surveys the relevant evidence and scholarly literature.
Cytoprotective effects of taurocholic acid feeding on the biliary tree after adrenergic denervation of the liver
Authors: Marzioni Marco , Ueno Yoshiyuki , Glaser Shannon , Francis Heather , Benedetti Antonio , Alvaro Domenico , Venter Juliet , Fava Giammarco , Alpini Gianfranco 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackground: Cholangiopathies impair the balance between proliferation and apoptosis of cholangiocytes leading to the disappearance of bile ducts and liver failure. Taurocholic acid (TC) is essential for cholangiocyte proliferative and functional response to cholestasis. Bile acids and neurotransmitters co‐operatively regulate the biological response of the biliary epithelium to cholestasis. Adrenergic denervation of the liver during cholestasis results in the damage of bile ducts.Aim: To verify whether TC feeding prevents the damage of the biliary tree induced by adrenergic denervation in the course of cholestasis.Methods: Rats subjected to bile duct ligation (BDL) and to adrenergic denervation were fed a TC‐enriched diet, in the absence or presence of daily administration of the phosphatidyl‐inositol‐3‐kinase (PI3K) inhibitor wortmannin for 1 week.Results: TC prevented the induction of cholangiocyte apoptosis induced by adrenergic denervation. TC also restored cholangiocyte proliferation and functional activity, reduced after adrenergic denervation. TC prevented AKT dephosphorylation induced by adrenergic denervation. The cytoprotective effects of TC were abolished by the simultaneous administration of wortmannin.Summary/conclusions: TC administration prevents the damage of the biliary tree induced by the adrenergic denervation of the liver. These novel findings open novel perspectives in the understanding of the potential of bile acids especially in post‐transplant liver disease.
Science‐Driven Restoration: A Square Grid on a Round Earth?
Authors: Cabin Robert J. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract Is formal science necessarily an effective framework and methodology for designing and implementing ecological restoration programs? My experience as an ecologist in Hawaii suggests that even when scientific research programs are explicitly designed to guide and facilitate restoration, the culture of science, heterogeneity of nature, and real‐world complexities of implementing land management practices often limit the practical relevance of conventional scientific research. Although alternative models such as adaptive management and transdisciplinary science may facilitate research that more robustly models the real world, there is often little professional support or incentive to orient even these nonconventional research approaches toward actually solving on‐the‐ground problems. Thus, if one’s goal is to accomplish ecological restoration as quickly and efficiently as possible, a trial‐and‐error/intelligent tinkering–type approach might often be better than using more rigorous, data‐intensive scientific methodology. However, the sympatric implementation of ecological restoration and scientific research programs can lead to valuable synergies such as mutual logistical and financial support and the exchange of distinct forms of knowledge. The professional activities and mere presence of scientists can also greatly enhance a program’s prestige and visibility, which in turn can indirectly promote more and better ecological restoration. Improving our understanding of when formal science can directly assist restoration projects and when its value will more likely be synergistic and indirect could lead to better science, better ecological restoration, and better relationships between these two cultures.
Effects of Frequent Mowing on Survival and Persistence of Forbs Seeded into a Species‐Poor Grassland
Authors: Williams Dave W. , Jackson Laura L. , Smith Daryl D. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract Many early attempts at tallgrass prairie reconstruction failed to achieve the high species diversity of remnant prairies, and instead consist primarily of C4 grasses. We hypothesized that frequent mowing of established prairie grasses could create sufficient gaps in the aboveground and belowground environment to allow for the establishment of native forbs from seed. We studied forb seedling establishment in a 25‐year‐old prairie planting in northern Iowa that was dominated by native warm‐season grasses. In winter 1999, 23 species of native forbs were broadcast into the recently burned sod at a rate of 350 viable seeds/m2. Treatment plots were mowed weekly for either one or two growing seasons, and control plots were unmowed. Mowed plots had greater light availability than controls, especially when warm‐season grasses began to flower. Overwinter seedling mortality was 3% in mowed treatments compared to 29% in the controls. Forbs in mowed plots had significantly greater root and shoot mass than those in control plots in the first and second growing seasons but were not significantly more abundant. By the fourth growing season, however, forbs were twice as abundant in the mowed treatments. No lasting negative impacts of frequent mowing on the grass population were observed. Mowing a second year influenced species composition but did not change total seedling establishment. Experimental evidence is consistent with the idea that mowing reduced competition for light from large established grasses, allowing forb seedlings the opportunity to reach sufficient size to establish, survive, and flower in the second and subsequent years.
The Restoration of Elk (Cervus elaphus) in Ontario, Canada: 1998–2005
Authors: Rosatte Rick , Hamr Joe , Young Jim , Filion Ivan , Smith Howard 
Published: February 2007

Abstract In 1997, a plan to restore Elk (Cervus elaphus) to Ontario was approved by the provincial government. The objective of the Ontario elk restoration program, a multipartnered collaboration, was to restore a species that had been extirpated from the province during the 1800s. During 1998–2001, 460 elk were acquired from Elk Island National Park, Alberta, for release in four areas of Ontario. As greater than 90% of the elk were radio collared, monitoring provided detailed information on the dynamics of the four populations. Comprehensive research projects using graduate students were implemented to determine the environmental impact of releasing elk in Ontario. Those studies are in progress or have been completed and include the effect of wolf predation on restored elk, white‐tailed deer and elk resource overlap, the development of genetic profiles for elk, and solutions for elk/human conflicts. Mortality of the released elk averaged 41% (190/460) during 1998–2004 with annual mortality generally declining over time in each release area. The primary causes of elk mortality included wolf predation (25% of mortalities), illegal shooting (13%), stress‐related emaciation (13%) (partially due to the stress of relocation), bacterial infections (7%), and collisions with vehicles (6%). Productivity has been high in one of the release areas with 24–65% of the cows being observed with calves during late winter surveys. However, productivity has been low in two of the northern release areas due to a variety of factors including wolf predation. In some areas, dispersion of elk appeared to be related to the length of time animals were kept in pens prior to release. The precalving population estimate for Ontario in March 2004 was 375–440 elk. A comprehensive program review was conducted in 2003/2004 that included recommendations relating to the future management of elk in Ontario.
Comparisons of Mycorrhizal Responsiveness with Field Soil and Commercial Inoculum for Six Native Montane Species and Bromus tectorum
Authors: Rowe Helen I. , Brown Cynthia S. , Claassen Victor P. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract Reestablishing native perennial plants and reducing invasive species are pivotal for many ecological restoration projects. The interactions among plant species, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and soil P availability may be critical determinants of the success of native and non‐native plants in restoration and species invasions. Here we assessed mycorrhizal responsiveness for three late‐successional and three early‐successional plant species native to Rocky Mountain National Park and for the non‐native Downy brome, cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) using field soil and commercial inoculum. Factorial greenhouse experiments were conducted to compare biomass of plant species with and without field soil and commercial inoculum treatments along a phosphorus (P) gradient, which ranged from ambient field levels to 12% of field levels, using dilutions of native soils. The two field soil inoculum treatments resulted in significant biomass differences for all species studied. Late‐successional species responded positively to field inoculum, whereas early‐successional species responded negatively. The two commercial inocula had low colonization rates (14 of 166 inoculated plants). The commercial inocula substrates had significant treatment effects on five of seven species included in the study in the apparent absence of mycorrhizal symbiosis. Soil P levels influenced mycorrhizal responsiveness in only one species, Smooth blue aster (Aster laevis L.). Our results show that, at least for the species studied here, locally collected field inoculum is the best choice for reestablishment of late‐successional native plant species.
The Role of Sprouts in the Restoration of Atlantic Rainforest in Southern Brazil
Authors: Simões Cecília G. , Marques Márcia C. M. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract The relative importance of sexual reproduction (seed) and sprouting as sources for regeneration in Brazilian Atlantic Forest was evaluated in three different successional forest stages: young forest, immature forest, and late‐successional forest. Young plants (10–100 cm tall) of tree species were classified into the following categories: (1) seedlings that are nonsprouting—plants that originated through sexual reproduction as seeds; (2) stem base sprouting—plants that sprouted at the base of an existing plant; and (3) underground stem sprouting—plants that sprouted from subterranean stems of an existing plant. A total of 1,030 individuals of 48 species were collected. Underground stem sprouting is the rarest form of propagation, with stem base sprouting somewhat more common and possibly associated with recovery of damaged parts. The greatest contribution to regeneration was due to seeds: 92% of the individuals counted in 67% of the plant species. However, 13 species were “facultative” sprouters as seedlings and sprouters were observed in this group. The three forest ages differed in the proportion of regeneration strategies; in immature forest, sprouting was more common (15%) than in young (7%) and late‐successional (3%; p < 0.05) forest. In these three forest stages, germinating seeds are the major source of new plants; although sprouting as a reproductive strategy is rare, it is related to recovery after damage of an already existing plant and may be due to previous land use history (agriculture) and low soil fertility. Restoration using natural regeneration should consider these factors to understand seed arrival as seed is the main source of regeneration.
The Role of Mycorrhizae Associated with Vetiver Grown in Pb‐/Zn‐Contaminated Soils: Greenhouse Study
Authors: Wong Ching Chi , Wu Sheng Chun , Kuek Clem , Khan Abdul G. , Wong Ming Hung 
Published: February 2007

Abstract The effects of mycorrhizae on growth and uptake of N, P, Zn, and Pb by plants were investigated in a greenhouse trial using vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) as host. Inoculation of the host plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Glomus mosseae and G. intraradices spores, significantly increased the growth and P uptake. Mycorrhizal colonization increased Pb and Zn uptake by plants under low soil metal concentrations (at 0 and 10 mg/kg of Pb or Zn), whereas under higher concentrations (at 100 and 1,000 mg/kg of Pb or Zn), it decreased Pb and Zn uptake. P concentration in soil was negatively correlated with mycorrhizal colonization as well as Zn or Pb concentrations. The results showed that inoculation of the host plants with AMF protects them from the potential toxicity caused by increased uptake of Pb and Zn, but the degree of protection varied according to the fungus and host plant combination. The potential of arbuscular mycorrhizae in phytoremediation of the Zn‐ or the Pb‐contaminated soils is discussed in this article.
Flagging Aberrant Sites and Assemblages in Restoration Projects
Authors: Wassenaar Theo D. , Ferreira Sam M. , Van Aarde Rudi J. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract The recovery of an ecosystem in response to a restoration program that relies on natural processes may be characterized by heterogeneous changes in species composition and structure. In most cases, such variability is natural and should even be welcomed. However, variability that arises from a specific restoration site, as opposed to randomly from all sites, may indicate problems with the restoration process and may jeopardize the outcome of a project. Here, we describe a technique to flag those sites and assemblages that tend to develop aberrantly. We use data on plant and animal assemblages, collected during routine monitoring operations over several surveys on a chronosequence of rehabilitating dune forests. Using this technique, we show that a bird assemblage on one of the sites at our study area on the coast of southern Africa tends to develop slower than expected. This site is situated farther than others from potential source areas (intact forests) and closer to human habitation. In essence, the technique uses a permutation test to identify ecological variables and assemblages that tend to be more variable than expected. It then focuses on these to identify specific aberrant sites. The technique allows management to concentrate scarce resources to determine the causes of aberrant changes, as well as possible mitigating actions, for specific sites instead of across the board. This cost‐efficient rapid assessment technique will lead to improved chances of restoration success. It may be applied in all projects where a chronosequence of sites can be sampled repeatedly, as is often the case in post‐mining restoration.