bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Pre‐Planting Soaking on Growth and Survival of Black Willow Cuttings
Authors: Schaff Steven D. , Pezeshki S. Reza , Shields F. Douglas 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBlack willow (Salix nigra) uses periodic flood events for dispersal of vegetative propagules, subjecting them to periods of soaking before their deposition along the streambank. It was hypothesized that this life history trait results in optimal conditions for willow growth and survival. To test this hypothesis, a greenhouse experiment was conducted using 1.2‐m‐long black willow cuttings (posts) with a basal diameter of 5 cm. Cuttings were subjected to three soaking treatments (0, 3, and 10 days) and then grown under four soil moisture regimes (control, drought, permanently flooded, and intermittently flooded). Growth, biomass, and survival were recorded. Results showed that soaking posts for 10 days was most beneficial in the control soil moisture regime, enhancing root, shoot, leaf, and total biomass production. Shoot abundance and growth were also enhanced by 10 days of soaking in the control and permanently flooded moisture regimes. Finally, survival increased significantly in control and drought moisture regimes in response to the 10‐day soaking treatment. Results clearly demonstrated that soaking had significant effects on willow post success when evaluated across all soil moisture regimes. Posts subjected to the 10‐day soaking treatment consistently had greatest growth and biomass and displayed a doubling of the survival rate. Therefore, soaking willow cuttings before planting is a simple, inexpensive technique that may be used to bolster streambank restoration success.
Importance of Backyard Habitat in a Comprehensive Biodiversity Conservation Strategy: A Connectivity Analysis of Urban Green Spaces
Authors: Rudd Hillary , Vala Jamie , Schaefer Valentin 
Published: March 2003

AbstractConnectivity has been an accepted goal in ecological restoration of wilderness areas for some time, but it is a relatively new approach in urban areas. The connectivity analysis presented here explores the numbers and patterns of corridors required to connect urban green spaces as part of an overall biodiversity conservation strategy. Green spaces in this study were weighted based on size and a habitat requirement of 0.5 ha for a hypothetical indicator species. Thirteen potential networks were evaluated using Gamma, Beta, and Cost Ratio indices. The study zone contained 54 green spaces (habitat nodes) with a combined area of 636.5 ha in a total urban area of approximately 2,600 ha. Several models (Travelling Salesman, Paul Revere, and Least Cost to User) were used to evaluate possible connections. These results indicated that at least 325 linkages are necessary to connect half of the nodes. Such large numbers of linkages are only feasible by enhancing the matrix of backyard habitat, planted boulevards, and utility rights‐of way found in a city. Strengthening such networks should work well to support the biota protected in urban parks and wildlife refuges and the seasonal migrants that sometimes depend on urban habitats for their survival.
Seedling Survival from Locally and Commercially Obtained Seeds on Two Semiarid Sites
Authors: Humphrey L. David , Schupp Eugene W. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractLocal populations of plants are likely to be better adapted to a site than populations from elsewhere. Thus, local seeds should yield higher survival in restoration attempts than commercial seed stocks. We compared seedling survival from locally and commercially obtained seeds of seven species, Pseudoroegneria spicata (bluebunch wheatgrass), Elymus elymoides (squirreltail), Pascopyrum smithii (western wheatgrass), Stipa hymenoides (Indian ricegrass), Stipa comata (needle‐and‐thread), Chrysothamnus nauseosus (rubber rabbitbrush) and Ephedra nevadensis (Mormon tea) over three years on two sites in Utah (Dugway and Tintic) that were dominated by the introduced annual Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass). At the Dugway site we included burned and unburned seedbed treatments. For all species at Dugway, seedling survival to the first summer was higher on burned plots where B. tectorum densities were greatly reduced. First‐year seedling survival was 20–30% for most species on the Dugway burned plots and at Tintic. At the drier Dugway site, only S. hymenoides and Ephedra had substantial third‐year survival. Elymus and Pascopyrum survived to the third year only at the moister Tintic site. Survival to the third year was less than 3% for all species except S. comata (6% survival), and densities were low (0.2–1.0 plants/m2). However, third‐year plants were well established and the grasses flowered. Pseudoroegneria and Ephedra at Dugway (on burned plots) and S. comata and Elymus at Tintic had higher first‐year survival or higher survival based on survival curves from local than from commercial seeds. However, final survival was never significantly higher, although such a trend was suggested. Seed dormancy traits could also provide advantages to local populations, and we observed differences in dormancy between local and commercial S. comata and S. hymenoides seeds that may be an example.
Restoring Structure in Late‐Successional Sagebrush Communities by Thinning with Tebuthiuron
Authors: Olson Richard A. , Whitson Thomas D. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractLate successional, dense Artemisia tridentata (big sagebrush) stands restrict associated plant species production, resulting in a monotypic, shrub‐dominated community that threatens biodiversity preservation and ecosystem function. Traditional practices to control A. tridentata can severely reduce or temporarily eliminate A. tridentata and other plant species. Thinning A. tridentata with low rates of the herbicide tebuthiuron enhances herbaceous plant production, community structure, ecosystem functioning, and biodiversity. Tebuthiuron was applied at rates of 0.11–1.0 kg ai/ha to A. tridentata‐dominated plots at Ten Sleep (1979), Lander (1993), and Waltman (1993), Wyoming. Changes in A. tridentata canopy cover, associated plant species biomass, and community composition were evaluated 13 and 14 years post‐treatment at Ten Sleep, and 2 and 4 years post‐treatment at Lander and Waltman. At all sites A. tridentata canopy cover decreased proportionally with increased tebuthiuron rate. Biomass of grasses increased as shrub biomass and cover decreased with increasing tebuthiuron rate. Forb biomass varied between treatments across sample year and site. Shifts from shrub‐dominated control to grass‐dominated treatment plots were attributable to biomass differences of A. tridentata and 2–3 grass species among treatments. The number of plant species was not significantly different between treatments at any site. Similarity indexes revealed progressively greater dissimilar plant composition between the control and sequential treatment plots of increased tebuthiuron rate. Incremental rates of tebuthiuron produce gradual changes in plant species composition without reducing species richness, which may have utility in certain restoration projects.
Task‐Specific Resistance Training to Improve the Ability of Activities of Daily Living–Impaired Older Adults to Rise from a Bed and from a Chair
Authors: Alexander Neil B. , Galecki Andrzej T. , Grenier Martina L. , Nyquist Linda V. , Hofmeyer Mark R. , Grunawalt Julie C. , Medell Judi L. , Fry‐Welch Donna 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of a 12‐week intervention to improve the ability of disabled older adults to rise from a bed and from a chair.DESIGN: Subjects were randomly allocated to either a 12‐week task‐specific resistance‐training intervention (training in bed‐ and chair‐rise subtasks, such as sliding forward to the edge of a chair with the addition of weights) or a control flexibility intervention.SETTING: Seven congregate housing facilities.PARTICIPANTS: Congregate housing residents age 65 and older (n = 161, mean age 82) who reported requiring assistance (such as from a person, equipment, or device) in performing at least one of the following mobility‐related activities of daily living: transferring, walking, bathing, and toileting.MEASUREMENTS: At baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks, subjects performed a series of bed‐ and chair‐rise tasks where the rise task demand varied according to height of the head of the bed, chair seat height, and use of hands. Outcomes were able or unable to rise and, if able, the time taken to rise. Logistic regression for repeated measures was used to test for differences between tasks in the ability to rise. Following log transformation of rise time, a linear effects model was used to compare rise time between tasks.RESULTS: Regarding the maximum total number of bed‐ and chair‐rise tasks that could be successfully completed, a significant training effect was seen at 12 weeks (P = .03); the training effect decreased as the total number of tasks increased. No statistically significant training effects were noted for rise ability according to individual tasks. Bed‐ and chair‐rise time showed a significant training effect for each rise task, with analytic models suggesting a range of approximately 11% to 20% rise‐time (up to 1.5 seconds) improvement in the training group over controls. Training effects were also noted in musculoskeletal capacities, particularly in trunk range of motion, strength, and balance.CONCLUSIONS: Task‐specific resistance training increased the overall ability and decreased the rise time required to perform a series of bed‐ and chair‐rise tasks. The actual rise‐time improvement was clinically small but may be useful over the long term. Future studies might consider adapting this exercise program and the focus on trunk function to a frailer cohort, such as in rehabilitation settings. In these settings, the less challenging rise tasks (such as rising from an elevated chair) and the ability to perform intermediate tasks (such as hip bridging) may become important intermediate rehabilitation goals.
The Association of Menopause and Physical Functioning in Women at Midlife
Authors: Sowers MaryFran , Pope Sandra , Welch Gavin , Sternfeld Barbara , Albrecht Gary 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the characteristics of menstrual bleeding and the menopausal transition are associated with physical functioning in women age 40 to 55, after considering ethnicity, ability to pay for basics, body size, and age.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional study.SETTING: Seven geographically dispersed community samples in the United States.PARTICIPANTS: The 14,427 respondents were Caucasians (46.9%), African Americans (28.7%), Chinese (4.0%), Japanese (5.3%), and Hispanics (12.6%) from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) Cross‐sectional Study, a study of the menopausal transition, including surgical menopause.MEASUREMENTS: The dependent variable was a three‐category variable based on the physical functioning scale of the Medical Outcomes Study. Explanatory variables included menstrual and menopausal status.RESULTS: Eighty percent (80.8%) of women reported no limitation in physical functioning, whereas 10% of women had some limitation, and 9.2% of women indicated having substantial limitation. Women with substantial limitation in physical functioning had double the prevalence odds ratio (POR = 2.02; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.64–2.49) of having surgical menopause and 76% greater odds (POR = 1.76; 95% CI = 1.38–2.24)) of using hormones, compared with women with no limitation. Compared with those without limitation, women with substantial limitation in physical functioning had 56% greater odds (POR = 1.56; 95% CI = 1.23–1.97)) of being naturally postmenopausal and a 41% greater odds (POR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.17–1.70) of being perimenopausal, relative to being premenopausal and after adjusting for other variables.CONCLUSION: Even at the relatively early age of 40 to 55, approximately 20% of women self‐reported limitation in physical functioning. Surgical menopause and the use of hormones were more frequently observed in women with some and substantial physical limitation than in women with no limitation, even after adjusting for economic status, age, body mass index, and race/ethnicity.
Effects of Aging on the Opioid Modulation of Feeding in Humans
Authors: MacIntosh Caroline G. , Sheehan Jessica , Davani Nusha , Morley John E. , Horowitz Michael , Chapman Ian M. 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether aging is associated with a reduction in the opioid modulation of feeding, which may be important in the pathogenesis of the “anorexia of aging.”DESIGN: Three studies on separate days, in randomized order and double‐blind fashion.SETTING: Clinical Human Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, RAH, Adelaide, Australia.PARTICIPANTS: Twelve older (5 male/7 female) (age 65–84) and 12 young (5 male/7 female) (age 20–26) healthy subjects.INTERVENTION: Subjects received in double‐blinded random order, intravenous bolus (10 minutes) and then continuous (140 minutes) infusions of saline (control), naloxone low dose (LD) (bolus 27 μg/kg; continuous 50 μg/kg/hr), or naloxone high dose (HD) (bolus 54.5 μg/kg; continuous 100 μg/kg/hr).MEASUREMENTS: After 120 minutes, subjects were offered a buffet meal, and their energy intake was quantified. Hunger, fullness, nausea, and drowsiness were assessed using visual analogue scales.RESULTS: The naloxone LD and HD infusions had no significant effect on ratings of hunger, fullness, or nausea, but increased drowsiness (P < .01) compared with the control infusion in both age groups. Older subjects ate less (P < .001) at the buffet meal than young subjects during all three infusions. Naloxone infusions reduced energy intake compared with control (P < .001), LD by 13.2 ± 5.0% and HD by 10.7 ± 5.0%, with no difference between the doses (P = .71). Overall, naloxone suppressed energy intake in both young and older subjects (P < .01). This suppression was slightly, but not significantly, greater in young than in older subjects (mean of LD and HD 16.4 ± 4.9% vs 7.5 ± 4.9%, P = .42), because of a trend to reduced suppression in older women.CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that healthy older adults retain their sensitivity to the suppressive effects of naloxone on food intake. Possible gender differences in this sensitivity warrant further investigation. A decline in opioid activity is unlikely to contribute substantially to the physiological anorexia of aging observed in older people.
Predicting Stroke Recovery: Three and Six‐Month Rates of Patient‐Centered Functional Outcomes Based on the Orpington Prognostic Scale
Authors: Studenski Stephanie A. , Wallace Dennis , Duncan Pamela Woods , Rymer Marilyn , Lai Sue Min 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVE: To provide recovery rates after stroke for specific functions using the Orpington Prognostic Scale (OPS). DESIGN: Prospective cohort. SETTING: Hospital and community. PARTICIPANTS: 413 stroke survivors entered the study 3 to 14 days after suffering a stroke. MEASUREMENTS: A cohort of hospitalized stroke survivors were recruited 3 to 14 days after stroke and assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months poststroke for neurological, functional, and health status. Baseline OPS score was used to predict five functional outcomes at 3 and 6 months using development and validation datasets and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: In 413 stroke survivors, functional recovery rates at 3 and 6 months were similar. Baseline OPS predicted significant differences in recovery rates for all five outcomes (P < .0001 for all five outcomes at 3 and 6 months). Personal care dependence was present at 3 months in only 3% of persons with baseline OPS scores of 3.2 or less compared with over 50% with OPS of 4.8 or higher. Independent personal care, meal preparation, and self administration of medication were achieved by 80% who had baseline OPS scores of 2.4 or lower compared with less than 20% when OPS scores were 4.4 or higher. Independent community mobility was achieved in 50% of those who had OPS scores of 2.4 or lower but only 3% of those with OPS scores of 4.4 or higher. The area under ROC curves assessing OPS scores against each of the five outcomes ranged from 0.805 to 0.863 at 3 months and 0.74 to 0.806 at 6 months. CONCLUSION: OPS scores can predict widely differing rates of functional recovery in five important functional abilities. These estimates can be useful to survivors, families, providers, and healthcare systems who need to plan for the future.
Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Extended‐Release Once‐Daily Tolterodine Treatment for Overactive Bladder in Older versus Younger Patients
Authors: Zinner Norman R. , Mattiasson Anders , Stanton Stuart L. 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of a new, once‐daily extended‐release (ER) formulation of tolterodine in treating overactive bladder in older (≥65) and younger (<65) patients.DESIGN: A 12‐week double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial.SETTING: An international study conducted at 167 medical centers.PARTICIPANTS: One thousand fifteen patients (43.1% aged ≥65) with urge incontinence and urinary frequency.INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized to treatment with tolterodine ER 4 mg once daily (qd) (n = 507) or placebo (n = 508) for 12 weeks.MEASUREMENTS: Efficacy, measured with micturition charts (incontinence episodes, micturitions, volume voided per micturition) and subjective patient assessments, safety, and tolerability endpoints were evaluated, relative to placebo, according to two age cohorts: younger than 65 and 65 and older.RESULTS: Mean age in the older and younger patient cohorts was 74 (range 65–93) and 51 (range 20–64), respectively. Compared with placebo, significant improvements in micturition chart variables with tolterodine ER showed no age‐related differences. Irrespective of age, significantly more tolterodine ER recipients than placebo recipients reported an improvement in urgency symptoms. After 12 weeks of treatment with tolterodine ER, a fivefold increase in the percentage of patients able to finish tasks before voiding in response to urgency was noted in both age groups (<65: from 6.5–32.8%, ≥65: from 5.1–26.2%). Tolterodine ER recipients, irrespective of age, also had significant improvements in their bladder condition than did placebo recipients. Overall, a greater percentage of patients, irrespective of age, perceived any benefit with tolterodine ER than with placebo (P < .001). Dry mouth (of any severity) was the most common adverse event in both the tolterodine ER and placebo treatment arms, irrespective of age (<65: ER 22.7%, placebo 8.1%; ≥65: ER 24.3%, placebo 7.2%). Few patients (<2%) experienced severe dry mouth. No central nervous system, visual, cardiac (per electrocardiogram), or laboratory safety concerns were noted. Withdrawal rates due to adverse events on tolterodine ER 4 mg qd were comparable in the two age cohorts (<65: 5.5%; ≥65: 5.1%; P = .87).CONCLUSIONS: The new, once‐daily ER formulation of tolterodine is efficacious, safe, and well tolerated in the treatment of patients with symptoms of overactive bladder, irrespective of age.
Are There Differences Between Older Persons Who Screen Positive on the CAGE Questionnaire and the Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test—Geriatric Version?
Authors: Moore Alison A. , Seeman Teresa , Morgenstern Hal , Beck John C. , Reuben David B. 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To determine (1) the extent of agreement between the CAGE (acronym for cut down, annoyed by criticism, guilty about drinking, eye‐opener drinks) and the Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test—Geriatric Version (SMAST‐G) in identifying older persons who may have possible alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and (2) whether persons identified as having possible AUDs by each of these screening measures differ in their drinking, demographic, or health‐related characteristics.DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a cross‐sectional study using data from a self‐administered mailed survey sample.SETTING: Three organizations were surveyed: (1) members of the American Association of Retired Persons and, in southern California, (2) managed care enrollees in a large medical group and (3) attendees of a community‐based senior health center.PARTICIPANTS: One thousand eight hundred eighty‐nine persons aged 55 and older completing a health risk appraisal for older persons (Health Risk Appraisal for the Elderly (HRA‐E)).MEASUREMENTS: The HRA‐E included items on drinking behaviors (including amount of alcohol use, the CAGE, and the SMAST‐G) and health and demographic characteristics.RESULTS: Twenty‐six percent of all persons screened positive on the CAGE or the SMAST‐G. Fewer than half of all persons screening positive on either the CAGE or the SMAST‐G, screened positive on both measures. Among current drinkers, persons screening positive on the SMAST‐G alone drank less than persons screening positive on the CAGE alone, and these persons drank less than those screening positive on both the SMAST‐G and the CAGE. More men screened positive on the CAGE alone than on the SMAST‐G alone.CONCLUSION: Fewer than half of persons screening positive on either the CAGE or the SMAST‐G screened positive on both measures, suggesting that these instruments may be capturing different aspects of unsafe drinking. A screening strategy employing both brief measures may identify more AUDs among older persons having differing demographic and health characteristics.
Caregiver Attitudes and Hospitalization Risk in Michigan Residents Receiving Home‐ and Community‐Based Care
Authors: Shugarman Lisa R. , Buttar Amna , Fries Brant E. , Moore Tisha , Blaum Caroline S. 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To study a cohort of participants in home‐ and community‐based services (HCBS) in Michigan to evaluate the relationship between (1) caregiver attitudes and participant characteristics and (2) the risk of hospitalization.SETTING: HCBS programs funded by Medicaid or state/local funds in Michigan.PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred twenty‐seven individuals eligible for HCBS in Michigan were studied. These HCBS participants were randomly selected clients of all agencies providing publicly funded HCBS in Michigan from November 1996 to October 1997.MEASUREMENTS: Data for this study were collected using the Minimum Data Set for Home Care. Assessments were collected longitudinally, and the baseline (initial admission assessment) and 90‐day follow‐up assessments were used. Key measures were caregiver attitudes (distress, dissatisfaction, and decreased caregiving ability) and HCBS participant characteristics (cognition, functioning, diseases, symptoms, nutritional status, medications, and disease stability). Multinomial logistic regression was used to evaluate how these characteristics were associated with the competing risks of hospitalization and death within 90 days of admission to HCBS.RESULTS: We found a strong association between caregiver dissatisfaction (caregiver dissatisfied with the level of care the home care participant was currently receiving) and an increased likelihood of hospitalization. HCBS participant cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pain, and flare‐up of a chronic condition were also associated with increased hospitalization. Poor food intake and prior hospitalization were associated with hospitalization and death.CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that, within a cohort of people receiving HCBS who are chronically ill, highly disabled, and at high risk for hospitalization and death, interventions addressing caregiver dissatisfaction, pain control, and medical monitoring should be evaluated for their potential to decrease hospitalization.