Conservation seed physiology of the ciénega endemic, Eryngium sparganophyllum (Apiaceae).

Knowledge of seed dormancy and optimal propagation techniques is crucial for successful ex situ restoration and reintroduction projects, and determining the seed storage behaviour of a species is critical for the long-term conservation of seeds, further supporting future ex situ efforts. Eryngium sparganophyllum (Apiaceae) is a globally critically endangered plant species endemic to ciénega wetlands of southwest North America. To support in situ and ex situ conservation efforts of E. sparganophyllum, we asked (i) how does the embryo: seed (E:S) ratio change over time once imbibed, (ii) how does germination respond with varying periods of exposure to cold (5°C) and warm (25°C) stratification, and concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA3). By answering these questions, (iii) can dormancy class be inferred, and (iv) what storage behaviour category is exhibited? To answer these questions, we collected seeds in Southern Arizona from one of the few remaining wild populations. We measured embryo growth and tested the effects of cold (0-18 weeks) and warm (0 and 4 weeks) stratification, and 0-1000 ppm gibberellic acid on germination. We also tested the effects of cold (-80°C) dry (~20% equilibrium relative humidity) storage on germination. We found that (i) embryos grow inside seeds prior to germination; (ii) compared to control, cold stratification for at least 6 weeks increased germination and warm stratification had no effect; (iii) 1000-ppm GA3 had the highest germination success; (iv) therefore this species exhibits morphophysiological dormancy; and (v) seeds are orthodox and can therefore be conserved using conventional storage methods. This information will aid managers in the propagation of E. sparganophyllum that is crucial for in situ reintroduction and restoration projects, and seed banking represents a critical ex situ conservation strategy for the preservation of this species.

Validity of a Claims-Based Diagnosis of Obesity Among Medicare Beneficiaries.

Population-level data on obesity are difficult to obtain. Claims-based data sets are useful for studying public health at a population level but lack physical measurements. The objective of this study was to determine the validity of a claims-based measure of obesity compared to obesity diagnosed with clinical data as well as the validity among older adults who suffer from chronic disease. This study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2004 for adults aged ≥ 65 successfully linked to 1999-2007 Medicare claims (N = 3,554). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, κ statistics as well as logistic regression analyses were computed for the claims-based diagnosis of obesity versus obesity diagnosed with body mass index. The claims-based diagnosis of obesity underestimates the true prevalence in the older Medicare population with a low sensitivity (18.4%). However, this method has a high specificity (97.3%) and is accurate when it is present. Sensitivity was improved when comparing the claim-based diagnosis to Class II obesity (34.2%) and when used in combination with chronic conditions such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or depression. Understanding the validity of a claims-based obesity diagnosis could aid researchers in understanding the feasibility of conducting research on obesity using claims data.

Medicaid prescription drug spending in the 1990s: a decade of change.

Medicaid spending increased dramatically during the 1990s, driven in part by spending for prescription drugs. From 1990 to 2000, Medicaid drug spending increased from $4.4 billion to over $20 billion, an average annual increase of 16.3 percent. Disabled persons experienced an even greater 20 percent average annual increase. By drug category in 1997 (for 29 States), the highest spending amount was for central nervous system (CNS) drugs, accounting for 17 percent of total Medicaid drug spending. These findings provide information on drug spending for dually eligible beneficiaries to policymakers as they seek to target cost-effective coverage and drug therapies.

Medicaid spending and utilization for central nervous system drugs.

Prior research has shown that prescription drug spending grew substantially during the decade of the 1990s. This analysis uses 1996 to 1998 State Medicaid Research File (SMRF) fee-for-service (FFS) data for 29 participating States to provide insight into the factors driving this growth. The analysis examines cost variation by census region, State, Medicaid basis of eligibility, and therapeutic use of drugs. In 1998, the highest expenditures were for central nervous system (CNS) drugs and for anti-psychotics compared to three other groups of CNS drugs (anti-anxiety agents, anti-depressants, and hypnotics). By eligibility group, expenditures were typically highest for disabled enrollees. There were major variations among SMRF States and their respective regions.

Recent progress in the operational forecasting of summer severe weather

Summer severe weather (SSW) can strike suddlenly and unexpectedly with disastrous consequences for human activity. Considerable progress has been made in the past ten years in the operational forescating of SSW. Traditionally, SSW was defined to consist of tornadoes, strong winds, hail, lightning and heavy rain. Hazardous types of strong winds have recently been expanded to include microbursts, macrobursts and surfacing rear inflow jet damage behind mesoscale convective systems...(AU)