A plant growth form dataset for the New World.

This dataset provides growth form classifications for 67,413 vascular plant species from North, Central, and South America. The data used to determine growth form were compiled from five major integrated sources and two original publications: the Botanical Information and Ecology Network (BIEN), the Plant Trait Database (TRY), the SALVIAS database, the USDA PLANTS database, Missouri Botanical Garden's Tropicos database, Wright (2010), and Boyle (1996). We defined nine plant growth forms based on woodiness (woody or non-woody), shoot structure (self-supporting or not self-supporting), and root traits (rooted in soil, not rooted in soil, parasitic or aquatic): Epiphyte, Liana, Vine, Herb, Shrub, Tree, Parasite, or Aquatic. Species with multiple growth form classifications were assigned the growth form classification agreed upon by the majority (>2/3) of sources. Species with ambiguous or otherwise not interpretable growth form assignments were excluded from the final dataset but are made available with the original data. Comparisons with independent estimates of species richness for the Western hemisphere suggest that our final dataset includes the majority of New World vascular plant species. Coverage is likely more complete for temperate than for tropical species. In addition, aquatic species are likely under-represented. Nonetheless, this dataset represents the largest compilation of plant growth forms published to date, and should contribute to new insights across a broad range of research in systematics, ecology, biogeography, conservation, and global change science.

Analysis of health insurance cover for reproductive immunology.

The objective of this study was to document the current state of health insurance cover for reproductive immunology in the USA. A survey of couples who had given birth to a child within the last 2 years while they were being treated with lymphocyte immunotherapy at the Reproductive Medicine Clinic of the Finch University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School (FUHS/CMS), North Chicago, IL, USA, produced 61 completed questionnaires from couples in 16 states, representing a response rate of 55%. The Reproductive Medicine Clinic at the FUHS/CMS is a major centre that treats couples with reproductive immunological problems. These couples had experienced repeated pregnancy losses that were diagnosed as immunological in nature. This prospective study documents the insurance reimbursement of couples receiving lymphocyte immunotherapy who subsequently became parents. The findings indicate that 80% of couples had insurance claims initially denied for reproductive immunotherapy-related services. The most common reason given for a denied claim was that the treatment was experimental. Couples took further action and almost all received cover. Cover for immunotherapy-related services averaged 65% of the cost. The percentage of expenses covered by the insurance was quite variable. The survey indicates that insurance cover is provided if patients are willing to take action.