666 research outputs found

    New and interesting Campylopus records from South Africa

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    New records are presented based on a collection of Campylopus specimens made by the second author in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The austral species Campylopus clavatus (R. Brown) Wils. in Hook. and Campylopus vesticaulis Mitt. are reported for the first time for Africa, and Campylopus acuminatus Mitt. var. kirkii (Mitt.) J.-P. Frahm is recorded for the second time for Africa. Campylopus arctocarpus (Hornsch.) Mitt. ssp. madegassus (Besch.) J.-P. Frahm is reported for the first time for the Republic of South Africa, and this is the southernmost record of this species. Campylopus simii Schelpe is not synonymous with C. julaceus Jaeg. ssp. arbogastii (Ren. & Card.) J.-P. Frahm but combined here as new as a variety of C. pilifer Brid

    The Ivey Case Study Writing Process: An Indigenous Decolonial Framework

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    My research project involves creating a structural framework for Ivey business school to use when utilizing Indigenous peoples/communities in curriculum case studies. The case study we are currently working on with the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (TNDC) is serving as a blueprint for creating this decolonial structural framework. The goal for this framework is that it provides important contextual information to guide the case writing process, while simultaneously maintaining the respect and integrity of Indigenous communities and their knowledge. Throughout my journey with Head & Heart I have learned many valuable lessons and have had the opportunity to deeply connect with my Indigeneity. The R’s of Indigenous research have framed not only the research I’ve been doing, but also my personal journey with Indigenous resurgence. I am eternally grateful for the knowledge and relationships I have gained from my research experience, and I am committed to continue to utilize these to grow as an Indigenous woman and scholar

    Early Social Security Retirement for Minorities Demographic and Philosophical Fallacies

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    This article examines some of the problems and proposed solutions associated with the retirement of minority members, particularly early retirement within the Social Security System. We also discuss the failure of the Reagan administration\u27s 1981 attempts to change social security benefits

    Leptodontium stellatifolium (Pottiaceae, Bryophyta) en la Isla Réunion, un rango de disyunción significativo

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    A species of mountainous regions of Latin America, Leptodontium stellatifolium, is reported from La Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean. This is a major geographic range disjunction. The species is illustrated and described from La Réunion material, and its considerable variation across its range and within La Réunion is discussed. Explanations of its distribution are suggested in terms of both ancient sky and ocean island spore dispersal, and recent, human-mediated introduction. We provide a key for species of Leptodontium occurring on La Réunion.Leptodontium stellatifolium (Pottiaceae, Bryophyta) en la Isla Réunion, un rango de disyunción significativo. Leptodontium stellatifolium, una especie de las regiones montañosas de América Latina, es registrada para La Réunion en el Océano Indico. Esta es una disyunción geográfica significativa. La especie es descrita e ilustrada y se discute su variación a lo largo del rango de distribución y dentro de la isla. Se sugiere que su distribución puede deberse a una dispersión antigua por aire y a través de las islas o bien fue recientemente introducida por el hombre. Se incluye una clave de las especies de Leptodontium en La Réunion

    The State of the Great Central Valley -- Education and Youth Preparedness

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    Part of a series that provides various quality of life indicators for California's Central Valley. Focuses on family and home life, economic stability, youth health, and education. Includes pregnancy rates, and graduation rates

    The mosses of Terra Nova National Park, Eastern Newfoundland, a bryofloristic analysis and interpretation

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    The known moss flora of Terra Nova National Park, eastern Newfoundland, comp~ises 210 species. Eighty-two percent of the moss species occurring in Terra Nova are widespread or widespread-sporadic in Newfoundland. Other Newfoundland distributional elements present in the Terra Nova moss flora are the northwestern, southern, southeastern, and disjunct elements, but four of the mosses occurring in Terra Nova appear to belong to a previously unrecognized northeastern element of the Newfoundland flora. The majority (70.9%) of Terra Nova's mosses are of boreal affinity and are widely distributed in the North American coniferous forest belt. An additional 10.5 percent of the Terra Nova mosses are cosmopolitan while 9.5 percent are temperate and 4.8 percent are arctic-montane species. The remaining 4.3 percent of the mosses are of montane affinity, and disjunct between eastern and western North America. In Terra Nova, temperate species at their northern limit are concentrated in balsam fir stands, while arctic-montane species are restricted to exposed cliffs, scree slopes, and coastal exposures. Montane species are largely confined to exposed or freshwater habitats. Inability to tolerate high summer temperatures limits the distributions of both arctic-montane and montane species. In Terra Nova, species of differing phytogeographic affinities co-occur on cliffs and scree slopes. The microhabitat relationships of five selected species from such habitats were evaluated by Discriminant Functions Analysis and Multiple Regression Analysis. The five mosses have distinct and different microhabitats on cliffs and scree slopes in Terra Nova, and abundance of all but one is associated with variation in at least one microhabitat variable. Micro-distribution of Grimmia torquata, an arctic-montane species at its southern limit, appears to be deterJ]lined by sensitivity to high summer temperatures. Both southern mosses at their northern limit (Aulacomnium androgynum, Isothecium myosuroides) appear to be limited by water availability and, possibly, by low winter temperatures. The two species whose distributions extend both north and south or the study area (Encalypta procera, Eurhynchium pulchellum) show no clear relationship with microclimate. Dispersal factors have played a significant role in the development of the Terra Nova moss flora. Compared to the most likely colonizing source (i .e. the rest of the island of Newfoundland), species with small diaspores have colonized the study area to a proportionately much greater extent than have species with large diaspores. Hierarchical log-linear analysis indicates that this is so for all affinity groups present in Terra Nova. The apparent dispersal effects emphasize the comparatively recent glaciation of the area, and may also have been enhanced by anthropogenic influences. The restriction of some species to specific habitats, or to narrowly defined microhabitats, appears to strengthen selection for easily dispersed taxa

    Pleistocene range dynamics in the eastern Greater Cape Floristic Region: A case study of the Little Karoo endemic Berkheya cuneata (Asteraceae)

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    AbstractThe glacial–interglacial climate cycles of the Pleistocene played a significant role in dramatically altering species distributions across the globe. However, the climate of the Greater Cape Floristic Region is thought to have been decoupled from global fluctuations and the current Mediterranean climate remained relatively buffered during this period. Here we explore the roles of climate stability and the topographic complexity of the region on the range history of an endemic Little Karoo plant, Berkheya cuneata, using ensemble species distribution modelling and multi-locus phylogeography. The species distribution models projected onto downscaled climate simulation of the Last Glacial Maximum demonstrated a considerable range contraction and fragmentation into the western and eastern Little Karoo, separated by the Rooiberg inselberg. This population fragmentation is mirrored in the phylogeographic structuring of both chloroplast and nuclear DNA. These results suggest that sufficient climatic buffering coupled with regionally complex topography ensured the localised population persistence during Pleistocene climate cycles but these features have also promoted population vicariance in this, and likely other, Little Karoo lowland species

    Phylogenetic relationships of haplolepideous mosses (Dicranidae) inferred from rps4 gene sequences

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    The haplolepideous mosses (Dicranidae) constitute a large group of ecologically and morphologically diverse species recognised primarily by having peristome teeth with a single row of cells on the dorsal surface

    Cloud water interception and resilience of tropical montane bryophytes to climate change in cloud forests of La Reunion

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    Tropical montane cloud forests (TMCFs) are characterized by frequent cloud immersion, host a high diversity of global biodiversity and provide vital ecosystem services to insular populations. Climate change on islands, is expected to both raise the cloud height base as a result of temperature increase and to increase the frequency of extreme events like drought. Bryophytes contribute a significant biomass in these systems yet the role of cloud water and the resilience of bryophytes to drought in island TMCFs is still poorly known. In La Reunion, we implemented a novel method to follow cloud water interception by bryophytes in the TMCF using in situlysimeters. We showed that two abundant TMCF liverworts possess an excellent ability to intercept and store cloud water, and that stored water fluctuated according to climatic conditions. In order to better understand the ecophysiology of TMCF bryophytes, we examined chlorophyll fluorescence, under laboratory conditions, for 16 bryophyte species in response to dehydration and rehydration. This was accompanied by measurements of water retention capacity and relative water content of each species. Highest Water Retention Capacity and Relative Water Content were recorded for Sphagnumsp ( 2174 %: 91,37 %) and Anthocerossp ( 1540 %; 7815 %). Dry down curves showed that species with high water storage capacity are favored by maintaining longer optimal photosynthetic activity. After one week of desiccation, half of the species could recover 50 % of their optimal photosynthetic activity within 24 h of rehydration. Most species, after 7 weeks of desiccation, could not recover their original photosynthetic activity after rehydration. These experiments highlight the presence of various strategies for managing desiccation by TMCF bryophytes at the microhabitat level. Bryophytes inhabiting the TMCF, exhibit a strong strategy in either tolerance or drought avoidance or a combination of both strategies, indicating a better adaptation to drought than expected. However, impact of repetitive drought on the physiology of the TMCF species remains unknown. The multiplicity of responses recorded for TMCF bryophytes regarding their physiology and life forms indicate that climate change will have distinct impacts on species

    Predictors of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Chronic Pain Patients

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    We used Andersen's behavioral model of healthcare utilization to assess the relationship between sociodemographic, physical and psychosocial factors, and Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use among chronic pain patients. Three practitioner-based alternative therapies were considered: acupuncture, biofeedback/relaxation training, and manipulation services.A retrospective analysis of self-reported clinical data with 5,750 black and white adults presenting for initial assessment between 1994 and 2000 at the University of Michigan Multidisciplinary Pain Center was performed.CAM therapies were used in high frequencies, with 34.7% users. Specifically 8.3% used acupuncture, 13.0% used biofeedback/relaxation, and 24.9% used manipulation techniques. Race and age were predisposing factors associated with CAM use. Blacks used less biofeedback/relaxation and manipulation services than whites. Aging was related to more acupuncture, but less biofeedback/relaxation use. Women marginally used more biofeedback/relaxation services than men, and education was positively associated with all three CAM use. Perceived pain control was a consistent enabling factor positively correlated with the use of all three CAM services. Among need factors, pain characteristics and physical health were positively associated with at least one of the modalities. Depressive symptoms were not related to CAM services use.This study identifies variable patterns of CAM usage based on sociodemographic and health factors in chronic pain patients. Overall, who uses CAM depends on the modality; however, education, pain severity, and pain duration are persistent correlates of CAM usage regardless of the therapy considered. We found that mental health, as measured by depressive symptoms, had no noticeable impact on CAM usage among chronic pain patients. The clinical, policy, and research implications of CAM use are discussed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78625/1/j.1526-4637.2009.00767.x.pd
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