Annual Community Research Articles

Assessing the Implementation Process of Consulting Citizen Participation in Policy and Housing Delivery in South Africa

This article aims to assess the implementation process of consulting citizen participation and conflicts involved in housing delivery against the environment of the South Africanhousing need and housing policy. In this way the study wants to clarify the relationship between housing policy and housing practice. The article is based on the legislations and policies designed to foster and promote public participation in South Africa. These include legislation at both the national and local government levels and a survey of planning departments measuring the types of public participation strategies used by local governments. The article’s findings indicate that South African Municipalities need adopt a broader range of public participation techniques related to: voluntarism and public engagement, neighbourhood and strategic planning, and e-government. In contrast, the article’s findings indicate that South African Municipalities are more likely to crumple if they do not promote public participation through mechanisms such as annual community meetings and referendums on public issues. The conclusion of the article offers recommendations for expanding the scope of public participation and developing strategies that maximize citizen input in community development activities in both the Provincial and local spheres of government. The survey was conducted to identify the scope of public participation techniques used by local governments and the Department of Housing in Tyutyu housing project located in the Buffalo city metropolitan municipality. It is an initiative which was started in the year 2000 with the aim of alleviating housing shortage in the area. Formerly, the area was made up of mud houses that were constructed by the former Ciskei government. Later on, shacks were added in the area. Originally, <br />these structures were meant to form agricultural rural village settlements. One limitation of this methodology is that it does not gauge the effectiveness of the participation techniques used by local governments and the department of housing or the intensity of public engagement. However, the results from this study provide future researchers with a mechanism for focusing future analysis. The findings can assist in identifying new directions for enhancing public participation in South Africa and globally.

Building Sustainable Campus-Community Partnerships: A Reciprocal-Relationship Model

Taking education outside of the classroom is an exciting, yet daunting, proposition. Community-based education can provide students exposure to the richness and complication of the world outside of academe—the people, politics and interconnections that both challenge and complement our traditional modes of teaching. These educational experiences also play many other important roles within the institution, reinforcing the mission, providing relevance within the communities the institution serves, and fulfilling the citizenship roles many colleges and universities value. This paper uses experiences and insights gained planning and staffing an annual community arts festival to develop a model of campus-community partnership that is based on a broad conception of reciprocity. Incorporating the perspectives of a faculty member, a student, a college administrator and a community partner, the paper describes the process by which the project, and an associated course, have been (and continue to be) developed. We argue that applying the broader concepts of reciprocity enhance the success, sustainability and satisfaction of working in partnership.

Changes in zooplankton community structure associated with the disappearance of invasive alewife in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron

We evaluated the response of the zooplankton community Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron to the disappearance of the planktivore alewife Alosa pseudoharengus using data collected in 1991–1996 (pre alewife decline) and 2009–2010 (post alewife decline). Bosmina longirostris, Diaptomidae, Cyclops, and Daphnia galeata contributed greatly to the separation of the two time periods with Diaptomidae and D. galeata increasing and Cyclops and B. longirostris decreasing, although B. longirostris remained the dominant species. Peak densities of zooplankton occurred in early summer (June) in the 1990s and in early fall (October) in 2009–2010. For the analysis of environmental variables on a bay-wide, annual basis, abundance of alewife, age-0 yellow perch Perca flavescens and Bythotrephes captured much of the variation in annual zooplankton community structure. Abundances of Bythotrephes and age-0 yellow perch were both higher in 2009–2010 than in 1991–1996. Some changes such as increasing proportions of calanoid copepods reflect a more oligotrophic community and are potentially indicative of resource-driven changes rather than direct or indirect impacts of the alewife disappearance.

Environmental Factors Influencing Coastal Vegetation Pattern: New Insights from the Mediterranean Basin

Coastal dune ecosystems show strongly dynamic interactions between abiotic and biotic factors. The relationship between plant communities and environmental factors has been previously studied in oceanic dune systems, but few studies have been conducted along Mediterranean coasts. In this study we analyze the relative contribution of environmental factors associated with two of the main drivers of vegetation zonation: soil and wind. We chose two representative coastal dune systems in the western Mediterranean Basin subject to low levels of human disturbance. Within 54 plots we recorded floristic and environmental data. Vegetation zonation and relationships with environmental variables were investigated through unconstrained and constrained ordinations, correlation, and variance partitioning. Environmental factors shift along the gradient from coastal to inland dunes, concomitantly with the pattern of community types from annual beach communities to shrub-covered fixed dunes. This general gradient is similar both in the Mediterranean and in the oceanic coastal ecosystems, with the same factors that show similar trends along the dune profile. However, our results highlight some peculiarities of the Mediterranean dune systems in relation to the amount of variation explained by environmental factors. While most studies conducted in oceanic ecosystems find that wind-related parameters may control the vegetation zonation, in our study areas we observed a minor importance of the wind-related variables when compared to soil properties. In particular, organic matter and grain-size variability were found to be closely correlated with the distribution of plant communities along the gradient.

Niche opportunities and invasion dynamics in a desert annual community

Although many factors influence the ability of exotics to invade successfully, most studies focus on only a few variables to explain invasion; attempts at theoretical synthesis are largely untested. The niche opportunities framework proposes that the demographic success of an invader is largely affected by the availability of resources and the abundance of its enemies. Here, we use a 31-year study from a desert ecosystem to examine the niche opportunities framework via the invasion of the annual plant Erodium cicutarium. While the invader remained rare for two decades, a decline in granivory combined with an ideal climate window created an opportunity for E. cicutarium to escape control and become the dominant annual plant in the community. We show that fluctuations in consumption and resources can create niche opportunities for invaders and highlight the need for additional long-term studies to track the influence of changing climate and community dynamics on invasions.

Local filters limit species diversity, but species pools determine composition

Abstract In a series of three experiments, we tested for effects of species pools, resource stress, and species interactions on four aspects of community structure: species richness, evenness, species composition, and functional group composition. We also examined whether the impacts of species interactions on the community varied with resource availability or species pool. Communities of sand dune annuals grew from seed bank samples collected from two sites in three different years, so that the species pool differed at two levels: the source site and the year of seed bank collection. Communities experienced one of three irrigation treatments and a range of sowing densities, which varied resource supply (stress) and the potential for species interactions, respectively. Species richness and evenness were most affected by local factors: higher densities and lower water availability decreased species diversity. In contrast, species composition was influenced most by the species pool. Functional group composition had an intermediate response, and was affected by both species pools and local filters. Resource stress and species interactions strongly filtered species from the community, but the identity of species remaining was variable. Furthermore, the magnitude of species interaction effects on richness and evenness varied with species pools. Thus, the outcome of species sorting among biotic and abiotic environments was dependent on the pool of available species. Contrary to predictions from theory, the effects of species interactions on the community did not vary consistently with resource levels.

Exotic annual grass invasion alters fuel amounts, continuity and moisture content

Many exotic annual grasses are believed to increase wildfire frequency to the detriment of native vegetation by increasing fine fuels and thus, creating a grass-fire cycle. However, information on differences in fuel characteristics between invaded and non-invaded plant communities is lacking, or is based mainly on speculation and anecdotal evidence. We compared fuel biomass, cover, continuity and moisture content in plant communities invaded and not invaded by cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.), an exotic annual grass, in 2010 and 2011 in south-eastern Oregon, USA. Annual grass-invaded communities had higher fine fuel amounts, greater fuel continuity, smaller fuel gaps and lower fuel moisture content than did non-invaded plant communities. These conditions would increase the probability that ignition sources would contact combustible fuels and that fires would propagate. Fuel characteristics in the annual grass-invaded communities in our study may also support faster spreading fires. Fuel moisture content was low enough to burn readily more than a month earlier in annual grass-invaded communities than in non-invaded communities, thereby expanding the wildfire season. The cumulative effect of these differences in fuel characteristics between exotic annual grass-invaded and non-invaded plant communities is an increased potential for frequent, large-scale, fast-spreading wildfires. We suggest that research is needed to develop methods to mediate and reverse these changes in fuel characteristics associated with B. tectorum invasion.

Abstract A29: Developing biospecimen and clinical research education materials for ethnic minorities and younger survivors.

Abstract Biospecimen (BB) and clinical trials (CT) research form the core of biomedical discoveries and advancements in diagnosing, preventing, and treating diseases. We conducted a multi-pronged formative data gathering strategy to inform the development of BB and CT education material focusing on ethnic minorities and younger survivors. Our approach is based on the community participatory framework and the theoretical foundation is the socio-ecological contextual model to examine, assess, understand and address cancer disparities. Our community advisory council recommended a multi method formative data gathering that included key informant (8 community health leaders) and in-depth advocate or survivor interviews with African-, Chinese- and Latino-American participants (n=33), and incorporated data from a national survey. These participants revealed that clinical research acceptability among ethnic minorities is high, yet access to information and resources on clinical research relevant to ethnic minorities is inadequate. Preliminary findings underscored the importance of clear, concise and in-language educational materials. Our participants noted that educational presentations are most effective when conducted by a team comprising community health leaders (CHL) and scientific and medical experts. Additional data gathering was conducted in collaboration with Living Beyond Breast Cancer in a nation-wide sample of 1500 breast cancer survivors to assess their interest in and attainment of CT materials and resources. Participants were aged 21 to 63, <45 yrs at diagnoses, 61% were 0-5 yrs post diagnosis, and 76% endorsed interest in CT. CT interest was also high for ethnic minority respondents (Latina=76%, African-American=79%, and Asian-American=86%). Although respondents showed great interest, only 39% of respondents attained any CT information; and ethnic minority respondents reported similarly low access rates (38% Asian- and African-American and 33% Latinas). This high interest-low accession outcome was validated by our local formative interviews. Given that studies demonstrate an association between lack of information and low participation in clinical research, and that our informative and survey participants endorsed interest but rarely attained CT information, we formulated a multi-level strategy to increase underrepresented population in clinical research: 1) We used our local data and existing literature to develop brief, in-language BB and CT educational and resource fliers for Chinese-, African- and Latino-Americans. We conducted preliminary evaluative reviews with City of Hope scientists and providers, community providers and breast cancer survivors and advocates. Our educational documents were finalized based on the preliminary reviews; 2) An annual Community Education and Awareness forum was designed to showcase medical advancements delivered by scientists and providers, and feature a panel comprising CHL and survivors sharing their experiences with CT and BB; and 3) Our 3rd strategy will implement i) primary and oncology provider disseminated patient education, and ii) patient activation via a multi media campaign about a patients' right to ask about clinical research including CT and BB. We believe that this multi-level intervention that targets all stakeholders can make improvements in minority representation in clinical research at the local level, and may produce solutions with national applicability. Citation Format: Sophia Yeung, Mayra Serrano, Kimlin Ashing-Giwa. Developing biospecimen and clinical research education materials for ethnic minorities and younger survivors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fifth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2012 Oct 27-30; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012;21(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A29.

Floristic analysis of a high-speed railway embankment in a Mediterranean landscape

Abstract - We analyzed the floristic composition of a 4.5 km-long segment of a high- -speed railway in Lazio, central Italy, which travels on an artificial embankment through an intensively-farmed landscape. In total, 287 vascular plant species were recorded. The life-form distribution was found to be similar to that of the regional species pool, with high percentages of therophytes (38%) and phanerophytes (13%). In the chorological spectrum the Mediterranean floristic element prevailed (44%), while alien species were 8% of the flora. The phytosociological spectrum showed a high diversity of characteristic species from the class Stellarietea mediae or its subordinate syntaxa (26%), and in particular from the order Thero-Brometalia (Mediterranean, sub-nitrophilous annual communities). Species from forest syntaxa had a relatively high diversity (9%). These results suggest that the ecological filtering provided by the Mediterranean regional climate controlled species assemblage even in a completely artificial habitat, preventing floristic homogenization: the flora of the studied railway section is only partially »ruderalized«, while it keeps strong links with the regional (semi-) natural plant communities. However, in contrast to what is observed in central and north Europe, the railway sides studied in the present paper do not seem to represent a refugial habitat for rare species from grassland communities, mainly because in Italy semi-natural dry grasslands are still widely represented.

Nitrogen limitation, 15N tracer retention, and growth response in intact and Bromus tectorum-invaded Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis communities

Annual grass invasion into shrub-dominated ecosystems is associated with changes in nutrient cycling that may alter nitrogen (N) limitation and retention. Carbon (C) applications that reduce plant-available N have been suggested to give native perennial vegetation a competitive advantage over exotic annual grasses, but plant community and N retention responses to C addition remain poorly understood in these ecosystems. The main objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate the degree of N limitation of plant biomass in intact versus B. tectorum-invaded sagebrush communities, (2) determine if plant N limitation patterns are reflected in the strength of tracer (15)N retention over two growing seasons, and (3) assess if the strength of plant N limitation predicts the efficacy of carbon additions intended to reduce soil N availability and plant growth. Labile C additions reduced biomass of exotic annual species; however, growth of native A. tridentata shrubs also declined. Exotic annual and native perennial plant communities had divergent responses to added N, with B. tectorum displaying greater ability to use added N to rapidly increase aboveground biomass, and native perennials increasing their tissue N concentration but showing little growth response. Few differences in N pools between the annual and native communities were detected. In contrast to expectations, however, more (15)N was retained over two growing seasons in the invaded annual grass than in the native shrub community. Our data suggest that N cycling in converted exotic annual grasslands of the northern Intermountain West, USA, may retain N more strongly than previously thought.

Assemblage of a Semi-Arid Annual Plant Community: Abiotic and Biotic Filters Act Hierarchically

The study of species coexistence and community assembly has been a hot topic in ecology for decades. Disentangling the hierarchical role of abiotic and biotic filters is crucial to understand community assembly processes. The most critical environmental factor in semi-arid environments is known to be water availability, and perennials are usually described as nurses that create milder local conditions and expand the niche range of several species. We aimed to broaden this view by jointly evaluating how biological soil crusts (BSCs), water availability, perennial species (presence/absence of Stipa tenacissima) and plant-plant interactions shape a semi-arid annual plant community. The presence and cover of annual species was monitored during three years of contrasting climate. Water stress acted as the primary filter determining the species pool available for plant community assembly. Stipa and BSCs acted as secondary filters by modulating the effects of water availability. At extremely harsh environmental conditions, Stipa exerted a negative effect on the annual plant community, while at more benign conditions it increased annual community richness. Biological soil crusts exerted a contradictory effect depending on climate and on the presence of Stipa, favoring annuals in the most adverse conditions but showing repulsion at higher water availability conditions. Finally, interactions among co-occurring annuals shaped species richness and diversity of the final annual plant assembly. This study sheds light on the processes determining the assembly of annual communities and highlights the importance of Biological Soil Crusts and of interactions among annual plants on the final outcome of the species assembly.

The Second Annual Space Weather Community Operations Workshop: Advancing Operations Into the Next Decade

How can we continue to advance the space weather operational community from lessons already learned when it comes to data reliability, maintainability, accessibility, dependability, safety, and quality? How can we make space weather more easily accessible to each other and outside users? Representatives from operational, commercial, academic, and government organizations weighed in on these important questions at the second annual Space Weather Community Operations Workshop, held 22–23 March 2012 in Park City, Utah, with the unofficial workshop motto being Don’t Reinvent the Wheel. The workshop, hosted by the Space Weather Center (SWC) at Utah State University (USU), had an objective of building on preexisting distributed space weather networks. W. Kent Tobiska, director of USU SWC, introduced this objective by pointing to the operations-level information exchange already occurring between 11 organizations: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC); NASA Community Coordinated Modeling Center; Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics; Atmospheric and Environmental Research; Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research; Exploration Physics International; Rice Space Institute; U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); Space Environment Center; Space Environment Technologies; and the event host, USU SWC. The workshop brought together two dozen core commercial, agency, and university space weather operational personnel to promote a robust data exchange capacity within the space weather enterprise. This data exchange focuses on sharing common operational problems and solutions as well as working toward developing best practices that will eventually become standards for space weather operations. Each participant discussed mission assurance best practices in terms of reliability, maintainability, accessibility, dependability, safety, and quality. For example, recommendations for reliability best practices would be to maintain redundancy by creating several channels for data access making systems more reliable by allowing data customers multiple access points and relieving strain on systems. Unreliable source data are detrimental to space weather products when downstream users are unable to ingest data. Looking at maintainability, simple practices such as consistent, intuitive file-naming conventions; maintainable software; documentation (e.g., user guides and test plans); and attention to other best practices in software development are vital. Structural and descriptive metadata are key players in accessibility. Following the simple outline of Who, What, Where, When, Why, How, and Whose is recommended for creating and developing meaningful metadata that will benefit the end user. Dependability of data and systems becomes a main focus for data producers and maintainers. The direct access servers (non-Web) such as the External Space Weather Data Store used by NOAA SWPC and Earthworm used by USGS are examples of different systems used to bolster dependability of data access for users. Finally, safety and quality of products and data can be tested against several different challenges, including Geospace Environment Modeling (GEM) Metrics, Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions (CEDAR) Electrodynamics Thermosphere Ionosphere (ETI), GEMCEDAR (Dst), and Solar Heliosphere and Interplanetary Environment (SHINE) program (see http://ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov/ support/CETI2010/). Quality products will help improve the safety of the same products, fostering a community perception of trustworthy space weather data providers. Topics of coronal mass ejection forecasts and ensemble modeling, high-latitude energy inputs, and products and services were discussed in breakout sessions. These sessions generated ideas for creating accessible data distribution systems, ensuring reliability in operational data systems, building dependable data networks, establishing and implementing operational space weather best practices, and developing maintainable operational systems. The 2012 workshop concluded with action items for improving common space weather operations. The success of the first Space Weather Community Operations Workshop in 2011 led to sponsorship of the second workshop by the Amer-

Assessing the Validity of Self-reported Community Benefit Expenditures

In its revised Form 990 Schedule H, the Internal Revenue Service requires not-for-profit hospitals to provide detailed financial information on their community benefits, yet no standardized reporting guidelines exist for how these activities should be quantified. As a result, little is known currently about whether a hospital's self-reported community benefit expenditures provide an accurate picture of its commitment to serving the community. To assess the validity of hospitals' self-reported community benefit expenditures. Data for this study came from California hospitals. Self-reported community benefit expenditures were derived from hospitals' annual community benefit reports for the year 2009. Bivariate correlation analysis was used to compare self-reported expenditures to a set of indicators of hospitals' charitable activity. Of the 218 private, not-for-profit California hospitals that were required to submit community benefit reports for 2009, 91 (42%) provided sufficient information for our analysis. California hospitals' self-reported community benefit expenditures were strongly correlated with indicators of charitable activity. Hospitals that reported higher community benefit expenditures engaged in more charitable activities than hospitals that reported lower levels of community benefit spending. Expenditure information from California hospitals' community benefit reports was found to be a valid indicator of charitable activity. Self-reported community benefit spending may thus provide a fairly accurate picture of a hospital's commitment to serving its community, despite the lack of standardized reporting guidelines.

The role of perennial plants in preserving annual plant complexity in a desert ecosystem

Composition and structure of an annual plant community can be influenced by abiotic factors and strongly influenced by plant interactions. Due to the important contribution of perennial plants to desert ecosystems, i.e., (1) they act as a physical barrier against wind and radiation; and (2) they act as organic-matter donors and soil-moisture moderators, an attempt to distinguish between these two functions was made in this study. A long-term research covering three growing seasons (2006, 2007, and 2008) allowed us to examine the contribution of abiotic factors such as rainy years to the annual communities. At the study site, 50 Hammada scoparia shrubs and 50 artificial plants were randomly marked and placed to be used as a tool for distinguishing between the physical and the biotic components of annual plants. Soil samples were collected monthly and all annual plant species individuals were identified and counted during the three growing seasons of 2006, 2007, and 2008. Extreme differences found between annual measurements (biomass, plant density, species richness, and composition) were mainly detected during the wet growing season (2007) in comparison to the drier years (2006, 2008). Moreover, throughout the three years of the study, some annual species were more associated with the perennial shrubs while others were more associated with the open areas. Distinguishing between the two features of perennial plants — the physical barrier and the organic-matter donator/soil-moisture moderator, will allow us to elucidate the importance of perennial shrubs as long-term moderators of primary production in a desert ecosystem.

High blood pressure in adults with disabilities: Influence of gender, body weight and health behaviors

The aims of this study were to explore the mean and distribution of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and to examine the influence of gender, body weight and health behaviors on hypertension in adults with disabilities. We analyzed the 2010 annual community health examination chart of adults with disabilities in east Taiwan. The study samples included 833 adults with disabilities whose age 30 years and over participated in the analyses. The mean value of diastolic and systolic blood pressure (mmHg) of the study participants was 76.51 ± 12.65 (range = 40-155) and 127.39 ± 20.32 (range = 77-221). Fifteen percent and 23.4% of the participants have high diastolic (>/=90 mmHg) and systolic (>/= 140 mmHg) blood pressure. There were 27.4% of the participants who had hypertension, high diastolic or/and systolic blood pressure. Finally, we found that the factors of older age (OR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.22-4.93), overweight or obese in BMI (OR = 6.72, 95% CI = 1.90-23.78; OR = 6.76, 95% CI = 1.84-24.84), waist circumference (OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.03-2.61) and vegetable/fruit intake (OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.39-0.94) were variables that could significantly predict the hypertension condition of the subjects after controlling factors of marital status, type and level of disability. To improve the healthcare for people who suffer with and prevention for hypertension, the study highlights the health authorities should pay much attention to blood pressure condition and their determinants for people with disabilities in the communities.

Modeling population exposure to community noise and air pollution in a large metropolitan area

Epidemiologic studies have shown that both air pollution and community noise are associated with cardiovascular disease mortality. Because road traffic is a major contributor to these environmental pollutants in metropolitan areas, it is plausible that the observed associations may be confounded by coexistent pollutants. As part of a large population-based cohort study to address this concern, we used a noise prediction model to assess annual average community noise levels from transportation sources in metropolitan Vancouver, Canada. The modeled annual average noise level was 64 (inter quartile range 60–68) dB(A) for the region. This model was evaluated by comparing modeled annual daytime A-weighted equivalent continuous noise levels (Lday) with measured 5-min daytime A-weighted equivalent continuous noise levels (Leq,day,5min) at 103 selected roadside sites in the study region. On average, Lday was 6.2 (95% CI, 6.0–7.9) dB(A) higher than, but highly correlated (r=0.62; 95% CI, 0.48–0.72) with, Leq,day,5min. These results suggest that our model-based noise exposure assessment could approximately reflect actual noise exposure in the study region. Overall, modeled noise levels were not strongly correlated with land use regression estimates of traffic-related air pollutants including black carbon, particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5μm (PM2.5), NO2 and NO; the highest correlation was with black carbon (r=0.48), whereas the lowest correlation was with PM2.5 (r=0.18). There was no consistent effect of traffic proximity on the correlations between community noise levels and traffic-related air pollutant concentrations. These results, consistent with previous studies, suggest that it is possible to assess potential adverse cardiovascular effects from long-term exposures to community noise and traffic-related air pollution in prospective epidemiologic studies.

Stigma Shrinks my Bubble: A Qualitative Study of Understandings and Experiences of Stigma and Bipolar Disorder

Purpose: This study contributes to the stigma and bipolar disorder literature focused on understanding structural, social, and self-stigma experiences from the perspectives of individuals living with bipolar disorder and their family members. Methods: Community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles guided our engagement of individuals with bipolar disorder and community partners in the initiation, development, implementation, and reporting of this study. We collected data through focus groups with individuals living with bipolar disorder (3 groups) and family members (2 groups) during an annual bipolar disorder community engagement event. Thematic analysis was conducted as an iterative process and aided by several research team meetings. Results: Three core themes emerged: (1) explicit and implicit exclusionary practices linked to structural stigma; (2) social stigma (e.g., If my child had leukemia you would all be bringing me lasagna) and; (3) the burden of self-stigma (e.g., What’s wrong with me?) . These findings address issues arising in work, school, social, and health care settings that shape stigma phenomena. Conclusion: Parallels between the present findings and stigma experiences regarding other types of mental illnesses suggest considerable overlap. Individuals with bipolar disorder expressed hope for change that included (a) working with health care professionals who use a psychosocial rehabilitation approach and (b) implementing personal strategies for unloading the burden of self-stigma in their lives. Implications: The conceptualization of stigma as self, social and structural resonated well with the experiences and understandings of study participants. This conceptualization offers a bridge for communication between people with bipolar disorder, their families and health care practitioners and may be a useful framework for guiding efforts to reduce stigma. CBPR principles and lived experiences are crucial elements in stigma reduction endeavors.

Osilinus lineatus: Incursion and Proliferation in Lough Hyne Marine Reserve, SW Ireland

Changes in the distributional ranges of marine indicator species have been used to support hypotheses of climate change on NE Atlantic shores. One such indicator species, Osilinus lineatus (da Costa, 1778) (a trochid gastropod), recently colonized the Lough Hyne Marine Reserve in SW Ireland and spread around the lough shores in the last two decades. The incursion and local spread of O. lineatus was documented during annual intertidal community surveys of the lough from 1994 to 2010. This species is presently an abundant member of the lough's biota. Although the tidal rapids connecting the lough to the open ocean may have acted as a partial barrier to incursion, substantial populations of the trochid have been noted within the lough from 2003 to the present. Climate change may have enabled this primarily Lusitanian species to penetrate and fl ourish in the lough. However, based on environmental variables measured and other species surveyed, changes in the semi-enclosed lough may be more complex.

Early life‐history stages drive community reassembly in Australian old‐fields

AbstractQuestionsDo native annual forb seedling communities reassemble after agricultural abandonment to an undisturbed condition? Do environmental changes associated with cultivation affect seedling establishment? Is post‐abandonment recovery of seedling and vegetation communities more limited by seed availability, seedling establishment or seedling survival?LocationNorthern Victoria, Australia.MethodsSeedling density, species richness and composition were sampled across a 100‐yr chronosequence. Standing vegetation, cover of the biological soil crust and soil properties were sampled from the same plots, and the seed bank was sampled from the same sites. Patterns were compared among the seedlings, seed bank and vegetation.ResultsNative seedling density and species richness did not increase with time‐since‐abandonment, despite some recovery in species composition. Native density and richness were negatively associated with soil fertility and bare ground and positively associated with biological soil crust cover; exotics showed the opposite pattern. Species composition showed little association with soil resources. Percentage field emergence from the seed bank was unaffected by time‐since‐abandonment. Compositional similarity between the seedlings and vegetation was higher (81%) than that between the seedlings and seed bank (61%); neither was affected by time‐since‐abandonment.ConclusionsWhile environmental conditions partially determined patterns of seedling recruitment, seed availability was the main driver of seedling density and composition with time‐since‐abandonment. Post‐establishment mortality was apparently not a major determinant of species composition of the standing vegetation. Thus, seed and microsite limitation interacted to drive community reassembly, but seed availability was relatively more important.

Reflections on the first onstage protest at the Royal National Theatre: What is the problem with Richard Bean's recent work?

ABSTRACTThis article highlights the way in which the current critical turn towards cosmopolitanism may signal a return to universalism, in which the cultural values of the most powerful are assumed to be globally applicable norms. Such a tendency is located in two of Richard Bean's recent works, England People Very Nice and The Big Fellah, the first of which attracted media attention when premiered in 2009 by becoming the first play at the Royal National Theatre to create an onstage protest. This article seeks to understand what motivated the demonstration, revealing how England People Very Nice ignores the complex dynamics of colonialism and decolonization in favour of a narrative that flattens and homogenizes the migrant experience. Bean may wish to engage with the hopes and difficulties of an assortment of different communities, but his play revolves around a discomforting binarism, measuring a foreign ‘them’ against an English ‘us’. Although Bean's next play, The Big Fellah, is less well known, it is revealed to share similar flaws. The Big Fellah seeks to describe a gang of IRA-supporters in New York, but is largely devoid of explanatory context and is constructed in a form critiqued by Raymond Williams as being inadequate to explain historical process. Once again, an ethnic group is paraded in order that its beliefs and actions can be analysed, yet the audience is denied the contextualizing tools with which to conduct that analysis. The article concludes by finding an example of a performance that contrasts with Bean's work, highlighting what Puina Werbner defines as ‘working-class cosmopolitanism’ in an annual community event organized by the Irish in inner- city Birmingham.