bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LIVING KIDNEY DONOR EXPERIENCES: IMPLICATIONS FOR COUNSELLING
Authors: Walsh A.
Published: July 2012

This study adds to previous, mostly quantitative, investigation into the experiences of living related kidney donors. Such investigation is important so that potential donors are supported effectively and donation programmes remain relevant and specific to need. Exploration takes place into donor decision‐making processes and the most effective forms of professional support. A non‐probability sampling technique highlighted eight living related kidney donors who were interviewed using a semi‐structured interview format. Raw data was analysed through the qualitative technique of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The decision to donate is made rapidly, decisively and rationally. Professional support provides reassurance to donors, particularly when experiencing acute psychological reaction. The need to provide support to the parents of living donors is specifically highlighted. A comprehensive range of Master Themes are generated through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and these reflect the complexity of the donation experience. This suggests donors are concerned with the management of psychological experience rather than with reviewing the appropriateness of an original decision to donate. Evidence indicates that concepts of attitude and self‐efficacy belief can develop understanding of the psychological experience of being a living kidney donor. A counselling perspective, with Social Cognitive Theory at its core, is highlighted as a valid method for providing professional support to donors before and after surgery.
IMPROVING QUALITY OF ASSISTANCE AND OUTCOME IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS WITH ACUTE RENAL FAILURE
Authors: Sclauzero P. , Casarotto S. , Martingano M. , Morpurgo F. , Rocconi I. , Scala K. , Vescovi M. , Galli G.
Published: July 2012

Collaboration between the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and nephrology nurses is needed to ensure adequate care of critically ill patients with acute renal failure (ARF). To improve this collaboration a questionnaire was circulated to the 122 ICU nurses in the hospital to appraise their knowledge on ARF. A Refresher Course to update on ARF was then organised. Colleagues' interest in the initiative was elevated: 66% of questionnaires were completed which included 88% of nurses attending the course. The experience showed, through measurable results, that team work is essential to collaborative nursing plans. The initiative allowed improvement in the quality of nurses' communication and was accompanied with a significant reduction in short‐term mortality rate of dialyzed ARF patients (45 versus 50%; p=0.045, chi‐square test). Despite the limitations of this short period of observation (one year) the results are judged as useful. Collaboration ensures support for colleagues on a daily basis and during critical moments and can encourage appreciation of the nursing profession.
DEVELOPING THE EUROPEAN CORE CURRICULUM IN RENAL TECHNOLOGY
Authors: James R.
Published: July 2012

Working within the multi‐professional team, renal technicians play a greater part in the functioning of renal units than in other less technical areas of care. The role of the renal technician has been changing and, is now one that often combines technical, scientific and clinical knowledge in utilizing technology so that the long‐term outcomes of the patient are optimised and complications reduced. Therefore a sound knowledge base is vital in ensuring patients' safety.

Whilst still centered on the traditional engineering functions such as equipment repair and maintenance, the curriculum is structured to give a broad overview of renal related physiology, chemistry, treatment modalities and technology. The inclusion of these more clinical aspects in the curriculum reflects the change in the technician's role to a more science‐based approach.
MEANING OF ILLNESS AND ILLNESS REPRESENTATIONS, CRUCIAL FACTORS TO INTEGRAL CARE
Authors: Vélez E. , Ramasco M.
Published: July 2012

Introduction — A comprehensive study of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) and haemodialysis (HD) must include the sociocultural dimension of illness and the experience of patients from their own perspective. It is critical for the caring team to know how the disease is lived and reinterpreted by the patient, as this knowledge could improve nursing staff/patient interaction. The meaning of their experience is also an influential factor on the caring methods utilised by the patient.

Framework — The Theory of Representations and Explanatory Model of Illness was utilised in the study.

Methodology — A narrative qualitative methodology, grounded in a constructivist paradigm was used. Twelve patients were interviewed. The interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim.

Results — Results revealed that patients have a range of beliefs about their illness and their treatment. Regarding identity, symptoms that arise at the outset of illness are not suspected of relating to renal failure. The inevitability of haemodialysis convinces patients of the presence of illness, opening a wide range of metaphors and symbolic representations.

Conclusions — Representations of ESRD and HD conform to a multidimensional corpus where different elements of scientific order and common sense converge and interact, such as beliefs and fears. All of these contribute to the meaning of this illness and its treatment. The attributed meaning is dynamic being continually elaborated based on illness outcomes, adaptation to treatment, particular events and the sociocultural environment.
DIALYSIS: PROLONGING LIFE OR PROLONGING DYING? ETHICAL, LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR END OF LIFE DECISION MAKING
Authors: White Y. , Fitzpatrick G.
Published: July 2012

There are over 7,000 people on dialysis in Australia and this is predicted to increase due to the ageing population and the high incidence of diabetes mellitus. Discontinuation of dialysis is the second most frequent cause of death in dialysis patients in Australia. Risk factors for the discontinuation of dialysis include: co‐morbidities (especially diabetes mellitus) and being older. Because the decision to discontinue dialysis is a major life choice, collaborative decision making should be encouraged, and the patient needs assurances of the continuation of care and kindness, a palliative care plan, and the alleviation of suffering. Patients decide to discontinue dialysis because of an unacceptable quality of life, depression and a chronic failure to thrive. Health professionals need to support end of life decision making using an ethical decision framework. A review of current literature was undertaken and revealed a paucity of information in regard to palliation in those with end stage renal disease who had discontinued dialysis. The fear of dying, pain, suffering, and abandonment that a patient and/or their family may perceive as being associated with death may create barriers to decisions to discontinue with dialysis treatments. Therefore health care personnel should provide information with honesty to allow patients to predict their quality of life and death. Support for the patient and family during the dying period should be multi‐disciplinary, with clear and timely communication between all members of the team.
CLIENT ATTITUDES TOWARDS HOME DIALYSIS THERAPY
Authors: Polaschek N.
Published: July 2012

Background — There are many studies about the professional problem of renal patient non‐compliance and a number describing the experience of living on dialysis. To date studies have not examined client attitudes toward their therapy.

Objectives — This paper reports a study seeking to describe characteristic attitudes towards their treatment regimen among a group living on home dialysis.

Methods — The study used a critical interpretive methodology, enabling a distinction between the professional viewpoint and the renal client perspective. Twenty home dialysis clients from one renal service in New Zealand were interviewed for an hour each in November 2004 and January 2005. Texts of the taped interviews were analysed to discover the client perspective towards their therapy in this group.

Results — During the initial period of adjustment to treatment many participants discovered their need for treatment by experimenting with the therapeutic prescription. They then used what they had learned about the therapy to alter their treatment regimen in order to maintain, as far as possible, their normal lifestyle. After modifying their therapeutic prescription to suit themselves, participants' motivation to continue meeting the ongoing demands of the treatment regimen was influenced by their perception of their individual life situation, including their relationships, work and personal attitudes towards life.

Discussion — Health professionals have interpreted renal client behaviour in relation to their therapy in terms of compliance, because effectiveness of treatment depends on their cooperation. From a client perspective their attitudes are better understood in terms of negotiation. Renal clients do not simply follow professional advice but, through a process of negotiation, seek to integrate therapy into their pattern of regular activities to maintain their normal lifestyle. Renal clients' motivation to meet the ongoing demands of treatment is not related solely to their health status, but is also affected by their general life situation. Understanding client attitudes towards therapy enables nurses to better support people living on dialysis.
QUALITY OF LIFE RESEARCH: A VALUABLE TOOL FOR NEPHROLOGY NURSES
Authors: Tobita I. , Hyde C.
Published: July 2012

Findings from quality of life research provide nurses with valuable information for planning care. However, the instrument for measuring quality of life has to be carefully selected to ensure that it assesses accurately the impact on the patients' lives. The research tools reviewed in this article (QLI‐H, and KDQOLTM) are well‐established instruments that have contributed significantly to understanding issues surrounding quality of life in the end‐stage renal disease population. This understanding will lead to improved patient care in the field of nephrology nursing practice.
EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS IN PAEDIATRIC KIDNEY TRANSPLANT
Authors: Madrid Tornay E.
Published: July 2012

The aim is to offer, via the use of a manual, information to the parents and kidney‐transplanted children, which offers hope to all with advice and explanation of procedures, and in this way, to better inform the recipients. The guide offers information to kidney‐transplanted children and their caregivers, with clear instructions, simple vocabularies and attractive drawings or illustrations.

With this guide, children and youngsters learn measurements of self‐care, know the details of diet, recognize their physical limits and are informed about their necessary medication in order that the medication can be taken with minimal side effects. The parents find information to take care of a child who is transplanted and so has a second opportunity to enjoy life.

This permits high hopes that self‐confidence and self‐esteem will be built up from advice and better information about how to get the best treatment. The quality of life recovered by the children and family is the best reward that can be given to the anonymous donors, who through the transplant, offer a possible reality for those patients who benefit from the chance to live again.
A HAEMODIALYSIS EXERCISE PROGRAMME USING NOVEL EXERCISE EQUIPMENT: A PILOT STUDY
Authors: Bennett Paul N , Breugelmans Leo , Agius Megan , Simpson‐gore Kathy , Barnard Bob
Published: July 2012

Aim — This study explored whether an exercise programme for haemodialysis patients, including the use of a purpose built dialysis exercise machine, would improve quality of life (QoL), nutrition, physical function and biochemical indices.

Methods — Intervention was a 6 month individualised exercise programme, which was continued up to 12 months.

QoL, and biochemical indices were measured at 6 months and nutrition was measured at 12 months. Physical function was measured at 4, 8 and 12 months.

Results — N=22. Improvement in physical function tests was found for the sit to stand (p = 0.005), step in place (p = 0.005) and arm curl (p = 0.05) tests from baseline to 4 months. We showed a decreased in serum phosphate (0.19mmol/L p=0.008), no change in other nutritional parameters and an increase in urea reduction ratio (1.6% p=0.019) in the exercising group. The QoL health and physical functioning domain improved with increased significance (+3.5 p=0.055).

Conclusions — The development of a structured exercise programme can improve quality of life, physical functioning, PO4 levels and urea clearances of dialysis patients.
TAKING CARE OF THE CAREGIVER: SUPPORT GROUPS FOR NEPHROLOGY NURSES
Authors: Chayu Tami , Zur Fruma , Kreitler Shulamith
Published: July 2012

The purpose of the study was to examine the need for support groups in nephrology nurses (NN) in Israel. A questionnaire with 10 questions and demographic background information was administered to nephrology nurses in different hospitals and different parts of the country. Out of 350 distributed questionnaires, 305 nurses responded. The findings showed that there is a need for support groups among NN in Israel.

Conclusions — It is necessary to organise support groups for nurses in every dialysis unit.
Auditory Expectation: The Information Dynamics of Music Perception and Cognition
Authors: Pearce Marcus T. , Wiggins Geraint A.
Published: July 2012

Following in a psychological and musicological tradition beginning with Leonard Meyer, and continuing through David Huron, we present a functional, cognitive account of the phenomenon of expectation in music, grounded in computational, probabilistic modeling. We summarize a range of evidence for this approach, from psychology, neuroscience, musicology, linguistics, and creativity studies, and argue that simulating expectation is an important part of understanding a broad range of human faculties, in music and beyond.
Perception Makes the Difference: The Association of Actual and Perceived Weight Status with Self‐Reported and Parent‐Reported Personal Resources and Well‐Being in Adolescents
Authors: Fuchs Tanja , Eschenbeck Heike , Krug Susanne , Schlaud Martin , Kohlmann Carl‐Walter
Published: July 2012

The study analyzed associations between actual weight status and weight perceptions with personal resources, physical and psychological health, as well as physical performance among adolescents (N = 5,518; age: 11–17 years). Analyses are based on data from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS). Self‐report measures, parental reports, as well as objective test data were considered. Results indicate that weight perceptions, rather than actual weight status, were associated with personal resources, health, and perceived physical performance. Comparing groups, we found that adolescents who felt they had “just the right weight” achieved more favourable results than those who perceived themselves as “too fat”, regardless of their actual weight status. However, actual physical performance was predicted better by actual weight status. Furthermore, weight perceptions were found to mediate the link between actual weight status and all the assessed outcomes (personal resources, health, and physical performance). With respect to self‐reports, the mediational effect was consistently stronger for girls, whereas the reverse was true regarding physical performance. Parental reports were not moderated by sex. Findings provide further evidence that among overweight adolescents there are subgroups that differ significantly with regard to risks and resources. Implications for practice are discussed.
Observation of Public Health Risk Behaviours, Risk Communication and Hand Hygiene at Kansas and Missouri Petting Zoos – 2010–2011
Authors: Erdozain G. , KuKanich K. , Chapman B. , Powell D.
Published: July 2012

Outbreaks of human illness have been linked to visiting settings with animal contact throughout developed countries. This study details an observational study of hand hygiene tool availability and recommendations; frequency of risky behaviour; and handwashing attempts by visitors in Kansas (9) and Missouri (4), USA, petting zoos. Handwashing signs and hand hygiene stations were available at the exit of animal‐contact areas in 10/13 and 8/13 petting zoos, respectively. Risky behaviours were observed being performed at all petting zoos by at least one visitor. Frequently observed behaviours were as follows: children (10/13 petting zoos) and adults (9/13 petting zoos) touching hands to face within animal‐contact areas; animals licking children’s and adults’ hands (7/13 and 4/13 petting zoos, respectively); and children and adults drinking within animal‐contact areas (5/13 petting zoos each). Of 574 visitors observed for hand hygiene when exiting animal‐contact areas, 37% (n = 214) of individuals attempted some type of hand hygiene, with male adults, female adults and children attempting at similar rates (32%, 40% and 37%, respectively). Visitors were 4.8× more likely to wash their hands when a staff member was present within or at the exit to the animal‐contact area (136/231, 59%) than when no staff member was present (78/343, 23%; P < 0.001, OR = 4.863, 95% CI = 3.380–6.998). Visitors at zoos with a fence as a partial barrier to human–animal contact were 2.3× more likely to wash their hands (188/460, 40.9%) than visitors allowed to enter the animals’ yard for contact (26/114, 22.8%; P < 0.001, OR = 2.339, 95% CI = 1.454–3.763). Inconsistencies existed in tool availability, signage and supervision of animal contact. Risk communication was poor, with few petting zoos outlining risks associated with animal contact, or providing recommendations for precautions to be taken to reduce these risks.
Catalytic syntheses of amino acids and their significance for nebular and planetary chemistry
Authors: PIZZARELLO Sandra
Published: July 2012

Abstract– It has been intermittently debated whether some of the organic compounds we find in meteorites, which show a general relationship to interstellar precursors in their isotopic enrichments, could also be formed ab initio from simple gases in nebular and/or parent body processes. Spurred by divergent findings for the organic composition of different stones of the Tagish Lake meteorite, we studied the likelihood of Fisher Tropsch type syntheses of amino acids from CO, H2, and NH3 in the presence of different meteoritic minerals as catalysts and report that amino acids and amines can be produced efficiently under these conditions. Products differed in their molecular distribution depending on the catalyst used, with α‐aminoisobutyric acid synthesized preferentially by Murchison and magnetite powders.
Inhibition of LTi Cell Development by CD25 Blockade Is Associated with Decreased Intrathecal Inflammation in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Perry Justin S. A. , Han Sungpil , Xu Quangang , Herman Matthew L. , Kennedy Lucy B. , Csako Gyorgy , Bielekova Bibiana
Published: August 2012

Daclizumab inhibition of inflammation in human autoimmunity is associated with blockade of lymphoid tissue inducer cell development.
Periapical actinomycosis
Authors: Pasupathy Sanjay P , Chakravarthy Dhanavel , Chanmougananda Sumathy , Nair Preeti P
Published: August 2012

Actinomycosis is a rare chronic infection caused by species ofActinomycesand characterised by abscess formation, tissue fibrosis, suppurative lesions and fistulas with purulent discharge containing sulphur granules. Owing to its multiform manners of presentation and non-specificity from its clinical features, it has been considered as a challenging diagnosis. Periapical actinomycosis is one of the rarest forms of actinomycosis occurring in the maxillofacial region. In its occurrence it presents in the form of persistent and recurrent draining fistula in the periapical region. We report a case of periapical actinomycosis occurred in endodontically treated teeth and accidentally found to be actinomycosis during histopatological examination. An insight towards the portal of entry of the organisms into the periapical region is also discussed. The practice of sending even a tiny bit of tissues to histopathology obtained from periapical surgery will very well demonstrate this disease and help in rapid resolution through appropriate antibiotic therapy.
Rescuer fatigue under the 2010 ERC guidelines, and its effect on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performance
Authors: McDonald Catherine H , Heggie James , Jones Christopher M , Thorne Christopher J , Hulme Jonathan
Published: August 2012

Background

Updated life-support guidelines were published by the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) in 2010, increasing the required depth and rate of chest compression delivery. This study sought to determine the impact of these guidelines on rescuer fatigue and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performance.

Methods

62 Health science students performed 5 min of conventional CPR in accordance with the 2010 ERC guidelines. A SkillReporter manikin was used to objectively assess temporal change in determinants of CPR quality. Participants subjectively reported their end-fatigue levels, using a visual analogue scale, and the point at which they believed fatigue was affecting CPR delivery.

Results

49 (79%) participants reported that fatigue affected their CPR performance, at an average of 167 s. End fatigue averaged 49.5/100 (range 0–95). The proportion of chest compressions delivered correctly decreased from 52% in min 1 to 39% in min 5, approaching significance (p=0.071). A significant decline in chest compressions reaching the recommended depth occurred between the first (53%) and fifth (38%) min (p=0.012). Almost half this decline (6%) was between the first and second minutes of CPR. Neither chest compression rate, nor rescue breath volume, were affected by rescuer fatigue.

Conclusion

Fatigue affects chest compression delivery within the second minute of CPR under the 2010 ERC guidelines, and is poorly judged by rescuers. Rescuers should, therefore, be encouraged to interchange after 2 min of CPR delivery. Team leaders should be advised to not rely on rescuers to self-report fatigue, and should, instead, monitor for its effects.
Waiting room merchandising
Authors: Wilson Paul
Published: July 2012

Selling a range of items in the practice waiting room is an effective way of increasing revenue and encouraging clients to visit the practice more regularly. Paul Wilson discusses how to decide which items to stock and things to consider when finding a supplier; he also offers advice on how to promote the products and keep them turning over.
Comments on the dilemma in the June issue: ‘Offering neighbourly advice’
Authors: Mullan Siobhan
Published: July 2012

The dilemma in the June issue concerned a next door neighbour asking for advice about her grandson's rabbit, which had been taken to its local vet with a swelling on the side of its face (In Practice, June 2012, volume 34, page 366). The practice had diagnosed an abscess and offered to remove it at a cost of £300, but you were not sure you would have recommended this. David Williams commented that this was both a clinical issue and an ethical dilemma. Abscesses arising from an infected tooth root could be difficult to manage and the ways in which vets dealt with them varied. The ethical dilemma concerned whether advice offered over a garden fence could be classed as a second opinion. It was possible that your comments would have repercussions in terms of the management of the rabbit and the relationship between the client and their vet. One option was to refuse to give an opinion, which seemed hard‐hearted. Another was to ask the owner to contact their vet before you gave your opinon. However, it was probably easier to preface any comments with a disclaimer that different vets had different views on treatment options and to emphasise that you were making suggestions without even having seen the animal. It was important to keep the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct at the forefront of your mind when offering advice in such circumstances.
The client journey: viewing your practice from a new perspective
Authors: Macpherson Tee
Published: July 2012

Putting yourself in the client's shoes and experiencing the process of visiting your own practice – from phoning up to book the appointment to paying the bill for a consultation – makes it easier to identify areas where services can be improved. Tee Macpherson suggests what to look out for at each step of the client journey to ensure that any shortcomings are identified.
Using habitat suitability models to predict changes in seagrass distribution caused by water management practices1This article is derived from a special session entitled “A New Hydrology: Inflow Effects on Ecosystem Form and Functioning” that took place at the February 2011 ASLO Aquatic Sciences conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Authors: Santos Rolando O. , Lirman Diego
Published: July 2012

Habitat suitability (HS) models can help elucidate the relationship between organisms and their environment and simulate the potential impacts of human activities on species distributions. Here, we developed HS models for Thalassia testudinum and Halodule wrightii , two seagrasses found in Biscayne Bay (Florida, USA). These species are mostly found in nearshore habitats of the bay that are highly susceptible to changes in water quality because of their proximity to the city of Miami and activities and projects associated with the restoration of the Florida Everglades . The HS models parameterized with data collected at >900 sites highlighted salinity as a key factor determining habitat suitability for these seagrass species. Thalassia ’s suitable habitat was associated with higher, more stable salinity compared with that of Halodule , which was associated with lower salinity and shallower depths. Both species benefited under a simulated scenario of increased freshwater flow, but Halodule’s suitable habitat increased by 71% compared with that of Thalassia’s, which exhibited only an 18% increase. HS models such as those described here provide spatial modeling tools that can contribute science-based input into the management of coastal resources within an adaptive management framework.
A widespread decrease in productivity of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) populations in western North America
Authors: Peterman Randall M. , Dorner Brigitte
Published: July 2012

We used data on 64 stocks of sockeye salmon ( Oncorhynchus nerka ) from British Columbia (B.C.), Washington, and Alaska to determine whether recent decreases in abundance and productivity observed for Fraser River, B.C., sockeye have occurred more widely. We found that decreasing time trends in productivity have occurred across a large geographic area ranging from Washington, B.C., southeast Alaska, and up through the Yakutat peninsula, Alaska, but not in central and western Alaska. Furthermore, a pattern of predominantly shared trends across southern stocks and opposite trends between them and stocks from western Alaska was present in the past (1950–1985), but correlations have intensified since then. The spatial extent of declining productivity of sockeye salmon has important implications for management as well as research into potential causes of the declines. Further research should focus on mechanisms that operate at large, multiregional spatial scales, and (or) in marine areas where numerous correlated sockeye stocks overlap.
Can wood properties be predicted from the morphological traits of a tree? A canonical correlation study of plantation-grown white spruce
Authors: Lenz Patrick , Bernier-Cardou Michèle , MacKay John , Beaulieu Jean
Published: August 2012

There is a growing interest in predicting wood quality from tree morphology traits, which can be measured using remote sensing techniques such as LiDAR, to enhance forest inventory for operational planning. In this study, we investigated the correlation structure between these two categories of traits in white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) using canonical and multiple regression analyses with the objective of identifying key morphology variables that are predictive of wood quality. For 495 trees from a 30-year-old plantation, we obtained measurements of tree height and dimensions of the living crown, as well as the number and diameter of live branches at selected whorls. Wood traits were assessed from wood cores with SilviScan technology. Morphological traits explained almost 29% of the overall variation observed in wood traits. However, the magnitude of the correlations and the ability of crown morphological traits to predict wood traits differed widely among the latter. Average ring width and radial cell diameter, both related to increment, were well correlated with tree morphology, whereas traits related to subcellular structure, for instance, microfibril angle, were poorly correlated. These results could guide the choice of wood traits to improve inventory techniques aiming to optimize the forest product value chain.
Association of the arboreal forage lichenBryoria fremontiiwithAbies magnificain the Sierra Nevada, California
Authors: Rambo Thomas R.
Published: August 2012

A strong positive association exists between Bryoria fremontii (Tuck.) Brodo & D. Hawksw. and red fir ( Abies magnifica A. Murray) in mixed-conifer forest of the south-central Sierra Nevada in California. The hypotheses that red fir microclimate, foliar leachate pH, mineral nutrients, and needle morphology may be especially favorable for B. fremontii were investigated in this study. There were no statistically significant differences in fall–winter–spring period within-crown vapor pressure deficits among five conifer species. In spring leachate solutions, NH4+and K+were significant indicators of red fir, which had generally greater ion concentrations than other species. Sugar pine ( Pinus lambertiana Douglas) leachate had the lowest pH. Mineral nutrient concentrations and acidity increased across species in fall samples. Growth and establishment of B. fremontii transplants were compared among the five conifer species. Grand mean annual transplant relative growth across conifer species was 6.28% with no statistically significant differences among species. Thallus retention in an establishment experiment was significantly greater in red fir than in shaded white fir ( Abies concolor (Gordon & Glend.) Hildebr. var. lowiana (Gordon) Lemmon) or the other three investigated conifers. The most important factor explaining the association of B. fremontii with red fir was the latter’s erect needle morphology.
Delineating genetic groupings in continuously distributed species across largely homogeneous landscapes: a study of American black bears (Ursus americanus) in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Pelletier A. , Obbard M.E. , Mills K. , Howe E.J. , Burrows F.G. , White B.N. , Kyle C.J.
Published: August 2012

There is a crucial need to understand the genetic consequences of landscape modifications on continuous populations that could become fragmented, and to evaluate the degree of differentiation of isolated populations that were historically part of the core. Using 15 microsatellite loci, we evaluated the genetic structure of American black bears ( Ursus americanus Pallas, 1780) across a vast, contiguous Ontario landscape (>1 × 106km2) that largely represents their pre-European settlement distribution. Because geographic barriers are absent, we predicted that isolation by distance would drive genetic structure. We identified three genetic clusters (Northwest, Southeast, and Bruce Peninsula) that were less differentiated than when assessed with mtDNA, suggesting the influence of male-biased dispersal on large-scale genetic differentiation. Isolation by distance (r = 0.552, P = 0.001) was supported by a weak, clinal variation between Northwest and Southeast, illustrating the challenges to delineate populations in wide-ranging taxa. The Bruce Peninsula cluster, confined to a small area under strong anthropogenic pressures, was more differentiated from neighbouring clusters (FST > 0.13, P < 0.0001), with a genetic diversity corresponding to disjunct populations of black bears. Our results could be used in landscape genetics models to project the evolution of population differentiation based on upcoming landscape modifications in northern regions of North America.
TESTS OF LORENTZ AND CPT VIOLATION WITH MiniBooNE NEUTRINO OSCILLATION EXCESSES
Authors: KATORI TEPPEI
Published: August 2012

Violation of Lorentz invariance and CPT symmetry is a predicted phenomenon of Planck-scale physics. Various types of data are analyzed to search for Lorentz violation under the Standard Model Extension (SME) framework, including neutrino oscillation data. MiniBooNE is a short-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment at Fermilab. The measured excesses from MiniBooNE cannot be reconciled within the neutrino Standard Model (νSM); thus it might be a signal of new physics, such as Lorentz violation. We have analyzed the sidereal time-dependence of MiniBooNE data for signals of the possible breakdown of Lorentz invariance in neutrinos. In this brief review, we introduce Lorentz violation, the neutrino sector of the SME and the analysis of short-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments. We then present the results of the search for Lorentz violation in MiniBooNE data. This review is based on the published result.
INCOMPRESSIBILITY AND REACTIONS INDUCED BY WEAKLY BOUND PROJECTILE, 9Be
Authors: GHODSI O. N. , SEYYEDI S. A. , MOHAMMADI S.
Published: July 2012

Using a nucleon–nucleon force of the type M3Y-Reid and an additional repulsive interaction which simulates the incompressibility effects of the nuclear matter, we have examined the effects of the repulsive core modeling on the interaction potentials and complete fusion cross-sections for 9 Be + 124 Sn and 9 Be + 89 Y systems. The adjusted parameters of this repulsive force have been chosen in such a way that fully explains the properties of the nuclear matter in the region where the nuclear densities of the interacting nuclei completely overlap. The results of our studies reveal that accounting for this correction in the calculations of the total potentials leads to improvement of calculated cross-sections and affects on the complete fusion suppression at above barrier energies.
STABILITY OF S-BRANE SINGULAR SOLUTIONS AND EXPANSION OF THE UNIVERSE
Authors: MOCHIZUKI RIUJI , IKEGAMI KENJI
Published: July 2012

We investigate stability of single S-brane singular solutions obtained in our previous papers. A stable perturbative solution exists for each of them, while an unstable one exists only if the dilaton field does not depend on time. We apply these perturbative solutions to inflation and late-time acceleration of expansion of the universe.
THERMODYNAMICS OF NONSPHERICAL BLACK HOLES FROM LIOUVILLE THEORY
Authors: YUAN FANG-FANG , HUANG YONG-CHANG
Published: August 2012

A Liouville formalism was proposed many years ago to account for the black hole entropy. It was recently updated to connect thermodynamics of general black holes, in particular the Hawking temperature, to two-dimensional Liouville theory. This relies on the dimensional reduction to two-dimensional black hole metric. The relevant dilaton gravity model can be rewritten as a Liouville-like theory. We refine the method and give general formulas for the corresponding scalar and energy–momentum tensors in Liouville theory. This enables us to read off the black hole temperature using a relation which was found about three decades ago. Then the range of application is extended to include nonspherical black holes such as neutral and charged black rings, topological black hole and the case coupled to a scalar field. As for the entropy, following previous authors, we invoke the Lagrangian approach to central charge by Cadoni and then use the Cardy formula. The general relevant parameters are also given. This approach is more advantageous than the usual Hamiltonian approach which was used by the old Liouville formalism for black hole entropy.
GRAPHICAL QUANTUM LOW-DENSITY PARITY-CHECK CODES
Authors: LI YUAN , XU MANTAO , MENG YINKUO , GUO YING
Published: August 2012

Graphical approach provides a direct way to construct error correction codes. Motivated by its good properties, associating low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes, in this paper we present families of graphical quantum LDPC codes which contain no girth of four. Because of the fast algorithm of constructing for graphical codes, the proposed quantum codes have lower encoding complexity.
ROTATING SYNCHRONIZATION IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL CHAOTIC SYSTEMS
Authors: NIAN FUZHONG , WANG XINGYUAN
Published: August 2012

Projective synchronization investigates the synchronization of systems evolve in same orientation, however, in practice, the situation of same orientation is only minority, and the majority is different orientation. This paper investigates the latter, proposes the concept of rotating synchronization, and verifies its necessity and feasibility via theoretical analysis and numerical simulations. Three conclusions were elicited: first, in three-dimensional space, two arbitrary nonlinear chaotic systems who evolve in different orientation can realize synchronization at end; second, projective synchronization is a special case of rotating synchronization, so, the application fields of rotating synchronization is more broadly than that of the former; third, the overall evolving information can be reflected by single state variable's evolving, it has self-similarity, this is the same as the basic idea of phase space reconstruction method, it indicates that we got the same result from different approach, so, our method and the phase space reconstruction method are verified each other.
PASSIVELY MODE-LOCKED FIBER LASER USING SOA-BASED NONLINEAR OPTICAL LOOP MIRROR
Authors: ZHONG YIHUI , ZHANG ZUXING , TAO XIANYANG
Published: August 2012

We have demonstrated numerically a passively mode-locked fiber laser based on nonlinear optical loop mirror with a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). Its operation principle is based on the creation of nonlinear phase shift difference between the counter propagating beams through the use of SOA and a half-wavelength plate (HWP) in the loop. This is a novel passively mode-locked fiber laser based on SOA.
NONHOLONOMIC DYNAMICS OF SECOND ORDER AND THE HEISENBERG SPINNING PARTICLE
Authors: CRASMAREANU MIRCEA , STOLERIU IULIAN
Published: July 2012

The equations of motion for the associated constrained Lagrangian to a nonholonomic Lagrangian of second order are computed. The spinning particle subject to the Heisenberg constraint is treated as example and its dynamics is completely described.
DIFFRACTION OF MAGNETOELASTIC WAVES BY PIEZOELECTRIC NANOFIBER EMBEDDED IN PIEZOMAGNETIC MATRIX
Authors: ZHANG RONG , FANG XUE-QIAN
Published: August 2012

We present an analytical method for the scattering of antiplane shear waves by a piezoelectric nanofiber surrounded by piezomagnetic matrix. Owing to their analogies, the piezoelectric surface/interface theory is extended to the magneto-electro-elastic surface/interface theory. The analytical solutions of elastic field, electric field and magnetic field are expressed by employing wave function expansion method and then the expanded mode coefficients are determined by satisfying the nanoboundary conditions around the fiber (a piezoelectric nanowire). The effects of the incident frequency are graphically illustrated and discussed. The material properties of the nanointerface, which is related to the two phases, are examined through parametric variation. A comparison with a non-nano case is also presented.
β-FILTERS OF MS-ALGEBRAS
Authors: Sambasiva Rao M.
Published: July 2012

The concepts of boosters and β-filters are introduced in an MS-algebra and the β-filters are characterized in terms of boosters. It is then proved that the lattice of β-filters is isomorphic to the ideal lattice of the lattice of boosters. A set of equivalent conditions are derived for the lattice of boosters to become a relatively complemented lattice.
An exploration hydrogeochemical study at the giant Pebble porphyry Cu-Au-Mo deposit, Alaska, USA, using high resolution ICP-MS
Authors: Eppinger Robert G. , Fey David L. , Giles Stuart A. , Kelley Karen D. , Smith Steven M.
Published: August 2012

A hydrogeochemical study using high resolution ICP-MS was undertaken at the giant Pebble porphyry Cu-Au-Mo deposit and surrounding mineral occurrences. Surface water and groundwater samples from regional background and the deposit area were collected at 168 sites. Rigorous quality control reveals impressive results at low nanogram per litre (ng/l) levels. Sites with pH values below 5.1 are from ponds in the Pebble West area, where sulphide-bearing rubble crop is thinly covered. Relative to other study area waters, anomalous concentrations of Cu, Cd, K, Ni, Re, the REE, Tl, SO
4
2−
and F
−
are present in water samples from Pebble West. Samples from circum-neutral waters at Pebble East and parts of Pebble West, where cover is much thicker, have anomalous concentrations of Ag, As, In, Mn, Mo, Sb, Th, U, V, and W. Low-level anomalous concentrations for most of these elements were also found in waters surrounding nearby porphyry and skarn mineral occurrences. Many of these elements are present in low ng/l concentration ranges and would not have been detected using traditional quadrupole ICP-MS. Hydrogeochemical exploration paired with high resolution ICP-MS is a powerful new tool in the search for concealed deposits.
Change in the oxidation rate of stibnite as affected by pyrite in an oxygenated flow-through system
Authors: Adelman J.G. , Beauchemin S. , Hendershot W. H. , Kwong Y.T.J.
Published: August 2012

In natural mixed-sulphide assemblages, galvanic interaction between stibnite and pyrite has been shown to increase the dissolution of stibnite, leading to enhanced antimony leaching. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of pyrite on the dissolution rate of stibnite in binary mixtures of the two minerals. Finely ground pyrite and stibnite were mixed in various ratios and the mixtures were subjected to water leaching in flow-through columns for 6 days. An increased oxidation rate of stibnite was noted in the presence of pyrite, with a greater accumulation of oxidized, solid-phase Sb in the systems containing higher pyrite inputs. This study provides evidence that galvanic interaction can enhance the oxidation of stibnite in unconsolidated mixtures of sulphides when stibnite is in close contact with pyrite. In the context of mine wastes, galvanic interaction may thus constitute a mechanism enhancing Sb release but its overall significance remains to be clarified as natural processes may occur to attenuate the aqueous transport of the released Sb.
Towards the formal verification of cache coherency at the architectural level
Authors: Verbeek Freek , Schmaltz Julien
Published: August 2012

Cache coherency is one of the major issues in multicore systems. Formal methods, in particular model-checking, have been successful at verifying high-level protocols, but, to the best of our knowledge, the verification of cache coherency at the architectural level is still an open issue. All existing verification efforts assume a reliable interconnect, that is, messages eventually reach their destination. We discuss the challenge of discharging this assumption at the architectural level where implementation details of the interconnect are mixed with a cache coherency protocol. Our automatic approach is based on a well-defined set of primitives to express architectural models, a generic model of communication fabrics expressed in an automated theorem proving system, and a dedicated algorithm for deadlock and livelock detection. We argue that reliability depends on the interaction between the interconnect and the cache coherency protocol. They must be verified altogether as their combination creates intricate message dependencies. We sketch our verification approach and apply it to a simple write-invalidate protocol on the Spidergon network-on-chip from STMicroelectronics. Our approach is promising. For this simple protocol, networks with tens of agents and hundreds of components can be analyzed within seconds.
An ILP solution to address code generation for embedded applications on digital signal processors
Authors: Salamy Hassan , Ramanujam J.
Published: August 2012

Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) are a family of embedded processors designed under tight memory, area, and cost constraints. Many DSPs use irregular addressing modes where base-plus-offset mode is not supported. However, they often have Address Generation Units (AGUs) that can perform auto-increment/decrement address arithmetic instructions in parallel with Load/Store instructions. This feature can be utilized to reduce the number of explicit address arithmetic instructions and thus reduce the embedded application code size. This code size reduction is essential for this family of DSP as the code usually resides in the ROM and hence the code size directly translates into silicon area. An effective technique for optimized code generation is offset assignment. This is a well-used technique in the literature to decrease the code size by finding an offset assignment that can effectively utilize auto-increment/decrement. This problem is known as simple offset assignment when there is only one address register and as General Offset Assignment (GOA) for multiple available address registers. In this article, we present an optimal Integer Linear Programming (ILP) solution to the offset assignment problem with variable coalescing where more than one variable can share the same memory location. Variable permutation is also formulated to find the best access sequence to achieve the best offset assignment that decreases the code size the most. Experimental results on several benchmarks show the effectiveness of our variable permutation technique as well as the large improvement from the ILP-based solutions compared to heuristics.
LOT
Authors: Gilad Yossi , Herzberg Amir
Published: August 2012

We present LOT, a lightweight plug and play secure tunneling protocol deployed at network gateways. Two communicating gateways, A and B, running LOT would automatically detect each other and establish an efficient tunnel, securing communication between them. LOT tunnels allow A to discard spoofed packets that specify source addresses in B’s network and vice versa. This helps to mitigate many attacks, including DNS poisoning, network scans, and most notably (Distributed) Denial of Service (DoS).

LOT tunnels provide several additional defenses against DoS attacks. Specifically, since packets received from LOT-protected networks cannot be spoofed, LOT gateways implement quotas, identifying and blocking packet floods from specific networks. Furthermore, a receiving LOT gateway (e.g., B) can send the quota assigned to each tunnel to the peer gateway (A), which can then enforce near-source quotas, reducing waste and congestion by filtering excessive traffic before it leaves the source network. Similarly, LOT tunnels facilitate near-source filtering, where the sending gateway discards packets based on filtering rules defined by the destination gateway. LOT gateways also implement an intergateway congestion detection mechanism, allowing sending gateways to detect when their packets get dropped before reaching the destination gateway and to perform appropriate near-source filtering to block the congesting traffic; this helps against DoS attacks on the backbone connecting the two gateways.

LOT is practical: it is easy to manage (plug and play, requires no coordination between gateways), deployed incrementally at edge gateways (not at hosts and core routers), and has negligible overhead in terms of bandwidth and processing, as we validate experimentally. LOT storage requirements are also modest.