bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Swiss needle cast on foliage age-class structure and vertical foliage distribution in Douglas-fir plantations in north coastal Oregon
Authors: Weiskittel Aaron R , Maguire Douglas A , Garber Sean M , Kanaskie Alan
Published: June 2006

Swiss needle cast (SNC) causes premature loss of foliage and subsequent growth decline in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco). Although the mechanisms leading to this growth decline include loss of photosynthetic surface area and physiological disruption of surviving foliage, estimating the relative contribution of these two primary sources requires precise quantification of SNC effects on total foliage mass, foliage age-class structure, and vertical foliage distribution. The effect of SNC severity on these crown structural attributes was tested across a range of stand densities and site qualities in 10- to 60-year-old plantations in north coastal Oregon. Foliage mass in each age-class was sampled at the branch level, and the resulting equations were applied to all live branches on intensively measured sample trees. Vertical distribution of each foliage age-class was described by a beta distribution fitted to each sample tree, and sources of variation in vertical distribution were tested by regressing beta parameter estimates on SNC intensity and other covariates representing tree, stand, and site attributes. Distribution of foliage mass by age-class and by relative height in the crown was significantly affected by SNC severity, in addition to other covariates such as crown size and tree social position. SNC caused a reduction in the amount of foliage in each age-class and greater relative representation of younger needles. SNC also shifted the mode of relative vertical distribution toward the top of the tree for the three youngest foliage age-classes, but toward the base of the crown for 4- and 5-year-old foliage. Quantification of foliage age-class structure and vertical distribution across a range of SNC severity has helped to establish diagnostic criteria for assessing changes in crown structure that precede declines in growth and vigor. The induced changes in crown structure will also help to identify the relative contribution of several mechanisms causing growth losses in diseased trees.
Comparison of canonical correlation and regression based focal point seed zones of white spruce
Authors: Lesser Mark R , Parker William H
Published: June 2006

The focal point seed zone methodology determines spatially explicit areas of adaptive similarity for any selected geographic point and is used to match seed sources and planting sites. A total of 127 seed sources (provenances) of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) from Ontario and western Quebec were established at a greenhouse and in six field trials throughout Ontario. Growth and phenological variables were measured over three growing seasons. Two focal point seed zone methodologies were employed: (i) using models derived from principal components analysis (PCA) of biological response variables followed by multiple linear regression against climate variables and (ii) using models derived from canonical correlation analysis (CANCOR). While both approaches use climate data to model adaptive variation, CANCOR reduces the number of steps in the analysis by simultaneously finding the relationships of biological and climatic variables that maximize the covariance between the two data sets. Although more of the variation in adaptive biological traits was actually described by climate variables using the PCAregression approach, this method produced intuitively less realistic patterns. Both methods showed similar overall geographic trends, but the CANCOR method had a finer resolution, especially in southern Ontario, presumably due to statistical efficiency; growth was modeled by all climate variables.
Determining optimal road class and road deactivation strategies using dynamic programming
Authors: Anderson Axel E , Nelson John D , D'Eon Robert G
Published: June 2006

Forest managers are faced with complicated road construction and deactivation decisions. When construction, upgrading, and deactivation strategies must be determined simultaneously over broad spatial and temporal scales, the problem becomes very complex and decision support systems are needed. In this paper, we report the development and application of an optimal road class and deactivation model using dynamic programming. We tested our model on projected road networks on Hardwicke Island, British Columbia. Sensitivity of inputs such as construction costs, upgrade costs, hauling and maintenance costs, deactivation costs, length of time horizon, discount rate, and haul volume were tested within and between two road networks. Comparison of road networks revealed that haul volume concentration, average haul distance, and total road length are the most important variables that affect road class decisions and total network costs. Within our case study, the road network with the lowest average hauling distance resulted in the lowest total cost (CAN$0.24/m3 less), because hauling costs are the largest component (46%) of total transportation costs. The dynamic programming model can be used to assess numerous road construction and maintenance assumptions under various silviculture and harvest systems.
MULTIDIMENSIONAL STURMIAN SEQUENCES AND GENERALIZED SUBSTITUTIONS
Authors: THOMAS FERNIQUE
Published: June 2006

This paper is devoted to a study on the way generalized substitutions - a multi-dimensional extension of substitutions - act on multi-dimensional Sturmian sequences. We give a sufficient condition under which these multi-dimensional Sturmian sequences are obtained by iterated compositions of generalized substitutions. This condition relies on Brun expansions - a multi-dimensional extension of continued fraction expansions.
AN EFFICIENT DISTRIBUTED ALGORITHM FOR 3-EDGE-CONNECTIVITY
Authors: TSIN YUNG H.
Published: June 2006

A distributed algorithm for finding the cut-edges and the 3-edge-connected components of an asynchronous computer network is presented. For a network with n nodes and m links, the algorithm has worst-case [Formula: see text] time and O(m + nhT) message complexity, where hT < n. The algorithm is message optimal when [Formula: see text] which includes dense networks (i.e. m ∈ Θ(n2)). The previously best known distributed algorithm has a worst-case O(n3) time and message complexity.
MUTUALLY INDEPENDENT HAMILTONIAN PATHS AND CYCLES IN HYPERCUBES
Authors: SUN CHAO-MING , LIN CHENG-KUAN , HUANG HUA-MIN , HSU LIH-HSING
Published: June 2006

Two hamiltonian paths P1 = 〈v1, v2, …, vn(G) 〉 and P2 = 〈 u1, u2, …, un(G) 〉 of G are independent if v1 = u1, vn(G) = un(G), and vi ≠ ui for 1 < i < n(G). A set of hamiltonian paths {P1, P2, …, Pk} of G are mutually independent if any two different hamiltonian paths in the set are independent. A bipartite graph G is hamiltonian laceable if there exists a hamiltonian path joining any two nodes from different partite sets. A bipartite graph is k-mutually independent hamiltonian laceable if there exist k-mutually independent hamiltonian paths between any two nodes from different partite sets. The mutually independent hamiltonian laceability of bipartite graph G, IHPL(G), is the maximum integer k such that G is k-mutually independent hamiltonian laceable. Let Qn be the n-dimensional hypercube. We prove that IHPL(Qn) = 1 if n ∈ {1,2,3}, and IHPL(Qn) = n - 1 if n ≥ 4. A hamiltonian cycle C of G is described as 〈 u1, u2, …, un(G), u1 〉 to emphasize the order of nodes in C. Thus, u1 is the beginning node and ui is the i-th node in C. Two hamiltonian cycles of G beginning at u, C1 = 〈 v1, v2, …, vn(G), v1 〉 and C2 = 〈 u1, u2, …, un(G), u1 〉, are independent if u = v1 = u1, and vi ≠ ui for 1 < i ≤ n(G). A set of hamiltonian cycles {C1, C2, …, Ck} of G are mutually independent if any two different hamiltonian cycles are independent. The mutually independent hamiltonianicity of graph G, IHC(G), is the maximum integer k such that for any node u of G there exist k-mutually independent hamiltonian cycles of G starting at u. We prove that IHC(Qn) = n - 1 if n ∈ {1,2,3} and IHC(Qn) = n if n ≥ 4.
Model of Vasculogenesis from Embryonic Stem Cells for Vascular Research and Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Nakagami Hironori , Nakagawa Namika , Takeya Yasushi , Kashiwagi Katsunobu , Ishida Chisato , Hayashi Shin-ichiro , Aoki Motokuni , Matsumoto Kunio , Nakamura Toshikazu , Ogihara Toshio , Morishita Ryuichi
Published: June 2006

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are highlighted as promising cell sources for regenerative medicine. Here, we focused on providing the platform that forced ES cells to reproduce the vascular organization process, leading to efficiency and safety evaluation as preclinical testing of biological agents. Murine ES cell–derived embryoid bodies on matrigel, but not collagen or gelatin, could be differentiated into sprouting blood vessels without the addition of growth factors. The expression of endothelial cell marker CD31 and smooth muscle marker α-smooth muscle actin was partially colocalized and started to increase 7 days after culture on matrigel, accompanied by the induction of a number of growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor-2, hepatocyte growth factor, transforming growth factor-β, and angiopoietin-1. Moreover, notch-related genes, such as
Del1
or
Del4
(δ-like 1/4) and
hey1
or
hey2
(hairy/enhancer of split related TRPW motif 1/2), were upregulated in a similar time course. The treatment of neutralizing antibodies against these growth factors failed to inhibit the differentiation into the sprouting blood vessels, whereas arginine-glycine-aspartic peptide, a selective inhibitor for the αvβ3-integrins, did inhibit differentiation. An anticancer drug to inhibit angiogenesis, TNP-470, also blocked the vascular formation in this model. ES cells could reproduce the vascular organization process on the biosynthetic scaffolds, such as matrigel, without the addition of growth factors. In the future, a human ES-based tissue model would be an optional tool for the screening of pharmaceutical drugs for vascular disease.
Prevalence of Prehypertension and Associated Cardiovascular Risk Profiles Among Young Israeli Adults
Authors: Grotto Itamar , Grossman Ehud , Huerta Michael , Sharabi Yehonatan
Published: June 2006

Recently the Joint National Committee on the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure introduced the term “prehypertension” for systolic blood pressure levels of 120 to 139 mm Hg and diastolic BP levels of 80 to 89 mm Hg. Little is known about the prevalence of this entity and the cardiovascular risk factors associated with it. We aimed to determine the prevalence of prehypertension and the cardiovascular risk factors associated with it in a large population-based sample of young Israeli adults. We studied 36 424 Israel Defense Forces employees during the years 1991 to 1999. Subjects completed a detailed questionnaire and underwent physical examination, and blood samples were drawn after a 14-hour fast. Prehypertension was defined as a systolic blood pressure of 120 to 139 mm Hg, and/or a diastolic blood pressure of 80 to 89 mm Hg. We calculated the age- and sex-specific prevalence of prehypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors associated with this condition. Prehypertension was observed among 50.6% of men and 35.9% of women. The prehypertensive group had higher levels of blood glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides, higher body mass index, and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol than did the normotensive group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that body mass index was the strongest predictor of prehypertension among both males and females (odds ratio, 1.100; 95% CI, 1.078 to 1.122 and odds ratio, 1.152; 95% CI, 1.097 to 1.21, respectively, for every 1 kg/m
2
increase). Our findings support the recommendation of lifestyle modification for prehypertensive patients. Further prospective studies are required to determine the role of pharmacotherapy in prehypertension.
Melanocortin-4 Receptor Mediates Chronic Cardiovascular and Metabolic Actions of Leptin
Authors: Tallam Lakshmi S. , da Silva Alexandre A. , Hall John E.
Published: June 2006

This study tested whether the melanocortin 4-receptor (MC4R) is essential for the chronic cardiovascular and metabolic actions of leptin. Twenty- to 22-week–old male wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J and obese MC4R (−/−) mice (N=5 to 6 per group) were implanted with radiotelemetric transmitters and catheters for measuring mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate 24 hours per day and intravenous infusions. After a 3-day stable control period, leptin was infused (2 μg/kg per minute IV) for 7 days in WT, obese ad libitum–fed MC4R (−/−), and nonobese pair–fed MC4R (−/−) mice. WT mice receiving vehicle for 7 days served as controls. MC4 (−/−) mice were 30% heavier and had 4- and 11-fold increases in plasma insulin and leptin levels, respectively, compared with WT mice. Despite obesity, MAP and heart rate tended to be lower in MC4R (−/−) mice compared with WT mice. Chronic leptin infusion in the different groups increased plasma leptin levels to 45 to 65 ng/mL. Seven-day leptin infusion in WT mice increased MAP by 12±3 mm Hg despite a 35% reduction in food intake and an 8% reduction in body weight. Leptin did not alter plasma glucose but reduced plasma insulin in WT mice (5.9±1.0 versus 3.0±0.5 μU/mL). These cardiovascular and metabolic actions of leptin were abolished in obese and nonobese MC4R (−/−) mice. These data suggest that MC4R deficiency, and not obesity-induced leptin resistance, abolished the cardiovascular and metabolic actions of leptin in obese MC4R (−/−) mice. Thus, a functional MC4R is essential for the chronic cardiovascular and metabolic actions of leptin.
Increased Support for Linkage of a Novel Locus on Chromosome 5q13 for Essential Hypertension in the British Genetics of Hypertension Study
Authors: Munroe Patricia B. , Wallace Chris , Xue Ming-Zhan , Marçano Ana Carolina B. , Dobson Richard J. , Onipinla Abiodun K. , Burke Beverley , Gungadoo Johannie , Newhouse Stephen J. , Pembroke Janine , Brown Morris , Dominiczak Anna F. , Samani Nilesh J. , Lathrop Mark , Connell John , Webster John , Clayton David , Farrall Martin , Mein Charles A. , Caulfield Mark
Published: June 2006

Human hypertension arises from a combination of genetic factors and lifestyle influences. With cardiovascular disease set to become the number 1 cause of death worldwide, it is important to understand the etiologic mechanisms for hypertension, because these might provide new routes to improved treatment. The British Genetics of Hypertension Study has recently published a primary genome screen that identified 4 chromosomal regions of interest. We have now genotyped additional markers to confirm the most promising regions for follow-up studies. Thirty-four additional microsatellites were genotyped in our severely hypertensive affected sibling pair resource (now 1635 families with 2142 affected sibling pairs), leading to a substantial increase in information content in the regions of interest. We found increased support for linkage of chromosome 5q13 to human hypertension (multipoint logarithm of odds=2.50) with 3 adjacent markers yielding single point logarithm of odds scores of 3.22, 2.84, and 2.51. The placement of additional markers on 2q, 6q, and 9q diminished support for linkage in these regions. However, the addition of new data and families identified novel regions of interest on chromosomes 1q and 11q. The 3 positive markers in the chromosome 5 region were also genotyped in 712 distinct parent–offspring trios with the same severe phenotype to replicate linkage and association. Borderline support for replication was found (
P
=0.07). We found increased evidence for linkage and borderline-significant evidence for association for a hypertension susceptibility locus on chromosome 5q13 that is worthy of detailed fine mapping and assessment of candidate genes.
Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor–Bradykinin B
2
Receptor Functional Heterodimerization
Authors: Abadir Peter M. , Periasamy Ammasi , Carey Robert M. , Siragy Helmy M.
Published: June 2006

Angiotensin II type 2 (AT
2
R) or bradykinin B
2
(B
2
R) receptor activation enhances NO production. Recently, we demonstrated enhancement of NO production when AT
2
R and B
2
R are simultaneously activated in vivo. However, the mechanism involved in this enhancement is unknown. Using confocal fluorescence resonance energy transfer microscopy, we report the distance between the AT
2
R and B
2
R in PC12W cell membranes to be 50±5 Å, providing evidence and quantification of receptor heterodimerization as the mechanism for enhancing NO production. The rate of AT
2
R–B
2
R heterodimer formation is largely a function of the degree of AT
2
R–B
2
R expression. The physical association between the dimerized receptors initiates changes in intracellular phosphoprotein signaling activities leading to phosphorylation of c-Jun terminal kinase, phosphotyrosine phosphatase, inhibitory protein κBα, and activating transcription factor 2; dephosphorylation of p38 and p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase and signal transducer inhibitor of transcription 3; and enhancing production of NO and cGMP. Controlling the expression of AT
2
R–B
2
R, consequently influencing their biologically active dimerization, presents a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of hypertension and other cardiovascular and renal disorders.
Impact of Unrecognized Myocardial Scar Detected by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Event-Free Survival in Patients Presenting With Signs or Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Kwong Raymond Y. , Chan Anna K. , Brown Kenneth A. , Chan Carmen W. , Reynolds H. Glenn , Tsang Sui , Davis Roger B.
Published: June 2006

Background—

Contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) can determine the extent of myocardial scar from infarction (MI). However, the prognostic significance of unrecognized myocardial scar by CMR in patients without a history of MI is unknown.

Methods and Results—

One hundred ninety-five patients without a known prior MI underwent CMR for assessment of left ventricular (LV) function and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). We assessed the prognostic value of LGE and other CMR variables beyond the strongest clinical predictors and built the best overall models for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and cardiac mortality. During a median follow-up of 16 months, 31 patients (18%) experienced MACE, including 17 deaths. LGE demonstrated the strongest unadjusted associations with MACE and cardiac mortality (hazard ratios of 8.29 and 10.9, respectively; both
P
<0.0001). Patients in the lowest tertile of LGE-involved myocardium (mean LV mass, 1.4%) experienced a >7-fold increased risk for MACE. By multivariable analyses, LGE was independently associated with MACE beyond the clinical model (
P
<0.0001) or the clinical model combined with angiographically significant coronary stenosis (
P
=0.0007), LV ejection fraction (
P
=0.001), LV end-systolic volume index (
P
=0.0006), or segmental WMA (
P
=0.002). LGE remained the strongest predictor selected in the best overall models for MACE and cardiac mortality.

Conclusions—

Among patients with a clinical suspicion of coronary artery disease but without a history of MI, LGE involving a small amount of myocardium carries a high cardiac risk. In addition, LGE provides incremental prognostic value to MACE and cardiac mortality beyond common clinical, angiographic, and functional predictors.
Hemoglobin Level, Chronic Kidney Disease, and the Risks of Death and Hospitalization in Adults With Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Go Alan S. , Yang Jingrong , Ackerson Lynn M. , Lepper Krista , Robbins Sean , Massie Barry M. , Shlipak Michael G.
Published: June 2006

Background—

Previous studies have associated reduced hemoglobin levels with increased adverse events in heart failure. It is unclear, however, whether this relation is explained by underlying kidney disease, treatment differences, or associated comorbidity.

Methods and Results—

We examined the associations between hemoglobin level, kidney function, and risks of death and hospitalization in persons with chronic heart failure between 1996 and 2002 within a large, integrated, healthcare delivery system in northern California. Longitudinal outpatient hemoglobin and creatinine levels and clinical and treatment characteristics were obtained from health plan records. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR; mL · min
−1
· 1.73 m
−2
) was estimated from the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. Mortality data were obtained from state death files; heart failure admissions were identified by primary discharge diagnoses. Among 59 772 adults with heart failure, the mean age was 72 years and 46% were women. Compared with that for hemoglobin levels of 13.0 to 13.9 g/dL, the multivariable-adjusted risk of death increased with lower hemoglobin levels: an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.16 and 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.11 to 1.21 for hemoglobin levels of 12.0 to 12.9 g/dL; HR, 1.50 and 95% CI, 1.44 to 1.57 for 11.0 to 11.9 g/dL; HR, 1.89 and 95% CI, 1.80 to 1.98 for 10.0 to 10.9; HR, 2.31 and 95% CI, 2.18 to 2.45 for 9.0 to 9.9; and HR, 3.48 and 95% CI, 3.25 to 3.73 for <9.0 g/dL. Hemoglobin levels ≥17.0 g/dL were associated with an increased risk of death (adjusted HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.24 to 1.63). Compared with those with a GFR ≥60 mL · min
−1
· 1.73 m
−2
, persons with a GFR <45 mL · min
−1
· 1.73 m
−2
had an increased mortality risk: adjusted HR, 1.39 and 95% CI, 1.34 to 1.44 for 30 to 44; HR, 2.28 and 95% CI, 2.19 to 2.39 for 15 to 29; HR, 3.26 and 95% CI, 3.05 to 3.49 for <15; and HR, 2.44 and 95% CI, 2.28 to 2.61 for those on dialysis. Relations were similar for the risk of hospitalization. The findings did not differ among patients with preserved or reduced systolic function, and hemoglobin level was an independent predictor of outcomes at all levels of kidney function.

Conclusions—

Very high (≥17 g/dL) or reduced (<13 g/dL) hemoglobin levels and chronic kidney disease independently predict substantially increased risks of death and hospitalization in heart failure, regardless of the level of systolic function. Randomized trials are needed to evaluate whether raising hemoglobin levels can improve outcomes in chronic heart failure.
Single-Gene Mutations and Increased Left Ventricular Wall Thickness in the Community
Authors: Morita Hiroyuki , Larson Martin G. , Barr Scott C. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , O’Donnell Christopher J. , Hirschhorn Joel N. , Levy Daniel , Corey Diane , Seidman Christine E. , Seidman J.G. , Benjamin Emelia J.
Published: June 2006

Background—

Mutations in sarcomere protein,
PRKAG2
,
LAMP2
, α-galactosidase A (
GLA
), and several mitochondrial genes can cause rare familial cardiomyopathies, but their contribution to increased left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT) in the community is unknown.

Methods and Results—

We studied 1862 unrelated participants (52% women; age, 59±9 years) from the community-based Framingham Heart Study who had echocardiograms and provided DNA samples but did not have severe hypertension, aortic prosthesis, or significant aortic stenosis. Eight sarcomere protein genes, 3 storage cardiomyopathy–causing genes, and 27 mitochondrial genes were sequenced in unrelated individuals with increased LVWT (maximum LVWT >13 mm). Fifty eligible participants (9 women) had unexplained increased LVWT. We detected 8 mutations in 9 individuals (2 women); 7 mutations in 5 sarcomere protein genes (
MYH7, MYBPC3, TNNT2, TNNI3, MYL3
), and 1
GLA
mutation. In individuals with increased LVWT, participants with sarcomere protein and storage mutations were clinically indistinguishable from those without mutations.

Conclusions—

In a community-based cohort, about 3% of eligible participants had increased LVWT, of whom 18% had sarcomere protein or lipid storage gene mutations. Increased LVWT in the community is a very heterogeneous condition, which sometimes may arise from single-gene variants in one of a number of genes.
Relevance of Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Preload-Dependent Regulation of Cardiac Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca
2+
ATPase Expression
Authors: Kögler Harald , Schott Peter , Toischer Karl , Milting Hendrik , Van Phuc Nguyen , Kohlhaas Michael , Grebe Cornelia , Kassner Astrid , Domeier Erik , Teucher Nils , Seidler Tim , Knöll Ralph , Maier Lars S. , El-Banayosy Aly , Körfer Reiner , Hasenfuss Gerd
Published: June 2006

Background—

In heart failure (HF), ventricular myocardium expresses brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). Despite the association of elevated serum levels with poor prognosis, BNP release is considered beneficial because of its antihypertrophic, vasodilating, and diuretic properties. However, there is evidence that BNP-mediated signaling may adversely influence cardiac remodeling, with further impairment of calcium homeostasis.

Methods and Results—

We studied the effects of BNP on preload-dependent myocardial sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca
2+
ATPase (SERCA2a) expression. In rabbit isolated muscle strips stretched to high preload and shortening isotonically over 6 hours, the SERCA/glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase mRNA ratio was enhanced by 168% (n=8) compared with unloaded preparations (n=8;
P
<0.001). Recombinant human BNP at a concentration typically found in end-stage HF patients (350 pg/mL) abolished SERCA upregulation by stretch (n=9;
P
<0.0001 versus BNP free). Inhibition of cyclic guanosine 3′,5′ monophosphate (cGMP)–phosphodiesterase-5 mimicked this effect, whereas inhibition of cGMP-dependent protein kinase restored preload-dependent SERCA upregulation in the presence of recombinant human BNP. Furthermore, in myocardium from human end-stage HF patients undergoing cardiac transplantation (n=15), BNP expression was inversely correlated with SERCA levels. Moreover, among 23 patients treated with left ventricular assist devices, significant SERCA2a recovery occurred in those downregulating BNP.

Conclusions—

Our data indicate that preload stimulates SERCA expression. BNP antagonizes this mechanism via guanylyl cyclase-A, cGMP, and cGMP-dependent protein kinase. This novel action of BNP to uncouple preload-dependent SERCA expression may adversely affect contractility in patients with HF.
Religious Service Attendance Among Immigrants
Authors: Cadge Wendy , Ecklund Elaine Howard
Published: June 2006

A growing body of research by scholars of religion and immigration analyzes the religious organizations started by post-1965 immigrants to the United States. Little research, however, focuses on patterns in religious service attendance. The authors use pilot data from the New Immigrant Survey, a nationally representative sample of new legal immigrants to the United States, to systematically consider, for the first time, how demographic, familial, employment, household language, and migration factors influence regular religious service attendance for new immigrants from different religious traditions. Findings lend some support to the theory that immigrants who are less integrated into American society are more likely than others to regularly attend religious services. These preliminary conclusions generate broader hypotheses and potential theories about ways in which the norms of different religious traditions, the availability of religious centers, and the extent of immigrants’ ties to their ethnic communities influence their regular religious service attendance.
Introduction
Authors: Menjívar Cecilia
Published: June 2006

The articles in this issue examine different aspects of faith-based assistance to contemporary immigrants, particularly how those providing assistance to immigrants—both at the level of the hierarchy and the congregation—interpret their actions. The contributions take assistance to mean instances of directly providing help to immigrants, as well as the adoption of public positions that advance the overall welfare of immigrant groups. Overall, the studies in this issue expose instances in which religion moves beyond the confines of worship, spirituality, and ritual to underscore the public role of religious faith as it is captured in responses to immigration. Some contributions focus on the United States, others move the analytical gaze beyond U.S. borders, and still others take a comparative approach. Together, these articles add to a deeper understanding of faith-based assistance and religion across different national contexts.
Contested Accommodation on the Meso Level
Authors: Bruce Tricia C.
Published: June 2006

Religious nonprofits operate within a complex organizational environment, responding to the demands of multiple and competing constituencies. Typologies gauging the degree of religiosity of a particular organization must, therefore, be preceded by an examination of discursive adaptations made by organizational actors responding to conflicting priorities. Such a need prompted this ethnographic exploration of one agency’s (the Los Angeles Catholic Charities’ Immigration and Refugee Services) attempt to preserve the integrity of the religious act while remaining true to legal standards and a pluralistic context of service. Interviews and participant observation suggest that discourses of service are ambiguous, contested, and variable along organizational levels. Findings demonstrate how competing authorities compel organizations to develop an adaptive discourse satisfying both religious and secular demands, exemplary of contested accommodation on the meso level. This draws attention to the need for a new language to comprehend the organizational dynamics of religious nonprofits working within nonreligious functional domains.
The Catholic Bishops Conferences of the United States and France
Authors: Mooney Margarita
Published: June 2006

The secularization paradigm in the social sciences led many scholars to presume that religious organizations no longer had a public role in society. The author argues that one pressing public issue today, immigration, has become a strategic site on which the Catholic church has reasserted its prophetic voice in society, in particular calling for more humane treatment of undocumented immigrants and greater intercultural dialogue. The author compares evidence from the Catholic Bishops Conferences in the United States and France to show how the Catholic church is defining its role as a public religion in modern democratic states.
Transnational Politics and Settlement Practices
Authors: Solari Cinzia
Published: June 2006

Conventionally, social scientists regard immigrant churches as settlement institutions with immigrant assimilation as their goal. This study of Ukrainian immigrants who flooded to Rome in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union enhances an understanding of the role of immigrant churches by revealing their place in transnational politics. The divergent projects of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic church (UGCC) and the Russian Orthodox church (ROC) mediate relations between clergy and immigrant parishioners in Rome. The UGCC engages in an ethnonationalist project; priests see settlement practices as an opportunity to instill national and religious consciousness in Ukrainians expected to return and participate in constructing the new Ukrainian nation. By contrast, the ROC’s project is one of church revival and manifests itself in the politically charged building of a cathedral next door to the Vatican. Ukrainian parishioners are marginal and even detrimental to this political vision. Russian Orthodox priests do not engage in settlement practices or support immigrants’ transnational ties.
Making Theological Sense of the Migration Journey From Latin America
Authors: Hagan Jacqueline
Published: June 2006

This article focuses on the ways in which religious workers in Central America, Mexico, and U.S. border areas respond to the increasing dangers that confront undocumented migrants as a consequence of the militarization of international borders in the region. Drawing on interviews with religious leaders who work with departing and journeying migrants, this article examines the theological bases for pastoral care and social justice actions for migrants in the context of current immigration law and policy. Findings suggest that the Catholic church embraces a communitarian social theology that translates into social justice activities when it comes to migration matters. Protestant churches remain divided when it comes to immigration matters, with mainline Protestant workers aligning themselves with Catholic workers. In contrast, Pentecostal and Evangelical workers, who maintain an individualistic orientation, shy away from immigration politics, focusing instead on the needs and salvation of individual members of their ministries.
Breaking the Rules of the Game: Ethical Implications for Nursing Practice and Education
Authors: Milton Constance L.
Published: June 2006

Rules in games are fundamental to the ethics of practice. Rules provide a context or space where a game is defined and played. Throughout human life, games may be formalized with written and unwritten rules. Imaginations may be sparked in the creative structuring of new, informal games. Formal and informal rules can serve to provide direction for what may be viewed as decorum and appropriate behavior with professional groups. In this column, the author illuminates possible ethical meanings for rule-making and breaking with implications for nursing practice and education from a nursing theoretical perspective.
Human Becoming-Guided Patient-Centered Care: A New Model Transforms Nursing Practice
Authors: Mitchell Gail J. , Bournes Debra A. , Hollett Jane
Published: June 2006

Nurses working on an orthopedic surgery and rheumatology unit in a large teaching hospital in Canada participated in a 24-month research project to evaluate what happens when nurses are provided 20% of their time for the purpose of learning and self-development. Half of the teaching-learning was aligned with the commitment of the organization to advance patient-centered care, and in particular patient-centered care guided by the nursing theory, human becoming. The other half was self-directed by nurse participants according to their learning interests and self-development priorities. The purpose of this column is to describe the teaching-learning and mentoring processes in which the nurses were engaged and to highlight the subsequent changes in nursing practice that have happened on the unit from the perspectives of nurse participants.
A Secondary Analysis of the Meaning of Living With Spinal Cord Injury Using Roy’s Adaptation Model
Authors: DeSanto-Madeya Susan A.
Published: June 2006

This secondary analysis was designed to place the methods and themes from a phenomenological study of the meaning of living with spinal cord injury for the family within the context of the Roy adaptation model. Seven themes emerged from the phenomenological study data. The content of each of the seven themes was found to reflect at least two of the modes of adaptation; one of the themes reflected all four of the modes of adaptation. The findings of this study revealed that the meaning of living with spinal cord injury reflects all four modes of adaptation.
Levine’s Framework in Long-Term Ventilated Patients During the Weaning Course
Authors: Delmore Barbara A.
Published: June 2006

Within the context of Levine’s conceptual framework, this study evaluated fatigue and protein calorie malnutrition affecting adult, long-term ventilated patients during the weaning process. Levine’s principles of energy and structural integrity provided the basis for an evaluation of the fatigue and prealbumin levels for 11 patients. During the weaning process (1 to 4 weeks), fatigue data were collected at multiple points while prealbumin levels were collected weekly. Statistically significant findings revealed that long-term ventilated patients had distinctive fatigue trends in addition to trends associated with low prealbumin levels, which can affect the patient’s weaning ability.
Definitions of Health Among Healthcare Providers
Authors: Julliard Kell , Klimenko Elena , Jacob Mary S.
Published: June 2006

Providers’ definitions of health may affect the kind of care they provide. This study examined healthcare practitioners’ definitions of health across practitioner types. Interviews with 73 healthcare practitioners were analyzed for themes. Most practitioners identified health as the interrelatedness of several factors. Physical, mental, and spiritual factors all played important roles. Mainstream and integrative practitioners emphasized health as good functioning, absence of disease, and chronic disease under control. Integrative and alternative practitioners emphasized health as balance and as the free flow of elements such as motion and energy. All types of practitioners freely combined elements from models of health described as separate in the literature. Understanding providers’ definitions of health could enhance communication among them.
An Analysis of Health Behavior Theories Applied to Breast-Screening Behavior for Relevance With American Indian Women
Authors: Becker Sara A. , Foxall Martha
Published: June 2006

This article reviews studies of the efficacy of breast-screening interventions and their related theories that have had a positive effect in influencing women to use mammography and assesses the potential of various behavioral models for use with American Indian women. The study involved a search of literature in nursing and other health fields. Both communityand practice-based interventions have incorporated elements of various theoretical models. Because of its adaptability, the modified health behavior model appears most relevant for designing interventions to encourage mammography use among American Indian women.
The Effect of HIV/AIDS Disease Progression on Spirituality and Self-Transcendence in a Multicultural Population
Authors: Ramer Lois , Johnson Debra , Chan Linda , Barrett Mary Theresa
Published: June 2006

This study examined the relationship of sociodemographic and clinical factors with spirituality and self-transcendence in people with HIV/AIDS. It involved 420 HIV/AIDS patients from an HIV clinic who were predominantly Hispanic (79%) and male (82%), with a mean age of 39 years. Subjects completed spirituality, self-transcendence, health status, and depression scales. Medical charts were reviewed to obtain demographics, current therapies, depression diagnosis, CD4 cells (sometimes called T-cells), and viral load levels. Self-transcendence was related to levels of energy ( p < .05) and acculturation ( p < .05). Spirituality was related to levels of energy ( p < .001) and pain ( p < .02). Neither disease progression nor severity was related to self-transcendence or spirituality. The findings suggest the concept of self-transcendence may not be culturally meaningful to Hispanic patients. The development of valid and reliable tools specific for this population is important for future research.
Atmosphere, Tolerance, and Cultural Competence in a Baccalaureate Nursing Program: Outcomes of a Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant
Authors: Evans Bronwynne C. , Greenberg Edward
Published: June 2006

The purpose of this article is to report the results of a comparison between the educational climate of a baccalaureate nursing program and that of a Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant. Fifteen Hispanic/Latino and American Indian upper-division baccalaureate nursing students completed 37 questionnaires. A 76-item questionnaire was designed to measure the effectiveness of grant services. There was a difference ( t [34] = 3.174, p = .003) in satisfaction across the two climates on “caring and respect” and “atmosphere” ( t [33] = 3.267, p = .003), with the grant climate rated higher. Although there was overall satisfaction with both the nursing program and grant services, students requested improvements in atmosphere, tolerance, and cultural competency. There is a need to create an atmosphere of trust, caring, and cultural congruity to recruit and to retain diverse students.
Promising Strategies for Obesity Prevention and Treatment Within American Indian Communities
Authors: Teufel-Shone Nicolette I.
Published: June 2006

In the United States, obesity prevention and treatment programs are dominated by individual-focused strategies. Yet epidemic proportions of obesity and high failure and dropout rates of conventional efforts prompt consideration of alternate approaches. A nonsystematic review of American Indian (AI) health promotion programs highlights a group-focused approach using three primary and two supportive strategies. These strategies are outlined as: (a) build and reinforce social cohesion and collective efficacy, (b) use the motivating force of friendly competition, and (c) aspire to change local norms and policies through assuring high visibility of alternate behaviors and engaging formal and informal leaders. Although evidence to demonstrate the impact of these efforts is limited and not currently available to public health audiences, AI communities' sustained acceptance and continued involvement in the programs suggest that these strategies are worthy of review and consideration by public health practitioners addressing obesity on a national level.
Research and American Indian/Alaska Native Health: A Nursing Perspective
Authors: Tom-Orme Lillian
Published: June 2006

American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) have increasing rates of chronic diseases and other health problems that have known preventable risk factors. Yet AI/AN health professionals and researchers are few in number. Because of past negative experiences with outside researchers, AI/AN communities do not always view health research favorably. This article reviews health and related research issues as well as to recommend improving interaction among community and all researchers.
Expanding and Cultivating the Hispanic STEM Doctoral Workforce
Authors: Millett Catherine M. , Nettles Michael T.
Published: June 2006

The prospects for colleges and universities becoming places where Hispanic students are engaged and integrated into the life of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields are enhanced if college faculties become more diverse. For colleges and universities to become more diverse, a larger number of Hispanic students must enter and complete doctoral programs. This article presents new research on the funding, mentoring, publishing, and degree completion experiences of Hispanic and other doctoral students. Some of the social and academic challenges that doctoral students face as they progress through doctoral programs are identified.
Construction of phylogenetic trees by kernel-based comparative analysis of metabolic networks
Authors: Oh S June , Joung Je-Gun , Chang Jeong-Ho , Zhang Byoung-Tak
Published: June 2006

Background

To infer the tree of life requires knowledge of the common characteristics of each species descended from a common ancestor as the measuring criteria and a method to calculate the distance between the resulting values of each measure. Conventional phylogenetic analysis based on genomic sequences provides information about the genetic relationships between different organisms. In contrast, comparative analysis of metabolic pathways in different organisms can yield insights into their functional relationships under different physiological conditions. However, evaluating the similarities or differences between metabolic networks is a computationally challenging problem, and systematic methods of doing this are desirable. Here we introduce a graph-kernel method for computing the similarity between metabolic networks in polynomial time, and use it to profile metabolic pathways and to construct phylogenetic trees.

Results

To compare the structures of metabolic networks in organisms, we adopted the exponential graph kernel, which is a kernel-based approach with a labeled graph that includes a label matrix and an adjacency matrix. To construct the phylogenetic trees, we used an unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean, i.e., a hierarchical clustering algorithm. We applied the kernel-based network profiling method in a comparative analysis of nine carbohydrate metabolic networks from 81 biological species encompassing Archaea, Eukaryota, and Eubacteria. The resulting phylogenetic hierarchies generally support the tripartite scheme of three domains rather than the two domains of prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Conclusion

By combining the kernel machines with metabolic information, the method infers the context of biosphere development that covers physiological events required for adaptation by genetic reconstruction. The results show that one may obtain a global view of the tree of life by comparing the metabolic pathway structures using meta-level information rather than sequence information. This method may yield further information about biological evolution, such as the history of horizontal transfer of each gene, by studying the detailed structure of the phylogenetic tree constructed by the kernel-based method.
Genomic analysis of Xenopusorganizer function
Authors: Hufton Andrew L , Vinayagam Arunachalam , Suhai Sándor , Baker Julie C
Published: June 2006

Background

Studies of the Xenopus organizer have laid the foundation for our understanding of the conserved signaling pathways that pattern vertebrate embryos during gastrulation. The two primary activities of the organizer, BMP and Wnt inhibition, can regulate a spectrum of genes that pattern essentially all aspects of the embryo during gastrulation. As our knowledge of organizer signaling grows, it is imperative that we begin knitting together our gene-level knowledge into genome-level signaling models. The goal of this paper was to identify complete lists of genes regulated by different aspects of organizer signaling, thereby providing a deeper understanding of the genomic mechanisms that underlie these complex and fundamental signaling events.

Results

To this end, we ectopically overexpress Noggin and Dkk-1, inhibitors of the BMP and Wnt pathways, respectively, within ventral tissues. After isolating embryonic ventral halves at early and late gastrulation, we analyze the transcriptional response to these molecules within the generated ectopic organizers using oligonucleotide microarrays. An efficient statistical analysis scheme, combined with a new Gene Ontology biological process annotation of the Xenopus genome, allows reliable and faithful clustering of molecules based upon their roles during gastrulation. From this data, we identify new organizer-related expression patterns for 19 genes. Moreover, our data sub-divides organizer genes into separate head and trunk organizing groups, which each show distinct responses to Noggin and Dkk-1 activity during gastrulation.

Conclusion

Our data provides a genomic view of the cohorts of genes that respond to Noggin and Dkk-1 activity, allowing us to separate the role of each in organizer function. These patterns demonstrate a model where BMP inhibition plays a largely inductive role during early developmental stages, thereby initiating the suites of genes needed to pattern dorsal tissues. Meanwhile, Wnt inhibition acts later during gastrulation, and is essential for maintenance of organizer gene expression throughout gastrulation, a role which may depend on its ability to block the expression of a host of ventral, posterior, and lateral fate-specifying factors.