bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Family Support on the Success of Translocated Black‐Tailed Prairie Dogs
Authors: SHIER D. M.
Published: July 2006

Abstract: Translocation has become a widely used conservation tool but remains only marginally successful. High mortality is often attributed to predation, but for highly social species, founder group composition may also play a critical role in postrelease survival. I compared the fitness of black‐tailed prairie dogs translocated with or without their family groups. Animals in the family translocated groups were individually marked and observed until coterie membership was determined. Nonfamily translocated animals were trapped without regard to family membership. I measured fitness by retrapping all marked animals remaining at release sites in the summer following release. Family translocated animals were five times more likely to survive and had significantly higher reproductive success than those translocated without families. Predation was an important impediment of translocation success, but family translocation significantly reduced the success of predators on newly established prairie dog colonies. Postrelease survival was also affected by the timing of release, but appeared to be more important for juveniles than adults. These results demonstrate the importance of considering familiarity when translocations are required. More broadly, these results illustrate the value of applying animal behavior to conservation efforts and suggest that other species dependent on social interactions for survival and reproduction may benefit substantially from the maintenance of social groups during translocations.
Influence of Forest Fragmentation on Community Structure of Frogs and Lizards in Northeastern Costa Rica
Authors: BELL KRISTEN E. , DONNELLY MAUREEN A.
Published: July 2006

Abstract:  To better understand responses of reptiles and amphibians to forest fragmentation in the lowland Neotropics, we examined community and population structure of frogs and lizards in the fragmented landscape surrounding La Selva Biological Station in the Sarapiquí region of northeastern Costa Rica. We used diurnal quadrats and nocturnal transects to sample frogs and lizards in nine forest fragments (1–7 ha each) and La Selva (1100 ha). Species richness in all fragments combined was 85% of that found in La Selva with comparable sampling effort. Richness varied from 10 to 24 species among forest fragments, compared with 36 species at La Selva. Lizard density was higher and frog density was lower in forest fragments than in La Selva. Community composition varied among sites and by fragment size class, and species occurrence was nested with respect to fragment area. Isolation and habitat variables did not significantly affect species richness, composition, or nestedness. We classified 34% of species as fragmentation sensitive because they were absent or occurred at low densities in fragments. Nevertheless, the relatively high diversity observed in the entire set of fragments indicates that preserving a network of small forest patches may be of considerable conservation value to the amphibians and reptiles of this region.
Evidence for the Role of Infectious Disease in Species Extinction and Endangerment
Authors: SMITH KATHERINE F. , SAX DOV F. , LAFFERTY KEVIN D.
Published: July 2006

Abstract: Infectious disease is listed among the top five causes of global species extinctions. However, the majority of available data supporting this contention is largely anecdotal. We used the IUCN Red List of Threatened and Endangered Species and literature indexed in the ISI Web of Science to assess the role of infectious disease in global species loss. Infectious disease was listed as a contributing factor in <4% of species extinctions known to have occurred since 1500 (833 plants and animals) and as contributing to a species' status as critically endangered in <8% of cases (2852 critically endangered plants and animals). Although infectious diseases appear to play a minor role in global species loss, our findings underscore two important limitations in the available evidence: uncertainty surrounding the threats to species survival and a temporal bias in the data. Several initiatives could help overcome these obstacles, including rigorous scientific tests to determine which infectious diseases present a significant threat at the species level, recognition of the limitations associated with the lack of baseline data for the role of infectious disease in species extinctions, combining data with theory to discern the circumstances under which infectious disease is most likely to serve as an agent of extinction, and improving surveillance programs for the detection of infectious disease. An evidence‐based understanding of the role of infectious disease in species extinction and endangerment will help prioritize conservation initiatives and protect global biodiversity.
Impact of Criticism of Null‐Hypothesis Significance Testing on Statistical Reporting Practices in Conservation Biology
Authors: FIDLER FIONA , BURGMAN MARK A. , CUMMING GEOFF , BUTTROSE ROBERT , THOMASON NEIL
Published: July 2006

Abstract:  Over the last decade, criticisms of null‐hypothesis significance testing have grown dramatically, and several alternative practices, such as confidence intervals, information theoretic, and Bayesian methods, have been advocated. Have these calls for change had an impact on the statistical reporting practices in conservation biology? In 2000 and 2001, 92% of sampled articles in Conservation Biology and Biological Conservation reported results of null‐hypothesis tests. In 2005 this figure dropped to 78%. There were corresponding increases in the use of confidence intervals, information theoretic, and Bayesian techniques. Of those articles reporting null‐hypothesis testing—which still easily constitute the majority—very few report statistical power (8%) and many misinterpret statistical nonsignificance as evidence for no effect (63%). Overall, results of our survey show some improvements in statistical practice, but further efforts are clearly required to move the discipline toward improved practices.
Effects of Selective Logging on Bat Communities in the Southeastern Amazon
Authors: PETERS SANDRA L. , MALCOLM JAY R. , ZIMMERMAN BARBARA L.
Published: July 2006

Abstract:  Although extensive areas of tropical forest are selectively logged each year, the responses of bat communities to this form of disturbance have rarely been examined. Our objectives were to (1) compare bat abundance, species composition, and feeding guild structure between unlogged and low‐intensity selectively logged (1–4 logged stems/ha) sampling grids in the southeastern Amazon and (2) examine correlations between logging‐induced changes in bat communities and forest structure. We captured bats in understory and canopy mist nets set in five 1‐ha study grids in both logged and unlogged forest. We captured 996 individuals, representing 5 families, 32 genera, and 49 species. Abundances of nectarivorous and frugivorous taxa (Glossophaginae, Lonchophyllinae, Stenodermatinae, and Carolliinae) were higher at logged sites, where canopy openness and understory foliage density were greatest. In contrast, insectivorous and omnivorous species (Emballonuridae, Mormoopidae, Phyllostominae, and Vespertilionidae) were more abundant in unlogged sites, where canopy foliage density and variability in the understory stratum were greatest. Multivariate analyses indicated that understory bat species composition differed strongly between logged and unlogged sites but provided little evidence of logging effects for the canopy fauna. Different responses among feeding guilds and taxonomic groups appeared to be related to foraging and echolocation strategies and to changes in canopy cover and understory foliage densities. Our results suggest that even low‐intensity logging modifies habitat structure, leading to changes in bat species composition.
Measuring Physical and Social Environments in Nursing Homes for People with Middle‐ to Late‐Stage Dementia
Authors: Slaughter Susan , Calkins Margaret , Eliasziw Michael , Reimer Marlene
Published: July 2006

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate measures of dementia care environments by comparing a special care facility (SCF) with traditional institutional facilities (TIFs).

DESIGN: A cross‐sectional comparative study of nursing home environments conducted as part of a longitudinal study on quality of life for residents with dementia.

SETTING: Twenty‐four traditional nursing homes and one special care facility.

PARTICIPANTS: One SCF with six distinct environments, 24 TIFs with 45 distinct environments, and 88 family members.

MEASUREMENTS: Therapeutic Environment Screening Scale—2+ (TESS‐2+); Special Care Unit Environmental Quality Scale (SCUEQS), a subset of the TESS‐2+ items; Composite Above Average Quality Score (CAAQS), a composite score of all items on the TESS‐2+; and Models of Care Instrument (MOCI).

RESULTS: The SCUEQS did not detect a significant difference between the SCF and the TIFs (30.0 vs 27.2, P=.28). The CAAQS detected a significant difference between the SCF and the TIFs, whereby the SCF environments were rated as having above‐average quality in 71.4% of the domains, compared with 57.3% for the TIF environments (95% confidence interval (CI) for difference=2.6–25.6%, P=.02). Using the MOCI, SCF families were 1.8 times as likely to rate the SCF as a home or resort versus a hospital as TIF families rating TIFs (95% CI for odds ratio=1.5–2.1, P<.001).

CONCLUSION: The TESS‐2+ CAAQS differentiated between physical environments better than the more established SCUQES. The MOCI distinguished between environments using a more holistic approach to measurement. The availability of environmental measures that are able to discriminate between specialized and traditional long‐term care settings will facilitate future outcome‐based research.
High Interest in Screening and Treatment for Mild Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults: A Pilot Study
Authors: Dale William , Hougham Gavin W. , Hill Emily Kay , Sachs Greg A.
Published: July 2006

OBJECTIVES: To assess interest of older adults in screening and treatment for mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

DESIGN: Cross‐sectional, in‐person pilot survey with a convenience sample.

SETTING: Two university‐based geriatrics clinic waiting rooms in Chicago.

PARTICIPANTS: Healthy adults aged 35 and older without cognitive impairment (n=149).

MEASUREMENTS: Following a description of MCI extracted from the Alzheimer's Association Website “Fact Sheet,” questions concerning willingness to be screened and treated for MCI.

RESULTS: Ninety‐eight percent of respondents would be willing to be tested for MCI if a family member suggested they had memory problems, 99% were willing to take a medication if it would cut the risk of conversion from MCI to Alzheimer's disease (AD) in half, and 92% would take a medication to delay the conversion from MCI to AD by 1 year. If a family member suggested memory problems, African Americans were more willing than whites to be screened for MCI (75% vs 57%; P=.05).

CONCLUSION: Older adults expressed high interest in screening and treatment for MCI. Interest in screening is even stronger in African Americans than in whites. Such high interest is potentially troubling, given the current state of knowledge about MCI.
Renal cell carcinoma marker (RCC‐Ma) is specific for cutaneous metastasis of renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Perna Ashley G. , Ostler Daniel A. , Ivan Doina , Lazar Alexander J. F. , Diwan A. Hafeez , Prieto Victor G. , Reed Jon A.
Published: July 2006

Background:  Renal cell carcinoma marker (RCC‐Ma) is a monoclonal antibody against a normal renal proximal tubule antigen. RCC‐Ma expression is relatively specific for primary clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Its expression in cutaneous metastasis of renal cell carcinoma (MRCC) and other cutaneous clear cell lesions has not been studied.

Methods:  One hundred and thirty‐seven cutaneous clear cell lesions including eight xanthomas, 32 xanthelasmas, 25 xanthogranulomas, seven balloon cell nevi, six clear cell hidradenomas, 29 sebaceous adenomas, six sebaceous epitheliomas, eight sebaceous carcinomas, and 16 MRCC were examined using immunohistochemistry for the expression of RCC‐Ma.

Results:  RCC‐Ma was expressed in 10 of 16 (62.5%) MRCC, all with greater than 20% of cell labeling. Of these, 4 of 10 (40%) labeled with a membranous pattern and 6 of 10 (60%) labeled with both a membranous and a cytoplasmic pattern. RCC expression was not seen in any of the other clear cell lesions (p < 0.001). Furthermore, lack of expression in each of the other diagnostic groups was significant when each group was compared with the MRCCs (p < 0.01 at least for each group).

Conclusions:  Our study demonstrates that RCC may be a valuable component of a panel of immunohistochemical markers when evaluating cutaneous clear cell lesions.
Bioimmunotherapy for melanoma using fully human antibodies targeting MCAM/MUC18 and IL‐8
Authors: Melnikova Vladislava O. , Bar‐Eli Menashe
Published: July 2006

Metastatic melanoma is associated with high rate of patients’ mortality and represents a great challenge for cancer therapies because of its notorious resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. Considerable efforts have been made over the last 2 decades in pursuit of new treatment modalities and identification of molecular events associated with melanoma progression and development of metastases. The acquisition of the metastatic phenotype is associated with overexpression of the adhesion molecule MCAM/MUC18 and the angiogenic factor IL‐8. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge on MCAM/MUC18 and IL‐8, their transcriptional regulation, and their role in melanoma growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. Further, we report on the development of new fully human antibodies, anti‐MCAM/MUC18 (ABX‐MA1) and anti‐IL‐8 (ABX‐IL8), and their effects on tumor growth and metastasis in animal models. Collectively, our studies suggest that ABX‐MA1 and ABX‐IL8 could serve as new modalities for the treatment of melanoma either alone, or in combination with conventional chemotherapy or other antitumor agents.
Oculocutaneous albinism type 4: six novel mutations in the membrane‐associated transporter protein gene and their phenotypes
Authors: Inagaki Katsuhiko , Suzuki Tamio , Ito Shiro , Suzuki Noriyuki , Adachi Koji , Okuyama Torayuki , Nakata Yusei , Shimizu Hiroshi , Matsuura Hironori , Oono Takashi , Iwamatsu Hiroko , Kono Michihiro , Tomita Yasushi
Published: July 2006

Oculocutaneous albinism type 4 (OCA4) is an autosomal recessive hypopigmentary disorder caused by mutations in the Membrane‐Associated Transporter Protein gene (SLC45A2). The SLC45A2 protein is a 530‐amino‐acid polypeptide that contains 12 putative transmembrane domains, and appears to be a transporter that mediates melanin synthesis. Eighteen pathological mutations have been reported so far. In this study, six novel mutations, p.Y49C (c.146A > G), p.G89R (c.265G > A), p.C229Y (c.686G > A), p.T437A (c.1309A > G), p.T440A (c.1318A > G) and p.G473D (c.1418G > A) were found in eight Japanese patients with various clinical phenotypes. The phenotypes of OCA4 were as various as the other types of OCA and probably depended on the mutation sites in the SLC45A2 gene.
The active essential CFNS3d protein complex
Authors: Melino Sonia , Fucito Silvana , Campagna Alessia , Wrubl Federico , Gamarnik Andrea , Cicero Daniel O. , Paci Maurizio
Published: July 2006

The NS2B–NS3 protease complex is essential for the replication of dengue virus, which is the etiologic agent of dengue and hemorrhagic fevers, diseases that are a burden for the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. The active form of the NS3 protease linked to the 40 residues of the NS2B cofactor shows highly flexible and disordered region(s) that are responsible for its high propensity to aggregate at the concentrations necessary for NMR spectroscopy studies or for crystallization. Limited proteolysis of this active form of the protease enabled us to obtain a folded and new essential form of the NS2B–NS3 protease complex. We found that the region from residues D50 to E80 of NS2B interacts directly and strongly with the NS3 protease domain. The proteolytic activity of the noncovalently binding complex was determined by a rapid and continuous fluorescence resonance energy transfer activity assay using a depsipeptide substrate. The new protein–cofactor complex obtained, encompassing the NS2B fragment (D50–E80) and the NS3 protease, shows proteolytic activity. The 1H‐15N‐heteronuclear single quantum coherence spectrum of the isotopically enriched protein complex shows good cross‐peak dispersion; this is indicative of a stable folded state. Our results significantly complement the X‐ray structure of the NS2B–NS3pro complex published recently. Moreover, these results open the way to performing direct structural and interaction studies in solution on a new active NS2B–NS3pro complex with libraries of substrates and inhibitors in order to identify new drugs that prevent viral polyprotein processing.
How does hepatitis C virus enter cells?
Authors: Diedrich Gundo
Published: July 2006

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) exists in different forms in the circulation of infected people: lipoprotein bound and lipoprotein free, enveloped and nonenveloped. Viral particles with the highest infectivity are associated with lipoproteins, whereas lipoprotein‐free virions are poorly infectious. The detection of HCV's envelope proteins E1 and E2 in lipoprotein‐associated virions has been challenging. Because lipoproteins are readily endocytosed, some forms of HCV might utilize their association with lipoproteins rather than E1 and E2 for cell attachment and internalization. However, vaccination of chimpanzees with recombinant envelope proteins protected the animals from hepatitis C infection, suggesting an important role for E1 and E2 in cell entry. It seems possible that different forms of HCV use different receptors to attach to and enter cells. The putative receptors and the assays used for their validation are discussed in this review.
Three mammalian cytochromes b561 are ascorbate‐dependent ferrireductases
Authors: Su Dan , Asard Han
Published: July 2006

Cytochromes b561 are a family of transmembrane proteins found in most eukaryotic cells. Three evolutionarily closely related mammalian cytochromes b561 (chromaffin granule cytochrome b, duodenal cytochrome b, and lysosomal cytochrome b) were expressed in a Saccharomyces cerevisiaeΔfre1Δfre2 mutant, which lacks almost all of its plasma membrane ferrireductase activity, to study their ability to reduce ferric iron (Fe3+). The expression of each of these cytochromes b561 was able to rescue the growth defect of the Δfre1Δfre2 mutant cells in iron‐deficient conditions, suggesting their involvement in iron metabolism. Plasma membrane ferrireductase activities were measured using intact yeast cells. Each cytochrome b561 showed significant FeCN and Fe3+‐EDTA reductase activities that were dependent on the presence of intracellular ascorbate. Site‐directed mutagenesis of lysosomal cytochrome b was conducted to identify amino acids that are indispensable for its activity. Among more than 20 conserved or partially conserved amino acids that were investigated, mutations of four His residues (H47, H83, H117 and H156), one Tyr (Y66) and one Arg (R67) completely abrogated the FeCN reductase activity, whereas mutations of Arg (R149), Phe (F44), Ser (S115), Trp (W119), Glu (E196), and Gln (Q131) affected the ferrireductase activity to some degree. These mutations may affect the heme coordination, ascorbate binding, and/or ferric substrate binding. Possible roles of these residues in lysosomal cytochrome b are discussed. This study demonstrates the ascorbate‐dependent transmembrane ferrireductase activities of members of the mammalian cytochrome b561 family of proteins.
Structural insights into mechanisms of non‐nucleoside drug resistance for HIV‐1 reverse transcriptases mutated at codons 101 or 138
Authors: Ren Jingshan , Nichols Charles E. , Stamp Anna , Chamberlain Phillip P. , Ferris Robert , Weaver Kurt L. , Short Steven A. , Stammers David K.
Published: July 2006

Lys101Glu is a drug resistance mutation in reverse transcriptase clinically observed in HIV‐1 from infected patients treated with the non‐nucleoside inhibitor (NNRTI) drugs nevirapine and efavirenz. In contrast to many NNRTI resistance mutations, Lys101(p66 subunit) is positioned at the surface of the NNRTI pocket where it interacts across the reverse transcriptase (RT) subunit interface with Glu138(p51 subunit). However, nevirapine contacts Lys101 and Glu138 only indirectly, via water molecules, thus the structural basis of drug resistance induced by Lys101Glu is unclear. We have determined crystal structures of RT(Glu138Lys) and RT(Lys101Glu) in complexes with nevirapine to 2.5 Å, allowing the determination of water structure within the NNRTI‐binding pocket, essential for an understanding of nevirapine binding. Both RT(Glu138Lys) and RT(Lys101Glu) have remarkably similar protein conformations to wild‐type RT, except for significant movement of the mutated side‐chains away from the NNRTI pocket induced by charge inversion. There are also small shifts in the position of nevirapine for both mutant structures which may influence ring stacking interactions with Tyr181. However, the reduction in hydrogen bonds in the drug‐water‐side‐chain network resulting from the mutated side‐chain movement appears to be the most significant contribution to nevirapine resistance for RT(Lys101Glu). The movement of Glu101 away from the NNRTI pocket can also explain the resistance of RT(Lys101Glu) to efavirenz but in this case is due to a loss of side‐chain contacts with the drug. RT(Lys101Glu) is thus a distinctive NNRTI resistance mutant in that it can give rise to both direct and indirect mechanisms of drug resistance, which are inhibitor‐dependent.
A weak lensing estimate from GEMS of the virial to stellar mass ratio in massive galaxies to z ∼ 0.8
Authors: Heymans Catherine , Bell Eric F. , Rix Hans-Walter , Barden Marco , Borch Andrea , Caldwell John A. R. , McIntosh Daniel H. , Meisenheimer Klaus , Peng Chien Y. , Wolf Christian , Beckwith Steven V. W. , Häußler Boris , Jahnke Knud , Jogee Shardha , Sánchez Sebastian F. , Somerville Rachel , Wisotzki Lutz
Published: July 2006

We present constraints on the evolution of the virial to stellar mass ratio of galaxies with high stellar masses in the redshift range 0.2 < z < 0.8, by comparing weak lensing measurements of virial mass Mvir with estimates of stellar mass Mstar. For a complete sample of galaxies with log (Mstar/M⊙) > 10.5, where the majority show an early-type morphology, we find that the virial mass to stellar mass ratio is given by Mvir/Mstar= 53+13−16. Assuming a baryon fraction from the concordance cosmology, this corresponds to a stellar fraction of baryons in massive galaxies of Ω*b/Ωb= 0.10 ± 0.03. Analysing the galaxy sample in different redshift slices, we find little or no evolution in the virial to stellar mass ratio, and place an upper limit of ∼2.5 on the growth of massive galaxies through the conversion of gas into stars from z= 0.8 to the present day.
Colonial Networks, Australian Humanitarianism and the History Wars
Authors: LESTER ALAN
Published: July 2006

The ‘History Wars’ have brought contests among Britons over the colonisation of Aboriginal land and people to the forefront of public consciousness in Australia. These contests, however, were the result of trajectories that criss‐crossed British imperial spaces, connecting Australia with other settler colonies and the British metropole. A number of historians and historical geographers have recently employed the notion of the network to highlight the interconnected geographies of the British Empire. This paper begins by examining the utility of such a re‐conceptualisation. It then fleshes out empirically the networked nature of early nineteenth century humanitarianism in colonial New South Wales. Both therelativelyprogressive potential of this humanitarian network, and its complicity in an ethnocentric politics of assimilationism are analysed. Settler networks, developed as a counter to humanitarian influence in the colony, are also examined more briefly. This account of contested networks demonstrates that they were never simply about communication, but always, fundamentally, about the organisation and contestation of dispossessive trajectories that linked diverse colonial and metropolitan sites. The paper concludes by noting some of the implications of such a networked analysis of dispossession and assimilation for Australia's ‘History Wars’.
Spatial Variability of Controls on Downstream Patterns of Sediment Storage: a Case Study in the Lane Cove Catchment, New South Wales, Australia
Authors: MACNAB KAHLI , JACOBSON CAROL , BRIERLEY GARY
Published: July 2006

This study uses GIS techniques to examine the spatial distribution of stream power along major streamlines in the Lane Cove catchment in northern Sydney, Australia. Channel gradient estimates derived from a 5 m resolution digital elevation model (DEM) are combined with streamflow data to estimate stream power along river courses. Stream power and its constituent components are then related to a detailed field‐based assessment of sediment storage along the trunk stream and primary tributaries. At the catchment scale, sediment storage per unit length decreases as channel gradient and gross stream power increase. However, local controls such as variability in valley width and occurrence of confluence zones exert a greater influence upon sediment storage, disrupting systematic catchment‐wide relationships. The total volume of storage along each streamline has a strong linear relationship to the area of the subcatchment, but the distribution of sediment along streamlines varies between subcatchments. The GIS framework employed in this project allows generation of continuous, empirical data, thereby providing catchment‐specific predictive capacity that can accompany theoretical approaches to stream power modelling.
Constructing the Port: External Perceptions and Interventions in the Making of Place in Port Adelaide, South Australia
Authors: ROFE MATTHEW W. , OAKLEY SUSAN
Published: July 2006

Port Adelaide, South Australia has been stigmatised as ‘Port Misery’ for over one hundred and fifty years. The origins of this stigmatised discourse can be traced prior to actual colonisation, having their genesis in wide political debates. This reflects the complex and contested nature of landscape, revealing that ‘Port Misery’ constitutes a powerful meta‐narrative that has been projected onto Port Adelaide by powerful and often external actors. This stigmatising discourse may lie dormant for prolonged periods of time, only to be remobilised to serve specific political, social and economic objectives. Recently, the ‘Port Misery’ discourse has been remobilised to justify the redevelopment of Port Adelaide from an industrial to a post‐industrial landscape.
Constructing Social Capital: Self‐Help Groups and Rural Women's Development in India
Authors: LAHIRI‐DUTT KUNTALA , SAMANTA GOPA
Published: July 2006

The success of the group approach in rural micro‐finance among women has inspired the tendency to look at all networking as essentially good and desirable in rural community development, without acknowledging the entrenched caste, class, ethnic and religious hierarchies that lead to diversities among women. Government schemes designed for poverty alleviation among rural women tend to be influenced by concepts and models that have been successful elsewhere, but do not take into account the diversities of situations at the local level. Internationally popular catchwords are used indiscriminately without questioning how these concepts can work effectively in the specific local context. This paper examines why some ‘self‐help groups’ fail by using the Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA) experience in India. The empirical survey was done over a period of two years in Burdwan, a relatively rich agricultural tract located in eastern India. We argue that whilst the ‘group’ has inherent benefits, it must never be allowed to become the paradigm in developmental policies for women.
Uterine artery embolization as a treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids: A review of literature and case report
Authors: Gainey Seals Judy , Jones Paul A. , Wolfe Cheryl
Published: July 2006

Purpose: To provide a case presentation and review of the literature on uterine artery embolization (UAE) as a treatment alternative for symptomatic uterine fibroids and to guide the nurse practitioner (NP) in patient selection, education, and periprocedural management of patients undergoing this procedure.

Data sources: Research articles, clinical articles, and case studies pertaining to UAE.

Conclusions: UAE is a safe, well tolerated, and effective nonsurgical treatment option for symptomatic uterine fibroids. This uterus‐sparing procedure has low complication rates with excellent clinical outcomes and high patient satisfaction rates. The majority of women who undergo UAE report marked reduction in the severity of fibroid specific symptoms and significant improvement in their quality of life.

Implications for practice: Uterine fibroids are common in women and often produce symptoms that have a negative impact on quality of life. The NP is instrumental in identifying which patients may be appropriate candidates for UAE, educating them about the risks and benefits of the procedure, and managing these patients before and after the procedure.
Health information and risk behaviors among lesbian, gay, and bisexual college students
Authors: Ridner S. Lee , Frost Karen , LaJoie A. Scott
Published: July 2006

Purpose: To describe differences in alcohol use, marijuana use, and smoking behaviors between lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) and heterosexual college students, and determine whether there was a difference in the health information each group received.

Data sources: A random sample of 3000 college students aged 18–24 years who were currently enrolled at a southeastern metropolitan university on a full‐time basis were invited to participate. The final sample (n= 772) consisted of heterosexuals (n= 731) and LGB (n= 41) college students. Gay and bisexual men (n= 20) and lesbian and bisexual women (n= 21) were compared to heterosexual college students.

Conclusions: Lesbian/bisexual women were 4.9 times more likely to smoke, 10.7 times more likely to drink, and 4.9 times more likely to use marijuana than heterosexual women. Gay/bisexual men did not significantly differ from heterosexual men. There was no difference in the health information on alcohol and drug prevention the groups received. Gay/bisexual men were less likely (p= .02) compared to heterosexual men to have received tobacco prevention information.

Implications for practice: Advanced practice nurses must ensure that every patient receives preventive services and anticipatory guidance at every visit. LGB clients in particular need health assessments and interventions appropriate to their individual risk profiles.
Modeling the decision to transfuse in the operating room: clinical judgement surrounding transfusion
Authors: HARRISON MICHAEL J. , YOON SEA‐YOUNG
Published: July 2006

The purpose of this study was to determine and quantify those factors that anesthetists use when deciding to transfuse blood and to create a model that could be used to make decision making more consistent. Two hundred audit forms, completed during intermediate or major surgery, were analyzed to determine the strengths of certain factors in the decision‐making process related to transfusion. Eighty of these had a satisfactorily complete data set with hemoglobin concentrations ([Hb]) between 7.0 and 10.0 g/dL. This audit demonstrates that, of the physiological factors, the risk of tissue hypoxia and the hemoglobin concentration were the most important, and the presence of ongoing bleeding an important contextual factor. Peer pressure to transfuse became apparent at a [Hb] of about 8.5 g/dL. A binary logistic regression (BLR) model, a probabilistic model (PM) and a neural network (NN) were created using this database and were used to predict transfusion decisions in a further 50 audit returns. Using [Hb], risk of tissue hypoxia and ongoing hemorrhage, the sensitivities, specificities, positive predictive values and negative predictive values, respectively, were as follows: BLR, 83%, 81%, 86%, and 77%; PM, 100%, 62%, 78% and 100%; and NN, 86%, 82%, 86% and 82%. If physiological and environmental factors are combined into a statistical model, it is possible to predict the decision to transfuse with an overall accuracy of about 82–86%.
Preoperative autologous blood donation
Authors: ROSENCHER NADIA , SHANDER ARYEH
Published: July 2006

Blood‐conservation techniques are declining because of the increasingly safe allogeneic blood supply. However, they continue to be used because of the public’s perception of allogeneic blood risks and increasing blood shortage. Preoperative autologous blood donation (PABD) may decrease the risk of postoperative infection, either because immunomodulation is avoided, or because bacterial or viral infections have to be carefully screened before inclusion of a patient in a PABD program. However, the higher risk of mortality from allogeneic blood transfusion is now more likely due to administrative errors and to blood‐transmitted infection, and the risks associated with banked autologous blood units are similar to those associated with banked allogeneic blood units. Therefore, when PABD is performed inducing anemia, there is an increase of the number of transfused units, thus an increase of the risk related to any transfusion. PABD is most beneficial in procedures that cause significant blood loss, in association with recombinant human erythropoietin administration and blood salvage. Identification of surgical candidates who will need transfusion and will therefore truly benefit from blood conservation must be based on factors specific to the patient, such as the baseline hematocrit and the anticipated blood loss during surgery. Professor Francesco Mercuriali promoted and validated this concept. The appropriate use of autologous techniques should be targeted toward the best possible cost‐effectiveness ratio for an individual patient. Despite its reduced role and declining rationale, PABD must be periodically revisited to assess its role in a changing environment.
The uniqueness of Clausius’s integrating factor
Authors: Weiss Volker C.
Published: July 2006

For a closed system that contains an arbitrary pure substance, which can exchange energy as heat and as expansion∕compression work, but no particles, with its surroundings, the inexact differential of the reversibly exchanged heat is a differential in two variables. This inexact differential can be turned into an exact one by an integrating factor that, in general, depends on both variables. We identify the general form of the integrating factor as the reciprocal temperature (Clausius’s well-known 1∕T), which is guaranteed to be a valid integrating factor by the second law of thermodynamics, multiplied by an arbitrary function of the implicit adiabat equation ξ(T,V)=constant or ξ(T,P)=constant. In general, we cannot expect that two different equations of state (corresponding to two different substances) predict identical equations for the adiabats. The requirement of having a universal integrating factor thus eliminates the volume-dependent or pressure-dependent integrating factors and leaves only a function of temperature alone: Clausius’s integrating factor 1∕T. The existence of other integrating factors is rarely mentioned in textbooks; instead, the integrating factor 1∕T is usually taken for granted relying on the second law or, occasionally, one finds it “derived” incorrectly from the first law of thermodynamics alone.
Low density fragile states in cohesive powders
Authors: Umbanhowar Paul B. , Goldman Daniel I.
Published: July 2006

We discuss the difference between cohesive and non-cohesive granular media in the context of dry quicksand, recently proposed as a new fragile state of sand. We demonstrate that weak low density configurations with properties like dry quicksand are readily formed in many common household powders. In contrast, such states cannot be formed in non-cohesive granular media such as ordinary sand.
Oersted Medal Lecture, 24 January 2006: Love Them to Death
Authors: Ford Kenneth W.
Published: July 2006

My teaching odyssey has extended from graduate students to seventh graders. At every level, I have loved the physics and the teaching and the students. Real affection for students, I suggest, goes a long way toward ensuring their success, and your own. When you really want them to share some of your excitement, they will. Along the way, I have acquired a few convictions. One is that we need to work harder at overcoming our still too-common priesthood syndrome. Another is that teaching physics to ninth graders makes great good sense.
PARAMETRIZATION OF k-ESSENCE AND ITS KINETIC TERM
Authors: LI HUI , GUO ZONG-KUAN , ZHANG YUAN-ZHONG
Published: July 2006

We construct the non-canonical kinetic term of a k-essence field directly from the effective equation of state function wk(z), which describes the properties of the dark energy. Adopting the usual parametrizations of equation of state, we numerically reproduce the shape of the non-canonical kinetic term and discuss some features of the constructed form of k-essence.
SIMPLE ALMOST HYPERDEFINABLE GROUPS
Authors: BEN-YAACOV ITAÏ
Published: July 2006

(i) We lay down the groundwork for the treatment of almost hyperdefinable groups: notions from [5] are put into a natural hierarchy, and new notions, essential to the study to such groups, fit elegantly into this hierarchy. (ii) We show that "classical" properties of definable and hyperdefinable groups in simple theories can be generalised to this context. In particular, we prove the existence of stabilisers of Lascar strong types and of the connected and locally connected components of subgroups, and that in a simple one-based theory an almost hyperdefinable group is bounded-by-abelian-by-bounded.
Experiences teaching operating systems using virtual platforms and Linux
Authors: Nieh Jason , Vaill Chris
Published: July 2006

Operating system courses teach students much more when they provide hands-on kernel-level project experience with a real operating system. However, enabling a large class of students to do kernel development can be difficult. To address this problem, we created a virtual kernel development environment in which operating systems can be developed, debugged, and rebooted in a shared computer facility without affecting other users. Using virtual machines and remote display technology, our virtual kernel development laboratory enables even distance learning students at remote locations to participate in kernel development projects with on-campus students. We have successfully deployed and used our virtual kernel development environment together with the open-source Linux kernel to provide kernel-level project experiences for over nine hundred students in the introductory operating system course at Columbia University.
Towards a framework for dedicated operating systems development in high-end computing systems
Authors: Tournier Jean-Charles , Bridges Patrick G. , MacCabe Arthur B. , Widener Patrick M. , Abudayyeh Zaid , Brightwell Ron , Riesen Rolf , Hudson Trammel
Published: July 2006

In the context of high-end computing systems, general-purpose operating systems impose overhead on the applications they support due to unneeded services. Although dedicated operating systems overcome this issue, they are difficult to develop or adapt. In this paper, we propose a framework, based on the
component
programming paradigm, which supports the development and adaptation of such operating systems. This framework makes possible the
a la carte
construction of operating systems which provide specific high-end computing system characteristics.
Operating system issues for petascale systems
Authors: Beckman Pete , Iskra Kamil , Yoshii Kazutomo , Coghlan Susan
Published: July 2006

Petascale supercomputers will be available by 2008. The largest machine of these complex leadership-class machines will probably have nearly 250K CPUs. These massively parallel systems have a number of challenging operating system issues. In this paper, we focus on the issues most important for the system that will first breach the petaflop barrier: synchronization and collective operations, parallel I/O, and fault tolerance.
Kernel-level single system image for petascale computing
Authors: Ong Hong , Vetter Jeffrey , Studham R. Scott , McCurdy Collin , Walker Bruce , Cox Alan
Published: July 2006

Scientific computing users typically prefer UNIX or UNIX-like operating systems as their runtime for managing software and hardware resources. These UNIX-like systems were originally designed for a single processor as well as for a broad range of programming and usage models. Although UNIX-like systems have successfully been modified to work in SMP or NUMA configuration, their internal structures remain relatively the same over the years. As we move toward the era of petascale computing, these UNIX-like systems are no longer suitable. For instance, the relative cost of supporting generic usages and system services will increase by a magnitude and thus affect the overall system performance; there are insufficient system services to globally manage parallelism, processes, and resources; users may not see the petascale system as a single powerful machine but rather as a set of multiple independent servers. A single system image (SSI) operating system is essential for efficiently manage parallelism, resources and processes as well as providing parallel processing transparency for a system possibly equipped with hundred thousand of processors. However, the success of a petascale SSI operating system goes beyond technical challenges. In particular, it must look very much like the normal UNIX, run unmodified software, scale incrementally, and equip with built-in high availability supports. This position paper focuses on these issues and discusses the development of a petascale SSI, based on an existing kernel-level SSI system, OpenSSI.
SFT
Authors: Petrini Fabrizio , Nieplocha Jarek , Tipparaju Vinod
Published: July 2006

In this paper we will present a new technology that we are currently developing within the
SFT: Scalable Fault Tolerance
FastOS project which seeks to implement fault tolerance at the operating system level. Major design goals include dynamic reallocation of resources to allow continuing execution in the presence of hardware failures, very high scalability, high efficiency (low overhead), and transparency---requiring no changes to user applications. Our technology is based on a global coordination mechanism, that enforces transparent recovery lines in the system, and TICK, a lightweight, incremental checkpointing software architecture implemented as a Linux kernel module. TICK is completely user-transparent and does not require any changes to user code or system libraries; it is highly responsive: an interrupt, such as a timer interrupt, can trigger a checkpoint in as little as 2.5μs; and it supports incremental and full checkpoints with minimal overhead---less than 6% with full checkpointing to disk performed as frequently as once per minute.
MOLAR
Authors: Engelmann Christian , Scott Stephen L. , Bernholdt David E. , Gottumukkala Narasimha R. , Leangsuksun Chokchai , Varma Jyothish , Wang Chao , Mueller Frank , Shet Aniruddha G. , Sadayappan P.
Published: July 2006

MOLAR is a multi-institutional research effort that concentrates on adaptive, reliable, and efficient operating and runtime system (OS/R) solutions for ultra-scale high-end scientific computing on the next generation of supercomputers. This research addresses the challenges outlined in FAST-OS (forum to address scalable technology for runtime and operating systems) and HECRTF (high-end computing revitalization task force) activities by exploring the use of advanced monitoring and adaptation to improve application performance and predictability of system interruptions, and by advancing computer reliability, availability and serviceability (RAS) management systems to work cooperatively with the OS/R to identify and preemptively resolve system issues. This paper describes recent research of the MOLAR team in advancing RAS for high-end computing OS/Rs.
Optimizing memory transactions
Authors: Harris Tim , Plesko Mark , Shinnar Avraham , Tarditi David
Published: July 2006

Atomic blocks allow programmers to delimit sections of code as 'atomic', leaving the language's implementation to enforce atomicity. Existing work has shown how to implement atomic blocks over
word-based transactional memory
that provides scalable multi-processor performance without requiring changes to the basic structure of objects in the heap. However, these implementations perform poorly because they interpose on all accesses to shared memory in the atomic block, redirecting updates to a thread-private log which must be searched by reads in the block and later reconciled with the heap when leaving the block.This paper takes a four-pronged approach to improving performance: (1) we introduce a new 'direct access' implementation that avoids searching thread-private logs, (2) we develop compiler optimizations to reduce the amount of logging (e.g. when a thread accesses the same data repeatedly in an atomic block), (3) we use runtime filtering to detect duplicate log entries that are missed statically, and (4) we present a series of GC-time techniques to compact the logs generated by long-running atomic blocks.Our implementation supports short-running scalable concurrent benchmarks with less than 50\% overhead over a non-thread-safe baseline. We support long atomic blocks containing millions of shared memory accesses with a 2.5-4.5x slowdown.
A framework for unrestricted whole-program optimization
Authors: Triantafyllis Spyridon , Bridges Matthew J. , Raman Easwaran , Ottoni Guilherme , August David I.
Published: July 2006

Procedures have long been the basic units of compilation in conventional optimization frameworks. However, procedures are typically formed to serve software engineering rather than optimization goals, arbitrarily constraining code transformations. Techniques, such as aggressive inlining and interprocedural optimization, have been developed to alleviate this problem, but, due to code growth and compile time issues, these can be applied only sparingly.This paper introduces the Procedure Boundary Elimination (PBE) compilation framework, which allows unrestricted whole-program optimization. PBE allows all intra-procedural optimizations and analyses to operate on arbitrary subgraphs of the program, regardless of the original procedure boundaries and without resorting to inlining. In order to control compilation time, PBE also introduces novel extensions of
region formation
and
encapsulation
. PBE enables
targeted code specialization
, which recovers the specialization benefits of inlining while keeping code growth in check. This paper shows that PBE attains better performance than inlining with half the code growth.