bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A stable trace formula for Igusa varieties
Authors: Shin Sug Woo 
Published: March 2010

AbstractIgusa varieties are smooth varieties in positive characteristic p which are closely related to Shimura varieties and Rapoport–Zink spaces. One motivation for studying Igusa varieties is to analyse the representations in the cohomology of Shimura varieties which may be ramified at p. The main purpose of this work is to stabilize the trace formula for the cohomology of Igusa varieties arising from a PEL datum of type (A) or (C). Our proof is unconditional thanks to the recent proof of the fundamental lemma by Ngô, Waldspurger and many others.An earlier work of Kottwitz, which inspired our work and proves the stable trace formula for the special fibres of PEL Shimura varieties with good reduction, provides an explicit way to stabilize terms at ∞. Stabilization away from p and ∞ is carried out by the usual Langlands–Shelstad transfer as in work of Kottwitz. The key point of our work is to develop an explicit method to handle the orbital integrals at p. Our approach has the technical advantage that we do not need to deal with twisted orbital integrals or the twisted fundamental lemma.One application of our formula, among others, is the computation of the arithmetic cohomology of some compact PEL-type Shimura varieties of type (A) with non-trivial endoscopy. This is worked out in a preprint of the author's entitled ‘Galois representations arising from some compact Shimura varieties’.
Communicating terminal diagnoses to Hispanic patients
Authors: Carrion Iraida V. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractObjective:This study addressed factors physicians employ in their communication of a terminal diagnosis and a hospice referral to Hispanic patients.Method:The research method used was an exploratory qualitative in-depth semi-structured interview with thematic analysis. The interviews were with ten physicians in Central Florida. The interviews were conducted in Spanish and/or English with physicians who serve terminally ill Hispanic patients.Results:The findings provide vital information on factors that impact communication of diagnosis and hospice referral. Themes emerged relating to role of family members and end-of-life decision-making. Language barriers and limited knowledge of cultural factors and beliefs impacted communication related to end-of-life decisions. Gaps in training and education for physicians were also identified.Significance of results:These results suggest that discussing end-of-life issues with the diverse category of Hispanic patients and families will be enhanced by eliminating language barriers, increased understanding of the role of family members, and knowledge of cultural factors and beliefs related to end-of-life decisions.
The significance of fatigue in relatives of palliative patients
Authors: Carlsson Maria E. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractObjective:The aim of this study was to explore the significance of fatigue among relatives of palliative patients.Method:This pilot study has a descriptive and cross-sectional design and is the report of four open-ended questions focusing on the relatives' experiences of fatigue. The study population consisted of relatives of patients who were cared for in palliative care settings either at home or in an institution in Uppsala County during a specific day.Results:The relatives were very tired and identified worries, uncertainty, the patient's suffering, and many demands as the causes for the fatigue. The most obvious consequences of the tiredness were a lack of motivation, feelings of insufficiency and apathy, and putting their own interests aside. Many relatives expressed that having the company of close family members, taking exercise and spending time outdoors gave them strength to carry on. The health care system could make the situation easier for relatives of patients in palliative care by providing good care for the patient, and psychosocial support and respite care for the relatives.Significance of results:The result of the pilot study is only preliminary, but it showed that relatives caring for patients in a late palliative phase suffer from great fatigue and require more attention, both scientifically and in the clinical settings.
Hospice volunteer as patient advocate: A trait approach
Authors: Savery Carol A. , Egbert Nichole 
Published: March 2010

AbstractObjective:The purpose of this study is to examine traits of hospice volunteers that facilitate their success in this informal caregiving role, with the larger goal of alleviating the family caregiver burden and providing additional support to the hospice patient. To achieve this goal, a new scale was developed to tap into how hospice volunteers view their patient advocacy role.Method:Participants were 136 trained hospice volunteers from the Midwest who had direct contact with hospice patients. Volunteers mailed anonymous surveys that included measures of argumentativeness, locus of control, attitudes toward patient advocacy, and key demographic items. A new scale was developed to measure patient advocacy by hospice volunteers called the Hospice Volunteer as Patient Advocate.Results:Submitting this scale to exploratory factor analysis, two factors emerged: duty as patient advocate and support of patient rights. After performing a multiple regression analysis, results showed that female volunteers who were high in internal locus of control were more likely to perceive that volunteers have a duty as patient advocates. Younger volunteers with more years of volunteer experience, higher levels of internal locus of control, and lower external locus of control were more likely to support patient rights.Significance of results:The findings of this study could be used to formalize hospice volunteers' role as patient advocates, thus better utilizing them as committed, caring communicators and improving patient-centered care at end-of-life.
Influences on place of death in Botswana
Authors: Lazenby Mark , Ma Tony , Moffat Howard J. , Funk Marjorie , Knobf M. Tish , McCorkle Ruth 
Published: March 2010

AbstractObjective:There is an emerging body of research aimed at understanding the determinants of place of death, as where people die may influence the quality of their death. However, little is known about place of death for people of Southern Africa. This study describes place of death (home or hospital) and potential influencing factors (cause of death, age, gender, occupation, and district of residence).Method:We collected the death records for years 2005 and 2006 for all adult non-traumatic deaths that occurred in Botswana, described them, and looked for associations using bivariate and multivariate analyses.Results:The evaluable sample consisted of 18,869 death records. Home deaths accounted for 36% of all deaths, and were predominantly listed with “unknown” cause (82.3%). Causes of death for hospital deaths were HIV/AIDS (49.7%), cardiovascular disease (13.8%), and cancer (6.6%). The mean age at the time of all deaths was 53.2 years (SD = 20.9); with 61 years (SD = 22.5) for home deaths and 48.8 years (SD = 18.6) for hospital deaths (p < .001). Logistic regression analysis revealed the following independent predictors of dying at home: unknown cause of death; female gender; >80 years of age; and residing in a city or rural area (p < .05).Significance of Results:A major limitation of this study was documentation of cause of death; the majority of people who died at home were listed with an unknown cause of death. This finding impeded the ability of the study to determine whether cause of death influenced dying at home. Future study is needed to determine whether verbal autopsies would increase death-certificate listings of causes of home deaths. These data would help direct end-of-life care for patients in the home.
On the road again: Patient perspectives on commuting for palliative care
Authors: Pesut Barbara , Robinson Carole A. , Bottorff Joan L. , Fyles Gillian , Broughton Sandra 
Published: March 2010

AbstractObjective:The aim of this research project was to gain an understanding of the experiences of rural cancer patients who commute to an urban cancer center for palliative care.Method:The study utilized a mixed method design. Fifteen individuals with a palliative designation participated in semi-structured interviews and filled out the Problems and Needs in Palliative Care Questionnaire.Results:Qualitative findings included three major themes: cultures of rural life and care, strategies for commuting, and the effects of commuting. Participants valued their rural lifestyles and gained significant support from their communities. Strategies included preparing for the trip with particular attention to pain management, making the most of time, and maintaining significant relationships. Establishing a routine helped to offset the anxiety of commuting. Commuting was costly but the quality of life and supportive relationships obtained through treatment were significant benefits. Questionnaire data suggested that participants were experiencing a number of problems but few indicated they desired more professional attention to those problems.Significance of Results:Rural lifestyles are often an important part of overall well-being and commuting for care is both costly and complex. Health care providers should assist individuals to weigh the relative contributions of staying in their rural locale versus commuting for care to their overall quality of life. Palliative-care individuals in this study indicated a number of ongoing problems but were not inclined to seek further assistance from health care providers in addressing those problems. Clinicians should actively inquire about problems and further research is needed to understand why patients are reluctant to seek help.
Childhood trauma, attachment style, and a couple's experience of terminal cancer: Case study
Authors: McLean Linda M. , Hales Sarah 
Published: March 2010

AbstractObjective:The primary objective of this article is to elucidate the significance of psychosocial distress and risk in a sub-population of end-stage cancer patients and their spouse caregivers who present with an especially challenging attachment style and histories of childhood trauma. The case study presented highlights the need to both identify and offer an empirically validated couple–based intervention, along with a multi-disciplinary team approach over the trajectory of the illness and at end of life.Method:A validated marital protocol (emotionally focused couple therapy [EFT]) is modified for this population and conducted by an EFT-trained psychologist as part of a pilot investigation as to the feasibility and effectiveness of EFT for the terminal cancer population. Measures of marital distress, depression, hopelessness, and attachment security are completed at baseline and subsequent intervals, as reported in another publication. Attachment insecurity and the exquisitely intimate relationship with caregiving and care receiving are underscored, given the couple's traumatic childhood history.Results:The couple described herein, followed from diagnosis of metastatic disease to end of life illuminates the potential effectiveness of a modified EFT protocol, and underscores the need to both identify and intervene with a population potentially at significantly high risk for marital distress, suicidality, depression, and hopelessness.Significance of Results:The benefits of a multidisciplinary team is evident as the patient's symptoms of physical distress increased toward end of life and she returned to earlier behaviors, namely suicidal ideation and an attempt to alleviate her experience of suffering. The strength of the marital bond, possibly as a result of the intervention, and the efforts of the multidisciplinary team approach, demonstrate potential to mitigate a catastrophic end of life and a complicated spousal bereavement. This case study adds to the current empirical literature in an area that is currently under-studied and under-reported.
Overview of AlGaN/GaN HEMT technology for L- to Ku-band applications
Authors: Piotrowicz Stéphane , Morvan Erwan , Aubry Raphaël , Callet Guillaume , Chartier Eric , Dua Christian , Dufraisse Jérémy , Floriot Didier , Jacquet Jean-Claude , Jardel Olivier , Mancuso Yves , Mallet-Guy Benoit , Oualli Mourad , Ouarch Zineb , Di-Forte Poisson Marie-Antoinette , Sarazin Nicolas , Stanislawiak Michel , Delage Sylvain 
Published: March 2010

The present paper presents an overview of the AlGaN/GaN-based circuits realized over the years. Two technological processes with 0.25 and 0.7 μm gate length allowed one to address applications from L- to Ku-bands. Depending on the process development and frequency of the operation, results on hybrid or MMIC technology are presented. GaN technology is evaluated through the realization of high-power amplifiers, robust low-noise amplifiers, or power switches to prepare the next generation of Tx-Rx modules.
Myogenic regulatory factors transactivate the Tceal7 gene and modulate muscle differentiation
Authors: Shi Xiaozhong , Garry Daniel J. 
Published: March 2010

Recurrent injuries eventually exhaust the capacity of skeletal muscle to fully restore or regenerate its cellular architecture. Therefore a comprehensive understanding of the muscle regeneration programme is needed to provide a platform for new therapies for devastating diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy. To begin to decipher the molecular programme that directs muscle regeneration, we undertook an unbiased strategy using microarray analysis of cardiotoxin-injured skeletal muscle at defined time periods in the adult mouse. Using this strategy, we identified Tceal7 [transcription elongation factor A (SII)-like 7], which was dynamically regulated during muscle regeneration. Our studies revealed that Tceal7 was restricted to the skeletal muscle lineage during embryogenesis. Using transgenic technologies and transcriptional assays, we defined an upstream 0.7 kb fragment of the Tceal7 gene that directed the LacZ reporter to the developing skeletal muscle lineage. Analysis of the Tceal7 promoter revealed evolutionarily conserved E-box motifs within the 0.7 kb upstream fragment that were essential for promoter activity, as mutation of the E-box motifs resulted in the loss of reporter expression in the somites of transgenic embryos. Furthermore, we demonstrated that MRFs (myogenic regulatory factors) were Tceal7 upstream transactivators using transcriptional assays, EMSAs (electrophoretic mobility-shift assays), and ChIP (chromatin immunoprecipitation) assays. Overexpression of Tceal7 in C2C12 myoblasts decreased cellular proliferation and enhanced differentiation. Further studies revealed that p27 expression was up-regulated following Tceal7 overexpression. These studies support the hypothesis that MRFs transactivate Tceal7 gene expression and promote muscle differentiation during muscle development and regeneration.
One-microsecond molecular dynamics simulation of channel gating in a nicotinic receptor homologue
Authors: Nury Hugues , Poitevin Frédéric , Van Renterghem Catherine , Changeux Jean-Pierre , Corringer Pierre-Jean , Delarue Marc , Baaden Marc 
Published: March 2010

Recently discovered bacterial homologues of eukaryotic pentameric ligand-gated ion channels, such as the
Gloeobacter violaceus
receptor (GLIC), are increasingly used as structural and functional models of signal transduction in the nervous system. Here we present a one-microsecond-long molecular dynamics simulation of the GLIC channel pH stimulated gating mechanism. The crystal structure of GLIC obtained at acidic pH in an open-channel form is equilibrated in a membrane environment and then instantly set to neutral pH. The simulation shows a channel closure that rapidly takes place at the level of the hydrophobic furrow and a progressively increasing quaternary twist. Two major events are captured during the simulation. They are initiated by local but large fluctuations in the pore, taking place at the top of the M2 helix, followed by a global tertiary relaxation. The two-step transition of the first subunit starts within the first 50 ns of the simulation and is followed at 450 ns by its immediate neighbor in the pentamer, which proceeds with a similar scenario. This observation suggests a possible two-step domino-like tertiary mechanism that takes place between adjacent subunits. In addition, the dynamical properties of GLIC described here offer an interpretation of the paradoxical properties of a permeable A13′F mutant whose crystal structure determined at 3.15 Å shows a pore too narrow to conduct ions.
A rational approach to heavy-atom derivative screening
Authors: Joyce M. Gordon , Radaev Sergei , Sun Peter D. 
Published: March 2010

Despite the development in recent times of a range of techniques for phasing macromolecules, the conventional heavy-atom derivatization method still plays a significant role in protein structure determination. However, this method has become less popular in modern high-throughput oriented crystallography, mostly owing to its trial-and-error nature, which often results in lengthy empirical searches requiring large numbers of well diffracting crystals. In addition, the phasing power of heavy-atom derivatives is often compromised by lack of isomorphism or even loss of diffraction. In order to overcome the difficulties associated with the `classical' heavy-atom derivatization procedure, an attempt has been made to develop a rational crystal-free heavy-atom derivative-screening method and a quick-soak derivatization procedure which allows heavy-atom compound identification. The method includes three basic steps: (i) the selection of likely reactive compounds for a given protein and specific crystallization conditions based on pre-defined heavy-atom compound reactivity profiles, (ii) screening of the chosen heavy-atom compounds for their ability to form protein adducts using mass spectrometry and (iii) derivatization of crystals with selected heavy-metal compounds using the quick-soak method to maximize diffraction quality and minimize non-isomorphism. Overall, this system streamlines the process of heavy-atom compound identification and minimizes the problem of non-isomorphism in phasing.
Radiation damage in macromolecular crystallography: what is it and why should we care?
Authors: Garman Elspeth F. 
Published: March 2010

Radiation damage inflicted during diffraction data collection in macromolecular crystallography has re-emerged in the last decade as a major experimental and computational challenge, as even for crystals held at 100 K it can result in severe data-quality degradation and the appearance in solved structures of artefacts which affect biological interpretations. Here, the observable symptoms and basic physical processes involved in radiation damage are described and the concept of absorbed dose as the basic metric against which to monitor the experimentally observed changes is outlined. Investigations into radiation damage in macromolecular crystallography are ongoing and the number of studies is rapidly increasing. The current literature on the subject is compiled as a resource for the interested researcher.
Genetic diversity within and among Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) farmed in marine cages: a proof‐of‐concept study for the identification of escapees
Authors: Glover K. A. , Dahle G. , Westgaard J. I. , Johansen T. , Knutsen H. , Jørstad K. E. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryThis study presents a molecular genetic characterization of Atlantic cod reared in commercial marine farms. Samples consisted of approximately 47 fish collected from nine cages located on four farms throughout Norway. In addition, 28 farmed escapees were recaptured in the sea (443 fish in total). Nine microsatellite loci and the Pan I gene were analysed, revealing a total of 181 alleles. Each sample contained 43–63% of total allelic variation. Comparing variation with published data for wild cod indicates that lower genetic variation exists within single cages than in wild populations. Significant linkage disequilibrium was observed amongst pairs of loci in all samples, suggesting a low number of contributing parental fish. Global FST was 0.049, and the highest pairwise FST value (pooled loci) was 0.085. For single loci, the Pan I gene was the most diagnostic, displaying a global FST of 0.203. Simulations amongst the samples collected on farms revealed an overall correct self‐assignment percentage of 75%, demonstrating a high probability of identifying individuals to their farm of origin. Identification of the 28 escapees revealed a single cage as the most likely source of origin for half of the escapees, whilst the remaining fish were assigned to a mixture of samples, suggesting more than one source of escapees.
Impact of cutting frequency on the vigour of Rumex obtusifolius
Authors: Stilmant D. , Bodson B. , Vrancken C. , Losseau C. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThe control of Rumex obtusifolius, even with the use of herbicides, is difficult in permanent grasslands where R. obtusifolius reduces both productivity and nutritive value of herbage. It is important to find alternative approaches to managing R. obtusifolius. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted to compare the impact of different cutting frequencies, which simulated grazing (three cuts), silage making (two cuts) and hay making (one cut) on shoot and root measurements of the vigour of R. obtusifolius. In both experiments the same cutting frequencies were imposed but in Experiment 1 the treatments were imposed for 2 years and in Experiment 2 for 1 year. Compared to the silage‐making and hay‐making treatments, there was a reduction in the vigour of the aerial parts of R. obtusifolius on the grazing treatment, associated with a reduction in the number of leaves (Experiment 1), in the size of the largest leaf (Experiment 1) and in the herbage mass of dry matter (Experiments 1 and 2). Roots had higher concentrations of total soluble sugar and lower concentrations of starch in the grazing treatment than in the other treatments. These results showed that a reduction in the vigour of R. obtusifolius in permanent grasslands is possible only if the plants are submitted to a high frequency of defoliation under cutting or grazing.