The Indian Ocean Pearson, Michael
2003, 20030902, 2003-09-02, 20070101, 20030101
eBook
In this stimulating and authoritative overview, Michael Pearson reverses the traditional angle of maritime history and looks from the sea to its shores - its impact on the land through trade, naval ...power, travel and scientific exploration. This vast ocean, both connecting and separating nations, has shaped many countries' cultures and ideologies through the movement of goods, people, ideas and religions across the sea.
The Indian Ocean moves from a discussion of physical elements, its shape, winds, currents and boundaries, to a history from pre-Islamic times to the modern period of European dominance. Going far beyond pure maritime history, this compelling survey is an invaluable addition to political, cultural and economic world history.
Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) of complementary DNA is now a standard method for studies of gene expression. However, qPCR can identify genuine variation only when transcript ...quantities are accurately normalized to an appropriate reference. To identify the most reliable reference genes for transcript quantification by qPCR, we describe a systematic evaluation of candidate reference genes of Arabidopsis thaliana ecotype Columbia-0 (Col-0). Twelve genes were selected for transcript stability studies by qPCR of complementary DNA prepared from Arabidopsis leaf tissue infected with one of five plant viruses (Cauliflower mosaic virus, Tobacco mosaic virus, Tomato spotted wilt virus, Turnip mosaic virus, and Turnip yellow mosaic virus). The F-box family protein, elongation factor 1-α, sand family protein, and protodermal factor 2 gene transcripts showed the most stable accumulation, whereas a traditionally used reference gene, Actin8, showed the least stable accumulation as measured by the geNorm algorithm. The data furnish plant virologists with reference genes for normalization of qPCR-derived gene expression in virus-infected Arabidopsis and will be beneficial to the selection and design of primers targeting orthologous genes in other plant species.
Abstract Understanding the contraceptive practices of females with complex congenital heart disease (CHD) and providing them individualized contraception counseling may prevent adverse events and ...unplanned high risk pregnancies. Given this, we sought to examine the contraceptive practices in women with CHD, describe adverse events associated with contraceptive use, and describe the provision of contraception counseling. Women >18 years of age were recruited between 2011 and 2014 from 9 adult CHD (ACHD) centers throughout North America. Subjects completed a 48-item questionnaire regarding contraceptive use and perceptions of contraception counseling, and a medical record review was performed. Of 505 subjects, median age was 33 (IQR, 26 to 44) and 81% had CHD of moderate or great complexity. The majority (86%, 435/505) of the cohort had utilized contraception. The types included: barrier methods (87%), oral contraception (OC) 84%, intra-uterine device (18%), Depo-Provera (15%), vaginal ring (7%), patch (6%), hormonal implant (2%), Plan B (19%), and sterilization (16%). Overall OC use was not significantly different by CHD complexity. Women with CHD of great complexity were more likely to report a thrombotic event (TE) while taking OC than those with less complex CHD (9% vs.1%, p=0.003). Contraception counseling by the ACHD team was noted by 43% of subjects. Unplanned pregnancy was reported by 25% with no statistical difference by CHD complexity. In conclusion, contraceptive practices of women with complex CHD are highly variable, and the prevalence of blood clots while taking OC is not insignificant while provision of contraception counseling by ACHD providers appears lacking.
More than 200 plant viruses and many of their invertebrate vectors have invaded New Zealand (NZ) in the last two centuries. All of these invaders are associated with introduced agricultural, ...horticultural and/or weed species. At least 16 of the viruses have invaded the native flora, including some rare and critically endangered species. Patterns are emerging: aphid transmitted viruses which are able to infect species from a number of families are prominent. For example, cucumber mosaic virus infects native species from seven families. There are also examples of viruses with more restricted host ranges invading individual families, particularly the native grasses. The yellow dwarf viruses have escaped from cereals and pasture into native grasses. Some of the species are also native to Australia and the Pacific Islands and the review and its literature should be of interest to those working further afield. Prospects for controlling or mitigating the effects of the viruses in agricultural systems have limited application in the native flora but they are relevant to propagation and rescue strategies. Biosecurity measures are not only the first line of defence against threats to agriculture but also to the conservation estate. The protection of native floras from virus invasion is another justification for the control measures and legislative procedures already in place to protect agriculture. High throughput sequencing to detect all viruses at the border, and genetic engineering and RNAi technologies to mitigate the effects of invasions are promising developments for the protection of the native flora.
•Stream nitrate loads were proportional to area of agriculture drained.•Inter-stream differences were due to groundwater flow and riparian cover.•Longitudinal profiles of water quality are critical ...to comparing streams.•It is necessary to understand hydrology to gauge riparian effects on streams.•N contamination can be adequately mitigated only by reducing fertilizer use.
We measured water quality along four Australian tropical streams in two catchments with similar agricultural development (mainly sugarcane growing) but contrasting riparian vegetation (intact native rainforest vs. exotic weeds). There were strong gradients in water quality and consistent differences between streams. The most significant pattern was an increase in nitrate+nitrite (NOx) concentration with distance downstream, reflecting the increasing discharge and proportion of fertilized agricultural land in the catchment, and indicating continuous export of contaminated groundwater along all streams. Measuring water quality along the longitudinal gradient was critical to the interpretation of the data and enabled us to confidently detect differences between streams. NOx concentrations and loads were significantly lower in streams with greater riparian vegetation and regression analysis suggested some N-stripping in the riparian zone, albeit insufficient to meet regional water-quality guidelines. Our results demonstrate the benefit of accounting for longitudinal gradients in comparing water quality among streams and in detecting the effect of riparian vegetation at a catchment scale, but that adequate reduction in NOx in streams can only be achieved by reduced fertilizer application rates in the catchments.
Abstract Many developments have occurred since the publication of the widely-used 2009 Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) Dyslipidemia guidelines. Here, we present an updated version of the ...guidelines, incorporating new recommendations based on recent findings and harmonizing CCS guidelines with those from other Societies. The G rading of R ecommendations A ssessment, D evelopment and E valuation (GRADE) system was used, per present standards of the CCS. The total cardiovascular disease Framingham Risk Score (FRS), modified for a family history of premature coronary disease, is recommended for risk assessment. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol remains the primary target of therapy. However, non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol has been added to apolipoprotein B as an alternate target. There is an increased emphasis on treatment of higher risk patients, including those with chronic kidney disease and high risk hypertension. The primary panel has recommended a judicious use of secondary testing for subjects in whom the need for statin therapy is unclear. Expanded information on health behaviours is presented and is the backbone of risk reduction in all subjects. Finally, a systematic approach to statin intolerance is advocated to maximize appropriate use of lipid-lowering therapy. This document presents the recommendations and principal conclusions of this process. Along with associated Supplementary Material that can be accessed online, this document will be part of a program of knowledge translation. The goal is to increase the appropriate use of evidence-based cardiovascular disease event risk assessment in the management of dyslipidemia as a fundamental means of reducing global risk in the Canadian population.
•Invertebrate assemblages and stream condition were assessed along stream gradients.•Diversity varied with sediment size, instream detritus, and riparian condition.•Standardization of sites by ...sediment size facilitated identification of impacts.•Diversity indicated stream condition at all taxonomic resolutions and sample sizes.•The demonstrated importance of riparian forest should encourage its rehabilitation.
Separation of natural and anthropogenic influences is required to identify land-use impacts on stream ecosystems. We investigated the effects of water quality and riparian condition on invertebrate assemblages along streams draining agricultural land by partitioning out changes in geomorphological characteristics. There was a strong negative relationship between invertebrate richness and distance downstream, driven by a gradient of reducing stream power and substratum particle size along the streams. When substratum particle size was accounted for, richness was reduced by ∼24% when there was limited availability of coarse particulate organic matter, resulting from lower riparian forest cover upstream. High concentrations of fertilizer-derived nitrate boosted invertebrate abundances, but only in mid sections of streams, where coarse substrata (>100mm) and high insolation were available. Sampling of multiple sites along streams facilitated partitioning of land-use impacts from natural gradients. Invertebrate richness was a good indicator of stream biophysical condition (e.g. nature of the substratum, riparian condition) at the stream scale irrespective of taxonomic resolution (family or higher) or sample size (down to 50 individuals per site), and was therefore a useful monitoring tool. The finding that riparian vegetation is a key determinant of invertebrate diversity should encourage catchment-scale maintenance and rehabilitation of native riparian forest.
Abstract Context Successful and sustained integration of palliative care into the intensive care unit (ICU) requires the active engagement of bedside nurses. Objectives To describe the perspectives ...of ICU bedside nurses on their involvement in palliative care communication. Methods A survey was designed, based on prior work, to assess nurses' perspectives on palliative care communication, including the importance and frequency of their involvement, confidence, and barriers. The 46-item survey was distributed via e-mail in 2013 to bedside nurses working in ICUs across the five academic medical centers of the University of California, U.S. Results The survey was sent to 1791 nurses; 598 (33%) responded. Most participants (88%) reported that their engagement in discussions of prognosis, goals of care, and palliative care was very important to the quality of patient care. A minority reported often discussing palliative care consultations with physicians (31%) or families (33%); 45% reported rarely or never participating in family meeting discussions. Participating nurses most frequently cited the following barriers to their involvement in palliative care communication: need for more training (66%), physicians not asking their perspective (60%), and the emotional toll of discussions (43%). Conclusion ICU bedside nurses see their involvement in discussions of prognosis, goals of care, and palliative care as a key element of overall quality of patient care. Based on the barriers participants identified regarding their engagement, interventions are needed to ensure that nurses have the education, opportunities, and support to actively participate in these discussions.
Summary
Rib fractures are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Ultrasound‐guided thoracic paravertebral catheter insertion has been described for the management of pain secondary to ...rib fractures. We conducted a retrospective observational study of all patients with rib fractures who had a paravertebral catheter inserted for analgesia provision over a 4‐year period. Data from the Trauma Audit and Research Network were used to compare patients with rib fractures who were managed with paravertebral catheters to those managed with systemic analgesia. A total of 314 consecutive paravertebral catheters were inserted in 290 patients. Five (1.9%) catheters were removed due to ineffective analgesia. Other minor complications occurred in three cases (0.96%). The proportion of rib fracture patients managed with paravertebral catheters increased from 31/200 (15.5%) in the first year of study to 81/168 (48.2%) in the fourth; over this time‐period the observed:predicted mortality ratio fell from 1.04 to 0.66. Proportional hazard regression with and without propensity score matching demonstrated a reduction in mortality associated with paravertebral catheter use, but this became statistically non‐significant when time‐dependent analysis was used. Paravertebral catheters are a safe and effective technique for rib fracture analgesia; however, our data were insufficient to demonstrate any improvement in mortality.
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