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The article discusses various environmental successes along the U.S./Mexico border in the Arizona/Sonora border region, such as the cooperation between the U.S., Mexico, and environmental organizations to allocate water from the Colorado River to protect the Cienega de Santa Clara in Sonora, Mexico. The authors note that environmental accomplishments result from a strong network between individuals, known as a "network weavers," who are motivated by a love of place. The focus of the article is a study of network members who are dedicated to the conservation and cultural preservation of the Arizona/Sonora border. Topics include an overview of the Arizona/Sonora region and the importance of social networks to successful environmental protection.

Climate is a potential driver of tree allometry. To explore the sensitivity of height-diameter allometry to climate change, we compiled height-diameter pairs of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) in Arizona, western United States, together with the climate and environmental data of this species' growing sites into a dataset, and selected power-law function as the basic allometric model. Then, the scaling parameters of basic model were re-parameterized to incorporate climate and environmental variables, and ordinary least squares and nonlinear mixed-effects (NLME) methods were used to fit and predict, respectively. The results showed that the NLME height-diameter allometric model performed best in this study. Tree height was positively affected by precipitation and competition from neighbors, while it was negatively affected by the elevation of tree living site. The relative importance analysis showed that competition-related variables were the most important environmental factors that had shaped height-diameter allometric relationship of ponderosa pine. In general, the height-diameter allometry of ponderosa pine was dominated by mechanical constraints, but the allometric variation was mainly caused by the differences of environment. Our results not only help to understand the response mechanism of tree resource allocation to environmental gradients but also contribute to forest management decision-making under future climate changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Develops models for collection development in Arizona. Need for changes in information access and collection development of libraries; Job of librarians to integrate services of library and information resources to meet customer needs; Purpose of the Information Resource Council; Primary initiatives of the Digital Library Initiatives Group.

Background: Individual states, regions, and local emergency medical service (EMS) agencies are responsible for the development and implementation of prehospital patient care protocols. Many states lack model prehospital guidelines for managing common conditions. Recently developed national evidence-based guidelines (EBGs) may address this gap. Barriers to statewide dissemination and implementation of model guidelines have not been studied. The objective of this study was to examine barriers and enablers to dissemination and implementation of an evidence-based guideline for traumatic pain management across 5 states. Methods: This study used mixed methods to evaluate the statewide dissemination and implementation of a prehospital EBG. The guideline provided pain assessment tools, recommended opiate medication dosing, and indications and contraindications for analgesia. Participating states were provided an implementation toolkit, standardized training materials, and a state-specific implementation plan. Outcomes were assessed via an electronic self-assessment tool in which states reported barriers and enablers to dissemination and implementation and information about changes in pain management practices in their states after implementation of the EBG. Results: Of the 5 participating states, 3 reported dissemination of the guideline, one through a state model guideline process and 2 through regional EMS systems. Two states did not disseminate or implement the guideline. Of these, one state chose to utilize a locally developed guideline, and the other state did not perform guideline dissemination at the state level. Barriers to state implementation were the lack of authority at the state level to mandate protocols, technical challenges with learning management systems, and inability to track and monitor training and implementation at the agency level. Enablers included having a state/regional EMS office champion and the availability of an implementation toolkit. No participating states demonstrated an increase in opioid delivery to patients during the study period. Conclusion: Statewide dissemination and implementation of an EBG is complex with many challenges. Future efforts should consider the advantages of having statewide model or mandatory guidelines and the value of local champions and be aware of the challenges of a statewide learning management system and of tracking the success of implementation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic meeting systems (EMS) have been introduced inside IBM in a cooperative effort between IBM and the University of Arizona to address the demands of an increasingly competitive and turbulent business environment. This paper presents and integrates the results of two field studies intended to evaluate the implications of electronic meeting system use at IBM. The first study focused on session process and outcome effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction at a single IBM site. The second study collected data on EMS tool use and facilitation approach within sessions at four IBM sites. The two studies are complementary in reflecting the impact of computer-based support on group process and outcome. Effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction are generally enhanced independent of type of activity supported or perspective, e.g., participant, facilitator, or session initiator. Facilitation training is a critical requirement for successful integration and application of electronic meeting system software and procedures in the group processes this paper addresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent attempts to commit terrorist attacks provide evidence of the continuing threat to the USA by foreign-born legal immigrants. Recent legislative changes to immigration policies, such as Arizona Immigration Bill 1070, call for increased involvement of local law enforcement. This bill has generated a strong negative reaction from both public special interest groups and police leadership, as those opposed to this type of legislation argue that it will have a detrimental impact on already fragile relationships between local law enforcement and immigrant communities. Other Western democratic countries have utilized alternative models to address their illegal immigration. The authors propose to explore the Netherlands Aliens Police as an alternative model to the Arizona Immigration Bill. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following abstracts are the oral and poster presentations at the National Association of EMS Physicians 2006 Annual Meeting, January 19–21, Tucson, Arizona. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]