bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disulfonated azo dyes: metal coordination and ion-pair separation in twelve M
II compounds of Ponceau Xylidine and Crystal Scarlet
Authors: Black David T. , Kennedy Alan R. , Lobato Kiara M.
Published: May 2019

The structures of seven divalent metal cation compounds of Ponceau Xylidine {PX; systematic name of dication: 4-[2-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)hydrazin-1-ylidene]-3-oxo-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-2,7-disulfonate}, also known as Acid Red 26, CI 16150, and of five divalent metal cation compounds of Crystal Scarlet {CS; systematic name of dication: 8-[2-(naphthalen-1-yl)hydrazin-1-ylidene]-7-oxo-7,8-dihydronaphthalene-1,3-disulfonate}, also known as Acid Red 44, CI 16250, are presented. These are hexaaquamagnesium(II) PX dimethylformamide (DMF) monosolvate, [Mg(H2O)6](C18H14N2O7S2)·C3H7NO, (I); heptaaquacalcium(II) PX 2.5-hydrate, [Ca(H2O)7](C18H14N2O7S2)·2.5H2O, (II); catena-poly[aqua(μ-DMF)tris(DMF)bis(μ3-PX)distrontium(II)], [Sr(C18H14N2O7S2)(C3H7NO)2(H2O)0.5]
n
, (III); the transition-metal series hexaaquametal(II) PX DMF monosolvate, [M(H2O)6](C18H14N2O7S2)·C3H7NO, where M (metal) = Co, (IV), Ni, (V), Cu, (VI), and Zn, (VII); heptaaquacalcium(II) CS monohydrate, [Ca(H2O)7](C20H13N2O7S2)·H2O, (VIII); octaaquastrontium(II) CS monohydrate, [Sr(H2O)8](C20H13N2O7S2)·H2O, (IX); catena-poly[[triaqua(DMF)barium(II)]-μ-CS], [Ba(C20H13N2O7S2)(C3H7NO)(H2O)3]
n
, (X); tetrakis(DMF)(CS)copper(II) monohydrate, [Cu(C20H13N2O7S2)(C3H7NO)4]·H2O, (XI); and catena-poly[[[aquatris(DMF)zinc(III)]-μ-CS] diethyl ether hemisolvate], {[Zn(C20H13N2O7S2)(C3H7NO)3(H2O)]·0.5C4H10O}
n
, (XII). In all cases, the structures obtained were solvates with dimethylformamide (DMF) and/or water present. The disulfonated naphthalene-based azo anions adopt hydrazone tautomeric forms. The structures of the Mg salt and of four transition-metal forms (M = Co, Ni, Cu and Zn) of PX are found to form an isostructural series. All have solvent-separated ion-pair (SSIP) type structures and the formula [M(H2O)6][PX]·DMF. The Ca salt of PX also has an SSIP structure, but has a higher hydration state, [Ca(H2O)7][PX]·2.5H2O. In contrast, the Sr salt of PX, [Sr(PX)(DMF)2(H2O)0.5]
n
forms a one-dimensional coordination polymer. Both the Ca and the Sr salt of CS have an SSIP structure, namely [Ca(H2O)7][CS]·H2O and [Sr(H2O)8][CS]·H2O, whilst the heavier Ba analogue, [Ba(CS)(DMF)(H2O)3]
n
, forms a one-dimensional coordination polymer. Unlike PX, two CS structures containing transition metals are found to be coordination complexes, [Cu(CS)(DMF)4]·H2O and {[Zn(CS)(DMF)3(H2O)]·0.5Et2O}
n
. This suggests that CS is a better ligand than PX for transition metals. The Cu complex forms discrete molecules with Cu in a square-pyramidal environment, whilst the Zn species is a one-dimensional coordination polymer based on octahedral Zn centres.
A concise and efficient concurrent synthesis of 6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]azepines and 5,6,11,12-tetrahydrodibenzo[b,f]azocines and their conversion to 4-oxo-8,13-dihydro-4H-benzo[5,6]azepino[3,2,1-ij]quinoline-5-carboxylates and N-acetyl-5,6,11,12-tetrahydrodibenzo[b,f]azocines: synthetic sequence, spectroscopic characterization and the structures of two products
Authors: Acosta Quintero Lina M. , Palma Alirio , Cobo Justo , Glidewell Christopher
Published: May 2019

Reaction of 2-allyl-N-benzyl-4-fluoroaniline or 2-allyl-N-benzyl-4-chloroaniline with 98% sulfuric acid leads to the concurrent formation of halogeno-substituted 11-ethyl-6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]azepines, (II), and halogeno-substituted 11-methyl-5,6,11,12-tetrahydrodibenzo[b,f]azocines, (III), in each case in (II):(III) molar ratios of ca 2:1. Further reaction of (II) leads to ethyl 13-ethyl-2-halogeno-4-oxo-8,13-dihydro-4H-benzo[5,6]azepino[3,2,1-ij]quinoline-5-carboxylate, while acetylation of (III) gives the corresponding N-acetyl derivatives. The dibenzo[b,e]azepine and dibenzo[b,f]azocine ring systems are of importance in forming the core of a variety of bioactive compounds. In ethyl 13-ethyl-2-fluoro-4-oxo-8,13-dihydro-4H-benzo[5,6]azepino[3,2,1-ij]quinoline-5-carboxylate, C22H20FNO3, (IVa), the azepine ring adopts a conformation close to the twist-boat form, and the molecules are linked into a three-dimensional framework structure by a combination of C—H...O and C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds. The azocine ring in 5-acetyl-2-chloro-11-methyl-5,6,11,12-tetrahydrobenzo[b,f]azocine, C18H18ClNO, (Vb), adopts the boat–boat conformation and the molecules are again linked by C—H...O and C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds, but this time form a sheet structure.
Examining the impact of goal attainment and training goal on overall training satisfaction among vocational education and training completers
Authors: Skues Jason , Alexander Sarah-Louise , Wise Lisa
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to examine whether there is a relationship between goal attainment and overall training satisfaction among vocational education and training (VET) completers, and in turn whether this relationship varies across the different goals for undertaking training in a VET course.

Design/methodology/approach

A request was made to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research in Australia for access to the unit record data from the 2016 Student Outcomes Survey. Approval was obtained. The final sample comprised 149,632 students who completed a VET course in 2016, where 55 per cent of the sample were women and the average age was 36.55 years (SD=13.17).

Findings

Students who achieved or did not yet know whether they had achieved their training goal were more satisfied with their overall training compared with those who partly achieved their goal, who in turn were more satisfied than those who did not attain their goal across the various training goals. However, participants who were training for personal reasons or reasons other than for employment or pursuing further study, and either partly achieved, did not achieve or did not know yet whether they had achieved their training goal reported the lowest levels of training satisfaction, although these participants were still satisfied overall with their training.

Originality/value

These results highlight the importance of understanding the impact of goals on achievement-related activities and should be used to inform learning and teaching approaches as well as the provision of support services in the VET sector.
Community housing: functional outcome of severe mental illness is associated with the personality traits of the case manager
Authors: Lodder Mandy , Schrijvers A.J.P. , Leeuw J.R.J. de , Brouwer R.M. , Cahn W.
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether there is an association between case managers’ personality traits and functional outcome of people with severe mental illness (SMI) living in community housing programs (CHP).

Design/methodology/approach

Functional outcome is measured by the extent of self-reliance. Self-reliance of people with SMI was measured with the Dutch Self-Sufficiency Matrix. The personality of the case manager was measured with the NEO Five Factor Inventory.

Findings

Conscientiousness of case managers was associated with an increased self-reliance over a period of two years, in those with SMI living in CHP (OR.2.800ρ= 0.04).

Practical implications

When these findings are replicated, they could be used in the case managers selection process and/or training programs.

Social implications

Conscientiousness of case managers was associated with functional outcome of persons with SMI living in supported housing and that female subjects benefitted the most. This study suggests that conscientious care planning is essential in the recovery process.

Originality/value

No previous studies have been performed examining the specific relationship between the case manager’s personality traits and functional outcome of people with SMI.
Building connection against the odds: project workers relationships with people experiencing homelessness
Authors: Watson Clare , Nolte Lizette , Brown Rachel
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Trusting and empathic relationships between project workers and people experiencing homelessness (PEH) form the cornerstone for their needs to be met. However, under the UK austerity agenda project workers practice in a context of increasing pressure and limited resources; with relationships often characterised by conditionality and disconnection. The purpose of this paper is to report on a study investigating project workers’ experiences of building relationships with PEH living in supported housing projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative design was employed in which focus groups were carried out in six projects, using an opportunity sample of 22 project workers. Data were analysed using thematic analysis, within a social constructionist epistemology.

Findings

Three main themes were identified: “Working hard to build connection”, “Supporting each other within an unsupportive context” and “Draining but sustaining”. Project workers acted out of strong value systems in building relationships with residents against a backdrop of systemic disconnection.

Originality/value

Clear clinical implications are put forward with in a Psychologically Informed Environment framework. Services supporting PEH need to be psychologically informed and organisations need to embed reflection within their policies and every day practice. In developing services for PEH interdependence not in/dependence needs to be the aim. Finally, the responsibility for improving the lives of PEH should be placed back on society to provide a context in which PEH can thrive.
Supporting the development of skills for extended practice in biomedical science
Authors: Smith Sara , Karnik Uttara , Kendall Karen , Pugh Abigail , Robson Kelvin , Salmons Nabeel , Khechara Martin
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Continual professional development is essential to foster and enhance professionals’ abilities. A wide variety of methods have been adopted to support professional learning for healthcare professions but many still focus upon a need to update knowledge and the learning of isolated competencies for practice. The purpose of this paper is to report upon a collaborative partnership that enabled the reframing of a professional development course away from this objectivist epistemology to foster pedagogically appropriate approaches nurturing the development of the knowledge and skills required for extended practice in specimen dissection.

Design/methodology/approach

An action research approach informed this study which drew upon aspects of simulated learning, “creative play” and “hands-on” practice to nurture development of the knowledge and mastery of essential skills required for extended practice in dissection. A questionnaire allowed the gathering of quantitative and qualitative data from delegates. Open coding of delegate free-text responses enabled thematic analysis of the data.

Findings

Delegates reported upon a positive learning and teaching experience providing them with a unique opportunity to develop the essential skills and knowledge required to enhance their extended practice. Four key themes were identified from delegate feedback: legitimacy of learning experience; safe-space for learning; confidence as a practitioner; and professional and social interactions.

Originality/value

Research into skill development in this field is currently lacking. Findings highlight the value of a creative approach to professional development which enables individuals to master the skills required for practice. It also underlines the importance and value of collaborative partnerships. As allied health professionals advance and extend their roles professional development must move away from the didactic delivery of isolated topics and ensure that it offers legitimate learning experiences allowing skill development and technique mastery alongside knowledge enhancement.
Content and instructional design of MOOCs on information literacy
Authors: Dreisiebner Stefan
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to uncover the current status of information literacy (IL) instruction through massive open online courses (MOOCs), comparing the content and instructional design of existing offers and showing avenues for future MOOCs.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive search for existing MOOCs on IL revealed 11 offers that are available for analysis. A content analysis is conducted to compare their content and instructional design. The category system is based on the IL standards and performance indicators of the Association of College and Research Libraries (2000), which has been supplemented with additional categories and an evaluation grid for MOOCs.

Findings

The results suggest first, that the topics covered by IL MOOCs differ widely. While some of the MOOCs mainly reflect the performance indicators suggested by the ACRL standards on IL from 2000, some other MOOCs focus on completely different topics such as fake news or internet security. Second, they show that MOOCs on IL tend not to emphasize subject-specific and country- or culture-specific contexts. Third, it shows that input-based teaching approaches dominate, while collaborative and interactive activities are only rarely used. Fourth, they allow drawing a possible connection between student engagement and design of the learning contents.

Research limitations/implications

This work reflects the current status of IL facilitation through MOOCs. Further research is needed.

Practical implications

The results confirm that MOOCs are a promising approach for developing IL skills and provide avenues for future MOOC projects, especially on IL.

Originality/value

This paper is one of few works to discuss IL facilitation through MOOCs.
An evaluation of community-managed libraries in Liverpool
Authors: Smith Charlie
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Community libraries now constitute a significant proportion of library provision in the UK; however, there is relatively little research on how the transfer to this model has affected those libraries and the wider balance of provision. The purpose of this paper is to broaden the discourse and understanding about the impact of changing libraries to community models.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a qualitative evaluation of all the libraries transferred to community-managed models within a large city council region in the UK. Structured research visits were made to appraise each library. These are discussed in the context of published literature and data, both specific to the study area and nationally.

Findings

Transferring the management of libraries to community organisations is often reactive and perceived with negative associations. This study uncovers increases in use and diversification of services following transfer; however, support from the local authority and the previous experience of managing organisations are significant factors. The paper also reveals how the successful transfer of a library to a community organisation led to more being moved out of local authority control, but that the support they receive from the local authority can be inconsistent between them.

Originality/value

The paper provides a study of community-managed libraries across a large city council area, affording an in-depth understanding of their impact on overall provision over one region. It will be of value to those involved in library management and service provision at both local and strategic levels, including local authorities and community groups considering library transfer.
Non‐invasive lab test in the monitoring of vadose zone contaminated by light non‐aqueous phase liquid
Authors: Alesse Beatrice , Orlando Luciana , Palladini Lucia
Published: May 2019

We discuss a strategy capable of a quantitative long‐term monitoring of water saturation and volume variation of light non‐aqueous phase liquids in the soil. The goal was reached monitoring a controlled sand cell contaminated with classical gasoline over 124 days, using geophysical methods such as electrical resistivity tomography, induced polarization and ground penetrating radar. We show that empirical relations, linking the water saturation to the physical parameters measured as resistivity from electrical resistivity tomography and travel time from georadar with advanced processing, are good tools for this purpose. The consistence of the proposed process is validated by both good overlap of results carried out from electrical resistivity tomography and georadar and theoretical models simulating the actual experiment.
Effects of landscape features on gene flow among urban frog populations
Authors: Okamiya Hisanori , Kusano Tamotsu
Published: May 2019

The anthropogenic fragmentation of habitats has altered the distribution and size of populations of many species worldwide. To predict fate of populations and establish management practices that ensure their viability, we need to understand the demographic and genetic consequences of fragmentation. In this study, we analyzed whether the spatial configuration of remnant habitat patches within a fragmented landscape has shaped the patterns of genetic diversity and differences in local populations of the Montane brown frog (Rana ornativentris) in Tokyo, Japan. The species inhabits secondary forests and is particularly affected by fragmentation due to its habitat selectivity and low dispersal capability. We determined allele frequencies of six microsatellites to estimate genetic diversity of 33 local populations and pairwise genetic distances among them. Habitat suitability maps were developed based on two models, one with only climatic and topography as predictor variables (HSn), the second incorporating the potential barrier effect of urbanization as an additional variable (HSu). Ecological distances were calculated using the circuit theory applied to the habitat suitability maps. We found that within‐population genetic diversity decreases as the HSu habitat suitability decreases. Moreover, pairwise population genetic distance showed the highest correlations with resistance (i.e., ecological) distances when the HSu map was used. Our results confirmed the expectation that urbanized lands are barriers to gene flow, and that habitat fragmentation restricts inter‐population dispersal, thus reducing the genetic diversity of local populations. Our results also demonstrate that landscape genetics is a useful approach for identifying key factors affecting dispersal.
SAR11 bacteria have a high affinity and multifunctional glycine betaine transporter
Authors: Noell Stephen E. , Giovannoni Stephen J.
Published: May 2019

Marine bacterioplankton face stiff competition for limited nutrient resources. SAR11, a ubiquitous clade of very small and highly abundant Alphaproteobacteria, are known to devote much of their energy to synthesizing ATP‐binding cassette periplasmic proteins that bind substrates. We hypothesized that their small size and relatively large periplasmic space might enable them to outcompete other bacterioplankton for nutrients. Using uptake experiments with 14C‐glycine betaine, we discovered that two strains of SAR11, Candidatus Pelagibacter sp. HTCC7211 and Cand. P. ubique HTCC1062, have extraordinarily high affinity for glycine betaine (GBT), with half‐saturation (K
s) values around 1 nM and specific affinity values between 8 and 14 L mg cell−1 h−1. Competitive inhibition studies indicated that the GBT transporters in these strains are multifunctional, transporting multiple substrates in addition to GBT. Both strains could use most of the transported compounds for metabolism and ATP production. Our findings indicate that Pelagibacter cells are primarily responsible for the high affinity and multifunctional GBT uptake systems observed in seawater. Maximization of whole‐cell affinities may enable these organisms to compete effectively for nutrients during periods when the gross transport capacity of the heterotrophic plankton community exceeds the supply, depressing ambient concentrations.
Technological Innovations in the Control of International Exchange: Lessons for Africa
Authors: Ngameni Joseph Pasky , Khan Muhammad Arshad
Published: May 2019

Empirical studies on international trade highlight the role of innovation on international exchange but do not capture the effect of technological innovation when unobservable common factors (UCFs) are considered. This paper examines the long‐run relationship between technological innovation and international exchange using panel data for eight African countries over the period 1981–2013. The non‐stationarity and cointegration between technological innovation, international exchange, public investment, real gross domestic income and foreign direct investment were examined, controlling for cross‐sectional dependence and heterogeneity between countries. The results suggest that technological innovation in Africa remains low after controlling for UCFs, while public investment, real gross domestic product and foreign direct investment have significant impact on international exchange. Moreover, the results from the homogeneous and heterogeneous estimates, with and without UCFs, show that ignoring UCFs is likely to bias the coefficients. These findings reveal that African countries should invest more in public infrastructures and research and development to upgrade their capability To play an active role in the international market.
Determinants of antenatal care and skilled birth attendance in sub‐Saharan Africa: A multilevel analysis
Authors: Woldegiorgis Mulu Abraha , Hiller Janet , Mekonnen Wubegzier , Meyer Denny , Bhowmik Jahar
Published: May 2019

Objective

To determine individual‐ and country‐level determinants of utilization of key maternal health services in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA).

Study Setting

We used the most recent standard demographic and health survey data from the period of 2005 to 2015 for 34 SSA countries. Predictors of key maternal health service indicators were determined using a sample of 245 178 women who had at least one live birth 5 years preceding the survey.

Study Design

We used a two‐level hierarchical model, considering individual predictors at level one and country factors at level two of the hierarchy.

Principal Findings

While the skilled birth attendance (SBA) utilization rate reached 53 percent during the study period, the recommended four or more antenatal care (ANC) coverage was commonly low with less significant differences among different groups of women and countries. Being in a middle‐income country increased the individual‐level association between ANC and SBA (OR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.24, 4.44). Less privileged women with lower education level were less likely to receive maternal health services.

Conclusions

This study reveals the existence of wide gaps between ANC and SBA coverage in SSA. Urgent policy attention is required to improve access, utilization, and quality of maternal health services.
How Many Recovery Attempts Does it Take to Successfully Resolve an Alcohol or Drug Problem? Estimates and Correlates From a National Study of Recovering U.S. Adults
Authors: Kelly John F. , Greene Martha Claire , Bergman Brandon G. , White William L. , Hoeppner Bettina B.
Published: May 2019

Background

Alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems are commonly depicted as chronically relapsing, implying multiple recovery attempts are needed prior to remission. Yet, although a robust literature exists on quit attempts in the tobacco field, little is known regarding patterns of cessation attempts related to alcohol, opioid, stimulant, or cannabis problems. Greater knowledge of such estimates and the factors associated with needing fewer or greater attempts may have utility for health policy and clinical communication efforts and approaches.

Methods

Cross‐sectional, nationally representative survey of U.S. adults (N = 39,809) who reported resolving a significant AOD problem (n = 2,002) and assessed on number of prior serious recovery attempts, demographic variables, primary substance, clinical histories, and indices of psychological distress and well‐being.

Results

The statistical distribution of serious recovery attempts was highly skewed with a mean of 5.35 (SD = 13.41) and median of 2 (interquartile range [IQR] = 1 to 4). Black race, prior use of treatment and mutual‐help groups, and history of psychiatric comorbidity were associated with higher number of attempts, and more attempts were associated independently with greater current distress. Number of recovery attempts did not differ by primary substance (e.g., opioids vs. alcohol).

Conclusions

Estimates of recovery attempts differed substantially depending on whether the mean (5.35 recovery attempts) or median (2 recovery attempts) was used as the estimator. Implications of this are that the average may be substantially lower than anticipated because cultural expectations are often based on AOD problems being “chronically relapsing” disorders implicating seemingly endless tries. Depending on which one of these estimates is reported in policy documents or communicated in public health announcements or clinical settings, each may elicit varying degrees of help‐seeking, hope, motivation, and the use of more assertive clinical approaches. The more fitting, median estimate of attempts should be used in clinical and policy communications given the distribution.
Ecosystem processes, land cover, climate, and human settlement shape dynamic distributions for golden eagle across the western US
Authors: Tack J. D. , Noon B. R. , Bowen Z. H. , Fedy B. C.
Published: May 2019

Species–environment relationships for highly mobile species outside of the breeding season are often highly dynamic in response to the collective effects of ever‐changing climatic conditions, food resources, and anthropogenic disturbance. Capturing dynamic space‐use patterns in a model‐based framework is critical as model inference often drives place‐based conservation planning. We applied dynamic occupancy models to broad‐scale golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos survey data collected annually from 2006 to 2012 during the late summer post‐fledging period in the western US. We defined survey sites as 10 km transect segments with a 1 km buffer on either transect side (n = 3540). Derived estimates of occupancy were low (4.4–7.9%) and turnover rates – the probability that occupied sites were newly occupied – were high (88–94%), demonstrating that annual transiency in occupancy dominates late summer behavior for golden eagles. Despite low philopatry during late summer, variation in golden eagle occupancy could be explained by a suite of land cover and annual‐varying covariates including gross primary productivity, drought severity, and human disturbance. Our summary of 13 years of predicted occupancy by golden eagles across the western United States identified areas that are consistently used and that may contribute significantly to golden eagle conservation. Restricting development and targeting mitigation efforts in these areas offers practitioners a framework for conservation prioritization.
Methyl‐isoeugenol, a significantly more attractive male lure for the methyl eugenol‐responsive Pacific fruit fly, Bactrocera xanthodes (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Royer Jane E , Teakle Graham E , Ahoafi Emeline , Mayer David G
Published: May 2019

Bactrocera xanthodes (Broun) (Dacinae), the Pacific fruit fly, is a major pest that is widespread in the South Pacific. It infests the fruit of 34 hosts in 20 families and is a significant impediment to horticultural market access for South Pacific countries. It is weakly responsive to the male attractant methyl eugenol (ME) and consequently is difficult to detect and control. Recently, in Australia and Bangladesh, some weakly ME‐responsive species were found to be more attracted to one or more of the eugenol analogues isoeugenol, methyl‐isoeugenol and dihydroeugenol. We therefore considered it worthwhile to field test the relative attractiveness of these lures to B. xanthodes. Field trials were conducted in Tonga for 9 weeks between September and November 2017. The male attractants isoeugenol, methyl‐isoeugenol, dihydroeugenol and a novel eugenol analogue, 1,2‐dimethoxy‐4‐propylbenzene, were tested in comparison to ME, cue‐lure and zingerone. More than three times more male B. xanthodes were caught in methyl‐isoeugenol‐baited traps (mean 33.0 ± 1.8 flies/trap/day(FTD)) than in ME traps (10.7 ± 1.0 FTD) with several individual weekly methyl‐isoeugenol trap clearances catching over 600 flies. Bactrocera xanthodes was also caught in 1,2‐dimethoxy‐4‐propylbenzene traps (mean 3.1 ± 0.5 FTD), but in numbers significantly less than in ME. This is the first record of this species responding to these novel male lures. The significantly greater response of B. xanthodes to methyl‐isoeugenol would make it a considerably more effective attractant for use in surveillance and control programs.
Association study of M235T and A‐6G polymorphisms in angiotensinogen gene with risk of developing preeclampsia in Iranian population
Authors: Alaee Ehsan , Mirahmadi Maryam , Ghasemi Masoumeh , Kashani Elham , Attar Marzieh , Shahbazi Majid
Published: May 2019

Objective

Preeclampsia (PE) is a life‐threatening complication of pregnancy that accounts for 12% of all maternal deaths worldwide. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationships between the polymorphisms of angiotensinogen (AGT) gene and preeclampsia.

Material and methods

In this study, 240 unrelated preeclampsia patients and 178 normotensive women were examined. Genomic DNA was extracted then we assessed M235T(C/T) and A‐6G polymorphisms of the AGT gene. Genotyping of M235T and A‐6G polymorphisms were performed using SSP‐PCR and MS‐PCR, respectively.

Results

A significant protective association was observed between A‐6G G allele, A‐6G A/G heterozygote genotype (OR = 0.6, p = 0.007 and OR = 0.6, p = 0.04) against PE. Furthermore, it was shown that two copies of A‐6G A allele would increase PE risk (OR: 0.62, p = 0.04). Our results did not show a significant association for M235T polymorphism and PE. However, the combinations of A‐6G A/A genotype and M235T T/C genotype (OR = 0.4, p = 0.02) and also A‐6G A/G genotype and M235T T/C genotype (OR = 0.5, p = 0.04) in controls represented a significant protective association against PE.

Conclusion

According to the existence of significant correlation between two candidate polymorphisms, A‐6G and M235T polymorphisms, with PE disease in our study, they may be considered as valuable factors in susceptibility to PE disease in Iranian women.
Why Don't Anthropologists Care about Learning (or Education or School)? An Immodest Proposal for an Integrative Anthropology of Learning Whose Time Has Finally Come
Authors: Blum Susan D.
Published: May 2019

This article proposes a twenty‐first‐century anthropology of learning: comparative, integrating, powerful, speaking truth to power, and engaging in ethnographic, humanistic, and scientific investigation. Such an enterprise welcomes a wide variety of methods. An anthropology of learning includes—but distinguishes—education, socialization, enculturation, and schooling. It encompasses formal, informal, and nonformal learning. It grapples with definitions of learning and emphasizes that these are part of every human experience. Some learning happens in schools; only some of the learning matches what is explicitly intended. Sometimes learning is fostered by teaching, but pedagogy is not always required. Anthropology is an ideal discipline for investigating learning, education, and schooling—but these topics are not widely known in the field in general. The article proposes three centers of attention and provides an extended example, the “thirty‐million‐word gap.” [learning, schooling, education, word gap]
Response of the Australian Medical Services to restoration of mobile warfare on the Western Front in 1918 (part I)
Authors: Scotland Thomas
Published: May 2019

On 21 March 1918, after nearly 4 years of static warfare on the Western Front, German forces launched a massive offensive from the Hindenburg Line against a depleted British Fifth Army. Elite storm troops smashed through British forward and battle zone positions and advanced more than 17 miles in 2 days. By 5 April, the Germans were outside the town of Villers‐Bretonneux, 40 miles from their starting position and 15 miles from the railway junction of Amiens. This paper examines the response of the Australian Medical Services to the restoration of mobile warfare and explains the measures that were put in place to deal with the evacuation of casualties.
Role of nerve block as a diagnostic tool in pudendal nerve entrapment
Authors: Dickson Edward , Higgins Patrick , Sehgal Rishabh , Gorissen Kim , Jones Oliver , Cunningham Chris , Hogan Aisling M. , Lindsey Ian
Published: May 2019

Background

Pudendal nerve entrapment is a disabling condition which is difficult to diagnose and treat. Nantes criteria include the requirement of positive anaesthetic pudendal nerve block that is widely used to allow identification of patients likely to benefit from the definitive but invasive pudendal nerve release. This study aimed to determine if pudendal nerve blockade under general anaesthesia could diagnose and temporarily treat pudendal nerve entrapment in patients suffering from chronic pelvic/perineal pain and/or organ dysfunction.

Methods

This retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database examined the outcomes of all recipients of diagnostic pudendal nerve block in a quaternary referral centre between 2012 and 2017. Primary outcome was relief of perineal pain (transient or permanent). Secondary outcomes were demographics, referral patterns for definitive procedure and complication rates. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v 24.

Results

A total of 77 patients were included in the study. Mean age was 57.27 ± 13.55 years. Majority were females (n = 62, 80.5%). Relief of pain was experienced by 47 of 76 (68.1%) patients after initial injection. Complication rate of injection was 3.9% (n = 3) which in all cases was unilateral lower limb paraesthesia. Of the 37 patients (52.9%) referred, 20 underwent surgical decompression with 12 (60%) being successful.

Conclusion

Pudendal nerve injection is a safe and simple procedure that can provide accurate diagnosis and transient relief from this chronic and debilitating problem. This technique helps to isolate patients suitable for pudendal nerve decompression which offers high success rates.
Reduced intensity allogeneic stem cell transplantation for younger patients with myelofibrosis
Authors: Mannina Daniele , Zabelina Tatjana , Wolschke Christine , Heinzelmann Marion , Triviai Ioanna , Christopeit Maximilian , Badbaran Anita , Bonmann Stefan , von Pein Ute‐Marie , Janson Dietlinde , Ayuk Francis , Kröger Nicolaus
Published: May 2019

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) is a curative procedure for myelofibrosis. Elderly people are mainly affected, limiting the feasibility of myeloablative regimens. The introduction of reduced‐intensity conditioning (RIC) made alloSCT feasible for older patients. Nevertheless, the incidence of myelofibrosis is not negligible in young patients, who are theoretically able to tolerate high‐intensity therapy. Very few data are available about the efficacy of RIC‐alloSCT in younger myelofibrosis patients. This study included 56 transplanted patients aged <55 years. Only 30% had a human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐matched sibling donor, the others were transplanted from a fully‐matched (36%) or partially‐matched (34%) unrelated donor. All transplants were conditioned according the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation protocol: busulfan‐fludarabine + anti‐thymocyte globulin, followed by ciclosporin and mycophenolate. One patient experienced primary graft failure. Incidence of graft‐versus‐host disease grade II‐IV was 44% (grade III/IV 23%). One‐year non‐relapse mortality was 7% and the 5‐year cumulative incidence of relapse was 19%. After a median follow‐up of 8·6 years, the estimated 5‐year progression‐free survival and overall survival (OS) was 68% and 82%, respectively. Patients with fully‐matched donor had a 5‐year OS of 92%, in contrast to 68% for those with a mismatched donor (P = 0·03). The most important outcome‐determining factor is donor HLA‐matching. In conclusion, RIC‐alloSCT ensures optimal engraftment and low relapse rate in younger myelofibrosis patients, enabling the possibility of cure in this group.
Circulating oestrogen receptor mutations and splice variants in advanced prostate cancer
Authors: Qu Liang G. , Wardan Hady , Davis Ian D. , Iddawela Mahesh , Sluka Pavel , Pezaro Carmel J.
Published: May 2019

Objective

To characterize circulating oestrogen receptor ( ER) mutants and splice variants in men with advanced prostate cancer.

Materials and Methods

Sequential blood samples were obtained from men with advanced prostate cancer, and from healthy controls. Blood‐derived RNA samples were analysed using droplet digital PCR for the presence of six ERα mutations (E380Q, L536Q, Y537C, Y537S, Y537N and D538G), and six ERα and ERβ splice variants (ERα‐66, ERα‐36, ERβ1, ERβ2, ERβ4 & ERβ5).

Results

A total of 94 samples were collected from 42 men with advanced prostate cancer. Four mutations (E380Q, L536Q, Y537S and D538G) and all six splice variants were detected in patient samples. Splice variants were detectable in non‐cancer control samples. The presence of ER mutations was associated with bone metastases and castration resistance. ERβ splice variant concentrations decreased after successive lines of treatment.

Conclusions

The ER mutations were detectable in plasma from patients with advanced prostate cancer. ER splice variants were frequently detected in both men with and without prostate cancer.
Delineation of MidXq28‐duplication syndrome distal to MECP2 and proximal to RAB39B genes
Authors: Sinibaldi Lorenzo , Parisi Valentina , Lanciotti Silvia , Fontana Paolo , Kuechler Alma , Baujat Genevieve , Torres Barbara , Koetting Judith , Splendiani Alessandra , Postorivo Diana , Beygo Jasmin , Garaci Francesco G. , Malan Valerie , Lüdecke Hermann‐Josef , Guida Valentina , Krumbiegel Mandy , Lonardo Fortunato , Novelli Antonio , Albrecht Beate , Perria Chiara , Scarano Gioacchino , Spielmann Malte , Nardone Annamaria M. , Battaglia Agatino , Brancati Francesco , Bernardini Laura
Published: May 2019

Two distinct genomic disorders have been linked to Xq28‐gains, namely Xq28‐duplications including MECP2 and Int22h1/Int22h2‐mediated duplications involving RAB39B. Here, we describe six unrelated patients, five males and one female, with Xq28‐gains distal to MECP2 and proximal to the Int22h1/Int22h2 low copy repeats. Comparison with patients carrying overlapping duplications in the literature defined the MidXq28‐duplication syndrome featuring intellectual disability, language impairment, structural brain malformations, microcephaly, seizures and minor craniofacial features. The duplications overlapped for 108 kb including FLNA, RPL10 and GDI1 genes, highly expressed in brain and candidates for the neurologic phenotype.
Assessing the impacts of uncertainty in climate‐change vulnerability assessments
Authors: Hossain Md Anwar , Kujala Heini , Bland Lucie M. , Burgman Mark , Lahoz‐Monfort José J.
Published: May 2019

Aim

The trait‐based vulnerability assessment (TVA) uses Boolean rules to assess species sensitivity, adaptive capacity and exposure to climate change to identify those that are climate‐change vulnerable. The protocol is being increasingly used to assess climate‐change impacts to a diversity of taxa, as it requires fewer data compared to niche and mechanistic models. However, uncertainty in TVA results remains unevaluated. We present the first quantitative investigation of the impacts of uncertainty on TVA, using global freshwater crayfish (574 species) as a representative data‐poor taxon.

Location

Global.

Methods

To assess uncertainty in trait selection, we measured the completeness of information for each trait and how these contributed to the number of vulnerable species. To explore the sensitivity of TVA outcomes to arbitrary threshold selection, we randomly scored 25% species as high for quantitative traits and compared the results to the standard TVA. To investigate uncertainty in climate model selections, we tested the TVA using 66 alternative global climate scenarios.

Results

Given the structural rules used in TVA, as more traits are included in the protocol, more species are identified as vulnerable to climate change. Some traits also have more dominant contributions. Species vulnerability was relatively robust to arbitrary thresholds in quantitative trait variables. The number (79–156) and identity of vulnerable species varied depending on which climate scenario was selected. Ensemble means of climate models identified fewer vulnerable species, potentially softening the extremes of individual climate models.

Main conclusions

Assessors applying TVA across taxa and geographical scales should use ecological thresholds for quantitative traits, where possible; most importantly perform sensitivity analyses, including (a) critically assessing assumptions and correlations underpinning the selection of traits in different dimensions; and (b) capturing variability among climate‐change models. Further research is required to fill data gaps that improve the robustness of TVA.
Wage Penalty for Temporary Workers in Turkey: Evidence From Quantile Regressions
Authors: Duman Anil
Published: May 2019

The paper estimates the wage gap between employees with different contract types in Turkey. We first employ a quantile regression method and then decompose wage differentials along the distribution. Our results indicate that nonpermanent contract holders are more common among the low‐skilled and low‐wage group. The findings imply a non‐monotone pattern in Turkey where both sticky floor and glass ceiling effects are observable. These effects are persistent over time as both bottom‐ and top‐earner temporary workers are penalized, and the wage gap displays almost no change for each group. Also, from the quantile decomposition, we reveal that the wage gap for low earners is mainly attributable to labor market characteristics. On the other hand, returns are primarily responsible for explaining the wage gap for high earners, suggesting that they are subject to unfavorable conditions in the labor market.
How do Chinese universities address research integrity and misconduct? A review of university documents
Authors: Yi Nannan , Nemery Benoit , Dierickx Kris
Published: May 2019

Background

Scientific researchers are expected to follow the professional norms in their own domain. With a growing number of scientific publications retracted and research misconduct cases revealed in recent years, Chinese biomedical research integrity is questioned. As institutions educating and training future researchers, universities and the guidance they provide are important for the research quality and integrity of the country. Therefore, through a review of the guidance and policy documents on research integrity in Chinese universities, this work aims to investigate how the professional norms are specified in these documents.

Methods

After a stratified sampling, 53 universities were selected. Their guidance and policy documents on research integrity were collected via a web search of their official websites. The search was confirmed by these universities. Then the content of all the collected documents were analyzed using inductive content analysis.

Results

118 active university documents were collected and analyzed. Most of the Chinese universities we investigated had their own guidance or policy on research integrity. They listed principles or examples of desired and undesired academic practices, investigation procedures and punishments of academic misconduct, and put forward measures to promote research integrity. Differences on specific practices and principles were observed between university groups and with European university documents.

Conclusion

Despite the discrepancy they have, all these documents were designed to promote research integrity and cultivate a good research environment in Chinese biomedical domain. Nevertheless, there is still room for improvement, for example, through more consultation of international guidance.
Non‐pollinating cheater wasps benefit from seasonally poor performance of the mutualistic pollinating wasps at the northern limit of the range of Ficus microcarpa
Authors: Zhang Ting , Miao Bai‐Ge , Wang Bo , Peng Yan‐Qiong , Darwell Clive T.
Published: May 2019

1. Species interactions in tightly bound ecological mutualisms often feature highly specialised species' roles in which competitive exclusion may preclude multi‐species coexistence. Among the 800 fig (Ficus) species, it was originally considered that each was pollinated by their own wasp (Agaonidae). However, recent investigations show that this ‘one‐to‐one’ rule often breaks down, as fig species regularly host multiple agaonids but in ways suggesting that competitive processes still mediate biodiversity outcomes.

2. A phenological survey was conducted of the fig–fig wasp pair, Ficus microcarpa and its associated pollinating wasp, alongside its sister species, the cheating wasp, in Xishuangbanna, China.

3. Reproductive output underwent extreme seasonal variation. Seed and pollinator production fell markedly during cooler, drier months, although high levels of fig production continued. However, this resource was predominantly utilised by the cheater species, which offers no pollination services. Pollinators and cheaters rarely co‐occur, suggesting that temporal coexistence is constrained by competition for access to figs.

4. The overall findings indicate periodic rearrangements of mutualism dynamics, probably resulting from a strongly seasonal environment. Sympatric co‐occurrence may result from a window of opportunity for a functionally divergent agaonid, potentially due to constraints on the main pollinator in adapting to variable year‐round conditions that prevent competitive exclusion.
Hydroxyurea‐induced senescent peripheral blood mesenchymal stromal cells inhibit bystander cell proliferation of JAK2V617F‐positive human erythroleukemia cells
Authors: Bjelica Sunčica , Diklić Miloš , Đikić Dragoslava , Kovačić Marijana , Subotički Tijana , Mitrović‐Ajtić Olivera , Radojković Milica , Čokić Vladan P. , Santibanez Juan F.
Published: May 2019

Hydroxyurea (HU) is a nonalkylating antineoplastic agent used in the treatment of hematological malignancies. HU is a DNA replication stress inducer, and as such, it may induce a premature senescence‐like cell phenotype; however, its repercussion on bystander cell proliferation has not been revealed so far. Our results indicate that HU strongly inhibited peripheral blood mesenchymal stromal cells (PBMSC) proliferation by cell cycle arrest in S phase, and that, consequently, PBMSC acquire senescence‐related phenotypical changes. HU‐treated PBMSC display increased senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase levels and p16INK4expression, as well as DNA damage response and genotoxic effects, evidenced by expression of γH2A.X and micronuclei. Moreover, HU‐induced PBMSC senescence is mediated by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, as demonstrated by the inhibition of senescence markers in the presence of ROS scavengerN‐acetylcysteine and NADPH oxidase inhibitor Apocynin. To determine the HU‐induced bystander effect, we used theJAK2V617F‐positive human erythroleukemia 92.1.7 (HEL) cells. Co‐culture with HU‐induced senescent PBMSC (HU‐S‐PBMSC) strongly inhibited bystander HEL cell proliferation, and this effect is mediated by both ROS and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β expression. Besides induction of premature senescence, HU educates PBMSC toward an inhibitory phenotype of HEL cell proliferation. Finally, our study contributes to the understanding of the role of HU‐induced PBMSC senescence as a potential adjuvant in hematological malignancy therapies.