bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Stocking Dantrolene in Ambulatory Surgery Centers for the Treatment of Malignant Hyperthermia
Authors: Aderibigbe Taiwo , Lang Barbara H. , Rosenberg Henry , Chen Qixuan , Li Guohua
Published: April 2014

Background:

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare hypermetabolic syndrome of the skeletal muscle and a potentially fatal complication of general anesthesia. Dantrolene is currently the only specific treatment for MH. The Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States has issued guidelines recommending that 36 vials (20 mg per vial) of dantrolene remain in stock at every surgery center. However, the cost of stocking dantrolene in ambulatory surgery centers has been a concern. The purpose of this analysis is to assess the cost-effectiveness of stocking dantrolene in ambulatory surgery centers as recommended by the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States.

Methods:

A decision tree model was used to compare treatment with dantrolene to a supportive care-only strategy. Model assumptions include the incidence of MH, MH case fatality with dantrolene treatment and with supportive care-only. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the estimated cost-effectiveness.

Results:

The estimated annual number of MH events in ambulatory surgery centers in the United States was 47. The incremental effectiveness of dantrolene compared with supportive care was 33 more lives saved per year. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $196,320 (in 2010 dollars) per life saved compared with a supportive care strategy. Sensitivity analysis showed that the results were robust for the plausible range of all variables and assumptions tested.

Conclusion:

The results of this analysis suggest that stocking dantrolene for the treatment of MH in ambulatory surgery centers as recommended by the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States is cost-effective when compared with the estimated values of statistical life used by U.S. regulatory agencies.
Bertram Hopkinson's pioneering work and the dislocation mechanics of high rate deformations and mechanically induced detonations
Authors: Armstrong Ronald W.
Published: April 2014

Bertram Hopkinson was prescient in writing of the importance of better measuring, albeit better understanding, the nature of high rate deformation of materials in general and, in particular, of the importance of heat in initiating detonation of explosives. This report deals with these subjects in terms of post-Hopkinson crystal dislocation mechanics applied to high rate deformations, including impact tests, Hopkinson pressure bar results, Zerilli–Armstrong-type constitutive relations, shock-induced deformations, isentropic compression experiments, mechanical initiation of explosive crystals and shear banding in metals.
Nuclear magnetic resonance measurements of velocity distributions in an ultrasonically vibrated granular bed
Authors: Huntley J. M. , Tarvaz T. , Mantle M. D. , Sederman A. J. , Gladden L. F. , Sheikh N. A. , Wildman R. D.
Published: April 2014

We report the results of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging experiments on granular beds of mustard grains fluidized by vertical vibration at ultrasonic frequencies. The variation of both granular temperature and packing fraction with height was measured within the three-dimensional cell for a range of vibration frequencies, amplitudes and numbers of grains. Small increases in vibration frequency were found—contrary to the predictions of classical ‘hard-sphere’ expressions for the energy flux through a vibrating boundary—to result in dramatic reductions in granular temperature. Numerical simulations of the grain–wall interactions, using experimentally determined Hertzian contact stiffness coefficients, showed that energy flux drops significantly as the vibration period approaches the grain–wall contact time. The experiments thus demonstrate the need for new models for ‘soft-sphere’ boundary conditions at ultrasonic frequencies.
In situ
damage assessment using synchrotron X-rays in materials loaded by a Hopkinson bar
Authors: Chen Weinong W. , Hudspeth Matthew C. , Claus Ben , Parab Niranjan D. , Black John T. , Fezzaa Kamel , Luo S. N.
Published: April 2014

Split Hopkinson or Kolsky bars are common high-rate characterization tools for dynamic mechanical behaviour of materials. Stress–strain responses averaged over specimen volume are obtained as a function of strain rate. Specimen deformation histories can be monitored by high-speed imaging on the surface. It has not been possible to track the damage initiation and evolution during the dynamic deformation inside specimens except for a few transparent materials. In this study, we integrated Hopkinson compression/tension bars with high-speed X-ray imaging capabilities. The damage history in a dynamically deforming specimen was monitored
in situ
using synchrotron radiation via X-ray phase contrast imaging. The effectiveness of the novel union between these two powerful techniques, which opens a new angle for data acquisition in dynamic experiments, is demonstrated by a series of dynamic experiments on a variety of material systems, including particle interaction in granular materials, glass impact cracking, single crystal silicon tensile failure and ligament–bone junction damage.
Experimentally simulating high-rate behaviour: rate and temperature effects in polycarbonate and PMMA
Authors: Kendall M. J. , Siviour C. R.
Published: April 2014

This paper presents results from applying a recently developed technique for experimentally simulating the high-rate deformation response of polymers. The technique, which uses low strain rate experiments with temperature profiles to replicate high-rate behaviour, is here applied to two amorphous polymers, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and polycarbonate, thereby complementing previously obtained data from plasticized polyvinyl chloride. The paper presents comparisons of the mechanical data obtained in the simulation, as opposed to those observed under high-rate loading. Discussion of these data, and the temperature profile required to produce them, gives important information about yield and post-yield behaviour in these materials.
Compressive strength after blast of sandwich composite materials
Authors: Arora H. , Kelly M. , Worley A. , Del Linz P. , Fergusson A. , Hooper P. A. , Dear J. P.
Published: April 2014

Composite sandwich materials have yet to be widely adopted in the construction of naval vessels despite their excellent strength-to-weight ratio and low radar return. One barrier to their wider use is our limited understanding of their performance when subjected to air blast. This paper focuses on this problem and specifically the strength remaining after damage caused during an explosion. Carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite skins on a styrene–acrylonitrile (SAN) polymer closed-cell foam core are the primary composite system evaluated. Glass-fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite skins were also included for comparison in a comparable sandwich configuration. Full-scale blast experiments were conducted, where 1.6×1.3 m sized panels were subjected to blast of a Hopkinson–Cranz scaled distance of 3.02 m kg
−1/3
, 100 kg TNT equivalent at a stand-off distance of 14 m. This explosive blast represents a surface blast threat, where the shockwave propagates in air towards the naval vessel. Hopkinson was the first to investigate the characteristics of this explosive air-blast pulse (Hopkinson 1948
Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A
89
, 411–413 (
doi:10.1098/rspa.1914.0008
)). Further analysis is provided on the performance of the CFRP sandwich panel relative to the GFRP sandwich panel when subjected to blast loading through use of high-speed speckle strain mapping. After the blast events, the residual compressive load-bearing capacity is investigated experimentally, using appropriate loading conditions that an in-service vessel may have to sustain. Residual strength testing is well established for post-impact ballistic assessment, but there has been less research performed on the residual strength of sandwich composites after blast.
Mechanics of particulate composites with glassy polymer binders in compression
Authors: Jordan J. L. , Spowart J. E. , Kendall M. J. , Woodworth B. , Siviour C. R.
Published: April 2014

Whether used as structural components in design or matrix materials for composites, the mechanical properties of polymers are increasingly important. The compressive response of extruded polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) rod with aligned polymer chains and Al–Ni–PMMA particulate composites are investigated across a range of strain rates and temperatures. The particulate composites were prepared using an injection-moulding technique resulting in highly anisotropic microstructures. The mechanics of these materials are discussed in the light of theories of deformation for glassy polymers. The experimental data from this study are compared with PMMA results from the literature as well as epoxy-based composites with identical particulates. The PMMA exhibited the expected strain rate and temperature dependence and brittle failure was observed at the highest strain rates and lowest temperatures. The Al–Ni–PMMA composites were found to have similar stress–strain response to the PMMA with reduced strain softening after yield. Increasing volume fraction of particulates in the composite resulted in decreased strength.
Megasphaera indica sp. nov., an obligate anaerobic bacteria isolated from human faeces
Authors: Lanjekar V. B. , Marathe N. P. , Ramana V. Venkata , Shouche Y. S. , Ranade D. R.
Published: April 2014

Two coccoid, non-motile, obligately anaerobic, Gram-stain-negative bacteria, occurring singly or in pairs, or as short chains, with a mean size of 1.4–2.5 µm were isolated from the faeces of two healthy human volunteers, aged 26 and 56 years, and were designated NMBHI-10T and BLPYG-7, respectively. Both the strains were affiliated to the sub-branch

Sporomusa

of the class

Clostridia

as revealed by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The isolates NMBHI-10T and BLPYG-7 showed 99.1 and 99.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively, with

Megasphaera elsdenii

JCM 1772T. DNA–DNA hybridization and phenotypic analysis showed that both the strains were distinct from their closest relative,

M. elsdenii

JCM 1772T (42 and 53 % DNA–DNA relatedness with NMBHI-10T and BLPYG-7, respectively), but belong to the same species (DNA–DNA relatedness of 80.9 % between the isolates). According to DNA–DNA hybridization results, the coccoid strains belong to the same genospecies, and neither is related to any of the recognized species of the genus

Megasphaera

. Strains NMBHI-10T and BLPYG-7 grew in PYG broth at temperatures of between 15 and 40 °C (optimum 37 °C), but not at 45 °C. The strains utilized a range of carbohydrates as sources of carbon and energy including glucose, lactose, cellobiose, rhamnose, galactose and sucrose. Glucose fermentation resulted in the formation of volatile fatty acids, mainly caproic acid and organic acids such as succinic acid. Phylogenetic analysis, specific phenotypic characteristics and/or DNA G+C content also differentiated the strains from each other and from their closest relatives. The DNA G+C contents of strains NMBHI-10T and BLPYG-7 are 57.7 and 54.9 mol%, respectively. The major fatty acids were 12 : 0 FAME and 17 : 0 CYC FAME. On the basis of these data, we conclude that strains NMBHI-10T and BLPYG-7 should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus

Megasphaera

, for which the name Megsphaera indica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NMBHI-10T ( = DSM 25563T = MCC 2481T).
Arcticibacter pallidicorallinus sp. nov. isolated from glacier ice
Authors: Liu Qing , Kim Song-gun , Liu Hong-can , Xin Yu-hua , Zhou Yu-guang
Published: April 2014

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium (strain Hh36T) was isolated from the No. 1 glacier in Xinjiang, north-west China. Colonies of strain Hh36T were pink, convex and round on PYG medium plates. Strain Hh36T was able to grow at 4–30 °C and pH 6.0–8.0. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain Hh36T was related to members of the genus

Arcticibacter

. The major cellular fatty acids of the novel strain were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 44.0 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic analysis, strain Hh36T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Arcticibacter

, for which the name Arcticibacter
pallidicorallinus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Hh36T ( = CGMCC 1.9313T = KCTC 32542T).
Sphingopyxis contaminans sp. nov., isolated from a contaminated Petri dish
Authors: Subhash Y. , Sasikala Ch. , Ramana Ch. V.
Published: April 2014

Strain JC216T was isolated from a contaminated Petri dish. Colonies were of pale yellow colour and cells were Gram-stain-negative, oxidase-positive and catalase-positive. Chitin, starch and gelatin were not hydrolysed. Strain JC216T contained C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c, C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c, C14 : 0 2-OH and C16 : 0 as the major (≥8 %) fatty acids with minor amounts of C12 : 0, C15 : 0 2-OH, C16 : 0 2-OH, C16 
: 1 2-OH, C17 : 1ω6c, C17 : 1ω8c and C17 : 1ω9c. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and sphingoglycolipid were the major polar lipids. Minor amounts of unidentified amino lipids and unidentified lipids were also detected. The major hopanoids identified were bacterial hopane derivatives and diplopterol. Minor amounts of diploptene and an unidentified hopanoid were also present. Spermidine was the major polyamine with minor amounts of sym-homospermidine and putrescine. N-Acetylglucosamine and fructose were identified as major cell-wall sugars along with minor amounts of mannose and galactose. The genomic DNA G+C content was 55 mol%. Comparisons of the16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain JC216T represents a member of the genus

Sphingopyxis

in the family

Sphingomonadaceae

within the class

Alphaproteobacteria

. Strain JC216T had a sequence similarity of 97.28 % with

Sphingopyxis wooponensis

03SU3-PT and <96.71 % with other members of the family

Sphingomonadaceae

. Furthermore, strain JC216T had 33±1 % relatedness (based on DNA–DNA hybridization) with

S. wooponensis

KCTC 23340T ( = 03SU3-PT). Distinct morphological, physiological and genotypic differences from the previously described taxa support the classification of strain JC216T as a representative of a novel species in the genus

Sphingopyxis

, for which the name Sphingopyxis contaminans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JC216T ( = KCTC 32445T = LMG 27671T).
Sharing of Very Short IBD Segments between Humans, Neandertals, and Denisovans
Authors: Povysil Gundula , Hochreiter Sepp
Published: April 2014

We analyze the sharing of very short identity by descent (IBD) segments between humans, Neandertals, and Denisovans to gain new insights into their demographic history. Short IBD segments convey information about events far back in time because the shorter IBD segments are, the older they are assumed to be. The identification of short IBD segments becomes possible through next generation sequencing (NGS), which offers high variant density and reports variants of all frequencies. However, only recently HapFABIA has been proposed as the first method for detecting very short IBD segments in NGS data. HapFABIA utilizes rare variants to identify IBD segments with a low false discovery rate. We applied HapFABIA to the 1000 Genomes Project whole genome sequencing data to identify IBD segments that are shared within and between populations. Many IBD segments have to be old since they are shared with Neandertals or Denisovans, which explains their shorter lengths compared to segments that are not shared with these ancient genomes. The Denisova genome most prominently matches IBD segments that are shared by Asians. Many of these segments were found exclusively in Asians and they are longer than segments shared between other continental populations and the Denisova genome. Therefore, we could confirm an introgression from Deniosvans into ancestors of Asians after their migration out of Africa. While Neandertal-matching IBD segments are most often shared by Asians, Europeans share a considerably higher percentage of IBD segments with Neandertals compared to other populations, too. Again, many of these Neandertal-matching IBD segments are found exclusively in Asians, whereas Neandertal-matching IBD segments that are shared by Europeans are often found in other populations, too. Neandertal-matching IBD segments that are shared by Asians or Europeans are longer than those observed in Africans. These IBD segments hint at a gene flow from Neandertals into ancestors of Asians and Europeans after they left Africa. Interestingly, many Neandertal- and/or Denisova-matching IBD segments are predominantly observed in Africans - some of them even exclusively. IBD segments shared between Africans and Neandertals or Denisovans are strikingly short, therefore we assume that they are very old. Consequently, we conclude that DNA regions from ancestors of humans, Neandertals, and Denisovans have survived in Africans. As expected, IBD segments on chromosome X are on average longer than IBD segments on the autosomes. Neandertal-matching IBD segments on chromosome X confirm gene flow from Neandertals into ancestors of Asians and Europeans outside Africa that was already found on the autosomes. Interestingly, there is hardly any signal of Denisova introgression on the X chromosome.
Comparative epigenomics in distantly related teleost species identifies conserved cis-regulatory nodes active during the vertebrate phylotypic period
Authors: Tena Juan J. , González-Aguilera Cristina , Fernández-Miñán Ana , Vázquez-Marín Javier , Parra-Acero Helena , Cross Joe W. , Rigby Peter W.J. , Carvajal Jaime J. , Wittbrodt Joachim , Gómez-Skarmeta José L. , Martínez-Morales Juan R.
Published: April 2014

The complex relationship between ontogeny and phylogeny has been the subject of attention and controversy since von Baer’s formulations in the 19th century. The classic concept that embryogenesis progresses from clade general features to species-specific characters has often been revisited. It has become accepted that embryos from a clade show maximum morphological similarity at the so-called phylotypic period (i.e., during mid-embryogenesis). According to the hourglass model, body plan conservation would depend on constrained molecular mechanisms operating at this period. More recently, comparative transcriptomic analyses have provided conclusive evidence that such molecular constraints exist. Examining cis-regulatory architecture during the phylotypic period is essential to understand the evolutionary source of body plan stability. Here we compare transcriptomes and key epigenetic marks (H3K4me3 and H3K27ac) from medaka (Oryzias latipes) and zebrafish (Danio rerio), two distantly related teleosts separated by an evolutionary distance of 115–200 Myr. We show that comparison of transcriptome profiles correlates with anatomical similarities and heterochronies observed at the phylotypic stage. Through comparative epigenomics, we uncover a pool of conserved regulatory regions (≈700), which are active during the vertebrate phylotypic period in both species. Moreover, we show that their neighboring genes encode mainly transcription factors with fundamental roles in tissue specification. We postulate that these regulatory regions, active in both teleost genomes, represent key constrained nodes of the gene networks that sustain the vertebrate body plan.
The effect of genotype and in utero environment on interindividual variation in neonate DNA methylomes
Authors: Teh Ai Ling , Pan Hong , Chen Li , Ong Mei-Lyn , Dogra Shaillay , Wong Johnny , MacIsaac Julia L. , Mah Sarah M. , McEwen Lisa M. , Saw Seang-Mei , Godfrey Keith M. , Chong Yap-Seng , Kwek Kenneth , Kwoh Chee-Keong , Soh Shu-E. , Chong Mary F.F. , Barton Sheila , Karnani Neerja , Cheong Clara Y. , Buschdorf Jan Paul , Stünkel Walter , Kobor Michael S. , Meaney Michael J. , Gluckman Peter D. , Holbrook Joanna D.
Published: April 2014

Integrating the genotype with epigenetic marks holds the promise of better understanding the biology that underlies the complex interactions of inherited and environmental components that define the developmental origins of a range of disorders. The quality of the in utero environment significantly influences health over the lifecourse. Epigenetics, and in particular DNA methylation marks, have been postulated as a mechanism for the enduring effects of the prenatal environment. Accordingly, neonate methylomes contain molecular memory of the individual in utero experience. However, interindividual variation in methylation can also be a consequence of DNA sequence polymorphisms that result in methylation quantitative trait loci (methQTLs) and, potentially, the interaction between fixed genetic variation and environmental influences. We surveyed the genotypes and DNA methylomes of 237 neonates and found 1423 punctuate regions of the methylome that were highly variable across individuals, termed variably methylated regions (VMRs), against a backdrop of homogeneity. MethQTLs were readily detected in neonatal methylomes, and genotype alone best explained ∼25% of the VMRs. We found that the best explanation for 75% of VMRs was the interaction of genotype with different in utero environments, including maternal smoking, maternal depression, maternal BMI, infant birth weight, gestational age, and birth order. Our study sheds new light on the complex relationship between biological inheritance as represented by genotype and individual prenatal experience and suggests the importance of considering both fixed genetic variation and environmental factors in interpreting epigenetic variation.
The Roles of Reactive Oxygen Metabolism in Drought: Not So Cut and Dried
Authors: Noctor Graham , Mhamdi Amna , Foyer Christine H.
Published: April 2014

Drought is considered to cause oxidative stress, but the roles of oxidant-induced modifications in plant responses to water deficit remain obscure. Key unknowns are the roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced at specific intracellular or apoplastic sites and the interactions between the complex, networking antioxidative systems in restricting ROS accumulation or in redox signal transmission. This Update discusses the physiological aspects of ROS production during drought, and analyzes the relationship between oxidative stress and drought from different but complementary perspectives. We ask to what extent redox changes are involved in plant drought responses and discuss the roles that different ROS-generating processes may play. Our discussion emphasizes the complexity and the specificity of antioxidant systems, and the likely importance of thiol systems in drought-induced redox signaling. We identify candidate drought-responsive redox-associated genes and analyze the potential importance of different metabolic pathways in drought-associated oxidative stress signaling.
Dichlorido(4-{[(quinolin-2-yl)methylidene]amino}phenol-κ2N,N′)mercury(II)
Authors: Faizi Md. Serajul Haque , Sen Pratik
Published: April 2014

In the mononuclear title complex, [HgCl2(C16H12N2O)], synthesized from the phenolic Schiff base 4-[(quinolin-2-ylmethylidene)amino]phenol (QMAP), the coordination geometry around Hg2+is distorted tetrahedral, comprising two Cl atoms [Hg—Cl = 2.3565 (12) and 2.5219 (12) Å] and two N-atom donors from the QMAP ligand,viz.one imine and the other quinoline [Hg—N = 2.392 (2) and 2.237 (2) Å, respectively]. In the crystal, O—H...Cl hydrogen bonds generate a chain structure extending along thec-axis direction. Weak C—H...Cl and π–π stacking interactions [minimum ring centroid separation = 3.641 (3) Å] give an overall layered structure lying parallel to (001).
Bis(2,3-dichlorophenyl) disulfide
Authors: Osorio-Yáñez Rebeca Nayely , Crisóstomo-Lucas Carmela , Santacruz-Juárez Ericka , Reyes-Martínez Reyna , Morales-Morales David
Published: April 2014

The title compound, C12H6Cl4S2, features an S—S bond [2.0252 (8) Å] that bridges two 2,3-dichlorophenyl rings with a C—S—S—C torsion angle of 88.35 (11)°. The benzene rings are normal one to the other with a dihedral angle of 89.83 (11)°. The crystal structure features intermolecular Cl...Cl [3.4763 (11) Å] and π–π stacking interactions [centroid–centroid distances = 3.696 (1) and 3.641 (2) Å]. Intramolecular C—H...S interactions are also observed.
(1R,4R,6S,7R)-5,5-Dibromo-1,4,8,8-tetramethyltricyclo[5.4.1.04,6]dodecan-12-one
Authors: Zaki Mohamed , Benharref Ahmed , Daran Jean-Claude , Berraho Moha
Published: April 2014

The title compound, C16H24Br2O, was synthesized from the reaction of β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetramethyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-benzocycloheptene), which was isolated from Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica). The asymmetric unit contains two independent molecules with similar conformations. Each molecule is built up from two fused seven-membered rings and an additional three-membered ring. In both molecules, one of the seven-membered rings has a chair conformation, whereas the other displays a screw-boat conformation.
Methyl 1-[(Z)-2-(benzyloxycarbonyl)hydrazin-1-ylidene]-5-chloro-2-hydroxyindane-2-carboxylate
Authors: Dong Kun , Wang Yifeng
Published: April 2014

The title compound, C19H17ClN2O5, is an important intermediate for the synthesis of the pesticide Indoxacarb [systematic name: (S)-methyl 7-chloro-2-{[(methoxycarbonyl)[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]amino]carbonyl}-2H,3H,4aH,5H-indeno[1,2-e][1,3,4]oxadiazine-4a-carboxylate] The C=N double bond has aZconformation. An intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond occurs. In the crystal structure, O—H...O hydrogen bonds result in the formation of 12-membered rings lying about inversion centers withR44(12) motifs.
9α-Hydroxy-12-{[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]methyl}-4,8-dimethyl-3,14-dioxatricyclo[9.3.0.02,4]tetradec-7-en-13-one
Authors: Loubidi Mohamed , Benharref Ahmed , El Ammari Lahcen , Saadi Mohamed , Berraho Moha
Published: April 2014

The title compound, C25H34N2O5, was synthesized from 9α-hydroxyparthenolide (9α-hydroxy-4,8-dimethyl-12-methylen-3, 14-dioxa-tricyclo[9.3.0.02,4]tetradec-7-en-13-one), which in turn was isolated from the chloroform extract of the aerial parts ofAnvillea radiata. The molecule comprises a ten-membered ring fused to a five-membered ring with an additional epoxy ring system fused to the ten-membered ring. The five-membered ring also carries a 4-hydroxyphenyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl substituent. The ten-membered ring adopts an approximate chair–chair conformation, while the piperazine ring displays a chair conformation and the five-membered ring shows an envelope conformation with the C atom closest to the hydroxy group forming the flap. Two C atoms in the phenyl ring and the O atom of the hydroxyl group are disordered over two sites, with an occupancy ratio of 0.53 (5):0.47 (5). An intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen-bond stabilizes the molecular conformation. In the crystal, C—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into zigzag chains running along thea-axis direction.
1-Methyl-3-phenylthiourea
Authors: Su Hou-xiang
Published: April 2014

The title compound, C8H10N2S, was prepared by reaction of methylamine solution, KOH and phenyl-isothiocyanate in ethanol. It adopts asyn-Me andanti-Ph conformation relative to the C=S double bond. The dihedral angle between the N—C(=S)—N thiourea and phenyl planes is 67.83 (6)°. In the crystal, the molecules centrosymmetrical dimers by pairs of N(Ph)—H...S hydrogen bonds. The dimers are linked by N(Me)—H...S hydrogen bonds into layers parallel to (100).
N′-[(E)-1-(2-Fluorophenyl)ethylidene]pyridine-4-carbohydrazide
Authors: Sreeja P. B. , Sithambaresan M. , Aiswarya N. , Kurup M. R. Prathapachandra
Published: April 2014

The title compound, C14H12FN3O, adopts anEconformation with respect to the azomethine bond. The pyridyl and fluorobenzene rings make dihedral angles of 38.58 (6) and 41.61 (5)° respectively with the central C(=O)N2CC unit, resulting in a non-planar molecule. The intermolecular interactions comprise two classical N—H...O and N—H...N hydrogen bonds and four non-classical C—H...O and C—H...F hydrogen bonds. These interactions are augmented by a weak π–π interaction between the benzene and pyridyl rings of neighbouring molecules, with a centroid–centroid distance of 3.9226 (10) Å. This leads to a three-dimensional supramolecular assembly in the crystal system. The F atom is disordered over two sites in a 0.559 (3): 0.441 (3) ratio, through a 180° rotation of the fluorobenzene ring.
Poly[diaquatris(μ6-4,6-dioxo-1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1,3,5-triazine-2-carboxylato)tripotassium]
Authors: Soudani Sarra , Aubert Emmanuel , Wenger Emmanuel , Jelsch Christian , Gautier-Luneau Isabelle , Ben Nasr Cherif
Published: April 2014

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [K3(C4H2N3O4)3(H2O)2]n, contains two potassium cations (one in general position, one located on a twofold rotation axis), one and a half oxonate anions (the other half generated by twofold symmetry) and one water molecule. As a result of the twofold symmetry, one H atom of the symmetric anion is statistically occupied. Both potassium cations are surrounded by eight oxygen atoms in the form of distorted polyhedra. Adjacent cations are interconnected by oxygen bridges, generating layers parallel to (100). The aromatic ring system of the oxonate anions link these layers into a network structure. The crystal packing is stabilized by N—H...O, O—H...O and O—H...N hydrogen bonds, three of which are bifurcated. In addition, intermolecular π–π stacking interactions exist between neighboring aromatic rings with a centroid–centroid distance of 3.241 (2) Å.
Soft scorpionate coordination at alkali metals
Authors: Rajesekharan-Nair Rajeev , Lutta Samuel T. , Kennedy Alan R. , Reglinski John , Spicer Mark D.
Published: April 2014

Reported here are the single-crystal X-ray structure analyses of bis-μ-methanol-κ4
O:O-bis{[hydrotris(3-phenyl-2-sulfanylidene-2,3-dihydro-1H-1,3-imidazol-1-yl)borato-κ3
H,S,S′](methanol-κO)sodium(I)}, [Na2(C27H22BN6S3)2(CH4O)4] (NaTmPh), bis-μ-methanol-κ4
O:O-bis{[hydrotris(3-isopropyl-2-sulfanylidene-2,3-dihydro-1H-1,3-imidazol-1-yl)borato-κ3
H,S,S′](methanol-κO)sodium(I)}–diethyl ether–methanol (1/0.3333/0.0833), [Na2(C18H28BN6S3)2(CH4O)4]·0.3333C4H10O·0.0833CH3OH (NaTmiPr), and a novel anhydrous form of sodium hydrotris(methylthioimidazolyl)borate, poly[[μ-hydrotris(3-methyl-2-sulfanylidene-2,3-dihydro-1H-1,3-imidazol-1-yl)borato]sodium(I)], [Na(C12H16BN6S3)] ([NaTmMe]
n
). NaTmiPr and NaTmPh have similar dimeric molecular structures with κ3
H,S,S′-bonding, but they differ in that NaTmPh is crystallographically centrosymmetric (Z′ = 0.5) while NaTmiPr contains one crystallographically centrosymmetric dimer and one dimer positioned on a general position (Z′ = 1.5). [NaTmMe]
n
is a one-dimensional coordination polymer that extends along the a direction and which contains a hitherto unseen side-on η2-C=S-to-Na bond type. An overview of the structural preferences of alkali metal soft scorpionate complexes is presented. This analysis suggests that these thione-based ligands will continue to be a rich source of interesting alkali metal motifs worthy of isolation and characterization.
Low-dimensional compounds containing cyanide groups. XXV. Synthesis, spectroscopic properties and crystal structures of two ionic iron(II) complexes with tricyanomethanide: tris(1,10-phenanthroline-κ2
N,N′)iron(II) bis(tricyanomethanide) and tris(2,2′-bipyridine-κ2
N,N′)iron(II) bis(tricyanomethanide) sesquihydrate
Authors: Potočňák Ivan , Váhovská Lucia , Herich Peter
Published: April 2014

Two new diamagnetic coordination compounds, [Fe(phen)3][C(CN)3]2, (I), and [Fe(bpy)3][C(CN)3]2·1.5H2O, (II), have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy (phen is 1,10-phenanthroline, C12H8N2, and bpy is 2,2′-bipyridine, C10H8N2). Both compounds are ionic with distorted octahedral [Fe(phen)3]2+ or [Fe(bpy)3]2+ complex cations, with average Fe—N distances of 1.977 (2) and 1.971 (3) Å, respectively, and two uncoordinated planar tricyanomethanide, or [C(CN)3]−, counter-anions balancing the positive charges of the cations. Solvent water molecules and tcm anions in (II) are linked via O—H...N hydrogen bonds into negatively charged layers and the interlayer space is filled by [Fe(bpy)3]2+ cations. The structures of (I) and (II) are stabilized by π–π interactions between the stacked aromatic rings of the phen ligands of two adjacent cations and by O—H...N hydrogen bonds, respectively, and also by π–π stacking interactions between phen and tcm units in (I).
An iron(III) complex salt containing pyrazole as both ligand and counter-ion: bis(1H-pyrazol-2-ium) pentacyanido(1H-pyrazole-κN
2)ferrate(III)
Authors: Wang Yu-Feng , Yu Chun-Hua , Zhu Run-Qiang
Published: April 2014

The title compound, (C3H5N2)2[Fe(CN)5(C3H4N2)], is composed of a mononuclear [Fe(CN)5(pyrazole)]2− dianion and two 1H-pyrazol-2-ium cations. A three-dimensional supramolecular network is formed through a rich scheme of N—H...N hydrogen bonds and C—H...π interactions among the cations and anions.
The Campylobacter jejuni RacRS system regulates fumarate utilization in a low oxygen environment
Authors: van der Stel Anne‐Xander , van Mourik Andries , Heijmen‐van Dijk Linda , Parker Craig T. , Kelly David J. , van de Lest Chris H. A. , van Putten Jos P. M. , Wösten Marc M. S. M.
Published: April 2014

The natural environment of the human pathogen Campylobacter jejuni is the gastrointestinal tract of warm‐blooded animals. In the gut, the availability of oxygen is limited; therefore, less efficient electron acceptors such as nitrate or fumarate are used by C. jejuni. The molecular mechanisms that regulate the activity of the highly branched respiratory chain of C. jejuni are still a mystery mainly because C. jejuni lacks homologues of transcription factors known to regulate energy metabolism in other bacteria. Here we demonstrate that dependent on the available electron acceptors the two‐component system RacRS controls the production of fumarate from aspartate, as well as its transport and reduction to succinate. Transcription profiling, DNAse protection and functional assays showed that phosphorylated RacR binds to and represses at least five promoter elements located in front of genes involved in the uptake and synthesis of fumarate. The RacRS system is active in the presence of nitrate and trimethyl‐amine‐N‐oxide under oxygen‐limited conditions when fumarate is less preferred as an alternative electron acceptor. In the inactive state, RacRS allows utilization of fumarate for respiration. The unique C. jejuni RacRS regulatory system illustrates the disparate evolution of Campylobacter and aids the survival of this pathogen.
Cardiac Changes Due to Electronic Control Devices? A Computer‐Based Analysis of Electrical Effects at the Human Heart Caused by an ECD Pulse Applied to the Body's Exterior
Authors: Kunz Sebastian N. , Aronshtam Julia , Tränkler Hans‐Rolf , Kraus Sybille , Graw Matthias , Peschel Oliver
Published: April 2014

Electronic control devices (ECDs) deliver high‐voltage, low‐current energy pulses temporarily paralyzing a person. For the ECD–human interaction, we have developed a computer model using the SEMCAD program within which to simulate the electrical effects throughout the body resulting from the imposition of an ECD pulse at a particular point on the body surface. Our human body models were based on cross‐sectional MRIs and CT scans, with the dielectric properties of the various tissues assigned based on previously published values. We simulated the application of a single ECD pulse and calculated the resulting electric field strength and current and charge densities at different body locations. The results were compared with corresponding values obtained by other researchers in similar simulations. Furthermore, we simulated an application of a pulse of 20‐millisecond duration equal to the European household current of 50 Hz and to the ventricular fibrillation threshold. The resulting current level indicated at the heart muscle was 1/5 the level considered the threshold for triggering ventricular fibrillation.
The Relationship Between Mental Disorders and Types of Crime in Inmates in a Brazilian Prison
Authors: Pondé Milena P. , Caron Jean , Mendonça Milena S. S. , Freire Antônio C. C. , Moreau Nicolas
Published: April 2014

This cross‐sectional study conducted in prisons in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, investigated the association between the presence of psychiatric disorders in 462 prisoners and the types of crimes committed by them. Psychiatric diagnosis was obtained by means of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Interview. A statistically significant association was found between some psychiatric disorders and specific groups of crime: lifelong substance addiction with sex crimes and homicide; antisocial personality disorder with robbery and with kidnapping and extortion; borderline personality disorder with sex crimes; and lifelong alcohol addiction with fraud and conspiracy and with armed robbery and murder. It was concluded that the mental disorders considered more severe (psychosis and bipolar disorder) were not associated with violent crimes, suggesting that the severity of the psychotic disorder may be the factor that has caused psychosis to be associated with violent crimes in previous studies.
Parental satisfaction with paediatric care, triage and waiting times
Authors: Fitzpatrick Nicholas , Breen Daniel T , Taylor James , Paul Eldho , Grosvenor Robert , Heggie Katrina , Mahar Patrick D
Published: April 2014

Objective

The present study aims to determine parental and guardian's perceptions of paediatric emergency care and satisfaction with care, waiting times and triage category in a community ED.

Methods

A structured questionnaire was provided to parents or guardians of paediatric patients presenting to emergency. The survey evaluated parent perceptions of waiting time, environment/facilities, professionalism and communication skills of staff and overall satisfaction of care.

Results

One hundred and thirty‐three completed questionnaires were received from parents of paediatric patients. Responses were overall positive with respect to the multiple domains assessed. Parents generally considered waiting times to be appropriate and consistent with triage categories. Overall satisfaction was not significantly different for varying treatment or waiting times. Patients triaged as semi‐urgent were of the opinion that waiting times were less appropriate than urgent, less‐urgent or non‐urgent patients.

Conclusion

On the basis of the present study, patient perceptions and overall satisfaction of care does not appear to be primarily influenced by time spent waiting or receiving treatment. Attempts made at the triage process to ensure that semi‐urgent patients have reasonable expectations of waiting times might provide an opportunity to improve these patients’ expectations and perceptions.
A stream for complex, ambulant patients reduces crowding in an emergency department
Authors: Grouse Andrew I , Bishop Roderick O , Gerlach Liesel , de Villecourt Tracey L , Mallows James L
Published: April 2014

Objective

The study aims to evaluate the effect of adding a stream for complex, ambulatory patients in an ED.

Methods

The setting was an ED in a principal referral hospital in New South Wales, Australia. In 2011, a new stream was added to the pre‐existing acute care (high complexity patients) and fast track (low complexity patients) streams. Space in acute care was set aside for the purpose of assessing patients who would previously have been assigned to acute care and who were capable of sitting in a chair with limited nursing care. The stream was separately resourced with staff redeployed from acute care. Early involvement of an emergency physician was a core characteristic of the process. Two 13 week periods before and after the intervention were compared.

Results

Presentations increased by 8.2%. Forty‐three per cent of patients were triaged to the new stream. The median ED length of stay fell from 327 (interquartile range [IQR] 192–527) min to 267 (IQR 163–412) min (P < 0.001), the average daily occupancy of the department fell from 38.1 patients to 34.9 patients (95% confidence interval [CI] for difference 1.6–4.8, P < 0.001) and the proportion of patients who did not wait to be seen fell from 12% to 5.6% (95% CI for difference 5.8–7.1, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The use of an appropriately resourced stream directed towards seeing a complex group of patients who do not require ongoing nursing care and who are capable of sitting in a chair improved departmental flow.
What paramedics think about when they think about fatigue: Contributing factors
Authors: Paterson Jessica L , Sofianopoulos Sarah , Williams Brett
Published: April 2014

Objective

Paramedic fatigue is associated with burnout, attrition, sick leave, work disability, physical and mental health complaints and impaired performance. However, no studies have addressed how fatigue is understood by paramedics. The present study addresses this shortcoming by exploring factors paramedics recognise as contributors to fatigue.

Methods

Forty‐nine (12F; 38 years ± 9.7 years) Australian paramedics completed a survey on perceived causes of performance impairing fatigue. A total of 107 responses were systematically coded following principles common to qualitative data analysis: data immersion, coding, categorisation and theme generation.

Results

Six themes emerged: working time, sleep, workload, health and well‐being, work–life balance and environment. Consistent with a scientific understanding of fatigue, prior sleep and wake, time of day and task‐related factors were often identified as contributing to fatigue. In other cases, paramedics’ attributions deviated from a scientific understanding of direct causes of fatigue.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that paramedics have a broad understanding of fatigue. It is critical to take this into account when discussing fatigue with paramedics, particularly in the case of fatigue education or wellness programmes. These data highlight areas for intervention and education to minimise the experience of paramedic fatigue and the negative health and safety outcomes for paramedics and patients as a result.
‘Did not waits’: A regional Australian emergency department experience
Authors: Blake Denise F , Dissanayake Dananjaya B , Hay Robyn M , Brown Lawrence H
Published: April 2014

Objective

Describe the characteristics, reasons for leaving and outcomes of patients who did not wait (DNW) to be seen by a health practitioner in a regional Australian ED.

Methods

Prospective observational study of a convenience sample of ED DNW patients presenting to The Townsville Hospital between June 2011 and July 2012. Seven days from each month were selected, and DNW patients presenting on those days were enrolled. An investigator attempted to contact every DNW patient by telephone in the following week to elicit reasons for leaving, subsequent health contacts, outcomes and suggestions for system improvements. Additional outcome information was obtained from hospital electronic medical records.

Results

Nearly 15 000 patients presented on the study days, with 648 (4.3%) DNWs: 415 (64.0%) adults, 193 (29.8%) children (1–16 years old) and 40 (6.2%) infants. Thirty‐eight (5.9%) patients who DNW were Australasian Triage Scale (ATS) category 3, 546 (84.3%) were ATS category 4 and 64 (9.9%) were ATS category 5. Most DNW patients presented on Sundays and between 1600 and 2359. Just over half of the patients who DNW (52.9%) sought additional medical treatment, with 4.9% requiring subsequent hospital admission. Three psychiatric patients who DNW required urgent mental health interventions organised by the investigators. Frustration with perceived waiting times was the most common reason for leaving without being seen.

Conclusions

Regional Australia ED patients who DNW often still require medical care, with approximately 1 in 20 requiring subsequent hospital admission. Patients with psychiatric conditions who DNW might be at particular risk.
Small rural emergency services still manage acutely unwell patients: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Baker Tim , Dawson Samantha L
Published: April 2014

Objective

Examine the range of clinical situations encountered at small rural emergency care services. We hypothesised that over a 12 month period, small rural emergency services would encounter almost the entire range of clinical situations described at designated EDs.

Methods

We undertook a cross‐sectional prospective study observing five small rural emergency care services in South West Victoria. Patients were included if they presented between 1 February 2011 and 31 January 2012, and their type of visit was recorded as an emergency presentation. Main outcome measures are reports that describe clinical activity using the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset data collected at the five facilities.

Results

There were 14 318 emergency presentations to the five emergency care services over 1 year. Almost 6% of patients (5.94%, 851/14 318, 95% CI 5.6–6.3%) were in the two most urgent categories. With a wide spectrum of problems presented, the level 1 facility saw 18 of the possible 27 diagnostic categories, and the level 2 and 3 facilities both saw 25 out of 27 diagnostic categories. There were 26 586 procedures recorded. Of the 62 possible medical procedures, only seven were not performed at least once. Critical care procedures were performed in levels 2 and 3 facilities.

Conclusion

The five small rural emergency facilities encountered most of the clinical problems seen in full EDs. They saw almost all categories of emergency presentation, saw almost all diagnostic categories, treated critically ill and injured patients, and performed most procedures.
Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Characterization of Musts and Alembic Brazilian Cachaças Using Selected Yeast Strains
Authors: Badotti Fernanda , Gomes Fátima C.O. , Teodoro Mariana M.G. , Silva Alisson Luiz Diniz , Rosa Carlos Augusto , Machado Ana Maria de R.
Published: April 2014

The choice of fermentation system during cachaça production can greatly influence the chemical composition of the beverage. In this work, Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains were selected based on fermentative properties and used as starters to produce alembic cachaça. In distillery scale production, the selected yeast strains exhibited greater adaptiblity to the fermentation environment and hence remained predominant throughout the process. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in the negative ion mode revealed that most of the compounds present in the must are different from those formed in the distillate for both cachaças obtained from spontaneous and selected strains. However, beverages produced using selected strains showed greater similarity in chemical profiles than those produced from spontaneous strain fermentation. Moreover, a smaller number of ions were detected in beverages produced by selected strain than from spontaneous strain fermentation. Our results indicate that the selected S. cerevisiae strains evaluated are able to produce cachaças less subject to variation in chemical composition. This could potentially improve brand consistency and thus commercial viability, particularly in the international market.