bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficiency of Nuclear and Mitochondrial Markers Recovering and Supporting Known Amniote Groups
Authors: Lambret-Frotté Julia , Perini Fernando Araújo , de Moraes Russo Claudia Augusta
Published: August 2012

We have analysed the efficiency of all mitochondrial protein coding genes and six nuclear markers ( Adora3, Adrb2, Bdnf, Irbp, Rag2 and Vwf) in reconstructing and statistically supporting known amniote groups (murines, rodents, primates, eutherians, metatherians, therians). The efficiencies of maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference, maximum parsimony, neighbor-joining and UPGMA were also evaluated, by assessing the number of correct and incorrect recovered groupings. In addition, we have compared support values using the conservative bootstrap test and the Bayesian posterior probabilities. First, no correlation was observed between gene size and marker efficiency in recovering or supporting correct nodes. As expected, tree-building methods performed similarly, even UPGMA that, in some cases, outperformed other most extensively used methods. Bayesian posterior probabilities tend to show much higher support values than the conservative bootstrap test, for correct and incorrect nodes. Our results also suggest that nuclear markers do not necessarily show a better performance than mitochondrial genes. The so-called dependency among mitochondrial markers was not observed comparing genome performances. Finally, the amniote groups with lowest recovery rates were therians and rodents, despite the morphological support for their monophyletic status. We suggest that, regardless of the tree-building method, a few carefully selected genes are able to unfold a detailed and robust scenario of phylogenetic hypotheses, particularly if taxon sampling is increased.
TreeCmp: Comparison of Trees in Polynomial Time
Authors: Bogdanowicz Damian , Giaro Krzysztof , Wróbel Borys
Published: August 2012

When a phylogenetic reconstruction does not result in one tree but in several, tree metrics permit finding out how far the reconstructed trees are from one another. They also permit to assess the accuracy of a reconstruction if a true tree is known. TreeCmp implements eight metrics that can be calculated in polynomial time for arbitrary (not only bifurcating) trees: four for unrooted (Matching Split metric, which we have recently proposed, Robinson-Foulds, Path Difference, Quartet) and four for rooted trees (Matching Cluster, Robinson-Foulds cluster, Nodal Splitted and Triple). TreeCmp is the first implementation of Matching Split/Cluster metrics and the first efficient and convenient implementation of Nodal Splitted. It allows to compare relatively large trees. We provide an example of the application of TreeCmp to compare the accuracy of ten approaches to phylogenetic reconstruction with trees up to 5000 external nodes, using a measure of accuracy based on normalized similarity between trees.
Development and uncertainty analysis of a high-resolution NH3 emissions inventory and its implications with precipitation over the Pearl River Delta region, China
Authors: Zheng J. Y. , Yin S. S. , Kang D. W. , Che W. W. , Zhong L. J.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. Detailed NH3 emission inventories are important to understand various atmospheric processes, air quality modeling studies, air pollution management, and related environmental and ecological issues. A high-resolution NH3 emission inventory was developed based on state-of-the-science techniques, up-to-date information, and advanced expert knowledge for the Pearl River Delta region, China. To provide model-ready emissions input, this NH3 emissions inventory was spatially allocated to 3 km × 3 km grid cells using source-based spatial surrogates with geographical information system (GIS) technology. For NH3 emissions, 9 source categories and 45 subcategories were identified in this region, and detailed spatial and temporal characteristics were investigated. Results show that livestock is by far the most important NH3 emission source by contributing about 61.7% of the total NH3 emissions in this region, followed by nitrogen fertilizer applications (~23.7%) and non-agricultural sources (~14.6%). Uncertainty analysis reveals that the uncertainties associated with different sources vary from source to source and the magnitude of the uncertainty associated with a specific source mainly depends on the degree of accuracy of the emission factors and activity data as well as the technique used to perform the estimate. Further studies should give priority to the hog, broiler, goose subsectors of the livestock source and N fertilizer application source in order to reduce uncertainties of ammonia emission estimates in this region. The validity of the NH3 emissions inventory is justified by the trend analysis of local precipitation compositions, such as pH values, the Ca2++NH4+/SO42−+ NO3− ratios, and NH4+ concentrations which are directly or indirectly related to NH3 emissions.
Record-breaking ozone loss in the Arctic winter 2010/2011: comparison with 1996/1997
Authors: Kuttippurath J. , Godin-Beekmann S. , Lefèvre F. , Nikulin G. , Santee M. L. , Froidevaux L.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. We present a detailed discussion of the chemical and dynamical processes in the Arctic winters 1996/1997 and 2010/2011 with high resolution chemical transport model (CTM) simulations and space-based observations. In the Arctic winter 2010/2011, the lower stratospheric minimum temperatures were below 195 K for a record period of time, from December to mid-April, and a strong and stable vortex was present during that period. Simulations with the Mimosa-Chim CTM show that the chemical ozone loss started in early January and progressed slowly to 1 ppmv (parts per million by volume) by late February. The loss intensified by early March and reached a record maximum of ~2.4 ppmv in the late March–early April period over a broad altitude range of 450–550 K. This coincides with elevated ozone loss rates of 2–4 ppbv sh−1 (parts per billion by volume/sunlit hour) and a contribution of about 30–55% and 30–35% from the ClO-ClO and ClO-BrO cycles, respectively, in late February and March. In addition, a contribution of 30–50% from the HOx cycle is also estimated in April. We also estimate a loss of about 0.7–1.2 ppmv contributed (75%) by the NOx cycle at 550–700 K. The ozone loss estimated in the partial column range of 350–550 K exhibits a record value of ~148 DU (Dobson Unit). This is the largest ozone loss ever estimated in the Arctic and is consistent with the remarkable chlorine activation and strong denitrification (40–50%) during the winter, as the modeled ClO shows ~1.8 ppbv in early January and ~1 ppbv in March at 450–550 K. These model results are in excellent agreement with those found from the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder observations. Our analyses also show that the ozone loss in 2010/2011 is close to that found in some Antarctic winters, for the first time in the observed history. Though the winter 1996/1997 was also very cold in March–April, the temperatures were higher in December–February, and, therefore, chlorine activation was moderate and ozone loss was average with about 1.2 ppmv at 475–550 K or 42 DU at 350–550 K, as diagnosed from the model simulations and measurements.
Mats of psychrophilic thiotrophic bacteria associated with cold seeps of the Barents Sea
Authors: Grünke S. , Lichtschlag A. , de Beer D. , Felden J. , Salman V. , Ramette A. , Schulz-Vogt H. N. , Boetius A.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. This study investigated the bacterial diversity associated with microbial mats of polar deep-sea cold seeps. The mats were associated with high upward fluxes of sulfide produced by anaerobic oxidation of methane, and grew at temperatures close to the freezing point of seawater. They ranged from small patches of 0.2–5 m in diameter (gray mats) to extensive fields covering up to 850 m2 of seafloor (white mats) and were formed by diverse sulfide-oxidizing bacteria differing in color and size. Overall, both the dominant mat-forming thiotrophs as well as the associated bacterial communities inhabiting the mats differed in composition for each mat type as determined by microscopy, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis. While the smaller gray mats were associated with a highly diverse composition of sulfide oxidizers, the larger white mats were composed of only 1–2 types of gliding Beggiatoa filaments. Molecular analyses showed that most of the dominant mat-forming sulfide oxidizers were phylogenetically different from, but still closely related to, thiotrophs known from warmer ocean realms. The psychrophilic nature of the polar mat-forming thiotrophs was tested by visual observation of active mats at in situ temperature compared to their warming to >4 °C. The temperature range of mat habitats and the variation of sulfide and oxygen fluxes appear to be the main factors supporting the diversity of mat-forming thiotrophs in cold seeps at continental margins.
Past and future sea-level change from the surface mass balance of glaciers
Authors: Marzeion B. , Jarosch A. H. , Hofer M.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. We present a model of the global surface mass balance of glaciers, based on the reconstruction and projection of the surface mass balance of all the world's individual glaciers. The model is validated using a leave-one-glacier-out cross validation scheme using 3997 observed surface mass balances of 255 glaciers, and against 756 geodetically observed, temporally integrated volume and surface area changes of 341 glaciers. Between 1902 and 2009, the world's glaciers are reconstructed to have lost mass corresponding to 114 ± 5 mm sea level equivalent (SLE). During the 21st century, they are projected to loose additionally between 148 ± 35 mm SLE (scenario RCP26), 166 ± 42 mm SLE (scenario RCP45), 175 ± 40 mm SLE (scenario RCP60), to 217 ± 47 mm SLE (scenario RCP85). Based on the extended RCP scenarios, glaciers are projected to approach a new equilibrium towards the end of the 23rd century, after having lost between 248 ± 66 mm SLE (scenario RCP26), 313 ± 50 mm SLE (scenario RCP45), to 424 ± 46 mm SLE (scenario RCP85). Up until approximately 2100, ensemble uncertainty within each scenario is the biggest source of uncertainty for the future glacier mass loss; after that, the difference between the scenarios takes over as the biggest source of uncertainty. Rates of mass loss are projected to peak between 2050 and 2100, depending on the scenario.
William James and the Impetus of Stoic Rhetoric
Authors: Stroud Scott R.
Published: August 2012

The relationship between William James and the stoics remains an enigma. He was clearly influenced by reading Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus throughout his career. Some work has been done on the thematic convergences between Jamesian pragmatism and stoic thought, but this study takes a different path. I argue that the rhetorical style that James uses in arguing for his moral claims in front of popular audiences can be better understood if we see it in light of the stoic style of argumentation. I look at a text James read closely and recommended to close acquaintances—Marcus Aurelius's Meditations—to extract a sense of stoic rhetorical style. James's use of the stoic's tactics of vivid examples and rhetorical questions to shape the rhetorical experience of his audience and to thereby make his points becomes understandable as a possible extension of the stoic style of persuasion.
Avoiding Deliberative Democracy? Micropolitics, Manipulation, and the Public Sphere
Authors: Livingston Alexander
Published: August 2012

This article examines the critique of deliberative democracy leveled by William Connolly. Drawing on both recent findings in cognitive science as well on Gilles Deleuze's cosmological pluralism, Connolly argues that deliberative democracy, and the contemporary left more generally, is guilty of intellectualism for overlooking the embodied, visceral register of political judgment. Going back to Deleuze and Guattari's A Thousand Plateaus, this article reconstructs the working assumptions of Connolly's critique and argues that it unwittingly leads to an indefensible embrace of manipulation. Against his micropolitics of visceral manipulation, I propose an alternative route for realizing Connolly's politics of agonistic negotiation in the form of a critical theory of the public sphere.
Searching for Boredom in Ancient Greek Rhetoric:
Authors: Bruss Kristine
Published: August 2012

The term “boring” is pervasive in contemporary popular evaluations of speakers and speeches. Although familiar today, the term is curiously absent from foundational Greek accounts of the art of rhetoric, raising a question about what, if anything, ancient Greeks thought about the subject. In this article, I aim to clarify Greek ways of thinking about boredom and rhetoric through an examination of the texts of Isocrates, focusing in particular on his Panathenaicus. As the evidence in Isocrates suggests, ancient Greek listeners did experience something akin to boredom, namely ochlos, or annoyance. The Greeks were also delighted (and hence not bored) by certain forms of rhetoric; some forms were delightful to crowds, and others, like the texts of Isocrates, were delightful to cultivated minds. Although Isocrates addresses antecedents of boredom, he makes only a handful of references of this sort, suggesting that boredom has afflicted some rhetorical cultures far less than others.
Micropolítica do trabalho na Estratégia Saúde da Família: quem cuida também precisa de cuidados?
Authors: Oliveira Neto Francisco Senna de
Published: August 2012

O espaço da micropolítica do trabalho na Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) traduz-se no cenário em que transcorre o protagonismo dos trabalhadores e usuários dos serviços de saúde. Este artigo objetivou reconhecer e estudar o potencial diverso, criativo e dinâmico do modo como se organiza a atividade produtiva em saúde na ESF e, em especial, lançar um olhar sobre a outra face da tecnologia do cuidado: a saúde do trabalhador/cuidador. Trata-se de um estudo de caráter exploratório, quali-quantitativo, que foi desenvolvido a partir da aplicação de instrumentos de avaliação da qualidade de vida e anamnese ocupacional, e também apoiado na observação e avaliação do cotidiano de trabalho em uma Unidade de Saúde da Família, do município de Jerônimo Monteiro, no Espírito Santo. Os resultados demonstram que, quando se refere à própria saúde, o trabalhador/cuidador preocupa-se mais com problemas e agravos de saúde já instalados, negligenciando os aspectos preventivos. Sinais de sofrimento orgânico e psíquico constituíram registros da sobrecarga laboral e da precariedade dos vínculos e das condições de trabalho. O estudo apontou, ainda, que merecem ser feitas reflexões sobre a saúde ocupacional na ESF e que a prevenção e a promoção da saúde precisam ser ‘exercitadas’ também pelos trabalhadores. Faz-se necessário rever os caminhos da ESF sob a ótica da Saúde do Trabalhador, rumo à construção dos ambientes de trabalho humanizados e humanizadores.
Acupuntura e Atenção Primária à Saúde: análise sobre necessidades de usuários e articulação da rede
Authors: Dallegrave Daniela , Boff Camila , Kreutz Juliano André
Published: August 2012

A inserção de práticas integrativas e complementares no Sistema Único de Saúde remonta à discussão do movimento da reforma sanitária brasileira. Desde a aprovação da Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares, em 2006, a oferta de acupuntura tem crescido nos serviços públicos de saúde como prática multidisciplinar. Os usuários que acessam o Serviço de Saúde Comunitária do Grupo Hospitalar Conceição (Porto Alegre, no Rio Grande do Sul) podem ser encaminhados para a realização de acupuntura por meio da central de marcação de consultas do município. O presente estudo teve como objetivo explorar os encaminhamentos para acupuntura realizados no Serviço de Saúde Comunitária. Trata-se de um estudo de caráter descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa. As fontes de coleta de dados foram os formulários de referência e contrarreferência dos encaminhamentos para acupuntura dentro do Serviço de Saúde Comunitária. Os resultados apontaram maior proporção de mulheres e pessoas com idade acima de 50 anos entre os pacientes referenciados. Observaram-se diferenças significativas nas medianas de ‘dias de espera’ para consulta entre as unidades de saúde vinculadas ao Serviço de Saúde Comunitária. Ainda, confirmou-se a hipótese inicial de que o principal motivo de encaminhamento para realização de acupuntura seria ‘dor’, inscrevendo-se na lógica ocidental de pensar a saúde e os diagnósticos.
Seguimento psicológico para agressores domésticos de crianças: protocolo de atendimento psicoterápico breve
Authors: Sauaia Artenira da Silva e Silva , Arruda Maurilene de Andrade L Bacelar de , Melo Jonhnny Welton Feitosa
Published: August 2012

Pessoas que sofreram violência doméstica na primeira infância carregam sequelas emocionais, que se perpetuam em diferentes níveis. Isso representa um alto risco de repetição, quer no âmbito familiar, quer servindo de mola propulsora para a violência social, perpetuando-se um ciclo de violência que constitui uma epidemia no Brasil. Em especial porque na primeira infância ocorre a construção da autoestima e da visão de mundo, a partir das sensações experimentadas e das relações vivenciadas. Propor e reforçar a importância de um tratamento psicoterápico para o agressor doméstico de crianças trata-se de uma ação pioneira no Brasil, e constitui o objetivo do presente trabalho. Foram acompanhados 98 agressores em núcleo específico para esse fim. O recrutamento se deu por demanda espontânea e contou com uma rede social de apoio para divulgação na comunidade. O estudo revelou que tratar o agressor é uma alternativa viável e muito eficiente no que tange a proteger a própria vítima. Por meio dessa intervenção, objetiva-se contribuir para tentar interromper de forma eficaz o ciclo de repetição de violência que muitas famílias carregam.
Iniciação científica com pesquisas qualitativas: relato da experiência de um grupo de professores e alunos de Medicina
Authors: Fontanella Bruno José Barcellos , Melo Débora Gusmão , Germano Carla Maria Ramos , Watanabe Bianca Mayumi , Setoue César Seiji , Bonato Débora , Silva Fernanda Rodrigues da , Galon José Eduardo Vitorino , Secco Karina Nogueira Dias , Felice Mariana Bueno da Silva San , Moreira Taysa
Published: August 2012

Objetivou-se relatar e discutir as experiências de um grupo de professores e alunos de graduação de Medicina sobre os estágios de iniciação científica, realizados por meio de projetos de pesquisa com métodos qualitativos, parte deles tendo a Atenção Primária à Saúde como campo de pesquisa. Contextualizando o relato, acentuou-se a história relativamente recente da iniciação científica no Brasil e, em nível mundial, a também recente utilização em mais ampla escala dos métodos qualitativos em saúde. O relato de experiência se estruturou a partir do fluxograma do processo de trabalho seguido pelos estágios de iniciação científica. Destacou-se ter havido uma relativa autonomia dos estudantes em relação à coleta de dados, mas, por outro lado, maior dependência em relação aos seus orientadores no momento de analisar e interpretar os achados. Por meio desses estágios, acredita-se que se valoriza a rede de significados presentes no processo saúde-doença-cuidado, em particular na Atenção Primária à Saúde, considerando que uma progressiva compreensão científica desse processo complexo ajuda a aperfeiçoar uma prática médica atenta às plenas necessidades de pacientes e comunidades.
Cone Beam CT (CBCT) Evaluation of Inter- and Intra-Fraction Motion for Patients Undergoing Brain Radiotherapy Immobilized using a Commercial Thermoplastic Mask on a Robotic Couch
Authors: Lightstone A. W. , Tsao May , Basran Parminder S. , Chan Gordon , Pang Geordi , Ma Lijun , Lochray Fiona , Sahgal Arjun
Published: August 2012

Patients receiving fractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for brain tumors are often immobilized with a thermoplastic mask; however, masks do not perfectly re-orient the patient due to factors including the maximum pressure which can be applied to the face, deformations of the mask assembly, patient compliance, etc. Consequently, ~3–5 mm PTV margins (beyond the CTV) are often recommended. We aimed to determine if smaller PTV margins are feasible using mask immobilization coupled with 1) a gantry mounted CBCT image guidance system and 2) position corrections provided by a full six-degree of freedom (6-DOF) robotic couch. A cohort of 34 brain tumor patients was treated with fractionated IMRT. After the mask set-up, an initial CBCT was obtained and registered to the planning CT. The robotic couch corrected the misalignments in all 6-DOF and a pre-treatment verification CBCT was then obtained. The results indicated a repositioning alignment within our threshold of 1.5 mm (3D). Treatment was subsequently delivered. A post-treatment CBCT was obtained to quantify intra-fraction motion. Initial, pre-treatment and post-treatment CBCT image data was analyzed. A total of 505 radiation fractions were delivered to the 34 patients resulting in ~1800 CBCT scans. The initial median 3D (magnitude) set-up positioning error was 2.60 mm. Robotic couch corrections reduced the 3D median error to 0.53 mm prior to treatment. Intra-fraction movement was responsible for increasing the median 3D positioning error to 0.86 mm, with 8% of fractions having a 3D positioning error greater than 2 mm. Clearly CBCT image guidance coupled with a robotic 6-DOF couch dramatically improved the positioning accuracy for patients immobilized in a thermoplastic mask system; however, such intra-fraction motion would be too large for single fraction radiosurgery.
Single Arc Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy for Complex Brain Gliomas: Is There an Advantage as Compared to Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy or by Adding a Partial Arc?
Authors: Davidson M. T. M. , Masucci G. L. , Follwell M. , Blake S. J. , Xu W. , Moseley D. J. , Sanghera P. , Wong C. S. , Perry J. , Tsao M. , Sahgal A.
Published: August 2012

The objective of this study was to determine if volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) offers advantages over intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for complex brain gliomas and evaluate the role of an additional partial arc. Twelve patients with glioma involving critical organs at risk (OAR) were selected [six low grade brainstem glioma (BG) and six glioblastoma (GB) cases]. BGs were prescribed 54 Gy/30 fractions (frx), and GB treated to 50 Gy/30 frx to a lower dose PTV (PTV50) with a simultaneous integrated boost delivering a total dose of 60 Gy/30 frx to a higher dose PTV (PTV60). VMAT was planned with a single arc (VMAT1) and with an additional coplanar partial arc spanning 90° (VMAT2). We observed VMATI improving the PTV equivalent uniform dose (EUD) for BG cases (p = 0.027), improving the V95 for the PTV50 in GB cases (p = 0.026) and resulting in more conformal GB plans (p = 0.008) as compare to IMRT. However, for the GB PTV60, IMRT achieved favorable V95 over VMAT1 and VMAT2 (0.0046 and 0.008, respectively). The GB total integral dose (ID) was significantly lower with VMAT1 and VMAT2 (p = 0.049 and p = 0.006, respectively). Both VMAT1 and VMAT2 reduced the ID, however, only at the 5 Gy threshold for BG cases (p = 0.011 and 0.005, respectively). VMAT achieved a lower spinal cord maximum dose and EUD for BG cases and higher optic nerve doses, otherwise no significant differences were observed. VMAT1 yielded the fastest treatment times and least MU. We conclude that VMAT offers faster treatment delivery for complex brain tumors while maintaining similar dosimetric qualities to IMRT. Selective dosimetric advantages in terms of spinal cord sparing and lowering the ID are observed favoring the use of an additional coplanar partial arc.
Feasibility Study of a Novel Rotational and Translational Method for Linac-Based Intensity Modulated Total Marrow Irradiation
Authors: Jiang Bo , Dai Jianrong , Zhang Ye , Zhang Ke
Published: August 2012

Conventional TBI is primarily limited by the toxicity to organs at risk because of impossibility of sparing critical organs. The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility of a novel rotational and translational IMRT method (RTM) which able to conform the radiation dose to target organs and reduce critical organ dose for TMI using linac. To assess the feasibility, we investigated the planning and delivery of total marrow irradiation (TMI) using this method. The treatment plannig study showed that target coverage was achieved with 90% of the target volume receiving 100% of the prescription dose. Doses to critical structures indicated that a 1.28- to 2.35-fold reduction in median dose is achieved with total-marrow RTM compared with conventional TBI. Delivery of Rando phantom and TLD measurement demonstrated an accurate dose delivery (ranged from −6% to 7%) to the target and critical organs. Results from this study suggests that RTM can be accurately delivered and reduce irradiation to all critical organs with good target coverage.
Proton Radiotherapy for Solid Tumors of Childhood
Authors: Cotter Shane E. , McBride Sean M. , Yock Torunn I.
Published: August 2012

The increasing efficacy of pediatric cancer therapy over the past four decades has produced many long-term survivors that now struggle with serious treatment related morbidities affecting their quality of life. Radiation therapy is responsible for a significant proportion of these late effects, but a relatively new and emerging modality, proton radiotherapy hold great promise to drastically reduce these treatment related late effects in long term survivors by sparing dose to normal tissues. Dosimetric studies of proton radiotherapy compared with best available photon based treatment show significant dose sparing to developing normal tissues. Furthermore, clinical data are now emerging that begin to quantify the benefit in decreased late treatment effects while maintaining excellent cancer control rates.
Applying Retrieval‐Induced Forgetting to Children's Testimony
Authors: Phenix Thomas L. , Price Heather L.
Published: August 2012

When a crime has been committed, investigators must obtain as much and as accurate information as possible from witnesses. Initial incomplete interviews may pose a potential cost to unretrieved information. We explored retrieval‐induced forgetting (RIF) in children's autobiographical memory for related episodic events. Children experienced four related play sessions across 4 days, followed by word stem retrieval practice of half of the items, and a cued recall task that took place either 15 minutes or 2 hours later. Categorized details were experienced either within a single day or across multiple days. The emergence of RIF was dependent upon the length of delay between practice and test phases and the temporal distribution of the episodic events. Our observations demonstrate that RIF can be a subtle phenomenon whose occurrence depends upon whether the retrieval context supports an environment of retrieval interference. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
1,10‐Phenanthroline‐Catalyzed Tandem Reaction of 2‐Iodoanilines with Isothiocyanates in Water
Authors: Zhang Wu , Yue Yun , Yu Dan , Song Lei , Xu Yang‐Yang , Tian Yu‐Jie , Guo Yu‐Jun
Published: August 2012

The 1,10‐phenanthroline‐catalyzed tandem reaction of 2‐iodoaniline with isothiocyanate in water is described, which provides an environmentally benign, efficient and simple route for the preparation of 2‐aminobenzothiazoles. The present tandem process shows broad substrate scope in the absence of transition metals and phase‐transfer catalysts.
Workplace violence and influencing factors among medical professionals in China
Authors: Wu Siying , Zhu Wei , Li Huangyuan , Lin Shaowei , Chai Wenli , Wang Xiaorong
Published: August 2012

Background

Workplace violence has attracted increasing public attention over the past few decades in China. This study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of workplace violence in healthcare settings by various job titles and hospital departments, and to explore the related risk factors among Chinese medical professionals.

Methods

A total of 2,464 medical professionals in 12 hospitals of two provinces were surveyed by using a stratified cluster sampling method. The Chinese version of the Workplace Violence Scale was used to measure the frequencies of workplace violence, classified as physical assault, emotional abuse, threat of assault, verbal sexual harassment and sexual assault experienced by the subjects over the previous 12 months. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect information on potentially influencing factors for workplace violence. Multivariate analysis was applied to determine the risk factors for workplace violence.

Results

About 50% of study subjects reported at least one type of workplace violence. The rates of experiencing two episodes or more of physical assault, emotional abuse, threat of assault, verbal sexual harassment, and sexual assault were 11%, 26%, 12%, 3%, and 1%, respectively. Identified risk factors for workplace violence included working in the departments of psychiatry, emergency, pediatrics and surgery, male gender, divorce/widowed status, long working hours (≥10 hr/day), and night shift.

Conclusions

The study suggested that workplace violence occurs commonly in Chinese healthcare settings. Effective intervention strategies targeting workplace violence should be formulated in terms of major risk factors. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:1000–1008, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Job strain and heart rate variability in resident physicians within a general hospital
Authors: Hernández‐Gaytan Sendy Isarel , Rothenberg Stephen J. , Landsbergis Paul , Becerril Leonor Cedillo , De León‐León Guillermo , Collins Sean M. , Díaz‐Vásquez Francisco Javier
Published: August 2012

Objective

To evaluate the association of heart rate variability with job strain in first year resident physicians.

Methods

We performed the study at the “Manuel Gea González” General Hospital in Mexico City. 54 resident doctors were studied over a period of 24 hr in their first year of specialization. Two questionnaires were administered: the first on general demographics, and the second, the Job Content Questionnaire. Heart rate variability was evaluated through the frequency domain (low‐frequency power, high‐frequency power, and low‐frequency power/high‐frequency power ratio) and time domain (SDNN). The doctors wore a Holter monitor over a 24‐hr period, which included a workday plus their on‐call time. They recorded their activities in a log.

Results

Compared to physicians in the “low strain” category, physicians working in the “passive” category had lower overall peak‐to‐peak cardiac variability (standard deviation of N–N intervals, SDNN), −9.08% (95% CI −17.97, 0.74), a −25% (95% CI −45.00, 0.22) lower high‐frequency power, and −26.95% (95% CI −39.00, −12.53) lower low‐frequency power. Physicians working in the “high strain” category had lower low‐frequency power, −17.85% (95%CI −32.34, −0.25), and lower low‐frequency/high‐frequency ratio −24.29% (95% CI 38.08, 7.42) compared to those in the “low strain” category.

Conclusions

High job strain and low job control among medical residents were associated with several indicators of lowered heart rate variability. Thus, analysis of heart rate variability may be an informative marker for evaluating the physiological impacts of workplace stressors. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:38–48, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
BPES with atypical premature ovarian insufficiency, and evidence of mitotic recombination, in a woman with trisomy X and a translocation t(3;11)(q22.3;q14.1)
Authors: Schlade‐Bartusiak Kamilla , Brown Lindsay , Lomax Brenda , Bruyère Hélène , Gillan Tanya , Hamilton Sara , McGillivray Barbara , Eydoux Patrice
Published: August 2012

Blepharophimosis–ptosis–epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by a complex dysgenesis of the eyelids and premature ovarian insufficiency. FOXL2 located at 3q22.3, encoding a forkhead transcription factor, is the only gene known to be responsible for BPES. We describe a patient diagnosed with BPES with atypical ovarian failure, characterized by normal levels of gonadotropins, who was found to have trisomy X as well as a translocation (3;11)(q22.3;q14.1). The translocation breakpoint at 3q22.3 is located upstream of the FOXL2 gene and most likely causes BPES by separating the FOXL2 transcription unit from its cis‐regulatory sequences. By array analysis we detected mosaicism for the balanced and an unbalanced form of the translocation in blood cells. We propose mitotic recombination as the likely mechanism of the mosaicism formation. Mitotic recombination is a common phenomenon in human cells. Thus, we hypothesize that it may be one of the mechanisms responsible for cryptic imbalances and possible abnormal phenotypes in some carriers of balanced rearrangements. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
17q12 microdeletion syndrome: Three patients illustrating the phenotypic spectrum
Authors: Dixit Abhijit , Patel Chirag , Harrison Rachel , Jarvis Joanna , Hulton Sally , Smith Nigel , Yates Katherine , Silcock Lee , McMullan Dominic J. , Suri Mohnish
Published: August 2012

Deletions of 17q12 are associated with renal cysts and maturity onset diabetes of the young, and have also been identified in women with reproductive tract anomalies due to Mullerian aplasia. Although initially identified in patients with normal cognitive ability, some patients with this recurrent microdeletion syndrome have learning problems. We identified a 17q12 microdeletion in three patients with renal cystic disease by array comparative genomic hybridization and the phenotypic spectrum of the 17q12 microdeletion syndrome is illustrated by the description of these patients. Of two patients who are old enough to be assessed, one has significant speech delay, autism spectrum disorder, and mild learning difficulty, while the other patient has only mild speech delay. This highlights the variability of cognitive involvement in this condition. The third patient presented with Alagille syndrome‐like features in the neonatal period. All three patients had transient hypercalcemia in the neonatal period, a finding that has not previously been described in this condition. Moreover, two patients have mild or no dysmorphism, while one displays striking facial dysmorphism in addition to minor congenital anomalies. We suggest that while patients with 17q12 microdeletion syndrome can present with type 2 diabetes or renal cysts without any dysmorphic features, a subgroup may have dysmorphic features or present with neonatal cholestasis. Transient neonatal hypercalcemia may be a feature of this microdeletion syndrome. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Growth in Chilean infants with chromosome 22q11 microdeletion syndrome
Authors: Guzman Maria Luisa , Delgado Iris , Lay‐Son Guillermo , Willans Edward , Puga Alonso , Repetto Gabriela M.
Published: August 2012

Chromosome 22q11 microdeletion syndrome has a wide range of clinical manifestations including congenital heart malformations, palatal defects, endocrine abnormalities, immunologic deficits, learning difficulties, and an increased predisposition to psychiatric disease. Short stature and poor weight gain in infancy are common findings and are usually seen in the absence of hormone deficiencies. An increased frequency of obesity has been observed in adolescents and adults. We generated gender‐specific growth curves from 0 to 24 months of age, based on 479 length and 475 weight measurements from 138 Chilean patients with 22q11 deletion. Final adult height and weight on 25 individuals were analyzed. The 10th, 50th, and 90th centile‐smoothed curves for infants were built using the LMS method and compared with World Health Organization Child Growth Standards. The 50th centile for length in the deleted patients was slightly lower than the 10th centile of WHO standards in boys and girls. The same was observed for weight, although a trend toward a gradual increase near 2 years of age was observed, particularly in boys. Average adult height was 152 cm (ranging from 143 to 162 cm) in females, corresponding to the 10th centiles of WHO standards, and 166 cm for males (160–172 cm), at the 20th centile of WHO standards. A third of the adult females and none of the males had body mass index (BMI) greater than 25. The curves should be useful to monitor growth in infants with 22q11 microdeletion syndrome. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genotype–phenotype correlations in 17 Chinese patients with autosomal recessive Alport syndrome
Authors: Zhang Yanqin , Wang Fang , Ding Jie , Zhang Hongwen , Zhao Dan , Yu Lixia , Xiao Huijie , Yao Yong , Zhong Xuhui , Wang Suxia
Published: August 2012

Autosomal recessive Alport syndrome (ARAS) results from mutations in the COL4A3 or COL4A4 gene. We analyzed the genotype and phenotype of 17 unrelated Chinese patients with ARAS. Clinical data were reviewed. All coding exons of COL4A3 and COL4A4 genes were PCR‐amplified and sequenced from genomic DNA. We identified pathologic mutations in all patients, giving a mutation detection rate of 100%, with 82% in COL4A3 gene and 18% in COL4A4 gene. Sixteen novel mutations in COL4A3 gene and four novel mutations in COL4A4 gene were identified. Furthermore, a previously reported in‐frame deletion mutation (40_63del24) in exon 1 of the COL4A3 gene was found in four patients in our study. A single 40_63del24 mutation in COL4A3 seems to result in mild or no renal manifestations, whereas the homozygous state of 40_63del24 in COL4A3 gene or compound heterozygous mutation of 40_63del24 plus another nonsense or frameshift mutation in COL4A3 gene seems to result severe ARAS with hearing loss. Half of the probands' parents had hematuria with or without mild proteinuria. Therefore, we recommend that ARAS be considered when a patient has a positive family history of hematuria, and screening for COL4A3 mutations firstly may be an efficient strategy for molecular diagnosis of ARAS. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ZNF804A and schizophrenia susceptibility in Asian populations
Authors: Li Ming , Shi Cui‐Juan , Shi Yong‐Yong , Luo Xiong‐Jian , Zheng Xue‐Bin , Li Zhi‐Qiang , Liu Jian‐Jun , Chong Siow‐Ann , Lee Jimmy , Wang Yi , Liu Xing‐Yan , Yin Li‐De , Pu Xing‐Fu , Diao Hong‐Bo , Xu Qi , Su Bing
Published: August 2012

ZNF804A, a recently identified risk gene for schizophrenia, has been extensively investigated and the principle finding for this locus has been the association with SNP rs1344706 in populations of European ancestries. However, in Asian populations, only a few studies have been conducted for rs1344706 and the results were inconsistent. Here, we studied rs1344706 and schizophrenia susceptibility in multiple Asian case–control samples (10 Chinese and 2 Japanese samples; N = 21,062), and the meta‐analyses indicated non‐significant association of rs1344706 with schizophrenia (P = 0.26), suggesting the same SNP identified in European samples is not predisposing risk in Asians. Further genotyping and association analyses of a set of SNPs spanning the entire genomic region of ZNF804A (520 kb) identified no association except for SNP rs359895 (P = 7.8 × 10−5, N = 5,172), a newly reported risk SNP located in the ZNF804A promoter region with functional implications. This suggests that ZNF804A may also contribute to schizophrenia susceptibility in Asians although the risk SNP is different from that in Europeans, and it was supported by the detected up‐regulation of ZNF804A mRNA expression in the blood cells of Chinese schizophrenia patients compared with normal controls (P = 0.004). Additionally, the linkage disequilibrium (LD) structure analyses using data from HapMap indicated distinct LD blocks across ZNF804A between Chinese and Europeans, which may explain the different association patterns between them, and also highlight the compounding difficulty of genetic studies of complex diseases like schizophrenia when studying multiple ethnic populations. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The mitochondrial genome and psychiatric illness
Authors: Anglin Rebecca E.S. , Mazurek Michael F. , Tarnopolsky Mark A. , Rosebush Patricia I.
Published: August 2012

Psychiatric disorders are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, yet their underlying pathophysiology remains unclear. Searches for a genetic cause of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder have yielded inconclusive results. There is increasing interest in the possibility that defects in the mitochondrial genome may play an important role in psychiatric illness. We undertook a review of the literature investigating mitochondria and adult psychiatric disorders. MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and EMBASE were searched from their inception through September 2011, and the reference lists of identified articles were reviewed for additional studies. While multiple lines of evidence, including clinical, genetic, ultrastructural, and biochemical studies, support the involvement of mitochondria in the pathophysiology of psychiatric illness, many studies have methodological limitations and their findings have not been replicated. Clinical studies suggest that psychiatric features can be prominent, and the presenting features of mitochondrial disorders. There is limited but inconsistent evidence for the involvement of mitochondrial DNA haplogroups and mitochondria‐related nuclear gene polymorphisms, and for mitochondrial ultrastructural and biochemical abnormalities in psychiatric illness. The current literature suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondrial genetic variations may play an important role in psychiatric disorders, but additional methodologically rigorous and adequately powered studies are needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New clay‐supported Ziegler–Natta catalyst for preparation of PE/Clay nanocomposites via in situ polymerization
Authors: Abedi Sadegh , Abdouss Majid , Nekoomanesh‐Haghighi Mehdi , Sharifi‐Sanjani Naser
Published: August 2012

Polyethylene/clay (PE/Clay) nanocomposites were prepared by the in situ polymerization of ethylene using the new Clay/butyl octyl magnesium (BOM)/Chloroform/EtOH/TiCl4/tri ethyl aluminum (TEA) catalyst system in heptane where BOM and TEA were the support for the clay modification and cocatalyst, respectively. The influence of the modified clay using BOM on the catalyst and polymerization was investigated. Also, the effect of temperature, pressure, hydrogen, and the molar ratios of TEA/Ti on the catalyst yield and ethylene consumption (polymerization rate) were studied. It was found that the above clay‐supported catalyst was an efficient Ziegler–Natta type catalyst due to its suitable yield for the polymerization of ethylene toward the production of the PE/Clay nanocomposites. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Temperature dependence of fracture behavior of PA6/OMMT nanocomposites
Authors: Monami A. , Reincke K. , Grellmann W. , Kretzschmar B.
Published: August 2012

The aim of this work was to characterize the fracture behavior of polyamide 6 (PA6) and PA6 reinforced with clay (organically modified montmorillonite) [PA6/OMMT] at different temperatures and under higher loading rate. Pure PA6 and PA6 with different amounts and two types of OMMT were investigated. The structure and morphology of the nanocomposites were analyzed by X‐ray diffraction technique and transmission electron microscopy. The fracture behavior was evaluated using the instrumented Charpy impact test at different temperatures starting from −30 °C up to 50 °C. To determine the fracture toughness KId at higher temperatures, the equivalent‐energy concept was used. Based on the J‐value versus temperature diagrams, the brittle‐to‐tough transition temperature TBTT of the materials was determined. It was found that the crack toughness as a function of temperature and the TBTT are influenced by the content of OMMT and the morphology. There are indications that at low OMMT contents, the deformation behavior is dominated by the matrix properties. With increasing filler content, the influence of the nanostructure on TBTT increases. The crack toughness of the nanocomposites with an intercalated morphology is higher than that of exfoliated ones, due to additional energy‐dissipating mechanisms. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci, 2013
Plasma polymerization‐modified bacterial polyhydroxybutyrate nanofibrillar scaffolds
Authors: Karahaliloğlu Zeynep , Demirbilek Murat , Şam Mesut , Erol‐Demirbilek Melike , Sağlam Necdet , Denkbaş Emir Baki
Published: August 2012

The design and the development of novel scaffold materials for tissue engineering have attracted much interest in recent years. Especially, the prepared nanofibrillar scaffold materials from biocompatible and biodegradable polymers by electrospinning are promising materials to be used in biomedical applications. In this study, we propose to produce low‐cost and cell‐friendly bacterial electrospun PHB polymeric scaffolds by using Alcaligenes eutrophus DSM 545 strain to PHB production. The produced PHB was characterized by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Nanofibrous scaffolds were fabricated via electrospinning method that has a fiber diameter approximately 700–800 nm. To investigate cell attachment, cell growth, and antioxidant enzyme activity on positively and negatively charged PHB scaffold, PHB surface was modified by plasma polymerization technique using polyethylene glycol (PEG) and ethylenediamine (EDA). According to the results of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity study, PEG‐modified nanofibrillar scaffolds indicated more cellular resistance against oxidative stress compared to the EDA modification. As can be seen in cell proliferation results, EDA modification enhanced the cell proliferation more than PEG modification, while PEG modification is better as compared with nonmodified scaffolds. In general, through plasma polymerization technique, surface modified nanofibrillar structures are effective substrates for cell attachment and outgrowth. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Solidification behavior of high‐density polyethylene during injection molding process: Enthalpy transformation method
Authors: Yang Bin , Miao Ji‐Bin , Min Kai , Xia Ru , Qian Jia‐Sheng , Wang Xing
Published: August 2012

It was widely established that many end‐use properties of the final parts are considerably affected by the macromolecular hierarchical structures formed during the cooling stage of injection molding, especially for crystalline polymers which undergo both solidification and crystallization processes simultaneously. Enthalpy transformation method (ETM) has been demonstrated to give the reasonable descriptions of the temperature profiles for real processing operations (e.g., injection molding, gas‐assisted injection molding, and compression molding, etc.) in our previous work. However, to observe the phase‐change plateau, where rapid cooling rate is imposed, is not easy in traditional treatments using the enthalpy approach. In this work, “modified cooling curves” (i.e., temperature versus time, plotted in logarithmic scale) at various locations in the mold cavity were found to show similar trend with an obvious turning point indicating the occurrence of phase transition. Mold temperature is more effective in controlling the cooling rate than melt temperature. Turing point of the cooling curves in the plot of ln θ vs. ln t can be used to estimate the minimum cooling time of the injection molding of crystalline polymers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013