A Highly Efficient Solvent-Free Asymmetric Direct Aldol Reaction Organocatalyzed by Recoverable (s)-Binam-L-Prolinamides. ESI-MS Evidence of the Enamine-Iminium Formation

Recoverable (Sa)-binam-l-prolinamide in combination with benzoic acid is used as catalysts in the direct aldol reaction between cycloalkyl, alkyl, and α-functionalized ketones and aldehydes under solvent-free reaction conditions. Three different methods are assayed: simple conventional magnetic stirring, magnetic stirring after previous dissolution in THF and evaporation, and ball mill technique. These procedures allow one to reduce not only the amount of required ketone to 2 equiv but also the reaction time to give the aldol products with regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivities comparable to those in organic or aqueous solvents. Generally anti-isomers are mainly obtained with enantioselectivities up to 97%. The reaction can be carried out under these conditions also using aldehydes as nucleophiles, yielding after in situ reduction of the aldol products the corresponding chiral 1,3-diols with moderate to high enantioselectivities mainly as anti-isomers. The aldol reaction has been studied by the use of positive ESI-MS technique, providing the evidence of the formation of the corresponding enamine−iminium intermediates.

Integrating Evidence-Based Practice in the Training Programme Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, University Jaume I

The Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) aims to combine a form methodological process of professional experience in health with the most current information on the clinical situation. The professional novice can make better decisions despite lacking sufficient years in clinical practice. We then train the student in correct habits within the methodological process by which you can strengthen both their knowledge and their attitude and ability, allowing secure customs, where all of your work is based on PBE.

The Determinants of Country Risk in Eastern European Countries. Evidence from Sovereign Bond Spreads. Bruges European Economic Research (BEER) Papers 8/November 2006

The paper studies country risk in two Central and Eastern European countries - Bulgaria and Poland. The long run relationship between the yield differential (spread) of Eastern European national bonds (denominated in US dollars) over a US Treasury bond on one the hand and the country’s fundamentals as well as an US interest rate on the other hand, is examined. The cointegrated VAR model is used. First, the yield differentials are analyzed on a country by country basis to extract stochastic trends which are common for all bonds in a given country. Thereafter, the risk is disentangled into country and higher level risk. This paper is among the first ones which use time series data to study the evidence from sovereign bond spreads in Eastern Europe.

Geochemistry and stable isotope record of the hydtrothermally altered lower sheeted dike complex in ODP Hole 140-504B

Drilling during Legs 137 and 140 of the Ocean Drilling Program deepened Hole 504B, the only hole to penetrate through the volcanic section and into the underlying hydrothermally altered sheeted dike complex, by 438.1 m to a total depth of 2000.4 meters below seafloor. This paper presents the secondary mineralogy, bulk-rock sulfur contents, and stable isotopic (O, S) compositions, plus oxygen isotopic compositions of secondary minerals from the lower sheeted dike complex drilled during Legs 137 and 140. Various evidence indicates higher temperatures of hydrothermal alteration in the lower dikes than in the upper dikes, including: the local presence of secondary clinopyroxene in the lower dikes; secondary anorthite and hornblende in the lower dikes vs. mainly actinolite and albite-oligoclase in the upper dikes; generally increasing Al and Ti contents of amphibole downward in the dike section; and greater 18O depletions of the lower dikes (d18O = 3.6-5.0 per mil) compared with the upper dikes. Early high-temperature alteration stages (T = 350°-500°C) resulted in 18O depletions and losses of metals (Cu, Zn) and sulfur from the rocks. Local incorporation of reduced seawater sulfate led to elevated d34S values of sulfide in the rocks (up to 2.5 per mil). Quartz + epidote formed in crosscutting veins at temperatures of 310°-320°C from more evolved fluids (d18O = 1 per mil). Late-stage lower-temperature (~250°C) reactions producing albite, prehnite, and zeolites in the rocks caused slight 18O enrichments, but these were insufficient to offset the 18O depletions caused by earlier higher-temperature reactions. Addition of anhydrite to the rocks during seawater recharge led to increased S contents of rocks that had previously lost S during axial hydrothermal alteration, and to further increases in d34S values of total S in the rocks (up to 12 per mil). Despite the evidence for seawater recharge to near the base of the sheeted dike complex, the paucity of late zeolites in the lower dikes suggests that late-stage, off-axis circulation was mainly restricted to the volcanics and shallowest dikes, or to localized high-permeability zones (faults) at depth.

A Knowledge-based System for Intelligent Support in Pharmacogenomics Evidence Assessment: Ontology-driven Evidence Representation, Retrieval, Classification and Interpretation

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2016-06

Occupational therapy and evidence-based practice in mental health

Evidence-based practice (EBP) represents a paradigm shift in health care. This review has two aims. The first is to consider the merits of EBP,especially in respect of its use in mental health settings. The second is both to identify psychosocial interventions that have an established evidence base for effectiveness and to provide an analysis of the quality of this evidence and its implications for occupational therapy. Supported employment, family psychoeducation, assertive case management and integrated substance use treatment are examined in detail. It is proposed that occupational therapists working in mental health give priority to psychosocial interventions that are based on evidence and incorporate these into their practice. It is further proposed that, in implementing EBP,practitioners take an active evaluating position in relation to published evidence, paying particular attention to the evidence of effectiveness in equivalent clinical environments.

The preparation and characterization of tin(IV) complexes of 2-quinolinecarboxaldehyde Schiff bases of S-methyl- and S-benzyldithiocarbazates and the X-ray crystal and molecular structures of the 2-quinolinecarboxaldehyde Schiff base of S-benzyldithi

New tin(IV) complexes of empirical formula, Sn(NNS)I-3 (NNS = anionic forms of the 2-quinolinecarboxaldehyde Schiff bases of S-methyl- and S-benzyldithiocarbazate) have been prepared and characterized by a variety of physico-chemical techniques. In the solid state, the Schiff bases exist as the thione tautomer but in solution and in the presence of tin(IV) iodide they convert to the thiol tautomer and coordinate to the tin atom in their deprotonated thiolate forms. The structures of the free ligand, Hqaldsbz and its triiodotin(IV) complex, [Sn(qaldsbz)I-3] have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The complex, [Sn(qaldsbz)I-3] has a distorted octahedral structure with the Schiff base coordinated to the tin atom as a uninegatively charged tridentate chelating agent via the quinoline nitrogen atom, the azomethine nitrogen atom and the thiolate sulfur atom. The three iodo ligands are coordinated meridionally to the tin atom. The distortion from an ideal octahedral geometry of [Sn(qaldsbz)I-3] is attributed to the restricted bite size of the tridentate Schiff base ligand. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Association between polymorphisms in the progesterone receptor gene and endometriosis

The progesterone receptor (PR) is a candidate gene for the development of endometriosis, a complex disease with strong hormonal features, common in women of reproductive age. We typed the 306 base pair Alu insertion (AluIns) polymorphism in intron G of PR in 101 individuals, estimated linkage disequilibrium (LD) between five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the PR locus in 980 Australian triads (endometriosis case and two parents) and used transmission disequilibrium testing (TDT) for association with endometriosis. The five SNPs showed strong pairwise LD, and the AluIns was highly correlated with proximal SNPs rs1042839 ({Delta}2 = 0.877, D9 = 1.00, P < 0.0001) and rs500760 ({Delta}2 = 0.438, D9 = 0.942, P < 0.0001). TDT showed weak evidence of allelic association between endometriosis and rs500760 (P = 0.027) but not in the expected direction. We identified a common susceptibility haplotype GGGCA across the five SNPs (P = 0.0167) in the whole sample, but likelihood ratio testing of haplotype transmission and non-transmission of the AluIns and flanking SNPs showed no significant pattern. Further, analysis of our results pooled with those from two previous studies suggested that neither the T2 allele of the AluIns nor the T1/T2 genotype was associated with endometriosis.

Quantifying aphasic people's social lives in the context of non-aphasic peers

Background: Developing the knowledge base on the impact of aphasia on people's social lives has become increasingly important in recent times to further our understanding of the broad consequences of communication disability and thus provide appropriate services. Past research clearly indicates that relationships and social activities with family members and others undergo change with the onset of aphasia in an individual, however more evidence of a quantitative nature would be beneficial. Aims: The current research furthers our knowledge by quantifying chronically aphasic older people's regular social contacts and social activities, and places them in context by comparing them with healthy older people of similar age and education. Methods & Procedures: A total of 30 aphasic participants aged 57 to 88 years, and 71 non-aphasic controls aged 62 to 98 years were interviewed by a speech and language therapist using self-report measures of Social Network Analysis (Antonucci & Akiyama, 1987) and Social Activities Checklist (Cruice, 2001, in Worrall & Hickson, 2003). Demographic information was also collected. Descriptive statistics are presented and independent samples t tests were used to examine differences between the groups. Outcomes & Results: Participants with primarily mild to moderate aphasic impairment reported a considerable range of social contacts (5-51) and social activities (8-18). Many significant differences were evident between the two groups' social contacts and activities. On average, aphasic participants had nine fewer social contacts (mainly friend'' relationships) and three fewer social activities (mainly leisure'' activities) than their non-aphasic peers. The majority of controls were satisfied with their social activities, whereas the majority of aphasic participants were not and wanted to be doing more. There were some general similarities between the groups, in terms of range of social contacts, overall pattern of social relationships, and core social activities. Conclusions: Older people with chronic aphasia had significantly fewer social contacts and social activities than their peers. People with aphasia expressed a desire to increase the social activity of their lives. Given the importance of leisure activity and relationships with friends as well as family for positive well-being, speech and language therapists may direct their rehabilitation efforts towards two areas: (1) conversational partner programmes training friends to maintain these relationships; and (2) encouraging and supporting aphasic clients in leisure activities of their choice.

Computational analysis of base composition pattern and promoter elements in the putative promoter regions in relation to expression profiles of 682 human genes on chromosome 22

The base composition pattern (BCP) in the putative promoter region (PPRs) up to 5 Kb lengths of 682 human genes on Chromosome 22 (Chr22) was examined. Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) functions were designed to delineate the DNA base composition, with four major patterns identified. It is found that 17.6% genes include TATA box, 28.0% GC box, 18.9% CAAT box and 38.4% CpG islands, and approximately 10% genes have one of four putative initiator (Inr) motifs. The occurrence of the promoter elements is tightly associated with the base composition features in the promoter regions, and the associations of the base composition features with occurrence of the promoter elements in the promoter regions mediate tissue-wide expression of the genes in human. The occurrence of two or more promoter elements in the promoter regions is required for the medium- and wide-range expression profiles of the human genes on Chr22. Thus, the reported data shed light on the characteristics of the PPRs of the human genes on Chr22, which may improve our understanding of regulatory roles of the PPRs with occurrence of the promoter elements in gene expression.

Evidence for sensitisation of DNA to oxidative damage during isolation

The oxidative base lesion 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) has been identified in DNA isolated from normal tissue and may occur at elevated levels during disease. However, the use of phenol during DNA extraction may artificially elevate the detected levels of this lesion. Herein, we have performed a comparative methodological study using both pronase E and phenol extraction techniques; native or oxidatively stressed DNA was isolated to determine the validity of each extraction technique for the subsequent determination of 8-oxo-dG. Whilst the yields of DNA were comparable, after pronase E extraction there was no detectable induction of 8-oxo-dG in reextracted naked DNA or peripheral blood mononuclear cell DNA that had been oxidatively stressed. However, phenol extraction enhanced the basal levels of 8-oxo-dG detected, and also induced a significant increase in levels of the modified base after exposure to oxidative stress. The latter was dependent on the presence of foetal calf serum in the extracellular medium. We have confirmed that phenol extraction sensitises native DNA to subsequent oxidative damage. In addition, this work shows that the extent of sensitisation occurring during phenol extraction varies with the degree of oxidative damage already incurred and infers that labile guanine sites generated during oxidative stress may be detected as 8-oxo-dG residues after phenol extraction.

ROS as signalling molecules in T cells - Evidence for abnormal redox signalling in the autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis

Reactive oxygen species are recognised as important signalling molecules within cells of the immune system. This is, at least in part, due to the reversible activation of kinases, phosphatases and transcription factors by modification of critical thiol residues. However, in the chronic inflammatory disease rheumatoid arthritis, cells of the immune system are exposed to increased levels of oxidative stress and the T cell becomes refractory to growth and death stimuli. This contributes to the perpetuation of the immune response. As many of the effective therapies used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis modulate intracellular redox state, this raises the question of whether increased oxidative stress is causative of T-cell hyporesponsiveness. To address this hypothesis, this review considers the putative sources of ROS involved in normal intracellular signalling in T cells and the evidence in support of abnormal ROS fluxes contributing to T-cell hyporesponsiveness. © W. S. Maney & Son Ltd.

International technology transfer and collaborative new product development:evidence and a case from the machine tool industry

In recent years, it has become increasingly common for companies to improve their competitiveness and find new markets by extending their operations through international new product development collaborations involving technology transfer. Technology development, cost reduction and market penetration are seen as the foci in such collaborative operations with the aim being to improve the competitive position of both partners. In this paper, the case of technology transfer through collaborative new product development in the machine tool sector is used to provide a typical example of such partnerships. The paper outlines the links between the operational aspects of collaborations and their strategic objectives. It is based on empirical data collected from the machine tool industries in the UK and China. The evidence includes longitudinal case studies and questionnaire surveys of machine tool manufacturers in both countries. The specific case of BSA Tools Ltd and its Chinese partner the Changcheng Machine Tool Works is used to provide an in-depth example of the operational development of a successful collaboration. The paper concludes that a phased coordination of commercial, technical and strategic interactions between the two partners is essential for such collaborations to work.

The professional role of breast cancer nurses in multi-disciplinary breast cancer care teams

Since the 1970s breast cancer services have witnessed considerable changes in the management of patients. One significant change was the introduction of specialist core personnel, including the breast care nurse (BCN). The role of the BCN has been gaining credence rapidly in the British NHS and this service is perhaps the paradigm of care for other services. With the lack of specific evidence of the role of specialist nurses in the breast care team, the current study aims to explore this area by in-depth interviews with core team members, and observations of 16 multi-disciplinary teams in England. The study explores the following themes: Nurses' unique informal management leadership role in ensuring the co-ordination, communication and planning of the team work; nurses' innovatory role in making the bureaucracy respond to patients and their relatives needs; nurses supportive role in the provision of expert advice and guidance to other members of the team; nurses confidence and humour in well-performing teams; and the limitations of the professional role of the breast cancer nurse. This study indicates that there is evidence that the BCN is practicing at an advanced level of practice. However, there is a severe lack of evidence-based description of that advanced practice. Cancer nurses including the BCNs should develop and participate in programmes of research in line with cancer legislation in order to build an evidence base that ultimately supports their unique role. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Managing people and performance:An evidence based framework applied to health service organizations

People and their performance are key to an organization's effectiveness. This review describes an evidence-based framework of the links between some key organizational influences and staff performance, health and well-being. This preliminary framework integrates management and psychological approaches, with the aim of assisting future explanation, prediction and organizational change. Health care is taken as the focus of this review, as there are concerns internationally about health care effectiveness. The framework considers empirical evidence for links between the following organizational levels: 1. Context (organizational culture and inter-group relations; resources, including staffing; physical environment) 2. People management (HRM practices and strategies; job design, workload and teamwork; employee involvement and control over work; leadership and support) 3. Psychological consequences for employees (health and stress; satisfaction and commitment; knowledge, skills and motivation) 4. Employee behaviour (absenteeism and turnover; task and contextual performance; errors and near misses) 5. Organizational performance; patient care. This review contributes to an evidence base for policies and practices of people management and performance management. Its usefulness will depend on future empirical research, using appropriate research designs, sufficient study power and measures that are reliable and valid.