Mosaicism of autosomes and sex chromosomes in morphologically normal,monospermic preimplantation human embryos

We have previously detected chromosome abnormalities in human embryos whilst identifying the sex for preimplantation diagnosis of X-linked disease. In this study we assess the incidence of these abnormalities, both for sex chromosomes and autosomes 1 and 17, using dual fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Sixty-nine normally fertilized embryos of good morphology at the 6–10 cell stage (day 3 post-insemination) were examined. The embryos were spread whole using HCl and Tween 20 to dissolve the cytoplasm. Thirty-four embryos were analysed for the sex chromosomes and 35 for autosomes 1 and 17. All probes were directly labelled with fluorochromes allowing analysis in 2 h. Control lymphocytes demonstrated that the probes were of high specificity. For the sex chromosomes, five embryos were mosaic (15 per cent) with the remaining 29 being uniformly XX or XY. In no case was an XX nucleus found in an otherwise XY embryo, indicating that even though mosaicism for the sex chromosomes is present, such abnormalities would not lead to a misdiagnosis of sex. For the autosomes, 16 embryos were abnormal (46 per cent); one embryo was triploid, one was monosomic for chromosome 1, and ten others were diploid mosaics (three diploid/aneuploid, three diploid/polyploid, and four diploid/haploid). A further four embryos had variable chromosome numbers in the majority of nuclei which appeared to be the result of uncontrolled mitotic division. The presence of haploidy or double monosomy, which occurred in 15 per cent of nuclei, has important implications for the diagnosis of trisomies and dominant disorders.     

Antenatal sonographic diagnosis of arthrogryposis multiplex Congenita

Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC) was suspected on ultrasound examination of a fetus at 30·5 weeks of gestation. The criteria for establishing this prenatal diagnosis as well as the importance of establishing the diagnosis at any gestational age are discussed. The diagnosis of AMC was confirmed at birth in this case.     

The accumulation of a chemical cue: nest-entrance trail in the German yellowjacket, Vespula germanica

Vespine wasps have been shown to deposit an attractive chemical in the nest entrance. Foragers use this to help locate the nest when returning to it. We determined how many individuals need to track (pass through) the entrance before the chemical is recognized. We found a logistic response as the number of tracks increased. At 200 tracks and above there was a 75–90% positive response rate to the chemical. We found no evidence of trail-marking behavior performed by foragers inside the nest entrance. We conclude that the trail is not an evolved signal, but is a cue composed of an accumulation of hydrocarbons deposited from the legs or feet of workers as they walk on a substrate. This is the first quantitative measurement of the attractiveness of the nest-entrance chemical in a social wasp.     

环境危机管理经验研究

环境危机通常通过推动采用预防危机反复出现,并提高社会对危机事件迅速有效反应能力的措施,而成为改善环境管理的催化剂.回顾了美国、欧洲与日本的几个环境危机事例以及国家调整性政策的改变.总结出进行环境危机管理工作应该考虑:①紧急准备要求国家与地方权力机构应该通过仔细监测工业用有害化学品的使用情况、使用结果与运输情况,以及可能带来的环境影响,了解其潜在的环境灾难.要求从事可能会带来环境危机活动的责任方证明其已经制定了综合有效的应急反应计划.②排放有害物质的责任方要负责承担补救环境与人类健康损失所花费的全额成本.建立有效的责任计划可以推动对预防环境危机措施方面的投资.③发生环境危机时,采取的最基本措施是及时将有关危机性质与范围等情况通告应急反应权力机构及公众.以提高应急反应能力,保持公众的信任.④吸取经验预防环境危机事件再发生.独立调查委员会要探索发生环境事故的原因,并为预防工作提供意见或建议.⑤政府与行业有责任采取措施保护公众免受与有害物质排放和其他有害活动相关的潜在危害;在事故发生时能及时反应并使损害达到最低;对人类健康与环境造的成损害提供赔偿.     

Mesoscale meteorological modelling for Hong Kong-application of the MC2 model

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An experiment on the economic value of visibility

This paper reports on the development and application of an iterative bidding technique to examine proposed visibility reductions in the Four Corners Region of the southwest United States. The iterative bidding technique is a method to elicit honest bids for “goods” not priced in formal markets. Four issues associated with direct revelation of preferences for environmental goods are explored: (1) the establishment of linkages between the physical parameters of visibility and representation of the “good” called visibility to individuals for valuation purposes; (2) a systematic test for both observed and induced biases associated with the interative bidding technique; (3) replication of the results of previous experiments; and (4) reporting of empirical divergences between compensating and equivalent surplus measures of consumer surplus.     

Self-reported occupational blood exposure among paramedics in Poland: a pilot study

Introduction. Paramedics are at risk of occupational blood exposure, increased by the immediacy of provided treatment. However, the issue has not been acknowledged to date by any research in Europe. Methods. This research aimed at assessing occupational blood exposure among paramedics in Poland. Respondents represented 21 Polish medical institutions. Their participation was voluntary and anonymous. Paramedics were provided with a self-directed job-specific questionnaire adapted to Polish conditions from an original US version. Results. 118 paramedics participated in the study from institutions constituting the National Emergency Medical System in Poland; including ambulance crews, Helicopter Emergency Medical Services and emergency department employees. Occupational exposure was reported by 18.64% of respondents and the main route of exposure was needlestick events. Conclusions. There is a further need to improve education among paramedics concerning the threat of being infected with blood-borne pathogens through all existing routes. Our findings point to the problem as being hidden and considered a shameful issue.     

Reciprocation wary employees discount psychological contract fulfillment

The present study examined the moderating role of reciprocation wariness in the association of employees' psychological contract fulfillment with psychosomatic strain and voluntary turnover, as mediated by perceived organizational support. To study these relationships longitudinally, 169 graduating college seniors were surveyed upon job acceptance and again 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 18 months following the start of employment. The findings showed that psychological contract fulfillment was positively related to perceived organizational support. However, this positive relationship was eliminated by reciprocation wariness, and this influence was carried over to psychosomatic strain and voluntary turnover. Thus, it appears that reciprocation wariness leads employees to discount psychological contract fulfillment as an indication of the organization's valuation and caring. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.