This study investigates the defining features that distinguish workplace bullying from interpersonal conflict - being frequency, negative social behaviour, power imbalance, length and perceived ...intent - by contrasting the characteristics of conflict incidents in a group of workplace bullying victims versus a group of non-victims. A group of 47 victims and 62 non-victims were identified based on a questionnaire time 1 and time 2 (time lag of 6 months). The conflict incidents were assessed between time 1 and time 2 using an event-based diary study that was filled out for a period of two times 20 working days with a break of 4 months in between. Hierarchical linear modelling (HLM) showed that conflict incidents differed for victims versus non-victims, in line with the defining aspects of workplace bullying: victims' conflict incidents related more to the work context and included more personal and work-related negative social behaviour. Victims perceived more inferiority and less control in the conflicts, indicated more continuation of previous conflict incidents and reported more negative intentions from their opponent. These findings validate the conceptual differentiation between interpersonal conflict and workplace bullying, while at the same time adhering to their related nature.
Rovral® is a fungicide used to control pests that affect various crops and little is known regarding its effects on embryonic development of amniotes. Thus, this study aimed to determine the ...influence of Rovral® during chicken organogenesis using acute in ovo contamination. Fertilized eggs were inoculated with different concentrations of Rovral® (100, 300, 500 or 750 µl/ml), injected into the egg's air chamber. After 7 days, embryos were examined for possible malformations, staging, weight and mortality. Subsequently, head, trunk, limbs and eyes were measured for morphometry and asymmetry. For blood analysis, eggs were treated with 300 µl/ml Rovral® and glucose, presence of micronuclei and erythrocyte nuclei abnormalities determined. Treatments with Rovral® affected the mortality rate in a concentration-dependent manner. LC
50
value was found to be 596 µl/ml which represents 397-fold higher than the recommended concentration for use. Rovral® produced several malformations including hemorrhagic, ocular and cephalic abnormalities. No significant changes were observed in body weight, staging, body measurements, symmetry and glucose levels of live embryos, which indicates this fungicide presents low toxicity under the analyzed conditions. Changes in erythrocyte nuclei were noted; however significant difference was observed only for presence of binucleated erythrocytes. It is important to point out that possibly more significant changes may have occurred at lower concentrations through chronic contamination. Therefore, caution is needed in the use of this fungicide, since it presents teratogenic and mutagenic potential.
Muscle-eye-brain disease (MEB, OMIM 253280) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a distinct triad of congenital muscular dystrophy, structural eye abnormalities, and cobblestone ...lissencephaly. Clinically, MEB patients present with early onset muscular hypotonia, severely compromised motor development, and mental retardation. Magnetic resonance imaging reveals a lissencephaly type II with hypoplasia of the brainstem and cerebellum. MEB is associated with mutations in the gene for protein O-mannose beta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (POMGnT1, OMIM 606822). In this paper, we report the clinical findings of nine MEB patients from eight families. Eight of the nine patients presented typical features of MEB. However, a broad phenotypic variability was observed, ranging from two patients with severe autistic features to another patient with an unusually mild phenotype, initially diagnosed as congenital muscular dystrophy. Furthermore, severe hydrocephalus was reported in two families during a previous pregnancy, emphasizing the phenotypic overlap with Walker-Warburg syndrome. In addition to three previously reported mutations, we identified six novel POMGnT1 mutations (one missense, five truncating) in the present patient cohort. Our data suggest mutational hotspots within the minimal catalytic domain at arginine residue 442 (exon 16) and in intron 17. It is interesting to note that all mutations analyzed so far result in a complete loss of enzyme activity. Therefore, we conclude that the type and position of the POMGnT1 mutations are not of predictive value for the clinical severity. This supports the notion that additional environmental and/or genetic factors may contribute to the observed broad spectrum of POMGnT1-associated phenotypes.
Due to impressive market growth over several decades, consulting can today be regarded as an influential industry. In spite of this success, consulting is confronted with prejudices, which, to some ...extent, can be linked to difficulties in the evaluation of consulting services. By guaranteeing certain qualification levels, professionalism is generally considered useful for reducing this kind of uncertainty. In this chapter, using a German case as an example, we analyze professionalization efforts among consultants. We argue that these efforts will never be successful if the classical concept of professionalism is applied. However, seen from the perspective of the 'new professionalism' that concentrates on work behaviour, consultants qualify as highly professional. Adapted from the source document.
Potamotrygonidae is a representative family of South American freshwater elasmobranchs. Cytogenetic studies were performed in a Potamotrygon species from the middle Negro River, Amazonas, Brazil, ...here named as Potamotrygon sp. C. Mitotic and meiotic chromosomes were analyzed using conventional staining techniques, C-banding, and detection of the nucleolus organizing regions (NOR) with Silver nitrate (Ag-NOR). The diploid number was distinct between sexes, with males having 2n = 67 chromosomes, karyotype formula 19m + 8sm + 10st + 30a, and fundamental number (FN) = 104, and females having 2n = 68 chromosomes, karyotype formula 20m + 8sm + 10st + 30a, and FN = 106. A large chromosome, corresponding to pair number two in the female karyotype, was missing in the male complement. Male meiotic cells had 33 bivalents plus a large univalent chromosome in metaphase I, and n = 33 and n = 34 chromosomes in metaphase II. These characteristics are consistent with a sex chromosome system of the XX/XO type. Several Ag-NOR sites were identified in both male and female karyotypes. Positive C-banding was located only in the centromeric regions of the chromosomes. This sex chromosome system, which rarely occurs in fish, is now being described for the first time among the freshwater rays of the Amazon basin.
Four populations of Astyanax aff. fasciatus of the upper rio Tibagi (municipal district of Ponta Grossa, Paraná State, Brazil), had their karyotypes and morphometry analyzed. The cytogenetic data ...show the occurrence of distinct karyotypes (cytotypes), here named cytotype A, with 2n=48 chromosomes (6m+18sm+14st+10a), cytotype B, with 2n=50 chromosomes (8m+18sm+14st+10a) and cytotype C, with 2n=50 chromosomes (8m+18sm+14st+10a). The distribution pattern of the constitutive heterochromatin was very similar between cytotypes A and B, but diverged in relation to cytotype C. Distinct cytotypes may occur in sympatry in the upper rio Tibagi region, with the exception of the Furna 2 sample, which presents cytotype A exclusively. In addition, a specimen with 2n=49 chromosomes (7m+18sm+14st+10a) was also found and, by the characteristics presented, may be a consequence of a rare hybridization event between cytotypes A and B. The morphometric analyses of canonical variates indicate a consistent isolation of the Furna 2 sample, while the other samples seem to be superimposed, indicating a possible gene flow or even a recent isolation event. This model points to a probable complex of cryptic species in the studied region.
Quatro populações de Astyanax aff. fasciatus do alto rio Tibagi (município de Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brasil) foram citogeneticamente e morfometricamente analisadas. Os dados citogenéticos mostram a ocorrência de distintos cariótipos (citótipos), aqui nomeados citótipo A, com 2n=48 (6m+18sm+14st+10a), citótipo B, com 2n=50 (8m+18sm+14st+10a) e citótipo C, com 2n=50 cromossomos (8m+18sm+14st+10a). O padrão de distribuição da heterocromatina constitutiva foi muito similar entre os citótipos A e B, mas mostrou-se divergente em relação ao citótipo C. Citótipos distintos podem ocorrer em simpatria na região do alto rio Tibagi, com exceção da amostra da Furna 2, a qual apresenta somente o citótipo A exclusivamente. Além disso, um exemplar com 2n=49 cromoossomos (7m+18sm+14st+10a) foi também encontrado e, pelas características apresentadas, pode ser uma conseqüência de um raro evento de hibridização entre os citótipos A e B. As análises morfométricas de variáveis canônicas indicam um isolamento consistente da amostra da Furna 2 enquanto as demais amostras analisadas se apresentam sobrepostas indicando um possível fluxo gênico ou evento de isolamento recente. Este modelo aponta para um complexo de espécies crípticas na região estudada.
Cichlidae is the most species-rich freshwater family of Perciformes and has attracted the attention of aquarium hobbyists, aquaculturists, and sport fisherman. Oreochromis niloticus is very important ...in aquaculture today and is currently used in varied areas of study as an ‘experimental model'. Oreochromis niloticus has been characterized using classical and molecular cytogenetic techniques, with special attention paid to heterochromatin structure and the identification of sex chromosomes. In this study, we compare the genome of O. niloticus with that of other cichlids from Africa and South America using genomic in-situ hybridization (GISH). Our results show that at least some elements comprising the pericentromeric heterochromatin of Nile tilapia are species-specific and that the sequence of the majority of the long arm of the largest chromosome pair is conserved within the tilapiine group, which is composed of the genera Tilapia, Oreochromis, and Sarotherodon. It is suggested that the extensive regions of repeated DNA in the largest chromosome pair of O. niloticus resulted from chromosome rearrangement or accumulation caused by recombination suppression during the evolutionary history of the tilapiines.
Species in the subgenus Artibeus Leach, 1821 are widely distributed in Brazil. Conserved karyotypes characterize the group with identical diploid number and chromosome morphology. Recent studies ...suggested that the heterochromatin distribution and accumulation patterns can vary among species. In order to assess whether variation can also occur within species, we have analyzed the chromosomal distribution of constitutive heterochromatin in
(Spix, 1823) and
(Olfers, 1818) from Central Amazon (North Brazil) and contrasted our findings with those reported for other localities in Brazil. In addition, Ag-NOR staining and FISH with 18S rDNA, telomeric, and LINE-1 probes were performed to assess the potential role that these different repetitive markers had in shaping the current architecture of heterochromatic regions. Both species presented interindividual variation of constitutive heterochromatin. In addition, in
the centromeres of most chromosomes are enriched with LINE-1, colocated with pericentromeric heterochromatin blocks. Overall, our data indicate that amplification and differential distribution of the investigated repetitive DNAs might have played a significant role in shaping the chromosome architecture of the subgenus Artibeus.
Thomas, 1906 is one of the most diverse and widely distributed genera within the tribe Oryzomyini. At least sixteen species in this genus have been described to date, but it is believed this genus ...contains undescribed species. Morphological, molecular and cytogenetic study has revealed an uncertain taxonomic status for several
species, suggesting the presence of a complex of species. The present work had the goal of contributing to the genetic characterization of the genus
in the Brazilian Amazon. Thirty specimens were collected from four locations in the Brazilian Amazon and three nominal species recognized:
(Tate, 1939),
(Tomes, 1860) and
(Anthony, 1921). COI sequence analysis grouped
,
and
specimens into one, three and two clades, respectively, which is consistent with their geographic distribution. Cytogenetic data for
revealed the sympatric occurrence of two different diploid numbers, 2n=64/NFa=110 and 2n=66/NFa=114, suggesting polymorphism while
exhibited 2n=80/NFa=142 and
2n=54/NFa=90. The distribution of constitutive heterochromatin followed a species-specific pattern. Interspecific variation was evident in the chromosomal location and number of 18S rDNA loci. However, not all loci showed signs of activity. All three species displayed a similar pattern for 5S rDNA, with only one pair carrying this locus. Interstitial telomeric sites were found only in
. The data presented in this work reinforce intra- and interspecific variations observed in the diploid number of
species and indicate that chromosomal rearrangements have led to the appearance of different diploid numbers and karyotypic formulas.
Cytogenetic analysis of the Amazon stingless bee Melipona seminigra merrillae, by conventional Giemsa staining and C-banding, revealed a different chromosome number for Melipona: 2n = 22 for females ...and diploid drones while the haploid drones present n = 11. There is no evidence of B chromosomes. This result contrasts with previous studies, in which the chromosome number of 19 Melipona species was determined as 2n = 18 for females and n = 9 for haploid males. Based on cytogenetic information available for other Melipona species, we propose that M. s. merrillae has a more derived diploid number. This indicates that chromosome number is not a conservative characteristic within the genus as previously thought. Cytogenetic data for stingless bees are scarce, especially in Amazon region. Additional studies will be very important in order to promote Melipona karyoevolution discussion and consequently a taxonomy review.
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