bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microstructure, Thermal Conductivity, and Electrical Properties of In Situ Pressureless Densified SiC–BN Composites
Authors: Li Yinsheng , Yin Jie , Wu Haibo , Zhang Jingxian , Chen Jian , Yan Yongjie , Liu Xuejian , Huang Zhengren , Jiang Dongliang 
Published: December 2014

The microstructure, thermal conductivity, and electrical properties of pressureless densified SiC–BN composites prepared from in situ reaction of Si3N4, B4C, and C were systematically investigated, to achieve outstanding performance as substrate materials in electronic devices. The increasing BN content (0.25–8 wt%) in the composites resulted in finer microstructure, higher electrical resistivity, and lower dielectric constant and loss, at the expense of only slight degradation of thermal conductivity. The subsequently annealed composites showed more homogeneous microstructures with less crystal defects, further enhanced thermal conductivities and electrical resistivities, and reduced dielectric constants and losses, compared with the unannealed ones. The enhanced insulating performance, the weakened interface polarization, and the reduced current conduction loss were explained by the gradual equalization of dissolved B and N contents in SiC crystals and the consequent impurity compensation effect. The schottky contact between graphite and p‐type SiC grains presumably played a critical role in the formation of grain‐boundary barriers. The annealed composites doped with 8 wt% BN exhibited considerably high electrical resistivity (4.11 × 1011 Ω·cm) at 100 V/cm, low dielectric constant (16.50), and dielectric loss (0.127) at 1 MHz, good thermal conductivity [66.06 W·(m·K)−1] and relatively high strength (343 MPa) at room temperature.
Infusion of DDAVP does not improve primary hemostasis in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Arshad Freeha , Stoof Sara C.M. , Leebeek Frank W.G. , Ruitenbeek Karin , Adelmeijer Jelle , Blokzijl Hans , van den Berg Arie P. , Porte Robert J. , Kruip Marieke J.H.A. , Lisman Ton 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsCirrhosis frequently affects multiple components of hemostasis. Reversal of the coagulopathy of these patients is frequently required in case of bleeding episodes, or as prophylaxis before invasive procedures. Although 1‐deamino‐8‐D‐arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) is widely used as a pro‐hemostatic agent in patients with cirrhosis, it is unclear whether DDAVP truly enhances hemostasis in these patients. Here we investigated the hemostatic effects of a single bolus of DDAVP in patients with cirrhosis.MethodsTen patients with cirrhosis (child B or C) and ten patients with mild haemophilia A received an intravenous single bolus of 0.3 microgram/kg DDAVP. Plasma was collected prior to and at 1, 3, 6, and 24 h after DDAVP administration. Levels of Von Willebrand factor (VWF), VWF propeptide, factor VIII (FVIII), and ADAMTS13 were measured in all plasma samples, whereas VWF multimers and functional VWF‐dependent platelet adhesion were determined in the samples pre‐ and 1 h after DDAVP administration.ResultsFollowing DDAVP administration, VWF, FVIII, and VWF propeptide levels increased in patients with haemophilia, while patients with cirrhosis only showed an increase in VWF propeptide and FVIII levels. High molecular weight VWF multimers and VWF‐dependent platelet adhesion increased in patients with haemophilia one hour after DDAVP administration, but did not change in the patients with cirrhosis. Levels of ADAMTS13 were unaffected in both patient groups after DDAVP.ConclusionThe lack of relevant effects of DDAVP on laboratory indices of primary hemostasis in patients with cirrhosis is in line with previous clinical study results in these patients.
Monitoring the Mechanical and Structural Behavior of the Pavement Structure Using Electronic Sensors
Authors: Čygas* Donatas , Laurinavičius Alfredas , Paliukaitė Miglė , Motiejūnas Algirdas , Žiliūtė Laura , Vaitkus Audrius 
Published: December 2014

AbstractOver the last decade, pavement instrumentation has become an important tool for monitoring the performance of pavement structures and materials under real climatic and traffic conditions. Stress, strain transducers, loop profilers, temperature, and moisture sensors could be reasonably used for sophisticated analysis of pavement performance. Commonly, such research projects involve only few pavement structures under accelerated loading tests. The unique experimental road section was constructed in 2007 in Lithuania. It consists of 27 different flexible pavement structures and all necessary electronic sensors. This road is affected by real climatic conditions and high‐intensity heavy vehicle traffic. The aim of such research is to continuously monitor performance of different pavement structures and to elaborate on the most suitable and economically effective pavement structures.
Post‐transcriptional regulation of transcript abundance by a conserved member of the tristetraprolin family in Candida albicans
Authors: Wells Melissa L. , Washington Onica L. , Hicks Stephanie N. , Nobile Clarissa J. , Hartooni Nairi , Wilson Gerald M. , Zucconi Beth E. , Huang Weichun , Li Leping , Fargo David C. , Blackshear Perry J. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryMembers of the tristetraprolin (TTP) family of CCCH tandem zinc finger proteins bind to AU‐rich regions in target mRNAs, leading to their deadenylation and decay. Family members in Saccharomyces cerevisiae influence iron metabolism, whereas the single protein expressed in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Zfs1, regulates cell–cell interactions. In the human pathogen Candida albicans, deep sequencing of mutants lacking the orthologous protein, Zfs1, revealed significant increases (> 1.5‐fold) in 156 transcripts. Of these, 113 (72%) contained at least one predicted TTP family member binding site in their 3′UTR, compared with only 3 of 56 (5%) down‐regulated transcripts. The zfs1Δ/Δ mutant was resistant to 3‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole, perhaps because of increased expression of the potential target transcript encoded by HIS3. Sequences of the proteins encoded by the putative Zfs1 targets were highly conserved among other species within the fungal CTG clade, while the predicted Zfs1 binding sites in these mRNAs often ‘disappeared’ with increasing evolutionary distance from the parental species. C. albicans Zfs1 bound to the ideal mammalian TTP binding site with high affinity, and Zfs1 was associated with target transcripts after co‐immunoprecipitation. Thus, the biochemical activities of these proteins in fungi are highly conserved, but Zfs1‐like proteins may target different transcripts in each species.
Single bouts of exercise selectively sustain attentional processes
Authors: Pontifex Matthew B. , Parks Andrew C. , Henning David A. , Kamijo Keita 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis study examined how single bouts of exercise may differentially modulate neuroelectric correlates of attentional orienting and processing. Using a within‐participants design, ERPs and task performance were assessed in response to a perceptually challenging three‐stimulus oddball task prior to and following a bout of exercise or seated rest during two separate, counterbalanced sessions. Findings revealed that, following a single bout of exercise, attentional processing was sustained relative to pretest whereas prolonged sitting resulted in attentional decrements. Focal attention resulting from attentional orienting, in contrast, does not appear to be sensitive to the influences of single bouts of physical activity. These findings suggest that acute exercise‐induced changes in cognition do not originate from an overall modulation of attention but instead are specific to aspects of attentional processing.
Transfusion‐associated circulatory overload in Ireland: a review of cases reported to the National Haemovigilance Office 2000 to 2010
Authors: Piccin Andrea , Cronin Marina , Brady Róisín , Sweeney Jackie , Marcheselli Luigi , Lawlor Emer 
Published: December 2014

BackgroundTransfusion‐associated circulatory overload (TACO) is an increasingly reported condition but symptoms and signs are still unrecognized. We present a review of the incidence and clinical features of TACO reported to the National Haemovigilance Office at the Irish Blood Transfusion Service.Study design and methodsBetween 2000 and 2010, a total of 1071 cases of serious transfusion‐related reactions were reported, of which 221 (21%) cases were TACO.ResultsA total of 2,000,684 blood components were issued, with a TACO incidence of one in 9177. The TACO incidence per red blood cells, plasma, and platelet components issued was one in 8000, one in 16,000, and one in 57,884, respectively. The majority of cases (68%, n = 151) were elderly patients, while no sex difference was seen. Twenty‐eight (13%) patients experienced severe morbidity; 31 (14%) deaths were reported, of which five (2%) were considered due to TACO and the other deaths considered due to and underlying conditions, which in most cases were cardiovascular (76%). An increased risk of mortality was found in patients on diuretics either before transfusion as part of their routine therapy or given as pretransfusion medication (odds ratio, 2.49; 95% confidence interval, 1.06‐6.01). In 19 (21%) cases, TACO reaction was due to human error.ConclusionsThe strong association between TACO and human errors supports the role of hemovigilance and of adequate transfusion medicine teaching for preventing morbidity and mortality associated with TACO.
Internal medicine resident knowledge of transfusion medicine: results from the BEST‐TEST international education needs assessment
Authors: Haspel Richard L. , Lin Yulia , Mallick Ranjeeta , Tinmouth Alan , Cid Joan , Eichler Hermann , Lozano Miguel , van de Watering Leo , Fisher Patrick B. , Ali Asma , Parks Eric ,   BEST‐TEST Investigators
Published: December 2014

BackgroundBlood transfusion is the most common hospital procedure performed in the United States. While inadequate physician transfusion medicine knowledge may lead to inappropriate practice, such an educational deficit has not been investigated on an international scale using a validated assessment tool. Identifying specific deficiencies is critical for developing curricula to improve patient care.Study Design and MethodsRasch analysis, a method used in high‐stakes testing, was used to validate an assessment tool consisting of a 23‐question survey and a 20‐question examination. The assessment tool was administered to internal medicine residents to determine prior training, attitudes, perceived ability, and actual knowledge related to transfusion medicine.ResultsA total of 474 residents at 23 programs in nine countries completed the examination. The overall mean score of correct responses was 45.7% (site range, 32%‐56%). The mean score for Postgraduate Year (PGY)1 (43.9%) was significantly lower than for PGY3 (47.1%) and PGY4 (50.6%) residents. Although 89% of residents had participated in obtaining informed consent from a patient for transfusion, residents scored poorly (<25% correct) on questions related to transfusion reactions. The majority of residents (65%) would find additional transfusion medicine training “very” or “extremely” helpful.ConclusionInternationally, internal medicine residents have poor transfusion medicine knowledge and would welcome additional training. The especially limited knowledge of transfusion reactions suggests an initial area for focused training. This study not only represents the largest international assessment of transfusion medicine knowledge, but also serves as a model for rigorous, collaborative research in medical education.
Household Savings and Housing Prices in China
Authors: Wan Junmin 
Published: December 2014

AbstractUsing Phillips et al. (2012, ‘Testing for Multiple Bubbles’, Yale University) bubble test and the ratio of monthly housing price to rent in China, we cannot find that there were bubbles in the housing market for all provinces including urban and rural sectors during January 2000 to August 2011, but we found that there were housing bubbles for the 36 major cities during December 2004 to July 2011. By the panel provincial data during 1995–2010 in China, we found that the bubbly housing price, especially in the urban sector, significantly raises the household saving rate in cities as well as nationwide after controlling for the life cycle and the other related factors. Based on the micro household data for six major cities in China in 2005, we also find that the increase in housing price and housing loans has significantly positive impacts on household saving, even after controlling for other possible factors. The empirical results here are consistent with the predictions of the speculative saving hypothesis.
The use of rituximab to prevent severe delayed haemolytic transfusion reaction in immunized patients with sickle cell disease
Authors: Noizat‐Pirenne F. , Habibi A. , Mekontso‐Dessap A. , Razazi K. , Chadebech P. , Mahevas M. , Vingert B. , Bierling P. , Galactéros F. , Bartolucci P. , Michel M. 
Published: December 2014

BackgroundDelayed haemolytic transfusion reaction (DHTR) is mainly caused by an immune response to transfused red blood cells (RBCs). Immunized patients have a high risk of producing antibodies in response to further transfusion. Controlling the immune response to RBCs is therefore a major goal in sickle cell disease (SCD).Study designWe report an observational study of eight alloimmunized SCD patients with history of severe DHTR who were treated with rituximab before a new transfusion to prevent further immunization and DHTR.ResultsFive patients showed a good clinical outcome following transfusion preceded by preemptive treatment with rituximab. The remaining patients presented mild DHTR. In all patients, the results of post‐transfusion screening tests were identical to those of pretransfusion tests; no newly formed antibodies were detected.ConclusionThese cases suggest that rituximab prevents at least occurrence of newly formed antibodies in high responders and minimizes the risk of severe DHTR. This study confirms that DHTR is complex in SCD and does not rely only on the classical antigens/antibodies conflict. Considering potentially serious adverse effect of rituximab, this treatment should be considered cautiously, and only when transfusion is absolutely necessary in patients with history of severe DHTR linked to immunization.
HÆMOGLOBIN CONCENTRATION, HÆMATOCRIT VALUE, AND SEDIMENTATION RATE OF HORSE BLOOD
Authors: Fegler G. 
Published: December 2014

1. Volume p.c. of r.b.c., hæmoglobin concentration, relative viscosity of the plasma and blood, and the sedimentation rate of the r.b.c. have been estimated on 7 healthy horses.2. Increase in the volume p.c. of r.b.c. was found in the excited or working horse. The concentration of r.b.c. in blood from the jugular vein in horses at rest is rather low in comparison with other animals.3. Increase in the Hb. g. p.c./r.b.c. V. p.c. ratio was found in cases with the higher volume p.c. of r.b.c. with a significant correlation coefficient.4. Apparent relative viscosity of horse blood at higher volume p.c. of r.b.c. is higher than that of ox or sheep blood at corresponding volume p.c. of r.b.c., the higher viscosity of plasma being one of the causes.5. Maximum sedimentation rate of r.b.c. in heparinised whole blood of the horse varied from 0·6 mm. to 5·9 mm. per min., depending on the r.b.c. concentration. The sedimentation rate of the horse r.b.c. is also high in sheep or ox plasma, whereas the r.b.c. of these species sediment as slowly in horse plasma as in their own.6. The physiological significance of the high sedimentation rate of the horse r.b.c. was discussed.
The action of extracellular cations on the release of the sympathetic transmitter from peripheral nerves
Authors: Boullin David J. 
Published: December 2014

1. The noradrenaline stores in the sympathetic nerve endings of the cat colon were labelled in vivo with (±)‐[7‐3H]noradrenaline (500 μc, 11·3 μg) injected 3 hr before killing.2. The colon was removed and immersed in an organ bath containing Krebs solution. The vascular bed was perfused from the inferior mesenteric artery to the colic vein.3. The effects of Ca2+, Ba2+ and Mg2+ on the output of [3H]noradrenaline and [3H]metabolites in the venous effluent were measured before and after electrical stimulation of the post‐ganglionic inferior mesenteric nerves at 10 impulses/sec.4. Nerve stimulation increased the efflux of [3H]noradrenaline when the perfusion fluid contained Ca2+. Variations in Ca2+ concentration (1·5‐10 m
M) did not affect this response.5. Removal of Ca2+ from the fluid passing through the vascular bed (and therefore from the region of the sympathetic nerve terminals), abolished the output of [3H]noradrenaline in response to nerve stimulation. There was no change when phenoxybenzamine was added to prevent the binding of transmitter on to post‐synaptic receptors on the effector organ.6. The output of transmitter was not changed when Ca2+ was present in the blood vessels of the colon even though it was removed from the solution in contact with the remainder of the tissue.7. Nerve stimulation released [3H]noradrenaline when Ba2+ was used as a substitute for Ca2+; Mg2+ was not an effective substitute for Ca2+ as then nerve stimulation did not increase the output of radioactive noradrenaline or metabolites.8. Ba2+ also increased the resting output of [3H]noradrenaline in the absence of nerve stimulation. Addition of Ca2+ or Mg2+ did not change this spontaneous release but it was augmented by removal of Ca2+.9. It is concluded that Ca2+ is essential for release of the sympathetic transmitter by nerve stimulation but not for the spontaneous output that occurs in the absence of nervous activity. The site of action of Ca2+ is considered to be the terminals of adrenergic fibres.
Chemosensitivity of cardiac muscle
Authors: Williams E. M. Vaughan , Whyte J. M. 
Published: December 2014

1. Measurements of contractions, conduction velocity and intracellular potential were made on isolated rabbit atria under four sets of conditions: high bicarbonate/high CO2 (HH), low bicarbonate/low CO2 (LL), high bicarbonate/low CO2 (HL) and low bicarbonate/high CO2 (LH). The ratio high/low was the same for the bicarbonate and CO2 concentrations, so that HH had the same pH as LL.2. Acid solutions caused a fall of a few mV in the resting potential, but not in the overshoot. They reduced conduction velocity and rate of rise of the action potential. They depressed contractions, but prolonged the tail of the action potential.3. Alkaline solutions caused the converse changes, but, with the exception of the effect on the duration of the action potential, the relation with pH was markedly alinear, in that a rise in pH had much less effect than an equivalent fall.4. Statistical tests were devised to decide whether the observed changes were associated primarily with pH, PCO2 or bicarbonate. By far the strongest association was with external pH. Changes in PCO2, per se, had no significant effect.
Properties of the inhibitory potential of smooth muscle as observed in the response to field stimulation of the guinea‐pig taenia coli
Authors: Bülbring Edith , Tomita T. 
Published: December 2014

1. The inhibitory potential evoked by field stimulation of the guineapig taenia coli was studied in hypertonic solution in which the spontaneous electrical and mechanical activity was slowed or abolished.2. There was no direct correlation between the inhibitory potential and the muscle membrane polarization in response to the stimulating current. The chronaxie for the inhibitory potential was less than 1 msec and that for the muscle spike 20‐30 msec.3. The inhibitory potential decreased in size along the tissue when one end of the tissue was stimulated, but its spatial decay was slower than that of the electrotonic potential in the muscle bundle.4. Tetrodotoxin (5 × 10−7 g/ml.) abolished the inhibitory potential without affecting the electrical properties of the muscle membrane. It was concluded that the inhibitory potential was the result of stimulation of intrinsic inhibitory nerves.5. The following properties of the intrinsic nerve fibres were deduced from the experimental results: The length of the nerve fibres is probably only a few mm and the space constant of the order of 0·1 mm. No repetitive firing is produced by a long current pulse. The absolute refractory period is 3‐4 msec.
The effect of cations on the electrical properties of the smooth muscle cells of the guinea‐pig vas deferens
Authors: Bennett M. R. 
Published: December 2014

1. A study has been made of the effects of Na+ and Ca2+ on the responses generated by intracellular current pulses in smooth muscle cells of the guinea‐pig vas deferens and upon the propagated action potential.2. Reduction of the extracellular Na+ activity (aNa) to less than 30 m
M did not alter the characteristics of the spike‐like response to intracellular current pulses (the active response) or of the propagated action potential.3. Reduction of the extracellular Ca2+ activity (aCa) to 0·1 m
M decreased the resting input resistance of the cells but increased the input resistance during the crest of the active response. Reduction of Ca2+ decreased the overshoot of the action potential by 22 mV per tenfold change in Ca2+ and the resting potential by 25 mV per tenfold change.4. Reduction of the extracellular Ca2+, keeping the product aCa/a2Na constant, did not change the resting potential, but decreased the action potential overshoot by 20 mV per tenfold change.5. It is suggested that part of the current responsible for the rising phase of the action potential is carried by Ca2+.
Intracellular enzymes in local lymph as a measure of cellular injury
Authors: Lewis G. P. 
Published: December 2014

1. Lymph was collected directly from the hind limb of cats anaesthetized with pentobarbitone before and for several hours after the limb was injured.2. After the limb was subjected to very mild injury such as hot water at 50° C or ischaemia for 1 hr there was no increase in protein or enzyme concentrations in the lymph, although after the ischaemia there was an increase in lymph flow.3. After burning the limb at 60° C there was a significant increase in the concentrations of the cytoplasmic enzymes glutamic‐oxalacetic transaminase and lactic dehydrogenase, as a result of an increased permeability of the cell membrane.4. When the limb was burned at 80° C there was a marked increase not only in the cytoplasmic enzymes but also in the mitochondrial enzyme glutamic pyruvic transaminase. Thus with the stronger burn the permeability of the intracellular mitochondrial membrane was also increased.5. Not until the most severe injury of all, i.e. freezing the limb solid, was there an increase in the concentration of lysosomal enzymes in the lymph.6. It is concluded that estimation of intracellular enzymes in the lymph draining an injured tissue affords a method of assessing the extent of cellular injury.