Consumption coagulopathy associated with shock in acute African swine fever

We studied the evolution of shock using a comprehensive array of haematological tests in pigs infected with the highly virulent strain Malawi '83 (Lilongwe 20/1). A sudden onset of illness was observed between day 5 and 7 after inoculation with development of flush, episodes of epistaxis and melaena. Prior to these clinical signs, initiation of a consumption coagulopathy was demonstrated with loss of antithrombin III and plasminogen activity. Our findings indicate that during infection with this highly virulent strain the development of a consumption coagulopathy precedes and possibly contributes to shock, which results in haemorrhage and death.     

Liquid‐crystal displays using printed plastic TFT backplanes

Abstract— In this paper, we present results from a new liquid crystal over plastic printed thin‐film‐transistor (TFT) display. The display demonstrator shows that the processing incompatibilities between the plastic TFT backplane and the liquid‐crystal materials can be addressed to make a stable twisted‐nematic structure. New fabrication processes such as the photo‐alignment of liquid crystals have made it possible to create a new generation of displays, which pave the way towards fully integrated plastic liquid‐crystal‐display technologies.     

Endothelium-dependent vasodilatation is impaired in peritoneal dialysis patients

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients have a high risk of cardiovascular mortality, which is not completely explained by conventional risk factors. Other factors related to chronic renal failure and/or dialysis treatment might lead to endothelial dysfunction, which is associated with an adverse cardiovascular outcome. One such factor is hyperhomocysteinaemia, which has a high prevalence in PD patients. METHODS: A vessel wall movement detector system was used to investigate endothelium-dependent, flow-mediated, and endothelium-independent, glyceryl trinitrate-induced, vasodilatation of the brachial artery in 29 PD patients and 29 control subjects. RESULTS: Endothelium-dependent vasodilatation was markedly reduced in the PD group: 5.7 +/- 1.0% vs 10.4 +/- 1.3% in the control group (P = 0.004). Endothelium-independent vasodilatation was not impaired. Plasma total homocysteine was elevated in the PD patients (45.2 +/- 6.2 micromol/l), but was not related to endothelium-dependent vasodilatation. CONCLUSION: Chronic peritoneal dialysis patients have impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilatation, which may reflect an increased susceptibility for the development of atherosclerosis and thrombosis.     

Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy for patients with recurrent pericardial effusion: using a novel double-balloon technique with one long and one short balloon

Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy is effective and less invasive for the treatment of recurrent pericardial effusion. This study suggests that the double-balloon method with 1 longer and 1 shorter balloon is the procedure of choice for percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy.     

Efficacy of taxol in the orpk mouse model of polycystic kidney disease

Studies on conscious Sprague-Dawley rats using intracerebral dialysis in live animals combined with high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection showed that administration of apomorphine into the nucleus accumbens decreased the levels of dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the extracellular space of the dorsal striatum throughout the observation period and produced a transient reduction in the level of homovanillic acid in the dialysate from this structure. The studies demonstrated that reversible exclusion of the nucleus accumbens with procaine produced a transient increase in the levels of dopamine metabolites, without an increase in serotonin metabolites, in the extracellular space of the dorsal striatum. These results demonstrate that the nucleus accumbens affects dopamine metabolism in the striatum, this being mediated by the dopamine-reactive system in the nucleus accumbens.     

Challenges to successful seismic retrofit implementation: a socio-behavioural perspective

Seismic retrofit implementation has been a major challenge in many earthquake-prone cities. This paper examines why building owners are reluctant to adopt measures to reduce earthquake losses despite advancement in seismic design methods and the enactment of intervening legislative frameworks. A case study approach revealed the socio-behavioural barriers affecting seismic retrofit implementation. Significant barriers identified included the perception of earthquake risks, a lack of trust in seismic strengthening techniques and a lack of support for pro-social mitigation behaviours from public authorities. The findings suggest that a reappraisal of the policy implementation approach used by government agencies is required, and that greater attention should be given to seismic designs recommended by professionals and approved by regulatory authorities in order to earn building owners' trust regarding the efficacy of earthquake risk-reduction measures.

La mise aux normes parasismiques des constructions existantes est un défi majeur dans de nombreuses villes sujettes aux tremblements de terre. Le présent article examine pourquoi les propriétaires d'immeubles sont peu disposés à adopter des mesures permettant de réduire les sinistres dus aux tremblements de terre en dépit des progrès réalisés dans les méthodes de conception parasismique et malgré la promulgation de cadres législatifs d'intervention. Une approche par étude de cas a mis en évidence les barrières sociocomportementales affectant la mise en ?uvre des normes parasismiques dans les immeubles existants. Ont été identifiés parmi ces obstacles importants la perception des risques de tremblements de terre, un manque de confiance dans les techniques de renforcement parasismique et un manque de soutien de la part des autorités publiques en faveur de comportements pro-sociaux permettant d'adoucir ces politiques. Les résultats obtenus suggèrent qu'il est nécessaire d'opérer une réévaluation de l'approche utilisée par les organismes publics pour mettre en ?uvre ces politiques, et qu'il devrait être porté une plus grande attention aux conceptions parasismiques recommandées par les professionnels et homologuées par les organismes de réglementation de façon à gagner la confiance des propriétaires d'immeubles, s'agissant de l'efficacité des mesures de réduction des risques liés aux tremblements de terre.

Mots clés: propriétaires d'immeubles, prise de décision, immeubles sujets aux tremblements de terre, politique publique, perception des risques, mise aux normes parasismiques, comportement des parties prenantes