Efficacy of monensin for the prevention of subclinical ketosis in lactating dairy cows

A total of 1010 dry cows and pregnant heifers was randomly selected from 25 dairy farms near Guelph, Ontario, Canada to receive either a controlled-release capsule of monensin or a placebo at 3 wk prior to expected calving. Serum samples were obtained at the time of treatment administration, and both serum and milk samples were collected at wk 1, 2, 3, 6, and 9 postcalving. The threshold used to define subclinical ketosis was selected a priori at a concentration of > or = 1200 mumol/L of beta-hydroxybutyrate. Using this threshold, the prevalence and incidence of subclinical ketosis were significantly reduced (50%) by monensin treatment. The duration of subclinical ketosis for cows that had been treated with monensin was also shorter than that for cows treated with the placebo. Monensin treatment significantly reduced the incidence of subclinical ketosis when the threshold was defined using higher concentrations of serum beta-hydroxybutyrate (1400 and 2000 mumol/L). In addition, monensin significantly reduced the prevalence of positive milk ketone tests.     

Chronic hepatitis in children after liver transplantation: role of hepatitis C virus and hepatitis G virus infections

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic graft hepatitis occurs in 20-30% adults after liver transplantation but the prevalence and causes in children are not known. In adults, hepatitis C virus infection is prevalent prior to transplantation and recurrent infection is a frequent cause of graft dysfunction. The significance of the recently described hepatitis G virus infection remains unproven. The aim of this study was to examine the role of hepatitis C virus and hepatitis G virus infection in chronic graft hepatitis after paediatric liver transplantation. METHODS: The prevalence of graft hepatitis and the role of hepatitis C virus and hepatitis G virus infections in 80 children after liver transplantation have been studied, with a median follow up of 4.4 years (range 0.4 to 10.7), and the persistence of hepatitis G infection in the presence of immunosuppression has been determined. RESULTS: Chronic graft hepatitis was diagnosed in 19/80 (24%) children and was most frequently seen in children transplanted for cryptogenic cirrhosis (71%). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of chronic hepatitis in those transplanted before or after donor anti-HCV screening. Hepatitis C infection occurred in three children transplanted prior to donor screening but in only one was associated with chronic hepatitis. Hepatitis G infection was found in 22/79 (28%) transplant recipients but was not associated with graft hepatitis. In 17/21 children hepatitis G infection persisted for a median of 5.2 years after transplantation. CONCLUSION: Chronic hepatitis occurred in 24% of children after liver transplantation, a similar prevalence to that in adults. Cryptogenic liver disease predisposed to graft hepatitis, but neither hepatitis C nor hepatitis G infection was associated. Hepatitis G virus caused a frequent and usually persistent infection after transplantation.     

Analysis of vitamin formulations by electrokinetic chromatography utilizing tetradecylammonium ions as the pseudostationary phase

A recently proposed method for the separation of fat-soluble vitamins by electrokinetic chromatography was further developed and investigated in the present study. The separation medium consisted of acetonitrile-water (80:20 v/v) and contained 80 mM tetradecylammonium bromide (TDA+); the content of acetonitrile served to maintain the hydrophobic vitamins dissolved during electrophoresis, while the TDA+ ions served as the pseudostationary phase. With the cathode placed at the outlet of the capillary, the fat-soluble vitamins were separated based on different hydrophobic interactions to the TDA+ ions and migrated in order of decreasing hydrophobicity prior to the electroosmotic flow. Migration time stability was significantly enhanced by the addition of 4 mM borate to the separation medium. The separation system was validated for the determination of vitamin E acetate in commercial tablets; quantitative results deviated by less than 3.5% from specified values, varying by less than 2.5% relative standard deviation (RSD) for within-day experiments, and by less than 6.5% RSD during between-day experiments. The separation system was compatible with injection solvents ranging in polarity from water to tetrahydrofuran, and was even capable of separating the water-soluble vitamins B1, B2, B12, and nicotinamide.     

10MeV中子引起的~（238）U，~（209）Bi，Fe和~9Be的次级中子

１０ＭｅＶ中子引起的￣（２３８）Ｕ，￣（２０９）Ｂｉ，Ｆｅ和￣９Ｂｅ的次级中子双微分截面测量祁步嘉，唐洪庆，周祖英，周陈维，沈冠仁，柯尊建，孙振强，夏海鸿（中国原子能科学研究院核物理所，北京２７５－４６信箱，１０２４１３）次级中子双微分截面是核工程设...     

Expression of beta 2-integrins and L-selectin on polymorphonuclear leukocytes in septic patients

Adhesion molecules on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) play an important role in nonspecific defense mechanisms directed at invading microorganisms. When local infection, however, cannot be controlled, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) ensues which may progress to septic shock and multiple organ failure, these being major determinants of the patient's outcome. In the present study, the expression of beta 2-integrins and L-selectin on blood PMNL was measured on subsequent days in patients with sepsis (n = 17) and in healthy volunteers (n = 15). beta 2-Integrins and L-selectin molecules were detected by flow cytometry, using the monoclonal antibodies IB4 (anti-CD18) and Dreg200 (anti-CD62L), respectively. Adhesion molecules were determined at baseline immediately after blood collection and also 45 min after incubation of cells in vitro at body temperature to allow for spontaneous regulation. In addition, PMNL were activated by receptor-dependent and receptor-independent stimuli to characterize stimulus-specific adhesion molecule expression. In parallel with the measurement of adhesion molecules, severity of sepsis was assessed by the Elebute score. The results demonstrate significant differences in the basal, spontaneous and stimulus-induced expression of adhesion molecules between healthy volunteers, survivors (n = 11) and nonsurvivors (n = 6). Moreover, when survivors and nonsurvivors with severe sepsis (Elebute score > 12) were compared, basal expressions of both beta 2-integrins and L-selectin were significantly lower in patients who did not survive. Thus, measurement of adhesion molecules on circulating PMNL may be useful to identify septic patients at high risk for lethal outcome.     

设计沟通中的噪音——从传播学角度看设计沟通中的困难

文章从传播学的角度探讨设计沟通过程中的困难。设计沟通是贯穿于整个设计管理活动的重要环节,是传达信息的主要途径,但在实践过程中却经常遇到困难,导致设计活动无法顺利进行。文章通过引入噪音的概念,分析设计沟通的困难产生的原因,并利用传播学的理论提出通过冗余调节噪音的想法,以解决设计沟通中的问题。     

Deconstructing gamification: evaluating the effectiveness of continuous measurement,virtual rewards,and social comparison for promoting physical activity

Game design elements are often implemented in persuasive systems aimed to promote physical activity, a process called “gamification.” Gamification is believed to motivate users to become more active, and is commonly implemented in commercial products. However, relatively few studies rigorously evaluated the effectiveness of gamification, and they yielded contradicting findings. We set out to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual rewards and social comparison—two game elements prevalent in persuasive systems. We developed a research prototype, called “StepByStep,” aimed to promote routine walking. We created different versions of StepByStep, implemented as an application on Android-based mobile devices, and compared their effectiveness in two field studies. Study 1 showed that a quantified version of the application—offering continuous measurement of walking time, a daily goal, and real-time feedback on progress toward this goal—facilitated reflection on activity and significantly increased walking time over baseline level. Study 2 showed that gamified versions offering virtual rewards and social comparison were only as effective as the quantified version. Thus, we advise designers to facilitate reflection on meaningful aspects of physical activity by developing novel ubiquitous measures. Furthermore, our findings highlight the importance of systematic comparisons between quantified and gamified elements for better understanding their motivational affordances.     

高心墙堆石坝蓄水变形和裂缝机理分析

我国高堆石坝建设正处于高潮期,其中高心墙堆石坝的坝高已达300 m级。结合实际监测资料的坝体变形分析对大坝变形机理的研究和工程设计具有重要的指导意义。结合某电站大坝的实际监测资料,分析初蓄水坝体各部位变形的变化趋势,并就此得出初蓄水对坝体变形的影响区域,分析了各部位变形的影响机理和坝体裂缝发生的机理及发生过程,并利用有限元方法进行了蓄水变形及裂缝的验证。     

用含Pb、As、Sn地方生铁砂型铸造生产D型石墨铸铁的研究

基于Ph、As、Sn等元素有增大铁液过冷倾向的作用，利用含Ph、As、Sn的地方生铁，采用合金化和砂型铸造可以获得D型石墨铸铁，对其工艺方案进行了研究。用正交试验法设计试验方案，得到最佳工艺方案为：在亚共晶成分（WB％：3．2C，2．1si）的铁液中加入适量的铝（0．6％）和钛（0．8％），可以得到含有100％D型石墨的铸铁，其抗拉强度最高可达276MPa。