Abstract Samples of fine structured Cu were fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) of compacts of Cu nanopowder/micron-sized powder blend with a ratio of 3:7 by weight, and one of the SPSed samples was further processed by hot extrusion. The microstructures of the as-SPSed and the as-extruded samples and the tensile properties and fracture behavior of the as-extruded sample were studied. It was found that the microstructures of the samples consist of a concoction of ultrafine and coarse grains with high dislocation densities ( ~1015 m-2) as a result of microstructural evolution during material processing. Some nanograins were oxidized to form Cu2O particles residing around the coarse grains. Extrusion of the SPSed sample increases its microhardness from 70 HV to 90 HV. The electrical conductivity of the as-extruded sample reaches 87% international annealed copper standard (IACS), and its tensile properties are 200 MPa for yield strength, 218 MPa for ultimate tensile strength and 9% for elongation to fracture. The tensile test specimens from the as-extruded sample exhibit nearly ideal plastic deformation and undergo ductile fracture, suggesting that the fine-grained copper is a highly desirable material for high strength electrical conductors.

Abstract To study the long-term clinical efficacy of protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc with percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD). A statistics was conducted on 108 patients who had been treated with percutaneous laser disc decompression, the intervertebral height of related lesion spaces of patients in different time points after treatment and the intervertebral height ratio was calculated respectively; moreover, a statistics was conducted on VAS evaluation of patients in different time points, and the long-term efficacy after treatment with percutaneous laser disc decompression was evaluated with statistical method. The patients with follow-up period after operation respectively up to 5, 8 and 10 years and those in 3 years after operation were analyzed statistically in intervertebral height ratio and VAS scoring, and the difference was without significant statistical significance. Single-factor was analyzed to the factors likely to influence the effect of operation to get the authenticity of influence of age, disease duration and disease stage on the postoperative efficacy. Percutaneous laser disc decompression was featured by safety, efficacy and fewer complications in treatment of protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc, and also it had no obvious influence on the spinal stability, and long-term postoperative efficacy was stable.

Abstract This article study the influences of fermented wheat germ on rats in terms of the blood glucose, insulin level, serum lipid level, cholesterol metabolism, triglyceride metabolism and enzyme activity on the basis of the high-fat rat model. High fat rats were fed for modeling, and then the serum and liver were collected after sacrifice. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), total superoxide dismutase (SOD), Superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), Malonic dialdehyde (MDA), lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (lecithin cholesterol), Acyltransferase (LCAT), LDL-C, blood glucose and insulin were measured. Fermented wheat germ can significantly increase the levels of insulin and blood glucose in high-fat rats. Fermented wheat germ for 60 days did not affect the levels of serum LDL-C and TG in high-fat rats, but could significantly reduce the level of serum TC. Fermented wheat germ for 60 days did not affect the activities of serum GSH-Px, T-SOD, LCAT and T-SOD, MDA and total lipase in high-fat rats, but it could significantly reduce the activity of serum MDA and increase the activity of GSH-PX in liver. Fermented wheat germ could reduce the protein expression of CYP7A1, induced p-AMPK protein expression, but had no effect on HMGR. Fermented wheat germ can significantly reduce the level of serum cholesterol in high-fat model rats by AMPK signaling pathway, and affect some cholesterol metabolism and triglyceride metabolism related enzyme activities to a certain extent.

A series of 2,3-dioxoindolin-N-phenylacetamide derivatives was evaluated for inhibitory activity against CDC25B and PTP1B enzymes. Most of the derivatives showed inhibitory activity against CDC25B (IC50 = 3.2-23.2 µg/mL) and PTP1B (IC50 = 2.9-21.4 µg/mL). Compound 2h showed the most inhibitory activity in vitro with IC50 values of 3.2 and 2.9 µg/mL against CDC25B and PTP1B, respectively, compared with the reference drugs Na3VO4 (IC50 = 2.7 µg/mL) and oleanolic acid (IC50 = 2.3 µg/mL). The results of selectivity experiments showed that the 2,3-dioxoindolin-N-phenylacetamide derivatives were selective inhibitors against CDC25B and PTP1B. Enzyme kinetic experiments demonstrated that compound 2h was a specific inhibitor with the typical characteristics of a mixed inhibitor. In cytotoxic activity assays compound 2h had potent activity against A549, HeLa, and HCT116 cell lines. In addition, compound 2h showed potent tumor inhibitory activity in a colo205 xenograft model in vivo.

Two novel porphyrinic compounds, {Zn[TCPP(CH2CH3)2(CH3)2]}n (1) and TCPP(CH3)4 (2) (TCPP = meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin), with the TCPP(CH2CH3)2(CH3)2 and TCPP(CH3)4 generated in situ, have been synthesized via a solvothermal reaction and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 is characteristic of a two-dimensional (2-D) coordination polymer, based on the zinc ion coordinating to four nitrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms. Compound 1 possesses a large void space (220 ³) corresponding to 4.6% of the unit-cell volume. Compound 2 is characterized by an isolated structure. The reaction mechanism of preparing both compounds was explored. The photoluminescence properties, FT-IR, UV-vis absorption spectra, fluorescence lifetime and fluorescence quantum yield of TCPP were also reported.

New glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with carboxyl multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and treated with ultrasonic dispersing in N,N-dimethylfomamide (DMF) media, namely DMF/carboxyl/MWCNTs/GCE, was prepared for electrochemical determination of sulfonamides (SAs). Electrochemical behavior of SAs based on DMF/carboxyl/MWCNTs/GCE was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. The effects of various experimental parameters on the response of electrode such as pH of buffer, scan rate and the amount of modification were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the obtained sensor presented linear response to SAs in the range of 5.0 × 10-7 to 1.1 × 10-4 mol L-1 of sulfonamide (R = 0.999), sulfamethazine (R = 0.990), sulfadiazine (R = 0.997), sulfamethoxazole (R = 0.996) and the limits of detection of 1.65 × 10-8, 3.19 × 10-8, 6.76 × 10-8 and 9.41 × 10-8 mol L-1, respectively. The recoveries were in the range of ca. 85-103% with relative standard deviation (RSD) < 5%. The sensor was tested by cyclic voltammetry with repeatability and stability of more than 90% of its original activity. The proposed method might offer feasibility and applicability of the sensor for further complex sulfonamides compounds.

A novel acentric char sulfate compound, [Cd(S2O7)(4,4,-bipyridine)(H2O)2]n (1), has been solvothermally synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. Compound 1 is characterized by a three-dimensional (3-D) inorganic-organic hybrid framework structure. Solid-state photoluminescent spectra indicate that compound 1 displays a strong violet emission. The second-order nonlinear optical measurements reveal that compound 1 has modest powder SHG efficiency of about 0.02 times than that produced by a potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) powder. Optical absorption spectrum discovers that the presence of an optical gap of 3.41 eV, suggesting that compound 1 is a wide bandgap semiconductor.

Background: Transforming growth factor-ß receptor II (TGFBR2) is a key component of TGF-ß signaling pathway. TGFBR2 can be detected in the generation of heart. The mouse embryos of TGFBR2 gene knockout exhibited congenital heart defects. Methods: We conducted a case-control study to investigate the association between TGFBR2 gene polymorphisms and congenital heart defects in Han Chinese population. 125 patients with congenital heart defects and 615 unrelated controls were recruited. Two tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (tagSNPs) in 5’ upstream of TGFBR2 gene (rs6785358, -3779A/G; rs764522, -1444C/ G) were selected and genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay. Results: A significant difference was seen in the distribution of genotypes between patients with congenital heart defects and controls for SNP rs6785358 (P=0.043). For SNP rs6785358 the carrier of the G allele (AG/GG genotype) showed a significantly higher risk of congenital heart defects compared with AA homozygotes (OR=1.545, 95% CI: 1.013-2.356). Further analysis by sex stratification indicated that individuals carrying G allele (AG/GG genotype) for SNP rs6785358 have a higher susceptibility to congenital heart defects (OR=2.088, 95%CI: 1.123-3.883, P=0.019) in males, but not females (OR=1.195, 95%CI: 0.666-2.146, P=0.55). No statistical significance was detected in the distribution of genotypes and allele frequencies for SNP rs764522 between patients and controls. Conclusion: Our result suggested that SNP rs6785358 of TGFBR2 gene was associated with increased risk of congenital heart defects in Han Chinese men and further research would be warranted.

Antecedentes: Factor de crecimiento transformante ß receptor II (TGFBR2) es un componente clave de la via de señalización de TGF-ß. TGFBR2 puede ser detectado en la generación de corazón. Los embriones de ratón de TGFBR2 gene knockout mostraron defectos congénitos del corazón. Métodos: Hemos realizado un estudio de casos y controles para investigar la asociación entre polimorfismos del gen TGFBR2 y defectos congénitos del corazón en la población china han. 125 pacientes con defectos congénitos del corazón y 615 unrelated controles fueron reclutados. Marcado de dos polimorfismos de nucleótido único (tagsnps) en 5 ‘aguas arriba del gen TGFBR2 (rs6785358, - 3779a / g; rs764522, - 1444c / g) fueron seleccionados y genotipados por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) - polimorfismos de longitud de fragmentos de restricción (RFLP) de ensayo. Resultados: Se observó una diferencia significativa en la distribución de genotipos entre pacientes con defectos congénitos del corazón y controles para SNP rs6785358 (P = 0043). La SNP rs6785358 el porteador del alelo G (AG / GG genotipo) mostraron un importante crecimiento y mayor riesgo de defectos congénitos del corazón en comparación con AA homocigotos (OR = 1.545, IC del 95%: 1.013-2.356). Más análisis por sexo estratificación indicó que los individuos con alelo G (AG / GG genotipo) para SNP rs6785358 tienen una mayor susceptibilidad a defectos congénitos del corazón (OR = 2.088, IC del 95%: 1.123-3.883, p = 0.019) en machos, pero no en las mujeres (OR = 1.195, IC del 95%: 0.666-2.146, p = 0.55). No hay significación estadística fue detectado en la distribución de los genotipos y frecuencias de alelos de SNP rs764522 entre pacientes y controles. Conclusión: Nuestros resultados sugieren que el SNP rs6785358 de gen TGFBR2 se asoció con un mayor riesgo de defectos congénitos del corazón en los chinos han hombres y más investigación estaría justificada.

The state recognition based on the image processing can identify whether or not the target is in normal state. In this paper, there are three creative works in our scheme. Firstly, the improved threshold segmentation (ITS) method can obtain the optimal parameters of the foreground and the background, and it will be favorable for the feature extraction. Secondly, we construct the geometric area ratio (GAR) feature vector to intensify the patterns to simplify the successive state recognition. Thirdly, a novel state recognition algorithm (NSRA) can correctly classify the states of the unknown patterns. Experiments demonstrate the ITS has a best edge effect than the Wavelet method. The proposed GAR feature vector is effective to reflect the similarity of the samples in same Log operator method. The presented NSRA is suitable for the state recognition of the target in an image. In the other words, the proposed algorithm can recognize effectively and correctly the unknown patterns.

Lupus peritonitis (LP) is extremely rare. Acute LP is characterized by rapid onset of ascites and severe abdominal pain, in addition to other well-recognized clinical features of a general systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) fare. Ascites associated with acute LP has been rarely reported as the prominent feature of a SLE fare. We report a 39-year-old woman who developed massive, painful ascites as the presenting manifestation of a SLE fare. Diagnostic workup ruled out the possibility of hepatic, cardiovascular, infectious, or malignant diseases, and confirmed the presence of a SLE fare. The patient was treated with methyl prednisolone and hydroxychloroquine resulting in dramatic improvement of her condition. During ambulatory follow up, she has remained asymptomatic up to the moment of this writing. Adrenal steroids and hydrocychloroquine may be useful for the management of SLE fares in patients with massive, painful ascites due to acute LP.

La peritonitis lúpica es rara. El cuadro agudo se caracteriza por ascitis de comienzo rápido, dolor abdominal severo y otras manifestaciones de una recidiva de un lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES). Sólo ocasionalmente e ha informado que la ascitis y peritonitis lúpica sean las principales manifestaciones de una recidiva lúpica. Presentamos a una mujer de 39 años que presentó ascitis masiva y dolorosa como la primera manifestación de una reactivación lúpica. El estudio diagnóstico descartó problemas hepáticos, pulmonares, cardiacos, cáncer o infecciones y confirmó la reactivación lúpica. La paciente se trató con metilprednisolona y cloroquina, resultando en una mejoría dramática. Al momento de preparar este informe, la paciente permanece asintomática en control ambulatorio. Los corticoides y cloroquina pueden ser medicamentos útiles para el tratamiento de pacientes con ascitis dolorosa y masiva secundaria a peritonitis lúpica.

RESUMO Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo examinar as influências sobre as decisões de arquitetura de TI sob as lentes da Teoria Institucional e da Teoria da Escolha Estratégica por meio de estudos de casos comparados. A influência institucional pode ser proveniente de uma ação externa ou de algo interno à organização, ao passo que a influência estratégica está relacionada com a ação voluntária dos gestores. O caso de uma empresa de grande porte, que possui maior formalização de suas políticas, foi comparado com o de outra de médio porte, que está em um estágio de maturidade de arquitetura menos avançado. As duas organizações, apesar de haver diferenças em relação ao uso da arquitetura de TI, apresentaram resultados semelhantes relacionados à atuação dessas duas influências. Ambas as influências agem em conjunto: a estratégica foi a mais mencionada pelos entrevistados e a institucional apareceu pontualmente em decisões que envolviam inovação e riscos.

ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to examine the influences on IT architecture decisions by viewing it through the lens of Institutional Theory and of Strategic Choice Theory, using the comparative case studies. Institutional influence can be the result of an external action or of something internal within the organizational, whereas strategic influence is related to the voluntary behavior of managers. The case of a large-scale company, where there is extensive internal policy formalization, was compared to a midsize company with a less mature architecture level. In spite of their differences as to the use of IT architecture, similar findings appeared in both organizations concerning these two influences. Both types of influence act together: the strategic type was most mentioned during interviews, whereas the institutional type appeared in decisions related to innovation and risks.

RESUMEN A partir de la Teoría Institucional y de la Teoría de la Elección Estratégica se realiza un estudio de casos para examinar las influencias institucionales y estratégicas en la toma de decisiones sobre la arquitectura de la tecnología de información. La influencia institucional puede provenir de una acción externa o interna de la organización, mientras que la influencia estratégica está relacionada con la acción voluntaria de los gerentes. Se comparó el caso de una gran empresa con un nivel superior de madurez de arquitectura de TI con el de una organización de tamaño medio. Aunque hay diferencias en el uso de la arquitectura de TI, las influencias actúan de forma parecida en ambas empresas. Los entrevistados citaron razones estratégicas más frecuentemente en sus respuestas, mientras que las influencias institucionales actuaron sobre decisiones de innovación y riesgo.

The study aims to analyze the IT architecture management practices associated with their degree of maturity and the influence of institutional and strategic factors on the decisions involved through a case study in a large telecom organization. The case study allowed us to identify practices that led the company to its current stage of maturity and identify practices that can lead the company to the next stage. The strategic influence was mentioned by most respondents and the institutional influence was present in decisions related to innovation and those dealing with a higher level of uncertainties.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the risks and rates of readmission and their predictors 14 days, one year, and five years after discharge for the psychiatric population in Taiwan. METHODS: This was a prospective study based on claims from 44,237 first-time hospitalized psychiatric patients discharged in 2000, who were followed for up to five years after discharge. The cumulative incidence and incidence density of readmission were calculated for various follow-up periods after discharge, and Cox proportional hazard models were generated to identify the significant predictors for psychiatric readmission. RESULTS: The less than 14-day, one-year, and five-year cumulative incidences were estimated at 6.1%, 22.3%, and 37.8%, respectively. The corresponding figures for incidence density were 4.58, 1.04, and 0.69 per 1,000 person-days, respectively. Certain factors were significantly associated with increased risk of readmission irrespective of the length of follow-up, including male gender, length of hospital stay >15 days, economic poverty, a leading discharge diagnosis of schizophrenia/affective disorders, and residence in less-urbanized regions. Compared to children/adolescents, young adults (20-39 years) were significantly associated with increased risks of <one-year and <five-year readmissions, but not <14-day readmission. Additionally, hospital characteristics were significantly associated with increased risk of <14-day and <one-year readmission, but not with risk of <five-year readmission. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the significant predictors for psychiatric readmission 14 days to five years after discharge were essentially the same except for patient's age and hospital accreditation level. This study also highlighted the importance of socioeconomic factors in the prediction of readmission.

The doublesex/male abnormal 3 (dsx/mab-3 or DM) domain gene family involved in sexual development encodes putative transcription factors including a DNA-binding homology motif, the DM domain. We used highly degenerate primers to clone and sequence seven distinct DM related transcription factor (Dmrt) genes from the Asian toad (Bufo gargarizans Cantor, 1842). A database search for the cloned sequences revealed the following percentage identity with the homologous Dmrt genes of the human: BgDmrt1 = 97%, BgDmrt2 = 97%, three isoforms of BgDmrt3 (BgDmrt3a = 93%, BgDmrt3b = 95%, BgDmrt3c = 100%) and two isoforms of BgDmrt5 (BgDmrt5 = 97%, BgDmrt5 = 91%). Based on DM domain amino acid sequence similarities we constructed a phylogenetic tree which grouped vertebrate and invertebrate Dmrt genes into seven distinct subfamilies. The DM domains of both human and the newly-discovered Bufo gargarizans genes contained two conserved zinc-chelating sites (CCHC and HCCC), except BgDmrt3b, which contained the CCRC and HCCC sites.