A922 Sequential measurement of 1 hour creatinine clearance (1-CRCL) in critically ill patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI)

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Deficits in Inhibitory Control in Smokers During a Go/NoGo Task: An Investigation Using Event-Related Brain Potentials

Contains fulltext : 119553.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Introduction: The role of inhibitory control in addictive behaviors is highlighted in several models of addictive behaviors. Although reduced inhibitory control has been observed in addictive behaviors, it is inconclusive whether this is evident in smokers. Furthermore, it has been proposed that drug abuse individuals with poor response inhibition may experience greater difficulties not consuming substances in the presence of drug cues. The major aim of the current study was to provide electrophysiological evidence for reduced inhibitory control in smokers and to investigate whether this is more pronounced during smoking cue exposure. Methods: Participants (19 smokers and 20 non-smoking controls) performed a smoking Go/NoGo task. Behavioral accuracy and amplitudes of the N2 and P3 event-related potential (ERP), both reflecting aspects of response inhibition, were the main variables of interest. Results: Reduced NoGo N2 amplitudes in smokers relative to controls were accompanied by decreased task performance, whereas no differences between groups were found in P3 amplitudes. This was found to represent a general lack of inhibition in smokers, and not dependent on the presence of smoking cues. Conclusions: The current results suggest that smokers have difficulties with response inhibition, which is an important finding that eventually can be implemented in smoking cessation programs. More research is needed to clarify the exact role of cue exposure on response inhibition.7 p

A Gap Analysis Methodology for Collecting Crop Genepools: A Case Study with Phaseolus Beans

Background The wild relatives of crops represent a major source of valuable traits for crop improvement. These resources are threatened by habitat destruction, land use changes, and other factors, requiring their urgent collection and long-term availability for research and breeding from ex situ collections. We propose a method to identify gaps in ex situ collections (i.e. gap analysis) of crop wild relatives as a means to guide efficient and effective collecting activities. Methodology/Principal Findings The methodology prioritizes among taxa based on a combination of sampling, geographic, and environmental gaps. We apply the gap analysis methodology to wild taxa of the Phaseolus genepool. Of 85 taxa, 48 (56.5%) are assigned high priority for collecting due to lack of, or under-representation, in genebanks, 17 taxa are given medium priority for collecting, 15 low priority, and 5 species are assessed as adequately represented in ex situ collections. Gap “hotspots”, representing priority target areas for collecting, are concentrated in central Mexico, although the narrow endemic nature of a suite of priority species adds a number of specific additional regions to spatial collecting priorities. Conclusions/Significance Results of the gap analysis method mostly align very well with expert opinion of gaps in ex situ collections, with only a few exceptions. A more detailed prioritization of taxa and geographic areas for collection can be achieved by including in the analysis predictive threat factors, such as climate change or habitat destruction, or by adding additional prioritization filters, such as the degree of relatedness to cultivated species (i.e. ease of use in crop breeding). Furthermore, results for multiple crop genepools may be overlaid, which would allow a global analysis of gaps in ex situ collections of the world's plant genetic resource

Effect of Semi-Rigid Joints on Design of Steel Structure

Abstract: Limit state design method has presented a new era of safe and economic construction for steel structures. New standard IS 800:2007 for design of steel structures has provided an opportunity for modern design philosophy, design specifications and provisions as per Limit State Method of design in our country. In design of steel structures, steel connections are important elements for controlling behaviour of structure. It is essential that to understand behaviour of steel frame, connectors are required to develop full or a little higher strength compared to members being joined in order to achieve a safe and an economical design. A connection rotates through angle Or caused by applied moment M. This is angle between beam and column from their original position. Several moment-rotation relationships have been derived from experimental studies for modelling semi-rigid connections of steel frames. These relationships vary from linear model to exponential models and are nonlinear in nature. Connections possess semi rigid end conditions in actual behaviour. In the present dissertation, the effect of semi rigid joints on design of steel structures is studied. The behaviour of semi rigid connections and its modelling is discussed. The analysis of the frames is done using ANSYS 2016 and the comparative results of rigid, semi rigid and pinned end conditions has been presented in graphical form. From the results of analysis the design of various semi rigid connections is carried out. Further buckling analysis of stepped columns has been carried out in order to obtain effective length parameters for semi-rigid connections. The design examples has been solved using AISC and IS 800-2007. The comparison is done for fixed, semi rigid and pinned end condition. Keyword: semi-rigid joint, frame analysis, rotational stiffness, buckling length, genetic algorithm.</jats:p