Isospin splitting in heavy baryons and mesons

A recent general analysis of light-baryon isospin splittings is updated and extended to charmed baryons. The measured $\Sigma_c$ and $\Xi_c$ splittings stand out as being difficult to understand in terms of two-body forces alone. We also discuss heavy-light mesons; though the framework here is necessarily less general, we nevertheless obtain some predictions that are not strongly model-dependent.Comment: 12 pages REVTEX 3, plus 4 uuencoded ps figures, CMU-HEP93-

Bench to Bed Evidences for Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Interactions Involving Oseltamivir and Chinese Medicine

Oseltamivir (OA), an ethyl ester prodrug of oseltamivir carboxylate (OC), is clinically used as a potent and selective inhibitor of neuraminidase. Chinese medicines have been advocated to combine with conventional drug for avian influenza. The current study aims to investigate the potential pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions of a Chinese medicine formula, namely, Yin Qiao San and Sang Ju Yin (CMF1), commonly used for anti-influenza in combination with OA in both rat and human, and to reveal the underlined mechanisms. It was found that although Cmax, AUC and urinary recovery of OC, as well as metabolic ratio (AUCOC/AUCOA), were significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner following combination use of CMF1 and OA in rat studies (P<0.01), such coadministration in 14 healthy volunteers only resulted in a trend of minor decrease in the related parameters. Further mechanistic studies found that although CMF1 could reduce absorption and metabolism of OA, it appears to enhance viral inhibition of OA (P<0.01). In summary, although there was potential interaction between OA and CMF1 found in rat studies, its clinical impact was expected to be minimal. The coadministration of OA and CMF1 at the clinical recommended dosages is, therefore, considered to be safe

The Feasibility of Integrating the Noble Scallop Mimachlamys nobilis with Existing Fish Monoculture Farms in the South China Sea: A Bioeconomic Assessment from Hong Kong

The environmental implications of integrated multitrophic aquaculture have been well studied in China, but few investigations have empirically explored potential economic benefits. This study investigated the technical and economic feasibility of physically integrating the noble scallop Mimachlamys nobilis (Reeve, 1852) with existing fish monoculture farms in Hong Kong. Scallops were grown for 201 days from June to December in lantern nets hung directly from fish farm platforms at treatment depths of 1, 3.5, and 6 m. Only the 1-m treatment attained the target mean height-at-harvest of 80 mm. Fitted von Bertalanffy growth functions showed significant differences in growth performance between depths. The von Bertalanffy growth function projected that the 3.5- and 6-m treatments would require an additional 26 and 59 days of culture to reach 80 mm. Mortality was significantly lower at 1 m (53% ± 12.5%) compared with those at 3.5 m (70% ± 9.0%) and 6 m (83% ± 4.5%). The slower growth and higher mortality at 3.5 and 6mwere probably due to periodically low oxygen which dropped to 4.96, 3.08, and 1.73 mg L-1 at 1, 3.5, and 6 m, respectively, in midsummer. A bioeconomic assessments of two typical farm sizes was conducted; small (45 m2) and large (315 m2). The initial investment, discounted payback time, and 10-y net present value of the projects was US$5,485.51, 3 y, and US$20,211.33, respectively, for the small farm and US$27,659.03, 2 y, and US$227,406.49, respectively, for the large farm. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the profitability of operations was sensitive to changes in mortality and sales price. This study has confirmed that physically integrating M. nobilis at existing fish farms is technically and economically feasible

Long‐Term Outcomes Among Elderly Survivors of Out‐of‐Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/139093/1/jah31396_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/139093/2/jah31396.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/139093/3/jah31396-sup-0001-SupInfo.pd

The impacts of suspended mariculture on coastal zones in China and the scope for Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture

Introduction: China is responsible for more than 60\% of global aquaculture production. As the frontiers of food production have expanded, the cultivation of marine organisms in coastal zones and the open ocean has grown rapidly. The dominant mariculture industry in China is suspended mariculture, which uses net cages, ropes, or other structures suspended in the water column to cultivate aquatic organisms. This systematic, quantitative review provides a clear and comprehensive account of research that has investigated the adverse impacts of suspended mariculture in China and reviews research that has applied Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) systems for mitigating impacts. This work builds on 218 peer reviewed papers that have been published in English-language journals. Outcomes: Eighteen impacts were identified, including chemical, ecological, physical, and socioeconomic impacts. Eighteen measures for improving suspended mariculture were recommended consisting of government department, farm management, and ecological engineering measures. IMTA was the most frequently recommended measure. The capabilities of IMTA for bioremediation and increased farm production were the most frequently studied advantages. Seven other benefits have been explored but remain understudied. The current challenges facing the expansion of commercial IMTA include limited use of new technology, limited skills development, decreasing production of low trophic-level species, biogeographic and temporal barriers, and negative system feedbacks. Conclusion: Despite challenges, implementing commercial IMTA is a promising measure for reducing the impacts of suspended mariculture because it presents a range of secondary benefits that can improve the overall sustainability of aquaculture in the coastal zone

Implementing an eleven year through-train model to complete Primary and Secondary Education: creating a platform for accommodating the newest pedagogical practices and technologies in school

In educational transformation, Logos Academy of Hong Kong has started to create space in two aspects: to accommodate for new learning areas, and to use the most updated technologies for learning. In different Learning Stages, new learning areas like "Family Life Education", "Analytical study of Current Issues", Mind-mapping, MegaSkills and Media Education are introduced. The teachers will design different level- and age-appropriate activities and assignments that encourage the mastery of basic concepts and development of aesthetic appreciation, family life education, character formation, physique building and inquiry/research skills. Moreover, integrated tasks and projects intertwining with different study skills are mounted to enable the children to experiment creative designs and try out increasingly complex investigations. To facilitate learning and teaching, Logos Academy also creates new platforms to use the newest technologies for pre-lesson use, for lesson use, and for post-lesson use. It is reviewed that with the aid of some updated technologies, our teachers are committed to facilitate change, reflect on current practices, explore further improvements in new learning areas and to use the new technologies effectively - which will in turn enhance the effectiveness of integrated study skills, self-directed learning, team work and social interaction of the students

Implementing an eleven year through-train model to complete Primary and Secondary Education , is it possible? Why Not? : some challenges and principles

As learning and teaching is moving away from imparting student with mere "knowledge", the simple one-size-fits-all solution of a prescribed years of schooling with some rigid and prescriptive subject syllabuses designated for different year-levels in primary and secondary schools will no longer meet the developmental needs of students. Logos Academy of Hong Kong has started an "Eleven-year Through-train Program in September 2002, to re-define the different key stages in primary, junior and senior secondary levels to provide a broad and balanced curriculum which maintains seamless continuity. The eleven-year program consists of three stages, each with its particular characteristics: Foundation Stage: (FS1- FS3); Developmental Stage: (DS1 - DS5) and Mastery Stage (MS1 - MS3). We have achieved some pleasing outcome so far and we believe that this re-definition of Key Learning Stages is forward looking and keeping abreast of global trends. If this "Eleven-year Through-Train Schooling System" model is proved to be successful, it will throw some light on a new schooling structure - which will have significant implications on the government's funding and planning policie

Implementing an eleven year through-train model to complete Primary and Secondary Education: an innovative curriculum design, and optimizing the roles of subject specialists in the early learning stages

In an eleven year "through-train" model, to construct a new road map for learning, Logos Academy of Hong Kong has delineated clearly the roles of "Homeroom Teachers" and "Subject Specialists". In the Foundation Stage (The first three years in Primary Schooling), the "Homeroom Teachers" will no longer teach most of the academic subjects for their respective Homeroom classes. They will undertake mainly pastoral care functions whilst different subject specialists are deployed to teach different subject areas accordingly. Each Subject teacher will teach ALL the classes within a year-band. In some Subjects like English Studies, two or three teachers will share the teaching load according to their specialties. After putting in practice for two years, evidence has shown that with this "Subject specialist across the year band" approach, the curriculum rigor has been strengthened and children have made much more remarkable progress in specific learning areas. Moreover, it has created space and opportunities for co-teaching and joint projects. This has in turn facilitated communication, collaboration and professional development of teachers in their subject specialty. Within the same subject area, the inter-teacher difference between classes of the same year level has been diminished, and the effectiveness of teaching and learning across the whole year-band may be better monitored and evaluated. The subject specialist is also in a better position to design and organize necessary follow-up actions (including enrichment or remedial work) more efficientl

Hospital Variation in Survival Trends for In‐hospital Cardiac Arrest

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/139094/1/jah3561.pd

Cytokine Response Patterns in Severe Pandemic 2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Influenza among Hospitalized Adults

BACKGROUND: Studying cytokine/chemokine responses in severe influenza infections caused by different virus subtypes may improve understanding on pathogenesis. METHODS: Adults hospitalized for laboratory-confirmed seasonal and pandemic 2009 A/H1N1 (pH1N1) influenza were studied. Plasma concentrations of 13 cytokines/chemokines were measured at presentation and then serially, using cytometric-bead-array with flow-cytometry and ELISA. PBMCs from influenza patients were studied for cytokine/chemokine expression using ex-vivo culture (Whole Blood Assay,±PHA/LPS stimulation). Clinical variables were prospectively recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: 63 pH1N1 and 53 seasonal influenza patients were studied. pH1N1 patients were younger (mean±S.D. 42.8±19.2 vs 70.5±16.7 years), and fewer had comorbidities. Respiratory/cardiovascular complications were common in both groups (71.4% vs 81.1%), although severe pneumonia with hypoxemia (54.0% vs 28.3%) and ICU admissions (25.4% vs 1.9%) were more frequent with pH1N1. Hyperactivation of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, CXCL8/IL-8, CCL2/MCP-1 and sTNFR-1 was found in pH1N1 pneumonia (2-15 times normal) and in complicated seasonal influenza, but not in milder pH1N1 infections. The adaptive-immunity (Th1/Th17)-related CXCL10/IP-10, CXCL9/MIG and IL-17A however, were markedly suppressed in severe pH1N1 pneumonia (2-27 times lower than seasonal influenza; P-values<0.01). This pattern was further confirmed with serial measurements. Hypercytokinemia tended to be sustained in pH1N1 pneumonia, associated with a slower viral clearance [PCR-negativity: day 3-4, 55% vs 85%; day 6-7, 67% vs 100%]. Elevated proinflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-6, predicted ICU admission (adjusted OR 12.6, 95%CI 2.6-61.5, per log(10)unit increase; P = 0.002), and correlated with fever, tachypnoea, deoxygenation, and length-of-stay (Spearman's rho, P-values<0.01) in influenza infections. PBMCs in seasonal influenza patients were activated and expressed cytokines ex vivo (e.g. IL-6, CXCL8/IL-8, CCL2/MCP-1, CXCL10/IP-10, CXCL9/MIG); their 'responsiveness' to stimuli was shown to change dynamically during the illness course. CONCLUSIONS: A hyperactivated proinflammatory, but suppressed adaptive-immunity (Th1/Th17)-related cytokine response pattern was found in severe pH1N1 pneumonia, different from seasonal influenza. Cytokine/immune-dysregulation may be important in its pathogenesis