The Drosophila SH2B Family Adaptor Lnk Acts in Parallel to Chico in the Insulin Signaling Pathway

Insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of growth at the cellular and the organismal level during animal development. Flies with impaired IIS are developmentally delayed and small due to fewer and smaller cells. In the search for new growth-promoting genes, we identified mutations in the gene encoding Lnk, the single fly member of the SH2B family of adaptor molecules. Flies lacking lnk function are viable but severely reduced in size. Furthermore, lnk mutants display phenotypes reminiscent of reduced IIS, such as developmental delay, female sterility, and accumulation of lipids. Genetic epistasis analysis places lnk downstream of the insulin receptor (InR) and upstream of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) in the IIS cascade, at the same level as chico (encoding the single fly insulin receptor substrate [IRS] homolog). Both chico and lnk mutant larvae display a similar reduction in IIS activity as judged by the localization of a PIP3 reporter and the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (PKB). Furthermore, chico; lnk double mutants are synthetically lethal, suggesting that Chico and Lnk fulfill independent but partially redundant functions in the activation of PI3K upon InR stimulation

Regionalised spatiotemporal rainfall and temperature models for flood studies in the Basque Country, Spain

A spatiotemporal point process model of rainfall is fitted to data taken from three homogeneous regions in the Basque Country, Spain. The model is the superposition of two spatiotemporal Neyman–Scott processes, in which rain cells are modelled as discs with radii that follow exponential distributions. In addition, the model includes a parameter for the radius of storm discs, so that rain only occurs when both a cell and a storm disc overlap a point. The model is fitted to data for each month, taken from each of the three homogeneous regions, using a modified method of moments procedure that ensures a smooth seasonal variation in the parameter estimates. Daily temperature data from 23 sites are used to fit a stochastic temperature model. A principal component analysis of the maximum daily temperatures across the sites indicates that 92% of the variance is explained by the first component, implying that this component can be used to account for spatial variation. A harmonic equation with autoregressive error terms is fitted to the first principal component. The temperature model is obtained by regressing the maximum daily temperature on the first principal component, an indicator variable for the region, and altitude. This, together with scaling and a regression model of temperature range, enables hourly temperatures to be predicted. Rainfall is included as an explanatory variable but has only a marginal influence when predicting temperatures. A distributed model (TETIS; Francés et al., 2007) is calibrated for a selected catchment. Five hundred years of data are simulated using the rainfall and temperature models and used as input to the calibrated TETIS model to obtain simulated discharges to compare with observed discharges. Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests indicate that there is no significant difference in the distributions of observed and simulated maximum flows at the same sites, thus supporting the use of the spatiotemporal models for the intended application

Changes in the TRMM Version 7 Space/Time Averaged Level 3 Data Products Based on GPROF TMI Swath-Based Precipitation Retrievals

TRMM has three level 3 (space/time averaged) data products that aggregate level 2 TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) GPROF precipitation retrievals. These three products are TRMM 3A12, which is a monthly accumulation of 2A12 the GPROF swath retrieval product; TRMM 3B31, which is a monthly accumulation of 2A12 and 2B31 the combined retrieval product that uses both Precipitation Radar (PR) and TMI data; and 3G68 and its variants, which provide hourly retrievals for TMI, PR and combined. The 3G68 products are packaged as daily files but provide hourly information at 0.5 deg x 0.5 deg resolution globally, 0.25 deg x 0.25 deg globally, or 0.1 deg x 0.1 deg over Africa, Australia and South America. This paper will present early information of the changes in the v7 TMI GPROF level 2 retrievals that have an impact on the level 3 accumulations. This paper provides an analysis of the effect the 2A12 GPROF changes have on 3G68 products. In addition, it provides a comparison between the TRMM level 3 products that use the TMI GPROF swath retrievals

Sleep-wake disturbances 6 months after traumatic brain injury: a prospective study

Sleep-wake disturbances (SWD) are common after traumatic brain injury (TBI). In acute TBI, we recently found decreased CSF levels of hypocretin-1, a wake-promoting neurotransmitter. In the present study, we aimed to delineate the frequency and clinical characteristics of post-traumatic SWD, to assess CSF hypocretin-1 levels 6 months after TBI, and to identify risk factors for posttraumatic SWD. A total of 96 consecutive patients were enrolled within the first 4 days after TBI. Six months later, out of 76 TBI patients, who did not die and who did not move to foreign countries, we included 65 patients (86%, 53 males, mean age 39 years) in our study. Patients were examined using interviews, questionnaires, clinical examinations, computed tomography of the brain, laboratory tests (including CSF hypocretin-1 levels, and HLA typing), conventional polysomnography, maintenance of wakefulness and multiple sleep latency tests (MSLT) and actigraphy. Potential causes of post-traumatic SWD were assessed according to international criteria. New-onset sleep-wake disturbances following TBI were found in 47 patients (72%): subjective excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS; defined by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale ≥10) was found in 18 (28%), objective EDS (as defined by mean sleep latency <5 min on MSLT) in 16 (25%), fatigue (daytime tiredness without signs of subjective or objective EDS) in 11 (17%), post-traumatic hypersomnia ‘sensu strictu' (increased sleep need of ≥2 h per 24 h compared to pre-TBI) in 14 (22%) patients and insomnia in 3 patients (5%). In 28 patients (43% of the study population), we could not identify a specific cause of the post-traumatic SWD other than TBI. Low CSF hypocretin-1 levels were found in 4 of 21 patients 6 months after TBI, as compared to 25 of 27 patients in the first days after TBI. Hypocretin levels 6 months after TBI were significantly lower in patients with post-traumatic EDS. There were no associations between post-traumatic SWD and severity or localization of TBI, general clinical outcome, gender, pathological neurological findings and HLA typing. However, post-traumatic SWD correlated with impaired quality of life. These results suggest that sleep-wake disturbances, particularly EDS, fatigue and hypersomnia are common after TBI, and significantly impair quality of life. In almost one out of two patients, post-traumatic SWD appear to be directly related to the TBI. An involvement of the hypocretin system in the pathophysiology of post-traumatic SWD appears possible. Other risk factors predisposing towards the development of post-traumatic SWD were not identifie

Measurement of ventilation and cardiac related impedance changes with electrical impedance tomography

Introduction Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) has been shown to be able to distinguish both ventilation and perfusion. With adequate filtering the regional distributions of both ventilation and perfusion and their relationships could be analysed. Several methods of separation have been suggested previously, including breath holding, electrocardiograph (ECG) gating and frequency filtering. Many of these methods require interventions inappropriate in a clinical setting. This study therefore aims to extend a previously reported frequency filtering technique to a spontaneously breathing cohort and assess the regional distributions of ventilation and perfusion and their relationship. Methods Ten healthy adults were measured during a breath hold and while spontaneously breathing in supine, prone, left and right lateral positions. EIT data were analysed with and without filtering at the respiratory and heart rate. Profiles of ventilation, perfusion and ventilation/perfusion related impedance change were generated and regions of ventilation and pulmonary perfusion were identified and compared. Results Analysis of the filtration technique demonstrated its ability to separate the ventilation and cardiac related impedance signals without negative impact. It was, therefore, deemed suitable for use in this spontaneously breathing cohort. Regional distributions of ventilation, perfusion and the combined ΔZV/ΔZQ were calculated along the gravity axis and anatomically in each position. Along the gravity axis, gravity dependence was seen only in the lateral positions in ventilation distribution, with the dependent lung being better ventilated regardless of position. This gravity dependence was not seen in perfusion. When looking anatomically, differences were only apparent in the lateral positions. The lateral position ventilation distributions showed a difference in the left lung, with the right lung maintaining a similar distribution in both lateral positions. This is likely caused by more pronounced anatomical changes in the left lung when changing positions. Conclusions The modified filtration technique was demonstrated to be effective in separating the ventilation and perfusion signals in spontaneously breathing subjects. Gravity dependence was seen only in ventilation distribution in the left lung in lateral positions, suggesting gravity based shifts in anatomical structures. Gravity dependence was not seen in any perfusion distributions

Wege zum Studienerfolg: Analysen, Maßnahmen und Perspektiven an der Technischen Universität Dresden 2016 – 2020

Dieser Band dokumentiert die Konzepte, Maßnahmen und Ergebnisse von zwölf Projekten zur Steigerung des Studienerfolgs und zur Vermeidung von Studienabbrüchen an der Technischen Universität Dresden im Zeitraum von 2016 bis 2020. Ihre Spannweite reicht von digitalen, web- und datengestützten Ansätzen über beratungsorientierte, diagnostische und praxisbezogene Angebote bis hin zur Verbesserung der Sprach- und Schreibfertigkeiten, der Studierfähigkeit und der Wissensvermittlung. Im Mittelpunkt stehen immer die Studierenden mit ihren Ansprüchen, Bedarfen und Problemen. Das Buch richtet sich zum einen an in der Praxis Handelnde sowie Entscheidende im Bereich Studienerfolg in Studienberatungen, an Fakultäten, Hochschulen und in der Politik. Herausforderungen und Erfolge der Projekte werden im Einzelnen dargestellt und übergeordnete Erfolgsbedingungen herausgearbeitet, damit zukünftige Maßnahmen an der TU Dresden und an anderen Hochschulstandorten in Sachsen und bundesweit davon profitieren können. Neben den Projektbeschreibungen enthält der Band einen Überblick zum aktuellen Stand der Theorien des Studienerfolgs, ein aus verschiedenen Perspektiven aufgenommenes und detailliertes Bild der Studierenden der TU Dresden auf Grundlage quantitativ empirischer Analysen und am Ende einen Ausblick auf die Studienerfolgsstrategie der TU Dresden. Das Buch richtet sich zum anderen somit auch an Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler, Lehrende und Studierende der Hochschulund Bildungsforschung sowie der Erziehungswissenschaft und der Qualitätsforschung. Leserinnen und Leser erhalten die Gesamtbilanz einer universitätsweiten Kraftanstrengung. Die Bemühungen zur Steigerung des Studienerfolgs an der TU Dresden stehen aber nicht am Ende. Das vorliegende Buch ist eine Basispublikation für entsprechende Anstrengungen und liefert dahingehende Anregungen.:Christian Schäfer-Hock, Franziska Schulze-Stocker, Henriette Greulich Fünf Jahre Anstrengungen zur Steigerung des Studienerfolgs an der TU Dresden-3 Andreas Sarcletti Studienerfolg und Studienabbruch-21 Robert Pelz, Franziska Schulze-Stocker, Stephanie Gaaw Determinanten der Studienabbruchneigung von Studierenden-53 Christin Engel, Meinhardt Branig Vielfalt als Herausforderung für Studierende und Universitäten-83 Matthias Heinz, Helge Fischer, Robin Heitz, Marcus Breitenstein, Thomas Köhler Das Studienassistenzsystem gOPAL-119 Annegret Stark, Fritz Hoffmann Online-Vorbereitungskurse Mathematik und Physik-153 Marlen Dubrau, Jana Riedel, Corinna Lehmann Flexibles Studieren an der TU Dresden-167 Franziska Schulze-Stocker, Anne-Marie B. Gallrein, Cornelia Blum, Michael Rockstroh, Ariunaa Ishig PASST?! Partnerschaft · Studienerfolg · TU Dresden-189 Petra Kemter-Hofmann, Grit Schuster Übergänge gestalten – Erfolg sichern!-225 Julia Kuß, Anja Abdel-Haq, Anne Jacob, Theresia Zimmermann Entwicklung von Online-Self-Assessments für Studiengänge der Ingenieurwissenschaften an der TU Dresden-241 Constantino Grau Turuelo, Oscar Banos García, Cornelia Breitkopf thermoEint: E-Assessments for International Students in Mechanical Engineering-271 Alice Friedland, Kathleen Oehmichen Studienbegleitende Deutschkurse mit Fachbezug an der Technischen Universität Dresden im Rahmen des Projektes »DaF trifft MINT«-305 Katharina Gabel-Stransky Internationalisierung des Studiums und des Campus durch sprachlich-interkulturelles Lernen (Studi-SPRiNT)-329 Christina Schulz, Christiane Einmahl Praxis statt grauer Theorie-343 Isabell Gall, Anja Schanze, Beatrice Schlegel Mentoring-Tutoring-Coaching-365 Nina Melching Das Schreibzentrum der TU Dresden-393 Henriette Greulich Teils heiter, teils wolkig-427 Christian Schäfer-Hock, Franziska Schulze-Stocker, Henriette Greulich Was bleibt nach fünf Jahren?-44

Wege zum Studienerfolg: Analysen, Maßnahmen und Perspektiven an der Technischen Universität Dresden 2016 – 2020

Dieser Band dokumentiert die Konzepte, Maßnahmen und Ergebnisse von zwölf Projekten zur Steigerung des Studienerfolgs und zur Vermeidung von Studienabbrüchen an der Technischen Universität Dresden im Zeitraum von 2016 bis 2020. Ihre Spannweite reicht von digitalen, web- und datengestützten Ansätzen über beratungsorientierte, diagnostische und praxisbezogene Angebote bis hin zur Verbesserung der Sprach- und Schreibfertigkeiten, der Studierfähigkeit und der Wissensvermittlung. Im Mittelpunkt stehen immer die Studierenden mit ihren Ansprüchen, Bedarfen und Problemen. Das Buch richtet sich zum einen an in der Praxis Handelnde sowie Entscheidende im Bereich Studienerfolg in Studienberatungen, an Fakultäten, Hochschulen und in der Politik. Herausforderungen und Erfolge der Projekte werden im Einzelnen dargestellt und übergeordnete Erfolgsbedingungen herausgearbeitet, damit zukünftige Maßnahmen an der TU Dresden und an anderen Hochschulstandorten in Sachsen und bundesweit davon profitieren können. Neben den Projektbeschreibungen enthält der Band einen Überblick zum aktuellen Stand der Theorien des Studienerfolgs, ein aus verschiedenen Perspektiven aufgenommenes und detailliertes Bild der Studierenden der TU Dresden auf Grundlage quantitativ empirischer Analysen und am Ende einen Ausblick auf die Studienerfolgsstrategie der TU Dresden. Das Buch richtet sich zum anderen somit auch an Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler, Lehrende und Studierende der Hochschulund Bildungsforschung sowie der Erziehungswissenschaft und der Qualitätsforschung. Leserinnen und Leser erhalten die Gesamtbilanz einer universitätsweiten Kraftanstrengung. Die Bemühungen zur Steigerung des Studienerfolgs an der TU Dresden stehen aber nicht am Ende. Das vorliegende Buch ist eine Basispublikation für entsprechende Anstrengungen und liefert dahingehende Anregungen.:Christian Schäfer-Hock, Franziska Schulze-Stocker, Henriette Greulich Fünf Jahre Anstrengungen zur Steigerung des Studienerfolgs an der TU Dresden-3 Andreas Sarcletti Studienerfolg und Studienabbruch-21 Robert Pelz, Franziska Schulze-Stocker, Stephanie Gaaw Determinanten der Studienabbruchneigung von Studierenden-53 Christin Engel, Meinhardt Branig Vielfalt als Herausforderung für Studierende und Universitäten-83 Matthias Heinz, Helge Fischer, Robin Heitz, Marcus Breitenstein, Thomas Köhler Das Studienassistenzsystem gOPAL-119 Annegret Stark, Fritz Hoffmann Online-Vorbereitungskurse Mathematik und Physik-153 Marlen Dubrau, Jana Riedel, Corinna Lehmann Flexibles Studieren an der TU Dresden-167 Franziska Schulze-Stocker, Anne-Marie B. Gallrein, Cornelia Blum, Michael Rockstroh, Ariunaa Ishig PASST?! Partnerschaft · Studienerfolg · TU Dresden-189 Petra Kemter-Hofmann, Grit Schuster Übergänge gestalten – Erfolg sichern!-225 Julia Kuß, Anja Abdel-Haq, Anne Jacob, Theresia Zimmermann Entwicklung von Online-Self-Assessments für Studiengänge der Ingenieurwissenschaften an der TU Dresden-241 Constantino Grau Turuelo, Oscar Banos García, Cornelia Breitkopf thermoEint: E-Assessments for International Students in Mechanical Engineering-271 Alice Friedland, Kathleen Oehmichen Studienbegleitende Deutschkurse mit Fachbezug an der Technischen Universität Dresden im Rahmen des Projektes »DaF trifft MINT«-305 Katharina Gabel-Stransky Internationalisierung des Studiums und des Campus durch sprachlich-interkulturelles Lernen (Studi-SPRiNT)-329 Christina Schulz, Christiane Einmahl Praxis statt grauer Theorie-343 Isabell Gall, Anja Schanze, Beatrice Schlegel Mentoring-Tutoring-Coaching-365 Nina Melching Das Schreibzentrum der TU Dresden-393 Henriette Greulich Teils heiter, teils wolkig-427 Christian Schäfer-Hock, Franziska Schulze-Stocker, Henriette Greulich Was bleibt nach fünf Jahren?-44

Model of end stage liver disease (MELD) score greater than 23 predicts length of stay in the ICU but not mortality in liver transplant recipients

INTRODUCTION: The impact of model of end stage liver disease (MELD) score on postoperative morbidity and mortality is still elusive, especially for high MELD. There are reports of poorer patient outcome in transplant candidates with high MELD score, others though report no influence of MELD score on outcome and survival. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of 144 consecutive liver transplant recipients over a 72-month period in our transplant unit, from January 2003 until December 2008 and performed uni- and multivariate analysis for morbidity and mortality, in particular to define the influence of MELD to these parameters. RESULTS: This study identified MELD score greater than 23 as an independent risk factor of morbidity represented by intensive care unit (ICU) stay longer than 10 days (odds ratio 7.0) but in contrast had no negative impact on mortality. Furthermore, we identified transfusion of more than 7 units of red blood cells as independent risk factor for mortality (hazard ratio 7.6) and for prolonged ICU stay (odds ratio [OR] 7.8) together with transfusion of more than 10 units of fresh frozen plasma (OR 11.6). Postoperative renal failure is a strong predictor of morbidity (OR 7.9) and postoperative renal replacement therapy was highly associated with increased mortality (hazard ratio 6.8), as was hepato renal syndrome prior to transplantation (hazard ratio 13.2). CONCLUSIONS: This study identified MELD score greater than 23 as an independent risk factor of morbidity represented by ICU stay longer than 10 days but in contrast had no negative impact on mortality. This finding supports the transplantation of patients with high MELD score but only with knowledge of increased morbidity