Abnormal Temperatures Research Articles

요인 분해분석을 통한 국내 가정부문의 에너지 소비 변화요인 연구

In Korea, industrial sector take up highest of value 56.0%, transportation sector 22.8% and residential sector 11.9% of a total energy consumption. Due to abnormal temperatures the residential sector is showing a high growth rate of energy consumption increased demand for air conditioning in 2010. As a result, we have suffered from a power shortage, energy saving of the residential sector has been highlighted until now. Index decomposition analysis is a methodology that decomposes the change of energy consumption level into activity effect, structure effect, and intensity effect. It could be applied to energy demand and gas emission. This method has been used to conduct energy consumption analysis on manufacturing and industrial sectors to establish and evaluate the energy policies. This study decomposed the change of energy consumption level in Korean Residential sector from 1990 to 2010 applying Index decomposition methods: LMDI. Analysis showed energy consumption of residential sector increased by annual average 2.2% for 20years and the biggest increase in energy consumption was due to the number of households. In the late 2000s, structure effect of residential showed up by annual average 1.6% as residential structure changed into excessive consuming type of energy sources, and also energy intensity has been improved from 14% to -2.2 %.

Drivers of climate change beliefs

Direct experience of global warming is expected to increase the number of people who accept that it is real and human-caused. A study now shows that people's perceptions about abnormal temperatures mostly match actual measurements but do not affect climate change beliefs.

Coexistence of genotypic and temperature-dependent sex determination in pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis.

In this study, we examined whether a homolog of the master sex-determining gene amhy of Odontesthes hatcheri is present and plays any role in testis determination of pejerrey O. bonariensis, a species otherwise known for its strong temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). Screening of wild and laboratory-reared pejerrey for amhy revealed a high, although not complete linkage with phenotypic sex. The sex ratio in an amhy +/−/amhy −/− full sibling progeny reared during the thermolabile period of sex determination at an intermediate temperature of 25°C was 68.7% male:31.3% female; all amhy +/− fish developed as males whereas about 2/3 and 1/3 of the amhy −/− were female and male, respectively. Expression analyses revealed that amhy transcription began during embryo stage and decreased by the end of sex determination period. The autosomal amha was present in all individuals regardless of amhy genotype; its expression increased significantly from the end of the same period in the gonads of all amhy+ /− but only in part of the amhy− /− animals. After histological gonadal differentiation, all gonads of amhy −/− animals with amha ISH signals were testes and those without it were ovaries. These results suggest that amhy is important for testicular differentiation in pejerrey, at least at intermediate temperatures. Thus, we hypothesize that amhy +/− animals differentiate as males by expression of either amhy alone or amhy and amha together whereas the amhy −/− probably rely solely on amha expression. These findings represent the first clear genomic evidence that genotypic and environmental sex determinants can coexist in species with marked TSD such as the pejerrey. The finding of amhy will make possible to monitor wild pejerrey populations for mismatches between genotypic and phenotypic sex and may prove instrumental for field studies addressing the effects of endocrine disruptors or abnormal temperatures on reproduction and the ecological relevance of TSD for this species.

Abnormal Daily Temperature and Concern about Climate Change Across the United States

AbstractThe relatively low level of concern about climate change among Americans has important implications for climate policy. While many studies have examined individual characteristics associated with climate change attitudes, fewer studies have considered the effects of environmental conditions on such attitudes. Here, we use two national samples of American adults to explore the impact of abnormal daily temperatures on levels of concern about climate change. We test the hypotheses that (1) abnormally warm temperatures, and (2) both abnormally warm and abnormally cool temperatures are associated with higher levels of concern. Using a generalized ordinal logit, we find that the quadratic form of deviation from mean temperature on the date of the survey is significantly associated with higher levels of concern, thus supporting the second hypothesis. We discuss several theoretical frameworks that may explain this result including availability bias, mental models, and implicit stimuli, and the implications for climate policy.

Rapid and sudden advection of warm and dry air in the Mediterranean Basin

Abstract. Rapid advection of extremely warm and dry air is studied during two events in the Mediterranean Basin. On 27 August 2010 a rapid advection of extremely warm and dry air affected the northeast Iberian Peninsula during a few hours. At the Barcelona city center, the temperature reached 39.3 ° C, which is the maximum temperature value recorded during 230 yr of daily data series. On 23 March 2008 a rapid increase of temperature and drop of relative humidity were recorded for a few hours in Heraklion (Crete). During the morning on that day, the recorded temperature reached 34 °C for several hours on the northern coastline of this island. According to the World Meteorological Organization none of these events can be classified as a heat wave, which requires at least two days of abnormally high temperatures; neither are they a heat burst as defined by the American Meteorological Society, where abnormal temperatures take place during a few minutes. For this reason, we suggest naming this type of event flash heat. By using data from automatic weather stations in the Barcelona and Heraklion area and WRF mesoscale numerical simulations, these events are analyzed. Additionally, the primary risks and possible impacts on several fields are presented.

Implementing a point of care testing (POCT) service improves management of haemostatic dysfunction in cardiac surgery patients

s / Australian Critical Care 27 (2014) 43–63 49 concentration prepared, who usually prepared the drug and what current safety practices were used. Results:Thirty-eight responses to the surveywere received representing 29 ICUs, approximately 17% of all adult ICUs in Australia and NZ. Two specialist peadiatric ICUs also responded. Seventeen respondents (60%) were currently using at least one pre-prepared infusion, most commonly heparin (8/17), epidurals (6/17) or opiates for patient controlled analgesia (11/17). Significant variation in final concentration was observed for all infusionsexcept insulinandesmolol. Thefinal volumevaried significantly for all drugs. Other than the small number of pre-prepared infusions, nursing staff prepared all infusions. Labellingwas usually hand-written with some colour-coding. Ninety percent of respondents identified safety and 68% identified efficiency as likely to be improved by the use of pre-prepared infusions. Conclusion: Significant variation exists in the preparation of commonly used infusions across ICUs in Australia andNZ. Rationalisation and standardisation of practice would improve safety and efficiency. A nationally or regionally coordinated response could potentially reduce the barrier of cost. Disclosureof interest:Anunrestricted researchgrant fromBaxter HealthCare supported the conduct of this study. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aucc.2013.10.019 Implementing a point of care testing (POCT) service improves management of haemostatic dysfunction in cardiac surgery patients B. Pearse1,∗, D. Wall1, I. Smith1, D. Faulke1, I. Rapchuck1, J. Fraser2, J. McGree3, L. Drake1, P. Tesar1, Yl. Fung2 1 The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Australia 2 Critical Care Research Group, UQ, 7 School of Mathematical Sciences, QUT, Australia 3 Critical Care Research Group, UQ, Australia Introduction:Somebleeding is anexpectedconsequenceof cardiac surgery. Excessive or uncontrolled bleeding is a complication requiring timelymanagement andmay require blood transfusion/s. Turnaround times for standard laboratory tests (SLT’s) is often too slow to guide treatment. Hence, blood products are often transfused before SLT results are available. Blood product transfusion is not without risk and is independently associated with increased risk for morbidity/mortality. Objectives: To improve diagnosis of haemostatic dysfunction and bleeding management, in July 2012 we commenced the implementation of a clinician driven POCT service using rotationalthromboelastometry (ROTEM) and platelet function (Multiplate) at The Prince Charles Hospital. Methods: A multidisciplinary, multimodal approach was taken and involved appointment of a project lead, identifying stakeholders, developing a project plan, educating POCT operators/interpreters, developing quality control infrastructure and monitoring/analysing outcomes. Results: A comparison of post POCT implementation data with historical controls demonstrated a decrease in percentage patients receiving RBC’s (p=2.965e−08), FFP (p<2.2e−16) and platelets (p<2.2e−16). Units per patient was reduced for RBC (p=1.8413e−09), FFP (p=5.4988e−25) and platelets (p=8.5073e−27). A significant decrease was seen in reexploration rate for bleeding (p=0.0509) and median hospital LOS (p=9.3657e−09). Conclusions: Implementation of our POCT service reduced percentage of patients receiving blood products as well as quantity of products transfused. Timely results allowedclinicians to treat coagulopathy,with only those products required to resolve haemostatic dysfunction. Key to this success is a dedicated project lead and a multidisciplinary, multimodal approach involving all stakeholders. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aucc.2013.10.020 Measurement of temperature in critically ill adults: A systematic review and clinical practice guideline K. Rolls1,∗, K. Armstrong2, L. Keating3, D. Wrightson4, S. Walker5, J. Masters1 1 ACI-ICCMU, Australia 2 Bankstown ICU, Australia 3 St George ICU, Australia 4 Wollongong ICU, Australia 5 Central Queensland University, Australia Accurate measurement of temperature is important to ensure patients receive appropriate and timely interventions to prevent significantmorbidity andmortality. The clinical questionunderpinning this studywas ‘whatmethod/sofmeasuringbody temperature ensures the timely identification of abnormal temperatures in critically ill adults?’ An expert nursing group undertook a systematic review to identify research published between January 2000 and May 2012, published in English and applicable to critically ill patients aged more than 13. Recommendations for practice were developed at a consensus meeting and refined using internal and external validation panels. Online surveyswere usedwhere panellists indicated their level of agreementusinga9-point Likert scale. Agreementwas set as a median of equal or greater than seven. National Health and Medical Research Council guideline processes and evidence taxonomy were applied. Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network quality criteria were used. Thirty-one paperswere reviewedwith 24, including 17 Level III2 studies, four systematic reviews and three guidelines, included in thefinal review. Themost commonproblemswere failure to ensure adequate inter-rater reliability and sample size, and application of Bland–Altman analysis.

How warm days increase belief in global warming

Little is known about how temperature anomalies affect people’s views about climate change. Research now shows that available information about today’s temperature, even though less relevant than evidence of global patterns, is used to formulate opinions. With experience of abnormal temperatures, people overestimate the frequency of similar past events and belief in global warming increases.

Fine crystalline VO2 nanoparticles: synthesis, abnormal phase transition temperatures and excellent optical properties of a derived VO2 nanocomposite foil

A simulation of the optical properties of nanocomposite coatings derived from VO2 nanoparticles (NPs) shows that the nanocomposite coatings have advantages over pure VO2 thin films in their solar energy modification ability (ΔTsol) and luminous transmittance (Tlum). These nanocoatings rely on fine quality VO2 NPs; methods to prepare NPs for this purpose are yet to be developed. By studying the formation mechanism of VO2 NPs, the NP preparation process was optimized, and fine crystal quality VO2 NPs with diameters from 25–45 nm were synthesized. The highest latent heat of these VO2 NPs is 43 J g−1, which is considerably higher than the 25 J g−1 reported previously and close to the 51 J g−1 of bulk VO2, which indicates that these VO2 NPs are highly crystalline. These NPs showed an asymmetrical phase transition and increased insulator–metal transition (IMT) temperatures. According to our results, the size of particles is not the only reason that should be responsible for the increased IMT temperatures. The high-quality NPs were dispersed in polyurethane (PU) and coated on polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The relationship between the solar energy modification ability (ΔTsol) and the luminous transmittance (Tlum) was studied by experiments and simulation. Although the best experimental values of ΔTsol = 22.3% and Tlum = 45.6% are still lower than the simulation results of ΔTsol = 23.7% and Tlum = 32.4%, these values represent the best for reported VO2 smart films or coatings.

Thermal threshold and sensitivity of the only symbiotic Mediterranean gorgonian Eunicella singularis by morphometric and genotypic analyses

The only symbiotic Mediterranean gorgonian, Eunicella singularis, has faced several mortality events connected to abnormal high temperatures. Since thermotolerance data remain scarce, heat-induced necrosis was monitored in aquarium by morphometric analysis. Gorgonian tips were sampled at two sites: Medes (Spain) and Riou (France) Islands, and at two depths: –15m and–35m. Although coming from contrasting thermal regimes, seawater above 28°C led to rapid and complete tissue necrosis for all four populations. However, at 27°C, the time length leading to 50% tissue necrosis allowed us to classify samples within three classes of thermal sensitivity. Irrespectively of the depth, Medes specimens were either very sensitive or resistant, while Riou fragments presented a medium sensitivity. Microsatellite analysis revealed that host and symbiont were genetically differentiated between sites, but not between depths. Finally, these genetic differentiations were not directly correlated to a specific thermal sensitivity whose molecular bases remain to be discovered.

Use of Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Diagnosis of Infection and Differentiation Between Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Septic Arthritis in Children

Diagnosis and identification of the etiological agent of septic arthritis (SA) in children is an important issue, as early treatment based on accurate diagnosis of joint infections can prevent potentially disabling complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the diagnosis of SA in children. Twenty children with suspected SA who had joint pain and underwent surgical treatment were enrolled in this study. Their preoperative clinical and laboratory findings were investigated. Tissues obtained during operation were subjected to microbiological culture and real-time PCR, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRS)-specific PCR and broad range universal PCR. Infection was confirmed if the result of microbiological culture was positive. Furthermore, abnormal clinical and laboratory findings and improvement in the symptoms and posttreatment data were also defined as the final diagnosis of infection. Out of the 20 patients, 19 were diagnosed with the infection. The remaining patient was postoperatively diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Abnormal preoperative body temperatures, white blood cell counts, C-reactive protein levels, and erythrocyte sedimentation rates were observed in 6, 9, 15, and 12 cases, respectively. The results of microbiological culture, MRS-PCR, and universal PCR were positive in 9, 2, and 15 cases, respectively. Analysis of the melting peak in universal PCR revealed that of the 15 cases, 10 had gram-positive and 5 had gram-negative infections. The sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of SA were, respectively, 0.47 and 1.00 in microbiological culture and 0.79 and 1.00 in real-time PCR. Successful diagnosis of infection and differentiation between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were achieved using MRS-PCR and universal PCR. Hence, real-time PCR is useful and has greater sensitivity than microbial culture for diagnosing SA in children. Level II diagnostic study investigating a diagnostic test.

Functional block copolymer assemblies responsive to tumor and intracellular microenvironments for site-specific drug delivery and enhanced imaging performance

Self-assembled nanostructures of amphiphilic and double hydrophilic block copolymers have been increasingly utilized as potent polymeric nanocarriers of therapeutic drugs, genes, bioactive molecules, and imaging/contrast agents due to improved water solubility, bioavailability, and extended blood circulation duration. Though passive and active targeted drug delivery strategies have long been proposed to promote desirable drug accumulation specifically at the disease sites, the introduction of stimuli-responsiveness into self-assembled block copolymer nanocarriers can additionally lead to controlled/triggered release of therapeutic/imaging agents into target pathological tissues and cells, with concomitant advantages of enhanced delivery efficiency and therapeutic efficacy. Appropriately designed stimuli-responsive block copolymer assemblies can exhibit chemical structure transformation, microstructural rearrangement and inversion, or even disassembly into unimers or smaller ones under external stimuli such as pH, temperature, ion strength, redox potential, light, electric, and magnetic fields, and specific bioactive molecules and metabolites. Compared to normal tissues, pathological sites such as tumor tissues typically exhibit vascular abnormalities, weak acidity (~pH 6.8), abnormal temperatures, over-expressed proteins and enzymes, hypoxia, high levels of metabolites and reactive small molecule species, etc. Moreover, upon cellular uptake, drug-loaded polymeric nanocarriers will be subjected to intracellular pH gradients (pH 5.9-6.2 in early endosomes and pH 5.0-5.5 in late endosomes and lysosomes) and redox and H2O2 gradients within different cell organelles and the cytosol. Thus, block copolymer nanocarriers responsive to the above described bio-relevant stimuli or biochemical signals characteristic of pathologic tissues and cells will provide an alternative type of "active targeting" strategy, which can be utilized to further boost therapeutic efficacy and imaging sensitivity via disease site-specific delivery and controlled release. A variety of extracellular or intracellular stimuli innate to disease sites, such as mildly acidic pH, temperature, enzymes (matrix metalloproteinase, β-glucuronidase, and phosphatase), oxidative/reductive microenvironments, and abnormal levels of bioactive molecules or metabolites, have been utilized for this purpose. In this review, we summarize recent advances in stimuli-responsive block copolymer assemblies which are responsive to tumor and intracellular microenvironments and their applications in anticancer drug delivery and enhanced imaging sensitivity.

The impact of body temperature abnormalities on the disease severity and outcome in patients with severe sepsis: an analysis from a multicenter, prospective survey of severe sepsis

IntroductionAbnormal body temperatures (Tb) are frequently seen in patients with severe sepsis. However, the relationship between Tb abnormalities and the severity of disease is not clear. This study investigated the impact of Tb on disease severity and outcomes in patients with severe sepsis.MethodsWe enrolled 624 patients with severe sepsis and grouped them into 6 categories according to their Tb at the time of enrollment. The temperature categories (≤35.5°C, 35.6–36.5°C, 36.6–37.5°C, 37.6–38.5°C, 38.6–39.5°C, ≥39.6°C) were based on the temperature data of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scoring. We compared patient characteristics, physiological data, and mortality between groups.ResultsPatients with Tb of ≤36.5°C had significantly worse sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores when compared with patients with Tb >37.5°C on the day of enrollment. Scores for APACHE II were also higher in patients with Tb ≤35.5°C when compared with patients with Tb >36.5°C. The 28-day and hospital mortality was significantly higher in patients with Tb ≤36.5°C. The difference in mortality rate was especially noticeable when patients with Tb ≤35.5°C were compared with patients who had Tb of >36.5°C. Although mortality did not relate to Tb ranges of ≥37.6°C as compared to reference range of 36.6–37.5°C, relative risk for 28-day mortality was significantly greater in patients with 35.6–36.5°C and ≤35.5°C (odds ratio; 2.032, 3.096, respectively). When patients were divided into groups based on the presence (≤36.5°C, n = 160) or absence (>36.5°C, n = 464) of hypothermia, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) as well as SOFA and APACHE II scores were significantly higher in patients with hypothermia. Patients with hypothermia had significantly higher 28-day and hospital mortality rates than those without hypothermia (38.1% vs. 17.9% and 49.4% vs. 22.6%, respectively). The presence of hypothermia was an independent predictor of 28-day mortality, and the differences between patients with and without hypothermia were observed irrespective of the presence of septic shock.ConclusionsIn patients with severe sepsis, hypothermia (Tb ≤36.5°C) was associated with increased mortality and organ failure, irrespective of the presence of septic shock.Trial registrationUMIN-CTR ID UMIN000008195

Unplanned Perioperative Hypothermia and Agreement Between Oral, Temporal Artery, and Bladder Temperatures in Adult Major Surgery Patients

Accurate body core temperature measurement is essential in perioperative areas to quickly recognize and address abnormal temperatures. The purposes of this prospective, descriptive study were to accurately identify unplanned perioperative hypothermia (UPH) in 64 elective major surgery patients; to describe factors that increased the risk of UPH; to describe active/passive warming measures; to describe thermal comfort in patients with and without UPH; and to compare oral, temporal artery, and bladder temperatures. Based on bladder temperatures, 52% of the patients had UPH in the operating room (OR) and 42% on postanesthesia care unit (PACU) admission. The temporal artery thermometer did not detect any hypothermia. Descriptive data and Bland-Altman plots showed lack of agreement between the temporal artery thermometer readings and those of the oral and bladder thermometers. The patient's thermal comfort report did not accurately reflect hypothermia. Factors found to increase the risk of UPH included older age, BMI lower than 30, and OR ambient temperature lower than 68°F. All but one patient had active warming in the OR; active warming was infrequently used in the PACU. Based on our findings and findings in previous studies, we do not recommend using the temporal artery thermometer in perioperative areas. To prevent UPH, we recommend aggressive use of convective and conductive warming measures in perioperative areas and increasing OR ambient temperatures.

Flavonoids and Antioxidative Enzymes in Temperature-Challenged Roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi

The active compounds in the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, are mainly flavonoids which have anti-inflammatory, antitumour, and anti-HIV activity, respectively. The increasing annual average temperature has rendered the S. baicalensis plants grown in some ancient producing regions no longer suitable for their medicinal usage. Hydrogen peroxide plays an important role in root responses to abnormal temperature in S. baicalensis. Baicalin and baicalein and antioxidative enzymes were anticipated to detoxify H2O2 in S. baicalensis. Here, we show that abnormal temperatures (10 and 40 degrees C) decreased the content of flavonoids as compared with the normal temperature (30 degrees C), and the transcripts of UDP-glucuronate:baicalein 7-O-glucuronosyltransferase and beta-glucuronidase involved in the interconversion between baicalin and baicalein were affected by the 40-degrees C treatment. High temperature also increased the activities of catalase and peroxidase. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis revealed that the transcript levels of peroxidase 2, peroxidase 3, monodehydroascorbate reductase 2, and dehydroascorbate reductase were significantly increased under high-temperature conditions. The respective genes would be candidates for improvement of the adaptation of S. baicalensis plants to abnormal temperatures and for regulation of the contents of the active compounds.

‘Caribbean Creep’ Chills Out: Climate Change and Marine Invasive Species

BackgroundNew marine invasions have been recorded in increasing numbers along the world's coasts due in part to the warming of the oceans and the ability of many invasive marine species to tolerate a broader thermal range than native species. Several marine invertebrate species have invaded the U.S. southern and mid-Atlantic coast from the Caribbean and this poleward range expansion has been termed ‘Caribbean Creep’. While models have predicted the continued decline of global biodiversity over the next 100 years due to global climate change, few studies have examined the episodic impacts of prolonged cold events that could impact species range expansions.Methodology/Principal FindingsA pronounced cold spell occurred in January 2010 in the U.S. southern and mid-Atlantic coast and resulted in the mortality of several terrestrial and marine species. To experimentally test whether cold-water temperatures may have caused the disappearance of one species of the ‘Caribbean Creep’ we exposed the non-native crab Petrolisthes armatus to different thermal treatments that mimicked abnormal and severe winter temperatures. Our findings indicate that Petrolisthes armatus cannot tolerate prolonged and extreme cold temperatures (4–6°C) and suggest that aperiodic cold winters may be a critical ‘reset’ mechanism that will limit the range expansion of other ‘Caribbean Creep’ species.Conclusions/SignificanceWe suggest that temperature ‘aberrations’ such as ‘cold snaps’ are an important and overlooked part of climate change. These climate fluctuations should be accounted for in future studies and models, particularly with reference to introduced subtropical and tropical species and predictions of both rates of invasion and rates of unidirectional geographic expansion.

Analysis of Changes in Extreme Weather Events Using Extreme Indices

The climate of the 21 st century is likely to be significantly different from that of the 20th century because of human-induced climate change. An extreme weather event is defined as a climate phenomenon that has not been observed for the past 30 years and that may have occurred by climate change and climate variability. The abnormal climate change can induce natural disasters such as floods, droughts, typhoons, heavy snow, etc. How will the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events be affected by the global warming change in the 21 st century? This could be a quite interesting matter of concern to the hydrologists who will forecast the extreme weather events for preventing future natural disasters. In this study, we establish the extreme indices and analyze the trend of extreme weather events using extreme indices estimated from the observed data of 66 stations controlled by the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) in Korea. These analyses showed that spatially coherent and statistically significant changes in the extreme events of tempera ture and rainfall have occurred. Under the global climate change, Korea, unlike in the past, is now being affected by extreme weather events such as heavy rain and abnormal temperatures in addition to changes in climate phenomena.

Overexpression in tobacco of a tomato GMPase gene improves tolerance to both low and high temperature stress by enhancing antioxidation capacity

GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase (GMPase: EC 2.7.7.22) plays a crucial role in the synthesis of L-ascorbate (AsA) and the consequent detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Herein, a GMPase (accession ID DQ449030) was identified and cloned from tomato. The full-length cDNA sequence of this gene contains 1,498 bp nucleotides encoding a putative protein with 361 amino acid residues of approximate molecular weight 43 kDa. Northern blot analysis revealed that the GMPase was expressed in all examined tomato tissues, but its expression level was up-regulated in tomato plants subjected to abnormal temperatures. We then overexpressed this tomato GMPase in tobacco plants and observed that the activity of GMPase and the content of AsA were significantly increased by two- to fourfold in the leaves of transgenic tobacco plants. The effect of this gene overexpression was superimposed by the treatments of high or low temperature in tobacco, since the activities of both chloroplastic SOD (superoxide dismutase EC 1.15.1.1), APX (ascorbate peroxidase EC 1.11.1.7) and the content of AsA in leaves were significantly higher in transgenic plants than those of WT, while the contents of H(2)O(2) and O(2)(-·) were reduced. Meanwhile, relative electric conductivity increased less in transgenic plants than that in WT, and the net photosynthetic rate (P(n)) and the maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (F(v)/F(m)) of transgenic plants were notably higher than those of WT under temperature stresses. In conclusion, the overexpression of GMPase increased the content of AsA, thereby leading to the increase in tolerance to temperature stress in transgenic plants.

Do Train Tunnels Need Ventilation Systems?

A planned new train tunnel under the central parts of Stockholm was intended to be ventilated by natural ventilation and the movement of the trains. However, the amount of heat generated by the trains is so high that natural ventilation would give abnormal temperatures and velocities in the tunnel and at the stations. The heat adsorbed by the rock surrounding the tunnel can be neglected in comparison with the amount transported by air. Some of the problems with the ventilation system are described and also the problems with dust generation by the trains and the exposure to dust at the stations by the passengers. The final decision was to use glass walls at the stations to separate the ventilation for the tunnel from that for the stations.

A systematic review of body temperature variations in older people

The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the extent to which the research literature indicates body temperature norms in the geriatric population. The specific questions addressed were to examine normal body temperature values in persons 60 years of age and older; determine differences in temperature values depending on non-invasive measurement site and measurement device used; and, examine the degree and extent of temperature variability according to time of day and time of year. The traditional 'normal' temperature of 98.6 degrees F/37 degrees C may in fact be lower in older people due to the ageing process. Age-associated changes in vasomotor sweating function, skeletal muscle response, temperature perception and physical behaviours may influence the ability to maintain optimum temperature. A systematic literature review. A search of multiple databases yielded 22 papers which met inclusion criteria. Studies were included which focused on temperature measurement, sampled persons 60 years of age and older, collected data from non-invasive temperature measurement sites and which used a prospective study design. Studies were independently appraised using a structured appraisal format. Temperature normal values by site were rectal 98.8 degrees F/37.1 degrees C, ear-based 98.3 degrees F/36.8 degrees C, urine 97.6 degrees F/36.5 degrees C, oral 97.4 degrees F/36.3 degrees C and axillary 97.1 degrees F/36.2 degrees C. Temperature exhibited a 0.7 degrees F/0.4 degrees C diurnal and 0.2 degrees F/0.1 degrees C circannual variation. Synthesis of data indicated that normal body temperature values in older people by sites were rectal 0.7 degrees F/0.4 degrees C, ear-based 0.3 degrees F/0.2 degrees C, oral 1.2 degrees F/0.7 degrees C, axillary 0.6 degrees F/0.3 degrees C lower than adults' acceptable value from those traditionally found in nursing textbooks. Given the fact that normal body temperature values were consistently lower than values reported in the literature, clinicians may need to re-evaluate the point at which interventions for abnormal temperatures are initiated.

Prevalence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in hospitalized children: a point prevalence study

BackgroundIn accordance with the 1st International pediatric sepsis consensus conference, where sepsis was defined as SIRS associated with suspected or proven infection, we have identified the need to assess the prevalence of SIRS and sepsis in children with abnormal temperatures hospitalized in The Children's Clinical University Hospital in Latvia.MethodsA descriptive prospective point prevalence study (using two time periods, each 24 h, randomly chosen) was conducted on all children (n = 943) treated in the hospital. All children with abnormal temperatures – fever or hypothermia (n = 92) – were included in the study. Questionnaires evaluating age-specific SIRS criteria were completed. The prevalence of SIRS was detected with 95% CI.ResultsOut of a total of 943 patients treated in the hospital, 10% (n = 92) had abnormal temperatures. In all these cases the abnormal temperature was a fever; hypothermia was not established in any patient. Of the children with fever, 72% (n = 66) had SIRS. Of the SIRS patients, 8% (n = 5) developed sepsis, 5% (n = 3) severe sepsis and 2% (n = 1) septic shock. Seventy-six percent (n = 50) of the SIRS patients had fever in combination with respiratory rate >2 SD above normal for age; 50% (n = 33) had fever with abnormal leukocyte count; 15% (n = 10) had fever with tachycardia >2 SD above normal for age. Most of the SIRS patients (39%, n = 25) were aged 2–5 years. Twenty-one percent (n = 14) of the children with SIRS and 50% (n = 2) of those with severe sepsis and septic shock had an underlying disease. In no case was SIRS and sepsis recognized by doctors and the diagnoses were not recorded on the patients' cards.ConclusionOur results would indicate a high risk for sepsis development in children with SIRS. Early SIRS diagnosis and awareness of risk of developing sepsis could change the medical approach to the patient in everyday clinical practice, eventually leading to early, goal-directed therapy for sepsis.