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The dielectric response of graded composites having general power-law-graded cylindrical inclusions under a uniform applied electric field is investigated. The dielectric profile of the cylindrical inclusions is modeled by the equation [variant_greek_epsilon]i(r)=c(b+r)k (where r is the radius of the cylindrical inclusions and c, b and k are parameters). Analytical solutions for the local electrical potentials are derived in terms of hypergeometric functions and the effective dielectric response of the graded composites is predicted in the dilute limit. Moreover, for a simple power-law dielectric profile [variant_greek_epsilon]i(r)=crk and a linear dielectric profile [variant_greek_epsilon]i(r)=c(b+r), analytical expressions of the electrical potentials and the effective dielectric response are derived exactly from our results by taking the limits b→0 and k→1, respectively. For a higher concentration of inclusions, the effective dielectric response is estimated by an effective-medium approximation. In addition, we have discussed the effective response of graded cylindrical composites with a more complex dielectric profile of inclusion, [variant_greek_epsilon]i(r)=c(b+r)keβr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract??To elucidate the mechanism of inducing translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) in stress adaptation of adenophorean nematodes, the complete coding sequence of TCTP of the infective-stage larvae ofTrichinella pseudospiraliswas characterized. Two cDNA clones with different 3? untranslated region were identified. Tp-TCTP contained an open reading frame of 534?bp encoding 177 residues. The gene with five introns was expressed as histidine-tagged fusion protein having a molecular mass of 17.5?kDa. Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed that TCTP RNA was not accumulated when the infective-stage larvae were heat-shocked for 1?h at 45 or 60?C. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and antiserum against the fusion protein, the expression of TCTP was found to be up-regulated at the translational level. The data suggest that translational regulation of TCTP may play an important role in the early heat-stress adaptation of the trichinellid. Cluster analysis demonstrated that the TCTP sequence ofT. pseudospiralisis closely related to that ofT. spiralis, but is diverged from the secernentean species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waning vaccine-induced immunity coupled with the emergence of SARSCoV-2 variants has led to increases in breakthrough infections, prompting consideration for vaccine booster doses. Boosters have been reported to be safe and increase SARSCoV-2-specific neutralizing antibody levels, but how these doses impact the trajectory of the global pandemic and herd immunity is unknown. Information on immunology, epidemiology, and equitable vaccine distribution should be considered when deciding the timing and eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine boosters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses how the discovery of fetal deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in maternal plasma has opened up possibilities for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis. Consideration of assumptions that fetal DNA is completely extracellular; Reference to a study by Bischoff and colleagues; How the investigators were unable to find a Y-chromosomal signal in cells isolated from the plasma of 38 women carrying male fetuses; Findings that some women would become chimeric with fetal cells after delivery; Link between fetal cells and autoimmune diseases.

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) films were irradiated by ultraviolet laser with a subsequent electrification by corona discharging. Surface potential and surface morphology of samples were measured and analyzed. A significant increase of surface potential resulted from the samples irradiated of about 15 pulses. From SEM pictures, melted ripple tips were observed on the film surface and some of them were fused together. This surface layer may probably enhance the surface potential of the samples. This result suggests the possibility of enhancing the charge storage capability of polymeric electret by altering their surface morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: An outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has been reported in Hong Kong. We investigated the viral cause and clinical presentation among 50 patients. Methods: We analysed case notes and microbiological findings for 50 patients with SARS, representing more than five separate epidemiologically linked transmission clusters. We defined the clinical presentation and risk factors associated with severe disease and investigated the causal agents by chest radiography and laboratory testing of nasopharyngeal aspirates and sera samples. We compared the laboratory findings with those submitted for microbiological investigation of other diseases from patients whose identity was masked. Findings: Patients' age ranged from 23 to 74 years. Fever, chills, myalgia, and cough were the most frequent complaints. When compared with chest radiographic changes, respiratory symptoms and auscultatory findings were disproportionally mild. Patients who were household contacts of other infected people and had older age, lymphopenia, and liver dysfunction were associated with severe disease. A virus belonging to the family Coronaviridae was isolated from two patients. By use of serological and reverse-transcriptase PCR specific for this virus, 45 of 50 patients with SARS, but no controls, had evidence of infection with this virus. Interpretation: A coronavirus was isolated from patients with SARS that might be the primary agent associated with this disease. Serological and molecular tests specific for the virus permitted a definitive laboratory diagnosis to be made and allowed further investigation to define whether other cofactors play a part in disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In May 2015 in United Arab Emirates, asymptomatic Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection was identified through active case finding in 2 men with exposure to infected dromedaries. Epidemiologic and virologic findings suggested zoonotic transmission. Genetic sequences for viruses from the men and camels were similar to those for viruses recently detected in other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to merge two droplets is an important component of droplet-based lab-on-a-chip devices, yet flow-induced coalescence is difficult to achieve due to long film drainage times compared with relatively short residence times. We examine droplet collisions at a simple microfluidic T-junction and characterize the response for a wide range of droplet sizes and speeds. We find that three primary responses occur, where coalescence occurs easily at low collision speeds, smaller droplets traveling faster slip past one another without coalescing, and larger and faster droplets can break one another into multiple segments. The critical capillary number for coalescence agrees well with previously reported scaling for isolated droplet pairs when local curvature and speed are taken into account. The critical capillary number for splitting of droplets agrees well with a previously reported stability condition for individual droplets stretching in an extensional flow. Quantifying the necessary conditions for coalescence and non-coalescence behavior should enable the informed design of lab on chip devices based on discrete liquid segments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]