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Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important zoonotic pathogen associated with a wide range of infections in humans and animals. Thus, the emergence of MRSA clones poses an important threat to human and animal health. This study is aimed at elucidating the genomics insights of a strong biofilm‐producing and multidrug‐resistant (MDR) S. aureus MTR_BAU_H1 strain through whole‐genome sequencing (WGS). The S. aureus MTR_BAU_H1 strain was isolated from food handlers' hand swabs in Bangladesh and phenotypically assessed for antimicrobial susceptibility and biofilm production assays. The isolate was further undergone to high throughput WGS and analysed using different bioinformatics tools to elucidate the genetic diversity, molecular epidemiology, sequence type (ST), antimicrobial resistance, and virulence gene distribution. Phenotypic analyses revealed that the S. aureus MTR_BAU_H1 strain is a strong biofilm‐former and carries both antimicrobial resistance (e.g., methicillin resistance; mecA, beta‐lactam resistance; blaZ and tetracycline resistance; tetC) and virulence (e.g., sea, tsst, and PVL) genes. The genome of the S. aureus MTR_BAU_H1 belonged to ST1930 that possessed three plasmid replicons (e.g., rep16, rep7c, and rep19), seven prophages, and two clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) arrays of varying sizes. Phylogenetic analysis showed a close evolutionary relationship between the MTR_BAU_H1 genome and other MRSA clones of diverse hosts and demographics. The MTR_BAU_H1 genome harbours 42 antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), 128 virulence genes, and 273 SEED subsystems coding for the metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates, proteins, cofactors, vitamins, minerals, and lipids. This is the first‐ever WGS‐based study of a strong biofilm‐producing and MDR S. aureus strain isolated from human hand swabs in Bangladesh that unveils new information on the resistomes (ARGs and correlated mechanisms) and virulence potentials that might be linked to staphylococcal pathogenesis in both humans and animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shigella stands as a major contributor to bacterial dysentery worldwide scale, particularly in developing countries with inadequate sanitation and hygiene. The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains exacerbates the challenge of treating Shigella infections, particularly in regions where access to healthcare and alternative antibiotics is limited. Therefore, investigations on how bacteria evade antibiotics and eventually develop resistance could open new avenues for research to develop novel therapeutics. The aim of this study was to analyze whole genome sequence (WGS) of human pathogenic Shigella spp. to elucidate the antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and their mechanism of resistance, gene-drug interactions, protein-protein interactions, and functional pathways to screen potential therapeutic candidate(s). We comprehensively analyzed 45 WGS of Shigella, including S. flexneri (n = 17), S. dysenteriae (n = 14), S. boydii (n = 11), and S. sonnei (n = 13), through different bioinformatics tools. Evolutionary phylogenetic analysis showed three distinct clades among the circulating strains of Shigella worldwide, with less genomic diversity. In this study, 2,146 ARGs were predicted in 45 genomes (average 47.69 ARGs/genome), of which only 91 ARGs were found to be shared across the genomes. Majority of these ARGs conferred their resistance through antibiotic efflux pump (51.0%) followed by antibiotic target alteration (23%) and antibiotic target replacement (18%). We identified 13 hub proteins, of which four proteins (e.g., tolC, acrR, mdtA, and gyrA) were detected as potential hub proteins to be associated with antibiotic efflux pump and target alteration mechanisms. These hub proteins were significantly (p < 0.05) enriched in biological process, molecular function, and cellular components. Therefore, the finding of this study suggests that human pathogenic Shigella strains harbored a wide range of ARGs that confer resistance through antibiotic efflux pumps and antibiotic target modification mechanisms, which must be taken into account to devise and formulate treatment strategy against this pathogen. Moreover, the identified hub proteins could be exploited to design and develop novel therapeutics against MDR pathogens like Shigella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data assimilation is one of the most important approaches to monitoring the variations of ionospheric electron densities. The construction of the background error covariance matrix is an important component of ionospheric data assimilations. To construct the background error covariance matrix, the information about the spatial ionospheric correlations is required. We present a statistical analysis on the ionospheric vertical error correlation length (VCL) based on a global network of ionosondes and the Neustrelitz Electron Density Model. We show that the locally derived VCL is well‐defined and the VCL does not show a considerable dependency on the geographical seasons while local time dependencies of the VCL are shown to be present. A novel VCL model is also established based on the ionospheric scale heights. We show that the ionospheric VCL can be characterized by the variance ratio between the ionosphere model and ionospheric measurements. The altitudinal variations of VCLs are controlled by the interactions between the inherent VCLs of the ionosphere model and the measurements. Two experiments are conducted at two different latitudes based on the proposed model. The results show that the proposed model is stable and well‐correlated with the observed VCLs, which implies a potential to be generalized for a global correlation model. The proposed model can be used in the temporal evolution of error covariance matrices in the ionospheric 4D‐Variational (4D‐Var) assimilations, which may overcome the main drawbacks of the static error covariance specifications in the ionospheric 4D‐Var assimilations. Plain Language Summary: In ionospheric data assimilations, one of the most important pieces of information is the background error correlation, which controls the spatial spread of observations. In this study, the vertical error correlation length (VCL) will be evaluated locally based on a statistical analysis using the Neustrelitz Electron Density Model and global ionosonde observation network from Global Ionospheric Radio Observatory. For the first time, this study establishes that ionospheric VCLs can be effectively characterized by two primary parameters: the variance ratio and the correlation between the ionospheric model and the observational data. In addition, the study examines the relationships between climatological VCLs and scale heights within empirical ionospheric models. A novel VCL model is proposed based on the statistical analyses. The proposed correlation length models offer utility in the temporal evolution of error covariance matrices within ionospheric 4D variational assimilations, potentially mitigating one of the primary limitations associated with static error covariance specifications in such assimilation procedures. Key Points: Derives ionospheric vertical correlation lengths (VCLs) from global ionosondesDemonstrates that the variance ratio between model and measurements can characterize the ionospheric error VCLProposes a novel ionospheric VCL model based on modeling the variance ratio and vertical scale heights [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and regional augmentation systems, the influence of the ionosphere on GNSS signals is becoming increasingly important. It is also of particular interest to retrieve the electron density distribution from GNSS observations. We have successfully developed a four‐dimensional variational assimilation scheme, the Neustrelitz Electron Density Assimilation Model (NEDAM), and verified NEDAM by a simulation study using a European ground‐based GNSS network. The performance of NEDAM is validated using two ionosondes and COSMIC‐1 radio occultation observations during the September 2017 geomagnetic storm period. The critical frequency of the F2 layer in NEDAM is much more accurate than that of a physics‐based model driven by observed geophysical indices or the Neustrelitz Electron Density Model (NEDM), when compared to data from two ionosondes. During the storm, the root mean square error of the F2‐layer critical frequency with respect to the two ionosondes is improved by 0.54 and 0.42 MHz, respectively. We also compare two co‐located electron density profiles from the COSMIC‐1 mission with NEDAM and NEDM. It is found that NEDAM is able to reconstruct well not only the peak density but also the peak density height, which is missing in the previous research. Plain Language Summary: With the development of ground‐ and space‐based observation techniques of the upper atmosphere, the capability of monitoring the variation of the Earth's ionosphere is increased drastically. However, due to the lack of three‐dimensional observations with a good coverage, reliable and well defined scheme is required for extracting three‐dimensional snapshots of the Earth's ionospheric electron density. This work presents an advanced four‐dimensional variational scheme NEDAM in the region of 60–20,000 km above the Earth's surface. The work also validates the tomography results with multiple ionospheric observations from satellites and ground‐based radar instruments and compares with empirical and physical models. It is usually a challenge for assimilative models to reproduce the ionospheric parameters such as the peak density height accurately during geomagnetic storms. The performance of NEDAM is validated against two ionosondes and COSMIC radio occultation observations during the September 2017 geomagnetic storm period. The critical frequency of F2‐layer in NEDAM is much more accurate than that of NEDM with respect to the two ionosondes in the region of interests. The developed method will be applied in near real‐time to space weather monitoring, GPS positioning and navigation, as well as to improve our understanding of the morphology and dynamics of the ionosphere. Key Points: A 4D‐Var‐based new global ionosphere electron density assimilation model Neustrelitz Electron Density Assimilation Model (NEDAM) is presentedThe background covariance matrix is approximated by a Gaussian‐Markov random field and the observation covariance is improvedThe accuracy of NEDAM is evaluated using simulated Global Navigation Satellite System observations and two ionosondes and COSMIC‐1 data [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Since the beginning of the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic, multiple new variants have emerged posing an increased risk to global public health. This study aimed to investigate SARS‐CoV‐2 variants, their temporal dynamics, infection rate (IFR) and case fatality rate (CFR) in Bangladesh by analyzing the published genomes. Methods: We retrieved 6610 complete whole genome sequences of the SARS‐CoV‐2 from the GISAID (Global Initiative on Sharing all Influenza Data) platform from March 2020 to October 2022, and performed different in‐silico bioinformatics analyses. The clade and Pango lineages were assigned by using Nextclade v2.8.1. SARS‐CoV‐2 infections and fatality data were collected from the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Bangladesh. The average IFR was calculated from the monthly COVID‐19 cases and population size while average CFR was calculated from the number of monthly deaths and number of confirmed COVID‐19 cases. Results: SARS‐CoV‐2 first emerged in Bangladesh on March 3, 2020 and created three pandemic waves so far. The phylogenetic analysis revealed multiple introductions of SARS‐CoV‐2 variant(s) into Bangladesh with at least 22 Nextstrain clades and 107 Pangolin lineages with respect to the SARS‐CoV‐2 reference genome of Wuhan/Hu‐1/2019. The Delta variant was detected as the most predominant (48.06%) variant followed by Omicron (27.88%), Beta (7.65%), Alpha (1.56%), Eta (0.33%) and Gamma (0.03%) variant. The overall IFR and CFR from circulating variants were 13.59% and 1.45%, respectively. A time‐dependent monthly analysis showed significant variations in the IFR (p = 0.012, Kruskal–Wallis test) and CFR (p = 0.032, Kruskal–Wallis test) throughout the study period. We found the highest IFR (14.35%) in 2020 while Delta (20A) and Beta (20H) variants were circulating in Bangladesh. Remarkably, the highest CFR (1.91%) from SARS‐CoV‐2 variants was recorded in 2021. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the importance of genomic surveillance for careful monitoring of variants of concern emergence to interpret correctly their relative IFR and CFR, and thus, for implementation of strengthened public health and social measures to control the spread of the virus. Furthermore, the results of the present study may provide important context for sequence‐based inference in SARS‐CoV‐2 variant(s) evolution and clinical epidemiology beyond Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Populations of different South Asian nations including Bangladesh reportedly have a high risk of developing diabetes in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the differences in the gut microbiome of COVID‐19‐positive participants with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared with healthy control subjects. Microbiome data of 30 participants with T2DM were compared with 22 age‐, sex‐, and body mass index (BMI)‐matched individuals. Clinical features were recorded while fecal samples were collected aseptically from the participants. Amplicon‐based (16S rRNA) metagenome analyses were employed to explore the dysbiosis of gut microbiota and its correlation with genomic and functional features in COVID‐19 patients with or without T2DM. Comparing the detected bacterial genera across the sample groups, 98 unique genera were identified, of which 9 genera had unique association with COVID‐19 T2DM patients. Among different bacterial groups, Shigella (25%), Bacteroides (23.45%), and Megamonas (15.90%) had higher mean relative abundances in COVID‐19 patients with T2DM. An elevated gut microbiota dysbiosis in T2DM patients with COVID‐19 was observed while some metabolic functional changes correlated with bidirectional microbiome dysbiosis between diabetes and non‐diabetes humans gut were also found. These results further highlight the possible association of COVID‐19 infection that might be linked with alteration of gut microbiome among T2DM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We assessed the association between hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) initiation and risk of arrhythmia among patients with incident rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or with incident systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: All patients with incident RA or SLE and no arrhythmic events, not receiving antiarrhythmic medications, and not receiving HCQ prior to the index date of disease in British Columbia, Canada, between January 1996 and December 2014 were identified from administrative databases. We identified patients who were dispensed HCQ prescriptions (HCQ initiators) or were not dispensed HCQ prescriptions (HCQ noninitiators) during each study year; groups were matched 1:1 by propensity scores using baseline confounders on demographics, comorbidities, medications, and health care utilization. Outcomes were any new arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, abnormal electrocardiograms, including long QT syndrome and conduction disorder, and other unspecified arrhythmias during follow‐up. We used cause‐specific Cox proportional hazards models with death as a competing event to assess the association between HCQ initiation and the outcomes. Results: We identified 11,518 propensity score–matched patients with RA or SLE in each group. Over the mean follow‐up of 8 years, there were 1,610 and 1,646 incident arrhythmias in the HCQ initiator group and the noninitiator group, respectively, with crude incidence rates of arrhythmia of 17.5 and 18.1 in 1,000 persons per year, respectively. The adjusted cause‐specific hazard ratio (cHR) for patients who received HCQ was 0.96 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.89–1.03) compared with HCQ noninitiators, and the cHRs for patients who took HCQ and had arrhythmia subtypes of atrial fibrillation, abnormal electrocardiograms, and other unspecified arrhythmias were 0.93 (95% CI 0.83–1.04), 0.98 (95% CI 0.87–1.11), and 0.95 (95% CI 0.84–1.07), respectively. Conclusion: Risk of any type of arrhythmia was not increased among new users of HCQ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Staphylococcus spp. are the major causal agents of mastitis in dairy animals worldwide leading to profound economic losses and public health threats. Recently, Staphylococcus aureus has emerged as a multidrug resistant and zoonotic pathogen. This study aimed to characterize S. aureus in subclinical mastitis (SCM) milk samples of riverine buffaloes in Bangladesh through antibiogram and virulence gene(s) profiling, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Method: We characterized S. aureus in SCM milk samples (N = 500) of riverine buffaloes through antibiogram and virulence gene(s) profiling, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: Out of 500 milk samples tested, 188 (37.6%) were found positive for SCM. From 188 SCM samples, 291 isolates were obtained with a prevalence of S. aureus in 37.4% (109/291) isolates. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the evolutionary divergence of S. aureus isolates in bubaline SCM milk samples. The antibiogram profiling showed that about 96.0% S. aureus isolates were multidrug resistant (MDR). Notably, 29 and 16 isolates harboured methicillin‐resistant (mecA) and panton‐valentine leucocidin (pvl) genes, respectively, and 46 plasmid‐bearing isolates were MDR. Nine Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs/SEls) including sea (11.9%), sec (7.4%), sed (4.6%), seg (3.7%), and seh (3.7%) were detected with 72.48% toxinotypes comprising a single gene. Conclusion: This study therefore suggests S. aureus as the single‐most aetiology (∼37.0%) of SCM in riverine buffaloes, and emergence of MDR, enterotoxin producing, and virulent S. aureus strains could impose potential threats to animal welfare and public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, previously published Rab7 sequences from National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) have been investigated from chordates, mollusks, annelids, cnidarians, amphibians, priapulids, brachiopods, and arthropods including decapods and other groups. Among decapod crustacean isolates, amino acid variations were found in 13 locations. Penaeid shrimps had variations in positions 13 (I ⟶ J), 22 (T ⟶ A), 124 (G ⟶ X), and 149 (V ⟶ X) while interestingly the freshwater prawn and mitten crab both had amino acid substitutions in positions 87 (V ⟶ C) and 95 (T ⟶ S) along with the other disagreements in amino acid positions 178 (S ⟶ N), 201 (D ⟶ E), 181 (E ⟶ D), 182 (L ⟶ I), 183 (Y ⟶ G), 184 (N ⟶ H), and 198 (A ⟶ T). Among 100 isolates of Rab7 from organisms of various phyla, mutations were observed in several positions. These mutations caused variations in hydrophobicity and isoelectric point which impact the ligand-protein binding affinity. Some common mutations were found in the organisms of the same phylum and among different phyla. Homology modeling of Rab7 proteins from different organisms was done using SWISS-MODEL and validated further by developing Ramachandran plots. Protein-protein docking showed that active residues were there in the binding interfaces of Rab7 from organisms of seven different phyla and VP28 of WSSV. Similarities were observed in the Rab7-VP28 complexes in those selected organisms which differed from the Rab7-VP28 complex in the case of Penaeid shrimp. The findings of this study suggest that WSSV may exist in different marine organisms that have Rab7 protein and transmit to crustaceans like shrimps and crabs which are of commercial importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the association of antimalarial (AM) adherence with premature mortality among incident systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Methods: All patients with incident SLE and incident AM use in British Columbia, Canada, between January 1997 and March 2015 were identified using the provincial administrative databases. Follow‐up started on the first day of having both SLE and AM. The outcome was all‐cause mortality. An adherence measure, proportion of days covered (PDC), was calculated and categorized as adherent (PDC ≥ 0.90), nonadherent (0 < PDC < 0.90), and discontinuer (PDC = 0) during 30‐day windows. We first used Cox models for time‐to‐death, adjusting for baseline and time‐varying confounders on medication usages, health care utilization, and comorbidities. We then used marginal structural Cox models via inverse probability weighting designed for causal inference with time‐varying confounders to assess the effect of AM adherence on premature mortality. Results: We identified 3,062 individuals with incident SLE and incident AM use (mean age 46.9 years). Over the mean follow‐up period of 6.4 years, 242 (7.9%) of those patients died. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRadj) from the Cox model for AM adherent and nonadherent SLE patients were 0.20 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.13–0.29) and 0.62 (95% CI 0.42–0.91), respectively, compared to discontinuers. The corresponding HRadj from the marginal structural Cox model were 0.17 (95% CI 0.12–0.25) and 0.58 (95% CI 0.40–0.85), respectively. A significant trend in the HRadj of mortality risk over the adherence levels was found (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Patients with SLE adhering to AM therapy had a 71% and 83% lower risk of death than patients who do not adhere or who discontinued AMs, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correct representation of global‐scale electron density is crucial for monitoring and exploring the space weather. This study investigates whether the ground‐based Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) tomography can be used to reflect the global spatial and temporal responses of the ionosphere under storm conditions. A global tomography of the ionosphere electron density is constructed based on data from over 2,700 GNSS stations. In comparison to previous techniques, advances are made in spatial and temporal resolution, and in the assessment of results. To demonstrate the capabilities of the approach, the developed method is applied to the March 17, 2015 geomagnetic storm. The tomographic reconstructions show good agreement with electron density observations from worldwide ionosondes, Millstone Hill incoherent scatter radar and in‐situ measurements from satellite missions. Also, the results show that the tomographic technique is capable of reproducing plasma variabilities during geomagnetically disturbed periods including features such as equatorial ionization anomaly enhancements and depletion. Validation results of this brief study period show that the accuracy of our tomography is better than the Neustrelitz Electron Density Model, which is the model used as background, and physics‐based thermosphere‐ionosphere‐electrodynamics general circulation model. The results show that our tomography approach allows us to specify the global electron density from ground to ∼900 km accurately. Given the demonstrated quality, this global electron density reconstruction has potential for improving applications such as assessment of the effects of the electron density on radio signals, GNSS positioning, computation of ray tracing for radio‐signal transmission, and space weather monitoring. Plain Language Summary: Computerized tomography allows the 3D imaging of several objects based on radio frequency signal measurements. Given the measurements and geometry of the current GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite constellation, there is an opportunity to apply tomography techniques and extract 3D snapshots of the Earth's atmosphere. This work presents an advanced global‐scale tomography that can represent the electron density in the Earth's upper atmosphere in a relatively high spatial and temporal resolution in the region of ∼100–1,000 km above the Earth's surface; referred to as the ionosphere. The work also validates the tomography results with multiple ionospheric observations from satellites and ground‐based radar instruments and compares with empirical and physical models. It is usually a challenge for models to reproduce the ionospheric system dynamics accurately during active space weather conditions, such as geomagnetic storms. This work, using the severe geomagnetic storm on March 17, 2015 as a case‐study, shows that the tomography is well poised for this task. The developed method could be extended to benefit several applications, such as space weather monitoring, GPS positioning and navigation, as well as to improve our understanding of the morphology and dynamics of the ionosphere. Key Points: Presents an advanced global‐scale tomography of ionospheric electron densityDemonstrates the capability of the tomography model to reproduce the system dynamics during a severe geomagnetic stormValidates the tomography results with multiple ground‐ and space‐based data and compares with empirical and physical models [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emerged novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has created a global health crisis that warrants an accurate and detailed characterization of the rapidly evolving viral genome for understanding its epidemiology, pathogenesis, and containment. Here, we explored 61,485 sequences of the nucleocapsid (N) protein, a potent diagnostic and prophylactic target, for identifying the mutations to review their roles in real‐time polymerase chain reaction based diagnosis and observe consequent impacts. Compared to the Wuhan reference strain, a total of 1034 unique nucleotide mutations were identified in the mutant strains (49.15%, n = 30,221) globally. Of these mutations, 367 occupy primer binding sites including the 3′‐end mismatch to the primer‐pair of 11 well‐characterized primer sets. Noteworthily, CDC (USA) recommended the N2 primer set contained a lower mismatch than the other primer sets. Moreover, 684 amino acid (aa) substitutions were located across 317 (75.66% of total aa) unique positions including 82, 21, and 83 of those in the RNA binding N‐terminal domain (NTD), SR‐rich region, and C‐terminal dimerization domain, respectively. Moreover, 11 in‐frame deletions, mostly (n = 10) within the highly flexible linker region, were revealed, and the rest was within the NTD region. Furthermore, we predicted the possible consequence of high‐frequency mutations (≥20) and deletions on the tertiary structure of the N protein. Remarkably, we observed that a high frequency (67.94% of mutated sequences) co‐occuring mutations (R203K and G204R) destabilized and decreased overall structural flexibility. The N protein of SARS‐CoV‐2 comprises an average of 1.2 mutations per strain compared to 4.4 and 0.4 in Middle East respiratory syndrome‐related coronavirus and SARS‐CoV, respectively. Despite being proposed as the alternative target to spike protein for vaccine and therapeutics, the ongoing evolution of the N protein may challenge these endeavors, thus needing further immunoinformatics analyses. Therefore, continuous monitoring is required for tracing the ongoing evolution of the SARS‐CoV‐2 N protein in prophylactic and diagnostic interventions. Highlights: Analyzing 61,485 sequences of the nucleocapsid (N) protein, 1034 unique nucleotide mutations were identified in the mutant strains (49.15%, n=30,221) globally.Of these mutations, 367 occupy primer binding sites including the 3'‐end mismatch to the primer‐pair of 11 well‐characterized primer sets.In total, 684 amino acid (aa) substitutions in 317 unique positions including 82, 21, and 83 in RNA binding N‐terminal domain (NTD), SR‐rich region, and C‐terminal dimerization domain (CTD), respectively were detected.Eleven in‐frame deletions found, mostly (n = 10) within the highly flexible linker region of the SARS‐CoV‐2 N protein.The N protein of SARS‐CoV‐2 comprises an average of 1.2 mutations per strain compared to 4.4 and 0.4 in MERS‐CoV and SARS‐CoV, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precision and safety of life applications of Global Navigation Satellite Systems require key information on space weather conditions in particular on the perturbation degree of the ionosphere. Such systems are particularly vulnerable against severe spatial gradients and rapid changes of the total electron content (TEC) measured along different satellite‐receiver links. To estimate spatial gradients and rapid temporal variations of ionospheric TEC, two approaches are discussed. The Gradient Ionosphere indeX (GIX) and the Sudden Ionospheric Disturbance indeX are able to estimate the perturbation degree of the ionosphere instantaneously without taking into account previous measurements. The capabilities and accuracy of the index approaches are demonstrated by simulations using a 3‐D electron density model of the ionosphere and plasmasphere in conjunction with realistic Global Navigation Satellite Signal constellations. Real data tests confirm the applicability of GIX and the related standard deviation GIX Sigma to monitor spatial gradients. Sudden Ionospheric Disturbance indeX is able to monitor rapid temporal variations of TEC as exemplified by using Global Navigation Satellite Signal measurements carried out during solar flare events. Both approaches could identify enhanced space weather impacts on precise point positioning and the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service. More comprehensive studies analyzing ionospheric storms in close dialogue with potential customers are needed to fully utilize the potential of these approaches to serve as objective ionospheric indices for scaling horizontal TEC gradients and rapid TEC variations in space weather services. Plain Language Summary: Modern telecommunication and navigation systems may be heavily disturbed by charged particles of the Earth's ionosphere like electrons and ions. These important technological systems may fail due to degradation or even loss of signals during severe perturbations of the ionospheric plasma initiated by severe space weather events. In this paper two methods are described which provide instantaneous information on the perturbation degree of the ionosphere after analyzing continuously transmitted signals from Global Navigation Satellite Signals (GNSS). The data are available via numerous national and international GNSS receiver networks and serve to derive the Total Electron Content of the ionosphere. Using this quantity, spatial gradients and rapid temporal variations of ionospheric Total Electron Content can be estimated in two different approaches over a predefined region. The Gradient Ionosphere indeX and the Sudden Ionospheric Disturbance indeX are able to characterize the spatial and temporal perturbation degree of the ionosphere instantaneously without taking into account previous measurements. The applicability of these indices has been simulated and tested by using GNSS data obtained over Europe. The proposed indices which could easily be distributed via space weather services should be well suited to reducing safety and accuracy risks in GNSS navigation and positioning. Key Points: The new method enables characterizing spatial gradients of the total electron content derived from GNSS dataThe new method enables characterizing rapid ionospheric changes of the total electron content derived from GNSS dataDerived quantities are able to characterize the instantaneous perturbation degree of the ionosphere by indices usable in space weather services [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 6 September 2017, an X‐class flare of the magnitude 9.3 occurred around noon UT, being the strongest flare event in a decade. The flare itself was the highlight of a quite interesting phase of solar‐terrestrial interactions caused by the active region known as the Catania sunspot group 46 or active region number 2673 on the NOAA catalog. From 3 to 13 September 2017 strong flare activities occurred, accompanied by a number of radio bursts and earthward‐directed coronal mass ejections. Solar wind influences at Earth were modest during the flare activity and limited to the polar regions (Linty et al., 2018, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018SW001940). But, the strong X9.3 flare itself had impacts on the dayside ionosphere causing some problems in navigation services as we present within this paper. The event data observed and analyzed give us the opportunity to improve our understanding of strong and extreme space weather events and allow us to distinguish between the influence of the different event classes on our technological infrastructure within periods of strong solar activity. Here we will discuss our observations with special focus on the X9.3 flare event and provide examples how the flare itself influenced services in the domains of aviation and maritime navigation in the European sector. Key Points: Solar flare events can have a significant impact on GNSS positioningThe critical effects are based on rapid changes of the dayside ionosphere during the peak phase of the flare eventThe knowledge of the flare spectrum is very important in order to estimate its significance for GNSS users [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The current paper discusses the multi‐strainer technique developed to augment usable water by the combined use of saline and non‐saline aquifers in locations where a freshwater aquifer is underlain or overlain by a saline water aquifer. The multi‐strainer technique evaluates design criteria for the formulation of multi‐strainer schemes to supply water at an acceptable salinity limit by combined use of the saline and non‐saline aquifers. The design ratio of discharges can be maintained by adjusting the strainers’ lengths in the saline and non‐saline aquifers. The multi‐strainer scheme has been applied in the coastal aquifers of Bangladesh and found to be effective at lowering the water salinity concentrations to acceptable levels, thus increasing the availability of water for sustainable use. The multi‐strainer scheme should be designed based on the thickness of the aquifer layers to be screened, the salinity concentrations of the screened layers, and the level of salinity concentration to be maintained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osmotic pretreatment is an effective way of reducing water from the biological products as well as simultaneously accelerating the drying kinetics. This research investigates the effect of osmotic pretreatment on the biological products in a vortex tube atmospheric freeze-drying (AFD) system. To facilitate the atmospheric freeze-drying in a laboratory scale, a vortex tube was connected to the compressor. A multi-mode heat input concept was tested successfully to study the drying kinetics without damaging the products. The products were compared with the samples that did not undergo the osmotic pretreatment process. In addition, the comparison was also made with the parallel studies on conventional vacuum freeze-drying (VFD). Results showed that the osmotic treatment enhanced the drying kinetics for both AFD and VFD systems. Practical Applications This paper investigated on how the osmotic pretreatment influences the quality of the product in a novel atmospheric vortex tube-assisted atmospheric freeze-drying system, and compared with the parallel studies using conventional vacuum contact drying system. Osmotic treatment of biological products using concentrated sugar solution demonstrates enhanced osmotic dehydration as well as drying rate in this novel atmospheric freeze-drying technique. This information is aimed to help in selecting appropriate osmotic agent as well as suitable drying process at even industrial level for efficient drying specifically, for biological and heat sensitive products. In addition, this work focuses on quality analysis along i.e., drying behavior with the variation of process parameters e.g., drying time, temperature, and moisture content for subzero drying. This findings would be beneficial for critical analysis in osmotic dehydration process and would further serve as a guideline for optimum design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the authors explore their recent study, which introduces the concept of extracting saline water and fresh water simultaneously from groundwater aquifers to produce water that is suitable for irrigation. To achieve these results, multiwell modeling concepts are used to exploit both the saline and nonsaline aquifer domains from geologic formations where a freshwater aquifer domain is either underlain or overlain by a saline aquifer domain. The water from these domains are either mixed to an acceptable salinity level after independent withdrawal from separate, saline or nonsaline domains present within the same aquifer, or mixed from the domains to achieve acceptable levels of salinity before withdrawal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activities of Daily Livings (ADLs) refer to the activities that are carried out by an individual for everyday living. Recognition of ADLs is key element for building intelligent and pervasive environments. We propose a two-layer HMM to build a ADLs recognition model that can represent the mapping between low-level sensor data and high-level activity based on the binary sensor data. We used embedded sensor with appliances or object to get object used sequence data as well as object name, type, interaction time, and location. In the first layer, we use location data of object used sensor to predict the activity class and in the second layer object used sequence data to determine the exact activity. We perform comparison with other activity recognition models using three real datasets to validate the proposed model. The results show that the proposed model achieves significantly better recognition performance than other models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case-control study conducted during 2011 involved 90 randomly selected commercial layer farms infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza type A subtype H5N1 ( HPAI) and 175 control farms randomly selected from within 5 km of infected farms. A questionnaire was designed to obtain information about potential risk factors for contracting HPAI and was administered to farm owners or managers. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify significant risk factors. A total of 20 of 43 risk factors for contracting HPAI were identified after univariable logistic regression analysis. A multivariable logistic regression model was derived by forward stepwise selection. Both unmatched and matched analyses were performed. The key risk factors identified were numbers of staff, frequency of veterinary visits, presence of village chickens roaming on the farm and staff trading birds. Aggregating these findings with those from other studies resulted in a list of 16 key risk factors identified in Bangladesh. Most of these related to biosecurity. It is considered feasible for Bangladesh to achieve a very low incidence of HPAI. Using the cumulative list of risk factors to enhance biosecurity pertaining to commercial farms would facilitate this objective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previously, the anti-HIV lectin actinohivin (AH) was cocrystallized with the target α(1-2)mannobiose (MB) in the apparent space group P213. However, three MB-bound AH rotamers generated by ±120° rotations around the molecular pseudo-threefold rotation axis are packed randomly in the unit cell according to P212121 symmetry [Hoque et al. (2012). Acta Cryst. D 68, 1671-1679]. It was found that the AH used for crystallization contains short peptides attached to the N-terminus [Suzuki et al. (2012). Acta Cryst. F 68, 1060-1063], which cause packing disorder. In the present study, the fully mature homogeneous AH has been cocrystallized with MB into two new crystal forms at different pH. X-ray analyses of the two forms reveal that they have peculiar character in that the space groups are the same, P22121, and the unit-cell parameters are almost the same with the exception of the length of the a axis, which is doubled in one form. The use of homogeneous AH resulted in the absence of disorder in both crystals and an improvement in the resolution, thereby establishing the basis for AH binding to the target MB. In addition, the two crystal structures clarify the interaction modes between AH molecules, which is important knowledge for understanding the multiple binding effect generated when two AH molecules are linked together with a short peptide [Takahashi et al. (2011). J. Antibiot. 64, 551-557]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actinohivin (AH) is an actinomycete lectin with a potent specific anti-HIV activity. In order to clarify the structural evidence for its specific binding to the α(1-2)mannobiose (MB) moiety of the D1 chains of high-mannose-type glycans (HMTGs) attached to HIV-1 gp120, the crystal structure of AH in complex with MB has been determined. The AH molecule is composed of three identical structural modules, each of which has a pocket in which an MB molecule is bound adopting a bracket-shaped conformation. This conformation is stabilized through two weak C-H...O hydrogen bonds facilitated by the α(1-2) linkage. The binding features in the three pockets are quite similar to each other, in accordance with the molecular pseudo-threefold symmetry generated from the three tandem repeats in the amino-acid sequence. The shape of the pocket can accept two neighbouring hydroxyl groups of the O3 and O4 atoms of the equatorial configuration of the second mannose residue. To recognize these atoms through hydrogen bonds, an Asp residue is located at the bottom of each pocket. Tyr and Leu residues seem to block the movement of the MB molecules. Furthermore, the O1 atom of the axial configuration of the second mannose residue protrudes from each pocket into an open space surrounded by the conserved hydrophobic residues, suggesting an additional binding site for the third mannose residue of the branched D1 chain of HMTGs. These structural features provide strong evidence indicating that AH is only highly specific for MB and would facilitate the highly specific affinity of AH for any glycoprotein carrying many HMTGs, such as HIV-1 gp120. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in scaffold design and fabrication technology have brought the tissue engineering field stepping into a new era. Conventional techniques used to develop scaffolds inherit limitations, such as lack of control over the pore morphology and architecture as well as reproducibility. Rapid prototyping (RP) technology, a layer-by-layer additive approach offers a unique opportunity to build complex 3D architectures overcoming those limitations that could ultimately be tailored to cater for patient-specific applications. Using RP methods, researchers have been able to customize scaffolds to mimic the biomechanical properties (in terms of structural integrity, strength, and microenvironment) of the organ or tissue to be repaired/replaced quite closely. This article provides intensive description on various extrusion based scaffold fabrication techniques and review their potential utility for TE applications. The extrusion-based technique extrudes the molten polymer as a thin filament through a nozzle onto a platform layer-by-layer and thus building 3D scaffold. The technique allows full control over pore architecture and dimension in the x- and y- planes. However, the pore height in z-direction is predetermined by the extruding nozzle diameter rather than the technique itself. This review attempts to assess the current state and future prospects of this technology. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 97: 83-93, 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a simplified fuzzy logic-based speed control scheme of an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) above the base speed using a flux-weakening method. In this work, nonlinear expressions of d-axis and q-axis currents of the IPMSM have been derived and subsequently incorporated in the control algorithm for the practical purpose in order to implement fuzzy-based flux-weakening strategy to operate the motor above the base speed. The fundamentals of fuzzy logic algorithms as related to motor control applications are also illustrated. A simplified fuzzy speed controller (FLC) for the IPMSM drive has been designed and incorporated in the drive systemtomaintain high performance standards. The efficacy of the proposed simplified FLC-based IPMSM drive is verified by simulation at various dynamic operating conditions. The simplified FLC is found to be robust and efficient. Laboratory test results of proportional integral (PI) controller-based IPMSM drive have been compared with the simulated results of fuzzy controller-based flux-weakening IPMSM drive system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic parameters for feed intake and performance traits of 514 bulls and carcass traits of 22 099 of their progeny, and the relationships of measures of feed intake with performance and carcass traits were estimated. Feed intake traits were dry matter intake (DMI), concentrate intake (CONI), roughage intake, ratio of roughage intake to DMI, metabolizable energy intake (MEI) and digestible crude protein intake (DCPI). Performance traits included daily gain, metabolic weight, live weight at the end of test, dry matter conversion ratio and residual feed intake. Progeny carcass traits were carcass weight, percentage of meat yield, rib eye area (REA), subcutaneous fat, marbling score, meat colour (MCS), fat colour (FCS) and meat quality grade. All the feed intake and performance traits were moderately heritable. The heritabilities for REA and MCS were moderate, and that for FCS was low, while those for the other carcass traits were high. Selection against DMI, CONI and DCPI would reduce excessive intake of feed, but would have undesirable effects on growth and most of the carcass traits. Selection against MEI would lead to improvements in feed efficiency and growth traits. Selection against DCPI would also improve feed efficiency; however, responses in growth traits would decrease. Results indicate that selection against MEI might be better than any other measures of feed intake to improve feed efficiency with simultaneous improvement in growth and most of the carcass traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high-degree of spatial variability of dissolved As levels in shallow aquifers of the Bengal Basin has been well documented but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We compare here As concentrations measured in groundwater pumped from 4700 wells <22 m (75 ft) deep across a 25 km2 area of Bangladesh with variations in the nature of surface soils inferred from 18,500 measurements of frequency domain electromagnetic induction. A set of 14 hand auger cores recovered from the same area indicate that a combination of grain size and the conductivity of soil water dominate the electromagnetic signal. The relationship between pairs of individual EM conductivity and dissolved As measurements within a distance of 50 m is significant but highly scattered (r2 = 0.12; n = 614). Concentrations of As tend to be lower in shallow aquifers underlying sandy soils and higher below finer-grained and high conductivity soils. Variations in EM conductivity account for nearly half the variance of the rate of increase of As concentration with depth, however, when the data are averaged over a distance of 50 m (r2 = 0.50; n = 145). The association is interpreted as an indication that groundwater recharge through permeable sandy soils prevents As concentrations from rising in shallow reducing groundwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) among children aged 0–14 yr inclusive in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). Methods: Prospective and retrospective cohort study of the incidence of T1DM in children aged 0–14 yr from 1987 to 2005. Identified cases during this time period were ascertained from several sources and verified using the capture–recapture technique. Results: Over the study period, 732 children aged 0–14 yr were diagnosed with T1DM. The incidence of T1DM in this population over the period 1987–2005 inclusive was 35.08 per 100 000 (95% confidence interval: 32.54, 37.62). The incidence over this period increased linearly at the rate of 0.78 per 100 000 per year. There was a significant difference between the incidence of 31.61 per 100 000 for boys in the 0–4-yr age-group and 19.05 per 100 000 for girls in the 0–4-yr age-group (p = 0.001). The incidence was very high throughout the entire province. Conclusions/Interpretation: The province of NL has one of the highest incidences of T1DM reported worldwide. The incidence is increasing over the 19-yr study period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elevated arsenic (As) content of groundwater from wells across Bangladesh and several other South Asian countries is estimated to slowly poison at least 100 million people. The heterogeneous distribution of dissolved arsenic in the subsurface complicates understanding of its release from the sediment matrix into the groundwater, as well as the design of mitigation strategies. Using the tritium-helium (3H/3He) groundwater dating technique, we show that there is a linear correlation between groundwater age at depths <20 m and dissolved As concentration, with an average slope of 19 μg L−1 yr−1 (monitoring wells only). We propose that either the kinetics of As mobilization or the removal of As by groundwater flushing is the mechanism underlying this relationship. In either case, the spatial variability of As concentrations in the top 20 m of the shallow aquifers can to a large extent be attributed to groundwater age controlled by the hydrogeological heterogeneity in the local groundwater flow system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A four-ring circular external skeletal fixation device was evaluated for transcarpal fixation of compound fractures in two calves. Case 1 was an eight-month-old female Holstein-Friesian x indigenous breed calf weighing 72 kg, which had a Salter-Harris type II fracture at the distal metaphysis of the right radius/ulna with an open contaminated wound on the medial aspect of the carpus. Case 2 was an 18-month-old crossbred Haryana heifer weighing 105 kg, which had a comminuted fracture at the proximal end of its left metacarpus with severe soft tissue trauma and an open wound on the medial aspect. In both cases, the fractures were repaired with four-ring circular fixators by fixing the proximal two rings in the distal radius! ulna and the distal two rings in the metacarpus. Postoperatively, both calves were treated with analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotic, and the pin-bone interfaces and the open wound were cleaned regularly with povidone-iodine solution. In both animals weight bearing was good to excellent in the immediate postoperative period. The fixator was well maintained and tolerated by the animals until the fractures healed after 45 to 60 days. The movement of the carpal joint was slightly affected when the fixator was removed on day 60, but a follow-up examination after one year showed that both calves had normal functional usage of the limbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variance components and genetic parameters were estimated using data recorded on 740 young male Japanese Black cattle during the period from 1971 to 2003. Traits studied were feed intake (FI), feed-conversion ratio (FCR), residual feed intake (RFI), average daily gain (ADG), metabolic body weight (MWT) at the mid-point of the test period and body weight (BWT) at the finish of the test (345 days). Data were analysed using three alternative animal models (direct, direct + maternal environmental, and direct + maternal genetic effects). Comparison of the log likelihood values has shown that the direct genetic effect was significant (p < 0.05) for all traits and that the maternal environmental effects were significant (p < 0.05) for MWT and BWT. The heritability estimates were 0.20 ± 0.12 for FI, 0.14 ± 0.10 for FCR, 0.33 ± 0.14 for RFI, 0.19 ± 0.12 for ADG, 0.30 ± 0.14 for MWT and 0.30 ± 0.13 for BWT. The maternal effects (maternal genetic and maternal environmental) were not important in feed-efficiency traits. The genetic correlation between RFI and ADG was stronger than the corresponding correlation between FCR and ADG. These results provide evidence that RFI should be included for genetic improvement in feed efficiency in Japanese Black breeding programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic parameters for feed efficiency traits of 380 boars and growth and carcass traits of 1642 pigs (380 boars, 868 gilts and 394 barrows) in seven generations of Duroc population were estimated. Feed efficiency traits included the feed conversion ratio (FCR), and nutritional (RFInut), phenotypic (RFIphe) and genetic (RFIgen) residual feed intake. Growth and carcass traits were the age to reach 105-kg body weight (A105), loin eye muscle area (EMA), backfat (BF), intra-muscular fat (IMF) and meat tenderness. The mean values for RFIphe and RFIgen were close to zero and for RFInut was negative. All the measures of feed efficiency were moderately heritable ( h2 = 0.31, 0.38, 0.40 and 0.27 for RFInut, RFIphe, RFIgen and FCR respectively). The heritabilities for all growth and carcass traits were moderate (ranged from 0.37 to 0.45), except for BF, which was high (0.72). The genetic correlations of RFIphe and RFIgen with A105 were positive and high. Measures of RFI were correlated negatively with EMA. BF was more strongly correlated with measures of RFI ( rg ⩾ 0.73) than with FCR ( rg = 0.52). Selection for daily gain, EMA, BF and IMF caused favourable genetic changes in feed efficiency traits. Results of this study indicate that selection against either RFIphe or RFIgen would give a similar correlated response in carcass traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of ultrasound therapy on tendon injury healing was studied on 12 locally available non-descript adult goats of either sex divided equally in two groups (I and II) consisting of six animals each. The superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) was transected and immediately repaired with nylon (2/0) using a locking loop suture pattern under atropine-triflupromazine–lignocaine epidural analgesia and strict aseptic condition. A full limb plaster of Paris cast was applied to immobilize the operated limb for 3 days. Postoperative care was similar in both the groups. In group I, the operated limb was allowed to heal without ultrasound therapy. In group II, pulsed ultrasound therapy was started 3 days after repair of tendinous injury at an intensity of 1 W/cm2 for 10 min daily for 10 consecutive days. The animals of both groups were evaluated clinically and haemato-biochemically on days 1, 3, 7, 15, 20 and 30 postoperatively. Air tendonograms and ultrasonography were performed on days 0, 10, 20 and 30 post-tenorrhaphy. Histopathological examination of tendon biopsy samples was performed on day 30 post-tenorrhaphy. Resolution of inflammatory swelling, pain, weight bearing and tendon gliding movement was earlier in the test group than control. Rectal temperature, total leucocyte count and differential leucocyte count did not vary significantly at various stages of observation in both the groups. Serum glucose, cortisone and serum alkaline phosphatase levels increased significantly after tendon injury repair in all the animals and decreased slowly at all subsequent intervals in control group, whereas, it was near normal in the treatment group on day 30 post-tenorrhaphy. Air tendenograms and ultrasonography examinations in the test group revealed that there was a marked regression of peritendinous adhesion between the tendon and skin on day 30 post-tendon injury repaired and the tendon at the reconstructive site attained near normal thickness and density. Adhesions were present in the reconstructed site of SDFT in all animals of the control group. Histopathologically, the granulation tissue was comparatively bettered organized at the healing site in the ultrasound-treated animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new form of disease called ‘die-back’ has been established in Dalbergia sissoo trees. This disease has reached epidemic proportions in Bangladesh as well as in other countries of South Asia and is characterized by browning of the leaves, signs of wilting, and trunk lesions with gum flow. The trees die within a few months. In order to investigate the causes of this die-back disease, samples were taken for a first trial in the Rajshahi division at two sites around Sherpur. For the isolation of bacteria, surface-sterilized plant material (leaves, twigs and trunk bark) from diseased trees was transferred to LB medium and incubated. After isolation of single colonies, various bacteria species could be identified by polymerase chain reaction analysis with two primers specific for highly conserved sequence regions in the bacterial 16S rDNA and by sequencing. First indications for the presence of bacteria with phytopathogenic potential were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted on 10 buffalo calves with a weight of 98.5 ± 3.9 kg and age 9.7 ± 1.3 months. Ten trials of two treatments were carried out using a randomized block design. Atropine at the dose of 0.02 mg/kgbodyweight was administered in both the groups. The animals of group I received romifidine at the dose of 10 μg/kg i.v., 10 min after atropine administration, whereas, animals of group II received triflupromazine at the dose of 0.3 mg/kg i.m. and 10 min later romifidine at the dose of 10 μg/kg i.v. immediately followed by ketamine at the dose of 5 mg/kg i.v. The onset of action of romifidine in group I occurred within 2 min and the animals remained under mild sedation for 31 ± 4.8 min. In group II, the triflupromazine–romifidine–ketamine combination induced anaesthesia for 14 ± 2.3 min. Hypothermia, significant bradycardia and respiratory depression was noticed in both groups at different time intervals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of a simple, inexpensive model of circular external fixator (CEF) for use in large ruminants. A simple model of CEF frames consisting of four full rings (13–19 cm diameter, 4 cm wide and 4 mm thick with 18–24 holes) connected by threaded rods (8 mm diameter, 10–15 cm long) and nuts was developed using mild (low carbon) steel and were nickel-plated. In the first phase of the study, three male cow calves were utilized to study the feasibility of application of the fixators in the metatarsus, tibia and radius, in reference of adaptation and tolerance by animals. In the second phase, the fixators were tested in osteotomized bones. Six bull calves of 1.5–2 years of age weighing about 200–250 kg were utilized for this purpose. After preparing the area for aseptic surgery, under xylazine (at 0.1 mg/kg, i.m.)-ketamine (i.v. till effect) general anaesthesia, the test bone (metatarsus, radius and tibia in two animals each) was approached through the medial surface and an osteotomy was created with a saw and chisel at the mid-diaphysis. The pre-constructed 4-ring CEF was mounted on the limb around the test bone in such a way that it formed a cylinder with the axis of the limb at the centre. Each ring was then fixed to the bone with a pair of beaded wires (316 SS) of 3.5 mm diameter. During the post-operative period, the animals were observed for any change in behaviour, tolerance of the fixators, the weight bearing on the test limb, the status of the fixator, and the level of reduction of the osteotomy, alignment and healing at different intervals.The fixation of CEF was easier in the metatarsus and radius than in the tibia. The inner ring diameters found adequate for metatarsus, radius and tibia were 13–15 cm, 15–17 cm and 17–19 cm, respectively. The fixators applied to different... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary A total of 19 adult hill cattle of both sexes were subjected to trans-rectal ultrasound scanning of urinary bladder to evaluate bladder wall thickness and the presence of space-occupying lesions. The animals were divided into four groups. Eight apparently healthy hill cattle maintained under standard ration served as control (group I) and the remaining 11 animals were divided into three groups (II, III and IV). Group II animals (n = 8) were fed with different type of ferns which were further divided into subgroups II-P, -D and -B and fed with Polystichum squarrosum (n = 2), Dryopteris juxtaposita (n = 2) and Pteridium aquilinum (n = 4) ferns, respectively. The one animal in group III was a natural case of enzootic bovine haematuria (EBH) and the two animals in group IV were natural cases of microscopic EBH fed with Polystichum squarrosum fern. In group I animals, the average bladder wall thickness was 1.45 mm. The delineation of the bladder wall was uniformly smooth and the echo pattern of the bladder was homogeneously black, which was suggestive of clear urine content. In group II (P, D and B) the average bladder wall thickness of the six animals was 1.87 mm and the sonographic features were within normal limit when compared with controls. In two of the animals of group II-B, the bladder wall was apparently thick (4.36 mm) and there was no intraluminal mass except at one or two focal elevated points. Animals of groups III and IV showed the average bladder wall thickness of 4.86 mm and were characterized by the presence of irregular sessile masses extending into the bladder lumen. The homogenous anechoic area was reduced centrally due to the presence of a hypoechoic soft tissue mass all around the bladder wall. Post-sonographic urinalysis, biopsy and necropsy of selected cases further confirmed the sonographic findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in luminal fluid of 18 extravasation mucoceles and in saliva from Wharton's duct of five patients by means of gelatin zymography and enzyme immunoassay, respectively. The luminal fluid showed a high level of MMP activity compared with the saliva. Quantitative determination by enzyme immunoassay revealed that the luminal fluid contained higher levels of TNF-alpha than the saliva. In addition, the amount of TNF-alpha in luminal fluid exhibited a direct correlation with MMP activity estimated by densitometric analysis of gelatin zymograms. Since TNF-alpha stimulates the production of MMPs from cells such as fibroblasts, these results suggest that TNF-alpha is one of the causal molecules that enhance the accumulation of proteolytic enzymes in luminal fluid of mucoceles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteolytic enzyme activity has been shown to be important for cyst formation. In this study, we constructed a cyst-like structure in vivo and analyzed molecular mechanisms involved in the development of the lesion. When SV40-immortalized duct cells of normal human salivary gland (NS-SV-DC) were treated with TGF-beta 1 at a concentration of 1 ng/ml or 5 ng/ml followed by co-inoculation with Matrigel into the backs of nude mice, they formed large cysts containing fluid when 5 ng/ml of TGF-beta 1 was used. Analysis of the fluid demonstrated high MMP activity. Immunohistochemical staining exhibited strong reactivity with anti-MMP-2 antibody in TGF-beta 1 (5 ng/ml)-treated NS-SV-DC. Northern blot analysis indicated that the expression of TGF-beta 1 and MMP-2 mRNAs in cells was greatly enhanced by treatment with 5 ng/ml TGF-beta 1. These findings suggest that the in vivo cyst formation by TGF-beta 1-treated cells is associated with continuous induction of MMP-2 activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the content of type IV collagenases and plasminogen activators (PAs) in luminal fluid of four extravasation mucoceles by means of gelatin or casein zymography. Immunohistochemical staining for type IV collagenases and PAs was performed to identify the possible source of these enzymes. The luminal fluid examined by gelatin zymography showed a high level of type IV collagenases compared with saliva from Wharton's duct. PAs were detected in only one of the cases by casein zymography, and none was detected in the saliva. By immunohistochemical staining, type IV collagenases and PAs were detected in duct and myoepithelial cells of the adjacent salivary gland and in macrophages and fibroblasts of the cyst wall. The results suggest that proteolytic enzymes are involved in the pathogenesis of mucoceles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context reasoning is an important issue for a context-aware system. Generally, context reasoning is adopted to deduce new context based on the available contexts. The rule-based reasoning is one of the most well-known methods for context reasoning. However, it is difficult for the rule-based algorithm to reason personalized context, because it requires a large number of rules to apply the user's preferences. To address this weakness, in this paper we suggest the Profile-Applied Reasoning Engine (PARE). PARE is an enhanced rule-based reasoning method which uses profiles while reasoning contexts. By using profiles, PARE can become aware of the context that is preferred by a specific individual. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed reasoning engine, we compared the reasoning result of PARE with traditional rule-based reasoning in smart home domain. PARE shows better outcome for reasoning the personalized contexts than the traditional rule-based reasoning. In addition, by using profiles, a significant number of rules have been omitted and consequently the running time is also decreased. Moreover, PARE occupies less memory space which is restricted with number of variables of a rule. Therefore, PARE optimizes both runtime and memory space, which is valuable when making embedded context-aware system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fatty acid methyl esters from cod liver oil have been fractionated into seven fractions, depending on degree of unsaturation, by a silver nitratetreated silicic acid column. The fractions have been analyzed by gas liquid chromatography and the components identified by usual techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]