The presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria on veterinary clinic surfaces may be problematic. In this study we collected swab samples (Fisherbrand, double transport swabs with Stuart’s liquid medium) and water samples from five veterinary rehabilitation clinics. Swabs and water samples were transported to a microbiology lab for processing. At the lab swabs were used to inoculated Hardy’s Cdiff Banana broth (for Clostridium difficile [Cdiff]), and five different types of bacterial growth media, including: Hardy CHROM MRSA agar (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA], and S. pseudintermedius [SIM]), Mannitol Salt Agar (S. aureus), Eosin Methylene Blue agar (enterics [ENT]), Pseudomonas Isolation agar (Pseudomonas sp.), and Tryptic Soy Agar [TSA] (non-specific). The most prominent species cultured was Cdiff (on nearly 55% of swabs). Bacillus sp. and Enterics were encountered on nearly 35% of swabs, with MRSA and SIM on just over 10% of swabs. The most contaminated sample site was harnesses/life jackets used with the underwater treadmill (33% of swabs). Underwater treadmill water had total bacterial counts from 1.6 to 2.7 e3 cfu/ml. Of all bacterial species detected SIM tends to be more pathogenic for dogs. Targeted cleaning/disinfecting in these clinics could help reduce risks for both animals and caregivers utilizing these clinics.

Escherichia coli is an indicator microorganism in One Health antibiotic resistance surveillance programmes. The purpose of the study was to describe and compare E. coli isolates obtained from pigs and human contacts from a commercial farm in South Africa using conventional methods and whole genome sequencing (WGS). Porcine E. coli isolates were proportionally more resistant phenotypically and harboured a richer diversity of antibiotic resistance genes, as compared to human E. coli isolates. Different pathovars, namely ExPEC (12.43%, 21/169), ETEC (4.14%; 7/169), EPEC (2.96%, 5/169), EAEC (2.96%, 5/169) and STEC (1.18%, 2/169) were detected at low frequencies. Sequence type complex (STc) 10 were the most prevalent (85.51%, 59/169) among human and porcine isolates. Six STcs (STc10, STc86, STc168, STc206, STc278 and STc469) were shared at the human-livestock interface according to multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Core genome MLST and hierarchical clustering (HC) showed that human and porcine isolates were overall genetically diverse, but some clustering at HC2 to HC200 were observed. In conclusion, even though the isolates shared a spatio-temporal relationship, there were still differences in the virulence potential, antibiotic resistance profiles, and cgMLST and HC according to the source of isolation.

The identification of a new virus Kiparis-144 (KiparisV) in a half-fed tick I persulcatus, removed from a person in the south of the Russian Far East, determined the goal of further research - to study its role in human pathology and the characteristics of its behavior in the tick microbiome. An ELISA study of 439 blood samples from people affected by tick bites indicated a fairly frequent (up to 16.4±1.7%) encounter of people with the KiparisV virus in the territory of natural foci of the Primorsky Territory. It has been shown that this virus, when mono-infected, can cause clinical symptoms characteristic of acute respiratory diseases. During co-infection under the influence of the KiparisV, there was an increase in the activity of Borrelia spp. with the constant production of antibodies to them only of the IgM class and clinical symptoms of Lyme disease for one year (observation period). Electron microscopy of the KiparisV found in a tick removed from a patient showed a picture of the relationship of the KiparisV (up to 100 nm in size) with unknown representatives of the tick microbiome - pathogens of a viral or bacterial nature. In a comparative aspect, a similar electron microscopic picture of the interaction of the KiparisV virus with a known pathogen of viral nature, the ectromelia virus (ECTV), is presented. The importance of the electron microscopy method in describing the tick microbiome is shown. Thus, it has been established that when co-cultivated in the system the helper-virus KiparisV probably tends to use another pathogen of the tick microbiome for its reproduction, influencing its pathogenicity.

a Special Issue of Microorganisms devoted to ‘Microbial Biocatalysis and Biodegradation’ would be incomplete without some form of acknowledgement of the many important roles that dioxygen-dependent enzymes (principally mono- and dioxygenases) play in relevant aspects of biooxygenation. This is reflected by the multiple strategic roles that dioxygen -dependent microbial enzymes play both in generating valuable synthons for chemoenzymatic synthesis, and in facilitating key reactions that drive the global geochemical Carbon Cycle. A useful insight into this relationship can be gained by reviewing the evolution of the current status of 2,5-diketocamphane 1,2-monooxygenase (EC 1.14.14.108) from camphor-grown Pseudomonas putida ATCC 17453. Over the last sixty years, the perceived nature of this monooxygenase has transmogrified significantly. Commencing in the 1960s, extensive initial studies consistently reported that the enzyme was a monomeric true flavoprotein dependent on both FMNH₂ and nonheme iron as bound cofactors. However, over the last decade all those criteria have changed absolutely, and the enzyme is currently acknowledged to be a metal ion-independent homodimeric flavin-dependent two-component monooxygenase deploying FMNH₂ as a cosubstrate. That transition is a paradigm of the ever evolving nature of scientific knowledge.

Air pollution, climate change and global warming show direct linkage. Introduction - Background: Research in the field has proposed and demonstrated their link to increased allergenicity in plants, leading to increased allergic diseases. Allergen patterns are changing in response to climate change. Across Europe, up to 12% of the population suffers from allergic diseases (bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis) caused by the pollen grains. The medical costs of these types of allergies are enormous and are increasing with the spread of common ragweed - Ambrosia artemisiifolia* in Europe. In practice, more and more patients are turning to allergists. Methods: Based on these data, the research aims to identify safety measures and specific legislation to control and eradicate common ragweed in the countries most affected by the spread of this plant in Europe, increase in population exposure in countries affected by the presence of common ragweed and the socio-economic impact of allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma at European level.[1][2] Our database search did not reveal any other research that has addressed this topic to date. Results: This research identifies specific legislation to the countries most affected by the spread of this plant pollen grains at European level, changes in allergen patterns and monitoring/safety eradication measures decided by local authorities, and data on the spread of common ragweed over the last two decades, costs per treatment, increased allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma morbidity in the most affected areas. Conclusions: At European level, there are no universally valid models for eradicating this weed. Various methods can be used to limit the spread of common ragweed and its pollen production (e.g. mowing once or twice a year of overgrown land, ploughing, chemical control, public information, etc.). Local and regional cooperation should be considered essential to promote phytosanitary & safety measures and exchange of information on methods to identify and manage the spread of common ragweed. Unified legislation at European level would help all affected countries; reduce morbidity from respiratory allergic diseases and the costs of treating these diseases.

Abstract: Objective: analyze the effectiveness of the implementation of the Lean Healthcare sys-tem at the emergency room of the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Uberlândia (HC-UFU), based on a comparison of hospital indicators obtained over the three phases corre-sponding to the period of one year before the implementation (T1), the year during the imple-mentation (T2) and one year after implementation (T3). Material and Methods: this is applied research, classified as a case study, exploratory, descriptive that is developed in stages. Based herein on the search for hospital indicators, as occurred in the implementation process of Lean in Emergencies at the HC-UFU and a description of the implemented Lean system. Results and Discussions: during the period where it was possible to collect data relevant to the NEDOCS and LOS indicators, the motivation of the teams grew, but with a notable tension between municipal management and hospital management. It was found that, despite the fluctuations, the patient length of stay in the Emergency Room remained high. Noteworthy here is that with the excep-tion of the variable of female deaths before 24 hours of hospitalization, all other variables showed percentage increases before and after the intervention. Conclusion: the methodology followed for the implementation of Lean in Emergencies in the emergency sector of the hospital did not produce an improvement in hospital indicators.

Expectation maximization (EM) algorithm is a powerful mathematical tool for estimating statistical parameter when data sample contains hidden part and observed part. EM is applied to learn finite mixture model in which the whole distribution of observed variable is average sum of partial distributions. Coverage ratio of every partial distribution is specified by the probability of hidden variable. An application of mixture model is soft clustering in which cluster is modeled by hidden variable whereas each data point can be assigned to more than one cluster and degree of such assignment is represented by the probability of hidden variable. However, such probability in traditional mixture model is simplified as a parameter, which can cause loss of valuable information. Therefore, in this research I propose a so-called conditional mixture model (CMM) in which the probability of hidden variable is modeled as a full probabilistic density function (PDF) that owns individual parameter. CMM aims to extend mixture model. I also propose an application of CMM which is called adaptive regressive model (ARM). Traditional regression model is effective when data sample is scattered equally. If data points are grouped into clusters, regression model tries to learn a unified regression function which goes through all data points. Obviously, such unified function is not effective to evaluate response variable based on grouped data points. The concept “adaptive” of ARM means that ARM solves the ineffectiveness problem by selecting the best cluster of data points firstly and then evaluating response variable within such best cluster. In order words, ARM reduces estimation space of regression model so as to gain high accuracy in calculation.

Corona viruses hijack human enzymes to assembly sugar coat on Spike glycoproteins. The mechanism that human antibodies may uncover the antigenic viral peptide epitopes hidden by sugar coat are unknown. In this study, we analyzed recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein secreted from BTI-Tn-5B1-4 cells, by trypsin and chymotrypsin digestion followed by mass spectrometry analysis. We acquired MS/MS spectrums for glycopeptides of all 22 predicted N-glycosylated sites. We further analyzed the surface accessibility of Spike proteins according to Cryo-EM and homolog-modeled structures, and available antibodies that bind to SARS-CoV-1. The results showed that all 22 N-glycosylated sites of SARS-CoV-2 are modified by high-mannose type of N-glycans. MS/MS fragmentation clearly established the glycopeptide identities. Electron densities of glycans cover most of the Spike receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2, except YQAGSTPCNGVEGFNCYFPLQSYGFQPTNGVGYQ, similar to a region FSPDGKPCTPPALNCYWPLNDYGFYTTTGIGYQ in SARS-CoV-1. Other surface-exposed domains included those located on Central Helix, between amino acids 967 and 1016 of SARS-CoV-1, and 985 to 1034 of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. As the majority of antibody paratopes bind to peptide portion with or without sugar modification, we propose a snake-catcher model that a minimal length of peptide is first clamped by a paratope, and the binding is either strengthened by sugars close to peptide, or not interfered by sugar modification.

Giant plasmonic surface enhancement has been observed in gold coated micron sized inverse pyramids entrapping a gold nanoparticle. The amplification of both surface enhanced Raman and photoluminescence signals was found to be dependent on the diameter of trapped gold nanoparticle and around 50-fold enhancement was detected for 250nm diameter sample relatively to the 50nm one. Finite differential time domain simulations, performed to determine the near-field distribution in the structure, showed that when the nanoparticle protrudes into the hotspot zone of the void, coupling of electromagnetic field occurs and the plasmon-related near-field enhancement is concentrated into the close vicinity of the nanoparticle, mainly into the close gaps around the tangential points of the curved sphere and the flat pyramid surface. This results in a more than 15 times increase of the near-field intensity, compared to the empty void.

Polymer-based (nano)composite foams, especially those having a microcellular structure, containing suitable conductive (nano)fillers, have been shown to act as good shielding materials, hence coming as promising to act as shields in electronic devices, limiting/avoiding electromagnetic interference (EMI) pollution. Nevertheless, due to their high (micro)structural complexity, related to their multiphase nature, there is still a lot of unawareness behind the shielding mechanisms acting in these materials, coming as a necessity to study their microstructure-cellular/porous structure-properties relations, especially in terms of their electrical conductivity and EMI shielding efficiency (EMI SE). To target and control the electrical conductivity through a controlled distribution/dispersion of conductive nanofillers, single or combined (nanohybrids), as there is a direct relation between electrical conductivity and EMI SE, as well as the main EMI shielding mechanisms working on the developed microcellular structure of the foams, which are expected to be absorption-dominated or absorption/multiple reflection-based, are two of the main objectives when combining polymer foaming with the addition of conductive nanofillers. The present review work considers the recent developments and trends on polymer-based foams containing conductive nanofillers, especially carbon-based such as carbon nanotubes or graphene-based materials, as well as similar porous structures created using trending technologies such as 3D printing, for EMI shielding applications. It is divided in different sections, starting with the strategy of microcellular foaming to develop polymer-based foams with enhanced EMI shielding characteristics, especially focusing on technologies and methods using supercritical CO2 (sCO2); continuing with the use of polymer foams as templates to synthesize carbon foams with improved EMI shielding performance for high use temperature applications; the recent strategy of combining different functional (nano)fillers to create hybrid nanofillers/nanohybrids to be used at lower amounts as conductive fillers in polymer foams; the control and selective distribution of the nanofillers in terms of favoring the formation of a more effective conductive network and hence promote the enhancement of the EMI SE; the very recent use of computational approaches to tailor the EMI shielding properties of composite foams; and the very trending possibility of creating cellular components with varied porous structures from these materials using 3D printing; to finish, some future perspectives are discussed.

To follow the growth and development of each tree (N = 1200) Pinus sylvestris L., var. Negorelskaya starting from the seed and continuing at the juvenile (or even generative) stage is the goal of an ambitious project to create a plant passport if possible. Five datasets of replenished empirical (tab-ular and file) and systematic data reflect the early results of a unique ongoing experiment conducted with families moved along a climatic gradient from the collection area (1731 degree days, 722 mm) to the experimental area (2326 degree days; 786 mm). Datasets of morphometric, VIS-spectrometric, and germination seed data, combined with the first results of biometric data (including the Dickson quality index) of seedlings produced from these seeds, will allow scientists in the future to conduct correlation and other statistical analysis, or train a neural network to determine the presence of connections between a seed and a plant. These data contribute to the early non-destructive diag-nosis and grading of seeds according to VIS-spectrometric properties. This dataset structure can complement the FLR-Library. In the future, by tracing seedlings in their early growth (for example, over three growing seasons at the site being restored), it will be possible to determine the degree of intensification of FRM production depending on the initial properties of the seed.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of DNA methylation in the regulation of in vitro and in vivo cartilage formation. Based on the data of an RNA chip-assay performed on chondrifying BMP2-overexpressing C3H10T1/2 cells, the relative expression of Tet1 (tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 1), Dnmt3a (DNA methyltransferase 3) and Ogt (O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase) genes was examined with RT-qPCR in mouse cell-line based and primary micromass cultures. RNA probes for in situ hybridization were used on frozen sections of 15-day-old mouse embryos. DNA methylation was inhibited with 5-azacytidine during culturing. We found very strong but gradually decreasing expression of Tet1 throughout the entire course of in vitro cartilage differentiation along with strong signals in the cartilaginous embryonic skeleton. Dnmt3a and Ogt expressions did not show significant changes with RT-qPCR and gave weak in situ hybridization signals. Inhibition of DNA methylation applied during early stages of differentiation reduced cartilage-specific gene expression and cartilage formation. In contrast, it had stimulatory effect when added to differentiated chondrocytes. Our results indicate that the DNA demethylation-inducing Tet1 is a significant epigenetic factor of chondrogenesis, and inhibition of DNA methylation exerts distinct effects in different phases of in vitro cartilage formation.

The goal of this paper is to present a low-cost, low-power prototype of a pulsed Ultra Wide Band UWB) oscillator and an UWB elliptical dipole antenna integrated on the same Radio Frequency (RF) Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and its digital control board for Real Time Locating System (RTLS) applications. The design is compatible with IEEE 802.15.4 high rate pulse repetition UWB standard being able to work between 6 GHz and 8.5 GHz with 500 MHz bandwidth and with a pulse duration of 2 ns. The UWB system has been designed using the CST Microwave Studio transient Electro-Magnetic (EM) circuit co-simulation method. This method integrates the functional circuit simulation together with the full wave (EM) simulation of the PCB’s 3D model allowing fast parameter tuning. The PCB has been manufactured and the entire system has been assembled and measured. Simulated and measured results are in excellent agreement with respect to the radiation performances as well as the power consumptions.

This paper presents a hybrid modelling approach that combines physics-based electromigration modelling (PEM) and statistical methods to evaluate the electromigration (EM) limits of nano-interconnects in mesh networks. The approach, which is also compatible with standard Place and Route (P&R) tools and practices, takes into account the positive impact of network redundancy on EM current limits. The study shows that conventional methods underestimate the EM current limits of a power delivery network (PDN) unit-cell by 80% due to their lack of consideration for redundancy. Additionally, the time-to-failure (TTF) distributions of a PDN unit-cell adhered to a lognormal distribution, where the lognormal sigma, σlogn, exhibits a 55% reduction compared to that of the single constituent interconnects. The study also found the negative voltage (i.e. ground or Vss) grid to be more susceptible to EM than the positive voltage, i.e. Vdd grid. In the examined grid unit-cell design, both the number of interconnect sites prone to voiding and also the magnitude of the peak tensile stress within the nano-interconnects were found to be 2-folds as high in the Vss case compared to Vdd. lognormal sigma of TFF for the grid unit-cells, σ_(logn-tile), show a marked reduction compared to the lognormal sigma of the constituent single interconnects, σ_logn, with a 50% and 66% decrease compared to single interconnects, for downstream (Vss) and upstream (Vdd), respectively. In addition, σ_(logn-tile) was 3-folds higher for downstream (Vss) compared to upstream (Vdd), whilst, in contrast this difference was only 2-folds at single interconnect level. 4.13-folds higher TTF50% was observed at grid unit-cell level for upstream compared to downstream operation which was also more pronounced than in the single interconnect level where the difference was only 2-folds. This research provides valuable insights into EM aging of nano-interconnects in mesh networks and could pragmatically enhance the accuracy of EM compliance evaluation methods.

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) has no cure. Earlier, we showed that partial inhibition of mitochondrial complex I (MCI) with small molecule CP2 induces adaptive stress response activating multiple neuroprotective mechanisms. Chronic treatment reduced inflammation, improved synaptic and mitochondrial functions, and blocked neurodegeneration in symptomatic APP/PS1 mice, a translational model of AD. Here, using serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBFSEM) and three-dimensional (3D) EM reconstructions combined with Western blot analysis and next-generation RNA sequencing, we demonstrate that CP2 treatment also restores mitochondrial morphology and mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum (ER) communication in the APP/PS1 mouse brain. Using 3D EM volume reconstructions, we show that mitochondria in AD dendrites exist primarily as mitochondria-on-a-string (MOAS). Compared to other morphological phenotypes, MOAS are extensively enveloped in the ER membranes forming multiple mitochondria-ER contact sites (MERCS) known to contribute to abnormal lipid and calcium homeostasis. CP2 treatment specifically reduced MOAS formation, consistent with improved energy homeostasis in the brain, with concomitant reduction in MERCS, ER stress, and improved lipid homeostasis. These data provide novel information on the role MOAS play in AD and additional support for further development of partial MCI inhibitors as disease modifying strategy for AD.

This article is some review of results that were obtained at 2007-2021 years development of “The Information as Absolute” concept and the informational physical model, which is based on the concept; including a number of fundamental physical problems are briefly considered in framework of the conception and the model. Recently in physics there are several publications, that present lists of the problems. However, those lists are essentially incomplete, for at least two reasons. Firsts of all, a number of phenomena are studied traditionally by philosophy, and so corresponding problems are usually considered to be “metaphysical”. However, they relate also to some concrete physical phenomena. For example, physics evidently studies Matter, and so the metaphysical problems “what is ontology of Matter”, “what is “Space”, “Time” and a few other physical phenomena and notions as well, are really a Meta-physical problems “what does physics study?” There are other fundamental physical problems, which are not considered as such in physics, and are absent in the “fundamental problems lists”. Those include the problems, which really exist, yet are incorporated into standard physical theories, and so are fundamental “implicitly”, which in physics are “solved by default” ‒ and mostly erroneously. Note, though, that a number of “Meta-physical”, and concrete fundamental, problems more in detail are considered in the paper “The Informational Conception and Basic Physics”, https://arxiv.org/abs/0707.4657, v5 (2021), so this paper is, in certain sense, an expanded conclusion of this paper, which includes, correspondingly, more in detail consideration of some more general physical problems; and, besides, in this article, the problem “what are Gravity and Electric Forces” is essentially clarified comparing with the arXiv 2021 paper version above. Besides, the concrete problem “What is Life”, and the rational cosmological model, where a few vague points in standard cosmology rather probably are rationally clarified, while the fundamental problem “matter – antimatter asymmetry” in Matter is solved practically for sure, are considered, and one of recently published rather complete “lists of fundamental problems” is commented in Appendix.

In August 4 2011, United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) submitted an unprecedented, scientific, groundbreaking Environmental Assessment Report (EAR) of Ogoniland, to the Nigerian government. This was the outcome of a 14–month intensive evaluation of the extent of pollution. It was intended that UNEP’s recommendations would be implemented to restore the devastated environment, on the one hand, and on the other, counteract the numerous environmental health issues that have for decades, plagued Ogoniland. However, five years post EAR, and, despite the seriousness of the situation, no significant resolution has occurred, both on the part of the government, and on the part of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) or Shell. To date, millions of Niger Delta residents, particularly those living in the oil-bearing communities, continue to suffer severe consequences. Although, the assessment was conducted in Ogoniland, other communities in the Niger Delta are also affected. This article explores prevailing issues, using Ogoniland (a microcosm of the Niger Delta) as an example. A multidisciplinary approach for sustainable mitigation of environmental health risks in the Niger Delta is paramount, and Environmental Management tools offer valuable strategies. Adopting UNEP’s recommendations for addressing environmental health problems requires implementing the Environmental Management/Environmental Management System (EM/EMS) model.

The influence of the secondary process of evaporation of the reaction product on the kinetics of interaction of gases (O₂, Cl₂, NH₃, H₂O and N₂H₄ vapors) with the surface of some metals (Cr, Pb, Si, Ge) and compounds (BN, SiO₂, SiC) is discussed. Also is considered the case when the growth of the scale is preceded by the process of gas etching of the metal surface. A general equation is given that describes the scale growth-evaporation kinetic (sample mass change - time) curves during the interaction of gases with the surface of metals and compounds. Special cases of parabolic, cubic and fourth degree processes are discussed.