Comparative Genomics Revealed Genus Specific Encoding of Amino Acids by Tri-Nucleotide SSRs in Human Pathogenic Streptococcus and Staphylococus Bacteria

Pathogenic bacteria use phase variation of surface molecules and other characteristics as a significant adaptation mechanism. Repetitive sequences made up of numerous identical repeat units can be found in many phase variable genes. Here, we investigated the frequency and distribution of long-SSRs in 15 human pathogenic Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Enterococcus bacteria. Long-SSRs were found to be distributed differently in the genic and intergenic sequences. In the genic sequences, 61.3 SSRs were discovered on average, while 16.2 SSRs were found in the intergenic regions. Staphylococci exhibited the highest frequency of SSRs, followed by Enterococcus, and Streptococci had the lowest frequency of SSRs. Higher A+T content was found to be the best predictor of long-SSR in these human pathogens. Tetranucleotide repeats predominated in intergenic regions, while trinucleotide repeats predominated in genic regions. In human pathogenic Streptococcus and Staphylococcus bacteria, genus-specific encoding of amino acids by tri-nucleotide SSRs was observed. A genetic relationship between these human pathogenic bacteria was derived based on the presence of SSRs in the housekeeping genes and compared to the phylogeny generated based on the 16S ribosomal RNA gene.

Identification of Novel Phage Resistance Mechanisms in Campylobacter jejuni by Comparative Genomics

Phages infecting Campylobacter jejuni are considered a promising intervention strategy at broiler farms, yet phage sensitivity of naturally occurring poultry isolates is not well studied. Here, we investigated phage sensitivity and identified resistance mechanisms of C. jejuni strains originating from Danish broilers belonging to the most prevalent MLST (ST) types. Determining plaque formation of 51 phages belonging to Fletchervirus or Firehammervirus showed that 21 out of 31 C. jejuni strains were susceptible to at least one phage. While C. jejuni ST-21 strains encoded the common phase variable O-methyl phosphoramidate (MeOPN) receptor of the Fletchervirus and were only infected by these phages, ST-45 strains did not encode this receptor and were exclusively infected by Firehammervirus phages. To identify internal phage resistance mechanism in ST-21 strains, we performed comparative genomics of two strains, CAMSA2002 sensitive to almost all Fletchervirus phages and CAMSA2038, resistant to all 51 phages. The strains encoded diverse clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) spacers but none matched the tested phages. Sequence divergence was also observed in a predicted SspE homolog and putative restriction modification systems including a methyl-specific McrBC endonuclease. Furthermore, when mcrB was deleted, CAMSA2038 became sensitive to 17 out of 43 phages, three being Firehammervirus phages that otherwise did not infect any ST-21 strains. Yet, 16 phages demonstrated significantly lower efficiencies of plating on the mcrB mutant suggesting additional resistance mechanism still restricting phage propagation in CAMSA2038. Thus, our work demonstrates that C. jejuni isolates originating from broilers may have acquired several resistance mechanisms to successfully prevent phage infection in their natural habitat.

Controlling effort, catch and biomass in models of the global marine fisheries

The starting point is the reduced model of global marine fisheries designated by W-3. The main variables of an ordinary differential equation are: the stock of bioresource, its net natural increase, as well as the catch value, which linearly depends on exogenous effort and nonlinearly on available biomass. In W-4, the effort became endogenous as a result of its positive feedback from biomass. In both models, there are values of control parameters in the catch equations, in which the value of the latter can be maintained for a long time at the maximum stable level, with the exception of transition sections. The principle of necessary precaution is fulfilled for small fish stocks more reliably in W-4 than in W-3, thanks to the transformation of the saddle into an unstable node with a common stable node. For these one-dimensional models, the author proposed an original generalization - the R-1 model of two nonlinear ordinary differential equations. In the latter effort, a new phase variable appears, subordinated to proportional control and derivative regulation. Biomass serves as a “prey”, and the effort appears as a “predator”. For two key control parameters, areas of change were identified for which the target stationary state is a locally asymptotically stable node or focus in R-1. A policy has been proposed for the restoration of depleted fish stocks and a transition to a long-term maximum sustainable harvest has been determined. Optimization over a wide time frame (from 40 to 400 years) allows us to calculate the values of the selected control parameters for which the integral catch volume in R-1 is higher than in W-4 for the same initial values of stock, effort and catch. Social constraints from below on the magnitude of the effort, as well as the desired nature of the transition to the target stationary state, are taken into account. The danger of biomass collapse is overcome, unlike previous models.

Implementation and Control of Six-Phase Induction Motor Driven by a Three-Phase Supply

This paper is interested in implementing and controlling a modified six-phase induction motor (MSPIM) when fed from a three-phase supply either via an inverter or with a direct grid connection loaded by a centrifugal pump. The main aims of using the MSPIM are to enhance motor reliability and reduce torque pulsation. A three-to-six phase transformer has been designed, implemented, and employed to enable the SPIM to be driven from a three-phase supply. It is preferable to use the three-to-six phase transformers integrated with three-phase inverter on using the six-phase inverter to generate lower values of harmonics and lower steady-state error of speed and reduce the starting current and because also it isolates the primary circuit from the secondary, and the cost will be lower compared to the design of a special six-phase inverter. Dynamic models of SPIM, three-to-six phase transformer, and three-phase variable speed drive are derived. Then, a scalar (V/F) closed-loop control of SPIM is employed, and the results are discussed. Fine-tuning of PID controllers is used to keep the motor speed tracking the reference value. A low pass filter is connected to reduce the ripple of voltage and current waveforms. An experimental setup has been built and implemented to check the possibility of controlling SPIM by a variable speed drive system fed from a three-to-six phase transformer. It is found that the proposed method can be effectively used to drive the SPIM from a three-phase supply.

Characterisation of the phase-variable autotransporter Lav reveals a role in host cell adherence and biofilm formation in Non-Typeable Haemophilus influenzae

Lav is an autotransporter protein found in pathogenic Haemophilus and Neisseria species. Lav in non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is phase-variable: the gene reversibly switches ON-OFF via changes in length of a locus-located GCAA(n) simple DNA sequence repeat tract. The expression status of lav was examined in carriage and invasive collections of NTHi, where it was predominantly not expressed (OFF). Phenotypic study showed lav expression (ON) results in increased adherence to host cells, and denser biofilm formation. A survey of Haemophilus spp. genome sequences showed lav is present in ~60% of NTHi strains, but lav is not present in most typeable H. influenzae. Sequence analysis revealed a total of five distinct variants of the Lav passenger domain present in Haemophilus spp., with these five variants showing a distinct lineage distribution. Determining the role of Lav in NTHi will help understand the role of this protein during distinct pathologies.

A Real-Time Harmonic Extraction Approach for Distorted Grid

Harmonic interference is a major hazard in the current power system that affects power quality. How to extract harmonics quickly and accurately is the premise to ensure the sustainable operation of power system, which is particularly important in the field of new energy power generation. In this paper, a harmonic extraction method based on a time-varying observer is proposed. Firstly, a frequency estimation algorithm is used to estimate the power grid current frequency, which can estimate the frequency in real time. Then, applying the zero-crossing detection method to convert the frequency into a phase variable. Finally, using the phase variable and integral current signal as input, a observer is modeled to extract each order harmonic component. The proposed method is evaluated on a FGPA test platform, which shows that the method can extract the harmonic components of the grid current and converge within 80 ms even in the presence of grid distortions. In the verification case, the relative errors of the 1st, 5th, 7th and 11th harmonics are 0.005%, −0.003%, 0.251% and 0.620%, respectively, which are sufficiently small.