Monitoring of the Operating Membrane Condition Using PZT Based EMI of External Steel Pipe

Membrane systems are increasingly being used for treating water, wastewater, and reused water. However, membrane damage can decrease removal efficiency and hinder downstream applicability. Thus, the operating conditions of the membrane should be monitored. This study monitored the operating conditions of the membrane using lead zirconate titanate (PZT)-based electro-mechanical impedance (EMI) measurements in an external air pipe. Pilot-scale tests were performed to verify the performance of the proposed method. A pressure decay test (PDT) was performed using a PZT-attached air pipe, in which the pressure was measured using PZT, and a pressure gauge was employed to measure the reference pressure. The EMI signals changed according to the variations in the pressure inside the steel air pipe. To index the signal variation, the amplitude of the major peak was extracted and compared with the reference pressure. The amplitude of the major peak was inversely proportional to the pressure change. The pressure estimation equation was derived using a linear regression between the amplitudes of the major peak and the reference pressures. According to the results, the proposed monitoring system that utilizes the EMI of an external steel pipe is a potential solution to improve the sensitivity and speed of the PDT.

Investigation of Fluconazole Susceptibility to Candida Albicans by MALDI-TOF MS and Real-Time PCR for CDR1, CDR2, MDR1 and ERG11

Background C. albicans is the most important yeast that caused the infection in humans; the trend of resistance to fluconazole (FLC) was also increased, while the FLC susceptibility by conventional method takes time causing the treatment failure. To investigate FLC susceptibility to C. albicans using MALDI-TOF MS and Real-time PCR for CDR1, CDR2, MDR1 and ERG11, overall, 32 C. albicans strains included 4 reference strains (3 FLC susceptible (S) and 1 FLC resistant (R), 1 spontaneous mutant strain (FLC susceptible-dose dependent, SDD) and 27 clinical strains obtained from 2 Thai University Hospitals were performed FLC susceptibility testing by Sensititre YeastOne and broth microdilution method, FLC resistant expression mechanism by Real-time PCR and the major peak determination by MALDI-TOF MS.Results The change of CDR1 and CDR2 mRNA expression were only significantly observed in SDD and R strains. Using MALDI-TOF MS, the change of mass spectral intensity at range 3376-3382 m/z (major peak) was significantly related to FLC susceptibility as SDD (decreased at 4 µg/ml and increase at 8 µg/ml), S (all increased), and R (all slightly decreased or no change) after incubation for 6 h. All 27 clinical strains showed FLC MIC susceptible (MIC range 0.25-2 µg/ml), no change in CDR1 and CDR2 expression and S major peak type. The FLC resistance C. albicans with CDR1 and CDR2 expression may possibly effect the change of mass spectral intensity at range 3376-3382 m/z. Conclusions The MALDI-TOF MS may be used to simultaneously classify and predict FLC resistant C. albicans strains associated with CDR1 and CDR2 expression. Further studies are essential to clarify the methodology and improve the reliability of this assay for routine diagnosis.

Seasonal variations of the dinoflagellate algae Noctiluca scintillans abundance in the western Arabian Sea and the northern Black Sea

<p>Seasonal variability is a powerful component of the spatio-temporal dynamics of plankton communities, especially in the regions with oxygen-depleted waters. The Arabian Sea and the Black Sea are typical representatives of these regions. In both, the dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillans (Macartney) Kofoid & Swezy, 1921, is one of the abundant plankton species which forms algal blooms. Sampling on coastal stations in the upper mixed layer by the plankton nets with the 120-140 µm mesh size was carried out in 2004-2010. Monthly data were averaged over years. A comparison of seasonal patterns of Noctiluca abundance pointed to the persistence of a bimodal seasonal cycle in both regions. The major peak was observed during spring in the Black Sea and during the winter (Northeast) monsoon in the Arabian Sea. The timing of the second (minor) peak was different over regions as well. This peak was modulated by advection of seasonally fluctuating velocity of coastal currents which transport waters enriched by nutrients by coastal upwelling. The abundance of Noctiluca of the major peak (with the concentration around 1.5*10<sup>6</sup> cells m<sup>-3</sup>) was from one to two orders as much high in the western Arabian Sea compared to the northern Black Sea. The remotely sensed chlorophyll-a concentration during the time of the major seasonal peak exhibited a fivefold difference over these regions. In terms of nutrient<sub></sub>concentration in the upper mixed layer (in particular, nitrates and silicates), a difference of about one order of magnitude was observed.</p>

Molecular Epidemiology of Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) Isolates of Hospitalized Children from Bolivia Reveal High Heterogeneity and Multidrug-Resistance

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) is an emerging pathogen frequently associated with acute diarrhea in children and travelers to endemic regions. EAEC was found the most prevalent bacterial diarrheal pathogen from hospitalized Bolivian children less than five years of age with acute diarrhea from 2007 to 2010. Here, we further characterized the epidemiology of EAEC infection, virulence genes, and antimicrobial susceptibility of EAEC isolated from 414 diarrheal and 74 non-diarrheal cases. EAEC isolates were collected and subjected to a PCR-based virulence gene screening of seven virulence genes and a phenotypic resistance test to nine different antimicrobials. Our results showed that atypical EAEC (a-EAEC, AggR-negative) was significantly associated with diarrhea (OR, 1.62, 95% CI, 1.25 to 2.09, p < 0.001) in contrast to typical EAEC (t-EAEC, AggR-positive). EAEC infection was most prevalent among children between 7–12 months of age. The number of cases exhibited a biannual cycle with a major peak during the transition from warm to cold (April–June). Both typical and a-EAEC infections were graded as equally severe; however, t-EAEC harbored more virulence genes. aap, irp2 and pic were the most prevalent genes. Surprisingly, we detected 60% and 52.6% of multidrug resistance (MDR) EAEC among diarrheal and non-diarrheal cases. Resistance to ampicillin, sulfonamides, and tetracyclines was most common, being the corresponding antibiotics, the ones that are frequently used in Bolivia. Our work is the first study that provides comprehensive information on the high heterogenicity of virulence genes in t-EAEC and a- EAEC and the large prevalence of MDR EAEC in Bolivia.

SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC AND HPTLC STUDIES ON SELECTED INDIAN SPICE EXTRACTS

The present work was carried out with a view to analyze the major phytochemical compounds of Indian spices, dalchini (Cinnamon zeylanicum) bark and coriander (Coriander sativum) fruit. Hydro-alcoholic extracts were prepared from selected spices and analyzed for extract yield, loss on drying (LOD) and pH. phytochemical compounds such as total alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids and tannins were quantified by spectrometric methods. Hydro-alcoholic extracts from selected spices revealed the pH to be between 5.36-5.62, loss on drying 12.54–15.41% and extract yield 8.62–29.19%w/w. Among the investigated samples, higher levels of alkaloids (2.63%) and flavanoids (3.42%) were found in C. sativum while C. zeylanicum exhibited high content of total phenolics (3.35%) and tannins (0.82%). The hydro-alcoholic extracts were subjected to HPTLC analysis and the results suggested the presence of two different major phytochemical compounds in C. zeylanicum, whereas Coriander sativum extract displayed three major peak. C. sativum extracts showed relatively similar spots with Rf values, which indicates the presence of four similar types of flavonoids in each extract. Due to the presence of various phytochemical constituents and favorable extract yield, LOD and pH, the presently investigated spice extracts can be used in drug formulations.

Cenozoic deformation in the Tauern Window (Eastern Alps) constrained by in situ Th-Pb dating of fissure monazite

Thorium–lead (Th-Pb) crystallization ages of hydrothermal monazites from the western, central and eastern Tauern Window provide new insights into Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the Tauern metamorphic dome. Growth domain crystallization ages range from 21.7 ± 0.4 to 10.0 ± 0.2 Ma. Three major periods of monazite growth are recorded between ∼ 22–20 (peak at 21 Ma), 19–15 (major peak at 17 Ma) and 14–10 Ma (major peak around 12 Ma), respectively, interpreted to be related to prevailing N–S shortening, in association with E–W extension, beginning strike-slip movements and reactivation of strike-slip faulting. Fissure monazite ages largely overlap with zircon and apatite fission track data. Besides tracking the thermal evolution of the Tauern dome, monazite dates reflect episodic tectonic movement along major shear zones that took place during the formation of the dome. Geochronological and structural data from the Pfitschtal area in the western Tauern Window show the existence of two cleft generations separated in time by 4 Ma and related to strike-slip to oblique-slip faulting. Moreover, these two phases overprint earlier phases of fissure formation. Highlights. In situ dating of hydrothermal monazite-(Ce). New constraints on the exhumation of the Tauern metamorphic dome. Distinct tectonic pulses recorded from east to west.

Incidence of Major Insect Pests and Natural Enemies in Three Rice Growing Seasons of Bangladesh

Incidence of insect pests and their associated natural enemies was investigated from July 2017- June 2018 at six locations (Gazipur, Rajshahi, Barishal, Sonagazi, Rangpur, Cumilla) of Bangladesh to identify their major occurrence period as well as their incidence in three rice growing seasons, (Aus, T. Aman, and Boro). Among the tested locations, marked differences were found in the composition of insect pest and natural enemies. Higher number of pest population was found at Gazipur with 80,000 individuals for insect pest and 40,000 individuals for natural enemies. At least one peak for major insect pest and natural enemies suggested their specific occurrence period across the locations. Among the insect pests, major peak of GLH was found at Gazipur and Rajshahi during T. Aman season with 4,000 individuals for each location. In contrast, BPH population was as high as 10,000 individuals for Gazipur in October during T. Aman season. Additionally, it was high at Rajshahi in October and November with around 2,000 individuals of BPH. For WBPH, one major peak was found in October at Gazipur and Rajshahi with 10,000 and 2,000 individuals respectively. For YSB, it was higher at Rajshahi in October with over 6,000 individuals during T. Aman season. Moreover, one major peak also observed in Barishal with over 2,000 individuals in November. Among natural enemies, CDB population was observed mainly at three locations in between October and November with 900 individuals for Gazipur, 400 individuals for Rajshahi and 200 individuals for Barishal during T. Aman season. In contrast, for STPD population, two major peaks were found in Barishal with 6,000 and 5,000 individuals in December and March respectively during Boro season. For GMB population, it was observed at Gazipur in November with more than 20,000 individuals during T. Aman season whereas Rajshahi had around 2,000 individuals in the same month. However, higher incidence of GLH, BPH, and WBPH at Gazipur and Rajshahi suggested availability of insect pests during T. Aman season. In contrast, higher YSB incidence at Barishal and Rajshahi indicated their abundance in those areas. On the other hand, incidence of natural enemies at Gazipur indicated presence of greater biological control compared with other locations. In future, this information could serve as a reliable source in strengthening rice pest monitoring services as well as effective pest control in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Rice j. 2019, 23(1): 35-43

Structural insights into DNA-stabilized silver clusters

Sedimentation profiles shows that purified AgDNA nanoclusters exist in both extended (major peak) and compact (minor peak) morphologies.

Микрокристаллическая структура и светоизлучающие свойства 3C-SiC островковых пленок, выращиваемых на поверхности Si(100)

The crystal structure features and light-emitting properties of 3 C –SiC island films grown at decreased temperatures on the Si(100) surface by vacuum chemical epitaxy with the use of hydrogen-containing compounds are studied. The nucleation character and growth mechanisms of the nanocrystalline texture of microislands and the effect of elastic stresses accumulated on the surface of a growing carbide film on the shape of nucleating islands are traced by the methods of microscopy. The cathodoluminescence spectra from the surface carbidized Si layer and different areas of an individual 3 C –SiC island are compared. The possible mechanisms of the appearance of additional spectral lines shifted with respect to the major peak towards the red and ultraviolet spectral regions in the observed spectra of epitaxial structures are discussed. These emission bands were earlier revealed only in the luminescence spectra of SiC nanocrystallites embedded into different (most often SiO_2) matrices. The comparative analysis of the behavior of lines in the observed luminescent spectra has not revealed any appreciable size effect of formed surface nanocrystallites on their positions, but demonstrated their evident dependence on the oxygen content at the 3 C –SiC layer/silicon substrate interface.

Design and Implementation of Respiration Rate Measurement System Using an Information Filter on an Embedded Device

In this work, an algorithm was developed to measure respiration rate for an embedded device that can be used by a field robot for relief operations. With this algorithm, the rate measurement was calculated based on direct influences of respiratory-induced intensity variation (RIIV) on blood flow in cardiovascular pathways. For this, a photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor was used to determine changes in heartbeat frequencies. The PPG sensor readings were filtered using an Information Filter and a fast Fourier transform (FFT) to determine the state of RIIV. With a relatively light initialization, the information filter can estimate unknown variables based on a series of measurements containing noise and other inaccuracies. Therefore, this filter is suitable for application in an embedded device. For faster calculation time in the implementation, the FFT analysis was calculated only for a major peak in frequency domain. Test and measurement of respiration rate was conducted based on the device algorithm and spirometer. Heartbeat measurements were also evaluated by comparing the heartbeat data of the PPG sensor and pulse-oximeter. Based on the test, the implemented algorithm can measure the respiration rate with approximately 80% accuracy compared with the spirometer.