Risk and Vulnerability Studies for Water Infrastructures Using a GIS-Based Decision Support System with 2D Numerical Flood Modeling

Source: ICHE Conference Archive - https://mdi-de.baw.de/icheArchiv

Prospective, population-based surveillance of the burden of Streptococcus pneumoniae in community-acquired pneumonia in older adults, Chrzanów County, Poland, 2010 to 2012

INTRODUCTION: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality among older adults. This study estimated incidences of CAP, chest x-ray−confirmed CAP (CXR+CAP), S pneumonia- positive CAP, S pneumonia-positive CXR+CAP, and S. pneumoniae serotype distribution among 46,000 at-risk adults aged ≥ 50 years residing in Chrzanów County, Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2010 to January 2012, all facilities providing ambulatory and inpatient care enrolled all consenting resident patients with suspicion of CAP. Chest x-rays, urine, blood, and sputum samples were analyzed. Annualized incidence rates were determined. Presence of S pneumonia-positive CAP and/or S. pneumoniae serotype distribution was determined using the urine antigen detection assay (capable of detecting the serotypes in the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine [PCV13]), BinaxNOW®, and/or microbiology cultures. RESULTS: Among 5055 enrolled patients, 1195 (23.7%) were diagnosed with CAP and 1166 (23.4%) had CXR+CAP. S. pneumoniae was detected in 144 (12.1%) and 131 (11.2%) patients from the CAP and CXR+CAP cohorts, respectively. Annualized incidence rates of CAP, CXR+CAP, S pneumonia-positive CAP, and S. pneumonia-positive CXR+CAP were 12.8, 12.5, 1.6, and 1.4 per 1000 residents, respectively. Among CXR+CAP patients, 39.7% were aged 50 to 64 years and 60.3% were aged ≥ 65 years. Incidence rates generally increased with age. The most common serotypes in S. pneumoniae-positive CXR+CAP patients were 3 (n = 15), 23F (n = 10), 18C (n = 9), and 9V (n = 6). CONCLUSIONS: CAP due to PCV13 serotypes is a source of morbidity among adults >50 years and may be reduced by greater access to pneumococcal vaccines.INTRODUCTION: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality among older adults. This study estimated incidences of CAP, chest x-ray−confirmed CAP (CXR+CAP), S pneumonia- positive CAP, S pneumonia-positive CXR+CAP, and S. pneumoniae serotype distribution among 46,000 at-risk adults aged ≥ 50 years residing in Chrzanów County, Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2010 to January 2012, all facilities providing ambulatory and inpatient care enrolled all consenting resident patients with suspicion of CAP. Chest x-rays, urine, blood, and sputum samples were analyzed. Annualized incidence rates were determined. Presence of S pneumonia-positive CAP and/or S. pneumoniae serotype distribution was determined using the urine antigen detection assay (capable of detecting the serotypes in the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine [PCV13]), BinaxNOW®, and/or microbiology cultures. RESULTS: Among 5055 enrolled patients, 1195 (23.7%) were diagnosed with CAP and 1166 (23.4%) had CXR+CAP. S. pneumoniae was detected in 144 (12.1%) and 131 (11.2%) patients from the CAP and CXR+CAP cohorts, respectively. Annualized incidence rates of CAP, CXR+CAP, S pneumonia-positive CAP, and S. pneumonia-positive CXR+CAP were 12.8, 12.5, 1.6, and 1.4 per 1000 residents, respectively. Among CXR+CAP patients, 39.7% were aged 50 to 64 years and 60.3% were aged ≥ 65 years. Incidence rates generally increased with age. The most common serotypes in S. pneumoniae-positive CXR+CAP patients were 3 (n = 15), 23F (n = 10), 18C (n = 9), and 9V (n = 6). CONCLUSIONS: CAP due to PCV13 serotypes is a source of morbidity among adults >50 years and may be reduced by greater access to pneumococcal vaccines

Salvage and de novo synthesis of nucleotides in Trypanosoma brucei and mammalian cells

All living cells are dependent on nucleic acids for their survival. The genetic information stored in DNA is translated into functional proteins via a messenger molecule, the ribonucleic acid (RNA). Since DNA and RNA can be considered as polymers of nucleotides (NTPs), balanced pools of NTPs are crucial to nucleic acid synthesis and repair. The de novo reduction of ribonucleoside diphosphates (NDPs) to deoxyribonucleoside diphosphates (dNDPs), the precursors for DNA synthesis, is catalyzed by the enzyme ribonucleotide reductase (RNR). In cycling cells the dominant form of mammalian RNR consists of two proteins called R1 and R2. A proteasome-mediated degradation completely deprives postmitotic cells of R2 protein. The nonproliferating cells use instead a p53 inducible small RNR subunit, called p53R2 to synthesize dNTPs for mitochondrial DNA replication and DNA repair. To address the ongoing controversy regarding the localization and subsequently function and regulation of RNR subunits, the subcellular localization of all the mammalian RNR subunits during the cell cycle and after DNA damage was followed as a part of this thesis. Irrespective of the employed methodology, only a cytosolic localization could be observed leading to a conclusion that the dNTPs are synthesized in the cytosol and transported into the nucleus or mitochondria for DNA synthesis and repair. Thus, our data do not support the suggestion that nuclear translocation is a new additional mechanism regulating ribonucleotide reduction in mammalian cells. In an attempt to find a cure for African sleeping sickness, a lethal disease caused by a human pathogen, Trypanosoma brucei, nucleotide metabolism of the parasite was studied. The trypanosomes exhibit strikingly low CTP pools compared with mammalian cells and they also lack salvage of cytidine/cytosine making the parasite CTP synthetase a potential target for treatment of the disease. Following expression, purification and kinetic studies of the recombinant T. brucei CTP synthetase it was found that the enzyme has a higher Km value for UTP than the mammalian CTP synthetase. In combination with a lower UTP pool the high Km may account for the low CTP pool in trypanosomes. The activity of the trypanosome CTP synthetase was irreversibly inhibited by the glutamine analog acivicin, a drug extensively tested as an antitumor agent. Daily injections of acivicin to trypanosome-infected mice were sufficient to suppress the parasite infections. The drug was shown to be trypanocidal when added to cultured bloodstream T. brucei for four days at 1 uM concentration. Therefore, acivicin may qualify as a drug with “desirable” properties, i.e. cure within 7 days, according to the current Target Product Profiles of WHO and DNDi. Trypanosomes lack de novo purine biosynthesis and are therefore dependent on exogenous purines such as adenosine that is taken up from the blood by high-affinity transporters. We found that besides the cleavage-dependent pathway, where adenosine is converted to adenine by inosine-adenosine-guanosine-nucleoside hydrolase, T. brucei can also salvage adenosine by adenosine kinase (AK). The efficient adenosine transport combined with a high-affinity AK yields a strong salvage system in T. brucei, but on the other hand makes the parasites highly sensitive to adenosine analogs such as adenine arabinoside (Ara-A). The cleavage-resistant Ara-A was shown to be readily taken up by the parasites and phosphorylated by the TbAK-dependent pathway, inhibiting trypanosome proliferation and survival by incorporation into nucleic acids and by affecting nucleotide levels in the parasite

Ocena energetyczna sekcji roboczej obsypnika ziemniaczanego z drgajacym korpusem

W korzystnym zakresie prędkości drgający korpus obsypnika ziemniaczanego charakteryzuje się niższym zapotrzebowaniem energetycznym w stosunku do korpusu sztywnego.The aim of laboratory research, carried out in a soil bin, was an enegetic evaluation of two different constructions of the section of potato ridger. The section with vibratory frame, held by an elastic conical element, was compared to the traditional section. Three working depths and four velocities of work movement were used. Changes in force demand for pulling and frame vibrations were recorded. The results were analysed stastically. The obtained regression equations described the changes in pulling force in relation to the speed and the working depth. The favourable range of working speed of that frame was in the range of 0.75-1.80 m/s

Identification of work conditions of the knotter accomplished on the basis of film analysis

Несовершенство конструкции узловяэательных механизмов применяемых в прессах высокой степени прессования, а также кратковременность явлений происходящих в процессе образования узла в данном механизме поощрили авторов использовать технику скорых съемок с целью подробного ознакомления с этим процессом и его описания. Использовали в данном случае кинокамеру „Гиспид” регистрируя цикл работы узловязателя со скоростью 4000 клеток в секунду. Проведенный анализ полученного фильмового материала позволил формулировать ряд"выводов, которые могут способствовать совершенствованию конструкции узловязательного механизма.A want of perfection in construction of knotting mechanisms applied in presses of a high pressure degree as well as briefness of phenomena ocurring in the knot formation process in these mechanisms encouraged authors to apply the film quick-shot technique for a detailed recognition and description of this process. The Hyspeed cameta filming the knotter's work with the speed of 4000 frames per second was used in the given case. The film analysis allowed to formulate a number of conclusions, which could contribute to an improvement of the knotting mechanism construction

Problemy analizy wynikow badan uzyskanych technika zdjec szybkich

A technique of fast shots is frequently used in the investigations of farm machines kinematics. The article discusses an example of its application for examining a corn cob movement in a separating unit of the adapted combine harvester (examinations were performed on a special test-stand). The process was registered on a NP 27 film with the frequency of 500 frames/sec. A film picture was transferred with a video camera to a PC computer disk with FG-2000 graphic card and suitable software. Coordinates of the corn cob geometrical centre were read off and with the known time base, speed, acceleration and kinetic energy of the corn cob, when it was being separated from the stem, were calculated. In this way it was possible to obtain more precise information about the process which occur when a corn cob is separated from the stem

Film use in the description of working process of the grain combine harvester

Сложность рабочего процесса в зерноуборочном комбайне осложняет в значительной степени познавательные возможности в данной области, что в свою очередь затрудняет усовершенствование всей конструкции. Одним из инструментов соответствующих исследований является кинокамера. Пользуясь кинокамерой Пентазет и обычной кинокамерой проводили фрагментарную регистрацию протока массы в зерноуборочном комбайне. На основании киносъемок проводились попытки описания движения растительной массы. В момент соприкосновения стеблей с рейкой мотовила происходит их сгибание, что при использовании кинотехники позволяет определить жесткость стеблей. На основании киносъемок определяли также взаимные действие ножа с мотовилом, способ транспортирования растительной массы шнековым подавателем и движение этой массы в щели конвейера. Особенно важным является определение изменчивости конфигурации выталкиваемой рейкой мотовила растительной массы. Киносъемки в исследованиях проводимых в природных условиях являются единственно вступлением к подлинным исследованиям проводимым на стендах. В этих исследованиях фильм будет также играть важную роль.Complexity of the working process in the grain combine harvester complicates cognitive possibilities in this field, what in its turn makes difficult improvement of the whole construction. One of the instruments used for recognition of this problem is application of the film technique. A fragmenary registration of the plant mass flow in the harvesting mechanism was done at application of the Pentazet and usual camera. On the basis of film pictures an attempt of description of the plant mass movement has been made. At the moment of contact of stalks with the reel rod their deflection takes place, which at application of film would allow to determine the stiffness of stalks. Also knife and reel interaction, plant mass transport way througn the screw loader and the movement of this mass in the conveyor interspace were determined on the basis of film shots. Of a particular significance is determination of the configuration variability of the plant mass pushed through the reel rod. Film investigations carried out under natural conditions are only an introduction into the proper investigations carried out on stands. In these investigations fil will play also an important role