Occurrence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium in dogs in Henan Province, China

BACKGROUND: Cryptosporidiosis in dogs has been reported worldwide, involving both asymptomatic and diarrheic dogs. Large-scale surveys of Cryptosporidium infection in dogs have been performed in some countries using differents diagnostic methods. But, few data are available on the infection rate and molecular characteristics of Cryptosporidium spp. in dogs in China. RESULT: In this study, 770 fecal samples from 66 locations in Henan Province were examined. The average Cryptosporidium infection rate was 3.8%, with dogs in kennels having the highest rate of 7.0% (χ(2) = 14.82, P < 0.01). The infection rate was 8.0% in dogs younger than 90 days, which was significantly higher than that in the other age groups (1.1–3.8%;χ(2) = 18.82, P < 0.01). No association was noted between the infection rate and the sex of the dogs. Twenty-nine Cryptosporidium-positive samples were amplified at the small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA), 70-kDa heat shock protein (HSP70), and actin loci using PCR. Sequence analysis of these amplicons identified only Cryptosporidium canis, which showed 100% identity with the published sequences of the SSU rRNA, HSP70, and actin genes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that C. canis is popular in the dog population in China, considering the large number of dogs in China and the close contact between dogs and humans, the role of C. canis in the transmission of human cryptosporidiosis warrants attention

Impact Analysis of Energy Storage Participating in Peak Shaving and Valley Filling for Distribution Network on Network Loss and Voltage Deviation

[Introduction] The application scenarios of peak shaving and valley filling by energy storage connected to the distribution network are studied to clarify the influence of energy storage access on network losses and voltage quality on the distribution network side. [Method] The paper analyzed the change trend of network loss power with the energy storage injection current and access position during peak hours of energy storage discharge, and then analyzed the change trend of network loss power with the energy storage injection current and access position when the energy storage system was connected and charged during valley hours. For the influence of energy storage connected to the distribution network for peak shaving and valley filling on the voltage of the distribution network, the influence of different energy storage injection currents and access positions on the voltage distribution along the distribution network was studied from the perspective of energy storage discharge during peak hours and energy storage charging during valley hours. Finally, considering the total voltage deviation index of the distribution network, the influence on the total voltage deviation index after the distribution network which was connected to energy storage was studied. [Result] Through simulation calculations, the influence trend of energy storage participating in peak shaving and valley filling for the distribution network on network loss power and voltage loss is analyzed when different fixed or continuous values of energy storage current and access position are taken, and it is compared with theoretical analysis. [Conclusion] The study will provide useful references for the coordinated planning and optimized operation of various energy storage facilities in the distribution network, and it has good engineering reference value

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Cyclospora cayetanensis, Henan, China

To determine prevalence of Cyclospora cayetanensis infection in Henan, China, we conducted a study of 11,554 hospital patients. Prevalence was 0.70% (95% confidence interval 0.70% ± 0.15%), with all age groups infected. Most cases were found in the summer. Minor sequence polymorphisms were observed in the 18S rRNA gene of 35 isolates characterized

Full threshold change range of threshold changeable secret sharing

A threshold changeable secret sharing (TCSS) scheme is designed for changing the initial threshold pair of the privacy threshold and reconstruction threshold to a given threshold pair after the dealer distributes shares to participants, while a universal threshold changeable secret sharing (uTCSS) scheme is threshold changeable to multiple new threshold pairs. We focus on the threshold changeability in a dealer-free scenario with an outside adversary and the absence of secure channels among participants. There are some known threshold change regimes that are realized by (optimal) TCSS schemes or (optimal) uTCSS schemes. In this work, by combining the frequently used two methods in previous constructions: folding shares of a given secret sharing scheme and packing shares of multiple secret sharing schemes, we construct an optimal TCSS scheme and an optimal uTCSS scheme with a new threshold change regime, respectively. This helps us determine the full threshold change range that can be realized by optimal TCSS schemes and optimal uTCSS schemes, respectively. Moreover, we construct some near optimal TCSS schemes to show that the full threshold change range of TCSS schemes (without requiring optimality) is completely covered by the threshold change regimes of our near optimal TCSS schemes together with the full threshold change range of optimal TCSS schemes.National Research Foundation (NRF)Submitted/Accepted versionThis research of Wang is supported by the National Research Foundation, Singapore under its Strategic Capability Research Centres Funding Initiative

Reliability Modelling and Evaluation for LTD System Based on Load-Sharing Model

Based on power adding technology, the linear transformer driver (LTD) scheme is widely used to generate high-energy pulsed outputs and adopts a hierarchical and modular structure. Although robust design and fault analysis for basic components have been conducted recently, there is still a lack of enough reliability analysis studies of the whole system. Taking an actual LTD system as an object, this paper presents a system reliability model based on a load-sharing mechanism. A unified load-sharing rule structure is established and four typical rules corresponding to equal, linear, exponential, and local-equal relationships are discussed in detail while evaluating the impact of the load-sharing mechanism. Subsequently, simulation experiments are performed to illustrate the effects of different load-sharing rules as well as analyzing the system reliability in which we simultaneously propose a self-adaptive Monte Carlo simulation flow to achieve the sampling probability adjustment according to the random failure sequence. The simulation results can serve as a suggestion for further improvement of the system reliability. Moreover, the model framework and the simulation analysis method described here are universal and can be applied to evaluate the reliability of other LTD-based systems with tiny modifications

Public health significance of zoonotic Cryptosporidium species in wildlife: Critical insights into better drinking water management

Cryptosporidium is an enteric parasite that is transmitted via the faecal–oral route, water and food. Humans, wildlife and domestic livestock all potentially contribute Cryptosporidium to surface waters. Human encroachment into natural ecosystems has led to an increase in interactions between humans, domestic animals and wildlife populations. Increasing numbers of zoonotic diseases and spill over/back of zoonotic pathogens is a consequence of this anthropogenic disturbance. Drinking water catchments and water reservoir areas have been at the front line of this conflict as they can be easily contaminated by zoonotic waterborne pathogens. Therefore, the epidemiology of zoonotic species of Cryptosporidium in free-ranging and captive wildlife is of increasing importance. This review focuses on zoonotic Cryptosporidium species reported in global wildlife populations to date, and highlights their significance for public health and the water industry