Comprehensive analysis of draft genomes of two closely related pseudomonas syringae phylogroup 2b strains infecting mono- and dicotyledon host plants

Comparison of the prophage region in Pseudomonas syringae strain SM (A) with the corresponding regions in strains 1845 (B) and 2507 (C) using MAUVE software (Darling et al. 2010). (PNG 2118 kb

Results obtained with EVOagri technology to improve yield using filtered water in Africa, Tibet, Italy and Bulgaria

The effectiveness of the application of EVOagri technology for purification of water and its use in agriculture in some African countries (Zimbabwe, Burundi, Egypt and Uganda), Nepal (Asia) and in Europe (Italy and Bulgaria) was evaluated. The performance of EVOdrop turbine for water filtration was analysed and the physicochemical composition of water was tested. This was determined in compliance with Ordinance No. 9/2001, published in the Official State Gazette, issue 30, and decree No. 178/23.07.2004, Bulgaria, European Union on the quality of water intended for drinking and household purposes. The results showed a significant increase in production yield of the tested Solanum spp. and lettuces in Zimbabwe, as well as of dill, spinach and onions in Egypt. Treatment of high-salt irrigation water in Burundi with EVOagri reduced its toxic effect upon vegetable plants. In Uganda, plants absorbed 23% less water, when filtered with EVOagri technology. In Italy, 21% water conservation was achieved through the usage of EVOagri technology. Stimulation of seed-germination after soaking with EVOagri water was established in Burundi and Nepal. The importance of the type and composition of irrigation water for crop growth was proved by the experiments in Bulgaria. In Bulgaria, onion seeds were planted in two separate pots. The first one was watered with tap water and this was taken as the control sample with tap water. The second one was watered with EVOdrop filtered water which was saturated with EVOdrop hydrogen technology (EVOwater). In Bulgaria, under natural conditions, Evodrop water was also tested in beans and the growth result was 11 % better than the control sample

Theoretical Analysis of Hydrogen Bonds, Energy Distribution and Information in a 1 % Rosa damascena Mill Oil Solution

The method of Non-equilibrium Energy Spectrum (NES) was applied in measurement of hydrogen bonds energy distribution in 1% Rosa damscena L. oil solution in deionized water. Local maxima in this spectrum were identical with these obtained in investigations of other biologically active solutions and related to particular bio effects as follows: (-0.1387 eV; 8.95 µm; 1117 cm-1). This local maximum is typical for antibacterial, anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effects. The local maxima at (-0.1212 eV; 10.23 µm; 978 cm-1) and (-0.1262 eV; 9.82 µm; 1018 cm-1) are typical for anti-inflammatory effects and this at (-0.1112 eV; 11.15 µm; 897 cm-1) is typical for effects on the nervous system and nerve conductivity. Information theoretical analysis was performed using the values of Shannon entropy and Transformational information entropy, pointing to hydrogen bonds distribution similarities between Rosa damscena L., V. myrtillus L. and Salvia divinorum Epling. The possible chemical causes of these similarities were identified as antioxidant activity and polyphenols concentration

Research on the structuring of water clusters in Chlorella vulgaris water suspension

Many bioactive compounds of natural origin have beneficial effects on human health and are used to treat different diseases. Chlorella is a genus of green algae with a high potential for producing biologically active substances. Exposure to extreme conditions can enhance its antioxidant activity and the production of concrete metabolites. C. vulgaris is cultivated in plantations. It is accessible in pharmacies and drugstores. The Health Act of 2005 in Bulgaria allows the therapeutic and prophylactic use of herbs, both independently by patients and as prescribed by a doctor. This study performed comparative spectral analyses of C. vulgaris using a 1% suspension of C. vulgaris in deionized water (v/v) by the methods of Non-equilibrium energy spectrum (NES) and Differential non-equilibrium energy spectrum (DNES). The research was performed in order to make indirect studies of the biological effects of C. vulgaris, which are connected with calcium conductivity and anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects. The effects of structuring of water clusters by C. vulgaris were examined. The data from spectral analyses, connected with a peak at (E =-0.1312 eV)(?=9.45 ?m) (?=1058 cm-1), revealed anti-inflammatory effects. The anti-oxidant and anti-tumor effects of C. vulgaris were shown at (E=-0.1387 eV)(?=8.95 ?m)(?=1117 cm-1). The results showed effects of improvement of calcium conductivity and anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antitumor effects of C. vulgaris on human health

In Situ SERS Sensing by a Laser-Induced Aggregation of Silver Nanoparticles Templated on a Thermoresponsive Polymer

A stimuli-responsive (pH- and thermoresponsive) micelle-forming diblock copolymer, poly(1,2-butadiene) 290 - block -poly( N , N -dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) 240 (PB- b -PDMAEMA), was used as a polymer template for the in situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) through Ag + complexation with PDMAEMA blocks, followed by the reduction of the bound Ag + with sodium borohydride. A successful synthesis of the AgNPs on a PB- b -PDMAEMA micellar template was confirmed by means of UV–Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy, wherein the shape and size of the AgNPs were determined. A phase transition of the polymer matrix in the AgNPs/PB- b -PDMAEMA metallopolymer hybrids, which results from a collapse and aggregation of PDMAEMA blocks, was manifested by changes in the transmittance of their aqueous solutions as a function of temperature. A SERS reporting probe, 4-mercaptophenylboronic acid (4-MPBA), was used to demonstrate a laser-induced enhancement of the SERS signal observed under constant laser irradiation. The local heating of the AgNPs/PB- b -PDMAEMA sample in the laser spot is thought to be responsible for the triggered SERS effect, which is caused by the approaching of AgNPs and the generation of “hot spots” under a thermo-induced collapse and the aggregation of the PDMAEMA blocks of the polymer matrix. The triggered SERS effect depends on the time of a laser exposure and on the concentration of 4-MPBA. Possible mechanisms of the laser-induced heating for the AgNPs/PB- b -PDMAEMA metallopolymer hybrids are discussed

Mu2e Technical Design Report

The Mu2e experiment at Fermilab will search for charged lepton flavor violation via the coherent conversion process mu- N --> e- N with a sensitivity approximately four orders of magnitude better than the current world's best limits for this process. The experiment's sensitivity offers discovery potential over a wide array of new physics models and probes mass scales well beyond the reach of the LHC. We describe herein the preliminary design of the proposed Mu2e experiment. This document was created in partial fulfillment of the requirements necessary to obtain DOE CD-2 approval.Comment: compressed file, 888 pages, 621 figures, 126 tables; full resolution available at http://mu2e.fnal.gov; corrected typo in background summary, Table 3.

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Linkage between anisotropic and gyrotropic degenerate bandgaps

Formation of bandgaps in a one-dimensional magnetophotonic crystal made of anisotropic uniaxial materials with gyrotropy was studied. In such a crystal two types of degenerate bandgaps can appear at the same frequencies: anisotropic bandgaps (at no magnetization and angularly offset optical axes of the layers\u27 materials) and gyrotropic bandgaps (at magnetization and collinear optical axes). A linkage between such degenerate bandgaps was studied. Abandgap of one type becomes wider if the formation mechanism for the bandgap of the other type is turned on. The width of such a combined bandgap was determined to be a function of only the widths of the respective anisotropic and gyrotropic degenerate bandgaps and to not depend explicitly on any other parameters. ©2011 Optical Society of America