Virulence factors of Moraxella catarrhalis outer membrane vesicles are major targets for cross-reactive antibodies and have adapted during evolution

Moraxella catarrhalis is a common human respiratory tract pathogen. Its virulence factors associated with whole bacteria or outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) aid infection, colonization and may induce specific antibodies. To investigate pathogen-host interactions, we applied integrated bioinformatic and immunoproteomic (2D-electrophoresis, immunoblotting, LC-MS/MS) approaches. We showed that OMV proteins engaged exclusively in complement evasion and colonization strategies, but not those involved in iron transport and metabolism, are major targets for cross-reacting antibodies produced against phylogenetically divergent M. catarrhalis strains. The analysis of 31 complete genomes of M. catarrhalis and other Moraxella revealed that OMV protein-coding genes belong to 64 orthologous groups, five of which are restricted to M. catarrhalis. This species showed a two-fold increase in the number of OMV protein-coding genes relative to its ancestors and animal-pathogenic Moraxella. The appearance of specific OMV factors and the increase in OMV-associated virulence proteins during M. catarrhalis evolution is an interesting example of pathogen adaptation to optimize colonization. This precisely targeted cross-reactive immunity against M. catarrhalis may be an important strategy of host defences to counteract this phenomenon. We demonstrate that cross-reactivity is closely associated with the anti-virulent antibody repertoire which we have linked with adaptation of this pathogen to the host

The temperate Burkholderia phage AP3 of the Peduovirinae shows efficient antimicrobial activity against B. cenocepacia of the IIIA lineage

Burkholderia phage AP3 (vB_BceM_AP3) is a temperate virus of the Myoviridae and the Peduovirinae subfamily (P2likevirus genus). This phage specifically infects multidrug-resistant clinical Burkholderia cenocepacia lineage IIIA strains commonly isolated from cystic fibrosis patients. AP3 exhibits high pairwise nucleotide identity (61.7 %) to Burkholderia phage KS5, specific to the same B. cenocepacia host, and has 46.7–49.5 % identity to phages infecting other species of Burkholderia. The lysis cassette of these related phages has a similar organization (putative antiholin, putative holin, endolysin, and spanins) and shows 29–98 % homology between specific lysis genes, in contrast to Enterobacteria phage P2, the hallmark phage of this genus. The AP3 and KS5 lysis genes have conserved locations and high amino acid sequence similarity. The AP3 bacteriophage particles remain infective up to 5 h at pH 4–10 and are stable at 60 °C for 30 min, but are sensitive to chloroform, with no remaining infective particles after 24 h of treatment. AP3 lysogeny can occur by stable genomic integration and by pseudo-lysogeny. The lysogenic bacterial mutants did not exhibit any significant changes in virulence compared to wild-type host strain when tested in the Galleria mellonella moth wax model. Moreover, AP3 treatment of larvae infected with B. cenocepacia revealed a significant increase (P < 0.0001) in larvae survival in comparison to AP3-untreated infected larvae. AP3 showed robust lytic activity, as evidenced by its broad host range, the absence of increased virulence in lysogenic isolates, the lack of bacterial gene disruption conditioned by bacterial tRNA downstream integration site, and the absence of detected toxin sequences. These data suggest that the AP3 phage is a promising potent agent against bacteria belonging to the most common B. cenocepacia IIIA lineage strains

Inkjet 3D Printed MEMS Vibrational Electromagnetic Energy Harvester

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a powerful tool that enables the printing of almost unlimited geometry in a few hours, from a virtual design to a real structure. In this paper, we present a micro-electromechanical energy harvester that utilized a 3D printed micromechanical structure combined with a miniature permanent magnet and a microelectronic coil towards a hybrid electromagnetic vibrational hybrid energy harvester. Various micromechanical structure geometries were designed, printed, and tested. The characteristic dimensions of the springs were from 200 μm to 400 μm and the total volume of the devices was below 1 cm3. The resonant frequencies (95–340 Hz range), as well as bandwidths (6–23 Hz range), for the developed prototypes were determined. The maximal generated output power was almost 24 μW with a power density up to almost 600 μW/cm3

The justification for a second parliamentary chamber's existence by the example of Polish and French solutions

Praca licencjacka poświęcona jest rozważaniom na temat zasady dwuizbowości parlamentu pod kątem zasadności opowiadania się za takim sposobem organizacji ciała przedstawicielskiego. Współcześnie istnienie drugiej izby bywa niejednokrotnie krytykowane przez przedstawicieli środowisk politycznych oraz naukowych z całego świata. Najczęściej przytaczanym na płaszczyźnie generalnej zarzutem zdaje się być między innymi „przestarzałość” instytucji drugiej izby, która pierwotnie służyć miała reprezentowaniu interesów wyższego stanu społecznego czy też osłabianiu mającej tendencje do dominacji nad pozostałymi władzami władzy ustawodawczej. Jako iż obecnie cele te nie są przez tę izbę realizowane, Senat jawi się dla niektórych jako zbędny balast dla parlamentu. Krytyka bikameralizmu często odnosi się również do nieoptymalnej implementacji tej zasady w porządku prawnym danego państwa. Autor przygląda się sposobowi organizacji oraz zakresowi kompetencji drugiej izby odpowiednio w Polsce oraz Francji celem przesądzenia o racji bytu takiego organu lub też jej braku i skonfrontowania bikameralizmu z konkurencyjną zasadą unikameralizmu. Przedstawiony został również sposób, w jaki Senat postrzegany jest w ramach dwóch odmiennych systemów ustrojowych, oraz zwięzły rys historyczny pozwalający prześledzić ewolucję dwuizbowości w tych państwach na przestrzeni lat.The bachelor's thesis is devoted to the considerations regarding the principle of bicameral parliament in terms of legitimacy of advocating for such a way of organizing the representative body. Nowadays, the existence of a second chamber is often criticized by the representatives of political and scientific communities from around the world. The most often cited argument against said chamber at the general level is, among others, the "obsolescence" of such institution as it’s original purposes were to represent the interests of a higher social class or to weaken legislature’s tendency of dominating over the executive and judical authorities. Due to the fact that these goals do not belong to the set of Senate’s responsibilities anymore, the second chamber is seen by some as an unnecessary burden on the parliament. The criticism of bicameralism often aims at the suboptimal implementation of this principle in the legal order of a given country. The author looks at the organization and the scope of competencies of the second chamber in Poland and France respectively in order to determine whether there is a reason for such a body to exist and to confront bicameralism with the competitive principle of unicameralism. The thesis also presents the way in which the Senate is perceived in two different regimes complemented by a concise historical outline that allows to trace the evolution of bicameralism in these countries over the years

Value for the customer from the perspective of e-tailers – results of research using FGI

Rozważania o handlu elektronicznym koncentrują się przede wszystkim na wyjaśnieniu jego istoty, ważności i rozwiązaniach technologicznych. W niewielkim jeszcze stopniu obejmują obszar wartości, mimo że problematyka ta jest w literaturze nauk ekonomicznych podejmowana od wielu lat. Ponadto w dostępnych opracowaniach brakuje uwzględnienia różnych podmiotów zaangażowanych w tworzenie wartości. Celem artykułu jest identyfikacja czynników wartości dla klienta oraz podmiotów ją tworzących i dostarczających z perspektywy sprzedawców internetowych. Na potrzeby pracy przeprowadzono badania empiryczne z wykorzystaniem zogniskowanego wywiadu grupowego.The discussion on e-commerce focuses primarily on explaining its nature, importance and technological solutions. It still covers the area of value to a small extent, despite the fact that this issue has been brought up in the literature of economic sciences for many years. Moreover, the available studies do not take into account the different actors involved in value creation. The aim of the paper is to identify the value factors for the customer and the entities creating and delivering it from the perspective of e-tailers. For the needs of the study, empirical studies were conducted with the use of focused group interviews

Inkjet 3D Printed Micropot with Integrated Cantilever-Like Force Sensor for Growing Plant Biological Potential Measurement

In this paper we present a results of fabrication of 3D printed micropot with integrated cantilever-like force sensor. Different thickness cantilevers was used. Presented micropot was use for characterization of grow Lepidium sativium

3D Printed Flowmeter Based on Venturi Effect with Integrated Pressure Sensors

In this paper we present a 3D printed flow meter based on venturri effect. Dimensions of the microchannels are 800 µm for wider and 400 µm for thinker channel. Application of different type of sensors was investigated: differential, absolute and digital barometer. Results of measurement of differential pressure and calculation of liquid flow are shown. Presented microfluidics device can be also easy adapted for modular systems. Presented flow meter is the first integration of commercial available sensors and 3D printed microfluidics structure in a single chip

Value creation for customer by suppliers and complementors in e-commerce — results research using FGI

Problematyka kreowania wartości dla klienta w handlu elektronicznym jest relatywnie nowym obszarem badawczym w naukach o zarządzaniu. Większość dotychczasowych opracowań koncentruje się na relacjach klient — sprzedawca internetowy, pomijając rolę i udział innych podmiotów uczestniczących w procesie tworzenia wartości dla klienta. Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie wyników badań nad kreowaniem wartości dla klienta w handlu elektronicznym z perspektywy dostawców i komplementorów. W ramach badań zidentyfikowano i oceniono istotność czynników oraz podmiotów tworzących wartość dla klienta z zastosowaniem podejścia wielopoziomowego.The subject value creation for customers in e-commerce is a relatively new research area. Most of the studies conducted so far have focused on customer-seller relations, excluding the role and participation of other entities involved in the process of value creation for the customer. The aim of the article is to present the results of research on value creation for customers in e-commerce from the perspective of suppliers and complementors. The research identified and evaluated the significance of factors and entities that create value for the customer using a multi-level approach

Inkjet 3D Printed MEMS Electromagnetic Multi-Frequency Energy Harvester

Multi-frequency operation is an interesting and desired feature of electromagnetic energy harvesters. This work presents results of investigations on an inkjet 3D-printed miniature multi-frequency electromagnetic energy harvester. Vibrating microstructures utilizing springs with constant thickness (300 μm) and widths from 220 to 500 μm were designed, fabricated, and characterized as parts of the miniature energy harvester. Resonant frequencies of the microstructures were measured, and electrical parameters of the harvester were determined. The harvesters operated in the 85–185 Hz frequency range with 32 µW maximal output power. Thanks to flexibility in designing and fabrication by 3D printing, it was possible to develop an energy harvester with at least two operating frequencies within a single harvester structure in many possible two-frequency configurations

Burkholderia cenocepacia Prophages—Prevalence, Chromosome Location and Major Genes Involved

Burkholderia cenocepacia, is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that belongs to Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) group. BCC representatives carry various pathogenicity factors and can infect humans and plants. Phages as bacterial viruses play a significant role in biodiversity and ecological balance in the environment. Specifically, horizontal gene transfer (HGT) and lysogenic conversion (temperate phages) influence microbial diversification and fitness. In this study, we describe the prevalence and gene content of prophages in 16 fully sequenced B. cenocepacia genomes stored in NCBI database. The analysis was conducted in silico by manual and automatic approaches. Sixty-three potential prophage regions were found and classified as intact, incomplete, questionable, and artifacts. The regions were investigated for the presence of known virulence factors, resulting in the location of sixteen potential pathogenicity mechanisms, including toxin&ndash;antitoxin systems (TA), Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS) transporters and responsible for drug resistance. Investigation of the region&rsquo;s closest neighborhood highlighted three groups of genes with the highest occurrence&mdash;tRNA-Arg, dehydrogenase family proteins, and ABC transporter substrate-binding proteins. Searches for antiphage systems such as BacteRiophage EXclusion (BREX) and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) in the analyzed strains suggested 10 sequence sets of CRISPR elements. Our results suggest that intact B. cenocepacia prophages may provide an evolutionary advantage to the bacterium, while domesticated prophages may help to maintain important genes