\u3ci\u3eBaylisascaris\u3c/i\u3e Larva Migrans

Zoonotic diseases, such as baylisascariasis, are receiving increasing attention as components of disease emergence and resurgence (Kazacos, 2001). Baylisascariasis is caused by the roundworm Baylisascaris procyonis and is one of the more recent zoonotic disease developments. This disease remains one of the least known and poorly understood zoonotic diseases, yet over the past several decades it has become widespread. It originated in wildlife species and is now well established as a human malady. Baylisascariasis is transmitted to humans via consumption of contaminated feces, and the role of wildlife (primarily raccoons) in this transmission process is becoming more clearly known and is outlined in this report. Currently, over 50 percent of the raccoons in the United States are infected, and a smaller percentage in Europe is infected. Because raccoons have been relocated from the United States to Europe and Asia, this zoonotic disease also causes problems in wildlife species across the globe as well as being a major cause of concern for human health. Future generations of humans will continue to be jeopardized by Baylisascaris infections in addition to many of the other zoonotic diseases that have emerged during the past century. Through monitoring Baylisascaris infection levels in wildlife populations, we will be better able to predict future human infection levels of this important zoonotic disease

Electrolyte optimization and electrode material evaluation for the vanadium redox battery

In this project the preparation of the electrolyte for the all vanadium redox flow battery was investigated using both chemical and electrolytic reduction of ^O,- powder. Oxalic acid and SO^ reduction were found to be unsuitable as only the V(IV) state could be produced directly. With suspended powder hydrolysis, however, vanadium sulphate of any oxidation state, in this case 50% V(IV) plus 50% V(III) in sulphuric acid can readily be prepared from V^O^ powder, thus allowing a significant reduction in the cost of the vanadium battery electrolyte. Results from conductivity and electrolyte stability tests at elevated temperature have led to modification of the electrolyte composition for the vanadium redox cell, from the 2 M V plus 2 M H^SO^, originally employed, to the use of 3 M H^SO^, much higher energy efficiencies and greater electrolyte stability was demonstrated with the 3 M H^SO^ supporting electrolyte. Spectroscopy and electrolyte conductivity have been demonstrated as suitable techniques for state-of-charge monitoring. A number of electrode materials were also evaluated and a Toray graphite bonded to a carbon plastic electrode was selected for further prototype development. Energy efficiencies of between 83 and 86% were obtained for a current density of 30 mA/cm for a temperature range 5 to 45'C, and between 0 and 100% state-of-charge. A wide range of construction materials was tested for long term stability in the vanadium redox electrolyte

Android controlled mobile robot|

As a part of an early stage project, it has been the goal of this project to serve as a prototype for such venture having set the paths to a wide range of new opportunities in the field of remote controlled robots interaction. The initial and ongoing idea is to build a virtual environment for managing real robots states and field data and on the other side getting users to build their own robots with the capability of teleoperation. This way, robots may interact in the same location as users control them from any place in the world using internet and wireless networks for this purpose. An important side of the project is to build an actual robot that is subject to wireless operation from a PC or a smartphone. In this context, a requirement of simplicity was set in order to focus on operability and functionality, as this project is meant to serve as a starting point for the soon-to-come fully operational robots. Along with simplicity comes the benefit of being able to reduce costs to a minimum, task that has been successfully accomplished. In the end, on one side, an inexpensive and almost fully printable robot has been designed and built, and on the other side both the robot’s software and the smartphone’s software have been developed, resulting in an android controlled robot.Como parte de otro proyecto más grande y ambicioso, este proyecto se ha desarrollado para servir como prototipo tanto en la parte de comunicaciones como en la de aplicación para smartphone, abriendo camino a muchas posibilidades de mejora y ampliación. La idea principal y objetivo a largo plazo es desarrollar una plataforma online mediante la cual se pueda operar remotamente robots que interactúen unos con otros (por medio de internet). Cualquier persona, desde cualquier parte del mundo, sería capaz de controlar su robot, que podría estar a su vez en cualquier otra parte del mundo, todo desde su teléfono móvil. Una parte importante de este proyecto sería comenzar construyendo un robot apto para ser controlado por medio de una red inalámbrica (mediante estándar Wi-Fi por ejemplo) a través de un smartphone o PC. En este contexto, se ha querido primar la funcionalidad y la operatividad antes que desarrollar en exceso cada ámbito relacionado con el robot o su manejo (diseño, estabilidad, potencia, manejo, etc.). Una ventaja de este enfoque es que se consigue mantener el coste del proyecto al mínimo En definitiva, se ha llevado a cabo el diseño y construcción de un robot imprimible casi al 100% (siendo así fácilmente duplicable), y por otro lado se ha desarrollado un software de control del robot tanto para el microcontrolador de éste como para la aplicación de móvil encargada de controlarlo, dando como resultado un robot controlado por Android.Ingeniería Industria

Modelling of Coupled Mass and Thermal Balances in Hall-Heroult Cells during Anode Change

As the most routine work practice in an aluminum reduction cell, anode change introduces substantial perturbations that adversely affect the mass and heat balance of the cell which may lead to loss of process efficiency and increased energy consumption. The literature lacks a dynamic mathematical model that describes the interactions among cell variables (e.g., electrolyte temperature and flow, anode current distribution, and cell heat loss) during and following this operation, which could otherwise be used to understand the process in greater depth and to develop changes that improve process operations and control. This paper presents a spatially-discretised dynamic model for anode replacement that integrates mass balance, thermal balance and cell voltage to describe and predict local cell variables. It was experimentally validated with an industrial cell undergoing an anode change procedure. This generic model can be applied to different cell design or process conditions by using appropriate parameters (e.g., heat transfer coefficients, conductivities, and flow patterns). The model can be used to improve existing process operations or control strategies for higher process efficiency, lower energy consumption, and lower emissions

Baylisascaris procyonis in the Metropolitan Atlanta Area

Baylisascaris procyonis, the raccoon roundworm responsible for fatal larva migrans in humans, has long been thought to be absent from many regions in the southeastern United States. During spring 2002, 11 (22%) of 50 raccoons trapped in DeKalb County, Georgia, had B. procyonis infection. The increasing number of cases highlight this emerging zoonotic infection

The Mitochondrial Genome of Baylisascaris procyonis

BACKGROUND: Baylisascaris procyonis (Nematoda: Ascaridida), an intestinal nematode of raccoons, is emerging as an important helminthic zoonosis due to serious or fatal larval migrans in animals and humans. Despite its significant veterinary and public health impact, the epidemiology, molecular ecology and population genetics of this parasite remain largely unexplored. Mitochondrial (mt) genomes can provide a foundation for investigations in these areas and assist in the diagnosis and control of B. procyonis. In this study, the first complete mt genome sequence of B. procyonis was determined using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based primer-walking strategy. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The circular mt genome (14781 bp) of B. procyonis contained 12 protein-coding, 22 transfer RNA and 2 ribosomal RNA genes congruent with other chromadorean nematodes. Interestingly, the B. procyonis mtDNA featured an extremely long AT-rich region (1375 bp) and a high number of intergenic spacers (17), making it unique compared with other secernentean nematodes characterized to date. Additionally, the entire genome displayed notable levels of AT skew and GC skew. Based on pairwise comparisons and sliding window analysis of mt genes among the available 11 Ascaridida mtDNAs, new primer pairs were designed to amplify specific short fragments of the genes cytb (548 bp fragment) and rrnL (200 bp fragment) in the B. procyonis mtDNA, and tested as possible alternatives to existing mt molecular beacons for Ascaridida. Finally, phylogenetic analysis of mtDNAs provided novel estimates of the interrelationships of Baylisasaris and Ascaridida. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The complete mt genome sequence of B. procyonis sequenced here should contribute to molecular diagnostic methods, epidemiological investigations and ecological studies of B. procyonis and other related ascaridoids. The information will be important in refining the phylogenetic relationships within the order Ascaridida and enriching the resource of markers for systematic, population genetic and evolutionary biological studies of parasitic nematodes of socio-economic importance

Comparative Efficacy of Ivermectin and Levamisole for Reduction of Migrating and Encapsulated Larvae of Baylisascaris transfuga in Mice

The comparative efficacy of 2 anthelmintics (ivermectin and levamisole) against Baylisascaris transfuga migrating and encapsulated larvae was studied in mice. A total of 60 BALB/c mice inoculated each with about 1,000 embryonated B. transfuga eggs were equally divided into 6 groups (A-F) randomly. Mice of groups A and B were treated with ivermectin and levamisole, respectively, on day 3 post-infection (PI). Mice of groups A-C were killed on day 13 PI. Similarly, groups D and E were treated with ivermectin and levamisole, respectively, on day 14 PI, and all mice of groups D-F were treated on day 24 PI. The groups C and F were controls. Microexamination was conducted to count the larvae recovering from each mouse. The percentages of reduction in the number of migrating larvae recovered from group A (ivermectin) and B (levamisole) were 88.3% and 81.1%, respectively. In addition, the reduction in encapsulated larvae counts achieved by ivermectin (group D) and levamisole (group E) was 75.0% and 49.2%, respectively. The results suggested that, to a certain extent, both anthelmintics appeared to be more effective against migrating larvae than encapsulated larvae. However, in the incipient stage of infection, ivermectin may be more competent than levamisole as a larvicidal drug for B. transfuga

Electrodeposited lead dioxide coatings

Lead dioxide coatings on inert substrates such as titanium and carbon now offer new opportunities for a material known for 150 years. It is now recognised that electrodeposition allows the preparation of stable coatings with different phase structures and a wide range of surface morphologies. In addition, substantial modification to the physical properties and catalytic activities of the coatings are possible through doping and the fabrication of nanostructured deposits or composites. In addition to applications as a cheap anode material in electrochemical technology, lead dioxide coatings provide unique possibilities for probing the dependence of catalytic activity on layer composition and structure (critical review, 256 references)

Methodology to optimize fluid-dynamic design in a redox cell

[EN] The present work is aimed at the optimization of a redox cell design. The studied redox cell consists on a device designed to convert the energy of reactants into electrical energy when a liquid electrolyte reacts at the electrode in a conventional manner. In this particular sort of cells, the two electrolytes are present and separated by a proton exchange membrane. Therefore, the flow of the electrolyte and the interaction with the membrane takes a paramount importance for the general performance of the cell. A methodology for designing the inlet part of the cell based on optimizing the uniformity of the flow and the initial position of the membrane is presented in this study. This methodology, based on the definition and optimization of several parameters related to the electrolyte flow in different regions of the geometry, is depicted. The CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) model coupled with the statistical study pointed to several practical conclusions on how to improve the final geometry construction of the redox cell. A particular case study of redox cell is implemented in order to validate the proposed methodology[ES] El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo la optimización de un diseño de la batería redox. La pila redox estudiada consiste en un dispositivo diseñado para convertir la energía de los reactivos en energía eléctrica cuando un electrolito líquido reacciona en el electrodo de una manera convencional . En este tipo particular de células , los dos electrolitos están presentes y separados por una membrana de intercambio de protones . Por lo tanto , el flujo del electrolito y la interacción con la membrana tiene una importancia primordial para el rendimiento general de la célula . La metodología propuesta para el diseño de la parte de entrada de la celda en base a la optimización de la uniformidad del flujo y la inicial posición de la membrana se presenta en este estudio . Esta metodología, basada en la definición y optimización de varios parámetros relacionados con el flujo de electrolito en las diferentes regiones de la geometría , es representado . El modelo de CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics ), junto con el estudio estadístico se refirió a varias conclusiones prácticas sobre la manera de mejorar la construcción geometría final de la pila redox . El estudio de caso particular de célula redox que se describe, se implementa con el fin de validar la metodología propuestaEscudero González, J.; López Jiménez, PA. (2014). Methodology to optimize fluid-dynamic design in a redox cell. Journal of Power Sources. 251(1):243-253. doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2013.11.058S243253251