A Flexible and Modular Framework for Implementing Infrastructures for Global Computing

We present a Java software framework for building infrastructures to support the development of applications for systems where mobility and network awareness are key issues. The framework is particularly useful to develop run-time support for languages oriented towards global computing. It enables platform designers to customize communication protocols and network architectures and guarantees transparency of name management and code mobility in distributed environments. The key features are illustrated by means of a couple of simple case studies

Coli Surface Antigen 26 Acts as an Adherence Determinant of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Is Cross-Recognized by Anti-CS20 Antibodies

The coli surface antigen 26 (CS26) of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) had been described as a putative adhesive pilus based on the partial sequence of the crsH gene, detected in isolates from children with diarrhea in Egypt. However, its production and activity as adherence determinant has not been experimentally addressed. The crsH was identified as a homolog of genes encoding structural subunits of ETEC colonization factors (CFs) CS12, CS18, and CS20. These CFs, along with the recently discovered CS30, belong to the γ2 family of pili assembled by the chaperone-usher pathway (CU pili). Further, the complete CS26 locus, crsHBCDEFG, was described in an O141 ETEC strain (ETEC 100664) obtained from a diarrhea case in The Gambia, during the Global Enterics Multicenter Study. Here, we report that CS26 is a pilus of ∼10 nm in diameter, with the capacity to increase the cell adherence of the non-pathogenic strain E. coli DH10B. As for other related pili, production of CS26 seems to be regulated by phase variation. Deletion of crsHBCDEFG in ETEC 100664 significantly decreased its adherence capacity, which was recovered by in trans complementation. Furthermore, CrsH was cross-recognized by polyclonal antibodies directed against the major structural subunit of CS20, CsnA, as determined by Western blotting and immunogold labeling. ETEC CS26+ strains were found to harbor the heat-labile enterotoxin only, within three different sequence types of phylogroups A and B1, the latter suggesting acquisition through independent events of horizontal transfer. Overall, our results demonstrate that CS26 is an adhesive pilus of human ETEC. In addition, cross-reactivity with anti-CsnA antibodies indicate presence of common epitopes in γ2-CFs

Whole-genome sequencing to determine origin of multinational outbreak of Sarocladium kiliense bloodstream infections

We used whole-genome sequence typing (WGST) to investigate an outbreak of Sarocladium kiliense bloodstream infections (BSI) associated with receipt of contaminated antinausea medication among oncology patients in Colombia and Chile during 2013-2014. Twenty-five outbreak isolates (18 from patients and 7 from medication vials) and 11 control isolates unrelated to this outbreak were subjected to WGST to elucidate a source of infection. All outbreak isolates were nearly indistinguishable (≤5 single-nucleotide polymorphisms), and >21,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms were identified from unrelated control isolates, suggesting a point source for this outbreak. S. kiliense has been previously implicated in healthcare-related infections; however, the lack of available typing methods has precluded the ability to substantiate point sources. WGST for outbreak investigation caused by eukaryotic pathogens without reference genomes or existing genotyping methods enables accurate source identification to guide implementation of appropriate control and prevention measures. © 2016, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All rights reserved

Galaxy Zoo DESI : Detailed morphology measurements for 8.7M galaxies in the DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys

We present detailed morphology measurements for 8.67 million galaxies in the DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys (DECaLS, MzLS, and BASS, plus DES). These are automated measurements made by deep learning models trained on Galaxy Zoo volunteer votes. Our models typically predict the fraction of volunteers selecting each answer to within 5–10% for every answer to every GZ question. The models are trained on newly-collected votes for DESI-LS DR8 images as well as historical votes from GZ DECaLS. We also release the newly-collected votes. Extending our morphology measurements outside of the previously-released DECaLS/SDSS intersection increases our sky coverage by a factor of 4 (5000 to 19 000 deg2) and allows for full overlap with complementary surveys including ALFALFA and MaNGA

Systematic Literature Review of Role of Noroviruses in Sporadic Gastroenteritis

Noroviruses accounted for 12% of severe gastroenteritis cases among children <5 years of age

Galaxy Zoo DESI: Detailed morphology measurements for 8.7M galaxies in the DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys

We present detailed morphology measurements for 8.67 million galaxies in the DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys (DECaLS, MzLS, and BASS, plus DES). These are automated measurements made by deep learning models trained on Galaxy Zoo volunteer votes. Our models typically predict the fraction of volunteers selecting each answer to within 5–10% for every answer to every GZ question. The models are trained on newly-collected votes for DESI-LS DR8 images as well as historical votes from GZ DECaLS. We also release the newly-collected votes. Extending our morphology measurements outside of the previously-released DECaLS/SDSS intersection increases our sky coverage by a factor of 4 (5000 to 19 000 deg2) and allows for full overlap with complementary surveys including ALFALFA and MaNGA

Acute norovirus gastroenteritis in children in a highly rotavirus-vaccinated population in Northeast Brazil.

Background: Gastroenteritis is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in children and an important etiological agent is norovirus. Objective: We describe the occurrence and characteristics of norovirus diarrhoea in children from Sergipe, Northeast-Brazil, over two consecutive periods of three years following rotavirus vaccine introduction. Study design: A cross sectional hospital-based survey conducted from October-2006 to September-2009 and from July-2011 to January-2013. Acute diarrhoea cases had a stool sample collected and tested for norovirus by RT-PCR and positive samples were sequenced. Results: In total 280 (19.6%) of 1432 samples were norovirus positive, including 204 (18.3%) of 1,113 samples collected during the first period and 76 (23.9%) of 318 collected during the second period. The proportion of children with norovirus infection increased significantly through the second study period (χ2 for trend = 6.7; p = 0.009), was more frequent in rotavirus vaccinated and in younger children (p < 0.001). Of 280 norovirus-positive specimens, 188 (67.1%) were sequenced. Of these, 12 were genogroup I and 176 genogroup II. The main genotype was GII.4 (149/188, 79.3%), followed by GII.2 (6, 3.2%) and GII.6 (5, 2.6%). Conclusion: Norovirus annual detection rates increased over the study period. The detection of norovirus was higher among young children

Incidence and risk factors for community-acquired acute gastroenteritis in north-west Germany in 2004

In developed countries, acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a major source of morbidity. However, only a few studies have estimated its incidence and the associated medical burden. This population-based study determined the incidence of community-acquired AGE patients seeking medical care and the relative role of various pathogens. Stool samples from patients with AGE presenting to a general practitioner (GP), pediatrician, or specialist in internal medicine for that reason were screened for various bacterial and viral enteropathogens. A control group was established as well. Incidences were calculated by the number of positive patients divided by the general population. The study was performed in north-west Germany in 2004. The incidence of AGE patients requiring medical consultation was 4,020/100,000 inhabitants. Children (<5 years of age) were at the highest risk (13,810/100,000 inhabitants). Of the patients, 6.6% were tested positive for an enteropathogenic bacteria and 17.7% for a viral agent. The predominant pathogens were norovirus (626/100,000) and rotavirus (270/100,000). Salmonella was the most frequently detected bacteria (162/100,000). The results presented confirm AGE and, specifically, AGE of viral origin as a major public health burden in developed countries

Preparing for low surface brightness science with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory:Characterization of tidal features from mock images

Tidal features in the outskirts of galaxies yield unique information about their past interactions and are a key prediction of the hierarchical structure formation paradigm. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is poised to deliver deep observations for potentially millions of objects with visible tidal features, but the inference of galaxy interaction histories from such features is not straightforward. Utilizing automated techniques and human visual classification in conjunction with realistic mock images produced using the NewHorizon cosmological simulation, we investigate the nature, frequency, and visibility of tidal features and debris across a range of environments and stellar masses. In our simulated sample, around 80 per cent of the flux in the tidal features around Milky Way or greater mass galaxies is detected at the 10-yr depth of the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (30-31 mag arcsec-2), falling to 60 per cent assuming a shallower final depth of 29.5 mag arcsec-2. The fraction of total flux found in tidal features increases towards higher masses, rising to 10 per cent for the most massive objects in our sample (M* ∼1011.5 M⊙). When observed at sufficient depth, such objects frequently exhibit many distinct tidal features with complex shapes. The interpretation and characterization of such features varies significantly with image depth and object orientation, introducing significant biases in their classification. Assuming the data reduction pipeline is properly optimized, we expect the Rubin Observatory to be capable of recovering much of the flux found in the outskirts of Milky Way mass galaxies, even at intermediate redshifts (z < 0.2)