Enneapterygius niue, a new species of triplefin from Niue and Samoa, southwestern Pacific Ocean (Teleostei: Tripterygiidae)

A new species of triplefin, Enneapterygius niue, is described on the basis of three specimens from Niue and Samoa. The new species is a medium-sized species of barred Enneapterygius, characterized by 13–15 spines in the second dorsal fin, 18–20 anal-fin soft rays, 14–19 + 16–20 lateral-line scales, 33–36 total lateral scale rows, eye diameter 94–128, preorbital 50–75, body depth 176–206, preanal fin length 483–538 (last four measures in thousandths of SL), sides of body with a pattern of two short and five complete bars, pectoral-fin base with a vertical dark bar, preorbital with an oblique dark band, dorsal fins pale except for a dusky base, anal fin dark grey in male and with four oblique brown bands in female, pelvic fins white, and caudal fin pale. The new species is compared with similar species. A revised key to the species of Enneapterygius in the Indo-Australian Archipelago and the western Pacific is presented

Refrigeration Modeling Components in OpenStudio

OpenStudio, developed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), is a cross-platform collection of simulation tools for whole building energy modeling. EnergyPlus and Radiance are the primary simulation engines in OpenStudio and the latest addition is a collection of refrigeration objects developed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) which makes the refrigeration system components of EnergyPlus available for use through OpenStudio. This paper highlights the benefits of including refrigeration modeling functionality in OpenStudio, the object model, the exposed Application Programming Interface, and discusses some of the design challenges faced. The project was implemented in four phases with each phase focusing on one aspect of the software. An initial set of EnergyPlus refrigeration components were selected and implemented, following which, additional components in decreasing order of priority were implemented. An Agile software development philosophy was employed along with modern source control tools such as GitHub. During the initial design, six main refrigeration components were determined to be critically important. These were Refrigeration System, Compressor, Display Case, Walk-In, Air-Cooled Condenser and Secondary System. Scripts were used to automatically convert various objects from the EnergyPlus Input Data Dictionary (IDD) file into C++ code. These prototypical source code files for the refrigeration objects were then modified to allow full instantiation of the objects. The objects, complete with their unit tests, were then submitted for integration into the main development branch of the software. During the second phase, the following components were implemented: Mechanical Subcooler, Liquid-Suction Subcooler, Cascade Condenser, Evaporative-Cooled Condenser, and Water-Cooled Condenser. During the third phase, the remaining refrigeration components from EnergyPlus were added: Air Chillers, Transcritical Refrigeration System, Transcritical Compressors, Air-Cooled Gas Cooler and waste heat recovery using the Air Heating Desuperheater Coil or the Water Heating Desuperheater Coil. In addition, EnergyPlus comes with metadata information of hundreds of refrigerated display cases and refrigeration compressors. These were added to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Component Library (BCL), which is a comprehensive online digital library of various building blocks of an energy model. During the fourth and final phase, documentation of the developed Application Programming Interface was created. In all phases, close collaboration with multi-lab partners was maintained who provided extensive support and developmental feedback to the ORNL team. It is expected that the addition of these refrigeration components fills a gap and will enhance the successful adoption of OpenStudio as a modeling tool of choice in the buildings simulation community. Furthermore, it is hoped that these refrigeration capabilities will allow retailers to assess the energy impact of a variety of supermarket and distribution facility refrigeration system design options and aid in the selection and implementation of energy efficient systems

Framework for the development of telecommunications within an interoperator environment in the SADC

Telecommunications development in southern Africa is encouraged by economic opportunity, government-level support (such as the Southern African Development Corporation, or SADC) and market trends (de-monopolisation and market liberalisation). Various markets in the SADC region offer telecommunications operators solid growth potential and the advantages of geographic diversification. Operators entering the new markets will generally do so in the mode of partnerships, alliances or Greenfield operations. However, the context in which they function, independent of the mode of entrance, will tend to be defined by the telecommunications and ICT industry; that is, within an interoperator environment. “Interoperator” is referred to in a broad sense, i.e. enterprise interaction between operators / service providers and across the value chain. The existence of interoperator relationships is thus taken as an assumption. A carefully managed network rollout and technological evolution plan is required together with critical market and business considerations to succeed with expansion into SADC markets. This paper presents a logical methodology for telecoms operators (mobile or fixed) to guide network development and formulate strategy particular to the SADC deployment area. A proposed development framework gives structure and organisation to the various aspects – business requirements, technology choices and market decisions – of a telecoms business in Southern Africa. The total model consists of 4 associated representations which fit logically in an enabling framework. Central to the framework is a technology decision methodology, guiding the technological evolution toward a Next Generation Network (NGN) services core whilst preserving existing investment, smoothing interoperation of elements and legacy technologies and subordinating decisions to business needs. Alignment of services and products to the business plan and that of the customer needs is also addressed through the “considerations and applications” and “customer visibility circle” representations. The regulatory environment, licence stipulations and interconnect agreements are important inputs to the framework. The output is the formulation of a high-level strategy roadmap, and evaluation and feedback methodology. The realisation of a clear, defined roadmap through which telecommunications development in the SADC can be guided provides telecommunications operators with a high-level framework that structures, orders and orientates all necessary elements with long-term goals and business requirements.Dissertation (MEng (Technology Management))--University of Pretoria, 2004.Graduate School of Technology Management (GSTM)unrestricte

Development of a Supermarket Prototype Building Model

The U.S. Department of Energy supports the development of commercial building energy codes and standards by participating in industry reviews, update processes, and providing technical analyses to support both published model codes and potential changes. In support of ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 and the International Energy Conservation Code, 16 commercial prototype building models were developed that cover 80% of the commercial building floor area in the United States for new construction, including both commercial buildings and mid- to high-rise residential buildings, across all U.S. climate zones. However, the current set of commercial prototype building models does not include a supermarket building type, which is one of major building types defined in the Energy Information Administration’s Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey. As part of an ongoing effort to expand the current Commercial Building Prototype Model suite, this paper presents the procedure used to develop the prototype supermarket building model based on multiple studies as well as a previously developed reference building model. The final set of prototype models includes 68 models for different vintages of ASHRAE Standard 90.1 (i.e., 2004, 2007, 2010, and 2013) and for 17 ASHRAE climate zones

Predicted and in situ performance of a solar air collector incorporating a translucent granular aerogel cover

This is the post-print version of the Article. The official published version can be accessed from the link below - Copyright @ 2012 ElsevierThere is an opportunity to improve the efficiency of flat plate solar air collectors by replacing their conventional glass covers with lightweight polycarbonate panels filled with high performance aerogel insulation. The in situ performance of a 5.4m2 solar air collector containing granular aerogel is simulated and tested. The collector is incorporated into the external insulation of a mechanically ventilated end terrace house, recently refurbished in London, UK. During the 7 day test period, peak outlet temperatures up to 45 °C are observed. Resultant supply and internal air temperatures peak at 25–30 and 21–22 °C respectively. Peak efficiencies of 22–36% are calculated based on the proposed design across a range of cover types. Measured outlet temperatures are validated to within 5% of their predicted values. Estimated outputs range from 118 to 166 kWh/m2/year for collectors with different thickness granular aerogel covers, compared to 110 kWh/m2/year for a single glazed collector, 140 k h/m2/year for a double glazed collector and 202 kWh/m2/year for a collector incorporating high performance monolithic aerogel. Payback periods of 9–16 years are calculated across all cover types. An efficiency up to 60% and a payback period as low as 4.5 years is possible with an optimised collector incorporating a 10 mm thick granular aerogel cover.This work is supported by the EPSRC, Brunel University, Buro Happold Ltd. and the Technology Strategy Board

The Complete Genome Sequence of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis IP31758, the Causative Agent of Far East Scarlet-Like Fever

The first reported Far East scarlet-like fever (FESLF) epidemic swept the Pacific coastal region of Russia in the late 1950s. Symptoms of the severe infection included erythematous skin rash and desquamation, exanthema, hyperhemic tongue, and a toxic shock syndrome. The term FESLF was coined for the infection because it shares clinical presentations with scarlet fever caused by group A streptococci. The causative agent was later identified as Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, although the range of morbidities was vastly different from classical pseudotuberculosis symptoms. To understand the origin and emergence of the peculiar clinical features of FESLF, we have sequenced the genome of the FESLF-causing strain Y. pseudotuberculosis IP31758 and compared it with that of another Y. pseudotuberculosis strain, IP32953, which causes classical gastrointestinal symptoms. The unique gene pool of Y pseudotuberculosis IP31758 accounts for more than 260 strain-specific genes and introduces individual physiological capabilities and virulence determinants, with a significant proportion horizontally acquired that likely originated from Enterobacteriaceae and other soil-dwelling bacteria that persist in the same ecological niche. The mobile genome pool includes two novel plasmids phylogenetically unrelated to all currently reported Yersinia plasmids. An icm/dot type IVB secretion system, shared only with the intracellular persisting pathogens of the order Legionellales, was found on the larger plasmid and could contribute to scarlatinoid fever symptoms in patients due to the introduction of immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive capabilities. We determined the common and unique traits resulting from genome evolution and speciation within the genus Yersinia and drew a more accurate species border between Y. pseudotuberculosis and Y. pestis. In contrast to the lack of genetic diversity observed in the evolutionary young descending Y. pestis lineage, the population genetics of Y. pseudotuberculosis is more heterogenous. Both Y. pseudotuberculosis strains IP31758 and the previously sequenced Y. pseudotuberculosis strain IP32953 have evolved by the acquisition of specific plasmids and by the horizontal acquisition and incorporation of different genetic information into the chromosome, which all together or independently seems to potentially impact the phenotypic adaptation of these two strains

CRP Enhances the Innate Killing Mechanisms Phagocytosis and ROS Formation in a Conformation and Complement-Dependent Manner

Phagocytosis and the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in phagocytic leukocytes are an effective killing mechanism of the innate host defense. These cellular processes of innate immunity function in a complex interplay with humoral factors. C-reactive protein (CRP) in its activated, monomeric isoform (mCRP) has been shown to activate immune cells via the classical complement pathway. We investigated the complement-dependent effects of monomeric CRP (mCRP) on neutrophils and monocyte subtypes using complement-specific inhibitors by both flow cytometry and confocal fluorescence microscopy. We demonstrate that CRP-induced ROS generation is a conformation-specific and complement-dependent process in leukocyte subsets with classical monocytes as the primary source of ROS amongst human monocyte subsets. Elucidation of this complex interplay of CRP and complement in inflammation pathophysiology might help to improve anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies

Multiple antimicrobial resistance in plague: An emerging public health risk

Antimicrobial resistance in Yersinia pestis is rare, yet constitutes a significant international public health and biodefense threat. In 1995, the first multidrug resistant (MDR) isolate of Y. pestis (strain IP275) was identified, and was shown to contain a self-transmissible plasmid (pIP1202) that conferred resistance to many of the antimicrobials recommended for plague treatment and prophylaxis. Comparative analysis of the DNA sequence of Y. pestis plasmid pIP1202 revealed a near identical IncA/C plasmid backbone that is shared by MDR plasmids isolated from Salmonella enterica serotype Newport SL254 and the fish pathogen Yersinia ruckeri YR71. The high degree of sequence identity and gene synteny between the plasmid backbones suggests recent acquisition of these plasmids from a common ancestor. In addition, the Y. pestis pIP1202-like plasmid backbone was detected in numerous MDR enterobacterial pathogens isolated from retail meat samples collected between 2002 and 2005 in the United States. Plasmid-positive strains were isolated from beef, chicken, turkey and pork, and were found in samples from the following states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York and Oregon. Our studies reveal that this common plasmid backbone is broadly disseminated among MDR zoonotic pathogens associated with agriculture. This reservoir of mobile resistance determinants has the potential to disseminate to Y. pestis and other human and zoonotic bacterial pathogens and therefore represents a significant public health concern

Metabolic responses to salt stress of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars, Sahara and Clipper, which differ in salinity tolerance

Plants show varied cellular responses to salinity that are partly associated with maintaining low cytosolic Na+ levels and a high K+/Na+ ratio. Plant metabolites change with elevated Na+, some changes are likely to help restore osmotic balance while others protect Na+-sensitive proteins. Metabolic responses to salt stress are described for two barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars, Sahara and Clipper, which differed in salinity tolerance under the experimental conditions used. After 3 weeks of salt treatment, Clipper ceased growing whereas Sahara resumed growth similar to the control plants. Compared with Clipper, Sahara had significantly higher leaf Na+ levels and less leaf necrosis, suggesting they are more tolerant to accumulated Na+. Metabolite changes in response to the salt treatment also differed between the two cultivars. Clipper plants had elevated levels of amino acids, including proline and GABA, and the polyamine putrescine, consistent with earlier suggestions that such accumulation may be correlated with slower growth and/or leaf necrosis rather than being an adaptive response to salinity. It is suggested that these metabolites may be an indicator of general cellular damage in plants. By contrast, in the more tolerant Sahara plants, the levels of the hexose phosphates, TCA cycle intermediates, and metabolites involved in cellular protection increased in response to salt. These solutes remain unchanged in the more sensitive Clipper plants. It is proposed that these responses in the more tolerant Sahara are involved in cellular protection in the leaves and are involved in the tolerance of Sahara leaves to high Na+

Disruption of mouse Slx4, a regulator of structure-specific nucleases, phenocopies Fanconi anemia

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