[Accepted Manuscript] Galleria mellonella is low cost and suitable surrogate host for studying virulence of human pathogenic Vibrio cholerae.

Vibrio cholerae causes a severe diarrheal disease affecting millions of people worldwide, particularly in low income countries. V. cholerae successfully persist in aquatic environment and its pathogenic strains results in sever enteric disease in humans. This dual life style contributes towards its better survival and persistence inside host gut and in the environment. Alternative animal replacement models are of great value in studying host-pathogen interaction and for quick screening of various pathogenic strains. One such model is Galleria mellonella, a wax worm which has a complex innate immune system and here we investigate its suitability as a model for clinical human isolates of O1 El TOR, Ogawa serotype belonging to two genetically distinct subclades found in Pakistan (PSC-1 and PSC-2). We demonstrate that the PSC-2 strain D59 frequently isolated from inland areas, was more virulent than PSC-1 strain K7 mainly isolated from coastal areas (p=0.0001). In addition, we compared the relative biofilm capability of the representative strains as indicators of their survival and persistence in the environment and K7 showed enhanced biofilm forming capabilities (p=0.004). Finally we present the annotated genomes of the strains D59 and K7, and compared them with the reference strain N16961

Mixed convective eyring-powell ferro magnetic nanofluid flow suspension towards a stretching surface with buoyancy effects through numerical analysis

This article examines the impact of buoyancy on the magnetic Eyring-Powell nanofluid flow toward a stretching surface. Coupled similarity equations are created from the governing flow equations. For the particular instance of pure fluid flow, the numerically computed self-similar results are matched with the available literature and found to be in acceptable harmony. The shooting approach was used to arrive at numerical computations to the constitutive ordinary differential equations. The impacts of different fluid flow parameters, nano concentration parameters and heat transfer, are shown graphically for both aiding and opposing flows. It has been discovered that for both aiding and opposing problems, the skin friction is less affected by the buoyant force brought on by temperature differences. Under buoyancy, the rate of heat transfer increments for aiding flow problem while it declines for opposing flow

Quantifying exhumation at the giant pulang porphyry Cu-Au deposit using U-Pb-He dating

The Triassic Pulang porphyry Cu-Au deposit, located in the South Yidun terrane, is the oldest and one of the largest porphyry deposits in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau. The mineralization occurs mostly in the potassic alteration zone of the Pulang intrusive complex. U-Pb-He triple dating, namely apatite (U-Th)/He, zircon U-Pb, and zircon (U-Th)/He dating, together with inverse thermal modeling, reveals that the Pulang complex was emplaced at a paleodepth of ~5.0 to 6.5 km at 215 ± 2 Ma. The deep-level emplacement of the complex, coupled with the episodic replenishment of the magma chamber, gave rise to the establishment of a prolonged magmatic-hydrothermal system at Pulang. Although a range of single-grain zircon and apatite (U-Th)/He ages were obtained on each sample, the weighted mean zircon and apatite (U-Th)/He ages vary systematically with elevation, defining a multistage cooling/denudation history at Pulang. Specifically, three phases of cooling were recognized from inverse thermal modeling, including rapid cooling (80°–120°C/m.y.) in the Late Triassic, moderate cooling (3°–5°C/m.y.) from the Late Triassic to Early Cretaceous, and a protracted slow cooling period (<1°C/m.y.) from the Early Cretaceous to the present day. The first phase of cooling can be mainly attributed to magmatic cooling, whereas the later two phases of cooling were predominantly controlled by uplift and denudation processes. Moreover, the remarkable decrease in the cooling rate from the second to the third phase can be linked to a decreasing erosion rate during the third phase, supported by age-elevation relationships. Overall, our results indicate that the Pulang complex experienced two stages of exhumation at 33 to 45 m/m.y. and 5 to 17 m/m.y. Based on these data, we estimate that approximately 558- to 1,099-m thickness of materials have been removed from the Pulang complex during uplift and erosion, including a large volume of ore. The long time span (>50 m.y.) of extremely slow cooling and erosion at Pulang could be related to the formation and preservation of a peneplain on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau since the Late Cretaceous. A relict peneplain thus signifies a favorable tectonic environment for the preservation of ancient porphyry systems worldwide

Draft Genome Sequence of the Enteropathogenic Bacterium Campylobacter jejuni Strain cj255.

Published onlineJournal ArticleThe enteropathogen Campylobacter jejuni is a global health disaster, being one of the leading causes of bacterial gastroenteritis. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of C. jejuni strain cj255, isolated from a chicken source in Islamabad, Pakistan. The draft genome sequence will aid in epidemiological studies and quarantine of this broad-host-range pathogen.Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and British Counci

Integrating Organic Soybean Production following Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Land into Sustainable Farming Systems

Organic farming has increased to an $8 billion industry in the United States and continues to expand approximately 20% annually. In Iowa alone, organic acreage has increased from 13,000 acres in 1995 to 150,000 in 1999. Across the North Central region, there has been great interest in planting organic soybeans on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land, where up to a 400% premium can be obtained compared with conventionally raised soybeans. Regulation of soil organic matter through additions of plant residues and proper crop rotations will determine the long-term sustainability of the system

Consideration of Shared Decision Making in Nursing: A Review of Clinicians’ Perceptions and Interventions

As the number of individuals with chronic illness increases so has the need for strategies to enable nurses to engage them effectively in daily management of their conditions. Shared decision making between patients and nurses is one approach frequently discussed in the literature. This paper reviews recent studies of shared decision making and the meaning of findings for the nurse-patient relationship. Patients likely to prefer to engage in shared decision making are younger and have higher levels of education. However, there is a lack of evidence for the effect of shared decision making on patient outcomes. Further, studies are needed to examine shared decision making when the patient is a child. Nurses are professionally suited to engage their patients fully in treatment plans. More evidence for how shared decision making affects outcomes and how nurses can successfully achieve such engagement is needed

A practical approach to achieving agility : a theory of constraints perspective

This article documents an action research (AR) project aimed at identifying the practical steps needed to become an agile manufacturer through a combination of the theory of constraints (TOC) and resource- based view (RBV) approaches in a small to medium enterprise (SME) in the Australian manufacturing sector. To date, lean production has been highlighted as a possible catalyst for creating an agile manufacturer, despite the evidence suggesting that lean manufacturing lacks the responsiveness and adaptability to effectively handle a rapidly changing market place and only works well in a stable environment. A more flexible system of production is required to fully encompass the agile characteristics needed to attain a competitive advantage. This research provides empirical evidence that the TOC perspective can be used as a practical approach for becoming an agile manufacturer. The study provides a workable approach for small firms to achieve ‘Agility’ in practice

Inhaled aztreonam for chronic Burkholderia infection in cystic fibrosis: A placebo-controlled trial

AbstractBackgroundIndividuals with Burkholderia spp. infection have historically been excluded from efficacy trials of inhaled antibiotics, including aztreonam for inhalation solution (AZLI).MethodsA double-blind, placebo-controlled, 24-week trial of continuous AZLI/placebo treatment was undertaken in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic Burkholderia spp. infection. All subjects also received usual medical care (determined by their physicians). Additional antibiotic use was not restricted.ResultsBaseline FEV1% predicted values ranged from 15.8% to 114.6%. No significant treatment differences (AZLI vs. placebo) were observed at week 24 for any endpoints, including FEV1% predicted, number of respiratory exacerbations requiring systemic/inhaled antibiotics, or hospitalizations. Continuous AZLI administration was well tolerated. Burkholderia spp. susceptibility to antibiotics commonly used in CF therapy showed little change.Conclusions24-weeks of continuous AZLI treatment did not significantly improve lung function in CF subjects with chronic Burkholderia spp. infection. Non-study antibiotic use may have confounded any potential AZLI effects

Distance and Engagement: Hegel’s Account of Critical Reflection

Hegel famously argues that Kant’s account of critical distance depends upon an impoverished conception of freedom. In its place, Hegel introduces a richer conception of freedom, according to which the self who is capable of self-determination is multifaceted: wanting and thinking, social and individual. This richer conception gives rise to an account of critical reflection that emphasizes engagement with our motives and practices rather than radical detachment from them. But what is most distinctive about Hegel’s account is the idea that when we reflect upon motives and practices, we draw upon shared self-understandings that are neither universal nor just particular to individuals. There is, Hegel argues, no presocial identity or self that can be detached from our socially constituted contexts of thought and value. This has important implications for how we conceive of critical reflection