Updates on the genetic variations of Norovirus in sporadic gastroenteritis in Chungnam Korea, 2009-2010

Previously, we explored the epidemic pattern and molecular characterization of noroviruses (NoVs) isolated in Chungnam, Korea in 2008, and the present study extended these observations to 2009 and 2010. In Korea, NoVs showed the seasonal prevalence from late fall to spring, and widely detected in preschool children and peoples over 60 years of age. Epidemiological pattern of NoV was similar in 2008 and in 2010, but pattern in 2009 was affected by pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 virus. NoV-positive samples were subjected to sequence determination of the capsid gene region, which resolved the isolated NoVs into five GI (2, 6, 7, 9 and 10) and eleven GII genotypes (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 16 and 17). The most prevalent genotype was GII.4 and occupied 130 out of 211 NoV isolates (61.6%). Comparison of NoV GII.4 of prevalent genotype in these periods with reference strains of the same genotype was conducted to genetic analysis by a phylogenetic tree. The NoV GII.4 strains were segregated into seven distinct genetic groups, which are supported by high bootstrap values and previously reported clusters. All Korean NoV GII.4 strains belonged to either VI cluster or VII cluster. The divergence of nucleotide sequences within VI and VII intra-clusters was > 3.9% and > 3.5%, respectively. The "Chungnam(06-117)/2010" strain which was isolated in June 2010 was a variant that did not belong to cluster VI or VII and showed 5.8-8.2%, 6.2-8.1% nucleotide divergence with cluster VI and VII, respectively

Persistent global greening over the last four decades using novel long-term vegetation index data with enhanced temporal consistency.

Advanced Very High-Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) satellite observations have provided the longest global daily records from 1980s, but the remaining temporal inconsistency in vegetation index datasets has hindered reliable assessment of vegetation greenness trends. To tackle this, we generated novel global long-term Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Near-Infrared Reflectance of vegetation (NIRv) datasets derived from AVHRR and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). We addressed residual temporal inconsistency through three-step post processing including cross-sensor calibration among AVHRR sensors, orbital drifting correction for AVHRR sensors, and machine learning-based harmonization between AVHRR and MODIS. After applying each processing step, we confirmed the enhanced temporal consistency in terms of detrended anomaly, trend and interannual variability of NDVI and NIRv at calibration sites. Our refined NDVI and NIRv datasets showed a persistent global greening trend over the last four decades (NDVI: 0.0008 yr−1; NIRv: 0.0003 yr−1), contrasting with those without the three processing steps that showed rapid greening trends before 2000 (NDVI: 0.0017 yr−1; NIRv: 0.0008 yr−1) and weakened greening trends after 2000 (NDVI: 0.0004 yr−1; NIRv: 0.0001 yr−1). These findings highlight the importance of minimizing temporal inconsistency in long-term vegetation index datasets, which can support more reliable trend analysis in global vegetation response to climate changes

Original Article

99 cases were operated while we could not use antibiotics. The author traced X-ray photos on paper and measured areas of the peeled cavities with a planimeter. Results were as follows. 1) 66 cases had increasing stage and the rates were more than 30 %. 2) Cases with good developments showed larger original areas (50〜100cm^2) and smaller increasing rates (less than 30 %). 3) Also their X-ray photos showed coinciding or almost coinciding lines of the apices of lungs and the bases of cavities, but we had to take precautions against suppuration when they showed a horizontal line several days after operation. 4) Most of too high degree of adhesion or thickning of pleura did not show good results. When we found a cord which we must manage with some procedures by pneumolysis we must attend to suppuration too. 5)We ought to resect 4th or 5th rib more than 20 cm and 5th or 4th several cm supplementary. 6) As a method of constriction we commend the INVAGI.NATION method. 7) The author noticed in a considerable number of cases that the areas of cavities increased again after they kept long balanced stages

Atherosclerosis V, Proceeding of the Fifth International Symposium, A.M. Gotto, L.C. Smith, B. Allen, Spring Verlag, 1979(BOOK REVIEW)

Antiviral effect of micafungin on three strains of human rhinoviruses. H1HeLa cells were infected with human rhinovirus type 14 (A), 21 (B), or 71 (C) (100 CCID50) and immediately treated with indicated concentrations of micafungin. Three days after compound treatment antiviral activity was determined by the reduction of cytopathic effect using MTT assay. Cell viability of DMSO-treated cells was set to 0 % and that of uninfected cells was set to 100 %. (TIF 100 kb

Horizontale und vertikale Dichtezonierung in den Varisziden am Beispiel des Erzgebirges

Mit dem Ziel, die geodynamischen Modelle durch die Ermittlung der Dichteverteilung im tieferen Untergrund zu überprüfen und schließlich ein optimales Modell in Bezug auf die Herkunft der sächsischen Granulite vorzustellen, wird das Schwerefeld im Bereich Sachsens mit folgenden gravimetrischen Methoden analysiert und modelliert: • Numerische Analyse des Schwerefeldes mit Hilfe von Tiefenabschätzungen, Horizontalabieitungen der Schwere, Euler-Dekonvolution, Wellenlängenfilterungen sowie • zwei- und dreidimensionale Dichtemodellierungen. Die eingesetzten Verfahren zur Dichtemodellierung zeigen, daß direkte Verfahren zur Analyse des Schwerefeldes bei den komplizierten geologischen Strukturen den indirekten Auswerteverfahren mittels Dichtemodellierung unterlegen sind. Sie geben aber wichtige Hinweise für die dreidimensionale geometrische Modellierung. Die Resultate aus den unterschiedlichen numerischen Analyse des Schwerefeldes lassen folgende Interpretation zu. Die Erkenntnisse sind Grundlage für die gravimetrischen Vorwärtsmodellierung. • Das Schwerehoch im Bereich der Lausitzer Antiklinalzone wird von zwei Störkörpem verursacht. Ein Störkörper, der eine geringere Tiefe (ca. 2-4 km) hat, verursacht hauptsächlich das Schwerehoch im NW-Gebiet der Antiklinalzone. Ein anderer Störkörper, der von der Unterkruste bis zu einer Tiefe von ca. 8 km eingedrungen ist, verursacht die Hauptwirkung des Schwerehoches. Die Antiklinalzone wird durch rhenoherzynische Streichrichtungen (NW-Richtung) charakterisiert. • Die maximale Tiefe des Störkörpers für das Schwereminimum im Erzgebirge liegt zwischen 2 km und 10 km in der Oberkruste. • Im Bereich der NW-Grenze des Sächsischen Granulitgebirge zeigen sich die für das Moldanubikum typischen Streichrichtungen (SO-Richtung). • Durch Wellenlängen-Filterungen wurde die Wirkung der basischen Vulkanite im Eger-Rift separiert. Es wird gezeigt, daß diese Vulkanite von der Unterkruste bis in oberflächenahe Bereiche intrudiert sind. • Im Zwischengebirge und im SW-Gebiet des Eibenstock-Granitgebietes befindet sich Unterkrustmaterial in einer maximalen Tiefe von ca. 8 km. • Das Schwerehoch in der MGM wird von einem Störkörper verursacht, dessen maximale Tiefe auf ca. 6 km geschätzt wird. Die Verbindung und Interpretation aller verfügbaren Randbedingungen aus der Reflexions-, Refraktionsseismik, den geophysikalischen Untersuchungen und den magnetotelluri sehen Messungen sowie dem geothermischen Modell führt zum komplexen dreidimensionalen Dichtemodell Sachsens. Das Modell erfaßt die aus der Analyse abgeleiteten Störmassen in der Oberkruste durch die Verwendung der zur Verfügung stehenden Bouguer-Anomalie (Conrad, 1996) und berücksichtigt markante Strukturen, die aus den reflexionsseismischen Untersuchungen abgeleitet wurden. Zusammen mit den Informationen aus der oberflächenahen Geologie konnten alle wesentlichen, bekannten Strukturen zwischen der topographischen Oberfläche und der Moho in die Modellierung integriert werden. Die Ergebnisse der 3D-Modellierung lassen sich wie folgt zusammenfassen: • Das Sächsische Granulitgebirge (SGG) stellt die aus Pyroxen-Granuliten bestehende domartige Struktur dar, die, entsprechend der geothermischen Interpretation, mit der in 15 km Tiefe liegenden Schicht im Erzgebirge in Verbindung gebracht werden kann. Die vom SGG bis zum Erzgebirge durchgehende Granulit-Schicht zeigt, daß das SGG aus der SW-Gebiet (aus dem Tepla-Barrandium) transportiert sein könnte. • Die Oberkruste im Bereich des Erzgebirges ist charakterisiert durch eine Gneis-Schicht mit einer Mächtigkeit von 15 km, worin die Granite intrudiert wurden. Die durchschnittliche Mächtigkeit der Granite beträgt 5 km. • Nach dem Vergleich mit dem MT- Widerstandsmodell wurde eine zweigeteilte Unterkruste angenommen. Ein Teil wurde vom Rhenoherzynikum transportiert und taucht im Sächsischen Granulitgebirge ab. Die andere Unterkruste wurde vom Tepla-Barrandium her eingelagert und auf das Zwischengebirge aufgeschoben. Zur Berechnung der Schwerewirkungen der einzelnen Modellkörper wird eine Methode des “gravity striping” in dieser Arbeit verwendet. Das Ergebnis dieser Methode zeigt, daß die ins Erzgebirge intrudierten Granite das Schwereminimum im Erzgebirge verursachen. Der gemessene Schwerelauf wird durch die gemeinsame Schwerewirkung der Granite und der Pyroxen-Granulite in der Oberkruste erklärt. Die gravimetrischen Überprüfungen über alternative Modelle sprechen gegen ein tektonisches Aufdringen der Granulite aus großen Tiefen (Diapir-Uplift) und gegen die Herkunft der Granulite aus dem Rhenoherzynikum. Die Untersuchungsergebnisse dieser Arbeit erhärten das “Zahnpasta-Modell” (Granulitkomplex aus dem Tepla-Barrandium). Entsprechende Modellexperimente, unter zugrundelegen einer entsprechenden Geometrie, ergaben eine gute Modell-Schwere-Anpassung an das beobachtete Feld.I analyse the gravity field in the region of Saxony with the aim of testing geodynamic models by determining the density distribution at deeper levels and presenting an optimal model relating to the origin of saxonian granulites. The data are are modelled with the following gravimetric methods: • Numerical analysis of the gravity field with the help of depth estimations, horizontal gradient of gravity field, Euler-Deconvolution, wavelength filtering, and • two- and three-dimensional density modelling The process of density modelling which was used shows that direct methods of numerical analysis (e.g. wavelength filtering) are not successful in resolving the complex geological structures, in contrast to indirect density modelling. But the results of direct methods do provide important information for three-dimensional geometrical modelling. The results of the different numerical analyses of the gravity field can be interpreted in different ways. This knowledge is the basis for density modelling. • The gravity high in the area of the Lausatian anticlinal zone is caused by two dense bodies. One body, at a shallow depth (approx. 2-4 km) is the main cause of the gravity high in the NW area of the anticlinal zone. Another body, which has penetrated from the lower crust to a depth of approx. 8 km, is the major contributor to the gravity high. The anticlinal zone is characterised by rhenohercynian gradient-directions (in a NW direction). • The maximum depth of the density body for the gravity low in the Erzgebirge lies at between 2 km and 10 km, in the upper crust. • In the area of the NW edge the Saxonian Granulitgebirge, gradient-directions (in a SE direction) are evident, which are typical for the Moldanubian. • The effect of the basic vulcanites in the Eger Rift is separated by wavelength filtering. It is demonstrated that these vulcanites have intruded from the lower crust into surface areas. • In the Zwischengebirge and in the SW region of the Eibenstock-Grannitgebiet, lower crustal material is present to a depth of approx. 8 km. • The gravity high in the Munchberg Gneiss Massif (MGM) is caused by a body, with an estimated maximum depth of approx. 6 km. The combination and logical interpretation of all available constraints from reflectionseismics, refractionseismics, geological investigations and magnetotelluric research as well as a geothermal model yields a complex three-dimensional density model for Saxony. The model includes the bodies in the upper crust derived from analysis using the available Bouguer Anomaly (Conrad, 1996) and takes into account distinctive structures derived from reflectionseismological investigations. Together with information from the geology near the surface all important known structures between the topographic surface and the moho could be integrated into the model. The results of the 3D-modelling can be summarised as follows: • The Saxonian Granulitgebirge (SGG) is a dome-like structure consisting of pyroxene granulites which, consistent with geothermal interpretation, can be connected with the layer in the Erzgebirge which is at a depth of 15 km. The granulite layer, stretching from the SGG to the Erzgebirge shows that the SGG could have been transported from the SW region (the Tepla-Barrandium). • The upper crust in the Erzgebirge region is characterised by a gneiss layer with a thickness of about 15 km in which the granites were intruded. The average thickness of the granites is 5 km. • After comparison with the MT-model, an lower crust divided into two parts was assumed. One part was transported by the Rhenohercynian and disappears in the Saxonian Granulitgebirge. The other lower crust was originated from the Tepla-Barrandian and propelled to the Zwischengebirge. To calculate the gravity effects of individual modelbodies, I used a method of gravity stripping. This method shows that the granites which intruded into the Erzgebirge are causing the gravity minimum in the Erzgebirge. The observed gravity is explained by the combined gravity effect of the granites and the pyroxene granulites in the upper crust. Gravimetric testing of other models contradicts a tectonic uplift of the granulites from great depth (Diapir Uplift) and granulites originating from the Rhenohercynian. The results of this investigation support the toothpaste model (granulites complex from the Tepla-Barrandium). Corresponding model experiment with a revelent geometry, resulted in a good model-gravity fitting of the observed field.thesisDFG, SUB Göttinge

Symmetry-Breaking Drop Bouncing on Superhydrophobic Surfaces with Continuously Changing Curvatures

Controlling the residence time of drops on the solid surface is related to a wide spectrum of engineering applications, such as self-cleaning and anti-icing. The symmetry-breaking dynamics induced by the initial drop shape can promote drop bouncing. Here, we study the bouncing features of spherical and ellipsoidal drops on elliptical surfaces that continuously change curvatures inspired by natural succulent leaves. The bounce characteristics highly depend on the geometric relations between the ellipsoidal drops and curved surfaces. Numerical results show that ellipsoidal shapes of the drops amplify asymmetries of the mass and momentum in synergy with an influence of the surface curvature during the impact, which is verified by experiments. Effects of the surface anisotropy and drops’ ellipticity on the residence time are investigated under various surface morphologies and Weber numbers. The residence time is closely associated with an initial surface curvature at the apex. The underlying principle of modifying the residence time via the drops’ ellipticity and initial surface curvature is elucidated based on momentum asymmetry. The understanding of the bouncing features on curved surfaces will offer practical implications for enhanced heat transfer performances and controlled water repellency, etc

Characterizing the Bounce and Separation Dynamics of Janus Drop on Macrotextured Surface

Janus drops are thermodynamically stable when a high-viscosity fluid is imposed on a low-viscosity fluid. To understand physical mechanisms in Janus drop impact on macrotextured surfaces, several challenges in finding parameters or strategies still remain. Here, this study investigates the asymmetric bounce and separation of impinging Janus drops on non-wettable surfaces decorated with a macroridge to explore the effect of the drop size, viscosity ratio, and ridge size on the dynamics. Through numerical simulations, we determine the threshold Weber number, above which separation occurs, by varying drop diameters and viscosity ratios of the Janus drops. We investigate the initial bouncing directions of separated drops as a function of the impact velocity and viscosity ratio. We also predict how the separation efficiency is affected by the ridge’s height and width. The asymmetric impact dynamics of Janus drops on macrotextured surfaces can provide new strategies to control drop bouncing in applications, such as liquid separation and purification

Electroosmotic Flows of Power-Law Fluids with Asymmetric Electrochemical Boundary Conditions in a Rectangular Microchannel

In this paper, a systematic study of a fully developed electroosmotic flow of power-law fluids in a rectangular microchannel bounded by walls with different zeta potentials is described. Because the upper and lower layers of most microchannels are made of different materials, it is necessary to study the flow characteristics for cases in which the microchannels have different zeta potentials at each wall. The electrical potential and momentum equations were solved numerically using a finite element analysis. The velocity profiles and flow rates were studied parametrically by varying the fluid behavior index, channel aspect ratio, and electrochemical properties of the liquid and the bounding walls. The calculated volumetric flow rates in a rectangular microchannel were compared with those between two infinite parallel plates