92 research outputs found
Electromagnetic Fields of Slowly Rotating Compact Magnetized Stars in Braneworld
We study the structure of electromagnetic field of slowly rotating magnetized
star in a Randall-Sundrum II type braneworld. The star is modeled as a sphere
consisting of perfect highly magnetized fluid with infinite conductivity and
frozen-in dipolar magnetic field. Maxwell's equations for the external magnetic
field of the star in the braneworld are analytically solved in approximation of
small distance from the surface of the star. We have also found numerical
solution for the electric field outside the rotating magnetized neutron star in
the braneworld in dependence on brane tension. The influence of brane tension
on the electromagnetic energy losses of the rotating magnetized star is
underlined. Obtained "brane" corrections are shown to be relevant and have
non-negligible values. In comparison with astrophysical observations on pulsars
spindown data they may provide an evidence for the brane tension and, thus,
serve as a test for the braneworld model of the Universe.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure
Can ceftazidime-avibactam and aztreonam overcome β-lactam resistance conferred by metallo-β-lactamases in Enterobacteriaceae?
Based upon knowledge of the hydrolytic profile of major β-lactamases found in Gram-negative bacteria, we tested the efficacy of the combination of ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI) with aztreonam (ATM) against carbapenem-resistant enteric bacteria possessing metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs). Disk diffusion and agarbased antimicrobial susceptibility testing were initially performed to determine the in vitro efficacy of a unique combination of CAZ-AVI and ATM against 21 representative Enterobacteriaceae isolates with a complex molecular background that included blaIMP, blaNDM, blaOXA-48, blaCTX-M, blaAmpC, and combinations thereof. Time-kill assays were conducted, and the in vivo efficacy of this combination was assessed in a murine neutropenic thigh infection model. By disk diffusion assay, all 21 isolates were resistant to CAZ-AVI alone, and 19/21 were resistant to ATM. The in vitro activity of CAZ-AVI in combination with ATM against diverse Enterobacteriaceae possessing MBLs was demonstrated in 17/21 isolates, where the zone of inhibition was ≥21 mm. All isolates demonstrated a reduction in CAZ-AVI agar dilution MICs with the addition of ATM. At 2 h, time-kill assays demonstrated a ≥4-log10-CFU decrease for all groups that had CAZ-AVI with ATM (8 μg/ml) added, compared to the group treated with CAZ-AVI alone. In the murine neutropenic thigh infection model, an almost 4-log10-CFU reduction was noted at 24 h for CAZ-AVI (32 mg/kg every 8 h [q8h]) plus ATM (32 mg/kg q8h) versus CAZ-AVI (32 mg/kg q8h) alone. The data presented herein require us to carefully consider this new therapeutic combination to treat infections caused by MBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae
Scalability considerations for multivariate graph visualization
Real-world, multivariate datasets are frequently too large to show in their entirety on a visual display. Still, there are many techniques we can employ to show useful partial views-sufficient to support incremental exploration of large graph datasets. In this chapter, we first explore the cognitive and architectural limitations which restrict the amount of visual bandwidth available to multivariate graph visualization approaches. These limitations afford several design approaches, which we systematically explore. Finally, we survey systems and studies that exhibit these design strategies to mitigate these perceptual and architectural limitations
Discovery of widespread transcription initiation at microsatellites predictable by sequence-based deep neural network
Using the Cap Analysis of Gene Expression (CAGE) technology, the FANTOM5 consortium provided one of the most comprehensive maps of transcription start sites (TSSs) in several species. Strikingly, ~72% of them could not be assigned to a specific gene and initiate at unconventional regions, outside promoters or enhancers. Here, we probe these unassigned TSSs and show that, in all species studied, a significant fraction of CAGE peaks initiate at microsatellites, also called short tandem repeats (STRs). To confirm this transcription, we develop Cap Trap RNA-seq, a technology which combines cap trapping and long read MinION sequencing. We train sequence-based deep learning models able to predict CAGE signal at STRs with high accuracy. These models unveil the importance of STR surrounding sequences not only to distinguish STR classes, but also to predict the level of transcription initiation. Importantly, genetic variants linked to human diseases are preferentially found at STRs with high transcription initiation level, supporting the biological and clinical relevance of transcription initiation at STRs. Together, our results extend the repertoire of non-coding transcription associated with DNA tandem repeats and complexify STR polymorphism
Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries
Background
Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres.
Methods
This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries.
Results
In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia.
Conclusion
This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries
Effect of nitrogen application, seeding rate and defoliation height on mixtures of Trifolium vesiculosum cv Amclo and Lolium multiflorum cv Midmar: II. Yield advantage as reflected in the land equivalent ratio.
Pure stands of Trifolium vesiculosum cv Amclo and Lolium multiflorum cv Midmar were compared with a range of mixtures of these two species in terms of dry matter production, crude protein content and crude protein production. Land equivalent ratios (LER) calculated for both dry matter and crude protein production showed that mixing of the two species was advantageous. This was more evident in terms of crude protein production than in DM production. High seeding rates of the grass (20-25 kg/ha), low levels of nitrogen (60 kg/N/ha) and heavy defoliation (50 mm) gave the highest LER values. It was concluded that better utilization of land could be obtained with mixtures of the two components than with pure stands.Keywords: crude protein content; defoliation; dry matter production; grasses; lolium multiflorum; pretoria; production; protein production; rietondale research station; south africa; trifolium vesiculosum; utilization; yiel
The influence of nitrogen application, seeding rate and methods of mixing of components on mixtures of Trifolium vesiculosum and Lolium multiflora.
The interaction between Trifolium vesiculosum cv. Amclo and Lolium multiflorum cv. Midmar in mixtures was measured in an irrigated field trial in terms of dry matter production, crude protein content and crude protein production. Two methods of mixing, namely mixing of the components in the same row and alternate rows of the two species, were compared at two nitrogen levels and three seeding rates of the grass component. The method of mixing and seeding of the grass had little effect on dry matter production. On the other hand, the application of 240 kg N ha -1 increased the dry matter production of the different mixtures significantly, but at the same time changed the botanical composition drastically owing to the suppression of the clover component. The weighted crud protein content of the mixtures were significantly higher where 240 kg N ha -1 was applied owing to a positive response of both the grass and the clover to nitrogen. Generally speaking, crude protein production followed dry matter production closely.Keywords: botanical composition; botany; clover; competition; crude protein; crude protein content; dry matter production; field trial; grass; grasses; interaction; lolium multiflorum; nitrogen levels; production; protein; protein production; rietondale research station; seeding; south africa; trifolium vesiculosu
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