Resurgence of measles virus infection in an eliminated country, Sri Lanka

Objective:To describe the situation of measles in Sri Lanka from May to November,2023 and to define the role of virology laboratory towards case confirmation and epidemiological and genetic characterization of the outbreak.Methods:This retrospective study analyzed all samples tested for measles from 1st of May to 30th of November,2023 at National Measles Rubella Laboratory,Sri Lanka.According to the World Health Organization(WHO)algorithm,serum and oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal swabs were tested with WHO recommended kits for anti-measles IgM and measles virus specific RNA,respectively.Selected RNA positive samples were sequenced at reference laboratory,India.Analysis of sequencing data and construction of phylogenetic tree were carried out at National Measles Rubella Laboratory.Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.Results:Of the total 1132 serum samples and 497 oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal swabs from 1326 patients,657(49.5%)patients were confirmed as measles by anti-measles IgM,measles virus specific RNA or both.Males(55.6%,n=365)and the age group from>20 to≤30 years(33.0%,n=217)predominated positive patients.All provinces reported measles positive cases.All samples sequenced(100%,n=42)were genotype D8 with 95.2%(n=40)bearing Victoria.Australia origin.Conclusions:We described resurgence of measles in an eliminated country,confirming the genotype to be D8,one of the two genotypes currently circulating globally.Further,the study strongly convinced the importance of a strengthened virological surveillance system in an eliminated country,despite its eliminated status.

Study and Design of a DC/AC Energy Converter for PV System Connected to the Grid Using Harmonic Selected Eliminated (HSE) Approach

Nowadays, distributing network-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems are expanded by merging a PV system and a Direct Current (DC)/Alternating Current (AC) energy converter. DC/AC conversion of PV energy is in great demand for AC applications. The supply of electrical machines and transfer energy to the distribution network is a typical case. In this work, we study and design a DC/AC energy converter using harmonic selective eliminated (HSE) method. To this end, we have combined two power stages connected in derivation. Each power stage is constituted of transistors and transformers. The connection by switching of the two rectangular waves, delivered by each of the stages, makes it possible to create a quasi-sinusoidal output voltage of the inverter. Mathematical equations based on the current-voltage characteristics of the inverter have been developed. The simulation model was validated using experimental data from a 25.2 kWp grid-coupled (PV) system, connected to Gridfit type inverters. The data were exported and implemented in programming software. A good agreement was observed and this shows all the robustness and the technical performances of the energy converter device. It emerges from this analysis that the inverter output voltage and the phase angle thus simulated are very important to control in order to orientate the transfer of the power flow from the continuous cell to cell to the alternating part. Simulated and field-testing results also show that increases in the value of the modulation factor (m) for low power output are highly significant. This study is an important tool for DC/AC inverter designers during initial planning stages. A short presentation of the design model of the inverter has been proposed in this article.

An Analysis of the Expectations Gap:Can it be eliminated?

The "expectations gap" signifies the differences between what the public expects from an audit and what the auditing profession prefers the audit objectives to be.Although the gap exists,it seems that the professions trust that it could be eliminated.In this paper,further evidence was provided to deny the above point by exploring the inevitability nature and the structure of the audit expectation gap.In addition,the author concludes that expectations gap cannot be eliminated;instead,the only thing can be done is to narrow down the gap.

A shadow- eliminated vegetation index (SEVI) for removal of self and cast shadow effects on vegetation in rugged terrains

The effect of terrain shadow, including the self and cast shadows, is one ofthe main obstacles for accurate retrieval of vegetation parameters byremote sensing in rugged terrains. A shadow- eliminated vegetation index(SEVI) was developed, which was computed from only red and nearinfrared top-of-atmosphere reflectance without other heterogeneous dataand topographic correction. After introduction of the conceptual modeland feature analysis of conventional wavebands, the SEVI was constructedby ratio vegetation index (RVI), shadow vegetation index (SVI) andadjustment factor (f (Δ)). Then three methods were used to validate theSEVI accuracy in elimination of terrain shadow effects, including relativeerror analysis, correlation analysis between the cosine of solar incidenceangle (cosi) and vegetation indices, and comparison analysis between SEVIand conventional vegetation indices with topographic correction. Thevalidation results based on 532 samples showed that the SEVI relativeerrors for self and cast shadows were 4.32% and 1.51% respectively. Thecoefficient of determination between cosi and SEVI was only 0.032 and thecoefficient of variation (std/mean) for SEVI was 12.59%. The results indicatethat the proposed SEVI effectively eliminated the effect of terrain shadowsand achieved similar or better results than conventional vegetation indiceswith topographic correction.

Modeling mitochondria,where are the numbers?

Models and simulations are particularly useful for exploring ideas and concepts in the biological sciences that are expe rimentally impracticable.in silico methods are also gaining acceptance with regulatory authorities as an alternative to animal testing.For example,the Environmental Protection Agency aims to eliminate animal testi ng by 2035.

Highly Thermoconductive,Strong Graphene‑Based Composite Films by Eliminating Nanosheets Wrinkles

Graphene-based thermally conductive composites have been proposed as effective thermal management materials for cooling high-power electronic devices.However,when flexible graphene nanosheets are assembled into macroscopic thermally conductive composites,capillary forces induce shrinkage of graphene nanosheets to form wrinkles during solution-based spontaneous drying,which greatly reduces the thermal conductivity of the composites.Herein,graphene nanosheets/aramid nanofiber(GNS/ANF)composite films with high thermal conductivity were prepared by in-plane stretching of GNS/ANF composite hydrogel networks with hydrogen bonds andπ-πinteractions.The in-plane mechanical stretching eliminates graphene nanosheets wrinkles by suppressing inward shrinkage due to capillary forces during drying and achieves a high in-plane orientation of graphene nanosheets,thereby creating a fast in-plane heat transfer channel.The composite films(GNS/ANF-60 wt%)with eliminated graphene nanosheets wrinkles showed a significant increase in thermal conductivity(146 W m^(−1)K^(−1))and tensile strength(207 MPa).The combination of these excellent properties enables the GNS/ANF composite films to be effectively used for cooling flexible LED chips and smartphones,showing promising applications in the thermal management of high-power electronic devices.

Cancer Mortality and Cause Eliminated Life Expectancy in Key Areas of Four Provinces——China,2008-2018

Introduction:Cancer is a major health problem in China.Integrated interventions have been implemented in key areas of Anhui,Henan,Jiangsu,and Shandong provinces with historically higher than average cancer mortality.Assessing the cancer mortality trend and its impact on life expectancy(LE)could help evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in these regions.Methods:Based on the National Cause-of-Death Surveillance,we analyzed the standardized mortality rate(SMR)of cancer,cause eliminated life expectancy(CELE),potential gains in life expectancy(PGLEs),and rate of life lost in key areas of 4 provinces from 2008 to 2018.Joinpoint program was used to compute the average annual percentage change(AAPC)of cancer mortality.Arriaga’s decomposition method was used to estimate the contribution of cancer to LE in each age group.Results:From 2008 to 2018,cancer SMR decreased in the study region(AAPC=−3.09%,P<0.001),which increased LE.The positive effect was the greatest in the 75-79 age group(0.120 years,2.90%),and the negative effect was the greatest in the 50-54 age group(-0.094 years,−2.20%).Compared to 2008,cancer CELE increased by 3.95 years,PGLEs increased by 0.32 years,and rate of life lost increased by 0.21%in 2018.Conclusions:Cancer SMR decreased in key areas of 4 provinces from 2008 to 2018.This change had a positive effect on the increase of LE.However,the rate of life lost due to cancer increased.Integrated interventions should continue to further reduce the cancer burden.

Hemoperfusion and continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration for eliminating chlorfenapyr in poisoning patients

Chlorfenapyr is a liposoluble insecticide belonging to the pyrrole family.Chlorfenapyr is activated when the N-ethoxymethyl side chain breaks,forming a toxic metabolite,which uncouples oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria,inhibits the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP),and leads to the death of cells and targe organisms.[1] Symptoms of chlorfenapyr poisoning in patients are mild and atypical in the early stage,especially in patients receiving low dose exposure;however,such cases are rare and may be ignored by physicians,often leading to delayed treatment.[2,3].

An improved initial rotor position estimation method using high-frequency pulsating voltage injection for PMSM

High frequency pulsating voltage injection method is a good candidate for detecting the initial rotor position of permanent magnet synchronous motor.However,traditional methods require a large number of filters,which leads to the deterioration of system stability and dynamic performance.In order to solve these problems,a new signal demodulation method is proposed in this paper.The proposed new method can directly obtain the amplitude of high-frequency current,thus eliminating the use of filters,improving system stability and dynamic performance and saving the work of adjusting filter parameters.In addition,a new magnetic polarity detection method is proposed,which is robust to current measurement noise.Finally,experiments verify the effectiveness of the method.

Road Traffic Monitoring from Aerial Images Using Template Matching and Invariant Features

Road traffic monitoring is an imperative topic widely discussed among researchers.Systems used to monitor traffic frequently rely on cameras mounted on bridges or roadsides.However,aerial images provide the flexibility to use mobile platforms to detect the location and motion of the vehicle over a larger area.To this end,different models have shown the ability to recognize and track vehicles.However,these methods are not mature enough to produce accurate results in complex road scenes.Therefore,this paper presents an algorithm that combines state-of-the-art techniques for identifying and tracking vehicles in conjunction with image bursts.The extracted frames were converted to grayscale,followed by the application of a georeferencing algorithm to embed coordinate information into the images.The masking technique eliminated irrelevant data and reduced the computational cost of the overall monitoring system.Next,Sobel edge detection combined with Canny edge detection and Hough line transform has been applied for noise reduction.After preprocessing,the blob detection algorithm helped detect the vehicles.Vehicles of varying sizes have been detected by implementing a dynamic thresholding scheme.Detection was done on the first image of every burst.Then,to track vehicles,the model of each vehicle was made to find its matches in the succeeding images using the template matching algorithm.To further improve the tracking accuracy by incorporating motion information,Scale Invariant Feature Transform(SIFT)features have been used to find the best possible match among multiple matches.An accuracy rate of 87%for detection and 80%accuracy for tracking in the A1 Motorway Netherland dataset has been achieved.For the Vehicle Aerial Imaging from Drone(VAID)dataset,an accuracy rate of 86%for detection and 78%accuracy for tracking has been achieved.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling in the neuromuscular junction during developmental axonal competition and synapse elimination

During the development of the nervous system,there is an overproduction of neurons and synapses.Hebbian competition between neighboring nerve endings and synapses performing different activity levels leads to their elimination or strengthening.We have extensively studied the involvement of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor-Tropomyosin-related kinase B receptor neurotrophic retrograde pathway,at the neuromuscular junction,in the axonal development and synapse elimination process versus the synapse consolidation.The purpose of this review is to describe the neurotrophic influence on developmental synapse elimination,in relation to other molecular pathways that we and others have found to regulate this process.In particular,we summarize our published results based on transmitter release analysis and axonal counts to show the different involvement of the presynaptic acetylcholine muscarinic autoreceptors,coupled to downstream serine-threonine protein kinases A and C(PKA and PKC)and voltage-gated calcium channels,at different nerve endings in developmental competition.The dynamic changes that occur simultaneously in several nerve terminals and synapses converge across a postsynaptic site,influence each other,and require careful studies to individualize the mechanisms of specific endings.We describe an activity-dependent balance(related to the extent of transmitter release)between the presynaptic muscarinic subtypes and the neurotrophin-mediated TrkB/p75NTR pathways that can influence the timing and fate of the competitive interactions between the different axon terminals.The downstream displacement of the PKA/PKC activity ratio to lower values,both in competing nerve terminals and at postsynaptic sites,plays a relevant role in controlling the elimination of supernumerary synapses.Finally,calcium entry through L-and P/Q-subtypes of voltage-gated calcium channels(both channels are present,together with the N-type channel in developing nerve terminals)contributes to reduce transmitter release and promote withdrawal of the most unfavorable nerve terminals during elimination(the weakest in acetylcholine release and those that have already become silent).The main findings contribute to a better understanding of punishment-rewarding interactions between nerve endings during development.Identifying the molecular targets and signaling pathways that allow synapse consolidation or withdrawal of synapses in different situations is important for potential therapies in neurodegenerative diseases.

Effective Elimination of Hazardous Chromium (VI) Using Periodic Elements and Contemporary Adsorption Methods by Using Magnesium Ferrite Nanoparticle: A Review

A well-known hazardous metal and top contaminant in wastewater is hexavalent chromium. The two forms of most commonly found chromium are chromate ( CrO 4 2− ) and dichromate ( Cr 2 O 7 2− ). Leather tanning, cooling tower blow-down, plating, electroplating, rinse water sources, anodizing baths etc. are the main sources of Cr (VI) contamination. The Cr (VI) is not only non-biodegradable in the environment but also carcinogenic to living population. It is still difficult to treat Cr contaminated waste water effectively, safely, eco-friendly, and economically. As a result, many techniques have been used to treat Cr (VI)-polluted wastewater, including adsorption, chemical precipitation, coagulation, ion-exchange, and filtration. Among these practices, the most practical method is adsorption for the removal of Cr (VI) from aqueous solutions, which has gained widespread acceptance due to the ease of use and affordability of the equipment and adsorbent. It has been revealed that Fe-based adsorbents’ oxides and hydroxides have high adsorptive potential to lower Cr (VI) content below the advised threshold. Fe-based adsorbents were also discovered to be relatively cheap and toxic-free in Cr (VI) treatment. Fe-based adsorbents are commonly utilized in industry. It has been discovered that nanoparticles of Fe-, Ti-, and Cu-based adsorbents have a better capacity to remove Cr (VI). Cr (VI) was effectively removed from contaminated water using mixed element-based adsorbents (Fe-Mn, Fe-Ti, Fe-Cu, Fe-Zr, Fe-Cu-Y, Fe-Mg, etc.). Initial findings suggest that Cr (VI) removal from wastewater may be accomplished by using magnesium ferrite nanomaterials as an efficient adsorbent.

Experiences of Mothers on the Utilization of Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV Services at Mtendere Clinic, Lusaka

Introduction: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is one of the leading causes of mortality among women of reproductive age and Mother to Child Transmission of Human immunodeficiency virus is still a challenge affecting many countries. Globally, an estimation of 180,000 children under 15 years acquire the Human immunodeficiency virus every day, and more than 90% of those infections are due to Mother to Child Transmission. The study sought to explore the experiences of mothers on the Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission-HIV services at Mtendere Clinic, Lusaka. Materials and Methods: Qualitative interpretive phenomenology study design was employed using in-depth interviews to collect data from a sample that was selected using purposive sampling technique. Thirteen participants were recruited, and these were HIV-positive mothers at least between the ages of 15 and 49 years and enrolled in the Elimination of Mother To Child Transmission-HIV program. The in-depth interviews were audiotape recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was analyzed using thematic method. Findings: Three main themes that emerged are;living with HIV, support system and barriers to utilization of Elimination of Mother To Child Transmission-HIV services. Most of the participants expressed having acquired knowledge from the program, and received counselling and support from spouses, family as well as health personnel at Mtendere health facility which culminated into a positive experience and enhanced their uptake of the Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission-HIV services. However, barriers to service utilization were identified and these included fear of stigma, negative attitudes from health workers, long waiting times, lack of support and lack of transport to the health facility. Conclusion: Interventions such as community awareness campaigns on Elimination of Mother To Child Transmission-HIV, male involvement and implementing mother-to-mother peer support strategies in Elimination of Mother To Child Transmission-HIV service utilization should be prioritized so as to alleviate stigma and enhancing a positive experience for these mothers thus reducing on the Mother to Child HIV Transmission burden and mortality rates.

Protective effect of BlingLife®-berry extract on blue lightinduced eye damage and its mechanism

This study aims to investigate the protective effects of BlingLife®-berry extract on the eyes.BlingLife®-berry extract is a mixture of high-quality natural berries,including blackcurrant,aromia,bilberry and maquiberry.The main active ingredient responsible for theeye-protective effects is anthocyanins.Anthocyanins are natural water-soluble pigments belonging to the flavonoid class,and theyhave multiple benefits,including improving vision,anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties,and antioxidant effects.Dueto the dual benefits of anthocyanins in protecting vision and eliminating free radicals,this study explores the comprehensive eye protective effects of BlingLife®-berry extract in terms of combating blue light-induced eye damage and oxidative stress-inducedvisual fatigue.The results provide robust evidence for the in vivo effects and further technological applications of BlingLife®-berry extract.

YKK's New DynaPel^(TM) Water-Repellant Zipper Wins Best Product in ISPO

The new DynaPel^(TM) zipper uses GTT EMPEL® technology to eliminate the need for a PU film Atlanta,GA (Dec 13,2023)-The ISPO Textrends judges have selected YKK’s DynaPel^(TM) water-repellent zipper as the Best Product in the accessories category.The competition,held twice a year in conjunction with the ISPO trade show,recognizes the most innovative performance textiles,components,and apparel.

An Eighth Order A-Stable Rational Integrator

In this work we derived and analyzed the stability structure of an order eight rational integrator wherein our numerator and denominator is 4 (i.e. m = n = 4) for the solution of problems in ordinary differential equations. The integrator was observed to be A-stable and also L-stable.

Comment on “A novel antibiotic class targeting the lipopolysaccharide transporter”

Crisis of antibiotic resistant has become a global threat to public health in recent decades[1–4].Carbapenem antibiotics are a class of atypicalβ-lactam antibiotics with the broadest antibacterial spectrum and the strongest antibacterial activity.However,carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(CRAB)is stilly emerging,which is a gram-negative bacterium with lipopolysaccharide(LPS),which makes it resistant to several antibiotics and thus difficult to eliminate[5,6].As the number one pathogen of nosocomial infection,CRAB can cause severe pneumonia and bloodstream infection,etc.The mortality rate of patients infected with invasive CRAB can be as high as 40%to 60%,and it has been listed as the key pathogen of Class 1 by the World Health Organization.Due to the lack of feasible antibiotic strategies,phage combination therapy has been used in some patients,while the efficacy is limited[7].Therefore,new discovery and development of antibiotic that targeting CRAB is urgently demand.Fortunately,Kenneth A.

NILIT enabling nylon recycling through products and partnership

Migdal Haemek,Israel,April 2,2024.NILIT,the global market leader,and a producer of high quality Nylon 6.6 for apparel and owner of the SENSIL?brand,introduces SENSIL?Flow,a new approach to Nylon 6.6 circularity that enables yarn,fabric,and,ultimately,apparel recycling to eliminate waste and further reduce apparel’s environmental impact.SENSIL?Flow is more than just a sustainable performance product.It is an innovative approach that engages the entire supply chain to truly attain circularity through product design and partnership.

Vaccination of poultry successfully eliminated human infection with H7N9 virus in China

The H7 N9 viruses that emerged in China in 2013 were nonpathogenic in chickens but mutated to a highly pathogenic form in early 2017 and caused severe disease outbreaks in chickens. The H7 N9 influenza viruses have caused five waves of human infection, with almost half of the total number of human cases(766 of 1,567) being reported in the fifth wave, raising concerns that even more human infections could occur in the sixth wave. In September 2017, an H5/H7 bivalent inactivated vaccine for chickens was introduced, and the H7 N9 virus isolation rate in poultry dropped by 93.3% after vaccination. More importantly,only three H7 N9 human cases were reported between October 1, 2017 and September 30, 2018, indicating that vaccination of poultry successfully eliminated human infection with H7 N9 virus. These facts emphasize that active control of animal disease is extremely important for zoonosis control and human health protection.

Historical perspective of syphilis in the past 60 years in China： eliminated, forgotten, on the return

Syphilis （historically called lues） is a sexually transmitted disease （STD） caused by the spirochete bacteriumTreponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. Syphilis had many alternate names, such as the ＂great pox＂ in order to distinguish it from smallpox, and was given many national attributions, such as the French pox, the English pox, and the Italian pox, due to the disease often being spread by foreign sailors and soldiers during their frequent,