Topological semimetals are gapless states of matter which have robust and unique electromagnetic responses and surface states. In this paper, we consider semimetals which have pointlike Fermi ...surfaces in various spatial dimensions D = 1, 2, 3 which naturally occur in the transition between a weak topological insulator and a trivial insulating phase. These semimetals include those of Dirac and Weyl types. We construct these phases by layering strong topological insulator phases in one dimension lower. This perspective helps us understand their effective response field theory that is generally characterized by a 1-form b which represents a source of Lorentz violation and can be read off from the location of the nodes in momentum space and the helicities/chiralities of the nodes. We derive effective response actions for the two-dimensional (2D) and 3D Dirac semimetals and extensively discuss the response of the Weyl semimetal. We also show how our work can be used to describe semimetals with Fermi surfaces with lower codimension as well as to describe the topological response of 3D topological crystalline insulators.
In this article, an attempt is made to assess the reliability of predicting the uniaxial compressive strength and the corresponding modulus of a rock mass by current approaches. These two basic ...engineering properties, when estimated from rock mass rating (RMR),
Q and geological strength index (GSI), indicate hardly any change in the modulus ratio with the change in the quality of the rock mass from very good to very poor. However, the modulus ratio obtained from the relations involving the joint factor,
J
f, indicate a definite decrease in the modulus ratio with a decrease in the quality of the rock mass. The strength and modulus in the unconfined and confined states, the modulus ratio and failure strain in the unconfined case were linked to
J
f in earlier publications based on a large experimental database. Some of these relations were adopted to verify the response of jointed test specimens, the response of the rock mass during excavations for mining and civil underground chambers, in establishing ground reaction curves including the extent of the broken zone, and the bearing capacity of shallow foundations.
The joint factor is now linked to RMR,
Q and GSI. The prediction of compressive strength and modulus of the rock mass appears to be more suitable. For classifying the rock, based on these properties, the Deere and Miller engineering classification, applicable to intact rocks, has been suitably modified and adopted. The results of different modes of failure of jointed specimens establish definite trends of changes in the modulus ratio originating from the intact rock value on the modified Deere and Miller plot. A geo-engineering classification is evolved by considering strength, modulus, quantifiable weathering index and lithological aspects of the rock.
Vibrio cholerae is a globally important pathogen that is endemic in many areas of the world and causes 3-5 million reported cases of cholera every year. Historically, there have been seven ...acknowledged cholera pandemics; recent outbreaks in Zimbabwe and Haiti are included in the seventh and ongoing pandemic. Only isolates in serogroup O1 (consisting of two biotypes known as 'classical' and 'El Tor') and the derivative O139 can cause epidemic cholera. It is believed that the first six cholera pandemics were caused by the classical biotype, but El Tor has subsequently spread globally and replaced the classical biotype in the current pandemic. Detailed molecular epidemiological mapping of cholera has been compromised by a reliance on sub-genomic regions such as mobile elements to infer relationships, making El Tor isolates associated with the seventh pandemic seem superficially diverse. To understand the underlying phylogeny of the lineage responsible for the current pandemic, we identified high-resolution markers (single nucleotide polymorphisms; SNPs) in 154 whole-genome sequences of globally and temporally representative V. cholerae isolates. Using this phylogeny, we show here that the seventh pandemic has spread from the Bay of Bengal in at least three independent but overlapping waves with a common ancestor in the 1950s, and identify several transcontinental transmission events. Additionally, we show how the acquisition of the SXT family of antibiotic resistance elements has shaped pandemic spread, and show that this family was first acquired at least ten years before its discovery in V. cholerae.
A
bstract
We study fermions in asymptotically anti-de Sitter black hole spacetimes which interact via novel chiral symmetry-preserving interactions. Computing the dual fermion two-point correlator, ...we show that these bulk interactions anisotropically gap Fermi surfaces of the boundary spectrum. Consequently, the interactions we devise provide holographic models for Fermi arcs seen ubiquitously in the pseudogap regime of the cuprates. Our interactions are modifications of the chiral symmetry-breaking Pauli coupling, which has previously been proposed as the holographic realization of Mott physics. The onset of Mott insulation and pseudogap physics are respectively discussed in the context of bulk chiral and boundary parity symmetry breaking, and the Mott transition is interpreted as a deconfinement transition of non-Fermi liquid excitations.
Antimicrobial resistance poses a major threat in the treatment of infectious diseases. Though significant progress in the management of diarrhoeal diseases has been achieved by improved hygiene, ...development of new antimicrobials and vaccines, the burden remains the same, especially in children below 5 yr of age. In the case of cholera, though oral rehydration treatment is the mainstay, antimicrobial therapy is mandatory at times to reduce the volume of stool and shorten the duration of the disease. Though for many pathogens, antimicrobial resistance emerged soon after the introduction of antibiotics, Vibrio cholerae remained sensitive to most of the antibiotics for quite a long period. However, the scenario changed over the years and today, V. cholerae strains isolated world over are resistant to multiple antibiotics. A myriad number of mechanisms underlie this phenomenon. These include production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, enhanced multi-drug efflux pump activity, plasmid-mediated quinolone and fluoroquinolone resistance, and chromosomal mutations. Horizontal transfer of resistance determinants with mobile genetic elements like integrons and the integrating conjugative elements (ICEs), SXTs help in the dissemination of drug resistance. Though all strains isolated are not resistant to all antibiotics and we are not as yet "stranded", expanding spectrum of drug resistance is a definite cause for concern. Pipelines of discovery of new antibiotics are drying up as major pharmaceutical companies are losing interest in investing money in this endeavour, mainly due to the short shelf-life of the antibiotics and also due to the fast emergence of drug resistance. To address this issue, attempts are now being made to discover drugs which are pathogen specific and target their "virulence mechanisms". It is expected that development of resistance against such antibiotics would take much longer. This review briefly focuses on all these issues.
Vibrio cholerae strains producing cholera toxin (CT) and toxin co-regulated pilus (TCP) and belonging to O1 and O139 serogroups are responsible for cholera. However, non-CT producing V. cholerae from ...non-O1/non-O139 serogroups have been increasingly isolated from diarrheal stools and extra-intestinal infections. In this study, we have developed a multiplex PCR for the simultaneous detection of heat-stable enterotoxin (stn), type three-secretion system (vopF), and cholix toxin (chxA), along with CT (ctx) in V. cholerae strains. As other species from genus Vibrio carries homologous virulence genes, V. cholerae specific ompW was also included to differentiate V. cholerae from other vibrios. This assay was 100% specific and sensitive, and could detect homologous virulence genes like ctxA in V. mimicus and vopF in V. parahaemolyticus. This multiplex PCR assay, which can detect four major virulence genes in V. cholerae, is novel and important for epidemiologic and environmental surveillance of pathogenic V. cholerae.
•A multiplex PCR for detection of clinically important virulence genes in V. cholerae is described•Virulence genes not only from V. cholerae O1 but also non-O1/non-O139 are included•The multiplex PCR targeted genes for cholera toxin, cholix toxin, NAG-ST and T3SS•This assay can also detect virulence gene homologues in other vibrio species•This assay is simple, rapid, highly specific and sensitive to detect virulence genes in vibrios
Cholera, caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae, has ravaged humanity from time immemorial. Although the disease can be treated using antibiotics along with administration of oral ...rehydration salts and controlled by good sanitation, cholera is known to have produced mayhems in ancient times when little was known about the pathogen. By the 21st century, ample information about the pathogen, its epidemiology, genetics, treatment and control strategies was revealed. However, there is still fear of cholera outbreaks in developing countries, especially in the wake of natural calamities. Studies have proved that the bacterium is mutating and evolving, out-competing all our efforts to treat the disease with previously used antibiotics and control with existing vaccines. In this review, the major scientific insights of cholera research are discussed. Considering the important role of biofilm formation in the V. cholerae life cycle, the vast availability of next-generation sequencing data of the pathogen and multi-omic approach, the review thrusts on the identification of suitable biofilm-inhibiting targets and the discovery of anti-biofilm drugs from nature to control the disease.
Emergence and rapid spread of multidrug‐resistant (MDR) bacteria including Vibrio cholerae are a global public health issue. Much attention has been paid to natural compounds, such as spices and ...herbs to find novel antimicrobial compounds as they are considered to be cheaper alternatives to develop as a drug. Here, we show that methanol extract of white pepper could inhibit the growth of V. cholerae O1 El Tor variant, responsible for the recent outbreaks/epidemics. Furthermore, we demonstrate for the first time that piperine, the major component of white pepper, showed a dose‐dependent bactericidal effect on V. cholerae growth irrespective of their biotypes and serogroups in the presence of 200 and 300 µg ml−1 of piperine, respectively. Piperine also inhibited the growth of MDR strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli isolated from poultry and enterohemorrhagic/enteroaggregative E. coli O104 in the presence of 200 µg ml−1. Interestingly, we did not observe any significant inhibitory effect of piperine on E. coli strains isolated from healthy person even up to 200 µg ml−1. Our data suggest that piperine could be a novel antimicrobial agent in therapeutic and preventive applications against infections caused by pathogenic bacteria including MDR strains.
Significance and Impact of the Study: An active ingredient of white pepper, piperine showed growth inhibitory activity against multidrug‐resistant (MDR) Gram‐negative bacteria including toxigenic Vibrio cholerae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and enterohemorrhagic/enteroaggregative Escherichia coli O104 German outbreak strains. It should be noted that piperine did not significantly affect the growth of E. coli isolated from healthy individuals. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing that piperine has an antibacterial activity against toxigenic V. cholerae. This study suggests an approach to exploit safe, edible and readily available white pepper as a potential natural source of antimicrobial agent against enteric and MDR bacteria.
Background. Shigella, a major diarrheal disease pathogen worldwide, is the target of vaccine development. The Global Enteric Multicenter Study (GEMS) investigated burden and etiology of ...moderate-to-severe diarrheal disease in children aged <60 months and matched controls without diarrhea during 3 years at 4 sites in Africa and 3 in Asia. Shigella was 1 of the 4 most common pathogens across sites and age strata. GEMS Shigella serotypes are reviewed to guide vaccine development. Methods. Subjects' stool specimens/rectal swabs were transported to site laboratories in transport media and plated onto xylose lysine desoxycholate and MacConkey agar. Suspect Shigella colonies were identified by biochemical tests and agglutination with antisera. Shigella isolates were shipped to the GEMS Reference Laboratory (Baltimore, MD) for confirmation and serotyping of S. flexneri; one-third of isolates were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for quality control. Results. Shigella dysenteriae and S. boydii accounted for 5.0% and 5.4% respectively, of 1130 Shigella case isolates; S. flexneri comprised 65.9% and S. sonnei 23.7%. Five serotypes/subserotypes comprised 89.4% of S. flexneri, including S. flexneri 2a, S. flexneri 6, S. flexneri 3a, S. flexneri 2b, and S. flexneri 1b. Conclusions. A broad-spectrum Shigella vaccine must protect against S. sonnei and 15 S. flexneri serotypes/subserotypes. A quadrivalent vaccine with O antigens from S. sonnei, S. flexneri 2a, S. flexneri 3a, and S. flexneri 6 can provide broad direct coverage against these most common serotypes and indirect coverage against all but 1 (rare) remaining subserotype through shared S. flexneri group antigens.
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