The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a dramatic increase in facemask use. Consequently, it has been reported that exhaled airflow toward the eyes can cause the dispersal of bacteria ...into the eyes, potentially increasing the incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis. In addition to wearing a facemask, gaps between the surgical drape and skin can also direct exhaled airflow toward the eyes. Here, we aimed to examine how the risk of contamination varies depending on the state of the drapes. We used a carbon dioxide imaging camera to visualize changes in exhaled airflow under different drape conditions and a particle counter to evaluate changes in the number of particles around the eye. The results revealed airflow present around the eye and a significant increase in the number of particles when the nasal side of the drape was detached from the skin. However, when a metal rod called "rihika" was used to create space above the body, the airflow and number of particles were significantly reduced. Thus, if drape coverage becomes incomplete during surgery, exhaled airflow toward the eye may contaminate the surgical field. On hanging up the drape, airflow can escape in the direction of the body, potentially preventing contamination.
The formation of the Ontong Java Nui super oceanic plateau (OJN), which is based on the model that the submarine Ontong Java Plateau (OJP), Manihiki Plateau (MP), and Hikurangi Plateau (HP) were once ...its contiguous fragments, could have been the largest globally consequential volcanic event in Earth's history. This OJN hypothesis has been debated given the paucity of evidence, for example, the differences in crustal thickness, the compositional gap between MP and OJP basalts and the apparent older age of both plateaus relative to HP remain unresolved. Here we investigate the geochemical and
Ar-
Ar ages of dredged rocks recovered from the OJP's eastern margin. Volcanic rocks having compositions that match the low-Ti MP basalts are reported for the first time on the OJP and new ~ 96-116 Ma and 67-68 Ma
Ar-
Ar age data bridge the temporal gap between OJP and HP. These results provide new evidence for the Ontong Java Nui hypothesis and a framework for an integrated tectonomagmatic evolution of the OJP, MP, and HP. The isotopic data imply four mantle components in the source of OJN that are also expressed in present-day Pacific hotspots sources, indicating origin from (and longevity of) the Pacific Large Low Shear-wave Velocity Province.
Members of the family Iridoviridae infect a diverse array of invertebrate and cold-blooded vertebrate hosts and are currently viewed as emerging pathogens of fish and amphibians. Iridovirid ...replication is unique and involves both nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments, a circularly permuted, terminally redundant genome that, in the case of vertebrate iridoviruses, is also highly methylated, and the efficient shutoff of host macromolecular synthesis. Although initially neglected largely due to the perceived lack of health, environmental, and economic concerns, members of the genus Ranavirus, and the newly recognized genus Megalocytivirus, are rapidly attracting growing interest due to their involvement in amphibian population declines and their adverse impacts on aquaculture. Herein we describe the molecular and genetic basis of viral replication, pathogenesis, and immunity, and discuss viral ecology with reference to members from each of the invertebrate and vertebrate genera.
Horizontal gene transfer is an important evolutionary mechanism not only for bacteria but also for eukaryotes. In the domestic silkworm Bombyx mori, a model species of lepidopteran insects, some ...enzymes are known to have been acquired by horizontal transfer; however, the enzymatic features of protein BmNag31, belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 31 (GH31) and whose gene was predicted to be transferred from Enterococcus sp. are unknown. In this study, we reveal that the transcription of BmNag31 increases significantly during the prepupal to pupal stage, and decreases in the adult stage. The full‐length BmNag31 and its truncated mutants were heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli and characterized. Its catalytic domain exhibits α‐N‐acetylgalactosaminidase activity and the carbohydrate‐binding module family 32 domain shows binding activity towards N‐acetylgalactosamine, similar to the Enterococcus faecalis homolog, EfNag31A. Gel filtration chromatography and blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analyses indicate that BmNag31 forms a hexamer whereas EfNag31A is monomeric. These results provide insights into the function of lepidopteran GH31 α‐N‐acetylgalactosaminidase.
BmNag31, which encodes a glycoside hydrolase family 31 protein, is estimated to be transferred from Enterococcus sp. and the transcription level of BmNag31 increased during prepupal to pupal stage and decreased in the adult stage.
BmNag31 showed α‐N‐acetylgalactosaminidase activity and the C‐terminal carbohydrate‐binding module bound N‐acetylgalactosamine similarly to Enterococcus Nag31A.
BmNag31 formed a hexamer in buffer solution whereas Enterococcus Nag31A is a monomer.
•Garnet, zircon and monazite ages are presented to characterize metamorphism of the Dharwar craton.•The three crustal provinces of the Dharwar craton involved in a common thermal event ca. 2.5Ga.•The ...three crustal provinces show contrasting pre-2.5Ga thermal records.•The contrasted thermal records reflect their degree of involvement in Latest Archean hot orogen.
This contribution addresses the time framework of the regional metamorphism in the three crustal provinces making the Archean Dharwar craton. We present results of texturally controlled in situ EPMA chemical dating of monazites, chemical dating of monazite separates, as well as Sm–Nd garnet–whole rock isochrons and SHRIMP U–Pb zircon ages for pelites, amphibolites and granitoids over target areas typical of the various crustal levels of the provinces. The Western Dharwar craton has undergone a major thermal pulse at 2.52Ga followed by slow cooling to ca. 2.4Ga and recorded earlier thermal events around 3.0Ga and 3.1Ga. The Central Dharwar craton records a major high-grade thermal imprint at ca. 2.55–2.51Ga followed by cooling up to 2.45Ga and earlier thermal events at ca. 2.62 and 3.20Ga. In the Eastern Dharwar craton the widespread thermal pulse between 2.55 and 2.52Ga is best recorded. From 2.52Ga on, the entire craton ultimately and contemporaneously undergoes the main event of regional HT–LP metamorphism. The contrasted thermal records of the three provinces reflect their accretion age(s) and their degree of involvement in a wide Latest Archean hot orogen, which sets the capacity of these lithospheric segments to be impact by deformation and mantle fluxes. The tectonic setting of Latest Archean hot orogeny is compatible with active plate margin processes having interacted with mantle instabilities (i.e., plumes?). The tectonic setting of pre-2.5Ga thermal pulses is difficult to assess, but considering their systematic links with documented magmatic pulses, they may have been generated in contexts comparable that of Latest Archean hot orogeny where lateral constrictional flow of hot orogenic crust achieves gravity driven flow, 3D mass redistribution of viscous lower crust submitted to convergence.
•Opposition controlled fully developed turbulent flow along a thin cylinder is analyzed by means of direct numerical simulations.•The curvature of the cylinder affects the uncontrolled flow ...statistics, while the control effect in the case of a small curvature is similar to that in channel flow.•When the curvature is large, the drag reduction effect is achieved even on a high detection plane where the drag increases in the flat plate.•The drag reduction mechanism based on the transport of the Reynolds stress is similar to that of the flat plate.
Opposition controlled fully developed turbulent flow along a thin cylinder is analyzed by means of direct numerical simulations. The influence of cylinder curvature on the skin-friction drag reduction effect by the classical opposition control (i.e., the radial velocity control) is investigated. The curvature of the cylinder affects the uncontrolled flow statistics; for instance, skin-friction coefficient increases while Reynolds shear stress (RSS) and turbulent intensity decrease. However, the control effect in the case of a small curvature is similar to that in channel flow. When the curvature is large, the maximum drag reduction rate decreased. However, the optimal location of the detection plane is the same as that in a flat plate. Further, the drag reduction effect is achieved even on a high detection plane where the drag increases in the flat plate. Although a difference in the drag reduction effect can be observed with a change in the curvature, its mechanism considered in this analysis based on the transport of the Reynolds stress is similar to that of the flat plate.
Preparation of activated carbon from biomass residue with conventional steam activation was conducted to find the alternative raw materials for meeting the high demand for low-cost porous material in ...the desiccant application. In this study, activated carbons were produced from dead camphor leaves using two-step methods at different preparation temperatures. The characterization results revealed that the prepared activated carbons have a surface area of 700 m2/g, with 75% of microporosity. The water vapor sorption study reported that the water uptake of camphor leaf-based activated carbons was strongly affected by the pore properties of the materials. Moreover, from the water adsorption kinetics, it was observed that the rate constant of adsorption was varied at each relative pressure, which can be assumed that the water adsorption mechanism is different at each relative pressure. From these results, it was revealed that the prepared camphor leaf-based activated carbons have a promising ability to adsorb water vapor from humid air.
The causes of soil alkalinization in the Songnen Plain of Northeast China were mainly analyzed from two aspects, natural and anthropogenic. Natural factors of alkalinization are parent materials, ...topographic positions, freeze-thaw action, wind conveyance, water properties and semi-arid/sub-humid climate. Some of them were always being neglected, such as freeze-thaw action and wind conveyance. Anthropogenic causes are mainly population pressure, overgrazing and improper agricultural and economic policies. In recent decades, overgrazing played a main role in secondary soil alkalinization, which led to the decline of
Leymus chinensis
grasslands. Now, the alkalinization is very severe, and more than 3.2 × 10
6
ha area has been affected by salt, which becomes one of the three largest sodic–saline areas in the world.
Apoptosis is essential for the maintenance of the immune system, and elimination of cells infected with pathogens and tumor cells. Death receptors (DRs) including TNFR1, Fas, DR3, TRAILRs and DR6 are ...responsible to transduce apoptosis signals. To elucidate the signal pathways mediated by TNF-related cytokines is important for the treatment of cancers and immune diseases.
DAP3 is critical for DR-mediated signals, although the molecular mechanisms for induction of apoptosis by DAP3 are poorly understood. We found a molecule, designated as death ligand signal enhancer (DELE), involved in TNF-α or TRAIL-mediated signals. n addition, we identified CLIPR-59 as a novel adaptor protein for TNFR1. Inhibition of CLIPR-59 expression levels prevented apoptosis induction and caspase activation in TNF-α signaling. We examined the function of CLIPR-59 for the regulation of its binding proteins in TNF-α-induced apoptosis signals.
We examined the function of DELE on DR-mediated apoptosis using established cell lines, expressing DELE in TNF-α or TRAIL-mediated signals. Next, we examined the effect of knockdown of DELE expression on these signals in HeLa cells. Cell viability and caspase activation were analyzed in these cells. On the other hand, we examined the role of CLIPR-59 in apoptosis induced by TNF-α. Effects of RNAi-mediated knockdown of CLIPR-59 on apoptosis stimulated by TNF-α were assessed by a cell viability assay.In addition, by Caspase-Glo assay using a luminogenic Caspase-3/7 substrate, we evaluated the importance for CLIPR-59 in caspase activation. Furthermore, we identified the molecules RIP1 and CYLD which bind to CLIPR-59 and analyzed the function of these molecules in TNF-α-mediated signals.
Expression of DELE enhanced apoptosis induction by the stimulation of TNF-α and TRAIL. In addition, knockdown of DELE expression rescued the HeLa cells from DR-mediated apoptosis induction. Moreover, activation of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 induced by stimulation of TNF-α, anti-Fas or TRAIL was significantly inhibited by the knockdown of DELE expression.
CLIPR-59 regulated TNF-α-induced ubiquitination of RIP1 by its association with CYLD, a de-ubiquitinating enzyme. This ubiquitination of RIP1 resulted in the formation of Complex-II and subsequently promoting Caspase-8 activation to induce apoptosis by TNF-α.
We identified a novel DAP3-binding protein, DELE to regulate the apoptosis induction by the stimulation of TNF-α and TRAIL. In addition, activation of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 induced by stimulation of TNF-α, anti-Fas or TRAIL was induced by DELE.
In addition, we identified CLIPR-59, which associated with TNFR1 and regulated TNF-α-induced ubiquitination of RIP1 by its association with CYLD, a de-ubiquitinating enzyme. CLIPR-59-mediated ubiquitination of RIP1 resulted in the activation of Caspase-8 to induce apoptosis by TNF-α.
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