We present a novel subtraction method to remove the soft and collinear divergences at next-to-leading order for processes involving an arbitrary number of fragmentation functions, where this method ...acts directly in the hadronic centre-of-mass frame. We provide the analytical formulae of the subtraction terms in the general case where all the final state partons fragment to hadrons and for the two special cases when one of the partons of the final state does not fragment, i.e. it is a photon or involved in a jet.
Understanding the transmission and dispersal of influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) via aerosols is essential for the development of preventative measures in hospital environments ...and healthcare facilities.
During the 2017–2018 influenza season, patients with confirmed influenza or RSV infections were enrolled. Room air samples were collected close (0.30 m) to and distant (2.20 m) from patients' heads. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect and quantify viral particles in the air samples. The plaque assay was used to determine the infectiousness of the detected viruses.
Fifty-one air samples were collected from the rooms of 29 patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza; 51% of the samples tested positive for influenza A virus (IAV). Among the IAV-positive patients, 65% were emitters (had at least one positive air sample), reflecting a higher risk of nosocomial transmission compared with non-emitters. The majority (61.5%) of the IAV-positive air samples were collected 0.3 m from a patient's head, while the remaining IAV-positive air samples were collected 2.2 m from a patient's head. The positivity rate of IAV in air samples was influenced by distance from the patient's head and day of sample collection after hospital admission. Only three patients with RSV infection were recruited and none of them were emitters.
Influenza virus can be aerosolized beyond 1 m in patient rooms, which is the distance considered to be safe by infection control practices. Further investigations are needed to determine the extent of infectivity of aerosolized virus particles.
We report on the expected sensitivity of dedicated scintillator-based detectors at the LHC for elementary particles with charges much smaller than the electron charge. The dataset provided by a ...prototype scintillator-based detector is used to characterize the performance of the detector and provide an accurate background projection. Detector designs, including a novel slab detector configuration, are considered for the data taking period of the LHC to start in 2022 (Run 3) and for the high luminosity LHC. With the Run 3 dataset, the existence of new particles with masses between 10 MeV and 45 GeV could be excluded at 95% confidence level for charges between 0.003 e and 0.3 e, depending on their mass. With the high luminosity LHC dataset, the expected limits would reach between 10 MeV and 80 GeV for charges between 0.0018 e and 0.3 e, depending on their mass.
The diagnosis of anaplasmosis is rather conflicting with other haemoprotozoans. Hence, the study aimed to compare and evaluate the efficiency of competitive ELISA (cELISA), indirect fluorescence ...antibody (IFA), and Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for precise diagnosis of Anaplasma spp. and to assess their concordance with microscopic examination (ME).
A total of 312 blood samples (189 sheep and 123 goats) were examined for Anaplasma infection during a 1 year period. Giemsa-stained blood smears were examined under the microscope. IFA and cELISA were used for the detection of Anaplasma spp. antibodies. PCR was used as a standard of truth and for the identification of Anaplasma species. Using cELISA assay, 47.4% (148) were positive (93 sheep and 55 goats) with a sensitivity and specificity of 91.9, and 86.9%, respectively. Using IFA, it was found that 57.4% (179)were positive (113 sheep and 66 goats) with a sensitivity and specificity of 100, and 93.3%, respectively. PCR assay identified A. ovis in 49 (25.3%) sheep and 30 (15.5%) goats, and A. phagocytophilumin 74 (38.1%) sheep and 41 (20.8%) goats.
High sensitivity and specificity values of IFA and ELISA tests compared to microscopic examination strongly support their utility in the diagnosis of Anaplasma infection. PCR was a more specific diagnostic tool that allows to discriminate between Anaplasma subspecies, which makes it the method of choice for anaplasmosis diagnosis.
The molecular characteristics of Escherichia coli isolates from Egypt and the relationship of E. coli strains from claves, camels and humans are limited. We analyzed the genetic relationships of 48 ...diarrhea-associated E. coli strains isolated from sporadic diarrheal cases from humans (n=26), calves (n=14) and camels (n=8) using multilocus sequence type (MLST), virulence genes, and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) accounted for 60.4% of all samples and the rest were Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) 10.4%, Diffuse adhering E. coli (DAEC) 8.3%, Enteroaggreagative E. coli (EAEC) 6.3%, Verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC) 6.3%, Untypable E. coli. 6.3% and Atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (aEPEC) 2.1%. We identified 17 new sequence types (ST) and 12 new alleles. Generally, strains divided into 6 clonal complexes, and clonal complex (CC) 10 was the major one, detected in (15/48; 31.3%) strains from humans, calves and camels. The close relationship among the strains from different hosts was regarding to mdh, purA, and recA genes which presented a minor variation in relation to other housekeeping genes.
MLST analysis suggested an endemic prevalence of clonal complex (CC) 10 in Egypt. Same sequencing types (ST) could be detected in human, calf and camel, especially ST10, indicating the ability of E. coli to cross the host barrier. Together with PFGE results and virulence genotypes we conclude that human, calf and camel can be colonized and infected with similar E. coli strains and provide evidence of calves and camels role as a reservoir for similar strains of diarrhea-associated E. coli.
•Fiber optic sensor for monitoring of soil water content for precision agriculture.•Optical fiber technology using a nanoporous ceramic disc to detect soil water content.•The sensing platform ...extremely suitable for monitoring over large areas.•Several application fields as smart farming or rainfall-induced landslides monitoring.
In this work, we propose a novel and cost effective fiber optic platform for the continuous monitoring of soil water content to be exploited in the agri-food sector and, in particular, in the field of precision agriculture to promote the rational use of water resources. The proposed platform arises from the judicious connection of optical fiber technology and functional materials able to exhibit a change in their optical properties depending on the water content in the environment.
Al2O3 disks have been used as functional materials, taking advantage of their capability to absorb water and exhibit a correlated absorbance increase in the wavelength range corresponding to the absorption peak of water. A detailed study has been carried out to obtain the best coupling conditions between optical fibers and the functional disk. The final prototype has been tested directly in soil and the collected results show its capability to detect soil water content variation in the range 0–35% of volumetric water content (VWC) with a sensitivity of 2.3%/%VWC and a VWC resolution lower than 1%. Such performances allow the proposed device to be used for soil water content measurements for applications in several fields and in different hydrogeological conditions, such as, e.g., in smart farming applications, to support farmers in defining a correct irrigation strategy, or for the real-time monitoring of hydrogeological hazard, to prevent rainfall-induced landslide.
Moreover, thanks to the capability of optical fibers technology to multiplex different fiber probes while sharing the same interrogation equipment, the proposed platform is endowed with multiplexing capabilities and presents a solid basis for a continuous monitoring of soil moisture monitoring over large areas.
A prospective study was conducted during an 8-month period, from August 2006 to April 2007, to describe the epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus-associated infections. In addition, the molecular ...characteristics, antimicrobial susceptibilities and antibiotic resistance determinants were identified in S. aureus isolates from hospitals and the community in Vladivostok, Russia. Among the 63 S. aureus isolates eligible for this study, methicillin resistance was observed in 48% (n = 30). Hospital-acquired strains accounted for 93% (28/30) of all methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates. The major MRSA clone (sequence type (ST) 239, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type III, Panton--Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-negative, with two related staphylococcal protein A gene (spa) types (types 3 and 351)) represented 90% of all of the MRSA isolates. This clone was multidrug-resistant, and 41% of isolates showed resistance to rifampicin. Community-acquired MRSA isolates (n = 2) were categorized as ST30, SCCmecIV, spa type 19, and PVL--positive, and as ST8, SCCmecIV, of a novel spa type 826, and PVL-negative. Eight different STs were detected among methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) isolates, of which 55% were PVL--positive. One MSSA clone, which was categorized as ST121, spa type 273, and PVL--positive, caused fatal community-acquired pneumonia infections. The strains predominantly isolated in hospitals in Russia belonged to the multidrug-resistant Brazilian/Hungarian ST239 MRSA clone; however, this clone has new antibiotic susceptibilities. Additionally, the emergence of PVL--positive MSSA strains with enhanced virulence was observed, warranting continued surveillance.
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