Common Carrier Research Articles

Toxoplasma gondii in small mammals in Romania: the influence of host, season and sampling location

BackgroundToxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that infects a large spectrum of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Small rodents and insectivores play an important role in the epidemiology of T. gondii and may serve as a source of infection for both, domestic and wild definitive felid hosts. Factors influencing the occurrence of T. gondii in wild small mammals are unknown, despite the fact that many intermediate host species are identified. We have used small mammals (Rodentia and Lipotyphla) captured over two years in various habitats, both in urbanised and in natural landscapes. We assessed the importance of land-use, season and host ecology on T. gondii infection.ResultsWe examined 471 individuals belonging to 20 small mammal species, collected at 63 locations spread over wide altitude, habitat and land-use ranges from Romania. Heart tissue samples were individually analysed by PCR targeting the 529 bp repetitive DNA fragment of T. gondii. The overall prevalence of infection was 7.3%, with nine species of rodents and two species of shrews being found to carry T. gondii DNA. Five species showed high frequency of infection, with the highest prevalence found in Myodes glareolus (35.5%), followed by Spermophilus citellus (33.3%), Sorex minutus (23.1%), S. araneus (21.7%) and Micromys minutus (11.1%). Adults seemed more often infected than young, however when controlling for season, the difference was not significant, as in spring both adults and young showed higher infection rates, but more adults were sampled. Contrary to our expectations, urban/rural areas (with their implicit high density of domestic feline presence) had no effect on infection prevalence. In addition, neither habitat, nor land-use at sampling sites was important as only geographical location and host species were contributing factors to the infection risk.ConclusionsHigh prevalence of T. gondii infection showed a highly localised, patchy occurrence, with long living and higher mobility host species being the most common carriers, especially during autumn.

Self-reliant shipping to mitigate disruption risk in the direct-delivery channel: will the e-tailer’s bonded-warehouse channel also benefit?

ABSTRACT Cross-border e-commerce, in particular direct-delivery trade, has been severely impacted by turbulent events like the COVID-19 epidemic. E-tailers operating both bonded-warehouse and direct-delivery channels could mitigate disruption risks by self-reliant shipping to maintain control over logistics processes. The question is whether the e-tailer’s bonded-warehouse channel will also benefit from self-reliant shipping. We analyse a typical situation in which an e-tailer imports products from overseas suppliers and resells them through dual-sales channels. Our findings reveal that the demand potential difference between these two channels and the common carrier’s pricing power are critical factors in the e-tailer’s decision-making process. If the bonded-warehouse channel has moderate demand potential, the e-tailer is less likely to choose self-reliant shipping. Therefore, the imbalance in demand potentials between the two channels serves as a significant driver for the e-tailer to favor self-reliant shipping. Interestingly, we find the common carrier’s pricing power can either motivate or deter the e-tailer from self-reliant shipping. If the direct-delivery channel/bonded-warehouse channel has a large demand potential, a higher service price for this channel will be charged by the carrier, thus incentivizing the e-tailer to prefer self-reliant shipping. Our study also demonstrates that both self-reliant shipping and common carrier strategies can achieve a Pareto improvement in the e-tailer profit and the social welfare.

Association between Phenotypes of Antimicrobial Resistance, ESBL Resistance Genes, and Virulence Genes of Salmonella Isolated from Chickens in Sichuan, China.

The aim of this study was to explore the association between antimicrobial resistance, ESBL genes, and virulence genes of Salmonella isolates. From 2019 to 2021, a total of 117 Salmonella isolates were obtained from symptomatic chickens in Sichuan Province, China. The strains were tested for antimicrobial resistance and the presence of ESBL according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) instructions. The presence of ESBL genes and genes for virulence was determined using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). In addition, Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) was applied to confirm the molecular genotyping. Moreover, the mechanism of ESBL and virulence gene transfer and the relationships between the resistance phenotype, ESBL genes, and virulence genes were explored. The isolates exhibited different frequencies of resistance to antibiotics (resistance rates ranged from 21.37% to 97.44%), whereas 68.38% and 41.03% of isolates were multi-drug resistance (MDR) and ESBL-producers, respectively. In the PCR analysis, blaCTX-M was the most prevalent ESBL genotype (73.42%, 58/79), and blaCTX-M-55 showed the most significant effect on the resistance to cephalosporins as tested by logistic regression analysis. Isolates showed a high carriage rate of invA, avrA, sopB, sopE, ssaQ, spvR, spvB, spvC, stn, and bcfC (ranged from 51.28% to 100%). MLST analysis revealed that the 117 isolates were divided into 11 types, mainly ST92, ST11, and ST3717. Of 48 ESBL-producers, 21 transconjugants were successfully obtained by conjugation. Furthermore, ESBL and spv virulence genes were obtained simultaneously in 15 transconjugants. These results highlighted that Salmonella isolates were common carriers of ESBLs and multiple virulence genes. Horizontal transfer played a key role in disseminating antimicrobial resistance and pathogenesis. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously monitor the use of antimicrobials and the prevalence of AMR and virulence in Salmonella from food animals and to improve the antibiotic stewardship for salmonellosis.

Abstract P3123: Sex-related Differences In Cardiac Biomarkers And Ventricular Fibrosis In A Minipig Model Of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterized by ventricular hypertrophy and stiffness resulting in part from interstitial fibrosis. While associated with autosomal dominant mutations in sarcomere proteins, it has been reported that males and females may have different clinical presentations and disease courses. We have previously shown that minipigs carrying the R403Q mutation in MYH7 demonstrate a phenotype that recapitulates human non-obstructive HCM with increased hypertrophy, markers of cardiac stress, and diastolic dysfunction. Under the hypothesis that sex-dependent differences in cardiac physiology can independently modulate disease phenotype, we evaluated ventricular fibrosis and cardiac biomarkers in both male and female mutant pigs. Purpose-bred Yucatan R403Q MYH7 heterozygous mutant minipigs of either sex (M: n=8, F: n=6) and wild-type littermates (M: n=4, F: n=14) were used; for the purposes of these comparisons, cloned male pigs were also included (R403Q: 8). Males were castrated, and all pigs received soybean-based feed. Circulating levels of both cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), markers of cardiac injury and stress, were assessed. Interstitial fibrosis was assessed in left ventricular free wall (LV-FW) and apical tissue samples utilizing picrosirius red staining and semi-automated quantification (HALO). Male HCM pigs died earlier (<9M of age, P<0.05) and had higher serum biomarkers than females (cTnT levels (M: 143±17 vs F: 44±7 ng/L, P<0.05; BNP 1536±335 vs 4881±414 ng/L, P<0.05) Consistent with the higher cTnT levels, male HCM pigs had greater fibrosis areas than females in both LV-FW (11±3% vs 7±2%, P<0.05) and apical regions (13±1% vs. 8±2%, respectively, P<0.05). All HCM pigs had significantly increased fibrotic area vs WT controls (R403Q: 10±3% vs WT: 3±2%, P<0.05). Our findings demonstrate that despite a common genotype, female and male carriers of the HCM pathogenic R403Q mutation present different disease phenotypes, with castrated males showing greater fibrotic burden. Future studies to understand the mechanistic drivers of these differences should not only help elucidate the role of sex in HCM disease progression, but also the development of sex-informed therapies.

Social <em>Media</em> or Social <em>Utility</em> Company? Dissecting the False Dichotomy between Common Carrier and Editorial Discretion Analyses in Social Media Regulation

This paper analyzes the circuit split between the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits. The Fifth Circuit held that social media platforms can be regulated as common carriers—and are therefore limited in their ability to indiscriminately censure their users—while the Eleventh Circuit held just the opposite in that social media platforms enjoy inherent constitutional rights to editorial discretion in who they censure. However, both courts erroneously apply a misleading analysis, a false dichotomy; social media platforms are neither complete common carriers nor enjoy complete, inherently protected constitutional rights to editorial discretion. This paper articulates why and frames the issue in a way the Supreme Court would find receptive (using originalist arguments), analyzes the circuit split, and provides additional arguments for why the Court should uphold state attempts at regulating social media platforms.

Inducible and Conditional Activation of Adult Neurogenesis Rescues Cadmium-Induced Hippocampus-Dependent Memory Deficits in ApoE4-KI Mice.

The apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene is a genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease, in which ε4 allele carriers have increased risk compared to the common ε3 carriers. Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal and a potential neurotoxicant. We previously reported a gene-environment interaction (GxE) effect between ApoE4 and Cd that accelerates or increases the severity of the cognitive decline in ApoE4-knockin (ApoE4-KI) mice exposed to 0.6 mg/L CdCl2 through drinking water compared to control ApoE3-KI mice. However, the mechanisms underlying this GxE effect are not yet defined. Because Cd impairs adult neurogenesis, we investigated whether genetic and conditional stimulation of adult neurogenesis can functionally rescue Cd-induced cognitive impairment in ApoE4-KI mice. We crossed either ApoE4-KI or ApoE3-KI to an inducible Cre mouse strain, Nestin-CreERTM:caMEK5-eGFPloxP/loxP (designated as caMEK5), to generate ApoE4-KI:caMEK5 and ApoE3-KI:caMEK5. Tamoxifen administration in these mice genetically and conditionally induces the expression of caMEK5 in adult neural stem/progenitor cells, enabling the stimulation of adult neurogenesis in the brain. Male ApoE4-KI:caMEK5 and ApoE3-KI:caMEK5 mice were exposed to 0.6 mg/L CdCl2 throughout the experiment, and tamoxifen was administered once Cd-induced impairment in spatial working memory was consistently observed. Cd exposure impaired spatial working memory earlier in ApoE4-KI:caMEK5 than in ApoE3-KI:caMEK5 mice. In both strains, these deficits were rescued after tamoxifen treatment. Consistent with these behavioral findings, tamoxifen treatment enhanced adult neurogenesis by increasing the morphological complexity of adult-born immature neurons. These results provide evidence for a direct link between impaired spatial memory and adult neurogenesis in this GxE model.

Cloning, Expression, and Functional Characterization of FUT1, a Key Gene for Histo-Blood Group Antigens Synthesis in Crassostrea gigas.

Histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) comprise a family of cell-surface carbohydrates that are considered norovirus-specific binding receptors or ligands. HBGA-like molecules have also been detected in oysters as common norovirus carriers, although the pathway involved in the synthesis of these molecules in oysters has yet to be elucidated. We isolated and identified a key gene involved in the synthesis of HBGA-like molecules, FUT1, from Crassostrea gigas, named CgFUT1. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that CgFUT1 mRNA was expressed in the mantle, gill, muscle, labellum, and hepatopancreatic tissues of C. gigas, with the hepatopancreas exhibiting the highest expression level. A recombinant CgFUT1 protein with a molecular mass of 38.0 kDa was expressed in Escherichia coli using a prokaryotic expression vector. A eukaryotic expression plasmid was constructed and transfected into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The expression of CgFUT1 and membrane localization of type H-2 HBGA-like molecules in CHO cells were detected using Western blotting and cellular immunofluorescence, respectively. This study indicated that CgFUT1, expressed in C. gigas tissues, can synthesize type H-2 HBGA-like molecules. This finding provides a new perspective for analyzing the source and synthetic pathway of HBGA-like molecules in oysters.

High-Throughput Image-Based Quantification of Mitochondrial DNA Synthesis and Distribution.

The vast majority of cellular processes require a continuous supply of energy, the most common carrier of which is the ATP molecule. Eukaryotic cells produce most of their ATP in the mitochondria by oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondria are unique organelles because they have their own genome that is replicated and passed on to the next generation of cells. In contrast to the nuclear genome, there are multiple copies of the mitochondrial genome in the cell. The detailed study of the mechanisms responsible for the replication, repair, and maintenance of the mitochondrial genome is essential for understanding the proper functioning of mitochondria and whole cells under both normal and disease conditions. Here, a method that allows the high-throughput quantification of the synthesis and distribution of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in human cells cultured in vitro is presented. This approach is based on the immunofluorescence detection of actively synthesized DNA molecules labeled by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation and the concurrent detection of all the mtDNA molecules with anti-DNA antibodies. Additionally, the mitochondria are visualized with specific dyes or antibodies. The culturing of cells in a multi-well format and the utilization of an automated fluorescence microscope make it easier to study the dynamics of mtDNA and the morphology of mitochondria under a variety of experimental conditions in a relatively short time.

ПЕРСПЕКТИВЫ ЭФФЕКТИВНОЙ ЭРАДИКАЦИИ МУЛЬТИРЕЗИСТЕНТНЫХ МИКРООРГАНИЗМОВ: РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ МИКРОБИОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО МОНИТОРИНГА В ГРОДНЕНСКОЙ УНИВЕРСИТЕТСКОЙ КЛИНИКЕ

Background. Monitoring sensitivity to antibacterial drugs of various groups of microorganisms allows us to provide an optimal approach to the prevention and treatment of bacterial infection. In this regard, it is important to analyze the composition and resistance of the bacterial flora in order to select the most effective drugs for its eradication. Purpose of the study. Our aim is to identify the most common microorganisms in intensive care unit (ICU) and analyze their sensitivity to antibacterial drugs, and determine the general patterns and main directions in the development of antibiotic resistance. Materials and methods. The data of microbiological studies in 107 patients of the ICU of a therapeutic profile with various diseases were analyzed. Results. The most frequently detected microorganisms were Staphylococcus epidermidis (30 patients, 28.03% of cases), Staphylococcus hominis (15 patients, 14.01% of cases) and Klebsiella pneumoniae ssp. pneumoniae (17 patients, 15.8% of cases). The most common carriers were patients with community-acquired bilateral interstitial pneumonia (62.9% of cases). Low sensitivity of bacteria to carbapenems and colistin, complete resistance of most microorganisms to penicillins, cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones, as well as unexpectedly high sensitivity to tetracycline were revealed. Conclusions. In clinical practice, the range of effective drugs against isolated multi-resistant microorganisms is narrowing, it is necessary to avoid the unreasonable use of antibiotics and, as soon as possible, move from the empirical prescription of broad-spectrum drugs to targeted antimicrobial therapy according to microbiological control data. It is recommended to consider the possibility of a wider use of tetracycline in ICU.

The lipid-lowering efficacy of rosuvastatin is associated with variations in SLCO1B1: a 12-month prospective cohort study.

Statins' efficacy and safety are subject to wide inter-individual variability, partly due to genetic predisposition. Studies have shown that the genetic variations in the common solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1B1 (SLCO1B1) gene polymorphisms affect the transport of statins' transport into hepatocytes, their plasma concentration, and circulation time. The ultimate result is variable and personalized statins response and statin-associated muscular symptoms (SAMS). Here we report an update on the differential response to rosuvastatin therapy in the Pakistani population. A total of 166 hyperlipidemic patients on rosuvastatin were prospectively followed for 24 weeks. Muscle symptoms were recorded after 6-8 weeks of therapy, and assessment was done according to the SAMS-clinical index tool. Patients were genotyped for SLCO1B1 c.521T>C and c.388A>G polymorphisms, for association with lipid-lowering response and statin-associated muscle symptoms. The plasma level of rosuvastatin was determined through Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) for possible correlation with adverse effects and lipid-lowering efficacy. Mean reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was 42.34 mg/dl (p<0.001), 35.66 mg/dl (p<0.001), and 24.47 mg/dl (p=0.202) in reference, heterozygous and mutant homozygous groups of SLCO1B1 c.521T>C, respectively. A 15.70% and 42.14% diminished LDL-C reduction was observed in c.521TC and c.521CC, respectively, compared to the reference c.521TT genotype. Similarly, for SLCO1B1 c.388A>G, 20.50% and 29.40% less LDL-C lowering effect was observed in heterozygous and mutant homozygous carriers, respectively. SAMS were observed in 37% and 33% of heterozygous and minor homozygous, respectively, (p=0.059). The rosuvastatin plasma level was 1.89-fold higher in the c.521CC genotype than in the reference homozygous type. Differential lipid-lowering response and muscular symptoms due to rosuvastatin are associated with the SLCO1B1 common polymorphisms. Further studies are needed to validate dose adjustment and rationalization.

Effects of redox variability and early diagenesis on marine sedimentary Hg records

Volcanism is a dominant natural source of mercury (Hg) to the atmosphere, biosphere, ocean and sediments. In recent years, sedimentary Hg contents have emerged as a tool to reconstruct volcanic activity, and particularly activity of (subaerially emplaced) large igneous provinces in geological deep time. More specifically, Hg has shown potential as a useful proxy to illuminate the previously elusive impact of such large-scale volcanism on marine and terrestrial paleo-environments. While Hg is now widely applied as volcanism tracer, non-volcanic factors controlling sedimentary Hg content are generally not well constrained. Part of this uncertainty stems from our inability to directly observe a natural unperturbed “steady-state” environment as a baseline, as the modern Hg cycle is heavily influenced by anthropogenic activity. Here we focus on the effects of ambient redox conditions in the water column and shallow sediments (early diagenesis), quantify their influence on the geological Hg record and thereby contribute to constraining their potential impact on the use of Hg as a proxy for deep-time volcanic activity. Constraining these factors is of critical importance for the application of Hg as such a proxy. Many periods in the geological past for which records have been generated, such as the Mesozoic Oceanic Anoxic Events, are marked by a variety of high-amplitude environmental perturbations, including widespread deoxygenation and deposition of organic-rich sediments. We estimate the impact of redox changes and early diagenesis on the geological Hg record using a suite of (sub)recent–Pleistocene and Upper Cretaceous sediments representing oxic to euxinic marine conditions. Our sample set includes a transect through an oxygen minimum zone and cores that record transient shifts in oxygenation state, as well as post-depositional effects – all unrelated to volcanism, to the best of our knowledge. We find substantial alterations to the Hg record and the total organic carbon and total sulfur content, which are typically assumed to be the most common carrier phases of Hg in marine sediments. Moreover, these biases can lead to signal alteration on a par with those interpreted to result from volcanic activity. Geochemical modifications are ubiquitous and their potential magnitude implies that the factors leading to biases in the geological record warrant careful consideration before interpretation. Factors of particular concern to proxy application are (1) the disproportionate loss of organic carbon and sulfur relative to Hg during oxidation that strongly modulates normalized Hg records, (2) the evasion of Hg in anoxic and mildly euxinic sediments and (3) sharp focusing of Hg during post-depositional oxidation of organic matter. We suggest that paired analyses of additional redox-sensitive trace elements such as molybdenum, and organic-matter characteristics, particularly the type of organic matter, could provide first-order constraints on the role that redox and diagenetic changes played in shaping the Hg record as part of checking the attribution of enrichments to volcanic activity.

Spectrally multiplexed Hong-Ou-Mandel interference with weak coherent states.

We explore the suitability of a virtually imaged phased array as a spectral-to-spatial mode-mapper (SSMM) for applications in quantum communication such as a quantum repeater. To this end, we demonstrate spectrally resolved Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) interference with weak coherent states (WCSs). Spectral sidebands are generated on a common optical carrier, and WCSs are prepared in each spectral mode and sent to a beam splitter followed by two SSMMs and two single-photon detectors, allowing us to measure spectrally resolved HOM interference. We show that the so-called HOM dip can be observed in the coincidence detection pattern of matching spectral modes with visibilities as high as 45% (maximum 50% for WCSs). For unmatched modes, the visibility drops significantly, as expected. Due to the similarity between HOM interference and a linear-optics Bell-state measurement (BSM), this simple optical arrangement figures as a candidate for the implementation of a spectrally resolved BSM. Finally, we simulate the secret key generation rate using current and state-of-the-art parameters in a measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution scenario and explore the trade-off between rate and complexity of a spectrally multiplexed quantum communication link.

Assembly of Bacterial Surface Glycopolymers as an Antibiotic Target

Bacterial cells are covered with various glycopolymers such as peptidoglycan (PG), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), teichoic acids, and capsules. Among these glycopolymers, PG assembly is the target of some of our most effective antibiotics, consistent with its essentiality and uniqueness to bacterial cells. Biosynthesis of other surface glycopolymers have also been acknowledged as potential targets for developing therapies to control bacterial infections, because of their importance for bacterial survival in the host environment. Moreover, biosynthesis of most surface glycopolymers are closely related to PG assembly because the same lipid carrier is shared for glycopolymer syntheses. In this review, I provide an overview of PG assembly and antibiotics that target this pathway. Then, I discuss the implications of a common lipid carrier being used for assembly of PG and other surface glycopolymers in antibiotic development.

Evaluation of temperature excursions from USP recommendations during mail transit

BackgroundPatients use mail delivery as a convenient alternative to acquiring medications in person. Federal laws require nonspecialty oral medications to be stored at controlled room temperature during distribution; however, no laws or regulations govern temperature requirements for medication transport among patients, which may expose medications to harmful temperature excursions. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate temperature excursions during mail transit based on the shipment method, carrier, and season. MethodsThis prospective study monitored temperature fluctuations during simulated mail transit between New Jersey, California, and Tennessee over winter (December 2019–February 2020) and summer (August–September 2020) time frames. Packages with data-logging thermometers were shipped to 3 U.S. destinations via 3 common mail carriers and 2 popular shipping methods. Three packages were mailed for each combination of season, carrier, and shipping method, representing 36 individual packages. The primary end point was percent of transit time out of range (OOR) based on the United States Pharmacopeia <659> recommended range, 68°F to 77°F. Additional end points include package transit durations and extreme temperatures. ResultsEvaluated packages spent an average of 68.3% of transit time OOR. In winter, 3-day and next business day packages spent similar time OOR (80.1% vs. 78%). In summer, 3-day packages spent more time OOR compared with next business day shipping (43.1% vs. 13.6%). Mean transit time was statistically significantly longer for 3-day packages (406.6 hours vs. 303.1 hours; P < 0.0001). Mean winter transit time was statistically significantly longer than summer (475.7 hours vs. 233.9 hours; P < 0.001) regardless of the shipping method. The minimum and maximum temperatures recorded were 5.1°F and 102.3°F, respectively. ConclusionPackage temperatures were outside of the recommended range for most of the transit time regardless of the shipping method, carrier, or season.

Terahertz Semiconductor Dual‐Comb Sources with Relative Offset Frequency Cancellation

AbstractA dual‐comb source, employing two frequency combs with a slight difference in repetition frequencies, shows unique advantages in high precision spectroscopy, imaging, ranging, communications, and so on. In the terahertz (THz) frequency range, the electrically pumped quantum cascade laser (QCL) offers the possibility of realizing a compact dual‐comb source due to its semiconductor‐based chip‐scale configuration. Although dual‐comb operation of THz QCLs has been experimentally demonstrated, a full stabilization of THz dual‐comb sources is still challenging. Here, a self‐reference method is proposed for a pure THz QCL system. Without using any external locking components, one dual‐comb line is filtered out and it is beaten with the whole dual‐comb signal, which eliminates the common carrier offset frequency noise and reduces the dual‐comb repetition frequency noise. It is demonstrated that the self‐reference technique can significantly improve the long‐term stability of the dual‐comb signal. A record “maxhold” linewidth of 14.8 kHz (60 s) is obtained by implementing the self‐reference technique, while without the self‐reference, the dual‐comb lines show a “maxhold” linewidth of 2 MHz (15 s). The method provides the simplest way to improve the long‐term stability of THz QCL dual‐comb sources, which can be further adopted for various measurements.

Discovery of the C7N− anion in TMC-1 and IRC +10216

We report on the discovery of the C7N− anion towards the starless core TMC-1 and towards the carbon-rich evolved star IRC +10216. We used the data of the QUIJOTE (Q-band Ultrasensitive Inspection Journey to the Obscure TMC-1 Environment) line survey towards TMC-1 and found six lines in perfect harmonic frequency relation from J = 27 − 26 up to J = 32 − 31. The frequency of the lines can be reproduced with a rotational constant and a distortion constant of B = 582.68490 ± 0.00024 MHz and D = 4.01 ± 0.13 Hz, respectively. The standard deviation of the fit is 4 kHz. Towards IRC +10216, we identify 17 lines from J = 27 − 26 up to J = 43 − 42; their frequencies are also in harmonic relation, providing B = 582.6827 ± 0.00085 MHz and D = 3.31 ± 0.31 Hz. The nearly exact coincidence of the rotational and distortion constants in both sources points unambiguously to a common molecular carrier. Taking into account the chemical peculiarities of both sources, the carrier could be a radical or an anion. The radical can be discarded, as the observed lines belong to a singlet species. Hence, the most plausible carrier is an anion. High-level ab initio calculations indicate that C7N−, for which we compute a rotational constant of B = 582.0 MHz and a dipole moment of 7.5 D, is the carrier of the lines in both sources. We predict the neutral C7N to have a ground electronic state 2Π and a dipole moment of ∼1 D. Because of this low value of μ and to its much larger rotational partition function, its lines are expected to be well below the sensitivity of our data for both sources.

Probiotics from the bovine raw milk of Lahaul valley showed cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid isomer and antioxidant activity with food formulation ability

Dairy foods, especially of bovine origin, are the most common carriers of probiotics and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-producing microorganisms. The present study isolated probiotic strains from raw cow milk of the Lahaul valley capable of producing cis-9, trans-11 CLA isomer, besides exhibiting antioxidant properties with food formulation abilities. After preliminary probiotic screening, 34 strains were obtained, with 21 qualifying all the probiotic attributes and passing safety analysis. The seven most statistically promising probiotics were further explored for CLA production (16.87–28.01 μg/mL), and showed cis-9, trans-11 CLA isomer production as confirmed by GC-MS. To establish genomic evidence for safety analysis, whole genome sequencing was conducted for Enterococcus faecalis LJM:05, resulting in the deduction of antibiotic-resistance and virulence genes (lower identity scores). Based on the superior probiotic attributes, antioxidant, and CLA-producing properties, the strain Latilactobacillus curvatus LGM:16 was used to develop the curdled milk, with a legal, viable count (7.55 log10 CFU/mL) under pH ∼4.15 for 28 days of storage periods (4 °C). Scanning electron microscopic examination revealed microstructural changes after fermentation in the curdled milk compared to the control. The findings highlighted the role of indigenous probiotic strains with superior probiotic features, antioxidant activity, and CLA-producing ability in functional food formulation.

Regulatory Implications of Turning Internet Platforms into Common Carriers

Regulatory Implications of Turning Internet Platforms into Common Carriers

A mini review on recent progress of steam reforming of ethanol.

H2 is one of the promising renewable energy sources, but its production and transportation remain challenging. Distributed H2 production using liquid H2 carriers is one of the ideal ways of H2 utilization. Among common H2 carriers, ethanol is promising as it has high H2 content and can be derived from renewable bio-energy sources such as sucrose, starch compounds, and cellulosic biomass. To generate H2 from ethanol, steam reforming of ethanol (SRE) is the most common way, while appropriate catalysts, usually supported metal catalysts, are indispensable. However, the SRE process is quite complicated and always accompanied by various undesirable by-products, causing low H2 yield. Moreover, the catalysts for SRE are easy to deactivate due to sintering and carbon deposition under high reaction temperatures. In recent years, lots of efforts have been made to reveal SRE mechanisms and synthesize catalysts with high H2 yield and excellent stability. Both active metals and supports play an important role in the reaction. This mini-review summarizes the recent progress of SRE catalysts from the view of the impacts of active metals and supports and draws an outlook for future research directions.

Identification of Fungi Associated with Different Pigeon Pea Seed Accessions from Iran

A species of Leguminosae family is Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (Pigeon pea) is an herbaceous, annual, self-pollinated legume pulse crop. The pigeon pea is mainly cultivated in many countries of South Asia due to its nutritious quality and a good source of minerals and protein. Seeds are a common carrier of plant pathogens, which act as the primary source for the distribution of diseases. Contaminated seeds can often create defecated germination and poor seedling vigour. They lose viability much faster than non-contaminated seeds. A large number of mycoflora were reported to be associated with the pigeon pea seeds. To assess the seed health and quality of some pigeon pea accessions this experiment was conducted at the genetic department and national plant gene bank of Iran, seed, and plant improvement institute in 2021. In the experiment, a total of 52 accessions from the pigeon pea collection were used for laboratory tests. During this study different species of Alternaria spp., Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., Penicillium spp., and Rhizopus spp. were found along with germinating seed and seedlings of contaminated pigeon pea. The most identified species on the contaminated pigeon pea seeds were Rhizopus spp., with 50%, and the least were Alternaria spp. and Aspergillus spp., with 7.2%. The other species Penicillium spp., and Fusarium spp., were measured on 21.4% and 14.2% of the contaminated seeds respectively. On contaminated pigeon pea seeds, 20 to 100% reduction in seed germination has been measured. Paying attention to seed health is the fundamental strategy for the integrated management of the disease for durable crop production and seed conservation.