Resilient Strain Research Articles

Synergistic antimicrobial effects of ammonium persulfate, ultrasound, and mild heat on Staphylococcus aureus under varied conditions

This study elucidated the antimicrobial effect of ammonium persulfate (PS), ultrasound (US), and 40–60 °C mild heat on Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 27213 under various growth conditions, including non-adaptation, pH-adaptation, and aridity-adaptation, in buffered peptone water (BPW) and on orange peel surfaces. For non-adapted, pH-adapted, and aridity-adapted S. aureus, the combined treatment of PS, US, and mild heat showed a synergistic effect, with log reductions of 2.05, 6.44, and 1.11 log CFU/mL in BPW after 6 min, respectively. Mechanistic experiments showed that pH-adapted S. aureus had increased SOD activity due to oxidative stress from the acidic environment, but the introduction of PS further elevated this stress, leading to greater cell death primarily through membrane damage, as confirmed by TEM, with leakage of nucleic acids and proteins. This technique was applied to an orange peel washing system, effectively inactivating aridity-adapted S. aureus, resulting in 3.51 log CFU/cm2 and 3.20 log CFU/mL reductions on orange peel and in BPW washing water, respectively, after a 6-min treatment, without any quality changes, including color and texture attributes. The enhanced inactivation on orange peel may be attributed to the presence of compounds such as ascorbic acid and limonene, which further activate persulfate and exhibit antimicrobial properties, thereby contributing to the increased efficacy of the treatment. The combined PS, US, and mild heat treatment provides an effective strategy for controlling resilient bacterial strains in the food industry, enhancing food safety through oxidative stress and mild thermal effects.

Examining psychosocial vulnerability in caregivers of individuals with a chronic haematological malignancy. A cross sectional survey.

ObjectiveTo investigate psychosocial vulnerability in informal caregivers of chronic haematological cancer patients and determine the level of psychosocial vulnerability among carers of people living with a CHM. MethodsAn international cross – sectional study including caregivers of individuals with a chronic haematological cancer (n=64) from Ireland (n=29), Australia (n=21), the UK (n=4), the USA (n=4), and India (n=6). Caregivers completed scales for loneliness, resilience, stress and caregiver strain using the UCLA scale, BRS scale, PSS scale and MCSI scale. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric techniques were used. ResultsThe results show that younger carers (aged between 18-40) report higher levels of loneliness, stress and caregiver strain. Carers who have left their paid employment due to caregiving and are in receipt of carers’ allowance or social welfare report high levels of loneliness and caregiver strain. Lower stress levels were reported in those who received paid professional caring support. Finally, higher levels of loneliness in carers were associated with the patient currently being on some form of treatment and higher levels of caregiver strain were associated with caring for someone for more than 8 hours per day and having all social, mental, and financial areas of life affected ConclusionCaregivers of patients with chronic haematological cancers experience psychosocial vulnerability, which is associated with their age, socioeconomic status, gender and health and wellbeing.

Understanding the effects of mineralization and structure on the mechanical properties of tendon-bone insertion using mesoscale computational modeling

Tendon-bone fibrocartilaginous insertion, or enthesis, is a specialized interfacial region that connects tendon and bone, effectively transferring forces while minimizing stress concentrations. Previous studies have shown that insertion features gradient mineralization and branching fiber structure, which are believed to play critical roles in its excellent function. However, the specific structure-function relationship, particularly the effects of mineralization and structure at the mesoscale fiber level on the properties and function of insertion, remains poorly understood. In this study, we develop mesoscale computational models of the distinct fiber organization at tendon-bone insertions, capturing the branching network from tendon to interface fibers and the different mineralization scales. We specifically analyze three key descriptors: the mineralization scale of interface fibers, the mean, and relative standard deviation of the local branching angles of interface fibers. Tensile test simulations on insertion models with varying mineralization scales of interface fibers and structures are performed to mimic the primary loading condition applied to the insertion. We measure and analyze five representative mechanical properties: Young's modulus, strength, toughness, resilience, and failure strain. Our results reveal that mechanical properties are significantly influenced by the three key descriptors, with tradeoffs observed between mutually exclusive properties. For instance, strength and resilience plateau beyond a certain mineralization scale, while failure strain and Young's modulus exhibit monotonic decreasing and increasing trends, respectively. Consequently, there exists an optimal mineralization scale for toughness due to these tradeoffs. By analyzing the mesoscale deformation and failure mechanisms from simulation trajectories, we identify three fracture regimes closely related to the trends in mechanical properties, supporting the observed tradeoffs. Additionally, we examine in detail the effects of the mean and relative standard deviation of local branching angles on mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms. Overall, our study enhances the fundamental understanding of the composition-structure-function relationships at the tendon-bone insertion, complementing recent experimental studies. The mechanical insights from our work have the potential to guide the future biomimetic design of fibrillar adhesives and interfaces for joining soft and hard materials.

Differential Strategies of Two Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Varieties in the Protection of Lycium ruthenicum under Saline-Alkaline Stress.

To delve into the growth and physiological adaptations exhibited by the economically vital black wolfberry (Lycium ruthenicum) upon inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) under varying levels of saline-alkaline stress A series of pot experiments were conducted in a gradient saline-alkaline environment (0, 200, 400 mM NaCl: NaHCO3 = 1:1). One-year-old cuttings of black wolfberry, inoculated with two AMF species-Funneliformis mosseae (Fm) and Rhizophagus intraradices (Ri)-served as the experimental material, enabling a comprehensive analysis of seedling biomass, chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activities, and other crucial physiological parameters. This study demonstrated that both Fm and Ri could form a symbiotic relationship with the root of Lycium ruthenicum. Notably, Fm inoculation significantly bolstered the growth of the underground parts, while exhibiting a remarkable capacity to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby effectively mitigating membrane oxidative damage induced by stress. Additionally, Fm promoted the accumulation of abscisic acid (ABA) in both leaves and roots, facilitating the exclusion of excess sodium ions from cells. Ri Inoculation primarily contributed to an enhancement in the chlorophyll b (Chlb) content, vital for sustaining photosynthesis processes. Furthermore, Ri's ability to enhance phosphorus (P) absorption under stressful conditions ensured a steady influx of essential nutrients. These findings point to different strategies employed for Fm and Ri inoculation. To holistically assess the saline-alkaline tolerance of each treatment group, a membership function analysis was employed, ultimately ranking the salt tolerance as Fm > Ri > non-mycorrhizal (NM) control. This finding holds paramount importance for the screening of highly resilient Lycium ruthenicum strains and offers invaluable theoretical underpinnings and technical guidance for the remediation of saline-alkaline soils, fostering sustainable agricultural practices in challenging environments.

Nonlinear Interpretation of Resilient Modulus Parameters Considering Incremental Static and Dynamic Loading

The resilient modulus ( Mr) is typically interpreted as the average of the last five secant slopes of the cyclic stress-axial resilient strain curve from repeated loading triaxial tests. It is not uncommon to then fit mathematical models to the secant Mr to derive model parameters ( Ki, more commonly known as K1, K2, and K3) that are then used in pavement analysis. Some engineers also backcalculate Ki from a falling weight deflectometer test. Many researchers use an incremental loading procedure to analyze pavements. When doing so, it is important to consider the nonlinear load-deformation behavior, which is considered only coarsely in the secant slope approach. Some incremental loading procedures assume the geomaterial to be nonlinear elastic while a dynamic finite element analysis typically assumes the geomaterials to be nonlinear and viscoelastic, that is, having springs and dashpots. With the latter, additional damping parameters to represent the viscoelastic effects are required. This paper compares Ki parameters estimated using linear regression on a log transformation of the Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) Mr model, which is a non-viscoelastic secant Mr approach, with those obtained using nonlinear regression of the time dependent deformations when interpreting the Mr test using incremental loading of a: 1) nonlinear elastic geomaterial; and 2) nonlinear viscoelastic geomaterial with inertial mass. The results show that the estimated Ki parameters governing the geomaterial nonlinearity are substantially affected by the estimation method and that the second alternative approach can model hysteresis well.

Valorization of Cheese Whey through Bioethanol Production and Probiotic Drink Development: A Sustainable Approach for Organic Waste Management

Cheese whey, a significant byproduct of the dairy industry, poses a substantial environmental challenge due to its organic pollutant load and large size demands for effective and affordable valorization methods. The abundance of lactose and other organic compounds in whey contributes to its elevated Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), further straining natural ecosystems. This study aimed to investigate the nutritional potential of whey and its conversion into value-added products: bioethanol and probiotic drinks. To achieve this, Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus subtilis strains, isolated from soil samples in Nepal, were co-cultured with Lactobacillus sp. and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the whey broth for fermentation. Ethanol distillation was done using a rotary evaporator to maintain the viability of the fermenting organisms in the broth. Moreover, the probiotic criteria of the fermenting strains were extensively examined. Experimental observations revealed a remarkable concentration of 9.2 g/L of ethanol, resulting in an ethanol yield of 0.23 g/L (42% compared to theoretical yield). Extrapolating this rate, it is theoretically possible to produce an annual global bioethanol output of 5 million tons using whey as a sustainable and abundant resource. Furthermore, the study explores novel advancements in the distillation process, demonstrating the successful extraction of ethanol at room temperature. Additionally, the fermentation organisms employed in this research exhibit robust viability, surviving various in-vitro stresstolerance tests, including temperature, bile salt, pH fluctuations, and gastric juice. These resilient strains also demonstrated long-term stability in fermented whey broth, making them promising candidates for the development of probiotic beverages. This dual approach enables sustainable management of organic waste and presents an opportunity to create value-added products with positive implications for the environment and human health.

Strain-hardening resilience via the cooperation of geometrically necessary dislocations and deformation twins in a strong and ductile lightweight high-entropy steel

In the net-zero era, the burgeoning demands within engineering applications require materials that are not only lighter and stronger but also ductile. A robust strain hardening, crucial for achieving high strength and ductility, is challenging due to limited dislocation density evolution. This study discovers a cooperative strain-hardening strategy in a newly designed high-entropy steel (HES) with a density of 6.82 g/cm3. In this lightweight HES, the duplex microstructure of compositionally complex austenite and D03 intermetallic compounds facilitates the interplay between geometrically necessary dislocations (GNDs) and deformation twins (DTs) during plastic deformation. It generates a strain-hardening resilience during deformation and yields a very high dislocation density of 6.62 × 1015 m-2, contributing to strain hardening of over 900 MPa and a large elongation of 47 %. The resilient strain hardening achieved by the GND-DT cooperative strategy can be applied to various heterostructured alloys, offering a pathway for strong and ductile lightweight materials.

Finite Element Analysis of Geogrid-Incorporated Flexible Pavement with Soft Subgrade

Improving the durability of flexible pavements and constructing new roads on weak soil foundations present significant challenges, prompting designers to explore alternative methods to prolong pavement lifespan. Geosynthetics have emerged as a promising solution for soil stabilization, with various materials developed for this purpose. The current study concentrates on using the finite element (FE) method to examine the effectiveness of geogrid-incorporated flexible pavements on soft soil substrates. A three-dimensional layered pavement is constructed with an FE model, incorporating subgrade layers of varying strengths based on their California bearing ratio (CBR) values, with a geogrid layer implemented to enhance subgrade stability. Additionally, attention is also given to investigating the effect of base course thickness. The findings reveal that the geogrid layer primarily influences the formation of plastic strains in the subgrade rather than resilient strains, effectively reducing vertical compressive strain by approximately 40%. With increasing CBR values, there is a reduction in vertical strain, although the influence zone extends up to a depth of 300 mm within the subgrade. At the surface of the subgrade, vertical strain decreases by around 17%, 39%, and 49% as the CBR values increase from 1% to 3%, 5%, and 8%, respectively.

Biosorption of Cadmium by Living and Non‐living Cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa DR7

ABSTRACTThe global concern over health issues related to heavy metal pollution has driven the adoption of various treatment technologies. The investigation into optimal conditions for cadmium biosorption and bioaccumulation was conducted using a resilient bacterial strain, Pseudomonas aeruginosa DR7, which was isolated from ponds. The equilibrium time of the adsorption process of living cells was much longer than that of non‐living cells, which was about 240 min, which indicates that living cells have intracellular accumulation and delay the adsorption process. Living cells favored a pH of 6.0, while non‐living cells showed higher efficiency at pH 7.0, demonstrating the pH‐dependent nature of metal biosorption. In this context, the maximum biosorption capacities for cadmium using non‐living cells and living cells were 103.8 mg/g and 70.94 mg/g, under cell mass of 1.0 g/L, pH 7.0, initial metal concentration of 200 mg/L, and contact time of 240 min, respectively. Cadmium biosorption by living cells was more accurately described by the Freundlich isothermal model, whereas the Langmuir model was used for non‐living cells. Living cells tend to show pseudo‐second‐order kinetic adsorption behavior, while non‐living cells tend to show pseudo‐first‐order kinetic adsorption behavior. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis suggested that the hydroxyl, amino, and carboxyl groups all play a role in biosorption. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)–energy dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) showed that the high‐temperature treatment destroys the integrity of the cell wall, which enhances the permeability of the cell wall, thus increasing the biosorption of Cd (II) by the non‐living cells. The study found that P. aeruginosa DR7 with high temperature inactivation has a higher Cd(II) adsorption capacity than living cells, making it a green and environmentally friendly biological adsorbent for wastewater treatment with heavy metals.

Ransomware Readiness Assessment Tool

Ransomware attacks have been increasingly concerning in times. The situation is only getting worse. They have shed light on a category of software that demands a ransom, for releasing a hostage asset. The majority of ransomware strains rely on encrypting data. Essentially, they lock up files on the victims’ devices and network drives before demanding payment to decrypt them. In this study, we first introduce a classification system for ransomware. Then drawing from this taxonomy and identifying a present in highly resilient ransomware during the key exchange process we propose an innovative method for detecting and thwarting these resilient strains to prevent them from encrypting victims’ data. Through testing our model shows promising results, in identifying variations of dangerous ransomware strains.

Assessment of Durability and Resilient Strain Deformation of Expansive Subgrade Treated With Nano-Slag-Based Geopolymer

Nano-geopolymer binders (NGB) of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% concentration were used to stabilize expansive subgrade soil against strain deformation, as well as to improve its durability. The composites were subjected to a series of zero-swelling, wetting (W-D) cycles, and dynamic resilient modulus tests to determine the subgrade resilient strength against 100,000 applied repetitive loads (ARL). The results revealed that the resilient moduli of the stabilized and unstabilized subgrade soils exhibited strain-hardening responses at low cyclic stress levels. Therefore, the rate of plastic strain deformation became microscopically negligible, and the tested subgrade was considered stable at this stage. Conversely, at high cyclic stresses, the nano-geopolymer-stabilized subgrade continued to exhibit strain hardening between 80,000 and 100,000 ARL. The unstabilized subgrades exhibited strain softening at an ARL of 20,000 owing to the poor adhesion between the NGB and soil particles, leading to excessive strain deformation. The results revealed that the W-D resistance of the treated subgrade was up to 96% compared to the unstabilized subgrade, which lost over 30% of its particle mass after the 6-number cycle. This study indicates that the NGB-treated subgrade possesses the potential to sustain medium-to-high ARL loads owing to improved stiffness through polymerization reactions.

Preparation and characterization of a polyurethane-based sponge wound dressing with a superhydrophobic layer and an antimicrobial adherent hydrogel layer

Bacterial infection poses a significant impediment in wound healing, necessitating the development of dressings with intrinsic antimicrobial properties. In this study, a multilayered wound dressing (STPU@MTAI2/AM1) was reported, comprising a surface-superhydrophobic treated polyurethane (STPU) sponge scaffold coupled with an antimicrobial hydrogel. A superhydrophobic protective outer layer was established on the hydrophilic PU sponge through the application of fluorinated zinc oxide nanoparticles (F-ZnO NPs), thereby resistance to environmental contamination and bacterial invasion. The adhesive and antimicrobial inner layer was an attached hydrogel (MTAI2/AM1) synthesized through the copolymerization of N-[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]-N, N, N-trimethylammonium iodide and acrylamide, exhibits potent adherence to dermal surfaces and broad-spectrum antimicrobial actions against resilient bacterial strains and biofilm formation. STPU@MTAI2/AM1 maintained breathability and flexibility, ensuring comfort and conformity to the wound site. Biocompatibility of the multilayered dressing was demonstrated through hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility studies. The multilayered wound dressing has demonstrated the ability to promote wound healing when addressing MRSA-infected wounds. The hydrogel layer demonstrates no secondary damage when peeled off compared to commercial polyurethane sponge dressing. The STPU@MTAI2/AM1-treated wounds were nearly completely healed by day 14, with an average wound area of 12.2 ± 4.3 %, significantly lower than other groups. Furthermore, the expression of CD31 was significantly higher in the STPU@MTAI2/AM1 group compared to other groups, promoting angiogenesis in the wound and thereby contributing to wound healing. Therefore, the prepared multilayered wound dressing presents a promising therapeutic candidate for the management of infected wounds. Statement of significanceHealing of chronic wounds requires avoidance of biofouling and bacterial infection. However developing a wound dressing which is both anti-biofouling and antimicrobial is a challenge. A multilayered wound dressing with multifunction was developed. Its outer layer was designed to be superhydrophobic and thus anti-biofouling, and its inner layer was broad-spectrum antimicrobial and could inhibit biofilm formation. The multilayered wound dressing with adhesive property could easily be removed from the wound surface preventing the cause of secondary damage. The multilayered wound dressing has demonstrated good abilities to promote MRSA-infected wound healing and presents a viable treatment for MRSA-infected wound.

Unveiling Antibacterial Potential and Physiological Characteristics of Thermophilic Bacteria Isolated from a Hot Spring in Iran.

The increasing worldwide demand for antimicrobial agents has significantly contributed to the alarming rise of antimicrobial resistance, posing a grave threat to human life. Consequently, there is a pressing need to explore uncharted environments, seeking out novel antimicrobial compounds that display exceptionally efficient capabilities. Hot springs harbor microorganisms possessing remarkable properties, rendering them an invaluable resource for uncovering groundbreaking antimicrobial compounds. In this study, thermophilic bacteria were isolated from Mahallat Hot Spring, Iran. Out of the 30 isolates examined, 3 strains exhibited the most significant antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, the supernatants of the isolated strains exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity, displaying notable resistance to temperatures as high as 75 °C for 30 min. It was determined that the two strains showed high similarity to the Bacillus genus, while strain Kh3 was classified as Saccharomonospora azurea. All three strains exhibited tolerance to NaCl. Bacillus strains demonstrated optimal growth at pH 5 and 40 °C, whereas S. azurea exhibited optimal growth at pH 9 and 45 °C. Accordingly, hot springs present promising natural reservoirs for the isolation of resilient strains possessing antibacterial properties, which can be utilized in disease treatment or within the food industry.

Unveiling Efflux Pump-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae Clinical Isolates: A Call for Strategic Intervention

Introduction: Klebsiella pneumoniae stands as a significant opportunistic pathogen, often implicated in hospital-acquired infections. The escalating levels of antibiotic resistance, propelled by novel bacterial survival mechanisms, present a dire challenge, leading to treatment failures and amplified mortality rates. Efflux pump systems which play a pivotal role in antibiotic resistance actively expel toxic compounds, thereby fostering bacterial survival and the emergence of resilient strains. This study endeavored to examine the frequency of efflux genes in clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae. Methods: Ninety-six non-repetitive clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae were obtained from patients attending Khatam-Al-Anbeya hospital in Zahedan, Iran. Standard biochemical laboratory methods were employed to identify all bacterial isolates. Furthermore, genomic DNA extraction was performed using the boiling method, followed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the AcrAB, MdtK, and TolC efflux pump genes. Results: Our findings revealed high prevalence rates: 94 (97.91%) for AcrAB, 92 (95.83%) for TolC, and 43(44.79%) for MdtK genes, indicating the widespread presence of efflux pump coding genes in K. pneumoniae isolates. Moreover, 92 isolates contained multiple studied genes. Conclusion: Efflux pump-mediated antibiotic resistance represents a significant challenge in the treatment of K. pneumoniae infections. This study highlights the urgent need for strategies to combat efflux pump-mediated resistance and preserve the efficacy of antibiotic therapies against this clinically important pathogen.

Empirical transfer functions for foam glass aggregates insulation used in flexible pavement layered systems

Pavement design in cold regions is challenging due to the difficult conditions of soils, humidity, and temperatures. Insulation layers have been identified as a suitable solution for these conditions. Due to their unique engineering properties, foam glass aggregates (FGAs) are a promising material for use as an insulating granular layer in pavement design. However, understanding their mechanical performance is critical for predicting long-term layer and pavement behavior. In this laboratory study, an empirical transfer function was developed using an environmental and heavy vehicle simulator and an experimental pavement built in an indoor test pit. The study aimed to determine the allowable number of load repetitions for an FGAs insulation layer and to develop an empirical transfer function that can be used as part of a mechanistic-empirical pavement design procedure. This article proposes a linear relationship between permanent deformation, the number of load cycles, and the equivalency factor between the effect of resilient strain, or vertical stress, and allowable damage. The proposed empirical transfer functions allow defining an allowable number of load repetitions for a characteristic resilient strain or vertical stress and an allowable damage. The allowable damage can be modulated with respect to road classification, and a damage value of 0 % to FGAs layer can be considered as a safety factor. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the use of FGAs as an insulating granular layer in pavement design in cold regions.

Heterologous Production of Antimicrobial Peptides: Notes to Consider.

Heavy and irresponsible use of antibiotics in the last century has put selection pressure on the microbes to evolve even faster and develop more resilient strains. In the confrontation with such sometimes called "superbugs", the search for new sources of biochemical antibiotics seems to have reached the limit. In the last two decades, bioactive antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are polypeptide chains with less than 100 amino acids, have attracted the attention of many in the control of microbial pathogens, more than the other types of antibiotics. AMPs are groups of components involved in the immune response of many living organisms, and have come to light as new frontiers in fighting with microbes. AMPs are generally produced in minute amounts within organisms; therefore, to address the market, they have to be either produced on a large scale through recombinant DNA technology or to be synthesized via chemical methods. Here, heterologous expression of AMPs within bacterial, fungal, yeast, plants, and insect cells, and points that need to be considered towards their industrialization will be reviewed.

Antimicrobial evaluation of crude extracts of bark and stem of virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch)

The In vitro antimicrobial potential of bark and stem of virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch) was measured in order to authenticate its ethnopharmacological significance. Bark and stem parts were extracted by static maceration technique in non-polar and polar solvents, such as n-hexane, chloroform, ethanol and double distilled water. Agar well diffusion technique was used to verify the antimicrobial activity of these extracts against two of each Gram-negative, Gram-positive and fungal strains. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was measured through modified broth dilution method. However, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of stem resulted in highest inhibition zone (52.5±1.1 mm) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and augmented antifungal activity (46±0.48 mm) against Fusarium solani, respectively. Whereas, n-hexane extract of bark exhibited least antibacterial activity in the form of inhibition zone of 15±0.22mm against S. aureus. Similarly, minimum activity (16.5±0.21 mm) was observed in ethanolic extract of bark, against F. solani. The most resistant MIC value was shown by ethanolic bark extract, i.e. 0.5 mg/mL against P. aeruginosa. Thus, virginia creeper can be recommended as a remedy to combat efficaciously with the resilient contagious strains.

Pharmacokinetics and Biodistribution of Phages and their Current Applications in Antimicrobial Therapy.

Antimicrobial resistance remains a critical global health concern, necessitating the investigation of alternative therapeutic approaches. With the diminished efficacy of conventional small molecule drugs due to the emergence of highly resilient bacterial strains, there is growing interest in the potential for alternative therapeutic modalities. As naturally occurring viruses of bacteria, bacteriophage (or phage) are being re-envisioned as a platform to engineer properties that can be tailored to target specific bacterial strains and employ diverse antibacterial mechanisms. However, limited understanding of key pharmacological properties of phage is a major challenge to translating its use from preclinical to clinical settings. Here, we review modern advancements in phage-based antimicrobial therapy and discuss the in vivo pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of phage, addressing critical challenges in their application that must be overcome for successful clinical implementation.

Influence of Different Factors on Permanent Deformation of Hot Asphalt Concrete Mixtures

Abstract The performance of flexible pavements is significantly impacted by the permanent deformation (rutting) of asphalt pavements. The research aims was to evaluate the permanent deformation of asphalt mixtures under different conditions. To achieve this aim, 108 cylindrical specimens have been prepared and tested under repeated loading in uniaxial compression mode. Five factors were considered in this research. They include testing temperature, loading conditions (stress level and duration), and mixture properties (bitumen type and content). The permanent deformation is evaluated in term of the following parameters, permanent micro strain εp, resilient micro strain εr, initial permanent strain (intercept, a), accumulation rate of permanent deformation (slope, b), rate of decrease in permanent deformation α and constant of proportionality between permanent and elastic strains Mu. The test results showed that the εp and a are increased as the testing temperature increased. In addition, the εp value for load duration of 0.4 s is 1.64 times the value for 0.1 s. Finally, the findings showed that the resilient response of the material is comparatively more sensitive to bitumen content than the plastic response. Furthermore, the rutting resistance is highly affected by the variables considered in this research.

Health Monitoring System from Pyralux Copper-Clad Laminate Film and Random Forest Algorithm.

Sensor technologies have been core features for various wearable electronic products for decades. Their functions are expected to continue to play an essential role in future generations of wearable products. For example, trends in industrial, military, and security applications include smartwatches used for monitoring medical indicators, hearing devices with integrated sensor options, and electronic skins. However, many studies have focused on a specific area of the system, such as manufacturing processes, data analysis, or actual testing. This has led to challenges regarding the reliability, accuracy, or connectivity of components in the same wearable system. There is an urgent need for studies that consider the whole system to maximize the efficiency of soft sensors. This study proposes a method to fabricate a resistive pressure sensor with high sensitivity, resilience, and good strain tolerance for recognizing human motion or body signals. Herein, the sensor electrodes are shaped on a thin Pyralux film. A layer of microfiber polyesters, coated with carbon nanotubes, is used as the bearing and pressure sensing layer. Our sensor shows superior capabilities in respiratory monitoring. More specifically, the sensor can work in high-humidity environments, even when immersed in water-this is always a big challenge for conventional sensors. In addition, the embedded random forest model, built for the application to recognize restoration signals with high accuracy (up to 92%), helps to provide a better overview when placing flexible sensors in a practical system.