Transfer Elements Research Articles

Longitudinally Misalignment-Insensitive Dual-Band Wireless Power and Data Transfer Systems for a Position Detection of Fast-Moving Vehicles

For position detection of moving vehicles using a wireless passive sensor placed in the traveling direction, a wireless power and data transfer (WPDT) system for supplying power to the sensor is required. Particularly, in the case of a high-speed vehicle with a compact sensor environment that is convenient for installation on railways or roadways, it is difficult to operate the sensor properly due to charging time and range limitations caused by the compact sensor size. In this paper, to improve a working zone of the compact sensor, this work presents a longitudinally misalignment-insensitive dual-band WPDT system with an extended working zone. The proposed system utilizes dual transmitting and receiving coils operating at different frequencies for achieving high isolation between the power and data links, which consists of a distributed antenna array with a gap between antenna elements for wireless power transfer at 27.1 MHz and an extended rectangular loop for data communications at 4.23 MHz. It achieves an extended working zone of approximately 112% at 0.25 m distance in comparison with a conventional system with dual square coils and achieves uniform received signals within a misalignment (up to 0.53 m).

Coherently Driven and Superdirective Antennas

Antennas are crucial elements for wireless technologies, communications and power transfer across the entire spectrum of electromagnetic waves, including radio, microwaves, THz and optics. In this paper, we review our recent achievements in two promising areas: coherently enhanced wireless power transfer (WPT) and superdirective dielectric antennas. We show that the concept of coherently enhanced WPT allows improvement of the antenna receiving efficiency by coherent excitation of the outcoupling waveguide with a backward propagating guided mode with a specific amplitude and phase. Antennas with the superdirectivity effect can increase the WPT system’s performance in another way, through tailoring of radiation diagram via engineering antenna multipoles excitation and interference of their radiation. We demonstrate a way to achieve the superdirectivity effect via higher-order multipoles excitation in a subwavelength high-index spherical dielectric resonator supporting electric and magnetic Mie multipoles. Thus, both types of antenna discussed here possess a coherent nature and can be used in modern intelligent antenna systems.

Experimental support for multidrug resistance transfer potential in the preterm infant gut microbiota

There is currently a lack of experimental evidence for horizontal gene transfer (HGT) mechanisms in the human gut microbiota. The aim of this study was therefore to experimentally determine the HGT potential in the microbiota of a healthy preterm infant twin pair and to evaluate the global occurrence of the mobilized elements. Stool samples were collected. Both shotgun metagenome sequencing and bacterial culturing were done for the same samples. A range of experimental conditions were used to test DNA transfer for the cultured isolates. Searches for global distribution of transferable elements were done for the ~120,000 metagenomic samples in the Sequence Read Archive (SRA) database. DNA transfer experiments demonstrated frequent transmission of an ESBL encoding IncI1 plasmid, a high copy number ColEI plasmid, and bacteriophage P1. Both IncI1 and ColE1 were abundant in the stool samples. In vitro competition experiments showed that transconjugants containing IncI1 plasmids outcompeted the recipient strain in the absence of antibiotic selection. The SRA searches indicated a global distribution of the mobilizable elements, with chicken identified as a possible reservoir for the IncI1 ESBL encoding plasmid. Our results experimentally support a major horizontal transmission and persistence potential of the preterm infant gut microbiota mobilome involving genes encoding ESBL.

What influences the effective practice and role optimisation of specialist/advanced paramedics working in emergency departments? A qualitative study.

Aims:Little is known about the experiences of paramedics who have left the ambulance service to work in emergency departments (ED). This study sought to explore the lived experiences of paramedics working in specialist/advanced ED roles, focusing on role transition, influences on effective clinical practice and perceptions of role optimisation. A secondary aim of the study was to make recommendations on the future development of specialist/advanced ED roles for paramedics.Methods:This was a qualitative study utilising descriptive phenomenology to collect and describe the lived experiences of participants via semi-structured interviews. Purposive and convenience sampling identified three emergency care practitioners (ECP), three student ECPs and two advanced clinical practitioners working across five EDs to participate in the study; all were Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered paramedics. Interview data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive thematic analysis.Results:This research produced a number of key findings: Transition to the ED involves significant adjustment to a new clinical environment, and new responsibilities and decision making, which can lead to a perception of regression to a novice practitioner.Pre-hospital assessment and history taking skills, and experience of autonomous working are pertinent enablers to effective practice within the ED.Support and mentorship from ED colleagues is available to enhance practice development.A limited access to medicines emerged as a significant barrier to daily practice, which could affect the patient experience. This also contributed to perceptions of sub-optimal working for many participants.Misconceptions over paramedic competencies could lead to role confusion and make inter-professional working difficult.Opportunities exist for future role expansion into areas such as resuscitation, majors and paediatrics within the ED environment.Conclusion:While role transition to the ED represents a turbulent period for paramedics, elements of pre-hospital paramedic practice transfer directly into new roles and contribute to effective practice. The paramedics in this study found that they were accepted and supported to work in the ED setting and spoke positively of expanding their roles into other areas of the ED in the future. A significant barrier to current clinical practice emerges from a lack of access to medicines, which impacts directly on the patient experience. The change in legislation to allow independent prescribing for advanced paramedics will address some of these issues, but interim improvements are required to extend existing arrangements to include paramedics; ultimately this will improve the quality and safety of care they are able to provide and the patient experience.

Keabsahan Perjanjian Pengikatan Jual Beli Yang Digantungkan Pada Kewajiban Pembayaran Utang

Perjanjian pengikatan jual beli merupakan sebuah terobosan hukum yang lahir karena kebutuhan masyarakat. Digunakan oleh para pihak sebagai perjanjian pendahuluan karena belum dapat dipenuhinya syarat-syarat untuk melaksanakan jual beli dihadapan pejabat pembuat akta tanah. Namun pada praktiknya perjanjian pengikatan jual beli dibuat bukan karena adanya transaksi jual beli tetapi sebagai jaminan utang yang mana debitur berposisi sebagai penjual dan kreditur sebagai pembeli. Maka yang menjadi permasalahan adalah bagaimana keabsahan perjanjian pengikatan jual beli serta kuasa jual yang ditangguhkan sebagai jaminan utang ? kemudian apa dasar pertimbangan hukum bagi hakim dalam memutus perkara perjanjian pengikatan jual beli yang digantungkan sebagai jaminan utang ?. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian yuridis normatif dengan menggunkan pendekatan perundang-undangan, konsep dan kasus. Dari hasil penelitian maka diperoleh simpulan adalah bahwa akta yang dibuat para pihak dihadapan notaris tersebut adalah tidak sah karena melanggar syarat sahnya suatu perjanjian, yaitu dalam angka empat mengenai syarat tentang kausa yang diperbolehkan. Karena yang sesungguhnya terjadi adalah para pihak melakukan transaksi utang piutang dan bukan jual beli, oleh sebab itu karena telah menyimpangi syarat objektif maka perjanjian yang dibuat oleh para pihak menjadi batal demi hukum. Serta kuasa jual merupakan satu kesatuan dengan akta perjanjian pengikatan jual beli dimana penjual memberikan kuasa kepada pembeli untuk melakukan kewajiban daripada pemberi kuasa. Oleh karena itu tentunya menjadi batal demi hukum dan kedua akta tersebut tidak memiliki kekuatan hukum/ tidak sah. Berbeda dengan beberapa pertimbangan hakim yang dapat ditarik kesimpulan bahwa sepanjang akta perjanjian pengikatan jual beli dan kuasa jual telah dibuat dan dilaksanakan secara sah sebagai akta otentik yang mempunyai kekuatan pembuktian sempurna, maka akta tersebut tidak dapat dibatalkan.

Copper and Nickel Coating of Carbon Fiber for Thermally and Electrically Conductive Fiber Reinforced Composites.

In this paper, the thermal and electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of fiber reinforced composites produced from nickel- and copper-coated carbon fibers compared to uncoated fibers are presented. The carbon fibers were processed by our prepreg line and cured to laminates. In the fiber direction, the thermal conductivity doubled from ~3 W/mK for the uncoated fiber, to ~6 W/mK for the nickel, and increased six times to ~20 W/mK for the copper-coated fiber for a fiber volume content of ~50 vol %. Transverse to the fiber, the thermal conductivity increased from 0.6 W/mK (uncoated fiber) to 0.9 W/mK (nickel) and 2.9 W/mK (copper) at the same fiber content. In addition, the electrical conductivity could be enhanced to up to ~1500 S/m with the use of the nickel-coated fiber. We showed that the flexural strength and modulus were in the range of the uncoated fibers, which offers the possibility to use them for lightning strike protection, for heatsinks in electronics or other structural heat transfer elements.

„Thomas Mann – langweilig und ohne dramaturgische Spannung“. Deutschsprachige Literatur in Nikodem Cieszyńskis Zeitschrift Roczniki Katolickie

The periodical Roczniki Katolickie, published in the 1920s and 1930s, was part of an anti-modernist project created in European Catholic circles. The information about German literature, which can be found in the magazine, on the one hand, served as a means of reinforcing feelings of belonging to a borderless confessional community and, on the other hand, constituted an element of German-Polish cultural transfer. Analyzing its content helps determine the extent of influence of the forms and aesthetic and literary categories disseminated within the Catholic milieu as well as the transformations of the image of the stereotypical German that was dominant in Poland at that time.

High-Level Macrolide Resistance Due to the Mega Element [mef(E)/mel] in Streptococcus pneumoniae

Transferable genetic elements conferring macrolide resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae can encode the efflux pump and ribosomal protection protein, mef(E)/mel, in an operon of the macrolide efflux genetic assembly (Mega) element- or induce ribosomal methylation through a methyltransferase encoded by erm(B). During the past 30 years, strains that contain Mega or erm(B) or both elements on Tn2010 and other Tn916-like composite mobile genetic elements have emerged and expanded globally. In this study, we identify and define pneumococcal isolates with unusually high-level macrolide resistance (MICs > 16 μg/ml) due to the presence of the Mega element [mef(E)/mel] alone. High-level resistance due to mef(E)/mel was associated with at least two specific genomic insertions of the Mega element, designated Mega-2.IVa and Mega-2.IVc. Genome analyses revealed that these strains do not possess erm(B) or known ribosomal mutations. Deletion of mef(E)/mel in these isolates eliminated macrolide resistance. We also found that Mef(E) and Mel of Tn2010-containing pneumococci were functional but the high-level of macrolide resistance was due to Erm(B). Using in vitro competition experiments in the presence of macrolides, high-level macrolide-resistant S. pneumoniae conferred by either Mega-2.IVa or erm(B), had a growth fitness advantage over the lower-level, mef(E)/mel-mediated macrolide-resistant S. pneumoniae phenotypes. These data indicate the ability of S. pneumoniae to generate high-level macrolide resistance by macrolide efflux/ribosomal protection [Mef(E)/Mel] and that high-level resistance regardless of mechanism provides a fitness advantage in the presence of macrolides.

Mutual Effect Between Swept-and-Leaned Vanes and Acoustic Liners on Fan Interaction-Noise Reduction

The swept-and-leaned vanes and acoustic liners can both be used to reduce the turbofan noise. In this work, an analytical model was proposed under an idealized condition, in which an annular stator cascade and a locally reacting liner exist in an infinite duct at the same time, to study the mutual effect between these two techniques. Based on the transfer element method, the system matrix of multi-elements can be established based on the continuity of disturbance pressure and velocity at the interfaces. The acoustic elements for a stator and a liner were established, respectively, by employing the three-dimensional lifting-surface method and the equivalent surface source method, which are both the so-called methods of singularity. The interface matching pattern between adjacent elements was improved in this paper with more physics included, which can also be combined with the numerical methods easier. Because the technologies for fan-noise reduction, which are the swept-and-leaned vanes and acoustic liners in this paper, are both closely related to the modal acoustic field in the duct, the coupling effect can be strong in some conditions. The results showed that the noise reduction gained by these two techniques cannot be superposed simply. They should not be considered isolatedly. Further discussions on the transmission and reflection between different kinds of acoustic elements should be made to achieve the system optimization in the nacelle.

Genome analysis of Paenibacillus polymyxa A18 gives insights into the features associated with its adaptation to the termite gut environment

Paenibacillus polymyxa A18 was isolated from termite gut and was identified as a potential cellulase and hemicellulase producer in our previous study. Considering that members belonging to genus Paenibacillus are mostly free-living in soil, we investigated here the essential genetic features that helped P. polymyxa A18 to survive in gut environment. Genome sequencing and analysis identified 4608 coding sequences along with several elements of horizontal gene transfer, insertion sequences, transposases and integrated phages, which add to its genetic diversity. Many genes coding for carbohydrate-active enzymes, including the enzymes responsible for woody biomass hydrolysis in termite gut, were identified in P. polymyxa A18 genome. Further, a series of proteins conferring resistance to 11 antibiotics and responsible for production of 4 antibiotics were also found to be encoded, indicating selective advantage for growth and colonization in the gut environment. To further identify genomic regions unique to this strain, a BLAST-based comparative analysis with the sequenced genomes of 47 members belonging to genus Paenibacillus was carried out. Unique regions coding for nucleic acid modifying enzymes like CRISPR/Cas and Type I Restriction-Modification enzymes were identified in P. polymyxa A18 genome suggesting the presence of defense mechanism to combat viral infections in the gut. In addition, genes responsible for the formation of biofilms, such as Type IV pili and adhesins, which might be assisting P. polymyxa A18 in colonizing the gut were also identified in its genome. In situ colonization experiment further confirmed the ability of P. polymyxa A18 to colonize the gut of termite.

Synthesis of elements for waver gears of tunneling assemblies

Wave gears have high load capacity and small weight and dimensions parameters, therefore they are increasingly used in mining aggregates. The method of synthesis of elements of the wave transfer, which is based on the method of vector contours, is given in the work. The method takes into account the design features of the finger supports and the achievement of continuity of contact of the fingers with the generator, the rigid wheel and the holes of the guide disk. The proposed technique allows creating wave transmissions with a range of transmission ratios of 6 – 80. The adequacy of the synthesis technique is proved by the operability of waveguide samples, whose flexible wheels are made in the form of a finger chain. A new wave transmission is used in the developed microtunneling equipment.

Higher Temperatures Do Not Always Achieve Better Antibiotic Resistance Gene Removal in Anaerobic Digestion of Swine Manure.

This study employed high-throughput quantitative PCR and 16S rRNA sequencing to evaluate the effect of temperature and residual antibiotics on the dynamics of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and microbial communities during anaerobic digestion of swine manure. The abundances of total ARGs and 16S rRNA genes significantly decreased in all of four treatments (25°C, 37°C, and 37°C with 50 mg of wet weight antibiotics of body weight, and 55°C). The abundances of most ARG types were significantly correlated with those of the 16S rRNA gene and transposase gene (P < 0.01). However, the abundances of total ARGs at 55°C were much higher than those of other treatments. Meanwhile, the microbial communities at 55°C, where the Streptococcus pathogen remained at a relatively high abundance and cellulose degraders and hydrogen producers, such as Ethanoligenens and Coprococcus bacteria, increased, were markedly different from those of other treatments. Redundancy analysis indicates that temperature, pH, and the genus Streptococcus had the highest explanation for ARG variation among experimental factors, chemical properties, and representative genera, respectively. Network analysis further showed that the genus Streptococcus contributed greatly to the higher ARG abundance at 55°C. The moderate antibiotic residue only caused a slight and transitory inhibition for microbially diverse populations and promotion for ARG abundance, probably due to the degradation of antibiotics and microbial adaptability. Our results clarify the cooperativity of gene transfer-related items on ARG variation and intensively prove that higher temperature cannot always achieve better ARG removal in anaerobic digestion unless pathogens and gene transfer elements are more efficiently inhibited.IMPORTANCE Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are frequently detected with high abundance in manure-applied soils. Anaerobic digestion is one of widely used processes for animal waste treatment. Thus, it is critical to understand the potential of anaerobic digestion to attenuate ARGs. Although some previous studies recommended thermophilic digestion for ARG removal, they did not get sufficient evidence to support this view. The antibiotics applied to animals are mostly excreted through feces and urine because of incomplete metabolism. It is indispensable to know whether residual antibiotics in manure will hinder ARG attenuation in anaerobic digesters. The significance of our research is in comprehensively understanding the evolution and mechanism of ARGs in anaerobic digestion of swine manure affected by temperature and residual antibiotics, which will allow the development of an ARG elimination strategy before their release into the environment.

Laser transfer technique using wavefront correction and beam homogenizers in Thomson scattering diagnostics

This paper suggests the use of two optical elements for laser transfer in Thomson scattering diagnostics, which are widely used for other laser applications. YAG lasers amplified by flash lamps (repetition frequency of 50–100 Hz having a few Joules output) can sometimes have adverse effects such as peaked beam profiles and wavefront distortion. We used a beam homogenizer, which is a refractive optical element, to change the beam profile from peaked to non-peaked at a designated position. Using a super-Gaussian output profile when amplifying lasers facilitated longer—by a factor of 1.5 (=300 mm/200 mm) compared with top-hat beam profile—sustained distances, i.e. the distance along the laser path having a non-peaked profile. In terms of beam quality, wavefront distortion broke the beam profile in the far field. We used a deformable mirror to correct and flatten the wavefront of the beam. A YAG laser having a wavefront distortion of 0.46λ peak-to-valley was used to test the application of the deformable mirror, the results of which improved wavefront distortion to a wavelength of 0.1λ peak-to-valley.

Characteristics of halide oxidation at graphite electrode for use in halide batteries

The oxidation of halides, in particular bromide, has been studied in aqueous solutions on graphite electrodes by voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and UV–Vis spectroscopy in light of its application in halide/halogen batteries used in microgrids. Voltammetry indicates fairly large differences in potentials and current density between different halide salts, concentrations, cation type and pH. Also, oxidation kinetics in 7MNaBr were much higher than in 7MZnBr2 solutions while no large differences were observed between these solutions at 2 M. This may be related to the effect that positive ions (Na+ and Zn+) may have an influence in halide oxidation kinetics at the large positive electrode potentials which indicated that local ionic potential effects affect the oxidation rate of the reaction. Moreover, EIS spectra seemed to go in line with this view, as there was a large resistance between ZnBr2 and NaBr in the electrolyte phase transfer element. This difference is possibly related to different polybromide formation rates (for the reaction Br− → Brx− + xe-). Additionally, results and literature shows that all data may be fitted by one equivalent circuitwith the fitted circuit and Nyquist plots showing the complexity of the reaction by the presence of different resistors and capacitors.

Identification and Characterization of oriT and Two Mobilization Genes Required for Conjugative Transfer of Salmonella Genomic Island 1.

The integrative mobilizable elements of SGI1-family considerably contribute to the spread of resistance to critically important antibiotics among enteric bacteria. Even though many aspects of SGI1 mobilization by IncA and IncC plasmids have been explored, the basic transfer elements such as oriT and self-encoded mobilization proteins remain undiscovered. Here we describe the mobilization region of SGI1 that is well conserved throughout the family and carries the oriTSGI1 and two genes, mpsA and mpsB (originally annotated as S020 and S019, respectively) that are essential for the conjugative transfer of SGI1. OriTSGI1, which is located in the vicinity of the two mobilization genes proved to be a 125-bp GC-rich sequence with several important inverted repeat motifs. The mobilization proteins MpsA and MpsB are expressed from a bicistronic mRNA, although MpsB can be produced from its own mRNA as well. The protein structure predictions imply that MpsA belongs to the lambda tyrosine recombinase family, while MpsB resembles the N-terminal core DNA binding domains of these enzymes. The results suggest that MpsA may act as an atypical relaxase, which needs MpsB for SGI1 transfer. Although the helper plasmid-encoded relaxase proved not to be essential for SGI1 transfer, it appeared to be important to achieve the high transfer rate of the island observed with the IncA/IncC-SGI1 system.

EFFECT OF STEEL PLATE THICKNESSES AND FLUID FLOW CHARACTERISTICS OF AN IMPINGING AIR JET ON HEAT TRANSFER AT THE STAGNATION POINT

ABSTRACT The design and process of heat transfer elements, from its source to heat sink through various media vary according to the product and system concerned. The effect of thickness of a steel plate on heat transfer characteristics with an impinging air jet at the stagnation point was studied. Experiments were carried out with different nozzles, heights, and velocities. It was concluded that the heat transfer increases with the increase in velocity and the increase in Reynolds Number, but decreases with the increase in nozzle height from the impinging point. A maximum stagnation Nusselt number of 309.06 was obtained at the optimum conditions with a plate thickness of 3 mm. The new empirical correlations calculated from the experiments were in reasonable agreement with the equations in the literature and the deviation was less than 15%.

Research progress and future prospects of battery thermal management system based on heat pipe technology

The lithium-ion battery, a key technology for electric vehicles, is an electrochemical power source with complex ion flow and heat transfer processes. Temperature is one of the main parameters affecting the performance of these battery systems, as high temperatures may accelerate the degradation rate of a battery cell and shorten its lifespan. Low temperatures can also reduce the battery efficiency and affect its discharge capacity, and subsequently, its life cycle. In addition, uneven temperature distribution within a battery pack could exacerbate the inconsistency between cells and cause life cycle decay. A suitable working temperature window for the lithium-ion battery is usually between 25°C to 40°C, and the temperature difference among the cells should be maintained below 5°C to ensure the cells performance and durability. Therefore, battery thermal management (BTM) is required to keep the battery temperature within the desirable operating range and maintain temperature uniformity. This paper provides a review of two aspects: The significance of BTM and current BTM strategies, and the research status of heat pipe-based BTM systems. Firstly, the thermal characteristics of the lithium-ion power battery are introduced, and the significance of BTM are expounded. Then, the advantages of heat pipe technology are introduced, and the research status of BTM based on heat pipes is evaluated in detail. In this study, the heat transferred in a heat pipe-based thermal management system was divided into three processes: The heat generation process, which is determined by the operating condition; the heat transfer process of a heat pipe, which is related to its structural design and its arrangement in the system; and the heat dissipation strategy on the condensation section. With respect to heat generation, researchers have studied the effect of operating conditions on the heat generation characteristics of the system. Results show that the temperature is closely related to the dynamic operating conditions. Further research should be combined with the actual vehicle operating conditions to formulate effective real-time control strategies to achieve a high efficiency and low energy consumption BTM system. Researchers have evaluated various factors that affect heat transfer performance. This study concludes that both the internal structure of heat pipe and its arrangement in the battery pack should be considered in the design of the BTM system to achieve optimum heat transfer performance. Future studies should focus on the analysis and optimization of flat plate heat pipes, which have good application prospects in BTM systems. Concerning heat dissipation enhancement, air cooling, direct liquid cooling, and indirect liquid cooling are the most common strategies for heat pipe cooling. However, most designs aim to reduce the temperature rise and temperature difference, and the system parameters are seldom taken into consideration. Further investigation into the heat dissipation enhancement of heat pipes should focus on the multi-objective optimization of the system including, synthesizing the thermal and electrical characteristics, improving energy consumption, and making the system lightweight. In addition, the heat pipe is also a highly efficient heat transfer element for battery heating. Current research has verified its heating rate and heating efficiency. Notably, the heating strategies are now in the pilot testing stage and have not been used in battery pack productions. One of the key elements for future research may involve the heating characteristics of a BTM based on heat pipes in different operating environments. Another aspect could be researching the heating strategy in low temperature environments.

Личная библиотека как отражение истории жизни и творчества А.В. Вышеславцева

We analyze A.V. Vysheslavtsev life history and creativity, and consider the importance of his personal library for professional pursuits and artistic hobbies. It is shown that reading played an important role in the upbringing of aesthetic taste and love of the beautiful in the Vysheslavtsev family. The estate library of the family estate Volkhonshchina accumulated a huge number of publications in Russian and foreign languages. Great importance in replenishing the rare foreign books collection played A.V. Vysheslavtsev’s uncle, who bought literature in the course of his foreign trips. On the basis of biographical research, the circumstances of the appearance of “Essays with quill and pencil out of circumnavigation of the world” we reveal their artistic and scientific value. We study the reasons of A.V. Vysheslavtsev’s foreign travels, and give the review of the books bought abroad. The analysis of the thematic composition of the library shows the diversity of readers’ interests of its owners. There were books on the history of European, Byzantine and Russian art. Collected for several decades, this collection can act as one of the elements of knowledge transfer to the Russian province. On the basis of studying foreign books A.V. Vysheslavtsev built scientific activity, prepared a number of serious studies on the Western art history. The heritage of A.V. Vysheslavtsev, without a doubt, has important historical, cultural and local history significance, reveals the creative laboratory of one of the most famous art critics of Russia of the 19th century.

Dipole-Dipole Non-Radiative Energy Transfer Mediated by Surface Plasmons on a Metallic Interface

We have investigated the surface plasmon-mediated energy transfer between two optically active ions in vacuum near a metallic surface using methods of molecular quantum electrodynamics. We have studied the electric dipole-electric dipole energy transfer process only, this being the most dominant mechanism in interionic interaction between two ions in a medium when their wavefunctions do not significantly overlap. The matrix elements for energy transfer, hence energy transfer rates, are calculated using two classes of Feynman diagrams. The intermediate states for one class of diagrams do not satisfy the energy conservation principle, hence they are purely virtual states. Of particular interest are the dependencies of the energy transfer process on (1) the relative positions of the ions with respect to one another projected onto the interface and (2) the distance of each ion from the metal surface. The overall energy transfer process has been found to have both the short range and long-range components, the former being driven by virtual plasmons and the latter by the real plasmons in a non-lossy medium.

Molecular Study of Klebsiella Pneumoniae Virulence Genes from Patients with Hospital Acquired Sepsis.

Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) is a common pathogen associated with hospital acquired infections. The presence of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance genes are known risk factors for the infection by this bacterial species. The aims of the present study were to i) investigate the coexistence of capsular genes of K. pneumoniae (rmpA and wcaG) with integron genes in clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from hospital acquired infections and to ii) correlate the presence of these genes with extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBLs) and carbapenem-resistant phenotypes. The study included K. pneumoniae isolates from 100 patients with hospital acquired sepsis from ICUs. The isolates were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility tests by the disc diffusion method, identification of extended spectrum beta-lactamase detection (ESBLs) and carbapenemase production by specific phenotypic methods. Determination of integrons genes and capsular genes were performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The most common detected virulence genes was wcaG (50%) followed by rmpA (10%). Intl1 was detected in 69% of the isolates, while intl2 and intl3 genes were not detected in any isolate. There was statistically significant association between rmpA and wcaG (p = 0.02), rmpA and intl1 (p = 0.02) and intl1 and wcaG (p = 0.0001). There was statistically significant association between wcaG, rmpA, and intl1 genes and ESBLs production as determined by double disc diffusion method (p = 0.008, p = 0.005, p = 0.05, respectively). On the other hand, only wcaG and intl1 genes had statistically significant association with carbapenemase production. The fatal outcome of the sepsis was significantly associated with the presence of wcaG, rmpA and intl1 genes (p = 0.0001, p = 0.001, p = 0.02 respectively). The study highlights a correlation between wcaG and rmpA virulence genes of K. pneumoniae with integron 1 responsible for antibiotic resistance. There is also an association between phenotypic extended spectrum beta-lactamase and carbapenemase resistance and virulence genes because the genes may be coded on the same transferable genetic elements. There was a correlation between virulence genes and outcome of infection. There is a strict need for compliance of infection control guidelines.