NIMBUS-7 ERB DELMAT operators guide and maintenance manual

Described in detail are the ERB DELMAT algorithms used to correct the wide field-of-view channels (11, 12, 13 and 14) radiometer data. The computer software and the required operational environment are also delineated. The information and procedures required to maintain the DELMAT program are also described

Clonal spread of Klebsiella pneumoniae producing OXA-1 betalactamase in a Spanish hospital

Multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates are associated with nosocomial infections, in which colonized patients act as a reservoir and source of cross-infection for other patients. In this study, the antimicrobial susceptibility of K. pneumoniae was tested by microdilution using the commercial method MicroScan (Siemens). The genetic relatedness of K. pneumoniae strains was determined by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). PCR experiments were carried out to obtain primer sets and positive PCR products were purified and sequenced. From May 2007 until December 2009, 98 clonally related K. pneumoniae isolates were detected from clinical samples of 38 patients admitted to the University Hospital of Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain, including 27 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The most important sources of the isolates were: lower respiratory tract (n = 12), urine (n = 12), and blood (n = 11). The strains were resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, piperacillin/tazobactam, tobramycin, amikacin, and ciprofloxacin, and had diminished susceptibility to cefepime. All the isolates shared a common PFGE pattern related to sequence type 14 after MLST analysis. In K. pneumoniae isolates and their transconjugants, the blaOXA-1 gene was located in the variable region of a class I integron that also contains the aac(6′)Ib-cr gene. Sequencing of the quinolone resistance determinant regions of gyrA and parC revealed a S83F change in GyrA and no changes in ParC. [Int Microbiol 2013; 16(4):227-233]Keywords: Klebsiella pneumoniae · sequence type ST14 · gene blaOXA-1 · integrons · nosocomial outbreak

The zDHHC family of S-acyltransferases

The discovery of the zDHHC family of S-acyltransferase enzymes has been one of the major breakthroughs in the S-acylation field. Now, more than a decade since their discovery, major questions centre on profiling the substrates of individual zDHHC enzymes (there are 24 ZDHHC genes and several hundred S-acylated proteins), defining the mechanisms of enzyme-substrate specificity and unravelling the importance of this enzyme family for cellular physiology and pathology

Tripartite symbioses regulate plant–soil feedback in alder

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We thank the National Trust for Scotland for access to the Crathes Estate. This work was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (ref NE/M015653/1) and a Ramon Areces Fellowship to A.A. D.J. receives partial funding from the N8 AgriFood programme. We thank Filipa Cox for a critical read of the manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Serviceability parameters and social sustainability assessment of flax fabric reinforced lime-based drywall interior panels

In the search of more environmentally-friendly construction materials, the use of natural-based fibers has gained much attention as reinforcement in the inorganic-based matrix. In this paper, the nonwoven flax fabric reinforced lime composites are created using a dewatering technique, and the serviceability parameters –thermal conductivity, sound absorption coefficient, and residual flexural resistance after exposure to elevated temperature– are determined experimentally. The tests are carried out on two different lime composites prepared under two distinct curing regimens, i.e., accelerated carbonation in a CO2 chamber and natural carbonation in laboratory conditions, to evaluate the effect of forced carbonation. In addition, the experimental results of the serviceability parameters are included in the MIVES model (Integrated Value Model for Sustainability Assessment) to evaluate the social sustainability of the developed material as an interior drywall panel. MIVES, a type of multi-criteria decision-making method, is based on the value function concept and seminars with experts. According to the results of experimental tests, the accelerated cured sample has higher thermal conductivity (∼4 times) and lower sound absorption coefficients (∼20%) than the naturally cured one. Nonetheless, the flexural performance of the former is 50% (at room temperature) and 100% (at elevated temperature) better. As for the social sustainability index assessed by the MIVES-based multi-objective approach, it ranges between 0.65 and 0.75 (out of 1.0) for both lime composite panels, at least 20% higher than the control lime panel with no reinforcement. The sustainability model designed for this research can be used for assessing the social sustainability performance of other materials although the weights assigned by the experts could be adapted to reflect the perceptions and local preferences