Rhizospheric Bacterial Strain Brevibacterium casei MH8a Colonizes Plant Tissues and Enhances Cd, Zn, Cu Phytoextraction by White Mustard

Environmental pollution by heavy metals has become a serious problem in the world. Phytoextraction, which is one of the plant-based technologies, has attracted the most attention for the bioremediation of soils polluted with these contaminants. The aim of this study was to determine whether the multiple-tolerant bacterium. Brevibacterium casei MH8a isolated from the heavy metal-contaminated rhizosphere soil of Sinapis alba L., is able to promote plant growth and enhance Cd, Zn, and Cu uptake by white mustard under laboratory conditions. Additionally, the ability of the rifampicin-resistant spontaneous mutant of MH8a to colonize plant tissues and its mechanisms of plant growth promotion were also examined. In order to assess the ecological consequences of bioaugmentation on autochthonous bacteria, the phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis was used. The MH8a strain exhibited the ability to produce ammonia, 1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase, indole 3-acetic acid and HCN but was not able to solubilize inorganic phosphate and produce siderophores. Introduction of MH8a into soil significantly increased S, alba biomass and the accumulation of Cd (208%), Zn (86%), and Cu (39%) in plant shoots in comparison with those grown in non-inoculated soil. Introduced into the soil, MH8a was able to enter the plant and was found in the roots and leaves of inoculated plants thus indicating its endophytic features. PLFA analysis revealed that the MH8a that was introduced into soil had a temporary influence on the structure of the autochthonous bacterial communities. The plant growth-promoting features of the MH8a strain and its ability to enhance the metal uptake by white mustard and its long-term survival in soil as well as its temporary impact on autochthonous microorganisms make the strain a suitable candidate for the promotion of plant growth and the efficiency of phytoextraction.Peer reviewe

POSSIBILITIES OF ROTOR ECCENTRICITY DIAGNOSTICS FOR CAGE INDUCTION MOTORS - NUMERICAL STUDIES

In this paper, two methods of quantitative estimation of eccentricity degree for induction motors on the basis of numerical analysis of standard Fourier spectrum are presented. These spectra are results of the solution of so called circuit models of machines described in symmetrical components based on balance harmonic method. The first method is based on separation spectrum current to four characteristic sets of frequency. In the second method, the spectrum is not separated. It is estimated by using artificial neural network. To illustrate the above methods, exemplary computation results of stator currents for chosen motors are presented. In the paper the package of computer programs for numerical computation, as well as initial verification of the obtained solutions are presented

Recent Progress on Digital Twins in Intelligent Connected Vehicles: A Review

As an important enabling technology in the era of Industry 4.0, the intelligent connected vehicle (ICV) facilitates robust data interaction with the outside through sensors and communication technologies, ultimately making scientific decisions based on environmental perception information. However, due to constraints such as limited communication bandwidth and computing resources, the influx of data simultaneously impedes the sustainable optimisation of the vehicle decision making process at the same time. As a novel technology that effectively connects physical and virtual space, the special ability of the digital twin (DT) is to identify characteristics within a certain lifecycle, thereby garnering widespread attention across various industries. The purpose of this paper is to review the contribution of digital twins in the application field of intelligent vehicles and explore its potential for development. First, the key technologies of ICV provide a basis for the embedding of digital twins. Then, by analysing the development process and technical composition of digital twins, readers can better understand the concept of digital twins. Finally, the application of DTs in ICV is reviewed from the perspective of vehicles, traffic facilities, and occupants. Future challenges and opportunities in this direction are described at the same time

Micromechanical Properties of Injection-Molded Starch–Wood Particle Composites

The micromechanical properties of injection molded starch–wood particle composites were investigated as a function of particle content and humidity conditions. The composite materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction methods. The microhardness of the composites was shown to increase notably with the concentration of the wood particles. In addition,creep behavior under the indenter and temperature dependence were evaluated in terms of the independent contribution of the starch matrix and the wood microparticles to the hardness value. The influence of drying time on the density and weight uptake of the injection-molded composites was highlighted. The results revealed the role of the mechanism of water evaporation, showing that the dependence of water uptake and temperature was greater for the starch–wood composites than for the pure starch sample. Experiments performed during the drying process at 70°C indicated that the wood in the starch composites did not prevent water loss from the samples.Peer reviewe

Dosing strategies for conversion of haemodialysis patients from short-acting erythropoiesis stimulating agents to once-monthly C.E.R.A.: experience from the MIRACEL study

International audienceAims. To analyse the impact of dosing decisions for C.E.R.A., a continuous erythropoietin receptor activator. Methods. This was a prospective, multicentre, single-arm study in haemodialysis patients receiving epoetin alfa/beta or darbepoetin alfa. After a two-month screening phase, patients were converted to monthly C.E.R.A. using pre-filled syringes during a five-month titration phase and a two-month evaluation phase. Results. 424 eligible patients were converted to C.E.R.A. Mean Hb was 11.7±0.7, 11.7±0.8 and 11.5±0.8g/dL during screening, titration and evaluation, respectively. C.E.R.A. starting dose was 125µg (n=311) or 200µg (n=106), with corresponding final doses of 129±61μg and 203±58μg. The mean number of C.E.R.A. dose decreases and increases was 0.9±1.0 and 1.1±1.0 per patient, respectively. Hb rarely exceeded 12.5g/dL after a C.E.R.A. dose increase (<8%) and remained ≥11g/dL after a dose reduction on approximately three-quarters of occasions. Among the 53 occasions where Hb decreased ≥2g/dL between two consecutive visits, the previous dose had been withheld (n=9), concomitant blood loss, coagulopathy or infection was present (n=13), or iron parameters were low (n=17). There were 104 adverse events/month during screening, and 45/month during the titration/evaluation phases. Serious adverse events occurred in 18.0 and 21.0 patients/month during the screening and titration/evaluation phases, respectively. Conclusion. Switching haemodialysis patients from shorter-acting ESA to once-monthly C.E.R.A. using pre-filled syringes is straightforward, and Hb levels remain stable. Starting doses recommendations and dose changes correlated well with the clinical setting. Collateral factors such as infection or aggravating concomitant medical conditions should be taken into account

Effect of cinacalcet on cardiovascular disease in patients undergoing dialysis

BACKGROUND: Disorders of mineral metabolism, including secondary hyperparathyroidism, are thought to contribute to extraskeletal (including vascular) calcification among patients with chronic kidney disease. It has been hypothesized that treatment with the calcimimetic agent cinacalcet might reduce the risk of death or nonfatal cardiovascular events in such patients. METHODS: In this clinical trial, we randomly assigned 3883 patients with moderate-to-severe secondary hyperparathyroidism (median level of intact parathyroid hormone, 693 pg per milliliter [10th to 90th percentile, 363 to 1694]) who were undergoing hemodialysis to receive either cinacalcet or placebo. All patients were eligible to receive conventional therapy, including phosphate binders, vitamin D sterols, or both. The patients were followed for up to 64 months. The primary composite end point was the time until death, myocardial infarction, hospitalization for unstable angina, heart failure, or a peripheral vascular event. The primary analysis was performed on the basis of the intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: The median duration of study-drug exposure was 21.2 months in the cinacalcet group, versus 17.5 months in the placebo group. The primary composite end point was reached in 938 of 1948 patients (48.2%) in the cinacalcet group and 952 of 1935 patients (49.2%) in the placebo group (relative hazard in the cinacalcet group vs. the placebo group, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.85 to 1.02; P = 0.11). Hypocalcemia and gastrointestinal adverse events were significantly more frequent in patients receiving cinacalcet. CONCLUSIONS: In an unadjusted intention-to-treat analysis, cinacalcet did not significantly reduce the risk of death or major cardiovascular events in patients with moderate-to-severe secondary hyperparathyroidism who were undergoing dialysis

Prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury in patients undergoing cardiovascular procedures : a systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Interventional diagnostic and therapeutic procedures requiring intravascular iodinated contrast steadily increase patient exposure to the risks of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI), which is associated with death, nonfatal cardiovascular events, and prolonged hospitalization. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for CIAKI prevention in patients undergoing cardiovascular invasive procedures with iodinated contrast.METHODS AND FINDINGS: MEDLINE, Google Scholar, EMBASE and Cochrane databases as well as abstracts and presentations from major cardiovascular and nephrology meetings were searched, up to 22 April 2016. Eligible studies were randomized trials comparing strategies to prevent CIAKI (alone or in combination) when added to saline versus each other, saline, placebo, or no treatment in patients undergoing cardiovascular invasive procedures with administration of iodinated contrast. Two reviewers independently extracted trial-level data including number of patients, duration of follow-up, and outcomes. Eighteen strategies aimed at CIAKI prevention were identified. The primary outcome was the occurrence of CIAKI. Secondary outcomes were mortality, myocardial infarction, dialysis and heart failure. The data were pooled using network meta-analysis. Treatment estimates were calculated as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% credible intervals (CrI). 147 RCTs involving 33,463 patients were eligible. Saline plus N-acetylcysteine (OR 0.72, 95%CrI 0.57-0.88), ascorbic acid (0.59, 0.34-0.95), sodium bicarbonate plus N-acetylcysteine (0.59, 0.36-0.89), probucol (0.42, 0.15-0.91), methylxanthines (0.39, 0.20-0.66), statin (0.36, 0.21-0.59), device-guided matched hydration (0.35, 0.12-0.79), prostaglandins (0.26, 0.08-0.62) and trimetazidine (0.26, 0.09-0.59) were associated with lower odds of CIAKI compared to saline. Methylxanthines (0.12, 0.01-0.94) or left ventricular end-diastolic pressure-guided hydration (0.09, 0.01-0.59) were associated with lower mortality compared to saline.CONCLUSIONS: Currently recommended treatment with saline as the only measure to prevent CIAKI during cardiovascular procedures may not represent the optimal strategy. Vasodilators, when added to saline, may significantly reduce the odds of CIAKI following cardiovascular procedures