Platoon Interactions and Real-World Traffic Simulation and Validation Based on the LWR-IM

Platoon based traffic flow models form the underlying theoretical framework in traffic simulation tools. They are essentially important in facilitating efficient performance calculation and evaluation in urban traffic networks. For this purpose, a new platoon-based macroscopic model called the LWR-IM has been developed in [1]. Preliminary analytical validation conducted previously has proven the feasibility of the model. In this paper, the LWR-IM is further enhanced with algorithms that describe platoon interactions in urban arterials. The LWR-IM and the proposed platoon interaction algorithms are implemented in the real-world class I and class II urban arterials. Another purpose of the work is to perform quantitative validation to investigate the validity and ability of the LWR-IM and its underlying algorithms to describe platoon interactions and simulate performance indices that closely resemble the real traffic situations. The quantitative validation of the LWR-IM is achieved by performing a two-sampled t-test on queues simulated by the LWR-IM and real queues observed at these real-world locations. The results reveal insignificant differences of simulated queues with real queues where the p-values produced concluded that the null hypothesis cannot be rejected. Thus, the quantitative validation further proved the validity of the LWR-IM and the embedded platoon interactions algorithm for the intended purpose.     

Aldosterone Induces Renal Fibrosis and Inflammatory M1-Macrophage Subtype via Mineralocorticoid Receptor in Rats

We aimed to evaluate macrophages heterogeneity and structural, functional and inflammatory alterations in rat kidney by aldosterone + salt administration. The effects of treatment with spironolactone on above parameters were also analyzed. Male Wistar rats received aldosterone (1 mgkg^-1d^-1) + 1% NaCl for 3 weeks. Half of the animals were treated with spironolactone (200 mg kg^-1d^-1). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were elevated (p<0.05) in aldosterone + salt–treated rats. Relative kidney weight, collagen content, fibronectin, macrophage infiltrate, CTGF, Col I, MMP2, TNF-α, CD68, Arg2, and SGK-1 were increased (p<0.05) in aldosterone + salt–treated rats, being reduced by spironolactone (p<0.05). Increased iNOS and IFN-γ mRNA gene expression (M1 macrophage markers) was observed in aldosterone + salt rats, whereas no significant differences were observed in IL-10 and gene ArgI mRNA expression or ED2 protein content (M2 macrophage markers). All the observed changes were blocked with spironolactone treatment. Macrophage depletion with liposomal clodronate reduced macrophage influx and inflammatory M1 markers (INF-γ or iNOS), whereas interstitial fibrosis was only partially reduced after this intervention, in aldosterone plus salt-treated rats. In conclusion, aldosterone + salt administration mediates inflammatory M1 macrophage phenotype and increased fibrosis throughout mineralocorticoid receptors activation.     

Epidemiology and Management of Candidiasis in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Purpose of Review

Invasive candidiasis (IC) is the leading cause of fungal infections in solid organ transplant recipients (SOT). In this article, we aim to review the epidemiology, risk factors, presentation, and management of IC in this population.

Recent Findings

Certain risk factors have been associated with IC in SOT recipients. Targeted antifungal prophylaxis for SOT recipients at the highest risk of infection is currently recommended although the choice and duration of antifungal agents remain controversial. Early diagnosis and monitoring of IC in SOT recipients are critical to achieve better outcomes and prevent serious complications. Non-culture-based diagnostic modalities have been introduced to aid in earlier and more accurate diagnosis.

Summary

The use of azoles for prophylaxis or treatment in SOT recipients allowed for selection of resistance and increased the incidence of non-albicans Candida. Drug–drug interactions, cost, and risk of resistance are to be considered when using more potent or newer antifungal agents.

     

Efficacy,Safety and Cost of Insecticide Treated Wall Lining,Insecticide Treated Bed Nets and Indoor Wall Wash with Lime for Visceral Leishmaniasis Vector Control in the Indian Sub-continent: A Multi-country Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundWe investigated the efficacy, safety and cost of lime wash of household walls plus treatment of sand fly breeding places with bleach (i.e. environmental management or EM), insecticide impregnated durable wall lining (DWL), and bed net impregnation with slow release insecticide (ITN) for sand fly control in the Indian sub-continent.MethodsThis multi-country cluster randomized controlled trial had 24 clusters in each three sites with eight clusters per high, medium or low sand fly density stratum. Every cluster included 45–50 households. Five households from each cluster were randomly selected for entomological measurements including sand fly density and mortality at one, three, nine and twelve months post intervention. Household interviews were conducted for socioeconomic information and intervention acceptability assessment. Cost for each intervention was calculated. There was a control group without intervention.FindingsSand fly mortality [mean and 95%CI] ranged from 84% (81%-87%) at one month to 74% (71%-78%) at 12 months for DWL, 75% (71%-79%) at one month to 49% (43%-55%) at twelve months for ITN, and 44% (34%-53%) at one month to 22% (14%-29%) at twelve months for EM. Adjusted intervention effect on sand fly density measured by incidence rate ratio ranged from 0.28 (0.23–0.34) at one month to 0.62 (0.51–0.75) at 12 months for DWL; 0.72 (0.62–0.85) at one month to 1.02 (0.86–1.22) at 12 months for ITN; and 0.89 (0.76–1.03) at one months to 1.49 (1.26–1.74) at 12 months for EM. Household acceptance of EM was 74% compared to 94% for both DWL and ITN. Operational cost per household in USD was about 5, 8, and 2 for EM, DWL and ITN, respectively. Minimal adverse reactions were reported for EM and ITN while 36% of households with DWL reported transient itching.InterpretationDWL is the most effective, durable and acceptable control method followed by ITN. The Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) Elimination Program in the Indian sub-continent should consider DWL and ITN for sand fly control in addition to IRS.     

Reproductive efficiency and shade avoidance plasticity under simulated competition

Plant strategy and life‐history theories make different predictions about reproductive efficiency under competition. While strategy theory suggests under intense competition iteroparous perennial plants delay reproduction and semelparous annuals reproduce quickly, life‐history theory predicts both annual and perennial plants increase resource allocation to reproduction under intense competition. We tested (1) how simulated competition influences reproductive efficiency and competitive ability (CA) of different plant life histories and growth forms; (2) whether life history or growth form is associated with CA; (3) whether shade avoidance plasticity is connected to reproductive efficiency under simulated competition. We examined plastic responses of 11 herbaceous species representing different life histories and growth forms to simulated competition (spectral shade). We found that both annual and perennial plants invested more to reproduction under simulated competition in accordance with life‐history theory predictions. There was no significant difference between competitive abilities of different life histories, but across growth forms, erect species expressed greater CA (in terms of leaf number) than other growth forms. We also found that shade avoidance plasticity can increase the reproductive efficiency by capitalizing on the early life resource acquisition and conversion of these resources into reproduction. Therefore, we suggest that a reassessment of the interpretation of shade avoidance plasticity is necessary by revealing its role in reproduction, not only in competition of plants.     

Chlorella vulgaris as a lipid source: Cultivation on air and seawater‐simulating medium in a helicoidal photobioreactor

The freshwater microalga Chlorella vulgaris was cultured batchwise on the seawater‐simulating Schlösser medium either in a 1.1‐L‐working volume helicoidal photobioreactor (HeP) or Erlenmeyer flask (EF) as control and continuously supplying air as CO₂ source. In these systems, maximum biomass concentration reached 1.65 ± 0.17 g L^?1 and 1.25 ± 0.06 g L^?1, and maximum cell productivity 197.6 ± 20.4 mg L^?1 day^?1 and 160.8 ± 12.2 mg L^?1 day^?1, respectively. Compared to the Bold's Basal medium, commonly employed to cultivate this microorganism on a bench‐scale, the Schlösser medium ensured significant increases in all the growth parameters, namely maximum cell concentration (268% in EF and 126% in HeP), maximum biomass productivity (554% in EF and 72% in HeP), average specific growth rate (67% in EF and 42% in HeP), and maximum specific growth rate (233% in EF and 22% in HeP). The lipid fraction of biomass collected at the end of runs was analyzed in terms of both lipid content and fatty acid profile. It was found that the seawater‐simulating medium, despite of a 56–63% reduction of the overall biomass lipid content compared to the Bold's Basal one, led in HeP to significant increases in both the glycerides‐to‐total lipid ratio and polyunsaturated fatty acid content compared to the other conditions taken as an average. These results as a whole suggest that the HeP configuration could be a successful alternative to the present means to cultivate C. vulgaris as a lipid source. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:279–284, 2016     

Optimising the duration of floating row cover period to minimise the incidence of tomato yellow leaf curl disease and maximise yield of tomato

The influence of polyester cover on tomato crops was evaluated to determine its effectiveness in reducing the incidence of tomato yellow leaf curl disease and on tomato yield. Uncovered plots were compared in a randomised block design with 14 treatments having different durations of cover. The identification of begomovirus was carried out by polymerase chain reaction, cloning and complete nucleotide sequencing of viruses from infected plants. Disease incidence was high in plots covered for less than 3 weeks with no significant differences among these treatments and those that were left uncovered. In the three treatments with the longest duration of cover, no disease was recorded but yield was significantly decreased. The optimum covering period was 6–7 weeks, providing protection against disease (10% incidence) and maintaining high yields (3 kg per plant). Floating row covers can play a major role in reducing begomovirus‐induced diseases by reducing exposure to whiteflies which transmit these viruses. The current work appears to be the first attempt to optimise the cover period by sequentially removing covers from crops to analyse the consequences in terms of crop biomass, yield and disease and to explore the interactions between these parameters.     

Synthesis,structure, antimycobacterial and anticancer evaluation of new pyrrolo-phenanthroline derivatives

A study concerning design, synthesis, structure and in vitro antimycobacterial and anticancer evaluation of new fused derivatives with pyrrolo[2,1-c][4,7]phenanthroline skeleton is described. The strategy adopted for synthesis involves a [3?+?2] dipolar cycloaddition of several in situ generated 4,7-phenanthrolin-4-ium ylides to different substituted alkynes and alkenes. Stereo- and regiochemistry of cycloaddition reactions were discussed. The structure of the new compounds was proven unambiguously, single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies including. The antimycobacterial and anticancer activity of a selection of new synthesized compounds was evaluated against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv under aerobic conditions and 60 human tumour cell line panel, respectively. Five of the tested compounds possess a moderate antimycobacterial activity, while two of the compounds have a significant antitumor activity against renal cancer and breast cancer.     

Germline recombination in a novel Cre transgenic line,Prl3b1‐Cre mouse

Spermatogenesis is a complex and highly regulated process by which spermatogonial stem cells differentiate into spermatozoa. To better understand the molecular mechanisms of the process, the Cre/loxP system has been widely utilized for conditional gene knockout in mice. In this study, we generated a transgenic mouse line that expresses Cre recombinase under the control of the 2.5 kbp of the Prolactin family 3, subfamily b, member 1 (Prl3b1) gene promoter (Prl3b1‐cre). Prl3b1 was initially reported to code for placental lactogen 2 (PL‐2) protein in placenta along with increased expression toward the end of pregnancy. PL‐2 was found to be expressed in germ cells in the testis, especially in spermatocytes. To analyze the specificity and efficiency of Cre recombinase activity in Prl3b1‐cre mice, the mice were mated with reporter R26GRR mice, which express GFP ubiquitously before and tdsRed exclusively after Cre recombination. The systemic examination of Prl3b1‐cre;R26GRR mice revealed that tdsRed‐positive cells were detected only in the testis and epididymis. Fluorescence imaging of Prl3b1‐cre;R26GRR testes suggested that Cre‐mediated recombination took place in the germ cells with approximately 74% efficiency determined by in vitro fertilization. In conclusion, our results suggest that the Prl3b1‐cre mice line provides a unique resource to understand testicular germ‐cell development. genesis 54:389–397, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.