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Zoonotic tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), a member of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) has increasingly gathered attention as a public health risk, particularly in developing countries with higher disease prevalence. M. bovis is capable of infecting multiple hosts encompassing a number of domestic animals, in particular cattle as well as a broad range of wildlife reservoirs. Humans are the incidental hosts of M. bovis whereby its transmission to humans is primarily through the consumption of cattle products such as unpasteurized milk or raw meat products that have been contaminated with M. bovis or the transmission could be due to close contact with infected cattle. Also, the transmission could occur through aerosol inhalation of infective droplets or infected body fluids or tissues in the presence of wound from infected animals. The zoonotic risk of M. bovis in humans exemplified by miscellaneous studies across different countries suggested the risk of occupational exposure towards M. bovis infection, especially those animal handlers that have close and unreserved contact with cattle and wildlife populations These animal handlers comprising of livestock farmers, abattoir workers, veterinarians and their assistants, hunters, wildlife workers as well as other animal handlers are at different risk of contracting M. bovis infection, depending on the nature of their jobs and how close is their interaction with infected animals. It is crucial to identify the underlying transmission risk factors and probable transmission pathways involved in the zoonotic transmission of M. bovis from animals to humans for better designation and development of specific preventive measures and guidelines that could reduce the risk of transmission and to protect these different occupational-related/populations at risk. Effective control and disease management of zoonotic tuberculosis caused by M. bovis in humans are also hindered by various challenges and factors involved at animal-human interface. A closer look into factors affecting proper disease control and management of M. bovis are therefore warranted. Hence, in this narrative review, we have gathered a number of different studies to highlight the risk of occupational exposure to M. bovis infection and addressed the limitations and challenges underlying this context. This review also shed lights on various components and approaches in tackling M. bovis infection at animal-human interface.

Simplified and universal circuit platform for determining the sensed resistance of gas sensor is presented herein. It applies a constant voltage across the gas sensor exposure of the sensor to the ionizing radiation. Subsequently, it measures and converts the current passing through the sensor proportional to the conductivity or resistivity of the sensor, which in turn is proportional to the gas concentration in the sensor, into a proportional analog voltage value. If the analog voltage value is to be converted into a digital value, the analog/digital values obtained prior to and after exposure of the sensor are to be compared to the sensing resistance response, and the sensing resistance response based on the change in the analog/digital values is to be computed. The electronic device for determining the sensing resistance comprises an adjustable current of LED driver, heater controller, gas sensor, constant voltage source, differential current-to-voltage converter, Bluetooth module, analog-to-digital converter connected to the microprocessor, and a digital-to-analog converter of the microprocessor that can be connected to the LED driver / microheater and fan to the extracting gas. The circuit platform can detect a resistance range of $300 k\Omega$ to $1 G\Omega$ of the gas sensor.

Aims We systematically analysed evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the safety and efficacy of neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin and glargine in the management of adults with Type 2 diabetes. Methods Studies were identified by searching medline (1966–March 2007), embase (1974–2007), American Diabetes Association abstract database and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) diabetes mellitus, Type 2, insulin, insulin isophane, hypoglycaemic agents and the keywords glargine and NPH. Data on study design, participants, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), body weight and hypoglycaemia were independently abstracted by two investigators using a standardized protocol. Results Data from a total of 4385 participants in 12 RCTs were pooled using a random-effects model. The mean net change (95% confidence interval) for FPG, HbA1c and body weight for patients treated with NPH insulin as compared with glargine was 0.21 mmol/l (−0.02 to 0.45), 0.08% (−0.04 to 0.21) and −0.33 kg (−0.61 to −0.06), respectively, with negative values favouring NPH and positive values favouring glargine. More participants experienced symptomatic and nocturnal hypoglycaemia on NPH than glargine, but there was no significant difference in confirmed or severe episodes. Conclusions We identified no difference in glucose-lowering between insulin glargine and NPH insulin, but less patient-reported hypoglycaemia with glargine and slightly less weight gain with NPH in adults with Type 2 diabetes.

We demonstrated an experimental study of the influence of the Nd 3+ concentration on scaling diode-pumped Nd:YVO 4 1.34-μm lasers to higher power. An output power of 5.1 W at 1.34 μm was obtained with a 0.5-at.% Nd-doped YVO 4 at 13.5 W of incident pump power. The strong dependence of the slope efficiency on the dopant concentration is attributed to an Auger upconversion process.

We present a theoretical study of the single-mode operation in a diode pumped Nd:YVO4/KTP green laser by considering the combined action of the anisotropic emission cross-section of Nd:YVO4 and the KTP crystal acting as a birefringent filter. The influence of the KTP length on the performance of single-mode operation was investigated. Comparison between theoretical predictions and experimental results is presented.

Background Tocilizumab, anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody, is widely used for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. IL-6 is essential for production of C-reactive protein (CRP). Tocilizumab fully inhibit the production of CRP. Therefore, we have difficulty in objective assessment of infection and disease activity because the level of CRP is suppressed under tocilizumab therapy. The development of new biomarker alternative to CRP is needed for daily practice. Objectives To discover new biomarkers alternative to CRP under tocilizumab therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Methods We registered patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with tocilizumab. We collected serum samples from those patients at baseline, 4 weeks after the first tocilizumab administration when patient9s CRP level is almost normal, and 1 year later. And we measured CRP, ESR and clinical disease activity index (CDAI) score.Serum peptidomic analysis was conducted by newly-established one-step direct transfer technology (BLOTCHIP-MS analysis), a rapid quantitative technology for peptidomic analysis. All sample measurements were repeated four times. Statistical analyses of MS spectral data were conducted using ClinProTools version 2.2 (Bruker Daltonics). Results We registered 14 patients and their background is shown in Table 1. The levels of CRP were 1.16±0.99 mg/dl at baseline, 0.02±0.01 mg/dl at 4 weeks and 0.01±0.01mg/dl at 1 year, respectively. Their CDAI score were 22±9.2 at baseline, 15±8.9 at 4 weeks and 3±2.6 at 1 year, respectively. CRP titer decreased to almost normal level at 4 weeks regardless whether CDAI score did not fully decrease. We detect 6 biomarkers, named as PRSJ01 to PRSJ06, by the peptidomic analysis (Table 2). The AUC of diagnostic value of these markers is from 0.742 to 0.858. For example, the level of PRSJ06 significantly decreased 4 weeks (Wilcoxon singed-rank test, p=0.02) and 1 year (Wilcoxon singed-rank test, p=0.003) after first tocilizumab administration (Figure 1). and it was inversely-correlated with CDAI score. Conclusions We detect new disease activity biomarkers alternative to CRP under tocilizumab therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. It is useful for exact evaluation of disease activity and infection during tocilizumab therapy. Disclosure of Interest None declared

[1] A full kinetic elve model with a wide time range from microseconds to seconds and its spectral range from UV, visible to near-infrared wavelengths is developed. Not only the fast electron-impact emissions N2 1P (B3Πg- A3Σu+), N2 2P(C3Πu- B3Πg), N2Lyman-Birge-Hopfield (a1Πg- X1Σg+), N2+ 1N (B2Σu+- X2Σg+) and O2+ 1N (b4Σg− – a4Πu) but also the post-impulse chemiluminescenses, O2 atmospheric band (b1Σg+ – X3Σg−), O(1S – 1D) at 557.7 nm and O(1D – 3P) at 630 nm, are considered in the elve model. We calculate the dominant emissions and possible weak emissions in our elves model to analyze the relative importance of emission intensity, measured by the ISUAL imager with 5 selectable band pass filters (N21P, 762, 630, 557.7, 427.8 nm filter). The modeling emission intensities were well consistent with the measurements by Imager with different filters. This comparison could also be useful in designing the imager filters for future TLE survey missions in Earth orbit.

[1] For ELF stations using hardware notch-filters to suppress power-grid emissions, the amplitude and the phase of the recorded sferics will inevitably be distorted. The phase shift causes the event time to move and hinders cross-comparing of events between different platforms. Notch-filtering also create fictitious dips in the current moment spectrum of the ELF sferics that lead to error in deducing the charge moment change (CMC) of the source discharge. To alleviate the effects of notch-filtering, we use an elementary signal processing method to reconstruct the source signals and use lab-generated ELF-like signals to check the limitations of the reconstruction. The results indicate that the delay of signals due to the notch-filtering module can be reliably restored, while the amplitude is less; but the reconstruction does restore the low frequency components of the sferics that are important for the CMC determination. Using the corrected event time, 20 associated sprites recorded by the ISUAL/FORMOSAT-2 experiment during June to September of 2008 were found. Comparing with the notch-filtered sferics, the reconstructed sferics are found to increase the current moment amplitude Iods by 69 ± 55%, reduce the time constant τ by 52 ± 15%, and lowers the CMC by 22 ± 21%, respectively. From the linear-correlation of the sprite brightness and the CMC of the sprite-producing positive lightning, a threshold CMC of ∼900 C-km for sprite initiation is inferred based on the reconstructed sferic data; this threshold value is also 25% lower than that inferred using the notch-filtered sferics.

[1] We report the 762 nm emissions in sprites recorded by the ISUAL experiment onboard the FORMOSAT-2 satellite. The 762 nm imager filter is centered at 763.3 nm with a 7 nm bandwidth at 50% transmittance. Sprite emissions in this passband include the N2 first positive (1PN2) bands, (2, 0) and (3, 1), the O2 atmospheric (atm) band (0, 0), and the hydroxyl (4, 0) emissions. Because these mixed emissions cannot be resolved in the 762 nm narrowband filter, a zero-dimensional plasma chemistry model is used to estimate the expected relative intensities of these emission bands in sprites. The computed 1PN2 brightness in a single streamer is 1.4 MR and 2.6 kR for the O2 atm band emissions at frame integration times of 30 ms. In the 762 nm passband, the 1PN2 emissions are the dominant emissions in sprites, and the ratio of 1PN2 to O2 atmospheric emissions is ∼500, while the hydroxyl emissions can be neglected. In this ISUAL 762 nm campaign, the brightest sprite out of the four recorded events has possible O2 atm band emissions that lasted more than 90 ms, and its observed brightness is consistent with the model prediction. Even though the lightning 762 nm emissions are strongly absorbed by O2 below 60 km, the ISUAL observed parent lightning emissions in this passband are still more than a factor of two brighter than those from ISUAL observed sprites. Hence for spacecraft nadir TLE detection missions, 762 nm bands may not be used as the sole signature to identify sprites, and auxiliary emission bands are needed.

We describe the construction of a high voltage electric arc puller for controllable fabrication of bent near-field optical fiber probes. Various probes with bent angles ranging from 30° to 75° and bent lengths between 600 and 900 μm were successfully produced. The tip diameters achieved are between 100 and 200 nm. These bent type probes can be made into cantilevered probes that can be used for any dynamic mode atomic force microscope, and make the construction of a scanning near-field optical microscope easily attainable.

We present the modification of a commercial tapping mode atomic force microscope into a reflection and transmission dual mode scanning near-field optical microscope. In the configuration, the normal force detection unit is replaced by a shear force detection module and an interfacing circuit. The tip-sample distance control is therefore similar to tapping mode operation. Detection of the near-field signals is based on photodiodes and the lock-in technique, and the resolutions obtained for the topography and the near-field signal are around 80 and 150 nm, respectively.

During the past four years, the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) through its antimonide-based compound semiconductor (ABCS) program has sponsored development of high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) and heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) devices and circuits based on narrow-band-gap materials such as InAs or Inx Ga1-xAs with high In composition (x). These development efforts have sought to exploit the very high electron mobility and peak electron velocity of InAs for high speed circuit applications requiring very low power dissipation. At Northrop Grumman Space Technology (NGST), InAs/AlSb HEMT and In0.86Ga0.14As/In0.86Al0.14 As HBT devices have successfully been developed, and ultra-low-power circuits have successfully been demonstrated for both of these device technologies

The effects of food and sucralfate on the pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin following the administration of a single 500-mg oral dose were investigated in a randomized, three-way crossover study with young healthy subjects (12 males and 12 females). Levofloxacin was administered under three conditions: fasting, fed (immediately after a standardized high-fat breakfast), and fasting with sucralfate given 2 h following the administration of levofloxacin. The concentrations of levofloxacin in plasma and urine were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography. By noncompartmental methods, the maximum concentration of drug in serum (Cmax), the time to Cmax (Tmax), the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC), half-life (t1/2), clearance (CL/F), renal clearance (CLR), and cumulative amount of levofloxacin in urine (Ae) were estimated. The individual profiles of the drug concentration in plasma showed little difference among the three treatments. The only consistent effect of the coadministration of levofloxacin with a high-fat meal for most subjects was that levofloxacin absorption was delayed and Cmax was slightly reduced (Tmax, 1.0 and 2.0 h for fasting and fed conditions, respectively [P = 0.002]; Cmax, 5.9 +/- 1.3 and 5.1 +/- 0.9 microg/ml [90% confidence interval = 0.79 to 0.94] for fasting and fed conditions, respectively). Sucralfate, which was administered 2 h after the administration of levofloxacin, appeared to have no effect on levofloxacin's disposition compared with that under the fasting condition. Mean values of Cmax and AUC from time zero to infinity were 6.7 +/- 3.2 microg/ml and 47.9 +/- 8.4 microg x h/ml, respectively, following the administration of sucralfate compared to values of 5.9 +/- 1.3 microg/ml and 50.5 +/- 8.1 microg x h/ml, respectively, under fasting conditions. The mean t1/2, CL/F, CLR, and Ae values were similar among all three treatment groups. In conclusion, the absorption of levofloxacin was slightly delayed by food, although the overall bioavailability of levofloxacin following a high-fat meal was not altered. Finally, sucralfate did not alter the disposition of levofloxacin when sucralfate was given 2 h after the administration of the antibacterial agent, thus preventing a potential drug-drug interaction.

InAs∕AlSb high-electron-mobility transistor technology has transitioned from research to development stages in recent years. Development efforts at Northrop Grumman Space Technology, in collaboration with the Naval Research Laboratory and the University of California, Los Angeles, have focused on X-band and W-band low-noise amplifier monolithic millimeter-wave integrated circuits fabricated for applications requiring ultralow-power dissipation. The materials for the circuits discussed in this article were grown at Northrop Grumman Space Technology on 3-in.-diameter semi-insulating GaAs substrates by molecular-beam epitaxy. Atomic-force microscopy of the as-grown surface on each wafer showed that the rms roughness for all of the wafers ranged between 0.5 and 3.5nm, and this range of roughness was fully compatible with the fabrication process. The high electron mobility that InAs can provide was achieved reproducibly in these materials. It was maintained almost always above 25000cm2V−1s−1, and in several ca...

A finite element approach to panel flutter problem of finite laminated plate has been developed. Linear small deflection structural theory and quasi-steady aerodynamic theory are employed for the analysis. In order to study the effect of panel configurations on the flutter behavior of a composite laminated panel, a fully compatible general quadrilateral plate bending element is used. The effects of fiber orientations, stacking sequences, anisotropic properties, boundary conditions, aspect ratios, and panel configurations are studied. Calculations show that the flutter stability can be improved if the fiber is properly orientated.