Co-distribution and co-infection of chikungunya and dengue viruses

BACKGROUND Chikungunya and dengue infections are spatio-temporally related. The current review aims to determine the geographic limits of chikungunya, dengue and the principal mosquito vectors for both viruses and to synthesise current epidemiological understanding of their co-distribution. METHODS Three biomedical databases (PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science) were searched from their inception until May 2015 for studies that reported concurrent detection of chikungunya and dengue viruses in the same patient. Additionally, data from WHO, CDC and Healthmap alerts were extracted to create up-to-date global distribution maps for both dengue and chikungunya. RESULTS Evidence for chikungunya-dengue co-infection has been found in Angola, Gabon, India, Madagascar, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Saint Martin, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand and Yemen; these constitute only 13 out of the 98 countries/territories where both chikungunya and dengue epidemic/endemic transmission have been reported. CONCLUSIONS Understanding the true extent of chikungunya-dengue co-infection is hampered by current diagnosis largely based on their similar symptoms. Heightened awareness of chikungunya among the public and public health practitioners in the advent of the ongoing outbreak in the Americas can be expected to improve diagnostic rigour. Maps generated from the newly compiled lists of the geographic distribution of both pathogens and vectors represent the current geographical limits of chikungunya and dengue, as well as the countries/territories at risk of future incursion by both viruses. These describe regions of co-endemicity in which lab-based diagnosis of suspected cases is of higher priority.

Ruthenium(II)-CO complexes of N-[(2-pyridyl)methyliden]-alpha(or beta)-aminonaphthalene: Synthesis, spectral studies, crystal structure, redox properties and DFT calculation

The characterization and properties of trans-(X)-[RuX2(CO)(2)(alpha/beta-NaiPy)] (1, 2) (alpha-NaiPy (a), beta-NaiPy (b); X = Cl (1), I (2)) are described in this work. The structures are confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Reaction of these compounds with Me3NO in MeCN has isolated monocarbonyl trans-(X)-RuX2(CO)(MeCN)(alpha/beta-NaiPy)] (3, 4). The complexes show intense emission properties. Quantum yields of 1 and 2 (phi= 0.02-0.08) are higher than 3 and 4 (phi = 0.006-0.015). Voltammogram shows higher Ru(III)/Ru(II) (1.3-1.5 V) potential of 1 and 2 than that of 3 and 4 (0.8-0.9 V) that may be due to coordination of two pi-acidic CO groups in former. The electronic spectra and redox properties of the complexes are compared with the results obtained by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) using polarizable continuum model (CPCM).

Co(II) and Cr(III) complexes of formate-formamide mixed ligands: synthesis, structures, single crystal-to-single crystal transformation and magnetic behaviour

Solvothermal treatment of an equimolar mixture of Co(NO3)(2)center dot 6H(2)O, HCONH2 and NaN3 in MeOH at 100 degrees C yielded a three-dimensional NaCl type network Co(HCOO)(2)(HCONH2)(2) center dot HCONH2 (1a) containing formamides in the pores of the structure. Solvated pink 1a undergoes single crystal-to-single crystal (SCSC) transformation at 215 degrees C to form the desolvated dark brown product Co(HCOO)(2)-( HCONH2)(2) (1b) with the retention of the original framework. Reversible single crystal-to-single crystal transformation of 1b (brown) to 1a (pink) in the presence of excess formamide was also established at room temperature. The coordination environment around Co(II) in both 1a and 1b is octahedral with a CoN2O4 coordination composition. A similar reaction replacing Co(II) by Cr(III) produced a heterometallic 3D extended network Na[Cr(HCOO)(4)(HCONH2)(2)]center dot 2H(2)O (2a) at 100 degrees C. An increase in reaction temperature to 150 degrees C produced a simple mononuclear complex Cr(HCOO)(3)(HCONH2)(3) center dot 3H(2)O (2b). Variable temperature magnetic studies revealed the presence of a canting phenomena in both 1a and 1b, and hysteresis loop in the field dependent magnetisation plot at 2 K whereas complex 2a is simply paramagnetic in nature.

Topological close packed mu phase formation and the determination of diffusion parameters in the Co-Mo system

The study on the formation and growth of topological close packed (TCP) compounds is important to understand the performance of turbine blades in jet engine applications. These deleterious phases grow mainly by diffusion process in the superalloy substrate. Significant volume change was found because of growth of the p phase in Co-Mo system. Growth kinetics of this phase and different diffusion parameters, like interdiffusion, intrinsic and tracer diffusion coefficients are calculated. Further the activation energy, which provides an idea about the mechanism, is determined. Moreover, the interdiffusion coefficient in Co(Mo) solid solution and impurity diffusion coefficient of Mo in Co are determined.

Ultrasonic degradation of poly(methyl methacrylate-co-alkyl acrylate) copolymers

The copolymers, poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methyl acrylate) (PMMAMA), poly(methyl methacrylate-co-ethyl acrylate) (PMMAEA) and poly(methyl methacrylate-co-butyl acrylate) (PMMABA), of different compositions were synthesized and characterized. The effect of alkyl acrylate content, alkyl group substituents and solvents on the ultrasonic degradation of these copolymers was studied. A model based on continuous distribution kinetics was used to study the kinetics of degradation. The rate coefficients were obtained by fitting the experimental data with the model. The linear dependence of the rate coefficients on the logarithm of the vapor pressure of the solvent indicated that vapor pressure is the crucial parameter that controls the degradation process. The rate of degradation increases with an increase in the alkyl acrylate content. At any particular copolymer composition, the rate of degradation follows the order: PMMAMA > PMMAEA > PMMABA. It was observed that the degradation rate coefficient varies linearly with the mole percentage of the alkyl acrylate in the copolymer.

Rotational isomerism about the Ca-CO bond in proline derivatives. 1H and 13C NMR studies of benzyloxycarbonyl-Pro-N-methylamide and pivaloyl-Pro-N-methylamide

The 270 MHz 1H n.m.r. spectrum of benzyloxycarbonyl-Pro-N-methylamide in CDCl3 is exchange broadened at 293° K. Spectral lines due to two species are frozen out at 253° K and a dynamically averaged spectrum is obtained at 323° K. A selective broadening of the Cβ and Cγ resonances in the 13C n.m.r. spectrum is observed at 253° K, with a splitting of the Cβ and Cγ resonances into a pair of lines of unequal intensity. A similar broadening of Cβ and Cγ peaks is also detected in pivaloyl-Pro-N-methylamide where cis-trans interconversion about the imide bond is precluded by the bulky t-butyl group. The rate process is thus attributed to rotation about the Cα-CO bond (ψ) and a barrier (ΔG#) of 14kcal mol-1 is estimated. 13C n.m.r. data for pivaloyl-Pro-N-methylamide in a number of solvents is presented and the differences in the Cβ and Cγ chemical shifts are interpreted in terms of rotational isomerism about the Cα-CO bond.

Ru(II)-CO complexes of thioarylazoimidazoles: Syntheses, structures, spectroscopy and DFT calculation

The complexes, cis-(CO)-trans-(Cl)-[Ru(SRaaiNR)(CO)(2)Cl-2] (2) and trans-(Cl)-[Ru(SRaaiNR)(CO)Cl-2] (3) (SRaaiNR = 1-alkyl-2-{(o-thioalkyl)phenylazo}imidazoles; R = Me (1a) and Et (1b)) have been synthesized and characterized. The structural confirmation is achieved by single crystal X-ray structure determinations. The complexes show Ru(III)/Ru(II) couple and ligand reductions. Electronic structure and spectral properties of the complexes have been explained with the DFT and TDDFT calculation. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Process-dependent magnetic properties of Co-doped ZnO in bulk and thin film form

Structural, optical and magnetic studies of Co-doped ZnO have been carried out for bulk as well as thin films. The magnetic studies revealed the superparamagnetic nature for low-temperature synthesized samples, indicating the presence of cobalt metallic clusters, and this is supported by the optical studies. For the high-temperature sintered samples one obtains paramagnetism. The optical studies reveal the presence of Co2+ ions in the tetrahedral sites indicating proper doping. Interestingly, the films deposited by laser ablation from the paramagnetic target showed room temperature ferromagnetism. It appears that the magnetic nature of this system is process dependent.

Leading Digital Transformation: Building Technology and Information Governance Capability in Boards of Directors and the C-Suite

Information and technology and its use in organisation transformation presents unprecedented opportunities and risks. Increasingly, the Governance of Enterprise Information and Technology (GEIT) competency in the board room and executive is needed. Whether your organization is small or large, public, private or not for profit or whether your industry is not considered high-tech, IT is impacting your sector – no exceptions. But there is a skill shortage in boards: GEIT capability is concerningly low. This capability is urgently needed across the board, including those directors who come from finance, legal, marketing, operations and HR backgrounds. Digital disruption also affects all occupations. Putting in place a vision will help ensure emergency responses will meet technology-related duty of care responsibilities. When GEIT-related forward thinking and planning is carried out at the same time that you put your business strategy and plan in place, your organization has a significantly increased chance of not only surviving, but thriving into the future. Those organizations that don’t build GEIT capability risk joining the growing list of once-leading firms left behind in the digital ‘cloud of smoke’. Those organizations that do will be better placed to reap the benefits and hedge against the risks of a digital world. This chapter provides actionable, research-based considerations and processes for boards to use, to build awareness, knowledge and skills in governing technology-related organization strategy, risk and value creation.

Peptide mimics for structural features in proteins. Crystal structures of three heptapeptide helices with a C-terminal 6-->1 hydrogen bond.

The crystal structure determination of three heptapeptides containing alpha-aminoisobutyryl (Aib) residues as a means of helix stabilization provides a high-resolution characterization of 6-->1 hydrogen-bonded conformations, reminiscent of helix-terminating structural features in proteins. The crystal parameters for the three peptides, Boc-Val-Aib-X-Aib-Ala-Aib-Y-OMe, where X and Y are Phe, Leu (I), Leu, Phe (II) and Leu, Leu (III) are: (I) space group P1, Z = 1, a = 9.903 A, b = 10.709 A, c = 11.969 A, alpha = 102.94 degrees, beta = 103.41 degrees, gamma = 92.72 degrees, R = 4.55%; (II) space group P21, Z = 2, a = 10.052 A, b = 17.653 A, c = 13.510 A, beta = 108.45 degrees, R = 4.49%; (III) space group P1, Z = 2 (two independent molecules IIIa and IIIb in the asymmetric unit), a = 10.833 A, b = 13.850 A, c = 16.928 A, alpha = 99.77 degrees, beta = 105.90 degrees, gamma = 90.64 degrees, R = 8.54%. In all cases the helices form 3(10)/alpha-helical (or 3(10)helical) structures, with helical columns formed by head-to-tail hydrogen bonding. The helices assemble in an all-parallel motif in crystals I and III and in an antiparallel motif in II. In the four crystallographically characterized molecules, I, II, IIIa and IIIb, Aib(6) adopts a left-handed helical (hL) conformation with positive phi, psi values, resulting in 6-->1 hydrogen-bond formation between Aib(2) CO and Leu(7)/Phe(7) NH groups. In addition a 4-->1 hydrogen bond is seen between Aib(3) CO and Aib(6) NH groups. This pattern of hydrogen bonding is often observed at the C-terminus of helices proteins, with the terminal pi-type turn being formed by four residues adopting the hRhRhRhL conformation.

Handling sectional views in volume-based approach to automatically construct 3D solid from 2D views

This paper presents an algorithm for solid model reconstruction from 2D sectional views based on volume-based approach. None of the existing work in automatic reconstruction from 2D orthographic views have addressed sectional views in detail. It is believed that the volume-based approach is better suited to handle different types of sectional views. The volume-based approach constructs the 3D solid by a boolean combination of elementary solids. The elementary solids are formed by sweep operation on loops identified in the input views. The only adjustment to be made for the presence of sectional views is in the identification of loops that would form the elemental solids. In the algorithm, the conventions of engineering drawing for sectional views, are used to identify the loops correctly. The algorithm is simple and intuitive in nature. Results have been obtained for full sections, offset sections and half sections. Future work will address other types of sectional views such as removed and revolved sections and broken-out sections. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

N-H center dot center dot center dot O and C-H center dot center dotcenter dot O interaction mimicry in the 1:1 molecular complexes of 5,5-diethylbarbituric acid with urea and acetamide

The analogy between N-H center dot center dot center dot O and C-H center dot center dot center dot O intermolecular interactions is studied with variable temperature (180-100 K) single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.5,5-Diethylbarbituric acid (barbital) forms isostructural molecular complexes (co-crystals) with urea (1) and acetamide (2) that respectively contain these analogous interactions.The behaviour of these two interactions as a function of temperature is very similar. This indicates that the C-H center dot center dot center dot O bond in barbital acetamide plays a similar chemical and structural role as does the N-H center dot center dot center dot O bond in barbital urea. The close relationship between these interactions and their comparable nature is further adduced from the formation of a ternary solid solution (3) of barbital, urea and acetamide. The fact that the C-H center dot center dot center dot O interaction in barbital acetamide is weaker than the N-H center dot center dot center dot O interaction in barbital urea is shown by the fact that acetamide is under expressed and urea is over expressed with respect to the quantities of these substances present in solution prior to crystallization of these ternary crystals.

Suppression of spinel formation to induce reversible thermal behavior in the layered double hydroxides (LDHs) of Co with Al, Fe, Ga, and In

The layered double hydroxides (LDHs) of Co with trivalent cations decompose irreversibly to yield oxides with the spinel structure. Spinel formation is aided by the oxidation of Co(II) to Co(III) in the ambient atmosphere. When the decomposition is carried out under N-2, the oxidation of Co(II) is suppressed, and the resulting oxide has the rock salt structure. Thus, the Co-Al-CO32-/Cl- LDHs yield oxides of the type Co1- Al-x(2x/3)rectangle O-x/3, which are highly metastable, given the large defect concentration. This defect oxide rapidly reverts back to the original hydroxide on soaking in a Na2CO3 solution. Interlayer NO3- anions, on the other hand, decompose generating a highly oxidizing atmosphere, whereby the Co-Al-NO3- LDH decomposes to form the spinel phase even in a N-2 atmosphere. The oxide with the defect rock salt structure formed by the thermal decomposition of the Co-Fe-CO32- LDH under N2, on soaking in a Na2CO3 solution, follows a different kinetic pathway and undergoes a solution transformation into the inverse spinel Co(Co, Fe)(2)O-4. Fe3+ has a low octahedral crystal field stabilization energy and therefore prefers the tetrahedral coordination offered by the structure of the inverse spinel rather than the octahedral coordination of the parent LDH. Similar considerations do not hold in the case of Ga- and In-containing LDHs, given the considerable barriers to the diffusion of M3+ (M=Ga, In) from octahedral to tetrahedral sites owing to their large size. Consequently, the In-containing oxide residue reverts back to the parent hydroxide, whereas this reconstruction is partial in the case of the Ga-containing oxide. These studies show that the reversible thermal behavior offers a competing kinetic pathway to spinel formation. Suppression of the latter induces the reversible behavior in an LDH that otherwise decomposes irreversibly to the spinel.

Cystatin C, a measure of renal function, as prognostic risk marker in acute heart failure : Studies on the cardiorenal syndrome

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a complex syndrome associated with exceptionally high mortality. Still, characteristics and prognostic factors of contemporary AHF patients have been inadequately studied. Kidney function has emerged as a very powerful prognostic risk factor in cardiovascular disease. This is believed to be the consequence of an interaction between the heart and kidneys, also termed the cardiorenal syndrome, the mechanisms of which are not fully understood. Renal insufficiency is common in heart failure and of particular interest for predicting outcome in AHF. Cystatin C (CysC) is a marker of glomerular filtration rate with properties making it a prospective alternative to the currently used measure creatinine for assessment of renal function. The aim of this thesis is to characterize a representative cohort of patients hospitalized for AHF and to identify risk factors for poor outcome in AHF. In particular, the role of CysC as a marker of renal function is evaluated, including examination of the value of CysC as a predictor of mortality in AHF. The FINN-AKVA (Finnish Acute Heart Failure) study is a national prospective multicenter study conducted to investigate the clinical presentation, aetiology and treatment of, as well as concomitant diseases and outcome in, AHF. Patients hospitalized for AHF were enrolled in the FINN-AKVA study, and mortality was followed for 12 months. The mean age of patients with AHF is 75 years and they frequently have both cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular co-morbidities. The mortality after hospitalization for AHF is high, rising to 27% by 12 months. The present study shows that renal dysfunction is very common in AHF. CysC detects impaired renal function in forty percent of patients. Renal function, measured by CysC, is one of the strongest predictors of mortality independently of other prognostic risk markers, such as age, gender, co-morbidities and systolic blood pressure on admission. Moreover, in patients with normal creatinine values, elevated CysC is associated with a marked increase in mortality. Acute kidney injury, defined as an increase in CysC within 48 hours of hospital admission, occurs in a significant proportion of patients and is associated with increased short- and mid-term mortality. The results suggest that CysC can be used for risk stratification in AHF. Markers of inflammation are elevated both in heart failure and in chronic kidney disease, and inflammation is one of the mechanisms thought to mediate heart-kidney interactions in the cardiorenal syndrome. Inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) correlate very differently to markers of cardiac stress and renal function. In particular, TNF-α showed a robust correlation to CysC, but was not associated with levels of NT-proBNP, a marker of hemodynamic cardiac stress. Compared to CysC, the inflammatory markers were not strongly related to mortality in AHF. In conclusion, patients with AHF are elderly with multiple co-morbidities, and renal dysfunction is very common. CysC demonstrates good diagnostic properties both in identifying impaired renal function and acute kidney injury in patients with AHF. CysC, as a measure of renal function, is also a powerful prognostic marker in AHF. CysC shows promise as a marker for assessment of kidney function and risk stratification in patients hospitalized for AHF.

Ultrasonic degradation of poly (styrene-co-alkyl methacrylate) copolymers

The ultrasonic degradation of poly (styrene-co-methyl methacrylate) (SMMA), poly (styrene-co-ethyl methacrylate) (SEMA) and poly (styrene-co-butyl methacrylate) (SBMA) copolymers of different compositions was studied. The copolymers were synthesized and NMR spectroscopy was used to determine the composition, and the glass transition temperatures were determined by DSC. The reactivity ratios were determined by the Kelen-Tudos method and it indicated that the copolymers were random. The effect of solvent, temperature and copolymer composition on the ultrasonic degradation rate of these copolymers was investigated. A model based on continuous distribution kinetics was employed to study the degradation kinetics. The degradation rate coefficients of the copolymers decreased with an increase in the styrene content in the copolymer. At any particular copolymer composition the rate of degradation follows the order: SBMA >SEMA > SMMA. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of the copolymers was carried in order to assess their thermal stability. The same order of degradation was observed for the thermal degradation of the copolymers as that observed for ultrasonic degradation. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.