bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A case study of heterogeneous fleet vehicle routing problem: Touristic distribution application in Alanya
Authors: KaragÃ¼l Kenan , Gungor Ibrahim
Published: July 2014

In this study, Fleet Size and Mix Vehicle Routing Problem is considered in order to optimize the distribution of the tourists who have traveled between the airport and the hotels in the shortest distance by using the minimum cost. The initial solution space for the related methods are formed as a combination of Savings algorithm, Sweep algorithm and random permutation alignment. Then, two well-known solution methods named as Standard Genetic Algorithms and random search algorithms are used for changing the initial solutions. Computational power of the machine and heuristic algorithms are used instead of human experience and human intuition in order to solve the distribution problem of tourists coming to hotels in Alanya region from Antalya airport. For this case study, daily data of tourist distributions performed by an agency operating in Alanya region are considered. These distributions are then modeled as Vehicle Routing Problem to calculate the solutions for various applications. From the comparisons with the decision of a human expert, it is seen that the proposed methods produce better solutions with respect to human experience and insight. Random search method produces a solution more favorable in terms of time. As a conclusion, it is seen that, owing to the distribution plans offered by the obtained solutions, the agencies may reduce the costs by achieving savings up to 35%.
Optimization of nonlinear controller with an enhanced biogeography approach
Authors: Salem Mohammed , Khelfi Mohamed FayÃ§al
Published: July 2014

This paper is dedicated to the optimization of nonlinear controllers basing of an enhanced Biogeography Based Optimization (BBO) approach. Indeed, The BBO is combined to a predator and prey model where several predators are used with introduction of a modified migration operator to increase the diversification along the optimization process so as to avoid local optima and reach the optimal solution quickly. The proposed approach is used in tuning the gains of PID controller for nonlinear systems. Simulations are carried out over a Mass spring damper and an inverted pendulum and has given remarkable results when compared to genetic algorithm and BBO.
Laser Texturing of Plasma Electrolytically Oxidized Aluminum 6061 Surfaces for Improved Hydrophobicity
Authors: Yilbas B. S. , Matthews A. , Karatas C. , Leyland A. , Khaled M. , Abu-Dheir N. , Al-Aqeeli N. , Nie X.
Published: July 2014

Laser surface texturing of plasma electrolytically oxidized aluminum 6061 alloy has been carried out through a controlled surface ablation under a high pressure nitrogen gas assistance. Morphological and metallurgical changes in the laser-treated region were examined using optical, scanning electron, and atomic force microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction phase analysis. The hydrophobicity of the textured surface was assessed through water droplet contact angle measurements. It was found that a dense layer with a nanotexture/microtexture is developed at the surface after the laser treatment process. The assessment of the surface characteristics reveals that a superhydrophobic surface results from the laser treatment process; in which case, high water droplet contact angles are measured over the treated surface, which can be explained by known models of texture-induced superhydrophobicity.
Laser-Induced Plasma Spectrometry With Chemical Seeding and Application to Flow Mixing Analysis in Methane–Air Flames
Authors: Taki Hirotoshi , Asai Hiroshi , Kitagawa Kuniyuki , Oyama Hiroyuki , Gupta Ashwani K.
Published: July 2014

Spectroscopic measurements of flames are amongst the most important analytical diagnostic techniques that allow one to improve thermal and energy efficiency of industrial furnaces. A chemical seeding laser-induced plasma spectroscopy (CS-LIPS) was successfully developed and applied for mixing analysis of a methane–air diffusion flame. The results obtained showed that sensitivity of this system was much improved using silica rod as the target material in place of the tungsten material used in our previous studies. Profiling of Mg spectral emission and mixing in the flame was made more clearly with the introduction of magnesium aerosols as a tracer into the combustion air flow.
Characterization of the Frequency and Muscle Responses of the Lumbar and Thoracic Spines of Seated Volunteers During Sinusoidal Whole Body Vibration
Authors: Baig Hassam A. , Dorman Daniel B. , Bulka Ben A. , Shivers Bethany L. , Chancey Valeta C. , Winkelstein Beth A.
Published: July 2014

Whole body vibration has been postulated to contribute to the onset of back pain. However, little is known about the relationship between vibration exposure, the biomechanical response, and the physiological responses of the seated human. The aim of this study was to measure the frequency and corresponding muscle responses of seated male volunteers during whole body vibration exposures along the vertical and anteroposterior directions to define the transmissibility and associated muscle activation responses for relevant whole body vibration exposures. Seated human male volunteers underwent separate whole body vibration exposures in the vertical (Z-direction) and anteroposterior (X-direction) directions using sinusoidal sweeps ranging from 2 to 18 Hz, with a constant amplitude of 0.4 g. For each vibration exposure, the accelerations and displacements of the seat and lumbar and thoracic spines were recorded. In addition, muscle activity in the lumbar and thoracic spines was recorded using electromyography (EMG) and surface electrodes in the lumbar and thoracic region. Transmissibility was determined, and peak transmissibility, displacement, and muscle activity were compared in each of the lumbar and thoracic regions. The peak transmissibility for vertical vibrations occurred at 4 Hz for both the lumbar (1.55 ± 0.34) and thoracic (1.49 ± 0.21) regions. For X-directed seat vibrations, the transmissibility ratio in both spinal regions was highest at 2 Hz but never exceeded a value of 1. The peak muscle response in both spinal regions occurred at frequencies corresponding to the peak transmissibility, regardless of the direction of imposed seat vibration: 4 Hz for the Z-direction and 2–3 Hz for the X-direction. In both vibration directions, spinal displacements occurred primarily in the direction of seat vibration, with little off-axis motion. The occurrence of peak muscle responses at frequencies of peak transmissibility suggests that such frequencies may induce greater muscle activity, leading to muscle fatigue, which could be a contributing mechanism of back pain.
Theorizing Text as Practice in the New Media Age
Authors: Yell Susan
Published: July 2014

Theorizing Text as Practice in the New Media Age
He kōrero e pa ana ki te toa takitini
Authors: Te Punga Somerville Alice
Published: July 2014

He kōrero e pa ana ki te toa takitini
Close encounters of the Māori kind – Talking interaction in the films of Taika Waititi
Authors: Mercier Ocean
Published: July 2014

Close encounters of the Māori kind – Talking interaction in the films of Taika Waititi
Australian Idol versus Cronulla: Whither the Postcolonising Nation?
Authors: Huijser Henk
Published: July 2014

Australian Idol versus Cronulla: Whither the Postcolonising Nation?
NZ Idol: Youth Audiences and Local Meanings
Authors: De Bruin Joost
Published: July 2014

NZ Idol: Youth Audiences and Local Meanings
Dominion Screen Types and Local Beauty Spots: New Zealand’s Pre­war Community Films
Authors: Hillyer Minette
Published: July 2014

Dominion Screen Types and Local Beauty Spots: New Zealand’s Pre­war Community Films
Changes in Sagittal Plane Kinematics With Treadmill Familiarization to Barefoot Running
Authors: Moore Isabel S. , Dixon Sharon J.
Published: July 2014

Interest in barefoot running and research on barefoot running are growing. However a methodological issue surrounding investigations is how familiar the participants are with running barefoot. The aim of the study was to assess the amount of time required for habitually shod runners to become familiar with barefoot treadmill running. Twelve female recreational runners, who were experienced treadmill users, ran barefoot on a treadmill for three bouts, each bout consisting of 10 minutes at a self-selected speed with 5 minute rest periods. Sagittal plane kinematics of the hip, knee, ankle, and foot during stance were recorded during the first and last minute of each 10-minute bout. Strong reliability (ICC > .8) was shown in most variables after 20 minutes of running. In addition, there was a general trend for the smallest standard error of mean to occur during the same period. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in any of the biomechanical variables after 20 minutes of running. Together, this suggests that familiarization was achieved between 11 and 20 minutes of running barefoot on a treadmill. Familiarization was characterized by less plantar flexion and greater knee flexion at touchdown. These results indicate that adequate familiarization should be given in future studies before gait assessment of barefoot treadmill running.
Cellular Phone Texting Impairs Gait in Able-bodied Young Adults
Authors: Parr Nicholas D. , Hass Chris J. , Tillman Mark D.
Published: July 2014

Cellular phone texting has become increasingly popular, raising the risk of distraction-related injuries. The purpose of this study was to compare alterations in gait parameters during normal gait as opposed to walking while texting. Thirty able-bodied young adults (age = 20 ± 2 y, height = 171 ± 40 cm, mass = 61.7 ± 11.2 kg) who reported texting on a regular basis were tested using an 11-camera optical motion capture system as they walked across an 8 m, obstacle-free floor. A reduction in velocity (P < .05) was seen along with additional significant changes in spatial and temporal parameters. Specifically, step width and double stance time increased, while toe clearance, step length, and cadence decreased. Although many of the changes in spatial and temporal parameters generally accompany slowed gait, the complex distraction task used here may have amplified these potentially deleterious effects. The combination of the slower gait velocity and decrease in attention to the surrounding environment suggests that an individual who is texting while walking could be at a greater risk of injury. Tripping injuries while texting could be more likely due to the decreased toe clearance. In addition, increased step width may increase the likelihood of stepping on an unstable surface or colliding with obstacles in close proximity.
Assessment of Gait Kinetics Using Triaxial Accelerometers
Authors: Fortune Emma , Morrow Melissa M.B. , Kaufman Kenton R.
Published: July 2014

Repeated durations of dynamic activity with high ground reaction forces (GRFs) and loading rates (LRs) can be beneficial to bone health. To fully characterize dynamic activity in relation to bone health, field-based measurements of gait kinetics are desirable to assess free-living lower-extremity loading. The study aims were to determine correlations of peak vertical GRF and peak vertical LR with ankle peak vertical accelerations, and of peak resultant GRF and peak resultant LR with ankle peak resultant accelerations, and to compare them to correlations with tibia, thigh, and waist accelerations. GRF data were collected as ten healthy subjects (26 [19–34] years) performed 8–10 walking trials at velocities ranging from 0.19 to 3.05 m/s while wearing ankle, tibia, thigh, and waist accelerometers. While peak vertical accelerations of all locations were positively correlated with peak vertical GRF and LR (r2 > .53, P < .001), ankle peak vertical accelerations were the most correlated (r2 > .75, P < .001). All peak resultant accelerations were positively correlated with peak resultant GRF and LR (r2 > .57, P < .001), with waist peak resultant acceleration being the most correlated (r2 > .70, P < .001). The results suggest that ankle or waist accelerometers give the most accurate peak GRF and LR estimates and could be useful tools in relating physical activity to bone health.
Observation of broken time-reversal symmetry in the heavy-fermion superconductor UPt
3
Authors: Schemm E. R. , Gannon W. J. , Wishne C. M. , Halperin W. P. , Kapitulnik A.
Published: July 2014

Optically probed superconductor

The exotic superconductor UPt
3
has two superconducting phases that appear at different temperatures, but their nature remains unclear. Schemm
et al.
shone circularly polarized light on a crystal of UPt
3
and studied its reflection (see the Perspective by van der Marel and Sawatzky). In the low-temperature phase, the pairs of electrons that make the material superconducting have a handedness to them. The finding narrows down the possible descriptions of the electron-pair wave function.

Science
, this issue p.
190
; see also p.
138
Ex vivo culture of circulating breast tumor cells for individualized testing of drug susceptibility
Authors: Yu Min , Bardia Aditya , Aceto Nicola , Bersani Francesca , Madden Marissa W. , Donaldson Maria C. , Desai Rushil , Zhu Huili , Comaills Valentine , Zheng Zongli , Wittner Ben S. , Stojanov Petar , Brachtel Elena , Sgroi Dennis , Kapur Ravi , Shioda Toshihiro , Ting David T. , Ramaswamy Sridhar , Getz Gad , Iafrate A. John , Benes Cyril , Toner Mehmet , Maheswaran Shyamala , Haber Daniel A.
Published: July 2014

Staying one step ahead of tumors

Cancer treatments require continual adjustment. A drug that works initially will lose its potency as the tumor acquires new mutations that allow it to bypass the drug's lethal effects. To stay ahead of the tumor, oncologists need a noninvasive way to collect tumor cells from patients over the course of their treatment. Analyzing the mutations in these samples may help them choose the right drugs as the tumors change. In a small study of breast cancer patients, Yu
et al.
show that rare tumor cells circulating in the blood can be captured in viable form and used for this purpose.

Science
, this issue p.
216
End of AIDS—Hype versus hope
Authors: El-Sadr Wafaa M. , Harripersaud Katherine , Bayer Ronald
Published: July 2014

Since 2001, HIV incidence has declined by 33% worldwide, and more than 9.7 million people with HIV have gained access to treatment.
*
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS launched the Getting to Zero strategy (2011–2015) that includes zero new infections, zero deaths from HIV, and zero discrimination. Aspirational statements such as “the end of AIDS” have also prevailed. However, do such pronouncements help or hurt? Do they motivate action, or do they risk incredulity, leading to inaction? Do such aspirations epitomize hype or hope?
An optical twist for triplet superconductors
Authors: van der Marel Dirk , Sawatzky George Albert
Published: July 2014

Optical measurements may help reveal the secrets of exotic superconductivity and manipulate the pair condensate.

[Also see Report by

Schemm
et al.

]
Immunization-Induced Anaplasma marginale-Specific T-Lymphocyte Responses Impaired by A. marginale Infection Are Restored after Eliminating Infection with Tetracycline
Authors: Turse Joshua E. , Scoles Glen A. , Deringer James R. , Fry Lindsay M. , Brown Wendy C.
Published: July 2014

Infection of cattle withAnaplasma marginalefails to prime sustained effector/memory T-cell responses, and high bacterial load may induce antigen-specific CD4 T exhaustion and deletion. We tested the hypothesis that clearance of persistent infection restores the exhausted T-cell response. We show that infection-induced T-cell exhaustion, characterized as loss of antigen-specific proliferation, and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production are partially restored in cattle following clearance of persistent infection with tetracycline.
Pertussis-Specific Memory B-Cell and Humoral IgG Responses in Adolescents after a Fifth Consecutive Dose of Acellular Pertussis Vaccine
Authors: Jahnmatz Maja , Ljungman Margaretha , Netterlid Eva , Jenmalm Maria C. , Nilsson Lennart , Thorstensson Rigmor
Published: July 2014

In order to impede the increase in pertussis incidence in the adolescent group, a school-leaving booster dose administered at the age of 14 to 16 years will be introduced in Sweden in 2016. Preceding this introduction, an open-label, randomized, multicenter, clinical trial without a control group and with blinded analysis was performed, investigating both safety and immunogenicity. Reported here are the memory B-cell and serological responses detected in a smaller cohort (n= 34) of the 230 subjects recruited to the study. All subjects had received primary vaccination consisting of three doses of diphtheria–tetanus–5-component pertussis (DTaP5) vaccine, at 3, 5, and 12 months of age, and a tetanus–low-dose diphtheria–5-component pertussis (Tdap5) vaccine booster at 5.5 years. In this study, the subjects were randomly assigned and received either a Tdap1 or Tdap5 booster. Of the 230 participants, 34 subjects had samples available for evaluation of IgG-producing memory B-cell responses. Both vaccine groups had significant increases in pertussis toxin-specific serum IgG levels, but only the 1-component group showed significant increases in pertussis toxin-specific memory B cells. The 5-component group had significant increases in filamentous hemagglutinin- and pertactin-specific memory B-cell and serum IgG levels; these were not seen in the 1-component group, as expected. In conclusion, this study shows that a 5th consecutive dose of an acellular pertussis vaccine induces B-cell responses in vaccinated adolescents. (This study has been registered at EudraCT under registration no. 2008-008195-13 and at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT00870350.)
Comprehensive Human Virus Screening Using High-Throughput Sequencing with a User-Friendly Representation of Bioinformatics Analysis: a Pilot Study
Authors: Petty Tom J. , Cordey Samuel , Padioleau Ismael , Docquier Mylène , Turin Lara , Preynat-Seauve Olivier , Zdobnov Evgeny M. , Kaiser Laurent
Published: July 2014

High-throughput sequencing (HTS) provides the means to analyze clinical specimens in unprecedented molecular detail. While this technology has been successfully applied to virus discovery and other related areas of research, HTS methodology has yet to be exploited for use in a clinical setting for routine diagnostics. Here, a bioinformatics pipeline (ezVIR) was designed to process HTS data from any of the standard platforms and to evaluate the entire spectrum of known human viruses at once, providing results that are easy to interpret and customizable. The pipeline works by identifying the most likely viruses present in the specimen given the sequencing data. Additionally, ezVIR can generate optional reports for strain typing, can create genome coverage histograms, and can perform cross-contamination analysis for specimens prepared in series. In this pilot study, the pipeline was challenged using HTS data from 20 clinical specimens representative of those most often collected and analyzed in daily practice. The specimens (5 cerebrospinal fluid, 7 bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, 5 plasma, 2 serum, and 1 nasopharyngeal aspirate) were originally found to be positive for a diverse range of DNA or RNA viruses by routine molecular diagnostics. The ezVIR pipeline correctly identified 14 of 14 specimens containing viruses with genomes of <40,000 bp, and 4 of 6 specimens positive for large-genome viruses. Although further validation is needed to evaluate sensitivity and to define detection cutoffs, results obtained in this pilot study indicate that the overall detection success rate, coupled with the ease of interpreting the analysis reports, makes it worth considering using HTS for clinical diagnostics.
Spatial Localization of the Ebola Virus Glycoprotein Mucin-Like Domain Determined by Cryo-Electron Tomography
Authors: Tran Erin E. H. , Simmons James A. , Bartesaghi Alberto , Shoemaker Charles J. , Nelson Elizabeth , White Judith M. , Subramaniam Sriram
Published: July 2014

The Ebola virus glycoprotein mucin-like domain (MLD) is implicated in Ebola virus cell entry and immune evasion. Using cryo-electron tomography of Ebola virus-like particles, we determined a three-dimensional structure for the full-length glycoprotein in a near-native state and compared it to that of a glycoprotein lacking the MLD. Our results, which show that the MLD is located at the apex and the sides of each glycoprotein monomer, provide a structural template for analysis of MLD function.
Creation of Rift Valley Fever Viruses with Four-Segmented Genomes Reveals Flexibility in Bunyavirus Genome Packaging
Authors: Wichgers Schreur Paul J. , Oreshkova Nadia , Moormann Rob J. M. , Kortekaas Jeroen
Published: July 2014

Bunyavirus genomes comprise a small (S), a medium (M), and a large (L) RNA segment of negative polarity. Although the untranslated regions have been shown to comprise signals required for transcription, replication, and encapsidation, the mechanisms that drive the packaging of at least one S, M, and L segment into a single virion to generate infectious virus are largely unknown. One of the most important members of the
Bunyaviridae
family that causes devastating disease in ruminants and occasionally humans is the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV). We studied the flexibility of RVFV genome packaging by splitting the glycoprotein precursor gene, encoding the (NSm)GnGc polyprotein, into two individual genes encoding either (NSm)Gn or Gc. Using reverse genetics, six viruses with a segmented glycoprotein precursor gene were rescued, varying from a virus comprising two S-type segments in the absence of an M-type segment to a virus consisting of four segments (RVFV-4s), of which three are M-type. Despite that all virus variants were able to grow in mammalian cell lines, they were unable to spread efficiently in cells of mosquito origin. Moreover,
in vivo
studies demonstrated that RVFV-4s is unable to cause disseminated infection and disease in mice, even in the presence of the main virulence factor NSs, but induced a protective immune response against a lethal challenge with wild-type virus. In summary, splitting bunyavirus glycoprotein precursor genes provides new opportunities to study bunyavirus genome packaging and offers new methods to develop next-generation live-attenuated bunyavirus vaccines.

IMPORTANCE
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) causes devastating disease in ruminants and occasionally humans. Virions capable of productive infection comprise at least one copy of the small (S), medium (M), and large (L) RNA genome segments. The M segment encodes a glycoprotein precursor (GPC) protein that is cotranslationally cleaved into Gn and Gc, which are required for virus entry and fusion. We studied the flexibility of RVFV genome packaging and developed experimental live-attenuated vaccines by applying a unique strategy based on the splitting of the GnGc open reading frame. Several RVFV variants, varying from viruses comprising two S-type segments to viruses consisting of four segments (RVFV-4s), of which three are M-type, could be rescued and were shown to induce a rapid protective immune response. Altogether, the segmentation of bunyavirus GPCs provides a new method for studying bunyavirus genome packaging and facilitates the development of novel live-attenuated bunyavirus vaccines.
Development of a Gaussia Luciferase-Based Human Norovirus Protease Reporter System: Cell Type-Specific Profile of Norwalk Virus Protease Precursors and Evaluation of Inhibitors
Authors: Qu Lin , Vongpunsawad Sompong , Atmar Robert L. , Prasad B. V. Venkataram , Estes Mary K.
Published: July 2014

Norwalk virus (NV) is the prototype strain of human noroviruses (HuNoVs), a group of positive-strand RNA viruses in the
Caliciviridae
family and the leading cause of epidemic gastroenteritis worldwide. Investigation of HuNoV replication and development of antiviral therapeutics in cell culture remain challenging tasks. Here, we present NoroGLuc, a HuNoV protease reporter system based on a fusion of NV p41 protein with a naturally secreted
Gaussia
luciferase (GLuc), linked by the p41/p22 cleavage site for NV protease (Pro).
trans
cleavage of NoroGLuc by NV Pro or Pro precursors results in release and secretion of an active GLuc. Using this system, we observed a cell type-specific activity profile of NV Pro and Pro precursors, suggesting that the activity of NV Pro is modulated by other viral proteins in the precursor forms and strongly influenced by cellular factors. NoroGLuc was also cleaved by Pro and Pro precursors generated from replication of NV stool RNA in transfected cells, resulting in a measurable increase of secreted GLuc. Truncation analysis revealed that the N-terminal membrane association domain of NV p41 is critical for NoroGLuc activity. Although designed for NV, a genogroup GI.1 norovirus, NoroGLuc also efficiently detects Pro activities from GII.3 and GII.4 noroviruses. At noncytotoxic concentrations, protease inhibitors ZnCl
2
and
N
α-
p
-tosyl-
l
-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK) exhibited dose-dependent inhibitory effects on a GII.4 Pro by NoroGLuc assay. These results establish NoroGLuc as a pan-genogroup HuNoV protease reporter system that can be used for the study of HuNoV proteases and precursors, monitoring of viral RNA replication, and evaluation of antiviral agents.

IMPORTANCE
Human noroviruses are the leading cause of epidemic gastroenteritis worldwide. Currently, there are no vaccines or antiviral drugs available to counter these highly contagious viruses. These viruses are currently noncultivatable in cell culture. Here, we report the development of a novel cell-based reporter system called NoroGLuc that can be used for studying norovirus replication and also for screening/evaluation of antiviral agents. This system is based on the fusion between viral protein p41 and a naturally secreted
Gaussia
luciferase (GLuc) with a cleavage site that can be recognized by the viral protease. Cleavage of this fusion protein by the viral protease results in the release and secretion of an active GLuc. Using NoroGLuc, we demonstrated a cell type-specific activity profile of the viral protease and its precursors and dose-dependent inhibitory effects of two protease inhibitors. This novel reporter system should be useful in probing norovirus replication and evaluating antiviral agents.
Influenza A and B Virus Intertypic Reassortment through Compatible Viral Packaging Signals
Authors: Baker Steven F. , Nogales Aitor , Finch Courtney , Tuffy Kevin M. , Domm William , Perez Daniel R. , Topham David J. , Martínez-Sobrido Luis
Published: July 2014

Influenza A and B viruses cocirculate in humans and together cause disease and seasonal epidemics. These two types of influenza viruses are evolutionarily divergent, and exchange of genetic segments inside coinfected cells occurs frequently within types but never between influenza A and B viruses. Possible mechanisms inhibiting the intertypic reassortment of genetic segments could be due to incompatible protein functions of segment homologs, a lack of processing of heterotypic segments by influenza virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, an inhibitory effect of viral proteins on heterotypic virus function, or an inability to specifically incorporate heterotypic segments into budding virions. Here, we demonstrate that the full-length hemagglutinin (HA) of prototype influenza B viruses can complement the function of multiple influenza A viruses. We show that viral noncoding regions were sufficient to drive gene expression for either type A or B influenza virus with its cognate or heterotypic polymerase. The native influenza B virus HA segment could not be incorporated into influenza A virus virions. However, by adding the influenza A virus packaging signals to full-length influenza B virus glycoproteins, we rescued influenza A viruses that possessed HA, NA, or both HA and NA of influenza B virus. Furthermore, we show that, similar to single-cycle infectious influenza A virus, influenza B virus cannot incorporate heterotypic transgenes due to packaging signal incompatibilities. Altogether, these results demonstrate that the lack of influenza A and B virus reassortants can be attributed at least in part to incompatibilities in the virus-specific packaging signals required for effective segment incorporation into nascent virions.

IMPORTANCEReassortment of influenza A or B viruses provides an evolutionary strategy leading to unique genotypes, which can spawn influenza A viruses with pandemic potential. However, the mechanism preventing intertypic reassortment or gene exchange between influenza A and B viruses is not well understood. Nucleotides comprising the coding termini of each influenza A virus gene segment are required for specific segment incorporation during budding. Whether influenza B virus shares a similar selective packaging strategy or if packaging signals prevent intertypic reassortment remains unknown. Here, we provide evidence suggesting a similar mechanism of influenza B virus genome packaging. Furthermore, by appending influenza A virus packaging signals onto influenza B virus segments, we rescued recombinant influenza A/B viruses that could reassortin vitrowith another influenza A virus. These findings suggest that the divergent evolution of packaging signals aids with the speciation of influenza A and B viruses and is in part responsible for the lack of intertypic viral reassortment.
Chemokine (C-C Motif) Receptor 1 Is Required for Efficient Recruitment of Neutrophils during Respiratory Infection with Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara
Authors: Price Philip J. R. , Luckow Bruno , Torres-Domínguez Lino E. , Brandmüller Christine , Zorn Julia , Kirschning Carsten J. , Sutter Gerd , Lehmann Michael H.
Published: July 2014

Modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) serves as a versatile platform in vaccine development. This highly attenuated orthopoxvirus, which cannot replicate in mammalian cells, triggers strong innate immune responses, including cell migration. Previously, we have shown that induction of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) by MVA is necessary for the recruitment of monocytes and T cells, but not neutrophils, to the lung. Here, we identified neutrophil-attracting chemokines produced by MVA-infected primary murine lung fibroblasts and murine bone marrow-derived macrophages. We demonstrate that MVA, but not vaccinia virus (VACV) strain WR, induces chemokine expression, which is independent of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) signaling. Additionally, we show that both chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 1 (CCR1) and chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 2 (CXCR2) are involved in MVA-induced neutrophil chemotaxisin vitro. Finally, intranasal infection ofCcr1−/−mice with MVA, as well as application of the CCR1 antagonist J-113863, revealed a role for CCR1 in leukocyte recruitment, including neutrophils, into the lung.

IMPORTANCERapid attraction of leukocytes to the site of inoculation is unique to MVA in comparison to other VACV strains. The findings here extend current knowledge about the regulation of MVA-induced leukocyte migration, particularly regarding neutrophils, which could potentially be exploited to improve other VACV strains currently in development as oncolytic viruses and viral vectors. Additionally, the data presented here indicate that the inflammatory response may vary depending on the cell type infected by MVA, highlighting the importance of the site of vaccine application. Moreover, the rapid recruitment of neutrophils and other leukocytes can directly contribute to the induction of adaptive immune responses elicited by MVA inoculation. Thus, a better understanding of leukocyte migration upon MVA infection is particularly relevant for further development and use of MVA-based vaccines and vectors.
Impact of Sequence Variation in a Dominant HLA-A*02-Restricted Epitope in Hepatitis C Virus on Priming and Cross-Reactivity of CD8
+
T Cells
Authors: Ziegler Susanne , Skibbe Kathrin , Walker Andreas , Ke Xiaoyu , Heinemann Falko M. , Heinold Andreas , Mok Juk Yee , van Esch Wim J. E. , Yang Dongliang , Wölfl Matthias , Timm Jörg
Published: July 2014

CD8
+
T cells are an essential component of successful adaptive immune responses against hepatitis C virus (HCV). A major obstacle to vaccine design against HCV is its inherent viral sequence diversity. Here, we test the hypothesis that different sequence variants of an immunodominant CD8
+
T cell epitope, all binding with high affinity to HLA class I, target different T cell receptor repertoires and thereby influence the quality of the CD8
+
T cell response. The impacts of sequence differences in the HLA-A*02-restricted HCV NS3
1406–1415
epitope on
in vitro
priming of naive CD8
+
T cells from seronegative donors and cross-reactivity of primed T cells with other epitope variants were characterized. Although the six epitope variants tested were all high-affinity binders to HLA-A*02:01, substantial differences in priming and cross-reactivity of CD8
+
T cells were observed. The variant associated with the most reproducible priming and induction of T cells with broad cross-reactivity was a genotype 1b variant (KLSALGLNAV) that is more common in HCV isolates collected in Asia but is rare in sequences from Europe and North America. The superior immunogenicity and cross-reactivity of this relatively rare epitope variant were confirmed by using HCV-specific memory CD8
+
T cells from people who inject drugs, who are frequently exposed to HCV. Collectively, the data suggest that sequence differences at the epitope level between HCV isolates substantially impact CD8
+
T cell priming and the degree of cross-reactivity with other epitope variants.

IMPORTANCE
The results have important implications for vaccine design against highly variable pathogens and suggest that evidence-based selection of the vaccine antigen sequence may improve immunogenicity and T cell cross-reactivity. Cross-reactive CD8
+
T cells are likely beneficial for immune control of transmitted viruses carrying epitope variants and for prevention of immune escape during acute infection. To this end, rare epitope variants and potentially even altered epitope sequences associated with priming of broadly cross-reactive T cell receptors should be considered for vaccine design and need further testing.
Primary hip replacement prostheses and their evidence base: systematic review of literature
Authors: Kynaston-Pearson F , Ashmore A M , Malak T T , Rombach I , Taylor A , Beard D , Arden N K , Price A , Prieto-Alhambra D , Judge A , Carr A J , Glyn-Jones S
Published: July 2014

STUDY QUESTION

To what extent are prostheses with no readily available evidence to support their use being implanted in primary total hip arthroplasty?

SUMMARY ANSWER

A quarter of prostheses available to orthopaedic surgeons in England and Wales have no readily available evidence of clinical effectiveness to support their use.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

The high failure rate of some metal-on-metal hip replacements has highlighted the need for an adequate evidence base for orthopaedic implants. A considerable number of prostheses available to the surgeon for use in primary total hip arthroplasty in the UK have no available evidence of clinical effectiveness to support their use.
Understanding clinicians’ decisions to offer intravenous thrombolytic treatment to patients with acute ischaemic stroke: a protocol for a discrete choice experiment
Authors: De Brún, Aoife , Flynn Darren , Joyce Kerry , Ternent Laura , Price Christopher , Rodgers Helen , Ford Gary A , Lancsar Emily , Rudd Matthew , Thomson Richard G
Published: July 2014

Background

Intravenous thrombolysis is an effective emergency treatment for acute ischaemic stroke for patients meeting specific criteria. Approximately 12% of eligible patients in England, Wales and Northern Ireland received thrombolysis in the first quarter of 2013, yet as many as 15% are eligible to receive treatment. Suboptimal use of thrombolysis may have been largely attributable to structural factors; however, with the widespread implementation of 24/7 hyper acute stroke services, continuing variation is likely to reflect differences in clinical decision-making, in particular the influence of ambiguous areas within the guidelines, licensing criteria and research evidence. Clinicians’ perceptions about thrombolysis may now exert a greater influence on treatment rates than structural/service factors. This research seeks to elucidate factors influencing thrombolysis decision-making by using patient vignettes to identify (1) patient-related and clinician-related factors that may help to explain variation in treatment and (2) associated trade-offs in decision-making based on the interplay of critical factors.

Methods/analysis

A discrete choice experiment (DCE) will be conducted to better understand how clinicians make decisions about whether or not to offer thrombolysis to patients with acute ischaemic stroke. To inform the design, exploratory work will be undertaken to ensure that (1) all potentially influential factors are considered for inclusion; and (2) to gain insights into the ‘grey areas’ of patient factors. A fractional factorial design will be used to combine levels of patient factors in vignettes, which will be presented to clinicians to allow estimation of the variable effects on decisions to offer thrombolysis.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Newcastle University Research Ethics Committee. The results will be disseminated in peer review publications and at national conferences. Findings will be translated into continuing professional development activities and will support implementation of a computerised decision aid for thrombolysis (COMPASS) in acute stroke care.
When should we use diagnostic imaging to investigate for pulmonary embolism in pregnant and postpartum women?
Authors: Goodacre Steve , Nelson-Piercy Catherine , Hunt Beverley , Chan Wee-Shian
Published: July 2014

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a leading cause of death in pregnancy and postpartum. Clinicians face a difficult choice when deciding whether to use diagnostic imaging to investigate for suspected PE in these patients, between risking potentially catastrophic consequences of missed diagnosis if imaging is withheld and risking unnecessary iatrogenic harm to both mother and fetus if imaging is overused. This paper explores the options for imaging and evidence for the use of clinical features, clinical predictions scores or biomarkers to select pregnant and postpartum women for imaging. It also considers where future research could be most appropriately directed.
Simulation and empirical analysis of novel sibship-based genetic determination of fish passage
Authors: Whiteley Andrew R. , Coombs Jason A. , Letcher Benjamin H. , Nislow Keith H.
Published: July 2014

We develop and test a new analytic approach, termed “sib-split”, to detect fish passage through road crossings. This new approach is based on the genetic analysis of full-siblings on opposite sides of potential barriers. We used simulations and data from two empirical case studies involving brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) movement with respect to barriers that varied in strength of effect on fish passage. Simulations revealed that both sib-split and the population assignment-based method (STRUCTURE) were highly accurate (mean accuracy > 99%) under easy-to-detect conditions (moderate to strong genetic differentiation and no movement). However, under difficult-to-detect simulated conditions (no genetic differentiation, 10% movement each generation), sib-split had higher accuracy (mean accuracy = 98%) than STRUCTURE (mean accuracy = 84%). Sib-split also outperformed STRUCTURE (mean accuracy 98% versus 89%) under a more difficult-to-detect simulated management scenario (simulated construction of a new complete barrier to movement). Sib-split provided more reliable and easily interpretable movement detection in both easy- and difficult-to-detect empirical case studies. With the empirical case studies, sensitivity to the prior on migration rate precluded use of STRUCTURE by itself, but a two-step approach where sib-split results were used to provide an informed migration prior for STRUCTURE provided additional information for both case studies.
Homothetic vector field in plane symmetric Bianchi type-I cosmological model in Lyra geometry
Authors: Gad Ragab M. , Alofi A. S.
Published: July 2014

In this paper, we obtain a homothetic vector field of a plane symmetric Bianchi type-I spacetime based on Lyra geometry. We discuss the cases when the displacement vector is function of t and when it is constant. We investigate the equation of state in both two cases. A comparison between the obtained results, using Lyra geometry, and that have obtained previously in the context of General Relativity (GR), based on Riemannian geometry, will be given.
SYNCHRONIZATION OF CIRCADIAN OSCILLATORS AND PROTEIN SYNTHESIS CONTROL USING THE DERIVATIVE-FREE NONLINEAR KALMAN FILTER
Authors: RIGATOS GERASIMOS , RIGATOU EFTHYMIA
Published: July 2014

The paper proposes a new method for synchronization of coupled circadian cells and for nonlinear control of the associated protein synthesis process using differential flatness theory and the derivative-free nonlinear Kalman filter. By proving that the dynamic model of the FRQ protein synthesis is a differentially flat one, its transformation to the linear canonical (Brunovsky) form becomes possible. For the transformed model, one can find a state feedback control input that makes the oscillatory characteristics in the concentration of the FRQ protein vary according to desirable setpoints. To estimate nonmeasurable elements of the state vector, the derivative-free nonlinear Kalman filter is used. The derivative-free nonlinear Kalman filter consists of the standard Kalman filter recursion on the linearized equivalent model of the coupled circadian cells and on computation of state and disturbance estimates using the diffeomorphism (relations about state variables transformation) provided by differential flatness theory. Moreover, to cope with parametric uncertainties in the model of the FRQ protein synthesis and with stochastic disturbances in measurements, the derivative-free nonlinear Kalman filter is redesigned in the form of a disturbance observer. The efficiency of the proposed Kalman filter-based control scheme is tested through simulation experiments.
A Green Approach for the Synthesis of a Cerium Oxide Nanoparticle: Characterization and Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Kannan S. K. , Sundrarajan M.
Published: July 2014

In this study, the synthesis of a cerium oxide nanoparticle was carried out from Acalypha indica leaf extract. The synthesized nanoparticle was characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) for structural confirmation. The studies clearly indicate that the synthesized CeO 2 nanoparticle is a crystalline material with particle size between 25–30 nm. Further analysis was carried out by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), to provide evidence for the presence of Ce - O - Ce asymmetry stretching of the CeO 2 nanoparticle. Thermo Gravimetric and Differential Scanning Calorimetry analyses gave the thermal properties of cerium oxide nanoparticles. Antibacterial studies were conducted using the synthesized CeO 2. This result showed increasing rate of antibacterial behavior with gram positive and gram negative bacteria.
Sums of digits in q-ary expansions
Authors: Saunders J. C.
Published: July 2014

Let sq(n) denote the sum of the digits of a number n expressed in base q. We study here the ratio [Formula: see text] for various values of q and α. In 1978, Kenneth B. Stolarsky showed that [Formula: see text] and that [Formula: see text] using an explicit construction. We show that for α = 2 and q ≥ 2, the above ratio can in fact be any positive rational number. We also study what happens when α is a rational number that is not an integer, terminating the resulting expression by using the floor function.
UHF-slicing and classification of nuclear C*-algebras
Authors: Strung Karen R. , Winter Wilhelm
Published: July 2014

In this paper we show that certain simple locally recursive subhomogeneous (RSH) C*-algebras are tracially approximately interval algebras after tensoring with the universal UHF algebra. This involves a linear algebraic encoding of the structure of the local RSH algebra allowing us to find a path through the algebra which looks like a discrete version of [0, 1] and exhausts most of the algebra. We produce an actual copy of the interval and use properties of C*-algebras tensored with UHF algebras to move the honest interval underneath the discrete version. It follows from our main result that such C*-algebras are classifiable by Elliott invariants. Our theorem requires finitely many tracial states that all induce the same state on the K0-group; in particular we do not require that projections separate tracial states. We apply our results to classify some examples of C*-algebras constructed by Elliott to exhaust the invariant. We also give an alternative way to classify examples of Lin and Matui of C*-algebras of minimal dynamical systems. In this way our result can be viewed as a first step towards removing the requirement that projections separate tracial states in the classification theorem for C*-algebras of minimal dynamical systems given by Toms and the second named author.
ROTATING MACHINERY FAULT DETECTION BASED ON IMPROVED ENSEMBLE EMPIRICAL MODE DECOMPOSITION
Authors: CHEN LUE , ZI YAN-YANG , HE ZHENG-JIA , LEI YA-GUO , TANG GE-SHI
Published: July 2014

An improved EEMD approach is introduced in this paper based on automatically obtaining the adding white noise amplitude and the ensemble number according to different analyzing signal characteristics. The adding white noise affects decomposition effect is researched in detail, a criterion of adding white noise in EEMD is established, and the improved EEMD algorithm is described. Simulated signals demonstrate the effectiveness of the improved EEMD in diagnosing the faults of rotating machinery. The improved EEMD is successfully applied to an early rub-impact fault detection of machine unit for catalytic cracking of heavy oil, with the fault reason being analyzed in detail. A gear fault detection of hot strip finishing mills is also analyzed utilizing the improved EEMD method. The results show that the improved EEMD can obtain more precise diagnosis results than the original EMD and FFT spectrum.
Fast 3D AML-Based Bird Song Estimation
Authors: Zhang Jiawei , Kossan George , Hedley Richard W. , Hudson Ralph E. , Taylor Charles E. , Yao Kung , Bao Ming
Published: July 2014

In this paper, we present simulations and experimentally collected bird song data collected using a modified Voxnet acoustic array node (with four microphones) to perform 3D direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation of various bird sources. We used the Approximate Maximum-Likelihood (AML) algorithm to construct the steering matrix in the beamforming process for the estimation of the DOA of the bird signals. While the computational burden is high in the 3D scenario, various strategies have been developed to reduce the computational burden of the algorithm for potential real-time applications. Extensive simulations and experimentally collected data are used to validate the effectiveness of the AML algorithm for 3D estimations and the usefulness of the modified Voxnet node. Both the estimated azimuths and elevations have approximately plus and minus 10 degrees of errors.