bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Swappable Battery Pack for Short-Range Electric Vehicles
Authors: Choate Matthew , Meeth Jake , Christianson Caleb , Collins Patrick , Depcik Christopher
Published: July 2016

As the flaws of fossil fuels become more ever-apparent, alternatives are being developed to fill the gap. There has been a large initiative to produce electric vehicles (EVs) to replace internal combustion engines (ICE) that currently populate the roads. However, EVs are less capable of traveling greater distances and providing as much power as ICE vehicles; but when used at slow speeds and for short commutes, EVs are operationally cheaper and a more effective means of transportation. By utilizing a Global Electric Motorcar (GEM) that is currently in disrepair on a university campus, an analysis of benefits and costs of replacing the conventional lead acid batteries with lithium batteries can be done. To improve the utility of the vehicle, the batteries were placed in a removable battery pack to promote ease of battery exchange. In addition, a battery drawer was added to the vehicle providing the ability to rapidly exchange battery packs to facilitate a longer working day. The renovation will increase battery and usage efficiency, ameliorating the effectiveness of the vehicle in transporting personnel and recycling while improving the campus environmental impact and outlook. This effort, as part of an undergraduate capstone design class, describes the theory that went into designing the pack capacity, the design of the battery drawer and pack, along with the construction of the system. Preliminary results of driving the upgraded GEM vehicle are also presented.
Hunting Characteristics of a Freight Car in Presence of Secondary Suspension Non-Smooth Contact Dynamics
Authors: Ashtiani Iman Hazrati , Ahmed A. K. W. , Rakheja Subhash , Zhang Jimin
Published: July 2016

In this study, the nonlinear damping characteristics of friction wedges in the secondary suspension of a freight truck are investigated considering non-smooth contact, geometry, loss of contact and multi-axis motions. The friction wedge model is integrated to a nonlinear multi-body dynamic model of a three-piece truck to study its hunting characteristics. The 114-degrees-of-freedom model also integrates constraints due to side bearings, axle boxes and center plates, while the wheel/rail contact forces are obtained using FASTSIM algorithm considering non-elliptical contact. The parameters of contact pairs within the suspension are identified to achieve smooth and efficient numerical solutions, while ensuring adequate accuracy. The simulation results are presented to illustrate the hunting properties of the truck in terms of critical speed and oscillation frequency. The results showed subcritical Hopf-bifurcation in the lateral dynamic responses.
Temporal artifact minimization in sonoelastography through optimal selection of imaging parameters
Authors: Torres Gabriela , Chau Gustavo R. , Parker Kevin J. , Castaneda Benjamin , Lavarello Roberto J.
Published: July 2016

Sonoelastography is an ultrasonic technique that uses Kasai's autocorrelation algorithms to generate qualitative images of tissue elasticity using external mechanical vibrations. In the absence of synchronization between the mechanical vibration device and the ultrasound system, the random initial phase and finite ensemble length of the data packets result in temporal artifacts in the sonoelastography frames and, consequently, in degraded image quality. In this work, the analytic derivation of an optimal selection of acquisition parameters (i.e., pulse repetition frequency, vibration frequency, and ensemble length) is developed in order to minimize these artifacts, thereby eliminating the need for complex device synchronization. The proposed rule was verified through experiments with heterogeneous phantoms, where the use of optimally selected parameters increased the average contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) by more than 200% and reduced the CNR standard deviation by 400% when compared to the use of arbitrarily selected imaging parameters. Therefore, the results suggest that the rule for specific selection of acquisition parameters becomes an important tool for producing high quality sonoelastography images.
Fluctuations in the cross-correlation for fields lacking full diffusivity: The statistics of spurious features
Authors: Yoritomo John Y. , Weaver Richard L.
Published: July 2016

Inasmuch as ambient noise fields are often not fully diffuse the question arises as to how, or whether, noise cross-correlations converge to Green's function in practice. Well-known theoretical estimates suggest that the quality of convergence scales with the square root of the product of integration time and bandwidth. However, correlations from natural environments often show random features too large to be consistent with fluctuations from insufficient integration time. Here it is argued that empirical seismic correlations suffer in practice from spurious arrivals due to scatterers, and not from insufficient integration time. Estimates are sought for differences by considering a related problem consisting of waves from a finite density of point sources. The resulting cross-correlations are analyzed for their mean and variance. The mean is, as expected, Green's function with amplitude dependent on noise strength. The variance is found to have support for all times up to its maximum at the main arrival. The signal-to-noise ratio there scales with the square root of source density. Numerical simulations support the theoretical estimates. The result permits estimates of spurious arrivals' impact on identification of cross-correlations with Green's function and indicates that spurious arrivals may affect estimates of amplitudes, complicating efforts to infer attenuation.
Nuclear respiratory factor 1 and endurance exercise promote human telomere transcription
Authors: Diman Aurélie , Boros Joanna , Poulain Florian , Rodriguez Julie , Purnelle Marin , Episkopou Harikleia , Bertrand Luc , Francaux Marc , Deldicque Louise , Decottignies Anabelle
Published: July 2016

The AMPK/PGC-1α metabolic pathway and nuclear respiratory factor 1 up-regulate human telomere transcription.
Detection of the plant parasite
Cuscuta reflexa
by a tomato cell surface receptor
Authors: Hegenauer Volker , Fürst Ursula , Kaiser Bettina , Smoker Matthew , Zipfel Cyril , Felix Georg , Stahl Mark , Albert Markus
Published: July 2016

Resistance is not, after all, futile

The parasitic plant known as dodder attaches to its hosts and sucks the life out of them. Oddly, the common tomato stands tall when under attack. Hegenauer
et al.
have leveraged that difference to identify part of the molecular defense system that protects tomato plants (see the Perspective by Ntoukakis and Gimenez-Ibanez). In a process analogous to defenses mounted against microbial infection, the host plant perceives a small-peptide signal from the parasitic plant and initiates defense responses. The candidate receptor isolated from the tomato plant provided partial protection when transferred to two other susceptible plant species.

Science
, this issue p.
478
; see also p.
442
Teaching accreditation exams reveal grading biases favor women in male-dominated disciplines in France
Authors: Breda Thomas , Hillion Mélina
Published: July 2016

Signaling ability and grit to academia

In many professions, getting ahead requires evidence of both effort and ability. This is especially true if one is not a member of the dominant group and thus surmounting social norms. Breda and Hillion show that oral examiners of candidates for teaching positions in the French education system reward such applicants. Specifically, women applying for high-level teaching positions in male-dominated fields, such as physics and philosophy, are favored, as are men who apply in female-dominated fields, such as literature and foreign languages.

Science
, this issue p.
474
Rapid evolution accelerates plant population spread in fragmented experimental landscapes
Authors: Williams Jennifer L. , Kendall Bruce E. , Levine Jonathan M.
Published: July 2016

Patchy landscapes select for invasiveness

Invasive species are ubiquitous in human-dominated landscapes, yet we have only limited understanding of their ecological and evolutionary dynamics. Williams
et al.
used an experimental system with the model plant species
Arabidopsis thaliana
to examine how evolution affects the spread of plant populations through landscapes of varying patchiness. Plant height and dispersal ability evolved more rapidly in patchier experimental landscapes, suggesting that fragmentation can select for more rapid invasion velocity. Hence, evolution may need to be taken into account in predictions of future invasion rates.

Science
, this issue p.
482
Orbital angular momentum microlaser
Authors: Miao Pei , Zhang Zhifeng , Sun Jingbo , Walasik Wiktor , Longhi Stefano , Litchinitser Natalia M. , Feng Liang
Published: July 2016

Microlasers with a twist

Structured light, in the form of helical wavefronts, provides an additional degree of freedom to encode information for optical communications. Creating light beams with the desired amount of optical angular momentum, or twist, has usually been achieved with bulk optic devices. Miao
et al.
demonstrate a possible route for an integrated optics approach in which a twisted-light source with a controlled amount of optical angular momentum is generated internally to the designed device structure. These microlasers could find application in telecommunication and information technologies to increase the rate of information transmission.

Science
, this issue p.
464
Parasitic plants—A CuRe for what ails thee
Authors: Ntoukakis Vardis , Gimenez-Ibanez Selena
Published: July 2016

A parasitic plant is perceived by its host plant in a similar manner to microbes
Crystal Structure of the Human Astrovirus Capsid Protein
Authors: Toh Yukimatsu , Harper Justin , Dryden Kelly A. , Yeager Mark , Arias Carlos F. , Méndez Ernesto , Tao Yizhi J.
Published: July 2016

Human astrovirus (HAstV) is a leading cause of viral diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide. HAstV is a nonenveloped virus with a T=3 capsid and a positive-sense RNA genome. The capsid protein (CP) of HAstV is synthesized as a 90-kDa precursor (VP90) that can be divided into three linear domains: a conserved N-terminal domain, a hypervariable domain, and an acidic C-terminal domain. Maturation of HAstV requires proteolytic processing of the astrovirus CP both inside and outside the host cell, resulting in the removal of the C-terminal domain and the breakdown of the rest of the CP into three predominant protein species with molecular masses of ∼34, 27/29, and 25/26 kDa, respectively. We have now solved the crystal structure of VP90
71–415
(amino acids [aa] 71 to 415 of VP90) of human astrovirus serotype 8 at a 2.15-Å resolution. VP90
71–415
encompasses the conserved N-terminal domain of VP90 but lacks the hypervariable domain, which forms the capsid surface spikes. The structure of VP90
71–415
is comprised of two domains: an S domain, which adopts the typical jelly-roll β-barrel fold, and a P1 domain, which forms a squashed β-barrel consisting of six antiparallel β-strands similar to what was observed in the hepatitis E virus (HEV) capsid structure. Fitting of the VP90
71–415
structure into the cryo-electron microscopy (EM) maps of HAstV produced an atomic model for a continuous, T=3 icosahedral capsid shell. Our pseudoatomic model of the human HAstV capsid shell provides valuable insights into intermolecular interactions required for capsid assembly and trypsin-mediated proteolytic maturation needed for virus infectivity. Such information has potential applications in the development of a virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine as well as small-molecule drugs targeting astrovirus assembly/maturation.

IMPORTANCE
Human astrovirus (HAstV) is a leading cause of viral diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide. As a nonenveloped virus, HAstV exhibits an intriguing feature in that its maturation requires extensive proteolytic processing of the astrovirus capsid protein (CP) both inside and outside the host cell. Mature HAstV contains three predominant protein species, but the mechanism for acquired infectivity upon maturation is unclear. We have solved the crystal structure of VP90
71–415
of human astrovirus serotype 8. VP90
71–415
encompasses the conserved N-terminal domain of the viral CP. Fitting of the VP90
71–415
structure into the cryo-EM maps of HAstV produced an atomic model for the T=3 icosahedral capsid. Our model of the HAstV capsid provides valuable insights into intermolecular interactions required for capsid assembly and trypsin-mediated proteolytic maturation. Such information has potential applications in the development of a VLP vaccine as well as small-molecule drugs targeting astrovirus assembly/maturation.
Multiple Transcripts Encode Full-Length Human Cytomegalovirus IE1 and IE2 Proteins during Lytic Infection
Authors: Arend Kyle C. , Ziehr Benjamin , Vincent Heather A. , Moorman Nathaniel J.
Published: July 2016

Expression of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) IE1 and IE2 proteins is critical for the establishment of lytic infection and reactivation from viral latency. Defining the mechanisms controlling IE1 and IE2 expression is therefore important for understanding how HCMV regulates its replicative cycle. Here we identify several novel transcripts encoding full-length IE1 and IE2 proteins during HCMV lytic replication. Two of the alternative major immediate early (MIE) transcripts initiate in the first intron, intron A, of the previously defined MIE transcript, while others extend the 5′ untranslated region. Each of the MIE transcripts associates with polyribosomes in infected cells and therefore contributes to IE1 and IE2 protein levels. Surprisingly, deletion of the core promoter region of the major immediate early promoter (MIEP) from a plasmid containing the MIE genomic locus did not completely abrogate IE1 and IE2 expression. Instead, deletion of the MIEP core promoter resulted in increased expression of alternative MIE transcripts, suggesting that the MIEP suppresses the activity of the alternative MIE promoters. While the canonical MIE mRNA was the most abundant transcript at immediate early times, the novel MIE transcripts accumulated to levels equivalent to that of the known MIE transcript later in infection. Using two HCMV recombinants, we found that sequences in intron A of the previously defined MIE transcript are required for efficient IE1 and IE2 expression and viral replication. Together, our results identify new regulatory sequences controlling IE1 and IE2 expression and suggest that multiple transcription units act in concert to regulate IE1 and IE2 expression during lytic infection.

IMPORTANCE
The HCMV IE1 and IE2 proteins are critical regulators of HCMV replication, both during primary infection and reactivation from viral latency. This study expands our understanding of the sequences controlling IE1 and IE2 expression by defining novel transcriptional units controlling the expression of full-length IE1 and IE2 proteins. Our results suggest that alternative promoters may allow for IE1 and IE2 expression when MIEP activity is limiting, as occurs in latently infected cells.
Constitutively Active IRF7/IRF3 Fusion Protein Completely Protects Swine against Foot-and-Mouth Disease
Authors: Ramírez-Carvajal Lisbeth , Diaz-San Segundo Fayna , Ramirez-Medina Elizabeth , Rodríguez Luis L. , de los Santos Teresa
Published: July 2016

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) remains one of the most devastating livestock diseases around the world. Several serotype-specific vaccine formulations exist, but they require about 5 to 7 days to induce protective immunity. Our previous studies have shown that a constitutively active fusion protein of porcine interferon (IFN) regulatory factors (IRF) 7 and 3 [IRF7/3(5D)] strongly induced type I IFN and antiviral genes
in vitro
and prevented mortality in an FMD mouse model when delivered with a replication-defective adenoviral vector [Ad5-poIRF7/3(5D)]. Here, we demonstrate that pigs treated with 10
8
, 10
9
, or 10
10
PFU of Ad5-poIRF7/3(5D) 24 h before FMDV challenge were fully protected from FMD clinical signs and did not develop viremia, virus shedding or antibodies against FMDV nonstructural proteins. Pigs treated with Ad5-poIRF7/3(5D) had higher levels of IFN and antiviral activity in serum, and upregulated expression of several IFN-stimulated genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, compared to pigs treated with Ad5-Blue vector control. Importantly, treatment of porcine cultured cells with Ad5-poIRF7/3(5D) inhibited the replication of all 7 FMDV serotypes.
In vitro
experiments using cultured embryonic fibroblasts derived from IFN receptor knockout mice suggested that the antiviral response induced by Ad5-poIRF7/3(5D) was dependent on type I and III IFN pathways; however, experiments with mice demonstrated that a functional type I IFN pathway mediates Ad5-poIRF7/3(5D) protection conferred
in vivo
. Our studies demonstrate that inoculation with Ad5-poIRF7/3(5D) completely protects swine against FMD by inducing a strong type I IFN response and highlights its potential application to rapidly and effectively prevent FMDV replication and dissemination.

IMPORTANCE
Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) causes a fast-spreading disease that affects farm animals, with economically and socially devastating consequences. Our study shows that inoculation with a constitutively active transcription factor, namely, a fusion protein of porcine interferon (IFN) regulatory factors (IRF) 7 and 3 delivered by an adenovirus vector [Ad5-poIRF7/3(5D)], is a new effective treatment to prevent FMD in swine. Animals pretreated with Ad5-poIRF7/3(5D) 1 day before being exposed to FMDV were completely protected from viral replication and clinical disease. It is noteworthy that the doses of Ad5-poIRF7/3(5D) required for protection are lower than those previously reported for similar approaches using Ad5 vectors delivering type I, II, or III IFN, suggesting that this novel strategy would be economically appealing to counteract FMD. Our results also indicate that a dynamic interplay among different components of pigs' innate immune defenses allows potent antiviral effects after Ad5-poIF7/3(5D) administration.
Type I Interferons and NK Cells Restrict Gammaherpesvirus Lymph Node Infection
Authors: Lawler Clara , Tan Cindy S. E. , Simas J. Pedro , Stevenson Philip G.
Published: July 2016

Gammaherpesviruses establish persistent, systemic infections and cause cancers. Murid herpesvirus 4 (MuHV-4) provides a unique window into the early events of host colonization. It spreads via lymph nodes. While dendritic cells (DC) pass MuHV-4 to lymph node B cells, subcapsular sinus macrophages (SSM), which capture virions from the afferent lymph, restrict its spread. Understanding how this restriction works offers potential clues to a more comprehensive defense. Type I interferon (IFN-I) blocked SSM lytic infection and reduced lytic cycle-independent viral reporter gene expression. Plasmacytoid DC were not required, but neither were SSM the only source of IFN-I, as IFN-I blockade increased infection in both intact and SSM-depleted mice. NK cells restricted lytic SSM infection independently of IFN-I, and SSM-derived virions spread to the spleen only when both IFN-I responses and NK cells were lacking. Thus, multiple innate defenses allowed SSM to adsorb virions from the afferent lymph with relative impunity. Enhancing IFN-I and NK cell recruitment could potentially also restrict DC infection and thus improve infection control.

IMPORTANCE
Human gammaherpesviruses cause cancers by infecting B cells. However, vaccines designed to block virus binding to B cells have not stopped infection. Using a related gammaherpesvirus of mice, we have shown that B cells are infected not via cell-free virus but via infected myeloid cells. This suggests a different strategy to stop B cell infection: stop virus production by myeloid cells. Not all myeloid infection is productive. We show that subcapsular sinus macrophages, which do not pass infection to B cells, restrict gammaherpesvirus production by recruiting type I interferons and natural killer cells. Therefore, a vaccine that speeds the recruitment of these defenses might stop B cell infection.
Retrograde Transport from Early Endosomes to the
trans
-Golgi Network Enables Membrane Wrapping and Egress of Vaccinia Virus Virions
Authors: Sivan Gilad , Weisberg Andrea S. , Americo Jeffrey L. , Moss Bernard
Published: July 2016

The anterograde pathway, from the endoplasmic reticulum through the
trans
-Golgi network to the cell surface, is utilized by
trans
-membrane and secretory proteins. The retrograde pathway, which directs traffic in the opposite direction, is used following endocytosis of exogenous molecules and recycling of membrane proteins. Microbes exploit both routes: viruses typically use the anterograde pathway for envelope formation prior to exiting the cell, whereas ricin and Shiga-like toxins and some nonenveloped viruses use the retrograde pathway for cell entry. Mining a human genome-wide RNA interference (RNAi) screen revealed a need for multiple retrograde pathway components for cell-to-cell spread of vaccinia virus. We confirmed and extended these results while discovering that retrograde trafficking was required for virus egress rather than entry. Retro-2, a specific retrograde trafficking inhibitor of protein toxins, potently prevented spread of vaccinia virus as well as monkeypox virus, a human pathogen. Electron and confocal microscopy studies revealed that Retro-2 prevented wrapping of virions with an additional double-membrane envelope that enables microtubular transport, exocytosis, and actin polymerization. The viral B5 and F13 protein components of this membrane, which are required for wrapping, normally colocalize in the
trans
-Golgi network. However, only B5 traffics through the secretory pathway, suggesting that F13 uses another route to the
trans
-Golgi network. The retrograde route was demonstrated by finding that F13 was largely confined to early endosomes and failed to colocalize with B5 in the presence of Retro-2. Thus, vaccinia virus makes novel use of the retrograde transport system for formation of the viral wrapping membrane.

IMPORTANCE
Efficient cell-to-cell spread of vaccinia virus and other orthopoxviruses depends on the wrapping of infectious particles with a double membrane that enables microtubular transport, exocytosis, and actin polymerization. Interference with wrapping or subsequent steps results in severe attenuation of the virus. Some previous studies had suggested that the wrapping membrane arises from the
trans
-Golgi network, whereas others suggested an origin from early endosomes. Some nonenveloped viruses use retrograde trafficking for entry into the cell. In contrast, we provided evidence that retrograde transport from early endosomes to the
trans
-Golgi network is required for the membrane-wrapping step in morphogenesis of vaccinia virus and egress from the cell. The potent
in vitro
inhibition of this step by the drug Retro-2 suggests that derivatives with enhanced pharmacological properties might serve as useful antipoxviral agents.
Replication of Human Norovirus RNA in Mammalian Cells Reveals Lack of Interferon Response
Authors: Qu Lin , Murakami Kosuke , Broughman James R. , Lay Margarita K. , Guix Susana , Tenge Victoria R. , Atmar Robert L. , Estes Mary K.
Published: July 2016

Human noroviruses (HuNoVs), named after the prototype strain Norwalk virus (NV), are a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide. Studies on the related murine norovirus (MNV) have demonstrated the importance of an interferon (IFN) response in host control of virus replication, but this remains unclear for HuNoVs. Despite the lack of an efficient cell culture infection system, transfection of stool-isolated NV RNA into mammalian cells leads to viral RNA replication and virus production. Using this system, we show here that NV RNA replication is sensitive to type I (α/β) and III (interleukin-29 [IL-29]) IFN treatment. However, in cells capable of a strong IFN response to Sendai virus (SeV) and poly(I·C), NV RNA replicates efficiently and generates double-stranded RNA without inducing a detectable IFN response. Replication of HuNoV genogroup GII.3 strain U201 RNA, generated from a reverse genetics system, also does not induce an IFN response. Consistent with a lack of IFN induction, NV RNA replication is enhanced neither by neutralization of type I/III IFNs through neutralizing antibodies or the soluble IFN decoy receptor B18R nor by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) knockdown of mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) or interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) in the IFN induction pathways. In contrast to other positive-strand RNA viruses that block IFN induction by targeting MAVS for degradation, MAVS is not degraded in NV RNA-replicating cells, and an SeV-induced IFN response is not blocked. Together, these results indicate that HuNoV RNA replication in mammalian cells does not induce an IFN response, suggesting that the epithelial IFN response may play a limited role in host restriction of HuNoV replication.

IMPORTANCE
Human noroviruses (HuNoVs) are a leading cause of epidemic gastroenteritis worldwide. Due to lack of an efficient cell culture system and robust small-animal model, little is known about the innate host defense to these viruses. Studies on murine norovirus (MNV) have shown the importance of an interferon (IFN) response in host control of MNV replication, but this remains unclear for HuNoVs. Here, we investigated the IFN response to HuNoV RNA replication in mammalian cells using Norwalk virus stool RNA transfection, a reverse genetics system, IFN neutralization reagents, and shRNA knockdown methods. Our results show that HuNoV RNA replication in mammalian epithelial cells does not induce an IFN response, nor can it be enhanced by blocking the IFN response. These results suggest a limited role of the epithelial IFN response in host control of HuNoV RNA replication, providing important insights into our understanding of the host defense to HuNoVs that differs from that to MNV.
Abelson Kinase Inhibitors Are Potent Inhibitors of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Fusion
Authors: Coleman Christopher M. , Sisk Jeanne M. , Mingo Rebecca M. , Nelson Elizabeth A. , White Judith M. , Frieman Matthew B.
Published: July 2016

The highly pathogenic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) cause significant morbidity and morality. There is currently no approved therapeutic for highly pathogenic coronaviruses, even as MERS-CoV is spreading throughout the Middle East. We previously screened a library of FDA-approved drugs for inhibitors of coronavirus replication in which we identified Abelson (Abl) kinase inhibitors, including the anticancer drug imatinib, as inhibitors of both SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV
in vitro
. Here we show that the anti-CoV activity of imatinib occurs at the early stages of infection, after internalization and endosomal trafficking, by inhibiting fusion of the virions at the endosomal membrane. We specifically identified the imatinib target, Abelson tyrosine-protein kinase 2 (Abl2), as required for efficient SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV replication
in vitro
. These data demonstrate that specific approved drugs can be characterized
in vitro
for their anticoronavirus activity and used to identify host proteins required for coronavirus replication. This type of study is an important step in the repurposing of approved drugs for treatment of emerging coronaviruses.

IMPORTANCE
Both SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV are zoonotic infections, with bats as the primary source. The 2003 SARS-CoV outbreak began in Guangdong Province in China and spread to humans via civet cats and raccoon dogs in the wet markets before spreading to 37 countries. The virus caused 8,096 confirmed cases of SARS and 774 deaths (a case fatality rate of ∼10%). The MERS-CoV outbreak began in Saudi Arabia and has spread to 27 countries. MERS-CoV is believed to have emerged from bats and passed into humans via camels. The ongoing outbreak of MERS-CoV has resulted in 1,791 cases of MERS and 640 deaths (a case fatality rate of 36%). The emergence of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV provides evidence that coronaviruses are currently spreading from zoonotic sources and can be highly pathogenic, causing serious morbidity and mortality in humans. Treatment of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV infection is limited to providing supportive therapy consistent with any serious lung disease, as no specific drugs have been approved as therapeutics. Highly pathogenic coronaviruses are rare and appear to emerge and disappear within just a few years. Currently, MERS-CoV is still spreading, as new infections continue to be reported. The outbreaks of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV and the continuing diagnosis of new MERS cases highlight the need for finding therapeutics for these diseases and potential future coronavirus outbreaks. Screening FDA-approved drugs streamlines the pipeline for this process, as these drugs have already been tested for safety in humans.
The Cell Biology of Fission Yeast Septation
Authors: García Cortés Juan C. , Ramos Mariona , Osumi Masako , Pérez Pilar , Ribas Juan Carlos
Published: July 2016

In animal cells, cytokinesis requires the formation of a cleavage furrow that divides the cell into two daughter cells. Furrow formation is achieved by constriction of an actomyosin ring that invaginates the plasma membrane. However, fungal cells contain a rigid extracellular cell wall surrounding the plasma membrane; thus, fungal cytokinesis also requires the formation of a special septum wall structure between the dividing cells. The septum biosynthesis must be strictly coordinated with the deposition of new plasma membrane material and actomyosin ring closure and must occur in such a way that no breach in the cell wall occurs at any time. Because of the high turgor pressure in the fungal cell, even a minor local defect might lead to cell lysis and death. Here we review our knowledge of the septum structure in the fission yeast
Schizosaccharomyces pombe
and of the recent advances in our understanding of the relationship between septum biosynthesis and actomyosin ring constriction and how the two collaborate to build a cross-walled septum able to support the high turgor pressure of the cell. In addition, we discuss the importance of the septum biosynthesis for the steady ingression of the cleavage furrow.
Sex differences in the risk profile of hypertension: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ghosh Saswata , Mukhopadhyay Simantini , Barik Anamitra
Published: July 2016

Objective

To assess the socioeconomic and behavioural risk factors associated with hypertension among a sample male and female population in India.

Setting

Cross-sectional survey data from a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) of rural West Bengal, India was used.

Participants

27 589 adult individuals (13 994 males and 13 595 females), aged ≥18 years, were included in the study.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Hypertension was defined as mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mm Hg, or if the subject was undergoing regular antihypertensive therapy. Prehypertension was defined as SBP 120–139 mm Hg and DBP 80–89 mm Hg. Individuals were categorised as non-normotensives, which includes both the prehypertensives and hypertensives. Generalised ordered logit model (GOLM) was deployed to fulfil the study objective.

Results

Over 39% of the men and 25% of the women were prehypertensives. Almost 12.5% of the men and 11.3% of the women were diagnosed as hypertensives. Women were less likely to be non-normotensive compared to males. Odds ratios estimated from GOLM indicate that women were less likely to be hypertensive or prehypertensive, and age (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.05; and OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.09 for males and females, respectively) and body mass index (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.38 to 1.97 for males; and OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.60 for females) are associated with hypertension.

Conclusions

An elevated level of hypertension exists among a select group of the rural Indian population. Focusing on men, an intervention could be designed for lifestyle modification to curb the prevalence of hypertension.
Hearing and vision screening tools for long-term care residents with dementia: protocol for a scoping review
Authors: McGilton Katherine S , Höbler Fiona , Campos Jennifer , Dupuis Kate , Labreche Tammy , Guthrie Dawn M , Jarry Jonathan , Singh Gurjit , Wittich Walter
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Hearing and vision loss among long-term care (LTC) residents with dementia frequently goes unnoticed and untreated. Despite negative consequences for these residents, there is little information available about their sensory abilities and care assessments and practices seldom take these abilities or accessibility needs into account. Without adequate knowledge regarding such sensory loss, it is difficult for LTC staff to determine the level of an individual's residual basic competence for communication and independent functioning. We will conduct a scoping review to identify the screening measures used in research and clinical contexts that test hearing and vision in adults aged over 65 years with dementia, aiming to: (1) provide an overview of hearing and vision screening in older adults with dementia; and (2) evaluate the sensibility of the screening tools.

Methods and analysis

This scoping review will be conducted using the framework by Arksey and O'Malley and furthered by methodological enhancements from cited researchers. We will conduct electronic database searches in CENTRAL, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE and PsycINFO. We will also carry out a ‘grey literature’ search for studies or materials not formally published, both online and through interview discussions with healthcare professionals and research clinicians working in the field. Our aim is to find new and existing hearing and vision screening measures used in research and by clinical professionals of optometry and audiology. Abstracts will be independently reviewed twice for acceptance by a multidisciplinary team of researchers and research clinicians.

Ethics and dissemination

This review will inform health professionals working with this growing population. With the review findings, we aim to develop a toolkit and an algorithmic process to select the most appropriate hearing and vision screening assessments for LTC residents with dementia that will facilitate accurate testing and can inform care planning, thereby improving residents’ quality of life.
Improving the communication between teams managing boarded patients on a surgical specialty ward
Authors: Puvaneswaralingam Shobitha , Ross Daniella
Published: July 2016

Transferring patients from the ward of their specialty or consultant is described as boarding. 1 Boarding patients is becoming increasingly prevalent due to greater pressure on hospital capacity. This practice compromises patient safety through delayed investigations, prolonged hospital stays, and increased risk of hospital-acquired infections. 1 2 We evaluated how regularly boarded patients were reviewed, and how effectively information regarding their management was communicated from their primary specialty to ward staff. We aimed to improve the frequency of patient reviews by ensuring that each patient was reviewed every weekday and increase communication between primary specialty, and medical and nursing teams by 20% from baseline during the data collection period.

The project was based in the Otolaryngology ward in Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, where there was a high prevalence of boarded patients. Baseline data showed a clear deficit in communication between the primary specialty and ward staff with only 31% of patient reviews being communicated to ward doctors. We designed and implemented a communication tool, in the form of a sticker, to be inserted into patients' medical notes for use by the primary specialty.

Implementation of the sticker improved communication between teams as stickers were completed in 93% of instances. In 88% of patient reviews, the junior doctor was informed of the management plan, showing a large increase from baseline. Through PDSA cycles, we aimed to increase the sustainability and reliability of the sticker; however, we faced challenges with sustainability of sticker insertion. We aim to engage more stakeholders to raise awareness of the problem, brainstorm solutions together, and review the production and implementation of stickers with senior hospital management to discuss the potential use of this tool within practice. There is potentially a large scope for utilisation of this communication tool on a local level, which we hope will significantly improve patient safety.
Medical performance and the ‘inaccessible’ experience of illness: an exploratory study
Authors: Weitkamp Emma , Mermikides Alex
Published: July 2016

We report a survey of audience members' responses (147 questionnaires collected at seven performances) and 10 in-depth interviews (five former patients and two family members, three medical practitioners) tobloodlines, a medical performance exploring the experience of haematopoietic stem-cell transplant as treatment for acute leukaemia. Performances took place in 2014 and 2015. The article argues that performances that are created through interdisciplinary collaboration can convey otherwise ‘inaccessible’ illness experiences in ways that audience members with personal experience recognise as familiar, and find emotionally affecting. In particular such performances are adept at interweaving ‘objectivist’ (objective, medical) and ‘subjectivist’ (subjective, emotional) perspectives of the illness experience, and indeed, at challenging such distinctions. We suggest that reflecting familiar yet hard-to-articulate experiences may be beneficial for the ongoing emotional recovery of people who have survived serious disease, particularly in relation to the isolation that they experience during and as a consequence of their treatment.
Thermochemistry of icosahedral closo-dicarboranes: a composite ab initio quantum-chemical perspective
Authors: Sarrami Farzaneh , Yu Li-Juan , Karton Amir
Published: July 2016

We obtained accurate thermochemical properties for the ortho-, meta-, and para-dicarborane isomers (C2B10H12) by means of explicitly correlated high-level thermochemical procedures. The thermochemical properties include heats of formation, isomerization energies, C–H and B–H bond dissociation energies (BDEs), and ionization potentials. Of these only the ionization potentials are known experimentally. Our best theoretical ionization potentials, obtained by means of the ab initio W1–F12 thermochemical protocol, was 241.50 kcal mol–1 (para-dicarborane), 238.45 kcal mol–1 (meta-dicarborane), and 236.54 kcal mol–1 (ortho-dicarborane). These values agree with the experimental values adopted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) thermochemical tables to within overlapping uncertainties. However, they suggest that the experimental values may represent significant underestimations. For all isomers, the C–H BDEs are systematically higher than the B–H BDEs because of the relative stability of the boron-centred radicals. The C–H BDEs for the three isomers cluster within a narrow energetic interval, namely between 110.8 kcal mol–1 (para-dicarborane) and 111.7 kcal mol–1 (meta-dicarborane). The B–H BDEs cluster within a larger interval ranging between 105.8 and 108.1 kcal mol–1 (both obtained for ortho-dicarborane). We used our benchmark W1–F12 data to assess the performance of a number of lower cost composite ab initio methods. We found that the Gaussian-3 procedures (G3(MP2)B3 and G3B3) result in excellent performance with overall root-mean-square deviations (RMSDs) of 0.3–0.4 kcal mol–1 for the isomerization, ionization, and bond dissociation energies. However, the Gaussian-4 procedures (G4, G4(MP2), and G4(MP2)-6X) showed relatively poor performance with overall RMSDs of 1.3–3.7 kcal mol–1.
Improving assessment ofPandalusstocks using a seasonal, size-structured assessment model with environmental variables. Part II: Model evaluation and simulation
Authors: Cao Jie , Chen Yong , Richards R. Anne
Published: July 2016

Integrated, size-structured stock assessment models are now being used widely for assessment and management of hard-to-age species. However, few studies have attempted to evaluate their performance. A seasonal, size-structured assessment model with environmental covariates has been developed for hermaphroditic Pandalidae. We conducted simulations to evaluate its sensitivity to model configuration and performance with various misspecifications. Ignoring the seasonal fishing pattern (half-year closure) led to risk-prone assessment results of overestimating spawning stock biomass (SSB) and recruitment (R) and underestimating fishing mortality (F). Failure to incorporate environmental signals when the recruitment dynamics was environmentally driven led to bias in recent estimates of SSB, R, and F in the simulation. Ignoring annual variability in growth resulted in large estimation bias. Failing to account for time-varying natural mortality (M) led to strong biases; however, misspecifying size-specific M produced even stronger estimation bias. This result may depend on the variation of M among size classes. Under no model misspecifications, an unbiased estimate of M could be obtained by taking advantage of the seasonal fishery closure. Annual growth parameters were also estimable, but the large number of parameters with annual growth made it difficult for the model to converge.
Tensor mode perturbation of cosmology with higher order holonomy corrections
Authors: Li Yu
Published: July 2016

In this paper, we discuss the tensor mode perturbation in the frame of loop quantum cosmology with higher order holonomy corrections. We get the dynamics of the background near the bounce and far from the bounce. Based on the solutions of the effective Friedmann equation, we deduce the effective gravitational wave equation and get the quantum corrections in both the mass term and source term. We solve the gravitational wave equation near the bounce and discuss the situation far from the bounce. We also find the new terms arose only when one considers the higher order corrections.
Two loop neutrino model with dark matter and leptogenesis
Authors: Kashiwase Shoichi , Okada Hiroshi , Orikasa Yuta , Toma Takashi
Published: July 2016

In this paper, we study a two-loop induced radiative neutrino model at TeV scale with global [Formula: see text] symmetry, in which we analyze dark matter and resonant leptogenesis. The model includes two kinds of dark matter candidates. We discuss what kind of dark matter can satisfy the observed relic density as well as the current direct detection bound, and be simultaneously compatible with the leptogenesis. We also discuss whether our resonant leptogenesis can be differentiated from the other scenarios at TeV scale or not.
EXTREMAL DEPENDENCE FOR BILATERAL CREDIT VALUATION ADJUSTMENTS
Authors: SCHERER MATTHIAS , SCHULZ THORSTEN
Published: July 2016

Recognizing counterparty default risk as integral part of the valuation process of financial derivatives has changed the classical view on option pricing. Calculating the bilateral credit valuation adjustment (BCVA) including wrong way risk (WWR) requires a sound model for the dependence structure between three quantities: the default times of the two contractual parties and the derivative/portfolio value at the first of the two default times. There exist various proposals, but no market consensus, on how this dependence structure should be modeled. Moreover, available mathematical tools depend strongly on the marginal models for the default times and the model for the underlying of the derivative. In practice, independence between all (or some) quantities is still a popular (over-)simplification, which completely misses the root of WWR. In any case, specifying the dependence structure imposes one to model risk and even within some parametric model one typically obtains a considerable interval of BCVA values when the parameters are taken to the extremes. In this work, we present a model-free approach to identify the dependence structure that implies the extremes of BCVA. This is achieved by solving a mass-transportation problem using tools from optimization.
Clock Algorithm Analysis for Increasing Quality of Digital Images
Authors: Gupta Pooja , Pahwa Kuldip
Published: July 2016

A digital image is not an exact snapshot of reality; it is only a discrete approximation. Thus, the captured images are always bit different from the images actually perceived by human eyes. These variations occur due to varying lighting conditions, weathers conditions like rain and fog, distance of scene from camera, image capturing angle, etc. The problem becomes more severe if these images are captured using low resolution image capturing devices like: Mobile phones, CCTV Cameras, Webcam, VGA cameras etc. Image enhancement addresses a solution of generating a high quality image from its low contrast version. Color enhancement is a process that differentiates objects in an image; as well as provides the detailed information of that image. This paper proposes color enhancement of low resolution digital images using clock algorithm. It is claimed that the proposed clock algorithm employed here produces good quality images in comparison with the existing color enhancement techniques. The simulation results proved that the proposed clock algorithm efficiently enhances the quality of digital low resolution images and analytically their quality improvement is observed in terms of peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), mean square error (MSE) and bit error rate (BER) over the existing color enhancement techniques.
Novel carbazole containing zinc phthalocyanine photosensitizers: Synthesis, characterization, photophysicochemical properties and in vitro study
Authors: Göksel Meltem , Sengul Ibrahim F. , Kandemir Hakan , Durmuş Mahmut
Published: July 2016

Tetra and octa substituted novel zinc(II) phthalocyanines (3a and 5a) bearing carbazole groups were synthesized by cyclotetramerization of respective phthalonitrile derivatives (3 and 5). The zinc(II) phthalocyanines (3a and 5a) were converted into the water-soluble quaternized derivatives (3b and 5b) by utilizing dimethylsulphate as quaternizing agent. The synthesized novel compounds were confirmed thruogh FT-IR, UV-vis and MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopic data and elemental analysis as well. The photophysical (fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes) and photochemical (singlet oxygen generation) properties of new phthalocyanines were determined in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The photophysical and photochemical results were compared according to the number of the carbazole groups on the phthalocyanine core. Additionaly, in vitro photocytotoxicity of the targeted compounds were examined against to hepato cellular carcinoma (HuH-7) cancer cell line for determination of their photosensitizing ability.