bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Semantic enrichment of octree structured point clouds for multi‐story 3D pathfinding
Authors: Fichtner Florian W. , Diakité Abdoulaye A. , Zlatanova Sisi , Voûte Robert 
Published: January 2018

Abstract3D indoor navigation in multi‐story buildings and under changing environments is still difficult to perform. 3D models of buildings are commonly not available or outdated. 3D point clouds turned out to be a very practical way to capture 3D interior spaces and provide a notion of an empty space. Therefore, pathfinding in point clouds is rapidly emerging. However, processing of raw point clouds can be very expensive, as these are semantically poor and unstructured data. In this article we present an innovative octree‐based approach for processing of 3D indoor point clouds for the purpose of multi‐story pathfinding. We semantically identify the construction elements, which are of importance for the indoor navigation of humans (i.e., floors, walls, stairs, and obstacles), and use these to delineate the available navigable space. To illustrate the usability of this approach, we applied it to real‐world data sets and computed paths considering user constraints. The structuring of the point cloud into an octree approximation improves the point cloud processing and provides a structure for the empty space of the point cloud. It is also helpful to compute paths sufficiently accurate in their consideration of the spatial complexity. The entire process is automatic and able to deal with a large number of multi‐story indoor environments.
Forecasting ozone concentration levels using Box-Jenkins ARIMA modelling and artificial neural networks: A comparative study
Authors: Awang Norhashidah , Kar Yong Ng , Yin Hoeng Soo 
Published: January 2018

An accurate forecasting of tropospheric ozone (O3) concentration is beneficial for strategic planning of air quality. In this study, various forecasting techniques are used to forecast the daily maximum O3 concentration levels at a monitoring station in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. The Box-Jenkins autoregressive integrated moving-average (ARIMA) approach and three types of neural network models, namely, back-propagation neural network, Elman recurrent neural network and radial basis function neural network are considered. The daily maximum data, spanning from 1 January 2011 to 7 August 2011, was obtained from the Department of Environment, Malaysia. The performance of the four methods in forecasting future values of ozone concentrations is evaluated based on three criteria, which are root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). The findings show that the Box-Jenkins approach outperformed the artificial neural network methods.
Sensitivity analysis of unsaturated infiltration flow using head based finite element solution of Richards' equation
Authors: Islam Mohammad Sayful 
Published: January 2018

Sensitivity analysis is one of the tools available for analyzing the effects of soil parameter on the variably unsaturated flows in porous media, that may easily be implemented into existing conventional Galerkin finite element solution of Richards’ equation based computational fluid dynamics codes. The sensitivity of the model is evaluated on the basis vertical infiltration problem with time dependent boundary condition, sharp gradient in the infiltration front, and discontinuous derivatives in the soil hydraulic properties. Simulation results demonstrate the complicated nature of unsaturated porous media during redistribution water flow. The sample case presented highlight different aspects of the performance of the algorithm and the different factors that can affect their convergence and efficiency, including temporal discretization, convergence error norm, conductivity and moisture content characteristics, boundary conditions, and the extent of fully unsaturated zones in the soil. From the preliminary assessment performed herein, consideration of the number of degrees of freedom used when performing a sensitivity analysis is shown to demand enormous concern, if predicted sensitivities are to have significant physical interpretations. The proposed model is capable of simulating preferential flow situations using parameters which can be related to soil hydraulic properties.
Complete Genome Sequences of Two Multidrug-Resistant
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Strains Isolated in Guiyang, China
Authors: Chen Zhenghong , Ou Weizheng , Fan Xiangyu , Cui Guzhen , Wang Qiong , Li Qiang , Sun Rong , Wu Xiaojuan , Qin Wan , Wang Yan 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

We identified the genome sequences of two
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
isolates. They were resistant to rifampin and isoniazid, as determined by the agar proportion method, but were susceptible to isoniazid, as determined by the DNA array method. The genome sequences showed that a
katG
deletion led to the false diagnosis of isoniazid resistance by DNA array.
Genome Sequence of the Bile Salt-Degrading Bacterium
Novosphingobium
sp. Strain Chol11, a Model Organism for Bacterial Steroid Catabolism
Authors: Yücel Onur , Wibberg Daniel , Philipp Bodo , Kalinowski Jörn 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

Many bacteria from different phylogenetic groups are able to degrade eukaryotic steroid compounds, but the underlying metabolic pathways are still not well understood.
Novosphingobium
sp. strain Chol11 is a steroid-degrading alphaproteobacterium. Its genome sequence reveals that it lacks several genes for steroid degradation known to exist in other model organisms.
Draft Genome Sequence of Singapore
Klebsiella pneumoniae
subsp.
pneumoniae
Isolate DS32358_14, Which Contains the Carbapenemase Gene
bla
VIM-1
Authors: Koh Tse H. , Abdul Rahman Nurdyana Binte , Teo Jeanette W. P. , La My-Van , Periaswamy Balamurugan , Chen Swaine L. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

We sequenced the first
bla
VIM-1
-positive
Klebsiella pneumoniae
strain isolated in Singapore. The isolate belongs to multilocus sequence type 2542 (ST2542), and
bla
VIM-1
was the first gene in an integron that also contained
aacA4
,
aphA15
,
aadA1
,
catB2
,
qacEdelta1
, and
sul1
.
Draft Genome Sequences of Enterohemorrhagic and Enteropathogenic
Escherichia coli
Strains Isolated from Alpacas in Peru
Authors: Maturrano Lenin , Aleman Marjorie , Carhuaricra Dennis , Maximiliano Jorge , Siuce Juan , Luna Luis , Rosadio Raul 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

The draft genome sequences of two strains of
Escherichia coli
, isolated from alpacas in Peru, are reported here. ECA1 has been determined to be a strain of enterohemorrhagic
E. coli
and ECB1 a strain of enteropathogenic
E. coli
. These pathogens are responsible for hemolytic-uremic syndrome in humans and diarrhea in different mammals, respectively.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Streptomyces
sp. Strain JV178, a Producer of Clifednamide-Type Polycyclic Tetramate Macrolactams
Authors: Qi Yunci , D’Alessandro John M. , Blodgett Joshua A. V. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Streptomyces
sp. JV178, a strain originating from Connecticut (USA) garden soil. This strain produces the polycyclic tetramate macrolactam compounds clifednamides A and B. The draft genome contains 10.65 Mb, 9,045 predicted protein coding sequences, and several natural product biosynthetic loci.
Draft Genome Sequences of
Pseudomonas putida
UV4 and UV4/95, Toluene Dioxygenase-Expressing Producers of
cis
-1,2-Dihydrodiols
Authors: Skvortsov Timofey , Hoering Patrick , Arkhipova Ksenia , Whitehead Roger C. , Boyd Derek R. , Allen Christopher C. R. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

Here, we present draft genome sequences of
Pseudomonas putida
strains UV4 and UV4/95, which demonstrate an ability to conduct a wide range of industrially important biotransformations of arenes, alkenes, and phenols.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Rhodococcus
sp. Strain NCIMB 12038, a Naphthalene-Degrading Bacterium
Authors: Dandare Shamsudeen U. , Skvortsov Timofey , Arkhipova Ksenia , Allen Christopher C. R. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

We report here the draft genome sequence of
Rhodococcus
sp. strain NCIMB 12038, an industrially important bacterium, possessing a large and diverse repertoire of genes involved in the biotransformation of various organic compounds, including naphthalene.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Violacein-Producing
Iodobacter
sp. from the Hudson Valley Watershed
Authors: Doing Georgia , Perron Gabriel G. , Jude Brooke A. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

Iodobacter
species are among a number of freshwater Gram-negative violacein-producing bacteria.
Janthinobacterium lividum
and
Chromobacterium violaceum
have had their whole genomes sequenced and annotated. This is the first report of a draft whole-genome sequence of a violacein-producing
Iodobacter
strain that was isolated from the Hudson Valley watershed.
Genomic and Biochemical Characterization of Acinetobacter Podophage Petty Reveals a Novel Lysis Mechanism and Tail-Associated Depolymerase Activity
Authors: Hernandez-Morales A. C. , Lessor L. L. , Wood T. L. , Migl D. , Mijalis E. M. , Cahill J. , Russell W. K. , Young R. F. , Gill J. J. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTThe increased prevalence of drug-resistant, nosocomialAcinetobacterinfections, particularly from pathogenic members of theAcinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumanniicomplex, necessitates the exploration of novel treatments such as phage therapy. In the present study, we characterized phage Petty, a novel podophage that infects multidrug-resistantAcinetobacter nosocomialisandAcinetobacter baumannii. Genome analysis reveals that phage Petty is a 40,431-bp ϕKMV-like phage, with a coding density of 92.2% and a G+C content of 42.3%. Interestingly, the lysis cassette encodes a class I holin and a single-subunit endolysin, but it lacks canonical spanins to disrupt the outer membrane. Analysis of other ϕKMV-like genomes revealed that spaninless lysis cassettes are a feature of phages infectingAcinetobacterwithin this subfamily of bacteriophages. The observed halo surrounding Petty's large clear plaques indicated the presence of a phage-encoded depolymerase capable of degrading capsular exopolysaccharides (EPS). The product of gene 39, a putative tail fiber, was hypothesized to possess depolymerase activity based on weak homology to previously reported phage tail fibers. The 101.4-kDa protein gene product 39 (gp39) was cloned and expressed, and its activity againstAcinetobacterEPS in solution was determined. The enzyme degraded purified EPS from its host strainA. nosocomialisAU0783, reducing its viscosity, and generated reducing ends in solution, indicative of hydrolase activity. Given that the accessibility to cells within a biofilm is enhanced by degradation of EPS, phages with depolymerases may have enhanced diagnostic and therapeutic potential against drug-resistantAcinetobacterstrains.IMPORTANCEBacteriophage therapy is being revisited as a treatment for difficult-to-treat infections. This is especially true forAcinetobacterinfections, which are notorious for being resistant to antimicrobials. Thus, sufficient data need to be generated with regard to phages with therapeutic potential, if they are to be successfully employed clinically. In this report, we describe the isolation and characterization of phage Petty, a novel lytic podophage, and its depolymerase. To our knowledge, it is the first phage reported to be able to infect bothA. baumanniiandA. nosocomialis. The lytic phage has potential as an alternative therapeutic agent, and the depolymerase could be used for modulating EPS both during infections and in biofilms on medical equipment, as well as for capsular typing. We also highlight the lack of predicted canonical spanins in the phage genome and confirm that, unlike the rounding of lambda lysogens lacking functional spanin genes,A. nosocomialiscells infected with phage Petty lyse by bursting. This suggests that phages like Petty employ a different mechanism to disrupt the outer membrane ofAcinetobacterhosts during lysis.
Recombinant Chimpanzee Adenovirus Vaccine AdC7-M/E Protects against Zika Virus Infection and Testis Damage
Authors: Xu Kun , Song Yufeng , Dai Lianpan , Zhang Yongli , Lu Xuancheng , Xie Yijia , Zhang Hangjie , Cheng Tao , Wang Qihui , Huang Qingrui , Bi Yuhai , Liu William J. , Liu Wenjun , Li Xiangdong , Qin Chuan , Shi Yi , Yan Jinghua , Zhou Dongming , Gao George F. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT
The recent outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKV) has emerged as a global health concern. ZIKV can persist in human semen and be transmitted by sexual contact, as well as by mosquitoes, as seen for classical arboviruses. We along with others have previously demonstrated that ZIKV infection leads to testis damage and infertility in mouse models. So far, no prophylactics or therapeutics are available; therefore, vaccine development is urgently demanded. Recombinant chimpanzee adenovirus has been explored as the preferred vaccine vector for many pathogens due to the low preexisting immunity against the vector among the human population. Here, we developed a ZIKV vaccine based on recombinant chimpanzee adenovirus type 7 (AdC7) expressing ZIKV M/E glycoproteins. A single vaccination of AdC7-M/E was sufficient to elicit potent neutralizing antibodies and protective immunity against ZIKV in both immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice. Moreover, vaccinated mice rapidly developed neutralizing antibody with high titers within 1 week postvaccination, and the elicited antiserum could cross-neutralize heterologous ZIKV strains. Additionally, ZIKV M- and E-specific T cell responses were robustly induced by AdC7-M/E. Moreover, one-dose inoculation of AdC7-M/E conferred mouse sterilizing immunity to eliminate viremia and viral burden in tissues against ZIKV challenge. Further investigations showed that vaccination with AdC7-M/E completely protected against ZIKV-induced testicular damage. These data demonstrate that AdC7-M/E is highly effective and represents a promising vaccine candidate for ZIKV control.

IMPORTANCE
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a pathogenic flavivirus that causes severe clinical consequences, including congenital malformations in fetuses and Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. Vaccine development is a high priority for ZIKV control. In this study, to avoid preexisting anti-vector immunity in humans, a rare serotype chimpanzee adenovirus (AdC7) expressing the ZIKV M/E glycoproteins was used for ZIKV vaccine development. Impressively, AdC7-M/E exhibited exceptional performance as a ZIKV vaccine, as follows: (i) protective efficacy by a single vaccination, (ii) rapid development of a robust humoral response, (iii) durable immune responses, (iv) robust T cell responses, and (v) sterilizing immunity achieved by a single vaccination. These advantages of AdC7-M/E strongly support its potential application as a promising ZIKV vaccine in the clinic.
Cleavage of the C-Terminal Fragment of Reovirus μ1 Is Required for Optimal Infectivity
Authors: Snyder Anthony J. , Danthi Pranav 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

The mammalian orthoreovirus (reovirus) outer capsid, which is composed of 200 μ1/σ3 heterohexamers and a maximum of 12 σ1 trimers, contains all of the proteins that are necessary for attaching to and entering host cells. Following attachment, reovirus is internalized by receptor-mediated endocytosis and acid-dependent cathepsin proteases degrade the σ3 protein. This process generates a metastable intermediate, called infectious subviral particle (ISVP), in which the μ1 membrane penetration protein is exposed. ISVPs undergo a second structural rearrangement to deposit the genome-containing core into the host cytoplasm. The conformationally altered particle is called ISVP*. ISVP-to-ISVP* conversion culminates in the release of μ1 N- and C-terminal fragments, μ1N and Φ, respectively. Released μ1N is thought to facilitate core delivery by generating size-selective pores within the endosomal membrane, whereas the precise role of Φ, particularly in the context of viral entry, is undefined. In this report, we characterize a recombinant reovirus that fails to cleave Φ from μ1
in vitro
. Φ cleavage, which is not required for ISVP-to-ISVP* conversion, enhances the disruption of liposomal membranes and facilitates the recruitment of ISVP*s to the site of pore formation. Moreover, the Φ cleavage-deficient strain initiates infection of host cells less efficiently than the parental strain. These results indicate that μ1N and Φ contribute to reovirus pore forming activity.

IMPORTANCE
Host membranes represent a physical barrier that prevents infection. To overcome this barrier, viruses utilize diverse strategies, such as membrane fusion or membrane disruption, to access internal components of the cell. These strategies are characterized by discrete protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions. The mammalian orthoreovirus (reovirus) outer capsid undergoes a series of well-defined conformational changes, which conclude with pore formation and delivery of the viral genetic material. In this report, we characterize the role of the small, reovirus-derived Φ peptide in pore formation. Φ cleavage from the outer capsid enhances membrane disruption and facilitates the recruitment of virions to membrane-associated pores. Moreover, Φ cleavage promotes the initiation of infection. Together, these results reveal an additional component of the reovirus pore forming apparatus and highlight a strategy for penetrating host membranes.
Prevalence of keratoconus in paediatric patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Torres Netto Emilio Almeida , Al-Otaibi Wafa Majed , Hafezi Nikki L , Kling Sabine , Al-Farhan Haya M , Randleman J Bradley , Hafezi Farhad 
Published: January 2018

Background/aimKeratoconus (KC) is a ectatic corneal disorder with marked progression during childhood and puberty that may lead to severe visual loss. In addition to KC prevalence, estimate shows major geographical variations; recent studies using Scheimpflug technology are in contrast to the 1980s and 1990s literature. The present study aims to determine the prevalence of KC in paediatric patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (KSA).MethodsThis prospective, cross-sectional, observational, multicentre study collected data from paediatric patients from 6 years and 21 years of age who were seen at multiple non-ophthalmic emergency departments within KSA. Bilateral corneal measurements were performed using a rotational Scheimpflug corneal tomography system. Two masked examiners established the diagnosis of KC using both objective and subjective screening criteria. Cohen’s kappa coefficient (κ) was used to qualitatively analyse the interexaminer agreement.ResultsThere were 522 patients (1044 eyes) evaluated, with an average age of 16.8±4.2 years (range 6–21 years). KC prevalence was 5.56% for examiner 1 and 3.83% for examiner 2. The κ was 0.81 (almost perfect agreement), with discrepancy in nine cases, which were jointly evaluated and consensus obtained. Final KC prevalence was 4.79% (95% CI 2.96 to 6.62) or 1:21 patients.ConclusionsThe prevalence of KC among paediatric patients in the KSA is considerably higher than numbers reported from earlier studies and from similar studies in other countries. This increase might be due to geographical variations in disease prevalence or due to the ability of screening technology to detect undiagnosed KC with greater accuracy.
Greek Periods in the Book of Hebrews
Authors: Baugh S.M. 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
It is typical for students of the book of Hebrews to comment on its long, complex sentences or “periods” as evidence of the author’s literary and rhetorical skills. This essay surveys ancient and modern views on the Greek period and finds that they are typically shorter, antithetical or “rounded” statements which may or may not coincide with a grammatical sentence. Example periods in Hebrews are then discussed along with observations on other, supporting literary features of the epistle in those places where the author occasionally employs a periodic style.
You Cannot Be in Love with a Word: Theologies of Embodiment in Dreyer's "The Passion of Joan of Arc", Axel's "Babette's Feast" and von Trier's "Breaking the Waves"
Authors: Birzache Alina 
Published: January 2018

My article investigates the representation and significance of the suffering female body in three films by Danish male directors operating in a religious framework: Dreyer’s The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928), Axel’s Babette’s Feast (1987) and von Trier’s Breaking the Waves (1996). In these films the visual level complements the narrative level in order to accentuate the heroines’ physical suffering, often in a manner which is particularly poignant. More specifically, my analysis will point out the ways in which the body is brought into the foreground in each film and valorised against the backdrop of a confrontation between the body as pathos and the word as logos.
Dreyer’s images and close-ups use the potentialities of the body to suggest the spiritual chasm between Joan of Arc and her judges. Moreover, the opposition between Joan and the theologians is also rendered in terms of the opposition between the oral and the written word, from which she is excluded. Hers is the embodied word and the passion; the subjective experience of embodied suffering becomes a test for her truth. With Babette’s Feast we move into a Lutheran pietistic background but the action is still played out in terms of Protestant – Catholic worldviews. Here the suffering of the body is toned down in a symbolic representation. Babette’s feast is actually an act of self-giving, her own body being offered to the others, symbolized by the cailles en sarcophages she prepares for the consumption of the community. Bess in Breaking the Waves challenges directly the theological foundations of the Calvinist faith of the community, opposing their veneration of the word as the letter of the Bible with an existential dedication to the embodied Word and the immediate consequences this has for human relationships. Like Joan, Bess lays bare the mechanics of power which becomes violently inscribed on her body.
Meteorological Factors Affecting Airport Operations during the Winter Season in the Midwest
Authors: Algarin Ballesteros Jose A. , Hitchens Nathan M. 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
During the coldest months of the year, weather systems bring a variety of winter weather to most of the continental United States in the form of snow, sleet, and freezing rain, which along with strong winds, low clouds, and reduced visibilities may create dangerous conditions. These weather conditions can result in major disruptions in air travel, leading to delays and cancellations of hundreds or thousands of flights, thus affecting the plans of millions of travelers. To assess the specific meteorological factors that prompt flight delays and cancellations in the Midwest region of the United States during wintertime, a comprehensive study was performed on nine of the largest airports (by passenger boardings) in the area.
Flight delay and cancellation data from 11 winter seasons (2005–06 to 2015–16) were collected from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) and analyzed along with climatological data from the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). A classification scheme was developed, and each flight was categorized according to the meteorological factor that could have prompted its delay. The results of the study revealed that visibility was the main meteorological factor affecting midwestern airports, with low ceilings as a close second. Blizzards were the main cause for flight cancellations.