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Understanding speech in noisy settings is harder for hearing-impaired (HI) people than for normal-hearing (NH) people, even when speech is audible. This is often attributed to hearing loss altering the neural encoding of temporal and/or spectral speech cues. Here, we investigated whether this difference may also be due to an impaired ability to adapt to background noise. For 25 adult hearing-aid users with sensorineural hearing loss, speech reception thresholds (SRTs) were measured for natural and tone-vocoded words embedded in speech-shaped noise (SSN). The stimuli were preceded or not by a 1-second adapting SSN precursor. Adaptation was calculated as the difference in SRT between the two precursor conditions. Corresponding data for 28 NH listeners were taken from a previously published study. SRTs were worse for HI listeners, confirming that hearing loss diminishes access to speech acoustic cues. Furthermore, noise adaptation was negatively correlated with the age-controlled hearing loss both for natural (rho=-0.56, N = 52, p < 0.001) and vocoded (rho=-0.45, N = 39, p = 0.002) words. Impaired adaptation contributed up to 10% of the SRT loss in HI listeners. We conclude that HI listeners suffer from poorer speech in noise recognition not only because of impaired access to speech acoustic cues but also because they are less able to adapt to background noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract Understanding speech in noisy settings is harder for hearing-impaired (HI) people than for normal-hearing (NH) people, even when speech is audible. This is often attributed to hearing loss altering the neural encoding of temporal and/or spectral speech cues. Here, we investigated whether this difference may also be due to an impaired ability to adapt to background noise. For 25 adult hearing-aid users with sensorineural hearing loss, speech reception thresholds (SRTs) were measured for natural and tone-vocoded words embedded in speech-shaped noise (SSN). The stimuli were preceded or not by a 1-second adapting SSN precursor. Adaptation was calculated as the difference in SRT between the two precursor conditions. Corresponding data for 28 NH listeners were taken from a previously published study. SRTs were worse for HI listeners, confirming that hearing loss diminishes access to speech acoustic cues. Furthermore, noise adaptation was negatively correlated with the age-controlled hearing loss both for natural (rho=-0.56, N = 52, p

Abstract Background Coinfection with two phylogenetically distinct Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) variants might provide an opportunity for rapid viral expansion and the emergence of fit variants that drive disease progression. However, autologous neutralising immune responses are known to drive Envelope (Env) diversity which can either enhance replicative capacity, have no effect, or reduce viral fitness. This study investigated whether in vivo outgrowth of coinfecting variants was linked to pseudovirus and infectious molecular clones’ infectivity to determine whether diversification resulted in more fit virus with the potential to increase disease progression. Results For most participants, emergent recombinants displaced the co-transmitted variants and comprised the major population at 52 weeks postinfection with significantly higher entry efficiency than other co-circulating viruses. Our findings suggest that recombination within gp41 might have enhanced Env fusogenicity which contributed to the increase in pseudovirus entry efficiency. Finally, there was a significant correlation between pseudovirus entry efficiency and CD4 + T cell count, suggesting that the enhanced replicative capacity of recombinant variants could result in more virulent viruses. Conclusion Coinfection provides variants with the opportunity to undergo rapid recombination that results in more infectious virus. This highlights the importance of monitoring the replicative fitness of emergent viruses.

Background: Coinfection with two phylogenetically distinct Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) variants might provide an opportunity for rapid viral expansion and the emergence of fit variants that drive disease progression. However, autologous neutralising immune responses are known to drive Envelope (Env) diversity which can either enhance replicative capacity, have no effect, or reduce viral fitness. This study investigated whether in vivo outgrowth of coinfecting variants was linked to pseudovirus and infectious molecular clones' infectivity to determine whether diversification resulted in more fit virus with the potential to increase disease progression. Results: For most participants, emergent recombinants displaced the co-transmitted variants and comprised the major population at 52 weeks postinfection with significantly higher entry efficiency than other co-circulating viruses. Our findings suggest that recombination within gp41 might have enhanced Env fusogenicity which contributed to the increase in pseudovirus entry efficiency. Finally, there was a significant correlation between pseudovirus entry efficiency and CD4 + T cell count, suggesting that the enhanced replicative capacity of recombinant variants could result in more virulent viruses. Conclusion: Coinfection provides variants with the opportunity to undergo rapid recombination that results in more infectious virus. This highlights the importance of monitoring the replicative fitness of emergent viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT While investigating methods to target gene delivery vectors to specific cell types, we examined the potential of using a nanobody against the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein receptor-binding domain to direct lentivirus infection of Spike-expressing cells. Using four different approaches, we found that lentiviruses with surface-exposed nanobody domains selectively infect Spike-expressing cells. Targeting is dependent on the fusion function of the Spike protein, and conforms to a model in which nanobody binding to the Spike protein triggers the Spike fusion machinery. The nanobody–Spike interaction also is capable of directing cell–cell fusion and the selective infection of nanobody-expressing cells by Spike-pseudotyped lentivirus vectors. Significantly, cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 are efficiently and selectively infected by lentivirus vectors pseudotyped with a chimeric nanobody protein. Our results suggest that cells infected by any virus that forms syncytia may be targeted for gene delivery by using an appropriate nanobody or virus receptor mimic. Vectors modified in this fashion may prove useful in the delivery of immunomodulators to infected foci to mitigate the effects of viral infections. IMPORTANCE We have discovered that lentiviruses decorated on their surfaces with a nanobody against the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein selectively infect Spike-expressing cells. Infection is dependent on the specificity of the nanobody and the fusion function of the Spike protein and conforms to a reverse fusion model, in which nanobody binding to Spike triggers the Spike fusion machinery. The nanobody–Spike interaction also can drive cell–cell fusion and infection of nanobody-expressing cells with viruses carrying the Spike protein. Importantly, cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 are selectively infected with nanobody-decorated lentiviruses. These results suggest that cells infected by any virus that expresses an active receptor-binding fusion protein may be targeted by vectors for delivery of cargoes to mitigate infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The estimation of the central space is at the core of the sufficient dimension reduction (SDR) literature. However, it is well known that the finite-sample estimation suffers from collinearity among predictors. Cook, Helland, and Su proposed the predictor envelope method under linear models that can alleviate the problem by targeting a bigger space—which not only envelopes the central information, but also partitions the predictors by finding an uncorrelated set of material and immaterial predictors. One limitation of the predictor envelope is that it has strong distributional and modeling assumptions and therefore, it cannot be readily used in semiparametric settings where SDR usually nests. In this article, we generalize the envelope model by defining the enveloped central space and propose a semiparametric method to estimate it. We derive the entire class of regular and asymptotically linear (RAL) estimators as well as the locally and globally semiparametrically efficient estimators for the enveloped central space. Based on the connection between predictor envelope and partial least square (PLS), our methods can also be used to calculate the PLS space beyond linearity. In the simulations, our methods are shown to be both robust and accurate for estimating the enveloped central space under different settings. Moreover, the downstream analysis using state-of-the-art methods such as machine learning (ML) methods has the potential to achieve much better predictions. We further illustrate our methods in a heart failure study. for this article are available online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reflection waveform inversion has the capability to reconstruct the background velocity model using only the reflection data by employing a migration/demigration process. Utilizing the waveform discrepancy to update the background velocity model, the conventional reflection waveform inversion method heavily relies on the true‐amplitude migration/demigration technique to reproduce the primary amplitude information from the observed reflections. We can reproduce the amplitude of observed reflections by performing least‐squares reverse time migration to estimate the reflectivity in each iteration. However, this strategy is quite time‐consuming. To avoid the need for the true‐amplitude migration/demigration or least‐squares reverse time migration, we develop an amplitude‐independent reflection waveform inversion method that uses an envelope‐normalized objective function. The envelope‐normalized waveform difference can extract the phase residuals accurately as a function of time. Compared with the global energy–normalized misfit, our proposed envelope‐normalized objective function is essentially a phase‐matched measurement. At the same time, due to the amplitude independence of our proposed objective function, the subsequent weak reflections contribute with a similar weight to the total value of the misfit as the strong early reflections do. This makes it possible to recover the deep subsurface velocity. Synthetic data of the Sigsbee model and marine streamer field data applications validate that our amplitude‐independent reflection waveform inversion method can further improve the resolution and accuracy by aligning the reflection events of synthetic and observed data phase to phase without the need to perform true‐amplitude migration/demigration or least‐squares reverse time migration as in conventional reflection waveform inversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a case study in which a dynamic simulation modeling (DSM) calculation was carried out to assess the energy performance of a building in Giroc, a locality adjacent to the city of Timișoara, using the VABI Elements software. The characteristics were determined based on which the HVAC equipment was selected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), which originated from exogenous retroviral infections of germline cells millions of years ago and were inherited by subsequent generations as per Mendelian inheritance patterns, predominantly comprise non-protein-coding sequences due to the accumulation of mutations, insertions, deletions, and truncations. Nevertheless, recent studies have revealed that ERVs play a crucial role in diverse biological processes by encoding various proteins. Methods: In this study, we successfully identified an ERV envelope (env) gene in a mink species. A phylogenetic tree of mink ERV-V env and reference sequences was constructed using Bayesian methods and maximum-likelihood inference. Results: Phylogenetic analyses indicated a significant degree of sequence conservation and positive selection within the env-surface open reading frame. Additionally, qRT-PCR revealed diverse patterns of mink ERV-V env expression in various tissues. The expression of mink ERV-V env gene in testicular tissue strongly correlated with the seasonal reproductive cycles of minks. Discussion: Our study suggests that the ERV-V env gene in mink may have been repurposed for host functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Italian territory is characterized by a big increase in energetic demand, especially for cooling, mainly related to climate change but also to the poor quality of a consistent construction sector, such as the suburban 1960–1980 building stock. At the same time, the cost of fuel and electricity due to the recent war events forces us to find alternative solutions to save energy in buildings. This study proposes building envelope passive design strategies to improve the energy efficiency of residential buildings in the Mediterranean climate, which is typical of the Italian territory. The main purpose is to provide an overview of potential passive measures to improve the energetic quality of construction in response to the above-mentioned issues and consequently to the increasing restrictions of energy regulations (passive buildings and NzeB). A categorization of passive measures is provided by exploring three different passive behaviors: heat reduction, heat gain, and heat protection. Specific energy-efficient measures for building retrofit are investigated according to this classification, including solar greenhouses, natural ventilation techniques, and radiative, convective, and conductive heat transfer through opaque and transparent envelopes. As the building envelope is mainly responsible for heating exchange and accounts for 50% of the overall energy balance, it is concluded that the "ad hoc" design of building envelopes can significantly improve the overall thermal performance of residential buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application efficiency of the Dynamic Rotating Latent-Energy-Storage Envelope (DRLESE) system is highly contingent upon dynamic rotation timings. To gain the optimal rotation timings, six different timings were examined by employing the liquid fraction, thermal storage and release, surface temperature and heat flow. The numerical heat transfer method was employed and verified an experiment. Results indicated that the optimal initial rotation occurs in the forenoon, when the inner surface temperature aligns with the sol-air temperature. Subsequently, achieving optimal secondary rotation is possible in the afternoon when the sol-air temperature equals the liquid temperature of PCM (Phase Change Material). Under these optimized initial and secondary rotation timings, the significant enhancements in thermal performance of the DRLESE system were observed. By optimizing rotation timings, indoor effective heat release can reach up to 3182.9 kJ/Day with an effectiveness percentage exceeding 99.99%, and inner surface heat flow was increased by 5.86%–12.26%.

Copyright of Computer Measurement & Control is the property of Magazine Agency of Computer Measurement & Control and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: There is increasing evidence supporting a role for HIV-1 envelope in the development of Protease Inhibitor drug resistance, and a recent report from our group suggested that Env mutations co-evolve with Gag-Protease mutations in the pathway to Lopinavir resistance. In this study, we investigated the effect of co-evolving Env mutations on virus function and structure. Methods: Co-receptor usage and n-linked glycosylation were investigated using Geno2Pheno as well as tools available at the Los Alamos sequence database. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed using Amber 18 and analyzed using Cpptraj, and molecular interactions were calculated using the Ring server. Results: The results showed that under Protease Inhibitor drug selection pressure, the envelope gene modulates viral entry by protecting the virus from antibody recognition through the increased length and number of N-glycosylation sites observed in V1/V2 and to some extent V5. Furthermore, gp120 mutations appear to modulate viral entry through a switch to the CXCR4 coreceptor, induced by higher charge in the V3 region and specific mutations at the coreceptor binding sites. In gp41, S534A formed a hydrogen bond with L602 found in the disulfide loop region between the Heptad Repeat 1 and Heptad Repeat 2 domains and could negatively affect the association of gp120-gp41 during viral entry. Lastly, P724Q/S formed both intermolecular and intramolecular interactions with residues within the Kennedy loop, a known epitope. Discussion: In conclusion, the results suggest that mutations in envelope during Protease Inhibitor treatment failure are related to immune escape and that S534A mutants could preferentially use the cell-to-cell route of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The envelope (E) protein of globally circulating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is highly conserved. This study aimed to find the mutation rate of the E genes in COVID-19 patients, and also to evaluate the conformational characteristics of viral E protein. Methods: In this study, 120 patients with SARS-CoV-2 positive test results were selected according to real-time PCR assay. Specific primers for conventional PCR have been used to amplify E gene; furthermore, to identify the E gene mutations, direct sequencing of the E genes was also done. Bioinformatics techniques were used to investigate the possible effects of antigenic changes and 3D characteristics of amino acid substitutions. Also, the immunogenicity of wild-type and mutant E was analyzed utilizing a ClusPro docking server and the IEDB online platform. Results: A total of 120 COVID-19 patients were included (57.5% were male and 42.5% female), with an overall mean age of 55.70±10.61 years old. Of 10 nucleotide changes, 8 (80%) were silent. Also, 2 (20%) missense mutations (amino acid altering) were found in the E gene (L73F and S68F). Conclusion: These mutations insert some new helix structures in the E mutants. Also, the results of molecular docking studies indicated that both S68F and L73F mutations could notably enhance the stability and binding affinity of protein E's C-terminal motif to the Protein Associated with LIN7 1, MAGUK P55 Family Member (PALS1) which may probably increase local viral spread, and infiltration of immune cells into lung alveolar spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging flavivirus associated with several neurological diseases such as Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults and microcephaly in newborn children. Its distribution and mode of transmission (via Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes) collectively cause ZIKV to be a serious concern for global health. High genetic homology of flaviviruses and shared ecology is a hurdle for accurate detection. Distinguishing infections caused by different viruses based on serological recognition can be misleading as many anti-flavivirus monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) discovered to date are highly cross-reactive, especially those against the envelope (E) protein. To provide more specific research tools, we produced ZIKV E directed hybridoma cell lines and characterized two highly ZIKV-specific mAb clones (mAbs A11 and A42) against several members of the Flavivirus genus. Epitope mapping of mAb A11 revealed glycan loop specificity in Domain I of the ZIKV E protein. The development of two highly specific mAbs targeting the surface fusion protein of ZIKV presents a significant advancement in research capabilities as these can be employed as essential tools to enhance our understanding of ZIKV identification on infected cells ex vivo or in culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficiently cleaved HIV-1 Envs are the closest mimics of functional Envs as they specifically expose only bNAb (broadly neutralizing antibody) epitopes and not non-neutralizing ones, making them suitable for developing vaccine immunogens. We have previously identified several efficiently cleaved Envs from clades A, B, C and B/C. We also described that truncation of the CT (C-terminal tail) of a subset of these Envs, but not others, impairs their ectodomain conformation/antigenicity on the cell surface in a CT conserved hydrophilic domain (CHD) or Kennedy epitope (KE)-dependent manner. Here, we report that those Envs (4 − 2.J41 and JRCSF), whose native-like ectodomain conformation/antigenicity on the cell surface is disrupted upon CT truncation, but not other Envs like JRFL, whose CT truncation does not have an effect on ectodomain integrity on the cell surface, are also defective in retrograde transport from early to late endosomes. Restoration of the CHD/KE in the CT of these Envs restores wild-type levels of distribution between early and late endosomes. In the presence of retrograde transport inhibitor Retro 2, cell surface expression of 4 − 2.J41 and JRCSF Envs increases [as does in the presence of Rab7a DN and Rab7b DN (DN: dominant negative)] but particle formation decreases for 4 − 2.J41 and JRCSF Env pseudotyped viruses. Our results show for the first time a correlation between CT-dependent, CHD/KE regulated retrograde transport and cell surface expression/viral particle formation of these efficiently cleaved Envs. Based on our results we hypothesize that a subset of these efficiently cleaved Envs use a CT-dependent, CHD/KE-mediated mechanism for assembly and release from late endosomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, on envelopes created by circle families in the plane, all four basic problems (existence problem, representation problem, problem on the number of envelopes, problem on relationships of definitions) are solved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The social wasp species of the genus Parachartergus Ihering, 1904 (Vespidae: Polistinae) use plant fibers and saliva to build their nests, although two species are known to reuse material from abandoned nests belonging to other wasps. This paper aims to report the species Parachartegus pseudapicalis Willink, 1959, which has reused material from an abandoned social wasp nest. The record occurred at random, in November 2023, in the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado transition area, in the municipality of Luminárias, southern Minas Gerais, Brazil. The reported behavior is similar to that observed in Parachartegus fraternus (Gribodo, 1892) and Parachartegus colobopterus (Lichtenstein, 1796). This reuse may be frequent in Parachartergus, but further studies are suggested in order to better elucidate this behavior and its evolutionary significance.

In a one‐component partial least squares fit of a linear regression model, we find the asymptotic normal distribution, as the sample size and number of predictors approach infinity, of a user‐selected univariate linear combination of the coefficient estimator and give corresponding asymptotic confidence and prediction intervals. Simulation studies and an analysis of a dopamine dataset are used to support our theoretical asymptotic results and their practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The envelope (façade) of a building is the first barrier between the exterior and the interior of the building and withstands the highest variation in temperature and solar radiation. Trombe walls are used to take advantage of that and contribute to the heating of interior air, helping the heating system. In this study, a new Trombe wall design is presented to contribute significantly to the indoor ventilation of residential buildings. For this, an exterior wall equipped with a proposed Trombe system was studied in a numerical simulation analysis. The proposed systems consist of two important sections, an exterior one and an interior one. The air cavities on the exterior of the wall, covered with silica glass, are the first heat-transfer layer. The secondary layer used for heat transfer, on the interior, is comprised of a MPCLB wall of 115 mm. The air circulation from the exterior to the interior was established as forced convection with a ventilator. The air circulates through the first heating layer on the exterior air cavities and then passes through the second heating layer on the interior MPCLBs. Two cities in Romania were considered to represent the coldest and hottest climates in Romania. Brașov represents the cold climate and Constanța represents the hot climate. In the investigation, both the presence and absence of solar radiation were taken into account. In total, four cases were established. For all four cases, monthly research was made using monthly mean temperatures, and direct and diffuse solar radiation. The results are promising and illustrate that the system works best during the transitional seasons of spring and autumn. The lower the outdoor temperature, the higher the temperature can be increased. Overall, solar radiation accounted for an average 2 °C increase. The temperature increase varied between 3.4 °C and 15.99 °C for Brașov and between 6.42 °C and 12.07 °C in Constanța. This study presents an alternative way to use the Trombe wall for indoor ventilation purposes throughout the year, compared to traditional uses for the Trombe wall for indoor heating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the persistent challenge of heavy and noble metal environmental contamination, our research explores a new idea to capture silver through porous spherical silica nanostructures. The aim was realized using microwave radiation at varying power (P = 150 or 800 W) and exposure times (t = 60 or 150 s). It led to the development of a silica surface with enhanced metal-capture capacity. The microwave-assisted silica surface modification influences the notable changes within the carrier but also enforces the crystallization process of silver nanoparticles with different morphology, structure, and chemical composition. Microwave treatment can also stimulate the formation of core–shell bioactive Ag/Ag2CO3 heterojunctions. Due to the silver nanoparticles' sphericity and silver carbonate's presence, the modified nanocomposites exhibited heightened toxicity against common microorganisms, such as E. coli and S. epidermidis. Toxicological assessments, including minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) determinations, underscored the efficacy of the nanocomposites. This research represents a significant stride in addressing pollution challenges. It shows the potential of microwave-modified silicas in the fight against environmental contamination. Microwave engineering underscores a sophisticated approach to pollution remediation and emphasizes the pivotal role of nanotechnology in shaping sustainable solutions for environmental stewardship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interferon-induced transmembrane proteins (IFITMs) are a family of proteins which inhibit infections of various enveloped viruses. While their general mechanism of inhibition seems to be non-specific, involving the tightening of membrane structures to prevent fusion between the viral envelope and cell membrane, numerous studies have underscored the importance of viral envelope proteins in determining the susceptibility of viruses to IFITMs. Mutations in envelope proteins may lead to viral escape from direct interaction with IFITM proteins or result in indirect resistance by modifying the viral entry pathway, allowing the virus to modulate its exposure to IFITMs. In a broader context, the nature of viral envelope proteins and their interaction with IFITMs can play a crucial role in the context of adaptive immunity, leading to viral envelope proteins that are more susceptible to antibody neutralization. The precise mechanisms underlying these observations remain unclear, and further studies in this field could contribute to a better understanding of how IFITMs control viral infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focal mechanisms of small-magnitude earthquakes can be challenging due to sparse networks, limited availability of velocity models, and a lack of suitable approaches. In this study, three techniques were used to determine the focal mechanism of the Burewala earthquake ( M w ∼ 4) in Pakistan, which occurred on March 18, 2022. Full waveform inversion yielded different results for the local and regional velocity models. Although the regional velocity models showed a better waveform fit, the thrust mechanism solutions obtained did not match first-motion polarities. Therefore, cyclic scanning of polarity solutions was employed to combine polarities and waveforms, but the solutions were unreliable due to poor station coverage. Therefore, the inversion of waveform envelope technique was used, which is less sensitive to velocity models; hence, it can be used for sparse networks. The mechanism (i.e., normal faulting with a minor strike-slip component) was obtained for local and regional velocity models. The obtained solutions were consistent with the waveform inversion results based on the local velocity model. Thus, envelope inversion is deemed a more suitable technique for analyzing small-magnitude earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing global energy crisis in Europe has intensified energy poverty in vulnerable households, prompting a critical examination of passive retrofit strategies for improving the habitability of obsolete social housing in southern Europe from the 1960s. Given the Mediterranean climate's characteristics (hot summers and mild winters), these buildings possess low thermal resistance envelopes designed for heat dissipation in summer but contribute to elevated heating demands in colder months. In response to the pressing need for solutions that strike a balance between reducing energy demand and ensuring year-round comfort, this research explores diverse approaches. Drawing insights from built prototypes in Colombia and Hungary and utilizing a validated simulation model in Seville, Spain, this study investigates the feasibility of implementing a double-skin envelope on building facades and assesses the impact of thermal insulation in the air chamber. So, the research specifically aims to find an equilibrium between lowering energy demand and maintaining adequate comfort conditions, concentrating on the renovation of obsolete social housing with envelopes featuring low thermal resistance in the Mediterranean climate. Results indicate that, due to the poor thermal envelope, the influence of thermal insulation on comfort conditions and energy savings outweighs that of the double skin. Consequently, the emphasis of renovation projects for this climate should not solely concentrate on passive cooling strategies but should strive to achieve a positive balance in comfort conditions throughout the year, encompassing both warm and cold months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The TP-84 bacteriophage, which infects Geobacillus stearothermophilus strain 10 (G. stearothermophilus), has a genome size of 47.7 kilobase pairs (kbps) and contains 81 predicted protein-coding ORFs. One of these, TP84_26 encodes a putative tail fiber protein possessing capsule depolymerase activity. In this study, we cloned the TP84_26 gene into a high-expression Escherichia coli (E. coli) system, modified its N-terminus with His-tag, expressed both the wild type gene and His-tagged variant, purified the recombinant depolymerase variants, and further evaluated their properties. We developed a direct enzymatic assay for the depolymerase activity toward G. stearothermophilus capsules. The recombinant TP84_26 protein variants effectively degraded the existing bacterial capsules and inhibited the formation of new ones. Our results provide insights into the novel TP84_26 depolymerase with specific activity against thermostable G. stearothermophilus and its role in the TP-84 life cycle. The identification and characterization of novel depolymerases, such as TP84_26, hold promise for innovative strategies to combat bacterial infections and improve various industrial processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how different amino acids affect the HIV-1 envelope (Env) trimer will greatly help the design and development of vaccines that induce broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). A tryptophan residue at position 375 that opens the CD4 binding site without modifying the trimer apex was identified using our saturation mutagenesis strategy. 375W was introduced into a large panel of 27 transmitted/founder, acute stage, chronic infection, and AIDS macrophage-tropic and non-macrophage-tropic primary envelopes from different clades (A, B, C, D, and G) as well as complex and circulating recombinants. We evaluated soluble CD4 and monoclonal antibody neutralization of WT and mutant Envs together with macrophage infection. The 375W substitution increased sensitivity to soluble CD4 in all 27 Envs and macrophage infection in many Envs including an X4 variant. Importantly, 375W did not impair or abrogate neutralization by potent bnAbs. Variants that were already highly macrophage tropic were compromised for macrophage tropism, indicating that other structural factors are involved. Of note, we observed a macrophage-tropic (clade G) and intermediate macrophage-tropic (clades C and D) primary Envs from the blood and not from the central nervous system (CNS), indicating that such variants could be released from the brain or evolve outside the CNS. Our data also indicate that "intermediate" macrophagetropic variants should belong to a new class of HIV-1 tropism. These Envs infected macrophages more efficiently than non-macrophage-tropic variants without reaching the high levels of macrophage-tropic brain variants. In summary, we show that 375W is ideal for inclusion into HIV-1 vaccines, increasing Env binding to CD4 for widely diverse Envs from different clades and disease stages. IMPORTANCE Substitutions exposing the CD4 binding site (CD4bs) on HIV-1 trimers but still occluding non-neutralizing, immunogenic epitopes are desirable to develop HIV-1 vaccines. If such substitutions induce similar structural changes in trimers across diverse clades, they could be exploited for the development of multi-clade envelope (Env) vaccines. We show that the 375W substitution increases CD4 affinity for envelopes of all clades, circulating recombinant forms, and complex Envs tested, independent of disease stage. Clade B and C Envs with an exposed CD4bs were described for macrophage-tropic strains from the central nervous system (CNS). Here, we show that intermediate (clades C and D) and macrophage-tropic (clade G) envelopes can be detected outside the CNS. Vaccines targeting the CD4bs will be particularly effective against such strains and CNS disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Railway Construction Technology is the property of Railway Construction Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

IntroductionThere is increasing evidence supporting a role for HIV-1 envelope in the development of Protease Inhibitor drug resistance, and a recent report from our group suggested that Env mutations co-evolve with Gag-Protease mutations in the pathway to Lopinavir resistance. In this study, we investigated the effect of co-evolving Env mutations on virus function and structure.MethodsCo-receptor usage and n-linked glycosylation were investigated using Geno2Pheno as well as tools available at the Los Alamos sequence database. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed using Amber 18 and analyzed using Cpptraj, and molecular interactions were calculated using the Ring server.ResultsThe results showed that under Protease Inhibitor drug selection pressure, the envelope gene modulates viral entry by protecting the virus from antibody recognition through the increased length and number of N-glycosylation sites observed in V1/V2 and to some extent V5. Furthermore, gp120 mutations appear to modulate viral entry through a switch to the CXCR4 coreceptor, induced by higher charge in the V3 region and specific mutations at the coreceptor binding sites. In gp41, S534A formed a hydrogen bond with L602 found in the disulfide loop region between the Heptad Repeat 1 and Heptad Repeat 2 domains and could negatively affect the association of gp120-gp41 during viral entry. Lastly, P724Q/S formed both intermolecular and intramolecular interactions with residues within the Kennedy loop, a known epitope.DiscussionIn conclusion, the results suggest that mutations in envelope during Protease Inhibitor treatment failure are related to immune escape and that S534A mutants could preferentially use the cell-to-cell route of infection.

The objective of this work is to demonstrate how the glace surface considerably affects building energy efficiency. Two cases of housing are presented, which consist of two private neighborhood houses located in the metropolitan area of San Miguel de Tucumán. Both were built considering recommended criteria on thermal energy efficiency and using Cassaforma system. This system is very efficient from a thermal energy point of view since it reaches the highest IRAM standards for thermal insulation. However, these cases present a significant window surface, with low thermal performance glazing and no solar protection in most orientations. Their performance is analyzed through EPDA (Passive Architectural Design Strategies) and energy efficiency labeling at their original state. Using the same tools, these houses’ behavior is analyzed considering two possible variants: a 50% window surface reduction and the use of a glass system with a better thermal performance that is available in the local market. It is concluded that carpentry has a high impact on energy behavior in both cases and its reduction allows significant energy savings.

The Italian territory is characterized by a big increase in energetic demand, especially for cooling, mainly related to climate change but also to the poor quality of a consistent construction sector, such as the suburban 1960–1980 building stock. At the same time, the cost of fuel and electricity due to the recent war events forces us to find alternative solutions to save energy in buildings. This study proposes building envelope passive design strategies to improve the energy efficiency of residential buildings in the Mediterranean climate, which is typical of the Italian territory. The main purpose is to provide an overview of potential passive measures to improve the energetic quality of construction in response to the above-mentioned issues and consequently to the increasing restrictions of energy regulations (passive buildings and NzeB). A categorization of passive measures is provided by exploring three different passive behaviors: heat reduction, heat gain, and heat protection. Specific energy-efficient measures for building retrofit are investigated according to this classification, including solar greenhouses, natural ventilation techniques, and radiative, convective, and conductive heat transfer through opaque and transparent envelopes. As the building envelope is mainly responsible for heating exchange and accounts for 50% of the overall energy balance, it is concluded that the “ad hoc” design of building envelopes can significantly improve the overall thermal performance of residential buildings.

Background and Aim: A raga is characterized by its distinctive melodic shape. The ability to perceive intricate melodic and pitch patterns depends on the Temporal Envelope (ENV) and Fine Structure (TFS). The present study aimed to understand the importance of temporal envelope and temporal fine structure cues in identifying ragas in Indian music. Methods: Twenty - one adult’s musicians were included in the study. In experiment 1, professional musicians were involved in a raga identification task using music chimaeras. In experiment 2, the chimaeras were subjected to acoustic analysis using the envelope difference index, to understand better how the ENV and TFS changed depending on how many frequency bands were used to create the chimaeras. The subjective impression of a new group of trained musicians was then compared to these results. Friedman’s test and Wilcoxon tests were carried out. Results: Results showed that both cues are crucial in a trade-off manner; when TFS are not significantly accessible, ENV aids in raga identification. It was reflected in experiment 1 as an increase in ENV scores and a decrease in TFS scores as the number of frequency bands increased. In experiment 2, the envelope difference index for ENV increases with a number of frequency bands, and it correlates with perceptual scores for ENV. Conclusion: The current study highlights the perceptual role of temporal cues in raga identification and directs future work for a temporal-based raga classifier.

ABSTRACT Purpose The inter-aural time difference (ITD) and inter-aural level difference (ILD) are important acoustic cues for horizontal localization and spatial release from masking. These cues are encoded based on inter-aural comparisons of tonotopically matched binaural inputs. Therefore, binaural coherence or the interaural spectro-temporal similarity is a pre-requisite for encoding ITD and ILD. The modulation depth of envelope is an important envelope characteristic that helps in encoding the envelope-ITD. However, inter-aural difference in modulation depth can result in reduced binaural coherence and poor representation of binaural cues as in the case with reverberation, noise and compression in cochlear implants and hearing aids. This study investigated the effect of inter-aural modulation depth difference on the ITD thresholds for an amplitude-modulated noise in normal hearing young adults. Methods An amplitude modulated high pass filtered noise with varying modulation depth differences was presented sequentially through headphones. In one ear, the modulation depth was retained at 90% and in the other ear it varied from 90% to 50%. The ITD thresholds for modulation frequencies of 8 Hz and 16 Hz were estimated as a function of the inter-aural modulation depth difference. Results The Friedman test findings revealed a statistically significant increase in the ITD threshold with an increase in the inter-aural modulation depth difference for 8 Hz and 16 Hz. Conclusion The results indicate that the inter-aural differences in the modulation depth negatively impact ITD perception for an amplitude-modulated high pass filtered noise.

Ball bearings fault detection with the aid of ultrasound technique is of great importance. Hence, this paper evaluates signal processing of ultrasounds sent by faults and addresses relevant challenges. In this regard, the waveforms of ultrasound signals were analyzed for different types of faults and considering specification of ultrasound channels to enhance the perception of ultrasound signal processing. For this purpose, different conditions have been considered such as waveform fading and the likelihood of frequency fading at lower signal-to-noise ratios. Furthermore, the sensitivity of ultrasonic sensors to fault detection at higher frequencies and the probability of the modulation have been assessed, and modeling results have been presented. In addition to modeling, fault detection in a ball bearing of an electromotor has been studied through an industrial-empirical case study. Therefore, the bearing signals have been processed for fault-free, initial fault, and advanced fault conditions. The studied fault emerged in several months (without hand intervention) and was then intensified over time. According to results, the envelope technique is capable of extracting fault frequencies of ball bearings. Also, high-pass filters have been employed to demonstrate signal shape mode and impulse generation in detail. Moreover, it has been shown that the growth of initial faults can generate new frequencies and fault frequency harmonics other than the fault frequencies of ball bearings. Also, important tips on the ultrasound fault detection of electromotor were provided with a potential effect on the entire fault detection process. These tips came from the author's experiences obtained by monitoring rotary machines. In which, they can serve as a beneficial tool for monitoring of such machines in industrial sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pressure ulcers (PUs) are chronic wounds that are detrimental to the quality of life of patients. Despite advances in monitoring skin changes, the structure and function of skin cells over the site of pressure ulcers are not fully understood. The present study aims to evaluate local changes in the properties of superficial corneocytes in category 1 PU sites sampled from a cohort of hospitalised patients. Cells were collected from a PU-compromised site and an adjacent control area and their topographical, maturation and mechanical properties were analysed. Corneocytes at the PU-compromised site were characterised by higher levels of immature cornified envelopes (p < 0.001) and greater amounts of desmoglein-1 (corneodesmosomal protein) (p < 0.001) compared to the adjacent control area. The cells at the control site presented the typical ridges-and-valleys topographical features of sacrum corneocytes. By contrast, the PU cells presented circular nano-objects at the cell surface, and, for some patients, the cell topography was deformed. CEs at the PU site were also smaller than at the control site. Although differences were not observed in the mechanical properties of the cells, those of the elderly patients were much softer compared with young subjects. This is the first study investigating the changes in corneocyte properties in category I pressure ulcers. Superficial cells at the PU sites showed altered topographical and maturation characteristics. Further studies are required to elucidate if these changes are a consequence of early loss of skin integrity or a result of mechanical and microclimate insults to the skin surface. • This is the first cohort study that has investigated the changes in the properties of corneocyte over category I PUs. • Superficial cells at the PU sites showed altered topographical and maturation characteristics. • Topographic features in the PU sites included the presence of circular nano-objects, as well as increased levels of desmoglein-1 in the central surface regions of the cells and an increase in the levels of immature cornified envelopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CD4-mimetic compounds (CD4mcs) bind the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) gp120 exterior envelope glycoprotein (Env) and compete for binding to CD4, the host receptor. CD4mcs prematurely trigger conformational changes in Env similar to those induced by CD4, leading to transient activation of infectivity followed by irreversible virus inactivation. Natural HIV-1 variants exhibit a wide range of susceptibilities to CD4mc inhibition, only a small fraction of which can be explained by variation in the gp120 Phe-43 cavity/vestibule where CD4mcs bind. Here, we study Envs from the resistant HIV-1BG505 and the more sensitive HIV-1191955_A4 clade A strains. The major determinant of the relative sensitivity of the HIV-1191955_A4 Env to CD4mcs mapped to a single residue change (F317Y) in the tip of the gp120 V3 variable loop. In the Envs of several HIV-1 strains, replacement of the more prevalent Phe 317 with a tyrosine residue increased virus sensitivity to multiple CD4mcs. Tryptophan substitutions at residues 317 and 316 resulted in increases and decreases, respectively, in sensitivity to CD4mcs. Some of the gp120 V3 changes increased virus sensitivity to inactivation by both CD4mc and cold exposure, phenotypes indicative of increased Env triggerability. Infection of CD4-negative cells expressing the CCR5 coreceptor by these Env variants was triggered more efficiently by CD4mcs. For the panel of studied HIV-1 Envs, resistance to the CD4mcs was associated with decreased ability to support virus entry. These studies illustrate how variation in gp120 outside the CD4mc binding site can influence the sensitivity of natural HIV-1 strains to inhibition by these compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the influence of variables defining indoor temperature is studied, focusing on operational data and visual and technical inspections rather than the temperature control setpoints and occupancy schedule. This is incorrect because infiltration and insolation are highly variable. This results in lowering the temperature difference between the supply and return lines, overheating some spaces, lowering the indoor temperature in others, and poor hydronic balancing. The novelty lies in studying the actual operating condition of real district heating (DH) systems. The research hypothesis is that internal heat gains along with the infiltration of and variations in outdoor temperature cause daily changes in indoor temperature. These factors seem to be the primary reasons for the variations in supply and return temperature, if the rate of energy loss is not large in new office buildings constructed according to tightened contemporary energy conservation regulations. The saving effect is achieved by allowing the energy to be dumped into building envelopes; thus, the flow rate or supply temperature are varied in a narrower range. Dumping heat by using the storage capacity of building envelopes is suggested. The corrected design approach minimizes energy consumption and increases annual performance (e.g., by 14.1% here). Advantages are achieved by tuning a controller at a DH substation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inter-turn short circuit (ITSC) is a common fault in induction motors. However, it is challenging to detect the early stage of ITSC fault. To address this issue, this paper proposes an ITSC fault detection method for three-phase induction motors based on start-up current envelope energy. This approach uses Akima interpolation to calculate the envelope of the measured start-up current of the induction motor. A Gaussian window weighting is applied to eliminate endpoint effects caused by the initial phase angle, and the enveloping energy is obtained using the energy formula as the fault feature. Finally, by combining this with the support vector machine (SVM) classification learner, fault detection of ITSC in induction motors is achieved. The experimental results show that the average accuracy of this method reaches 96.9%, which can quickly and accurately detect ITSC faults in asynchronous motors and determine the severity of the faults. Furthermore, the average accuracy of SVM in detecting early ITSC faults under no-load conditions is 98.8%, which is higher than other classification learners, including LR, KNN, and NN. This study provides a new idea for induction motor fault detection and can contribute to induction motor maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detecting and mapping subsurface utilities in urban areas is crucial for identifying defects or damages in drinking and sewage pipes that can cause leaks. These leaks make it difficult to accurately characterize the pipes due to changes in their reflective properties. This study focused on detecting leaks originating from underground pipes and distinguishing between these various types of pipes. It also aimed to create a visual fingerprint model that displays the reflection characteristics of these pipes during different leak conditions, enabling efficient maintenance and handling procedures on the pipes. To achieve this, a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method was used to simulate two types of pipe materials with and without leak areas to construct different scenarios. Additionally, a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) field survey was conducted using a 600 MHz antenna in a part of the El Hammam area on Egypt's northwest coast. The simulated images produced with numerical modeling were compared with the radar profiles obtained using GPR at particular locations. The numerical simulations and radar profiles demonstrated the noticeable influence of water leaks from the different pipes, wherein the reflection of saturated soil waves was interrupted due to the presence of saturated soil. Envelope and migration techniques were employed in a new application to accurately distinguish between different pipe types, specifically focusing on leak areas. The strong correlation between the real radar profile and the specific signal of a water pipe leak in the simulated models suggests that GPR is a reliable non-destructive geophysical method for detecting water pipe leaks and distinguishing between the different pipe materials in various field conditions. The simulated models, which serve as image-matching fingerprints to identify and map water pipe leaks, help us to comprehend reality better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proper regulative in earthquake risk reduction, hazard assessment, earthquake resistant design and construction of structures, should be under perpetual improvement. They are mainly the result of earthquake study and analysis of post-seismic effects. In this context, a new frame for seismogram analysis is proposed, based on its decomposition into elementary and single (positive and negative) fluctuations (EF/SF). Decomposition enables rearrangement, both providing the frame for defining new attributes, where several main ones are proposed and elaborated in the paper: fan diagram of EFs structural axes; R- or RQ-envelope, formed over positive and over negative peaks of ordered SFs; two forms of difference functions of positive and negative R/RQ-envelopes, as a measure of seismogram's (a)symmetry, in respect to t-axis; distributions of SFs durations. Several others are in perspective. Analogy between R-envelope and seismogram's spectrum is considered from the aspects of arranged elements, and asymptotic behavior of these two functional attributes. More objective definition of seismogram duration is proposed, determined by linear regression across the scatter plot of SFs peaks. R-envelope showed itself as an invariant in the seismogram population, and the distribution of SFs durations as well. Results are presented through extensive graphics, backed with mathematical description. Thorough discussion of the concept and results is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newer buildings have a lower but smoother profile of indoor temperature, while older buildings are less energy efficient. Sometimes, the indoor temperature is unreasonably high, being 25–30 °C. There are buildings where the indoor temperature does not correlate with the outdoor one. Correction factors adjusting convective heat transfer coefficients are suggested. Energy demand is defined using the rate of heat loss and internal heat gains for the given building construction and design consumption profile. We suggest adjusting the setpoints of the secondary supply temperature to keep indoor and return temperatures lower. Correcting a traditional approach when designing a building may minimize energy consumption by 23.3% and increase the annual performance by up to 14.1%. The reductions of thermal peak resulting from a new type of controller adjustment (for instance, discrete) compared to the traditional operation range from roughly 10 to 30%, respectively. A better understanding of the system operation is a necessary step to switch to fourth-generation district heating (4GDH). This methodology is especially helpful in shaving daily peaks of heat demand. Building envelopes ease the charging, maximum storage capacity, and balance of the given generation and demand profiles, which are key factors in achieving the reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Once the heat demand is covered according to the maximum storage capacity for the given generation and demand profile, fewer efforts to modernize a district heating network are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the geometric features of ZL205A alloy castings as well as the formation mechanism of hot tearing under the low-pressure casting process were investigated. To explore the effects of geometric features and the low-pressure casting process on the envelope density and stresses of the ZL205A alloy cylindrical components, pouring experiments were performed, and the solidification process was simulated using the commercial software ProCAST. The results demonstrate that, among the castings with various geometric cross sections, those with round features are most considerably hindered. The experimental results show that hot tearing occurs in the castings when the hindrance factor ε = 0.129 or δ:R = 1:15 at the outside radius of R = 150 mm of the cylindrical components. The simulation results reveal that the position of hot tearing formed in the cylindrical casting is (0.44~0.48)h heights, (0~0.2)δ thickness for a cylindrical envelope with a low-pressure casting process. The combination of copper-rich, hindered stresses and welding stresses causes hot tearing in cylindrical castings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Restoration of HBV-specific T cell immunity is a promising approach for the functional cure of chronic Hepatitis B (CHB), necessitating the development of valid assays to boost and monitor HBV-specific T cell responses in patients with CHB. Methods: We analyzed hepatitis B virus (HBV) core- and envelope (env)-specific T cell responses using in vitro expanded peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with CHB exhibiting different immunological phases, including immune tolerance (IT), immune activation (IA), inactive carrier (IC), and HBeAg-negative hepatitis (ENEG). Additionally, we evaluated the effects of metabolic interventions, including mitochondria-targeted antioxidants (MTA), polyphenolic compounds, and ACAT inhibitors (iACAT), on HBV-specific T-cell functionality. Results: We found that HBV core- and env-specific T cell responses were finely coordinated and more profound in IC and ENEG than in the IT and IA stages. HBV env-specific T cells were more dysfunctional but prone to respond to metabolic interventions using MTA, iACAT, and polyphenolic compounds than HBV core-specific T-cells. The responsiveness of HBV env-specific T cells to metabolic interventions can be predicted by the eosinophil (EO) count and the coefficient of variation of red blood cell distribution width (RDW-CV). Conclusion: These findings may provide valuable information for metabolically invigorating HBV-specific T-cells to treat CHB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]