Genotype-Specific Neutralization of Norovirus Is Mediated by Antibodies Against the Protruding Domain of the Major Capsid Protein

Human noroviruses are the most common viral agents of acute gastroenteritis. Recently, human intestinal enteroids were shown to be permissive for norovirus infection. We tested their suitability as a system to study norovirus neutralization. Hyperimmune sera raised against virus-like particles (VLPs) representing different genotypes showed highly specific neutralization activity against GII.4 and GII.6 noroviruses. Carbohydrate blocking assays and neutralization exhibited similar patterns in antibody responses. Notably, sera produced against chimeric VLPs that presented swapped structural shell and protruding (P) domains, from different genotypes showed that neutralization is primarily mediated by antibodies mapping to the P domain of the norovirus capsid protein. This study provides empirical information on the antigenic differences among genotypes as measured by neutralization, which could guide vaccine design.

Failure of a steel boiler chimney caused by corrosion of the structural shell plate

The article presents issues concerning the corrosion of sheets of the guyed steel chimney with boiler house in an industrial plant. The subject of considerations is a steel chimney with a height of 46.5 m and a diameter of 1.25 m. The chimney was used for seventeen years and did not show any significant corrosion losses. After the change of the way of usage and the fuel used for feeding boilers, the corrosion rate has dramatically increased. The paper presents issues concerning corrosion types and mechanisms of corrosion degradation of the steel. The reasons for the increase of corrosion velocity within the chimney base were given. The method of chimney renovation and the results of this renovation, detailing the order of works is presented too. Attention was also paid to the proper maintenance of construction works, as periodic inspections themselves may be insufficient to ensure safe operation.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus Capsid Is More Than Just a Genome Package

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of the most studied of all human pathogens. One strain—HIV-1 group M—is responsible for a global pandemic that has infected >60 million people and killed >20 million. Understanding the stages of HIV infection has led to highly effective therapeutics in the form of antiviral drugs that target the viral enzymes reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease as well as biotechnological developments in the form of retroviral and lentiviral vectors for the transduction of cells in tissue culture and, potentially, gene therapy. However, despite considerable research focus in this area, there is much we still do not understand about the HIV replicative cycle, particularly the first steps that are crucial to establishing a productive infection. One especially enigmatic player has been the HIV capsid. In this review, we discuss three aspects of the HIV capsid: its function as a structural shell, its role in mediating host interactions, and its vulnerability to antiviral activity.

Mode-frequency analysis of doubly curved composite laminated shell

The paper deals with a numerical approach of mode-frequency analysis of a simply-supported laminated doubly curved shell. For laminated shell the first-order shear deformation theory is capable of accurately predicting the shell behaviour. Linear layered structural shell elements are used in FEM analysis. The numerical analysis is conducted to determine the effect of symmetry with respect to mid-plane, fibre orientation and width-to-thickness ratio to change of resonant frequencies in the case of angle-ply and crossply laminate.

Shell finite elements, with emphasis on strategies used within Elmer software

The best way to handle finite element discretization of structural shell equationsis still a subject of discussion. This article presents some viewpoints and reviews innovationswhich have recently been taken into use in connection with the implementation of new shell finite elements into the open source finite element software Elmer.

Mechanical Response under Natural Fire of Barrel Shape Shell Structure

In this paper, thermo-mechanical analysis of the structural shell construction exposed to natural fire is presented. A barrel shape coverlet with dimensions of 40m x 80m is a roof system covers the shopping arcade. The braced shell structure is made of steel rectangular hollow sections. The steel construction is a support for a special glass system. Behaviour of structure under natural fire conditions is considered as the main goal of research. Fire is simulated with the use of FDS software. Then, adiabatic surface temperatures are transferred into the non-linear Abaqus finite element analysis as boundary conditions for thermo-mechanical analysis. The 3D geometry FE computational model is prepared using 3D beam finite elements with mechanical and thermal degrees of freedom. CFD and FE analyses are sequentially coupled using special individually designed scripts. The analyses show influence of natural fire on the structural behaviour of the roof.