Virus taxonomy: the database of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV)

The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) is charged with the task of developing, refining, and maintaining a universal virus taxonomy. This task encompasses the classification of virus species and higher-level taxa according to the genetic and biological properties of their members; naming virus taxa; maintaining a database detailing the currently approved taxonomy; and providing the database, supporting proposals, and other virus-related information from an open-access, public web site. The ICTV web site (http://ictv.global) provides access to the current taxonomy database in online and downloadable formats, and maintains a complete history of virus taxa back to the first release in 1971. The ICTV has also published the ICTV Report on Virus Taxonomy starting in 1971. This Report provides a comprehensive description of all virus taxa covering virus structure, genome structure, biology and phylogenetics. The ninth ICTV report, published in 2012, is available as an open-access online publication from the ICTV web site. The current, 10th report (http://ictv.global/report/), is being published online, and is replacing the previous hard-copy edition with a completely open access, continuously updated publication. No other database or resource exists that provides such a comprehensive, fully annotated compendium of information on virus taxa and taxonomy

Global Neurosurgery: The Unmet Need

Globally, the lack of access to basic surgical care causes 3 times as much deaths as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined. The magnitude of this unmet need has been described recently, and the numbers are startling. Major shifts in global health agenda have highlighted access to essential and emergency surgery as a high priority. A broad examination of the current global neurosurgical efforts to improve access has revealed some strengths, particularly in the realm of training; however, the demand grossly outstrips the supply; most people in low-income countries do not have access to basic surgical care, either due to lack of availability or affordability. Projects that help create a robust and resilient health system within low- and middle-income countries require urgent implementation. In this context, concurrent scale-up of human resources, investments in capacity building, local data collection, and analysis for accurate assessment are essential. In addition, through process of collaboration and consensus building within the neurosurgical community, a unified voice of neurosurgery is necessary to effectively advocate for all those who need neurosurgical care wherever, whenever

Integrating Condition Indicators and Usage Parameters for Improved Spiral Bevel Gear Health Monitoring

The objective of this study was to illustrate the importance of combining Health Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS) data with usage monitoring system data when detecting rotorcraft transmission health. Three gear sets were tested in the NASA Glenn Spiral Bevel Gear Fatigue Rig. Damage was initiated and progressed on the gear and pinion teeth. Damage progression was measured by debris generation and documented with inspection photos at varying torque values. A contact fatigue analysis was applied to the gear design indicating the effect temperature, load and reliability had on gear life. Results of this study illustrated the benefits of combining HUMS data and actual usage data to indicate progression of damage for spiral bevel gears

Choroid plexus cyst in the lateral ventricle causing obstructive symptoms in an adult

This case of a rare symptomatic choroid plexus cyst in the lateral ventricle, which presented with papilledema and decreased vision, is the first such lesion found in an adult. Five earlier reported cases, all in children, are discussed, as are the limitations of computerized tomographic (CT) scanning and the need for further radiological studies to establish the diagnosis preoperatively. Metrizamide ventriculography with CT scanning is used to define the lesion and plan an operative approach.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/24465/1/0000740.pd

Enzymatic doped ionogels - new materials for inherently biocompatible molecular sensors

• The key challenges currently faced in lab-on-a-chip biochemical sensor developments are device reliability and power consumption. • Point-of-care (POC) glucose biosensors play an important role in the management of blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes. Glucose biosensors still account for approximately 85% of the current world market which is estimated to be worth $5 billon. • Ionic liquids (ILs) have evolved as a new type of solvent for biocatalysis, mainly due to their unique and tunable physical properties

Spiral-Bevel-Gear Damage Detected Using Decision Fusion Analysis

Helicopter transmission integrity is critical to helicopter safety because helicopters depend on the power train for propulsion, lift, and flight maneuvering. To detect impending transmission failures, the ideal diagnostic tools used in the health-monitoring system would provide real-time health monitoring of the transmission, demonstrate a high level of reliable detection to minimize false alarms, and provide end users with clear information on the health of the system without requiring them to interpret large amounts of sensor data. A diagnostic tool for detecting damage to spiral bevel gears was developed. (Spiral bevel gears are used in helicopter transmissions to transfer power between nonparallel intersecting shafts.) Data fusion was used to integrate two different monitoring technologies, oil debris analysis and vibration, into a health-monitoring system for detecting surface fatigue pitting damage on the gears

Ionic liquids for enzymatic sensing

The key challenges currently faced in lab-on-a-chip biochemical sensor developments are device reliability and power consumption. The major issues faced in terms of device reliability are liquid handling over extended periods of time, as the micro-dimensioned fluidic channels are prone to blockage, and unreliable micro pumps/valves. The overall aim of this proposal is to develop a biocompatible molecular sensor that will address these key issues which are holding back biocompatible sensors technologies, and thus to develop an innovative class of sensing technology at the forefront of molecular sensing. [1] Over the past decade conducting polymer electrodes have played an important role in bio-sensing and actuation. [2] Recent developments in the field of organic electronics have made available a variety of devices that bring unique capabilities at the interface with biology. [3,4] One example is organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) that are being developed for a variety of bio-sensing applications, including the detection of ions, [5] and metabolites, such as glucose [6] and lactate [7]. Room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) are organic salts, which are liquid at ambient temperature. Their non-volatile character and thermal stability makes them an attractive alternative to conventional organic solvents. [8] To this end, we propose to exploit enzymatic doped ionogels - new materials for inherently biocompatible molecular sensors. These particular sensors are hybrid materials that consist of monomeric components polymerised within biocompatible ionic liquids, thus allowing various platforms for modification. Further investigation shows that these sensing platforms can be incorporated into flexible materials such as carbon cloth and can be utilised for bio-sensing. Furthermore, we envisage that the proposed sensing devices can be incorporated into fabrics for “wearable” health care devices thus providing clear benefits the public health service. Long term ambitions are to build a research career with a focus on academia and industrial research collaborations. The proposed time in DCU would allow myself to demonstrate adaptability and diversity and to highlight the transferable nature of my skills through the publication of peer review articles and the securing of patents. It is hoped that the research and project management experience gained through collaborations and contacts will allow me to further my career through more senior positions and grants. Through current collaborations, engineering and chemistry support from members of the Adaptive Sensor Group has already been secured for the proposed project. Expanding my research profile through further publications and both domestic and international presentations of the research. Existing collaborations held by myself (Doug MacFarlane’s / Ekaterina Izgorodina’s group, Monash University, Gloria Elliott’s group, UNCC, North Carolina and George Malliaras & Róisín Owens at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Saint Etienne) will be of considerable benefit to the project

Exploring men’s experiences and sense-making of Bipolar Disorder diagnoses and mood management: A photo-elicitation investigation

Objective: Men’s experiences of living with and managing the symptoms associated with Bipolar Disorder are poorly understood. There is also a lack of qualitative studies focused on men’s experiences of Bipolar Disorder despite the clinical importance of this understanding for successfully supporting men to live well and manage mood symptoms. Method: This qualitative study used a photo-elicitation approach to explore how men made sense of managing their mood symptoms when living with Bipolar Disorder. Six participants took photographs representing their experiences of managing their diagnosis and mood symptoms, which formed the basis of in-depth participant-led semi-structured interviews. Results: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis identified four themes: (1) ‘managing symptoms: living with the enemy’; (2) ‘we’re not just managing mood episodes’; (3) ‘managing goes beyond a list of strategies’; and (4) ‘medication is a necessary evil’. Common across the sample’s experiences was the importance of accommodating the disruption caused by mood-related triggers and symptoms. Notably, explicit descriptions of masculinity or male identity were absent from the participants’ sense-making. Conclusions: Findings support a clinical focus on promoting idiosyncratic recoveries and living well, focusing on life beyond symptom reduction and relapse prevention, and facilitating ‘sense making’ of men’s Bipolar diagnoses and experiences in practice