Complete genome sequence of a novel recombinant GII. Pe_GII. 17 norovirus strain from Hong Kong in 2015

The complete genome sequence of a novel recombinant GII.Pe_GII.17 norovirus strain, tentatively named GII.17 Hong Kong 2015, was determined. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase has 95.6% and 98.4% and viral protein 1 has 90.6% and 95.9% identity at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively, to the closest sequences in GenBank

SARS Coronavirus Detection Methods

Using clinical samples from patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome, we showed that the sensitivities of a quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (80% for fecal samples and 25% for urine samples) were higher than those of the polyclonal (50% and 5%) and monoclonal (35% and 8%) antibody-based nucleocapsid antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays

Complete genome sequence of an emergent recombinant GII. P16-GII. 2 norovirus strain associated with an epidemic spread in the winter of 2016-2017 in Hong Kong, China

A new recombinant norovirus, GII.P16-GII.2, emerged in the winter of 2016-2017. Here, we report the complete genome of this strain (Hu/GII/HK/2016/GII.P16-GII.2/CUHK-NS-1082), which was collected from a patient hospitalized with gastroenteritis in September 2016 in Hong Kong, China, and sequenced using next-generation sequencing. This genome had a 95.2% nucleotide identity to the closest sequence in GenBank

New Lymphogranuloma Venereum Chlamydia trachomatis Variant, Amsterdam

We retrospectively conducted a study of men who have sex with men who visited the Amsterdam, the Netherlands, sexually transmitted diseases clinic from January 2002 to December 2003 and had rectal Chlamydia trachomatis infections. We found that symptomatic (73%) as well as asymptomatic (43%) patients were infected with a new C. trachomatis LGV variant

Analysis of Various Polarization Asymmetries In The Inclusive b→sℓ+ℓ−b\to s \ell^+ \ell^- Decay In The Fourth-Generation Standard Model

In this study a systematical analysis of various polarization asymmetries in inclusive b \rar s \ell^+ \ell^- decay in the standard model (SM) with four generation of quarks is carried out. We found that the various asymmetries are sensitive to the new mixing and quark masses for both of the $\mu$ and $\tau$ channels. Sizeable deviations from the SM values are obtained. Hence, b \rar s \ell^+ \ell^- decay is a valuable tool for searching physics beyond the SM, especially in the indirect searches for the fourth-generation of quarks ($t', b')$.Comment: 19 Pages, 10 Figures, 3 Table

Neutrino Masses, Mixing and New Physics Effects

We introduce a parametrization of the effects of radiative corrections from new physics on the charged lepton and neutrino mass matrices, studying how several relevant quantities describing the pattern of neutrino masses and mixing are affected by these corrections. We find that the ratio omega = sin theta / tan theta_atm is remarkably stable, even when relatively large corrections are added to the original mass matrices. It is also found that if the lightest neutrino has a mass around 0.3 eV, the pattern of masses and mixings is considerably more stable under perturbations than for a lighter or heavier spectrum. We explore the consequences of perturbations on some flavor relations given in the literature. In addition, for a quasi-degenerate neutrino spectrum it is shown that: (i) starting from a bi-maximal mixing scenario, the corrections to the mass matrices keep tan theta_atm very close to unity while they can lower tan theta_sol to its measured value; (ii) beginning from a scenario with a vanishing Dirac phase, corrections can induce a Dirac phase large enough to yield CP violation observable in neutrino oscillations.Comment: 14 pages, 21 figures. Uses RevTeX4. Added several comments and references. Final version to appear in PR

Theoretical study of lepton events in the atmospheric neutrino experiments at SuperK

Super-Kamiokande has reported the results for the lepton events in the atmospheric neutrino experiment. These results have been presented for a 22.5kT water fiducial mass on an exposure of 1489 days, and the events are divided into sub-GeV, multi-GeV and PC events. We present a study of nuclear medium effects in the sub-GeV energy region of atmospheric neutrino events for the quasielastic scattering, incoherent and coherent pion production processes, as they give the most dominant contribution to the lepton events in this energy region. We have used the atmospheric neutrino flux given by Honda et al. These calculations have been done in the local density approximation. We take into account the effect of Pauli blocking, Fermi motion, Coulomb effect, renormalization of weak transition strengths in the nuclear medium in the case of the quasielastic reactions. The inelastic reactions leading to production of leptons along with pions is calculated in a $\Delta$- dominance model by taking into account the renormalization of $\Delta$ properties in the nuclear medium and the final state interaction effects of the outgoing pions with the residual nucleus. We present the results for the lepton events obtained in our model with and without nuclear medium effects, and compare them with the Monte Carlo predictions used in the simulation and the experimentally observed events reported by the Super-Kamiokande collaboration.Comment: 23 pages, 13 figure

Viral Loads in Clinical Specimens and SARS Manifestations

The number of anatomical sites with detectable viral loads by RT-qPCR appeared to correlate with death risk

Rapid emergence and predominance of a broadly recognizing and fast-evolving norovirus GII. 17 variant in late 2014

Norovirus genogroup II genotype 4 (GII.4) has been the predominant cause of viral gastroenteritis since 1996. Here we show that during the winter of 2014–2015, an emergent variant of a previously rare norovirus GII.17 genotype, Kawasaki 2014, predominated in Hong Kong and outcompeted contemporary GII.4 Sydney 2012 in hospitalized cases. GII.17 cases were significantly older than GII.4 cases. Root-to-tip and Bayesian BEAST analyses estimate GII.17 viral protein 1 (VP1) evolves one order of magnitude faster than GII.4 VP1. Residue substitutions and insertion occur in four of five inferred antigenic epitopes, suggesting immune evasion. Sequential GII.4-GII.17 infections are noted, implicating a lack of cross-protection. Virus bound to saliva of secretor histo-blood groups A, B and O, indicating broad susceptibility. This fast-evolving, broadly recognizing and probably immune-escaped emergent GII.17 variant causes severe gastroenteritis and hospitalization across all age groups, including populations who were previously less vulnerable to GII.4 variants; therefore, the global spread of GII.17 Kawasaki 2014 needs to be monitored

Ten Proofs of the Generalized Second Law

Ten attempts to prove the Generalized Second Law of Thermodyanmics (GSL) are described and critiqued. Each proof provides valuable insights which should be useful for constructing future, more complete proofs. Rather than merely summarizing previous research, this review offers new perspectives, and strategies for overcoming limitations of the existing proofs. A long introductory section addresses some choices that must be made in any formulation the GSL: Should one use the Gibbs or the Boltzmann entropy? Should one use the global or the apparent horizon? Is it necessary to assume any entropy bounds? If the area has quantum fluctuations, should the GSL apply to the average area? The definition and implications of the classical, hydrodynamic, semiclassical and full quantum gravity regimes are also discussed. A lack of agreement regarding how to define the "quasi-stationary" regime is addressed by distinguishing it from the "quasi-steady" regime.Comment: 60 pages, 2 figures, 1 table. v2: corrected typos and added a footnote to match the published versio