Epidemics of enterovirus infection in Chungnam Korea, 2008 and 2009

Previously, we explored the epidemic pattern and molecular characterization of enteroviruses isolated in Chungnam, Korea from 2005 to 2006. The present study extended these observations to 2008 and 2009. In this study, enteroviruses showed similar seasonal prevalent pattern from summer to fall and age distribution to previous investigation. The most prevalent month was July: 42.9% in 2008 and 31.9% in 2009. The highest rate of enterovirus-positive samples occurred in children < 1-year-old-age. Enterovirus-positive samples were subjected to sequence determination of the VP1 region, which resolved the isolated enteroviruses into 10 types in 2008 (coxsackievirus A4, A16, B1, B3, echovirus 6, 7, 9, 11, 16, and 30) and 8 types in 2009 (coxsackievirus A2, A4, A5, A16, B1, B5, echovirus 11, and enterovirus 71). The most prevalent enterovirus serotype in 2008 and 2009 was echovirus 30 and coxsackievirus B1, respectively, whereas echovirus 18 and echovirus 5 were the most prevalent types in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Comparison of coxsackievirus B1 and B5 of prevalent enterovirus type in Korea in 2009 with reference strains of each same serotype were conducted to genetic analysis by a phylogenetic tree. The sequences of coxsackievirus B1 strains segregated into four distinct clusters (A, B, C, and D) with some temporal and regional sub-clustering. Most of Korean coxsackievirus B1 strains in 2008 and 2009 were in cluster D, while only "Kor08-CVB1-001CN" was cluster C. The coxsackievirus B5 strains segregated in five distinct genetic groups (clusters A-E) were supported by high bootstrap values. The Korean strains isolated in 2001 belonged to cluster D, whereas Korean strains isolated in 2005 and 2009 belonged to cluster E. Comparison of the VP1 amino acid sequences of the Korean coxsackievirus B5 isolates with reference strains revealed amino acid sequence substitutions at nine amino acid sequences (532, 562, 570, 571, 576-578, 582, 583, and 585)

Cryo-EM structure of human Cx31.3/GJC3 connexin hemichannel

Connexin family proteins assemble into hexameric channels called hemichannels/connexons, which function as transmembrane channels or dock together to form gap junction intercellular channels (GJIChs). We determined the cryo-electron microscopy structures of human connexin 31.3 (Cx31.3)/GJC3 hemichannels in the presence and absence of calcium ions and with a hearing-loss mutation R15G at 2.3-, 2.5-, and 2.6-A resolutions, respectively. Compared with available structures of GJICh in open conformation, Cx31.3 hemichannel shows substantial structural changes of highly conserved regions in the connexin family, including opening of calcium ion-binding tunnels, reorganization of salt-bridge networks, exposure of lipid-binding sites, and collocation of amino-terminal helices at the cytoplasmic entrance. We also found that the hemichannel has a pore with a diameter of ~8 A and selectively transports chloride ions. Our study provides structural insights into the permeant selectivity of Cx31.3 hemichannel

Replacing conventional battery electrolyte additives with dioxolone derivatives for high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries

Solid electrolyte interphases generated using electrolyte additives are key for anode-electrolyte interactions and for enhancing the lithium-ion battery lifespan. Classical solid electrolyte interphase additives, such as vinylene carbonate and fluoroethylene carbonate, have limited potential for simultaneously achieving a long lifespan and fast chargeability in high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Here we report a next-generation synthetic additive approach that allows to form a highly stable electrode-electrolyte interface architecture from fluorinated and silylated electrolyte additives; it endures the lithiation-induced volume expansion of Si-embedded anodes and provides ion channels for facile Li-ion transport while protecting the Ni-rich LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathodes. The retrosynthetically designed solid electrolyte interphase-forming additives, 5-methyl-4-((trifluoromethoxy)methyl)-1,3-dioxol-2-one and 5-methyl-4-((trimethylsilyloxy)methyl)-1,3-dioxol-2-one, provide spatial flexibility to the vinylene carbonate-derived solid electrolyte interphase via polymeric propagation with the vinyl group of vinylene carbonate. The interface architecture from the synthesized vinylene carbonate-type additive enables high-energy-density LIBs with 81.5% capacity retention after 400 cycles at 1???C and fast charging capability (1.9% capacity fading after 100 cycles at 3???C)

Analysis of Residential Satisfaction Changes by the Land Bank Program Using Text Mining

Many American manufacturing cities have experienced depopulation and economic downturns over the past five decades, and various revitalization strategies have been suggested to overcome the decline issue—ranging from redevelopment to smart decline. However, while most land bank-related studies have focused on socioeconomic dynamics (income levels, unemployment rate, etc.) through the program, there is a lack of direct research on residential satisfaction changes. Additionally, surveys were frequently used in previous studies to evaluate residential satisfaction; however, this method has disadvantages, including constraints on time and cost, and the inability to take into account external factors that may affect residential satisfaction. Furthermore, most studies on urban decline have focused primarily on declining factors, and there have been few investigations into how cities change as urban regeneration strategies advance. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study is to identify the influence of the land bank program on residential satisfaction by using Twitter data. Approximately 300,000 Twitter posts containing location information generated within the city of Detroit were collected to determine the degree of sensitivity to each tweet and categorized into positive and negative emotions to determine the relationship between residential satisfaction and the land bank program. As a result, the increase in homeownership, built year, house value, and the number of land banking sold properties were found to have a negative effect on neighborhood satisfaction in Detroit. Although the research results indicated that while the land bank program did not significantly improve residential satisfaction in Detroit, it has made a partial contribution to improving living standards. These findings emphasize the importance of enhancing residential satisfaction and suggest the need for policy change. In response to the problem of urban contraction, it seems that indiscriminately distributing houses is not the only solution to prevent urban shrinkage. Furthermore, this study shows meaningful results on text mining and provides the possibility of developing research using social network services

Analysis of Residential Satisfaction Changes by the Land Bank Program Using Text Mining

Many American manufacturing cities have experienced depopulation and economic downturns over the past five decades, and various revitalization strategies have been suggested to overcome the decline issue&mdash;ranging from redevelopment to smart decline. However, while most land bank-related studies have focused on socioeconomic dynamics (income levels, unemployment rate, etc.) through the program, there is a lack of direct research on residential satisfaction changes. Additionally, surveys were frequently used in previous studies to evaluate residential satisfaction; however, this method has disadvantages, including constraints on time and cost, and the inability to take into account external factors that may affect residential satisfaction. Furthermore, most studies on urban decline have focused primarily on declining factors, and there have been few investigations into how cities change as urban regeneration strategies advance. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study is to identify the influence of the land bank program on residential satisfaction by using Twitter data. Approximately 300,000 Twitter posts containing location information generated within the city of Detroit were collected to determine the degree of sensitivity to each tweet and categorized into positive and negative emotions to determine the relationship between residential satisfaction and the land bank program. As a result, the increase in homeownership, built year, house value, and the number of land banking sold properties were found to have a negative effect on neighborhood satisfaction in Detroit. Although the research results indicated that while the land bank program did not significantly improve residential satisfaction in Detroit, it has made a partial contribution to improving living standards. These findings emphasize the importance of enhancing residential satisfaction and suggest the need for policy change. In response to the problem of urban contraction, it seems that indiscriminately distributing houses is not the only solution to prevent urban shrinkage. Furthermore, this study shows meaningful results on text mining and provides the possibility of developing research using social network services

A Comparison of Vacancy Dynamics between Growing and Shrinking Cities Using the Land Transformation Model

Every city seeks opportunities to spur economic developments and, depending on its type, vacant land can be seen as a potential threat or an opportunity to achieve these developments. Although vacant land exists in all cities, the causes and effects of changes in vacant land can differ. Growing cities may have more vacant land than shrinking cities because of large scale annexation. Meanwhile, depopulation and economic downturn may increase the total amount of vacant and abandoned properties. Despite various causes of increase and decrease of vacant land, the ability to predict future vacancy patterns&mdash;where future vacant parcels may occur&mdash;could be a critical test to set up appropriate development strategies and land use policies, especially in shrinking cities, to manage urban decline and regeneration efforts more wisely. This study compares current and future vacancy patterns of a growing city (Fort Worth, TX, USA) and a shrinking city (Chicago, IL, USA), by employing the Land Transformation Model (LTM) to predict for future vacant lands. This research predicts and produces possible vacancy pattern scenarios by 2020 and deciphers the ranking of determinants of vacant land in each city type. The outcomes of this study indicate that the LTM can be useful for simulating vacancy patterns and the causes of vacancy vary in both growing and shrinking cities. Socio-economic factors such as unemployment rate and household income are powerful determinants of vacancy in a growing city, while physical and transportation-related conditions such as proximity to highways, vehicle accessibility, or building conditions show a stronger influence on increasing vacant land in a shrinking city

Predictable Surprise: The Spatial and Social Morphology of Aging Suburbs in the U.S. Metropolitan Areas

Elderburbs, defined as old suburban neighborhoods in terms of their ‘built environments’ and ‘demographic structures’, have emerged prominently in academic discussion due to the social vulnerability and outdated built environments of senior dominant neighborhoods that barely meet the needs of their aging populations. Even though previous literature has revealed concerns about suburban decline and the growing number of seniors, these two points of interest have largely been examined in isolation from one another. Thus, this paper attempts to unveil the spatial and social morphology of Elderburbs in 20 U.S. metropolitan areas from 1990 to 2010. Elderburbs were identified by two major criteria; built year (first-generation suburbs built between 1950 and 1970) and demographic aging (based on elderly, elderly-child, and elderly dependency ratios). The findings of this study indicate that Elderburbs have increased and expanded out to suburban areas, especially in the Northeast and Midwest. On the contrary, Elderburbs in the South have decreased and moved closer to core cities. Differing from our assumptions, both Elderburbs and Elderurbans were found to be less socially vulnerable than ordinary suburban and urban neighborhoods