The Universal Cut Function and Type II Metrics

In analogy with classical electromagnetic theory, where one determines the total charge and both electric and magnetic multipole moments of a source from certain surface integrals of the asymptotic (or far) fields, it has been known for many years - from the work of Hermann Bondi - that energy and momentum of gravitational sources could be determined by similar integrals of the asymptotic Weyl tensor. Recently we observed that there were certain overlooked structures, {defined at future null infinity,} that allowed one to determine (or define) further properties of both electromagnetic and gravitating sources. These structures, families of {complex} `slices' or `cuts' of Penrose's null infinity, are referred to as Universal Cut Functions, (UCF). In particular, one can define from these structures a (complex) center of mass (and center of charge) and its equations of motion - with rather surprising consequences. It appears as if these asymptotic structures contain in their imaginary part, a well defined total spin-angular momentum of the source. We apply these ideas to the type II algebraically special metrics, both twisting and twist-free.Comment: 32 page

Time to harmonize dengue nomenclature and classification

Dengue virus (DENV) is estimated to cause 390 million infections per year worldwide. A quarter of these infections manifest clinically and are associated with a morbidity and mortality that put a significant burden on the affected regions. Reports of increased frequency, intensity, and extended geographical range of outbreaks highlight the virus's ongoing global spread. Persistent transmission in endemic areas and the emergence in territories formerly devoid of transmission have shaped DENV's current genetic diversity and divergence. This genetic layout is hierarchically organized in serotypes, genotypes, and sub-genotypic clades. While serotypes are well defined, the genotype nomenclature and classification system lack consistency, which complicates a broader analysis of their clinical and epidemiological characteristics. We identify five key challenges: (1) Currently, there is no formal definition of a DENV genotype; (2) Two different nomenclature systems are used in parallel, which causes significant confusion; (3) A standardized classification procedure is lacking so far; (4) No formal definition of sub-genotypic clades is in place; (5) There is no consensus on how to report antigenic diversity. Therefore, we believe that the time is right to re-evaluate DENV genetic diversity in an essential effort to provide harmonization across DENV studies.publishersversionpublishe

Observations About the Seismic Response of RC Buildings in Mexico City

Over 2000 buildings were surveyed by members of the Colegio de Ingenieros (CICM) and Sociedad Mexicana de Ingenieria Estructural (SMIE) in Mexico City following the Puebla-Morelos Earthquake of 2017. This inventory of surveyed buildings included nearly 40 collapses and over 600 buildings deemed to have structural damage. Correlation of damage with peak ground acceleration (PGA), peak ground velocity (PGV), predominant spectral period, building location, and building properties including height, estimated stiffness, and presence of walls or retrofits was investigated for the surveyed buildings. The evidence available suggests that (1) ground motion intensity (PGV) drove the occurrence of damage and (2) buildings with more infill and stiff retrofit systems did better than other buildings

Diseño de plataforma rotativa para medición de dispositivos acústicos

La medición de diversas características de un dispositivo acústico requiere la utilización de equipos, instrumentos, instalaciones y operadores que conforman el sistema de medición. Para medir la directividad de una fuente o receptor sonoro se necesita caracterizar la radiación o sensibilidad en el espacio respectivamente. Por lo cual, la precisión y exactitud del posicionamiento del dispositivo ensayado son factores significativos para obtener resultados plausibles y de calidad. Por lo general, los sistemas automáticos de medición de dispositivos acústicos son complejos y costosos. En este trabajo, se presenta el diseño de una plataforma rotativa de alta precisión angular y bajo costo, implementada con un motor paso a paso, un reductor mecánico y un circuito electrónico de control y excitación, la cual forma parte de un sistema automático de medición de dispositivos acústicos.Publicado en: Mecánica Computacional, vol. XXXV, no. 2Facultad de Ingenierí

Diseño de plataforma rotativa para medición de dispositivos acústicos

La medición de diversas características de un dispositivo acústico requiere la utilización de equipos, instrumentos, instalaciones y operadores que conforman el sistema de medición. Para medir la directividad de una fuente o receptor sonoro se necesita caracterizar la radiación o sensibilidad en el espacio respectivamente. Por lo cual, la precisión y exactitud del posicionamiento del dispositivo ensayado son factores significativos para obtener resultados plausibles y de calidad. Por lo general, los sistemas automáticos de medición de dispositivos acústicos son complejos y costosos. En este trabajo, se presenta el diseño de una plataforma rotativa de alta precisión angular y bajo costo, implementada con un motor paso a paso, un reductor mecánico y un circuito electrónico de control y excitación, la cual forma parte de un sistema automático de medición de dispositivos acústicos.Publicado en: Mecánica Computacional, vol. XXXV, no. 2Facultad de Ingenierí

Diseño de plataforma rotativa para medición de dispositivos acústicos

La medición de diversas características de un dispositivo acústico requiere la utilización de equipos, instrumentos, instalaciones y operadores que conforman el sistema de medición. Para medir la directividad de una fuente o receptor sonoro se necesita caracterizar la radiación o sensibilidad en el espacio respectivamente. Por lo cual, la precisión y exactitud del posicionamiento del dispositivo ensayado son factores significativos para obtener resultados plausibles y de calidad. Por lo general, los sistemas automáticos de medición de dispositivos acústicos son complejos y costosos. En este trabajo, se presenta el diseño de una plataforma rotativa de alta precisión angular y bajo costo, implementada con un motor paso a paso, un reductor mecánico y un circuito electrónico de control y excitación, la cual forma parte de un sistema automático de medición de dispositivos acústicos.Publicado en: Mecánica Computacional, vol. XXXV, no. 2Facultad de Ingenierí

Endurance, Refuge, and Reemergence of Dengue Virus Type 2, Puerto Rico, 1986–2007

To study the evolution of dengue virus (DENV) serotype 2 in Puerto Rico, we examined the genetic composition and diversity of 160 DENV-2 genomes obtained through 22 consecutive years of sampling. A clade replacement took place in 1994–1997 during a period of high incidence of autochthonous DENV-2 and frequent, short-lived reintroductions of foreign DENV-2. This unique clade replacement was complete just before DENV-3 emerged. By temporally and geographically defining DENV-2 lineages, we describe a refuge of this virus through 4 years of low genome diversity. Our analyses may explain the long-term endurance of DENV-2 despite great epidemiologic changes in disease incidence and serotype distribution

A computational method for the identification of dengue, zika and chikungunya virus species and genotypes

In recent years, an increasing number of outbreaks of Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika viruses have been reported in Asia and the Americas. Monitoring virus genotype diversity is crucial to understand the emergence and spread of outbreaks, both aspects that are vital to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies. Hence, we developed an efficient method to classify virus sequences with respect to their species and sub-species (i.e. serotype and/or genotype). This tool provides an easy-to-use software implementation of this new method and was validated on a large dataset assessing the classification performance with respect to whole-genome sequences and partial-genome sequences.publishersversionpublishe

Blood transcriptomics of drug-na\uefve sporadic Parkinson's disease patients

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is clinically defined in terms of motor symptoms. These are preceded by prodromal non-motor manifestations that prove the systemic nature of the disease. Identifying genes and pathways altered in living patients provide new information on the diagnosis and pathogenesis of sporadic PD. METHODS: Changes in gene expression in the blood of 40 sporadic PD patients and 20 healthy controls ("Discovery set") were analyzed by taking advantage of the Affymetrix platform. Patients were at the onset of motor symptoms and before initiating any pharmacological treatment. Data analysis was performed by applying Ranking-Principal Component Analysis, PUMA and Significance Analysis of Microarrays. Functional annotations were assigned using GO, DAVID, GSEA to unveil significant enriched biological processes in the differentially expressed genes. The expressions of selected genes were validated using RT-qPCR and samples from an independent cohort of 12 patients and controls ("Validation set"). RESULTS: Gene expression profiling of blood samples discriminates PD patients from healthy controls and identifies differentially expressed genes in blood. The majority of these are also present in dopaminergic neurons of the Substantia Nigra, the key site of neurodegeneration. Together with neuronal apoptosis, lymphocyte activation and mitochondrial dysfunction, already found in previous analysis of PD blood and post-mortem brains, we unveiled transcriptome changes enriched in biological terms related to epigenetic modifications including chromatin remodeling and methylation. Candidate transcripts as CBX5, TCF3, MAN1C1 and DOCK10 were validated by RT-qPCR. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support the use of blood transcriptomics to study neurodegenerative diseases. It identifies changes in crucial components of chromatin remodeling and methylation machineries as early events in sporadic PD suggesting epigenetics as target for therapeutic intervention