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A prototype broadband geodetic very long baseline interferometry system has been implemented, and measurements of the baseline length over approximately two years, between December 2014 and January 2017, have been made in the process of exercising the system, developing operational procedures, and assessing geodetic precision for the new broadband observing concept. In addition to developing a broadband signal chain and installing the instrumentation on both a new 12‐m antenna at the Goddard Geophysical and Astrophysical Observatory and the 18‐m Westford antenna at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Haystack Observatory, it was necessary to develop new correlation and analysis procedures to process the four‐band, dual‐linear‐polarization data. A geodetic analysis of the data from 19 sessions that were observed during this period yielded a weighted root‐mean‐square deviation of the baseline length residuals about the weighted mean of 1.6 mm. These results validate several of the expectations set forth for the vision of the next‐generation geodetic very long baseline interferometry system. Key Points: We demonstrated the first broadband VLBI systems for high‐precision space geodesyWe developed procedures for data acquisition and analysis of the broadband geodetic dataWe generated the first VGOS baseline length time series [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: During the 2007–2008 influenza season global strain surveillance for antiviral resistance revealed the sudden emergence of oseltamivir resistance in influenza A H1N1 isolates. Although oseltamivir resistance rates vary from region to region, 16% of isolates tested globally were found to be oseltamivir resistant by a histidine to tyrosine mutation of residue 275 of the neuraminidase gene of influenza A. In order to implement effective resistance testing locally a novel real-time reverse-transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) assay was developed for the detection of the H275Y mutation. To evaluate this method, 40 oseltamivir resistant and 61 oseltamivir sensitive H1N1 influenza isolates were tested using Sanger sequencing, which is the reference method for detection of resistance, pyrosequencing and the novel H275Y RT-PCR assay. In comparison to Sanger sequencing, the sensitivity and specificity of the H275Y RT-PCR assay were 100% (40/40) and 100% (61/61) respectively, while the sensitivity and specificity of pyrosequencing were 100% (40/40) and 97.5% (60/61) respectively. Although all three methods were effective in detecting the H275Y mutation associated with oseltamivir resistance, the H275Y RT-PCR assay was the most rapid and could easily be incorporated into an influenza subtyping protocol. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: The H275Y mutation (H274Y in N2 numbering) in the neuraminidase (NA) gene (segment 6) of the influenza virus A (H1N1) genome is linked to oseltamivir resistance. Objectives: To determine the percentage of influenza virus A (H1N1) isolates that carry the H275Y mutation in the NA gene in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and to characterize select oseltamivir resistant and susceptible isolates using sequence analysis. Study design: Sanger sequencing was used to determine strain type and H275Y mutations based on partial sequencing of the hemagglutinin (HA) (segment 4) and NA genes. Mutations in the NS1 gene (segment 8) were determined by Sanger sequencing and pyrosequencing. Statistical analysis of demographics and proportions of H275 and H275Y isolates with mutations was carried out using χ 2 analyses. Results: The HA gene of influenza virus A (H1N1) isolates collected during the 2007–2008 respiratory season was most like influenza A/Brisbane/59/2007, Clade 2, subclade B. Seventeen percent of these isolates possessed the H275Y NA mutation associated with oseltamivir resistance. H275Y isolates were more likely than H275 isolates to have the mutations A209T and R224G in NS1 (χ 2 =284.9, df=2, p <0.0001). Conclusions: During the 2007–2008 influenza season in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 17% of influenza virus A (H1N1) isolates carried the H275Y mutation associated with oseltamivir resistance. These H275Y isolates were more likely than H275 isolates to exhibit unique microheterogeneity in the gene encoding the NS1 protein. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To address the relevant construction challenges, it is necessary both to improve the existing construction duration forecasting methods and to develop optimal construction management methods. That being said, effective implementation of general management functions is defined by information interaction between management subjects and objects as a system bringing together construction management stakeholders. Very often the construction practice reveals that some contractors’ statistics related to execution of works can altogether be absent or be unrepresentative. With this fact borne in mind, the authors of this material focus on using nonparametric statistic or distribution-free methods. On the other hand, the lack of representative statistical data indirectly indicates to ineffective management of the construction process. The article shows that the possible solution of the construction duration forecasting task is the methodology of neural and statistical simulation. We suggest that the efficiency of expeditious construction management should be assessed by calculating the information entropy, while regulatory action aimed at increasing managerial energy must be achieved by optimally allocating costs among the various elements oriented towards resource-based management. The presented model of improving construction duration forecasts allows the optimization of construction regulation process, which must increase its organizational and technological reliability.

Complexation of Cu(II) ions withL- andDL-threonine in aqueous solution was studied. Treatment of the ESR spectra of solutions containing Cu(II) and threonine in various ratios and having various pH, involving total line shape analysis, revealed formation of geometric isomers of the complex ions [Cu(thrH-1)2]2- differing in the mutual arrangement of the N and O atoms in the equatorial plane; the complexation and isomerization equilibrium constants were determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the process of architectural and designing software improving is developing in the direction of integration of its parts in the unified system. But the principles of Russian norms are so, that they complicate scheduling in this kind of software.The methodology of an economic estimation of the whole building at any moment of its designing on the basis of platform Revit use is offered in the article. The essence of this method is the next: using regression dependences, it is possible to define durations of basis cycles of works by specifying the cost and a necessary stage of creation for the each projected constructive element. Return recalculation allows to define the modified absolute durations of basis cycles of works. As a result, designers will have a constant tool of decision-making, allowing carrying out monitoring during the whole design stage. The offered methodology is described on an example of organizational designing of residential buildings.

The article considers the history of the residential development in Saint Petersburg and states corresponding landmark dates. In recent years, changes in the altitude range of the residential development are noted, the influence of this factor on the formation of the city’s silhouette is assessed. Reasons for such changes are identified. Attractiveness of high-rise residential complexes for living is assessed. Conclusions are made of tendencies in further housing construction development in terms of its altitude range. It is noted that it is possible to locate multi-storied buildings in the periphery of the city, taking into account specific visual characteristics of the construction site and silhouette of erected buildings; as for central districts, strict regulations regarding the altitude range are needed.

Abstract The increase in adamantine resistance in influenza A (H3N2) and the emergence of oseltamivir resistance in influenza A (H1N1) has necessitated the use of rapid methodologies to detect influenza subtype. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the CombiMatrix influenza detection system compared to the FDA approved Luminex Respiratory virus panel (RVP) assay for influenza A subtyping. Verification of the CombiMatrix influenza detection system was carried out using the Luminex RVP assay as a reference method. A limit of detection (LOD) series was performed using the Luminex and CombiMatrix systems with both influenza A H3N2 and H1N1 viruses. Seventy-five clinical specimens were used in the study. Of these, 16 were influenza A (H3N2) positive and five were influenza A (H1N1) positive. Fifty-four specimens were influenza A negative or "no call" (inconclusive) or could not be subtyped. The LOD of the Luminex RVP assay was found to be 0.3 TCID50s/mL for influenza A (H3N2) and 16 TCID50s/mL for influenza A (H1N1). The LOD of the CombiMatrix influenza detection system was 200 TCID50s/mL for influenza A (H3N2) and 16 000 TCID50s/mL for influenza A (H1N1). The sensitivity of the CombiMatrix influenza detection system was 95.2% and the specificity was 100%. The CombiMatrix influenza detection system is an effective methodology for influenza A subtype analysis, specifically in laboratories with a constrained budget or limited molecular capabilities.