Streamlined Whole Genome Sequencing of Mumps for High Resolution Outbreak Analysis

Since 2015, the United States has experienced a resurgence in the number of mumps cases and outbreaks in fully vaccinated populations. These outbreaks have occurred predominantly in close quarter settings such as camps, colleges and detention centers. Phylogenetic analysis of 758 mumps positive samples from outbreaks across the United States, identified 743 (98%) as genotype G based on sequence analysis of the mumps small hydrophobic (SH) gene. Additionally, SH sequences in the genotype G samples showed almost no sequence diversity, with 675 (91%) of them having identical sequences or only one nucleotide difference. This uniformity of circulating genotype and strain created complications for epidemiologic investigations and necessitated the development of a system for rapidly generating mumps whole genome sequences for more detailed analysis. In this study, we report a novel and streamlined assay for whole genome sequencing (WGS) of mumps virus genotype G. The WGS procedure successfully generated 318 high-quality WGS sequences on nucleic acid from genotype G-positive respiratory samples collected during several mumps outbreaks in the United States between 2016-2019. Sequencing was performed by a rapid and highly sensitive custom Ion AmpliSeq mumps genotype G panel, with sample preparation performed on an Ion Chef and sequencing on an Ion S5. The WGS data generated by the AmpliSeq panel provided enhanced genomic resolution for epidemiological outbreak investigations. Translation and protein sequence analysis also identified several potentially important epitope changes in the circulating mumps genotype G strains compared to the Jeryl-Lynn strain (JL5) used in vaccines in the United States which could explain the current level of vaccine escapes.

The MODIFICATION OF CONTROLLING SYSTEM ON CQB MK1 (CLOSE QUARTER BATTLE) ROBOT BASED ON ARDUINO MEGA 2560 USING PID METHOD

- PJD (close combat) in the Indonesian National Army is a battle conducted in the city and in a very large area. CQB (close quarter battle) robot is a robot to perform reconnaissance and paralyze opponents during close combat. The obstacles faced by the Indonesian National Army are city wars, wars in building areas and while conducting reconnaissance are still very lacking. From the above constraints, the author seeks to create a solution, namely by designing a mobile robot that is used to help soldiers during close combat and can use robots that are moved remotely using joysticks. In this study used experimental methods to achieve the desired results, the manufacture of this robot also has several parts that will be explained, especially in the control system that uses joysticks and elevation azimuth because of the weapon to set the position of which angle is desired for the target enemy to be aimed at based on the results of vision on the camera in the robot connected to android. By using the PID method to minimize errors and errors so that the robot can function properly.

SISTEM KENDALI DAN TELEMETRI DARI ROBOT CQB MK1 (CLOSE QUARTER BATTLE) KE BASE STATION MENGGUNAKAN FREQUENCY 5.8 GHz

Perkembangan teknologi di dalam dunia elektronika khususnya robotika berkembang dengan sangat pesat. Kebutuhan manusia akan alat bantu yang kuat, akurat dan efisien mendorong manusia terus melakukan penelitian untuk menghasilkan robot-robot yang dapat menggantikan tugas-tugas manusia di bidang militer supaya mengurangi korban jiwa pada personil yang ditugaskan pada daerah-daerah rawan. Salah satu robot yang sedang dikembangkan dalam penelitian adalah robot CQB (Close Quarter Battle) MK1. Pada penelitian ini, peneliti merancang sebuah sistem kendali dan telemetri yang dipergunakan untuk menghubungkan robot dengan base stasion remote control dengan memanfaatkan frequensi 5.8 GHz. Perancangan pada penelitian robot ini menggunakan nodeMCU modul wifi 8266 yang dipergunakan untuk mengirimkan perintah dari joystick dan diterima oleh modul router wifi 5.8 GHz yang terdapat pada robot. Jarak efektif sistem kendali dan telemetri dari base stasion ke robot berjarak 500 meter, apabila lebih dari jarak tersebut maka koneksi wireless tidak bekerja dengan baik dan apabila masih dalam jarak efektif koneksi wireless maka koneksi bekerja dengan baik dan penelitian dikatakan berhasil.

Locking out the virus: management of a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in an Italian prison

Purpose In this paper, the authors present insights and findings drawn from the authors’ experiences of containing a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak in a large prison in northern Italy.Within penitentiaries, close-quarter living is ripe terrain for outbreaks of disease among detainees and staff. If left unchecked, these outbreaks can easily spill over the prison walls to threaten the general public. Moreover, these risks are heightened by preexisting environmental conditions, especially overcrowding. It is thus paramount to establish effective protocols for prevention, early detection and outbreak management. The purpose of this article is to document a strategy that been at least partially successful in reducing the damage that could potentially be caused by a sustained SARS-CoV-2 outbreak within a correctional facility. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted a retrospective analysis on patients’ and health-care workers’ medical records to obtain demographic and clinical information. Descriptive data analysis was then carried out. Findings In total, the authors tested 453 people with oropharyngeal swabs from March 15, 2020, to June 30, 2020. Of these people, 58 were positive and 395 were negative, with a prevalence of 12.8%.Of the 453 patients, 60 were health workers: 24 tested positive for SARS-CoV2 ribonucleic acid (RNA); 18 developed symptoms; and three needed hospitalization.Among patients in detention, 34 resulted positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Two were hospitalized and later died. Both had severe preexisting conditions; they were aged 76 and 59 years old, respectively. Originality/value In this study, the authors describe the design and effective implementation of prevention and containment measures against SARS-CoV-2 within the walls of a correctional facility. The authors describe how they rapidly created clean confinement sections to isolate cases in an environment designed for security at the expense of virus containment and how educational efforts have played a vital role in their strategy.

New Cartridge Design for Assault Rifle

The article deals with the possible design of a new cartridge for an automatic assault rifle. This hypothetical design is based on the analysis of five automatic assault rifle cartridges which are currently used in armies: 7.62×51 mm NATO, 7.62×39 mm M. 43, 5.56×45 mm NATO and also another two cartridges which are under testing both 6.8×43 mm Rem. SPC and 6.5×38 mm Grendel. The analysis of a new cartridge including internal ballistics, external ballistics, and terminal ballistics energy disposed to the target upon an impact is introduced in the article. The goal was to create a cartridge that would have better ballistic performance than 5.56×45 mm NATO and it would still possess enough accuracy of fire and speed, so that it could dispose at least minimal kinetic energy necessary to incapacitate individuals. Also it is important to maintain the constancy of this effect for the long distance shooting, somewhere around 500 m, during battles in an open area (effective range of 5.56×45 mm automatic assault rifles is normally of about 300 m what only suffices in close quarter battles). To achieve it, the bullet must have the higher sectional density than the 5.56×45 mm cartridge. The sectional density reflects the capability of bullet to penetrate through the human tissue within the requirements of wound ballistics. Based on the analysis, the value of sectional density should be approximately of 0.21 g/mm2. The function of fully automatic firing depends on the size of the recoil energy of a weapon which is also related to the muzzle energy that cannot surpass the amount of 2 500 J. The new cartridge design is based on the 6 mm Scenar bullet (FMJ - Full Metal Jacket bullet with a weight of 5.8 g) made by the Lapua Company. All the ballistic parameters must be within the intervals of strength and construction possibilities of small arms ammunition. To create a possible variation of the mentioned cartridge where its bullet will be powered by a nitrocellulose propellant (originally made in Czech Republic) and a new cartridge case will be created.

Autonomic and cortical response of soldiers in different combat scenarios

IntroductionThe study of chronic and acute responses when exposed to extreme, aggressive and stressful environments, such as in combat environments, is becoming increasingly popular as such information leads to better optimisation of soldiers’ physical and psychological performance, as well as mission effectiveness and efficiency. Due to internal complexity, uncertainty and variability of real combat scenarios, a specific approach to all possible types of military combat scenarios is necessary.MethodsModifications in the autonomic modulation and cortical arousal before and after asymmetrical, symmetrical and close quarter combat simulations were analysed in 31 male professional veteran soldiers (age: 34.5±4.2 years) with between seven and 18 years of experience in their respective units, as well as experience in international missions in current conflict areas such as Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq.ResultsThe three combat situations produced a non-significant decrease in cortical arousal after combat simulations, presenting a trivial effect size in symmetrical and close quarter combat situations and a small effect size in asymmetrical situations. HR increased significantly in the three combat situations, and close quarter combat produced the highest sympathetic modulation of the three situations analysed.ConclusionSymmetrical, asymmetrical and close quarter combat situations produced an increase in sympathetic modulation, being highest in the close quarter combat situation, where actions are performed at a close distance and in closed spaces.

Medieval Combat in Colour: Hans Talhoffer’s Illustrated Manual of Swordfighting and Close-Quarter Combat from 1467, ed. and introduced by Dierk Hagedorn. Barnsley, S. Yorkshire: Greenhill Books, 2018, 319 pp., ill.

The late Middle Ages witnessed the creation of numerous fencing books, mostly in Germany, illustrating the many different techniques, weapons, styles, strategies, and the movements, as Patrick Leiske discussed only recently in his Höfisches Spiel und tödlicher Ernst (2018; see my review here in vol. 32). Some of the true masters and teachers of this sport and fighting technique were Johannes Liechtenauer, Peter von Danzig, Sigmund Ringeck, and Hans Talhoffer, whom Leiske also discusses in a separate chapter.