Genetic Characterization of the Tick-Borne Orbiviruses

The International Committee for Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) recognizes four species of tick-borne orbiviruses (TBOs): Chenuda virus, Chobar Gorge virus, Wad Medani virus and Great Island virus (genus Orbivirus, family Reoviridae). Nucleotide (nt) and amino acid (aa) sequence comparisons provide a basis for orbivirus detection and classification, however full genome sequence data were only available for the Great Island virus species. We report representative genome-sequences for the three other TBO species (virus isolates: Chenuda virus (CNUV); Chobar Gorge virus (CGV) and Wad Medani virus (WMV)). Phylogenetic comparisons show that TBOs cluster separately from insect-borne orbiviruses (IBOs). CNUV, CGV, WMV and GIV share low level aa/nt identities with other orbiviruses, in 'conserved' Pol, T2 and T13 proteins/genes, identifying them as four distinct virus-species. The TBO genome segment encoding cell attachment, outer capsid protein 1 (OC1), is approximately half the size of the equivalent segment from insect-borne orbiviruses, helping to explain why tick-borne orbiviruses have a ~1 kb smaller genome

Genomic and phylogenetic characterization of Merino Walk virus, a novel arenavirus isolated in South Africa

Merino Walk virus (MWV), a proposed novel tentative species of the family Arenaviridae, was isolated from a rodent, Myotomys unisulcatus, collected at Merino Walk, Eastern Cape, South Africa, in 1985. Full-length genomic sequence confirmed MWV as an arenavirus related distantly to Mobala, Mopeia and Ippy viruses, all members of the Old World arenavirus complex. We propose MWV as a tentative novel species in the Lassa–lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus complex, based on its isolation from a novel rodent species and its genetic and serological characteristics

Malpais spring virus is a new species in the genus vesiculovirus

BACKGROUND: Malpais Spring virus (MSPV) is a mosquito-borne rhabdovirus that infects a variety of wild and feral ungulates in New Mexico, including horses and deer. Although, initial serologic tests and electron microscopy at the time of isolation nearly 25 years ago provided evidence that MSPV is a novel virus, possibly related to vesiculoviruses, the virus still has not been approved as a new species. FINDINGS: Use of the illumina platform allowed us to obtain the complete genome of MSPV. Analysis of the complete 11019 nt genome sequence of the prototype 85-488NM strain of MSPV indicates that it encodes the five common rhabdovirus structural proteins (N, P, M, G and L) with alternative ORFs (> 180 nt) in the N, M and G genes, including a 249 nt ORF in the G gene predicted to encode a 9.26 kDa highly basic transmembrane protein. Although antigenically very distant, phylogenetic analysis of the L gene indicates that MSPV is most closely related to Jurona virus, also isolated from mosquitoes in Brazil, as well as a number of other vesiculoviruses. CONCLUSIONS: In sum, our analysis indicates MSPV should be classified as a member of the genus Vesiculovirus, family Rhabdoviridae. The complete genome sequence of MSPV will be helpful in the development of a reverse genetics system to study the unique aspects of this vesiculovirus in vivo and in vitro, and will assist development of specific diagnostic tests to study the epidemiology of MSPV infection

Embracing the Data Revolution for Development: A Data Justice Framework for Farm Data in the Context of African Indigenous Farmers

This article examines the challenges that the digitalisation of agriculture in Africa brings with respect to ownership and control of data from the perspective of African indigenous farmers as data originators. It discusses the phenomena of the data revolution and digital agriculture in Africa, mapping out the ecosystem of digital agriculture by identifying general trends, key players, types and features of digitalisation driven by the capabilities of mobile and network infrastructure as well as by higher-level digitisation supported by data infrastructures capability. By situating farm data as a constitutive element of traditional knowledge of agricultural production that is subjected to ‘datafication’, the article outlines the challenges of access to data and of unequal utilisation of data as having an impact on development imperatives that necessitate better control of data flows. It proposes data justice as aconceptual framework for an Africa-wide governance of farm data in which the challenges on access to data and unfairness in its utilisation are addressed in a manner consistent with the continent’s aspirations for intra-regional relations

Relationship between froth behaviour and the properties of particles

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-140).The aim of this project was to gain an insight into how the properties of particles entering the froth affect the performance of the froth phase. In platinum group mineral (PGM) flotation, gangue minerals are known to have a stabilizing effect on the froth phase; in this project, their hydrophobicity was changed by the addition of depressant and the performance of the froth phase was measured in terms of froth recovery

Where Copyright Meets Privacy in the Big Data Era: Access to and Control Over User Data in Agriculture and the Role of Copyright

The application of big data in different sectors of the economy and its transformative value has recently attracted considerable attention. However, this transformation, driven by the application of advanced technologies that utilize big data—such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and software systems—raises concerns about access to and control over the user data that results from the uptake in using digital technologies. This Article examines the role different legal regimes have in framing access to and control over various forms of user data from the perspective of technology users in the agriculture sector. This Article then goes on to inquire whether copyright law in unpublished works can serve as a model for a new form of data regulation that shifts ownership claims towards ensuring access and controlling disclosure. The current regime regulating access to and controlling user data is the Fair Information Practices model, implemented primarily through private ordering in contractual arrangement—specifically agreements establishing the relationship between users and technology providers, data intermediaries, and data platforms. This Article seeks to provide a framework that recognizes and protects data originators’ privacy and economic interests in user data by proposing a trust model of data sharing. It does so by studying the normative roots underpinning copyright protection of unpublished works under the doctrine of joint authorship in copyright law. Based on these normative roots, this Article argues that a sui generis legislative framework can be enacted at the federal level, both in Canada and the United States, in order to cater to the interests of technology users regarding data they originate, particularly in terms of activity data, such as farm-operation data and technical data in the form of agronomy data. The Article identifies rights to control disclosure and access data as two minimum rights, which new legislation ought to recognize as flowing from users’ authorship of data and their categorization as users of works under copyright

ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Rhabdoviridae.

This is the final version of the article. Available from the publisher via the DOI in this record.The family Rhabdoviridae comprises viruses with negative-sense (-) single-stranded RNA genomes of 10.8-16.1 kb. Virions are typically enveloped with bullet-shaped or bacilliform morphology but can also be non-enveloped filaments. Rhabdoviruses infect plants and animals including mammals, birds, reptiles and fish, as well as arthropods which serve as single hosts or act as biological vectors for transmission to animals or plants. Rhabdoviruses include important pathogens of humans, livestock, fish and agricultural crops. This is a summary of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) Report on the taxonomy of Rhabdoviridae, which is available at www.ictv.global/report/rhabdoviridae.Production of this summary, the online chapter, and associated resources was funded by a grant from the Wellcome Trust (WT108418AIA)

The Right to Repair Doctrine and the Use of 3D Printing Technology in Canadian Patent Law

3D printing technology is part of a new economic movement, termed the sharing economy, where consumers rely less on large corporations for supplying them with products. The technology allows consumers to bypass the traditional manufacturing process. Instead, consumers increasingly share and sell products to each other on online sharing platforms. Consumers can download digital copies of products and print them in the convenience of their homes. In addition, they can repair and modify these products to suit their needs. Canadian patent law permits the repair of a patent-protected item but prohibits its reconstruction. However, the line between repair and reconstruction is unclear, which can cause tensions between consumers and patent-holders. This article argues that consumers should be given an allencompassing right to repair and modify legally purchased goods for private purposes using 3D printing technology if the repair or modification is not shared with others for a profit. This would give consumers the freedom to share their designs for free while still protecting patent-protected items from piracy. On a broader scale, the proposed legal right would encourage the sharing economy and build positive relationships between consumers and patent-holders