bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Infective endocarditis in the setting of renal transplantation: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Nardi Agmon Inbar , Goldberg Elad , Cohen Eytan , Krause Ilan
Published: October 2017

The potent immunosuppressive drugs used by transplant recipients place them at risk of infections. Data on infective endocarditis (IE) in the setting of renal transplantation (RT) are sparse. We describe a 36‐year‐old woman referred to a tertiary medical center for evaluation of elevated creatinine levels 1 month after a second RT. Work‐up revealed the presence of all four of Duke's criteria: fever, persistent bacteremia, new‐onset tricuspid regurgitation, and masses suspected to be vegetation attached to the tricuspid annulus. Symptoms resolved with antibiotic treatment and fluids. Fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG‐PET/CT) revealed hypermetabolic absorption in the femoral vascular graft that had been used for hemodialysis prior to transplantation. The graft was removed by open surgery, and the patient was discharged home in good condition with continued antibiotic treatment. Review of the literature yielded 73 previously reported cases of IE in renal transplant recipients. Several differences were noted from IE in the general population: lower male predominance, younger age (<60 years), absence in most cases of a preexisting structural cardiac anomaly, and more variable causative pathogens. Our case also highlights the importance of FDG‐PET/CT for detecting the source of IE and alerts clinicians to the sometimes unexpected course of the disease in renal transplant recipients.
Membrane lipid order of sub‐synaptic T cell vesicles correlates with their dynamics and function
Authors: Ashdown George W. , Williamson David J. , Soh Gary H.M. , Day Nathan , Burn Garth L. , Owen Dylan M.
Published: October 2017

During an immune response, T cells survey antigen presenting cells for antigenic peptides via the formation of an interface known as an immunological synapse. Among the complex and dynamic biophysical phenomena occurring at this interface is the trafficking of sub‐synaptic vesicles carrying a variety of proximal signalling molecules. Here, we show that rather than being a homogeneous population, these vesicles display a diversity of membrane lipid order profiles, as measured using the environmentally sensitive dye di‐4‐ANEPPDHQ and multi‐spectral TIRF microscopy. Using live‐cell imaging, vesicle tracking and a variety of small molecule drugs to manipulate components of the actin and tubulin cytoskeleton, we show that the membrane lipid order of these vesicles correlate with their dynamics. Furthermore, we show that the key proximal signalling molecule Linker for Activation of T cells (LAT) is enriched in specific vesicle populations as defined by their higher membrane order. These results imply that vesicle lipid order may represent a novel regulatory mechanism for the sorting and trafficking of signalling molecules at the immunological synapse, and, potentially, other cellular structures.
Dynamic Characterization of an Integral Squeeze Film Bearing Support Damper for a Supercritical Co2 Expander
Authors: Ertas Bugra , Delgado Adolfo , Moore Jeffrey
Published: October 2017

The present work advances experimental results and analytical predictions on the dynamic performance of an integral squeeze film damper (ISFD) for application in a high-speed super-critical CO2 (sCO2) expander. The test campaign focused on conducting controlled orbital motion mechanical impedance testing aimed at extracting stiffness and damping coefficients for varying end seal clearances, excitation frequencies, and vibration amplitudes. In addition to the measurement of stiffness and damping, the testing revealed the onset of cavitation for the ISFD. Results show damping behavior that is constant with vibratory velocity for each end seal clearance case until the onset of cavitation/air ingestion, while the direct stiffness measurement was shown to be linear. Measurable added inertia coefficients were also identified. The predictive model uses an isothermal finite element method to solve for dynamic pressures for an incompressible fluid using a modified Reynolds equation accounting for fluid inertia effects. The predictions revealed good correlation for experimentally measured direct damping, but resulted in grossly overpredicted inertia coefficients when compared to experiments.
Adaptive Grinding Process—Prevention of Thermal Damage Using OPC-UA Technique and In Situ Metrology
Authors: Steffan Matthias , Haas Franz , Pierer Alexander , Jens Gentzen
Published: October 2017

The production process grinding deals with finishing of hardened workpieces and is one of the last stages of the value-added production chain. Up to this process step, considerable costs and energy have been spent on the workpieces. In order to avoid production rejects, significant safety reserves are calculated according to the present state of the art. The authors introduce two approaches to minimize the safety margin, thus optimizing the process’ economic efficiency. Both control concepts use the feed rate override of the machining operation as regulating variable to eliminate thermal damage of the edge zone. The first control concept is developed to avoid thermal damage in cylindrical plunge grinding by controlling the cutting forces. Therefore, the industrial standard Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC-UA) is used for the communication between a proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller and the SINUMERIK grinding machine tool control system. For noncircular workpieces, grinding conditions change over the circumference. Therefore, thermal damage cannot be ruled out at any time during the grinding process. The authors introduce a second novel control approach, which uses a micromagnetic measure that correlates with thermal damage as the main control variable. Hence, the cutting ability of the grinding wheel and thermal damage to the workpiece edge zone is quantified in the process. The result is a control concept for grinding of noncircular workpieces, which opens up fields for major efficiency enhancement. With these two approaches, grinding processes are raised on higher economic level, independently of circular and noncircular workpiece geometries.
Analysis of Water–Fuel Ratio Variation in a Gas Turbine With a Wet-Compressor System by Change in Fuel Composition
Authors: Cadavid Yonatan , Amell Andres , Alzate Juan , Bermejo Gerjan , Ebratt Gustavo A.
Published: October 2017

The wet compressor (WC) has become a reliable way to reduce gas emissions and increase gas turbine efficiency. However, fuel source diversification in the short and medium terms presents a challenge for gas turbine operators to know how the WC will respond to changes in fuel composition. For this study, we assessed the operational data of two thermal power generators, with outputs of 610 MW and 300 MW, in Colombia. The purpose was to determine the maximum amount of water that can be added into a gas turbine with a WC system, as well as how the NOx/CO emissions vary due to changes in fuel composition. The combustion properties of different gaseous hydrocarbon mixtures at wet conditions did not vary significantly from each other—except for the laminar burning velocity. It was found that the fuel/air equivalence ratio in the turbine reduced with lower CH4 content in the fuel. Less water can be added to the turbine with leaner combustion; the water/fuel ratio was decreased over the range of 1.4–0.4 for the studied case. The limit is mainly due to a reduction in flame temperature and major risk of lean blowout (LBO) or dynamic instabilities. A hybrid reaction mechanism was created from GRI-MECH 3.0 and NGIII to model hydrocarbons up to C5 with NOx formation. The model was validated with experimental results published previously in literature. Finally, the effect of atmospheric water in the premixed combustion was analyzed and explained.
Tool–Chip Interface Temperature Measurement in Interrupted and Continuous Oblique Cutting
Authors: Kesriklioglu Sinan , Morrow Justin D. , Pfefferkorn Frank E.
Published: October 2017

The objective of this work is to fabricate instrumented cutting tools with embedded thermocouples to accurately measure the tool–chip interface temperature in interrupted and continuous turning. Thin-film thermocouples were sputtered directly onto the flat rake face of a commercially available tungsten carbide cutting insert using micromachined stencils and the measurement junction was coated with a protective layer to obtain temperature data 1.3 μm below the tool–chip interface. Oblique interrupted cutting tests on AISI 12L14 steel were performed to observe the influence of varying cutting speeds and cooling intervals on tool–chip interface temperature. An additional cutting experiment was conducted to monitor the interface temperature change between interrupted and continuous cuts.
Topology Optimization of a Three-Dimensional Flexible Multibody System Via Moving Morphable Components
Authors: Sun Jialiang , Tian Qiang , Hu Haiyan
Published: October 2017

In this work, an efficient topology optimization approach is proposed for a three-dimensional (3D) flexible multibody system (FMBS) undergoing both large overall motion and large deformation. The FMBS of concern is accurately modeled first via the solid element of the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF), which utilizes both nodal positions and nodal slopes as the generalized coordinates. Furthermore, the analytical formulae of the elastic force vector and the corresponding Jacobian are derived for efficient computation. To deal with the dynamics in the optimization process, the equivalent static load (ESL) method is employed to transform the topology optimization problem of dynamic response into a static one. Besides, the newly developed topology optimization method by moving morphable components (MMC) is used and reevaluated to optimize the 3D FMBS. In the MMC-based framework, a set of morphable structural components serves as the building blocks of optimization and hence greatly reduces the number of design variables. Therefore, the topology optimization approach has a potential to efficiently optimize an FMBS of large scale, especially in 3D cases. Two numerical examples are presented to validate the accuracy of the solid element of ANCF and the efficiency of the proposed optimization methodology, respectively.
Temperature dependence of the morphology and electronic structure of ultrathin platinum on TiO2-teminated SrTiO3 (001)
Authors: Guo Wei , Posadas Agham B. , Demkov Alexander A.
Published: October 2017

The authors investigate properties of ultrathin Pt as a function of coverage (up to 10 monolayers) on TiO2-terminated SrTiO3 (001) substrate at different temperatures (200–800 °C). In situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy are used to observe the electronic structure and surface morphology evolution of Pt. The authors find that although Pt will not wet SrTiO3 in the thermodynamic sense, it forms a continuous film when deposited at 200 °C due to the low surface mobility. At 800 °C, even at very low coverage, Pt forms nanoclusters showing bulk-like metallic features in the photoemission spectra. The authors compare the observed electronic structure evolution of Pt and the different growth patterns at low and high temperatures with available theoretical calculations.
Overall judgment of loudness of time-varying sounds
Authors: Schlittenlacher Josef , Hashimoto Takeo , Kuwano Sonoko , Namba Seiichiro
Published: October 2017

Listeners can judge the overall loudness of time-varying sounds quite easily, i.e., assign a single value that represents the loudness of the entire sound. This holds even if the duration is long and the judgment includes memory effects. Different metrics for calculating overall loudness have been developed. They agree that overall loudness is higher than the mean of loudness over time. Percentiles like the N5, the loudness being exceeded 5% of the time, are adopted by ISO 532-1. In the present study the concept of an energy mean known from level measurements (ISO 1996-1) was applied to the loudness domain. This equivalent continuous loudness level, LLP, was compared to the N5 using a set of real-world sounds that was orthogonal between the two metrics over a wide dynamic range of 30 phon. Cross-modality matching with line length was used in three experiments with a focus on either the overall judgment of loudness, continuous judgment while a sound was played, or both. The LLP showed considerably higher correlations with overall judgments than N5. Comparing continuous instantaneous judgment with calculated instantaneous loudness suggests that the participants might have focused on the sounds' prominent portions.
Even-longer-term stability of spontaneous otoacoustic emissions
Authors: Burns Edward M.
Published: October 2017

This report is an addendum to a previous report by Burns [(2009). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 125, 3166−3176] that measured spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs) in 18 subjects, whose ages at the time of initial measurement ranged from 6 to 42 yr, for follow-up periods of up to 19.5 yr. The major finding of that report was that the frequencies of all SOAEs, in all subjects, declined over time, with an average decline of 0.25% per year. In this report seven SOAEs in the oldest subject were measured for an additional 13.7 yr, for a total follow-up of 33 yr, to age 75.
Underwater acoustic channel characteristics and communication performance at 85 kHz
Authors: Zhou Yuehai , Song Aijun , Tong Feng
Published: October 2017

A high frequency acoustic experiment was conducted in the northern portion of the Gulf of Mexico in August 2016 to examine the operating range, data rates, and performance of acoustic communication systems at the carrier frequency of 85 kHz. The received signal-to-noise ratios, channel coherence, and impulse responses were reported between two 85 kHz transducers and a five-element hydrophone array over multiple ranges up to 1500 m. Channel estimation based decision feedback equalizers (DFEs) were applied to process the communication measurements. A data rate of 27.2 kb/s was achieved for four tested ranges with a uniform set of receiver parameters.
Evolution of Physical Education Undergraduate Majors in Higher Education in China
Authors: Jiahong Wang , Xiang Ping , Dazhi Zhang , Liu Weidong , Gao Xiaofeng
Published: October 2017

Physical education (PE) undergraduate programs in higher education in China have evolved over the last 100 years. As a result, a comprehensive system of physical education undergraduate majors in higher education has been established in today’s colleges/universities in China. The large number of students who have completed a physical education undergraduate major have greatly contributed to the development of physical education and sports in China. In this article, we reviewed the evolution of physical education undergraduate majors in higher education in China according to five historical eras: (a) the early period of New China, (b) the Cultural Revolution period, (c) the early period of reform and opening up, (d) the period of socialist market economy exploration, and (e) the 21st century era. We also systematically examine the structures, goals, and courses of the physical education undergraduate majors in higher education in China. Finally, we provide in-depth analysis of the development of the physical education undergraduate majors through the examination of their guiding principles, goals, and curriculum design, which might serve as a reference for further enhancing the reform of the curricular design of the physical education undergraduate majors in higher education during the current era.
Newly recognized turbidity current structure can explain prolonged flushing of submarine canyons
Authors: Azpiroz-Zabala Maria , Cartigny Matthieu J. B. , Talling Peter J. , Parsons Daniel R. , Sumner Esther J. , Clare Michael A. , Simmons Stephen M. , Cooper Cortis , Pope Ed L.
Published: October 2017

Runaway turbidity currents stretch into the deep ocean to form the largest sediment accumulations on Earth.
Specific reduction in cortisol stress reactivity after social but not attention-based mental training
Authors: Engert Veronika , Kok Bethany E. , Papassotiriou Ioannis , Chrousos George P. , Singer Tania
Published: October 2017

Social but not attention-based mental training reduces cortisol reactivity to psychosocial stress.
Mountain glaciation drives rapid oxidation of rock-bound organic carbon
Authors: Horan Kate , Hilton Robert G. , Selby David , Ottley Chris J. , Gröcke Darren R. , Hicks Murray , Burton Kevin W.
Published: October 2017

Mountain glaciation greatly enhances oxidative weathering rates of organic carbon in rocks and associated carbon dioxide release.
Gentle reenergization of electrons in merging galaxy clusters
Authors: de Gasperin Francesco , Intema Huib T. , Shimwell Timothy W. , Brunetti Gianfranco , Brüggen Marcus , Enßlin Torsten A. , van Weeren Reinout J. , Bonafede Annalisa , Röttgering Huub J. A.
Published: October 2017

Cosmic ray electrons reenergized in merging galaxy clusters: A phenomenon observed with low-frequency radio telescopes.
Potentiating antibiotics in drug-resistant clinical isolates via stimuli-activated superoxide generation
Authors: Courtney Colleen M. , Goodman Samuel M. , Nagy Toni A. , Levy Max , Bhusal Pallavi , Madinger Nancy E. , Detweiler Corrella S. , Nagpal Prashant , Chatterjee Anushree
Published: October 2017

Engineered nanoparticle for controlled superoxide flux potentiates antibiotics in MDR clinical isolates.
China sprints ahead in CRISPR therapy race
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: October 2017

Human trials are using the genome-editing technique to treat cancers and other conditions.
Seismic array shifts to Alaska
Authors: Rosen Julia
Published: October 2017

USArray plumbs shifting tectonic plates and offers improved earthquake monitoring.
A worldwide survey of neonicotinoids in honey
Authors: Mitchell E. A. D. , Mulhauser B. , Mulot M. , Mutabazi A. , Glauser G. , Aebi A.
Published: October 2017

From bees to honey

Neonicotinoid pesticides are applied globally. Concern about their impacts has been increasing as evidence for negative effects on bee health and persistence has accumulated. Mitchell
et al.
looked at the prevalence of these pesticides in honey from across the world and found traces in the majority of samples tested (see the Perspective by Connolly). The neonicotinoid compounds occurred at levels considered safe for human consumption, but the contamination confirms the inundation of bees and their environments with these pesticides, despite some recent efforts to decrease their use.

Science
, this issue p.
109
; see also p.
38
Single-cell epigenomics: Recording the past and predicting the future
Authors: Kelsey Gavin , Stegle Oliver , Reik Wolf
Published: October 2017

Single-cell multi-omics has recently emerged as a powerful technology by which different layers of genomic output—and hence cell identity and function—can be recorded simultaneously. Integrating various components of the epigenome into multi-omics measurements allows for studying cellular heterogeneity at different time scales and for discovering new layers of molecular connectivity between the genome and its functional output. Measurements that are increasingly available range from those that identify transcription factor occupancy and initiation of transcription to long-lasting and heritable epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation. Together with techniques in which cell lineage is recorded, this multilayered information will provide insights into a cell’s past history and its future potential. This will allow new levels of understanding of cell fate decisions, identity, and function in normal development, physiology, and disease.
Single-cell transcriptomics to explore the immune system in health and disease
Authors: Stubbington Michael J. T. , Rozenblatt-Rosen Orit , Regev Aviv , Teichmann Sarah A.
Published: October 2017

The immune system varies in cell types, states, and locations. The complex networks, interactions, and responses of immune cells produce diverse cellular ecosystems composed of multiple cell types, accompanied by genetic diversity in antigen receptors. Within this ecosystem, innate and adaptive immune cells maintain and protect tissue function, integrity, and homeostasis upon changes in functional demands and diverse insults. Characterizing this inherent complexity requires studies at single-cell resolution. Recent advances such as massively parallel single-cell RNA sequencing and sophisticated computational methods are catalyzing a revolution in our understanding of immunology. Here we provide an overview of the state of single-cell genomics methods and an outlook on the use of single-cell techniques to decipher the adaptive and innate components of immunity.
The molecular basis of Alzheimer's plaques
Authors: Pospich Sabrina , Raunser Stefan
Published: October 2017

An amyloid fibril structure provides insights into senile amyloid plaque architecture
Turning Charon around on the Styx?
Authors: Allard-Chamard Hugues , Pillai Shiv
Published: October 2017

Sestrins drive immune senescence, and their inhibition may restore immunity in the elderly and improve vaccine responses.
Papers of note in
Science
356
(6344)
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: October 2017

This week’s articles address the biochemistry of PKA activation, neuronal signaling that controls whether worms are awake or asleep, and how gut microbial metabolism modifies the effects of nutrients, drugs, and toxins on the host.
Papers of note in
Science Immunology
2
(12)
Authors: Foley John F.
Published: October 2017

This month’s articles show how
Plasmodium
by-products cause bone loss and how citrullination of an NF-κB subunit enhances inflammatory responses.
Atomic Structures of Minor Proteins VI and VII in Human Adenovirus
Authors: Dai Xinghong , Wu Lily , Sun Ren , Zhou Z. Hong
Published: October 2017

Human adenoviruses (Ad) are double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) viruses associated with infectious diseases, but they are better known as tools for gene delivery and oncolytic anticancer therapy. Atomic structures of Ad provide the basis for the development of antivirals and for engineering efforts toward more effective applications. Since 2010, atomic models of human Ad5 have been derived independently from photographic film cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and X-ray crystallography studies, but discrepancies exist concerning the assignment of cement proteins IIIa, VIII, and IX. To clarify these discrepancies, we employed the technology of direct electron counting to obtain a cryo-EM structure of human Ad5 at 3.2-Å resolution. Our improved structure unambiguously confirms our previous cryo-EM models of proteins IIIa, VIII, and IX and explains the likely cause of conflict in the crystallography models. The improved structure also allows the identification of three new components in the cavity of hexon—the cleaved N terminus of precursor protein VI (pVIn), the cleaved N terminus of precursor protein VII (pVIIn2), and mature protein VI. The binding of pVIIn2—and, by extension, that of genome-condensing pVII—to hexons is consistent with the previously proposed dsDNA genome-capsid coassembly for adenoviruses, which resembles that of single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) viruses but differs from the well-established mechanism of pumping dsDNA into a preformed protein capsid exemplified by tailed bacteriophages and herpesviruses.

IMPORTANCE
Adenovirus is a double-edged sword to humans: it is a widespread pathogen but can be used as a bioengineering tool for anticancer and gene therapies. The atomic structure of the virus provides the basis for antiviral and application developments, but conflicting atomic models for the important cement proteins IIIa, VIII, and IX from conventional/film cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography studies have caused confusion. Using cutting-edge cryo-EM technology with electron counting, we improved the structure of human adenovirus type 5 and confirmed our previous models of cement proteins IIIa, VIII, and IX, thus clarifying the inconsistent structures. The improved structure also reveals atomic details of membrane-lytic protein VI and genome-condensing protein VII and supports the previously proposed genome-capsid coassembly mechanism for adenoviruses.
Human Metapneumovirus Induces Formation of Inclusion Bodies for Efficient Genome Replication and Transcription
Authors: Cifuentes-Muñoz Nicolás , Branttie Jean , Slaughter Kerri Beth , Dutch Rebecca Ellis
Published: October 2017

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) causes significant upper and lower respiratory disease in all age groups worldwide. The virus possesses a negative-sense single-stranded RNA genome of approximately 13.3 kb encapsidated by multiple copies of the nucleoprotein (N), giving rise to helical nucleocapsids. In addition, copies of the phosphoprotein (P) and the large RNA polymerase (L) decorate the viral nucleocapsids. After viral attachment, endocytosis, and fusion mediated by the viral glycoproteins, HMPV nucleocapsids are released into the cell cytoplasm. To visualize the subsequent steps of genome transcription and replication, a fluorescence
in situ
hybridization (FISH) protocol was established to detect different viral RNA subpopulations in infected cells. The FISH probes were specific for detection of HMPV positive-sense RNA (+RNA) and viral genomic RNA (vRNA). Time course analysis of human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells infected with HMPV revealed the formation of inclusion bodies (IBs) from early times postinfection. HMPV IBs were shown to be cytoplasmic sites of active transcription and replication, with the translation of viral proteins being closely associated. Inclusion body formation was consistent with an actin-dependent coalescence of multiple early replicative sites. Time course quantitative reverse transcription-PCR analysis suggested that the coalescence of inclusion bodies is a strategy to efficiently replicate and transcribe the viral genome. These results provide a better understanding of the steps following HMPV entry and have important clinical implications.

IMPORTANCE
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a recently discovered pathogen that affects human populations of all ages worldwide. Reinfections are common throughout life, but no vaccines or antiviral treatments are currently available. In this work, a spatiotemporal analysis of HMPV replication and transcription in bronchial epithelial cell-derived immortal cells was performed. HMPV was shown to induce the formation of large cytoplasmic granules, named inclusion bodies, for genome replication and transcription. Unlike other cytoplasmic structures, such as stress granules and processing bodies, inclusion bodies are exclusively present in infected cells and contain HMPV RNA and proteins to more efficiently transcribe and replicate the viral genome. Though inclusion body formation is nuanced, it corresponds to a more generalized strategy used by different viruses, including filoviruses and rhabdoviruses, for genome transcription and replication. Thus, an understanding of inclusion body formation is crucial for the discovery of innovative therapeutic targets.
Deletion of the African Swine Fever Virus Gene DP148R Does Not Reduce Virus Replication in Culture but Reduces Virus Virulence in Pigs and Induces High Levels of Protection against Challenge
Authors: Reis Ana L. , Goatley Lynnette C. , Jabbar Tamara , Sanchez-Cordon Pedro J. , Netherton Christopher L. , Chapman David A. G. , Dixon Linda K.
Published: October 2017

Many of the approximately 165 proteins encoded by the African swine fever virus (ASFV) genome do not have significant similarity to known proteins and have not been studied experimentally. One such protein is DP148R. We showed that the DP148R gene is transcribed at early times postinfection. Deletion of this gene did not reduce virus replication in macrophages, showing that it is not essential for replication in these cells. However, deletion of this gene from a virulent isolate, Benin 97/1, producing the BeninΔDP148R virus, dramatically reduced the virulence of the virus
in vivo
. All pigs infected with the BeninΔDP148R virus survived infection, showing only transient mild clinical signs soon after immunization. Following challenge with the parental virulent virus, all pigs immunized by the intramuscular route (11/11) and all except one immunized by the intranasal route (5/6) survived. Mild or no clinical signs were observed after challenge. As expected, control nonimmune pigs developed signs of acute African swine fever (ASF). The virus genome and infectious virus were observed soon after immunization, coincident with the onset of clinical signs (∼10
6
genome copies or 50% tissue culture infective doses/ml). The levels of the virus genome declined over an extended period up to 60 days postimmunization. In contrast, infectious virus was no longer detectable by days 30 to 35. Gamma interferon (IFN-γ) was detected in serum between days 4 and 7 postimmunization, and IFN-γ-producing cells were detected in all pigs analyzed following stimulation of immune lymphocytes with whole virus. ASFV-specific antibodies were first detected from day 10 postimmunization.

IMPORTANCE
African swine fever (ASF) is endemic in Africa, parts of the Trans Caucasus, the Russian Federation, and several European countries. The lack of a vaccine hinders control. Many of the ASF virus genes lack similarity to known genes and have not been characterized. We have shown that one of these, DP148R, is transcribed early during virus replication in cells and can be deleted from the virus genome without reducing virus replication. The virus with the gene deletion, BeninΔDP148R, caused mild clinical signs in pigs and induced high levels of protection against challenge with the parental virulent virus. Therefore, deletion of this gene can provide a target for the rational development of vaccines.
Induction of DNA Damages upon Marek's Disease Virus Infection: Implication in Viral Replication and Pathogenesis
Authors: Bencherit Djihad , Remy Sylvie , Le Vern Yves , Vychodil Tereza , Bertzbach Luca D. , Kaufer Benedikt B. , Denesvre Caroline , Trapp-Fragnet Laëtitia
Published: October 2017

Marek's disease virus (MDV) is a highly contagious alphaherpesvirus that infects chickens and causes a deadly neoplastic disease. We previously demonstrated that MDV infection arrests cells in S phase and that the tegument protein VP22 plays a major role in this process. In addition, expression of VP22 induces double-strand breaks (DSBs) in the cellular DNA, suggesting that DNA damage and the associated cellular response might be favorable for the MDV life cycle. Here, we addressed the role of DNA damage in MDV replication and pathogenesis. We demonstrated that MDV induces DSBs during lytic infectionin vitroand in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of infected animals. Intriguingly, we did not observe DNA damage in latently infected MDV-induced lymphoblastoid cells, while MDV reactivation resulted in the onset of DNA lesions, suggesting that DNA damage and/or the resulting DNA damage response might be required for efficient MDV replication and reactivation. In addition, reactivation was significantly enhanced by the induction of DNA damage using a number of chemicals. Finally, we used recombinant viruses to show that VP22 is required for the induction of DNA damagein vivoand that this likely contributes to viral oncogenesis.

IMPORTANCEMarek's disease virus is an oncogenic alphaherpesvirus that causes fatal T-cell lymphomas in chickens. MDV causes substantial losses in the poultry industry and is also used in small-animal models for virus-induced tumor formation. DNA damage not only is implicated in tumor development but also aids in the life cycle of several viruses; however, its role in MDV replication, latency, and reactivation remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that MDV induces DNA lesions during lytic replicationin vitroandin vivo. DNA damage was not observed in latently infected cells; however, it was reinitiated during reactivation. Reactivation was significantly enhanced by the induction of DNA damage. Recombinant viruses that lacked the ability to induce DNA damage were defective in their ability to induce tumors, suggesting that DNA damage might also contribute to cellular transformation processes leading to MDV lymphomagenesis.
A New Take on an Old Remedy: Generating Antibodies against Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria in a Postantibiotic World
Authors: Motley Michael P. , Fries Bettina C.
Published: October 2017

With the problem of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens becoming increasingly dire, new strategies are needed to protect and treat infected patients. Though abandoned in the past, monoclonal antibody therapy against Gram-negative bacteria remains a potential solution and has potential advantages over the broad-spectrum antibiotics they were once replaced by.
Minimum effective naltrexone dose to antagonise etorphine immobilisation and prevent the complications of renarcotisation in domestic goats
Authors: O'Dell Jacques Henry , Kock Michael David , Thompson Peter Neil , Meyer Leith Carl Rodney
Published: October 2017

Naltrexone is used to antagonise etorphine immobilisation, but a safe and effective dose for this purpose has not been objectively determined. Eight domestic goats were immobilised with etorphine (0.07 mg/kg) eight times at ≥13 day intervals. Naltrexone at doses of 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/mg etorphine were administered intravenously 17 minutes after etorphine injection. Effectiveness of antagonism was recorded based on recovery and renarcotisation scores and clinical observations. All doses produced rapid recovery to the point of standing (median 59 seconds, range 33–157 seconds), with no significant differences in recovery times (P=0.44). The lower naltrexone doses resulted in renarcotisation in some goats: 4/8 in the 10‐mg dose trial, 7/8 in the 5‐mg dose trial, and 8/8 in the 2‐mg, 1‐mg and 0.5‐mg dose trials. Lower doses resulted in more severe signs of renarcotisation. Complications of renarcotisation included increased body temperature; this occurred just before signs of renarcotisation and was greater in animals with high renarcotisation scores (P<0.01). The lowest, safest effective naltrexone dose that we used to antagonise etorphine immobilisation was 20 mg/mg etorphine, which produced rapid recovery to standing with no renarcotisation.
Experimental and numerical investigation of lateral torsional buckling of wood I-joists
Authors: St-Amour Rémi , Doudak Ghasan
Published: October 2017

This paper investigates the elastic lateral torsional buckling capacity of wood I-joists. A sensitivity analysis determined that the orthotropic material properties that affect the critical buckling load of wood I-joists are the longitudinal modulus of elasticity, the transverse shear modulus of the flanges, and the elastic modulus of the web. A 3D finite element (FE) model was developed using experimentally determined material properties and initial imperfections. The study found that FE linear predictions provided reasonable agreement with the experimental buckling loads. The FE geometric nonlinear analysis was able to replicate the experimental nonlinear behavior that was observed during the test. Comparison with contemporary North American design standards showed significant conservatism in the design approach.
Effects of plot size, stand density, and scan density on the relationship between airborne laser scanning metrics and the Gini coefficient of tree size inequality
Authors: Adnan Syed , Maltamo Matti , Coomes David A. , Valbuena Rubén
Published: October 2017

Estimation of the Gini coefficient (GC) of tree sizes using airborne laser scanning (ALS) can provide maps of forest structure across the landscape, which can support sustainable forest management. A challenge arises in determining the optimal spatial resolution that maximizes the stability and precision of GC estimates, which in turn depends on stand density or ALS scan density. By subsampling different plot sizes within large field plots, we evaluated the optimal spatial resolution by observing changes in GC estimation and in its correlation with ALS metrics. We found that plot size had greater effects than either stand density or ALS scan density on the relationship between GC and ALS metrics. Uncertainty in GC estimates fell as plot size increased. Correlation with ALS metrics showed convex curves with maxima at 250–450 m2, which thus was considered the optimal plot size and, consequently, the optimal spatial resolution. By thinning the density of the ALS point cloud, we deduced that at least 3 points·m−2were needed for reliable GC estimates. Many nationwide ALS scan densities are sparser than this, so may be unreliable for GC estimation. Ours is a simple approach for evaluating the optimal spatial resolution in remote sensing estimation of any forest attribute.
Regional risks of wind damage in boreal forests under changing management and climate projections
Authors: Ikonen V.-P. , Kilpeläinen A. , Zubizarreta-Gerendiain A. , Strandman H. , Asikainen A. , Venäläinen A. , Kaurola J. , Kangas J. , Peltola H.
Published: October 2017

We employed simulations by forest ecosystem (SIMA) and mechanistic wind damage (HWIND) models in upland boreal forests throughout Finland to study regional risks of wind damage under changing management preferences and climates (current and RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios) over 2010–2099. We used a critical wind speed for the uprooting of trees as a measure of vulnerability, which together with the probability of such wind speed defined a level of risk. Based on that, we also predicted the stem volume of growing stock at risk and the amount of damage. In this work, medium fertility sites were planted to one of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), or silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) or to the tree species that was dominant before the final clear-felling. The vulnerability to wind damage, the volume of growing stock at risk, and the amount of damage all increased, increasing the most in the south when the proportion of Norway spruce (with shallow rooting) of the growing stock increased. Under a severe climate warming, the proportion of Norway spruce decreased the most in the south, opposite to that of birch. This decreased the risk of damage in autumn (when birch is leafless), unlike in summer. The low risk of damage in the north was due to the large proportion of Scots pine.
Density of states engineering: normalized energy density of states band structure using the tridiagonal representation approach
Authors: Alhaidari A.D.
Published: October 2017

We expand the quantum mechanical wavefunction in a complete set of orthonormal basis such that the matrix representation of the Hamiltonian is tridiagonal and symmetric. Consequently, the matrix wave equation becomes a symmetric three-term recursion relation for the expansion coefficients of the wavefunction. The solution of this recursion is a set of orthogonal polynomials in the energy whose weight function is the energy density of states of the system. The latter is constructed using Green’s function, which is written as a continued fraction in terms of the Hamiltonian matrix elements. We study the distribution of zeros of the orthogonal polynomials on the real energy line based exclusively on their three-term recursion relations. We show that the zeros are grouped into sets belonging to separated bands on the orthogonality interval. The number of these bands is equal to the periodicity (multiplicity) of the asymptotic values of the recursion coefficients and the location of their boundaries depends only on these asymptotic values. Bound states (if they exist) are located at isolated zeros found in the gaps between the density bands that are stable against variation in the degree of the polynomial for very large degrees. We give examples of systems with a single, double, triple, and quadruple energy density bands.
Testing quantum gravity
Authors: Hansson Johan , Francois Stephane
Published: October 2017

The search for a theory of quantum gravity is the most fundamental problem in all of theoretical physics, but there are as yet no experimental results at all to guide this endeavor. What seems to be needed is a pragmatic way to test if gravitation really occurs between quantum objects or not. In this paper, we suggest such a potential way out of this deadlock, utilizing macroscopic quantum systems; superfluid helium, gaseous Bose–Einstein condensates and “macroscopic” molecules. It turns out that true quantum gravity effects — here defined as observable gravitational interactions between truly quantum objects — could and should be seen (if they occur in nature) using existing technology. A falsification of the low-energy limit in the accessible weak-field regime would also falsify the full theory of quantum gravity, making it enter the realm of testable, potentially falsifiable theories, i.e. becoming real physics after almost a century of pure theorizing. If weak-field gravity between quantum objects is shown to be absent (in the regime where the approximation should apply), we know that gravity then is a strictly classical phenomenon absent at the quantum level.
Classical entanglement structure in the wavefunction of inflationary fluctuations
Authors: Nelson Elliot , Riedel C. Jess
Published: October 2017

We argue that preferred classical variables emerge from the entanglement structure of a pure quantum state in the form of redundant records: information shared between many subsystems. Focusing on the early universe, we ask how classical metric perturbations emerge from vacuum fluctuations in an inflationary background. We show that the squeezing of the quantum state for super-horizon modes, along with minimal gravitational interactions, leads to decoherence and to an exponential number of records of metric fluctuations on very large scales, [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the amplitude of metric fluctuations. This determines a preferred decomposition of the inflationary wavefunction into orthogonal “branches” corresponding to classical metric perturbations, which defines an inflationary entropy production rate and accounts for the emergence of stochastic, inhomogeneous spacetime geometry.
The gamma-ray spectral feature from Kaluza–Klein dark matter annihilation and its observability
Authors: Tsuchida Satoshi , Mori Masaki
Published: October 2017

The theory of universal extra dimensions involves Kaluza–Klein (KK) particles. The lightest KK particle (LKP) is one of the good candidates for cold dark matter. Annihilation of LKP dark matter in the Galactic halo produces high-energy gamma-rays. The gamma-ray spectrum shows a characteristic peak structure around the LKP mass. This paper investigates the observability of this peak structure by near-future detectors taking account of their energy resolution and calculates the expected energy spectrum of the gamma-ray signal. Then, by using the High-Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS) data, we set some constraints on the boost factor, which is a product of the annihilation cross-section relative to the thermal one and an uncertain factor dependent on the substructure of the LKP distribution in the Galactic halo, for each LKP mass. The resulting upper limit on the boost factor is in the range from 1 to 30. The constraints can be regarded as comparable with the results of previous work for gamma-ray and electron–positron observation. However, the observational data for the TeV or higher energy region are still limited, and the possible LKP signal is not conclusive. Thus, we expect near-future missions with better sensitivity will clarify whether the LKP dark matter should exist or not.
Foreground contribution to the inferred cosmological parameters from Planck
Authors: Vincent Aaron C. , Wibig Tadeusz , Wolfendale Arnold W.
Published: October 2017

Previous analyses of cosmic microwave background (CMB) measurements [T. Wibig and A. W. Wolfendale, Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 360 (2005) 236, arXiv:astro-ph/0409397; Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 448 (2015) 1030, arXiv:1507.0677.] have revealed contamination by areas of high cosmic ray activity in the Milky Way. Here, we update studies, looking at the most recent Planck release of residual maps. We search for possible effects of foreground contamination in the reconstruction of the [Formula: see text]CDM cosmological parameters. We focus on the Hubble parameter [Formula: see text] and the optical depth to reionization [Formula: see text], both of which exhibit discrepancies between CMB-inferred values and low-redshift measurements (“the delta [Formula: see text] problem”). Using the publicly available “component separated” Planck temperature maps, we single out three distinct regions: the “loops”, “chimneys” and “low CR” regions, which disproportionately contributed to CR contamination of WMAP data. We find that two of the four maps are strongly affected by removal of anomalously high or low CR activity regions. However, the Commander method, used to produce the angular power spectrum at low ([Formula: see text]) multipoles in cosmological analyses, appears robust under these changes. Finally, we use the inferred Hubble parameter [Formula: see text] as a proxy to look for general directional dependence of the CMB power spectrum, finding a small but robust dependence on the Galactic longitude. Although there is some evidence for a continuing CR contamination, it is insufficient to provide an answer to the delta [Formula: see text] problem, or to the optical depth problem, though dependence of the derived [Formula: see text] on direction seems significant. The geometrical pattern — striations along constant longitudes — suggests CR contamination as distinct from a truly cosmological effect.
Maternal stress does not exacerbate long-term bone deficits in female rats born growth restricted, with differential effects on offspring bone health
Authors: Anevska Kristina , Cheong Jean N. , Wark John D. , Wlodek Mary E. , Romano Tania
Published: October 2017

Females born growth restricted have poor adult bone health. Stress exposure during pregnancy increases risk of pregnancy complications. We determined whether maternal stress exposure in growth-restricted females exacerbates long-term maternal and offspring bone phenotypes. On gestational day 18, bilateral uterine vessel ligation (restricted) or sham (control) surgery was performed on Wistar-Kyoto rats. At 4 mo, control and restricted females were mated and allocated to unstressed or stressed pregnancies. Stressed pregnancies had physiological measurements performed; unstressed females were not handled. After birth, mothers were aged to 13 mo. Second-generation (F2) offspring generated four experimental groups: control unstressed, restricted unstressed, control stressed and restricted stressed. F2 offspring were studied at postnatal day 35 (PN35), 6, 12, and 16 mo. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography was performed on maternal and F2 offspring femurs. Restricted females, irrespective of stress during pregnancy, had decreased endosteal circumference, bending strength, and increased osteocalcin concentrations after pregnancy at 13 mo. F2 offspring of stressed mothers were born lighter. F2 male offspring from stressed pregnancies had decreased trabecular content at 6 mo and decreased endosteal circumference at 16 mo. F2 female offspring from growth-restricted mothers had reduced cortical thickness at PN35 and reduced endosteal circumference at 6 mo. At 12 mo, females from unstressed restricted and stressed control mothers had decreased trabecular content. Low birth weight females had long-term bone changes, highlighting programming effects on bone health. Stress during pregnancy did not exacerbate these programmed effects. Male and female offspring responded differently to maternal growth restriction and stress, indicating gender-specific programming effects.