Possible immunoenhancement of persistent viremia by feline leukemia virus envelope glycoprotein vaccines in challenge-exposure situations where whole inactivated virus vaccines were protective.

Kittens immunized with purified native FeLV-gp70 or -gp85 envelope proteins developed ELISA, but not virus neutralizing, antibodies in their serum to both whole FeLV and FeLV-gp70. Kittens vaccinated with envelope proteins and infected with feline sarcoma virus (FeSV) developed smaller tumors than nonvaccinates, but a greater incidence of persistent retroviremia. Similarly, FeLV-gp70 and -gp85 vaccinated kittens were more apt to become persistently retroviremic following virulent FeLV challenge exposure than nonvaccinates. Kittens vaccinated with inactivated whole FeLV developed smaller tumors after FeSV inoculation and had a lower incidence of persistent retroviremia than nonvaccinates. The protective effect of inactivated whole FeLV vaccine against persistent retroviremia was also seen with FeLV challenge-exposed cats. Protection afforded by inactivated whole FeLV vaccine was not associated with virus neutralizing antibodies, although ELISA antibodies to both whole FeLV and FeLV-gp70 were induced by vaccination

SDO/HMI survey of emerging active regions for helioseismology

Observations from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) have the potential for allowing the helioseismic study of the formation of hundreds of active regions, which would enable us to perform statistical analyses. Our goal is to collate a uniform data set of emerging active regions observed by the SDO/HMI instrument suitable for helioseismic analysis up to seven days before emergence. We restricted the sample to active regions that were visible in the continuum and emerged into quiet Sun largely avoiding pre-existing magnetic regions. As a reference data set we paired a control region (CR), with the same latitude and distance from central meridian, with each emerging active region (EAR). We call this data set, which is currently comprised of 105 emerging active regions observed between May 2010 and November 2012, the SDO Helioseismic Emerging Active Region (SDO/HEAR) survey. To demonstrate the utility of a data set of a large number of emerging active regions, we measure the relative east-west velocity of the leading and trailing polarities from the line-of-sight magnetogram maps during the first day after emergence. The latitudinally averaged line-of-sight magnetic field of all the EARs shows that, on average, the leading (trailing) polarity moves in a prograde (retrograde) direction with a speed of 121 +/- 22 m/s (-70 +/- 13 m/s) relative to the Carrington rotation rate in the first day. However, relative to the differential rotation of the surface plasma, the east-west velocity is symmetric, with a mean of 95 +/- 13 m/s. The SDO/HEAR data set will not only be useful for helioseismic studies, but will also be useful to study other features such as the surface magnetic field evolution of a large sample of EARs.Comment: Accepted by Astronomy and Astrophysics, 11 figures, one longtable; update corrects units in Figure

An absentee monitoring device

Development of audio alarm system to provide remote monitoring of warning devices is discussed. Device uses photodiode connected to self-powered audio alarm unit. Photograph of equipment is included

Fascicles and the interfascicular matrix show adaptation for fatigue resistance in energy storing tendons

Tendon is composed of rope-like fascicles, bound together by interfascicular matrix (IFM). Our previous work shows that the IFM is critical for tendon function, facilitating sliding between fascicles to allow tendons to stretch. This function is particularly important in energy storing tendons, which experience extremely high strains during exercise, and therefore require the capacity for considerable inter-fascicular sliding and recoil. This capacity is not required in positional tendons. Whilst we have previously described the quasi-static properties of the IFM, the fatigue resistance of the IFM in functionally distinct tendons remains unknown. We therefore tested the hypothesis that fascicles and IFM in the energy storing equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) are more fatigue resistant than those in the positional common digital extensor tendon (CDET). Fascicles and IFM from both tendon types were subjected to cyclic fatigue testing until failure, and mechanical properties were calculated. The results demonstrated that both fascicles and IFM from the energy storing SDFT were able to resist a greater number of cycles before failure than those from the positional CDET. Further, SDFT fascicles and IFM exhibited less hysteresis over the course of testing than their counterparts in the CDET. This is the first study to assess the fatigue resistance of the IFM, demonstrating that IFM has a functional role within tendon and contributes significantly to tendon mechanical properties. These data provide important advances into fully characterising tendon structure-function relationships

Precise measurements of UV atomic lines: Hyperfine structure and isotope shifts in the 398.8 nm line of Yb

We demonstrate a technique for frequency measurements of UV transitions with sub-MHz precision. The frequency is measured using a ring-cavity resonator whose length is calibrated against a reference laser locked to the $D_2$ line of $^{87}$Rb. We have used this to measure the 398.8 nm ${^1S}_0 \leftrightarrow {^1P}_1$ line of atomic Yb. We report isotope shifts of all the seven stable isotopes, including the rarest isotope $^{168}$Yb. We have been able to resolve the overlapping $^{173}$Yb($F = 3/2$) and $^{172}$Yb transitions for the first time. We also obtain high-precision measurements of excited-state hyperfine structure in the odd isotopes, $^{171}$Yb and $^{173}$Yb. The measurements resolve several discrepancies among earlier measurements.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure

Effect of fatigue loading on structure and functional behaviour of fascicles from energy-storing tendons

Tendons can broadly be categorized according to their function: those that act purely to position the limb and those that have an additional function as energy stores. Energy-storing tendons undergo many cycles of large deformations during locomotion, and so must be able to extend and recoil efficiently, rapidly and repeatedly. Our previous work has shown rotation in response to applied strain in fascicles from energy-storing tendons, indicating the presence of helical substructures which may provide greater elasticity and recovery. In the current study, we assessed how preconditioning and fatigue loading affect the ability of fascicles from the energy-storing equine superficial digital flexor tendon to extend and recoil. We hypothesized that preconditioned samples would exhibit changes in microstructural strain response, but would retain their ability to recover. We further hypothesized that fatigue loading would result in sample damage, causing further alterations in extension mechanisms and a significant reduction in sample recovery. The results broadly support these hypotheses: preconditioned samples showed some alterations in microstructural strain response, but were able to recover following the removal of load. However, fatigue loaded samples showed visual evidence of damage and exhibited further alterations in extension mechanisms, characterized by decreased rotation in response to applied strain. This was accompanied by increased hysteresis and decreased recovery. These results suggest that fatigue loading results in a compromised helix substructure, reducing the ability of energy-storing tendons to recoil. A decreased ability to recoil may lead to an impaired response to further loading, potentially increasing the likelihood of injury

Reconstruction of Solar Subsurfaces by Local Helioseismology

Local helioseismology has opened new frontiers in our quest for understanding of the internal dynamics and dynamo on the Sun. Local helioseismology reconstructs subsurface structures and flows by extracting coherent signals of acoustic waves traveling through the interior and carrying information about subsurface perturbations and flows, from stochastic oscillations observed on the surface. The initial analysis of the subsurface flow maps reconstructed from the 5 years of SDO/HMI data by time-distance helioseismology reveals the great potential for studying and understanding of the dynamics of the quiet Sun and active regions, and the evolution with the solar cycle. In particular, our results show that the emergence and evolution of active regions are accompanied by multi-scale flow patterns, and that the meridional flows display the North-South asymmetry closely correlating with the magnetic activity. The latitudinal variations of the meridional circulation speed, which are probably related to the large-scale converging flows, are mostly confined in shallow subsurface layers. Therefore, these variations do not necessarily affect the magnetic flux transport. The North-South asymmetry is also pronounced in the variations of the differential rotation ("torsional oscillations"). The calculations of a proxy of the subsurface kinetic helicity density show that the helicity does not vary during the solar cycle, and that supergranulation is a likely source of the near-surface helicity.Comment: 17 pages, 10 figures, in "Cartography of the Sun and the Stars", Editors: Rozelot, Jean-Pierre, Neiner, Corali

Predicting frequency changes of global-scale solar Rossby modes due to solar cycle changes in internal rotation

Context. Large-scale equatorial Rossby modes have been observed on the Sun over the last two solar cycles. Aims. We investigate the impact of the time-varying zonal flows on the frequencies of Rossby modes. Methods. A first-order perturbation theory approach is used to obtain an expression for the expected shift in the mode frequencies due to perturbations in the internal rotation rate. Results. Using the time-varying rotation from helioseismic inversions we predict the changes in Rossby mode frequencies with azimuthal orders from m = 1 to m = 15 over the last two solar cycles. The peak-to-peak frequency change is less than 1 nHz for the m = 1 mode, grows with m, and reaches 25 nHz for m = 15. Conclusions. Given the observational uncertainties on mode frequencies due to the finite mode lifetimes, we find that the predicted frequency shifts are near the limit of detectability

Comparing identity, attitudes, and indicators of effectiveness in people who smoke, vape or use heated tobacco products: a cross-sectional study

Background: There is limited long-term and independent research on heated tobacco products (HTPs). We compared people who used HTPs with those who used nicotine vaping products (NVP) or cigarettes on smoker identity, indicators of effectiveness and, among NVP/HTP users, perceptions of these products. Methods: Adults exclusive cigarette smokers (N=45) and ex-smokers with medium/long-term (>3months) NVP (N=46) or HTP use (N=45) were recruited in London, UK. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing socio-demographics, smoking characteristics, smoker identity, dependence, intention to stop and attitudes towards HTP/NVP. Results: In adjusted analysis, people who used cigarettes (Mean Difference (MD)=1.4, 95%Confidence Intervals (CI) 0.7,2.0) and HTPs (MD=0.8, 95%CI 0.1,1.5) reported stronger smoker identities than those who used NVPs. Compared with smokers, HTP/NVP users had lower cravings for cigarettes (MD=3.0, 95%CI 1.6,4.3; MD=3.1, 95%CI 1.9,4.3, respectively), and higher intention to stop product use (MD=-0.8, 95%CI -1.7,-0.01; MD=-1.2, 95%CI -2.0,-0.3, respectively). People using HTPs or NVPs reported similar perceived product satisfaction (HTP:M=3.4, 95%CI 2.8,3.9; NVP:M=3.0, 95%CI 2.5,3.5), efficacy for smoking cessation (HTP:M=4.5, 95%CI 4.2,4.9; NVP:M=4.6, 95%CI 4.3,4.9) and safety (HTP:M=2.1, 95%CI 2.0,2.2; NVP:M=2.0, 95%CI 1.8,2.1). HTP users reported greater perceived addictiveness than NVPs (MD=0.3, 95%CI 0.2,0.6). Conclusions: HTP and NVP users perceived products to be similarly acceptable and effective suggesting that HTPs, like NVPs, may support smoking cessation. However, since HTP use appears to maintain a stronger smoker identity and perceived addiction, this may suggest a more limited role of HTP for a permanent transition away from cigarettes

Astrophysical implications of hypothetical stable TeV-scale black holes

We analyze macroscopic effects of TeV-scale black holes, such as could possibly be produced at the LHC, in what is regarded as an extremely hypothetical scenario in which they are stable and, if trapped inside Earth, begin to accrete matter. We examine a wide variety of TeV-scale gravity scenarios, basing the resulting accretion models on first-principles, basic, and well-tested physical laws. These scenarios fall into two classes, depending on whether accretion could have any macroscopic effect on the Earth at times shorter than the Sun's natural lifetime. We argue that cases with such effect at shorter times than the solar lifetime are ruled out, since in these scenarios black holes produced by cosmic rays impinging on much denser white dwarfs and neutron stars would then catalyze their decay on timescales incompatible with their known lifetimes. We also comment on relevant lifetimes for astronomical objects that capture primordial black holes. In short, this study finds no basis for concerns that TeV-scale black holes from the LHC could pose a risk to Earth on time scales shorter than the Earth's natural lifetime. Indeed, conservative arguments based on detailed calculations and the best-available scientific knowledge, including solid astronomical data, conclude, from multiple perspectives, that there is no risk of any significance whatsoever from such black holes.Comment: Version2: Minor corrections/fixed typos; updated reference