Experimental validation of phase space conduits of transition between potential wells

A phase space boundary between transition and non-transition, similar to those observed in chemical reaction dynamics, is shown experimentally in a macroscopic system. We present a validation of the phase space flux across rank one saddles connecting adjacent potential wells and confirm the underlying phase space conduits that mediate the transition. Experimental regions of transition are found to agree with the theory to within 1\%, suggesting the robustness of phase space conduits of transition in a broad array of two or more degree of freedom experimental systems, despite the presence of small dissipation.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure

Rapid Cloning of Novel Rhesus Adenoviral Vaccine Vectors

ABSTRACT Human and chimpanzee adenovirus vectors are being developed to circumvent preexisting antibodies against common adenovirus vectors such as Ad5. However, baseline immunity to these vectors still exists in human populations. Traditional cloning of new adenovirus vaccine vectors is a long and cumbersome process that takes 2 months or more and that requires rare unique restriction enzyme sites. Here we describe a novel, restriction enzyme-independent method for rapid cloning of new adenovirus vaccine vectors that reduces the total cloning procedure to 1 week. We developed 14 novel adenovirus vectors from rhesus monkeys that can be grown to high titers and that are immunogenic in mice. All vectors grouped with the unusual adenovirus species G and show extremely low seroprevalence in humans. Rapid cloning of novel adenovirus vectors is a promising approach for the development of new vector platforms. Rhesus adenovirus vectors may prove useful for clinical development. IMPORTANCE: To overcome baseline immunity to human and chimpanzee adenovirus vectors, we developed 14 novel adenovirus vectors from rhesus monkeys. These vectors are immunogenic in mice and show extremely low seroprevalence in humans. Rhesus adenovirus vectors may prove useful for clinical development

Numerical study of intrinsic features of isolas in a 2-dof nonlinear system

In the present paper, isolated response curves in a nonlinear system consisting of two masses sliding on a horizontal guide are examined. Transverse springs are attached to one mass to provide the nonlinear restoring force, and a harmonic motion of the complete system is imposed by prescribing the displacement of their supports. Numerical simulations are carried out to study the conditions of existence of isolated solutions, their bifurcations, their merging with the main response branch and their basins of attraction. This is achieved using tools including nonlinear normal modes, energy balance, harmonic balance-based continuation and bifurcation tracking, and global analysis.ERC Starting Grant NoVib 30726