1,262 research outputs found
The Effect of Particle Strength on the Ballistic Resistance of Shear Thickening Fluids
The response of shear thickening fluids (STFs) under ballistic impact has
received considerable attention due to its field-responsive nature. While
efforts have primarily focused on the response of traditional ballistic fabrics
impregnated with fluids, the response of pure STFs to penetration has received
limited attention. In the present study, the ballistic response of pure STFs is
investigated and the effect of fluid density and particle strength on ballistic
performance is isolated. The loss of ballistic resistance of STFs at higher
impact velocities is governed by particle strength, indicating the range of
velocities over which they may provide effective armor solutions.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
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Nucleolar Localization of HIV-1 Rev Is Required, Yet Insufficient for Production of Infectious Viral Particles.
Combination antiretroviral therapy fails in complete suppression of HIV-1 due to drug resistance and persistent latency. Novel therapeutic intervention requires knowledge of intracellular pathways responsible for viral replication, specifically those untargeted by antiretroviral drugs. An understudied phenomenon is the nucleolar localization of Rev phosphoprotein, which completes nucleocytoplasmic transport of unspliced/partially spliced HIV mRNA through multimerization with intronic cis-acting targets-the Rev-response element (RRE). Rev contains a nucleolar localization signal (NoLS) comprising the COOH terminus of the arginine-rich motif for accumulation within nucleoli-speculated as the interaction ground for Rev with cellular proteins mediating mRNA-independent nuclear export and splicing. Functionality of Rev nucleolar access during HIV-1 production and infection was investigated in the context of deletion and single-point mutations within Rev-NoLS. Mutations induced upon Rev-NoLS are hypothesized to inactivate the HIV-1 infectious cycle. HIV-1HXB2 replication ceased with Rev mutations lacking nucleolar access due to loss or replacement of multiple arginine residues. Rev mutations missing single arginine residues remained strictly nucleolar in pattern and participated in proviral production, however, with reduced efficiency. Viral RNA packaging also decreased in efficiency after expression of nucleolar-localizing mutations. These results were observed during propagation of variant HIV-1NL4-3 containing nucleolar-localizing mutations within the viral backbone (M4, M5, and M6). Lentiviral particles produced with Rev single-point mutations were transducible at extremely low frequency. Similarly, HIV-1NL4-3 Rev-NoLS variants lost infectivity, unlike virulent WT (wild type) HIV-1NL4-3. HIV-1NL4-3 variants were capable of CD4+ host entry and reverse transcription as WT HIV-1NL4-3, but lacked ability to complete a full infectious cycle. We currently reveal that viral integration is deregulated in the presence of Rev-NoLS mutations
Dermal fibroblasts from patients with Parkinson’s disease have normal GCase activity and autophagy compared to patients with PD and GBA mutations
Background: Recently, the development of Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been linked to a number of genetic risk factors, of which the most common is glucocerebrosidase (GBA) mutations.
Methods: We investigated PD and Gaucher Disease (GD) patient derived skin fibroblasts using biochemistry assays.
Results: PD patient derived skin fibroblasts have normal glucocerebrosidase (GCase) activity, whilst patients with PD and GBA mutations have a selective deficit in GCase enzyme activity and impaired autophagic flux.
Conclusions: This data suggests that only PD patients with a GBA mutation have altered GCase activity and autophagy, which may explain their more rapid clinical progression.We are grateful to an NIHR award of a Biomedical Research Centre to Addenbrookes Hospital and the University of Cambridge. We are also grateful to the Rosetrees Trust, the WT-MRC Stem Cell Institute and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) fellowship (358492) for the funding for this work
Controlling of Iridium films using interfacial proximity effects
High precision calorimetry using superconducting transition edge sensors
requires the use of superconducting films with a suitable , depending on
the application. To advance high-precision macrocalorimetry, we require
low- films that are easy to fabricate. A simple and effective way to
suppress of superconducting Iridium through the proximity effect is
demonstrated by using Ir/Pt bilayers as well as Au/Ir/Au trilayers. While Ir/Au
films fabricated by applying heat to the substrate during Ir deposition have
been used in the past for superconducting sensors, we present results of
suppression on Iridium by deposition at room temperature in Au/Ir/Au trilayers
and Ir/Pt bilayers in the range of 20-100~mK. Measurements of the
relative impedance between the Ir/Pt bilayers and Au/Ir/Au trilayers fabricated
show factor of 10 higher values in the Ir/Pt case. These new films could
play a key role in the development of scalable superconducting transition edge
sensors that require low- films to minimize heat capacity and maximize
energy resolution, while keeping high-yield fabrication methods.Comment: 5 journal pages, 4 figure
Fusionless surgery in early-onset scoliosis
AbstractBackgroundSurgical treatment of early-onset scoliosis has greatly developed in recent years. Early-onset scoliosis covers a variety of etiologies (idiopathic, neurologic, dystrophic, malformative, etc.) with onset before the age of 5 years. Progression and severity threaten respiratory development and may result in respiratory failure in adulthood. Many surgical techniques have been developed in recent years, aiming to protect spinal and thoracic development.Material and methodsPresent techniques are based on one of two main principles. The first consists in posterior distraction of the spine in its concavity (single growing rod, or vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib [VEPTR]), or on either side (dual rod); this requires iterative surgery, for lengthening, unless motorized using energy provided by a magnetic system. The second option is to use spinal growth force to lengthen the assembly; these techniques (Luque Trolley, Shilla), using a sliding assembly, are known as growth guidance.ResultsThese techniques are effective in controlling early scoliotic deformity, and to some extent restore spinal growth. However, they show a high rate of complications: infection, rod breakage, spinal fixation pull out and, above all, progressive spinal stiffness, reducing long-term efficacy. Respiratory gain is harder to assess, as thoracic expansion does not systematically improve respiratory function, particularly due to impaired compliance of the thoracic cage
A database of RNA profiles comparing susceptible and resistant wheat infected with Fusarium graminearum
Exploring the psychological rewards of a familiar semirural landscape: connecting to local nature through a mindful approach
This study analyses a 53,000 word diary of a year engaging with nature through over 200 trips to a semi-rural landscape. Thematic analysis revealed two themes; the transition from observer to nature connectedness and the ways in which the natural environment was experienced once a connection was made. These themes are discussed in relation to theories that seek to explain the positive effect of nature and nature connectedness. The findings are important as they suggest that repeated engagement with local semi-rural countryside can lead to a mindful approach and psychological rewards that do not require travel into the wilderness. The work informs further research into outcomes and processes of nature based interventions such as: trip frequency, duration and diary keeping
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