1,720,952 research outputs found
Dynamics of direct X-ray detection processes in high-Z Bi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> nanoparticles-loaded PFO polymer-based diodes
Full text linkSemiconducting polymer based X-ray detectors doped with high-Z nanoparticles hold the promise to combine mechanical flexibility and large-area processing with a high X-ray stopping power and sensitivity. Currently, a lack of understanding of how nanoparticle doping impacts the detector dynamics impedes the optimization of such detectors. Here, we study direct X-ray radiation detectors based on the semiconducting polymer poly(9,9-dioctyfluorene) blended with Bismuth(III)oxide (Bi2O3) nanoparticles (NPs). Pure polymer diodes show a high mobility of 1.3 × 10-5 cm2/V s, a low leakage current of 200 nA/cm2 at -80 V, and a high rectifying factor up to 3 × 105 that allow us to compare the X-ray response of a polymer detector in charge-injection conditions (forward bias) and in charge-collection conditions (reverse bias), together with the impact of NP-loading in the two operation regimes. When operated in reverse bias, the detectors reach the state of the art sensitivity of 24 μC/Gy cm2, providing a fast photoresponse. In forward operation, a slower detection dynamics but improved sensitivity (up to 450 ± 150 nC/Gy) due to conductive gain is observed. High-Z NP doping increases the X-ray absorption, but higher NP loadings lead to a strong reduction of charge-carrier injection and transport due to a strong impact on the semiconductor morphology. Finally, the time response of optimized detectors showed a cut-off frequency up to 200 Hz. Taking advantage of such a fast dynamic response, we demonstrate an X-ray based velocity tracking system.Novel Aerospace Material
Author response
Full text linkTranscription regulation in metazoans often involves promoter-proximal pausing of RNA polymerase (Pol) II, which requires the 4-subunit negative elongation factor (NELF). Here we discern the functional architecture of human NELF through X-ray crystallography, protein crosslinking, biochemical assays, and RNA crosslinking in cells. We identify a NELF core subcomplex formed by conserved regions in subunits NELF-A and NELF-C, and resolve its crystal structure. The NELF-AC subcomplex binds single-stranded nucleic acids in vitro, and NELF-C associates with RNA in vivo. A positively charged face of NELF-AC is involved in RNA binding, whereas the opposite face of the NELF-AC subcomplex binds NELF-B. NELF-B is predicted to form a HEAT repeat fold, also binds RNA in vivo, and anchors the subunit NELF-E, which is confirmed to bind RNA in vivo. These results reveal the three-dimensional architecture and three RNA-binding faces of NELF
2015 Kansas Performance Tests with Soybean Varieties
No full textSoybean performance tests are conductd each year to provide information on the relative performance of new and established varieties and brands at several locations in Kansas. Main Station, Manhattan: Jane Lingenfelser, Assistant Agronomist; William T. Schapaugh, Jr., Professor (Senior Author); Brent Christenson, Research Assistant; Cheyenne Stephens, Research Assistant; Research Centers: Patrick Evans, Colby; Lonnie Mengarelli, Parsons; Monty Spangler, Garden City; Josh Coltrain, Crawford County Extension; Experiment Fields: Eric Adee, Topeka; Gary Cramer, Hutchinson; Andrew Esser, Scandia; James Kimball, Ottawa; Cooperators: Vernon Egbert, McCune; Lance Rezac, Onaga; Dale Roberds, Pittsburg; Clayton Short, Assaria
Chorion laeve accreta - another manifestation of morbid adherence
No full textIntroduction: Smooth muscle in the decidua of fetal membranes (membrane myofibers, MMF) is not mentioned in standard textbooks.
Methods: The current report presents collected observations on 52 patients with MMF at 2 institutions between 2004 and 2017 - including placentas, postpartum curettages, and hysterectomies.
Results: Clinical presentations include observation of adherent membranes during delivery, disrupted and incomplete membranes in placentas submitted for examination, postpartum bleeding associated with retained fetal membranes, association with membrane hematomas and membrane hemosiderin, morbidly adherent fetal membranes in hysterectomies; and association with grossly adherent pieces of tissue or nodules in fetal membranes.
Discussion: Although MMF can be an incidental microscopic observation in a routine placenta, the suggested diagnostic terminology when there are clinical and/or gross presentations is Chorion Laeve Accreta (ChLA). Further study is needed but MMF appears to be the fetal membrane counterpart of BPMF (basal plate myofibers), possibly due to damage of subjacent myometrium by trophoblastic proteases, so that shear stress during delivery causes myofibers to come out attached to the decidua of fetal membranes. Neither the prevalence of MMF, nor its reliability as a marker for placenta accreta is addressed in this collection. Association of MMF with BPMF, and recurrence of MMF, are documented; but the true frequency of these phenomena remains to be established.Peer reviewe
Borough of Point Pleasant Beach, Ocean County, New Jersey strategic recovery planning report
No full textThis Strategic Recovery Planning Report serves as a blueprint to guide the recovery of the Borough of Point Pleasant Beach from the effects of Hurricane Sandy, and to reduce vulnerabilities to future storms. Accordingly, it:
1. Evaluates Hurricane Sandy’s impacts on community features;
2. Addresses conditions that Hurricane Sandy created or exacerbated;
3. Articulates planning goals, strategies, and actions to improve public safety, develop resistance to future storms, and stimulate economic recovery; and,
4. Describes each proposed project at a level of detail that:
– Demonstrates how it relates to the storm’s impacts;
– Explains why it is important to the Borough’s economic and environmental health;
– Lists the major tasks with which it may be associated;
– Includes an estimation of the cost of implementation;
– Identifies potential or actual funding sources; and,
– Provides a timeline for implementation
Bilateral and unilateral arm training improve motor function through differing neuroplastic mechanisms: a single-blinded randomized controlled trial
Full text linkBACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
This randomized controlled trial tests the efficacy of bilateral arm training with rhythmic auditory cueing (BATRAC) versus dose-matched therapeutic exercises (DMTEs) on upper-extremity (UE) function in stroke survivors and uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine effects on cortical reorganization.
METHODS:
A total of 111 adults with chronic UE paresis were randomized to 6 weeks (3×/week) of BATRAC or DMTE. Primary end points of UE assessments of Fugl-Meyer UE Test (FM) and modified Wolf Motor Function Test Time (WT) were performed 6 weeks prior to and at baseline, after training, and 4 months later. Pretraining and posttraining, fMRI for UE movement was evaluated in 17 BATRAC and 21 DMTE participants.
RESULTS:
The improvements in UE function (BATRAC: FM Δ = 1.1 + 0.5, P = .03; WT Δ = -2.6 + 0.8, P < .00; DMTE: FM Δ = 1.9 + 0.4, P < .00; WT Δ = -1.6 + 0.7; P = .04) were comparable between groups and retained after 4 months. Satisfaction was higher after BATRAC than DMTE (P = .003). BATRAC led to significantly higher increase in activation in ipsilesional precentral, anterior cingulate and postcentral gyri, and supplementary motor area and contralesional superior frontal gyrus (P < .05). Activation change in the latter was correlated with improvement in the WMFT (P = .01).
CONCLUSIONS:
BATRAC is not superior to DMTE, but both rehabilitation programs durably improve motor function for individuals with chronic UE hemiparesis and with varied deficit severity. Adaptations in brain activation are greater after BATRAC than DMTE, suggesting that given similar benefits to motor function, these therapies operate through different mechanisms
Township of Lacey strategic recovery planning report
No full textWhen Hurricane Sandy struck the coast of New Jersey on October 29, 2012, it brought extensive damage to Lacey Township from both storm surge and wind damage. Lacey reported that 652 residential properties and more than 1,095 businesses suffered damage. Additionally, the township reported that approximately 175 roadways were flooded, and that electricity and sewer service were disrupted. The township also experienced damage to Bayfront Park, and trees and power lines fell throughout the township.
In response to the impacts faced by Hurricane Sandy, Lacey’s recovery efforts have been extensive. The township: evacuated residents; barricaded roads; removed debris from affected areas; stabilized the shoreline and made temporary repairs at Bayfront Park; fast-tracked variance application procedures for rebuilding on pre-existing, non-confirming lots; and, among other important actions, adopted a reconstruction policy for residential structures.
Though much has been done since Hurricane Sandy, there is still significant work to be done to further promote recovery and resiliency to future storms. This report identifies the vulnerabilities that were exacerbated and the opportunities created by Hurricane Sandy, and outlines a recommended set of actions to guide the township in promoting further recovery and resiliency. Among the actions it recommends are: provision of elevated generators and electric cabinets at pump stations; securing critical sewer and water infrastructure; provision of generators at public schools; partnering with key institutions to develop an emergency shelter for township residents; developing an emergency communications plan; improving communications infrastructure; automating and expediting the processing of building and zoning permits; adopting a master plan element for floodplain management; participating in FEMA’s Community Rating System; and, incorporating the principles of the 2013 Multi-Jurisdictional All Hazard Mitigation Plan into the township’s master plan. The report also recommends the: development of a municipal emergency operations management plan; raising certain buildings above the baseline flood elevation; preserving sensitive lands to maximize stormwater infiltration; developing a municipal GIS system to support future planning efforts; and, implementing permanent shoreline stabilization measures in Forked River Beach
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Author response: CDK9-dependent RNA polymerase II pausing controls transcription initiation
Full text linkGene transcription can be activated by decreasing the duration of RNA polymerase II pausing in the promoter-proximal region, but how this is achieved remains unclear. Here we use a 'multi-omics' approach to demonstrate that the duration of polymerase pausing generally limits the productive frequency of transcription initiation in human cells ('pause-initiation limit'). We further engineer a human cell line to allow for specific and rapid inhibition of the P-TEFb kinase CDK9, which is implicated in polymerase pause release. CDK9 activity decreases the pause duration but also increases the productive initiation frequency. This shows that CDK9 stimulates release of paused polymerase and activates transcription by increasing the number of transcribing polymerases and thus the amount of mRNA synthesized per time. CDK9 activity is also associated with long-range chromatin interactions, suggesting that enhancers can influence the pause-initiation limit to regulate transcription
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