A Multiple Scattering Polarized Radiative Transfer Model: Application to HD 189733b

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kopparla, Pushkar; Natraj, Vijay; Zhang, Xi; Swain, Mark R.; Wiktorowicz, Sloane J.; Yung, Yuk L.

2016-01-01

We present a multiple scattering vector radiative transfer model that produces disk integrated, full phase polarized light curves for reflected light from an exoplanetary atmosphere. We validate our model against results from published analytical and computational models and discuss a small number of cases relevant to the existing and possible near-future observations of the exoplanet HD 189733b. HD 189733b is arguably the most well observed exoplanet to date and the only exoplanet to be observed in polarized light, yet it is debated if the planet’s atmosphere is cloudy or clear. We model reflected light from clear atmospheres with Rayleigh scattering, and cloudy or hazy atmospheres with Mie and fractal aggregate particles. We show that clear and cloudy atmospheres have large differences in polarized light as compared to simple flux measurements, though existing observations are insufficient to make this distinction. Futhermore, we show that atmospheres that are spatially inhomogeneous, such as being partially covered by clouds or hazes, exhibit larger contrasts in polarized light when compared to clear atmospheres. This effect can potentially be used to identify patchy clouds in exoplanets. Given a set of full phase polarimetric measurements, this model can constrain the geometric albedo, properties of scattering particles in the atmosphere, and the longitude of the ascending node of the orbit. The model is used to interpret new polarimetric observations of HD 189733b in a companion paper.

Atmospheric optical depth effects on angular anisotropy of plant canopy reflectance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deering, Donald W.; Eck, Thomas F.

1987-01-01

The effects of varying atmospheric aerosol optical depth on the bidirectional reflectance distribution of vegetation canopies is investigated. The reflectance distributions of two pasture grass canopies and one soya bean canopy under different sky irradiance distributions were measured, and the data were analyzed in the visible and IR spectral bands. It is observed that, for the pasture grass canopies, the change in reflectance is due to the percentage of shadowed area viewed by the sensor, and for the soya bean, the specular reflection effect and increased diffuse irradiance penetration into the canopy cause reflectance changes. It is detected that the reflectivity for the soya bean canopy on a hazy day is lower than on a clear day; however, the opposite change is observed for the pasture grass. It is also detected that the normalized difference vegetation index values differ under clear and hazy conditions for the same vegetation canopy conditions.

Different types of dietary advice for women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Han, Shanshan; Middleton, Philippa; Shepherd, Emily; Van Ryswyk, Emer; Crowther, Caroline A

2017-02-25

Dietary advice is the main strategy for managing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). It remains unclear what type of advice is best. To assess the effects of different types of dietary advice for women with GDM for improving health outcomes for women and babies. We searched Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth's Trials Register (8 March 2016), PSANZ's Trials Registry (22 March 2016) and reference lists of retrieved studies. Randomised controlled trials comparing the effects of different types of dietary advice for women with GDM. Two authors independently assessed study eligibility, risk of bias, and extracted data. Evidence quality for two comparisons was assessed using GRADE, for primary outcomes for the mother: hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; caesarean section; type 2 diabetes mellitus; and child: large-for-gestational age; perinatal mortality; neonatal mortality or morbidity composite; neurosensory disability; secondary outcomes for the mother: induction of labour; perineal trauma; postnatal depression; postnatal weight retention or return to pre-pregnancy weight; and child: hypoglycaemia; childhood/adulthood adiposity; childhood/adulthood type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this update, we included 19 trials randomising 1398 women with GDM, at an overall unclear to moderate risk of bias (10 comparisons). For outcomes assessed using GRADE, downgrading was based on study limitations, imprecision and inconsistency. Where no findings are reported below for primary outcomes or pre-specified GRADE outcomes, no data were provided by included trials. Primary outcomes Low-moderate glycaemic index (GI) versus moderate-high GI diet (four trials): no clear differences observed for: large-for-gestational age (risk ratio (RR) 0.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22 to 2.34; two trials, 89 infants; low-quality evidence); severe hypertension or pre-eclampsia (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.07 to 15.86; one trial, 95 women; very low-quality evidence); eclampsia (RR 0.34, 95% CI 0.01 to 8.14; one trial, 83 women; very low-quality evidence) or caesarean section (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.29 to 1.47; one trial, 63 women; low-quality evidence). Energy-restricted versus no energy-restricted diet (three trials): no clear differences seen for: large-for-gestational age (RR 1.17, 95% CI 0.65 to 2.12; one trial, 123 infants; low-quality evidence); perinatal mortality (no events; two trials, 423 infants; low-quality evidence); pre-eclampsia (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.51 to 1.97; one trial, 117 women; low-quality evidence); or caesarean section (RR 1.12, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.56; two trials, 420 women; low-quality evidence). DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet versus control diet (three trials): no clear differences observed for: pre-eclampsia (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.31 to 3.26; three trials, 136 women); however there were fewer caesarean sections in the DASH diet group (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.76; two trials, 86 women). Low-carbohydrate versus high-carbohydrate diet (two trials): no clear differences seen for: large-for-gestational age (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.13 to 1.95; one trial, 149 infants); perinatal mortality (RR 3.00, 95% CI 0.12 to 72.49; one trial, 150 infants); maternal hypertension (RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.13 to 1.22; one trial, 150 women); or caesarean section (RR 1.29, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.99; two trials, 179 women). High unsaturated fat versus low unsaturated fat diet (two trials): no clear differences observed for: large-for-gestational age (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.21 to 1.37; one trial, 27 infants); pre-eclampsia (no cases; one trial, 27 women); hypertension in pregnancy (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.06 to 5.26; one trial, 27 women); caesarean section (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.07 to 15.50; one trial, 27 women); diabetes at one to two weeks (RR 2.00, 95% CI 0.45 to 8.94; one trial, 24 women) or four to 13 months postpartum (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.10 to 9.61; one trial, six women). Low-GI versus high-fibre moderate-GI diet (one trial): no clear differences seen for: large-for-gestational age (RR 2.87, 95% CI 0.61 to 13.50; 92 infants); caesarean section (RR 1.91, 95% CI 0.91 to 4.03; 92 women); or type 2 diabetes at three months postpartum (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.11 to 5.01; 58 women). Diet recommendation plus diet-related behavioural advice versus diet recommendation only (one trial): no clear differences observed for: large-for-gestational age (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.25 to 2.14; 99 infants); or caesarean section (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.62; 99 women). Soy protein-enriched versus no soy protein diet (one trial): no clear differences seen for: pre-eclampsia (RR 2.00, 95% CI 0.19 to 21.03; 68 women); or caesarean section (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.77; 68 women). High-fibre versus standard-fibre diet (one trial): no primary outcomes reported. Ethnic-specific versus standard healthy diet (one trial): no clear differences observed for: large-for-gestational age (RR 0.14, 95% CI 0.01 to 2.45; 20 infants); neonatal composite adverse outcome (no events; 20 infants); gestational hypertension (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.02 to 7.32; 20 women); or caesarean birth (RR 1.20, 95% CI 0.54 to 2.67; 20 women). Secondary outcomes For secondary outcomes assessed using GRADE no differences were observed: between a low-moderate and moderate-high GI diet for induction of labour (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.33 to 2.34; one trial, 63 women; low-quality evidence); or an energy-restricted and no energy-restricted diet for induction of labour (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.53; one trial, 114 women, low-quality evidence) and neonatal hypoglycaemia (average RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.48 to 2.32; two trials, 408 infants; very low-quality evidence).Few other clear differences were observed for reported outcomes. Longer-term health outcomes and health services use and costs were largely not reported. Evidence from 19 trials assessing different types of dietary advice for women with GDM suggests no clear differences for primary outcomes and secondary outcomes assessed using GRADE, except for a possible reduction in caesarean section for women receiving a DASH diet compared with a control diet. Few differences were observed for secondary outcomes.Current evidence is limited by the small number of trials in each comparison, small sample sizes, and variable methodological quality. More evidence is needed to assess the effects of different types of dietary advice for women with GDM. Future trials should be adequately powered to evaluate short- and long-term outcomes.

Advances in a study of sky quality for astronomical observations in Colombia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

González-Díaz, D.; Pinzón, G.

2015-10-01

The aim of this study is to determine the sky quality in Colombia for astronomical observations in the optic. About 10,000 images in infrared (6.7 mu m and 10.7 mu m) were analyzed from the GOES meteorological satellites in three night times taken during a period of five years (2008 to 2014). A novel methodology was followed to determine how clear or covered was the sky in a given image. Meteorological data also were used from the weather stations network of the national meteorological institute, IDEAM. A correlation between threshold temperature and altitude was found for a historical data series of about 30 years. The results of the average percentage of nights with clear skies per year or clear sky fraction (CSF) were validated with the reports on the number of hours of astronomical observation from the logbooks of Llano del Hato Observatory in Merida-Venezuela, obtaining a cumulative percentage difference during the five years less than 10%. Annual cloud covering was computed over the whole country and it was classified the nights as clear or usable based on the definition of a quality factor.

Quantifying the clear-sky bias of satellite-derived infrared LST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ermida, S. L.; Trigo, I. F.; DaCamara, C.

2017-12-01

Land surface temperature (LST) is one of the most relevant parameters when addressing the physical processes that take place at the surface of the Earth. Satellite data are particularly appropriate for measuring LST over the globe with high temporal resolution. Remote-sensed LST estimation from space-borne sensors has been systematically performed over the Globe for nearly 3 decades and geostationary LST climate data records are now available. The retrieval of LST from satellite observations generally relies on measurements in the thermal infrared (IR) window. Although there is a large number of IR sensors on-board geostationary satellites and polar orbiters suitable for LST retrievals with different temporal and spatial resolutions, the use of IR observations limits LST estimates to clear sky conditions. As a consequence, climate studies based on IR LST are likely to be affected by the restriction of LST data to cloudless conditions. However, such "clear sky bias" has never been quantified and, therefore, the actual impact of relying only on clear sky data is still to be determined. On the other hand, an "all-weather" global LST database may be set up based on passive microwave (MW) measurements which are much less affected by clouds. An 8-year record of all-weather MW LST is here used to quantify the clear-sky bias of IR LST at global scale based on MW observations performed by the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) onboard NASA's Aqua satellite. Selection of clear-sky and cloudy pixels is based on information derived from measurements performed by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on-board the same satellite.

Observation of the spectrally invariant properties of clouds in cloudy-to-clear transition zones during the MAGIC field campaign

DOE PAGES

Yang, Weidong; Marshak, Alexander; McBride, Patrick J.; ...

2016-08-11

We use the spectrally invariant method to study the variability of cloud optical thickness τ and droplet effective radius r eff in transition zones (between the cloudy and clear sky columns) observed from Solar Spectral Flux Radiometer (SSFR) and Shortwave Array Spectroradiometer-Zenith (SASZe) during the Marine ARM GPCI Investigation of Clouds (MAGIC) field campaign. The measurements from the SSFR and the SASZe are different, however inter-instrument differences of self-normalized measurements (divided by their own spectra at a fixed time) are small. The spectrally invariant method approximates the spectra in the cloud transition zone as a linear combination of definitely clearmore » and cloudy spectra, where the coefficients, slope and intercept, characterize the spectrally invariant properties of the transition zone. Simulation results from the SBDART (Santa Barbara DISORT Atmospheric Radiative Transfer) model demonstrate that (1) the slope of the visible band is positively correlated with the cloud optical thickness τ while the intercept of the near-infrared band has high negative correlation with the cloud drop effective radius r eff even without the exact knowledge of τ; (2) the above relations hold for all Solar Zenith Angle (SZA) and for cloud-contaminated skies. In observations using redundant measurements from SSFR and SASZe, we find that during cloudy-to-clear transitions, (a) the slopes of the visible band decrease, and (b) the intercepts of the near-infrared band remain almost constant near cloud edges. The findings in simulations and observations suggest that, while the optical thickness decreases during the cloudy-to-clear transition, the cloud drop effective radius does not change when cloud edges are approached. Furthermore, these results support the hypothesis that inhomogeneous mixing dominates near cloud edges in the studied cases.« less

Delayed echolalia in autism: some observations on differences within the term.

PubMed

Dyer, C; Hadden, A J

1981-01-01

Attention has recently focused on the need to build up a corpus of case observations relating to the function of delayed echolalia in various handicapping conditions but especially in early childhood autism. This present article offers six functional categories as an aid to clear reporting of observation and, thus clarification of this little-understood facet of deviant language development.

Evaluation of three different rotary systems during endodontic retreatment - Analysis by scanning electron microscopy

PubMed Central

Vidal, Flávia-Teixeira; Nunes, Eduardo; Horta, Martinho-Campolina-Rebello; Freitas, Maria-Rita-Lopes-da Silva

2016-01-01

Background Endodontic therapy is considered a series of important and interdependent steps, and failure of any of these steps may compromise the treatment outcome. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of three different rotary systems in removing obturation materials during endodontic retreatment using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Material and Methods Thirty-six endodontically treated teeth were selected and divided into 3 groups of 10 and 1 control group with 6 dental elements. The groups were divided according to the rotary system used for removing gutta-percha, as follows: G1: ProTaper system; G2: K3 system; G3: Mtwo system; and G4: Control group. Thereafter, the roots were split and the sections were observed under SEM, for analysis and counting of clear dentinal tubules, creating the variable “degree of dentinal tubule patency” (0: intensely clear; 1: moderately clear; 2: slightly clear; 3: completely blocked). The data were subjected to the Friedman and Kruskal-Wallis statistical tests. Results No differences were observed in the “degree of dentinal tubule patency” neither between the root thirds (to each evaluated group) nor between the groups (to each evaluated third). Nevertheless, when the three root thirds were grouped (providing evaluation of all root extension), the “degree of dentinal tubule patency” was lower in G1 than in G3 (p<0.05), but showed no differences neither between G1 and G2 nor G2 and G3. Conclusions No technique was able to completely remove the canal obturation material, despite G1 having shown better results, although without significant difference to G2 Key words:Scanning electron microscopy, NiTi, retreatment. PMID:27034750

Weekly variability of surface CO concentrations in Moscow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sitnov, S. A.; Adiks, T. G.

2014-03-01

Based on observations of carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations at three Mosekomonitoring stations, we have analyzed the weekly cycle of CO in the surface air of Moscow in 2004-2007. At all stations the minimum long-term mean daily CO values are observed on Sunday. The weekly cycle of CO more clearly manifests itself at the center of Moscow and becomes less clear closer to the outskirts. We have analyzed the reproducibility of the weekly cycle of CO from one year to another, the seasonal dependence, its specific features at different times of day, and the changes in the diurnal cycle of CO during the week. The factors responsible for specific features of the evolution of surface CO concentrations at different observation stations have been analyzed. The empirical probability density functions of CO concentrations on weekdays and at week- end are presented. The regularity of the occurrence of the weekend effect in CO has been investigated and the possible reasons for breaks in weekly cycles have been analyzed. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to study the statistical significance of intraweek differences in surface CO contents.

Comparison of Radiative Energy Flows in Observational Datasets and Climate Modeling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raschke, Ehrhard; Kinne, Stefan; Rossow, William B.; Stackhouse, Paul W. Jr.; Wild, Martin

2016-01-01

This study examines radiative flux distributions and local spread of values from three major observational datasets (CERES, ISCCP, and SRB) and compares them with results from climate modeling (CMIP3). Examinations of the spread and differences also differentiate among contributions from cloudy and clear-sky conditions. The spread among observational datasets is in large part caused by noncloud ancillary data. Average differences of at least 10Wm(exp -2) each for clear-sky downward solar, upward solar, and upward infrared fluxes at the surface demonstrate via spatial difference patterns major differences in assumptions for atmospheric aerosol, solar surface albedo and surface temperature, and/or emittance in observational datasets. At the top of the atmosphere (TOA), observational datasets are less influenced by the ancillary data errors than at the surface. Comparisons of spatial radiative flux distributions at the TOA between observations and climate modeling indicate large deficiencies in the strength and distribution of model-simulated cloud radiative effects. Differences are largest for lower-altitude clouds over low-latitude oceans. Global modeling simulates stronger cloud radiative effects (CRE) by +30Wmexp -2) over trade wind cumulus regions, yet smaller CRE by about -30Wm(exp -2) over (smaller in area) stratocumulus regions. At the surface, climate modeling simulates on average about 15Wm(exp -2) smaller radiative net flux imbalances, as if climate modeling underestimates latent heat release (and precipitation). Relative to observational datasets, simulated surface net fluxes are particularly lower over oceanic trade wind regions (where global modeling tends to overestimate the radiative impact of clouds). Still, with the uncertainty in noncloud ancillary data, observational data do not establish a reliable reference.

Nanodiamond in Colloidal Suspension: Electrophoresis; Other Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meshik, A. P.; Pravdivtseva, O. V.; Hohenberg, C. M.

2002-01-01

Selective laser extraction has demonstrated that meteoritic diamonds may consist of subpopulations with different optical absorption properties, but it is not clear what makes them optically different. More work is needed to understand the mechanism for selective laser extraction. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Particulate contamination from siliconized rubber closures for freeze drying.

PubMed

Gebhardt, U; Grumbridge, N A; Knoch, A

1996-01-01

It can be shown that siliconized closures for freeze drying may cause the opalescence and turbidity observed in freeze-dried products after reconstitution. Closures of different rubber composition show different intensities of turbidity when treated identically with the same quantity and type of silicone oil. Clear solutions are obtained after reconstitution if ETFE-coated closures are used instead of siliconized closures. Samples stored at 4 degrees C for up to 6 months show no change in the intensity of turbidity, while the turbidity of samples manufactured with siliconized closures and stored at higher temperatures increase with time. Samples with ETFE-coated closures show clear solutions when stored at 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C for up to 6 months and at 45 degrees C for 3 months. After 6 months only a very weak opalescence could be observed in these samples.

Bio-Friendly Alternatives for Xylene – Carrot oil, Olive oil, Pine oil, Rose oil

PubMed Central

Nandan, Surapaneni Rateesh Kumar; Kulkarni, Pavan G.; Rao, Thokala Madhusudan; Palakurthy, Pavan

2015-01-01

Background Xylene is a flammable liquid with characteristic petroleum or aromatic odours, it is miscible with most of the organic solvents and paraffin wax. Xylene clears tissues rapidly and renders transparency, facilitating clearing endpoint determination, this made it to be used as a clearing agent in routine histopathological techniques. Even though it is a good clearing agent, it causes damage to the tissues by its hardening effect particularly those fixed in non-protein coagulant fixatives. Apart from these tissue effects, it has severe, long lasting ill effects on health of technicians and pathologists when exposed to longer duration. Hence in order to overcome these effects and replace xylene with a safe alternative agent, the present study was carried out to assess the clearing ability and bio-friendly nature of four different natural oils i.e., Carrot oil, Olive oil, Pine oil and Rose oil in comparison with that of Xylene. According to Bernoulli’s principle of fluid dynamics, to decrease viscosity of these oils and increase penetration into tissues for rapid clearing hot-air oven technique was used. Aims To assess:1) Clearing ability and bio-friendly nature of four different oils i.e., Carrot oil, Olive oil, Pine oil, Rose oil in comparison with that of xylene, 2) Application of Bernoulli’s principle of fluid dynamics in rapid clearing of tissues by using hot-air oven. Materials and Methods Forty different formalin fixed tissue samples were taken. Each sample of tissue was cut into 5 bits (40x5=200 total bits) which were subjected for dehydration in differential alcohol gradients. Later, each bit is kept in 4 different oils such as Carrot oil, Olive oil, Pine oil, Rose oil and xylene and transferred into hot-air oven. Further routine steps of processing, sectioning and staining were done. Individual sections cleared in four different oils were assessed for cellular architecture, staining quality and a comparison was done between them. Results Results showed that all the four oils had ability to clear the tissues similar to that of xylene. Pine oil was superior in its physical and clearing properties, which also maintained good cellular architecture and distinct staining quality, when compared with other oils and xylene. Conclusion Carrot oil, Olive oil, Pine oil, Rose oil, are not only bio friendly and economical but can also be used as clearing agent instead of xylene. In this study stability and longetivity of haematoxyllin and eosin staining was evaluated for over a period of one year and no significant difference in staining quality were observed. PMID:26673687

Morphology of the scattering targets: Fresnel and turbulent mechanisms, part 2.1A

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Royrvik, O.

1984-01-01

Refractive index fluctuations cause coherent scattering and reflection of VHF radio waves from the clear air in the altitude region between 0 and approximately 90 km. Similar echoes from the stratosphere/troposphere and the mesosphere are observed at UHF and MF/HF frequencies, respectively. The nature of the refractive index fluctuations has been studied for many years without producing a clear consensus on what mechanism causes them. It is believed that the irregularities can originate from two different mechanisms: turbulent mixing of the gradient of refractive index, and stable horizontally stratified laminae of sharp gradients in the refractive index. In order to explain observations of volume dependence and aspect sensitivity of the echo power in the MST region, a diversity of submechanisms has been proposed. They include isotropic and anisotropic turbulent scattering, Fresnel scattering and reflection, and diffuse reflection. Isotropic turbulent scattering is believed to cause a majority of the clear air echoes observed by MST radars. The mechanism requires active turbulence mixing of a preexisting gradient in the refractive index profile.

[Macular thickness measured by optical coherence tomography in pseudoaphakic eyes with clear vs yellow implant].

PubMed

Chamorro, E; Bonnin-Arias, C; Pérez-Carrasco, M J; Alvarez-Rementería, L; Villa-Collar, C; Armadá-Maresca, F; Sánchez-Ramos, C

2014-04-01

To study the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT), for measuring the macular thickness variations produced over time in elderly pseudophakic subjects implanted with a clear intraocular lens (IOL) in one eye, and a yellow IOL in the other eye. Macular thickness measurements were obtained in the 36 eyes of 18 subjects over 65 years, with cataracts surgically removed from both eyes and implanted with different absorbance (clear and yellow) IOLs in 2 separate surgeries. Stratus-OCT was used to determine the macular thickness in 2 sessions with 5 years of difference. After 5 years of follow-up, the eyes implanted with clear IOLs revealed a significant decrease in macular thickness. However, in eyes implanted with yellow IOLs the macular thickness remained stable. The mean overall decrease in macular thickness in eyes implanted with clear IOLs was 5 ± 8 μm (P=.02), and foveal thickness reduction was 10 ± 17 μm (P=.02). The macular thickness changes produced in eyes implanted with a yellow IOL differ from those with a clear IOL. These observation point to a possible protective effect of yellow IOL against the harmful effects of light in elderly pseudophakic subjects. However, studies with a longer follow-up are still needed to confirm that the protection provided by this IOL model is clinically significant. Copyright © 2010 Sociedad Española de Oftalmología. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Parallel Observations with Three Superconducting Gravity Sensors During 2014-2015 at Metsähovi Geodetic Research Station, Finland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Virtanen, Heikki; Raja-Halli, Arttu

2017-11-01

The new dual-sphere superconducting gravimeter (SG) OSG-073 was installed at Metsähovi Geodetic Fundamental Station in Southern Finland in February 2014. Its two gravity sensors (N6 and N7) are side by side, not one on top of the other as in other earlier dual-sensor installations. The old SG T020 has been recording continuously since 1994-2016. This instrument is situated in the same room at a distance of 3 m from the dual-sphere SG. T020 observed simultaneously for 1 year with N6 and for 15 months with N7. The gravity signals observed by N6 and N7 are very similar, except for the initial exponential drift. We have calculated the power spectral density to compare the noise level of these instruments with other low noise SGs. In this paper we present the observed differences in the gravity time series of T020 and OSG-073, induced by local hydrology. We have observed a clear 10-20 nms-2 difference in the seasonal gravity variations of OSG-073 and T020. We have found clear gravity differences due to transient effect of heavy precipitation. In addition, we compare the remote effect on gravity due to variations in the Baltic Sea level and total water storage in Finland to the observed gravity signal. We also present modeling results of gravity variations due to local hydrology.

Study on Diagnosing Three Dimensional Cloud Region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, M., Jr.; Zhou, Y., Sr.

2017-12-01

Cloud mask and relative humidity (RH) provided by Cloudsat products from 2007 to 2008 are statistical analyzed to get RH Threshold between cloud and clear sky and its variation with height. A diagnosis method is proposed based on reanalysis data and applied to three-dimensional cloud field diagnosis of a real case. Diagnostic cloud field was compared to satellite, radar and other cloud precipitation observation. Main results are as follows. 1.Cloud region where cloud mask is bigger than 20 has a good space and time corresponding to the high value relative humidity region, which is provide by ECWMF AUX product. Statistical analysis of the RH frequency distribution within and outside cloud indicated that, distribution of RH in cloud at different height range shows single peak type, and the peak is near a RH value of 100%. Local atmospheric environment affects the RH distribution outside cloud, which leads to TH distribution vary in different region or different height. 2. RH threshold and its vertical distribution used for cloud diagnostic was analyzed from Threat Score method. The method is applied to a three dimension cloud diagnosis case study based on NCEP reanalysis data and th diagnostic cloud field is compared to satellite, radar and cloud precipitation observation on ground. It is found that, RH gradient is very big around cloud region and diagnosed cloud area by RH threshold method is relatively stable. Diagnostic cloud area has a good corresponding to updraft region. The cloud and clear sky distribution corresponds to satellite the TBB observations overall. Diagnostic cloud depth, or sum cloud layers distribution consists with optical thickness and precipitation on ground better. The cloud vertical profile reveals the relation between cloud vertical structure and weather system clearly. Diagnostic cloud distribution correspond to cloud observations on ground very well. 3. The method is improved by changing the vertical interval from altitude to temperature. The result shows that, the five factors , including TS score for clear sky, empty forecast, missed forecast, and especially TS score for cloud region and the accurate rate increased obviously. So, the RH threshold and its vertical distribution with temperature is better than with altitude. More tests and comparision should be done to assess the diagnosis method.

Epigenetic analysis leads to identification of HNF1B as a subtype-specific susceptibility gene for ovarian cancer

PubMed Central

Shen, Hui; Fridley, Brooke L.; Song, Honglin; Lawrenson, Kate; Cunningham, Julie M.; Ramus, Susan J.; Cicek, Mine S.; Tyrer, Jonathan; Stram, Douglas; Larson, Melissa C.; Köbel, Martin; Ziogas, Argyrios; Zheng, Wei; Yang, Hannah P.; Wu, Anna H.; Wozniak, Eva L.; Woo, Yin Ling; Winterhoff, Boris; Wik, Elisabeth; Whittemore, Alice S.; Wentzensen, Nicolas; Weber, Rachel Palmieri; Vitonis, Allison F.; Vincent, Daniel; Vierkant, Robert A.; Vergote, Ignace; Van Den Berg, David; Van Altena, Anne M.; Tworoger, Shelley S.; Thompson, Pamela J.; Tessier, Daniel C.; Terry, Kathryn L.; Teo, Soo-Hwang; Templeman, Claire; Stram, Daniel O.; Southey, Melissa C.; Sieh, Weiva; Siddiqui, Nadeem; Shvetsov, Yurii B.; Shu, Xiao-Ou; Shridhar, Viji; Wang-Gohrke, Shan; Severi, Gianluca; Schwaab, Ira; Salvesen, Helga B.; Rzepecka, Iwona K.; Runnebaum, Ingo B.; Rossing, Mary Anne; Rodriguez-Rodriguez, Lorna; Risch, Harvey A.; Renner, Stefan P.; Poole, Elizabeth M.; Pike, Malcolm C.; Phelan, Catherine M.; Pelttari, Liisa M.; Pejovic, Tanja; Paul, James; Orlow, Irene; Omar, Siti Zawiah; Olson, Sara H.; Odunsi, Kunle; Nickels, Stefan; Nevanlinna, Heli; Ness, Roberta B.; Narod, Steven A.; Nakanishi, Toru; Moysich, Kirsten B.; Monteiro, Alvaro N.A.; Moes-Sosnowska, Joanna; Modugno, Francesmary; Menon, Usha; McLaughlin, John R.; McGuire, Valerie; Matsuo, Keitaro; Adenan, Noor Azmi Mat; Massuger, Leon F.A. G.; Lurie, Galina; Lundvall, Lene; Lubiński, Jan; Lissowska, Jolanta; Levine, Douglas A.; Leminen, Arto; Lee, Alice W.; Le, Nhu D.; Lambrechts, Sandrina; Lambrechts, Diether; Kupryjanczyk, Jolanta; Krakstad, Camilla; Konecny, Gottfried E.; Kjaer, Susanne Krüger; Kiemeney, Lambertus A.; Kelemen, Linda E.; Keeney, Gary L.; Karlan, Beth Y.; Karevan, Rod; Kalli, Kimberly R.; Kajiyama, Hiroaki; Ji, Bu-Tian; Jensen, Allan; Jakubowska, Anna; Iversen, Edwin; Hosono, Satoyo; Høgdall, Claus K.; Høgdall, Estrid; Hoatlin, Maureen; Hillemanns, Peter; Heitz, Florian; Hein, Rebecca; Harter, Philipp; Halle, Mari K.; Hall, Per; Gronwald, Jacek; Gore, Martin; Goodman, Marc T.; Giles, Graham G.; Gentry-Maharaj, Aleksandra; Garcia-Closas, Montserrat; Flanagan, James M.; Fasching, Peter A.; Ekici, Arif B.; Edwards, Robert; Eccles, Diana; Easton, Douglas F.; Dürst, Matthias; du Bois, Andreas; Dörk, Thilo; Doherty, Jennifer A.; Despierre, Evelyn; Dansonka-Mieszkowska, Agnieszka; Cybulski, Cezary; Cramer, Daniel W.; Cook, Linda S.; Chen, Xiaoqing; Charbonneau, Bridget; Chang-Claude, Jenny; Campbell, Ian; Butzow, Ralf; Bunker, Clareann H.; Brueggmann, Doerthe; Brown, Robert; Brooks-Wilson, Angela; Brinton, Louise A.; Bogdanova, Natalia; Block, Matthew S.; Benjamin, Elizabeth; Beesley, Jonathan; Beckmann, Matthias W.; Bandera, Elisa V.; Baglietto, Laura; Bacot, François; Armasu, Sebastian M.; Antonenkova, Natalia; Anton-Culver, Hoda; Aben, Katja K.; Liang, Dong; Wu, Xifeng; Lu, Karen; Hildebrandt, Michelle A.T.; Schildkraut, Joellen M.; Sellers, Thomas A.; Huntsman, David; Berchuck, Andrew; Chenevix-Trench, Georgia; Gayther, Simon A.; Pharoah, Paul D.P.; Laird, Peter W.; Goode, Ellen L.; Pearce, Celeste Leigh

2013-01-01

HNF1B is overexpressed in clear cell epithelial ovarian cancer, and we observed epigenetic silencing in serous epithelial ovarian cancer, leading us to hypothesize that variation in this gene differentially associates with epithelial ovarian cancer risk according to histological subtype. Here we comprehensively map variation in HNF1B with respect to epithelial ovarian cancer risk and analyse DNA methylation and expression profiles across histological subtypes. Different single-nucleotide polymorphisms associate with invasive serous (rs7405776 odds ratio (OR) = 1.13, P = 3.1 × 10−10) and clear cell (rs11651755 OR = 0.77, P = 1.6 × 10−8) epithelial ovarian cancer. Risk alleles for the serous subtype associate with higher HNF1B-promoter methylation in these tumours. Unmethylated, expressed HNF1B, primarily present in clear cell tumours, coincides with a CpG island methylator phenotype affecting numerous other promoters throughout the genome. Different variants in HNF1B associate with risk of serous and clear cell epithelial ovarian cancer; DNA methylation and expression patterns are also notably distinct between these subtypes. These findings underscore distinct mechanisms driving different epithelial ovarian cancer histological subtypes. PMID:23535649

Microscopic and ultrastructural changes of Müller's muscle in patients with simple congenital ptosis.

PubMed

Alshehri, Mohammed D; Al-Fakey, Yasser H; Alkhalidi, Hisham M; Mubark, Mohamed A; Alsuhaibani, Adel H

2014-01-01

To study microscopic and ultrastructural changes of Müller's muscle in patients with isolated congenital ptosis. In this prospective, observational case-control study, Müller's muscle specimens were collected during ptosis surgical correction for 18 consecutive patients. Each specimen was divided into 2 parts. One part was embedded in formalin for light microscopy, and the other one was fixed in 3% glutaraldehyde for electron microscopy. A neuropathologist, serving as a masked evaluator, blindly reviewed all the different features for every case and counted the number of myocytes showing distinct myofilaments in the whole grid for every case. Statistical analysis using compare means and correlation tests was conducted to investigate potential associations and/or differences within and across groups. Twelve Müller's muscle specimens from patients with simple congenital ptosis of various severities and 6 specimens from patients with aponeurotic ptosis (controls) were collected and studied. Under light microscopy, congenital ptosis slides showed a small number of dispersed myocytes in a fibrotic background, whereas acquired ptosis slides showed a greater number of well-defined myocytes. Under electron microscopy, all congenital ptosis specimens had only a very small number of myocytes with clear, distinct myofilaments. Most myocytes in the aponeurotic ptosis group showed clear, distinct myofilaments, indicating a well-preserved muscle. No relationship existed between the number of clear, distinct myofilaments observed in the congenital ptosis group by transmission electron microscopy and patient age or ptosis severity. Substantial Müller's muscle atrophy was observed in patients with different severities of isolated congenital ptosis.

Influence of flaps and engines on aircraft wake vortices

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1974-09-01

Although pervious investigations have shown that the nature of aircraft wake vortices depends on the aircraft type and flap configuration, the causes for these differences have not been clearly identified. In this Note we show that observed differenc...

Effects of land clearing techniques and tillage systems on runoff and soil erosion in a tropical rain forest in Nigeria.

PubMed

Ehigiator, O A; Anyata, B U

2011-11-01

This work reports runoff and soil loss from each of 14 sub-watersheds in a secondary rain forest in south-western Nigeria. The impact of methods of land clearing and post-clearing management on runoff and soil erosion under the secondary forest is evaluated. These data were acquired eighteen years after the deforestation of primary vegetation during the ' West bank' project of the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA). These data are presented separately for each season; however, statistical analyses for replicates were not conducted due to differences in their past management. Soil erosion was affected by land clearing and tillage methods. The maximum soil erosion was observed on sub-watersheds that were mechanically cleared with tree-pusher/root-rake attachments and tilled conventionally. A high rate of erosion was observed even when graded-channel terraces were constructed to minimize soil erosion. In general there was much less soil erosion on manually cleared than on mechanically cleared sub-watersheds (2.5 t ha(-1) yr(-1) versus 13.8 t ha(-1) yr(-1)) and from the application of no-tillage methods than from conventionally plowed areas (6.5 t ha(-1) yr(-1) versus 12.1 t ha(-1) yr(-1)). The data indicate that tillage methods and appropriate management of soils and crops play an important role in soil and water conservation and in decreasing the rate of decline of soil quality. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Growth of electronically distinct manganite thin films by modulating cation stoichiometry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ryu, Sangkyun; Lee, Joonhyuk; Ahn, Eunyoung

Nd 1-xSr xMnO 3 (NSMO) is a well-known manganite due to close connection between structure, transport, magnetism, and chemistry. Thus, it would be an ideal system to study modification of physical properties by external stimuli including control of stoichiometry in growth. In this work, we show that abrupt change of electronic and magnetic properties can be achieved by subtle change of oxygen partial pressure in pulsed laser deposition. Interestingly, the pressure indeed modulates cation stoichiometry. We clearly observed that the films grown at 150 mTorr and higher showed clear insulator to metal transition and stronger magnetism, commonly found in lessmore » hole doping, while the films grown at 130 mTorr and lower showed insulating behavior and weak magnetism. From soft x-ray spectroscopic methods, we clearly observed the compositional difference in those thin films. This result is further supported by scattering of lighter elements in high oxygen partial pressure but not by anion deficiency in growth.« less

Growth of electronically distinct manganite thin films by modulating cation stoichiometry

DOE PAGES

Ryu, Sangkyun; Lee, Joonhyuk; Ahn, Eunyoung; ...

2017-06-26

Nd 1-xSr xMnO 3 (NSMO) is a well-known manganite due to close connection between structure, transport, magnetism, and chemistry. Thus, it would be an ideal system to study modification of physical properties by external stimuli including control of stoichiometry in growth. In this work, we show that abrupt change of electronic and magnetic properties can be achieved by subtle change of oxygen partial pressure in pulsed laser deposition. Interestingly, the pressure indeed modulates cation stoichiometry. We clearly observed that the films grown at 150 mTorr and higher showed clear insulator to metal transition and stronger magnetism, commonly found in lessmore » hole doping, while the films grown at 130 mTorr and lower showed insulating behavior and weak magnetism. From soft x-ray spectroscopic methods, we clearly observed the compositional difference in those thin films. This result is further supported by scattering of lighter elements in high oxygen partial pressure but not by anion deficiency in growth.« less

Spectral and diurnal variations in clear sky planetary albedo

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Briegleb, B.; Ramanathan, V.

1982-01-01

Spectral and diurnal variations in the clear sky planetary albedo of the earth are calculated using a radiative transfer model to obtain January and July values for a 5 deg x 5 deg global grid. The model employs observed climatological values of temperatures, humidities, snow and sea-ice cover. The diurnal cycle of clear sky albedo is calculated in the following intervals: 0.2-0.5, 0.5-0.7, and 0.7-4 microns. Observed ozone distribution is specified as a function of latitude and season. The 0.2-0.5 micron spectral albedo is 10-20% higher than the total albedo for all latitudes because of Rayleigh scattering; the 0.5-0.7 micron albedo differs from the total albedo by 1-2% for most latitudes, while the 0.7-4 micron albedo is 5-10% lower than the total because of strong atmospheric absorption. Planetary albedo decreases from morning to local noon, with diurnal variations being particularly strong over water.

New gridded database of clear-sky solar radiation derived from ground-based observations over Europe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bartok, Blanka; Wild, Martin; Sanchez-Lorenzo, Arturo; Hakuba, Maria Z.

2017-04-01

Since aerosols modify the entire energy balance of the climate system through different processes, assessments regarding aerosol multiannual variability are highly required by the climate modelling community. Because of the scarcity of long-term direct aerosol measurements, the retrieval of aerosol data/information from other type of observations or satellite measurements are very relevant. One approach frequently used in the literature is analyze of the clear-sky solar radiation which offer a better overview of changes in aerosol content. In the study first two empirical methods are elaborated in order to separate clear-sky situations from observed values of surface solar radiation available at the World Radiation Data Center (WRDC), St. Petersburg. The daily data has been checked for temporal homogeneity by applying the MASH method (Szentimrey, 2003). In the first approach, clear sky situations are detected based on clearness index, namely the ratio of the surface solar radiation to the extraterrestrial solar irradiation. In the second approach the observed values of surface solar radiation are compared to the climatology of clear-sky surface solar radiation calculated by the MAGIC radiation code (Muller et al. 2009). In both approaches the clear-sky radiation values highly depend on the applied thresholds. In order to eliminate this methodological error a verification of clear-sky detection is envisaged through a comparison with the values obtained by a high time resolution clear-sky detection and interpolation algorithm (Long and Ackermann, 2000) making use of the high quality data from the Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN). As the consequences clear-sky data series are obtained for 118 European meteorological stations. Next a first attempt has been done in order to interpolate the point-wise clear-sky radiation data by applying the MISH (Meteorological Interpolation based on Surface Homogenized Data Basis) method for the spatial interpolation of surface meteorological elements developed at the Hungarian Meteorological Service (Szentimrey 2007). In this way new gridded database of clear-sky solar radiation is created suitable for further investigations regarding the role of aerosols in the energy budget, and also for validations of climate model outputs. References 1. Long CN, Ackerman TP. 2000. Identification of clear skies from broadband pyranometer measurements and calculation of downwelling shortwave cloud effects, J. Geophys. Res., 105(D12), 15609-15626, doi:10.1029/2000JD900077. 2. Mueller R, Matsoukas C, Gratzki A, Behr H, Hollmann R. 2009. The CM-SAF operational scheme for the satellite based retrieval of solar surface irradiance - a LUT based eigenvector hybrid approach, Remote Sensing of Environment, 113 (5), 1012-1024, doi:10.1016/j.rse.2009. 01.012 3. Szentimrey T. 2014. Multiple Analysis of Series for Homogenization (MASHv3.03), Hungarian Meteorological Service, https://www.met.hu/en/omsz/rendezvenyek/homogenization_and_interpolation/software/ 4. Szentimrey T. Bihari Z. 2014: Meteorological Interpolation based on Surface Homogenized Data Basis (MISHv1.03) https://www.met.hu/en/omsz/rendezvenyek/homogenization_and_interpolation/software/

Evaluation of Himawari-8 surface downwelling solar radiation by ground-based measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Damiani, Alessandro; Irie, Hitoshi; Horio, Takashi; Takamura, Tamio; Khatri, Pradeep; Takenaka, Hideaki; Nagao, Takashi; Nakajima, Takashi Y.; Cordero, Raul R.

2018-04-01

Observations from the new Japanese geostationary satellite Himawari-8 permit quasi-real-time estimation of global shortwave radiation at an unprecedented temporal resolution. However, accurate comparisons with ground-truthing observations are essential to assess their uncertainty. In this study, we evaluated the Himawari-8 global radiation product AMATERASS using observations recorded at four SKYNET stations in Japan and, for certain analyses, from the surface network of the Japanese Meteorological Agency in 2016. We found that the spatiotemporal variability of the satellite estimates was smaller than that of the ground observations; variability decreased with increases in the time step and spatial domain. Cloud variability was the main source of uncertainty in the satellite radiation estimates, followed by direct effects caused by aerosols and bright albedo. Under all-sky conditions, good agreement was found between satellite and ground-based data, with a mean bias in the range of 20-30 W m-2 (i.e., AMATERASS overestimated ground observations) and a root mean square error (RMSE) of approximately 70-80 W m-2. However, results depended on the time step used in the validation exercise, on the spatial domain, and on the different climatological regions. In particular, the validation performed at 2.5 min showed largest deviations and RMSE values ranging from about 110 W m-2 for the mainland to a maximum of 150 W m-2 in the subtropical region. We also detected a limited overestimation in the number of clear-sky episodes, particularly at the pixel level. Overall, satellite-based estimates were higher under overcast conditions, whereas frequent episodes of cloud-induced enhanced surface radiation (i.e., measured radiation was greater than expected clear-sky radiation) tended to reduce this difference. Finally, the total mean bias was approximately 10-15 W m-2 under clear-sky conditions, mainly because of overall instantaneous direct aerosol forcing efficiency in the range of 120-150 W m-2 per unit of aerosol optical depth (AOD). A seasonal anticorrelation between AOD and global radiation differences was evident at all stations and was also observed within the diurnal cycle.

Optical properties of mouse brain tissue after optical clearing with FocusClear™

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moy, Austin J.; Capulong, Bernard V.; Saager, Rolf B.; Wiersma, Matthew P.; Lo, Patrick C.; Durkin, Anthony J.; Choi, Bernard

2015-09-01

Fluorescence microscopy is commonly used to investigate disease progression in biological tissues. Biological tissues, however, are strongly scattering in the visible wavelengths, limiting the application of fluorescence microscopy to superficial (<200 μm) regions. Optical clearing, which involves incubation of the tissue in a chemical bath, reduces the optical scattering in tissue, resulting in increased tissue transparency and optical imaging depth. The goal of this study was to determine the time- and wavelength-resolved dynamics of the optical scattering properties of rodent brain after optical clearing with FocusClear™. Light transmittance and reflectance of 1-mm mouse brain sections were measured using an integrating sphere before and after optical clearing and the inverse adding doubling algorithm used to determine tissue optical scattering. The degree of optical clearing was quantified by calculating the optical clearing potential (OCP), and the effects of differing OCP were demonstrated using the optical histology method, which combines tissue optical clearing with optical imaging to visualize the microvasculature. We observed increased tissue transparency with longer optical clearing time and an analogous increase in OCP. Furthermore, OCP did not vary substantially between 400 and 1000 nm for increasing optical clearing durations, suggesting that optical histology can improve ex vivo visualization of several fluorescent probes.

Ultrasonographic findings of placenta lacunae and a lack of a clear zone in cases with placenta previa and normal placenta.

PubMed

Hamada, Shoko; Hasegawa, Junichi; Nakamura, Masamitsu; Matsuoka, Ryu; Ichizuka, Kiyotake; Sekizawa, Akihiko; Okai, Takashi

2011-11-01

To evaluate whether the frequencies of placenta lacunae and lack of a clear zone are higher in cases of placenta previa compared with those without it. Ultrasonographic findings just before delivery, including placenta lacunae and lack of a clear zone were prospectively evaluated in consecutive subjects. After collection, a case-control study with 1:5 matched pairs was conducted. The frequencies of ultrasonographic findings were analyzed in cases with placenta previa and normal placenta. Seventy cases with placenta previa and 350 cases with normal placentas were observed. Five and zero cases with abnormal placental adherence were observed in cases with placenta previa and normal placenta, respectively. Lack of a clear zone was observed in 60 and 1.5% of cases with and without the placental adherence (p = 0.001). Placenta lacunae and lack of a clear zone were observed in 31.4 and 9.7% of cases with and without placenta previa [odds ratio (OR) 4.2]. Lack of a clear zone was observed in 5.7 and 0.9% of cases with and without placenta previa (OR 7.0). Placenta lacunae and lack of a clear zone are frequently observed in placenta previa even when there is no adherence of the placenta. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Organic horizon and mineral soil mercury along three clear-cut forest chronosequences across the northeastern USA.

PubMed

Richardson, Justin B; Petrenko, Chelsea L; Friedland, Andrew J

2017-12-01

Mercury (Hg) is a globally distributed pollutant trace metal that has been increasing in terrestrial environments due to rising anthropogenic emissions. Vegetation plays an important role in Hg sequestration in forested environments, but increasing tree removal for biofuels and wood products may affect this process. The long-term effect of clear-cutting on forest soil Hg remains uncertain, since most studies are limited to measuring changes for < 10 years following a single harvest event. The chronosequence approach, which substitutes space for time using forest stands of different ages since clear-cutting, allows for investigation of processes occurring over decades to centuries. Here, we utilized three clear-cut forest soil chronosequences across the northeastern USA to understand Hg accumulation and retention over several decades. Total Hg concentrations and pools were quantified for five soil depth increments along three chronosequences. Our results showed Hg concentrations and pools decreased in the initial 20 years following clear-cutting. Mineral soil Hg pools decreased 21-53% (7-14 mg m -2 ) between 1-5-year-old stands and 15-25-year-old stands but mineral soil Hg pools recovered in 55-140-year-old stands to similar values as measured in 1-5-year-old stands. Our study is one of the first to demonstrate a decrease and recovery in Hg pool size. These changes in Hg did not correspond with changes in bulk density, soil C, or pH. We utilized a simple two-box model to determine how different Hg fluxes affected organic and mineral soil horizon Hg pools. Our simple model suggests that changes in litterfall and volatilization rates could have caused the observed changes in organic horizon Hg pools. However, only increases in leaching could reproduce observed decreases to mineral soil Hg pools. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanism of Hg loss from forest soils following clear-cutting.

Dual channel photoplethysmography studies of cardio-vascular response to the body position changes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erts, R.; Kukulis, I.; Spigulis, J.; Kere, L.

2005-08-01

The dual-channel photoplethysmography studies of physiological responses during 3-stage orthostatic test were performed. Clear differences in heartbeat rate, pulse wave transit time and blood pressure variations of healthy volunteers and diabetic patients have been observed.

Ferroelectric and multiferroic domain imaging by Laser-induced photoemission microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoefer, Anke; Fechner, Michael; Duncker, Klaus; Mertig, Ingrid; Widdra, Wolf

2013-03-01

The ferroelectric as well as multiferroic surface domain structures of BaTiO3(001) and BiFeO3(001) are imaged based on photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) by femtosecond laser threshold excitation under UHV conditions. For well-prepared BaTiO3(001), three ferroelectric domain types are clearly discriminable due to work function differences. At room temperature, the surface domains resemble the known ferroelectric domain structure of the bulk. Upon heating above the Curie point of 400 K, the specific surface domain pattern remains up to 500 K. Ab-initio calculations explain this observation by a remaining tetragonal distortion of the topmost unit cells stabilized by a surface relaxation. The (001) surface of the single-phase multiferroic BiFeO3 which is ferroelectric and antiferromagnetic, shows clear ferroelectric work function contrast in PEEM. Additionally, the multiferroic domains show significant linear dichroism. The observation of a varying dichroism for different ferroelectric domains can be explained based on the coupled ferroelectric-antiferromagnetic order in BiFeO3. It demonstrates multiferroic imaging of different domain types within a single, lab-based experiment.

A galactic microquasar mimicking winged radio galaxies.

PubMed

Martí, Josep; Luque-Escamilla, Pedro L; Bosch-Ramon, Valentí; Paredes, Josep M

2017-11-24

A subclass of extragalactic radio sources known as winged radio galaxies has puzzled astronomers for many years. The wing features are detected at radio wavelengths as low-surface-brightness radio lobes that are clearly misaligned with respect to the main lobe axis. Different models compete to account for these peculiar structures. Here, we report observational evidence that the parsec-scale radio jets in the Galactic microquasar GRS 1758-258 give rise to a Z-shaped radio emission strongly reminiscent of the X and Z-shaped morphologies found in winged radio galaxies. This is the first time that such extended emission features are observed in a microquasar, providing a new analogy for its extragalactic relatives. From our observations, we can clearly favour the hydrodynamic backflow interpretation against other possible wing formation scenarios. Assuming that physical processes are similar, we can extrapolate this conclusion and suggest that this mechanism could also be at work in many extragalactic cases.

Evaluation of microtensile bond strength of different fissure sealants to bovine enamel.

PubMed

Sen Tunc, E; Bayrak, S; Tuloglu, N; Ertas, E

2012-03-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of a new fissure sealant and compare it with conventional sealants which are applied to enamel alone, and also with self-etch and etch-and-rinse adhesives. Enamel specimens were prepared and randomly distributed into three groups according to fissure sealant (Aegis, Helioseal F, Helioseal Clear). Each group was then subdivided according to adhesive system (Clearfil S3, Single Bond, no adhesive). A universal testing machine was used to measure μTBS, and data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests. μTBS values for all Aegis subgroups were significantly lower than for comparable Helioseal F and Helioseal Clear subgroups (p < 0.05). No differences were observed in μTBS of Helioseal F and Helioseal Clear (p > 0.05). In the Helioseal Clear group, μTBS values for Single Bond were significantly higher than for Clearfil S3 (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found between the μTBS values of the adhesive subgroups in the Aegis or Helioseal F groups (p > 0.05). Sealant μTBS values may be affected by material content. The addition of an adhesive may improve μTBS values of sealant to enamel. © 2012 Australian Dental Association.

Effects of selective forest clearing fertilization, and liming on the hydrology and water quality of a small tributary to the Quabbin Reservoir, central Massachusetts

USGS Publications Warehouse

Shanley, J.B.; Strause, J.L.; Risley, J.C.

1995-01-01

Effects of selective forest clearing on water yield and water quality were investigated in a 308-hectare basin that drains to Quabbin Reservoir Watershed in central Massachusetts. The experimental basin and a nearby 280-hectare control basin were studied together for comparison. Streamflow was measured continuously and water-quality samples were collected biweekly in both basins from February 1985 through September 1989. During the same period, measurements of precipitation quantity and ground- water levels were made and samples were collected for determination of precipitation and ground-water quality. After an initial monitoring period to establish baseline hydrology and water quality in both basins, an area of red pine and white pine forest in the experimental basin was cleared. From October 1986 until April 1987, 23.8 percent of the total basal area was removed by clearcutting and thinning. Part of the cleared area was converted to rye and other field grasses, and the remainder was allowed to regrow naturally. Fertilizer and lime were applied to part of the cleared area. An additional 8.3 percent of basal area was cleared in fall 1988. Despite differences in bedrock geology, topography, and amount of wetland area, pre- treatment hydrology and chemistry of the two basins were similar. Biogeochemical reactions of the dilute mixture of sulfuric and nitric acids in precipitation with soils and rocks in the basins resulted in moderately buffered calcium-magnesium bicarbonate-type streamwater. During high flows, sulfate concentrations increased and alkalinity decreased. Selective forest clearing resulted in a slight increase in water yield during the year in which the clearing took place, particularly during the spring high-flow period, but flows returned to normal thereafter. Concurrent increases in solute flux were primarily a function of the increased water flux. No major alterations to biogeochemical processes were induced by the forest clearing, nor were any effects from the fertilizer or liming activity observed. The minimal effect observed from the clearing was attributed primarily to the limited area that was cleared, and the location of the cleared area in the headwaters of the basin (away from the riparian zone).

Skull optical clearing for assessing to cerebral hemodynamics with high contrast and resolution (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Dan

2017-03-01

The tissue optical clearing technique could significantly enhance the biomedical optical imaging depth, but current investigations are mainly limited to in vitro studies. In vivo tissue optical clearing method should be enough rapid, transparent and safe, which makes it more difficult, especially, for hard tissue. During the past years, we developed skull optical clearing methods for in vivo cortical imaging. This presentation will report recent progress in skull optical clearing method, including their efficacy, safety, and applications. The skull optical clearing method is proved to be effective for adult mice ages in different month and permit various imaging techniques to monitor cortical blood flow, blood oxygen, and vascular with high resolution and contrast, not only for local cortex, but also for whole cortex. The long-term and short-term observation show that there is no obvious effect on cortical vascular function when laser speckle contrast imaging and hyperspectral imaging are used to repeatedly image the cortical blood flow, blood oxygen. Finally, we will demonstrate some applications for physiological or pathological situation, including monitoring the anoxia, drug-induced cortical response, et al.

Representativeness Uncertainty in Chemical Data Assimilation Highlight Mixing Barriers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lary, David John

2003-01-01

When performing chemical data assimilation the observational, representativeness, and theoretical uncertainties have very different characteristics. In this study we have accurately characterized the representativeness uncertainty by studying the probability distribution function (PDF) of the observations. The average deviation has been used as a measure of the width of the PDF and of the variability (representativeness uncertainty) for the grid cell. It turns out that for long-lived tracers such as N2O and CH4 the representativeness uncertainty is markedly different from the observational uncertainty and clearly delineates mixing barriers such as the polar vortex edge, the tropical pipe and the tropopause.

Long-term effects of rainforest disturbance on the nutrient composition of throughfall, organic layer percolate and soil solution at Mt. Kilimanjaro.

PubMed

Schrumpf, Marion; Axmacher, Jan C; Zech, Wolfgang; Lehmann, Johannes; Lyaruu, Herbert V C

2007-04-15

At the lower parts of the forest belt at Mt. Kilimanjaro, selective logging has led to a mosaic of mature forest, old secondary forests ( approximately 60 years), and old clearings ( approximately 10 years) covered by shrub vegetation. These variations in the vegetation are reflected by differences in nutrient leaching from the canopy and in both amount and quality of litter reaching the ground, thereby also influencing mineralization rates and the composition of seepage water in litter percolate and soil solution. The aim of this study was to investigate how above- and belowground nutrient dynamics vary between regeneration stages, and if forest regeneration at the clearings is hampered by a deterioration of abiotic site conditions. K, Mg, Ca, Na and N compounds were analysed in rainfall, throughfall, organic layer percolate and the soil solution to a depth of 1.00 m at three clearings, three secondary forest and four mature forest sites. Element fluxes via throughfall showed only small variations among regeneration stages except for K and NO(3)-N. With 57-83 kg ha(-1) a(-1)and 2.6-4.1 kg ha(-1) a(-1) respectively, K and NO(3)-N fluxes via throughfall were significantly higher at the clearings than at the mature forest sites (32-37 and 0.7-1.0 kg ha(-1) a(-1) for K and NO(3)-N). In organic layer percolate and in soil solution at 0.15-m soil depth, concentrations of K, Mg, Ca and N were highest at the clearings. In the organic layer percolate, median K concentrations were e.g. 7.4 mg l(-1) for the clearings but only 1.4 mg l(-1) for the mature forests, and for NO(3)-N, median concentrations were 3.1 mg l(-1) for the clearings but only 0.92 mg l(-1) for the mature forest sites. Still, differences in annual means between clearings and mature forests were not always significant due to a high variability within the clearings. With the exception of NO(3)-N, belowground nutrient concentrations in secondary forests ranged between concentrations in mature forests and clearings. Vegetation type-specific differences decreased with increasing soil depths in the soil solution. Overall, the opening of the forest led to a higher spatial and seasonal variation of nutrient concentrations in the seepage water. These results suggest differences in both mineralization rates and in nutrient budgeting at different regeneration stages. Since nutrient availability was highest at the clearings and no compaction of the soil was observed, deterioration of soil properties did not seem to be the main reason for the impeded regeneration on the clearings.

Characterization of histological subtypes of clear cell renal cell carcinoma using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).

PubMed

Reimann, R; Rübenthaler, J; Hristova, P; Staehler, M; Reiser, M; Clevert, D A

2015-10-16

The aim of this study was to analyze the histological subtypes of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) examined by means of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and a second generation blood pool agent (SonoVue®, Bracco, Milan, Italy) during the pre-operative phase. 29 patients with histologically proven subtypes of clear cell RCC were examined. A total of three patients were diagnosed with highly differentiated clear cell RCC, 21 out of 29 cases with moderately differentiated clear cell RCC and five out of 29 patients had insufficiently differentiated clear cell RCC. An experienced radiologist examined the patients with CEUS. The following parameters were analyzed: maximum signal intensity (PEAK), time elapsed until PEAK is reached (MTT), local blood flow (RBF), area under the time intensity curve (AUC) and the signal intensity (SI) during the course of time. For the groups all comparisons are made based on healthy renal parenchyma. In the clear cell RCC significant differences (significance level p < 0.05) between cancerous tissue and the healthy renal parenchyma were noticed in all four parameters. Therefore, the clear cell RCC stands out due to its reduced blood volume. However, it reached the PEAK reading relatively rapidly and its signal intensity was always lower than that of the healthy renal parenchyma. In the arterial phase retarded absorption of the contrast agent was observed, followed by fast washing out of the contrast agent bubbles.In all three histological subgroups no significant differences were noticed in PEAK and SI. However, the diagrams showed the possible bias, that the group of the insufficiently differentiated clear cell RCC had the highest PEAK-value and the highest signal intensity when compared with highly and moderately differentiated clear cell RCC. Our study suggests that CEUS may be an additional tool for non-invasive characterisation and differentiation of the three histological subtypes of clear cell RCC. Furthermore, it seems to have an additional diagnostic value in daily clinical.

Cheyletiella dermatitis.

PubMed

Powell, R F; Palmer, S M; Palmer, C H; Smith, E B

1977-10-01

A mild dermatitis probably due to Cheyletiella yasguri was observed in 2 persons whose pet dog was infested with this parasite. Cheyletiella mites differ morphologically from sarcoptic mites, which cause canine and human scabies. Treatment of man and dog with 1% gamma benzene hexachloride is usually successful in clearing this condition.

Effects of Vacancy Concentration and Temperature on Mechanical Properties of Single-Crystal γ-TiAl Based on Molecular Dynamics Simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruicheng, Feng; Hui, Cao; Haiyan, Li; Zhiyuan, Rui; Changfeng, Yan

2018-01-01

Molecular dynamics simulation is used to analyze tensile strength and elastic modulus under different temperatures and vacancy concentrations. The effects of temperature and vacancy concentration on the mechanical properties of γ-TiAl alloy are investigated. The results show that the ultimate stress, ultimate strain and elastic modulus decrease nonlinearly with increasing temperature and vacancy concentration. As the temperature increases, the plastic of material is reinforced. The influence of temperature on strength and elastic modulus is larger than that of vacancy concentration. The evolution process of vacancy could be observed clearly. Furthermore, vacancies with different concentrations develop into voids first as a function of external forces or other factors, micro cracks evolve from those voids, those micro cracks then converge to a macro crack, and fracture will finally occur. The vacancy evolution process cannot be observed clearly owing to the thermal motion of atoms at high temperature. In addition, potential energy is affected by both temperature and vacancy concentration.

Optical clearing of articular cartilage: a comparison of clearing agents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bykov, Alexander; Hautala, Tapio; Kinnunen, Matti; Popov, Alexey; Karhula, Sakari; Saarakkala, Simo; Nieminen, Miika T.; Tuchin, Valery

2015-07-01

Optical clearing technique was applied to the problem of OCT imaging of articular cartilage and subchondral bone. We show that optical clearing significantly enhances visualization of articular cartilage and cartilage-bone interface. The effect of different clearing agents was analyzed. For the clearing, iohexol solution and propylene glycol (PG) were used. Clearing was performed in vitro at room temperature by immersion method. Cylindrical osteochondral samples (d=4.8mm) were drilled from bovine lateral femur and stored in phosphate-buffered saline at -20°C until clearing. Monitoring of clearing process was performed using high-speed spectral-domain OCT system providing axial resolution of 5.8μm at 930nm. Total duration of experiment was 90-100min to ensure saturation of clearing. We have shown that iohexol solution and PG are capable to optically clear articular cartilage enabling reliable characterization of cartilagebone interface with OCT. Being a low osmolarity agent, iohexol provides minimal changes to the thickness of cartilage sample. Clearing saturation time for the cartilage sample with the thickness of 0.9 mm measured with OCT is of 50 min. However, less than 15 min is enough to reliably detect the rear cartilage boundary. Alternatively, PG significantly (60%) reduces the cartilage thickness enabling better visualization of subchondral bone. It was observed that PG has higher clearing rate. The clearing saturation time is of 30 min, however less than 5 min is enough to detect cartilage-bone interface. We conclude that iohexol solution is superior for OCT imaging of cartilage and cartilage-bone interface, while PG suits better for subhondral bone visualization.

Impact of aerosols and clouds on decadal trends in all-sky solar radiation over the Netherlands (1966-2015)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boers, Reinout; Brandsma, Theo; Pier Siebesma, A.

2017-07-01

A 50-year hourly data set of global shortwave radiation, cloudiness and visibility over the Netherlands was used to quantify the contribution of aerosols and clouds to the trend in yearly-averaged all-sky radiation (1.81 ± 1.07 W m-2 decade-1). Yearly-averaged clear-sky and cloud-base radiation data show large year-to-year fluctuations caused by yearly changes in the occurrence of clear and cloudy periods and cannot be used for trend analysis. Therefore, proxy clear-sky and cloud-base radiations were computed. In a proxy analysis hourly radiation data falling within a fractional cloudiness value are fitted by monotonic increasing functions of solar zenith angle and summed over all zenith angles occurring in a single year to produce an average. Stable trends can then be computed from the proxy radiation data. A functional expression is derived whereby the trend in proxy all-sky radiation is a linear combination of trends in fractional cloudiness, proxy clear-sky radiation and proxy cloud-base radiation. Trends (per decade) in fractional cloudiness, proxy clear-sky and proxy cloud-base radiation were, respectively, 0.0097 ± 0.0062, 2.78 ± 0.50 and 3.43 ± 1.17 W m-2. To add up to the all-sky radiation the three trends have weight factors, namely the difference between the mean cloud-base and clear-sky radiation, the clear-sky fraction and the fractional cloudiness, respectively. Our analysis clearly demonstrates that all three components contribute significantly to the observed trend in all-sky radiation. Radiative transfer calculations using the aerosol optical thickness derived from visibility observations indicate that aerosol-radiation interaction (ARI) is a strong candidate to explain the upward trend in the clear-sky radiation. Aerosol-cloud interaction (ACI) may have some impact on cloud-base radiation, but it is suggested that decadal changes in cloud thickness and synoptic-scale changes in cloud amount also play an important role.

Consumption rate of some proteinic diets affecting hypopharyngeal glands development in honeybee workers

PubMed Central

Al-Ghamdi, Ahmad AlKazim; Al-Khaibari, Abeer M.; Omar, Mohamed O.

2010-01-01

The experiment was carried out under laboratory condition to study the consumption of some proteinic diets and their effect on hypopharyngeal glands (HPG) development during nursing period. The results showed that the bee bread and the pollen loads mixture with sugar (1:1) were more consumed by honeybee workers followed by Nectapol® and Yeast-Gluten mixture. The lowest consumption amount was recorded with traditional substitute. Clear differences were found in HPG development under feeding with different diets. The maximum development degree was observed when fed with bee bread followed by pollen loads and mixture from Yeast, Gluten and sugar (1:1:2). The acinal surface of HPG showed clear difference under feeding with difference diets. The largest area was recorded when honeybee workers fed on bee bread followed by Yeast-Gluten-sugar mixture (diet,4) and pollen loads(diet,2). PMID:23961106

Premature ovarian insufficiency in young girls: repercussions on uterine volume and bone mineral density.

PubMed

Bakhsh, Hanadi; Dei, Metella; Bucciantini, Sandra; Balzi, Daniela; Bruni, Vincenzina

2015-01-01

To evaluate biological differences among young subjects with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) commencing at different stages of life. Retrospective observational study. Careggi University Hospital Participants: One hundred sixty-two females aged between 15 and 29 years with premature ovarian insufficiency. Data were collected as a retrospective chart review of baseline evaluation at diagnosis of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). About 162 participants were divided into four groups based on gynecological age. Two primary outcome variables (uterine development and bone mineral density (BMD)) were analyzed in terms of differences among groups and in a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Uterine development was clearly jeopardized when estrogen insufficiency started at a very young age. Total body BMD showed significant differences among the four groups studied, clearly corresponding to the duration of ovarian function. Data were discussed in relation to the choice of hormone replacement therapy regimens.

A Method for Assessing the Quality of Model-Based Estimates of Ground Temperature and Atmospheric Moisture Using Satellite Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, Man Li C.; Schubert, Siegfried; Lin, Ching I.; Stajner, Ivanka; Einaudi, Franco (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

A method is developed for validating model-based estimates of atmospheric moisture and ground temperature using satellite data. The approach relates errors in estimates of clear-sky longwave fluxes at the top of the Earth-atmosphere system to errors in geophysical parameters. The fluxes include clear-sky outgoing longwave radiation (CLR) and radiative flux in the window region between 8 and 12 microns (RadWn). The approach capitalizes on the availability of satellite estimates of CLR and RadWn and other auxiliary satellite data, and multiple global four-dimensional data assimilation (4-DDA) products. The basic methodology employs off-line forward radiative transfer calculations to generate synthetic clear-sky longwave fluxes from two different 4-DDA data sets. Simple linear regression is used to relate the clear-sky longwave flux discrepancies to discrepancies in ground temperature ((delta)T(sub g)) and broad-layer integrated atmospheric precipitable water ((delta)pw). The slopes of the regression lines define sensitivity parameters which can be exploited to help interpret mismatches between satellite observations and model-based estimates of clear-sky longwave fluxes. For illustration we analyze the discrepancies in the clear-sky longwave fluxes between an early implementation of the Goddard Earth Observing System Data Assimilation System (GEOS2) and a recent operational version of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts data assimilation system. The analysis of the synthetic clear-sky flux data shows that simple linear regression employing (delta)T(sub g)) and broad layer (delta)pw provides a good approximation to the full radiative transfer calculations, typically explaining more thin 90% of the 6 hourly variance in the flux differences. These simple regression relations can be inverted to "retrieve" the errors in the geophysical parameters, Uncertainties (normalized by standard deviation) in the monthly mean retrieved parameters range from 7% for (delta)T(sub g) to approx. 20% for the lower tropospheric moisture between 500 hPa and surface. The regression relationships developed from the synthetic flux data, together with CLR and RadWn observed with the Clouds and Earth Radiant Energy System instrument, ire used to assess the quality of the GEOS2 T(sub g) and pw. Results showed that the GEOS2 T(sub g) is too cold over land, and pw in upper layers is too high over the tropical oceans and too low in the lower atmosphere.

Attribution of spring snow water equivalent (SWE) changes over the northern hemisphere to anthropogenic effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeong, Dae Il; Sushama, Laxmi; Naveed Khaliq, M.

2017-06-01

Snow is an important component of the cryosphere and it has a direct and important influence on water storage and supply in snowmelt-dominated regions. This study evaluates the temporal evolution of snow water equivalent (SWE) for the February-April spring period using the GlobSnow observation dataset for the 1980-2012 period. The analysis is performed for different regions of hemispherical to sub-continental scales for the Northern Hemisphere. The detection-attribution analysis is then performed to demonstrate anthropogenic and natural effects on spring SWE changes for different regions, by comparing observations with six CMIP5 model simulations for three different external forcings: all major anthropogenic and natural (ALL) forcings, greenhouse gas (GHG) forcing only, and natural forcing only. The observed spring SWE generally displays a decreasing trend, due to increasing spring temperatures. However, it exhibits a remarkable increasing trend for the southern parts of East Eurasia. The six CMIP5 models with ALL forcings reproduce well the observed spring SWE decreases at the hemispherical scale and continental scales, whereas important differences are noted for smaller regions such as southern and northern parts of East Eurasia and northern part of North America. The effects of ALL and GHG forcings are clearly detected for the spring SWE decline at the hemispherical scale, based on multi-model ensemble signals. The effects of ALL and GHG forcings, however, are less clear for the smaller regions or with single-model signals, indicating the large uncertainty in regional SWE changes, possibly due to stronger influence of natural climate variability.

Sunshine duration and global radiation trends in Italy (1959-2013): To what extent do they agree?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manara, V.; Brunetti, M.; Maugeri, M.; Sanchez-Lorenzo, A.; Wild, M.

2017-04-01

Two Italian homogenized data sets of sunshine duration (SD) and global radiation (Eg↓) relative anomalies are used to investigate to what extent these two variables agree with respect to their temporal evolution. They are compared for northern and southern Italy over the period 1959-2013. Both under all-sky and clear-sky conditions, the SD records tend to show a shorter and less intense decrease until the 1980s ("global dimming") with respect to the Eg↓ ones, while there is a better agreement in the subsequent period when both variables increase ("brightening period"). To investigate whether such behavior can be explained by a different sensitivity of SD and Eg↓ to atmospheric turbidity variations, the observed clear-sky trends are compared to those estimated by a model based both on Lambert-Beer's law and on a simple estimation of diffuse radiation. Results show that most of the differences observed in the trends of the clear-sky SD and Eg↓ records can be explained considering a realistic pattern of atmospheric turbidity in the 1959-2013 period. The only exception concerns winter and autumn in northern Italy where clear-sky SD does not decrease in the dimming period as much as it would be expected on the basis of the corresponding increase in atmospheric turbidity. One reason for this discrepancy could be the influence of other variables like relative humidity. This case study highlights that changes in atmospheric turbidity have to be kept in mind when SD is used to investigate the multidecadal evolution of Eg↓.

A Model and Satellite-Based Analysis of the Tropospheric Ozone Distribution in Clear Versus Convectively Cloudy Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strode, Sarah A.; Douglass, Anne R.; Ziemke, Jerald R.; Manyin, Michael; Nielsen, J. Eric; Oman, Luke D.

2017-01-01

Satellite observations of in-cloud ozone concentrations from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument and Microwave Limb Sounder instruments show substantial differences from background ozone concentrations. We develop a method for comparing a free-running chemistry-climate model (CCM) to in-cloud and background ozone observations using a simple criterion based on cloud fraction to separate cloudy and clear-sky days. We demonstrate that the CCM simulates key features of the in-cloud versus background ozone differences and of the geographic distribution of in-cloud ozone. Since the agreement is not dependent on matching the meteorological conditions of a specific day, this is a promising method for diagnosing how accurately CCMs represent the relationships between ozone and clouds, including the lower ozone concentrations shown by in-cloud satellite observations. Since clouds are associated with convection as well as changes in chemistry, we diagnose the tendency of tropical ozone at 400 hPa due to chemistry, convection and turbulence, and large-scale dynamics. While convection acts to reduce ozone concentrations at 400 hPa throughout much of the tropics, it has the opposite effect over highly polluted regions of South and East Asia.

Enhancing weak transient signals in SEVIRI false color imagery: Application to dust source detection in southern Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murray, J. E.; Brindley, H. E.; Bryant, R. G.; Russell, J. E.; Jenkins, K. F.; Washington, R.

2016-09-01

A method is described to significantly enhance the signature of dust events using observations from the Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager (SEVIRI). The approach involves the derivation of a composite clear-sky signal for selected channels on an individual time step and pixel basis. These composite signals are subtracted from each observation in the relevant channels to enhance weak transient signals associated with either (a) low levels of dust emission or (b) dust emissions with high salt or low quartz content. Different channel combinations, of the differenced data from the steps above, are then rendered in false color imagery for the purpose of improved identification of dust source locations and activity. We have applied this clear-sky difference (CSD) algorithm over three (globally significant) source regions in southern Africa: the Makgadikgadi Basin, Etosha Pan, and the Namibian and western South African coast. Case study analyses indicate three notable advantages associated with the CSD approach over established image rendering methods: (i) an improved ability to detect dust plumes, (ii) the observation of source activation earlier in the diurnal cycle, and (iii) an improved ability to resolve and pinpoint dust plume source locations.

Direct observation of dopant distribution in GaAs compound semiconductors using phase-shifting electron holography and Lorentz microscopy.

PubMed

Sasaki, Hirokazu; Otomo, Shinya; Minato, Ryuichiro; Yamamoto, Kazuo; Hirayama, Tsukasa

2014-06-01

Phase-shifting electron holography and Lorentz microscopy were used to map dopant distributions in GaAs compound semiconductors with step-like dopant concentration. Transmission electron microscope specimens were prepared using a triple beam focused ion beam (FIB) system, which combines a Ga ion beam, a scanning electron microscope, and an Ar ion beam to remove the FIB damaged layers. The p-n junctions were clearly observed in both under-focused and over-focused Lorentz microscopy images. A phase image was obtained by using a phase-shifting reconstruction method to simultaneously achieve high sensitivity and high spatial resolution. Differences in dopant concentrations between 1 × 10(19) cm(-3) and 1 × 10(18) cm(-3) regions were clearly observed by using phase-shifting electron holography. We also interpreted phase profiles quantitatively by considering inactive layers induced by ion implantation during the FIB process. The thickness of an inactive layer at different dopant concentration area can be measured from the phase image. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Japanese Society of Microscopy. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Potential impact of mangrove clearance on biomass and biomass size spectra of nematode along the Sudanese Red Sea coast.

PubMed

Sabeel, Rasha Adam Osman; Vanreusel, Ann

2015-02-01

The potential effect of mangrove clearance on nematode assemblage biomass, biomass size spectra (NBSS) and abundance/biomass curves (ABC) was investigated in three sites representing a varying degree of mangrove clearance as well as in three stations established at each sites representing high-, mid- and low-water levels. Results revealed significant differences in sediment and nematode characteristics between the three sites. Although both the cleared and the intact mangrove had comparable biomass values, clear differences in biomass size spectra and abundance biomass curves were observed. The results suggested that the variation in the silt fraction and the food quality positively affected the total biomass. Mangrove clearance has caused a shift from a unimodal to a bimodal biomass size spectrum at all water levels, owing to an increase in smaller-bodied opportunistic non-selective deposit feeding nematodes. The ABC further confirmed the effect of clearance by classifying the cleared mangrove as moderately to grossly disturbed. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Size distribution and ionic composition of marine summer aerosol at the continental Antarctic site Kohnen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weller, Rolf; Legrand, Michel; Preunkert, Susanne

2018-02-01

We measured aerosol size distributions and conducted bulk and size-segregated aerosol sampling during two summer campaigns in January 2015 and January 2016 at the continental Antarctic station Kohnen (Dronning Maud Land). Physical and chemical aerosol properties differ conspicuously during the episodic impact of a distinctive low-pressure system in 2015 (LPS15) compared to the prevailing clear sky conditions. The approximately 3-day LPS15 located in the eastern Weddell Sea was associated with the following: marine boundary layer air mass intrusion; enhanced condensation particle concentrations (1400 ± 700 cm-3 compared to 250 ± 120 cm-3 under clear sky conditions; mean ± SD); the occurrence of a new particle formation event exhibiting a continuous growth of particle diameters (Dp) from 12 to 43 nm over 44 h (growth rate 0.6 nm h-1); peaking methane sulfonate (MS-), non-sea-salt sulfate (nss-SO42-), and Na+ concentrations (190 ng m-3 MS-, 137 ng m-3 nss-SO42-, and 53 ng m-3 Na+ compared to 24 ± 15, 107 ± 20, and 4.1 ± 2.2 ng m-3, respectively, during clear sky conditions); and finally an increased MS- / nss-SO42- mass ratio βMS of 0.4 up to 2.3 (0.21 ± 0.1 under clear sky conditions) comparable to typical values found at coastal Antarctic sites. Throughout the observation period a larger part of MS- could be found in super-micron aerosol compared to nss-SO42-, i.e., (10 ± 2) % by mass compared to (3.2 ± 2) %, respectively. On the whole, under clear sky conditions aged aerosol characterized by usually mono-modal size distributions around Dp = 60 nm was observed. Although our observations indicate that the sporadic impacts of coastal cyclones were associated with enhanced marine aerosol entry, aerosol deposition on-site during austral summer should be largely dominated by typical steady clear sky conditions.

Clear-Sky Longwave Irradiance at the Earth's Surface--Evaluation of Climate Models.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garratt, J. R.

2001-04-01

An evaluation of the clear-sky longwave irradiance at the earth's surface (LI) simulated in climate models and in satellite-based global datasets is presented. Algorithm-based estimates of LI, derived from global observations of column water vapor and surface (or screen air) temperature, serve as proxy `observations.' All datasets capture the broad zonal variation and seasonal behavior in LI, mainly because the behavior in column water vapor and temperature is reproduced well. Over oceans, the dependence of annual and monthly mean irradiance upon sea surface temperature (SST) closely resembles the observed behavior of column water with SST. In particular, the observed hemispheric difference in the summer minus winter column water dependence on SST is found in all models, though with varying seasonal amplitudes. The analogous behavior in the summer minus winter LI is seen in all datasets. Over land, all models have a more highly scattered dependence of LI upon surface temperature compared with the situation over the oceans. This is related to a much weaker dependence of model column water on the screen-air temperature at both monthly and annual timescales, as observed. The ability of climate models to simulate realistic LI fields depends as much on the quality of model water vapor and temperature fields as on the quality of the longwave radiation codes. In a comparison of models with observations, root-mean-square gridpoint differences in mean monthly column water and temperature are 4-6 mm (5-8 mm) and 0.5-2 K (3-4 K), respectively, over large regions of ocean (land), consistent with the intermodel differences in LI of 5-13 W m2 (15-28 W m2).

Variability of cirrus clouds in a convective outflow during the Hibiscus campaign

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fierli, F.; di Donfrancesco, G.; Cairo, F.; Marécal, V.; Zampieri, M.; Orlandi, E.; Durry, G.

2008-08-01

Light-weight microlidar and water vapour measurements were taken on-board a stratospheric balloon during the HIBISCUS 2004 campaign, held in Bauru, Brazil (49° W, 22° S). Cirrus clouds were observed throughout the flight between 12 and 15 km height with a high mesoscale variability in optical and microphysical properties. It was found that the cirrus clouds were composed of different layers characterized by marked differences in height, thickness and optical properties. Simultaneous water vapour observations show that the different layers are characterized by different values of the saturation with respect to ice. A mesoscale simulation and a trajectory analysis clearly revealed that the clouds had formed in the outflow of a large and persistent convective region and that the observed variability of the optical properties and of the cloud structure is likely linked to the different residence times of the convectively-processed air in the upper troposphere.

A clear-sky hyperspectral closure study for MERRA-2 and ERA-interim reanalyses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, X.; Huang, X.; Loeb, N. G.; Dong, X.; Xi, B.; Dolinar, E. K.; Bosilovich, M. G.; Kato, S.; Smith, W. L., Jr.; Stackhouse, P. W., Jr.

2017-12-01

We carried out a clear-sky radiance closure study to compare four sets of synthetic AIRS spectra to 51 AIRS L1 spectra over the ARM Southern Great Plains (SGP) site. The AIRS observations were made when the ARM SGP cloud radar identified cloud free situation for 50-km region within the SGP site. Four sets of synthetic AIRS spectra are calculated using collocated atmospheric profiles from ARM SGP sounding, AIRS L2 retrievals, MERRA-2 and ECMWF ERA-Interim reanalyses. Only channels that are sensitive to temperature, CO2 and water vapor and not to other trace gases are selected for study. The selected channels are further divided into different groups according to their sensitivities to the emission from different vertical levels and to H2O and CO2, respectively. Observed and synthetic radiances of each group are then examined. For synthetic spectra using the AIRS L2 retrievals or the ARM SGP sounding profiles, the brightness temperature (BT) differences between synthetic and observed ones are within ±0.5 K or even smaller, for all groups and for all four seasons. For MERRA-2 and ECMWF-interim reanalyses, the BT differences from observations for each CO2 group are generally within ±0.5 K, indicating good agreements with respect to temperature profiles in the reanalyses. The BT differences for H2O groups are all negative, ranging from -0.5K to -1.5K. The largest BT difference is -1.5K for H2O channels peaking at 400-200 hPa. Such BT difference is persistent when the synthetic radiances based on reanalyses are compared with observed ones for the entire zone of 30°N-40°N. These comparisons imply that the reanalyses can represent the temperature profile well but there is persistent wet bias in the reanalyses, especially for the upper troposphere. The water vapor at 400-200 hPa in reanalyses needs to be adjusted by about -0.01 g/kg in order to reach agreement with the observed radiances.

Analysis of AIRS and IASI System Performance Under Clear and Cloudy Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aumann, Hartmut H.; Strow, L. Larrabee

2010-01-01

The radiometric and spectral system performance of space-borne infrared radiometers is generally specified and analyzed under strictly cloud-free, spatially uniform and warm conditions, with the assumption that the observed performance applies to the full dynamic range under clear and cloudy conditions and that random noise cancels for the evaluation of the radiometric accuracy. Such clear conditions are found in only one percent of the data. Ninety nine percent of the data include clouds, which produce spatially highly non-uniform scenes with 11 micrometers window brightness temperatures as low as 200K. We use AIRS and IASI radiance spectra to compare system performance under clear and a wide range of cloudy conditions. Although the two instruments are in polar orbits, with the ascending nodes separated by four hours, daily averages already reveal surprisingly similar measurements. The AIRS and IASI radiometric performance based on the mean of large numbers of observation is comparable and agrees within 200 mK over a wide range of temperatures. There are also some unexpected differences at the 200 -500 mK level, which are of significance for climate applications. The results were verified with data from July 2007 through January 2010, but many can already be gleaned from the analysis of a single day of data.

Influence of aerosols on surface reaching spectral irradiance and introduction to a new technique of estimating aerosol radiative forcing from high resolution spectral flux measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rao, Roshan

2016-04-01

Aerosol radiative forcing estimates with high certainty are required in climate change studies. The approach in estimating the aerosol radiative forcing by using the chemical composition of aerosols is not effective as the chemical composition data with radiative properties are not widely available. We look into the approach where ground based spectral radiation flux measurement is made and along with an Radtiative transfer (RT) model, radiative forcing is estimated. Measurements of spectral flux were made using an ASD spectroradiometer with 350 - 1050 nm wavelength range and a 3nm resolution during around 54 clear-sky days during which AOD range was around 0.01 to 0.7. Simultaneous measurements of black carbon were also made using Aethalometer (Magee Scientific) which ranged from around 1.5 ug/m3 to 8 ug/m3. The primary study involved in understanding the sensitivity of spectral flux due to change in individual aerosol species (Optical properties of Aerosols and Clouds (OPAC) classified aerosol species) using the SBDART RT model. This made us clearly distinguish the influence of different aerosol species on the spectral flux. Following this, a new technique has been introduced to estimate an optically equivalent mixture of aerosol species for the given location. The new method involves matching different combinations of aerosol species in OPAC model and RT model as long as the combination which gives the minimum root mean squared deviation from measured spectral flux is obtained. Using the optically equivalent aerosol mixture and RT model, aerosol radiative forcing is estimated. Also an alternate method to estimate the spectral SSA is discussed. Here, the RT model, the observed spectral flux and spectral AOD is used. Spectral AOD is input to RT model and SSA is varied till the minimum root mean squared difference between observed and simulated spectral flux from RT model is obtained. The methods discussed are limited to clear sky scenes and its accuracy to derive an optically equivalent aerosol mixture reduces when diffuse component of flux increases. In our analysis, RT model clearly shows that direct component of spectral flux is more sensitive to different aerosol species than total spectral flux which is also supported by our observed data.

Whitefly feeding behavior and retention of a foregut-borne crinivirus exposed to artificial diets with different pH values.

PubMed

Zhou, Jaclyn S; Chen, Angel Y S; Drucker, Martin; Lopez, Nicole H; Carpenter, Alyssa; Ng, James C K

2017-12-01

Transmission of plant viruses by phytophagous hemipteran insects encompasses complex interactions underlying a continuum of processes involved in virus acquisition, retention and inoculation combined with vector feeding behavior. Here, we investigated the effects of dietary pH on whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) feeding behavior and release of Lettuce infectious yellows virus (LIYV) virions retained in the vector's foregut. Electrical penetration graph analysis revealed that variables associated with whitefly probing and ingestion did not differ significantly in pH (4, 7.4, and 9) adjusted artificial diets. To investigate virus retention and release, whiteflies allowed to acquire LIYV virions in a pH 7.4 artificial diet were fed pH 4, 7.4, or 9 virion-free artificial (clearing) diets. Immunofluorescent localization analyses indicated that virions remained bound to the foreguts of approximately 20%-24% of vectors after they fed on each of the 3 pH-adjusted clearing diets. When RNA preparations from the clearing diets were analyzed by reverse transcription (RT) nested-PCR and, in some cases, real-time qPCR, successful amplification of LIYV-specific sequence was infrequent but consistently repeatable for the pH 7.4 diet but never observed for the pH 4 and 9 diets, suggesting a weak pH-dependent effect for virion release. Viruliferous vectors that fed on each of the 3 pH-adjusted clearing diets transmitted LIYV to virus-free plants. These results suggest that changes in pH values alone in artificial diet do not result in observable changes in whitefly feeding behaviors, an observation that marks a first in the feeding of artificial diet by whitefly vectors; and that there is a potential causal and contingent relationship between the pH in artificial diet and the release/inoculation of foregut bound virions. © 2017 Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Analysis of Co-Located MODIS and CALIPSO Observations Near Clouds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Varnai, Tamas; Marshak, Alexander

2011-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to help researchers combine data from different satellites and thus gain new insights into two critical yet poorly understood aspects of anthropogenic climate change, aerosol-cloud interactions and aerosol radiative effects, For this, the paper explores whether cloud information from the Aqua satellite's MODIS instrument can help characterize systematic aerosol changes near clouds by refining earlier perceptions of these changes that were based on the CALIPSO satellite's CALIOP instrument. Similar to a radar but using visible and ncar-infrared light, CALIOP sends out laser pulses and provides aerosol and cloud information along a single line that tracks the satellite orbit by measuring the reflection of its pulses. In contrast, MODIS takes images of reflected sunlight and emitted infrared radiation at several wavelengths, and covers wide areas around the satellite track. This paper analyzes a year-long global dataset covering all ice-free oceans, and finds that MODIS can greatly help the interpretation of CALIOP observations, especially by detecting clouds that lie outside the line observed by CALlPSO. The paper also finds that complications such as differences in view direction or clouds drifting in the 72 seconds that elapse between MODIS and CALIOP observations have only a minor impact. The study also finds that MODIS data helps refine but does not qualitatively alter perceptions of the systematic aerosol changes that were detected in earlier studies using only CALIOP data. It then proposes a statistical approach to account for clouds lying outside the CALIOP track even when MODIS cannot as reliably detect low clouds, for example at night or over ice. Finally, the paper finds that, because of variations in cloud amount and type, the typical distance to clouds in maritime clear areas varies with season and location. The overall median distance to clouds in maritime clear areas around 4-5 km. The fact that half of all clear areas is closer than 5 km to clouds implies that pronounced near-cloud changes in aerosol properties have significant implications for overall clear-sky characteristics, including the radiative impact of aerosols.

The Consistency of Lyric Artistic Thinking

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abramzon, Tatiana E.; Rudakova, Svetlana V.; Zaitseva, Tatiana B.; Koz'ko, Natalia A.; Tulina, Ekaterina V.

2016-01-01

In contemporary literary studies one can clearly observe the process of different interpretation of former approaches to literary works and artistic legacy of some outstanding authors. The attention of scientists is focused on such categories that can contribute to the reconstruction of a complete picture of the writing career of an individual…

Representativeness uncertainty in chemical data assimilation highlight mixing barriers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lary, David John

2004-02-01

When performing chemical data assimilation the observational, representativeness, and theoretical uncertainties have very different characteristics. In this study, we have accurately characterized the representativeness uncertainty by studying the probability distribution function (PDF) of the observations. The average deviation has been used as a measure of the width of the PDF and of the variability (representativeness uncertainty) for the grid cell. It turns out that for long-lived tracers such as N2O and CH4 the representativeness uncertainty is markedly different from the observational uncertainty and clearly delineates mixing barriers such as the polar vortex edge, the tropical pipe and the tropopause. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Royal Meteorological Society.

The Role of Clear Sky Identification in the Study of Cloud Radiative Effects: Combine Analysis from ISCCP and the Scanner of Radiation Budget (ScaRaB)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rossow, W. B.; Stubenrauch, C. J.; Briand, V.; Hansen, James E. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Since the effect of clouds on the earth's radiation balance is often estimated as the difference of net radiative fluxes at the top of the atmosphere between all situations and monthly averaged clear sky situations of the same regions, a reliable identification of clear sky is important for the study of cloud radiative effects. The Scanner for Radiation Balance (ScaRaB) radiometer on board the Russian Meteor-3/7 satellite provided earth radiation budget observations from March 1994 to February 1995 with two ERBE-Re broad-band longwave and shortwave channels. Two narrow-band channels, in the infrared atmospheric window and in the visible band, have been added to the ScaRaB instrument to improve the cloud scene identification. The International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) method for cloud detection and determination of cloud and surface properties uses the same narrow-band channels as ScaRaB, but is employed to a collection of measurements at a better spatial resolution of about 5 km. By applying the original ISCCP algorithms to the ScaRaB data, the clear sky frequency is about 5% lower than the one over quasi-simultaneous original ISCCP data, an indication that the ISCCP cloud detection is quite stable. However, one would expect an about 10 to 20% smaller clear sky occurrence over the larger ScaRaB pixels. Adapting the ISCCP algorithms to the reduced spatial resolution of 60 km and to the different time sampling of the ScaRaB data leads therefore to a reduction of a residual cloud contamination. A sensitivity study with time-space collocated ScaRaB and original ISCCP data at a spatial resolution of 1deg longitude x 1deg latitude shows that the effect of clear sky identification method plays a higher role on the clear sky frequency and therefore on the statistics than on the zonal mean values of the clear sky fluxes. Nevertheless, the zonal outgoing longwave fluxes corresponding to ERBE clear sky are in general about 2 to 10 W/sq m higher than those obtained from the ScaRaB adapted ISCCP clear sky identifications. The latter are close to (about 1 W/sq m higher) fluxes corresponding to clear sky regions from original ISCCP data, whereas ScaRaB clear sky LW fluxes obtained with the original ISCCP identification lie about 1 to 2 W/sq m below. Especially in the tropics where water vapor abundance is high, the ERBE clear sky LW fluxes seem to be systematically overestimated by about 4 W/sq m, and SW fluxes are lower by about 5 to 10 W/sq m. However, the uncertainty in the analysis of monthly mean zonal cloud radiative effects is also produced by the low frequency of clear sky occurrence, illustrated when averaging over pixels or even over regions of 4deg longitude x 5deg latitude, corresponding to the spatial resolution of General Circulation Models. The systematic bias in the clear sky fluxes is not reflected in the zonal cloud radiative effects, because the clear sky regions selected by the different algorithms can occur in different geographic regions with different cloud properties.

Kerosene: Contributing agent to xylene as a clearing agent in tissue processing.

PubMed

Shah, Amisha Ashokkumar; Kulkarni, Dinraj; Ingale, Yashwant; Koshy, Ajit V; Bhagalia, Sanjay; Bomble, Nikhil

2017-01-01

Research methodology in oral and maxillofacial pathology has illimitable potential. The tissue processing involves many steps of which one of the most important step is "Clearing," which is a process of replacing dehydrant with a substance which is miscible with embedding medium or paraffin wax. Xylene is one of the common clearing agents used in laboratory, but it is also hazardous. The main aim of this study is to substitute conventionally used xylene by a mixture of kerosene and xylene in clearing steps without altering the morphology and staining characteristics of tissue sections. This will also minimize the toxic effects and tend to be more economical. One hundred and twenty bits of tissue samples were collected, each randomly separated into 4 groups (A, B, C and D) and kept for routine tissue processing till the step of clearing; during the step of clearing instead of conventional xylene, we used mixture of xylene and kerosene in 4 ratios ([A-K:X - 50:50]; [B-K:X - 70:30]; [C - Ab. Kerosene]; [D - Ab. Xylene - as control]) and observed for the light microscopic study adopting H and E staining, IHC (D2-40), Special stains (periodic acid-Schiff and congo red) procedure. The result was subjected to statistical analysis by using Fisher's exact test. The results obtained from the present study were compared with control group, i.e., D and it was observed that Groups A and B were absolutely cleared without altering the morphology of tissue and cellular details; optimum embedding characteristics and better staining characteristics were also noted, whereas Group C presents poor staining characteristics with reduced cellular details. Embedded tissues in Group C presented with rough, irregular surface and also appeared shrunken. Combined mixture of xylene and kerosene as a clearing agent in different ratio, i.e., Group A (K:X - 50:50) and B (K:X - 70:30) can be used without posing any health risk or compromising the cellular integrity.

Optical coherence tomography based imaging of dental demineralisation and cavity restoration in 840 nm and 1310 nm wavelength regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Damodaran, Vani; Rao, Suresh Ranga; Vasa, Nilesh J.

2016-08-01

In this paper, a study of in-house built optical coherence tomography (OCT) system with a wavelength of 840 nm for imaging of dental caries, progress in demineralisation and cavity restoration is presented. The caries when imaged with the 840 nm OCT system showed minute demineralisation in the order of 5 μm. The OCT system was also proposed to study the growth of lesion and this was demonstrated by artificially inducing caries with a demineralisation solution of pH 4.8. The progress of carious lesion to a depth of about 50-60 μm after 60 hours of demineralisation was clearly observed with the 840 nm OCT system. The tooth samples were subjected to accelerated demineralisation condition at pH of approximately 2.3 to study the adverse effects and the onset of cavity formation was clearly observed. The restoration of cavity was also studied by employing different restorative materials (filled and unfilled). In the case of restoration without filler material (unfilled), the restoration boundaries were clearly observed. Overall, results were comparable with that of the widely used 1310 nm OCT system. In the case of restoration with filler material, the 1310 nm OCT imaging displayed better imaging capacity due to lower scattering than 840 nm imaging.

Well Clear: General Aviation and Commercial Pilots' Perceptioin of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in the National Airspace System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ott, Joseph

2015-01-01

This research explored how different pilots perceived the concept of the Well Clear Boundary (WCB) and observed if that boundary changed when dealing with manned versus unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and the effects of other variables. Pilots' WCB perceptions were collected objectively through simulator recordings and subjectively through questionnaires. Objectively, significant differences were found in WCB perception between two pilot types (general aviation [GA], and Airline Transport Pilots [ATPs]), and significant WCB differences were evident when comparing two intruder types (manned versus unmanned aircraft). Differences were dependent on other manipulated variables (intruder approach angle, ownship speed, and background traffic levels). Subjectively, there were differences in WCB perception across pilot types; GA pilots trusted UAS aircraft higher than the more experienced ATPs. Conclusions indicate pilots' WCB mental models are more easily perceived as time-based boundaries in front of ownship, and more easily perceived as distance-based boundaries to the rear of ownship.

Regional rates of myocardial fatty acid metabolism: comparison with coronary angiography and ventriculography.

PubMed

Schad, N; Wagner, R K; Hallermeier, J; Daus, H J; Vattimo, A; Bertelli, P

1990-01-01

In 50 patients, 1 mCi 123I phenylpentadecanoic acid (IPPA) was injected at peak ergometric stress and 1500 frames were acquired (1 frame/s) with a high count rate gamma camera. Parametric images of rates of decrease and increase for different time intervals after stress were compared with coronary angiography and LV ventriculography, separately evaluating the 3 main coronary territories: 18/150 territories supplied by normal coronaries presented rather homogeneous regional clearing rates, whereas a gradual decrease in clearing rates towards the end of the territory (frequently with peripheral defects) was seen in all 87/150 territories with significant coronary narrowing. In local correspondence to clearing defects, initial IPPA accumulations could be observed with later onset of clearing between 10 and 25 min. 44/150 territories presented abnormal clearing rates, mostly with a patchy pattern, with normal coronary anatomy, but all except one had LV dysfunction and a clinical diagnosis of cardiomyopathy, diabetes mellitus or hypertensive disease. Twenty four of the 41 patients with CAD had, in correspondence to a prior myocardial infarction, minimum or missing metabolic activity frequently in circumscribed zones, partly separated by bridges of still viable tissue with preserved but reduced clearing rates.

Mothers’ Parenting and Child Sex Differences in Behavior Problems among African American Preschoolers

PubMed Central

Barnett, Melissa A.; Scaramella, Laura V.

2014-01-01

Sex differences in rates of behavior problems, including internalizing and externalizing problems, begin to emerge during early childhood. These sex differences may occur because mothers parent their sons and daughters differently, or because the impact of parenting on behavior problems is different for boys and girls. This study examines whether associations between observations of mothers’ positive and negative parenting and children’s externalizing and internalizing behaviors vary as a function of child sex. The sample consists of 137 African American, low-income families with one sibling approximately two-years-old and the closest aged older sibling who is approximately four-years-old. Results from fixed-effects within-family models indicate clear sex differences regardless of child age. Mothers were observed to use less positive parenting with sons than with daughters. Higher levels of observed negative parenting were linked to more externalizing behaviors for boys, while lower levels of positive parenting were linked to more externalizing behaviors for girls. No child sex differences emerged regarding associations between observed positive and negative parenting and internalizing behaviors. PMID:23937420

Comparison of radiation parametrizations within the HARMONIE-AROME NWP model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rontu, Laura; Lindfors, Anders V.

2018-05-01

Downwelling shortwave radiation at the surface (SWDS, global solar radiation flux), given by three different parametrization schemes, was compared to observations in the HARMONIE-AROME numerical weather prediction (NWP) model experiments over Finland in spring 2017. Simulated fluxes agreed well with each other and with the observations in the clear-sky cases. In the cloudy-sky conditions, all schemes tended to underestimate SWDS at the daily level, as compared to the measurements. Large local and temporal differences between the model results and observations were seen, related to the variations and uncertainty of the predicted cloud properties. The results suggest a possibility to benefit from the use of different radiative transfer parametrizations in a NWP model to obtain perturbations for the fine-resolution ensemble prediction systems. In addition, we recommend usage of the global radiation observations for the standard validation of the NWP models.

Modeling optical and UV polarization of AGNs. IV. Polarization timing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rojas Lobos, P. A.; Goosmann, R. W.; Marin, F.; Savić, D.

2018-03-01

Context. Optical observations cannot resolve the structure of active galactic nuclei (AGN), and a unified model for AGN was inferred mostly from indirect methods, such as spectroscopy and variability studies. Optical reverberation mapping allowed us to constrain the spatial dimension of the broad emission line region and thereby to measure the mass of supermassive black holes. Recently, reverberation was also applied to the polarized signal emerging from different AGN components. In principle, this should allow us to measure the spatial dimensions of the sub-parsec reprocessing media. Aim. We conduct numerical modeling of polarization reverberation and provide theoretical predictions for the polarization time lag induced by different AGN components. The model parameters are adjusted to the observational appearance of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 4151. Methods: We modeled scattering-induced polarization and tested different geometries for the circumnuclear dust component. Our tests included the effects of clumpiness and different dust prescriptions. To further extend the model, we also explored the effects of additional ionized winds stretched along the polar direction, and of an equatorial scattering ring that is responsible for the polarization angle observed in pole-on AGN. The simulations were run using a time-dependent version of the STOKES code. Results: Our modeling confirms the previously found polarization characteristics as a function of the observer`s viewing angle. When the dust adopts a flared-disk geometry, the lags reveal a clear difference between type 1 and type 2 AGN. This distinction is less clear for a torus geometry where the time lag is more sensitive to the geometry and optical depth of the inner surface layers of the funnel. The presence of a scattering equatorial ring and ionized outflows increased the recorded polarization time lags, and the polar outflows smooths out dependence on viewing angle, especially for the higher optical depth of the wind (τ = 0.3). Conclusions: Together with other AGN observables, the polarization time lag places new, independent "seismological" constraints on the inner geometry of AGN. If we conduct time-dependent spectropolarimetric observing campaigns of AGN, this method has a high potential for a census of supermassive black holes.

Resistance to Sliding in Clear and Metallic Damon 3 and Conventional Edgewise Brackets: an In vitro Study.

PubMed

Karim Soltani, Mohammad; Golfeshan, Farzaneh; Alizadeh, Yoones; Mehrzad, Jabraiel

2015-03-01

Frictional forces are considered as important counterforce to orthodontic tooth movement. It is claimed that self-ligating brackets reduce the frictional forces. The aim of this study was to compare the resistance to sliding in metallic and clear Damon brackets with the conventional brackets in a wet condition. The samples included 4 types of brackets; metallic and clear Damon brackets and metallic and clear conventional brackets (10 brackets in each group). In this study, stainless steel wires sized 0.019×0.025 were employed and the operator's saliva was used to simulate the conditions of oral cavity. The tidy-modified design was used for simulation of sliding movement. The resistance to sliding and static frictional forces was measured by employing Testometric machine and load cell. The mean (±SD) of resistance to sliding was 194.88 (±26.65) and 226.62 (±39.9) g in the esthetic and metallic Damon brackets, while these values were 187.81(±27.84) and 191.17(±66.68) g for the clear and metallic conventional brackets, respectively. Static frictional forces were 206.4(±42.45) and 210.38(±15.89) g in the esthetic and metallic Damon brackets and 220.63(±49.29) and 215.13(±62.38) g in the clear and metallic conventional brackets. According to two-way ANOVA, no significant difference was observed between the two bracket materials (clear and metal) and the two types of bracket (self-ligating versus conventional) regarding resistance to sliding (p= 0.17 and p= 0.23, respectively) and static frictional forces (p= 0.55 and p= 0.96, respectively). Neither the type of bracket materials nor their type of ligation made difference in resistance to sliding and static friction.

Plate-clearing tendencies and portion size are independently associated with main meal food intake in women: A laboratory study.

PubMed

Sheen, Florence; Hardman, Charlotte A; Robinson, Eric

2018-08-01

Larger portion sizes of food promote increased food intake, although the mechanisms explaining the portion size effect are unclear. In the present study we examined whether the tendency to clear one's plate when eating is associated with greater food intake in response to larger portion size. We recruited female participants who were either self-reported habitual plate clearers (N = 48) or non-plate clearers (N = 41) into a laboratory study. In a between-subjects design, participants were served either a 'normal' (500 g) or 'large' (1000 g) portion of pasta for lunch and ate as much as they desired. There was no significant interaction found between portion size and plate-clearing tendencies; portion size had a similar sized effect on food intake in both plate clearers and non-plate clearers. A significant main effect of portion size was found, whereby participants consumed significantly more when served the large versus the normal portion (100.55 g difference, p < .001, η p 2  = 0.16). There was also a significant main effect of plate clearing; participants with a tendency to clear their plate when eating consumed significantly more than non-plate clearers (68.21 g difference, p = .006, η p 2  = 0.08). The tendency to clear one's plate when eating was associated with increased food intake during a lunchtime meal. Increasing the portion size of the lunchtime meal increased food intake, although the tendency for a larger portion size to increase food intake was observed irrespective of participant plate-clearing tendencies. Crown Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Do the components of heat and moisture exchanger filters affect their humidifying efficacy and the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia?

PubMed

Thomachot, L; Vialet, R; Arnaud, S; Barberon, B; Michel-Nguyen, A; Martin, C

1999-05-01

To compare the efficiency of two heat and moisture exchange filters (HMEFs) of different compositions of the humidifying capacity and the rate of bronchial colonization and ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Prospective, randomized study. ICU of a university hospital. All patients who required mechanical ventilation for 24 hrs or more during the study period. At admission to the ICU, patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups. In one group, the patients were ventilated with Humid-Vent Filter Light HMEF. The condensation surface was made of paper impregnated with CaCl2. The filter membrane was made of polypropylene. In the other group, the patients were ventilated with the Clear ThermAl HMEF (Intersurgical, France). The condensation surface was made of plastic foam impregnated with AlCl2. The filter membrane was made of two polymer fibers (modacrylic and polypropylene). In both groups, HMEFs were changed daily. Seventy-seven patients were ventilated for 19+/-7 days with the Humid-Vent Filter Light HMEF and 63 patients for 17+/-6 days with the Clear ThermAl HMEF. Patients ventilated with the Humid-Vent Filter Light underwent 8.7+/-3.7 tracheal aspirations and 1.2+/-2.0 instillations per day and those with the Clear ThermAl, 8.2+/-3.9 and 1.5+/-2.4 per day, respectively (NS). The abundance of tracheal secretions and the presence of blood and viscosity, as evaluated by semiquantitative scales, were similar in both groups. One episode of tracheal tube occlusion was observed with the Humid-Vent Filter Light HMEF and none with the other HMEF (NS). Tracheal colonization was observed at a rate of 91% with the Humid-Vent Filter Light and 97% with the Clear ThermAl (NS). The rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia was similar in both groups (35%). Bacteria responsible for tracheal colonization and pneumonia were similar in both groups. Despite differences in their components, the two HMEFs that were tested achieved similar performances in terms of humidification and heating of inspired gases. Only one episode of endotracheal tube occlusion was detected, and very few patients (three in each group) had to be switched to an active heated humidifier. No difference was observed either in the rate of tracheal colonization or of ventilator-associated pneumonia. These data show that the Humid-Vent Filter Light and the Clear ThermAl HMEFs are suited for use with ICU patients.

Comparative Studies of the Proteome, Glycoproteome, and N-Glycome of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Plasma before and after Curative Nephrectomy

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma is the most prevalent of all reported kidney cancer cases, and currently there are no markers for early diagnosis. This has stimulated great research interest recently because early detection of the disease can significantly improve the low survival rate. Combining the proteome, glycoproteome, and N-glycome data from clear cell renal cell carcinoma plasma has the potential of identifying candidate markers for early diagnosis and prognosis and/or to monitor disease recurrence. Here, we report on the utilization of a multi-dimensional fractionation approach (12P-M-LAC) and LC–MS/MS to comprehensively investigate clear cell renal cell carcinoma plasma collected before (disease) and after (non-disease) curative nephrectomy (n = 40). Proteins detected in the subproteomes were investigated via label-free quantification. Protein abundance analysis revealed a number of low-level proteins with significant differential expression levels in disease samples, including HSPG2, CD146, ECM1, SELL, SYNE1, and VCAM1. Importantly, we observed a strong correlation between differentially expressed proteins and clinical status of the patient. Investigation of the glycoproteome returned 13 candidate glycoproteins with significant differential M-LAC column binding. Qualitative analysis indicated that 62% of selected candidate glycoproteins showed higher levels (upregulation) in M-LAC bound fraction of disease samples. This observation was further confirmed by released N-glycans data in which 53% of identified N-glycans were present at different levels in plasma in the disease vs non-disease samples. This striking result demonstrates the potential for significant protein glycosylation alterations in clear cell renal cell carcinoma cancer plasma. With future validation in a larger cohort, information derived from this study may lead to the development of clear cell renal cell carcinoma candidate biomarkers. PMID:25184692

Phenotypic differentiation in love song traits among sibling species of the Lutzomyia longipalpis complex in Brazil.

PubMed

Vigoder, Felipe M; Souza, Nataly A; Brazil, Reginaldo P; Bruno, Rafaela V; Costa, Pietra L; Ritchie, Michael G; Klaczko, Louis B; Peixoto, Alexandre A

2015-05-28

Brazilian populations of Lutzomyia longipalpis may constitute a complex of cryptic species, and this report investigates the distribution and number of potential sibling species. One of the main differences observed among Brazilian populations is the type of acoustic signal produced by males during copulation. These copulation song differences seem to be evolving faster than neutral molecular markers and have been suggested to contribute to insemination failure observed in crosses between these sibling species. In previous studies, two main types of copulation songs were found, burst-type and pulse-type. The latter type can, in turn, be further subdivided into five different patterns. We recorded male song from 13 new populations of the L. longipalpis complex from Brazil and compared the songs with 12 already available. Out of these 25 populations, 16 produce burst-type and 9 produce pulse-type songs. We performed a principal component analysis in these two main groups separately and an additional discriminant analysis in the pulse-type group. The pulse-type populations showed a clear separation between the five known patterns with a high correspondence of individuals to their correct group, confirming the differentiation between them. The distinctiveness of the burst-type subgroups was much lower than that observed among the pulse-type groups and no clear population structure was observed. This suggests that the burst-type populations represent a single species. Overall, our results are consistent with the existence in Brazil of at least six species of the L. longipalpis complex, one with a wide distribution comprising all the populations with burst-type songs, and five more closely related allopatric siblings with different pulse-type song patterns and more restricted distribution ranges.

Comparison of OMI NO2 Observations and Their Seasonal and Weekly Cycles with Ground-Based Measurements in Helsinki

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ialongo, Iolanda; Herman, Jay; Krotkov, Nick; Lamsal, Lok; Boersma, Folkert; Hovila, Jari; Tamminen, Johanna

2016-01-01

We present the comparison of satellite-based OMI (Ozone Monitoring Instrument) NO2 products with ground-based observations in Helsinki. OMI NO2 total columns, available from standard product (SP) and DOMINO algorithm, are compared with the measurements performed by the Pandora spectrometer in Helsinki in 2012. The relative difference between Pandora 21 and OMI SP retrievals is 4 and 6 for clear sky and all sky conditions, respectively. DOMINO NO2 retrievals showed slightly lower total columns with median differences about 5 and 14 for clear sky and all sky conditions, respectively. Large differences often correspond to cloudy autumn-winter days with solar zenith angles above 65. Nevertheless, the differences remain within the retrieval uncertainties. Furthermore, the weekly and seasonal cycles from OMI, Pandora and NO2 surface concentrations are compared. Both satellite- and ground-based data show a similar weekly cycle, with lower NO2 levels during the weekend compared to the weekdays as result of reduced emissions from traffic and industrial activities. Also the seasonal cycle shows a similar behavior, even though the results are affected by the fact that most of the data are available during spring-summer because of cloud cover in other seasons. This is one of few works in which OMI NO2 retrievals are evaluated in an urban site at high latitudes (60N). Despite the city of Helsinki having relatively small pollution sources, OMI retrievals have proved to be able to describe air quality features and variability similar to surface observations. This adds confidence in using satellite observations for air quality monitoring also at high latitudes.

Teachers' Conceptions of Student Creativity in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jahnke, Isa; Haertel, Tobias; Wildt, Johannes

2017-01-01

Creativity is one of the important skills of the twenty-first century and central to higher education (HE). When we look closer into research on creativity in HE, however, it is not clear how university teachers conceptualise student creativity. How do teachers grasp, observe and express student creativity? Different methods such as interviews and…

When Do Words Hurt? A Multiprocess View of the Effects of Verbalization on Visual Memory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Charity; Brandimonte, Maria A.; Wickham, Lee H. V.; Bosco, Andrea; Schooler, Jonathan W.

2014-01-01

Verbal overshadowing reflects the impairment in memory performance following verbalization of nonverbal stimuli. However, it is not clear whether the same mechanisms are responsible for verbal overshadowing effects observed with different stimuli and task demands. In the present article, we propose a multiprocess view that reconciles the main…

A Study of Odd- and Even-Number Cultures

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nishiyama, Yutaka

2006-01-01

Japanese prefer odd numbers, whereas Westerners emphasize even numbers, an observation that is clear from the distribution of number-related words in Japanese and English dictionaries. In this article, the author explains why these two cultures differ by surveying the history of numbers, including yin-yang thought from ancient China, ancient Greek…

Molecular Variability Among Isolates of Prunus Necrotic Ringspot Virus from Different Prunus spp.

PubMed

Aparicio, F; Myrta, A; Di Terlizzi, B; Pallás, V

1999-11-01

ABSTRACT Viral sequences amplified by polymerase chain reaction from 25 isolates of Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV), varying in the symptomatology they cause in six different Prunus spp., were analyzed for restriction fragment polymorphisms. Most of the isolates could be discriminated by using a combination of three different restriction enzymes. The nucleotide sequences of the RNA 4 of 15 of these isolates were determined. Sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analyses of the RNA 4 and coat proteins (CPs) revealed that all of the isolates clustered into three different groups, represented by three previously sequenced PNRSV isolates: PV32, PE5, and PV96. The PE5-type group was characterized by a 5' untranslated region that was clearly different from that of the other two groups. The PV32-type group was characterized by an extra hexanucleotide consisting of a duplication of the six immediately preceding nucleotides. Although most of the variability was observed in the first third of the CP, the amino acid residues in this region, which were previously thought to be functionally important in the replication cycle of the virus, were strictly conserved. No clear correlation with the type of symptom or host specificity could be observed. The validity of this grouping was confirmed when other isolates recently characterized by other authors were included in these analyses.

Karyotype and sex chromosome differentiation in two Nalassus species (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae)

PubMed Central

Şendoğan, Dirim; Alpagut-Keskin, Nurşen

2016-01-01

Abstract Cytogenetic features of Nalassus bozdagus Nabozhenko & Keskin, 2010 and Nalassus plebejus Küster, 1850 were analysed using conventional and differential staining. Mitotic and meiotic chromosomal analysis revealed the diploid number as 2n = 20 (9+Xyp) in both species. Besides the general resemblance of two Nalassus Mulsant, 1854 karyotypes, important differences related to variations in the number of metacentric/submetacentric chromosomes, localization of highly impregnated regions which are considered as NOR and heterochromatin distribution are clearly observed. The most prominent difference between two species is found related to the X chromosome which is clearly larger in Nalassus bozdagus and has a conspicuous secondary constriction on the long arm. As a result of silver staining, the existence of highly impregnated areas associated with Xyp of Nalassus bozdagus in both prophase I and metaphase I, suggests that NORs are seemingly located on sex chromosomes. On the other hand, the potential NORs of Nalassus plebejus were observed only in prophase I nuclei. With the application of fluorescence dye DAPI, the AT rich chromosome regions and Xyp which forms the parachute configuration were shown in both species. PMID:27830047

Recent progress in tissue optical clearing for spectroscopic application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sdobnov, A. Yu.; Darvin, M. E.; Genina, E. A.; Bashkatov, A. N.; Lademann, J.; Tuchin, V. V.

2018-05-01

This paper aims to review recent progress in optical clearing of the skin and over naturally turbid biological tissues and blood using this technique in vivo and in vitro with multiphoton microscopy, confocal Raman microscopy, confocal microscopy, NIR spectroscopy, optical coherence tomography, and laser speckle contrast imaging. Basic principles of the technique, its safety, advantages and limitations are discussed. The application of optical clearing agent on a tissue allows for controlling the optical properties of tissue. Optical clearing-induced reduction of tissue scattering significantly facilitates the observation of deep-located tissue regions, at the same time improving the resolution and image contrast for a variety of optical imaging methods suitable for clinical applications, such as diagnostics and laser treatment of skin diseases, mucosal tumor imaging, laser disruption of pathological abnormalities, etc. Structural images of different skin layers obtained ex vivo for porcine ear skin samples at application of Omnipaque™ and glycerol solutions during 60 min. Red color corresponds to TPEAF signal channel. Green color corresponds to SHG signal channel.

Colorimetric and spectroradiometric characteristics of narrow-field-of-view clear skylight in Granada, Spain.

PubMed

Hernández-Andrés, J; Romero, J; Lee, R L

2001-02-01

As part of our ongoing research into the clear daytime sky's visible structure, we analyze over 1,500 skylight spectra measured during a seven-month period in Granada, Spain. We use spectral radiances measured within 3 degrees fields of view (FOV's) to define colorimetric characteristics along four sky meridians: the solar meridian and three meridians at azimuths of 45 degrees, 90 degrees, and 315 degrees relative to it. The resulting clear-sky chromaticities in 44 different view directions (1) are close to but do not coincide with the CIE daylight locus, (2) form V-shaped meridional chromaticity curves along it (as expected from theory), and (3) have correlated color temperatures (CCT's) ranging from 3,800 K to infinity K. We also routinely observe that sky color and luminance are asymmetric about the solar meridian, usually perceptibly so. A principal-components analysis shows that three vectors are required for accurate clear-sky colorimetry, whereas six are needed for spectral analyses.

Analyzing optical properties of thin vanadium oxide films through semiconductor-to-metal phase transition using spectroscopic ellipsometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Jianing; Pribil, Greg K.

2017-11-01

We investigated the optical behaviors of vanadium dioxide (VO2) films through the semiconductor-to-metal (STM) phase transition using spectroscopic ellipsometry. Correlations between film thickness and refractive index were observed resulting from the absorbing nature of these films. Simultaneously analyzing data at multiple temperatures using Kramers-Kronig consistent oscillator models help identify film thickness. Nontrivial variations in resulting optical constants were observed through STM transition. As temperature increases, a clear increase is observed in near infrared absorption due to Drude losses that accompany the transition from semiconducting to metallic phases. Thin films grown on silicon and sapphire substrate present different optical properties and thermal hysteresis due to lattice stress and compositional differences.

Sex differences in the response to apomorphine in rats.

PubMed

Masur, J; Boerngen, R; Tufik, S

1980-01-01

The response of male and female rats to the hypothermic and verticalization effect (climbing behavior) induced by different doses of apomorphine was studied. A clear sex difference was observed, males showing more verticalization than females. Conversely the females showed a greater decrease in body temperature than males. The verticalization response was also studied in rats of both sexes at seven different ages, varying from 15 to 100 days. At the earlier ages, both groups presented low levels of verticalization. Mature males (60-100 days of age) increased the verticalization response to apomorphine.

Virtual experiment of optical spatial filtering in Matlab environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ji, Yunjing; Wang, Chunyong; Song, Yang; Lai, Jiancheng; Wang, Qinghua; Qi, Jing; Shen, Zhonghua

2017-08-01

The principle of spatial filtering experiment has been introduced, and the computer simulation platform with graphical user interface (GUI) has been made out in Matlab environment. Using it various filtering processes for different input image or different filtering purpose will be completed accurately, and filtering effect can be observed clearly with adjusting experimental parameters. The physical nature of the optical spatial filtering can be showed vividly, and so experimental teaching effect will be promoted.

Effect of containers on the quality of Chemlali olive oil during storage.

PubMed

Gargouri, Boutheina; Zribi, Akram; Bouaziz, Mohamed

2015-04-01

This study is undertaken to determine the storage stability of Chemlali extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) in different containers such as clear and dark glass bottles, polyethylene (PE) and tin containers. The different oil samples were stored under light at room temperature. Quality parameters monitored during a 6-month-storage period included: acidity, peroxide value (PV), spectrophotometric indices (K232 and K270), chlorophyll and carotene pigments, fatty acids and sterol compositions, total phenols, Rancimat induction time as well as sensory evaluation. Tin containers and dark glass bottles recorded the lowest oxidation values. In addition, oil packed in tin containers and dark glass bottles showed better physicochemical and organoleptic characteristics than that stored in clear glass bottles and PE containers. A significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the antioxidant contents (carotenes, chlorophylls and total phenols) was observed in the oil stored in the clear glass bottles and PE containers. Such results proved that the storage of oil in tin containers and dark glass bottles appeared most adequate, and showed a gradual loss of quality during storage, especially in PE containers and clear glass bottles. This study has shown that the best packaging materials for the commercial packing of Chemlali extra-virgin olive oil are tin containers and dark glass bottles.

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma--bad endometriosis or bad endometrium?

PubMed

Gounaris, Ioannis; Charnock-Jones, D Stephen; Brenton, James D

2011-10-01

It has become increasingly clear that the four main histological subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), high-grade serous, endometrioid, clear cell and mucinous, are entities with different epidemiologies, clinical presentations, responses to treatment, and ultimate outcomes. In fact, for all intents and purposes, they can be considered different diseases, their only common denominator being that they frequently involve the ovary and pelvic organs. However, clinical practice has not caught up with these insights and the treatment of EOC is that of a single disease entity. In part, this is because we lack detailed knowledge of the molecular mechanisms driving the pathogenesis of each disease, which is vital in order to develop therapeutic approaches against common driver events. In the last few years, mutations in ARID1A and PIK3CA have been described in a substantial fraction of cases of ovarian clear cell carcinoma, yet the paper by Yamamoto et al in this issue of The Journal of Pathology reveals that PIK3CA mutations can be detected in precursor endometriosis tissues. These and other recent observations underscore the importance of investigating whether mutations in the eutopic endometrium actually predispose to endometriosis and eventually to malignancy. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Electronic Structure of HgBa2CaCu2O(6+delta) Epitaxial films measured by x-ray Photoemission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vasquez, R. P.; Rupp, M.; Gupta, A.; Tsuei, C. C.

1995-01-01

The electronic structure and chemical states of HgBa2CaCu20(sub 6 + delta), epitaxial films have been studied with x-ray photelectron spectroscopy. Signals from the superconducting phase dominate all the core-level spectra, and a clear Fermi edge is observed in the valence-band region. The Ba, Ca, Cu, and O core levels are similar to those of Tl2Ba2CaCu208(+)O(sub 6 + delta), but distinct differences are observed in the valence bands which are consistent with differences in the calculated densities of states.

New astrometric observations of Triton in 2007-2009

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiao, R. C.; Zhang, H. Y.; Dourneau, G.; Yu, Y.; Yan, D.; Shen, K. X.; Cheng, X.; Xi, X. J.; Hu, X. Y.; Wang, S. H.

2014-06-01

Astrometric positions of the Neptunian satellite Triton with a visual magnitude of 13.5 were obtained during three successive oppositions in 2007, 2008 and 2009. A total of 1095 new observed positions of Triton were collected during 46 nights of observations, involving eight missions and three telescopes. We compared our observations to the best ephemerides of Triton available now. This comparison has shown that our observations present a high level of accuracy as they provide standard deviations of residuals hardly higher than 50 mas and mean residuals lower than 30 mas, corresponding to about only 500 km in the position of the very distant satellite Triton. Moreover, we have compared most of the different planetary ephemerides of Neptune available now as well as two recent orbit models of Triton. These new comparisons have clearly shown the differences between all of these ephemerides which can be significant and that are presented in this work.

Coalescence growth mechanism of ultrafine metal particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasukabe, S.

1990-01-01

Ultrafine particles produced by a gas-evaporation technique show clear-cut crystal habits. The convection of an inert gas makes distinct growth zones in a metal smoke. The coalescence stages of hexagonal plates and multiply twinned particles are observed in the outer zone of a smoke. A model of the coalescence growth of particles with different crystal habits is proposed. Size distributions can be calculated by counting the ratio of the number of collisions by using the effective cross section of collisions and the existence probability of the volume of a particle. This simulation model makes clear the effect on the growth rate of coalescence growth derived from crystal habit.

New insights from a statistical analysis of IUE spectra of dwarf novae and nova-like stars. I - Inclination effects in lines and continua

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

La Dous, Constanze

1991-01-01

IUE observations of dwarf novae at maximum at quiescence and novalike objects at the high brightness state are analyzed for effects of the inclination angle on the emitted continuum and line radiation. A clear pattern in the continuum flux distribution is exhibited only by dwarf novae at maximum where some 80 percent of the non-double-eclipsing systems show essentially identical distributions. This result is not in disagreement with theoretical expectations. All classes of objects exhibit a clear, but in each case different, dependence of the line radiation on the inclination angle.

Influence of Thunderstorms on the Structure of the Ionosphere using Composite Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nava, O.; Sutherland, E.

2017-12-01

It is well known in the amateur (ham) radio community that thunderstorms have a significant influence on local and long-distance high-frequency (HF) communications. This study aims to characterize the structure of the ionosphere in response to strong convective activity and cloud electrification. Superposed Epoch Analysis is applied to surface weather observations and ionosonde data at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida from August 2014 to July 2017. Preliminary results indicate that thunderstorms significantly modify the structure of the ionosphere, generating statistically different measurements of several key parameters (e.g., foEs, hmF2, ITEC) compared to clear-sky observations. Seasonal and diurnal influences between the thunderstorm and clear sky cases are also explored. Accurate characterization of the ionosphere in response to thunderstorms has important implications for the effective use of HF communications in civilian and military operations, to include emergency services, aviation, amateur radio, and over-the-horizon radar.

Seeing through Musculoskeletal Tissues: Improving In Situ Imaging of Bone and the Lacunar Canalicular System through Optical Clearing

PubMed Central

Berke, Ian M.; Miola, Joseph P.; David, Michael A.; Smith, Melanie K.; Price, Christopher

2016-01-01

In situ, cells of the musculoskeletal system reside within complex and often interconnected 3-D environments. Key to better understanding how 3-D tissue and cellular environments regulate musculoskeletal physiology, homeostasis, and health is the use of robust methodologies for directly visualizing cell-cell and cell-matrix architecture in situ. However, the use of standard optical imaging techniques is often of limited utility in deep imaging of intact musculoskeletal tissues due to the highly scattering nature of biological tissues. Drawing inspiration from recent developments in the deep-tissue imaging field, we describe the application of immersion based optical clearing techniques, which utilize the principle of refractive index (RI) matching between the clearing/mounting media and tissue under observation, to improve the deep, in situ imaging of musculoskeletal tissues. To date, few optical clearing techniques have been applied specifically to musculoskeletal tissues, and a systematic comparison of the clearing ability of optical clearing agents in musculoskeletal tissues has yet to be fully demonstrated. In this study we tested the ability of eight different aqueous and non-aqueous clearing agents, with RIs ranging from 1.45 to 1.56, to optically clear murine knee joints and cortical bone. We demonstrated and quantified the ability of these optical clearing agents to clear musculoskeletal tissues and improve both macro- and micro-scale imaging of musculoskeletal tissue across several imaging modalities (stereomicroscopy, spectroscopy, and one-, and two-photon confocal microscopy) and investigational techniques (dynamic bone labeling and en bloc tissue staining). Based upon these findings we believe that optical clearing, in combination with advanced imaging techniques, has the potential to complement classical musculoskeletal analysis techniques; opening the door for improved in situ investigation and quantification of musculoskeletal tissues. PMID:26930293

Seeing through Musculoskeletal Tissues: Improving In Situ Imaging of Bone and the Lacunar Canalicular System through Optical Clearing.

PubMed

Berke, Ian M; Miola, Joseph P; David, Michael A; Smith, Melanie K; Price, Christopher

2016-01-01

In situ, cells of the musculoskeletal system reside within complex and often interconnected 3-D environments. Key to better understanding how 3-D tissue and cellular environments regulate musculoskeletal physiology, homeostasis, and health is the use of robust methodologies for directly visualizing cell-cell and cell-matrix architecture in situ. However, the use of standard optical imaging techniques is often of limited utility in deep imaging of intact musculoskeletal tissues due to the highly scattering nature of biological tissues. Drawing inspiration from recent developments in the deep-tissue imaging field, we describe the application of immersion based optical clearing techniques, which utilize the principle of refractive index (RI) matching between the clearing/mounting media and tissue under observation, to improve the deep, in situ imaging of musculoskeletal tissues. To date, few optical clearing techniques have been applied specifically to musculoskeletal tissues, and a systematic comparison of the clearing ability of optical clearing agents in musculoskeletal tissues has yet to be fully demonstrated. In this study we tested the ability of eight different aqueous and non-aqueous clearing agents, with RIs ranging from 1.45 to 1.56, to optically clear murine knee joints and cortical bone. We demonstrated and quantified the ability of these optical clearing agents to clear musculoskeletal tissues and improve both macro- and micro-scale imaging of musculoskeletal tissue across several imaging modalities (stereomicroscopy, spectroscopy, and one-, and two-photon confocal microscopy) and investigational techniques (dynamic bone labeling and en bloc tissue staining). Based upon these findings we believe that optical clearing, in combination with advanced imaging techniques, has the potential to complement classical musculoskeletal analysis techniques; opening the door for improved in situ investigation and quantification of musculoskeletal tissues.

Enhanced clear sky reflectance near clouds: What can be learned from it about aerosol properties?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marshak, A.; Varnai, T.; Wen, G.; Chiu, J.

2009-12-01

Studies on aerosol direct and indirect effects require a precise separation of cloud-free and cloudy air. However, separation between cloud-free and cloudy areas from remotely-sensed measurements is ambiguous. The transition zone in the regions around clouds often stretches out tens of km, which are neither precisely clear nor precisely cloudy. We study the transition zone between cloud-free and cloudy air using MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) measurements. Both instruments show enhanced clear-sky reflectance (MODIS) and clear-sky backscatterer (CALIPSO) near clouds. Analyzing a large dataset of MODIS observations, we examine the effect of three-dimensional radiative interactions between clouds and cloud-free areas, also known as a cloud adjacency effect. The cloud adjacency effect is well observed in MODIS clear-sky data in the vicinity of clouds. Comparing with CALIPSO clear-sky backscatterer measurements, we show that this effect may be responsible for a large portion of the enhanced clear-sky reflectance observed by MODIS. Finally, we describe a simple model that estimates the cloud-induced enhanced reflectances of cloud-free areas in the vicinity of clouds. The model assumes that the enhancement is due entirely to Rayleigh scattering and is therefore bigger at shorter wavelengths, thus creating a so-called apparent “bluing” of aerosols in remote sensing retrievals.

First comparison of formaldehyde integral contents in ABL retrieved during clear-sky and overcast conditions by ZDOAS technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanov, Victor; Borovski, Alexander; Postylyakov, Oleg

2017-10-01

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is involved in a lot of chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Taking into account that HCHO basically undergo by photolysis and reaction with hydroxyl radical within a few hours, short-lived VOCs and direct HCHO emissions can cause local HCHO enhancement over certain areas, and, hence, exceeding background level of HCHO can be examined as a local pollution of the atmosphere by VOCs or existence of a local HCHO source. Several retrieval algorithms applicable for DOAS measurements in cloudless were previously developed. In previous works we proposed a new algorithm applicable for the overcast conditions. The algorithm has the typical F-coefficient error of about 10% for winter season, about 5% for summer season, and varying from 15 to 45% for transition season if the atmospheric boundary layer is below the cloud base. In this paper we briefly present our results of the HCHO vertical column retrieval measured at Zvenigorod Scientific Station (ZSS) for overcast. ZSS (55°41'49''N, 36°46'29''E) is located in Moscow region in 38 km west from Moscow. Because Western winds prevail in this region, ZSS is a background station the most part of time. But in cases of Eastern wind, the air quality at ZSS is affected by Moscow megapolis, and polluted air masses formed above Moscow can reach station in a few hours. Due to the absence of alternative overcast data of HCHO, we compare our overcast data with the HCHO vertical content, which we obtained for clear sky. We investigate similarities and differences in their statistical behavior in different air mass. The average overcast HCHO data have similar to clear-sky HCHO positive temperature trends for all wind direction. We found that the average retrieved overcast HCHO contents are systematically greater than the clear-sky retrieval data. But the difference between data retrieved for the overcast and clear-sky conditions are different for Eastern and Western winds. This difference is about 0.5×1016 mol cm-2 for Western winds and about 1.2×1016 mol cm-2 for Eastern winds. We suppose that observed difference between the overcast and clear-sky formaldehyde data can be caused by dependence of chemical reactions leading to the HCHO destruction and the HCHO formation from Moscow anthropogenic predecessors on the cloudy conditions.

Performance comparison of attitude determination, attitude estimation, and nonlinear observers algorithms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

MOHAMMED, M. A. SI; BOUSSADIA, H.; BELLAR, A.; ADNANE, A.

2017-01-01

This paper presents a brief synthesis and useful performance analysis of different attitude filtering algorithms (attitude determination algorithms, attitude estimation algorithms, and nonlinear observers) applied to Low Earth Orbit Satellite in terms of accuracy, convergence time, amount of memory, and computation time. This latter is calculated in two ways, using a personal computer and also using On-board computer 750 (OBC 750) that is being used in many SSTL Earth observation missions. The use of this comparative study could be an aided design tool to the designer to choose from an attitude determination or attitude estimation or attitude observer algorithms. The simulation results clearly indicate that the nonlinear Observer is the more logical choice.

Expansion of a PBPK model to predict disposition in pregnant women of drugs cleared via multiple CYP enzymes, including CYP2B6, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19

PubMed Central

Ke, Alice Ban; Nallani, Srikanth C; Zhao, Ping; Rostami-Hodjegan, Amin; Unadkat, Jashvant D

2014-01-01

Aim Conducting PK studies in pregnant women is challenging. Therefore, we asked if a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model could be used to predict the disposition in pregnant women of drugs cleared by multiple CYP enzymes. Methods We expanded and verified our previously published pregnancy PBPK model by incorporating hepatic CYP2B6 induction (based on in vitro data), CYP2C9 induction (based on phenytoin PK) and CYP2C19 suppression (based on proguanil PK), into the model. This model accounted for gestational age-dependent changes in maternal physiology and hepatic CYP3A, CYP1A2 and CYP2D6 activity. For verification, the pregnancy-related changes in the disposition of methadone (cleared by CYP2B6, 3A and 2C19) and glyburide (cleared by CYP3A, 2C9 and 2C19) were predicted. Results Predicted mean post-partum to second trimester (PP : T2) ratios of methadone AUC, Cmax and Cmin were 1.9, 1.7 and 2.0, vs. observed values 2.0, 2.0 and 2.6, respectively. Predicted mean post-partum to third trimester (PP : T3) ratios of methadone AUC, Cmax and Cmin were 2.1, 2.0 and 2.4, vs. observed values 1.7, 1.7 and 1.8, respectively. Predicted PP : T3 ratios of glyburide AUC, Cmax and Cmin were 2.6, 2.2 and 7.0 vs. observed values 2.1, 2.2 and 3.2, respectively. Conclusions Our PBPK model integrating prior physiological knowledge, in vitro and in vivo data, allowed successful prediction of methadone and glyburide disposition during pregnancy. We propose this expanded PBPK model can be used to evaluate different dosing scenarios, during pregnancy, of drugs cleared by single or multiple CYP enzymes. PMID:23834474

Expansion of a PBPK model to predict disposition in pregnant women of drugs cleared via multiple CYP enzymes, including CYP2B6, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19.

PubMed

Ke, Alice Ban; Nallani, Srikanth C; Zhao, Ping; Rostami-Hodjegan, Amin; Unadkat, Jashvant D

2014-03-01

Conducting PK studies in pregnant women is challenging. Therefore, we asked if a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model could be used to predict the disposition in pregnant women of drugs cleared by multiple CYP enzymes. We expanded and verified our previously published pregnancy PBPK model by incorporating hepatic CYP2B6 induction (based on in vitro data), CYP2C9 induction (based on phenytoin PK) and CYP2C19 suppression (based on proguanil PK), into the model. This model accounted for gestational age-dependent changes in maternal physiology and hepatic CYP3A, CYP1A2 and CYP2D6 activity. For verification, the pregnancy-related changes in the disposition of methadone (cleared by CYP2B6, 3A and 2C19) and glyburide (cleared by CYP3A, 2C9 and 2C19) were predicted. Predicted mean post-partum to second trimester (PP : T2 ) ratios of methadone AUC, Cmax and Cmin were 1.9, 1.7 and 2.0, vs. observed values 2.0, 2.0 and 2.6, respectively. Predicted mean post-partum to third trimester (PP : T3 ) ratios of methadone AUC, Cmax and Cmin were 2.1, 2.0 and 2.4, vs. observed values 1.7, 1.7 and 1.8, respectively. Predicted PP : T3 ratios of glyburide AUC, Cmax and Cmin were 2.6, 2.2 and 7.0 vs. observed values 2.1, 2.2 and 3.2, respectively. Our PBPK model integrating prior physiological knowledge, in vitro and in vivo data, allowed successful prediction of methadone and glyburide disposition during pregnancy. We propose this expanded PBPK model can be used to evaluate different dosing scenarios, during pregnancy, of drugs cleared by single or multiple CYP enzymes. © 2013 The British Pharmacological Society.

Sodium Peroxide Dihydrate or Sodium Superoxide: The Importance of the Cell Configuration for Sodium-Oxygen Batteries

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bi, Xuanxuan; Wang, Rongyue; Ma, Lu

In sodium–oxygen (Na–O2) batteries, multiple discharge products have been observed by different research groups. Given the fact that different materials, gas supplies, and cell configurations are used by different groups, it is a great challenge to draw a clear conclusion on the formation of the different products. Here, two different cell setups are used to investigate the cell chemistries of Na–O2 batteries. With the same materials and gas supplies, a peroxide-based product is observed in a glass chamber cell and a superoxide-based product is observed in a stainless-steel cell. Ex situ high-energy X-ray diffraction (HEXRD) and Raman spectroscopy are performedmore » to investigate the structure and composition of the product. In addition, in situ XRD is used to investigate the structure evolution of the peroxide-based product. The findings highlight the importance of the cell design and emphasize the critical environment of the formation of the discharge products of Na–O2 batteries.« less

Experimental confirmation of multiple community states in a marine ecosystem.

PubMed

Petraitis, Peter S; Methratta, Elizabeth T; Rhile, Erika C; Vidargas, Nicholas A; Dudgeon, Steve R

2009-08-01

Small changes in environmental conditions can unexpectedly tip an ecosystem from one community type to another, and these often irreversible shifts have been observed in semi-arid grasslands, freshwater lakes and ponds, coral reefs, and kelp forests. A commonly accepted explanation is that these ecosystems contain multiple stable points, but experimental tests confirming multiple stable states have proven elusive. Here we present a novel approach and show that mussel beds and rockweed stands are multiple stable states on intertidal shores in the Gulf of Maine, USA. Using broad-scale observational data and long-term data from experimental clearings, we show that the removal of rockweed by winter ice scour can tip persistent rockweed stands to mussel beds. The observational data were analyzed with Anderson's discriminant analysis of principal coordinates, which provided an objective function to separate mussel beds from rockweed stands. The function was then applied to 55 experimental plots, which had been established in rockweed stands in 1996. Based on 2005 data, all uncleared controls and all but one of the small clearings were classified as rockweed stands; 37% of the large clearings were classified as mussel beds. Our results address the establishment of mussels versus rockweeds and complement rather than refute the current paradigm that mussel beds and rockweed stands, once established, are maintained by site-specific differences in strong consumer control.

Statistics of velocity gradients in two-dimensional Navier-Stokes and ocean turbulence.

PubMed

Schorghofer, Norbert; Gille, Sarah T

2002-02-01

Probability density functions and conditional averages of velocity gradients derived from upper ocean observations are compared with results from forced simulations of the two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations. Ocean data are derived from TOPEX satellite altimeter measurements. The simulations use rapid forcing on large scales, characteristic of surface winds. The probability distributions of transverse velocity derivatives from the ocean observations agree with the forced simulations, although they differ from unforced simulations reported elsewhere. The distribution and cross correlation of velocity derivatives provide clear evidence that large coherent eddies play only a minor role in generating the observed statistics.

Further Exploration of Post-Flare Giant Arches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

West, Matthew; Seaton, Daniel B.; Dennis, Brian R.; feng, Li

2017-08-01

Recent observations from the SWAP EUV imager on-board PROBA2 and SXI X-ray observations from the GOES satellite have shown that post-flare giant arches and regular post-flare loops are one and the same thing. However, it is still not clear how certain loop systems are able to sustain prolonged growth to heights of approximately 400000 km (>0.5 solar-radii). In this presentation we further explore the energy deposition rate above post-flare loop systems through high-energy RHESSI observations. We also explore the difference between the loop systems through a multi-wavelength epoch analysis.

Differences in How Monolingual and Bilingual Children Learn Second Labels for Familiar Objects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rowe, Lindsey; Jacobson, Rebecca; Saylor, Megan M.

2015-01-01

Monolingual children sometimes resist learning second labels for familiar objects. One explanation is that they are guided by word learning constraints that lead to the assumption that objects have only one name. It is less clear whether bilingual children observe this constraint. In the current study, we test the hypothesis that bilingual…

Structural practices for controlling sediment transport from erosion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gabriels, Donald; Verbist, Koen; Van de Linden, Bruno

2013-04-01

Erosion on agricultural fields in the hilly regions of Flanders, Belgium has been recognized as an important economical and ecological problem that requires effective control measures. This has led to the implementation of on-site and off-site measures such as reduced tillage and the installation of grass buffers trips, and dams made of vegetative materials. Dams made out of coir (coconut) and wood chips were evaluated on three different levels of complexity. Under laboratory conditions, one meter long dams were submitted to two different discharges and three sediment concentrations under two different slopes, to assess the sediment delivery ratios under variable conditions. At the field scale, discharge and sediment concentrations were monitored under natural rainfall conditions on six 3 m wide plots, of which three were equipped with coir dams, while the other three served as control plots. The same plots were also used for rainfall simulations, which allowed controlling sediment delivery boundary conditions more precisely. Results show a clear advantage of these dams to reduce discharge by minimum 49% under both field and laboratory conditions. Sediment delivery ratios (SDR) were very small under laboratory and field rainfall simulations (4-9% and 2% respectively), while larger SDRs were observed under natural conditions (43%), probably due to the small sediment concentrations (1-5 g l-1) observed and as such a larger influence of boundary effects. Also a clear enrichment of larger sand particles (+167%) could be observed behind the dams, showing a significant selective filtering effect.

Evaluation of Aerosol-cloud Interaction in the GISS Model E Using ARM Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

DeBoer, G.; Bauer, S. E.; Toto, T.; Menon, Surabi; Vogelmann, A. M.

2013-01-01

Observations from the US Department of Energy's Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program are used to evaluate the ability of the NASA GISS ModelE global climate model in reproducing observed interactions between aerosols and clouds. Included in the evaluation are comparisons of basic meteorology and aerosol properties, droplet activation, effective radius parameterizations, and surface-based evaluations of aerosol-cloud interactions (ACI). Differences between the simulated and observed ACI are generally large, but these differences may result partially from vertical distribution of aerosol in the model, rather than the representation of physical processes governing the interactions between aerosols and clouds. Compared to the current observations, the ModelE often features elevated droplet concentrations for a given aerosol concentration, indicating that the activation parameterizations used may be too aggressive. Additionally, parameterizations for effective radius commonly used in models were tested using ARM observations, and there was no clear superior parameterization for the cases reviewed here. This lack of consensus is demonstrated to result in potentially large, statistically significant differences to surface radiative budgets, should one parameterization be chosen over another.

Ultraviolet radiation modelling from ground-based and satellite measurements on Reunion Island, southern tropics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lamy, Kévin; Portafaix, Thierry; Brogniez, Colette; Godin-Beekmann, Sophie; Bencherif, Hassan; Morel, Béatrice; Pazmino, Andrea; Metzger, Jean Marc; Auriol, Frédérique; Deroo, Christine; Duflot, Valentin; Goloub, Philippe; Long, Charles N.

2018-01-01

Surface ultraviolet radiation (SUR) is not an increasing concern after the implementation of the Montreal Protocol and the recovery of the ozone layer (Morgenstern et al., 2008). However, large uncertainties remain in the prediction of future changes of SUR (Bais et al., 2015). Several studies pointed out that UV-B impacts the biosphere (Erickson et al., 2015), especially the aquatic system, which plays a central part in the biogeochemical cycle (Hader et al., 2007). It can affect phytoplankton productivity (Smith and Cullen, 1995). This influence can result in either positive or negative feedback on climate (Zepp et al., 2007). Global circulation model simulations predict an acceleration of the Brewer-Dobson circulation over the next century (Butchart, 2014), which would lead to a decrease in ozone levels in the tropics and an enhancement at higher latitudes (Hegglin and Shepherd, 2009). Reunion Island is located in the tropics (21° S, 55° E), in a part of the world where the amount of ozone in the ozone column is naturally low. In addition, this island is mountainous and the marine atmosphere is often clean with low aerosol concentrations. Thus, measurements show much higher SUR than at other sites at the same latitude or at midlatitudes. Ground-based measurements of SUR have been taken on Reunion Island by a Bentham DTMc300 spectroradiometer since 2009. This instrument is affiliated with the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC). In order to quantify the future evolution of SUR in the tropics, it is necessary to validate a model against present observations. This study is designed to be a preliminary parametric and sensitivity study of SUR modelling in the tropics. We developed a local parameterisation using the Tropospheric Ultraviolet and Visible Model (TUV; Madronich, 1993) and compared the output of TUV to multiple years of Bentham spectral measurements. This comparison started in early 2009 and continued until 2016. Only clear-sky SUR was modelled, so we needed to sort out the clear-sky measurements. We used two methods to detect cloudy conditions: the first was based on an observer's hourly report on the sky cover, while the second was based on applying Long and Ackerman (2000)'s algorithm to broadband pyranometer data to obtain the cloud fraction and then discriminating clear-sky windows on SUR measurements. Long et al. (2006)'s algorithm, with the co-located pyranometer data, gave better results for clear-sky filtering than the observer's report. Multiple model inputs were tested to evaluate the model sensitivity to different parameters such as total ozone column, aerosol optical properties, extraterrestrial spectrum or ozone cross section. For total column ozone, we used ground-based measurements from the SAOZ (Système d'Analyse par Observation Zénithale) spectrometer and satellite measurements from the OMI and SBUV instruments, while ozone profiles were derived from radio-soundings and the MLS ozone product. Aerosol optical properties came from a local aerosol climatology established using a Cimel photometer. Since the mean difference between various inputs of total ozone column was small, the corresponding response on UVI modelling was also quite small, at about 1 %. The radiative amplification factor of total ozone column on UVI was also compared for observations and the model. Finally, we were able to estimate UVI on Reunion Island with, at best, a mean relative difference of about 0.5 %, compared to clear-sky observations.

Optical coherence tomography to evaluate the effects of oxidative hair dye on the fiber.

PubMed

Velasco, Maria Valéria Robles; de Abreu, Simone Rachid Pfannemüller; de Freitas, Anderson Zanardi; Bedin, Valcinir; Baby, André Rolim; da Gama, Robson Miranda

2016-11-01

Oxidative hair dyes can damage the hair, since these chemical procedures are involved to change the fiber structure and therefore changes in their mechanical and surface properties. Evaluate and compare the effect of the two colors of oxidative hair dye emulsions on Caucasian hair. This research analyzed the Dark brown hair untreated (I); Dark brown hair treated with light brown dye (II); Dark brown hair treated with light blond dye (III); Light blond hair untreated (IV); Light blond hair treated with light brown dye (V); Light blond hair treated with light blond dye (VI) on Caucasian hair. The hair samples were submitted to breaking strength, color, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis. For the breaking strength assay no presented statistically significant differences between treatments. The parameters of color and brightness can differ in some hair dye formulations, but also the hair type can respond differently. The OCT images of the sample I and IV was possible observed, clearly Medulla and Cortex, which was not observed clearly after treatment with both oxidative hair dye colors. Based on the results, the oxidative hair dyes increased alteration in color and ultrastructure of hair. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Strain rate dependent calcite microfabric evolution - an experiment carried out by nature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rogowitz, A.; Huet, B.; Grasemann, B.; Habler, G.

2013-12-01

The deformation behaviour of calcite has been studied extensively in a number of experiments. Different strain rates and pressure and temperature conditions have been used to investigate a wide range of deformation regimes. However, a direct comparison with natural fault rocks remains difficult because of extreme differences between experimental and natural strain rates. A secondary shear zone (flanking structure) developed in almost pure calcite marble on Syros (Greece). Due to rotation of an elliptical inclusion (crack) a heterogeneous strain field in the surrounding area occurred resulting in different strain domains and the formation of the flanking structure. Assuming that deformation was active continuously during the development of the flanking structure, the different strain domains correspond to different strain-rate domains. The outcrop thus represents the final state of a natural experiment and gives us a great opportunity to get natural constraints on strain rate dependent deformation behaviour of calcite. Comparing the microfabrics in the 1 to 2.5 cm thick shear zone and the surrounding host rocks, which formed under the same metamorphic conditions but with different strain rates, is the central focus of this study. Due to the extreme variation in strain and strain rate, different microstructures and textures can be observed corresponding to different deformation mechanisms. With increasing strain rate we observe a change in dominant deformation mechanism from dislocation glide to dislocation creep and finally diffusion creep. Additionally, a change from subgrain rotation (SGR) to bulging (BLG) recrystallization can be observed in the dislocation creep regime. Textures and the degree of intracrystalline deformation have been measured by electron back scatter diffraction (EBSD). At all strain rates clear CPOs developed leading to the assumption that calcite preferentially deforms within the dislocation creep field. However, we can also find clear evidence for grain size sensitive deformation mechanisms at smaller grain sizes (3.6 μm) consistent with experimental observations and determined flaw laws. Although mylonitic layers evolve at high (10^-10 s^-1) and intermediate strain rates (10^-11 s^-1) by SGR recrystallization we observe variations in texture leading to the assumption that at varying strain rates different gliding systems were active. The results of this study are compared with experimental data, closing the gap between experimental and natural geological strain rates.

Observed Personality in Childhood: Psychometric and Behavioral Genetic Evidence of Two Broad Personality Factors

PubMed Central

Wang, Zhe; Chen, Nan; Petrill, Stephen A.; Deater-Deckard, Kirby

2014-01-01

We examined broad dimensions of children’s personalities (total n = 1056; age = 3.5 to 12 years) based on observers’ perceptions following a few hours of structured interaction. Siblings’ behaviors during a two-hour cognitive assessment in the home were rated separately by two different observers. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses clearly revealed a two-factor solution in three different samples. There was correspondence between parent-rated temperament and the observer-rated factors. Cross-sectional analyses indicated lower Plasticity among older children and higher Stability among older children. Sex differences were negligible. Plasticity and Stability were correlated in the .2 to .3 range. Most of the sibling similarity in the Plasticity was due to additive genetic influences, whereas most sibling similarity in Stability was attributable to shared environmental influences. The findings implicate a biometric factor structure to childhood personality that fits well with emerging bio-social theories of personality development. PMID:24932065

Strain rate dependent calcite microfabric evolution at natural conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rogowitz, Anna; Grasemann, Bernhard; Huet, Benjamin; Habler, Gerlinde

2014-05-01

Crystal plastic deformational behaviour of calcite has been the focus of many experimental studies. Different strain rates, pressure and temperature conditions have been addressed to investigate a wide range of deformation regimes. However, a direct comparison with natural fault rocks remains difficult because of extreme differences between experimental and natural strain rates. A flanking structure developed in almost pure calcite marble on Syros (Cyclades, Greece). Due to rotation of a planar feature (crack) a heterogeneous strain field in the surrounding area occurred resulting in different strain domains and the formation of the flanking structure. Assuming that deformation was active continuously during the development of the flanking structure, the different strain domains correspond to different strain-rate domains. The outcrop thus represents the final state of a natural experiment and gives us a great opportunity to get natural constraints on strain rate dependent deformation behaviour of calcite. Comparing the microfabrics in the 1 to 2.5 cm thick shear zone and the surrounding host rocks, which formed under the same metamorphic conditions but with different strain rates, is the central focus of this study. Due to the extreme variation in strain and strain rate, different microstructures and textures can be observed corresponding to different deformation mechanisms. With increasing strain rate we observe a change in dominant deformation mechanism from dislocation glide to dislocation creep and finally diffusion creep. Additionally, a change from subgrain rotation to bulging recrystallization can be observed in the dislocation creep regime. Crystallographic preferred orientations (CPO) and the grade of intracrystalline deformation were measured on a FEI Quanta 3D FEG instrument equipped with an EDAX Digiview IV EBSD camera. At all strain rates clear CPOs developed leading to the assumption that calcite preferentially deforms within the dislocation creep field. However, we can also find clear evidence for grain size sensitive deformation mechanisms at smaller grain sizes (3.6 μm) consistent with experimental observations and determined flaw laws. The results of this study are compared with experimental data, closing the gap between experimental and natural geological strain rates.

Subsurface Thermal and Hydrological Changes Between a Forested and a Clear-Cut Site in the Oregon Cascades: Observations and Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, M. G.; Harris, R. N.; Chapman, D. S.

2013-12-01

We report a comparison of temperature and related observations between a set of paired meteorological stations at the Soapgrass Mountain site, Santiam Pass, Cascades Mountains, Oregon, USA. This site contains two separate meteorological towers; one under the old-growth coniferous forest canopy and the other in a nearby forest opening that was clear cut. The open area has warmer air and soil temperatures and receives greater amounts of incoming radiation. These conditions are contrasted with the muted conditions under the forest canopy. A comparison of the sites shows that between 2000 and 2004, differences in air temperature decrease from 1.7 °C to 1.1 °C. Ground temperature differences are nearly cut in half in the leaf litter from 2.8 °C to 1.5 °C over the same time period. We link this change directly to the change in incoming radiation, with an observed decrease from 295 μmol m-2 sec-1 to 233 μmol m-2 sec-1, that is a result of the forest regrowth at the open area site. Subsurface temperatures are reproducible at the open area site using the Noah land surface model, but larger discrepancies exist at the mature forest site. At the mature forest site, the incoming solar radiation is too low to reproduce the observations using the Noah land surface model. Using the incoming solar radiation from the open area allows for much better agreement between the Noah model results and the observations.

EE Cep Winks in Full Color

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walker, Gary E.

2015-01-01

We observe the long period (5.6 years) Eclipsing Binary Variable Star EE Cep during it's 2014 eclipse. It was observed on every clear night from the Maria Mitchell Observatory as well as remote sites for a total of 25 nights. Each night consisted of a detailed time series in BVRI looking for short term variations for a total of >9000 observations. The data was transformed to the Standard System. In addition, a time series was captured during the night of the eclipse. This data provides an alternate method to determine Time of Minimum than traditionally performed. The TOM varied with color. Several strong correlations are seen between colors substantiating the detection of variations on a time scale of hours. The long term light curve shows 5 interesting and different Phases with different characteristics.

Preventive DNA repair by sanitizing the cellular (deoxy)nucleoside triphosphate pool.

PubMed

Nagy, Gergely N; Leveles, Ibolya; Vértessy, Beáta G

2014-09-01

The occurrence of modified bases in DNA is attributed to some major factors: incorporation of altered nucleotide building blocks and chemical reactions or radiation effects on bases within the DNA structure. Several enzyme families are involved in preventing the incorporation of noncanonical bases playing a 'sanitizing' role. The catalytic mechanism of action of these enzymes has been revealed for a number of representatives in clear structural and kinetic detail. In this review, we focus in detail on those examples where clear evidence has been produced using high-resolution structural studies. Comparing the protein fold and architecture of the enzyme active sites, two main classes of sanitizing deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate pyrophosphatases can be assigned that are distinguished by the site of nucleophilic attack. In enzymes associated with attack at the α-phosphorus, it is shown that coordination of the γ-phosphate group is also ensured by multiple interactions. By contrast, enzymes catalyzing attack at the β-phosphorus atom mainly coordinate the α- and the β-phosphate only. Characteristic differences are also observed with respect to the role of the metal ion cofactor (Mg(2+) ) and the coordination of nucleophilic water. Using different catalytic mechanisms embedded in different protein folds, these enzymes present a clear example of convergent evolution. © 2014 FEBS.

Mini-RF Bistatic Observations of Lunar Crater Ejecta

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stickle, A. M.; Patterson, G. W.; Cahill, J. T.

2017-12-01

The Mini-RF radar onboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) is currently operating in a bistatic configuration using the Goldstone DSS-13 and Arecibo Observatory as transmitters in X-band (4.2-cm) and S-band (12.6 cm), respectively. The Circular Polarization Ratio (CPR) is a typical product derived from backscattered microwave radiation that examines the scattering properties of the lunar surface, particularly the roughness of the surface on the order of the radar wavelength. Throughout the LRO extended mission, Mini-RF has targeted young craters on the lunar surface to examine the scattering properties of their ejecta blankets in both S- and X-band. Several observed craters and their ejecta blankets exhibit a clear coherent backscatter opposition effect at low bistatic (phase) angles. This opposition effect is consistent with optical studies of lunar soils done in the laboratory, but these observations are the first time this effect has been measured on the Moon at radar wavelengths. The style of the observed opposition effect differs between craters, which may indicate differences in ejecta fragment formation or emplacement. Differences in the CPR behavior as a function of bistatic angle may also provide opportunities for relative age dating between Copernican craters. Here, we examine the ejecta of nine Copernican and Eratosthenian aged craters in both S-band and X-band and document CPR characteristics as a function bistatic angle in order to test that hypothesis. The youngest craters observed by Mini-RF (e.g., Byrgius A (48 My), Kepler (635-1250 My)) exhibit a clear opposition effect, while older craters such as Hercules have a fairly flat response in CPR as a function of phase angle. Craters with ages between these two ends, e.g., Aristarchus, exhibit a weaker opposition response. Observing the scattering behavior of continuous ejecta blankets in multiple wavelengths may provide further information about the rate of breakdown of rocks of varying size to provide increased understanding of how impacts produce regolith on the Moon.

Summary of types of radiation belt electron precipitation observed by BARREL

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Halford, Alexa

2016-07-01

The Balloon Array for Relativistic Radiation belt Electron Loss (BARREL) was able to infer precipitation of radiation belt electrons on multiple time scales and due to multiple loss mechanisms. One storm will be specifically highlighted which occurred on 26 January 2013 when a solar wind shock hit the Earth. Although MeV electrons were observed to be lost due to an EMIC wave event [Zhang et al in prep], and multiple periods of electron loss during substorms were observed [Rae et al submitted JGR, Mann et al in prep], we will consider an event period where loss associated with multiple time scales, and thus possibly different loss mechanisms was observed from 1000 - 1200 UT on 26 January 2013. At about 1005 UT on 26 January 2013 an injection of radiation belt electrons followed by drift echoes for energies of ˜80 - 400 keV. BARREL observed X-rays with energies less than 180 keV associated with multiple temporal structures during the drift echo event period. The Van Allen Probes were at similar L-values but upwards of 2 hours away in MLT. Upper band chorus and ULF waves were observed during the event period. Throughout the beginning of the event period, microbursts were clearly observed. During this time lower band chorus waves as well as time domain structures were observed at Van Allen Probe A located upwards of 2 hours away in MLT. This large difference in MLT meant that neither potential loss mechanism was able to be clearly associated with the microbursts. As the lower band chorus and time domain structures were observed to recede, the microbursts were also observed to subside. ULF time scale modulation of the X-rays was also observed throughout most of the event period. We will examine if the ULF waves are the cause of the precipitation themselves, or are modulating the loss of particles from a secondary loss mechanism [Brito et al 2015 JGR, Rae et al Submitted JGR]. Although the 100s ms and ULF time scales are clearly observed, there is an ˜20 minute overarching structure observed in the X-rays at BARREL. This longer time scale appears to match the drift period of the ˜300 keV electrons observed by the Van Allen probes. However the inferred energy of the precipitating electrons is ˜150 keV. It is unclear what may be causing the ˜20 minute structure in the X-rays. At the time of writing this abstract, it is unclear if the drifting of the 300 keV electrons is related to the precipitation of the lower energy electrons (< 180 keV) or if it is just coincidence that they have the same temporal structure.

Well clear: General aviation and commercial pilots' perception of unmanned aerial vehicles in the national airspace system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ott, Joseph T.

The purpose of this research was to determine how different pilot types perceived the subjective concept of the Well Clear Boundary (WCB) and to observe if that boundary changed when dealing with manned versus unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) as well as the effects of other variables. Pilots' perceptions of the WCB were collected objectively through simulator recordings and subjectively through questionnaires. Together, these metrics provided quantitative and qualitative data about pilot WCB perception. The objective results of this study showed significant differences in WCB perception between two different pilot types, as well as WCB significant differences when comparing two different intruder types (manned versus unmanned aircraft). These differences were dependent on other manipulated variables, including intruder approach angle, ownship speed, and background traffic levels. Subjectively, there were evident differences in WCB perception across pilot types; general aviation (GA) pilots appeared to trust UAS aircraft slightly more than did the more experienced Airline Transport Pilots (ATPs). Overall, it is concluded that pilots' mental models of the WCB are more easily perceived as time-based boundaries in front of ownship, while being more easily perceived as distance-based boundaries to the rear of ownship.

Dorsal light reflex is absent in the postural control system of the upside-down swimming catfish, Synodontis nigriventris

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohnishi, T.; Ohnishi, K.; Okamoto, N.; Yamamoto, T.; Hosoi, H.; Takahashi, A.; Kawai, H.

A kind of catfish, Synodontis nigriventris, has a unique habit of maintaining an upside-down posture under normal gravity conditions (1 G). We exposed S. nigriventris to a microgravity environment provided by the parabolic flights of an aircraft and observed the dorsal light reflex (DLR), which is well known to be an important visually guided postural reaction in fish. In general, fish directs its back to an illuminated direction, depending on DLR: DLR is observed more clearly under microgravity as compared with 1 G. Interestingly, S. nigriventris exhibited no DLR response even under microgravity. In contrast, clear DLR was observed under microgravity in two other species, which have an upside-up swimming habit, Synodontis multipunctatus, belonging to the same Synodontis family, and Corydoras paleatus, belonging to a different catfish family. Our parabolic flight experiments have confirmed for the first time that S. nigriventris has a novel balance sensation which does not induce DLR. This allows us to address a new and attractive strategy for the analysis of the postural control mechanism of vertebrate.

Centre-surround inhibition is a general aspect of famous-person recognition: evidence from negative semantic priming from clearly visible primes.

PubMed

Stone, Anna

2012-05-01

A centre-surround attentional mechanism was proposed by Carr and Dagenbach (Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition 16: 341-350, 1990) to account for their observations of negative semantic priming from hard-to-perceive primes. Their mechanism cannot account for the observation of negative semantic priming when primes are clearly visible. Three experiments (Ns = 30, 46, and 30) used a familiarity decision with names of famous people, preceded by a prime name with the same occupation as the target or with a different occupation. Negative semantic priming was observed at a 150- or 200-ms SOA, with positive priming at shorter (50-ms) and longer (1,000-ms) SOAs. In Experiment 3, we verified that the primes were easily recognisable in the priming task at an SOA that yielded negative semantic priming, which cannot be predicted by the original centre-surround mechanism. A modified version is proposed that explains transiently negative semantic priming by proposing that centre-surround inhibition is a normal, automatically invoked aspect of the semantic processing of visually presented famous names.

HF radar signatures of the cusp and low-latitude boundary layer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baker, K. B.; Dudeney, J. R.; Greenwald, R. A.; Pinnock, M.; Newell, P. T.; Rodger, A. S.; Mattin, N.; Meng, C.-I.

1995-01-01

Continuous ground-based observations of ionospheric and magnetospheric regions are critical to the Geospace Environmental Modeling (GEM) program. It is therefore important to establish clear intercalibrations between different ground-based instruments and satellites in order to clearly place the ground-based observations in context with the corresponding in situ satellite measurements. HF-radars operating at high latitudes are capable of observing very large spatial regions of the ionosphere on a nearly continuous basis. In this paper we report on an intercalibration study made using the Polar Anglo-American Conjugate Radar Experiment radars located at Goose Bay, Labrador, and Halley Station, Antarctica, and the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites. The DMSP satellite data are used to provide clear identifications of the ionospheric cusp and the low-latitude boundary layer (LLBL). The radar data for eight cusp events and eight LLBL events have been examined in order to determine a radar signature of these ionospheric regions. This intercalibraion indicates that the cusp is always characterized by wide, complex Doppler power spectra, whereas the LLBL is usually found to have spectra dominated by a single component. The distribution of spectral widths in the cusp is of a generally Gaussian form with a peak at about 220 m/s. The distribution of spectral widths in the LLBL is more like an exponential distribution, with the peak of the distribution occurring at about 50 m/s. There are a few cases in the LLBL where the Doppler power spectra are strikingly similar to those observed in the cusp.

Prevalence of virus-like particles within a staghorn scleractinian coral ( Acropora muricata) from the Great Barrier Reef

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patten, N. L.; Harrison, P. L.; Mitchell, J. G.

2008-09-01

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to determine whether Acropora muricata coral colonies from the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia, harboured virus-like particles (VLPs). VLPs were present in all coral colonies sampled at Heron Island (southern GBR) and in tagged coral colonies sampled in at least two of the three sampling periods at Lizard Island (northern GBR). VLPs were observed within gastrodermal and epidermal tissues, and on rarer occasions, within the mesoglea. These VLPs had similar morphologies to known prokaryotic and eukaryotic viruses in other systems. Icosahedral VLPs were observed most frequently, however, filamentous VLPs (FVLPs) and phage were also noted. There were no clear differences in VLP size, morphology or location within the tissues with respect to sample date, coral health status or site. The most common VLP morphotype exhibited icosahedral symmetry, 120-150 nm in diameter, with an electron-dense core and an electronlucent membrane. Larger VLPs of similar morphology were also common. VLPs occurred as single entities, in groups, or in dense clusters, either as free particles within coral tissues, or within membrane-bound vacuoles. VLPs were commonly observed within the perinuclear region, with mitochondria, golgi apparatus and crescent-shaped particles frequently observed within close proximity. The host(s) of these observed VLPs was not clear; however, the different sizes and morphologies of VLPs observed within A. muricata tissues suggest that viruses are infecting either the coral animal, zooxanthellae, intracellular bacteria and/or other coral-associated microbiota, or that the one host is susceptible to infection from more than one type of virus. These results add to the limited but emerging body of evidence that viruses represent another potentially important component of the coral holobiont.

GNSS Antenna Caused Near-Field Interference Effect in Precise Point Positioning Results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dawidowicz, Karol; Baryła, Radosław

2017-06-01

Results of long-term static GNSS observation processing adjustment prove that the often assumed "averaging multipath effect due to extended observation periods" does not actually apply. It is instead visible a bias that falsifies the coordinate estimation. The comparisons between the height difference measured with a geometrical precise leveling and the height difference provided by GNSS clearly verify the impact of the near-field multipath effect. The aim of this paper is analysis the near-field interference effect with respect to the coordinate domain. We demonstrate that the way of antennas mounting during observation campaign (distance from nearest antennas) can cause visible changes in pseudo-kinematic precise point positioning results. GNSS measured height differences comparison revealed that bias of up to 3 mm can be noticed in Up component when some object (additional GNSS antenna) was placed in radiating near-field region of measuring antenna. Additionally, for both processing scenario (GPS and GPS/GLONASS) the scattering of results clearly increased when additional antenna crosses radiating near-field region of measuring antenna. It is especially true for big choke ring antennas. In short session (15, 30 min.) the standard deviation was about twice bigger in comparison to scenario without additional antenna. When we used typical surveying antennas (short near-field region radius) the effect is almost invisible. In this case it can be observed the standard deviation increase of about 20%. On the other hand we found that surveying antennas are generally characterized by lower accuracy than choke ring antennas. The standard deviation obtained on point with this type of antenna was bigger in all processing scenarios (in comparison to standard deviation obtained on point with choke ring antenna).

Measurement of snow interception and canopy effects on snow accumulation and melt in a mountainous maritime climate, Oregon, United States

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Storck, Pascal; Lettenmaier, Dennis P.; Bolton, Susan M.

2002-11-01

The results of a 3 year field study to observe the processes controlling snow interception by forest canopies and under canopy snow accumulation and ablation in mountain maritime climates are reported. The field study was further intended to provide data to develop and test models of forest canopy effects on beneath-canopy snowpack accumulation and melt and the plot and stand scales. Weighing lysimeters, cut-tree experiments, and manual snow surveys were deployed at a site in the Umpqua National Forest, Oregon (elevation 1200 m). A unique design for a weighing lysimeter was employed that allowed continuous measurements of snowpack evolution beneath a forest canopy to be taken at a scale unaffected by variability in canopy throughfall. Continuous observations of snowpack evolution in large clearings were made coincidentally with the canopy measurements. Large differences in snow accumulation and ablation were observed at sites beneath the forest canopy and in large clearings. These differences were not well described by simple relationships between the sites. Over the study period, approximately 60% of snowfall was intercepted by the canopy (up to a maximum of about 40 mm water equivalent). Instantaneous sublimation rates exceeded 0.5 mm per hour for short periods. However, apparent average sublimation from the intercepted snow was less than 1 mm per day and totaled approximately 100 mm per winter season. Approximately 72 and 28% of the remaining intercepted snow was removed as meltwater drip and large snow masses, respectively. Observed differences in snow interception rate and maximum snow interception capacity between Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), white fir (Abies concolor), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) were minimal.

Topical therapies for the treatment of plaque psoriasis: systematic review and network meta-analyses.

PubMed

Samarasekera, E J; Sawyer, L; Wonderling, D; Tucker, R; Smith, C H

2013-05-01

The majority of people with psoriasis have localized disease, where topical therapy forms the cornerstone of treatment. We set out to summarize evidence on the relative efficacy, safety and tolerability of different topical treatments used in plaque psoriasis. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized trial data of U.K.-licensed topical therapies. The primary outcome was clear or nearly clear status stratified for (i) trunk and limbs; and (ii) scalp. Network meta-analyses allowed ranking of treatment efficacy. In total, 48 studies were available for trunk and limb psoriasis, and 17 for scalp psoriasis (22,028 patients in total); the majority included people with at least moderate severity psoriasis. Strategies containing potent corticosteroids (alone or in combination with a vitamin D analogue) or very potent corticosteroids dominated the treatment hierarchy at both sites (trunk and limbs, scalp); coal tar and retinoids were no better than placebo. No significant differences in achievement of clear or nearly clear status were observed between twice- and once-daily application of the same intervention or between any of the following: combined vitamin D analogue and potent corticosteroid (applied separately or in a single product), very potent corticosteroids, or potent corticosteroids (applied twice daily). Investigator and patient assessment of response differed significantly for some interventions (response rates to very potent corticosteroids: 78% and 39%, respectively). No significant differences were noted for tolerability or steroid atrophy, but data were limited. In conclusion, corticosteroids are highly effective in psoriasis when used continuously for up to 8 weeks and intermittently for up to 52 weeks. Coal tar and retinoids are of limited benefit. There is a lack of long-term efficacy and safety data available on topical interventions used for psoriasis. © 2013 The Authors BJD © 2013 British Association of Dermatologists.

Observations of temporal change of nighttime cloud cover from Himawari 8 and ground-based sky camera over Chiba, Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lagrosas, N.; Gacal, G. F. B.; Kuze, H.

2017-12-01

Detection of nighttime cloud from Himawari 8 is implemented using the difference of digital numbers from bands 13 (10.4µm) and 7 (3.9µm). The digital number difference of -1.39x104 can be used as a threshold to separate clouds from clear sky conditions. To look at observations from the ground over Chiba, a digital camera (Canon Powershot A2300) is used to take images of the sky every 5 minutes at an exposure time of 5s at the Center for Environmental Remote Sensing, Chiba University. From these images, cloud cover values are obtained using threshold algorithm (Gacal, et al, 2016). Ten minute nighttime cloud cover values from these two datasets are compared and analyzed from 29 May to 05 June 2017 (20:00-03:00 JST). When compared with lidar data, the camera can detect thick high level clouds up to 10km. The results show that during clear sky conditions (02-03 June), both camera and satellite cloud cover values show 0% cloud cover. During cloudy conditions (05-06 June), the camera shows almost 100% cloud cover while satellite cloud cover values range from 60 to 100%. These low values can be attributed to the presence of low-level thin clouds ( 2km above the ground) as observed from National Institute for Environmental Studies lidar located inside Chiba University. This difference of cloud cover values shows that the camera can produce accurate cloud cover values of low level clouds that are sometimes not detected by satellites. The opposite occurs when high level clouds are present (01-02 June). Derived satellite cloud cover shows almost 100% during the whole night while ground-based camera shows cloud cover values that range from 10 to 100% during the same time interval. The fluctuating values can be attributed to the presence of thin clouds located at around 6km from the ground and the presence of low level clouds ( 1km). Since the camera relies on the reflected city lights, it is possible that the high level thin clouds are not observed by the camera but is observed by the satellite. Also, this condition constitutes layers of clouds that are not observed by each camera. The results of this study show that one instrument can be used to correct each other to provide better cloud cover values. These corrections is dependent on the height and thickness of the clouds. No correction is necessary when the sky is clear.

Sex differences and hormonal effects on gut microbiota composition in mice.

PubMed

Org, Elin; Mehrabian, Margarete; Parks, Brian W; Shipkova, Petia; Liu, Xiaoqin; Drake, Thomas A; Lusis, Aldons J

2016-07-03

We previously reported quantitation of gut microbiota in a panel of 89 different inbred strains of mice, and we now examine the question of sex differences in microbiota composition. When the total population of 689 mice was examined together, several taxa exhibited significant differences in abundance between sexes but a larger number of differences were observed at the single strain level, suggesting that sex differences can be obscured by host genetics and environmental factors. We also examined a subset of mice on chow and high fat diets and observed sex-by-diet interactions. We further investigated the sex differences using gonadectomized and hormone treated mice from 3 different inbred strains. Principal coordinate analysis with unweighted UniFrac distances revealed very clear effects of gonadectomy and hormone replacement on microbiota composition in all 3 strains. Moreover, bile acid analyses showed gender-specific differences as well as effects of gonodectomy, providing one possible mechanism mediating sex differences in microbiota composition.

Spectral lags in different episodes of gamma-ray bursts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jia, LanWei; Yi, TingFeng; Liang, EnWei

2013-08-01

A systematical analysis of the spectral lags in different episodes within a gamma-ray burst (GRB) for the BATSE GRB sample is given. The identified episodes are usually a single pulse with mixing of small fluctuations. The spectral lags were calculated for lightcurves in the 25-55 keV and 110-320 keV bands. No universal spectral lag evolution feature in different episodes within a GRB were found for most GRBs. Among 362 bright GRBs that have at least three well-identified episodes, 19 of them show long-to-short lag and 19 of them show short-to-long lag in successive episodes. The other 324 GRBs have no clear evolution trend. Defining the specified lag with the ratio of the spectral lag to the episode duration in 110-320 keV band, no prominent case of specified lag was found showing clear evolution features. The results suggest that the observed spectral lag may contribute to the dynamics and/or the radiation physics of a given emission episode.

Transitional behavior of different energy protons based on Van Allen Probes observations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yue, Chao; Bortnik, Jacob; Chen, Lunjin

Understanding the dynamical behavior of ~1 eV to 50 keV ions and identifying the energies at which the morphologies transit are important in that they involve the relative intensities and distributions of the large-scale electric and magnetic fields, the outflow, and recombination rates. However, there have been only few direct observational investigations of the transition in drift behaviors of different energy ions before the Van Allen Probes era. In this paper, we statistically analyze ~1 eV to 50 keV hydrogen (H +) differential flux distributions near geomagnetic equator by using Van Allen Probes observations to investigate the H + dynamicsmore » under the regulation of large-scale electric and magnetic fields. Our survey clearly indicates three types of H + behaviors within different energy ranges, which is consistent with previous theory predictions. Finally, using simple electric and magnetic field models in UBK coordinates, we have further constrained the source regions of different energy ions and their drift directions.« less

Transitional behavior of different energy protons based on Van Allen Probes observations

DOE PAGES

Yue, Chao; Bortnik, Jacob; Chen, Lunjin; ...

2016-12-09

Understanding the dynamical behavior of ~1 eV to 50 keV ions and identifying the energies at which the morphologies transit are important in that they involve the relative intensities and distributions of the large-scale electric and magnetic fields, the outflow, and recombination rates. However, there have been only few direct observational investigations of the transition in drift behaviors of different energy ions before the Van Allen Probes era. In this paper, we statistically analyze ~1 eV to 50 keV hydrogen (H +) differential flux distributions near geomagnetic equator by using Van Allen Probes observations to investigate the H + dynamicsmore » under the regulation of large-scale electric and magnetic fields. Our survey clearly indicates three types of H + behaviors within different energy ranges, which is consistent with previous theory predictions. Finally, using simple electric and magnetic field models in UBK coordinates, we have further constrained the source regions of different energy ions and their drift directions.« less

Observation of creep behavior of cellulose electro-active paper (EAPap) actuator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Joo-Hyung; Lee, Sang-Woo; Yun, Gyu-Young; Yang, Chulho; Kim, Heung Soo; Kim, Jaehwan

2009-03-01

Understanding of creep effects on actuating mechanisms is important to precisely figure out the behavior of material. Creep behaviors of cellulose based Electro-Active Paper (EAPap) were studied under different constant loading conditions. We found the structural modification of microfibrils in EAPap after creep test. Structural differences of as-prepared and after creep tested samples were compared by SEM measurements. From the measured creep behaviors by different loading conditions, two different regions of induced strain and current were clearly observed as the measurement time increased. It is consider that local defects may occur and becomes micro-dimple or micro-crack formations in lower load cases as localized deformation proceeds, while the shrinkage of diameter of elongated fibers was observed only at the high level of loading. Therefore, cellulose nanofibers may play a role to be against the creep load and prevent the localized structural deformations. The results provide useful creep behavior and mechanism to understand the mechanical behavior of thin visco-elastic EAPap actuator.

A new golden age: testing general relativity with cosmology.

PubMed

Bean, Rachel; Ferreira, Pedro G; Taylor, Andy

2011-12-28

Gravity drives the evolution of the Universe and is at the heart of its complexity. Einstein's field equations can be used to work out the detailed dynamics of space and time and to calculate the emergence of large-scale structure in the distribution of galaxies and radiation. Over the past few years, it has become clear that cosmological observations can be used not only to constrain different world models within the context of Einstein gravity but also to constrain the theory of gravity itself. In this article, we look at different aspects of this new field in which cosmology is used to test theories of gravity with a wide range of observations.

The Phonological Permeability Hypothesis: Measuring Regressive L3 Influence to Test L1 and L2 Phonological Representations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cabrelli Amaro, Jennifer Lauren

2013-01-01

The Phonological Permeability Hypothesis (PPH, Cabrelli Amaro & Rothman, 2010) attempts to reconcile evidence suggesting some L2 learners, however rare, attain native-like L2 phonological systems with the observation that most do not. Considering existing L2 phonology research, it is not clear that phonological differences between early and…

The description of Rovnoeucoila tympanomorpha Buffington & Perkovsky, a new genus and species of fossil eucoiline,with observations on the asynchronous evolution of Diglyphosematini (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Eucoilinae)

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

A new genus and species of Eucoilinae, Rovnoeucoila tympanomorpha Buffington & Perkovsky, from a Rovno Amber inclusion, is described. This new taxon differs from extant eucoilines by having a clearly segmented metasoma and singular flagellomere morphology in the antenna. The new taxon is included ...

Min-By-Min Respiratory Exchange and Oxygen Uptake Kinetics During Steady-State Exercise in Subjects of High and Low Max VO2

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weltman, Arthur; Katch, Victor

1976-01-01

No statistically meaningful differences in steady-state vo2 uptake for high and low max vo2 groups was indicated in this study, but a clear tendency was observed for the high max vo2 group to reach the steady-state at a faster rate. (MB)

Method for observing phase objects without halos and directional shadows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suzuki, Yoshimasa; Kajitani, Kazuo; Ohde, Hisashi

2015-03-01

A new microscopy method for observing phase objects without halos and directional shadows is proposed. The key optical element is an annular aperture at the front focal plane of a condenser with a larger diameter than those used in standard phase contrast microscopy. The light flux passing through the annular aperture is changed by the specimen's surface profile and then passes through an objective and contributes to image formation. This paper presents essential conditions for realizing the method. In this paper, images of colonies formed by induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells using this method are compared with the conventional phase contrast method and the bright-field method when the NA of the illumination is small to identify differences among these techniques. The outlines of the iPS cells are clearly visible with this method, whereas they are not clearly visible due to halos when using the phase contrast method or due to weak contrast when using the bright-field method. Other images using this method are also presented to demonstrate a capacity of this method: a mouse ovum and superimposition of several different images of mouse iPS cells.

Earth Observations taken by the Expedition 18 Crew

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-11-09

ISS018-E-008064 (9 Nov. 2008) --- Progressive forest clearing in Bolivia is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 18 crewmember on the International Space Station. The eastern half of Bolivia is covered with tropical rainforest. In the 1990s, Bolivia initiated a large-scale effort to increase the rate of logging and create tracts of land for commercial agriculture (primarily soy and sugar cane, but also coca) on the Amazon Basin side of the Andean highlands. Today, the commercial fields are well-established and easily mapped from space as large, rectangular clearings in the forest. The agricultural developments are still growing today. The clearings start off as small rectangles arranged perpendicular to an access road; early clearings take on a herring-bone pattern when viewed from above. The uncleared (dark forest) areas are gradually logged and cultivated, filling in the pattern to make a larger cleared area. Astronauts aboard the space station routinely observe intensive land use and document their observations through imagery so that changes can be identified.

Earth Observations taken by the Expedition 18 Crew

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-11-09

ISS018-E-008065 (9 Nov. 2008) --- Progressive forest clearing in Bolivia is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 18 crewmember on the International Space Station. The eastern half of Bolivia is covered with tropical rainforest. In the 1990s, Bolivia initiated a large-scale effort to increase the rate of logging and create tracts of land for commercial agriculture (primarily soy and sugar cane, but also coca) on the Amazon Basin side of the Andean highlands. Today, the commercial fields are well-established and easily mapped from space as large, rectangular clearings in the forest. The agricultural developments are still growing today. The clearings start off as small rectangles arranged perpendicular to an access road; early clearings take on a herring-bone pattern when viewed from above. The uncleared (dark forest) areas are gradually logged and cultivated, filling in the pattern to make a larger cleared area. Astronauts aboard the space station routinely observe intensive land use and document their observations through imagery so that changes can be identified.

Resistance to Sliding in Clear and Metallic Damon 3 and Conventional Edgewise Brackets: an In vitro Study

PubMed Central

Karim Soltani, Mohammad; Golfeshan, Farzaneh; Alizadeh, Yoones; Mehrzad, Jabraiel

2015-01-01

Statement of the Problem Frictional forces are considered as important counterforce to orthodontic tooth movement. It is claimed that self-ligating brackets reduce the frictional forces. Purpose The aim of this study was to compare the resistance to sliding in metallic and clear Damon brackets with the conventional brackets in a wet condition. Materials and Method The samples included 4 types of brackets; metallic and clear Damon brackets and metallic and clear conventional brackets (10 brackets in each group). In this study, stainless steel wires sized 0.019×0.025 were employed and the operator’s saliva was used to simulate the conditions of oral cavity. The tidy-modified design was used for simulation of sliding movement. The resistance to sliding and static frictional forces was measured by employing Testometric machine and load cell. Results The mean (±SD) of resistance to sliding was 194.88 (±26.65) and 226.62 (±39.9) g in the esthetic and metallic Damon brackets, while these values were 187.81(±27.84) and 191.17(±66.68) g for the clear and metallic conventional brackets, respectively. Static frictional forces were 206.4(±42.45) and 210.38(±15.89) g in the esthetic and metallic Damon brackets and 220.63(±49.29) and 215.13(±62.38) g in the clear and metallic conventional brackets. According to two-way ANOVA, no significant difference was observed between the two bracket materials (clear and metal) and the two types of bracket (self-ligating versus conventional) regarding resistance to sliding (p= 0.17 and p= 0.23, respectively) and static frictional forces (p= 0.55 and p= 0.96, respectively). Conclusion Neither the type of bracket materials nor their type of ligation made difference in resistance to sliding and static friction. PMID:26106630

Surface Net Solar Radiation Estimated from Satellite Measurements: Comparisons with Tower Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Li, Zhanqing; Leighton, H. G.; Cess, Robert D.

1993-01-01

A parameterization that relates the reflected solar flux at the top of the atmosphere to the net solar flux at the surface in terms of only the column water vapor amount and the solar zenith angle was tested against surface observations. Net surface fluxes deduced from coincidental collocated satellite-measured radiances and from measurements from towers in Boulder during summer and near Saskatoon in winter have mean differences of about 2 W/sq m, regardless of whether the sky is clear or cloudy. Furthermore, comparisons between the net fluxes deduced from the parameterization and from surface measurements showed equally good agreement when the data were partitioned into morning and afternoon observations. This is in contrast to results from an empirical clear-sky algorithm that is unable to account adequately for the effects of clouds and that shows, at Boulder, a distinct morning to afternoon variation, which is presumably due to the predominance of different cloud types throughout the day. It is also demonstrated that the parameterization may be applied to irradiances at the top of the atmosphere that have been temporally averaged by using the temporally averaged column water vapor amount and the temporally averaged cosine of the solar zenith angle. The good agreement between the results of the parameterization and surface measurements suggests that the algorithm is a useful tool for a variety of climate studies.

High Resolution Flare Observations with the 1.6 m Telescope at Big Bear Solar Observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, H.

2017-12-01

This talk presents some exciting new results of 1.6m Goode Solar Telescope (GST, formally named as NST) at Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO). I will report: (1) Flare ribbons and post-flare loops are observed in the scale of around 100 to 200 km. (2) the sudden flare-induced rotation of a sunspot. It is clearly observed that the rotation is non-uniform over the sunspot: as the flare ribbon sweeps across, its different portions accelerate at different times corresponding to peaks of flare hard X-ray emission. The rotation may be driven by the surface Lorentz-force change due to the back reaction of coronal magnetic restructuring and is accompanied by a downward Poynting flux. (3) We found the clear evidence that electron streaming down during a flare can induce extra transient transverse magnetic field that cause apparent rotation only at the propagating ribbon front. Sometimes they are associated with so called negative flares in HeI 10830 and D3 lines. (4) We found evidence that episodes of precursor brightenings are initiated at a small-scale magnetic channel (a form of opposite polarity fluxes) with multiple polarity inversions and enhanced magnetic fluxes and currents, lying near the footpoints of sheared magnetic loops. The low-atmospheric origin of these precursor emissions is corroborated by microwave spectra.

Clear-Water Contraction Scour at Selected Bridge Sites in the Black Prairie Belt of the Coastal Plain in Alabama, 2006

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lee, K.G.; Hedgecock, T.S.

2008-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Alabama Department of Transportation, made observations of clear-water contraction scour at 25 bridge sites in the Black Prairie Belt of the Coastal Plain of Alabama. These bridge sites consisted of 54 hydraulic structures, of which 37 have measurable scour holes. Observed scour depths ranged from 1.4 to 10.4 feet. Theoretical clear-water contraction-scour depths were computed for each bridge and compared with observed scour. This comparison showed that theoretical scour depths, in general, exceeded the observed scour depths by about 475 percent. Variables determined to be important in developing scour in laboratory studies along with several other hydraulic variables were investigated to understand their influence within the Alabama field data. The strongest explanatory variables for clear-water contraction scour were channel-contraction ratio and velocity index. Envelope curves were developed relating both of these explanatory variables to observed scour. These envelope curves provide useful tools for assessing reasonable ranges of scour depth in the Black Prairie Belt of Alabama.

A Comparison of Two Objective Measures of Binaural Processing: The Interaural Phase Modulation Following Response and the Binaural Interaction Component.

PubMed

Haywood, Nicholas R; Undurraga, Jaime A; Marquardt, Torsten; McAlpine, David

2015-12-30

There has been continued interest in clinical objective measures of binaural processing. One commonly proposed measure is the binaural interaction component (BIC), which is obtained typically by recording auditory brainstem responses (ABRs)-the BIC reflects the difference between the binaural ABR and the sum of the monaural ABRs (i.e., binaural - (left + right)). We have recently developed an alternative, direct measure of sensitivity to interaural time differences, namely, a following response to modulations in interaural phase difference (the interaural phase modulation following response; IPM-FR). To obtain this measure, an ongoing diotically amplitude-modulated signal is presented, and the interaural phase difference of the carrier is switched periodically at minima in the modulation cycle. Such periodic modulations to interaural phase difference can evoke a steady state following response. BIC and IPM-FR measurements were compared from 10 normal-hearing subjects using a 16-channel electroencephalographic system. Both ABRs and IPM-FRs were observed most clearly from similar electrode locations-differential recordings taken from electrodes near the ear (e.g., mastoid) in reference to a vertex electrode (Cz). Although all subjects displayed clear ABRs, the BIC was not reliably observed. In contrast, the IPM-FR typically elicited a robust and significant response. In addition, the IPM-FR measure required a considerably shorter recording session. As the IPM-FR magnitude varied with interaural phase difference modulation depth, it could potentially serve as a correlate of perceptual salience. Overall, the IPM-FR appears a more suitable clinical measure than the BIC. © The Author(s) 2015.

Evolution of the Cannabinoid and Terpene Content during the Growth of Cannabis sativa Plants from Different Chemotypes.

PubMed

Aizpurua-Olaizola, Oier; Soydaner, Umut; Öztürk, Ekin; Schibano, Daniele; Simsir, Yilmaz; Navarro, Patricia; Etxebarria, Nestor; Usobiaga, Aresatz

2016-02-26

The evolution of major cannabinoids and terpenes during the growth of Cannabis sativa plants was studied. In this work, seven different plants were selected: three each from chemotypes I and III and one from chemotype II. Fifty clones of each mother plant were grown indoors under controlled conditions. Every week, three plants from each variety were cut and dried, and the leaves and flowers were analyzed separately. Eight major cannabinoids were analyzed via HPLC-DAD, and 28 terpenes were quantified using GC-FID and verified via GC-MS. The chemotypes of the plants, as defined by the tetrahydrocannabinolic acid/cannabidiolic acid (THCA/CBDA) ratio, were clear from the beginning and stable during growth. The concentrations of the major cannabinoids and terpenes were determined, and different patterns were found among the chemotypes. In particular, the plants from chemotypes II and III needed more time to reach peak production of THCA, CBDA, and monoterpenes. Differences in the cannabigerolic acid development among the different chemotypes and between monoterpene and sesquiterpene evolution patterns were also observed. Plants of different chemotypes were clearly differentiated by their terpene content, and characteristic terpenes of each chemotype were identified.

Cardiovascular effects of vasopressin following V(1) receptor blockade compared to effects of nitroglycerin.

PubMed

Cooke, C R; Wall, B M; Huch, K M; Mangold, T

2001-09-01

Studies to more clearly determine the mechanisms associated with arginine vasopressin (AVP)-induced vasodilation were performed in normal subjects and in quadriplegic subjects with impaired efferent sympathetic responses. Studies to compare the effects of AVP with the hemodynamic effects of nitroglycerin, an agent that primarily affects venous capacitance vessels, were also performed in normal subjects. Incremental infusions of AVP following V(1)-receptor blockade resulted in equivalent reductions in systemic vascular resistance (SVRI) in normal and in quadriplegic subjects. However, there were major differences in the effect on mean arterial pressure (MAP), which was reduced in quadriplegic subjects but did not change in normal subjects. This difference in MAP can be attributed to a difference in the magnitude of increase in cardiac output (CI), which was twofold greater in normal than in quadriplegic subjects. These observations are consistent with AVP-induced vasodilation of arterial resistance vessels with reflex sympathetic enhancement of CI and are clearly different from the hemodynamic effects of nitroglycerin, i.e., reductions in MAP, CI, and indexes of cardiac preload, with only minor changes in SVRI.

Cosmic rays in the heliosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Webber, William R.

1987-01-01

The different types of cosmic ray particles and their role in the heliosphere are briefly described. The rates of various energetic particles were examined as a function of time and used to derive various differential energy gradients. The Pioneer and Voyager cosmic ray observations throughout the heliosphere are indeed giving a perspective on the three-dimensional character and size of the heliosphere. Most clearly the observations are emphasizing the role that transient variations in the outer heliosphere, and most likely the heliospheric boundary shock, play in the 11 year solar cycle modulation of cosmic rays.

Atomic configurations at InAs partial dislocation cores associated with Z-shape faulted dipoles.

PubMed

Li, Luying; Gan, Zhaofeng; McCartney, Martha R; Liang, Hanshuang; Yu, Hongbin; Gao, Yihua; Wang, Jianbo; Smith, David J

2013-11-15

The atomic arrangements of two types of InAs dislocation cores associated by a Z-shape faulted dipole are observed directly by aberration-corrected high-angle annular-dark-field imaging. Single unpaired columns of different atoms in a matrix of dumbbells are clearly resolved, with observable variations of bonding lengths due to excess Coulomb force from bare ions at the dislocation core. The corresponding geometric phase analysis provides confirmation that the dislocation cores serve as origins of strain field inversion while stacking faults maintain the existing strain status.

Element mixing distribution and structure feature of fusion zone in laser welding between different alloys and pure titanium.

PubMed

Wu, Haishu; Liu, Jihong; Liu, Xuecheng; Li, Changyi; Yu, Zhiwei

2002-07-01

To study micro morphology and element-mixing distribution of different alloys welded in laser and analyze the feasibility of laser welding different alloys. Alloys and titanium were matched into 4 groups: Au-Pt with Ni-Cr; Au-Pt with pure Ti; pure Ti with Ni-Cr; Ni-Cr with Co-Cr. They were welded in laser. Changes in metallography after hybridization of crystalline grain, ranges of heat-affected zone and pores were observed through SEM with ultra-thin windowed X-ray energy atlas. Meanwhile 10 testing points were chosen with area of 300 micro m x 900 micro m along the welding surface from the side A alloy to the side B alloy, than the element mixing distribution and tendency were analyzed with X-ray energy atlas. 1. Hybridization of different alloys: (l) in the group of Au-Pt with Ti, there was titanium element mixing into Au-Pt tissue gradually and evenly on the Au-Pt side of the interface without clear boundary and increasing in size of crystalline grain. However, there was titanium crystalline grain increasing in size, irregular morphology and small sacks on the titanium side with clear boundary. (2) in the group of Ni-Cr with Ti, there was mixing regularly, slow transition and interlocks between crystalline grains on the Ni-Cr side of the in terface. Poor transition, clear boundary and small cracks were observed on titanium side. (3) in the group of Co-Cr with Ni-Cr, there was good transition, obscure boundary on both sides resulting from network, cylinder and branch structure growing. 2. Element-mixing distribution of different alloys. In fusion zone, the metal elements in matched groups mixed well and hybridized into new alloys except titanium blocks. The location of wave peak depended on the composition of alloys. Most of elements were from the alloy far from the fusion zone. The hybridization between pure titanium and any other alloys is not good The effect of laser welding different alloys is ideal except with pure titanium.

Potential causes of differences between ground and surface air temperature warming across different ecozones in Alberta, Canada

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Majorowicz, Jacek A.; Skinner, Walter R.

1997-10-01

Analysis and modelling of temperature anomalies from 25 selected deep wells in Alberta show that the differences between GST (ground surface temperature) warming for the northern Boreal Forest ecozone and the combined Prairie Grassland ecozone and Aspen Parkland transition region to the south occur during the latter half of this century. This corresponds with recent changes in surface albedo resulting from permanent land development in the northern areas and also to increases in natural forest fires in the past 20 years. Differences between GST and SAT (surface air temperature) warming are much higher in the Boreal Forest ecozone than in the Prairie Grassland ecozone and Aspen Parkland transition region. Various hypotheses which could account for the existing differences between the GST and SAT warming in the different ecozones of Alberta, and western Canada in general, are tested. Analysis of existing data on soil temperature, hydrological piezometric surfaces, snowfall and moisture patterns, and land clearing and forest fires, indicate that large areas of Alberta, characterised by anomalous GST warming, have experienced widespread changes to the surface landscape in this century. It is postulated that this has resulted in a lower surface albedo with a subsequent increase in the absorption of solar energy. Heat flow modelling shows that, after climatic SAT warming, permanent clearing of the land is the most effective and likely cause of the observed changes in the GST warming. The greater GST warming in the Boreal Forest ecozone in the latter half of this century is related to landscape change due to land development and increasing forest fire activity. It appears to account for a portion of the observed SAT warming in this region through a positive feedback loop with the overlying air. The anthropogenic effect on regional climatic warming through 20th century land clearing and landscape alteration requires further study. In future, more accurate quantification of these various forcings will be necessary in order to distinguish between, and to detect, the variety of natural and anthropogenic influences and on climate.

Supernovae study: Context of the 4-m International Liquid Mirror Telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Brajesh; Pandey, Shashi Bhushan; Pandey, Kanhaiya Lal; Anapuma, Gadiyara Chakrapani; Surdej, Jean

2018-04-01

The upcoming 4-m International Liquid Mirror Telescope (ILMT) facility will perform deep imaging (in single scan g' 22 mag) of a narrow strip of sky each clear night in the Time Delayed Integration mode. A cadence of one day observation will provide unique opportunities to discover different types of supernovae (SNe) along with many other types of variable sources. We present the approach to discover SNe with the 4-m ILMT and discuss the follow-up strategy in the context of other existing observational facilities. The advantages of liquid mirror telescope observations over the traditional glass mirror telescopes are also discussed.

The mass of (1) Ceres from perturbations on (348) May

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, Gareth V.

1992-01-01

The most promising ground-based technique for determining the mass of a minor planet is the observation of the perturbations it induces in the motion of another minor planet. This method requires careful observation of both minor planets over extended periods of time. The mass of (1) Ceres has been determined from the perturbations on (348) May, which made three close approaches to Ceres at intervals of 46 years between 1891 and 1984. The motion of May is clearly influenced by Ceres, and by using different test masses for Ceres, a search was made to determine the mass of Ceres that minimizes the residuals in the observations of May.

probing the atmosphere with high power, high resolution radars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hardy, K. R.; Katz, I.

1969-01-01

Observations of radar echoes from the clear atmosphere are presented and the scattering mechanisms responsible for the two basic types of clear-air echoes are discussed. The commonly observed dot echo originates from a point in space and usually shows little variation in echo intensity over periods of about 0.1 second. The second type of clear-air radar echo appears diffuse in space, and signal intensities vary considerably over periods of less than 0.1 second. The echoes often occur in thin horizontal layers or as boundaries of convective activity; these are characterized by sharp gradients of refractive index. Some features of clear-air atmospheric structures as observed with radar are presented. These structures include thin stable inversions, convective thermals, Benard convection cells, breaking gravity waves, and high tropospheric layers which are sufficiently turbulent to affect aircraft.

Assessment of NASA GISS CMIP5 ModelE simulated clouds and TOA radiation budgets using satellite observations over the southern mid-latitudes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stanfield, Ryan Evan

Past, current, and future climates have been simulated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) ModelE Global Circulation Model (GCM) and summarized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report (IPCC, AR4). New simulations from the updated CMIP5 version of the NASA GISS ModelE GCM were recently released to the public community during the summer of 2011 and will be included in the upcoming IPCC AR5 ensemble of simulations. Due to the recent nature of these simulations, they have not yet been extensively validated against observations. To assess the NASA GISS-E2-R GCM, model simulated clouds and cloud properties are compared to observational cloud properties derived from the Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) project using MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data for the period of March 2000 through December 2005. Over the 6-year period, the global average modeled cloud fractions are within 1% of observations. However, further study however shows large regional biases between the GCM simulations and CERES-MODIS observations. The southern mid-latitudes (SML) were chosen as a focus region due to model errors across multiple GCMs within the recent phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). Over the SML, the GISS GCM undersimulates total cloud fraction over 20%, but oversimulates total water path by 2 g m-2. Simulated vertical cloud distributions over the SML when compared to both CERES-MODIS and CloudSat/CALIPSO observations show a drastic undersimulation of low level clouds by the GISS GCM, but higher fractions of thicker clouds. To assess the impact of GISS simulated clouds on the TOA radiation budgets, the modeled TOA radiation budgets are compared to CERES EBAF observations. Because modeled low-level cloud fraction is much lower than observed over the SML, modeled reflected shortwave (SW) flux at the TOA is 13 W m -2 lower and outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) is 3 W m-2 higher than observations. Finally, cloud radiative effects (CRE) are calculated and compared with observations to fully assess the impact of clouds on the TOA radiation budgets. The difference in clear-sky reflected SW flux between model and observation is only +4 W m-2 while the SW CRE difference is up to 17 W m-2, indicating that most of the bias in SW CRE results from the all-sky bias between the model and observation. A sizeable negative bias of 10 W m-2 in simulated clear-sky OLR has been found due to a dry bias in calculating observed clear-sky OLR and lack of upper-level water vapor at the 100-mb level in the model. The dry bias impacts CRE LW, with the model undersimulating by 13 W m-2. The CRE NET difference is only 5 W m-2 due to the cancellation of SW and LW CRE biases.

Green laser pointers for visual astronomy: how much power is enough?

PubMed

Bará, Salvador; Robles, Marisol; Tejelo, Isabel; Marzoa, Ramón I; González, Héctor

2010-02-01

Green laser pointers with output powers in the tens to hundreds of milliwatt (mW) range, clearly exceeding the limiting 5 mW of American National Standards Institute class 3a (International Electrotechnical Commission class 3R), are now easily available in the global market. They are increasingly being used in public sky observations and other nighttime outreach activities by educators and science communicators in countries where their use is not well regulated, despite the fact that such high power levels may represent a potential threat to visual health. The purpose of this study was to determine the output power reasonably required to perform satisfactorily this kind of activities. Twenty-three observers were asked to vary continuously the output power of a green laser source (wavelength 532 nm) until clearly seeing the laser beam propagating skyward through the atmosphere in a heavily light-polluted urban setting. Measurements were conducted with observers of a wide range of ages (9 to 56 years), refractions (spherical equivalents -8.50 to +1.50 diopters), and previous expertise in using lasers as pointing devices outdoors (from no experience to professional astronomers). Two measurement runs were made in different nights under different meteorological conditions. The output power chosen by observers in the first run (11 observers) averaged to 1.84 mW (+/-0.68 mW, 1 SD). The second run (17 observers) averaged to 2.91 mW (+/-1.54 mW). The global average was 2.38 mW (+/-1.30 mW). Only one observer scored 5.6 mW, just above the class 3a limit. The power chosen by the remaining 22 observers ranged from 1.37 to 3.53 mW. Green laser pointers with output powers below 5 mW (laser classes American National Standards Institute 3a or International Electrotechnical Commission 3R) appear to be sufficient for use in educational nighttime outdoors activities, providing enough bright beams at reasonable safety levels.

EE Cep Winks in Full Color (Abstract)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walker, G.

2015-06-01

(Abstract only) We observe the long period (5.6 years) Eclipsing Binary Variable Star EE Cep during its 2014 eclipse. It was observed on every clear night from the Maria Mitchell Observatory as well as remote sites for a total of 25 nights. Each night consisted of a detailed time series in BVRI looking for short term variations for a total of >10,000 observations. The data was transformed to the Standard System. In addition, a time series was captured during the night of the eclipse. This data provides an alternate method to determine Time of Minimum than traditionally performed. The TOM varied with color. Several strong correlations are seen between colors substantiating the detection of variations on a time scale of hours. The long term light curve shows five interesting and different Phases with different characteristics.

Rosuvastatin and atorvastatin: comparative effects on glucose metabolism in non-diabetic patients with dyslipidaemia.

PubMed

Abbas, Ahmed; Milles, John; Ramachandran, Sudarshan

2012-01-01

The ever increasing interventional CVD outcome studies have resulted in statins being an essential factor of cardiovascular prevention strategies. The JUPITER study in 2008, despite reducing CVD and overall mortality, highlighted an increase in new onset diabetes in the rosuvastatin treated arm. Since then there have been many meta-analyses of the RCTs and the largest carried out by Sattar et al showed a significant increase in the incidence of diabetes during the trials. The findings from the individual studies when comparing the different statins were less clear. A higher statin dosage and risk factors associated with diabetes appeared to predict this phenomenon. There have been many studies investigating the effects of statins on glycaemic control, but again no clear conclusion is apparent. Despite the increase in new onset diabetes observed, the risk is clearly out-weighed by the CVD benefits observed in nearly all the statin trials. Thus, no change is required to any of the prevention guidelines regarding statins. However, it may be prudent to monitor glycaemic control after commencing statin therapy. This review will focus on atorvastatin which is the most widely used statin worldwide and rosuvastatin which is the most efficacious. This will be against a background of the effects of other statins on glucose metabolism in non-diabetic patients.

Rosuvastatin and Atorvastatin: Comparative Effects on Glucose Metabolism in Non-Diabetic Patients with Dyslipidaemia

PubMed Central

Abbas, Ahmed; Milles, John; Ramachandran, Sudarshan

2012-01-01

The ever increasing interventional CVD outcome studies have resulted in statins being an essential factor of cardiovascular prevention strategies. The JUPITER study in 2008, despite reducing CVD and overall mortality, highlighted an increase in new onset diabetes in the rosuvastatin treated arm. Since then there have been many meta-analyses of the RCTs and the largest carried out by Sattar et al showed a significant increase in the incidence of diabetes during the trials. The findings from the individual studies when comparing the different statins were less clear. A higher statin dosage and risk factors associated with diabetes appeared to predict this phenomenon. There have been many studies investigating the effects of statins on glycaemic control, but again no clear conclusion is apparent. Despite the increase in new onset diabetes observed, the risk is clearly out-weighed by the CVD benefits observed in nearly all the statin trials. Thus, no change is required to any of the prevention guidelines regarding statins. However, it may be prudent to monitor glycaemic control after commencing statin therapy. This review will focus on atorvastatin which is the most widely used statin worldwide and rosuvastatin which is the most efficacious. This will be against a background of the effects of other statins on glucose metabolism in non-diabetic patients. PMID:22879796

Understanding tropical upper tropospheric warming: The role of SSTs, convective parameterizations, and observational uncertainties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Po-Chedley, S.; Thorsen, T. J.; Fu, Q.

2015-12-01

Recent research has compared CMIP5 general circulation model (GCM) simulations with satellite observations of warming in the tropical upper troposphere relative to the lower-middle troposphere. Although the pattern of SST warming is important, this research demonstrated that models overestimate increases in static stability between the mid- to upper- tropical troposphere, even when they are forced with historical sea surface temperatures. This discrepancy between satellite-borne microwave sounding unit measurements (MSU) and GCMs is important because it has implications for the strength of the lapse rate and water vapor feedback. The apparent model-observational difference for changes in static stability in the tropical upper troposphere represents an important problem, but it is not clear whether the difference is a result of common biases in GCMs, biases in observational datasets, or both. In this work, we will use GCM simulations to examine the importance of the spatial pattern of SST warming and different convective parameterizations in determining the lapse rate changes in tropical troposphere. We will also consider uncertainties in MSU satellite observations, including changes in the diurnal sampling of temperature and instrument calibration biases when comparing GCMs with the observed record.

Significant effect of NSP-ase enzyme supplementation in sunflower meal-based diet on the growth and nutrient digestibility in broilers.

PubMed

Bilal, M; Mirza, M A; Kaleem, M; Saeed, M; Reyad-Ul-Ferdous, Md; Abd El-Hack, M E

2017-04-01

The response of broiler chickens to 3 levels of sunflower meal and 2 levels of NSP-ase enzyme combination (with and without) was investigated in 3 × 2 factorial arrangement under complete randomized design (CRD). A total of 240 Hubbard broiler chicks were fed on practical mash diets having 2950 kcal of ME and 21% CP from 1 to 42 days of age. The BW gain was not significantly reduced when 25% SFM was added in the diets during 1 to 42 days of age. Supplementation of NSP-ase in broiler diets (day 1-42 overall) demonstrated non-significant differences (p < 0.05) across the treatments in terms of FI and BWG. The difference in feed:gain at 15% or 20% SFM was observed to be non-significant. Replacement of SBM with SFM or inclusion of SFM at higher level (25%) increased/deteriorated FCR. The addition of exogenous NSP-ase showed a significant improvement (p < 0.01) in feed:gain. The improvement was clearly demonstrated when SFM was added to the experimental diet at 15% or even 20%. Supplementation of NSP-ase at the 25% inclusion level could not, however, sustain the beneficial effect, which was possibly due to excessively high dietary CF. No difference was noted across the treatments regarding carcass response. Relative gizzard weight and intestinal weight were observed to be improved in birds consuming higher levels of SFM (p = 0.00). The digestibility of CF was observed to improve when SFM was used at 20% and 25% in the diets. No improvement in the digestibility of CF was observed with NSP-ase supplementation, which meant other factors were clearly involved. Supplementation of NSP-ase improved FCR up to 20% SFM. At 25% SFM, no improvement in the digestibility of CF was observed with NSP-ase supplementation. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition © 2016 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Ring Current Response to Different Storm Drivers. Van Allen Probes and Cluster Observations.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bingham, S.; Mouikis, C.; Kistler, L. M.; Spence, H. E.; Gkioulidou, M.; Claudepierre, S. G.; Farrugia, C. J.

2015-12-01

The ring current responds differently to the different solar and interplanetary storm drivers such as coronal mass injections, (CME's), co-rotating interaction regions (CIR's), high-speed streamers and other structures. The resulting changes in the ring current particle pressure change the global magnetic field, which affects the transport of the radiation belts. In order to determine the field changes during a storm it is necessary to understand the transport, sources and losses of the particles that contribute to the ring current. The source population of the storm time ring current is the night side plasma sheet. However, it is not clear how these convecting particles affect the storm time ring current pressure development. We use Van Allen Probes and Cluster observations together with the Volland-Stern and dipole magnetic field models to determine the contribution in the ring current pressure of the plasma sheet particles convecting from the night side that are on open drift paths, during the storm evolution. We compare storms that are related to different interplanetary drivers, CME and CIR, as observed at different local times.

Parametric imaging of clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinoma using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).

PubMed

Rübenthaler, J; Reimann, R; Hristova, P; Staehler, M; Reiser, M; Clevert, D A

2015-10-16

The aim of this study was to analyse clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) examined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and a second generation blood pool agent (SonoVue®, Bracco, Milan, Italy) before clinical intervention. A total of 41 patients with histologically proven subtypes of RCC were examined. 29 patients had a clear cell RCC and 12 patients showed a papillary RCC. Average size in the clear cell RCC group was 6.07 cm and 1.88 cm in the papillary RCC group. An experienced radiologist examined all patients with CEUS. The following parameters were analysed: maximum signal intensity (PEAK), time elapsed until PEAK is reached (MTT), local blood flow (RBF), area under the time intensity curve (AUC) and the signal intensity (SI) during the course of time. For both groups all comparisons were made based on healthy renal parenchyma. In the clear cell RCC significant differences (significance level p < 0.05) between cancerous tissue and the healthy renal parenchyma were noticed in all four parameters. The clear cell RCC showed a significant reduced blood volume. It reached the PEAK reading relatively rapidly and its signal intensity was always lower than that of the healthy renal parenchyma. In the arterial phase retarded absorption of the contrast agent was observed, followed by fast washing out of the contrast agent bubbles.In the papillary RCC group, significant findings as to PEAK and RBF as well as a slightly significant difference as to AUC were recorded. The papillary RCC had a lower blood supply and reached its PEAK reading later. Its signal intensity was also reduced. The signal intensity of papillary NCC was significantly lower compared with clear cell RCC; absorption and washing out of the contrast agent was delayed. CEUS seems to be an useful additional method to clinically differentiate between clear cell and papillary RCC. In daily clinical use, patients with contraindication for other imaging methods, especially the magnetic resonance imaging, might particularly benefit from this method.

Surface vibrational structure at alkane liquid/vapor interfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Esenturk, Okan; Walker, Robert A.

2006-11-01

Broadband vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy (VSFS) has been used to examine the surface structure of alkane liquid/vapor interfaces. The alkanes range in length from n-nonane (C9H20) to n-heptadecane (C17H36), and all liquids except heptadecane are studied at temperatures well above their bulk (and surface) freezing temperatures. Intensities of vibrational bands in the CH stretching region acquired under different polarization conditions show systematic, chain length dependent changes. Data provide clear evidence of methyl group segregation at the liquid/vapor interface, but two different models of alkane chain structure can predict chain length dependent changes in band intensities. Each model leads to a different interpretation of the extent to which different chain segments contribute to the anisotropic interfacial region. One model postulates that changes in vibrational band intensities arise solely from a reduced surface coverage of methyl groups as alkane chain length increases. The additional methylene groups at the surface must be randomly distributed and make no net contribution to the observed VSF spectra. The second model considers a simple statistical distribution of methyl and methylene groups populating a three dimensional, interfacial lattice. This statistical picture implies that the VSF signal arises from a region extending several functional groups into the bulk liquid, and that the growing fraction of methylene groups in longer chain alkanes bears responsibility for the observed spectral changes. The data and resulting interpretations provide clear benchmarks for emerging theories of molecular structure and organization at liquid surfaces, especially for liquids lacking strong polar ordering.

High-throughput growth temperature optimization of ferroelectric SrxBa1-xNb2O6 epitaxial thin films using a temperature gradient method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohkubo, I.; Christen, H. M.; Kalinin, Sergei V.; Jellison, G. E.; Rouleau, C. M.; Lowndes, D. H.

2004-02-01

We have developed a multisample film growth method on a temperature-gradient substrate holder to quickly optimize the film growth temperature in pulsed-laser deposition. A smooth temperature gradient is achieved, covering a range of temperatures from 200 to 830 °C. In a single growth run, the optimal growth temperature for SrxBa1-xNb2O6 thin films on MgO(001) substrates was determined to be 750 °C, based on results from ellipsometry and piezoresponse force microscopy. Variations in optical properties and ferroelectric domains structures were clearly observed as function of growth temperature, and these physical properties can be related to their different crystalline quality. Piezoresponse force microscopy indicated the formation of uniform ferroelectric film for deposition temperatures above 750 °C. At 660 °C, isolated micron-sized ferroelectric islands were observed, while samples deposited below 550 °C did not exhibit clear piezoelectric contrast.

"Should I Stay or Should I Go?": Unpacking Teacher Attrition/Retention as an Educational Issue

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kelchtermans, Geert

2017-01-01

The paper starts from the observation that teacher attrition/retention seems to be a wicked issue: it seems to have strong face validity and a commonsense meaning, but the literature doesn't provide a clear and distinctive definition. In the first section, the author analyzes the different ways in which the issue of teacher attrition and retention…

Atmospheric Profiles, Clouds, and the Evolution of Sea Ice Cover in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas: Atmospheric Observations and Modeling as Part of the SeasonalIce Zone Reconnaissance Surveys

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-30

hired to conduct WRF model experiments. • We conducted Weather Research and Forecast ( WRF ) model simulations for the summer of 2014 and compared with... WRF simulations under different synoptic conditions will help to more 10 clearly identify the deficiencies in the representation of these processes

Influences of the Driver and Ambient Medium Characteristics on the Formation of Shocks in the Solar Atmosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nat, Gopalswamy; Hong, Xie; Seiji, Yashiro; Pertti, Makela; Sachiko, Akiyama

2010-01-01

Traveling interplanetary (IP) shocks were discovered in the early 1960s, but their solar origin has been controversial. Early research focused on solar flares as the source of the shocks, but when coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were discovered, it became clear that fast CMEs clearly can drive the shocks. Type II radio bursts are excellent signatures of shocks near the Sun. The close correspondence between type II radio bursts and solar energetic particles (SEPs) makes it clear that the same shock accelerates ions and electrons. A recent investigation involving a large number of IP shocks revealed that about 35% of IP shocks do not produce type II bursts or SEPs. Comparing these radio quiet (RQ) shocks with the radio loud (RL) ones revealed some interesting results: (1) there is no evidence for blast waves, in that all IP shocks can be attributed to CMEs, (2) a small fraction (20%) of RQ shocks is associated with ion enhancements at the shocks when they move past the observing spacecraft, (3) the primary difference between the RQ and RL shocks can be traced to the different kinematic properties of the associated CMEs and the variation of the characteristic speeds of the ambient medium, and (4) the shock properties measured at 1 AU are not too different for the RQ and RL cases due to the interaction of the shock driver with the IP medium that seems to erase the difference.

Sex-specific lateralization of event-related potential effects during mental rotation of polygons.

PubMed

Pellkofer, Julia; Jansen, Petra; Heil, Martin

2014-08-06

Mental rotation performance has been found to produce one of the largest sex differences in cognition. Many theories suggest that this effect should be accompanied by a sex difference in functional cerebral asymmetry, but empirical data are more than equivocal probably because of (a) the use of inappropriate stimuli and (b) insufficient power of most neurophysiological studies. Therefore, sex differences in mental rotation of polygons were investigated in 122 adults. Men outperformed women on mental rotation speed (as well as on response time and accuracy). On the basis of the electrophysiological brain correlates of mental rotation, we observed a bilateral brain activity for men, whereas women's brain activity was clearly lateralized toward the left hemisphere if and only if mental rotation was involved. Thus, sex differences in functional cerebral asymmetry can indeed be observed if appropriate stimuli are used in a sufficiently large sample.

In Situ STM Observation of Nonmagnetic Impurity Effect in MBE-grown CeCoIn5 Films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haze, Masahiro; Torii, Yohei; Peters, Robert; Kasahara, Shigeru; Kasahara, Yuichi; Shibauchi, Takasada; Terashima, Takahito; Matsuda, Yuji

2018-03-01

Local electronic effects in the vicinity of an impurity provide pivotal insight into the origin of unconventional superconductivity, especially when the materials are located on the edge of magnetic instability. In high-temperature cuprate superconductors, a strong suppression of superconductivity and appearance of low-energy bound states are clearly observed near nonmagnetic impurities. However, whether these features are common to other strongly correlated superconductors has not been established experimentally. Here, we report the in situ scanning tunneling microscopy observation of electronic structure around a nonmagnetic Zn impurity in heavy-fermion CeCo(In1-xZnx)5 films, which are epitaxially grown by the state-of-the-art molecular beam epitaxy technique. The films have very wide atomically flat terraces and Zn atoms residing on two different In sites are clearly resolved. Remarkably, no discernible change is observed for the superconducting gap at and around the Zn atoms. Moreover, the local density of states around Zn atoms shows little change inside the c-f hybridization gap, which is consistent with calculations for a periodic Anderson model without local magnetic order. These results indicate that no nonsuperconducting region is induced around a Zn impurity and do not support the scenario of antiferromagnetic droplet formation suggested by indirect measurements in Cd-doped CeCoIn5. These results also highlight a significant difference of the impurity effect between cuprates and CeCoIn5, in both of which d-wave superconductivity arises from the non-Fermi liquid normal state near antiferromagnetic instabilities.

Long-term variability of aerosol optical properties and radiative effects in Northern Finland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lihavainen, Heikki; Hyvärinen, Antti; Asmi, Eija; Hatakka, Juha; Viisanen, Yrjö

2017-04-01

We introduce long term dataset of aerosol scattering and absorption properties and combined aerosol optical properties measured in Pallas Atmosphere-Ecosystem Supersite in Norhern Finland. The station is located 170 km north of the Arctic Circle. The station is affected by both pristine Arctic air masses as well as long transported air pollution from northern Europe. We studied the optical properties of aerosols and their radiative effects in continental and marine air masses, including seasonal cycles and long-term trends. The average (median) scattering coefficient, backscattering fraction, absorption coefficient and single scattering albedo at the wavelength of 550 nm were 7.9 (4.4) 1/Mm, 0.13 (0.12), 0.74 (0.35) 1/Mm and 0.92 (0.93), respectively. We observed clear seasonal cycles in these variables, the scattering coefficient having high values during summer and low in fall, and absorption coefficient having high values during winter and low in fall. We found that the high values of the absorption coefficient and low values of the single scattering albedo were related to continental air masses from lower latitudes. These aerosols can induce an additional effect on the surface albedo and melting of snow. We observed the signal of the Arctic haze in marine (northern) air masses during March and April. The haze increased the value of the absorption coefficient by almost 80% and that of the scattering coefficient by about 50% compared with the annual-average values. We did not observe any long-term trend in the scattering coefficient, while our analysis showed a clear decreasing trend in the backscattering fraction and scattering Ångström exponent during winter. We also observed clear relationship with temperature and aerosol scattering coefficient. We will present also how these different features affects to aerosol direct radiative forcing.

A 12-year observation of water-soluble ions in TSP aerosols collected at a remote marine location in the western North Pacific: an outflow region of Asian dust

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boreddy, S. K. R.; Kawamura, K.

2015-06-01

In order to characterize the long-term trend of remote marine aerosols, a 12-year observation was conducted for water-soluble ions in TSP (total suspended particulate) aerosols collected from 2001 to 2012 in the Asian outflow region at Chichijima Island in the western North Pacific. We found a clear difference in chemical composition between the continentally affected and marine background air masses over the observation site. Asian continental air masses are delivered from late autumn to spring, whereas marine air masses were dominated in summer. Concentrations of non-sea salt (nss-) SO42-, NO3-, NH4+, nss-K+ and nss-Ca2+ are high in winter and spring and low in summer. On the other hand, MSA- (methanesulfonate) exhibits higher concentrations during spring and winter, probably due to springtime dust bloom or due to the direct continental transport of MSA- to the observation site. We could not find any clear decadal trend for Na+, Cl-, Mg2+ and nss-Ca2+ in all seasons, although there exists a clear seasonal trend. However, concentrations of nss-SO42- continuously decreased from 2007 to 2012, probably due to the decreased SO2 emissions in East Asia especially in China. In contrast, nss-K+ and MSA- concentrations continuously increased from 2001 to 2012 during winter and spring seasons, demonstrating that biomass burning and/or terrestrial biological emissions in East Asia are being increasingly transported from the Asian continent to the western North Pacific. This study also demonstrates that Asian dusts can act as an important source of nutrients for phytoplankton and thus sea-to-air emission of dimethyl sulfide over the western North Pacific.

[Immigrants' access to health care in Spain: a review].

PubMed

Llop-Gironés, Alba; Vargas Lorenzo, Ingrid; Garcia-Subirats, Irene; Aller, Marta-Beatriz; Vázquez Navarrete, María Luisa

2014-01-01

An important proportion of the population in Spain is immigrant and the international literature indicates their inadequate access to health services. The objective is to contribute to improving the knowledge on access to health care of the immigrant population in Spain. Review of original papers published (1998-2012) on access to health services of the immigrant population in Spain published in Medline and MEDES. Out of 319 studies, 20 were selected, applying predefined criteria. The results were analyzed using the Aday and Andersen framework. Among the publications, 13 quantitative studies analysed differences in health care use between the immigrant and the native population, and 7 studied determinants of access of immigrants. Studies showed less use of specialized care by immigrants, higher use of emergency care and no differences in the use of primary care between groups. Five quantitative articles on determinants of access focused on factors related to the immigrant population (sex, age, educational level and holding private health insurance), but without observing clear patterns. The two qualitative studies analyzed factors related to health services, describing access to healthcare barriers such as the limited provision of information or the requirements for personal health card. Access to health care in immigrants has been scarcely studied, using different approaches and the barely analysed factors related to the services. No clear patterns were observed, as differences depend on the classification of migrants according to country of origin and the level of care. However, studies showed less use of specialized care by immigrants, higher use of emergency care and the existence of determinants of access different to their needs.

Biogeochemical provinces in the global ocean based on phytoplankton growth limitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hashioka, T.; Hirata, T.; Aita, M. N.; Chiba, S.

2016-02-01

The biogeochemical province is one of the useful concepts for the comprehensive understanding of regional differences of the marine ecosystem. Various biogeochemical provinces for lower-trophic level ecosystem have been proposed using a similarity-based classification of seasonal variations of chl-a concentration typified by Longhurst 1995 and 2006. Such categorizations well capture the regional differences of seasonality as "total phytoplankton". However, background biogeochemical mechanism to characterize the province boundary is not clear. Namely, the dominant phytoplankton group is different among regions and seasons, and their physiological characteristics are significantly different among groups. Recently some pieces of new biogeochemical information are available. One is an estimation of phytoplankton community structure from satellite observation, and it makes clear the key phytoplankton type in each region. Another is an estimation of limitation factors for phytoplankton growth (e.g., nutrients, temperature, light) in each region from modeling studies. In this study, we propose new biogeochemical provinces as a combination between the dominance of phytoplankton (i.e., diatoms, nano-, pico-phytoplankton or coexistence of two/three types) and their growth limitation factors (particularly we focused on nutrient limitation; N, P, Si or Fe). In this combination, we classified the global ocean into 23 biogeochemical provinces. The result suggests that even if the same type of phytoplankton dominates, the background mechanism could be different among regions. On the contrary, even if the regions geographically separate, the background mechanism could be similar among regions. This is important to understand that region/boundary does respond to environmental change. This biogeochemical province is useful for identification of key areas for future observation.

Microclimatological and Physiological Controls of Stomatal Conductance and Transpiration of Co-Occurring Seedlings with Varying Shade Tolerance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siegert, C. M.; Levia, D. F.

2010-12-01

Forest ecosystems provide a significant portion of fresh water to the hydrologic cycle through transpiration, the majority of which is supplied by saplings and mature trees. However, a smaller, yet measurable, proportion is also supplied by seedlings. The contribution of seedlings is dependent upon physiological characteristics of the species, whose range of habitat is ultimately controlled by microclimate. The objectives of this study were to (1) observe meteorological conditions of two forest microlimates and (2) assess the intra- and interspecific stomatal conductance and transpiration responses of naturally occurring seedlings of varying shade tolerance. Naturally established seedlings in a deciduous forest understory and an adjacent clearing were monitored throughout the 2008 growing season in southeastern Pennsylvania (39°49'N, 75°43'W). Clear spatial and temporal trends of stomatal conductance and transpiration were observed throughout this study. The understory microclimate conditions overall had a lower degree of variability and had consistently lower mean quantum flux density, air temperature, vapor pressure deficit, volumetric water content, and soil temperature than the clearing plot. Shade tolerant understory seedlings (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh. (American beech) and Prunus serotina L. (black cherry)) had significantly lower mean monthly rates of water loss (p = 0.05) than shade intolerant clearing seedlings (P. serotina and Liriodendron tulipifera L. (yellow poplar)). Additionally, water loss by shade grown P. serotina was significantly lower (p = 0.05) than by sun grown P. serotina. Significant intraspecific responses (p = 0.05) were also observed on a monthly basis, with the exception of L. tulipifera. These findings indicate that physiological differences, specifically shade tolerance, play an important role in determining rates of stomatal conductance and transpiration in tree seedlings. To a lesser degree, microclimate variability was also shown to influence rates stomatal conductance and transpiration (3.6% and 7.8% in the understory and 8.2% and 23.2% in the clearing, respectively). Field validations are critical to developing better models and forest management strategies and therefore the results of this study may serve to validate those obtained in previous studies conducted largely under controlled conditions.

Aerosol optical properties at rural background area in Western Saudi Arabia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lihavainen, H.; Alghamdi, M. A.; Hyvärinen, A.; Hussein, T.; Neitola, K.; Khoder, M.; Abdelmaksoud, A. S.; Al-Jeelani, H.; Shabbaj, I. I.; Almehmadi, F. M.

2017-11-01

To derive the comprehensive aerosol in situ characteristics at a rural background area in Saudi Arabia, an aerosol measurements station was established to Hada Al Sham, 60 km east from the Red Sea and the city of Jeddah. The present sturdy describes the observational data from February 2013 to February 2015 of scattering and absorption coefficients, Ångström exponents and single scattering albedo over the measurement period. The average scattering and absorption coefficients at wavelength 525 nm were 109 ± 71 Mm- 1 (mean ± SD, at STP conditions) and 15 ± 17 Mm- 1 (at STP conditions), respectively. As expected, the scattering coefficient was dominated by large desert dust particles with low Ångström scattering exponent, 0.49 ± 0.62. Especially from February to June the Ångström scattering exponent was clearly lower (0.23) and scattering coefficients higher (124 Mm- 1) than total averages because of the dust outbreak season. Aerosol optical properties had clear diurnal cycle. The lowest scattering and absorption coefficients and aerosol optical depths were observed around noon. The observed diurnal variation is caused by wind direction and speed, during night time very calm easterly winds are dominating whereas during daytime the stronger westerly winds are dominating (sea breeze). Positive Matrix Factorization mathematical tool was applied to the scattering and absorption coefficients and PM2.5 and coarse mode (PM10-PM2.5) mass concentrations to identify source characteristics. Three different factors with clearly different properties were found; anthropogenic, BC source and desert dust. Mass absorption efficiencies for BC source and desert dust factors were, 6.0 m2 g- 1 and 0.4 m2 g- 1, respectively, and mass scattering efficiencies for anthropogenic (sulphate) and desert dust, 2.5 m2 g- 1 and 0.8 m2 g- 1, respectively.

Global Lakes Sentinel Services: Monitoring Water Quality Trends in Deep, Clear Lakes to Detect Causes and Effects of Changes in Trophic Status

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poser, Kathrin; Peters, Steef; Hommersom, Annelies; Giardino, Claudia; Bresciani, Mariano; Cazzaniga, Ilaria; Schenk, Karin; Heege, Thomas; Philipson, Petra; Ruescas, Ana; Bottcher, Martin; Stelzer, Kerstin

2015-12-01

The GLaSS project develops a prototype infrastructure to ingest and process large amounts of Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 data for lakes and reservoirs. To demonstrate the value of satellite observations for the management of aquatic ecosystems, global case studies are performed addressing different types of lakes with their respective problems and management questions. One of these case studies is concentrating on deep clear lakes worldwide. The aim of this case study is to evaluate trends of chlorophyll-a concentrations (Chl-a) as a proxy of the trophic status based on the MERIS full resolution data archive. Some preliminary results of this case study are presented here.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, R. Y.; Zhang, S. J.; Bauer, E. D.

We report optical spectroscopy and ultrafast pump-probe measurements on the antiferromagnetic heavy-fermion compound CePt 2 In 7 , a member showing stronger two dimensionality than other compounds in the CeIn 3 -derived heavy-fermion family. Here, we identify clear and typical hybridization spectral structures at low temperature from the two different spectroscopy probes. But, the strength and related energy scale of the hybridization are much weaker and smaller than that in the superconducting compounds CeCoIn 5 and CeIrIn 5 . The features are more similar to observations on the antiferromagnetic compounds CeIn 3 and CeRhIn 5 in the same family. Ourmore » results clearly indicate that the Kondo interaction and hybridizations exist in the antiferromagnetic compounds but with weaker strength.« less

Variation of Transhexadecenoic Acid Content in Two Triazine Resistant Mutants of Chenopodium album and Their Susceptible Progenitor

PubMed Central

Tremolieres, A.; Darmency, H.; Gasquez, J.; Dron, M.; Connan, A.

1988-01-01

Two atrazine resistant nutants of Chenopodium album L. and their susceptible progenitor were analyzed for lipid composition. In the phosphatidyldiacylglycerol the Δ3-trans-hexadecenoic acid (C16:1 trans) percentage was higher in the two resistant phenotypes. However, this difference appears later in the development of the leaves and is not clearly observed in young leaves and seedlings. Thus, the increase of the C16:1 trans during the leaf development of the resistant phenotypes is probably a secondary effect of the psbA mutation that arises in compensation for some photosynthesis deficiency. The significance of the lipid differences shown between the two resistant mutants is discussed in terms of whether they are responsible of the two different levels of herbicide resistance observed in the field. PMID:16666018

Recent observations of traveling ionospheric disturbances and plasma bubbles using Optical Mesosphere Thermosphere Imagers in Asian and African sectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shiokawa, K.; Otsuka, Y.; Tsuchiya, S.; Moral, A. C.; Okoh, D.

2017-12-01

We review recent observational results of medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) and equatorial plasma bubbles obtained by using airglow imagers and Fabry-Perot interferometers of the Optical Mesosphere Thermosphere Imagers (OMTIs) at Asian and African sectors. The OMTIs contains 20 airglow imagers and 5 Fabry-Perot interferometers (FPIs) at Canada, USA (Alaska), Russia, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, and Nigeria (http://stdb2.isee.nagoya-u.ac.jp/omti/). The 3-dimentional Fast Fourier Transformation of airglow images makes it possible to analyze 16-year airglow images obtained at Shigaraki (34.8N) and Rikubetsu (43.5N), Japan, to obtain phase velocity spectra of gravity waves and MSTIDs. The MSTIDs spectra show clear southwestward preference of propagation and minor northeastward propagation over Japan. We also found clear negative correlation between MSTID power and solar F10.7 flux, indicating that MSTIDs becomes more active during solar quiet time. This fact suggest the control of ionospheric Perkins and E-F coupling instabilities by solar activities. Three TIDs in airglow images over Indonesia, including midnight brightness waves (MBWs), were compared with CHAMP-satellite overpass to investigate neutral density variations in the thermosphere associated with the TIDs. We found clear correspondence in variations between the airglow intensities and neutral densities, suggesting that the observed TIDs over the equatorial region is caused by gravity waves. We also compare average thermospheric temperatures measured by the four FPIs for 3-4 years with the MSIS90E and GAIA models. The comparison shows that GAIA generally shows better fitting than the MSIS90E, but at the equatorial stations, GAIA tends to fail to reproduce the FPI temperature, probably due to ambiguity of location of the midnight temperature maximum. We also made statistics of plasma bubble occurrence using airglow imager and GNSS receiver at Abuja (9.0N), Nigeria near the geomagnetic equator based on 1.6 year observations. The bubble occurrence is high at equinoxes. There are 33 % of events for which bubble detection by airglow image and GNSS ROTI is different. We discuss possible cause of these differences in the presentation.

Optical signature of nerve tissue-Exploratory ex vivo study comparing optical, histological, and molecular characteristics of different adipose and nerve tissues.

PubMed

Balthasar, Andrea J R; Bydlon, Torre M; Ippel, Hans; van der Voort, Marjolein; Hendriks, Benno H W; Lucassen, Gerald W; van Geffen, Geert-Jan; van Kleef, Maarten; van Dijk, Paul; Lataster, Arno

2018-05-14

During several anesthesiological procedures, needles are inserted through the skin of a patient to target nerves. In most cases, the needle traverses several tissues-skin, subcutaneous adipose tissue, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels-to reach the target nerve. A clear identification of the target nerve can improve the success of the nerve block and reduce the rate of complications. This may be accomplished with diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) which can provide a quantitative measure of the tissue composition. The goal of the current study was to further explore the morphological, biological, chemical, and optical characteristics of the tissues encountered during needle insertion to improve future DRS classification algorithms. To compare characteristics of nerve tissue (sciatic nerve) and adipose tissues, the following techniques were used: histology, DRS, absorption spectrophotometry, high-resolution magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (HR-MAS NMR) spectroscopy, and solution 2D 13 C- 1 H heteronuclear single-quantum coherence spectroscopy. Tissues from five human freshly frozen cadavers were examined. Histology clearly highlights a higher density of cellular nuclei, collagen, and cytoplasm in fascicular nerve tissue (IFAS). IFAS showed lower absorption of light around 1200 nm and 1750 nm, higher absorption around 1500 nm and 2000 nm, and a shift in the peak observed around 1000 nm. DRS measurements showed a higher water percentage and collagen concentration in IFAS and a lower fat percentage compared to all other tissues. The scattering parameter (b) was highest in IFAS. The HR-MAS NMR data showed three extra chemical peak shifts in IFAS tissue. Collagen, water, and cellular nuclei concentration are clearly different between nerve fascicular tissue and other adipose tissue and explain some of the differences observed in the optical absorption, DRS, and HR-NMR spectra of these tissues. Some differences observed between fascicular nerve tissue and adipose tissues cannot yet be explained but may be helpful in improving the discriminatory capabilities of DRS in anesthesiology procedures. Lasers Surg. Med. 9999:1-13, 2018. © 2018 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2018 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Clear-air radar observations of the atmospheric boundary layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ince, Turker

2001-10-01

This dissertation presents the design and operation of a high-resolution frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FM- CW) radar system to study the structure and dynamics of clear-air turbulence in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). This sensitive radar can image the vertical structure of the ABL with both high spatial and temporal resolutions, and provide both qualitative information about the morphology of clear-air structures and quantitative information on the intensity of fluctuations in refractive-index of air. The principles of operation and the hardware and data acquisition characteristics of the radar are described in the dissertation. In October 1999, the radar participated in the Cooperative Atmosphere-Surface Exchange Study (CASES'99) Experiment to characterize the temporal structure and evolution of the boundary-layer features in both convective and stable conditions. The observed structures include clear-air convection, boundary layer evolution, gravity waves, Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities, stably stratified layers, and clear-air turbulence. Many of the S-band radar images also show high- reflectivity returns from Rayleigh scatterers such as insects. An adaptive median filtering technique based on local statistics has, therefore, been developed to discriminate between Bragg and Rayleigh scattering in clear-air radar observations. The filter is tested on radar observations of clear air convection with comparison to two commonly used image processing techniques. The dissertation also examines the statistical mean of the radar-measured C2n for clear-air convection, and compares it with the theoretical predictions. The study also shows that the inversion height, local thickness of the inversion layer, and the height of the elevated atmospheric layers can be estimated from the radar reflectivity measurements. In addition, comparisons to the radiosonde-based height estimates are made. To examine the temporal and spatial structure of C2n , the dissertation presents two case studies with the measurements of remote (the FM-CW radar and Doppler lidar) and in-situ (research aircraft, kite, and radiosonde) sensors from the stable nighttime boundary layer. It also presents a unique observation of evolution of the convective and nocturnal boundary layers by the S-band radar, and provides description of the observed boundary layer characteristics with the aid of in-situ measurements by the 55m instrumented tower and radiosonde.

Is ``the Theory of Everything'' Merely the Ultimate Ensemble Theory?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tegmark, Max

1998-11-01

We discuss some physical consequences of what might be called "the ultimate ensemble theory,", where not only worlds corresponding to say different sets of initial data or different physical constants are considered equally real, but also worlds ruled by altogether different equations. The only postulate in this theory is that all structures that exist mathematically exist also physically, by which we mean that in those complex enough to contain self-aware substructures (SASs), these SASs will subjectively perceive themselves as existing in a physically "real" world. We find that it is far from clear that this simple theory, which has no free parameters whatsoever, is observationally ruled out. The predictions of the theory take the form of probability distributions for the outcome of experiments, which makes it testable. In addition, it may be possible to rule it out by comparing its a priori predictions for the observable attributes of nature (the particle masses, the dimensionality of spacetime, etc.) with what is observed.

First Satellite-detected Perturbations of Outgoing Longwave Radiation Associated with Blowing Snow Events over Antarctica

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yang, Yuekui; Palm, Stephen P.; Marshak, Alexander; Wu, Dong L.; Yu, Hongbin; Fu, Qiang

2014-01-01

We present the first satellite-detected perturbations of the outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) associated with blowing snow events over the Antarctic ice sheet using data from Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization and Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System. Significant cloud-free OLR differences are observed between the clear and blowing snow sky, with the sign andmagnitude depending on season and time of the day. During nighttime, OLRs are usually larger when blowing snow is present; the average difference in OLRs between without and with blowing snow over the East Antarctic Ice Sheet is about 5.2 W/m2 for the winter months of 2009. During daytime, in contrast, the OLR perturbation is usually smaller or even has the opposite sign. The observed seasonal variations and day-night differences in the OLR perturbation are consistent with theoretical calculations of the influence of blowing snow on OLR. Detailed atmospheric profiles are needed to quantify the radiative effect of blowing snow from the satellite observations.

Postlingual adult performance in noise with HiRes 120 and ClearVoice Low, Medium, and High.

PubMed

Holden, Laura K; Brenner, Christine; Reeder, Ruth M; Firszt, Jill B

2013-11-01

The study's objectives were to evaluate speech recognition in multiple listening conditions using several noise types with HiRes 120 and ClearVoice (Low, Medium, High) and to determine which ClearVoice program was most beneficial for everyday use. Fifteen postlingual adults attended four sessions; speech recognition was assessed at sessions 1 and 3 with HiRes 120 and at sessions 2 and 4 with all ClearVoice programs. Test measures included sentences presented in restaurant noise (R-SPACE), in speech-spectrum noise, in four- and eight-talker babble, and connected discourse presented in 12-talker babble. Participants completed a questionnaire comparing ClearVoice programs. Significant group differences in performance between HiRes 120 and ClearVoice were present only in the R-SPACE; performance was better with ClearVoice High than HiRes 120. Among ClearVoice programs, no significant group differences were present for any measure. Individual results revealed most participants performed better in the R-SPACE with ClearVoice than HiRes 120. For other measures, significant individual differences between HiRes 120 and ClearVoice were not prevalent. Individual results among ClearVoice programs differed and overall preferences varied. Questionnaire data indicated increased understanding with High and Medium in certain environments. R-SPACE and questionnaire results indicated an advantage for ClearVoice High and Medium. Individual test and preference data showed mixed results between ClearVoice programs making global recommendations difficult; however, results suggest providing ClearVoice High and Medium and HiRes 120 as processor options for adults willing to change settings. For adults unwilling or unable to change settings, ClearVoice Medium is a practical choice for daily listening.

Anisotropy and the knee of the energy spectrum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clay, R. W.

1985-01-01

The measured cosmic ray energy spectrum exhibits clear structure (the knee) at approx 3 x 10 to the 15th power eV (sea level shower size approx 3 x 10 to the 5th power particles). Additionally, at energies in this general region, there occur apparent changes in shower development such that the observed characteristics of showers at this energy appear different to those characteristics observed at somewhat higher energies. At energies just below this region, the cosmic ray anisotropy amplitude apparently begins a progressive increase with energy. The latter effect does not clearly fit with the first two since there appears to be no significant change exactly at the knee. However, the phase of the first harmonic of the anisotropy appears to show a substantial change just where the energy spectrum shows structure and in the middle of the shower development changes. The first harmonic phase appears to change from approx. 18 hours R.A. to approx. 5 hours R.A. as the energy of observation moves through the knee. In this paper the latter change is examined in some detail by taking into account information contained in the second harmonic of the anisotropy.

Surface net solar radiation estimated from satellite measurements - Comparisons with tower observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Li, Zhanqing; Leighton, H. G.; Cess, Robert D.

1993-01-01

A parameterization that relates the reflected solar flux at the top of the atmosphere to the net solar flux at the surface in terms of only the column water vapor amount and the solar zenith angle was tested against surface observations. Net surface fluxes deduced from coincidental collocated satellite-measured radiances and from measurements from towers in Boulder during summer and near Saskatoon in winter have mean differences of about 2 W/sq m, regardless of whether the sky is clear or cloudy. Furthermore, comparisons between the net fluxes deduced from the parameterization and from surface measurements showed equally good agreement when the data were partitioned into morning and afternoon observations. This is in contrast to results from an empirical clear-sky algorithm that is unable to account adequately for the effects of clouds and that shows, at Boulder, a distinct morning to afternoon variation. It is also demonstrated that the parameterization may be applied to irradiances at the top of the atmosphere that have been temporally averaged. The good agreement between the results of the parameterization and surface measurements suggests that the algorithm is a useful tool for a variety of climate studies.

Chimera states in coupled Kuramoto oscillators with inertia.

PubMed

Olmi, Simona

2015-12-01

The dynamics of two symmetrically coupled populations of rotators is studied for different values of the inertia. The system is characterized by different types of solutions, which all coexist with the fully synchronized state. At small inertia, the system is no more chaotic and one observes mainly quasi-periodic chimeras, while the usual (stationary) chimera state is not anymore observable. At large inertia, one observes two different kind of chaotic solutions with broken symmetry: the intermittent chaotic chimera, characterized by a synchronized population and a population displaying a turbulent behaviour, and a second state where the two populations are both chaotic but whose dynamics adhere to two different macroscopic attractors. The intermittent chaotic chimeras are characterized by a finite life-time, whose duration increases as a power-law with the system size and the inertia value. Moreover, the chaotic population exhibits clear intermittent behavior, displaying a laminar phase where the two populations tend to synchronize, and a turbulent phase where the macroscopic motion of one population is definitely erratic. In the thermodynamic limit, these states survive for infinite time and the laminar regimes tends to disappear, thus giving rise to stationary chaotic solutions with broken symmetry contrary to what observed for chaotic chimeras on a ring geometry.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Olmi, Simona, E-mail: simona.olmi@fi.isc.cnr.it; INFN Sez. Firenze, via Sansone, 1 - I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino

The dynamics of two symmetrically coupled populations of rotators is studied for different values of the inertia. The system is characterized by different types of solutions, which all coexist with the fully synchronized state. At small inertia, the system is no more chaotic and one observes mainly quasi-periodic chimeras, while the usual (stationary) chimera state is not anymore observable. At large inertia, one observes two different kind of chaotic solutions with broken symmetry: the intermittent chaotic chimera, characterized by a synchronized population and a population displaying a turbulent behaviour, and a second state where the two populations are both chaoticmore » but whose dynamics adhere to two different macroscopic attractors. The intermittent chaotic chimeras are characterized by a finite life-time, whose duration increases as a power-law with the system size and the inertia value. Moreover, the chaotic population exhibits clear intermittent behavior, displaying a laminar phase where the two populations tend to synchronize, and a turbulent phase where the macroscopic motion of one population is definitely erratic. In the thermodynamic limit, these states survive for infinite time and the laminar regimes tends to disappear, thus giving rise to stationary chaotic solutions with broken symmetry contrary to what observed for chaotic chimeras on a ring geometry.« less

Geotaxis baseline data for Drosophila

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schnebel, E. M.; Bhargava, R.; Grossfield, J.

1987-01-01

Geotaxis profiles for 20 Drosophila species and semispecies at different ages have been examined using a calibrated, adjustable slant board device. Measurements were taken at 5 deg intervals ranging from 0 deg to 85 deg. Clear strain and species differences are observed, with some groups tending to move upward (- geotaxis) with increasing angles, while others move downward (+ geotaxis). Geotactic responses change with age in some, but not all experimental groups. Sample geotaxis profiles are presented and their application to ecological and aging studies are discussed. Data provide a baseline for future evaluations of the biological effects of microgravity.

Flow units perspective on elastic recovery under sharp contact loading in metallic glasses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shahzad, K.; Gulzar, A.; Wang, W. H.

2016-12-01

The obscure nature of glass physics has led to develop various correlations between different parameters and properties of metallic glasses. Despite these correlations, the clear picture of plastic deformation is still lacking. We have measured elastic recovery in metallic glasses by indentation, and found the elastic recovery correlate with different properties and parameters of metallic glasses. All these observations can be quite well explained with flow unit model which could provide clearer picture on the plastic deformations and nature of the metallic glasses.

AMPTE/CCE observations of the plasma composition below 17 keV during the September 4, 1984 magnetic storm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shelley, E. G.; Klumpar, D. M.; Peterson, W. K.; Ghielmetti, A.; Balsiger, H.; Geiss, J.; Rosenbauer, H.

1985-01-01

Observations from the Hot Plasma Composition Experiment on the AMPTE/CCE spacecraft during the magnetic storm of 4-5 September 1984 reveal that significant injection of ions of terrestrial origin accompanied the storm development. The compression of the magnetosphere at storm sudden commencement carried the magnetopause inside the CCE orbit clearly revealing the shocked solar wind plasma. A build up of suprathermal ions is observed near the plasmapause during the storm main phase and recovery phase. Pitch angle distributions in the ring current during the main phase show differences between H(+) and O(+) that suggest mass dependent injection, transport and/or loss processes.

Light atom quantum oscillations in UC and US

DOE PAGES

Yiu, Yuen; Aczel, Adam A.; Granroth, Garrett E.; ...

2016-01-19

High energy vibrational scattering in the binary systems UC and US is measured using time-of-flight inelastic neutron scattering. A clear set of well-defined peaks equally separated in energy is observed in UC, corresponding to harmonic oscillations of the light C atoms in a cage of heavy U atoms. The scattering is much weaker in US and only a few oscillator peaks are visible. We show how the difference between the materials can be understood by considering the neutron scattering lengths and masses of the lighter atoms. Monte Carlo ray tracing is used to simulate the scattering, with near quantitative agreementmore » with the data in UC, and some differences with US. The possibility of observing anharmonicity and anisotropy in the potentials of the light atoms is investigated in UC. Lastly, the observed data is well accounted for by considering each light atom as a single atom isotropic quantum harmonic oscillator.« less

Cell-substrate impedance fluctuations of single amoeboid cells encode cell-shape and adhesion dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leonhardt, Helmar; Gerhardt, Matthias; Höppner, Nadine; Krüger, Kirsten; Tarantola, Marco; Beta, Carsten

2016-01-01

We show systematic electrical impedance measurements of single motile cells on microelectrodes. Wild-type cells and mutant strains were studied that differ in their cell-substrate adhesion strength. We recorded the projected cell area by time-lapse microscopy and observed irregular oscillations of the cell shape. These oscillations were correlated with long-term variations in the impedance signal. Superposed to these long-term trends, we observed fluctuations in the impedance signal. Their magnitude clearly correlated with the adhesion strength, suggesting that strongly adherent cells display more dynamic cell-substrate interactions.

From current-driven to neoclassically driven tearing modes.

PubMed

Reimerdes, H; Sauter, O; Goodman, T; Pochelon, A

2002-03-11

In the TCV tokamak, the m/n = 2/1 island is observed in low-density discharges with central electron-cyclotron current drive. The evolution of its width has two distinct growth phases, one of which can be linked to a "conventional" tearing mode driven unstable by the current profile and the other to a neoclassical tearing mode driven by a perturbation of the bootstrap current. The TCV results provide the first clear observation of such a destabilization mechanism and reconcile the theory of conventional and neoclassical tearing modes, which differ only in the dominant driving term.

Monitoring the gingival regeneration after aesthetic surgery with optical coherence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernandes, Luana O.; Graça, Natalia D. R. L.; Melo, Luciana S. A.; Silva, Claudio H. V.; Gomes, Anderson S. L.

2016-02-01

The aim of this study was to use the Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) technique working in spectral domain (Swept Source OCT at 1325 nm, Thorlabs, New Jersey, USA) to monitor the tissue repair in patients undergoing periodontal plastic surgery. The evaluations were done over a period of 60 days. It was observed that 15 days after periodontal surgery the gum was still in different healing process as compared to the observation after 60 days. Thus it is clear that, despite some technical limitations, the OCT is an efficient method in the evaluation of regeneration gingival.

[Prophylaxis of CRPS I and recurrent CRPS I].

PubMed

Troeger, H

2011-02-01

In the foreground of the avoidance of a CRPS as well as a recurrent CRPS, also pathophysiological considerations and use-possibilities of different drugs stand beside the observance of generally valid principles for treatment. Its consistent transposition cannot certainly prevent the CRPS in each case admittedly, the installment of the appearance or recurrence of a CRPS clearly lowers however. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Metal centre effects on HNO binding in porphyrins and the electronic origin: metal's electronic configuration, position in the periodic table, and oxidation state.

PubMed

Yang, Liu; Fang, Weihai; Zhang, Yong

2012-04-21

HNO binds to many different metals in organometallic and bioinorganic chemistry. To help understand experimentally observed metal centre effects, a quantum chemical investigation was performed, revealing clear general binding trends with respect to metal centre characteristics and the electronic origin for the first time. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2012

FURTHER CONSTRAINTS ON THE OPTICAL TRANSMISSION SPECTRUM OF HAT-P-1b

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Montalto, M.; Santos, N. C.; Martins, J. H. C.

We report on novel observations of HAT-P-1 aimed at constraining the optical transmission spectrum of the atmosphere of its transiting hot-Jupiter exoplanet. Ground-based differential spectrophotometry was performed over two transit windows using the DOLORES spectrograph at the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo. Our measurements imply an average planet to star radius ratio equal to R{sub p}/R{sub *} = (0.1159 ± 0.0005). This result is consistent with the value obtained from recent near-infrared measurements of this object, but differs from previously reported optical measurements, being lower by around 4.4 exoplanet scale heights. Analyzing the data over five different spectral bins of ∼600 Åmore » wide, we observed a single peaked spectrum (3.7 σ level) with a blue cutoff corresponding to the blue edge of the broad absorption wing of sodium and an increased absorption in the region in-between 6180 and 7400 Å. We also infer that the width of the broad absorption wings due to alkali metals is likely narrower than the one implied by solar abundance clear atmospheric models. We interpret the result as evidence that HAT-P-1b has a partially clear atmosphere at optical wavelengths with a more modest contribution from an optical absorber than previously reported.« less

Further Constraints on the Optical Transmission Spectrum of HAT-P-1b

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Montalto, M.; Iro, N.; Santos, N. C.; Desidera, S.; Martins, J. H. C.; Figueira, P.; Alonso, R.

2015-09-01

We report on novel observations of HAT-P-1 aimed at constraining the optical transmission spectrum of the atmosphere of its transiting hot-Jupiter exoplanet. Ground-based differential spectrophotometry was performed over two transit windows using the DOLORES spectrograph at the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo. Our measurements imply an average planet to star radius ratio equal to Rp/R* = (0.1159 ± 0.0005). This result is consistent with the value obtained from recent near-infrared measurements of this object, but differs from previously reported optical measurements, being lower by around 4.4 exoplanet scale heights. Analyzing the data over five different spectral bins of ∼600 Å wide, we observed a single peaked spectrum (3.7 σ level) with a blue cutoff corresponding to the blue edge of the broad absorption wing of sodium and an increased absorption in the region in-between 6180 and 7400 Å. We also infer that the width of the broad absorption wings due to alkali metals is likely narrower than the one implied by solar abundance clear atmospheric models. We interpret the result as evidence that HAT-P-1b has a partially clear atmosphere at optical wavelengths with a more modest contribution from an optical absorber than previously reported.

A CME-Driven Solar Wind Disturbance Observed at both Low and High Heliographic Latitudes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gosling, J. T.; McComas, D. J.; Phillips, J. L.; Pizzo, V. J.; Goldstein, B. E.; Forsyth, R. J.; Lepping, R. P.

1995-01-01

A solar wind disturbance produced by a fast coronal mass ejection, CME, that departed from the Sun on February 20, 1994 was observed in the ecliptic plane at 1 AU by IMP 8 and at high heliographic latitudes at 3.53 AU by Ulysses. In the ecliptic the disturbance included a strong forward shock but no reverse shock, while at high latitudes the disturbance was bounded by a relatively weak forward-reverse shock pair. It is clear that the disturbance in the ecliptic plane was driven primarily by the relative speed between the CME and a slower ambient solar wind ahead, whereas at higher latitudes the disturbance was driven by expansion of the CME. The combined IMP 8 and Ulysses observations thus provide a graphic illustration of how a single fast CME can produce very different types of solar wind disturbances at low and high heliographic latitudes. Simple numerical simulations help explain observed differences at the two spacecraft.

The high-energy view of the broad-line radio galaxy 3C 111

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ballo, L.; Braito, V.; Reeves, J. N.; Sambruna, R. M.; Tombesi, F.

2011-12-01

We present the analysis of Suzaku and XMM-Newton observations of the broad-line radio galaxy (BLRG) 3C 111. Its high-energy emission shows variability, a harder continuum with respect to the radio-quiet active galactic nucleus population, and weak reflection features. Suzaku found the source in a minimum flux level; a comparison with the XMM-Newton data implies an increase of a factor of 2.5 in the 0.5-10 keV flux, in the 6 months separating the two observations. The iron K complex is detected in both data sets, with rather low equivalent width(s). The intensity of the iron K complex does not respond to the change in continuum flux. An ultrafast, high-ionization outflowing gas is clearly detected in the Suzaku/X-ray Imaging Spectrometer data; the absorber is most likely unstable. Indeed, during the XMM-Newton observation, which was 6 months after, the absorber was not detected. No clear rollover in the hard X-ray emission is detected, probably due to the emergence of the jet as a dominant component in the hard X-ray band, as suggested by the detection above ˜100 keV with the GSO onboard Suzaku, although the present data do not allow us to firmly constrain the relative contribution of the different components. The fluxes observed by the γ-ray satellites CGRO and Fermi would be compatible with the putative jet component if peaking at energies E˜ 100 MeV. In the X-ray band, the jet contribution to the continuum starts to be significant only above 10 keV. If the detection of the jet component in 3C 111 is confirmed, then its relative importance in the X-ray energy band could explain the different observed properties in the high-energy emission of BLRGs, which are otherwise similar in their other multiwavelength properties. Comparison between X-ray and γ-ray data taken at different epochs suggests that the strong variability observed for 3C 111 is probably driven by a change in the primary continuum.

New determinations of Q quality factors and eigenfrequencies for the whole set of singlets of the Earth's normal modes 0S 0, 0S 2, 0S 3 and 2S 1 using superconducting gravimeter data from the GGP network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roult, Geneviève; Rosat, Séverine; Clévédé, Eric; Millot-Langet, Raphaële; Hinderer, Jacques

2006-01-01

We present new modal Q measurements of the 0S 0 and 0S 2 modes, and first modal frequencies and Q measurements of 2S 1 and 0S 3 modes. The high quality of the GGP (Global Geodynamics Project) superconducting gravimeters (SGs) contributes to the clear observation of seismic normal modes at frequencies lower than 1 mHz and offers a good opportunity for studying the behaviour of these modes. The interest of scientists in the gravest normal modes is due to the fact that they do contribute to a better knowledge of the density profile in the Earth, helping to constrain Earth's models. These modes have been clearly identified after some large recent events recorded with superconducting gravimeters, particularly well-suited for low-frequency investigations. The Ms = 8.1 (Mw = 8.4) Peruvian earthquake of June 2001 and the Ms = 9.0 (Mw = 9.3) Sumatra-Andaman earthquake of December 2004 provide us with individual spectra which exhibit a clear splitting of the spheroidal modes 0S 2, 0S 3 and 2S 1, and a clear identification of each of the individual singlets, with a resolution never obtained from broad-band seismometers records. The Q quality factors have been determined from the apparent decrease of the amplitude of each singlet with time, according to a well-suited technique [Roult, G., Clévédé, E., 2000. New refinements in attenuation measurements from free-oscillation and surface-wave observations. Phys. Earth Planet. Inter. 121, 1-37]. The results are compared to the theoretical frequencies and Q quality factors computed for the PREM and 1066A models, taking into account both rotation and ellipticity effects of the Earth. The two observed datasets (frequencies and Q quality factors) exhibit a splitting on the observed values different from the predicted one. That seems to point out that some parameters as density or attenuation values used in the theoretical models do not explain the observations. A new dataset of frequencies and Q quality factors of the whole set of singlets of the gravest spheroidal modes is thus under construction. That dataset includes the five individual singlets of the 0S 2 mode clearly identified on the SG records, the three singlets of the 2S 1 mode recently observed for the first time by [Rosat, S., Hinderer, J., Rivera, L., 2003b. First observation of 2S 1 and study of the splitting of the football mode 0S 2 after the June 2001 Peru earthquake of magnitude 8.4. Geophys. Res. Lett. 30, 21211, doi:10-1029/2003L018304], the 0S 0 radial mode, and the seven individual singlets of the 0S 3 mode.

The Relationship of High-Latitude Thermospheric Wind With Ionospheric Horizontal Current, as Observed by CHAMP Satellite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Tao; Lühr, Hermann; Wang, Hui; Xiong, Chao

2017-12-01

The relationship between high-latitude ionospheric currents (Hall current and field-aligned current) and thermospheric wind is investigated. The 2-D patterns of horizontal wind and equivalent current in the Northern Hemisphere derived from the CHAMP satellite are considered for the first time simultaneously. The equivalent currents show strong dependences on both interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) By and Bz components. However, IMF By orientation is more important in controlling the wind velocity patterns. The duskside wind vortex as well as the antisunward wind in the morning polar cap is more evident for positive By. To better understand their spatial relation in different sectors, a systematic superposed epoch analysis is applied. Our results show that in the dusk sector, the vectors of the zonal wind and equivalent current are anticorrelated, and both of them form a vortical flow pattern for different activity levels. The currents and zonal wind are intensified with the increase of merging electric field. However, on the dawnside, where the relation is less clear, antisunward zonal winds dominate. Plasma drift seems to play a less important role for the wind than neutral forces in this sector. In the noon sector, the best anticorrelation between equivalent current and wind is observed for a positive IMF By component and it is less obvious for negative By. A clear seasonal effect with current intensities increasing from winter to summer is observed in the noon sector. Different from the currents, the zonal wind intensity shows little dependence on seasons. Our results indicate that the plasma drift and the neutral forces are of comparable influence on the zonal wind at CHAMP altitude in the noon sector.

Timing of solid food introduction and obesity: Hong Kong's "children of 1997" birth cohort.

PubMed

Lin, Shi Lin; Leung, Gabriel M; Lam, Tai Hing; Schooling, C Mary

2013-05-01

Some observational studies in Western settings show that early introduction of solid food is associated with subsequent obesity. However, introduction of solid food and obesity share social patterning. We examined the association of the timing of the introduction of solid food with BMI and overweight (including obesity) into adolescence in a developed non-Western setting, in which childhood obesity is less clearly socially patterned. We used generalized estimating equation models to estimate the adjusted associations of the timing of the introduction of solid food (<3, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, and >8 months) with BMI z score and overweight (including obesity) at different growth phases (infancy, childhood, and puberty) in 7809 children (88% follow-up) from a Chinese birth cohort, "Children of 1997." We assessed if the associations varied with gender or breastfeeding. We used multiple imputation for missing exposure and confounders. The introduction of solid food at <3 months of age was associated with lower family socioeconomic position (SEP) but was not clearly associated with BMI or overweight (including obesity) in infancy [mean difference in BMI z score: 0.01; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.14 to 0.17], childhood (0.14; 95% CI: -0.11 to 0.40), or at puberty (0.22; 95% CI: -0.07 to 0.52), adjusted for SEP and infant and maternal characteristics. In a non-Western developed setting, there was no clear association of the early introduction of solid food with childhood obesity. Together with the inconsistent evidence from studies in Western settings, this finding suggests that any observed associations might simply be residual confounding by SEP.

Optical clearing of skin using flash lamp-induced enhancement of epidermal permeability.

PubMed

Tuchin, V V; Altshuler, G B; Gavrilova, A A; Pravdin, A B; Tabatadze, D; Childs, J; Yaroslavsky, I V

2006-10-01

Strong light scattering in skin prevents precise targeting of optical energy in therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Optical immersion based on matching refractive index of scattering centers with that of surrounding matter through introduction of an exogenous index-matching agent can alleviate the problem. However, slow diffusion of the index-matching agent through skin barrier makes practical implementation of this approach difficult. We propose a method of accelerating penetration of the index-matching compounds by enhancing skin permeability through creating a lattice of micro-zones (islets) of limited thermal damage in the stratum corneum (SC). A flash lamp (intense pulsed light) system and an island mask with a pattern of absorbing centers (center size approximately 75-120 microm, lattice pitch approximately 450-500 microm) were used to create the lattice of islets of damage (LID). Index-matching agents, such as glucose solution, propylene glycol solution, and glycerol solution, were applied. Experimental results of optical clearing ex vivo rat and pig skin, and ex vivo and in vivo human skin are presented. Optical transmission spectra of the skin samples with LID were measured during some 2 hours after application of index-matching chemical agents. In order to assess and compare the clearing rate under different treatment and clearing agents we calculated the quantity that we call "relative transmittance": T(rel) = I(t)(lambda)/I(0)(lambda), were I(t)(lambda) is the intensity measured at elapsed time t. The dynamics of relative transmittance of skin samples at 470 and 650 nm shows that the implementation of limited thermal damage technique leads to a 3-10-fold increase of optical clearing (rise of transmittance) rate compared to the results obtained when the samples were treated with high-intensity light pulses but without the use of island damage mask (IDM). It was observed from the plotted spectra of relative transmittance that the maximum increase of transmitted light intensity has been obtained with glucose solution as a clearing agent. Noteworthy is the difference in the trend of spectral curves: relative transmittance spectrum for glycerol reveals, on the whole, a greater slope which may be indicative of higher extent of index matching between the scattering centers and base material for this index-matching agent. Under the transillumination of the skin sample by the wide flat beam the more effective clearing (the increase of transmitted intensity) is attained within the hemoglobin absorption bands; with the narrow quasi-collimated beam the higher relative transmittance was observed over the intervals of minimum absorption. The use of specially designed island mask combined with non-laser intensive pulse irradiation produces a lattice of islands of limited thermal damage in SC that substantially enhances the penetration rate of topically applied index-matching agents. The suggested technique gave comparable magnitudes of clearing dynamics enhancement for glucose solution, glycerol solution, and propylene glycol solution applied to mammalian skin.

Clear corneal incision leakage after phacoemulsification--detection using povidone iodine 5%.

PubMed

Chee, Soon-Phaik

2005-01-01

The purpose of this work was to study the incidence of clear corneal wound leakage at the conclusion of standard co-axial phacoemulsification in a prospective observational series of 100 consecutive cataract cases in a single surgeon's institutional practice. At the conclusion of standard co-axial phacoemulsification using a 2.75 mm temporal single plane clear corneal incision with a 1 mm clear corneal side-port incision, the wounds were hydrated and checked for water-tightness. Povidone iodine 5% (P-I) was then evenly dripped over the cornea and the wounds were inspected visually. Any leakage of aqueous observed was recorded. The amount of leakage was graded as small or large from each wound. Leaky wounds were further hydrated and retested with P-I until sealed. Wound integrity was reassessed on the first postoperative day by use of fluorescein. Of the 100 cases, wound leakage was observed for 31 eyes (31%)-ten main incisions, nineteen side-port incisions, and both incisions in two cases. Wound leakage was easily detected as a ribbon of clear fluid streaming from the incision amid a pool of brown solution. Povidone iodine was not observed within the tract in any incision. All wound leakage was small except for one from the main incision and two from the side-port incision. None of the eyes developed wound leakage the day after surgery and none developed endophthalmitis. In conclusion, leakage from clear corneal incisions at the conclusion of phacoemulsification occurs in almost a third of cases, predominantly from the side incision. It is easily detected by use of the P-I test.

Fall in hematocrit per 1000 parasites cleared from peripheral blood: a simple method for estimating drug-related fall in hematocrit after treatment of malaria infections.

PubMed

Gbotosho, Grace Olusola; Okuboyejo, Titilope; Happi, Christian Tientcha; Sowunmi, Akintunde

2014-01-01

A simple method to estimate antimalarial drug-related fall in hematocrit (FIH) after treatment of Plasmodium falciparum infections in the field is described. The method involves numeric estimation of the relative difference in hematocrit at baseline (pretreatment) and the first 1 or 2 days after treatment begun as numerator and the corresponding relative difference in parasitemia as the denominator, and expressing it per 1000 parasites cleared from peripheral blood. Using the method showed that FIH/1000 parasites cleared from peripheral blood (cpb) at 24 or 48 hours were similar in artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-amodiaquine-treated children (0.09; 95% confidence interval, 0.052-0.138 vs 0.10; 95% confidence interval, 0.069-0.139%; P = 0.75) FIH/1000 parasites cpb in patients with higher parasitemias were significantly (P < 0.0001) and five- to 10-fold lower than in patients with lower parasitemias suggesting conservation of hematocrit or red cells in patients with higher parasitemias treated with artesunate-amodiaquine or artemether-lumefantrine. FIH/1000 parasites cpb were similar in anemic and nonanemic children. Estimation of FIH/1000 parasites cpb is simple, allows estimation of relatively conserved hematocrit during treatment, and can be used in both observational studies and clinical trials involving antimalarial drugs.

Intermediate coupled superconductivity in yttrium intermetallics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Ramesh; Ahmed, Gulzar; Sharma, Yamini

2017-09-01

Non-magnetic YIn3, LaIn3 and LuIn3 with a superconducting transition temperature Tc of 0.78, 0.71 and 0.24 K were investigated for superconductivity. Similarly, rare-earth compound LaSn3 has been reported to exhibit superconductivity around 6.25 K, whereas the non-magnetic YSn3 is a superconductor with Tc of 7 K. The substitution of 13th group In-atoms by 14th group Sn-atoms is seen to enhance Tc by nearly one order, although the lattice parameters increase by ∼1.0% in YSn3 compared to YIn3 compound. It is observed from the ground state properties that the slight difference in the energy band structures of YIn3, YIn2Sn and YSn3 gives rise to various complex Fermi surfaces which are multiply connected and exhibit vast differences. The Fermi level lies on a sharp peak in YSn3 which has a higher density of states N(EF), whereas Fermi level lies on the shoulder of a sharp peak in YIn3. The electron localization function (ELF) and difference charge density maps clearly illustrate the difference in the nature of bonding; the Ysbnd Sn bonds are clearly more ionic (due to larger bond length) than Ysbnd In bonds. These results are consistent with the Bader charges which show loss of charges from Y-atoms and a gain of charges by In/Sn atoms. The dynamical properties also clearly illustrate the difference in the nature of bonds in YX3 intermetallics. A softening of the lowermost acoustic modes is observed in YIn3, whereas all the modes in YSn3 are observed to have positive frequencies which imply its greater stability. Since λel-ph < 1, both YIn3 and YSn3 compounds exhibit type I superconductivity according to BCS theory. However, the smaller N(EF) obtained from the density of states (DOS); the electron-phonon coupling constant λel-ph obtained from the temperature dependent specific heat as well as the instability in phonon modes due to stronger Ysbnd In and Insbnd In bonds in YIn3 may be the cause of lower Tc and filamentary nature of superconductivity. Insertion of Sn-atom in the YIn3 lattice further consolidates the superconducting nature due to increase in N(EF) and γ (electronic component of specific heat), along with lowering of the frequency of imaginary modes from 5.6 THz to 1.5-0.6 THz. Thus Tc is directly related to the valence electron concentration and ternary YIn2Sn may exhibit intermediate superconducting transition temperature.

Active galactic nuclei: what's in a name?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Padovani, P.; Alexander, D. M.; Assef, R. J.; De Marco, B.; Giommi, P.; Hickox, R. C.; Richards, G. T.; Smolčić, V.; Hatziminaoglou, E.; Mainieri, V.; Salvato, M.

2017-08-01

Active galactic nuclei (AGN) are energetic astrophysical sources powered by accretion onto supermassive black holes in galaxies, and present unique observational signatures that cover the full electromagnetic spectrum over more than twenty orders of magnitude in frequency. The rich phenomenology of AGN has resulted in a large number of different "flavours" in the literature that now comprise a complex and confusing AGN "zoo". It is increasingly clear that these classifications are only partially related to intrinsic differences between AGN and primarily reflect variations in a relatively small number of astrophysical parameters as well the method by which each class of AGN is selected. Taken together, observations in different electromagnetic bands as well as variations over time provide complementary windows on the physics of different sub-structures in the AGN. In this review, we present an overview of AGN multi-wavelength properties with the aim of painting their "big picture" through observations in each electromagnetic band from radio to γ -rays as well as AGN variability. We address what we can learn from each observational method, the impact of selection effects, the physics behind the emission at each wavelength, and the potential for future studies. To conclude, we use these observations to piece together the basic architecture of AGN, discuss our current understanding of unification models, and highlight some open questions that present opportunities for future observational and theoretical progress.

Profiling of subgingival plaque biofilm microbiota in female adult patients with clear aligners: a three-month prospective study

PubMed Central

Liu, Hao; Li, Xiaobei

2018-01-01

Background Clear aligners are well known for facilitating oral hygiene maintenance and decreasing susceptibility to periodontal diseases as compared to conventional fixed appliances. However, few research studies focus on the subgingival microbial community during clear aligner treatment (CAT). Hence, this study investigates changes of the subgingival microbial community and its association with clinical characteristics during the first three months of CAT. Methods Ten female patients with clear aligners were enrolled in this study. Subgingival plaque samples were obtained at three time points: before orthodontic treatment (T0), one month after orthodontic treatment (T1) and three months after orthodontic treatment (T2). DNA was then extracted from plaque samples and analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Periodontal examinations, including plaque index (PI) and gingival bleeding index (GBI) measurements were also recorded. Results The plaque indices (PIs) and gingival bleeding indices (GBIs) were slightly increased at T1 and T2, but no statistically significant difference was found. The alpha diversity indices, including the ACE, Chao1, Shannon indices, all showed a declining trend without significance, and a rising trend in the Simpson diversity index was observed. The weighted UniFrac distance was significantly higher at T1 and T2 compared with T0. Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) demonstrated that the communities at T0 tended to cluster apart from the communities at T1 and T2. The relative abundance of the phylum Firmicutes and genus Mycoplasma was significantly increased at T0 compared with T2. There was no significant difference in the relative abundance of periodontal pathogens at the genus and species levels or core microorganisms at the genus level. Conclusion A slightly decreasing microbial diversity with a significant change of microbial structure was found during the first three-month clear aligner treatment (CAT). However, subjects receiving clear aligner treatment were free from periodontal diseases with relatively stable levels of periodontal microorganisms and core microorganisms. Thus, our preliminary findings indicated that clear aligners induced nonpathogenic changes of the subgingival microbiome in the first three-month treatment. PMID:29312828

Profiling of subgingival plaque biofilm microbiota in female adult patients with clear aligners: a three-month prospective study.

PubMed

Guo, Runzhi; Zheng, Yunfei; Liu, Hao; Li, Xiaobei; Jia, Lingfei; Li, Weiran

2018-01-01

Clear aligners are well known for facilitating oral hygiene maintenance and decreasing susceptibility to periodontal diseases as compared to conventional fixed appliances. However, few research studies focus on the subgingival microbial community during clear aligner treatment (CAT). Hence, this study investigates changes of the subgingival microbial community and its association with clinical characteristics during the first three months of CAT. Ten female patients with clear aligners were enrolled in this study. Subgingival plaque samples were obtained at three time points: before orthodontic treatment (T0), one month after orthodontic treatment (T1) and three months after orthodontic treatment (T2). DNA was then extracted from plaque samples and analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Periodontal examinations, including plaque index (PI) and gingival bleeding index (GBI) measurements were also recorded. The plaque indices (PIs) and gingival bleeding indices (GBIs) were slightly increased at T1 and T2, but no statistically significant difference was found. The alpha diversity indices, including the ACE, Chao1, Shannon indices, all showed a declining trend without significance, and a rising trend in the Simpson diversity index was observed. The weighted UniFrac distance was significantly higher at T1 and T2 compared with T0. Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) demonstrated that the communities at T0 tended to cluster apart from the communities at T1 and T2. The relative abundance of the phylum Firmicutes and genus Mycoplasma was significantly increased at T0 compared with T2. There was no significant difference in the relative abundance of periodontal pathogens at the genus and species levels or core microorganisms at the genus level. A slightly decreasing microbial diversity with a significant change of microbial structure was found during the first three-month clear aligner treatment (CAT). However, subjects receiving clear aligner treatment were free from periodontal diseases with relatively stable levels of periodontal microorganisms and core microorganisms. Thus, our preliminary findings indicated that clear aligners induced nonpathogenic changes of the subgingival microbiome in the first three-month treatment.

Methyl Mercury Formation in Hillslope Soils of Boreal Forests: The Role of Forest Harvest and Anaerobic Microbes.

PubMed

Kronberg, Rose-Marie; Jiskra, Martin; Wiederhold, Jan G; Björn, Erik; Skyllberg, Ulf

2016-09-06

Final harvest (clear-cutting) of coniferous boreal forests has been shown to increase streamwater concentrations and export of the neurotoxin methyl mercury (MeHg) to freshwater ecosystems. Here, the spatial distribution of inorganic Hg and MeHg in soil as a consequence of clear-cutting is reported. A comparison of soils at similar positions along hillslopes in four 80 years old Norway spruce (Picea abies) stands (REFs) with those in four similar stands subjected to clear-cutting (CCs) revealed significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced MeHg concentrations (ng g(-1)), MeHg areal masses (g ha(-1)), and percent MeHg of HgTOT in O horizons of CCs located between 1 and 41 m from streams. Inorganic Hg measures did not differ between REFs and CCs at any position. The O horizon thickness did not differ between CCs and REFs, but the groundwater table and soil water content were significantly higher at CCs than at REFs. The largest difference in percent MeHg of HgTOT (12 times higher at CCs compared to REFs, p = 0.003) was observed in concert with a significant enhancement in soil water content (p = 0.0003) at intermediate hillslope positions (20-38 m from stream), outside the stream riparian zone. Incubation experiments demonstrated that soils having significantly enhanced soil pools of MeHg after clear-cutting also showed significantly enhanced methylation potential as compared with similarly positioned soils in mature reference stands. The addition of inhibitors demonstrated that sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and methanogens were key methylators. Rates of demethylation did not differ between CCs and REFs. Our results suggest that enhanced water saturation of organic soils providing readily available electron donors stimulate Hg-methylating microbes to net formation and buildup of MeHg in O horizons after forest harvest.

Radiative effects of global MODIS cloud regimes

PubMed Central

Oreopoulos, Lazaros; Cho, Nayeong; Lee, Dongmin; Kato, Seiji

2018-01-01

We update previously published MODIS global cloud regimes (CRs) using the latest MODIS cloud retrievals in the Collection 6 dataset. We implement a slightly different derivation method, investigate the composition of the regimes, and then proceed to examine several aspects of CR radiative appearance with the aid of various radiative flux datasets. Our results clearly show the CRs are radiatively distinct in terms of shortwave, longwave and their combined (total) cloud radiative effect. We show that we can clearly distinguish regimes based on whether they radiatively cool or warm the atmosphere, and thanks to radiative heating profiles to discern the vertical distribution of cooling and warming. Terra and Aqua comparisons provide information about the degree to which morning and afternoon occurrences of regimes affect the symmetry of CR radiative contribution. We examine how the radiative discrepancies among multiple irradiance datasets suffering from imperfect spatiotemporal matching depend on CR, and whether they are therefore related to the complexity of cloud structure, its interpretation by different observational systems, and its subsequent representation in radiative transfer calculations. PMID:29619289

Radiative effects of global MODIS cloud regimes.

PubMed

Oreopoulos, Lazaros; Cho, Nayeong; Lee, Dongmin; Kato, Seiji

2016-03-16

We update previously published MODIS global cloud regimes (CRs) using the latest MODIS cloud retrievals in the Collection 6 dataset. We implement a slightly different derivation method, investigate the composition of the regimes, and then proceed to examine several aspects of CR radiative appearance with the aid of various radiative flux datasets. Our results clearly show the CRs are radiatively distinct in terms of shortwave, longwave and their combined (total) cloud radiative effect. We show that we can clearly distinguish regimes based on whether they radiatively cool or warm the atmosphere, and thanks to radiative heating profiles to discern the vertical distribution of cooling and warming. Terra and Aqua comparisons provide information about the degree to which morning and afternoon occurrences of regimes affect the symmetry of CR radiative contribution. We examine how the radiative discrepancies among multiple irradiance datasets suffering from imperfect spatiotemporal matching depend on CR, and whether they are therefore related to the complexity of cloud structure, its interpretation by different observational systems, and its subsequent representation in radiative transfer calculations.

Radiative Effects of Global MODIS Cloud Regimes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oraiopoulos, Lazaros; Cho, Nayeong; Lee, Dong Min; Kato, Seiji

2016-01-01

We update previously published MODIS global cloud regimes (CRs) using the latest MODIS cloud retrievals in the Collection 6 dataset. We implement a slightly different derivation method, investigate the composition of the regimes, and then proceed to examine several aspects of CR radiative appearance with the aid of various radiative flux datasets. Our results clearly show the CRs are radiatively distinct in terms of shortwave, longwave and their combined (total) cloud radiative effect. We show that we can clearly distinguish regimes based on whether they radiatively cool or warm the atmosphere, and thanks to radiative heating profiles to discern the vertical distribution of cooling and warming. Terra and Aqua comparisons provide information about the degree to which morning and afternoon occurrences of regimes affect the symmetry of CR radiative contribution. We examine how the radiative discrepancies among multiple irradiance datasets suffering from imperfect spatiotemporal matching depend on CR, and whether they are therefore related to the complexity of cloud structure, its interpretation by different observational systems, and its subsequent representation in radiative transfer calculations.

Elastin in the human intervertebral disk. A histological and biochemical study comparing it with elastin in the human yellow ligament.

PubMed

Mikawa, Y; Hamagami, H; Shikata, J; Yamamuro, T

1986-01-01

The elastic fiber and elastin in the human yellow ligament and intervertebral disk were studied histologically and biochemically. The elastic fiber in the human intervertebral disk, which until now had not been clearly identified microscopically, was observed clearly. We found the distribution of the elastic fiber in the intervertebral disk to be very sparse and irregular, and its diameter was small, being about one-tenth of that found in the yellow ligament. The elastin contents of the yellow ligament and intervertebral disk were 46.7% +/- 0.9% and 1.7% +/- 0.2% respectively (mean +/- SE) of the total dry weight. The amino acid composition of elastin in the yellow ligament is similar to that of other tissue, as reported in the literature; however, that found in the intervertebral disk is significantly different. It would appear, therefore, that the elastin in the intervertebral disk is of a different type from that found elsewhere.

Rear surface light emission measurements from laser-produced shock waves in clear and Al-coated polystyrene targets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McLean, E. A.; Deniz, A. V.; Schmitt, A. J.; Stamper, J. A.; Obenschain, S. P.; Lehecka, T.; Mostovych, A. N.; Seely, J.

1999-08-01

The Nike KrF laser, with its very uniform focal distributions, has been used at intensities near 10 14 W/cm 2 to launch shock waves in polystyrene targets. The rear surface visible light emission differed between clear polystyrene (CH) targets and targets with a thin (125 nm) Al coating on the rear side. The uncoated CH targets showed a relatively slowly rising emission followed by a sudden fall when the shock emerges, while the Al-coated targets showed a rapid rise in emission when the shock emerges followed by a slower fall, allowing an unambiguous determination of the time the shock arrived at the rear surface. A half-aluminized target allowed us to observe this difference in a single shot. The brightness temperature of both the aluminized targets and the non-aluminized targets was slightly below but close to rear surface temperature predictions of a hydrodynamic code. A discussion of preheat effects is given.

Monitoring single coffee bean roasting by direct volatile compound analysis with proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Yener, Sine; Navarini, Luciano; Lonzarich, Valentina; Cappellin, Luca; Märk, Tilmann D; Bonn, Günther K; Biasioli, Franco

2016-09-01

This study applies proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the rapid analysis of volatile compounds released from single coffee beans. The headspace volatile profiles of single coffee beans (Coffeea arabica) from different geographical origins (Brazil, Guatemala and Ethiopia) were analyzed via offline profiling at different stages of roasting. The effect of coffee geographical origin was reflected on volatile compound formation that was supported by one-way ANOVA. Clear origin signatures were observed in the formation of different coffee odorants. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The effects of morphine on the temporal structure of Wistar rat behavioral response to pain in hot-plate.

PubMed

Casarrubea, Maurizio; Faulisi, Fabiana; Magnusson, Magnus S; Crescimanno, Giuseppe

2016-08-01

The largest amount of researches on the hot-plate test was carried out using quantitative assessments. However, the evaluation of the relationships among the different elements that compose the behavioral response to pain requires different approaches. Although previous studies have provided clear information on the behavioral structure of the response, no data are available on its temporal structure. The objective of this study was to investigate the temporal structure of the behavioral response to pain in Wistar rat tested in hot-plate and how this structure was influenced by morphine-induced analgesia. The behavior of four groups of subjects tested in hot-plate, one administered saline and three with different doses (3, 6, 12 mg/kg) of morphine IP, was analyzed by means of quantitative and t-pattern analyses. The latter is a multivariate technique able to detect the existence of statistically significant temporal relationships among the behavioral events in time. A clear-cut influence of morphine on quantitative parameters of the response to the noxious stimulation was observed. T-pattern analysis evidenced profound structural changes of behavior. Twenty-four different t-patterns were identified following saline, whereas a dose-dependent reduction was observed following morphine. Such a reduction was accompanied by a decrease of the total amount of t-patterns detected. Morphine, by reducing the effects of the noxious stimulation, orients animal behavior prevalently toward exploratory t-patterns. In addition, it is suggested that the temporal structure of the response is very quickly organized and adapted to environmental noxious cues.

Effect of ambient light on monoclonal antibody product quality during small-scale mammalian cell culture process in clear glass bioreactors.

PubMed

Mallaney, Mary; Wang, Szu-Han; Sreedhara, Alavattam

2014-01-01

During a small-scale cell culture process producing a monoclonal antibody, a larger than expected difference was observed in the charge variants profile of the harvested cell culture fluid (HCCF) between the 2 L and larger scales (e.g., 400 L and 12 kL). Small-scale studies performed at the 2 L scale consistently showed an increase in acidic species when compared with the material made at larger scale. Since the 2 L bioreactors were made of clear transparent glass while the larger scale reactors are made of stainless steel, the effect of ambient laboratory light on cell culture process in 2 L bioreactors as well as handling the HCCF was carefully evaluated. Photoreactions in the 2 L glass bioreactors including light mediated increase in acidic variants in HCCF and formulation buffers were identified and carefully analyzed. While the acidic variants comprised of a mixture of sialylated, reduced disulfide, crosslinked (nonreducible), glycated, and deamidated forms, an increase in the nonreducible forms, deamidation and Met oxidation was predominantly observed under light stress. The monoclonal antibody produced in glass bioreactors that were protected from light behaved similar to the one produced in the larger scale. Our data clearly indicate that care should be taken when glass bioreactors are used in cell culture studies during monoclonal antibody production. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

A Multiwavelength Study of Coronal Structure: A Simultaneous Observation from NIXT and YOHKOH

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Golub, Leon

1998-01-01

Solar soft X-ray images taken simultaneously by the Yohkoh and the Normal Incidence X-ray Telescope (NIXT) reveal significantly different coronal structures. Coronal loops are more clearly seen in the Yohkoh images, and the isolated island-like structures seen in the NIXT image have been found to correspond to the footpoints of the Yohkoh loops. The difference is due to the difference in the temperature response of the telescopes: NIXT is sensitive to temperatures ranging from 0.9 to 3 MK, while Yohkoh is more sensitive to temperatures above 2.5 MK. The morphological differences reflect the multi-temperature (1-5 MK) nature of the solar coronal plasmas.

Vowels in clear and conversational speech: Talker differences in acoustic characteristics and intelligibility for normal-hearing listeners

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hargus Ferguson, Sarah; Kewley-Port, Diane

2002-05-01

Several studies have shown that when a talker is instructed to speak as though talking to a hearing-impaired person, the resulting ``clear'' speech is significantly more intelligible than typical conversational speech. Recent work in this lab suggests that talkers vary in how much their intelligibility improves when they are instructed to speak clearly. The few studies examining acoustic characteristics of clear and conversational speech suggest that these differing clear speech effects result from different acoustic strategies on the part of individual talkers. However, only two studies to date have directly examined differences among talkers producing clear versus conversational speech, and neither included acoustic analysis. In this project, clear and conversational speech was recorded from 41 male and female talkers aged 18-45 years. A listening experiment demonstrated that for normal-hearing listeners in noise, vowel intelligibility varied widely among the 41 talkers for both speaking styles, as did the magnitude of the speaking style effect. Acoustic analyses using stimuli from a subgroup of talkers shown to have a range of speaking style effects will be used to assess specific acoustic correlates of vowel intelligibility in clear and conversational speech. [Work supported by NIHDCD-02229.

Volcanos and El Nino: Signal separation in northern hemisphere winter

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kirchner, I.; Graf, H.F.

The frequent coincidence of volcanic forcing with El Nino events disables the clear assignment of climate anomalies to either volcanic or El Nino forcing. In order to select the signals, a set of four different perpetual January GCM experiments was performed (control, volcano case, El Nino case and combined volcano/El Nino case) and studied with advanced statistical methods for the Northern Hemisphere winter. The results were compared with observations. The signals for the different forcings are discussed for three variables (temperature, zonal wind and geopotential height) and five levels (surface, 850 hPa. 500 hPa, 200 hPa and 50 hPa). Themore » global El Nino signal can be selected more clearly in the troposphere than in the stratosphere. In contrast, the global volcano signal is strongest in the stratospheric temperature field. The amplitude of the perturbation for the volcano case is largest in the Atlantic region. The observed effect of local cooling due to the volcanic reduction of short-wave radiation over large land areas (like Asia) in sub-tropical regions, the observed advective warming over Eurasia and the advective cooling over Greenland are well simulated in the model. The radiative cooling near the surface is important for the volcano signal in the subtropics, but it is weak in high latitudes during winter. A statistically significant tropospheric signal of El Nino forcing occurs in the subtropics and in the mid-latitudes of the North Pacific. The local anomalies in the El Nino forcing region in the tropics, and the warming over North America in middle and high latitudes are simulated as observed. The combined signal is different from a simple linear combination of the separate signals. It leads to a climate perturbation stronger than for forcing with El Nino or stratospheric aerosol alone and to a somewhat modified pattern. 73 refs., 16 figs., 2 tabs.« less

Thermodynamics of alpha-Cyclodextrin-p-Nitrophenyl Glycoside Complexes. A Simple System To Understand the Energetics of Carbohydrate Interactions in Water.

PubMed

Junquera, Elena; Laynez, José; Menéndez, Margarita; Sharma, Sunil; Penadés, Soledad

1996-10-04

Thermodynamic studies of the binding of a series of p-nitrophenyl glycosides (PNPGly) of varying stereochemistry to alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) were performed at three different temperatures (25, 35, and 42 degrees C) using a microcalorimetric technique. The system p-nitrophenol (PNP) at pH = 3 and alpha-CD was also studied for the sake of comparison. All these complexes were found to be enthalpy driven with a favorable enthalpic term clearly dominant over an unfavorable entropic term. A clear enthalpy-entropy compensation effect was observed at all the temperatures, with a slope close to unity (alpha = 1.02) and an intercept TDeltaS degrees (o) = 2.91 kcal mol(-)(1). This thermodynamic pattern is in agreement with those usually found for lectin-carbohydrate associations and for the binding processes of several host-guest systems. This pattern is explained in terms of the contribution of primarily two driving forces: the van der Waals interactions between the host and the guest, and the solvation/desolvation processes which accompany the association reaction. The presence of the carbohydrate molecule in the PNP ring causes a slight destabilization of the complex at 25 degrees C with respect to the alpha-CD-PNP (pH = 3) complex, although a different behavior has been observed depending on the axial/equatorial configuration of the glycoside and the temperature. This behavior is modulated by the stereochemistry of the glycoside. Differences were observed between the deoxy-derivatives (LAra and LFuc) and those derivatives with a hydroxymethyl group (Glc, Gal, Man). DeltaC(p) degrees values were obtained from the dependency of DeltaH degrees on temperature (=( partial differentialDeltaH degrees / partial differentialT)(p)). These values are small and negative except for alphaMan complex. For the latter complex, discrepancy between the calorimetric and the calculated van't Hoff enthalpies was observed. Parallels are drawn between the thermodynamics of our model and those proposed for carbohydrate-protein associations.

Can accretion disk properties observationally distinguish black holes from naked singularities?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kovács, Z.; Harko, T.

2010-12-01

Naked singularities are hypothetical astrophysical objects, characterized by a gravitational singularity without an event horizon. Penrose has proposed a conjecture, according to which there exists a cosmic censor who forbids the occurrence of naked singularities. Distinguishing between astrophysical black holes and naked singularities is a major challenge for present day observational astronomy. In the context of stationary and axially symmetrical geometries, a possibility of differentiating naked singularities from black holes is through the comparative study of thin accretion disks properties around rotating naked singularities and Kerr-type black holes, respectively. In the present paper, we consider accretion disks around axially-symmetric rotating naked singularities, obtained as solutions of the field equations in the Einstein-massless scalar field theory. A first major difference between rotating naked singularities and Kerr black holes is in the frame dragging effect, the angular velocity of a rotating naked singularity being inversely proportional to its spin parameter. Because of the differences in the exterior geometry, the thermodynamic and electromagnetic properties of the disks (energy flux, temperature distribution and equilibrium radiation spectrum) are different for these two classes of compact objects, consequently giving clear observational signatures that could discriminate between black holes and naked singularities. For specific values of the spin parameter and of the scalar charge, the energy flux from the disk around a rotating naked singularity can exceed by several orders of magnitude the flux from the disk of a Kerr black hole. In addition to this, it is also shown that the conversion efficiency of the accreting mass into radiation by rotating naked singularities is always higher than the conversion efficiency for black holes, i.e., naked singularities provide a much more efficient mechanism for converting mass into radiation than black holes. Thus, these observational signatures may provide the necessary tools from clearly distinguishing rotating naked singularities from Kerr-type black holes.

Analysis of Ozone in Cloudy Versus Clear Sky Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strode, Sarah; Douglass, Anne; Ziemke, Jerald

2016-01-01

Convection impacts ozone concentrations by transporting ozone vertically and by lofting ozone precursors from the surface, while the clouds and lighting associated with convection affect ozone chemistry. Observations of the above-cloud ozone column (Ziemke et al., 2009) derived from the OMI instrument show geographic variability, and comparison of the above-cloud ozone with all-sky tropospheric ozone columns from OMI indicates important regional differences. We use two global models of atmospheric chemistry, the GMI chemical transport model (CTM) and the GEOS-5 chemistry climate model, to diagnose the contributions of transport and chemistry to observed differences in ozone between areas with and without deep convection, as well as differences in clean versus polluted convective regions. We also investigate how the above-cloud tropospheric ozone from OMI can provide constraints on the relationship between ozone and convection in a free-running climate simulation as well as a CTM.

Insights into the mechanisms and the emergence of sex-differences in pain.

PubMed

Melchior, Meggane; Poisbeau, Pierrick; Gaumond, Isabelle; Marchand, Serge

2016-12-03

Recent studies describe sex and gender as critical factors conditioning the experience of pain and the strategies to respond to it. It is now clear that men and women have different physiological and behavioral responses to pain. Some pathological pain states are also highly sex-specific. This clinical observation has been often verified with animal studies which helped to decipher the mechanisms underlying the observed female hyper-reactivity and hyper-sensitivity to pain states. The role of gonadal hormones in the modulation of pain responses has been a straightforward hypothesis but, if pertinent in many cases, cannot fully account for this complex sensation, which includes an important cognitive component. Clinical and fundamental data are reviewed here with a special emphasis on possible developmental processes giving rise to sex-differences in pain processing. Copyright © 2016 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Creep test observation of viscoelastic failure of edible fats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vithanage, C. R.; Grimson, M. J.; Smith, B. G.; Wills, P. R.

2011-03-01

A rheological creep test was used to investigate the viscoelastic failure of five edible fats. Butter, spreadable blend and spread were selected as edible fats because they belong to three different groups according to the Codex Alimentarius. Creep curves were analysed according to the Burger model. Results were fitted to a Weibull distribution representing the strain-dependent lifetime of putative fibres in the material. The Weibull shape and scale (lifetime) parameters were estimated for each substance. A comparison of the rheometric measurements of edible fats demonstrated a clear difference between the three different groups. Taken together the results indicate that butter has a lower threshold for mechanical failure than spreadable blend and spread. The observed behaviour of edible fats can be interpreted using a model in which there are two types of bonds between fat crystals; primary bonds that are strong and break irreversibly, and secondary bonds, which are weaker but break and reform reversibly.

Magnetomigration of rare-earth ions in inhomogeneous magnetic fields.

PubMed

Franczak, Agnieszka; Binnemans, Koen; Jan Fransaer

2016-10-05

The effects of external inhomogenous (gradient) magnetic fields on the movement of the rare-earth ions: Dy 3+ , Gd 3+ and Y 3+ , in initially homogeneous aqueous solutions have been investigated. Differences in the migration of rare-earth ions in gradient magnetic fields were observed, depending on the magnetic character of the ions: paramagnetic ions of Dy 3+ and Gd 3+ move towards regions of the sample where the magnetic field gradient is the strongest, while diamagnetic ions of Y 3+ move in the opposite direction. It has been showed that the low magnetic field gradients, such the ones generated by permanent magnets, are sufficient to observe the magnetomigration effects of the ions in solution. The present work clearly establishes the behavior of magnetically different ions in initially homogeneous aqueous solutions exposed to magnetic field gradients. To this avail, a methodology for measuring the local concentration differences of metal ions in liquid samples was developed.

Modeling false positive detections in species occurrence data under different study designs.

PubMed

Chambert, Thierry; Miller, David A W; Nichols, James D

2015-02-01

The occurrence of false positive detections in presence-absence data, even when they occur infrequently, can lead to severe bias when estimating species occupancy patterns. Building upon previous efforts to account for this source of observational error, we established a general framework to model false positives in occupancy studies and extend existing modeling approaches to encompass a broader range of sampling designs. Specifically, we identified three common sampling designs that are likely to cover most scenarios encountered by researchers. The different designs all included ambiguous detections, as well as some known-truth data, but their modeling differed in the level of the model hierarchy at which the known-truth information was incorporated (site level or observation level). For each model, we provide the likelihood, as well as R and BUGS code needed for implementation. We also establish a clear terminology and provide guidance to help choosing the most appropriate design and modeling approach.

A large, switchable optical clearing skull window for cerebrovascular imaging

PubMed Central

Zhang, Chao; Feng, Wei; Zhao, Yanjie; Yu, Tingting; Li, Pengcheng; Xu, Tonghui; Luo, Qingming; Zhu, Dan

2018-01-01

Rationale: Intravital optical imaging is a significant method for investigating cerebrovascular structure and function. However, its imaging contrast and depth are limited by the turbid skull. Tissue optical clearing has a great potential for solving this problem. Our goal was to develop a transparent skull window, without performing a craniotomy, for use in assessing cerebrovascular structure and function. Methods: Skull optical clearing agents were topically applied to the skulls of mice to create a transparent window within 15 min. The clearing efficacy, repeatability, and safety of the skull window were then investigated. Results: Imaging through the optical clearing skull window enhanced both the contrast and the depth of intravital imaging. The skull window could be used on 2-8-month-old mice and could be expanded from regional to bi-hemispheric. In addition, the window could be repeatedly established without inducing observable inflammation and metabolic toxicity. Conclusion: We successfully developed an easy-to-handle, large, switchable, and safe optical clearing skull window. Combined with various optical imaging techniques, cerebrovascular structure and function can be observed through this optical clearing skull window. Thus, it has the potential for use in basic research on the physiopathologic processes of cortical vessels. PMID:29774069

Magnetosphere-Regolith/Exosphere Coupling: Differences and Similarities to the Earth Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gjerleov, J. W.; Slavin, J. A.

2001-01-01

Of the three Mercury passes made by Mariner 10, the first and third went through the Mercury magnetosphere. The third encounter which occurred during northward IMF (interplanetary magnetic field) showed quiet time magnetic fields. In contrast the third encounter observed clear substorm signatures including dipolarization, field-aligned currents (FACs) and injection of energetic electrons at geosynchronous orbit. However, the determined cross-tail potential drop and the assumed height integrated conductance indicate that the FAC should be 2-50 times weaker than observed. We address this inconsistency and the fundamental problem of FAC closure whether this takes place in the regolith or in the exosphere. The current state of knowledge of the magnetosphere-exosphere/regolith coupling is addressed and similarities and differences to the Earth magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling are discussed.

Finite-difference time-domain modeling of transient infrasonic wavefields excited by volcanic explosions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, K.; Lees, J. M.

2011-03-01

Numerical modeling of waveform diffractions along the rim of a volcano vent shows high correlation to observed explosion signals at Karymsky Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. The finite difference modeling assumed a gaussian source time function and an axisymmetric geometry. A clear demonstration of the significant distortion of infrasonic wavefronts was caused by diffraction at the vent rim edge. Data collected at Karymsky in 1997 and 1998 were compared to synthetic waveforms and variations of vent geometry were determined via grid search. Karymsky exhibited a wide range of variation in infrasonic waveforms, well explained by the diffraction, and modeled as changing vent geometry. Rim diffraction of volcanic infrasound is shown to be significant and must be accounted for when interpreting source physics from acoustic observations.

Hardware-software and algorithmic provision of multipoint systems for long-term monitoring of dynamic processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yakunin, A. G.; Hussein, H. M.

2017-08-01

An example of information-measuring systems for climate monitoring and operational control of energy resources consumption of the university campus that is functioning in the Altai State Technical University since 2009. The advantages of using such systems for studying various physical processes are discussed. General principles of construction of similar systems, their software, hardware and algorithmic support are considered. It is shown that their fundamental difference from traditional SCADA - systems is the use of databases for storing the results of the observation with a specialized data structure, and by preprocessing of the input signal for its compression. Another difference is the absence of clear criteria for detecting the anomalies in the time series of the observed process. The examples of algorithms that solve this problem are given.

Inversion of AMSR-E observations for land surface temperature estimation: 2. Global comparison with infrared satellite temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ermida, S. L.; Jiménez, C.; Prigent, C.; Trigo, I. F.; DaCamara, C. C.

2017-03-01

A comparison of land surface temperature (Ts) derived from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) with infrared Ts is presented. The infrared Ts include clear-sky estimates from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), the Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager, the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) Imager, and the Japanese Meteorological Imager. The higher discrepancies between AMSR-E and MODIS are observed over deserts and snow-covered areas. The former seems to be associated with Ts underestimation by MODIS, whereas the latter is mostly related to uncertainties in microwave emissivity over snow/ice. Ts differences between AMSR-E and MODIS are significantly reduced after masking out snow and deserts, with a bias change from 2.6/4.6 K to 3.0/1.4 K for daytime/nighttime and a standard deviation (STD) decrease from 7.3/7.9 K to 5.1/3.9 K. When comparing with all infrared sensors, the STD of the differences between microwave and infrared Ts is generally higher than between IR retrievals. However, the biases between microwave and infrared Ts are, in some cases, of the same order as the ones observed between infrared products. This is the case for GOES, with daytime biases with respect to AMSR-E and MODIS of 0.45 K and 0.60 K, respectively. While the infrared Ts are clear-sky estimates, AMSR-E also provides Ts under cloudy conditions. For frequently cloudy regions, this results in a large increase of available Ts estimates (>250%), making the microwave Ts a very powerful complement of the infrared estimates.

Shear-driven phase transformation in silicon nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vincent, L.; Djomani, D.; Fakfakh, M.; Renard, C.; Belier, B.; Bouchier, D.; Patriarche, G.

2018-03-01

We report on an unprecedented formation of allotrope heterostructured Si nanowires by plastic deformation based on applied radial compressive stresses inside a surrounding matrix. Si nanowires with a standard diamond structure (3C) undergo a phase transformation toward the hexagonal 2H-allotrope. The transformation is thermally activated above 500 °C and is clearly driven by a shear-stress relief occurring in parallel shear bands lying on {115} planes. We have studied the influence of temperature and axial orientation of nanowires. The observations are consistent with a martensitic phase transformation, but the finding leads to clear evidence of a different mechanism of deformation-induced phase transformation in Si nanowires with respect to their bulk counterpart. Our process provides a route to study shear-driven phase transformation at the nanoscale in Si.

Shear-driven phase transformation in silicon nanowires.

PubMed

Vincent, L; Djomani, D; Fakfakh, M; Renard, C; Belier, B; Bouchier, D; Patriarche, G

2018-03-23

We report on an unprecedented formation of allotrope heterostructured Si nanowires by plastic deformation based on applied radial compressive stresses inside a surrounding matrix. Si nanowires with a standard diamond structure (3C) undergo a phase transformation toward the hexagonal 2H-allotrope. The transformation is thermally activated above 500 °C and is clearly driven by a shear-stress relief occurring in parallel shear bands lying on {115} planes. We have studied the influence of temperature and axial orientation of nanowires. The observations are consistent with a martensitic phase transformation, but the finding leads to clear evidence of a different mechanism of deformation-induced phase transformation in Si nanowires with respect to their bulk counterpart. Our process provides a route to study shear-driven phase transformation at the nanoscale in Si.

Assessment of different models for computing the probability of a clear line of sight

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bojin, Sorin; Paulescu, Marius; Badescu, Viorel

2017-12-01

This paper is focused on modeling the morphological properties of the cloud fields in terms of the probability of a clear line of sight (PCLOS). PCLOS is defined as the probability that a line of sight between observer and a given point of the celestial vault goes freely without intersecting a cloud. A variety of PCLOS models assuming the cloud shape hemisphere, semi-ellipsoid and ellipsoid are tested. The effective parameters (cloud aspect ratio and absolute cloud fraction) are extracted from high-resolution series of sunshine number measurements. The performance of the PCLOS models is evaluated from the perspective of their ability in retrieving the point cloudiness. The advantages and disadvantages of the tested models are discussed, aiming to a simplified parameterization of PCLOS models.

Analysis of sensorless control of brushless DC motor using unknown input observer with different gains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Astik, Mitesh B.; Bhatt, Praghnesh; Bhalja, Bhavesh R.

2017-03-01

A sensorless control scheme based on an unknown input observer is presented in this paper in which back EMF of the Brushless DC Motor (BLDC) is continuously estimated from available line voltages and currents. During negative rotation of motor, actual and estimated speed fail to track the reference speed and if the corrective action is not taken by the observer, the motor goes into saturation. To overcome this problem, the speed estimation algorithm has been implemented in this paper to control the dynamic behavior of the motor during negative rotation. The Ackermans method was used to calculate the gains of an unknown input observer which is based on the appropriate choice of the eigenvalues in advance. The criteria to choose eigenvalue is to obtain a balance between faster convergence rate and the least noise level. Simulations have been carried out for different disturbances such as step changes in motor reference speed and load torque. The comparative simulation results clearly depict that the disturbance effects in actual and estimated responses minimizes as observer gain setting increases.

Tower Based Measurements of Bio-indicators Over the Growing Season at a Mature Douglas-fir Coniferous Forest

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Y.; Hilker, T.; Middleton, E. M.; Coops, N. C.; Black, T. A.; Krishnan, P.

2007-12-01

The use of remotely sensed measurements collected by satellite, aircraft, and ground instruments to improve our understanding of ecological and hydrological processes were successfully demonstrated through the First International Satellite Land Surface Climatology (ISLSCP) Field Experiment [FIFE] and the BOReal Ecosystem- Atmosphere Study [BOREAS]. Following the concept of FIFE and BOREAS, we analyzed hyperspectral reflectance measurements collected at a coastal forest in British Columbia, Canada through the 2006 growing season. Diurnal and seasonal dynamics of the Photochemical Reflectance Index (PRI), a normalized difference spectral band-ratio index based on the xanthophyll signal at 531 nm which expresses protective responses to high light stress, were studied. This index has been shown to correlate with photosynthetic light use efficiency (LUE), an essential variable to model carbon uptake efficiency by plants. The measurements were collected from an automated system mounted on a flux tower under different sun and view geometries and atmospheric conditions through the 2006 growing season. Canopy structure was modeled using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology, from which the sunlit and shaded canopy fractions were calculated as a function of incoming photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). These automated directional observations allowed us to: 1) investigate diurnal and seasonal changes of the PRI under different sky conditions; 2) compare the PRI with tower-based micro-meteorological measurements; and 3) separately investigate the PRI dynamics for sunlit and shaded partitions of the canopy which differ in response to their light environments. The data were categorized into six different groups based on two sky conditions (sunny and cloudy) and three illumination conditions (sunlit, shaded and intermediate). PRI showed a clear correlation with the LiDAR-based shadow fraction estimates. In April, the commencement of the growing season, clear diurnal dynamics of the PRI were observed for the sunlit foliage subset which showed lower (more negative) PRI values and a more dramatic change with sun altitude than shaded leaves. This was expected since leaves exposed to direct sunlight in their natural environment are likely under higher light stress. Consequently, diurnal changes of PRI and the differences among foliage groups were less obvious on overcast days because of limited direct irradiance. In August, when water availability was at its lowest of the year, the PRI exhibited relatively constant values throughout the day but with clear distinguishable values among the three leaf groups on sunny days. For other tower based measurements, PAR and GEP both showed clear seasonal patterns. Better estimates of the actual PAR intensity illuminating the sunlit and shaded canopy fractions were retrieved using the shadow fraction to reduce the above-canopy PAR. A clear seasonal pattern emerged for this revised PAR that distinguished among the groups and was also used to estimate LUE for the leaf groups. The correlation between PRI and LUE was confirmed. From these results, better understandings of the dynamics of carbon exchange bio-indicators that can be derived from directional hyperspectral reflectance measurements were demonstrated. Keywords: PRI, photosynthesis, PAR, GEP, LUE

Carbon monoxide column retrieval for clear-sky and cloudy atmospheres: a full-mission data set from SCIAMACHY 2.3 µm reflectance measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borsdorff, Tobias; aan de Brugh, Joost; Hu, Haili; Nédélec, Philippe; Aben, Ilse; Landgraf, Jochen

2017-05-01

We discuss the retrieval of carbon monoxide (CO) vertical column densities from clear-sky and cloud contaminated 2311-2338 nm reflectance spectra measured by the Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography (SCIAMACHY) from January 2003 until the end of the mission in April 2012. These data were processed with the Shortwave Infrared CO Retrieval algorithm (SICOR) that we developed for the operational data processing of the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) that will be launched on ESA's Sentinel-5 Precursor (S5P) mission. This study complements previous work that was limited to clear-sky observations over land. Over the oceans, CO is estimated from cloudy-sky measurements only, which is an important addition to the SCIAMACHY clear-sky CO data set as shown by NDACC and TCCON measurements at coastal sites. For Ny-Ålesund, Lauder, Mauna Loa and Reunion, a validation of SCIAMACHY clear-sky retrievals is not meaningful because of the high retrieval noise and the few collocations at these sites. The situation improves significantly when considering cloudy-sky observations, where we find a low mean bias b = ±6. 0 ppb and a strong correlation between the validation and the SCIAMACHY results with a mean Pearson correlation coefficient r = 0. 7. Also for land observations, cloudy-sky CO retrievals present an interesting complement to the clear-sky data set. For example, at the cities Tehran and Beijing the agreement of SCIAMACHY clear-sky CO observations with MOZAIC/IAGOS airborne measurements is poor with a mean bias of b = 171. 2 ppb and 57.9 ppb because of local CO pollution, which cannot be captured by SCIAMACHY. For cloudy-sky retrievals, the validation improves significantly. Here the retrieved column is mainly sensitive to CO above the cloud and so not affected by the strong local surface emissions. Adjusting the MOZAIC/IAGOS measurements to the vertical sensitivity of the retrieval, the mean bias adds up to b = 52. 3 ppb and 5.0 ppb for Tehran and Beijing. At the less urbanised region around the airport Windhoek, local CO pollution is less prominent and so MOZAIC/IAGOS measurements agree well with SCIAMACHY clear-sky retrievals with a mean bias of b = 15. 5 ppb, but can be even further improved for cloudy SCIAMACHY observations with a mean bias of b = 0. 2 ppb. Overall the cloudy-sky CO retrievals from SCIAMACHY short-wave infrared measurements present a major extension of the clear-sky-only data set, which more than triples the amount of data and adds unique observations over the oceans. Moreover, the study represents the first application of the S5P algorithm for operational CO data processing on cloudy observations prior to the launch of the S5P mission.

16S partial gene mitochondrial DNA and internal transcribed spacers ribosomal DNA as differential markers of Trichuris discolor populations.

PubMed

Callejón, R; Halajian, A; de Rojas, M; Marrugal, A; Guevara, D; Cutillas, C

2012-05-25

Comparative morphological, biometrical and molecular studies of Trichuris discolor isolated from Bos taurus from Spain and Iran was carried out. Furthermore, Trichuris ovis isolated from B. taurus and Capra hircus from Spain has been, molecularly, analyzed. Morphological studies revealed clear differences between T. ovis and T. discolor isolated from B. taurus but differences were not observed between populations of T. discolor isolated from different geographical regions. Nevertheless, the molecular studies based on the amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 ribosomal DNA and 16S partial gene mitochondrial DNA showed clear differences between both populations of T. discolor from Spain and Iran suggesting two cryptic species. Phylogenetic studies corroborated these data. Thus, phylogenetic trees based on ITS1, ITS2 and 16S partial gene sequences showed that individuals of T. discolor from B. taurus from Iran clustered together and separated, with high bootstrap values, of T. discolor isolated from B. taurus from Spain, while populations of T. ovis from B. taurus and C. hircus from Spain clustered together but separated with high bootstrap values of both populations of T. discolor. Furthermore, a comparative phylogenetic study has been carried out with the ITS1and ITS2 sequences of Trichuris species from different hosts. Three clades were observed: the first clustered all the species of Trichuris parasitizing herbivores (T. discolor, T. ovis, Trichuris leporis and Trichuris skrjabini), the second clustered all the species of Trichuris parasitizing omnivores (Trichuris trichiura and Trichuris suis) and finally, the third clustered species of Trichuris parasitizing carnivores (Trichuris muris, Trichuris arvicolae and Trichuris vulpis). Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The managed clearing: An overlooked land-cover type in urbanizing regions?

PubMed Central

Madden, Marguerite; Gray, Josh; Meentemeyer, Ross K.

2018-01-01

Urban ecosystem assessments increasingly rely on widely available map products, such as the U.S. Geological Service (USGS) National Land Cover Database (NLCD), and datasets that use generic classification schemes to detect and model large-scale impacts of land-cover change. However, utilizing existing map products or schemes without identifying relevant urban class types such as semi-natural, yet managed land areas that account for differences in ecological functions due to their pervious surfaces may severely constrain assessments. To address this gap, we introduce the managed clearings land-cover type–semi-natural, vegetated land surfaces with varying degrees of management practices–for urbanizing landscapes. We explore the extent to which managed clearings are common and spatially distributed in three rapidly urbanizing areas of the Charlanta megaregion, USA. We visually interpreted and mapped fine-scale land cover with special attention to managed clearings using 2012 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) images within 150 randomly selected 1-km2 blocks in the cities of Atlanta, Charlotte, and Raleigh, and compared our maps with National Land Cover Database (NLCD) data. We estimated the abundance of managed clearings relative to other land use and land cover types, and the proportion of land-cover types in the NLCD that are similar to managed clearings. Our study reveals that managed clearings are the most common land cover type in these cities, covering 28% of the total sampled land area– 6.2% higher than the total area of impervious surfaces. Managed clearings, when combined with forest cover, constitutes 69% of pervious surfaces in the sampled region. We observed variability in area estimates of managed clearings between the NAIP-derived and NLCD data. This suggests using high-resolution remote sensing imagery (e.g., NAIP) instead of modifying NLCD data for improved representation of spatial heterogeneity and mapping of managed clearings in urbanizing landscapes. Our findings also demonstrate the need to more carefully consider managed clearings and their critical ecological functions in landscape- to regional-scale studies of urbanizing ecosystems. PMID:29432442

The managed clearing: An overlooked land-cover type in urbanizing regions?

PubMed

Singh, Kunwar K; Madden, Marguerite; Gray, Josh; Meentemeyer, Ross K

2018-01-01

Urban ecosystem assessments increasingly rely on widely available map products, such as the U.S. Geological Service (USGS) National Land Cover Database (NLCD), and datasets that use generic classification schemes to detect and model large-scale impacts of land-cover change. However, utilizing existing map products or schemes without identifying relevant urban class types such as semi-natural, yet managed land areas that account for differences in ecological functions due to their pervious surfaces may severely constrain assessments. To address this gap, we introduce the managed clearings land-cover type-semi-natural, vegetated land surfaces with varying degrees of management practices-for urbanizing landscapes. We explore the extent to which managed clearings are common and spatially distributed in three rapidly urbanizing areas of the Charlanta megaregion, USA. We visually interpreted and mapped fine-scale land cover with special attention to managed clearings using 2012 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) images within 150 randomly selected 1-km2 blocks in the cities of Atlanta, Charlotte, and Raleigh, and compared our maps with National Land Cover Database (NLCD) data. We estimated the abundance of managed clearings relative to other land use and land cover types, and the proportion of land-cover types in the NLCD that are similar to managed clearings. Our study reveals that managed clearings are the most common land cover type in these cities, covering 28% of the total sampled land area- 6.2% higher than the total area of impervious surfaces. Managed clearings, when combined with forest cover, constitutes 69% of pervious surfaces in the sampled region. We observed variability in area estimates of managed clearings between the NAIP-derived and NLCD data. This suggests using high-resolution remote sensing imagery (e.g., NAIP) instead of modifying NLCD data for improved representation of spatial heterogeneity and mapping of managed clearings in urbanizing landscapes. Our findings also demonstrate the need to more carefully consider managed clearings and their critical ecological functions in landscape- to regional-scale studies of urbanizing ecosystems.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Voigt, Aiko; Pincus, Robert; Stevens, Bjorn

Previous modeling work showed that aerosol can affect the position of the tropical rain belt, i.e., the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). Yet it remains unclear which aspects of the aerosol impact are robust across models, and which are not. Here we present simulations with seven comprehensive atmosphere models that study the fast and slow impacts of an idealized anthropogenic aerosol on the zonal-mean ITCZ position. The fast impact, which results from aerosol atmospheric heating and land cooling before sea-surface temperature (SST) has time to respond, causes a northward ITCZ shift. Yet the fast impact is compensated locally by decreased evaporationmore » over the ocean, and a clear northward shift is only found for an unrealistically large aerosol forcing. The local compensation implies that while models differ in atmospheric aerosol heating, this does not contribute to model differences in the ITCZ shift. The slow impact includes the aerosol impact on the ocean surface energy balance and is mediated by SST changes. The slow impact is an order of magnitude more effective than the fast impact and causes a clear southward ITCZ shift for realistic aerosol forcing. Models agree well on the slow ITCZ shift when perturbed with the same SST pattern. However, an energetic analysis suggests that the slow ITCZ shifts would be substantially more model-dependent in interactive-SST setups due to model differences in clear-sky radiative transfer and clouds. In conclusion, we also discuss implications for the representation of aerosol in climate models and attributions of recent observed ITCZ shifts to aerosol.« less

Dietary advice interventions in pregnancy for preventing gestational diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Tieu, Joanna; Shepherd, Emily; Middleton, Philippa; Crowther, Caroline A

2017-01-03

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a form of diabetes occurring during pregnancy which can result in short- and long-term adverse outcomes for women and babies. With an increasing prevalence worldwide, there is a need to assess strategies, including dietary advice interventions, that might prevent GDM. To assess the effects of dietary advice interventions for preventing GDM and associated adverse health outcomes for women and their babies. We searched Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth's Trials Register (3 January 2016) and reference lists of retrieved studies. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs assessing the effects of dietary advice interventions compared with no intervention (standard care), or to different dietary advice interventions. Cluster-RCTs were eligible for inclusion but none were identified. Two review authors independently assessed study eligibility, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Data were checked for accuracy. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. We included 11 trials involving 2786 women and their babies, with an overall unclear to moderate risk of bias. Six trials compared dietary advice interventions with standard care; four compared low glycaemic index (GI) with moderate- to high-GI dietary advice; one compared specific (high-fibre focused) with standard dietary advice. Dietary advice interventions versus standard care (six trials) Considering primary outcomes, a trend towards a reduction in GDM was observed for women receiving dietary advice compared with standard care (average risk ratio (RR) 0.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.35 to 1.04; five trials, 1279 women; Tau² = 0.20; I² = 56%; P = 0.07; GRADE: very low-quality evidence); subgroup analysis suggested a greater treatment effect for overweight and obese women receiving dietary advice. While no clear difference was observed for pre-eclampsia (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.25 to 1.46; two trials, 282 women; GRADE: low-quality evidence) a reduction in pregnancy-induced hypertension was observed for women receiving dietary advice (RR 0.30, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.88; two trials, 282 women; GRADE: low-quality evidence). One trial reported on perinatal mortality, and no deaths were observed (GRADE: very low-quality evidence). None of the trials reported on large-for-gestational age or neonatal mortality and morbidity.For secondary outcomes, no clear differences were seen for caesarean section (average RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.24; four trials, 1194 women; Tau² = 0.02; I² = 36%; GRADE: low-quality evidence) or perineal trauma (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.23 to 3.08; one trial, 759 women; GRADE: very low-quality evidence). Women who received dietary advice gained less weight during pregnancy (mean difference (MD) -4.70 kg, 95% CI -8.07 to -1.34; five trials, 1336 women; Tau² = 13.64; I² = 96%; GRADE: low-quality evidence); the result should be interpreted with some caution due to considerable heterogeneity. No clear differences were seen for the majority of secondary outcomes reported, including childhood/adulthood adiposity (skin-fold thickness at six months) (MD -0.10 mm, 95% CI -0.71 to 0.51; one trial, 132 children; GRADE: low-quality evidence). Women receiving dietary advice had a lower well-being score between 14 and 28 weeks, more weight loss at three months, and were less likely to have glucose intolerance (one trial).The trials did not report on other secondary outcomes, particularly those related to long-term health and health service use and costs. We were not able to assess the following outcomes using GRADE: postnatal depression; maternal type 2 diabetes; neonatal hypoglycaemia; childhood/adulthood type 2 diabetes; and neurosensory disability. Low-GI dietary advice versus moderate- to high-GI dietary advice (four trials) Considering primary outcomes, no clear differences were shown in the risks of GDM (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.31; four trials, 912 women; GRADE: low-quality evidence) or large-for-gestational age (average RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.19 to 1.86; three trials, 777 babies; Tau² = 0.61; P = 0.07; I² = 62%; GRADE: very low-quality evidence) between the low-GI and moderate- to high-GI dietary advice groups. The trials did not report on: hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; perinatal mortality; neonatal mortality and morbidity.No clear differences were shown for caesarean birth (RR 1.27, 95% CI 0.79 to 2.04; two trials, 201 women; GRADE: very low-quality evidence) and gestational weight gain (MD -1.23 kg, 95% CI -4.08 to 1.61; four trials, 787 women; Tau² = 7.31; I² = 90%; GRADE: very low-quality evidence), or for other reported secondary outcomes.The trials did not report the majority of secondary outcomes including those related to long-term health and health service use and costs. We were not able to assess the following outcomes using GRADE: perineal trauma; postnatal depression; maternal type 2 diabetes; neonatal hypoglycaemia; childhood/adulthood adiposity; type 2 diabetes; and neurosensory disability. High-fibre dietary advice versus standard dietary advice (one trial) The one trial in this comparison reported on two secondary outcomes. No clear difference between the high-fibre and standard dietary advice groups observed for mean blood glucose (following an oral glucose tolerance test at 35 weeks), and birthweight. Very low-quality evidence from five trials suggests a possible reduction in GDM risk for women receiving dietary advice versus standard care, and low-quality evidence from four trials suggests no clear difference for women receiving low- versus moderate- to high-GI dietary advice. A possible reduction in pregnancy-induced hypertension for women receiving dietary advice was observed and no clear differences were seen for other reported primary outcomes. There were few outcome data for secondary outcomes.For outcomes assessed using GRADE, evidence was considered to be low to very low quality, with downgrading based on study limitations (risk of bias), imprecision, and inconsistency.More high-quality evidence is needed to determine the effects of dietary advice interventions in pregnancy. Future trials should be designed to monitor adherence, women's views and preferences, and powered to evaluate effects on short- and long-term outcomes; there is a need for such trials to collect and report on core outcomes for GDM research. We have identified five ongoing studies and four are awaiting classification. We will consider these in the next review update.

The effect of observing novice and expert performance on acquisition of surgical skills on a robotic platform

PubMed Central

Harris, David J.; Vine, Samuel J.; Wilson, Mark R.; McGrath, John S.; LeBel, Marie-Eve

2017-01-01

Background Observational learning plays an important role in surgical skills training, following the traditional model of learning from expertise. Recent findings have, however, highlighted the benefit of observing not only expert performance but also error-strewn performance. The aim of this study was to determine which model (novice vs. expert) would lead to the greatest benefits when learning robotically assisted surgical skills. Methods 120 medical students with no prior experience of robotically-assisted surgery completed a ring-carrying training task on three occasions; baseline, post-intervention and at one-week follow-up. The observation intervention consisted of a video model performing the ring-carrying task, with participants randomly assigned to view an expert model, a novice model, a mixed expert/novice model or no observation (control group). Participants were assessed for task performance and surgical instrument control. Results There were significant group differences post-intervention, with expert and novice observation groups outperforming the control group, but there were no clear group differences at a retention test one week later. There was no difference in performance between the expert-observing and error-observing groups. Conclusions Similar benefits were found when observing the traditional expert model or the error-strewn model, suggesting that viewing poor performance may be as beneficial as viewing expertise in the early acquisition of robotic surgical skills. Further work is required to understand, then inform, the optimal curriculum design when utilising observational learning in surgical training. PMID:29141046

Recent observations of lightning discharges from the top of a thundercloud into the clear air above

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vaughan, O. H., Jr.; Vonnegut, B.

1988-01-01

A letter of inquiry to a magazine read by airplane pilots has elicited 15 new observations of a rare form of lightning that comes out of the cloud top, goes up vertically, and terminates in the clear air above. These confirm previous observations showing that this phenomenon usually occurs above very large and energetic thunderclouds. However, small clouds with tops at 15,000 feet have been observed to have this rare form of lightning also. One of the more spectacular observations was made over the severe storm that produced the devastating Xenia, Ohio, tornadoes of April 1965.

Differential characteristics in the chemical composition of bananas from Tenerife (Canary Islands) and Ecuador.

PubMed

Forster, Markus Paul; Rodríguez Rodríguez, Elena; Díaz Romero, Carlos

2002-12-18

The contents of moisture, protein, ash, ascorbic acid, glucose, fructose, total sugars, and total and insoluble fiber were determined in cultivars of bananas (Gran Enana and Pequeña Enana) harvested in Tenerife and in bananas (Gran Enana) from Ecuador. The chemical compositions in the bananas from Tenerife and from Ecuador were clearly different. The cultivar did not influence the chemical composition, except for insoluble fiber content. Variations of the chemical composition were observed in the bananas from Tenerife according to cultivation method (greenhouse and outdoors), farming style (conventional and organic), and region of production (north and south). A highly significant (r = 0.995) correlation between glucose and fructose was observed. Correlations of ash and protein contents tend to separate the banana samples according to origin. A higher content of protein, ash, and ascorbic acid was observed as the length of the banana decreased. Applying factor analysis, the bananas from Ecuador were well separated from the bananas produced in Tenerife. An almost total differentiation (91.7%) between bananas from Tenerife and bananas from Ecuador was obtained by selecting protein, ash, and ascorbic acid content and applying stepwise discriminant analysis. By selecting the bananas Pequeña Enana and using discriminant analysis, a clear separation of the samples according to the region of production and farming style was observed.

3D imaging of cleared human skin biopsies using light-sheet microscopy: A new way to visualize in-depth skin structure.

PubMed

Abadie, S; Jardet, C; Colombelli, J; Chaput, B; David, A; Grolleau, J-L; Bedos, P; Lobjois, V; Descargues, P; Rouquette, J

2018-05-01

Human skin is composed of the superimposition of tissue layers of various thicknesses and components. Histological staining of skin sections is the benchmark approach to analyse the organization and integrity of human skin biopsies; however, this approach does not allow 3D tissue visualization. Alternatively, confocal or two-photon microscopy is an effective approach to perform fluorescent-based 3D imaging. However, owing to light scattering, these methods display limited light penetration in depth. The objectives of this study were therefore to combine optical clearing and light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) to perform in-depth optical sectioning of 5 mm-thick human skin biopsies and generate 3D images of entire human skin biopsies. A benzyl alcohol and benzyl benzoate solution was used to successfully optically clear entire formalin fixed human skin biopsies, making them transparent. In-depth optical sectioning was performed with LSFM on the basis of tissue-autofluorescence observations. 3D image analysis of optical sections generated with LSFM was performed by using the Amira ® software. This new approach allowed us to observe in situ the different layers and compartments of human skin, such as the stratum corneum, the dermis and epidermal appendages. With this approach, we easily performed 3D reconstruction to visualise an entire human skin biopsy. Finally, we demonstrated that this method is useful to visualise and quantify histological anomalies, such as epidermal hyperplasia. The combination of optical clearing and LSFM has new applications in dermatology and dermatological research by allowing 3D visualization and analysis of whole human skin biopsies. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Animals Remember Previous Facial Expressions that Specific Humans Have Exhibited.

PubMed

Proops, Leanne; Grounds, Kate; Smith, Amy Victoria; McComb, Karen

2018-05-07

For humans, facial expressions are important social signals, and how we perceive specific individuals may be influenced by subtle emotional cues that they have given us in past encounters. A wide range of animal species are also capable of discriminating the emotions of others through facial expressions [1-5], and it is clear that remembering emotional experiences with specific individuals could have clear benefits for social bonding and aggression avoidance when these individuals are encountered again. Although there is evidence that non-human animals are capable of remembering the identity of individuals who have directly harmed them [6, 7], it is not known whether animals can form lasting memories of specific individuals simply by observing subtle emotional expressions that they exhibit on their faces. Here we conducted controlled experiments in which domestic horses were presented with a photograph of an angry or happy human face and several hours later saw the person who had given the expression in a neutral state. Short-term exposure to the facial expression was enough to generate clear differences in subsequent responses to that individual (but not to a different mismatched person), consistent with the past angry expression having been perceived negatively and the happy expression positively. Both humans were blind to the photograph that the horses had seen. Our results provide clear evidence that some non-human animals can effectively eavesdrop on the emotional state cues that humans reveal on a moment-to-moment basis, using their memory of these to guide future interactions with particular individuals. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of diel patterns of relative changes in cell turgor of tomato plants using leaf patch clamp pressure probes.

PubMed

Lee, Kang M; Driever, Steven M; Heuvelink, Ep; Rüger, Simon; Zimmermann, Ulrich; de Gelder, Arie; Marcelis, Leo F M

2012-12-01

Relative changes in cell turgor of leaves of well-watered tomato plants were evaluated using the leaf patch clamp pressure probe (LPCP) under dynamic greenhouse climate conditions. LPCP changes, a measure for relative changes in cell turgor, were monitored at three different heights of transpiring and non-transpiring leaves of tomato plants on sunny and cloudy days simultaneously with whole plant water uptake. Clear diel patterns were observed for relative changes of cell turgor of both transpiring and non-transpiring leaves, which were stronger on sunny days than on cloudy days. A clear effect of canopy height was also observed. Non-transpiring leaves showed relative changes in cell turgor that closely followed plant water uptake throughout the day. However, in the afternoon the relative changes of cell turgor of the transpiring leaves displayed a delayed response in comparison to plant water uptake. Subsequent recovery of cell turgor loss of transpiring leaves during the following night appeared insufficient, as the pre-dawn turgescent state similar to the previous night was not attained. Copyright © Physiologia Plantarum 2012.

The Sagittarius Stream: Probing the Outer Halo Potential

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fardal, Mark; HSTPROMO

2018-01-01

The Sagittarius Stream should be the premier probe of the outer Milky Way halo potential. Instead it has generated a series of puzzles that have frustrated modelers and prevented us from measuring the halo forces. The latest such puzzle is the factor of two difference between leading and trailing apocenter distances, seen most clearly in a recent sample of RR Lyraes from PS1. Using a set of dynamical models, we explain how to match this feature. The key element are that the debris at apocenter should dynamically young, originating from the last two pericentric passages only. We also explain the important roles played by the mass profile of the halo, dynamical friction, and departures from sphericity. The models show that the separate components already visible in the PS1 data should separate clearly once velocities are obtained, and the youngest component should probe the potential even beyond the observed distances of >~ 100 kpc. We explain what observations would be useful to eliminate remaining degeneracies in the models and fulfill the promise of the stream for understanding the Milky Way.

Streptococcus Sanguis Biofilm Architecture and Its Influence on Titanium Corrosion in Enriched Artificial Saliva

PubMed Central

Li, Lei; Li, Shunling; Qu, Qing; Zuo, Limei; He, Yue; Zhu, Baolin; Li, Cong

2017-01-01

Bacteria biofilm formation on metals is well-known, while biofilm architecture varies under different conditions. To date, few studies have determined the possible contribution to corrosion of titanium made by biofilm architecture. We investigated the interaction between the oral Streptococcus sanguis biofilm architecture and its influence on titanium corrosion in enriched artificial saliva using electrochemical methods and microscopic study. Patchy biofilms were observed on titanium surface after being immersed in solution containing S. sanguis. The thickness and size of the patchy biofilms increased with an increase of immersion time. The extensive pits were clearly observed by scanning electron microscopy, showing that adsorption of S. sanguis on titanium promoted the localized corrosion. The electrochemical results indicated that the corrosion rates were clearly accelerated in the presence of S. sanguis. The low icorr and high Rt in the first 48 h indicated that a typical passive behavior still remained. Our study showed that the pitting corrosion of titanium was mainly attributed to the formation of a self-catalytic corrosion cell by the co-effect of patchy biofilm and organic acid secreted by S. sanguis. PMID:28772615

Can the Λ CDM model reproduce MOND-like behavior?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dai, De-Chang; Lu, Chunyu

2017-12-01

It is usually believed that MOND can describe the galactic rotational curves with only baryonic matter and without any dark matter very well, while the Λ CDM model is expected to have difficulty in reproducing MOND-like behavior. Here, we use EAGLE's data to learn whether the Λ CDM model can reproduce MOND-like behavior. EAGLE's simulation result clearly reproduces the MOND-like behavior for ab⪆10-12 m/s 2 at z =0 , although the acceleration constant, a0, is a little larger than the observational data indicate. We find that a0 increases with the redshift in a way different from what Milgrom proposed (a0∝H ). Therefore, while galaxy rotation curves can be fitted by MOND's empirical function in the Λ CDM model, there is no clear connection between a0 and the Hubble constant. We also find that a0 at z ⪆1 is well separated from a0 at z =0 . Once we have enough galaxies observed at high redshifts, we will be able to rule out the modified gravity model based on MOND-like empirical function with a z -independent a0.

Streptococcus Sanguis Biofilm Architecture and Its Influence on Titanium Corrosion in Enriched Artificial Saliva.

PubMed

Li, Lei; Li, Shunling; Qu, Qing; Zuo, Limei; He, Yue; Zhu, Baolin; Li, Cong

2017-03-03

Bacteria biofilm formation on metals is well-known, while biofilm architecture varies under different conditions. To date, few studies have determined the possible contribution to corrosion of titanium made by biofilm architecture. We investigated the interaction between the oral Streptococcus sanguis biofilm architecture and its influence on titanium corrosion in enriched artificial saliva using electrochemical methods and microscopic study. Patchy biofilms were observed on titanium surface after being immersed in solution containing S. sanguis . The thickness and size of the patchy biofilms increased with an increase of immersion time. The extensive pits were clearly observed by scanning electron microscopy, showing that adsorption of S. sanguis on titanium promoted the localized corrosion. The electrochemical results indicated that the corrosion rates were clearly accelerated in the presence of S. sanguis . The low i corr and high R t in the first 48 h indicated that a typical passive behavior still remained. Our study showed that the pitting corrosion of titanium was mainly attributed to the formation of a self-catalytic corrosion cell by the co-effect of patchy biofilm and organic acid secreted by S. sanguis .

Electron impact ionization of O2 and the interference effect from forward-backward asymmetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chowdhury, Madhusree Roy; Tribedi, Lokesh C.

2017-08-01

Absolute double differential cross sections (DDCSs) of secondary electrons emitted from O2 under the impact of 7 keV electrons were measured for different emission angles between 30° and 145° having energies from 1-600 eV. The forward-backward angular asymmetry was observed from angular distribution of the DDCS of secondary electrons. The asymmetry parameter, thus obtained from the DDCS of two complementary angles, showed a clear signature of interference oscillation. The Cohen-Fano model of Young type electron interference at a molecular double slit is found to provide a good fit to the observed oscillatory structures. The present observation is in qualitative agreement with the recent results obtained from photoionization.

Photometry with FORS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freudling, W.; Møller, P.; Patat, F.; Moehler, S.; Romaniello, M.; Jehin, E.; O'Brien, K.; Izzo, C.; Pompei, E.

Photometric calibration observations are routinely carried out with all ESO imaging cameras in every clear night. The nightly zeropoints derived from these observations are accurate to about 10%. Recently, we have started the FORS Absolute Photometry Project (FAP) to investigate, if and how percent-level absolute photometric accuracy can be achieved with FORS1, and how such photometric calibration can be offered to observers. We found that there are significant differences between the sky-flats and the true photometric response of the instrument which partially depend on the rotator angle. A second order correction to the sky-flat significantly improves the relative photometry within the field. We demonstrate the feasibility of percent level photometry and describe the calibrations necessary to achieve that level of accuracy.

Acoustics of Clear Speech: Effect of Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lam, Jennifer; Tjaden, Kris; Wilding, Greg

2012-01-01

Purpose: This study investigated how different instructions for eliciting clear speech affected selected acoustic measures of speech. Method: Twelve speakers were audio-recorded reading 18 different sentences from the Assessment of Intelligibility of Dysarthric Speech (Yorkston & Beukelman, 1984). Sentences were produced in habitual, clear,…

Estimates of Ground Temperature and Atmospheric Moisture from CERES Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, Man Li C.; Schubert, Siegfried; Einaudi, Franco (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

A method is developed to retrieve surface ground temperature (Tg) and atmospheric moisture using clear sky fluxes (CSF) from CERES-TRMM observations. In general, the clear sky outgoing long-wave radiation (CLR) is sensitive to upper level moisture (q(sub h)) over wet regions and Tg over dry regions The clear sky window flux from 800 to 1200 /cm (RadWn) is sensitive to low level moisture (q(sub j)) and Tg. Combining these two measurements (CLR and RadWn), Tg and q(sub h) can be estimated over land, while q(sub h) and q(sub t) can be estimated over the oceans. The approach capitalizes on the availability of satellite estimates of CLR and RadWn and other auxiliary satellite data. The basic methodology employs off-line forward radiative transfer calculations to generate synthetic CSF data from two different global 4-dimensional data assimilation products. Simple linear regression is used to relate discrepancies in CSF to discrepancies in Tg, q(sub h) and q(sub t). The slopes of the regression lines define sensitivity parameters that can be exploited to help interpret mismatches between satellite observations and model-based estimates of CSF. For illustration, we analyze the discrepancies in the CSF between an early implementation of the Goddard Earth Observing System Data Assimilation System (GEOS-DAS) and a recent operational version of the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Prediction data assimilation system. In particular, our analysis of synthetic total and window region SCF differences (computed from two different assimilated data sets) shows that simple linear regression employing (Delta)Tg and broad layer (Delta)q(sub l) from 500 hPa to surface and (Delta)q(sub h) from 200 to 500 hPa provides a good approximation to the full radiative transfer calculations, typically explaining more than 90% of the 6-hourly variance in the flux differences. These simple regression relations can be inverted to "retrieve" the errors in the geophysical parameters. Uncertainties (normalized by standard deviation) in the monthly mean retrieved parameters range from 7% for (Delta)T to about 20% for (Delta)q(sub t). Our initial application of the methodology employed an early CERES-TRMM data set (CLR and Radwn) to assess the quality of the GEOS2 data. The results showed that over the tropical and subtropical oceans GEOS2 is, in general, too wet in the upper troposphere (mean bias of 0.99 mm) and too dry in the lower troposphere (mean bias of -4.7 mm). We note that these errors, as well as a cold bias in the Tg, have largely been corrected in the current version of GEOS-2 with the introduction of a land surface model, a moist turbulence scheme and the assimilation of SSTM/I total precipitable water.

Effect of Temperature on the Biotic Potential of Honeybee Microsporidia▿

PubMed Central

Martín-Hernández, Raquel; Meana, Aránzazu; García-Palencia, Pilar; Marín, Pilar; Botías, Cristina; Garrido-Bailón, Encarna; Barrios, Laura; Higes, Mariano

2009-01-01

The biological cycle of Nosema spp. in honeybees depends on temperature. When expressed as total spore counts per day after infection, the biotic potentials of Nosema apis and N. ceranae at 33°C were similar, but a higher proportion of immature stages of N. ceranae than of N. apis were seen. At 25 and 37°C, the biotic potential of N. ceranae was higher than that of N. apis. The better adaptation of N. ceranae to complete its endogenous cycle at different temperatures clearly supports the observation of the different epidemiological patterns. PMID:19233948

Effect of temperature on the biotic potential of honeybee microsporidia.

PubMed

Martín-Hernández, Raquel; Meana, Aránzazu; García-Palencia, Pilar; Marín, Pilar; Botías, Cristina; Garrido-Bailón, Encarna; Barrios, Laura; Higes, Mariano

2009-04-01

The biological cycle of Nosema spp. in honeybees depends on temperature. When expressed as total spore counts per day after infection, the biotic potentials of Nosema apis and N. ceranae at 33 degrees C were similar, but a higher proportion of immature stages of N. ceranae than of N. apis were seen. At 25 and 37 degrees C, the biotic potential of N. ceranae was higher than that of N. apis. The better adaptation of N. ceranae to complete its endogenous cycle at different temperatures clearly supports the observation of the different epidemiological patterns.

Systematic review and network meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of tumour necrosis factor inhibitor-methotrexate combination therapy versus triple therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.

PubMed

Fleischmann, Roy; Tongbram, Vanita; van Vollenhoven, Ronald; Tang, Derek H; Chung, James; Collier, David; Urs, Shilpa; Ndirangu, Kerigo; Wells, George; Pope, Janet

2017-01-01

Clinical trials have not consistently demonstrated differences between tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) plus methotrexate and triple therapy (methotrexate plus hydroxychloroquine plus sulfasalazine) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The study objective was to estimate the efficacy, radiographic benefits, safety and patient-reported outcomes of TNFi-methotrexate versus triple therapy in patients with RA. A systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomised controlled trials of TNFi-methotrexate or triple therapy as one of the treatment arms in patients with an inadequate response to or who were naive to methotrexate was conducted. American College of Rheumatology 70% response criteria (ACR70) at 6 months was the prespecified primary endpoint to evaluate depth of response. Data from direct and indirect comparisons between TNFi-methotrexate and triple therapy were pooled and quantitatively analysed using fixed-effects and random-effects Bayesian models. We analysed 33 studies in patients with inadequate response to methotrexate and 19 in patients naive to methotrexate. In inadequate responders, triple therapy was associated with lower odds of achieving ACR70 at 6 months compared with TNFi-methotrexate (OR 0.35, 95% credible interval (CrI) 0.19 to 0.64). Most secondary endpoints tended to favour TNFi-methotrexate in terms of OR direction; however, no clear increased likelihood of achieving these endpoints was observed for either therapy. The odds of infection were lower with triple therapy than with TNFi-methotrexate (OR 0.08, 95% CrI 0.00 to 0.57). There were no differences observed between the two regimens in patients naive to methotrexate. In this NMA, triple therapy was associated with 65% lower odds of achieving ACR70 at 6 months compared with TNFi-methotrexate in patients with inadequate response to methotrexate. Although secondary endpoints numerically favoured TNFi-methotrexate, no clear differences were observed. The odds of infection were greater with TNFi-methotrexate. No differences were observed for patients naive to methotrexate. These results may help inform care of patients who fail methotrexate first-line therapy.

Systematic review and network meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of tumour necrosis factor inhibitor–methotrexate combination therapy versus triple therapy in rheumatoid arthritis

PubMed Central

Fleischmann, Roy; Tongbram, Vanita; van Vollenhoven, Ronald; Tang, Derek H; Chung, James; Collier, David; Urs, Shilpa; Ndirangu, Kerigo; Wells, George; Pope, Janet

2017-01-01

Objective Clinical trials have not consistently demonstrated differences between tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) plus methotrexate and triple therapy (methotrexate plus hydroxychloroquine plus sulfasalazine) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The study objective was to estimate the efficacy, radiographic benefits, safety and patient-reported outcomes of TNFi–methotrexate versus triple therapy in patients with RA. Methods A systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomised controlled trials of TNFi–methotrexate or triple therapy as one of the treatment arms in patients with an inadequate response to or who were naive to methotrexate was conducted. American College of Rheumatology 70% response criteria (ACR70) at 6 months was the prespecified primary endpoint to evaluate depth of response. Data from direct and indirect comparisons between TNFi–methotrexate and triple therapy were pooled and quantitatively analysed using fixed-effects and random-effects Bayesian models. Results We analysed 33 studies in patients with inadequate response to methotrexate and 19 in patients naive to methotrexate. In inadequate responders, triple therapy was associated with lower odds of achieving ACR70 at 6 months compared with TNFi–methotrexate (OR 0.35, 95% credible interval (CrI) 0.19 to 0.64). Most secondary endpoints tended to favour TNFi–methotrexate in terms of OR direction; however, no clear increased likelihood of achieving these endpoints was observed for either therapy. The odds of infection were lower with triple therapy than with TNFi−methotrexate (OR 0.08, 95% CrI 0.00 to 0.57). There were no differences observed between the two regimens in patients naive to methotrexate. Conclusions In this NMA, triple therapy was associated with 65% lower odds of achieving ACR70 at 6 months compared with TNFi–methotrexate in patients with inadequate response to methotrexate. Although secondary endpoints numerically favoured TNFi–methotrexate, no clear differences were observed. The odds of infection were greater with TNFi–methotrexate. No differences were observed for patients naive to methotrexate. These results may help inform care of patients who fail methotrexate first-line therapy. PMID:28123782

Evolution of Immiscibly Blended Functionalized Polymers with Respect to Cure Parameters and Formulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heller, Nicholas Walter Medicus

Powder coatings are becoming ubiquitous in the coating marketplace due to the absence of solvents in their formulation, but they have yet to see implementation in low-reflectance outdoor applications. This demand could be met by utilizing polymer blends formulated with low loadings of matting agents and pigments. The goal of this research is a thorough characterization of prototype low-reflectance coatings through several analytical techniques. Prototypical thermoset blends consist of functionalized polyurethanes rendered immiscible by differences in polar and hydrogen bonding characteristics, resulting in a surface roughened by droplet domains. Analysis of both pigmented and control clear films was performed. This research project had three primary aims: (1) determine the composition of the resin components of the polymer blend; (2) to monitor the evolution of domains before and during curing of clear polymer blends; (3) to monitor the evolution of these domains when pigments are added to these blends. The clear films enabled unhindered analysis by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy on the binder. However, these domains provided no spectroscopic signatures despite their observation by optical microscopy. This necessitated the development of a new procedure for cross-section preparation that leaves no contamination from polishing media, which enabled Raman mapping of the morphology via an introduced marker peak from styrene monomer. The clears were analyzed as a powder and as films that were quenched at various cure-times using FTIR, Raman, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermomechanical methods to construct a model of coating evolution based on cure parameters and polymer dynamics. Domains were observed in the powder, and underwent varying rates of coarsening as the cure progressed. TEM, scanning electron microscopy and thermomechanical methods were also used on pigmented systems at different states of the cure, including in powder form. TEM analysis additionally revealed the encapsulation of pigment particles by the domains, which helped explain the interaction between phase separation and pigment materials. The knowledge gained from fundamental characterization could be used to enable future generations of durable powder coatings with dead matte finishes.

Celestial polarization patterns sufficient for Viking navigation with the naked eye: detectability of Haidinger's brushes on the sky versus meteorological conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horváth, Gábor; Takács, Péter; Kretzer, Balázs; Szilasi, Szilvia; Száz, Dénes; Farkas, Alexandra; Barta, András

2017-02-01

If a human looks at the clear blue sky from which light with high enough degree of polarization d originates, an 8-shaped bowtie-like figure, the yellow Haidinger's brush can be perceived, the long axis of which points towards the sun. A band of high d arcs across the sky at 90° from the sun. A person can pick two points on that band, observe the yellow brushes and triangulate the position of the sun based on the orientation of the two observed brushes. This method has been suggested to have been used on the open sea by Viking navigators to determine the position of the invisible sun occluded by cloud or fog. Furthermore, Haidinger's brushes can also be used to locate the sun when it is below the horizon or occluded by objects on the horizon. To determine the position of the sun using the celestial polarization pattern, the d of the portion of the sky used must be greater than the viewer's degree of polarization threshold d* for perception of Haidinger's brushes. We studied under which sky conditions the prerequisite d > d* is satisfied. Using full-sky imaging polarimetry, we measured the d-pattern of skylight in the blue (450 nm) spectral range for 1296 different meteorological conditions with different solar elevation angles θ and per cent cloud cover ρ. From the measured d-patterns of a given sky we determined the proportion P of the sky for which d > d*. We obtained that P is the largest at low solar elevations θ ≈ 0° and under totally or nearly clear skies with cloud coverage ρ = 0%, when the sun's position is already easily determined. If the sun is below the horizon (-5° ≤ θ < 0°) during twilight, P = 76.17 ± 4.18% for dmin∗=23 % under clear sky conditions. Consequently, the sky-polarimetric Viking navigation based on Haidinger's brushes is most useful after sunset and prior to sunrise, when the sun is not visible and large sky regions are bright, clear and polarized enough for perception of Haidinger's brushes.

Motion of the Jovian commensurability resonances and the character of the celestial mechanics in the asteroid zone - Implication for kinematics and structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Torbett, M.; Smoluchowski, R.

1982-01-01

The motion of the Jovian commensurability resonances during the early evolution of the solar system induced by the dissipation of the accretion disk results in fundamental differences in the celestial mechanics of objects over which a resonance passes from that observed for a stationary resonance. Objects experiencing resonance passage acquire irreversible increases of average eccentricity to large values accounting for the present-day random velocities of the asteroids. Semi-major axes are similarly irreversibly decreased by amounts capable of clearing the Kirkwood gaps. The gap widths are in agreement with observation.

[Anti-infectious treatments in urology: general remarks].

PubMed

Bruyère, F; Karsenty, G; Guy, L; Bastide, C; Bernard, L

2013-11-01

To define the general use of anti-infectious treatments in urology. A review of national guidelines and articles published on the subject in the Medline database, selected by keywords, depending on the scientific relevance was performed. While the epidemiology clearly shows the non-reduction of the anti-infectious treatments use in France, the resistance increases to highlight foo-resistant germs. Urology is not an exception to this observation, and different means are set to improve the prescription made by urologists. The epidemiological observation confirms the urgent need to improve the prescription of anti-infectious treatments particularly in urology. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

3D microfluidic fabrication using a low refractive index polymer for clear microscopic observation at the fluid boundary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hanada, Y.

2018-02-01

Microfluidic chips known as μ-TAS or LoC have become versatile tools in cell research, since functional biochips are able to streamline dynamic observations of various cells. Glass or polymers are generally used as the substrate due to their high transparency, chemical stability and cost-effectiveness. However, these materials are not well suited to the microscopic observation at the fluid boundary due to the refractive index mismatch between the medium and the biochip material. For this reason, we have developed a method of fabricating three-dimensional (3D) microfluidic chips made of a low refractive index fluoric polymer CYTOP. CYTOP has a refractive index of 1.34, a value that is almost equivalent to that of water. This optical property is very important for clear 3D microscopic observations of cell motion near the solid boundary, due to the minimal mismatch between the refractive index values of the medium and the CYTOP substrate. Therefore, CYTOP microfluidics are expected to allow the generation of clear images of unique cell migratory processes near the microfluidic sidewall. Therefore, we established the fabrication procedure involving the use of femtosecond laser direct writing, followed by wet etching and annealing, to create high-quality 3D microfluidics inside a polymer substrate. A microfluidic chip made in this manner enables us to more clearly observe areas near the fluid surface, compared to the observations possible using conventional microfluidic chips.

Identification and characterization of Citrus yellow vein clearing virus, a putative new member of the genus Mandarivirus infecting Citrus spp.

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Yellow vein clearing virus, an uncharacterized filamentous virus, was first observed in Pakistan in 1988 and later in India in 1997 in Etrog citron (Citrus medica). Based on electron microscopic evidence of filamentous particles, the virus, provisionally named Citrus yellow vein clearing virus (CYVC...

16 CFR Table 2 to Part 1512 - Minimum Candlepower per Incident Foot-Candle for Clear Reflector 1

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 16 Commercial Practices 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Minimum Candlepower per Incident Foot-Candle for Clear Reflector 1 2 Table 2 to Part 1512 Commercial Practices CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION... 1512—Minimum Candlepower per Incident Foot-Candle for Clear Reflector 1 Observation angle Front, rear...

A Combination of Ex vivo Diffusion MRI and Multiphoton to Study Microglia/Monocytes Alterations after Spinal Cord Injury

PubMed Central

Noristani, Harun N.; Boukhaddaoui, Hassan; Saint-Martin, Guillaume; Auzer, Pauline; Sidiboulenouar, Rahima; Lonjon, Nicolas; Alibert, Eric; Tricaud, Nicolas; Goze-Bac, Christophe; Coillot, Christophe; Perrin, Florence E.

2017-01-01

Central nervous system (CNS) injury has been observed to lead to microglia activation and monocytes infiltration at the lesion site. Ex vivo diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (diffusion MRI or DWI) allows detailed examination of CNS tissues, and recent advances in clearing procedures allow detailed imaging of fluorescent-labeled cells at high resolution. No study has yet combined ex vivo diffusion MRI and clearing procedures to establish a possible link between microglia/monocytes response and diffusion coefficient in the context of spinal cord injury (SCI). We carried out ex vivo MRI of the spinal cord at different time-points after spinal cord transection followed by tetrahydrofuran based clearing and examined the density and morphology of microglia/monocytes using two-photon microscopy. Quantitative analysis revealed an early marked increase in microglial/monocytes density that is associated with an increase in the extension of the lesion measured using diffusion MRI. Morphological examination of microglia/monocytes somata at the lesion site revealed a significant increase in their surface area and volume as early as 72 hours post-injury. Time-course analysis showed differential microglial/monocytes response rostral and caudal to the lesion site. Microglia/monocytes showed a decrease in reactivity over time caudal to the lesion site, but an increase was observed rostrally. Direct comparison of microglia/monocytes morphology, obtained through multiphoton, and the longitudinal apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), measured with diffusion MRI, highlighted that axonal integrity does not correlate with the density of microglia/monocytes or their somata morphology. We emphasize that differential microglial/monocytes reactivity rostral and caudal to the lesion site may thus coincide, at least partially, with reported temporal differences in debris clearance. Our study demonstrates that the combination of ex vivo diffusion MRI and two-photon microscopy may be used to follow structural tissue alteration. Lesion extension coincides with microglia/monocytes density; however, a direct relationship between ADC and microglia/monocytes density and morphology was not observed. We highlighted a differential rostro-caudal microglia/monocytes reactivity that may correspond to a temporal difference in debris clearance and axonal integrity. Thus, potential therapeutic strategies targeting microglia/monocytes after SCI may need to be adjusted not only with the time after injury but also relative to the location to the lesion site. PMID:28769787

Optimization of the MINERVA Exoplanet Search Strategy via Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nava, Chantell; Johnson, Samson; McCrady, Nate; Minerva

2015-01-01

Detection of low-mass exoplanets requires high spectroscopic precision and high observational cadence. MINERVA is a dedicated observatory capable of sub meter-per-second radial velocity precision. As a dedicated observatory, MINERVA can observe with every-clear-night cadence that is essential for low-mass exoplanet detection. However, this cadence complicates the determination of an optimal observing strategy. We simulate MINERVA observations to optimize our observing strategy and maximize exoplanet detections. A dispatch scheduling algorithm provides observations of MINERVA targets every day over a three-year observing campaign. An exoplanet population with a distribution informed by Kepler statistics is assigned to the targets, and radial velocity curves induced by the planets are constructed. We apply a correlated noise model that realistically simulates stellar astrophysical noise sources. The simulated radial velocity data is fed to the MINERVA planet detection code and the expected exoplanet yield is calculated. The full simulation provides a tool to test different strategies for scheduling observations of our targets and optimizing the MINERVA exoplanet search strategy.

Periprosthetic bone remodelling of short-stem total hip arthroplasty: a systematic review.

PubMed

Yan, Shuang G; Weber, Patrick; Steinbrück, Arnd; Hua, Xingyi; Jansson, Volkmar; Schmidutz, Florian

2017-11-27

Short-stem hip arthroplasty (SHA) was designed to preserve bone stock and provide an improved load transfer. To gain more evidence regarding the load transfer, this review analysed the periprosthetic bone remodelling of SHA in comparison to standard hip arthroplasty (THA). PubMed and ScienceDirect were screened to extract dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) studies evaluating the periprosthetic bone remodelling of SHA and two proven THA designs. From the studies included, the postoperative change in periprosthetic bone mineral density (BMD) after one year and the trend over two years was determined. Fifteen studies with four SHAs (CFP, Metha, Nanos, Fitmore) and two THAs (CLS and Bicontact) designs were included. All SHA and THA stems revealed an initial decrease at the calcar and major trochanter (Gruen 1 and 7) with the Metha, Nanos and Fitmore showing a smaller and more balanced remodelling compared to THA. The pattern after one year and the trend over two years argue for a methaphyseal anchorage of the Metha and Nanos, whereas the Fitmore and CFP seem to anchor metha-diaphyseal. Clearly different pattern of bone remodelling were observed between all four SHAs. Periprosthetic bone remodelling is also present in SHA, with the main bone reduction observed proximally. However, certain SHA stems show a more balanced remodelling compared to THA, arguing for a favourable load transfer. Also, the femoral length where bone remodelling occurs is clearly shorter in SHA. As distinctively different pattern between the SHA designs were observed, they should not be judged as a single implant group.

Characteristics of equatorial plasma bubbles observed by TEC map based on ground-based GNSS receivers over South America

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barros, Diego; Takahashi, Hisao; Wrasse, Cristiano M.; Figueiredo, Cosme Alexandre O. B.

2018-01-01

A ground-based network of GNSS receivers has been used to monitor equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) by mapping the total electron content (TEC map). The large coverage of the TEC map allowed us to monitor several EPBs simultaneously and get characteristics of the dynamics, extension and longitudinal distributions of the EPBs from the onset time until their disappearance. These characteristics were obtained by using TEC map analysis and the keogram technique. TEC map databases analyzed were for the period between November 2012 and January 2016. The zonal drift velocities of the EPBs showed a clear latitudinal gradient varying from 123 m s-1 at the Equator to 65 m s-1 for 35° S latitude. Consequently, observed EPBs are inclined against the geomagnetic field lines. Both zonal drift velocity and the inclination of the EPBs were compared to the thermospheric neutral wind, which showed good agreement. Moreover, the large two-dimensional coverage of TEC maps allowed us to study periodic EPBs with a wide longitudinal distance. The averaged values observed for the inter-bubble distances also presented a clear latitudinal gradient varying from 920 km at the Equator to 640 km at 30° S. The latitudinal gradient in the inter-bubble distances seems to be related to the difference in the zonal drift velocity of the EPB from the Equator to middle latitudes and to the difference in the westward movement of the terminator. On several occasions, the distances reached more than 2000 km. Inter-bubble distances greater than 1000 km have not been reported in the literature.

ULF waves in the Martian foreshock: MAVEN observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shan, Lican; Mazelle, Christian; Meziane, Karim; Ruhunusiri, Suranga; Espley, Jared; Halekas, Jasper; Connerney, Jack; McFadden, Jim; Mitchell, Dave; Larson, Davin; Brain, Dave; Jakosky, Bruce; Ge, Yasong; Du, Aimin

2016-04-01

Foreshock ULF waves constitute a significant physical phenomenon of the plasma environment for terrestrial planets. The occurrence of these ULF waves, associated with backstreaming ions reflected and accelerated at the bow shock, implies specific conditions and properties of the shock and its foreshock. Using measurements from MAVEN, we report clear observations of this type of ULF waves in the Martian foreshock. We show from different case studies that the peak frequency of the wave case in spacecraft frame is too far from the local ion cyclotron frequency to be associated with local pickup ions taking into account the Doppler shifted frequency from a cyclotron resonance, the obliquity of the mode, resonance broadening and experimental uncertainties. On the opposite their properties fit very well with foreshock waves driven unstable by backtreaming field-aligned ion beams. The propagation angle is usually less than 30 degrees from ambient magnetic field. The waves also display elliptical and left-hand polarizations with respect to interplanetary magnetic field in the spacecraft frame. It is clear for these cases that foreshock ions are simultaneous present for the ULF wave interval. Such observation is important in order to discriminate with the already well-reported pickup ion (protons) waves associated with exospheric hydrogen in order to quantitatively use the later to study seasonal variations of the hydrogen corona.

Low-frequency variability of the exchanged flows through the Strait of Gibraltar during CANIGO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lafuente, Jesús García.; Delgado, Javier; Vargas, Juan Miguel; Vargas, Manuel; Plaza, Francisco; Sarhan, Tarek

Time series of the exchanged flows through the Strait of Gibraltar at the eastern section have been estimated from current-meter observations taken between October 1995 and May 1998 within the Canary Islands Azores Gibraltar Observations (CANIGO) project. The inflow exhibits a clear annual signal that peaks in late summer simultaneously with a deepening of the interface. The cycle seems to be driven by the seasonal signal of the density contrast between the surface Atlantic water that forms the inflow and the deep Mediterranean water of the outflow. The outflow and the depth of the interface have predominant semiannual signals and a smaller annual one whose phase agrees with that of the density contrast as well. Local wind stress and atmospheric pressure difference between the Atlantic and the Western Mediterranean to less extent have clear semiannual signal, so that the possibility that the semiannual cycle of the outflow and of the depth of the interface are forced by them was analyzed. The composite Froude number in this section is well below the critical value, suggesting submaximal exchange. Therefore, the conditions in the Alboran basin influence the exchange and some evidence that the size and location of the Western Alboran Gyre contribute to the observed signals, both annual and semiannual, is provided.

Observation of the Central Part of the Beta-Pictoris Disk with an Anti-Blooming CCD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lecavelier Des Etangs, A.; Perrin, G.; Ferlet, R.; Vidal Madjar, A.; Colas, F.; Buil, C.; Sevre, F.; Arlot, J. E.; Beust, H.; Lagrange Henri, A. M.; Lecacheux, J.; Deleuil, M.; Gry, C.

1993-07-01

β Pictoris (A5V) possesses a circumstellar disk of gas and dust which is oriented edge-on to Earth. Possibly a planet may be indirectly responsible for spectroscopic events, presently interpreted as the signature of the vaporisation of comet-like bodies when grazing the star, and may have cleared up dust particles in the inner zone. Previous coronographic studies coupled with IRAS and ground based IR observations also seem to indicate that the inner regions of the disk may be possibly dust free. We have extended the coronographic studies closer to the star in order to directly observe this zone, through a different observational technique based on the use of an anti- blooming CCD. These new observations, recorded at La Silla (Chile), revealed the structure of the disk down to two arcsec from the star (30 AU from the star). A different nature of dust particles seems to be present in the inner regions of the disk, in possible relation with a planetary formation process. Also an inverted asymmetry is observed in the inner region of the disk when compared to the outer one, a structure possibly related to a non homogeneous distribution of the dust within the disk.

Modeling clear-sky solar radiation across a range of elevations in Hawai‘i: Comparing the use of input parameters at different temporal resolutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Longman, Ryan J.; Giambelluca, Thomas W.; Frazier, Abby G.

2012-01-01

Estimates of clear sky global solar irradiance using the parametric model SPCTRAL2 were tested against clear sky radiation observations at four sites in Hawai`i using daily, mean monthly, and 1 year mean model parameter settings. Atmospheric parameters in SPCTRAL2 and similar models are usually set at site-specific values and are not varied to represent the effects of fluctuating humidity, aerosol amount and type, or ozone concentration, because time-dependent atmospheric parameter estimates are not available at most sites of interest. In this study, we sought to determine the added value of using time dependent as opposed to fixed model input parameter settings. At the AERONET site, Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO) on the island of Hawai`i, where daily measurements of atmospheric optical properties and hourly solar radiation observations are available, use of daily rather than 1 year mean aerosol parameter values reduced mean bias error (MBE) from 18 to 10 W m-2 and root mean square error from 25 to 17 W m-2. At three stations in the HaleNet climate network, located at elevations of 960, 1640, and 2590 m on the island of Maui, where aerosol-related parameter settings were interpolated from observed values for AERONET sites at MLO (3397 m) and Lāna`i (20 m), and precipitable water was estimated using radiosonde-derived humidity profiles from nearby Hilo, the model performed best when using constant 1 year mean parameter values. At HaleNet Station 152, for example, MBE was 18, 10, and 8 W m-2 for daily, monthly, and 1 year mean parameters, respectively.

SYSTEMATIC CENTER-TO-LIMB VARIATION IN MEASURED HELIOSEISMIC TRAVEL TIMES AND ITS EFFECT ON INFERENCES OF SOLAR INTERIOR MERIDIONAL FLOWS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhao Junwei; Nagashima, Kaori; Bogart, R. S.

We report on a systematic center-to-limb variation in measured helioseismic travel times, which must be taken into account for an accurate determination of solar interior meridional flows. The systematic variation, found in time-distance helioseismology analysis using SDO/HMI and SDO/AIA observations, is different in both travel-time magnitude and variation trend for different observables. It is not clear what causes this systematic effect. Subtracting the longitude-dependent east-west travel times, obtained along the equatorial area, from the latitude-dependent north-south travel times, obtained along the central meridian area, gives remarkably similar results for different observables. We suggest this as an effective procedure for removingmore » the systematic center-to-limb variation. The subsurface meridional flows obtained from inversion of the corrected travel times are approximately 10 m s{sup -1} slower than those obtained without removing the systematic effect. The detected center-to-limb variation may have important implications in the derivation of meridional flows in the deep interior and needs to be better understood.« less

Systematic Center-To-Limb Variation in Measured Helioseismic Travel Times and Its Effect on Inferences of Solar Interior Meridional Flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhao, Junwei; Nagashima, Kaori; Bogart, R. S.; Kosovichev, Alexander; Duvall, T. L., Jr.

2012-01-01

We report on a systematic center-to-limb variation in measured helioseismic travel times, which must be taken into account for an accurate determination of solar interior meridional flows. The systematic variation, found in time-distance helioseismology analysis using SDO/HMI and SDO/AIA observations, is different in both travel-time magnitude and variation trend for different observables. It is not clear what causes this systematic effect. Subtracting the longitude-dependent east-west travel times, obtained along the equatorial area, from the latitude-dependent north-south travel times, obtained along the central meridian area, gives remarkably similar results for different observables. We suggest this as an effective procedure for removing the systematic center-to-limb variation. The subsurface meridional flows obtained from inversion of the corrected travel times are approximately 10 m s-1 slower than those obtained without removing the systematic effect. The detected center-to-limb variation may have important implications in the derivation of meridional flows in the deep interior and needs to be better understood.

Post-Flare Giant Arches - Unanswered Questions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

West, M. J.; Seaton, D. B.; Dennis, B. R.; Palmerio, E.; Savage, S. L.

2017-12-01

Recent observations from the SWAP EUV imager on-board PROBA2 and SXI X-ray observations from the GOES satellite have shown that post-flare giant arches and regular post-flare loops are one and the same thing. However, it is still not clear how certain loop systems are able to sustain prolonged growth to heights greater than half a solar-radii. In this presentation we further explore the energy deposition rate above post-flare loop systems through high-energy RHESSI observations. We also explore the difference between the growth of different loop systems through an epoch analysis. The epoch analysis is initially performed over the period when the STEREO satellites were in quadrature with PROBA2 allowing us to assess the difference between their on-disk and on-limb signatures. Giant arches are generally characterised by their height of growth when observed close to the solar limb, but due to the optically thin nature of the EUV solar atmosphere, projection effects and the scarcity of events occurring within 5 degrees of the limb it is not understood how common these events are. Using the analysis during the quadrature period we gain a better understanding of how rare these events are, and by determining characteristic on disk signatures we can combine our data set with magnetogram observations to better understand their magnetic evolution.

Tropospheric haze and colors of the clear daytime sky.

PubMed

Lee, Raymond L

2015-02-01

To casual observers, haze's visible effects on clear daytime skies may seem mundane: significant scattering by tropospheric aerosols visibly (1) reduces the luminance contrast of distant objects and (2) desaturates sky blueness. However, few published measurements of hazy-sky spectra and chromaticities exist to compare with these naked-eye observations. Hyperspectral imaging along sky meridians of clear and hazy skies at one inland and two coastal sites shows that they have characteristic colorimetric signatures of scattering and absorption by haze aerosols. In addition, a simple spectral transfer function and a second-order scattering model of skylight reveal the net spectral and colorimetric effects of haze.

Water in exoplanets.

PubMed

Tinetti, Giovanna; Tennyson, Jonathan; Griffith, Caitlin A; Waldmann, Ingo

2012-06-13

Exoplanets--planets orbiting around stars other than our own Sun--appear to be common. Significant research effort is now focused on the observation and characterization of exoplanet atmospheres. Species such as water vapour, methane, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide have been observed in a handful of hot, giant, gaseous planets, but cooler, smaller planets such as Gliese 1214b are now analysable with current telescopes. Water is the key chemical dictating habitability. The current observations of water in exoplanets from both space and the ground are reviewed. Controversies surrounding the interpretation of these observations are discussed. Detailed consideration of available radiative transfer models and linelists are used to analyse these differences in interpretation. Models suggest that there is a clear need for data on the pressure broadening of water transitions by H(2) at high temperatures. The reported detections of water appear to be robust, although final confirmation will have to await the better quality observational data provided by currently planned dedicated space missions.

Interprofessional primary care team meetings: a qualitative approach comparing observations with personal opinions.

PubMed

van Dongen, Jerôme Jean Jacques; van Bokhoven, Marloes Amantia; Daniëls, Ramon; Lenzen, Stephanie Anna; van der Weijden, Trudy; Beurskens, Anna

2017-02-01

The number of people with multiple chronic conditions requiring primary care services increases. Professionals from different disciplines collaborate and coordinate care to deal with the complex health care needs. There is lack of information on current practices regarding interprofessional team (IPT) meetings. This study aimed to improve our understanding of the process of interprofessional collaboration in primary care team meetings in the Netherlands by observing the current practice and exploring personal opinions. Qualitative study involving observations of team meetings and interviews with participants. Eight different IPT meetings (n = 8) in different primary care practices were observed by means of video recordings. Experiences were explored by conducting individual semi-structured interviews (n = 60) with participants (i.e. health care professionals from different disciplines) of the observed team meetings. The data were analysed by means of content analysis. Most participants expressed favourable opinions about their team meetings. However, observations showed that team meetings were more or less hectic, and lacked a clear structure and team coordinator or leader. There appears to be a discrepancy between findings from observations and interviews. From the interviews, four main themes were extracted: (1) Team structure and composition, (2) Patient-centredness, (3) Interaction and (4) Attitude and motivation. IPT meetings could benefit from improvements in structure, patient-centredness and leadership by the chairpersons. Given the discrepancy between observations and interviews, it would appear useful to improve team members' awareness of aspects that could be improved before training them in dealing with specific challenges. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press.

[Atmospheric Influences Analysis on the Satellite Passive Microwave Remote Sensing].

PubMed

Qiu, Yu-bao; Shi, Li-juan; Shi, Jian-cheng; Zhao, Shao-jie

2016-02-01

Passive microwave remote sensing offers its all-weather work capabilities, but atmospheric influences on satellite microwave brightness temperature were different under different atmospheric conditions and environments. In order to clarify atmospheric influences on Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-Earth Observing System (AMSR-E), atmospheric radiation were simulated based on AMSR-E configuration under clear sky and cloudy conditions, by using radiative transfer model and atmospheric conditions data. Results showed that atmospheric water vapor was the major factor for atmospheric radiation under clear sky condition. Atmospheric transmittances were almost above 0.98 at AMSR-E's low frequencies (< 18.7 GHz) and the microwave brightness temperature changes caused by atmosphere can be ignored in clear sky condition. Atmospheric transmittances at 36.5 and 89 GHz were 0.896 and 0.756 respectively. The effects of atmospheric water vapor needed to be corrected when using microwave high-frequency channels to inverse land surface parameters in clear sky condition. But under cloud cover or cloudy conditions, cloud liquid water was the key factor to cause atmospheric radiation. When sky was covered by typical stratus cloud, atmospheric transmittances at 10.7, 18.7 and 36.5 GHz were 0.942, 0.828 and 0.605 respectively. Comparing with the clear sky condition, the down-welling atmospheric radiation caused by cloud liquid water increased up to 75.365 K at 36.5 GHz. It showed that the atmospheric correction under different clouds covered condition was the primary work to improve the accuracy of land surface parameters inversion of passive microwave remote sensing. The results also provided the basis for microwave atmospheric correction algorithm development. Finally, the atmospheric sounding data was utilized to calculate the atmospheric transmittance of Hailaer Region, Inner Mongolia province, in July 2013. The results indicated that atmospheric transmittances were close to 1 at C-band and X-band. 89 GHz was greatly influenced by water vapor and its atmospheric transmittance was not more than 0.7. Atmospheric transmittances in Hailaer Region had a relatively stable value in summer, but had about 0.1 fluctuations with the local water vapor changes.

Global aerosol typing from a combination of A-Train satellite observations in clear-sky and above clouds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kacenelenbogen, M. S.; Russell, P. B.; Vaughan, M.; Redemann, J.; Shinozuka, Y.; Livingston, J. M.; Zhang, Q.

2014-12-01

According to the 5th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the model estimates of Radiative Forcing due to aerosol-radiation interactions (RFari) for individual aerosol types are less certain than the total RFari [Boucher et al., 2013]. For example, the RFari specific to Black Carbon (BC) is uncertain due to an underestimation of its mass concentration near source regions [Koch et al., 2009]. Several recent studies have evaluated chemical transport model (CTM) predictions using observations of aerosol optical properties such as Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) or Single Scattering Albedo (SSA) from satellite or ground-based instruments (e.g., Huneeus et al., [2010]). However, most passive remote sensing instruments fail to provide a comprehensive assessment of the particle type without further analysis and combination of measurements. To improve the predictions of aerosol composition in CTMs, we have developed an aerosol classification algorithm (called Specified Clustering and Mahalanobis Classification, SCMC) that assigns an aerosol type to multi-parameter retrievals by spaceborne, airborne or ground based passive remote sensing instruments [Russell et al., 2014]. The aerosol types identified by our scheme are pure dust, polluted dust, urban-industrial/developed economy, urban-industrial/developing economy, dark biomass smoke, light biomass smoke and pure marine. First, we apply the SCMC method to five years of clear-sky space-borne POLDER observations over Greece. We then use the aerosol extinction and SSA spectra retrieved from a combination of MODIS, OMI and CALIOP clear-sky observations to infer the aerosol type over the globe in 2007. Finally, we will extend the spaceborne aerosol classification from clear-sky to above low opaque water clouds using a combination of CALIOP AOD and backscatter observations and OMI absorption AOD values from near-by clear-sky pixels.

Effect of lens care system on silicone hydrogel contact lens wettability.

PubMed

Guillon, Michel; Maissa, Cécile; Wong, Stéphanie; Patel, Trisha; Garofalo, Renée

2015-12-01

The purpose was to compare the effect of the repeated usage of two care systems (one hydrogen peroxide cleaning and disinfecting system and one polyaminopropyl biguanide (PHMB) containing multi-purpose system) with silicone hydrogel contact lenses worn for three months on a daily wear modality. A specific aspect of interest was of the effect of the care systems on contact lens wettability. Seventy-four symptomatic contact lens wearers, habitually wearing either ACUVUE(®) OASYS(®) (n=37) or PureVision™ (n=37), constituted the study population. The study was a two-arm prospective, investigator-masked, bilateral study of three-month duration to evaluate the effects of CLEAR CARE(®) compared with renu(®) fresh™. The subjects were randomized to one of the two lens care systems. Contact lens wettability and surface cleanliness were assessed with the Tearscope and reported in terms of pre-lens non-invasive break-up time (PL-NIBUT) and visible deposits. Baseline assessments at enrollment were with the subjects' own contact lenses worn for at least 6h when using their habitual PHMB-preserved care system and at the dispensing visit with new contact lenses. At the follow-up visits, the contact lenses were worn for at least 6h, and were at least 11 days old for ACUVUE(®) OASYS(®) and 25 days old for PureVision™. The results obtained showed that: (i) with CLEAR CARE(®), a significant improvement in contact lens wettability was recorded compared with the habitual care system at the three-month follow-up visit (mean median PL-NIBUT 5.8 vs. 4.0 s, p<0.001). Further, with this same lens care system a significant increase in wettability was observed at the three-month follow-up visit compared with dispensing (mean median PL-NIBUT 5.8 vs. 4.5s, p=0.022). (ii) Whereas no difference in contact lens wettability was observed at dispensing between the two lens care groups (mean PL-NIBUT: 4.5 vs. 4.2s, p=0.518), a significantly more stable pre-lens tear film was observed with CLEAR CARE(®) than with renu(®) fresh™ at both the two-month (mean PL-NIBUT: 4.6 vs. 3.7s, p=0.005) and three-month (mean PL-NIBUT: 5.8 vs. 4.2 s, p=0.028) visits. iii. With renu(®) fresh™, no significant differences were observed at the end of three months of use compared with either the habitual care system or the new contact lens solution (mean PL-NIBUT: 3M 4.2 vs. Disp 4.2 s (p=0.420) vs. enrolment habitual care solution 5.1s (p=0.734)). iv. With CLEAR CARE(®) significant increases in the incidence of surfaces free of both mucus (3 month 95%. vs. habitual solution 82% enrolment; p=0.005) and lipid (3 month 87% vs. habitual solution 72% enrolment; p=0.009) were observed. Significantly better contact lens wettability and surface cleanliness were achieved for ACUVUE(®) OASYS(®) and PureVision™ with CLEAR CARE(®) than with renu(®) fresh™ at the end of three months of use. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Cloud-to-ground lightning activity in Colombia and the influence of topography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aranguren, D.; López, J.; Inampués, J.; Torres, H.; Betz, H.

2017-02-01

Lightning activity on the Colombian mountains, where the altitude varies from 0 to more than 5000 MSL, is studied based on VLF/LF lightning detection data and using a 2012-2013 dataset. The influence of altitude is observed by evaluating cloud-to-ground lightning incidence at different altitude intervals. The relationship between ground flash density and altitude gradient vectors is studied. Results show a clear dependence of the flash density on elevation.

Computational Analysis of Mine Blast on a Commercial Vehicle Structure

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-01-01

ANALYSIS OF MINE BLAST ON A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE STRUCTURE M. Grujicic 1∗ , B. Pandurangan 1 , I. Haque 1 , B. A. Cheeseman 2 , W. N. Roy 2 and R. R. Skaggs...buried in (either dry or saturated sand) underneath the vehicle’s front right wheel is analyzed computationally. The computational analysis included the...A frequency analysis of the pressure versus time signals and visual observation clearly show the differences in the blast loads resulting from the

Stratospheric and Mesospheric Trace Gas Studies Using Ground-Based mm-Wave Receivers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

daZafra, Robert L.

1997-01-01

The goal of the proposed work was to understand the latitude structure of nitric oxide in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere. The problem was portrayed by a clear difference between predictions of the nitric oxide distribution from chemical/dynamical models and data from observations made by the Solar Mesosphere Explorer (SMEE) in the early to mid eighties. The data exhibits a flat latitude structure of NO, the models tend to produce at equatorial maximum.

MESSENGER Observations of Rapid and Impulsive Magnetic Reconnection in Mercury's Magnetotail

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, J.; Wei, Y.; Pu, Z. Y.; Wang, X. G.; Wan, W. X.; Slavin, J. A.; Cao, X.; Raines, J. M.; Zhang, H.; Xiao, C. J.; Du, A. M.; Wang, R. S.; Dewey, R. M.; Chai, L. H.; Rong, Z. J.; Li, Y.

2018-06-01

The nature of magnetic reconnection in planetary magnetospheres may differ between various planets. We report the first observations of a rapidly evolving magnetic reconnection process in Mercury’s magnetotail by the MESSENGER spacecraft. The reconnection process was initialized in the plasma sheet and then evolved into the lobe region during a ∼35 s period. The tailward reconnection fronts of primary and secondary flux ropes with clear Hall signatures and energetic electron bursts were observed. The reconnection timescale of a few seconds is substantially shorter than that of terrestrial magnetospheric plasmas. The normalized reconnection rate during a brief quasi-steady period is estimated to be ∼0.2 on average. The observations show the rapid and impulsive nature of the exceedingly driven reconnection in Mercury’s magnetospheric plasma that may be responsible for the much more dynamic magnetosphere of Mercury.

Age-related differences in acute neurotoxicity produced by mevinphos, monocrotophos, dicrotophos, and phosphamidon.

PubMed

Moser, Virginia C

2011-01-01

Age-related differences in the acute neurotoxicity of cholinesterase (ChE)-inhibiting pesticides have been well-studied for a few organophosphates, but not for many others. In this study, we directly compared dose-responses using brain and red blood cell (RBC) ChE measurements, along with motor activity, for mevinphos, monocrotophos, dicrotophos, and phosphamidon. Long-Evans hooded male rats were tested as adults and at postnatal day (PND) 17; PND11 pups were also tested with dicrotophos only. All chemicals were administered via oral gavage and tests were conducted at times intended to span peak behavioral and ChE effects. All OPs tested produced a rapid onset and recovery from the behavioral effects. There were age-related differences in the inhibition of brain, but not necessarily RBC, ChE. Mevinphos was clearly more toxic, up to 4-fold, to the young rat. On the other hand, monocrotophos, dicrotophos, and phosphamidon were somewhat more toxic to the young rat, but the magnitude of the differences was < 2-fold lower. Motor activity was consistently decreased in adults for all chemicals tested; however, there was more variability with the pups and clear age-related differences were only observed for mevinphos. These data show that three of these four OPs were only moderately more toxic in young rats, and further support findings that age-related differences in pesticide toxicity are chemical-specific. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Clearance of a Mucus Plug

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bian, Shiyao; Zheng, Ying; Grotberg, James B.

2008-11-01

Mucus plugging may occur in pulmonary airways in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis. How to clear the mucus plug is essential and of fundamental importance. Mucus is known to have a yield stress and a mucus plug behaves like a solid plug when the applied stresses are below its yield stress τy. When the local stresses reaches τy, the plug starts to move and can be cleared out of the lung. It is then of great importance to examine how the mucus plug deforms and what is the minimum pressure required to initiate its movement. The present study used the finite element method (FEM) to study the stress distribution and deformation of a solid mucus plug under different pressure loads using ANSYS software. The maximum shear stress is found to occur near the rear transition region of the plug, which can lead to local yielding and flow. The critical pressure increases linearly with the plug length and asymptotes when the plug length is larger than the half channel width. Experimentally a mucus simulant is used to study the process of plug deformation and critical pressure difference required for the plug to propagate. Consistently, the fracture is observed to start at the rear transition region where the plug core connects the films. However, the critical pressure is observed to be dependent on not only the plug length but also the interfacial shape.

Sea Ice, Clouds, Sunlight, and Albedo: The Umbrella Versus the Blanket

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perovich, D. K.

2017-12-01

The Arctic sea ice cover has undergone a major decline in recent years, with reductions in ice extent, ice thickness, and ice age. Understanding the feedbacks and forcing driving these changes is critical in improving predictions. The surface radiation budget plays a central role in summer ice melt and is governed by clouds and surface albedo. Clouds act as an umbrella reducing the downwelling shortwave, but also serve as a blanket increasing the downwelling longwave, with the surface albedo also determining the net balance. Using field observations from the SHEBA program, pairs of clear and cloudy days were selected for each month from May through September and the net radiation flux was calculated for different surface conditions and albedos. To explore the impact of albedo we calculated a break even albedo, where the net radiation for cloudy skies is the same as clear skies. For albedos larger than the break-even value the net radiation flux is smaller under clear skies compared to cloudy skies. Break-even albedos ranged from 0.30 in September to 0.58 in July. For snow covered or bare ice, clear skies always resulted in less radiative heat input. In contrast, leads always had, and ponds usually had, more radiative heat input under clear skies than cloudy skies. Snow covered ice had a net radiation flux that was negative or near zero under clear skies resulting in radiative cooling. We combined the albedo of individual ice types with the area of those ice types to calculate albedos averaged over a 50 km x 50 km area. The July case had the smallest areally averaged albedo of 0.50. This was less than the breakeven albedo, so cloudy skies had a smaller net radiation flux than clear skies. For the cases from the other four months, the areally averaged albedo was greater than the break-even albedo. The areally averaged net radiation flux was negative under clear skies for the May and September cases.

Radiative transfer in shallow cumulus cloud fields: Observations and first analysis with the Diram instrument during the BBC-2 field campaign in May 2003

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Dop, Han; Wilson, Keith M.

2006-11-01

The cloud albedo is a crucial parameter in radiation budget studies, and is one of the main forcings in climate. We have designed and made a device, Diram (directional radiance distribution measurement device), which not only measures reflection and transmission of solar radiation through clouds, but which also determines the radiance distribution. The construction contains 42 sensors, consisting of a collimation system and a detector, which are mounted in two domes (21 in each). The collimators reduce the field of view of each sensor to ˜7°. The domes were mounted on top and below of the Meteo France Merlin IV research aircraft. The 42 signals were continuously logged with a frequency of 10 Hz during a number of flights in the framework of the Baltex Bridge-2 campaign at Cabauw (The Netherlands) in May 2003. The Diram instrument provided radiances during in situ observations of cumulus and (broken) stratocumulus clouds and detected anisotropic effects in solar radiation scattered by clouds which are due to different cloud geometries and which are related to microphysical cloud properties. Microphysical cloud properties were obtained from the Gerber PVM100A optical sensor aboard the aircraft. Liquid water content and particle surface area were logged with a frequency of 200 Hz. Data have been collected from a total of 10 days in different weather conditions (clear sky, broken cumulus, stratocumulus and multilayered cloud). A clear sky test of the Diram indicated that the device was able to reproduce the Rayleigh scattering pattern. During flights in stratocumulus fields, strongly anisotropic patterns were observed. The DIRAM observations confirm that in thin clouds a strong preference for forward scattering is observed in the transmitted radiation field while for thicker clouds the pattern becomes more isotropic, with a slightly brighter centre relative to the limb direction.

Analyzing the Impact of Different Pcv Calibration Models on Height Determination Using Gps/Glonass Observations from Asg-Eupos Network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dawidowicz, Karol

2014-12-01

The integration of GPS with GLONASS is very important in satellite-based positioning because it can clearly improve reliability and availability. However, unlike GPS, GLONASS satellites transmit signals at different frequencies. This results in significant difficulties in modeling and ambiguity resolution for integrated GNSS positioning. There are also some difficulties related to the antenna Phase Center Variations (PCV) problem because, as is well known, the PCV is dependent on the received signal frequency dependent. Thus, processing simultaneous observations from different positioning systems, e.g. GPS and GLONASS, we can expect complications resulting from the different structure of signals and differences in satellite constellations. The ASG-EUPOS multifunctional system for precise satellite positioning is a part of the EUPOS project involving countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The number of its users is increasing rapidly. Currently 31 of 101 reference stations are equipped with GPS/GLONASS receivers and the number is still increasing. The aim of this paper is to study the height solution differences caused by using different PCV calibration models in integrated GPS/GLONASS observation processing. Studies were conducted based on the datasets from the ASG-EUPOS network. Since the study was intended to evaluate the impact on height determination from the users' point of view, a so-called "commercial" software was chosen for post-processing. The analysis was done in a baseline mode: 3 days of GNSS data collected with three different receivers and antennas were used. For the purposes of research the daily observations were divided into different sessions with a session length of one hour. The results show that switching between relative and absolute PCV models may cause an obvious effect on height determination. This issue is particularly important when mixed GPS/GLONASS observations are post-processed.

Principle Component Analysis of AIRS and CrIS Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aumann, H. H.; Manning, Evan

2015-01-01

Synthetic Eigen Vectors (EV) used for the statistical analysis of the PC reconstruction residual of large ensembles of data are a novel tool for the analysis of data from hyperspectral infrared sounders like the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) on the EOS Aqua and the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) on the SUOMI polar orbiting satellites. Unlike empirical EV, which are derived from the observed spectra, the synthetic EV are derived from a large ensemble of spectra which are calculated assuming that, given a state of the atmosphere, the spectra created by the instrument can be accurately calculated. The synthetic EV are then used to reconstruct the observed spectra. The analysis of the differences between the observed spectra and the reconstructed spectra for Simultaneous Nadir Overpasses of tropical oceans reveals unexpected differences at the more than 200 mK level under relatively clear conditions, particularly in the mid-wave water vapor channels of CrIS. The repeatability of these differences using independently trained SEV and results from different years appears to rule out inconsistencies in the radiative transfer algorithm or the data simulation. The reasons for these discrepancies are under evaluation.

Synchronous behaviour of two interacting oscillatory systems undergoing quasiperiodic route to chaos.

PubMed

Mondal, S; Pawar, S A; Sujith, R I

2017-10-01

Thermoacoustic instability, caused by a positive feedback between the unsteady heat release and the acoustic field in a combustor, is a major challenge faced in most practical combustors such as those used in rockets and gas turbines. We employ the synchronization theory for understanding the coupling between the unsteady heat release and the acoustic field of a thermoacoustic system. Interactions between coupled subsystems exhibiting different collective dynamics such as periodic, quasiperiodic, and chaotic oscillations are addressed. Even though synchronization studies have focused on different dynamical states separately, synchronous behaviour of two coupled systems exhibiting a quasiperiodic route to chaos has not been studied. In this study, we report the first experimental observation of different synchronous behaviours between two subsystems of a thermoacoustic system exhibiting such a transition as reported in Kabiraj et al. [Chaos 22, 023129 (2012)]. A rich variety of synchronous behaviours such as phase locking, intermittent phase locking, and phase drifting are observed as the dynamics of such subsystem change. The observed synchronization behaviour is further characterized using phase locking value, correlation coefficient, and relative mean frequency. These measures clearly reveal the boundaries between different states of synchronization.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hu Qiang; Zeng Xierong; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Special Functional Materials, Shenzhen 518060

This paper reports the observation of the clear Invar effects of (Fe{sub 71.2}B{sub 24}Y{sub 4.8}){sub 96}Nb{sub 4} bulk metallic glass. The Invar effects of (Fe{sub 71.2}B{sub 24}Y{sub 4.8}){sub 96}Nb{sub 4} alloys in different structural states are also investigated in situ through cyclic thermal dilation tests at different cyclic temperatures. The results show that these Invar effects are strengthened in the relaxation amorphous state, weakened in the nanocrystalline state, and absent in the complete crystalline state. X-ray diffraction and Moessbauer spectroscopy demonstrate that the structural influences on Invar effects can be explained by the different local atomic arrangements around Fe atomsmore » in different structural states.« less

Double cusp encounter by Cluster: double cusp or motion of the cusp?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Escoubet, C. P.; Berchem, J.; Trattner, K. J.; Pitout, F.; Richard, R. L.; Taylor, M. G.; Soucek, J.; Grison, B.; Laakso, H. E.; Masson, A.; Dunlop, M. W.; Dandouras, I. S.; Reme, H.; Fazakerley, A. N.; Daly, P. W.

2012-12-01

Modeling plasma entry in the polar cusp has been successful in reproducing ion dispersions observed in the cusp at low and mid-altitudes. The use of a realistic convection pattern allowed Wing et al. [2001] to model double cusp signatures that were observed by the DMSP spacecraft when the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) is southward but has a dominant By component (|IMF-By|>|IMF-Bz|). Under these conditions, reconnection between the IMF and the geomagnetic field is predicted to occur both at high latitudes and around the equatorial plane (or subsolar region). This multiple reconnection topology subsequently produces two different injections of plasma into the cusp, hence the observation of the so-called double cusp. However, the two cusps can be very close to each other and a detailed analysis of the dispersion of the precipitating ions is very often required to clearly identify them. We will present a cusp crossing where two cusps are observed, separated by 1° ILAT. Cluster 1 and 2 observed these two cusps within a few minute interval and about 10 and 50 min later, respectively, Cluster 4 and 3 observed a single cusp only. A peculiarity of this event was the fact that the second cusp seen on C1 and C2 was observed at the same time as the first cusp on C4. This would tend to suggest that the two dispersions are spatial features similar to the double cusp. However more detailed analysis of the characteristics of the cusps (ion dispersion, boundaries) and the IMF abrupt changes clearly showed that the double cusp was in fact a single cusp that had moved toward dawn and then back toward dusk following the changes in the IMF direction.

Physicochemical classification of dust particles observed at Gosan ABC superstation in East Asia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shang, X.; Lee, M.; Chung, C. E.

2013-12-01

We identified different types of dust particles from long-term measurements of mass and ionic and carbonaceous compositions of PM1.0, PM2.5 and PM10 at Gosan ABC superstation on Jeju Island, Korea from August 2007 to February 2012. The concentration of PM1.0, PM10 mass and PM10 Ca2+ showed clear bimodal distributions, which provided robust criteria to distinguish atmospheric particles in different physiochemical regimes. Dust impacted particles were clearly separated by high PM10 mass over 29μg/m3. Some dust storm often passed over heavily populated areas in China, which made dust particles mixed with pollutants. This type of aerosol showed enhanced concentration of PM1.0 over 22μg/m3. We also recognized high Ca2+ concentration in PM1.0 when air came from northeastern China where salt deposit spreads in dry lakes. The Ca2+ concentration in PM10 was found to be a good indicator for the saline dust particles. In addition, the ratios of mass, SO42-, Mg2+ and organic carbon (OC) to Ca2+ turned out to be useful to distinguish different types of dust-impacted particles.

Optical spectroscopy and ultrafast pump-probe studies on the heavy-fermion compound CePt 2 In 7

DOE PAGES

Chen, R. Y.; Zhang, S. J.; Bauer, E. D.; ...

2016-07-29

We report optical spectroscopy and ultrafast pump-probe measurements on the antiferromagnetic heavy-fermion compound CePt 2 In 7 , a member showing stronger two dimensionality than other compounds in the CeIn 3 -derived heavy-fermion family. Here, we identify clear and typical hybridization spectral structures at low temperature from the two different spectroscopy probes. But, the strength and related energy scale of the hybridization are much weaker and smaller than that in the superconducting compounds CeCoIn 5 and CeIrIn 5 . The features are more similar to observations on the antiferromagnetic compounds CeIn 3 and CeRhIn 5 in the same family. Ourmore » results clearly indicate that the Kondo interaction and hybridizations exist in the antiferromagnetic compounds but with weaker strength.« less

Clinical performance of an objective methodology to categorize tear film lipid layer patterns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garcia-Resua, Carlos; Pena-Verdeal, Hugo; Giraldez, Maria J.; Yebra-Pimentel, Eva

2017-08-01

Purpose: To validate the performance of a new objective application designated iDEAS (Dry Eye Assessment System) to categorize different zones of lipid layer patterns (LLPs) in one image. Material and methods: Using the Tearscopeplus and a digital camera attached to a slit-lamp, 50 images were captured and analyzed by 4 experienced optometrists. In each image the observers outlined tear film zones that they clearly identified as a specific LLP. Further, the categorization made by the 4 optometrists (called observer 1, 2, 3 and 4) was compared with the automatic system included in iDEAS (5th observer). Results: In general, observer 3 classified worse than all observers (observers 1, 2, 4 and automatic application, Wilcoxon test, <0.05). The automatic system behaved similar to the remaining three observers (observer 1, 2 and 4) showing differences only for Open meshwork LLP when comparing with observer 4 (Wilcoxon test, p=0.02). For the remaining two observers (observer 1 and 2) there was not found statistical differences (Wilcoxon test, >0.05). Furthermore, we obtained a set of photographs per LLP category for which all optometrists showed agreement by using the new tool. After examining them, we detected the more characteristic features for each LLP to enhance the description of the patterns implemented by Guillon. Conclusions: The automatic application included in the iDEAS framework is able to provide zones similar to the annotations made by experienced optometrists. Thus, the manual process done by experts can be automated with the benefits of being unaffected by subjective factors.

An Earthquake Source Sensitivity Analysis for Tsunami Propagation in the Eastern Mediterranean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Necmioglu, Ocal; Meral Ozel, Nurcan

2013-04-01

An earthquake source parameter sensitivity analysis for tsunami propagation in the Eastern Mediterranean has been performed based on 8 August 1303 Crete and Dodecanese Islands earthquake resulting in destructive inundation in the Eastern Mediterranean. The analysis involves 23 cases describing different sets of strike, dip, rake and focal depth, while keeping the fault area and displacement, thus the magnitude, same. The main conclusions of the evaluation are drawn from the investigation of the wave height distributions at Tsunami Forecast Points (TFP). The earthquake vs. initial tsunami source parameters comparison indicated that the maximum initial wave height values correspond in general to the changes in rake angle. No clear depth dependency is observed within the depth range considered and no strike angle dependency is observed in terms of amplitude change. Directivity sensitivity analysis indicated that for the same strike and dip, 180° shift in rake may lead to 20% change in the calculated tsunami wave height. Moreover, an approximately 10 min difference in the arrival time of the initial wave has been observed. These differences are, however, greatly reduced in the far field. The dip sensitivity analysis, performed separately for thrust and normal faulting, has both indicated that an increase in the dip angle results in the decrease of the tsunami wave amplitude in the near field approximately 40%. While a positive phase shift is observed, the period and the shape of the initial wave stays nearly the same for all dip angles at respective TFPs. These affects are, however, not observed at the far field. The resolution of the bathymetry, on the other hand, is a limiting factor for further evaluation. Four different cases were considered for the depth sensitivity indicating that within the depth ranges considered (15-60 km), the increase of the depth has only a smoothing effect on the synthetic tsunami wave height measurements at the selected TFPs. The strike sensitivity analysis showed clear phase shift with respect to the variation of the strike angles, without leading to severe variation of the initial and maximum waves at locations considered. Travel time maps for two cases corresponding to difference in the strike value (60° vs 150°) presented a more complex wave propagation for the case with 60° strike angle due to the fact that the normal of the fault plane is orthogonal to the main bathymetric structure in the region, namely the Eastern section of the Hellenic Arc between Crete and Rhodes Islands. For a given set of strike, dip and focal depth parameters, the effect of the variation in the rake angle has been evaluated in the rake sensitivity analysis. A waveform envelope composed of symmetric synthetic recordings at one TFPs could be clearly observed as a result of rake angle variations in 0-180° range. This could also lead to the conclusion that for a given magnitude (fault size and displacement), the expected maximum and minimum tsunami wave amplitudes could be evaluated as a waveform envelope rather limited to a single point of time or amplitude. The Evaluation of the initial wave arrival times follows an expected pattern controlled by the distance, wheras maximum wave arrival time distribution presents no clear pattern. Nevertheless, the distribution is rather concentrated in time domain for some TFPs. Maximum positive and minimum negative wave amplitude distributions indicates a broader range for a subgroup of TFPs, wheras for the remaining TFPs the distributions are narrow. Any deviation from the expected trend of calculating narrower ranges of amplitude distributions could be interpreted as the result o the bathymetry and focusing effects. As similar studies conducted in the different parts of the globe indicated, the main characteristics of the tsunami propagation are unique for each basin. It should be noted, however, that the synthetic measurements obtained at the TFPs in the absence of high-resolution bathymetric data, should be considered only an overall guidance. The results indicate the importance of the accuracy of earthquake source parameters for reliable tsunami predictions and the need for high-resolution bathymetric data to be able to perform calculations with higher accuracy. On the other hand, this study did not address other parameters, such as heterogeneous slip distribution and rupture duration, which affect the tsunami initiation and propagation process.

A Phenotyping Method of Giant Cells from Root-Knot Nematode Feeding Sites by Confocal Microscopy Highlights a Role for CHITINASE-LIKE 1 in Arabidopsis

PubMed Central

Cabrera, Javier; Olmo, Rocio; Ruiz-Ferrer, Virginia; Hermans, Christian; Martinez-Argudo, Isabel; Escobar, Carolina

2018-01-01

Most effective nematicides for the control of root-knot nematodes are banned, which demands a better understanding of the plant-nematode interaction. Understanding how gene expression in the nematode-feeding sites relates to morphological features may assist a better characterization of the interaction. However, nematode-induced galls resulting from cell-proliferation and hypertrophy hinders such observation, which would require tissue sectioning or clearing. We demonstrate that a method based on the green auto-fluorescence produced by glutaraldehyde and the tissue-clearing properties of benzyl-alcohol/benzyl-benzoate preserves the structure of the nematode-feeding sites and the plant-nematode interface with unprecedented resolution quality. This allowed us to obtain detailed measurements of the giant cells’ area in an Arabidopsis line overexpressing CHITINASE-LIKE-1 (CTL1) from optical sections by confocal microscopy, assigning a role for CTL1 and adding essential data to the scarce information of the role of gene repression in giant cells. Furthermore, subcellular structures and features of the nematodes body and tissues from thick organs formed after different biotic interactions, i.e., galls, syncytia, and nodules, were clearly distinguished without embedding or sectioning in different plant species (Arabidopsis, cucumber or Medicago). The combination of this method with molecular studies will be valuable for a better understanding of the plant-biotic interactions. PMID:29389847

A Phenotyping Method of Giant Cells from Root-Knot Nematode Feeding Sites by Confocal Microscopy Highlights a Role for CHITINASE-LIKE 1 in Arabidopsis.

PubMed

Cabrera, Javier; Olmo, Rocio; Ruiz-Ferrer, Virginia; Abreu, Isidro; Hermans, Christian; Martinez-Argudo, Isabel; Fenoll, Carmen; Escobar, Carolina

2018-02-01

Most effective nematicides for the control of root-knot nematodes are banned, which demands a better understanding of the plant-nematode interaction. Understanding how gene expression in the nematode-feeding sites relates to morphological features may assist a better characterization of the interaction. However, nematode-induced galls resulting from cell-proliferation and hypertrophy hinders such observation, which would require tissue sectioning or clearing. We demonstrate that a method based on the green auto-fluorescence produced by glutaraldehyde and the tissue-clearing properties of benzyl-alcohol/benzyl-benzoate preserves the structure of the nematode-feeding sites and the plant-nematode interface with unprecedented resolution quality. This allowed us to obtain detailed measurements of the giant cells' area in an Arabidopsis line overexpressing CHITINASE-LIKE-1 ( CTL1 ) from optical sections by confocal microscopy, assigning a role for CTL1 and adding essential data to the scarce information of the role of gene repression in giant cells. Furthermore, subcellular structures and features of the nematodes body and tissues from thick organs formed after different biotic interactions, i.e., galls, syncytia, and nodules, were clearly distinguished without embedding or sectioning in different plant species ( Arabidopsis , cucumber or Medicago ). The combination of this method with molecular studies will be valuable for a better understanding of the plant-biotic interactions.

Analysis of SBIR phase I and phase II review results at the National Institutes of Health.

PubMed

Vener, K J; Calkins, B M

1991-09-01

A cohort of phase I and phase II summary statements for the SBIR grant applications was evaluated to determine the strengths and weaknesses in approved and disapproved applications. An analysis of outcome variables (disapproval or unfunded status) was examined with respect to exposure variables (strengths or shortcomings). Logistic regression models were developed for comparisons to measure the predictive value of shortcomings and strengths to the outcomes. Disapproved phase I results were compared with an earlier 1985 study. Although the magnitude of the frequencies of shortcomings was greater in the present study, the relative rankings within shortcoming class were more alike than different. Also, the frequencies of shortcomings were, with one exception, not significantly different in the two studies. Differences in the summary statement review may have accounted for some differences observed between the 1985 data and results of the present study. Comparisons of Approved/Disapproved and Approved-Unfunded/Funded yielded the following observations. For phase I applicants, a lack of a clearly stated, testable hypothesis, a poorly qualified or described investigative team, and inadequate methodological approaches contributed significantly (in that order) to a rating of disapproval. A critical flaw for phase II proposals was failure to accomplish objectives of the phase I study. Methodological issues also dominate the distinctions in both comparison groups. A clear result of the data presented here and that published previously is that SBIR applicants need continuing assistance to improve the chances of their success. These results should serve as a guide to assist NIH staff as they provide information to prospective applicants focusing on key elements of the application. A continuing review of the SBIR program would be helpful to evaluate the quality of the submitted science.

Quantitative wood–adhesive penetration with X-ray computed tomography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Paris, Jesse L.; Kamke, Frederick A.

Micro X-ray computed tomography (XCT) was used to analyze the 3D adhesive penetration behavior of different wood–adhesive bondlines. Three adhesives, a phenol formaldehyde (PF), a polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (pMDI), and a hybrid polyvinyl acetate (PVA), all tagged with iodine for enhanced X-ray attenuation, were used to prepare single-bondline laminates in two softwoods, Douglas-fir and loblolly pine, and one hardwood, a hybrid polar. Adhesive penetration depth was measured with two separate calculations, and results were compared with 2D fluorescent micrographs. A total of 54 XCT scans were collected, representing six replicates of each treatment type; each replicate, however, consisted of approximatelymore » 1500 individual, cross-section slices stacked along the specimen length. As these adhesives were highly modified, the presented results do not indicate typical behavior for their broader adhesive classes. Still, clear penetration differences were observed between each adhesive type, and between wood species bonded with both the PF and pMDI adhesives. Furthermore, penetration results depended on the calculation method used. Two adhesive types with noticeably different resin distributions in the cured bondline, showed relatively similar penetration depths when calculated with a traditional effective penetration equation. However, when the same data was calculated with a weighted penetration calculation, which accounts for both adhesive area and depth, the results appeared to better represent the different distributions depicted in the photomicrographs and tomograms. Additionally, individual replicate comparisons showed variation due to specimen anatomy, not easily observed or interpreted from 2D images. Finally, 3D views of segmented 3D adhesive phases offered unique, in-situ views of the cured adhesive structures. In particular, voids formed by CO 2 bubbles generated during pMDI cure were clearly visible in penetrated columns of the solidified adhesive.« less

Global Clear-Sky Surface Skin Temperature from Multiple Satellites Using a Single-Channel Algorithm with Angular Anisotropy Corrections

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scarino, Benjamin R.; Minnis, Patrick; Chee, Thad; Bedka, Kristopher M.; Yost, Christopher R.; Palikonda, Rabindra

2017-01-01

Surface skin temperature (T(sub s)) is an important parameter for characterizing the energy exchange at the ground/water-atmosphere interface. The Satellite ClOud and Radiation Property retrieval System (SatCORPS) employs a single-channel thermal-infrared (TIR) method to retrieve T(sub s) over clear-sky land and ocean surfaces from data taken by geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite imagers. GEO satellites can provide somewhat continuous estimates of T(sub s) over the diurnal cycle in non-polar regions, while polar T(sub s) retrievals from LEO imagers, such as the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), can complement the GEO measurements. The combined global coverage of remotely sensed T(sub s), along with accompanying cloud and surface radiation parameters, produced in near-realtime and from historical satellite data, should be beneficial for both weather and climate applications. For example, near-realtime hourly T(sub s) observations can be assimilated in high-temporal-resolution numerical weather prediction models and historical observations can be used for validation or assimilation of climate models. Key drawbacks to the utility of TIR-derived T(sub s) data include the limitation to clear-sky conditions, the reliance on a particular set of analyses/reanalyses necessary for atmospheric corrections, and the dependence on viewing and illumination angles. Therefore, T(sub s) validation with established references is essential, as is proper evaluation of T(sub s) sensitivity to atmospheric correction source. This article presents improvements on the NASA Langley GEO satellite and AVHRR TIR-based T(sub s) product that is derived using a single-channel technique. The resulting clear-sky skin temperature values are validated with surface references and independent satellite products. Furthermore, an empirically adjusted theoretical model of satellite land surface temperature (LST) angular anisotropy is tested to improve satellite LST retrievals. Application of the anisotropic correction yields reduced mean bias and improved precision of GOES-13 LST relative to independent Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MYD11_L2) LST and Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program ground station measurements. It also significantly reduces inter-satellite differences between LSTs retrieved simultaneously from two different imagers. The implementation of these universal corrections into the SatCORPS product can yield significant improvement in near-global-scale, near-realtime, satellite-based LST measurements. The immediate availability and broad coverage of these skin temperature observations should prove valuable to modelers and climate researchers looking for improved forecasts and better understanding of the global climate model.

Nighttime observations of thunderstorm electrical activity from a high altitude airplane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brook, M.; Vonnegut, B.; Orville, R. E.; Vaughan, O. H., Jr.

1984-01-01

Nocturnal thunderstorms were observed from above and features of cloud structure and lightning which are not generally visible from the ground are discussed. Most, lightning activity seems to be associated with clouds with strong convective cauliflower tops. In both of the storms lightning channels were visible in the clear air above the cloud. It is shown that substances produced by thunderstorm electrical discharges can be introduced directly into the stratosphere. The cause and nature of the discharges above the cloud are not clear. They may be produced by accumulations of space charge in the clear air above the cloud. The discharges may arise solely because of the intense electric fields produced by charges within the cloud. In the latter case the ions introduced by these discharges will increase the electrical conductivity of the air above the cloud and increase the conduction current that flows from the cloud to the electrosphere. More quantitative data at higher resolution may show significant spectral differences between cloud to ground and intracloud strokes. It is shown that electric field change data taken with an electric field change meter mounted in an airplane provide data on lightning discharges from above that are quite similar to those obtained from the ground in the past. The optical signals from dart leaders, from return strokes, and from continuing currents are recognizable, can be used to provide information on the fine structure of lightning, and can be used to distinguish between cloud to ground and intracloud flashes.

Analysis of the VIIRS cloud mask, comparison with the NAVOCEANO cloud mask, and how they complement each other

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cayula, Jean-François P.; May, Douglas A.; McKenzie, Bruce D.

2014-05-01

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Cloud Mask (VCM) Intermediate Product (IP) has been developed for use with Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (NPP) VIIRS Environmental Data Record (EDR) products. In particular, the VIIRS Sea Surface Temperature (SST) EDR relies on VCM to identify cloud contaminated observations. Unfortunately, VCM does not appear to perform as well as cloud detection algorithms for SST. This may be due to similar but different goals of the two algorithms. VCM is concerned with detecting clouds while SST is interested in identifying clear observations. The result is that in undetermined cases VCM defaults to "clear," while the SST cloud detection defaults to "cloud." This problem is further compounded because classic SST cloud detection often flags as "cloud" all types of corrupted data, thus making a comparison with VCM difficult. The Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO), which operationally produces a VIIRS SST product, relies on cloud detection from the NAVOCEANO Cloud Mask (NCM), adapted from cloud detection schemes designed for SST processing. To analyze VCM, the NAVOCEANO SST process was modified to attach the VCM flags to all SST retrievals. Global statistics are computed for both day and night data. The cases where NCM and/or VCM tag data as cloud-contaminated or clear can then be investigated. By analyzing the VCM individual test flags in conjunction with the status of NCM, areas where VCM can complement NCM are identified.

Long-term temperature observations from the troposphere to upper mesosphere over Mauna Loa, HI (19.5N, 155.6W) and Table Mountain, CA (34.4N, 117.7W) by JPL Lidars and nearby Radiosondes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, T.; Leblanc, T.; McDermid, S.; Wu, D. L.

2007-12-01

The JPL Rayleigh lidars at Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO), HI (19.5N, 155.6W) and Table Mountain Observatory (TMO), CA (34.4N, 117.7W) have been operated for the regular nighttime data acquisition of temperature since 1994 and 1989 respectively. Using the monthly mean temperature vertical profiles observed by the JPL lidars (35- 85km) and nearby radiosondes (5-30km), and with the linear regression analysis, we are able to extract the temperature trend, solar cycle, El Nino South Oscillation (ENSO), and Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO) signals from the troposphere to upper mesosphere over MLO and TMO. The temperature trends show different behaviors at two sites, minor trend at MLO, but more negative trend at TMO. The solar cycle responses in temperature are generally positive above the middle stratosphere at both sites, but negative response at MLO and positive at TMO below. During the El Nino events, the warmer temperatures in the troposphere and upper mesosphere, and the colder temperatures in the stratosphere and lower mesosphere were observed at MLO and almost visa verse at TMO. The significant QBO oscillations were observed in the stratosphere with amplitudes of ~2-3K and with clearer downward phase progression at MLO than that at TMO. The mesospheric QBO near 75-85km is clearly present at both sites with amplitude of ~2K and with longer vertical wavelength than that in stratosphere. In addition, we calculated the GW variances using lidar temperature profiles with 30min and 1km resolutions in the upper stratosphere (38-50km) and lower mesosphere (50-62km), and nearby radiosondes in the lower stratosphere (18-30km). The monthly mean GW variances clearly show an annual oscillation with a maximum in the winter and minimum in the summer. The QBO signature could be clearly seen in the lower stratosphere. In the upper stratosphere, a longer period oscillation (~5-6 years) with maxima in 2000-2001 and 2006 was revealed to synchronize with the solar maximum and minimum. No clear signature of GW activity in the lower mesosphere could be associated to that in the upper stratosphere, suggesting that part of gravity waves may either dissipated or reflected when crossing the stratopause region.

Articulatory-acoustic vowel space: application to clear speech in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Whitfield, Jason A; Goberman, Alexander M

2014-01-01

Individuals with Parkinson disease (PD) often exhibit decreased range of movement secondary to the disease process, which has been shown to affect articulatory movements. A number of investigations have failed to find statistically significant differences between control and disordered groups, and between speaking conditions, using traditional vowel space area measures. The purpose of the current investigation was to evaluate both between-group (PD versus control) and within-group (habitual versus clear) differences in articulatory function using a novel vowel space measure, the articulatory-acoustic vowel space (AAVS). The novel AAVS is calculated from continuously sampled formant trajectories of connected speech. In the current study, habitual and clear speech samples from twelve individuals with PD along with habitual control speech samples from ten neurologically healthy adults were collected and acoustically analyzed. In addition, a group of listeners completed perceptual rating of speech clarity for all samples. Individuals with PD were perceived to exhibit decreased speech clarity compared to controls. Similarly, the novel AAVS measure was significantly lower in individuals with PD. In addition, the AAVS measure significantly tracked changes between the habitual and clear conditions that were confirmed by perceptual ratings. In the current study, the novel AAVS measure is shown to be sensitive to disease-related group differences and within-person changes in articulatory function of individuals with PD. Additionally, these data confirm that individuals with PD can modulate the speech motor system to increase articulatory range of motion and speech clarity when given a simple prompt. The reader will be able to (i) describe articulatory behavior observed in the speech of individuals with Parkinson disease; (ii) describe traditional measures of vowel space area and how they relate to articulation; (iii) describe a novel measure of vowel space, the articulatory-acoustic vowel space and its relationship to articulation and the perception of speech clarity. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Study on application of optical clearing technique in skin diseases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shan, Hao; Liang, Yanmei; Wang, Jingyi; Li, Yan

2012-11-01

So far, the study of the optical clearing is almost always about healthy tissue. However, the ultimate goal is to detect diseases for clinical application. Optical clearing on diseased skins is explored. The effect is evaluated by applying a combined liquid paraffin and glycerol mixed solution on several kinds of diseased skins in vitro. Scanning experiments from optical coherence tomography show that it has different effects among fibroma, pigmented nevus, and seborrheic keratosis. Based on the results, we conclude that different skin diseases have different compositions and structures, and their optical parameters and biological characteristics should be different, which implies that the optical clearing technique may have selectivity and may not be suitable for all kinds of skin diseases.

Factors Influencing the Prevalence of Animal Cruelty During Adolescence.

PubMed

Connor, M; Currie, C; Lawrence, A B

2018-04-01

Adolescents' interactions with animals are of increasing interest and their beneficial developmental outcomes are well known. However, negative interactions such as perpetrating cruelty toward animals during childhood and adolescence have been related with child abuse, domestic violence, and later interpersonal violence. Cruelty toward animals by adolescents has been reported predominately in criminal and clinical samples, and links have been made between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence. However, studies often lack a clear definition of animal cruelty and the animal involved. The present study addresses methodological shortcomings by providing a clear definition of the cruelty acts and the animals involved and the time frame within which cruelty acts have been taken place. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of animal cruelty of 979 British adolescents (419 male, 497 female, M age = 15.1 ± 1.57 years) by means of a survey questionnaire administered in school. Animal cruelty was investigated encompassing deliberate and nondeliberate cruelty acts, a clear definition of the target animals was included and a time frame was provided. Furthermore, acceptability of animal cruelty, engaging in antisocial behavior, and family affluence were investigated. Results show high reliabilities for the measures applied. Exploratory factor analysis reveals different types of animal cruelty. Gender differences were observed for deliberate and accidental cruelty acts, with boys reporting higher levels than girls. Younger adolescents reported higher accidental cruelty acts than older ones. Acceptance of animal cruelty played a significant role in predicting animal cruelty, together with antisocial behaviors and place of living. The present study shows for the first time the importance of distinguishing between different types of animal cruelty and defining the animals involved.

Fast and slow shifts of the zonal-mean intertropical convergence zone in response to an idealized anthropogenic aerosol

DOE PAGES

Voigt, Aiko; Pincus, Robert; Stevens, Bjorn; ...

2017-04-03

Previous modeling work showed that aerosol can affect the position of the tropical rain belt, i.e., the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). Yet it remains unclear which aspects of the aerosol impact are robust across models, and which are not. Here we present simulations with seven comprehensive atmosphere models that study the fast and slow impacts of an idealized anthropogenic aerosol on the zonal-mean ITCZ position. The fast impact, which results from aerosol atmospheric heating and land cooling before sea-surface temperature (SST) has time to respond, causes a northward ITCZ shift. Yet the fast impact is compensated locally by decreased evaporationmore » over the ocean, and a clear northward shift is only found for an unrealistically large aerosol forcing. The local compensation implies that while models differ in atmospheric aerosol heating, this does not contribute to model differences in the ITCZ shift. The slow impact includes the aerosol impact on the ocean surface energy balance and is mediated by SST changes. The slow impact is an order of magnitude more effective than the fast impact and causes a clear southward ITCZ shift for realistic aerosol forcing. Models agree well on the slow ITCZ shift when perturbed with the same SST pattern. However, an energetic analysis suggests that the slow ITCZ shifts would be substantially more model-dependent in interactive-SST setups due to model differences in clear-sky radiative transfer and clouds. In conclusion, we also discuss implications for the representation of aerosol in climate models and attributions of recent observed ITCZ shifts to aerosol.« less

Phylogenetic analysis and protein structure modelling identifies distinct Ca(2+)/Cation antiporters and conservation of gene family structure within Arabidopsis and rice species.

PubMed

Pittman, Jon K; Hirschi, Kendal D

2016-12-01

The Ca(2+)/Cation Antiporter (CaCA) superfamily is an ancient and widespread family of ion-coupled cation transporters found in nearly all kingdoms of life. In animals, K(+)-dependent and K(+)-indendent Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchangers (NCKX and NCX) are important CaCA members. Recently it was proposed that all rice and Arabidopsis CaCA proteins should be classified as NCX proteins. Here we performed phylogenetic analysis of CaCA genes and protein structure homology modelling to further characterise members of this transporter superfamily. Phylogenetic analysis of rice and Arabidopsis CaCAs in comparison with selected CaCA members from non-plant species demonstrated that these genes form clearly distinct families, with the H(+)/Cation exchanger (CAX) and cation/Ca(2+) exchanger (CCX) families dominant in higher plants but the NCKX and NCX families absent. NCX-related Mg(2+)/H(+) exchanger (MHX) and CAX-related Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger-like (NCL) proteins are instead present. Analysis of genomes of ten closely-related rice species and four Arabidopsis-related species found that CaCA gene family structures are highly conserved within related plants, apart from minor variation. Protein structures were modelled for OsCAX1a and OsMHX1. Despite exhibiting broad structural conservation, there are clear structural differences observed between the different CaCA types. Members of the CaCA superfamily form clearly distinct families with different phylogenetic, structural and functional characteristics, and therefore should not be simply classified as NCX proteins, which should remain as a separate gene family.

Emissions of toxic pollutants from co-combustion of demolition and construction wood and household waste fuel blends.

PubMed

Edo, Mar; Ortuño, Núria; Persson, Per-Erik; Conesa, Juan A; Jansson, Stina

2018-07-01

Four different types of fuel blends containing demolition and construction wood and household waste were combusted in a small-scale experimental set-up to study the effect of fuel composition on the emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), biphenyls (PCBs), chlorobenzenes (PCBzs), chlorophenols (PCPhs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Two woody materials, commercial stemwood (ST) and demolition and construction wood (DC) were selected because of the differences in their persistent organic pollutants (POPs), ash and metals content. For household waste, we used a municipal solid waste (MSW) and a refuse-derived fuel (RDF) from MSW with 5-20 wt% and up to 5 wt% food waste content respectively. No clear effect on the formation of pollutants was observed with different food waste content in the fuel blends tested. Combustion of ST-based fuels was very inefficient which led to high PAH emissions (32 ± 3.8 mg/kg fuel ). The use of DC clearly increased the total PCDD and PCDF emissions (71 ± 26 μg/kg fuel ) and had a clear effect on the formation of toxic congeners (210 ± 87 ng WHO 2005 -TEQ/kg fuel ). The high PCDD and PCDF emissions from DC-based fuels can be attributed to the presence of material contaminants such as small pieces of metals or plastics as well as timber treated with chromated copper arsenate preservatives and pentachlorophenol in the DC source. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Open peer review at four STEM journals: an observational overview.

PubMed

Ford, Emily

2015-01-01

Open peer review, peer review where authors' and reviewers' identities are disclosed to one another, is a growing trend in scholarly publishing. Through observation of four journals in STEM disciplines, PLOS One, Atmospheric Chemistry & Physics, PeerJ, and F1000Research, an observational overview is conducted. The overview relies on defined characteristics of open peer review. Results show that despite differing open peer review implementations, each journal retains editorial involvement in scholarly publishing. Further, the analysis shows that only one of these implementations is fully transparent in its peer review and decision making process. Finally, the overview contends that journals should clearly outline peer review and editorial processes in order to allow for open peer review to be better understood and adopted by authors, reviewers, editors, and readers of science communications.

Fast electron propagation in Ti foils irradiated with sub-picosecond laser pulses at Iλ{sup 2}>10{sup 18} Wcm{sup −2}μm{sup 2}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Makita, M.; Nersisyan, G.; McKeever, K.

2014-02-15

We have studied the propagation of fast electrons through laser irradiated Ti foils by monitoring the emission of hard X-rays and K-α radiation from bare foils and foils backed by a thick epoxy layer. Key observations include strong refluxing of electrons and divergence of the electron beam in the foil with evidence of magnetic field collimation. Our diagnostics have allowed us to estimate the fast electron temperature and fraction of laser energy converted to fast electrons. We have observed clear differences between the fast electron temperatures observed with bare and epoxy backed targets which may be due to the effectsmore » of refluxing.« less

Cloud properties inferred from 8-12 micron data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strabala, Kathleen I.; Ackerman, Steven A.; Menzel, W. Paul

1994-01-01

A trispectral combination of observations at 8-, 11-, and 12-micron bands is suggested for detecting cloud and cloud properties in the infrared. Atmospheric ice and water vapor absorption peak in opposite halves of the window region so that positive 8-minus-11-micron brightness temperature differences indicate cloud, while near-zero or negative differences indicate clear regions. The absorption coefficient for water increases more between 11 and 12 microns than between 8 and 11 microns, while for ice, the reverse is true. Cloud phases is determined by a scatter diagram of 8-minus-11-micron versus 11-minus-12-micron brightness temperature differences; ice cloud shows a slope greater than 1 and water cloud less than 1. The trispectral brightness temperature method was tested upon high-resolution interferometer data resulting in clear-cloud and cloud-phase delineation. Simulations using differing 8-micron bandwidths revealed no significant degradation of cloud property detection. Thus, the 8-micron bandwidth for future satellites can be selected based on the requirements of other applications, such as surface characterization studies. Application of the technique to current polar-orbiting High-Resolution Infrared Sounder (HIRS)-Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) datasets is constrained by the nonuniformity of the cloud scenes sensed within the large HIRS field of view. Analysis of MAS (MODIS Airborne Simulator) high-spatial resolution (500 m) data with all three 8-, 11-, and 12-micron bands revealed sharp delineation of differing cloud and background scenes, from which a simple automated threshold technique was developed. Cloud phase, clear-sky, and qualitative differences in cloud emissivity and cloud height were identified on a case study segment from 24 November 1991, consistent with the scene. More rigorous techniques would allow further cloud parameter clarification. The opportunities for global cloud delineation with the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) appear excellent. The spectral selection, the spatial resolution, and the global coverage are all well suited for significant advances.

Immunohistochemical characterization of prototypical endometrial clear cell carcinoma--diagnostic utility of HNF-1β and oestrogen receptor.

PubMed

Hoang, Lien N; Han, Guangming; McConechy, Melissa; Lau, Sherman; Chow, Christine; Gilks, C Blake; Huntsman, David G; Köbel, Martin; Lee, Cheng-Han

2014-03-01

The great majority of ovarian clear cell carcinomas have a hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 homeobox B (HNF-1β)-positive and oestrogen receptor (ER)-negative immunoprofile. However, the pattern of HNF-1β and ER immunostaining in clear cell carcinomas of the endometrium and the usefulness of this panel in distinguishing clear cell carcinoma from other histological types of endometrial carcinoma have yet to be well defined. We examined the immunostaining patterns of HNF-1β, ER and p53 in 15 morphologically classic pure endometrial clear cell carcinomas, and compared these patterns with 15 endometrioid and 15 serous carcinomas of the endometrium. We observed the presence of diffuse (>70%) moderate to strong nuclear HNF-1β staining and negative ER staining in 14 of 15 clear cell carcinomas, with the remaining case showing both diffuse strong nuclear HNF-1β staining and focal ER staining. In comparison, only one of 15 serous carcinomas and none of 15 endometrioid carcinomas showed a combination of diffuse moderate to strong HNF-1β nuclear staining and negative ER staining. Aberrant p53 immunostaining was observed in five of 15 (33%) clear cell carcinomas. Overall, our findings demonstrate that, similarly to the situation for the ovary, a diagnostic panel of HNF-1β and ER may be considered for separating clear cell carcinoma from endometrioid and serous carcinoma of the endometrium. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Functional diversity, succession, and human-mediated disturbances in raised bog vegetation.

PubMed

Dyderski, Marcin K; Czapiewska, Natalia; Zajdler, Mateusz; Tyborski, Jarosław; Jagodziński, Andrzej M

2016-08-15

Raised and transitional bogs are one of the most threatened types of ecosystem, due to high specialisation of biota, associated with adaptations to severe environmental conditions. The aim of the study was to characterize the relationships between functional diversity (reflecting ecosystem-shaping processes) of raised bog plant communities and successional gradients (expressed as tree dimensions) and to show how impacts of former clear cuts may alter these relationships in two raised bogs in 'Bory Tucholskie' National Park (N Poland). Herbaceous layers of the plant communities were examined by floristic relevés (25m(2)) on systematically established transects. We also assessed patterns of tree ring widths. There were no relationships between vegetation functional diversity components and successional progress: only functional dispersion was negatively, but weakly, correlated with median DBH. Lack of these relationships may be connected with lack of prevalence of habitat filtering and low level of competition over all the successional phases. Former clear cuts, indicated by peaks of tree ring width, influenced the growth of trees in the bogs studied. In the bog with more intensive clear cuts we found more species with higher trophic requirements, which may indicate nutrient influx. However, we did not observe differences in vegetation patterns, functional traits or functional diversity indices between the two bogs studied. We also did not find an influence of clear cut intensity on relationships between functional diversity indices and successional progress. Thus, we found that alteration of the ecosystems studied by neighbourhood clear cuts did not affect the bogs strongly, as the vegetation was resilient to these impacts. Knowledge of vegetation resilience after clear cuts may be crucial for conservation planning in raised bog ecosystems. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Inter-rater reliability of a modified version of Delitto et al.’s classification-based system for low back pain: a pilot study

PubMed Central

Apeldoorn, Adri T.; van Helvoirt, Hans; Ostelo, Raymond W.; Meihuizen, Hanneke; Kamper, Steven J.; van Tulder, Maurits W.; de Vet, Henrica C. W.

2016-01-01

Study design Observational inter-rater reliability study. Objectives To examine: (1) the inter-rater reliability of a modified version of Delitto et al.’s classification-based algorithm for patients with low back pain; (2) the influence of different levels of familiarity with the system; and (3) the inter-rater reliability of algorithm decisions in patients who clearly fit into a subgroup (clear classifications) and those who do not (unclear classifications). Methods Patients were examined twice on the same day by two of three participating physical therapists with different levels of familiarity with the system. Patients were classified into one of four classification groups. Raters were blind to the others’ classification decision. In order to quantify the inter-rater reliability, percentages of agreement and Cohen’s Kappa were calculated. Results A total of 36 patients were included (clear classification n = 23; unclear classification n = 13). The overall rate of agreement was 53% and the Kappa value was 0·34 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0·11–0·57], which indicated only fair inter-rater reliability. Inter-rater reliability for patients with a clear classification (agreement 52%, Kappa value 0·29) was not higher than for patients with an unclear classification (agreement 54%, Kappa value 0·33). Familiarity with the system (i.e. trained with written instructions and previous research experience with the algorithm) did not improve the inter-rater reliability. Conclusion Our pilot study challenges the inter-rater reliability of the classification procedure in clinical practice. Therefore, more knowledge is needed about factors that affect the inter-rater reliability, in order to improve the clinical applicability of the classification scheme. PMID:27559279

Atmospheric Visibility Monitoring for planetary optical communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cowles, Kelly

1991-01-01

The Atmospheric Visibility Monitoring project endeavors to improve current atmospheric models and generate visibility statistics relevant to prospective earth-satellite optical communications systems. Three autonomous observatories are being used to measure atmospheric conditions on the basis of observed starlight; these data will yield clear-sky and transmission statistics for three sites with high clear-sky probabilities. Ground-based data will be compared with satellite imagery to determine the correlation between satellite data and ground-based observations.

Plasmaspheric Plumes Observed by the CLUSTER and IMAGE Spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fung, S. F.; Benson, R. F.; Garcia, L. N.; Adrian, M. L.; Sandel, B.; Goldstein, M. L.

2008-01-01

Global IMAGE/EUV observations have revealed complex changes in plasmaspheric structures as the plasmasphere responds to geomagnetic activity while remaining under varying degrees of influence by co-rotation, depending on the radial distance. The complex plasmaspheric dynamics, with different scales of variability, is clearly far from being well understood. There is now renewed interest in the plasmasphere due to its apparent connections with the development of the ring current and radiation belt, and loss of ionospheric plasmas. Early in the mission, the Cluster spacecraft only crossed the plasmapause (L - 4) occasionally and made measurements of the outer plasmasphere and plasmaspheric drainage plumes. The study by Darrouzet et al. [2006] provided detailed analyses of in situ Cluster observations and IMAGE EUV observations of three plasmaspheric plumes detected in April-June, 2002. Within the next couple of years, Cluster orbit will change, causing perigee to migrate to lower altitudes, and thus providing excellent opportunities to obtain more detailed measurements of the plasmasphere. In this paper, we report our analyses of the earlier Cluster-IMAGE events by incorporating the different perspectives provided by the IMAGE Radio Plasma Imager (RPI) observations. We will discuss our new understanding of the structure and dynamics of the Cluster-IMAGE events.

Study of spin-ordering and spin-reorientation transitions in hexagonal manganites through Raman spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Chen, Xiang-Bai; Hien, Nguyen Thi Minh; Han, Kiok; Nam, Ji-Yeon; Huyen, Nguyen Thi; Shin, Seong-Il; Wang, Xueyun; Cheong, S. W.; Lee, D.; Noh, T. W.; Sung, N. H.; Cho, B. K.; Yang, In-Sang

2015-01-01

Spin-wave (magnon) scattering, when clearly observed by Raman spectroscopy, can be simple and powerful for studying magnetic phase transitions. In this paper, we present how to observe magnon scattering clearly by Raman spectroscopy, then apply the Raman method to study spin-ordering and spin-reorientation transitions of hexagonal manganite single crystal and thin films and compare directly with the results of magnetization measurements. Our results show that by choosing strong resonance condition and appropriate polarization configuration, magnon scattering can be clearly observed, and the temperature dependence of magnon scattering can be simple and powerful quantity for investigating spin-ordering as well as spin-reorientation transitions. Especially, the Raman method would be very helpful for investigating the weak spin-reorientation transitions by selectively probing the magnons in the Mn3+ sublattices, while leaving out the strong effects of paramagnetic moments of the rare earth ions. PMID:26300075

Transition from ideal to viscous Mach cones in a kinetic transport approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouras, I.; El, A.; Fochler, O.; Niemi, H.; Xu, Z.; Greiner, C.

2012-04-01

Using a microscopic transport model we investigate the evolution of conical structures originating from the supersonic projectile moving through the hot matter of ultrarelativistic particles. Using different scenarios for the interaction between projectile and matter, and different transport properties of the matter, we study the formation and structure of Mach cones. Especially, a dependence of the Mach cone angle on the details and rate of the energy deposition from projectile to the matter is investigated. Furthermore, the two-particle correlations extracted from the numerical calculations are compared to an analytical approximation. We find that the propagation of a high energetic particle through the matter does not lead to the appearance of a double peak structure as observed in the ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collision experiments. The reason is the strongly forward-peaked energy and momentum deposition in the head shock region. In addition, by adjusting the cross section we investigate the influence of the viscosity to the structure of Mach cones. A clear and unavoidable smearing of the profile depending on a finite ratio of shear viscosity to entropy density is clearly visible.

The relationship of parental style to depression and self-esteem in adulthood.

PubMed

Lloyd, C; Miller, P M

1997-11-01

Previous studies have implicated low parental care and parental overprotection as risk factors for depression in adulthood. The present study further examined the association between perceived parental style and depression in two samples of medical students. In general, both low maternal and paternal care were associated with depression. Furthermore, maternal overprotection in the U.S. sample and paternal overprotection in the Scottish sample were also associated with depression. However, when results were analyzed separately for men and women, clear gender differences emerged, indicating that the observed relationships were occurring chiefly in the men, although there were some indications that low paternal care was associated with depression in women. Because such gender differences have not been previously reported, women medical students may be a unique group with respect to these relationships. Also intriguing was that although parental style characteristics demonstrated significant associations with self-esteem, this was clearly true only for men and not for women. Finally, the study provided the first partial support for the hypothesis that self-esteem mediates the relationship between parental style and depression.

Ozone trends over the United States at different times of day

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Yingying; Lin, Jintai; He, Cenlin

2018-01-01

In the United States, the decline of summertime daytime peak ozone in the last 20 years has been clearly connected to reductions in anthropogenic emissions. However, questions remain about how and through what mechanisms ozone at other times of day have changed over recent decades. Here we analyze the interannual variability and trends of ozone at different hours of day, using observations from about 1000 US sites during 1990-2014. We find a clear diurnal cycle both in the magnitude of ozone trends and in the relative importance of climate variability versus anthropogenic emissions to ozone changes. Interannual climate variability has mainly been associated with the detrended fluctuation in the US annual daytime ozone over 1990-2014, with a much smaller effect on the nighttime ozone. Reductions in anthropogenic emissions of nitrogen oxides have led to substantial growth in the US annual average nighttime ozone due to reduced ozone titration, while the summertime daytime ozone has declined. Environmental policymaking might consider further improvements to reduce ozone levels at night and other non-peak hours.

POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF WHOLE-BODY VIBRATION EXERCISES ON BLOOD FLOW KINETICS OF DIFFERENT POPULATIONS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW WITH A SUITABLE APPROACH.

PubMed

Sá-Caputo, Danúbia; Paineiras-Domingos, Laisa; Carvalho-Lima, Rafaelle; Dias-Costa, Glenda; de Paiva, Patrícia de Castro; de Azeredo, Claudia Figueiredo; Carmo, Roberto Carlos Resende; Dionello, Carla F; Moreira-Marconi, Eloá; Frederico, Éric Heleno F F; Sousa-Gonçalves, Cintia Renata; Morel, Danielle S; Paiva, Dulciane N; Avelar, Núbia C P; Lacerda, Ana C; Magalhães, Carlos E V; Castro, Leonardo S; Presta, Giuseppe A; de Paoli, Severo; Sañudo, Borja; Bernardo-Filho, Mario

2017-01-01

The ability to control skin blood flow decreases with advancing age and some clinical disorders, as in diabetes and in rheumatologic diseases. Feasible clinical strategies such as whole-body vibration exercise (WBVE) are being used without a clear understanding of its effects. The aim of the present study is to review the effects of the WBVE on blood flow kinetics and its feasibility in different populations. The level of evidence (LE) of selected papers in PubMed and/or PEDRo databases was determined. We selected randomized, controlled trials in English to be evaluated. Six studies had LE II, one had LE III-2 and one III-3 according to the NHMRC. A great variability among the protocols was observed but also in the assessment devices; therefore, more research about this topic is warranted. Despite the limitations, it is can be concluded that the use of WBVE has proven to be a safe and useful strategy to improve blood flow. However, more studies with greater methodological quality are needed to clearly define the more suitable protocols.

Ozone trends over the United States at different times of day

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, J.; Yan, Y.

2017-12-01

In the United States, the decline of summertime daytime peak ozone in the last 20 years has been clearly connected to reductions in anthropogenic emissions. Yet questions remain on how and through what mechanisms ozone at other times of day have changed over the recent decades. Here we analyze the interannual variability and trends of ozone at different hours of day, using observations from about 1000 US sites during 1990-2014. We find a clear diurnal cycle both in the magnitude of ozone trends and in the relative importance of climate variability versus anthropogenic emissions to ozone changes. Interannual climate variability has mainly been associated with the de-trended fluctuation in the US annual daytime ozone over 1990-2014, with a much smaller effect on the nighttime ozone. Reductions in anthropogenic emissions of nitrogen oxides have led to substantial growth in the US annual average nighttime ozone due to reduced ozone titration, while the summertime daytime ozone has declined. Environmental policymaking might consider further improvements to reduce ozone levels at night and other non-peak hours.

Reading Faces: Differential Lateral Gaze Bias in Processing Canine and Human Facial Expressions in Dogs and 4-Year-Old Children

PubMed Central

Racca, Anaïs; Guo, Kun; Meints, Kerstin; Mills, Daniel S.

2012-01-01

Sensitivity to the emotions of others provides clear biological advantages. However, in the case of heterospecific relationships, such as that existing between dogs and humans, there are additional challenges since some elements of the expression of emotions are species-specific. Given that faces provide important visual cues for communicating emotional state in both humans and dogs, and that processing of emotions is subject to brain lateralisation, we investigated lateral gaze bias in adult dogs when presented with pictures of expressive human and dog faces. Our analysis revealed clear differences in laterality of eye movements in dogs towards conspecific faces according to the emotional valence of the expressions. Differences were also found towards human faces, but to a lesser extent. For comparative purpose, a similar experiment was also run with 4-year-old children and it was observed that they showed differential processing of facial expressions compared to dogs, suggesting a species-dependent engagement of the right or left hemisphere in processing emotions. PMID:22558335

On the dependency of the decay of ground motion peak values with distance for small and large earthquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dujardin, Alain; Courboulex, Françoise; Causse, Matthieu; Traversa, Paola; Monfret, Tony

2013-04-01

Ground motion decay with distance presents a clear magnitude dependence, PGA values of small events decreasing faster than those of larger events. This observation is now widely accepted and often taken into account in recent ground motion prediction equations (Anderson 2005, Akkar & Bommer 2010). The aim of this study is to investigate the origin of this dependence, which has not been clearly identified yet. Two main hypotheses are considered. On one hand the difference of ground motion decay is related to an attenuation effect, on the other hand the difference is related to an effect of extended fault (Anderson 2000). To study the role of attenuation, we realized synthetic tests using the stochastic simulation program SMSIM from Boore (2005). We build a set of simulations from several magnitudes and epicentral distances, and observe that the decay in PGA values is strongly dependent on the spectral shape of the Fourier spectra, which in turn strongly depends on the attenuation factor (Q(f) or kappa). We found that, for a point source approximation and an infinite value of Q (no attenuation) there is no difference between small and large events and that this difference increases when Q decreases. Theses results show that the influence of attenuation on spectral shape is different for earthquakes of different magnitude. In fact the influence of attenuation, which is more important at higher frequency, is larger for small earthquakes, whose Fourier acceleration spectrum has predominantly higher frequencies. We then study the effect of extended source using complete waveform simulations in a 1D model. We find that when the duration of the source time function increases, there is a larger probability to obtain large PGA values at equivalent distances. This effect could also play an important role in the PGA decay with magnitude and distance. Finally we compare these results with real datasets from the Japanese accelerometric network KIK-net.

Effects of the Non-Nutritive Sweeteners on Glucose Metabolism and Appetite Regulating Hormones: Systematic Review of Observational Prospective Studies and Clinical Trials

PubMed Central

Romo-Romo, Alonso; Aguilar-Salinas, Carlos A.; Brito-Córdova, Griselda X.; Gómez Díaz, Rita A.; Vilchis Valentín, David

2016-01-01

Background The effects of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) on glucose metabolism and appetite regulating hormones are not clear. There is an ongoing debate concerning NNS use and deleterious changes in metabolism. Objectives The aim of this review is to analyze the scientific available evidence regarding the effects of NNS on glucose metabolism and appetite regulating hormones. Data Sources and Study Eligibility Criteria We identified human observational studies evaluating the relation between NNS consumption and obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, in addition to clinical trials evaluating the effects of NNS in glucose metabolism and appetite regulating hormones. Results Fourteen observational studies evaluating the association between NNS consumption and the development of metabolic diseases and twenty-eight clinical trials studying the effects of NNS on metabolism were included. Finally, two meta-analyses evaluating the association between the consumption of NNS-containing beverages and the development of type 2 diabetes were identified. Conclusions Some observational studies suggest an association between NNS consumption and development of metabolic diseases; however, adiposity is a confounder frequently found in observational studies. The effects of the NNS on glucose metabolism are not clear. The results of the identified clinical trials are contradictory and are not comparable because of the major existing differences between them. Studies evaluating specific NNS, with an adequate sample size, including a homogeneous study group, identifying significant comorbidities, with an appropriate control group, with an appropriate exposure time, and considering adjustment for confounder variables such as adiposity are needed. PMID:27537496

Individual Differences in Chromatic Brightness Matching.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-10-03

very unreliable..." More recently, Boynton (15) has written, "Consider... a 555-nm green light on one side of a bi-partite field with a 4 6 5-nm blue...field immediately adjacent to it... We ask an observer to adjust the intensity of the blue field until it looks ’equally bright’ as the green one. This...clearly being blue, blue- green , green , yellow- green , yellow, and red. Their spectral transmittance curves are shown in Fig. 2. All were broad-band filters

Study of the relationship between photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, and mineral nutrition in wheat

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Andre, M.; Ducloux, H.; Richaud, C.; Massimino, D.; Daguenet, A.; Massimino, J.; Gerbaud, A.; Andre, M.

1987-01-01

The growth of wheat (triticum aestivum) was studied in an enclosed controlled environment for a period of 70 days. The exchange of gases (photosynthesis, respiration), water (transpiration) and the consumption of mineral elements (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) were continuously measured. The dynamical relations observed in the different physiological functions, under the influence of growth and in response to environment modifications are presented. The influence of carbon dioxide content during growth (normal or double percentage) was made clear.

Incorporating biologically based models into assessments of risk from chemical contaminants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bull, R. J.; Conolly, R. B.; De Marini, D. M.; MacPhail, R. C.; Ohanian, E. V.; Swenberg, J. A.

1993-01-01

The general approach to assessment of risk from chemical contaminants in drinking water involves three steps: hazard identification, exposure assessment, and dose-response assessment. Traditionally, the risks to humans associated with different levels of a chemical have been derived from the toxic responses observed in animals. It is becoming increasingly clear, however, that further information is needed if risks to humans are to be assessed accurately. Biologically based models help clarify the dose-response relationship and reduce uncertainty.

How human drivers control their vehicle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wagner, P.

2006-08-01

The data presented here show that human drivers apply a discrete noisy control mechanism to drive their vehicle. A car-following model built on these observations, together with some physical limitations (crash-freeness, acceleration), lead to non-Gaussian probability distributions in the speed difference and distance which are in good agreement with empirical data. All model parameters have a clear physical meaning and can be measured. Despite its apparent complexity, this model is simple to understand and might serve as a starting point to develop even quantitatively correct models.

Localization Grid for Accurate Positioning Onboard a Carrier

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-06-30

the fi r t I 00 reads. It is clear that the RSSI measurement varies significantly over the different reads. It hould also be noted that, fo r the...yield a complete characterization of RSSI with respect to di stance and tag direction. By fi tting equation ( l .5) to the experimental data for di...For each observation in tant t, we feed the ML estimates of the instantaneous reader position as a fi fi [ " T T ]T h " T measurement to the Kalman

Morphology and pH changes in leached solidified/stabilized waste forms

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cheng, K.Y.; Bishop, P.L.

1996-12-31

Leaching of cement-based waste forms in acetic acid solutions with different acidic strengths has been investigated in this work. The examination of the morphology and pH profile along the acid penetration route by an optical microscope and various pH color indicators is reported. A clear-cut leaching boundary, where the pH changes from below 6 in the leached surface layers to above 12 in the unleached waste form, was observed in every leached sample.

The Spanish external quality assessment scheme for mercury in urine.

PubMed

Quintana, M J; Mazarrasa, O

1996-01-01

In 1986 the Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo (INSHT), established the "Programa interlaboratorios de control de calidad de mercurio en orina (PICC-HgU)". The operation of this scheme is explained, criteria for evaluation of laboratory performance are defined and some results obtained are reviewed. Since the scheme started, an improvement in the overall performance of laboratories has been observed. The differences in the analytical methods used by laboratories do not seem to have a clear influence on the results.

PAH emission from Nova Cen 1986

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hyland, A. R. Harry; Mcgregor, P. J.

1989-01-01

The discovery of broad emission features between 3.2 and 3.6 microns were reported in the spectrum of Nova Cen 1986 (V842 Cen) some 300 days following outburst and remaining prominent for several months. The general characteristics of these features are similar to those attributed to polycyclic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules in other dusty sources, although the relative strengths are different, and these observations provide the first clear evidence for molecular constituents other than graphite particles in the ejecta of novae.

Imaging of Rabbit VX-2 Hepatic Cancer by Cold and Thermal Neutron Radiography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsuchiya, Yoshinori; Matsubayashi, Masahito; Takeda, Tohoru; Lwin, Thet Thet; Wu, Jin; Yoneyama, Akio; Matsumura, Akira; Hori, Tomiei; Itai, Yuji

2003-11-01

Neutron radiography is based on differences in neutron mass attenuation coefficients among the elements and is a non-destructive imaging method. To investigate biomedical applications of neutron radiography, imaging of rabbit VX-2 liver cancer was performed using thermal and cold neutron radiography with a neutron imaging plate. Hepatic vessels and VX-2 tumor were clearly observed by neutron radiography, especially by cold neutron imaging. The image contrast of this modality was better than that of absorption-contrast X-ray radiography.

Radiosonde Humidity Soundings and Microwave Radiometers during Nauru99

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Westwater, Ed R.; Stankov, B. B.; Cimini, D.

2003-07-01

During June-July 1999, the NOAA R/V Ron H. Brown (RHB) sailed from Australia to the Republic of Nauru. On Nauru, the Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program has set up a long-term climate observing station. The purpose of the RHB cruise was to determine how well island measurements represent the surrounding ocean environment. During July, when the RHB was in close proximity to the island of Nauru, detailed comparisons of ship- and island-based instruments were possible. The data obtained during Nauru99 provided a rare opportunity to compare basic observations necessary for developing radiative transfer models. Essentially identical instrumentsmore » were operated from the ship and the island’s Atmospheric Radiation and Cloud Station (ARCS-2). These instruments included simultaneously launched Vaisala radiosondes, the Environmental Technology Laboratory’s (ETL) Fourier Transform Infrared Radiometer (FTIR), and the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program’s (ARM) Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI), as well as cloud radars/ceilometers to identify clear conditions. The ARM Microwave radiometer (MWR) operating on Nauru provided another excellent data set for the entire Nauru99 experiment. The calibration accuracy was verified by a liquid nitrogen blackbody target experiment and by consistent high-quality tipping calibrations throughout the experiment. The data thus provide an excellent baseline for evaluation of the quality and consistency of RS-80H Vaisala radiosondes that were launched from the Nauru ARCS-2 and from the RHB. Comparisons were made for calculated clear sky brightness temperature (Tb) and for precipitable water vapor (PWV). Our results indicate that substantial errors, sometimes of the order of 20% in PWV, occurred with the original radiosondes. During Nauru99, the range of PWV, as measured by the original radiosondes, was 2.5 to 6.1 cm. When a Vaisala correction algorithm, which is a function of the age of the radiosondes and the observed relative humidity and temperature, was applied, calculated Tbs were in better agreement with the MWR than were the calculations based on the original data. Applications of the algorithm to data obtained under clear conditions resulted in, on the average, a 5 K change in Tb at 23.8 GHz and a 2.5 K change in Tb at 31.4 GHz. The range of PWV, determined from the corrected radiosondes, was now 2.8 to 6.4 cm. However, the improvement in Tb comparisons was noticeably different for different radiosonde lots and was not a monotonic function of radiosonde age. Three different absorption algorithms were compared: Liebe and Layton (1987) – L87, Liebe et al. (1993) – L93, and Rosenkranz (1998) – ROS. When the ROS or L87 absorption models were applied to newer radiosondes to calculate Tb, both from the RHB and the R/V Mirai, agreement with the ARM MWR Tb measurements was substantially better, again with a 4 to 5 K improvement. Comparisons of brightness temperature calculations showed that for the 23.8 GHz vaporsensitive channel, L87 and ROS differed by only 0.1 K in Tb comparisons, but each differed by about 3.0 K with L93. At 31.4 GHz, the difference was about 1.0 between L87 and ROS and 3.0 K between L87 and L93. It was also possible to scale radiosonde soundings using data derived from the MWR. Using 30 clear data sets, infrared spectral radiance calculated from scaled radiosonde data, using all of the microwave radiative transfer models, was compared with AERI observations from the ARCS-2 site; nearly equal agreement was obtained with the ROS and the L87 models. In addition, the radiosonde observations scaled by the MWR PWV (ROS or L87) agreed better with the relative differences in band-integrated radiance (from 750 to 950 cm-1) of AERI measurements (4.5%) than did: (a) the radiosondes corrected by the Vaisala proprietary algorithm (5.1%); (b) the radiosondes scaled by L93 (5.1%); or (c) the original radiosonde data (7.4%).« less

Comparison of Pyranometers and Reference Cells on Fixed and One-axis Tracking Surfaces

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dooraghi, Michael R; Sengupta, Manajit; Vignola, Frank

Photovoltaic (PV) system perfomance is monitored by a wide variety of sensors. These instruments range from secondary standard pyranometers to photodiode-based pyranometers to reference cells. Although instruments are mounted in the plane of array of the modules a wide range of results have been obtained. Some of these difference have been assumed to come from systematic uncertainties associated with the irradiance sensors. This study is an attempt to quantify these differences by comparing the output of selected thermopile-based pyranometers to photodiode-based pyranometers and reference cells on a horizontal surface, a fixed-tilt surface, and a one-axis tracking surface. This analysis focusesmore » on clear-sky results from two sites with different climatic conditions. Several important features were observed. Photodiode-based pyranometers and reference cells produce widely different results under clear skies, especially at larger angles-of-incidence even though both instruments are based on measuring the short circuit current of solar cells. The difference is caused by the scattering of light as it passes through the glazing of the reference cell or the diffuser lens of the photodioded- base pyranometer. Both instruments are shown to have similar response to the spectral distribution of the irradiance when compared to the thermopile-based pyranometer that has a response nearly independent of the wavelength of light used by PV modules.« less

A Satellite Survey of Cloud Cover and Water Vapor in the Southwestern USA and Northern Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carrasco, E.; Avila, R.; Erasmus, A.; Djorgovski, S. G.; Walker, A. R.; Blum, R.

2017-03-01

Cloud cover and water vapor conditions in the southwestern USA and northern Mexico were surveyed as a preparatory work for the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) in situ site testing program. Although the telescope site is already selected, the TMT site testing team decided to make public these results for its usefulness for the community. Using 58 months of meteorological satellite observations between 1993 July and 1999 September, different atmospheric parameters were quantified from data of the 10.7 μm and of 6.7 μm windows. In particular, cloud cover and water vapor conditions were identified in preferred areas. As a result of the aerial analysis, 15 sites of existing and potential telescope were selected, compared, and ranked in terms of their observing quality. The clearest sites are located along the spine of the Baja peninsula and into southern California on mountain peaks above the temperature inversion layer. A steep gradient of cloudiness was observed along the coast where coastal cloud and fog are trapped below the inversion layer. Moving from west to east over the continent, a significant increase in cloudiness was observed. The analysis shows that San Pedro Mártir, San Gorgonio Mountain and San Jacinto Peak have the largest fraction of clear sky conditions (˜74%). The site with the optimal combination of clear skies and low precipitable water vapor is Boundary Peak, Nevada. An approach based in satellite data provided a reliable method for sites comparison.

Expanding Imaging Capabilities for Microfluidics: Applicability of Darkfield Internal Reflection Illumination (DIRI) to Observations in Microfluidics

PubMed Central

Kawano, Yoshihiro; Otsuka, Chino; Sanzo, James; Higgins, Christopher; Nirei, Tatsuo; Schilling, Tobias; Ishikawa, Takuji

2015-01-01

Microfluidics is used increasingly for engineering and biomedical applications due to recent advances in microfabrication technologies. Visualization of bubbles, tracer particles, and cells in a microfluidic device is important for designing a device and analyzing results. However, with conventional methods, it is difficult to observe the channel geometry and such particles simultaneously. To overcome this limitation, we developed a Darkfield Internal Reflection Illumination (DIRI) system that improved the drawbacks of a conventional darkfield illuminator. This study was performed to investigate its utility in the field of microfluidics. The results showed that the developed system could clearly visualize both microbubbles and the channel wall by utilizing brightfield and DIRI illumination simultaneously. The methodology is useful not only for static phenomena, such as clogging, but also for dynamic phenomena, such as the detection of bubbles flowing in a channel. The system was also applied to simultaneous fluorescence and DIRI imaging. Fluorescent tracer beads and channel walls were observed clearly, which may be an advantage for future microparticle image velocimetry (μPIV) analysis, especially near a wall. Two types of cell stained with different colors, and the channel wall, can be recognized using the combined confocal and DIRI system. Whole-slide imaging was also conducted successfully using this system. The tiling function significantly expands the observing area of microfluidics. The developed system will be useful for a wide variety of engineering and biomedical applications for the growing field of microfluidics. PMID:25748425

Expanding imaging capabilities for microfluidics: applicability of darkfield internal reflection illumination (DIRI) to observations in microfluidics.

PubMed

Kawano, Yoshihiro; Otsuka, Chino; Sanzo, James; Higgins, Christopher; Nirei, Tatsuo; Schilling, Tobias; Ishikawa, Takuji

2015-01-01

Microfluidics is used increasingly for engineering and biomedical applications due to recent advances in microfabrication technologies. Visualization of bubbles, tracer particles, and cells in a microfluidic device is important for designing a device and analyzing results. However, with conventional methods, it is difficult to observe the channel geometry and such particles simultaneously. To overcome this limitation, we developed a Darkfield Internal Reflection Illumination (DIRI) system that improved the drawbacks of a conventional darkfield illuminator. This study was performed to investigate its utility in the field of microfluidics. The results showed that the developed system could clearly visualize both microbubbles and the channel wall by utilizing brightfield and DIRI illumination simultaneously. The methodology is useful not only for static phenomena, such as clogging, but also for dynamic phenomena, such as the detection of bubbles flowing in a channel. The system was also applied to simultaneous fluorescence and DIRI imaging. Fluorescent tracer beads and channel walls were observed clearly, which may be an advantage for future microparticle image velocimetry (μPIV) analysis, especially near a wall. Two types of cell stained with different colors, and the channel wall, can be recognized using the combined confocal and DIRI system. Whole-slide imaging was also conducted successfully using this system. The tiling function significantly expands the observing area of microfluidics. The developed system will be useful for a wide variety of engineering and biomedical applications for the growing field of microfluidics.

From Near-Neutral to Strongly Stratified: Adequately Modelling the Clear-Sky Nocturnal Boundary Layer at Cabauw.

PubMed

Baas, P; van de Wiel, B J H; van der Linden, S J A; Bosveld, F C

2018-01-01

The performance of an atmospheric single-column model (SCM) is studied systematically for stably-stratified conditions. To this end, 11 years (2005-2015) of daily SCM simulations were compared to observations from the Cabauw observatory, The Netherlands. Each individual clear-sky night was classified in terms of the ambient geostrophic wind speed with a [Formula: see text] bin-width. Nights with overcast conditions were filtered out by selecting only those nights with an average net radiation of less than [Formula: see text]. A similar procedure was applied to the observational dataset. A comparison of observed and modelled ensemble-averaged profiles of wind speed and potential temperature and time series of turbulent fluxes showed that the model represents the dynamics of the nocturnal boundary layer (NBL) at Cabauw very well for a broad range of mechanical forcing conditions. No obvious difference in model performance was found between near-neutral and strongly-stratified conditions. Furthermore, observed NBL regime transitions are represented in a natural way. The reference model version performs much better than a model version that applies excessive vertical mixing as is done in several (global) operational models. Model sensitivity runs showed that for weak-wind conditions the inversion strength depends much more on details of the land-atmosphere coupling than on the turbulent mixing. The presented results indicate that in principle the physical parametrizations of large-scale atmospheric models are sufficiently equipped for modelling stably-stratified conditions for a wide range of forcing conditions.

From Near-Neutral to Strongly Stratified: Adequately Modelling the Clear-Sky Nocturnal Boundary Layer at Cabauw

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baas, P.; van de Wiel, B. J. H.; van der Linden, S. J. A.; Bosveld, F. C.

2018-02-01

The performance of an atmospheric single-column model (SCM) is studied systematically for stably-stratified conditions. To this end, 11 years (2005-2015) of daily SCM simulations were compared to observations from the Cabauw observatory, The Netherlands. Each individual clear-sky night was classified in terms of the ambient geostrophic wind speed with a 1 m s^{-1} bin-width. Nights with overcast conditions were filtered out by selecting only those nights with an average net radiation of less than - 30 W m^{-2}. A similar procedure was applied to the observational dataset. A comparison of observed and modelled ensemble-averaged profiles of wind speed and potential temperature and time series of turbulent fluxes showed that the model represents the dynamics of the nocturnal boundary layer (NBL) at Cabauw very well for a broad range of mechanical forcing conditions. No obvious difference in model performance was found between near-neutral and strongly-stratified conditions. Furthermore, observed NBL regime transitions are represented in a natural way. The reference model version performs much better than a model version that applies excessive vertical mixing as is done in several (global) operational models. Model sensitivity runs showed that for weak-wind conditions the inversion strength depends much more on details of the land-atmosphere coupling than on the turbulent mixing. The presented results indicate that in principle the physical parametrizations of large-scale atmospheric models are sufficiently equipped for modelling stably-stratified conditions for a wide range of forcing conditions.

Internally Consistent MODIS Estimate of Aerosol Clear-Sky Radiative Effect Over the Global Oceans

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Remer, Lorraine A.; Kaufman, Yoram J.

2004-01-01

Modern satellite remote sensing, and in particular the MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), offers a measurement-based pathway to estimate global aerosol radiative effects and aerosol radiative forcing. Over the Oceans, MODIS retrieves the total aerosol optical thickness, but also reports which combination of the 9 different aerosol models was used to obtain the retrieval. Each of the 9 models is characterized by a size distribution and complex refractive index, which through Mie calculations correspond to a unique set of single scattering albedo, assymetry parameter and spectral extinction for each model. The combination of these sets of optical parameters weighted by the optical thickness attributed to each model in the retrieval produces the best fit to the observed radiances at the top of the atmosphere. Thus the MODIS Ocean aerosol retrieval provides us with (1) An observed distribution of global aerosol loading, and (2) An internally-consistent, observed, distribution of aerosol optical models that when used in combination will best represent the radiances at the top of the atmosphere. We use these two observed global distributions to initialize the column climate model by Chou and Suarez to calculate the aerosol radiative effect at top of the atmosphere and the radiative efficiency of the aerosols over the global oceans. We apply the analysis to 3 years of MODIS retrievals from the Terra satellite and produce global and regional, seasonally varying, estimates of aerosol radiative effect over the clear-sky oceans.

CP Violation (4/4)

ScienceCinema

Raven, G.

2018-05-23

Existence of antimatter is a consequence of the combination of special relativity and quantum mechanics. No 'primordial' antimatter's observed, need CP violation. CP broken by the charged weak interaction. The weak and mass eigenstates of quarks are different, and this difference is described by the CKM matrix. There is a clear (and unexplained!) hierarchical structure to the CKM matrix...with 3 (or more families, one can have a complex phase(s) in the CKM matrix, and this allows for CP violation! Measurements show that CKM describes the dominant (only?) source of CP violation (at the EW scale). But it doesn't explain the matter--antimatter asymmetry of the universe.

Abnormal bipolar resistive switching behavior in a Pt/GaO{sub 1.3}/Pt structure

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Guo, D. Y.; Wu, Z. P.; Zhang, L. J.

2015-07-20

A stable and repeatable abnormal bipolar resistive switching behavior was observed in a Pt/GaO{sub 1.3}/Pt sandwich structure without an electroforming process. The low resistance state (LRS) and the high resistance state (HRS) of the device can be distinguished clearly and be switched reversibly under a train of the voltage pulses. The LRS exhibits a conduction of electron tunneling, while the HRS shows a conduction of Schottky-type. The observed phenomena are considered to be related to the migration of oxygen vacancies which changes the space charge region width of the metal/semiconductor interface and results in a different electron transport mechanism.

Ray trace visualization of negative refraction of light in two-dimensional air-bridged silicon photonic crystal slabs at 1.55 microm.

PubMed

Gan, Lin; Liu, Ya-Zhao; Li, Jiang-Yan; Zhang, Ze-Bo; Zhang, Dao-Zhong; Li, Zhi-Yuan

2009-06-08

We demonstrate design, fabrication, and ray trace observation of negative refraction of near-infrared light in a two-dimensional square lattice of air holes etched into an air-bridged silicon slab. Special surface morphologies are designed to reduce the impedance mismatch when light refracts from a homogeneous silicon slab into the photonic crystal slab. We clearly observed negative refraction of infrared light for TE-like modes in a broad wavelength range by using scanning near-field optical microscopy technology. The experimental results are in good agreement with finite-difference time-domain simulations. The results indicate the designed photonic crystal structure can serve as polarization beam splitter.

Statistics of voids in hierarchical universes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fry, J. N.

1986-01-01

As one alternative to the N-point galaxy correlation function statistics, the distribution of holes or the probability that a volume of given size and shape be empty of galaxies can be considered. The probability of voids resulting from a variety of hierarchical patterns of clustering is considered, and these are compared with the results of numerical simulations and with observations. A scaling relation required by the hierarchical pattern of higher order correlation functions is seen to be obeyed in the simulations, and the numerical results show a clear difference between neutrino models and cold-particle models; voids are more likely in neutrino universes. Observational data do not yet distinguish but are close to being able to distinguish between models.

When combined X-ray and polarized neutron diffraction data challenge high-level calculations: spin-resolved electron density of an organic radical.

PubMed

Voufack, Ariste Bolivard; Claiser, Nicolas; Lecomte, Claude; Pillet, Sébastien; Pontillon, Yves; Gillon, Béatrice; Yan, Zeyin; Gillet, Jean Michel; Marazzi, Marco; Genoni, Alessandro; Souhassou, Mohamed

2017-08-01

Joint refinement of X-ray and polarized neutron diffraction data has been carried out in order to determine charge and spin density distributions simultaneously in the nitronyl nitroxide (NN) free radical Nit(SMe)Ph. For comparison purposes, density functional theory (DFT) and complete active-space self-consistent field (CASSCF) theoretical calculations were also performed. Experimentally derived charge and spin densities show significant differences between the two NO groups of the NN function that are not observed from DFT theoretical calculations. On the contrary, CASSCF calculations exhibit the same fine details as observed in spin-resolved joint refinement and a clear asymmetry between the two NO groups.

Response of subalpine grasslands communities to clear-cut and prescribed burnt to control shrub encroachment in Pyrenees

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alados, Concepción L.; Gartzia, Maite; Nuche, Paloma; Saiz, Hugo; Pueyo, Yolanda

2017-04-01

Anthropogenic activities have modified vegetation in subalpine belts for long time, lowering treeline ecotone and influencing landscape mainly through grazing and fire. During the last decades the abandonment of traditional land use practices and global warming are contributing largely to the colonization of woody species in subalpine grasslands causing irreversible changes in ecosystem functioning. To prevent those changes a variety of management strategies are carried out to stop the expansion of the highly encroaching shrubs, which require the use of fire and/or clear-cutting, particularly for the conservation of grasslands in subhumid high productive ecosystems. However, it is still poorly understood how different management strategies affect the recovery of subalpine grasslands. Using a field experiment we tested the impact of management treatments on soil properties and vegetation characteristics, including species richness, community structure, interspecies interaction, and complexity of network association. Vegetation was monitored during four years in eight stands (two stands per treatment) where the vegetation was removed by prescribed fire (Burnt treatment), or by mechanical removal (Clear-cut treatment). Two undisturbed E. horridum stands were used as a control (C-Erizón) and two grassland communities regularly grazed (C-Grass) were used as a control for subalpine grassland. Soils nutrients declined in Burnt treatment 3 years after fire, but not differences between Clear-cut and C-Erizón were observed. Species richness and diversity were larger in C-Grass and lower in C-Erizón. Burnt and Clear-cut treatments increased species diversity and richness gradually after 4 year treatment. The proportion of legume forbs, grasses and non-legume forbs did not reach the levels of C-Grass after 4 years of Clear-cut or Burnt treatments. Shrubs and sub-shrubs increased faster after 4 years of burning than after 4 years of clearing, although they did not reach the level of the C-Erizón. Network connectivity and number of association was larger in well preserved grasslands (C-Grass) in comparison with any of the other treatments, mainly because of the abundance of negative plant-plant associations. On the contrary, the ratio of positive to negative associations was higher in C-Erizón and also, to a lesser extent in the Burnt treatment. This study shows that grazing favors plant diversity and community complexity in subalpine grasslands, and that clearing is a better strategy than burning to recover grasslands after shrub encroachment because burning entails deeper soil degradation and a faster recovery of the pyrophyte shrub, E. horridum.

Characterization of ovarian clear cell carcinoma using target drug-based molecular biomarkers: implications for personalized cancer therapy.

PubMed

Li, Mengjiao; Li, Haoran; Liu, Fei; Bi, Rui; Tu, Xiaoyu; Chen, Lihua; Ye, Shuang; Cheng, Xi

2017-02-10

It has long been appreciated that different subtypes (serous, clear cell, endometrioid and mucinous) of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) have distinct pathogenetic pathways. However, clinical management, especially chemotherapeutic regimens, for EOC patients is not subtype specific. Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (CCC) is a rare histological subtype of EOC, which exhibits high rates of recurrence and low chemosensitivity. We assessed potential therapeutic targets for ovarian CCC patients through analyzing the variation of drug-based molecular biomarkers expression between ovarian CCC and high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). Seven candidate drug-based molecular biomarkers, human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN), aurora kinase A (AURKA), breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1), breast cancer susceptibility gene 2 (BRCA2) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) were measured in 96 ovarian CCC and 113 HGSC by immunohistochemistry in paraffin embedded tissues. The relationship between these biomarkers and clinicopathological factors were explored. The expression level of four of the seven drug-based molecular biomarkers was markedly different between HGSC and CCC. High expression levels of HER2 and PD-L1 were more commonly observed in CCC patients (12.6% vs 2.7%, 21.1% vs 11.6%, P = 0.006, 0.064, respectively), while loss of BRCA1 and BRCA2 expression were more frequently occurred in HGSC patients (72.6% vs 54.3%, 89.4% vs 79.8%, P = 0.007, 0.054, respectively). Survival analysis showed that five of seven biomarkers had prognostic values but varied between subtypes. Furthermore, EGFR expressed frequently in CCC patients with endometriosis than in HGSC patients (44.4% vs 8.3%, P = 0.049). AURKA and PD-L1 correlated with the resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy in CCC patients (P = 0.043, 0.028, respectively) while no similar results were observed in HGSC patients. Ovarian CCC showed a markedly different expression map of drug-based molecular biomarkers from HGSC, which suggested a new personalized target therapy in this rare subtype.

Forest clearing in the Ecuadorian Amazon: A study of patterns over space and time

PubMed Central

Pan, William; Carr, David; Barbieri, Alisson; Bilsborrow, Richard; Suchindran, Chirayath

2010-01-01

This study tests four hypotheses related to forest clearing over time in Ecuador’s northern Amazon: (1) a larger increase in population over time on a farm (finca) leads to more deforestation; (2) rates of forest clearing surrounding four primary reference communities differ (spatial heterogeneity); (3) fincas farther from towns/communities experience lower rates of forest clearing over time; and (4) forest clearing differs by finca settlement cohort, viz., by year of establishment of the finca. In this paper, we examine the relationship between forest clearing and key variables over time, and compare three statistical models—OLS, random effects, and spatial regression—to test hypotheses. Descriptive analyses indicate that 7–15% of forest area was cleared on fincas between 1990 and 1999; that more recently established fincas experienced more rapid forest clearing; and that population size and forest clearing are both related to distance from a major community. Controlling for key variables, model results indicate that an increase in population size is significantly related to more forest clearing; rates of forest clearing around the four major communities are not significantly different; distances separating fincas and communities are not significantly related to deforestation; and deforestation rates are higher among more recently established fincas. Key policy implications include the importance of reducing population growth and momentum through measures such as improving information about and provision of family planning services; increasing the low level of girls education to delay and reduce fertility; and expanding credit and agricultural extension services to increase agricultural intensification. PMID:20703367

Role of adjacency-matrix degeneracy in maximum-entropy-weighted network models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sagarra, O.; Pérez Vicente, C. J.; Díaz-Guilera, A.

2015-11-01

Complex network null models based on entropy maximization are becoming a powerful tool to characterize and analyze data from real systems. However, it is not easy to extract good and unbiased information from these models: A proper understanding of the nature of the underlying events represented in them is crucial. In this paper we emphasize this fact stressing how an accurate counting of configurations compatible with given constraints is fundamental to build good null models for the case of networks with integer-valued adjacency matrices constructed from an aggregation of one or multiple layers. We show how different assumptions about the elements from which the networks are built give rise to distinctively different statistics, even when considering the same observables to match those of real data. We illustrate our findings by applying the formalism to three data sets using an open-source software package accompanying the present work and demonstrate how such differences are clearly seen when measuring network observables.

Morphological and morphometric analysis of scutella of six species and two subspecies of Triatoma (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in Mexico.

PubMed

Rivas, Nancy; Sánchez-Cordero, Víctor; Camacho, Alejandro D; Córdoba-Aguilar, Alejandro; Alejandre-Aguilar, Ricardo

2017-12-01

Morphological characters can be used to distinguish the vast majority of triatomine species, but the existence of high levels of phenotypic plasticity and recently diverged species can lead to erroneous determinations. To approach this problem, we analyzed the male and female morphologies of the scutella of Triatoma barberi, T. dimidiata, T. lecticularia, T. mexicana, T. recurva, T. rubida, and two sub-species, T. protracta protracta and T. protracta nahuatlae. Scutellum samples were observed by scanning electron microscopy and subjected to morphological analysis and morphometric investigation using a canonical discriminant analysis. The results revealed differences primarily in central depression shape, posterior process, and vestiture. We observed clear dimension-based differences in scutellum morphometry in all the taxa under study, providing sound evidence for species and subspecies differentiation. On the other hand, there is no difference between sexes in T. lecticularia, T. protracta protracta, and T. protracta nahuatlae. Our methodology can be implemented to differentiate species of the genus Triatoma. © 2017 The Society for Vector Ecology.

Comparison of secondary ion intensity enhancement from polymers on silicon and silver substrates by using Au-TOF-SIMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kudo, M.; Aimoto, K.; Sunagawa, Y.; Kato, N.; Aoyagi, S.; Iida, S.; Sanada, N.

2008-12-01

The usefulness of the usage of cluster primary ion source together with an Ag substrate and detection of Ag cationized molecular ions was studied from the standpoint to realize high sensitivity TOF-SIMS analysis of organic materials. Although secondary ions from polymer thin films on a Si substrate can be detected in a higher sensitivity with Au 3+ cluster primary ion compared with Ga + ion bombardment, it was clearly observed that the secondary ion intensities from samples on an Ag substrate showed quite a different tendency from that on Si. When monoatomic primary ions, e.g., Au + and Ga +, were used for the measurement of the sample on an Ag substrate, [M+Ag] + ions (M corresponds to polyethylene glycol molecule) were detected in a high sensitivity. On the contrary, when Au 3+ was used, no intensity enhancement of [M+Ag] + ions was observed. The acceleration energy dependence of the detected secondary ions implies the different ionization mechanisms on the different substrates.

Modifications to the Water Vapor Continuum in the Microwave Suggested by Ground-Based 150-GHz Observations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Turner, D. D.; Cadeddu, M. P.; Lohnert, U.

2009-10-01

Abstract—Ground-based observations from two different radiometers are used to evaluate commonly used microwave/ millimeter-wave propagation models at 150 GHz. This frequency has strong sensitivity to changes in precipitable water vapor (PWV) and cloud liquid water. The observations were collected near Hesselbach, Germany, as part of the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement program’s support of the General Observing Period and the Convective and Orographic Precipitation Study. The observations from the two radiometers agree well with each other, with a slope of 0.993 and a mean bias of 0.12 K. The observations demonstrate that the relative sensitivity of the different absorption models to PWVmore » in clear-sky conditions at 150 GHz is significant and that four models differ significantly from the observed brightness temperature. These models were modified to get agreement with the 150-GHz observations, where the PWV ranged from 0.35 to 2.88 cm. The models were modified by adjusting the strength of the foreign- and self-broadened water vapor continuum coefficients, where the magnitude was model dependent. In all cases, the adjustment to the two components of the water vapor continuum was in opposite directions (i.e., increasing the contribution from the foreign-broadened component while decreasing contribution from the self-broadened component or vice versa). While the original models had significant disagreements relative to each other, the resulting modified models show much better agreement relative to each other throughout the microwave spectrum. The modified models were evaluated using independent observations at 31.4 GHz.« less

Inter-observer variability in the classification of ovarian cancer cell type using microscopy: a pilot study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gavrielides, Marios A.; Ronnett, Brigitte M.; Vang, Russell; Seidman, Jeffrey D.

2015-03-01

Studies have shown that different cell types of ovarian carcinoma have different molecular profiles, exhibit different behavior, and that patients could benefit from typespecific treatment. Different cell types display different histopathology features, and different criteria are used for each cell type classification. Inter-observer variability for the task of classifying ovarian cancer cell types is an under-examined area of research. This study served as a pilot study to quantify observer variability related to the classification of ovarian cancer cell types and to extract valuable data for designing a validation study of digital pathology (DP) for this task. Three observers with expertise in gynecologic pathology reviewed 114 cases of ovarian cancer with optical microscopy, with specific guidelines for classifications into distinct cell types. For 93 cases all 3 pathologists agreed on the same cell type, for 18 cases 2 out of 3 agreed, and for 3 cases there was no agreement. Across cell types with a minimum sample size of 10 cases, agreement between all three observers was {91.1%, 80.0%, 90.0%, 78.6%, 100.0%, 61.5%} for the high grade serous carcinoma, low grade serous carcinoma, endometrioid, mucinous, clear cell, and carcinosarcoma cell types respectively. These results indicate that unanimous agreement varied over a fairly wide range. However, additional research is needed to determine the importance of these differences in comparison studies. These results will be used to aid in the design and sizing of such a study comparing optical and digital pathology. In addition, the results will help in understanding the potential role computer-aided diagnosis has in helping to improve the agreement of pathologists for this task.

An analysis of the moon's surface using reflected illumination from the earth during a waning crescent lunar phase

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hammond, Ernest C., Jr.; Linton-Petza, Maggie

1989-01-01

There have been many articles written concerning the lunar after-glow, the spectacular reflection from the moon's surface, and the possible observation of luminescence on the dark side of the moon. The researcher, using a 600 mm cassegrain telescope lense and Kodak 400 ASA T-Max film, photographed the crescent moon whose dark side was clearly visible by the reflected light from earth. The film was digitized to a Perkin-Elmer 1010M microdensitometer for enhancement and enlargement. The resulting pictures indicate a completely different land pattern formation than observed during a full moon. An attempt is made to analyze the observed structures and to compare them to the pictures observed during the normal full moon. There are boundaries on the digitized dark section of the moon that can be identified with structures seen during the normal full moon. But, these variations do change considerably under enhancement.

On the Observation of Convection in Late Type Stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vázquez Ramió, H.; Régulo, C.; Roca Cortés, T.; Alonso, R.

2004-10-01

Helioseismology of disk-integrated sunlight has shown that the background of the acoustic power spectrum is dominated by structures present in the solar convection zone (Pallé et al., 1995, Régulo et al., 2002). Moreover, using Harvey's model (Harvey et al., 1993) for granulation and supergranulation it has been possible to explain such solar background spectrum on physical grounds. The aim of this work is to establish if this background spectrum can be measured for stars other than the Sun. To evaluate such a possibility we have studied the power spectra of several Main Sequence (MS) stars observed for 54 nights using STARE telescope (Brown and Charbonneau, 1999). Although the observed spectra are dominated by the observing window, preliminary results are very promising since the spectra of F, G and K stars are clearly different from each other, as should be expected from theoretically predicted depths of the convection zones.

The global mean energy balance under cloud-free conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wild, Martin; Hakuba, Maria; Folini, Dois; Ott, Patricia; Long, Charles

2017-04-01

A long standing problem of climate models is their overestimation of surface solar radiation not only under all-sky, but also under clear-sky conditions (Wild et al. 1995, Wild et al. 2006). This overestimation reduced over time in consecutive model generations due to the simulation of stronger atmospheric absorption. Here we analyze the clear sky fluxes of the latest climate model generation from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) against an expanded and updated set of direct observations from the Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN). Clear sky climatologies from these sites have been composed based on the Long and Ackermann (2000) clear sky detection algorithm (Hakuba et al. 2017), and sampling issues when comparing with model simulated clear sky fluxes have been analyzed in Ott (2017). Overall, the overestimation of clear sky insolation in the CMIP5 models is now merely 1-2 Wm-2 in the multimodel mean, compared to 4 Wm-2 in CMIP3 and 6 Wm-2 in AMIPII (Wild et al. 2006). Still a considerable spread in the individual model biases is apparent, ranging from -2 Wm-2 to 10 Wm-2 when averaged over 53 globally distributed BSRN sites. This bias structure is used to infer best estimates for present day global mean clear sky insolation, following an approach developped in Wild et al. (2013, 2015, Clim. Dyn.) for all sky fluxes. Thereby the flux biases in the various models are linearly related to their respective global means. A best estimate can then be inferred from the linear regression at the intersect where the bias against the surface observations becomes zero. This way we obtain a best estimate of 247 Wm-2 for the global mean insolation at the Earth surface under cloud free conditions, and a global mean absorbed solar radiation of 214 Wm-2 in the cloud-free atmosphere, assuming a global mean surface albedo of 13.5%. Combined with a best estimate for the net influx of solar radiation at the Top of Atmosphere under cloud free conditions from CERES EBAF of 286 Wm-2, this leaves an amount of 72 Wm-2 absorbed solar radiation in the cloud free atmosphere. The 72 Wm-2 closely match our best estimate for the global mean cloud-free atmospheric absorption in Wild et al. JGR (2006) based on older models and their biases against much fewer direct observation. This indicates that the estimate of global mean solar absorption in the cloud free atmosphere slightly above 70 Wm-2 is fairly robust. In comparison, the global mean solar absorption under all sky conditions was estimated in Wild et al. (2015) at 80 Wm-2 based on the same approach. The difference between the all- and clear-sky absorption represents the cloud radiative effect on the atmospheric absorption, and is thus estimated here to be around 8 Wm-2. This is similar in magnitude to the 11 Wm-2 derived by Hakuba et al. (2017) when averaged over the atmospheric cloud effect determined at 36 BSRN station. We applied the same methodology also for the longwave fluxes. Thereby we obtained a best estimate for the global mean clear sky downward longwave flux at the Earth surface of 214 Wm-2. Together with a surface and TOA upward longwave flux of 398 Wm-2 and 266 Wm-2, respectively, this leaves an atmospheric longwave divergence under clear sky conditions of 182 Wm-2. Selected related references: Hakuba, M. Z., Folini, D., Wild, M., Long, C. N., Schaepman-Strub, G., and Stephens, G.L., 2017: Cloud Effects on Atmospheric Solar Absorption in Light of Most Recent Surface and Satellite Measurements. AIP Conf. Proc. (in press). Ott, P., 2017: Master Thesis at ETH Zurich (in prep.). Wild, M., Ohmura, A., Gilgen, H., and Roeckner, E., 1995: Validation of GCM simulated radiative fluxes using surface observations. J. Climate, 8, 1309-1324. Wild, M., Long, C.N., and Ohmura, A., 2006: Evaluation of clear-sky solar fluxes in GCMs participating in AMIP and IPCC-AR4 from a surface perspective. J. Geophys. Res., 111, D01104, doi:10.1029/2005JD006118. Wild, M., Folini, D., Schär, C., Loeb, N., Dutton, E.G., and König-Langlo, G., 2013: The global energy balance from a surface perspective. Climate Dynamics, 40, 3107-3134. Wild, M., Folini, D., Hakuba, M., Schär, C., Seneviratne, S.I., Kato, S., Rutan, D., Ammann, C., Wood, E.F., and König-Langlo, G., 2015: The energy balance over land and oceans: An assessment based on direct observations and CMIP5 climate models, Climate Dynamics, 3393-3429, 44, DOI 10.1007/s00382-014-2430-z.

Clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma as part of histologically discordant multifocal renal cell carcinoma: A case report and review of literature.

PubMed

Shao, Tiffany; Yousef, Peter; Shipilova, Irina; Saleeb, Rola; Lee, Jason Y; Krizova, Adriana

2016-03-01

Multifocal renal cell carcinoma of different histological subtypes within a single kidney is rare. We report a recently classified clear cell (tubulo) papillary renal cell carcinoma as part of an unusual case of multifocal renal cell carcinoma of discordant histological subtypes. A 57 year-old-man was found to have multiple renal tumors and cysts on imaging and underwent a laparoscopic left radical nephrectomy. Pathological review showed multifocal renal cell carcinoma (clear cell (tubulo) papillary, clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinomas and papillary adenomas). Morphology of clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma was supported by immunohistochemical profile (CK7+, HMWK+, CAIX+, AMACR-, CD10-, TFE3-). This is the first report of clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma as part of multifocal renal cell carcinoma of different histological subtypes. Related lineage of clear cell renal cell carcinoma and papillary renal cell carcinoma is supported by the highest prevalence of their combination within multifocal renal cell carcinoma of different histological subtypes along with their molecular interconnection. Clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma may be uniquely placed between clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinomas since it shows morphological features intermediate between clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinoma along with overlapping but unique immunohistochemical profile. Clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma may be molecularly related to clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinomas since the tumors overexpress markers of HIF pathway activation with normal/elevated VHL mRNA expression and some tumors show losses of chromosome 3. Due to the overlapping morphology, it is possible that cases of clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma may have been misclassified as papillary or clear cell renal cell carcinoma in the literature, incorrectly increasing their reported prevalence. Identification of multifocal RCCs may be related to the extent of pathological sampling. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Study of the Induced Anisotropy in Field Annealed Hitperm Alloys by Mössbauer Spectroscopy and Kerr Microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blázquez, J. S.; Marcin, J.; Andrejka, F.; Franco, V.; Conde, A.; Skorvanek, I.

2016-08-01

Samples of Fe39Co39Nb6B15Cu1 alloy were nanocrystallized under zero field annealing (ZF) and transverse field annealing (TF) conditions. A reduction in coercivity for TF samples with respect to ZF sample (16 and 45 A/m, respectively) is observed. Kerr microscopy images show a well-defined parallel domain structure, transversally oriented to the ribbon axis for the TF sample unlike for the ZF sample, for which a complex pattern is observed with large and small domains at the surface of the ribbon. Although Mössbauer spectra are clearly different for the two studied samples, Mössbauer studies confirm that there is no significant difference between the hyperfine field distributions of TF and ZF samples but only the relative intensity of the 2nd and 3rd lines A 23 (related to the angle between the gamma radiation and the magnetic moments, α). However, for TF annealed samples α = 90 deg ( A 23 = 4), indicating that the magnetic moments lay on the plane of the ribbon in agreement with the well-defined domain structure observed by Kerr microscopy, ZF annealed samples show A 23 = 1.8. This value is close to that of a random orientation ( A 23 = 2) but smaller, indicating a slight preference for out of plane orientations. Moreover, it is clearly smaller than that of the as-cast amorphous samples A 23 = 2.8, with a preference to in-plane orientations. The application of the law of approach to saturation yields a larger effect of the inhomogeneities in ZF sample with respect to TF one.

Mutagenic interactions between X-rays and two promutagens, o-phenylenediamine and N-nitrosodimethylamine, in the stamen hairs of Tradescantia clone BNL 4430.

PubMed

Xiao, L Z; Ichikawa, S

1998-03-16

Mutagenic interactions between X-rays and two promutagens, o-phenylenediamine (PDA) and N-nitrosodimethylamine (DMN), were studied in the stamen hairs of Tradescantia clone BNL 4430, a blue/pink heterozygote. The young inflorescence-bearing shoots with roots of this clone cultivated in a nutrient solution circulating growth chamber were used as tester plants. After determining dose-response curves for X-rays. PDA and DMN, combined treatments with PDA or DMN and X-rays were conducted, exposing acutely to X-rays 20 h before starting, at the midpoint of, or 20 h after completing the PDA or DMN treatments for 4 h. Clear synergistic effects in inducing somatic pink mutations were detected when X-rays were irradiated before the PDA or DMN treatments, resembling those confirmed earlier between maleic hydrazide (MH) and X-rays. On the contrary, clear antagonistic effects were observed when X-rays were given after the PDA or DMN treatments, also resembling those between MH and X-rays. When X-rayed at the midpoint of the PDA or DMN treatments, merely additive and synergistic effects were observed, respectively, differing from the antagonistic effects between MH and X-rays. The mutagenic synergisms detected were considered to be the results of interactions between DNA strand breaks (and the resultant chromosome breaks) induced by X-rays and those by PDA or DMN, whereas the mutagenic antagonisms observed were presumed to be due to X-ray-caused inhibition of the activation of PDA and DMN in the stamen-hair cells. The time periods required for penetrations into floral tissues and/or activations into mutagens seem different among PDA, DMN and MH. Copyright 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.

The genetic locus NRC-1 within chromosome 3p12 mediates tumor suppression in renal cell carcinoma independently of histological type, tumor microenvironment, and VHL mutation.

PubMed

Lovell, M; Lott, S T; Wong, P; El-Naggar, A; Tucker, S; Killary, A M

1999-05-01

Human chromosome 3p cytogenetic abnormalities and loss of heterozygosity have been observed at high frequency in the nonpapillary form of sporadic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene has been identified as a tumor suppressor gene for RCC at 3p25, and functional studies as well as molecular genetic and cytogenetic analyses have suggested as many as two or three additional regions of 3p that could harbor tumor suppressor genes for sporadic RCC. We have previously functionally defined a novel genetic locus nonpapillary renal carcinoma-1 (NRC-1) within chromosome 3p12, distinct from the VHL gene, that mediates tumor suppression and rapid cell death of RCC cells in vivo. We now report the suppression of tumorigenicity of RCC cells in vivo after the transfer of a defined centric 3p fragment into different histological types of RCC. Results document the functional involvement of NRC-1 in not only different cell types of RCC (i.e., clear cell, mixed granular cell/clear cell, and sarcomatoid types) but also in papillary RCC, a less frequent histological type of RCC for which chromosome 3p LOH and genetic aberrations have only rarely been observed. We also report that the tumor suppression observed in functional genetic screens was independent of the microenvironment of the tumor, further supporting a role for NRC-1 as a more general mediator of in vivo growth control. Furthermore, this report demonstrates the first functional evidence for a VHL-independent pathway to tumorigenesis in the kidney via the genetic locus NRC-1.

Elliptical broken line method for calculating capillary density in nailfold capillaroscopy: Proposal and evaluation.

PubMed

Karbalaie, Abdolamir; Abtahi, Farhad; Fatemi, Alimohammad; Etehadtavakol, Mahnaz; Emrani, Zahra; Erlandsson, Björn-Erik

2017-09-01

Nailfold capillaroscopy is a practical method for identifying and obtaining morphological changes in capillaries which might reveal relevant information about diseases and health. Capillaroscopy is harmless, and seems simple and repeatable. However, there is lack of established guidelines and instructions for acquisition as well as the interpretation of the obtained images; which might lead to various ambiguities. In addition, assessment and interpretation of the acquired images are very subjective. In an attempt to overcome some of these problems, in this study a new modified technique for assessment of nailfold capillary density is introduced. The new method is named elliptic broken line (EBL) which is an extension of the two previously known methods by defining clear criteria for finding the apex of capillaries in different scenarios by using a fitted elliptic. A graphical user interface (GUI) is developed for pre-processing, manual assessment of capillary apexes and automatic correction of selected apexes based on 90° rule. Intra- and inter-observer reliability of EBL and corrected EBL is evaluated in this study. Four independent observers familiar with capillaroscopy performed the assessment for 200 nailfold videocapillaroscopy images, form healthy subject and systemic lupus erythematosus patients, in two different sessions. The results show elevation from moderate (ICC=0.691) and good (ICC=0.753) agreements to good (ICC=0.750) and good (ICC=0.801) for intra- and inter-observer reliability after automatic correction of EBL. This clearly shows the potential of this method to improve the reliability and repeatability of assessment which motivates us for further development of automatic tool for EBL method. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Clear exterior finishes : finding the balance between aesthetics and durability

Treesearch

Tom Daniel; Marc S. Hirsch; Ken McClelland; Alan S. Ross; R. Sam Williams

2004-01-01

Consumers can easily be confused by the abundance of choices to make when selecting a clear wood finish. There are many types of clear finishes with different characteristics and product claims. This article is designed to help consumers sort out the different finishes and effectively choose which product would be best for their purpose. First, we cover the causes and...

A user-targeted synthesis of the VALUE perfect predictor experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maraun, Douglas; Widmann, Martin; Gutierrez, Jose; Kotlarski, Sven; Hertig, Elke; Wibig, Joanna; Rössler, Ole; Huth, Radan

2016-04-01

VALUE is an open European network to validate and compare downscaling methods for climate change research. A key deliverable of VALUE is the development of a systematic validation framework to enable the assessment and comparison of both dynamical and statistical downscaling methods. VALUE's main approach to validation is user-focused: starting from a specific user problem, a validation tree guides the selection of relevant validation indices and performance measures. We consider different aspects: (1) marginal aspects such as mean, variance and extremes; (2) temporal aspects such as spell length characteristics; (3) spatial aspects such as the de-correlation length of precipitation extremes; and multi-variate aspects such as the interplay of temperature and precipitation or scale-interactions. Several experiments have been designed to isolate specific points in the downscaling procedure where problems may occur. Experiment 1 (perfect predictors): what is the isolated downscaling skill? How do statistical and dynamical methods compare? How do methods perform at different spatial scales? Experiment 2 (Global climate model predictors): how is the overall representation of regional climate, including errors inherited from global climate models? Experiment 3 (pseudo reality): do methods fail in representing regional climate change? Here, we present a user-targeted synthesis of the results of the first VALUE experiment. In this experiment, downscaling methods are driven with ERA-Interim reanalysis data to eliminate global climate model errors, over the period 1979-2008. As reference data we use, depending on the question addressed, (1) observations from 86 meteorological stations distributed across Europe; (2) gridded observations at the corresponding 86 locations or (3) gridded spatially extended observations for selected European regions. With more than 40 contributing methods, this study is the most comprehensive downscaling inter-comparison project so far. The results clearly indicate that for several aspects, the downscaling skill varies considerably between different methods. For specific purposes, some methods can therefore clearly be excluded.

Processes underpinning development and maintenance of diversity in rice in West Africa: evidence from combining morphological and molecular markers.

PubMed

Mokuwa, Alfred; Nuijten, Edwin; Okry, Florent; Teeken, Béla; Maat, Harro; Richards, Paul; Struik, Paul C

2014-01-01

We assessed the interplay of artificial and natural selection in rice adaptation in low-input farming systems in West Africa. Using 20 morphological traits and 176 molecular markers, 182 farmer varieties of rice (Oryza spp.) from 6 West African countries were characterized. Principal component analysis showed that the four botanical groups (Oryza sativa ssp. indica, O. sativa ssp. japonica, O. glaberrima, and interspecific farmer hybrids) exhibited different patterns of morphological diversity. Regarding O. glaberrima, morphological and molecular data were in greater conformity than for the other botanical groups. A clear difference in morphological features was observed between O. glaberrima rices from the Togo hills and those from the Upper Guinea Coast, and among O. glaberrima rices from the Upper Guinea Coast. For the other three groups such clear patterns were not observed. We argue that this is because genetic diversity is shaped by different environmental and socio-cultural selection pressures. For O. glaberrima, recent socio-cultural selection pressures seemed to restrict genetic diversity while this was not observed for the other botanical groups. We also show that O. glaberrima still plays an important role in the selection practices of farmers and resulting variety development pathways. This is particularly apparent in the case of interspecific farmer hybrids where a relationship was found between pericarp colour, panicle attitude and genetic diversity. Farmer varieties are the product of long and complex trajectories of selection governed by local human agency. In effect, rice varieties have emerged that are adapted to West African farming conditions through genotype × environment × society interactions. The diversity farmers maintain in their rice varieties is understood to be part of a risk-spreading strategy that also facilitates successful and often serendipitous variety innovations. We advocate, therefore, that farmers and farmer varieties should be more effectively involved in crop development.

Processes Underpinning Development and Maintenance of Diversity in Rice in West Africa: Evidence from Combining Morphological and Molecular Markers

PubMed Central

Maat, Harro; Richards, Paul; Struik, Paul C.

2014-01-01

We assessed the interplay of artificial and natural selection in rice adaptation in low-input farming systems in West Africa. Using 20 morphological traits and 176 molecular markers, 182 farmer varieties of rice (Oryza spp.) from 6 West African countries were characterized. Principal component analysis showed that the four botanical groups (Oryza sativa ssp. indica, O. sativa ssp. japonica, O. glaberrima, and interspecific farmer hybrids) exhibited different patterns of morphological diversity. Regarding O. glaberrima, morphological and molecular data were in greater conformity than for the other botanical groups. A clear difference in morphological features was observed between O. glaberrima rices from the Togo hills and those from the Upper Guinea Coast, and among O. glaberrima rices from the Upper Guinea Coast. For the other three groups such clear patterns were not observed. We argue that this is because genetic diversity is shaped by different environmental and socio-cultural selection pressures. For O. glaberrima, recent socio-cultural selection pressures seemed to restrict genetic diversity while this was not observed for the other botanical groups. We also show that O. glaberrima still plays an important role in the selection practices of farmers and resulting variety development pathways. This is particularly apparent in the case of interspecific farmer hybrids where a relationship was found between pericarp colour, panicle attitude and genetic diversity. Farmer varieties are the product of long and complex trajectories of selection governed by local human agency. In effect, rice varieties have emerged that are adapted to West African farming conditions through genotype × environment × society interactions. The diversity farmers maintain in their rice varieties is understood to be part of a risk-spreading strategy that also facilitates successful and often serendipitous variety innovations. We advocate, therefore, that farmers and farmer varieties should be more effectively involved in crop development. PMID:24465809

FTIR study of the photoreaction of bovine rhodopsin in the presence of hydroxylamine.

PubMed

Katayama, Kota; Furutani, Yuji; Kandori, Hideki

2010-07-15

In bovine rhodopsin, 11-cis-retinal forms a Schiff base linkage with Lys296. The Schiff base is not reactive to hydroxylamine in the dark, which is consistent with the well-protected retinal binding site. In contrast, under illumination it easily forms all-trans retinal oxime, resulting in the loss of color. This suggests that activation of rhodopsin creates a specific reaction channel for hydroxylamine or loosens the chromophore binding pocket. In the present study, to extract structural information on the Schiff base vicinity and to understand the changes upon activation of rhodopsin, we compared light-induced FTIR difference spectra of bovine rhodopsin in the presence and absence of hydroxylamine under physiological pH (approximately 7). Although the previous FTIR study did not observe the complex formation between rhodopsin and G-protein transducin in hydrated films, the present study clearly shows that hydrated films can be used for studies of the interaction between rhodopsin and hydroxylamine. Hydroxylamine does not react with the Schiff base of Meta-I intermediate trapped at 240 K, possibly because of decreased conformational motions under the frozen environment, while FTIR spectroscopy showed that hydroxylamine affects the hydrogen bonds of the Schiff base and water molecules in Meta-I. In contrast, formation of the retinal oxime was clearly observed at 280 K, the characteristic temperature of Meta-II accumulation in the absence of hydroxylamine, and time-dependent formation of retinal oxime was observed from Meta-II at 265 K as well. The obtained difference FTIR spectra of retinal oxime and opsin are different from that of Meta-II. It is likely that the antiparallel beta-sheet constituting a part of the retinal binding pocket at the extracellular surface is structurally disrupted in the presence of hydroxylamine, which allows the hydrolysis of the Schiff base into retinal oxime.

High Spectral Resolution SOFIA/EXES Observations of C2H2 toward Orion IRc2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rangwala, Naseem; Colgan, Sean W. J.; Le Gal, Romane; Acharyya, Kinsuk; Huang, Xinchuan; Lee, Timothy J.; Herbst, Eric; deWitt, Curtis; Richter, Matt; Boogert, Adwin; McKelvey, Mark

2018-03-01

We present high spectral resolution observations from 12.96 to 13.33 microns toward Orion IRc2 using the mid-infrared spectrograph, Echelon-Cross-Echelle Spectrograph (EXES), at Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). These observations probe the physical and chemical conditions of the Orion hot core, which is sampled by a bright, compact, mid-infrared background continuum source in the region, IRc2. All 10 of the rovibrational C2H2 transitions expected in our spectral coverage are detected with high signal-to-noise ratios (S/Ns), yielding continuous coverage of the R-branch lines from J = 9–8 to J = 18–17, including both ortho and para species. Eight of these rovibrational transitions are newly reported detections. The isotopologue, 13CCH2, is clearly detected with a high S/N. This enabled a direct measurement of the 12C/13C isotopic ratio for the Orion hot core of 14 ± 1 and an estimated maximum value of 21. We also detected several HCN rovibrational lines. The ortho and para C2H2 ladders are clearly separate, and tracing two different temperatures, 226 K and 164 K, respectively, with a non-equilibrium ortho to para ratio (OPR) of 1.7 ± 0.1. Additionally, the ortho and para V LSR values differ by about 1.8 ± 0.2 km s‑1, while the mean line widths differ by 0.7 ± 0.2 km s‑1, suggesting that these species are not uniformly mixed along the line of sight to IRc2. We propose that the abnormally low C2H2 OPR could be a remnant from an earlier, colder phase, before the density enhancement (now the hot core) was impacted by shocks generated from an explosive event 500 years ago.

A national cross-sectional study in the Danish wood and furniture industry on working postures and manual materials handling.

PubMed

Christensen, H; Pedersen, M B; Sjøgaard, G

1995-04-01

Musculoskeletal disorders constitute a major problem in the wood and furniture industry and identification of risk factors is needed urgently. Therefore, exposures to different work tasks and variation in the job were recorded based on an observation survey in combination with an interview among 281 employees working in wood working and painting departments. A questionnaire survey confirmed high frequencies of symptoms from the musculoskeletal system: The one-year prevalence of symptoms from the low back was 42% and symptoms from the neck/shoulder was 40%. The exposure was evaluated based on: (1) classification of work tasks, (2) work cycle time, (3) manual materials handling, (4) working postures, and (5) variation in the job. Among the employees 47% performed feeding or clearing of machines, 35% performed wood working or painting materials, and 18% performed various other operations. Among the employees 20% had no variation in their job while 44% had little variation. Manual materials handling of 375 different burdens was observed, which most often occurred during feeding or clearing of machines. The weight of burdens lifted was 0.5-87.0 kg, where 2% had a weight of more than 50 kg. Among the lifting conditions 30% were evaluated as implying a risk of injury. An additional risk factor was the high total tonnage lifted per day, which was estimated to range from 132 kg to 58,800 kg. Working postures implied a risk of injury due to prolonged forward and lateral flexions of the neck, which was seen most frequently during wood working or painting materials. These data substantiate the finding that work tasks mainly during feeding or clearing of machines imply a risk of injury to the low back and a risk of injury to the neck and shoulder area mainly during wood working or painting materials. Optimal strategies for job redesign may be worked out by using these data in order to prevent occupational musculoskeletal disorders.

Investigation of tunneling current and local contact potential difference on the TiO2(110) surface by AFM/KPFM at 78 K.

PubMed

Wen, Huan Fei; Li, Yan Jun; Arima, Eiji; Naitoh, Yoshitaka; Sugawara, Yasuhiro; Xu, Rui; Cheng, Zhi Hai

2017-03-10

We propose a new multi-image method for obtaining the frequency shift, tunneling current and local contact potential difference (LCPD) on a TiO 2 (110) surface with atomic resolution. The tunneling current image reveals rarely observed surface oxygen atoms contrary to the conventional results. We analyze how the surface and subsurface defects affect the distribution of the LCPD. In addition, the subsurface defects are observed clearly in the tunneling current image, in contrast to a topographic image. To clarify the origin of the atomic contrast, we perform site-dependent spectroscopy as a function of the tip-sample distance. The multi-image method is expected to be widely used to investigate the charge transfer phenomena between the nanoparticles and surface sites, and it is useful for elucidating the mechanisms of catalytic reactions.

Wet particle source identification and reduction using a new filter cleaning process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Umeda, Toru; Morita, Akihiko; Shimizu, Hideki; Tsuzuki, Shuichi

2014-03-01

Wet particle reduction during filter installation and start-up aligns closely with initiatives to reduce both chemical consumption and preventative maintenance time. The present study focuses on the effects of filter materials cleanliness on wet particle defectivity through evaluation of filters that have been treated with a new enhanced cleaning process focused on organic compounds reduction. Little difference in filter performance is observed between the two filter types at a size detection threshold of 60 nm, while clear differences are observed at that of 26 nm. It can be suggested that organic compounds can be identified as a potential source of wet particles. Pall recommends filters that have been treated with the special cleaning process for applications with a critical defect size of less than 60 nm. Standard filter products are capable to satisfy wet particle defect performance criteria in less critical lithography applications.

Can genetics help psychometrics? Improving dimensionality assessment through genetic factor modeling.

PubMed

Franić, Sanja; Dolan, Conor V; Borsboom, Denny; Hudziak, James J; van Beijsterveldt, Catherina E M; Boomsma, Dorret I

2013-09-01

In the present article, we discuss the role that quantitative genetic methodology may play in assessing and understanding the dimensionality of psychological (psychometric) instruments. Specifically, we study the relationship between the observed covariance structures, on the one hand, and the underlying genetic and environmental influences giving rise to such structures, on the other. We note that this relationship may be such that it hampers obtaining a clear estimate of dimensionality using standard tools for dimensionality assessment alone. One situation in which dimensionality assessment may be impeded is that in which genetic and environmental influences, of which the observed covariance structure is a function, differ from each other in structure and dimensionality. We demonstrate that in such situations settling dimensionality issues may be problematic, and propose using quantitative genetic modeling to uncover the (possibly different) dimensionalities of the underlying genetic and environmental structures. We illustrate using simulations and an empirical example on childhood internalizing problems.

Microwave Imaging with Infrared 2-D Lock-in Amplifier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chiyo, Noritaka; Arai, Mizuki; Tanaka, Yasuhiro; Nishikata, Atsuhiro; Maeno, Takashi

We have developed a 3-D electromagnetic field measurement system using 2-D lock-in amplifier. This system uses an amplitude modulated electromagnetic wave source to heat a resistive screen. A very small change of temperature on a screen illuminated with the modulated electromagnetic wave is measured using an infrared thermograph camera. In this paper, we attempted to apply our system to microwave imaging. By placing conductor patches in front of the resistive screen and illuminating with microwave, the shape of each conductor was clearly observed as the temperature difference image of the screen. In this way, the conductor pattern inside the non-contact type IC card could be visualized. Moreover, we could observe the temperature difference image reflecting the shape of a Konnyaku (a gelatinous food made from devil's-tonge starch) or a dried fishbone, both as non-conducting material resembling human body. These results proved that our method is applicable to microwave see-through imaging.

Comparison of multifrequency equatorial scintillation - American and Pacific sectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Livingston, R. C.

1980-08-01

In this paper we examine the severity of radio wave amplitude scintillation measured at two stations near the equator but far separated in longitude: Kwajelein, Marshall Islands (167 E), and Ancon, Peru (-77 E). The data used are long-term observations of the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) Wideband satellite signal intensity at VHF, UHF, and L band frequencies. The seasonal behavior of the scintillation at the two stations is similar; each shows a broad 8- to 9-month disturbed season centered about local summer. There is short-term variability in the scintillation occurrence statistics but no clear equinoctial maxima. Little difference is observed in the occurrence or severity of L band scintillation at the two stations, although a systematic difference in the frequency dependence of the scintillation produces significantly stronger VHF and UHF scintillation at Ancon. The VHF and UHF latitudinal distributions of scintillation are asymmetric about the geomagnetic equator at both stations.

In Vivo Wear Performance of Cobalt-Chromium Versus Oxidized Zirconium Femoral Total Knee Replacements.

PubMed

Gascoyne, Trevor C; Teeter, Matthew G; Guenther, Leah E; Burnell, Colin D; Bohm, Eric R; Naudie, Douglas R

2016-01-01

This study examines the damage and wear on the polyethylene (PE) inserts from 52 retrieved Genesis II total knee replacements to identify differences in tribological performance between matched pairs of cobalt-chromium (CoCr) and oxidized zirconium (OxZr) femoral components. Observer damage scoring and microcomputed tomography were used to quantify PE damage and wear, respectively. No significant differences were found between CoCr and OxZr groups in terms of PE insert damage, surface penetration, or wear. No severe damage such as cracking or delamination was noted on any of the 52 PE inserts. Observer damage scoring did not correlate with penetrative or volumetric PE wear. The more costly OxZr femoral component does not demonstrate clear tribological benefit over the standard CoCr component in the short term with this total knee replacement design. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

NIHAO VI. The hidden discs of simulated galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Obreja, Aura; Stinson, Gregory S.; Dutton, Aaron A.; Macciò, Andrea V.; Wang, Liang; Kang, Xi

2016-06-01

Detailed studies of galaxy formation require clear definitions of the structural components of galaxies. Precisely defined components also enable better comparisons between observations and simulations. We use a subsample of 18 cosmological zoom-in simulations from the Numerical Investigation of a Hundred Astrophysical Objects (NIHAO) project to derive a robust method for defining stellar kinematic discs in galaxies. Our method uses Gaussian Mixture Models in a 3D space of dynamical variables. The NIHAO galaxies have the right stellar mass for their halo mass, and their angular momenta and Sérsic indices match observations. While the photometric disc-to-total ratios are close to 1 for all the simulated galaxies, the kinematic ratios are around ˜0.5. Thus, exponential structure does not imply a cold kinematic disc. Above M* ˜ 109.5 M⊙, the decomposition leads to thin discs and spheroids that have clearly different properties, in terms of angular momentum, rotational support, ellipticity, [Fe/H] and [O/Fe]. At M* ≲ 109.5 M⊙, the decomposition selects discs and spheroids with less distinct properties. At these low masses, both the discs and spheroids have exponential profiles with high minor-to-major axes ratios, I.e. thickened discs.

An Examination of Intertidal Temperatures Through Remotely Sensed Satellite Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lakshmi, V.

2010-12-01

MODIS Aqua and Terra satellites produce both land surface temperatures and sea surface temperatures using calibrated algorithms. In this study, the land surface temperatures were retrieved during clear-sky (non-cloudy) conditions at a 1 km2 resolution (overpass time at 10:30 am) whereas the sea surface temperatures are also retrieved during clear-sky conditions at approximately 4 km resolution (overpass time at 1:30 pm). The purpose of this research was to examine remotely sensed sea surface (SST), intertidal (IST), and land surface temperatures (LST), in conjunction with observed in situ mussel body temperatures, as well as associated weather and tidal data. In Strawberry Hill, Oregon, it was determined that intertidal surface temperatures are similar to but distinctly different from land surface temperatures although influenced by sea surface temperatures. The air temperature and differential heating throughout the day, as well as location in relation to the shore, can greatly influence the remotely sensed surface temperatures. Therefore, remotely sensed satellite data is a very useful tool in examining intertidal temperatures for regional climatic changes over long time periods and may eventually help researchers forecast expected climate changes and help determine associated biological implications.

Changes in reflectance anisotropy of wheat crop during different phenophases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lunagaria, Manoj M.; Patel, Haridas R.

2017-04-01

The canopy structure of wheat changes significantly with growth stages and leads to changes in reflectance anisotropy. Bidirectional reflectance distribution function characterises the reflectance anisotropy of the targets, which can be approximated. Spectrodirectional reflectance measurements on wheat crop were acquired using a field goniometer system. The bidirectional reflectance spectra were acquired at 54 view angles to cover the hemispheric span up to 60° view zenith. The observations were made during early growth stages till maturity of the crop. The anisotropy was not constant for all wavelengths and anisotropic factors clearly revealed spectral dependence, which was more pronounced in near principal plane. In near infrared, wheat canopy expressed less reflectance anisotropy because of higher multiple scattering. The broad hotspot signature was noticeable in reflectance of canopy whenever view and solar angles were close. Distinct changes in bidirectional reflectance distribution function were observed during booting to flowering stages as the canopy achieves more uniformity, height and head emergence. The function clearly reveals bowl shape during heading to early milking growth stages of the crop. Late growth stages show less prominent gap and shadow effects. Anisotropy index revealed that wheat exhibits changes in reflectance anisotropy with phenological development and with spectral bands.

[Perception of emotional intonation of noisy speech signal with different acoustic parameters by adults of different age and gender].

PubMed

Dmitrieva, E S; Gel'man, V Ia

2011-01-01

The listener-distinctive features of recognition of different emotional intonations (positive, negative and neutral) of male and female speakers in the presence or absence of background noise were studied in 49 adults aged 20-79 years. In all the listeners noise produced the most pronounced decrease in recognition accuracy for positive emotional intonation ("joy") as compared to other intonations, whereas it did not influence the recognition accuracy of "anger" in 65-79-year-old listeners. The higher emotion recognition rates of a noisy signal were observed for speech emotional intonations expressed by female speakers. Acoustic characteristics of noisy and clear speech signals underlying perception of speech emotional prosody were found for adult listeners of different age and gender.

Local short-term variability in solar irradiance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lohmann, Gerald M.; Monahan, Adam H.; Heinemann, Detlev

2016-05-01

Characterizing spatiotemporal irradiance variability is important for the successful grid integration of increasing numbers of photovoltaic (PV) power systems. Using 1 Hz data recorded by as many as 99 pyranometers during the HD(CP)2 Observational Prototype Experiment (HOPE), we analyze field variability of clear-sky index k* (i.e., irradiance normalized to clear-sky conditions) and sub-minute k* increments (i.e., changes over specified intervals of time) for distances between tens of meters and about 10 km. By means of a simple classification scheme based on k* statistics, we identify overcast, clear, and mixed sky conditions, and demonstrate that the last of these is the most potentially problematic in terms of short-term PV power fluctuations. Under mixed conditions, the probability of relatively strong k* increments of ±0.5 is approximately twice as high compared to increment statistics computed without conditioning by sky type. Additionally, spatial autocorrelation structures of k* increment fields differ considerably between sky types. While the profiles for overcast and clear skies mostly resemble the predictions of a simple model published by , this is not the case for mixed conditions. As a proxy for the smoothing effects of distributed PV, we finally show that spatial averaging mitigates variability in k* less effectively than variability in k* increments, for a spatial sensor density of 2 km-2.

Comparative efficacy of cedarwood oil and xylene in hematoxylin and eosin staining procedures: An experimental study.

PubMed

Indu, Sudip; Ramesh, V; Indu, Priyanka Chakravarty; Prashad, Karthikshree V; Premalatha, B; Ramadoss, K

2014-07-01

Xylene is used as a clearing agent in hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining of tissue sections in routine histopathology based diagnosis. However, the hazards associated with exposure to xylene are of concern. Numerous solutions mainly essential oils have been evaluated in the past as clearing agents, which can possibly be substituted for xylene during the routine tissue processing. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of essential oil (cedarwood oil), as a possible replacement for xylene in H and E staining procedures. The study was carried out in the Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology. Thirty paraffin blocks of the routine biopsy specimen were retrieved from the department archives. The cedarwood oil was procured from organic and essential oil dealer in the local market. Two to three paraffin sections of four micron thickness were cut from each of the 30 paraffin blocks of processed tissue specimens, were subjected to different clearing agents: Essential oil (8% cedarwood oil) or xylene and stained with H and E stain. The stained sections were scored based on nuclear and cytoplasmic details, clarity and uniformity of staining. Significant correlation was observed between cedarwood oil and xylene in terms of the three staining quality parameters assessed. We conclude that cedarwood oil can be an effective, eco-friendly and safe alternative to xylene as a clearing agent in the histopathological laboratory.

Alkaline DNA fragmentation, DNA disentanglement evaluated viscosimetrically and sister chromatid exchanges, after treatment in vivo with nitrofurantoin.

PubMed

Parodi, S; Pala, M; Russo, P; Balbi, C; Abelmoschi, M L; Taningher, M; Zunino, A; Ottaggio, L; de Ferrari, M; Carbone, A; Santi, L

1983-07-01

Nitrofurantoin was not positive as a carcinogen in long term assays. In vitro it was positive in some short term tests and negative in others. We have examined Nitrofurantoin for its capability of inducing DNA damage in vivo. With the alkaline elution technique, Nitrofurantoin appeared clearly positive in all the tissues examined (liver, kidney, lung, spleen and bone marrow). In the liver we also observed some cross-linking effect. In bone marrow cells Nitrofurantoin was also clearly positive in terms of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) induction. DNA damage in vivo was also examined with a viscosimetric method, more sensitive than alkaline elution. With this method the results were essentially negative, suggesting that the two methods detect different types of damage. In view of its positivity in many organs and in two short term tests in vivo, the carcinogenic potential of Nitrofurantoin should be reconsidered.

A technique for global monitoring of net solar irradiance at the ocean surface. I - Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frouin, Robert; Chertock, Beth

1992-01-01

An accurate long-term (84-month) climatology of net surface solar irradiance over the global oceans from Nimbus-7 earth radiation budget (ERB) wide-field-of-view planetary-albedo data is generated via an algorithm based on radiative transfer theory. Net surface solar irradiance is computed as the difference between the top-of-atmosphere incident solar irradiance (known) and the sum of the solar irradiance reflected back to space by the earth-atmosphere system (observed) and the solar irradiance absorbed by atmospheric constituents (modeled). It is shown that the effects of clouds and clear-atmosphere constituents can be decoupled on a monthly time scale, which makes it possible to directly apply the algorithm with monthly averages of ERB planetary-albedo data. Compared theoretically with the algorithm of Gautier et al. (1980), the present algorithm yields higher solar irradiance values in clear and thin cloud conditions and lower values in thick cloud conditions.

Effect of compost supplies on soil bulk density and aggregate stability. Results from a six years trial in two experimental fields in Northern Italy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calzolari, C.; Ungaro, F.; Salvador, P.; Torri, D.

2009-04-01

Results of a long term trial (2002-2007) on the effect of different organic amendments on topsoil structural properties at the end of the 6th year are presented. Two soils located in two experimental farms of the Emilia-Romagna region (Northern Italy), namely a silty clay loam Haplic Calcisol under sorghum (Sorghum bicolor, L.) continuous cropping, and a silty Calcaric Cambisols under peach (Persica vulgaris, Mill.), have been treated with a different amount of organic amendments. Four different treatments were tested plus control: manure (10 Mg ha-1 y-1), low input compost (5 and 10 Mg ha-1 y-1), high input compost (10 and 40 Mg ha-1 y-1), and no-tillage. In all the plots soil samples were collected three times every year: at the beginning of the growing season, at full crop coverage and after harvest. At each time, samples were collected in three replicates and soil bulk density and aggregate stability were measured. At the end of the 6 years trial 930 bulk density and 405 aggregate stability measurements were made available. The influence of organic amendments on soil physical properties is different according to the considered soil property and to the different soils. Soil bulk density (BD) shows clear and statistically significant differences among the tested theses, all with a marked seasonality and distinct temporal trends. The overall trends observed in the two soils are coherent with the amount of organic matter distributed in the different theses and with the field operations (tillage mainly), but with a short term effect. More important, over the period of observation and within each year, the treatments exhibit cyclical variations due to climate seasonality. Among the treatments, that with distribution of manure exhibits the weakest seasonal variations and a substantially stable general trend, with BD values slightly lower than those observed for the control. Different effects are also observed on soil aggregates stability, but also in this case a temporal trend is not clearly detectable, suggesting that the amendments have no cumulative effect at least during the 6 years of observations, and the responses are different in the two trials: slightly positive for the low compost supply in the silty clay loam Haplic Calcisol and negative for both low and high compost supply in the silty Calcaric Cambisols. The dominant issue is the seasonal variability of aggregate resistance which is well shown at the site where more data are available. Data also hints an ambiguous behavior of the compost: increasing the amount of applied compost leads to a slight increase in aggregate stability which is then followed by a decrease, as if the aggregation capability of the compost is counteracted by a dispersion effect.

Mitochondrial DNA sequence characteristics modulate the size of the genetic bottleneck.

PubMed

Wilson, Ian J; Carling, Phillipa J; Alston, Charlotte L; Floros, Vasileios I; Pyle, Angela; Hudson, Gavin; Sallevelt, Suzanne C E H; Lamperti, Costanza; Carelli, Valerio; Bindoff, Laurence A; Samuels, David C; Wonnapinij, Passorn; Zeviani, Massimo; Taylor, Robert W; Smeets, Hubert J M; Horvath, Rita; Chinnery, Patrick F

2016-03-01

With a combined carrier frequency of 1:200, heteroplasmic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations cause human disease in ∼1:5000 of the population. Rapid shifts in the level of heteroplasmy seen within a single generation contribute to the wide range in the severity of clinical phenotypes seen in families transmitting mtDNA disease, consistent with a genetic bottleneck during transmission. Although preliminary evidence from human pedigrees points towards a random drift process underlying the shifting heteroplasmy, some reports describe differences in segregation pattern between different mtDNA mutations. However, based on limited observations and with no direct comparisons, it is not clear whether these observations simply reflect pedigree ascertainment and publication bias. To address this issue, we studied 577 mother-child pairs transmitting the m.11778G>A, m.3460G>A, m.8344A>G, m.8993T>G/C and m.3243A>G mtDNA mutations. Our analysis controlled for inter-assay differences, inter-laboratory variation and ascertainment bias. We found no evidence of selection during transmission but show that different mtDNA mutations segregate at different rates in human pedigrees. m.8993T>G/C segregated significantly faster than m.11778G>A, m.8344A>G and m.3243A>G, consistent with a tighter mtDNA genetic bottleneck in m.8993T>G/C pedigrees. Our observations support the existence of different genetic bottlenecks primarily determined by the underlying mtDNA mutation, explaining the different inheritance patterns observed in human pedigrees transmitting pathogenic mtDNA mutations. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press.

[Sensory stimulation: new apparatus for demented men].

PubMed

de Groot, M D; Molenbroek, J F

2001-10-01

In order to study the feasibility of new sensorily stimulating material for elderly demented men, their behaviour was observed while the material was handed over to them. The newly developed materials consisted of five different constructions, i.e. a mirrorbox, a simple hand-operated stroboscope, a spring-operated ball for ringing a bell, two rotating wooden cogwheels, and a box having a sandpaper bottom of different grains causing a tactile contrast. In their verbal and nonverbal responses the demented men showed clear signs of interest in the constructions and the materials. The seven participating men showed much interest in materials made of wood and metal, and in the working of the constructions. The different constructions and materials could be combined into one complete 'snoezelproduct'.

Radar imaging of volcanic fields and sand dune fields: Implications for VOIR

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elachi, C.; Blom, R.; Daily, M.; Farr, T.; Saunders, R. S.

1980-01-01

A number of volcanic fields and sand dune fields in the western part of North America were studied using aircraft and Seasat synthetic aperture radar images and LANDSAT images. The capability of radars with different characteristics (i.e., frequency, polarization and look angles was assessed to identify and map different volcanic features, lava flows and sand dune types. It was concluded that: (1) volcanic features which have a relatively large topographic expression (i.e., cinder cones, collapse craters, calderas, etc.) are easily identified; (2) lava flows of different ages can be identified, particularly on the L-band images; and (3) sand dunes are clearly observed and their extent and large scale geometric characteristics determined, provided the proper imaging geometry exists.

Communicating Scientific Research to Non-Specialists

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holman, Megan

Public outreach to effectively communicate current scientific advances is an essential component of the scientific process. The challenge in making this information accessible is forming a clear, accurate, and concise version of the information from a variety of different sources, so that the information is understandable and compelling to non-specialists in the general public. We are preparing a magazine article about planetary system formation. This article will include background information about star formation and different theories and observations of planet formation to provide context. We will then discuss the latest research and theories describing how planetary systems may be forming in different areas of the universe. We demonstrate here the original professional-level scientific work alongside our public-level explanations and original graphics to demonstrate our editorial process.

A Comparative Study of WASP-67 b and HAT-P-38 b from WFC3 Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bruno, Giovanni; Lewis, Nikole K.; Stevenson, Kevin B.; Filippazzo, Joseph; Hill, Matthew; Fraine, Jonathan D.; Wakeford, Hannah R.; Deming, Drake; Kilpatrick, Brian; Line, Michael R.; Morley, Caroline V.; Collins, Karen A.; Conti, Dennis M.; Garlitz, Joseph; Rodriguez, Joseph E.

2018-02-01

Atmospheric temperature and planetary gravity are thought to be the main parameters affecting cloud formation in giant exoplanet atmospheres. Recent attempts to understand cloud formation have explored wide regions of the equilibrium temperature-gravity parameter space. In this study, we instead compare the case of two giant planets with nearly identical equilibrium temperature (T eq ∼ 1050 K) and gravity (g ∼ 10 m s‑1). During HST Cycle 23, we collected WFC3/G141 observations of the two planets, WASP-67 b and HAT-P-38 b. HAT-P-38 b, with mass 0.42 M J and radius 1.4 R J, exhibits a relatively clear atmosphere with a clear detection of water. We refine the orbital period of this planet with new observations, obtaining P = 4.6403294 ± 0.0000055 days. WASP-67 b, with mass 0.27 M J and radius 0.83 R J, shows a more muted water absorption feature than that of HAT-P-38 b, indicating either a higher cloud deck in the atmosphere or a more metal-rich composition. The difference in the spectra supports the hypothesis that giant exoplanet atmospheres carry traces of their formation history. Future observations in the visible and mid-infrared are needed to probe the aerosol properties and constrain the evolutionary scenario of these planets.

Estimates of Ground Temperature and Atmospheric Moisture from CERES Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, Man Li C.; Schubert, Siegfried; Einaudi, Franco (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

A method is developed to retrieve surface ground temperature (T(sub g)) and atmospheric moisture using clear sky fluxes (CSF) from CERES-TRMM observations. In general, the clear sky outgoing longwave radiation (CLR) is sensitive to upper level moisture (q(sub l)) over wet regions and (T(sub g)) over dry regions The clear sky window flux from 800 to 1200/cm (RadWn) is sensitive to low level moisture (q(sub t)) and T(sub g). Combining these two measurements (CLR and RadWn), Tg and q(sub h) can be estimated over land, while q(sub h) and q(sub l) can be estimated over the oceans. The approach capitalizes on the availability of satellite estimates of CLR and RadWn and other auxiliary satellite data. The basic methodology employs off-line forward radiative transfer calculations to generate synthetic CSF data from two different global 4-dimensional data assimilation products. Simple linear regression is used to relate discrepancies in CSF to discrepancies in T(sub g), q(sub h) and q(sub l). The slopes of the regression lines define sensitivity parameters that can be exploited to help interpret mismatches between satellite observations and model-based estimates of CSF. For illustration, we analyze the discrepancies in the CSF between an early implementation of the Goddard Earth Observing System Data Assimilation System (GEOS-DAS) and a recent operational version of the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Prediction data assimilation system. In particular, our analysis of synthetic total and window region SCF differences (computed from two different assimilated data sets) shows that simple linear regression employing Delta(T(sub g)) and broad layer Delta(q(sub l) from .500 hPa to surface and Delta(q(sub h)) from 200 to .300 hPa provides a good approximation to the full radiative transfer calculations. typically explaining more than 90% of the 6-hourly variance in the flux differences. These simple regression relations can be inverted to "retrieve" the errors in the geophysical parameters. Uncertainties (normalized by standard deviation) in the monthly mean retrieved parameters range from 7% for Delta(T(sub g)) to about 20% for Delta(q(sub l)). Our initial application of the methodology employed an early CERES-TRMM data set (CLR and Radwn) to assess the quality of the GEOS2 data. The results showed that over the tropical and subtropical oceans GEOS2 is, in general, too wet in the upper troposphere (mean bias of 0.99 mm) and too dry in the lower troposphere (mean bias of -4.7 min). We note that these errors, as well as a cold bias in the T(sub g). have largely been corrected in the current version of GEOS-2 with the introduction of a land surface model, a moist turbulence scheme and the assimilation of SSM/I total precipitable water.

Impact of fixed orthodontic appliance or clear-aligner on daily performance, in adult patients with moderate need for treatment

PubMed Central

Lin, Feiou; Yao, Linjie; Bhikoo, Chandradev; Guo, Jing

2016-01-01

Objective To assess the impact of wearing fixed orthodontic appliance (FOA) or clear-aligner, on daily performance in adult patients. Methods The Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) index was assessed in 152 adults aged 25–35 years at baseline (T0), 6 months after bonding (T1), and 12 months after bonding (T2). Participants were randomly divided into two groups: CA group (participants treated with clear-aligner) and a control group (FOA group; participants treated with FOA). Baseline malocclusion severity was assessed using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need. Results There were no significant differences in sociodemographic variables and OIDP scores at baseline between the two groups. Significant changes in OIDP total and subscale scores were observed while wearing FOA: OIDP total score and subscale scores of eating, cleaning teeth, smiling, and social relation at T1 and T2 were significantly higher than at baseline (P<0.05 or P<0.01). However, only OIDP total score was significantly increased at T1 compared to the baseline in the CA group. OIDP total score and subscale scores of eating, cleaning teeth, smiling, and social relation were significantly higher in patients wearing FOA than in patients wearing clear-aligner at T1 and T2 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion Patients wearing clear-aligner have fewer impacts on daily life than those wearing FOA during treatment, and have no significant changes in OIPD subscale scores at 12 months. FOA therapy significantly impacts daily performance in adult patients during treatment. PMID:27616881

Phenolic composition and mouthfeel characteristics resulting from blending Chilean red wines.

PubMed

Cáceres-Mella, Alejandro; Peña-Neira, Alvaro; Avilés-Gálvez, Pamela; Medel-Marabolí, Marcela; Del Barrio-Galán, Rubén; López-Solís, Remigio; Canals, Joan Miquel

2014-03-15

The blending of wine is a common practice in winemaking to improve certain characteristics that are appreciated by consumers. The use of some cultivars may contribute phenolic compounds that modify certain characteristics in blended wines, particularly those related to mouthfeel. The aim of this work was to study the effect of Carménère, Merlot and Cabernet Franc on the phenolic composition, proanthocyanidin profile and mouthfeel characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon blends. Significant differences in chemical composition were observed among the monovarietal wines. Separation using Sep-Pak C₁₈ cartridges revealed differences in the concentration but not in the proportion of various proanthocyanidins. Blending reduced polyphenol concentration differences among the various monovarietal wines. Although no major overall differences were observed after blending the monovarietal wines, this oenological practice produced clear differences in mouthfeel characteristics in such a way that the quality of the perceived astringency was different. This study showed that the use of a particular wine variety (Cabernet Sauvignon) in a higher proportion in wine blending produced blends that were less differentiable from the monovarietal wine, owing to a suppression effect, producing an apparent standardization of the wines regarding chemical composition. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry.

Sensitivity of Physiological Emotional Measures to Odors Depends on the Product and the Pleasantness Ranges Used

PubMed Central

Pichon, Aline M.; Coppin, Géraldine; Cayeux, Isabelle; Porcherot, Christelle; Sander, David; Delplanque, Sylvain

2015-01-01

Emotions are characterized by synchronized changes in several components of an organism. Among them, physiological variations provide energy support for the expression of approach/avoid action tendencies induced by relevant stimuli, while self-reported subjective pleasantness feelings integrate all other emotional components and are plastic. Consequently, emotional responses evoked by odors should be highly differentiated when they are linked to different functions of olfaction (e.g., avoiding environmental hazards). As this differentiation has been observed for contrasted odors (very pleasant or unpleasant), we questioned whether subjective and physiological emotional response indicators could still disentangle subtle affective variations when no clear functional distinction is made (mildly pleasant or unpleasant fragrances). Here, we compared the sensitivity of behavioral and physiological [respiration, skin conductance, facial electromyography (EMG), and heart rate] indicators in differentiating odor-elicited emotions in two situations: when a wide range of odor families was presented (e.g., fruity, animal), covering different functional meanings; or in response to a restricted range of products in one particular family (fragrances). Results show clear differences in physiological indicators to odors that display a wide range of reported pleasantness, but these differences almost entirely vanish when fragrances are used even though their subjective pleasantness still differed. Taken together, these results provide valuable information concerning the ability of classic verbal and psychophysiological measures to investigate subtle differences in emotional reactions to a restricted range of similar olfactory stimuli. PMID:26648888

How Well Can Infrared Sounders Observe the Atmosphere and Surface Through Clouds?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhou, Daniel K.; Larar, Allen M.; Liu, Xu; Smith, William L.; Strow, L. Larrabee; Yang, Ping

2010-01-01

Infrared sounders, such as the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI), and the Cross-track Infrared sounder (CrIS), have a cloud-impenetrable disadvantage in observing the atmosphere and surface under opaque cloudy conditions. However, recent studies indicate that hyperspectral, infrared sounders have the ability to detect cloud effective-optical and microphysical properties and to penetrate optically thin clouds in observing the atmosphere and surface to a certain degree. We have developed a retrieval scheme dealing with atmospheric conditions with cloud presence. This scheme can be used to analyze the retrieval accuracy of atmospheric and surface parameters under clear and cloudy conditions. In this paper, we present the surface emissivity results derived from IASI global measurements under both clear and cloudy conditions. The accuracy of surface emissivity derived under cloudy conditions is statistically estimated in comparison with those derived under clear sky conditions. The retrieval error caused by the clouds is shown as a function of cloud optical depth, which helps us to understand how well infrared sounders can observe the atmosphere and surface through clouds.

Validation of the McClear clear-sky model in desert conditions with three stations in Israel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lefèvre, Mireille; Wald, Lucien

2016-03-01

The new McClear clear-sky model, a fast model based on a radiative transfer solver, exploits the atmospheric properties provided by the EU-funded Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) to estimate the solar direct and global irradiances received at ground level in cloud-free conditions at any place any time. The work presented here focuses on desert conditions and compares the McClear irradiances to coincident 1 min measurements made in clear-sky conditions at three stations in Israel which are distant from less than 100 km. The bias for global irradiance is comprised between 2 and 32 W m-2, i.e. between 0 and 4 % of the mean observed irradiance (approximately 830 W m-2). The RMSE ranges from 30 to 41 W m-2 (4 %) and the squared correlation coefficient is greater than 0.976. The bias for the direct irradiance at normal incidence (DNI) is comprised between -68 and +13 W m-2, i.e. between -8 and 2 % of the mean observed DNI (approximately 840 W m-2). The RMSE ranges from 53 (7 %) to 83 W m-2 (10 %). The squared correlation coefficient is close to 0.6. The performances are similar for the three sites for the global irradiance and for the DNI to a lesser extent, demonstrating the robustness of the McClear model combined with CAMS products. These results are discussed in the light of those obtained by McClear for other desert areas in Egypt and United Arab Emirates.

Evaluation of sea-surface photosynthetically available radiation algorithms under various sky conditions and solar elevations.

PubMed

Somayajula, Srikanth Ayyala; Devred, Emmanuel; Bélanger, Simon; Antoine, David; Vellucci, V; Babin, Marcel

2018-04-20

In this study, we report on the performance of satellite-based photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) algorithms used in published oceanic primary production models. The performance of these algorithms was evaluated using buoy observations under clear and cloudy skies, and for the particular case of low sun angles typically encountered at high latitudes or at moderate latitudes in winter. The PAR models consisted of (i) the standard one from the NASA-Ocean Biology Processing Group (OBPG), (ii) the Gregg and Carder (GC) semi-analytical clear-sky model, and (iii) look-up-tables based on the Santa Barbara DISORT atmospheric radiative transfer (SBDART) model. Various combinations of atmospheric inputs, empirical cloud corrections, and semi-analytical irradiance models yielded a total of 13 (11 + 2 developed in this study) different PAR products, which were compared with in situ measurements collected at high frequency (15 min) at a buoy site in the Mediterranean Sea (the "BOUée pour l'acquiSition d'une Série Optique à Long termE," or, "BOUSSOLE" site). An objective ranking method applied to the algorithm results indicated that seven PAR products out of 13 were well in agreement with the in situ measurements. Specifically, the OBPG method showed the best overall performance with a root mean square difference (RMSD) (bias) of 19.7% (6.6%) and 10% (6.3%) followed by the look-up-table method with a RMSD (bias) of 25.5% (6.8%) and 9.6% (2.6%) at daily and monthly scales, respectively. Among the four methods based on clear-sky PAR empirically corrected for cloud cover, the Dobson and Smith method consistently underestimated daily PAR while the Budyko formulation overestimated daily PAR. Empirically cloud-corrected methods using cloud fraction (CF) performed better under quasi-clear skies (CF<0.3) with an RMSD (bias) of 9.7%-14.8% (3.6%-11.3%) than under partially clear to cloudy skies (0.30.7), however, all methods showed larger RMSD differences (biases) ranging between 32% and 80.6% (-54.5%-8.7%). Finally, three methods tested for low sun elevations revealed systematic overestimation, and one method showed a systematic underestimation of daily PAR, with relative RMSDs as large as 50% under all sky conditions. Under partially clear to overcast conditions all the methods underestimated PAR. Model uncertainties predominantly depend on which cloud products were used.

Modulation of the Intracortical LFP during Action Execution and Observation

PubMed Central

Vigneswaran, Ganesh; Philipp, Roland; Lemon, Roger N.; Kraskov, Alexander

2015-01-01

The activity of mirror neurons in macaque ventral premotor cortex (PMv) and primary motor cortex (M1) is modulated by the observation of another's movements. This modulation could underpin well documented changes in EEG/MEG activity indicating the existence of a mirror neuron system in humans. Because the local field potential (LFP) represents an important link between macaque single neuron and human noninvasive studies, we focused on mirror properties of intracortical LFPs recorded in the PMv and M1 hand regions in two macaques while they reached, grasped and held different objects, or observed the same actions performed by an experimenter. Upper limb EMGs were recorded to control for covert muscle activity during observation. The movement-related potential (MRP), investigated as intracortical low-frequency LFP activity (<9 Hz), was modulated in both M1 and PMv, not only during action execution but also during action observation. Moreover, the temporal LFP modulations during execution and observation were highly correlated in both cortical areas. Beta power in both PMv and M1 was clearly modulated in both conditions. Although the MRP was detected only during dynamic periods of the task (reach/grasp/release), beta decreased during dynamic and increased during static periods (hold). Comparison of LFPs for different grasps provided evidence for partially nonoverlapping networks being active during execution and observation, which might be related to different inputs to motor areas during these conditions. We found substantial information about grasp in the MRP corroborating its suitability for brain–machine interfaces, although information about grasp was generally low during action observation. PMID:26041914

Calculating clear-sky radiative heating rates using the Fu-Liou RTM with inputs from observed and reanalyzed profiles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dolinar, E. K.; Dong, X.; Xi, B.

2015-12-01

One-dimensional radiative transfer models (RTM) are a common tool used for calculating atmospheric heating rates and radiative fluxes. In the forward sense, RTMs use known (or observed) quantities of the atmospheric state and surface characteristics to determine the appropriate surface and top-of-atmosphere (TOA) radiative fluxes. The NASA CERES science team uses the modified Fu-Liou RTM to calculate atmospheric heating rates and surface and TOA fluxes using the CERES observed TOA shortwave (SW) and longwave (LW) fluxes as constraints to derive global surface and TOA radiation budgets using a reanalyzed atmospheric state (e.g. temperature and various greenhouse gases) from the newly developed MERRA-2. However, closure studies have shown that using the reanalyzed state as input to the RTM introduces some disparity between the RTM calculated fluxes and surface observed ones. The purpose of this study is to generate a database of observed atmospheric state profiles, from satellite and ground-based sources, at several permanent Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program sites, including the Southern Great Plains (SGP), Northern Slope of Alaska (NSA) and Tropical Western Pacific Nauru (TWP-C2), and Eastern North Atlantic (ENA) permanent facilities. Since clouds are a major modulator of radiative transfer within the Earth's atmosphere, we will focus on the clear-sky conditions in this study, which will set up the baseline for our cloudy studies in the future. Clear-sky flux profiles are calculated using the Edition 4 NASA LaRC modified Fu-Liou RTM. The aforementioned atmospheric profiles generated in-house are used as input into the RTM, as well as from reanalyses. The calculated surface and TOA fluxes are compared with ARM surface measured and CERES satellite observed SW and LW fluxes, respectively. Clear-sky cases are identified by the ARM radar-lidar observations, as well as satellite observations, at the select ARM sites.

Observation of the dispersion of wedge waves propagating along cylinder wedge with different truncations by laser ultrasound technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jia, Jing; Zhang, Yu; Han, Qingbang; Jing, Xueping

2017-10-01

The research focuses on study the influence of truncations on the dispersion of wedge waves propagating along cylinder wedge with different truncations by using the laser ultrasound technique. The wedge waveguide models with different truncations were built by using finite element method (FEM). The dispersion curves were obtained by using 2D Fourier transformation method. Multiple mode wedge waves were observed, which was well agreed with the results estimated from Lagasse's empirical formula. We established cylinder wedge with radius of 3mm, 20° and 60°angle, with 0μm, 5μm, 10μm, 20μm, 30μm, 40μm, and 50μm truncations, respectively. It was found that non-ideal wedge tip caused abnormal dispersion of the mode of cylinder wedge, the modes of 20° cylinder wedge presents the characteristics of guide waves which propagating along hollow cylinder as the truncation increasing. Meanwhile, the modes of 60° cylinder wedge with truncations appears the characteristics of guide waves propagating along hollow cylinder, and its mode are observed clearly. The study can be used to evaluate and detect wedge structure.

Earth observations taken during STS-83 mission

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-08-12

STS083-712-063 (4-8 April 1997) --- Northern half of Long Island, Bahamas. The vivid blues of the Bahamas stand out from space. Long Island and Great Exuma Island, which extends from the west north west into the photo, is on the eastern side of the Great Bahama Bank and form the borders of Exuma Sound. This photograph provides a rare opportunity to observe a natural chemical laboratory at work. Limestone of quite a different sort from that forming the Great Barrier Reef is actually in the process of formation. Long Island itself is little more than a sandbar rising just a few meters (about 30 to 50 meters) above sea level but it separates the deep, dark blue waters of the Atlantic on the right from the 10-meter (33 feet) shallows of the Great Bahama Bank (left). Details of the topography of the bank are visible through the clear waters. The shallow waters are warm and become extremely salty. Crystals of aragonite, a calcium carbonate mineral, are precipitated and formed into spherical sand-sized oolites as the tidal currents swirl back and forth. Lithification of the carbonate sands produces an oolithic limestone. Although the water is warm and clear, corals do not live in the shallows, probably because of the elevated salt content. Although chemically similar, the oolithic limestone forming Long Island is very different from coral reef limestone. An airfield is visible at the northern and central (bottom of photo) part of the island.

Short communication: Traits unique to genus Homo within primates at the cervical spine (C2-C7).

PubMed

Rios, Luis; Muñoz, Alexandra; Cardoso, Hugo; Pastor, Francisco

2014-05-01

From a comparative study of 222 human and 261 nonhuman primates complete cervical spines, two bony variants associated to the course of the vertebral artery are proposed as unique to genus Homo within primates. First, the opening of the foramen transversarium at C2, a trait present at low frequency in humans (3 to 5.6%). Second, the presence of a bipartite foramen transversarium in the cervical segment C3-C6, a trait that can be observed fully formed in human fetal skeletons, with a clear frequency pattern along the cervical spine (C3>C4>C5>C6

Variability of lotic macroinvertebrate assemblages and stream habitat characteristics across hierarchical landscape classifications.

PubMed

Mykrä, Heikki; Heino, Jani; Muotka, Timo

2004-09-01

Streams are naturally hierarchical systems, and their biota are affected by factors effective at regional to local scales. However, there have been only a few attempts to quantify variation in ecological attributes across multiple spatial scales. We examined the variation in several macroinvertebrate metrics and environmental variables at three hierarchical scales (ecoregions, drainage systems, streams) in boreal headwater streams. In nested analyses of variance, significant spatial variability was observed for most of the macroinvertebrate metrics and environmental variables examined. For most metrics, ecoregions explained more variation than did drainage systems. There was, however, much variation attributable to residuals, suggesting high among-stream variation in macroinvertebrate assemblage characteristics. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and multiresponse permutation procedure (MRPP) showed that assemblage composition differed significantly among both drainage systems and ecoregions. The associated R-statistics were, however, very low, indicating wide variation among sites within the defined landscape classifications. Regional delineations explained most of the variation in stream water chemistry, ecoregions being clearly more influential than drainage systems. For physical habitat characteristics, by contrast, the among-stream component was the major source of variation. Distinct differences attributable to stream size were observed for several metrics, especially total number of taxa and abundance of algae-scraping invertebrates. Although ecoregions clearly account for a considerable amount of variation in macroinvertebrate assemblage characteristics, we suggest that a three-tiered classification system (stratification through ecoregion and habitat type, followed by assemblage prediction within these ecologically meaningful units) will be needed for effective bioassessment of boreal running waters.

Radar remote sensing of wind-driven land degradation processes in northeastern Patagonia.

PubMed

del Valle, H F; Blanco, P D; Metternicht, G I; Zinck, J A

2010-01-01

Wind-driven land degradation negatively impacts on rangeland production and infrastructure in the Valdes Peninsula, northeastern Patagonia. The Valdes Peninsula has the most noticeable dunefields of the Patagonian drylands. Wind erosion has been assessed at different scales in this region, but often with limited data. In general, terrain features caused by wind activity are better discriminated by active microwaves than by sensors operating in the visible and infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. This paper aims to analyze wind-driven land degradation processes that control the radar backscatter observed in different sources of radar imagery. We used subsets derived from SIR-C, ERS-1 and 2, ENVISAT ASAR, RADARSAT-1, and ALOS PALSAR data. The visibility of aeolian features on radar images is mostly a function of wavelength, polarization, and incidence angle. Stabilized sand deposits are clearly observed in radar images, with defined edges but also signals of ongoing wind erosion. One of the most conspicuous features corresponds to old track sand dunes, a mixture of active and inactive barchanoid ridges and parabolic dunes. This is a clear example of deactivation of migrating dunes under the influence of vegetation. The L-band data reveal details of these sand ridges, whereas the C-band data only allow detecting a few of the larger tracks. The results of this study enable us to make recommendations about the utility of some radar sensor configurations for wind-driven land degradation reconnaissance in mid-latitude regions.

Changes in size of deforested patches in the Brazilian Amazon.

PubMed

Rosa, Isabel M D; Souza, Carlos; Ewers, Robert M

2012-10-01

Different deforestation agents, such as small farmers and large agricultural businesses, create different spatial patterns of deforestation. We analyzed the proportion of deforestation associated with different-sized clearings in the Brazilian Amazon from 2002 through 2009. We used annual deforestation maps to determine total area deforested and the size distribution of deforested patches per year. The size distribution of deforested areas changed over time in a consistent, directional manner. Large clearings (>1000 ha) comprised progressively smaller amounts of total annual deforestation. The number of smaller clearings (6.25-50.00 ha) remained unchanged over time. Small clearings accounted for 73% of all deforestation in 2009, up from 30% in 2002, whereas the proportion of deforestation attributable to large clearings decreased from 13% to 3% between 2002 and 2009. Large clearings were concentrated in Mato Grosso, but also occurred in eastern Pará and in Rondônia. In 2002 large clearings accounted for 17%, 15%, and 10% of all deforestation in Mato Grosso, Pará, and Rondônia, respectively. Even in these states, where there is a highly developed agricultural business dominated by soybean production and cattle ranching, the proportional contribution of large clearings to total deforestation declined. By 2009 large clearings accounted for 2.5%, 3.5%, and 1% of all deforestation in Mato Grosso, Pará, and Rondônia, respectively. These changes in deforestation patch size are coincident with the implementation of new conservation policies by the Brazilian government, which suggests that these policies are not effectively reducing the number of small clearings in primary forest, whether these are caused by large landholders or smallholders, but have been more effective at reducing the frequency of larger clearings. ©2012 Society for Conservation Biology.

Assessing reanalysis quality with early sounders Nimbus-4 IRIS (1970) and Nimbus-6 HIRS (1975)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poli, Paul; Brunel, Pascal

2018-07-01

This paper revisits the data collected by early sounders Nimbus-4 IRIS (1970) and Nimbus-6 HIRS (1975), after recovery of ageing tapes by NASA GES DISC. New quality controls are proposed to screen out erroneous or suspicious mission data, based on instrument health status data records and other inspection of the data. Radiative transfer coefficients are derived for the fast computation of clear-sky radiative transfer simulations. Atmospheric profiles from ERA-40 and ERA-20C reanalyses are used in input. These spatio-temporally complete datasets are interpolated to each sounding location, using the closest estimate in time. A modern cloud detection method derived for current hyperspectral sounders is applied to IRIS and yields maps of cloud cover that are in line with current knowledge of cloud climatology. For clear scenes, the standard deviation of brightness temperature differences between IRIS observations and simulations from ERA-20C is around 1 K for the lower-peaking temperature channels of the 15 μm CO2 band, and lower than 1 K for simulations from ERA-40. The IRIS and HIRS instrumental data records are projected in a common sub-space to alleviate issues with different field-of-view resolutions and spectral resolutions. A proxy cloud detection scheme screens out clouds in the same manner in both data records. Considering the month of August, common to both missions, a detailed analysis of the departures from observations suggests that ERA-40 suffers from spurious tropospheric warming, possibly caused by changes in the observation input during the 1970s including a known error in ERA-40 radiance assimilation bias correction. This result, confirmed by considering a climate model integration, demonstrates that it is possible to exploit early sounder data records to derive detailed insight from reanalyses, such as attempting to qualify separately random and systematic errors in reanalyses, even at times when few other independent observation data are available.

Double-masked, placebo-controlled safety and efficacy trial of diquafosol tetrasodium (INS365) ophthalmic solution for the treatment of dry eye.

PubMed

Tauber, J; Davitt, W F; Bokosky, J E; Nichols, K K; Yerxa, B R; Schaberg, A E; LaVange, L M; Mills-Wilson, M C; Kellerman, D J

2004-11-01

To investigate the safety and efficacy of diquafosol tetrasodium, a P2Y2 receptor agonist that stimulates fluid and mucin secretion on the ocular surface, as a novel topical treatment of dry eye disease. Subjects with dry eye (n=527) were evaluated in a randomized, double-masked, parallel-group trial comparing 24 weeks of treatment with 2 concentrations of diquafosol (1% and 2%) versus placebo instilled 4 times daily. Corneal staining, conjunctival staining, Schirmer tests, and subjective symptoms of dry eye were evaluated. Use of artificial tears was permitted as necessary. Subjects treated with 2% diquafosol had significantly lower corneal staining scores compared with placebo at the 6-week, primary efficacy time point (P<0.001), and superiority continued throughout the 24-week study. Reductions in corneal staining were observed as early as after 2 weeks of treatment, were maintained throughout the 24-week study, and were observed to worsen slightly (toward baseline) when diquafosol treatment was discontinued (week 25). Results for conjunctival staining were consistent with those observed for corneal staining. Schirmer scores at week 6 were significantly higher with diquafosol treatment than with placebo (P

Field Evidence of Social Influence in the Expression of Political Preferences: The Case of Secessionists Flags in Barcelona

PubMed Central

Parravano, Antonio; Noguera, José A.; Hermida, Paula; Tena-Sánchez, Jordi

2015-01-01

Models of social influence have explored the dynamics of social contagion, imitation, and diffusion of different types of traits, opinions, and conducts. However, few behavioral data indicating social influence dynamics have been obtained from direct observation in “natural” social contexts. The present research provides that kind of evidence in the case of the public expression of political preferences in the city of Barcelona, where thousands of citizens supporting the secession of Catalonia from Spain have placed a Catalan flag in their balconies and windows. Here we present two different studies. 1) During July 2013 we registered the number of flags in 26% of the electoral districts in the city of Barcelona. We find that there is a large dispersion in the density of flags in districts with similar density of pro-independence voters. However, by comparing the moving average to the global mean we find that the density of flags tends to be fostered in electoral districts where there is a clear majority of pro-independence vote, while it is inhibited in the opposite cases. We also show that the distribution of flags in the observed districts deviates significantly from that of an equivalent random distribution. 2) During 17 days around Catalonia’s 2013 national holiday we observed the position at balcony resolution of the flags displayed in the facades of a sub-sample of 82 blocks. We compare the ‘clustering index’ of flags on the facades observed each day to thousands of equivalent random distributions. Again we provide evidence that successive hangings of flags are not independent events but that a local influence mechanism is favoring their clustering. We also find that except for the national holiday day the density of flags tends to be fostered in facades located in electoral districts where there is a clear majority of pro-independence vote. PMID:25961562

Sex differences in Hadza eating frequency by food type.

PubMed

Berbesque, J Colette; Marlowe, Frank W; Crittenden, Alyssa N

2011-01-01

We investigate sex differences in frequencies of adults eating in a foraging population-the Hadza of Tanzania. We use eating frequency data from instantaneous scan observations of the Hadza, to see to how much sharing of foods taken back to camp compensates for the targeting of different foods by each sex while out foraging. Eating in camp differs by sex in terms of overall eating frequency, as well as in terms of diet composition (frequencies of eating each food type). We also control for sex-differences in time spent in camp and still find sex-differences in eating frequencies-women are observed eating significantly more frequently than men. There are also sex-differences in the eating frequencies of particular food types both with and without controlling for presence in camp. Finally, we use data on acquisition of each food type by sex and find that both sexes are more frequently observed eating women's foods in camp than men's foods. At least in the case of the Hadza, we see pronounced sex differences in the in-camp diet. Hadza men are eating a higher quality diet than are women, but women are able to eat far more frequently, and spend less time foraging than men. It is not yet clear whether a regular caloric intake of lower quality foods would be more beneficial for maintaining fecundity than a more variable diet consisting of higher quality foods. Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Long-term preservation of chilled canine semen: effect of commercial and laboratory prepared extenders.

PubMed

Iguer-ouada, M; Verstegen, J P

2001-01-15

The present study was conducted to evaluate chilled semen conservation over time in 3 commercial and 4 laboratory prepared extenders, including a new Tris-glucose extender. The beneficial effect of adding egg yolk to these media was also analyzed. The effects of these extenders on motility and acrosome reaction were characterized objectively using a computer-aided semen analyzer and the chlortetracycline staining, respectively. No significant differences were observed when comparing the different commercial extenders without egg yolk, but addition of egg yolk improved all motility parameters significantly (preservation of 50% of motility was observed at 3.2+/-1, 2.9+/-0.5, 2.3+/-0.5, 8.5+/-0.2, 5.4+/-1.1, 5.2+/-0.4 d, for Biladyl, green extender and fresh-phos extenders without and with egg yolk, respectively). Motility parameters were best preserved in egg yolk supplemented Biladyl extender with a mean percentage of 86.3+/-10.5 motile spermatozoa after 7 d at 4 degrees C. Efficacy of egg yolk-supplemented commercial extenders on sperm motility at 4 degrees C was (in decreasing order) as follows: Biladyl > green extender > fresh-phos. However, high quality motility and the percentage of motile spermatozoa were highest with some of the laboratory prepared extenders: a 50% conservation rate of motile spermatozoa was observed following the use of supplemented egg yolk extenders. These are classified in decreasing order as follows: Tris-glucose (13+/-1 d) > Tris-fructose (9.7+/-0.6) > EDTA (4.+/-0.6 d) > Tris-bes (3.6+/-1.1 d). A low concentration of motile spermatozoa was still observed in the Tris-glucose egg yolk extender 16 d after collection, clearly demonstrating the importance of the medium and the beneficial effect of egg yolk on sperm motility of 4 degrees C chilled semen. Similar effects of extender were observed for acrosome reactions. Egg yolk clearly had a protective effect reducing acrosome reactions significantly in all media tested as follows: the highest acrosome losses were observed in the fresh-phos and EDTA extenders without egg yolk; the lowest rate was observed with Tris-glucose supplemented egg yolk extender. In conclusion, at 4 degrees C, egg yolk extender best-protected sperm motility parameters. Differences in osmolarity between the extenders in terms of substrate related to sperm metabolic activity may explain the optimal results obtained using egg yolk-supplemented Tris-glucose extender, which preserved motility and acrosome integrity in chilled dog semen. These results indicated that good quality dog spermatozoa could be preserved for up to 10 d.

Allergic susceptibility associated with diesel exhaust particle exposure: clear as mud.

PubMed

Polosa, Riccardo; Salvi, Sundeep; Di Maria, Giuseppe U

2002-01-01

Exposure to elevated levels of particulate air pollution from motor vehicles is frequently associated with increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular conditions, lung cancer, and nonmalignant respiratory illnesses (e.g., asthma, bronchitis, respiratory tract infections). It appears, however, that less attention has been paid to the potential role of road traffic fumes in the induction of allergic conditions. Laboratory studies in humans and animals have shown that particulate toxic pollutants-particularly diesel exhaust particulates-can enhance allergic inflammation and can induce allergic immune responses. Most of these immune responses are mediated by the carbon core of diesel exhaust particulates. Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, phenanthrene) are major chemical components of diesel exhaust particulates, and they have enhanced the production of immunoglobulin E. Although several large epidemiological studies have demonstrated a strong association between exposure to motor vehicle traffic emissions and allergic symptoms and reduced lung function, the evidence for the development of allergic sensitization from diesel exhaust particulates is less abundant than for the aforementioned associations. Recent comparisons of the prevalence of hay fever, as well as positive skin-prick tests, between citizens of former West and East Germany and between Hong Kong and China civilians, have demonstrated marked differences. Crucial variations in the level of particulate air pollution from motor vehicles in these countries may account for the observed increased prevalence of atopy. Although road-traffic pollution from automobile exhausts may be a risk factor for atopic sensitization, the evidence in support of this view remains conflictive. Some investigators have reported a clear association between the prevalence of allergy and road-traffic-related air pollution, whereas such a difference was not observed in other studies. Most discrepancies have been related to important variations in study design and methodology. In addition, inasmuch as exposure to ambient particles differs substantially in worldwide urban environments, perhaps qualitative-rather than quantitative-variations in particulate air pollution at different locations account for differences in the prevalence and/or severity of respiratory allergies.

Impact assessment of silver nanoparticles on plant growth and soil bacterial diversity.

PubMed

Pallavi; Mehta, C M; Srivastava, Rashmi; Arora, Sandeep; Sharma, A K

2016-12-01

The present study was carried out to investigate the impact of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the growth of three different crop species, wheat (Triticum aestivum, var. UP2338), cowpea (Vigna sinensis, var. Pusa Komal), and Brassica (Brassica juncea, var. Pusa Jai Kisan), along with their impact on the rhizospheric bacterial diversity. Three different concentrations (0, 50 and 75 ppm) of AgNPs were applied through foliar spray. After harvesting, shoot and root parameters were compared, and it was observed that wheat was relatively unaffected by all AgNP treatments. The optimum growth promotion and increased root nodulation were observed at 50 ppm treatment in cowpea, while improved shoot parameters were recorded at 75 ppm in Brassica. To observe the impact of AgNPs on soil bacterial community, sampling was carried out from the rhizosphere of these crops at 20 and 40 days after the spraying of AgNPS. The bacterial diversity of these samples was analyzed by both cultural and molecular techniques (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis). It is clearly evident from the results that application of AgNPs changes the soil bacterial diversity and this is further influenced by the plant species grown in that soil. Also, the functional bacterial diversity differed with different concentrations of AgNPs.

Asian couples in negotiation: a mixed-method observational study of cultural variations across five Asian regions.

PubMed

Lee, Wai-Yung; Nakamura, Shin-Ichi; Chung, Moon Ja; Chun, Young Ju; Fu, Meng; Liang, Shu-Chuan; Liu, Cui-Lian

2013-09-01

The purpose of this study was to explore variations in how contemporary couples from five different Asian regions negotiate disagreements. Video recordings of 50 couples (10 each from Japan, Korea, Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong) discussing unresolved disagreements provided raw data for quantitative and qualitative analyses. First, teams of coders from each region used a common protocol to make quantitative ratings of content themes and interaction patterns for couples from their own region. An interregional panel of investigators then performed in-depth qualitative reviews for half of these cases, noting cultural differences not only in observed patterns of couple behavior but also in their own perceptions of these patterns. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed clear regional differences on dimensions such as overt negativity, demand-withdraw interaction, and collaboration. The qualitative results also provided a richer, more nuanced view of other (e.g., gender-linked) conflict management patterns that the quantitative analyses did not capture. Inconsistencies between qualitative and quantitative data and between the qualitative observations of investigators from different regions were most pronounced for couples from Korea and Japan, whose conflict styles were subtler and less direct than those of couples from the other regions. © FPI, Inc.

Transition process leading to microbubble emission boiling on horizontal circular heated surface in subcooled pool

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ueno, Ichiro; Ando, Jun; Horiuchi, Kazuna; Saiki, Takahito; Kaneko, Toshihiro

2016-11-01

Microbubble emission boiling (MEB) produces a higher heat flux than critical heat flux (CHF) and therefore has been investigated in terms of its heat transfer characteristics as well as the conditions under which MEB occurs. Its physical mechanism, however, is not yet clearly understood. We carried out a series of experiments to examine boiling on horizontal circular heated surfaces of 5 mm and of 10 mm in diameter, in a subcooled pool, paying close attention to the transition process to MEB. High-speed observation results show that, in the MEB regime, the growth, condensation, and collapse of the vapor bubbles occur within a very short time. In addition, a number of fine bubbles are emitted from the collapse of the vapor bubbles. By tracking these tiny bubbles, we clearly visualize that the collapse of the vapor bubbles drives the liquid near the bubbles towards the heated surface, such that the convection field around the vapor bubbles under MEB significantly differs from that under nucleate boiling. Moreover, the axial temperature gradient in a heated block (quasi-heat flux) indicates a clear difference between nucleate boiling and MEB. A combination of quasi-heat flux and the measurement of the behavior of the vapor bubbles allows us to discuss the transition to MEB. This work was financially supported by the 45th Research Grant in Natural Sciences from The Mitsubishi Foundation (2014 - 2015), and by Research Grant for Boiler and Pressurized Vessels from The Japan Boiler Association (2016).

Testing the importance of auditory detections in avian point counts

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brewster, J.P.; Simons, T.R.

2009-01-01

Recent advances in the methods used to estimate detection probability during point counts suggest that the detection process is shaped by the types of cues available to observers. For example, models of the detection process based on distance-sampling or time-of-detection methods may yield different results for auditory versus visual cues because of differences in the factors that affect the transmission of these cues from a bird to an observer or differences in an observer's ability to localize cues. Previous studies suggest that auditory detections predominate in forested habitats, but it is not clear how often observers hear birds prior to detecting them visually. We hypothesized that auditory cues might be even more important than previously reported, so we conducted an experiment in a forested habitat in North Carolina that allowed us to better separate auditory and visual detections. Three teams of three observers each performed simultaneous 3-min unlimited-radius point counts at 30 points in a mixed-hardwood forest. One team member could see, but not hear birds, one could hear, but not see, and the third was nonhandicapped. Of the total number of birds detected, 2.9% were detected by deafened observers, 75.1% by blinded observers, and 78.2% by nonhandicapped observers. Detections by blinded and nonhandicapped observers were the same only 54% of the time. Our results suggest that the detection of birds in forest habitats is almost entirely by auditory cues. Because many factors affect the probability that observers will detect auditory cues, the accuracy and precision of avian point count estimates are likely lower than assumed by most field ornithologists. ?? 2009 Association of Field Ornithologists.

Three-Dimensional Imaging of the Intracellular Fate of Plasmid DNA and Transgene Expression: ZsGreen1 and Tissue Clearing Method CUBIC Are an Optimal Combination for Multicolor Deep Imaging in Murine Tissues.

PubMed

Fumoto, Shintaro; Nishimura, Koyo; Nishida, Koyo; Kawakami, Shigeru

2016-01-01

Evaluation methods for determining the distribution of transgene expression in the body and the in vivo fate of viral and non-viral vectors are necessary for successful development of in vivo gene delivery systems. Here, we evaluated the spatial distribution of transgene expression using tissue clearing methods. After hydrodynamic injection of plasmid DNA into mice, whole tissues were subjected to tissue clearing. Tissue clearing followed by confocal laser scanning microscopy enabled evaluation of the three-dimensional distribution of transgene expression without preparation of tissue sections. Among the tested clearing methods (ClearT2, SeeDB, and CUBIC), CUBIC was the most suitable method for determining the spatial distribution of transgene expression in not only the liver but also other tissues such as the kidney and lung. In terms of the type of fluorescent protein, the observable depth for green fluorescent protein ZsGreen1 was slightly greater than that for red fluorescent protein tdTomato. We observed a depth of ~1.5 mm for the liver and 500 μm for other tissues without preparation of tissue sections. Furthermore, we succeeded in multicolor deep imaging of the intracellular fate of plasmid DNA in the murine liver. Thus, tissue clearing would be a powerful approach for determining the spatial distribution of plasmid DNA and transgene expression in various murine tissues.

Celestial polarization patterns sufficient for Viking navigation with the naked eye: detectability of Haidinger's brushes on the sky versus meteorological conditions

PubMed Central

Takács, Péter; Kretzer, Balázs; Szilasi, Szilvia; Száz, Dénes; Farkas, Alexandra; Barta, András

2017-01-01

If a human looks at the clear blue sky from which light with high enough degree of polarization d originates, an 8-shaped bowtie-like figure, the yellow Haidinger's brush can be perceived, the long axis of which points towards the sun. A band of high d arcs across the sky at 90° from the sun. A person can pick two points on that band, observe the yellow brushes and triangulate the position of the sun based on the orientation of the two observed brushes. This method has been suggested to have been used on the open sea by Viking navigators to determine the position of the invisible sun occluded by cloud or fog. Furthermore, Haidinger's brushes can also be used to locate the sun when it is below the horizon or occluded by objects on the horizon. To determine the position of the sun using the celestial polarization pattern, the d of the portion of the sky used must be greater than the viewer's degree of polarization threshold d* for perception of Haidinger's brushes. We studied under which sky conditions the prerequisite d > d* is satisfied. Using full-sky imaging polarimetry, we measured the d-pattern of skylight in the blue (450 nm) spectral range for 1296 different meteorological conditions with different solar elevation angles θ and per cent cloud cover ρ. From the measured d-patterns of a given sky we determined the proportion P of the sky for which d > d*. We obtained that P is the largest at low solar elevations θ ≈ 0° and under totally or nearly clear skies with cloud coverage ρ = 0%, when the sun's position is already easily determined. If the sun is below the horizon (−5° ≤ θ < 0°) during twilight, P = 76.17 ± 4.18% for dmin∗=23% under clear sky conditions. Consequently, the sky-polarimetric Viking navigation based on Haidinger's brushes is most useful after sunset and prior to sunrise, when the sun is not visible and large sky regions are bright, clear and polarized enough for perception of Haidinger's brushes. PMID:28386426

Celestial polarization patterns sufficient for Viking navigation with the naked eye: detectability of Haidinger's brushes on the sky versus meteorological conditions.

PubMed

Horváth, Gábor; Takács, Péter; Kretzer, Balázs; Szilasi, Szilvia; Száz, Dénes; Farkas, Alexandra; Barta, András

2017-02-01

If a human looks at the clear blue sky from which light with high enough degree of polarization d originates, an 8-shaped bowtie-like figure, the yellow Haidinger's brush can be perceived, the long axis of which points towards the sun. A band of high d arcs across the sky at 90° from the sun. A person can pick two points on that band, observe the yellow brushes and triangulate the position of the sun based on the orientation of the two observed brushes. This method has been suggested to have been used on the open sea by Viking navigators to determine the position of the invisible sun occluded by cloud or fog. Furthermore, Haidinger's brushes can also be used to locate the sun when it is below the horizon or occluded by objects on the horizon. To determine the position of the sun using the celestial polarization pattern, the d of the portion of the sky used must be greater than the viewer's degree of polarization threshold d * for perception of Haidinger's brushes. We studied under which sky conditions the prerequisite d  >  d * is satisfied. Using full-sky imaging polarimetry, we measured the d -pattern of skylight in the blue (450 nm) spectral range for 1296 different meteorological conditions with different solar elevation angles θ and per cent cloud cover ρ . From the measured d -patterns of a given sky we determined the proportion P of the sky for which d  >  d *. We obtained that P is the largest at low solar elevations θ  ≈ 0° and under totally or nearly clear skies with cloud coverage ρ  = 0%, when the sun's position is already easily determined. If the sun is below the horizon (-5° ≤  θ  < 0°) during twilight, P  = 76.17 ± 4.18% for [Formula: see text] under clear sky conditions. Consequently, the sky-polarimetric Viking navigation based on Haidinger's brushes is most useful after sunset and prior to sunrise, when the sun is not visible and large sky regions are bright, clear and polarized enough for perception of Haidinger's brushes.

Spatial and temporal trends in poly- and per-fluorinated compounds in the Laurentian Great Lakes Erie, Ontario and St. Clair.

PubMed

Codling, Garry; Sturchio, Neil C; Rockne, Karl J; Li, An; Peng, H; Tse, Timothy J; Jones, Paul D; Giesy, John P

2018-06-01

The temporal and spatial trends in sediment of 22 poly- and perfluorinated (PFAS) compounds were investigated in the southern Great Lakes Erie and Ontario as well as Lake St. Clair. Surface concentrations measured by Ponar grab samples indicated a trend for greater concentrations near to urban sites. Mean concentrations ∑ 22 PFAS were 15.6, 18.2 and 19 ng g -1 dm for Lakes St. Clair, Erie and Ontario, respectively. Perfluoro-n-butanoic acid (PFBA) and Perfluoro-n-hexanoic acid (PFHxA) were frequently determined in surface sediment and upper core samples indicating a shift in use patterns. Where PFBA was identified it was at relatively great concentrations typically >10 ng g -1 dm. However as PFBA and PFHxA are less likely to bind to sediment they may be indicative of pore water concentrations Sedimentation rates between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario differ greatly with greater rates observed in Lake Erie. In Lake Ontario, in general concentrations of PFAS observed in core samples closely follow the increase in use along with an observable change due to regulation implementation in the 1970s for water protection. However some of the more water soluble PFAS were observed in deeper core layers than the time of production could account for, indicating potential diffusion within the sediment. Given the greater sedimentation rates in Lake Erie, it was hoped to observe in greater resolution changes since the mid-1990s. However, though some decrease was observed at some locations the results are not clear. Many cores in Lake Erie had clearly observable gas voids, indicative of gas ebullition activity due to biogenic production, there were also observable mussel beds that could indicate mixing by bioturbation of core layers. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Tropopause Inversion Layer: New Observations, New Theories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tandon, N.; Randel, W. J.; Pan, L.; Son, S.; Polvani, L. M.

2009-12-01

There is now great interest in the tropopause inversion inversion layer (TIL), a 1-2 km region just above the tropopause where there is a spike in static stability. Radio occultation data from the COSMIC GPS mission are providing an unprecedented level of spatial and temporal resolution with which to analyze the TIL. We start by showing the agreement between GPS data and radiosondes. We then examine the causes and consequences of the TIL. Observations from the ACE satellite and fixed dynamical heating calculations suggest strong roles for water vapor and ozone in the formation and modulation of the TIL. This agrees with observations showing a large TIL in the polar winter, where water vapor levels are persistently high. It is also clear that TIL strength is related to vorticity, but observations and models have important differences that need to be reconciled. These dynamical considerations dovetail with observations showing high TIL variability in the storm-track regions. Finally there is evidence from ozonesonde data that the TIL may be coupled to transport across the tropopause.

Improved Atmospheric Soundings and Error Estimates from Analysis of AIRS/AMSU Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Susskind, Joel

2007-01-01

The AIRS Science Team Version 5.0 retrieval algorithm became operational at the Goddard DAAC in July 2007 generating near real-time products from analysis of AIRS/AMSU sounding data. This algorithm contains many significant theoretical advances over the AIRS Science Team Version 4.0 retrieval algorithm used previously. Three very significant developments of Version 5 are: 1) the development and implementation of an improved Radiative Transfer Algorithm (RTA) which allows for accurate treatment of non-Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium (non-LTE) effects on shortwave sounding channels; 2) the development of methodology to obtain very accurate case by case product error estimates which are in turn used for quality control; and 3) development of an accurate AIRS only cloud clearing and retrieval system. These theoretical improvements taken together enabled a new methodology to be developed which further improves soundings in partially cloudy conditions, without the need for microwave observations in the cloud clearing step as has been done previously. In this methodology, longwave C02 channel observations in the spectral region 700 cm-' to 750 cm-' are used exclusively for cloud clearing purposes, while shortwave C02 channels in the spectral region 2195 cm-' to 2395 cm-' are used for temperature sounding purposes. The new methodology for improved error estimates and their use in quality control is described briefly and results are shown indicative of their accuracy. Results are also shown of forecast impact experiments assimilating AIRS Version 5.0 retrieval products in the Goddard GEOS 5 Data Assimilation System using different quality control thresholds.

Mitigation of upward and downward vertical displacement event heat loads with upper or lower massive gas injection in DIII-D

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hollmann, E. M.; Commaux, N.; Eidietis, N. W.; Lasnier, C. J.; Moyer, R. A.; Parks, P. B.; Shiraki, D.

2015-10-01

Intentionally triggered upward and downward vertical displacement events (VDEs) leading to disruptions were pre-emptively mitigated with neon massive gas injection (MGI) coming from either above or below the plasma. Global indicators of disruption mitigation effectiveness (conducted heat loads, radiated power, and vessel motion) do not show a clear improvement when mitigating with the gas jet located closer to the VDE impact area. A clear trend of improved mitigation is observed for earlier MGI timing relative to the VDE impact time. The plasma edge magnetic perturbation is seen to lock to a preferential phase during the VDE thermal quench, but this phase is not clearly matched by preliminary attempts to fit to the conducted heat load phase. Clear indications of plasma infra-red (IR) emission are observed both before and during the disruptions. This IR emission can affect calculation of disruption heat loads; here, the time decay of post-disruption IR signals is used to correct for this effect.

Direct observation of the effects of cellulose synthesis inhibitors using live cell imaging of Cellulose Synthase (CESA) in Physcomitrella patens.

PubMed

Tran, Mai L; McCarthy, Thomas W; Sun, Hao; Wu, Shu-Zon; Norris, Joanna H; Bezanilla, Magdalena; Vidali, Luis; Anderson, Charles T; Roberts, Alison W

2018-01-15

Results from live cell imaging of fluorescently tagged Cellulose Synthase (CESA) proteins in Cellulose Synthesis Complexes (CSCs) have enhanced our understanding of cellulose biosynthesis, including the mechanisms of action of cellulose synthesis inhibitors. However, this method has been applied only in Arabidopsis thaliana and Brachypodium distachyon thus far. Results from freeze fracture electron microscopy of protonemal filaments of the moss Funaria hygrometrica indicate that a cellulose synthesis inhibitor, 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile (DCB), fragments CSCs and clears them from the plasma membrane. This differs from Arabidopsis, in which DCB causes CSC accumulation in the plasma membrane and a different cellulose synthesis inhibitor, isoxaben, clears CSCs from the plasma membrane. In this study, live cell imaging of the moss Physcomitrella patens indicated that DCB and isoxaben have little effect on protonemal growth rates, and that only DCB causes tip rupture. Live cell imaging of mEGFP-PpCESA5 and mEGFP-PpCESA8 showed that DCB and isoxaben substantially reduced CSC movement, but had no measureable effect on CSC density in the plasma membrane. These results suggest that DCB and isoxaben have similar effects on CSC movement in P. patens and Arabidopsis, but have different effects on CSC intracellular trafficking, cell growth and cell integrity in these divergent plant lineages.

Temperature resolution enhancing of commercially available IR camera using computer processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trofimov, Vyacheslav A.; Trofimov, Vladislav V.

2015-09-01

As it is well-known, application of the passive THz camera for the security problems is very promising way. It allows seeing concealed object without contact with a person and this camera is non-dangerous for a person. Using such THz camera, one can see a temperature difference on the human skin if this difference is caused by different temperatures inside the body. Because the passive THz camera is very expensive, we try to use the IR camera for observing of such phenomenon. We use a computer code that is available for treatment of the images captured by commercially available IR camera, manufactured by Flir Corp. Using this code we demonstrate clearly changing of human body skin temperature induced by water drinking. Nevertheless, in some cases it is necessary to use additional computer processing to show clearly changing of human body temperature. One of these approaches is developed by us. We believe that we increase ten times (or more) the temperature resolution of such camera. Carried out experiments can be used for solving the counter-terrorism problem and for medicine problems solving. Shown phenomenon is very important for the detection of forbidden objects and substances concealed inside the human body using non-destructive control without X-ray application. Early we have demonstrated such possibility using THz radiation.

ATP Bioluminometers Analysis on the Surfaces of Removable Orthodontic Aligners after the Use of Different Cleaning Methods

PubMed Central

Levrini, Luca; Mangano, Alessandro; Margherini, Silvia; Tenconi, Camilla; Vigetti, Davide; Muollo, Raffaele; Marco Abbate, Gian

2016-01-01

Purpose. The aim was to quantify the bacteria concentration on the surface of orthodontic clear aligners using three different cleaning methods. Furthermore the objective was to validate the efficacy of the bioluminometer in assessing the bacteria concentration. Materials and Methods. Twenty subjects (six males and fourteen females) undergoing orthodontic therapy with clear aligners (Invisalign® Align Technology, Santa Clara, California) were enrolled in this study. The observation time was of six weeks. The patients were instructed to use different cleaning methods (water, brushing with toothpaste, and brushing with toothpaste and use of sodium carbonate and sulphate tablet). At the end of each phase a microbiological analysis was performed using the bioluminometer. Results. The highest bacteria concentration was found on aligners cleaned using only water (583 relative light units); a value of 189 relative light units was found on aligners cleaned with brushing and toothpaste. The lowest bacteria concentration was recorded on aligners cleaned with brushing and toothpaste and the use of sodium carbonate and sulfate tablet. Conclusions. The mechanical removal of the bacterial biofilm proved to be effective with brushing and toothpaste. The best results in terms of bacteria concentration were achieved adding the use of sodium carbonate and sulfate tablet. PMID:27242901

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pasyanos, M E

The behavior of surface waves at long periods is indicative of subcrustal velocity structure. Using recently published dispersion models, we invert surface wave group velocities for lithospheric structure, including lithospheric thickness, over much of the Eastern Hemisphere, encompassing Eurasia, Africa, and the Indian Ocean. Thicker lithosphere under Precambrian shields and platforms are clearly observed, not only under the large cratons (West Africa, Congo, Baltic, Russia, Siberia, India), but also under smaller blocks like the Tarim Basin and Yangtze craton. In contrast, it is found that remobilized Precambrian structures like the Saharan Shield and Sino-Korean Paraplatform do not have well-established lithosphericmore » keels. The thinnest lithospheric thickness is found under oceanic and continental rifts, as well as along convergence zones. We compare our results to thermal models of continental lithosphere, lithospheric cooling models of oceanic lithosphere, lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB) estimates from S-wave receiver functions, and velocity variations of global tomography models. In addition to comparing results for the broad region, we examine in detail the regions of Central Africa, Siberia, and Tibet. While there are clear differences in the various estimates, overall the results are generally consistent. Inconsistencies between the estimates may be due to a variety of reasons including lateral and depth resolution differences and the comparison of what may be different lithospheric features.« less

Sex differences in color preferences transcend extreme differences in culture and ecology.

PubMed

Sorokowski, Piotr; Sorokowska, Agnieszka; Witzel, Christoph

2014-10-01

At first glance, color preferences might seem to be the most subjective and context-dependent aspects of color cognition. Yet they are not. The present study compares color preferences of women and men from an industrialized and a remote, nonindustrialized culture. In particular, we investigated preferences in observers from Poland and from the Yali in Papua, respectively. Not surprisingly, we found that color preferences clearly differed between the two communities and also between sexes. However, despite the pronounced cultural differences, the way in which men and women differed from each other was almost the same in both cultures. At the same time, this sexual contrast was not specific to biological components of color vision. Our results reveal a pattern of sexual dimorphism that transcends extreme differences in culture and ecology. They point toward strong cross-cultural constraints beyond the biological predispositions of nature and the cultural particularities of nurture.

Initial Tensile and Residual Forces of Pigmented Elastomeric Ligatures from Various Brands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wichai, Wassana; Anuwongnukroh, Niwat; Dechkunakorn, Surachai; Kaypetch, Rattiporn; Tua-ngam, Peerapong

2017-11-01

This study aimed to investigate the initial tensile and residual forces of pigmented elastomeric ligatures (clear, pink, and metallic) from three commercial brands - Brand 1 (USA), Brand 2 (USA), and Brand 3(China). Twelve elastomeric ligatures of each brand and color were evaluated for initial tensile and residual forces after stretching for 28 days at 37°C by a Universal Testing Machine. The results showed that the highest initial tensile force was 14.78 N, 20.71 N, and 15.1 N for the metallic color of Brand-1, pink color of Brand -2, and metallic color of Brand -3, respectively. There were significant (p<0.05) differences in the initial tensile force of each brand, except clear and metallic color of Brand-1 & 3 and pink color of Brand-2 & 3. Similarly, among the pigmented ligatures from each brand, significant (p<0.05) differences were observed in the initial tensile force, except metallic color of Brand-1 & 3. Brand-3 had the highest residual force after 28 days, whereas the loss of force was 80-90% in Brand-1 & 2 and 20-30% in Brand-3. There were also significant (p<0.05) differences in the residual forces in each color and brand, except metallic color of Brand-1. In conclusion, there were significant differences in the initial tensile and residual forces among the three pigmented elastomeric ligatures of the three commercial brands.

Analysis of photosynthetically active radiation under various sky conditions in Wuhan, Central China.

PubMed

Wang, Lunche; Gong, Wei; Lin, Aiwen; Hu, Bo

2014-10-01

Observations of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and global solar radiation (G) at Wuhan, Central China during 2005-2012 were first reported to investigate PAR variability at different time scales and its PAR fraction (F(p)) under different sky conditions. Both G irradiances (I(g)) and PAR irradiances (I(p)) showed similar seasonal features that peaked in values at noon during summer and reached their lower values in winter. F(p) reached higher values during either sunrise or sunset; lower values of F p appeared at local noon because of the absorption effects of water vapor and clouds on long-wave radiation. There was an inverse relationship between clearness index (K(t)) and F(p); the maximum I(p) decreased by 22.3 % (39.7 %) when sky conditions changed from overcast to cloudless in summer (winter); solar radiation was more affected by cloudiness than the seasonal variation in cloudy skies when compared with that in clear skies. The maximum daily PAR irradiation (R(p)) was 11.89 MJ m⁻² day⁻¹ with an annual average of 4.85 MJ m⁻² day⁻¹. F p was in the range of 29-61.5 % with annual daily average value being about 42 %. Meanwhile, hourly, daily, and monthly relationships between R p and G irradiation (R g) under different sky conditions were investigated. It was discovered that cloudy skies were the dominated sky condition in this region. Finally, a clear-sky PAR model was developed by analyzing the dependence of PAR irradiances on optical air mass under various sky conditions for the whole study period in Central China, which will lay foundations for ecological process study in the near future.

Two-dimensional fluorescence lifetime correlation spectroscopy. 2. Application.

PubMed

Ishii, Kunihiko; Tahara, Tahei

2013-10-03

In the preceding article, we introduced the theoretical framework of two-dimensional fluorescence lifetime correlation spectroscopy (2D FLCS). In this article, we report the experimental implementation of 2D FLCS. In this method, two-dimensional emission-delay correlation maps are constructed from the photon data obtained with the time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC), and then they are converted to 2D lifetime correlation maps by the inverse Laplace transform. We develop a numerical method to realize reliable transformation, employing the maximum entropy method (MEM). We apply the developed actual 2D FLCS to two real systems, a dye mixture and a DNA hairpin. For the dye mixture, we show that 2D FLCS is experimentally feasible and that it can identify different species in an inhomogeneous sample without any prior knowledge. The application to the DNA hairpin demonstrates that 2D FLCS can disclose microsecond spontaneous dynamics of biological molecules in a visually comprehensible manner, through identifying species as unique lifetime distributions. A FRET pair is attached to the both ends of the DNA hairpin, and the different structures of the DNA hairpin are distinguished as different fluorescence lifetimes in 2D FLCS. By constructing the 2D correlation maps of the fluorescence lifetime of the FRET donor, the equilibrium dynamics between the open and the closed forms of the DNA hairpin is clearly observed as the appearance of the cross peaks between the corresponding fluorescence lifetimes. This equilibrium dynamics of the DNA hairpin is clearly separated from the acceptor-missing DNA that appears as an isolated diagonal peak in the 2D maps. The present study clearly shows that newly developed 2D FLCS can disclose spontaneous structural dynamics of biological molecules with microsecond time resolution.

Social conditioning and extinction paradigm: a translational study in virtual reality.

PubMed

Shiban, Youssef; Reichenberger, Jonas; Neumann, Inga D; Mühlberger, Andreas

2015-01-01

In human beings, experiments investigating fear conditioning with social stimuli are rare. The current study aims at translating an animal model for social fear conditioning (SFC) to a human sample using an operant SFC paradigm in virtual reality. Forty participants actively (using a joystick) approached virtual male agents that served as conditioned stimuli (CS). During the acquisition phase, unconditioned stimuli (US), a combination of an air blast (5 bar, 10 ms) and a female scream (95 dB, 40 ms), were presented when participants reached a defined proximity to the agent with a contingency of 75% for CS+ agents and never for CS- agents. During the extinction and the test phases, no US was delivered. Outcome variables were pleasantness ratings and physiological reactions in heart rate (HR) and fear-potentiated startle. Additionally, the influence of social anxiety, which was measured with the Social Phobia Inventory scale, was evaluated. As expected after the acquisition phase the CS+ was rated clearly less pleasant than the CS-. This difference vanished during extinction. Furthermore, the HR remained high for the CS+, while the HR for the CS- was clearly lower after than before the acquisition. Furthermore, a clear difference between CS+ and CS- after the acquisition indicated successful conditioning on this translational measure. Contrariwise no CS+/CS- differences were observed in the physiological variables during extinction. Importantly, at the generalization test, higher socially fearful participants rated pleasantness of all agents as low whereas the lower socially fearful participants rated pleasantness as low only for the CS+. SFC was successfully induced and extinguished confirming operant conditioning in this SFC paradigm. These findings suggest that the paradigm is suitable to expand the knowledge about the learning and unlearning of social fears. Further studies should investigate the operant mechanisms of development and treatment of social anxiety disorder.

Activation of Stat3 in renal tumors.

PubMed

Guo, Charles; Yang, Guanyu; Khun, Kyle; Kong, Xiantian; Levy, David; Lee, Peng; Melamed, Jonathan

2009-02-28

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) plays a vital role in signal transduction pathways that mediate transformation and inhibit apoptosis. Oncogenic Stat3 is persistently activated in several human cancers and transformed cell lines. Previous studies indicate activation of Stat3 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the detailed characterization of the Stat3 expression pattern in different histologic types of RCC is lacking. We have analyzed the immunoprofile of activated or phosphorylated Stat3 (pStat3) in a tissue microarray of renal tumors of different histologic types, including 42 cases of conventional clear cell type, 24 chromophobe, and 7 papillary, 15 oncocytoma, 7 urothelial carcinoma and 21 normal kidney tissues using an anti-pStat3 antibody (recognizes only activated STAT3). pStat3 nuclear staining was observed in 25 of 42 conventional clear cell RCC (59.5 %), 8 of 24 chromophobe RCC (33.3%), 4 of 7 papillary RCC (57.1%). In the other tumor groups, 4 of 15 oncocytomas (26.7%) and 6 of 7 urothelial carcinomas (85.7%) showed positive nuclear staining. Weak nuclear immunoreactivity for pStat3 was seen in 4 of 21 cases of non-neoplastic kidney tissue (19.0%). The extent of Stat3 activation as determined by nuclear expression of its phosphorylated form is increased in histologic types of renal tumors with greater malignant potential, specifically conventional clear cell RCC, papillary RCC and urothelial carcinoma, only slightly increased in chromophobe RCC, and not increased in oncocytoma. These results suggest a role of Stat3 activation in different types of renal neoplasia, possibly serving as a prognostic marker or therapeutic target.

Activation of Stat3 in renal tumors

PubMed Central

Guo, Charles; Yang, Guanyu; Khun, Kyle; Kong, Xiantian; Levy, David; Lee, Peng; Melamed, Jonathan

2009-01-01

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) plays a vital role in signal transduction pathways that mediate transformation and inhibit apoptosis. Oncogenic Stat3 is persistently activated in several human cancers and transformed cell lines. Previous studies indicate activation of Stat3 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the detailed characterization of the Stat3 expression pattern in different histologic types of RCC is lacking. We have analyzed the immunoprofile of activated or phosphorylated Stat3 (pStat3) in a tissue microarray of renal tumors of different histologic types, including 42 cases of conventional clear cell type, 24 chromophobe, and 7 papillary, 15 oncocytoma, 7 urothelial carcinoma and 21 normal kidney tissues using an anti-pStat3 antibody (recognizes only activated STAT3). pStat3 nuclear staining was observed in 25 of 42 conventional clear cell RCC (59.5 %), 8 of 24 chromophobe RCC (33.3%), 4 of 7 papillary RCC (57.1%). In the other tumor groups, 4 of 15 oncocytomas (26.7%) and 6 of 7 urothelial carcinomas (85.7%) showed positive nuclear staining. Weak nuclear immunoreactivity for pStat3 was seen in 4 of 21 cases of non-neoplastic kidney tissue (19.0%). The extent of Stat3 activation as determined by nuclear expression of its phosphorylated form is increased in histologic types of renal tumors with greater malignant potential, specifically conventional clear cell RCC, papillary RCC and urothelial carcinoma, only slightly increased in chromophobe RCC, and not increased in oncocytoma. These results suggest a role of Stat3 activation in different types of renal neoplasia, possibly serving as a prognostic marker or therapeutic target. PMID:19956438

The binding of manganese(II) and zinc(II) to the synthetic oligonucleotide d(C-G-C-G-A-A-T-T-C-G-C-G)2. A 1H NMR study.

PubMed

Frøystein, N A; Sletten, E

1991-03-01

The interaction of the synthetic oligonucleotide d(C-G-C-G-A-A-T-T-C-G-C-G)2 with two different transition-metal ions has been investigated in aqueous solution by means of 1H NMR spectroscopy. The effects on the DNA due to the presence of manganese(II) or zinc(II) have been monitored by observing the paramagnetic broadening and diamagnetic shifts of the non-exchangeable proton resonance lines, respectively. The 1H NMR spectra acquired during the course of the manganese(II) titration show very distinct broadening effects on certain DNA resonance lines. Primarily, the H8 resonance of G4 is affected, but also the H5 and H6 resonances of C3 are clearly affected by the metal. The results imply that the binding of manganese(II) to DNA is sequence specific. The 1H spectra obtained during the zinc(II) titration reveal diamagnetic shift effects which largely conform with the paramagnetic broadening effects due to the presence of manganese(II), although this picture is somewhat more complex. The H8 resonance of G4 displays a clearly visible high-field shift, while for the other guanosine H8 protons this effect is absent. The H1' and H2' protons of C3 show an effect of similar strength, although in the opposite direction, while H5 and H6 of C3 are only slightly affected. Local differences in the structure of the DNA and the basicities of potential binding sites on different base steps in the sequence might account for the observed sequence selectivity.

Daily Patterns of Preschoolers' Objectively Measured Step Counts in Six European Countries: Cross-Sectional Results from the ToyBox-Study.

PubMed

Van Stappen, Vicky; Van Dyck, Delfien; Latomme, Julie; De Bourdeaudhuij, Ilse; Moreno, Luis; Socha, Piotr; Iotova, Violeta; Koletzko, Berthold; Manios, Yannis; Androutsos, Odysseas; Cardon, Greet; De Craemer, Marieke

2018-02-07

This study is part of the ToyBox-study, which is conducted in six European countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Poland and Spain), aiming to develop a cost-effective kindergarten-based, family-involved intervention to prevent overweight and obesity in four- to six-year-old preschool children. In the current study, we aimed to examine and compare preschoolers' step count patterns, across the six European countries. A sample of 3578 preschoolers (mean age: 4.8 ± 0.4) was included. Multilevel analyses were performed to take clustering of measurements into account. Based on the average hourly steps, step count patterns for the six European countries were created for weekdays and weekend days. The step count patterns during weekdays were related to the daily kindergarten schedules. Step count patterns during weekdays showed several significant peaks and troughs ( p < 0.01) and clearly reflected the kindergartens' daily schedules, except for Germany. For example, low numbers of steps were observed during afternoon naptimes and high numbers of steps during recess. In Germany, step count patterns did not show clear peaks and troughs, which can be explained by a less structured kindergarten schedule. On weekend days, differences in step count patterns were observed in the absolute number of steps in the afternoon trough and the period in which the evening peak occurred. Differences in step count patterns across the countries can be explained by differences in (school) policy, lifestyle habits, and culture. Therefore, it might be important to respond to these step count patterns and more specifically to tackle the inactive periods during interventions to promote physical activity in preschoolers.

Daily Patterns of Preschoolers’ Objectively Measured Step Counts in Six European Countries: Cross-Sectional Results from the ToyBox-Study

PubMed Central

Van Stappen, Vicky; Latomme, Julie; Moreno, Luis; Socha, Piotr; Iotova, Violeta; Koletzko, Berthold; Manios, Yannis; Androutsos, Odysseas

2018-01-01

This study is part of the ToyBox-study, which is conducted in six European countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Poland and Spain), aiming to develop a cost-effective kindergarten-based, family-involved intervention to prevent overweight and obesity in four- to six-year-old preschool children. In the current study, we aimed to examine and compare preschoolers’ step count patterns, across the six European countries. A sample of 3578 preschoolers (mean age: 4.8 ± 0.4) was included. Multilevel analyses were performed to take clustering of measurements into account. Based on the average hourly steps, step count patterns for the six European countries were created for weekdays and weekend days. The step count patterns during weekdays were related to the daily kindergarten schedules. Step count patterns during weekdays showed several significant peaks and troughs (p < 0.01) and clearly reflected the kindergartens’ daily schedules, except for Germany. For example, low numbers of steps were observed during afternoon naptimes and high numbers of steps during recess. In Germany, step count patterns did not show clear peaks and troughs, which can be explained by a less structured kindergarten schedule. On weekend days, differences in step count patterns were observed in the absolute number of steps in the afternoon trough and the period in which the evening peak occurred. Differences in step count patterns across the countries can be explained by differences in (school) policy, lifestyle habits, and culture. Therefore, it might be important to respond to these step count patterns and more specifically to tackle the inactive periods during interventions to promote physical activity in preschoolers. PMID:29414916

Talker Differences in Clear and Conversational Speech: Acoustic Characteristics of Vowels

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ferguson, Sarah Hargus; Kewley-Port, Diane

2007-01-01

Purpose: To determine the specific acoustic changes that underlie improved vowel intelligibility in clear speech. Method: Seven acoustic metrics were measured for conversational and clear vowels produced by 12 talkers--6 who previously were found (S. H. Ferguson, 2004) to produce a large clear speech vowel intelligibility effect for listeners with…

A roadside study of observable driver distractions.

PubMed

Sullman, Mark J M; Prat, Francesc; Tasci, Duygu Kuzu

2015-01-01

This study investigated the prevalence of observable distractions while driving and the effect of drivers' characteristics and time-related variables on their prevalence. Using roadside observation, 2 independent observers collected data at 4 randomly selected locations in St. Albans, UK. Of the 10,984 drivers observed, 16.8% were engaged in a secondary task, with talking to passengers being the most common distraction (8.8%), followed by smoking (1.9%) and talking on a hands-free mobile phone (1.7%). An additional 1.0% were observed talking on a handheld phone, and the rest of the distractions (e.g., texting, drinking) were recorded in less than 1% of the drivers observed. Gender-related differences were found for a number of different distractions (i.e., talking to passengers, drinking, and handheld mobile phone conversations), but age emerged as a significant predictor for most secondary tasks, including talking to passengers, smoking, hands-free mobile phone use, handheld mobile phone use, texting/keying numbers, drinking, and engagement in any type of distraction (all distractions combined). The overall pattern for age was that middle-aged and older drivers were less likely to be distracted than younger drivers. This work provides further evidence of the relatively high rate of distracted driving in the UK. The findings clearly indicate that younger drivers are more likely to drive distracted, which probably contributes to their higher crash rates.

Menstrual cycle and the temporal discrimination threshold.

PubMed

Mc Govern, Eavan M; O'Connor, Emer; Beiser, Ines; Williams, Laura; Butler, John S; Quinlivan, Brendan; Narasimham, Shruti; Beck, Rebecca; Reilly, Richard B; O'Riordan, Sean; Hutchinson, Michael

2017-02-01

The temporal discrimination threshold (TDT) is a proposed pre-clinical biomarker (endophenotype) for adult onset isolated focal dystonia (AOIFD). Age- and sex-related effects on temporal discrimination demonstrate that women, before the age of 40 years, have faster temporal discrimination than men but their TDTs worsen with age at almost three times the rate of men. Thus after 40 years the TDT in women is progressively worse than in men. AOIFD is an increasingly female-predominant disorder after the age of 40; it is not clear whether this age-related sexually-dimorphic difference observed for both the TDT and sex ratio at disease onset in AOIFD is a hormonal or chromosomal effect. The aim of this study was to examine temporal discrimination at weekly intervals during two consecutive menstrual cycles in 14 healthy female volunteers to determine whether physiological hormonal changes affected temporal discrimination. We observed no significant differences in weekly temporal discrimination threshold values during the menstrual cycles and no significant correlation with the menstrual cycle stage. This observed stability of temporal discrimination during cyclical hormonal change raises interesting questions concerning the age-related sexually-dimorphic decline observed in temporal discrimination. Our findings pave the way for future studies exploring potential pathomechanisms for this age-related deterioration.

Dynamical Conditions of Ice Supersaturation and Ice Nucleation in Convective Systems: A Comparative Analysis Between in Situ Aircraft Observations and WRF Simulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

D’Alessandro, John J.; Diao, Minghui; Wu, Chenglai; Liu, Xiaohong; Chen, Ming; Morrison, Hugh; Eidhammer, Trude; Jensen, Jorgen B.; Bansemer, Aaron; Zondlo, Mark A.;

Dynamical conditions of ice supersaturation and ice nucleation in convective systems: A comparative analysis between in situ aircraft observations and WRF simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Alessandro, John J.; Diao, Minghui; Wu, Chenglai; Liu, Xiaohong; Chen, Ming; Morrison, Hugh; Eidhammer, Trude; Jensen, Jorgen B.; Bansemer, Aaron; Zondlo, Mark A.; DiGangi, Josh P.

2017-03-01

Occurrence frequency and dynamical conditions of ice supersaturation (ISS, where relative humidity with respect to ice (RHi) > 100%) are examined in the upper troposphere around convective activity. Comparisons are conducted between in situ airborne observations and the Weather Research and Forecasting model simulations using four double-moment microphysical schemes at temperatures ≤ -40°C. All four schemes capture both clear-sky and in-cloud ISS conditions. However, the clear-sky (in-cloud) ISS conditions are completely (significantly) limited to the RHi thresholds of the Cooper parameterization. In all of the simulations, ISS occurrence frequencies are higher by 3-4 orders of magnitude at higher updraft speeds (>1 m s-1) than those at the lower updraft speeds when ice water content (IWC) > 0.01 g m-3, while observations show smaller differences up to 1-2 orders of magnitude. The simulated ISS also occurs less frequently at weaker updrafts and downdrafts than observed. These results indicate that the simulations have a greater dependence on stronger updrafts to maintain/generate ISS at higher IWC. At lower IWC (≤0.01 g m-3), simulations unexpectedly show lower ISS frequencies at stronger updrafts. Overall, the Thompson aerosol-aware scheme has the closest magnitudes and frequencies of ISS >20% to the observations, and the modified Morrison has the closest correlations between ISS frequencies and vertical velocity at higher IWC and number density. The Cooper parameterization often generates excessive ice crystals and therefore suppresses the frequency and magnitude of ISS, indicating that it should be initiated at higher ISS (e.g., ≥25%).

A study of tape adhesive strength on endotracheal tubes.

PubMed

Fenje, N; Steward, D J

1988-03-01

A method of assessing the adhesive bond of tapes used to secure endotracheal (ET) tubes is described. Five kinds of tape and six different ET tubes including two silicone rubber, wire-reinforced tubes were tested. There are significant differences in the adhesive strength of different tapes, and in the adhesive bond formed by different ET tube materials. On the Portex clear ET tube, silk tape adhered best (p less than 0.001), followed by waterproof, cloth, dermiclear, and micropore tapes. Adhesive bonding by silk tape was significantly greater (p less than 0.001) for the three clear ET tubes (Portex clear, NCC clear, and Portex ivory) than for the Portex blue and the silicone rubber, wire-reinforced ET tubes. All tapes showed very poor or negligible adhesion to the Sheridan and Portex reinforced ET tubes. Adhesion to these tubes was greatly improved by wrapping them tightly with an "op site" dressing prior to applying tape.

Subjective well-being among African-Americans with spinal cord injury: an exploratory study between men and women.

PubMed

Krause, James S; Broderick, Lynne E; Broyles, Joy

2004-01-01

The purpose of this study was to identify gender differences in subjective well-being among 309 African-American participants with spinal cord injury (SCI). Cross-sectional. A Southeastern specialty hospital. There were a total of 309 participants, all of whom were African-Americans. All participants had traumatic SCI, were at least 18 years or older at the time of the study, and a minimum of one year had passed since SCI onset. Measures of subjective well-being included the Life Situation Questionnaire--Revised, Purpose in Life scale, and the Older Adult Health and Mood Questionnaire. Multiple gender differences were observed, with women reporting higher scores on depressive symptoms and negative affect, but lower scores on purpose in life. Other significant findings were observed related to self-reported problems, with men reporting greater problems with pressure ulcers and sexual issues and women reporting greater problems in several areas related to coping and affect. The only gender difference in life satisfaction indicated greater satisfaction with sex life among women. It is clear from the findings that differences do exist among male and female African-Americans with spinal cord injuries. More research is needed to definitively outline differences.

Removal of instrument artefacts by harmonisation of hyperspectral sensor data from multiple detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hultberg, Tim; August, Thomas

2017-09-01

IASI has 4 different detectors, CrIS has 9, IASI-NG will have 16 and MTG-IRS 25600. There is a clear interest to harmonise the sensor data originating from different detectors, if it can be done be removing the parts of the instrument artefacts, which are not common to all detectors. When IASI spectra are analysed in principal component (PC) score space, differences between the four detectors are clearly observed. These differences are caused by different characteristics and different strengths of the ghost effect among the detectors and although they are small when analysed in radiance space, they can have a distinct negative impact on the use of the data. Considering that a large part of the operationally disseminated IASI PC scores are dominated by instrument artefacts, the partial removal of instrument artefacts is also of interest for data compression purposes. The instrument artefacts can be partly removed by projection onto a subspace common to all detectors. We show how the techniques of canonical angles can be used to compute a set of orthogonal vectors capturing only directions which are close to directions found in the signal spaces of all detectors. This principle can also be applied to detectors on-board different satellites, as we demonstrate with the example of IASI-A and IASI-B. The danger of the method is that a single deficient detector, 'blind' to one or more directions of the atmo- spheric signal, could potentially 'contaminate' the data from the other detectors. We discuss how to detect and avoid this problem and check it in practice with CrIS data.

Induction Based on Circumscription

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saito, Haruka; Inoue, Katsumi

We investigate induction from the viewpoint of nonmonotonic reasoning. Induction we consider in this paper is descriptive induction. Hypotheses from descriptive induction have the weak property that they only describe rules with respect to the observations and do not realize an inductive leap. In this paper, we define a new form of descriptive induction with circumscription and the idea of explanation and show two procedures for computing it. The new descriptive induction is called circumscriptive induction. By deciding the roles of predicates in circumscription, we can intentionally minimize models of a given inductive problem. By adopting the idea of explanation, we can distinguish between background knowledge and observations. Additionally, we consider the relationship between the way of choosing the roles of predicates in computing circumscription and the property of hypotheses obtained by circumscriptive induction. It is shown that hypotheses from circumscriptive induction reflect a difference between background knowledge and observations and do not realize an inductive leap. We also investigate revision of hypotheses which is as important as generation of hypotheses. In a process of hypothesis revision, a difference between previous induction and circumscriptive induction is clearly characterised.

Biochemical Studies Of The Effect Of Two Laser Radiation Wavelengths On The Khapra Beetle Trogoderma Granarium Everts (Coleoptera : Dermestidae)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdel-Kader, Mahmoud H.; El-Nozahy, Adel M.; Ahmed, Salwa M. S.; Khalifa, Ibtesam A.

2007-02-01

The present work was carried out to evaluate the actual effect of subleathal dosage of LD30 of two different lasers (Argon-ion and CO2 lasers) on the main metabolites, phosphatases enzymes, transaminases, acetylcholinestrase and peroxidases in the one day adult stage of Trogoderma granarium treated as 2-3 days old pupae. Our results clearly indicated that two different wavelengths of laser radiation increased significantly the total proteins content, whereas no significant changes occurred in the total lipids for the two laser radiation wavelenghts. On the other hand the total carbohydrates were significantly decreased when irradiating using CO2 laser wavelength which is not the case for the Argon-ion laser radiation. Significant changes of phosphatases occurred for both wavelengths. Inhibition of transaminases GOT (glutamic oxaloacetic transaminases) and insignificant changes of GPT (glutamic pyruvic oxaloacetic transaminases) was observed for both laser wavelengths. Significant inhibition of acetyl cholinestrase was observed using CO2 laser and insignificant changes were recorded for Argon ion laser radiation where as insignificant decrease of peroxideses was observed for both lasers.

Image Registration Using Single Cluster PHD Methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campbell, M.; Schlangen, I.; Delande, E.; Clark, D.

Cadets in the Department of Physics at the United States Air Force Academy are using the technique of slitless spectroscopy to analyze the spectra from geostationary satellites during glint season. The equinox periods of the year are particularly favorable for earth-based observers to detect specular reflections off satellites (glints), which have been observed in the past using broadband photometry techniques. Three seasons of glints were observed and analyzed for multiple satellites, as measured across the visible spectrum using a diffraction grating on the Academy’s 16-inch, f/8.2 telescope. It is clear from the results that the glint maximum wavelength decreases relative to the time periods before and after the glint, and that the spectral reflectance during the glint is less like a blackbody. These results are consistent with the presumption that solar panels are the predominant source of specular reflection. The glint spectra are also quantitatively compared to different blackbody curves and the solar spectrum by means of absolute differences and standard deviations. Our initial analysis appears to indicate a potential method of determining relative power capacity.

Comparison of Geosynchronous Satellites Spectral Signatures During Glint Season

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weisz, D.; Dunsmore, A.; Key, J.; Tucker, R.; Weld, E.; Chun, F.; Tippets, R.

2016-09-01

Cadets in the Department of Physics at the United States Air Force Academy are using the technique of slitless spectroscopy to analyze the spectra from geostationary satellites during glint season. The equinox periods of the year are particularly favorable for earth-based observers to detect specular reflections off satellites (glints), which have been observed in the past using broadband photometry techniques. Three seasons of glints were observed and analyzed for multiple satellites, as measured across the visible spectrum using a diffraction grating on the Academy's 16-inch, f/8.2 telescope. It is clear from the results that the glint maximum wavelength decreases relative to the time periods before and after the glint, and that the spectral reflectance during the glint is less like a blackbody. The glint spectra are also quantitatively compared to different blackbody curves and the solar spectrum by means of absolute differences. Our initial analysis appears to indicate a potential method of determining relative power capacity. These results are consistent with the presumption that solar panels are the predominant source of specular reflection.

Measures and Relative Motions of Some Mostly F. G. W. Struve Doubles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wiley, E. O.

2012-04-01

Measures of 59 pairs of double stars with long observational histories using "lucky imaging" techniques are reported. Relative motions of 59 pairs are investigated using histories of observation, scatter plots of relative motion, ordinary least-squares (OLS) and total proper motion analyses performed in "R," an open source programming language. A scatter plot of the coefficient of determinations derived from the OLS y|epoch and OLS x|epoch clearly separates common proper motion pairs from optical pairs and what are termed "long-period binary candidates." Differences in proper motion separate optical pairs from long-term binary candidates. An Appendix is provided that details how to use known rectilinear pairs as calibration pairs for the program REDUC.

Analysis of artificial opals by scanning near field optical microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barrio, J.; Lozano, G.; Lamela, J.; Lifante, G.; Dorado, L. A.; Depine, R. A.; Jaque, F.; Míguez, H.

2011-04-01

Herein we present a detailed analysis of the optical response of artificial opal films realized employing a near-field scanning optical microscope in collection and transmission modes. Near-field patterns measured at the rear surface when a plane wave impinges on the front face are presented with the finding that optical intensity maps present a clear correlation with the periodic arrangement of the outer surface. Calculations based on the vector Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method reproduce the different profiles experimentally observed as well as the response to the polarization of the incident field. These observations constitute the first experimental confirmation of the collective lattice resonances that give rise to the optical response of these three dimensional periodic structures in the high-energy range.

Competitive Self-Assembly Manifests Supramolecular Darwinism in Soft-Oxometalates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Santu; Kumar, Saurabh; Mallick, Apabrita; Roy, Soumyajit

2015-09-01

Topological transformation manifested in inorganic materials shows manifold possibilities. In our present work, we show a clear topological transformation in a soft-oxometalate (SOM) system which was formed from its polyoxometalate (POM) precursor [PMo12@Mo72Fe30]. This topological transformation was observed due to time dependent competitive self-assembly of two different length scale soft-oxometalate moieties formed from this two-component host-guest reaction. We characterized different morphologies by scanning electron microscopy, electron dispersive scattering spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, horizontal attenuated total reflection-infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The predominant structure is selected by its size in a sort of supramolecular Darwinian competition in this process and is described here.

Sex Differences: A Resultant of an Evolutionary Pressure?

PubMed

Della Torre, Sara; Maggi, Adriana

2017-03-07

Spurred by current research policy, we are witnessing a significant growth in the number of studies that observe and describe sexual diversities in human physiology and sex prevalence in a large number of pathologies. Yet we are far from the comprehension of the mechanisms underpinning these differences, which are the result of a long evolutionary history. This Essay is meant to underline female reproductive function as a driver for the positive selection of the specific physiological features that explain male and female differential susceptibility to diseases and metabolic disturbances, in particular. A clear understanding of the causes underlying sexual dimorphisms in the physio-pathology is crucial for precision medicine. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Efficient Egress of Escaping Ants Stressed with Temperature

PubMed Central

Boari, Santiago; Josens, Roxana; Parisi, Daniel R.

2013-01-01

In the present work we investigate the egress times of a group of Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) stressed with different heating speeds. We found that the higher the temperature ramp is, the faster ants evacuate showing, in this sense, a group-efficient evacuation strategy. It is important to note that even when the life of ants was in danger, jamming and clogging was not observed near the exit, in accordance with other experiments reported in the literature using citronella as aversive stimuli. Because of this clear difference between ants and humans, we recommend the use of some other animal models for studying competitive egress dynamics as a more accurate approach to understanding competitive egress in human systems. PMID:24312264

Different routes to the glass transition: A comparison between chemical and physical vitrification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caponi, Silvia; Corezzi, Silvia

2012-07-01

Despite the differences in the molecular processes involved in chemical and physical vitrification, surprising similarities are observed in the dynamics and in the thermodynamical properties of the resulting glasses. We report on a systematic study of reactive glass-formers undergoing a process of progressive polymerization of the constituent molecules via the formation of irreversible chemical bonds. The formation of most of the materials used in engineering plastics and the hardening of natural and synthetic resins, including epoxy resins, are based on chemical vitrification. The clear analogies characterizing the dynamic evolution of physical and chemical glass-formers, on the time scale of the structural and the low-frequency vibrational dynamics, are briefly reviewed.

Quality of public information matters in mate-choice copying in female zebra finches.

PubMed

Kniel, Nina; Schmitz, Jennifer; Witte, Klaudia

2015-01-01

Mate-choice copying is a form of social learning in which an individual gains information about potential mates by observing conspecifics. However, it is still unknown what kind of information drives the decision of an individual to copy the mate choice of others. Among zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata castanotis), only females (not males) copy the mate choice of others. We tested female zebra finches in a binary choice test where they, first, could choose between two males of different phenotypes: one unadorned male and one male artificially adorned with a red feather on the forehead. After this mate-choice test, females could observe a single unadorned male and a pair of zebra finches, i.e. a wild-type female and her adorned mate. Pair interactions were either restricted to acoustic and visual communication (clear glass screen between pair mates) or acoustic communication alone (opaque screen between pair mates). After the observation period, females could again choose between new males of the two phenotypes in a second mate-choice test. In experiments with a clear glass screen, time spent with the respective males changed between the two mate-choice tests, and females preferred adorned over unadorned males during the second mate-choice test. In experiments with an opaque screen, time spent with the respective males did not change between the two mate-choice tests, although females lost an initial preference for unadorned males. Our results demonstrate that the quality of the received public information (visual and acoustic interaction of the observed pair) influences mate-choice copying in female zebra finches.

Pulmonary toxicity and extrapulmonary tissue distribution of metals after repeated exposure to different welding fumes.

PubMed

Antonini, James M; Roberts, Jenny R; Chapman, Rebecca S; Soukup, Joleen M; Ghio, Andrew J; Sriram, Krishnan

2010-08-01

Welders are exposed to fumes with different metal profiles. The goals of this study were to compare lung responses in rats after treatment with chemically different welding fumes and to examine the extrapulmonary fate of metals after deposition in the lungs. Rats were treated by intratracheal instillation (0.5 mg/rat, once a week for 7 weeks) with gas metal arc-mild steel (GMAW-MS) or manual metal arc-hardsurfacing (MMAW-HS) welding fumes. Controls were treated with saline. At 1, 4, 35, and 105 days after the last treatment, lung injury and inflammation were measured, and elemental analysis of different organs was determined to assess metal clearance. The MMAW-HS fume was highly water-soluble and chemically more complex with higher levels of soluble Mn and Cr compared to the GMAW-MS fume. Treatments with the GMAW-MS fume had no effect on toxicity when compared with controls. The MMAW-HS fume induced significant lung damage early after treatment that remained elevated until 35 days. Metals associated with each fume sample was cleared at different rates from the lungs. Mn was cleared from the lungs at a faster rate and to a greater extent compared to the other metals over the 105-day recovery period. Mn and Cr in the MMAW-HS fume translocated from the respiratory tract and deposited in other organs. Importantly, increased deposition of Mn, but not other metals, was observed in discrete brain regions, including dopamine-rich areas (e.g., striatum and midbrain).

Comparison of Pyranometers and Reference Cells on Fixed and One-Axis Tracking Surfaces: Preprint

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dooraghi, Michael R; Sengupta, Manajit; Vignola, Frank

A wide variety of sensors are used to monitor the irradiance incident on solar modules to evaluate the performance of photovoltaic (PV) systems. These instruments range from secondary standard pyranometers to photodiode-based pyranometers to reference cells. Although instruments are mounted in the plane of array of the modules, a wide range of results have been obtained. Some of these difference have been assumed to come from systematic uncertainties associated with the irradiance sensors. This study is an attempt to quantify these differences by comparing the output of selected thermopile pyranometers to photodiode-based pyranometers and reference cells on a horizontal surface,more » a fixed-tilt surface, and a one-axis tracking surface. This analysis focuses on clear-sky results from two sites with different climatic conditions. Several important features were observed. Photodiode-based pyranometers and reference cells produce widely different results under clear skies, especially at larger angles of incidence, even though both instruments are based on measuring the short-circuit current of solar cells. The difference is caused by the scattering of light as it passes through the glazing of the reference cell or the diffuser lens of the photodioded-base pyranometer. Both instruments are shown to have similar response to the spectral distribution of the irradiance when compared to the thermopile-based pyranometer, which has a response nearly independent of the wavelength of light used by PV modules.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Laguna, O.; Collar, E.P.; Taranco, J.

Observations are made about microstructural aspects from HDPE and LDPE homopolymers and their blends as virgin materials and also from urban plastic wastes. Micrographs were taken by SEM. Micrographs corresponding to the fracture surface from specimens tested in an impact test clearly show different microstructural features due to polymer which is more than 50%. Parts were injection molded. A discussion is given about crystallization behavior of those materials obtained by DSC. For all blends the same results have been found, i.e., two peaks owing to each of the two polymers which are present in the blends.

On the possibility of singularities in the acoustic field of supersonic sources when BEM is applied to a wave equation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

De Bernardis, E.; Farassat, F.

1989-01-01

Using a time domain method based on the Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings equation, a reliable explanation is provided for the origin of singularities observed in the numerical prediction of supersonic propeller noise. In the last few years Tam and, more recently, Amiet have analyzed the phenomenon from different points of view. The method proposed here offers a clear interpretation of the singularities based on a new description of sources, relating to the behavior of lines where the propeller blade surface exhibit slope discontinuity.

NMR study of the gelation of a designed gelator.

PubMed

Brand, Torsten; Nolis, Pau; Richter, Sven; Berger, Stefan

2008-06-01

The gelation of a designed gelator was investigated by different NMR methods, which showed a clear thermal hysteresis. Two very simple approaches for the NMR determination of the gelation point are suggested. One involves the observation of the NMR integral, and the other records the ratio of the diffusion coefficients between the gelator and the solvent. Differential behavior of the gelator protons are interpreted as a hint that a part of the gelator molecule might still be flexible as in the dissolved state. Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Influence of Earth-directed Coronal Mass Ejections on the Sun’s Shadow Observed by the Tibet-III Air Shower Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amenomori, M.; Bi, X. J.; Chen, D.; Chen, T. L.; Chen, W. Y.; Cui, S. W.; Danzengluobu; Ding, L. K.; Feng, C. F.; Feng, Zhaoyang; Feng, Z. Y.; Gou, Q. B.; Guo, Y. Q.; He, H. H.; He, Z. T.; Hibino, K.; Hotta, N.; Hu, Haibing; Hu, H. B.; Huang, J.; Jia, H. Y.; Jiang, L.; Kajino, F.; Kasahara, K.; Katayose, Y.; Kato, C.; Kawata, K.; Kozai, M.; Labaciren; Le, G. M.; Li, A. F.; Li, H. J.; Li, W. J.; Liu, C.; Liu, J. S.; Liu, M. Y.; Lu, H.; Meng, X. R.; Miyazaki, T.; Munakata, K.; Nakajima, T.; Nakamura, Y.; Nanjo, H.; Nishizawa, M.; Niwa, T.; Ohnishi, M.; Ohta, I.; Ozawa, S.; Qian, X. L.; Qu, X. B.; Saito, T.; Saito, T. Y.; Sakata, M.; Sako, T. K.; Shao, J.; Shibata, M.; Shiomi, A.; Shirai, T.; Sugimoto, H.; Takita, M.; Tan, Y. H.; Tateyama, N.; Torii, S.; Tsuchiya, H.; Udo, S.; Wang, H.; Wu, H. R.; Xue, L.; Yamamoto, Y.; Yamauchi, K.; Yang, Z.; Yuan, A. F.; Zhai, L. M.; Zhang, H. M.; Zhang, J. L.; Zhang, X. Y.; Zhang, Y.; Zhang, Yi; Zhang, Ying; Zhaxisangzhu; Zhou, X. X.; Tibet ASγ Collaboration

2018-06-01

We examine the possible influence of Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (ECMEs) on the Sun’s shadow in the 3 TeV cosmic-ray intensity observed by the Tibet-III air shower (AS) array. We confirm a clear solar-cycle variation of the intensity deficit in the Sun’s shadow during ten years between 2000 and 2009. This solar-cycle variation is overall reproduced by our Monte Carlo (MC) simulations of the Sun’s shadow based on the potential field model of the solar magnetic field averaged over each solar rotation period. We find, however, that the magnitude of the observed intensity deficit in the Sun’s shadow is significantly less than that predicted by MC simulations, particularly during the period around solar maximum when a significant number of ECMEs is recorded. The χ 2 tests of the agreement between the observations and the MC simulations show that the difference is larger during the periods when the ECMEs occur, and the difference is reduced if the periods of ECMEs are excluded from the analysis. This suggests the first experimental evidence of the ECMEs affecting the Sun’s shadow observed in the 3 TeV cosmic-ray intensity.

Particulate matter in Southwestern Africa cities of Cotonou (Benin) and Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire).

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leon, J. F.; Djossou, J.; Liousse, C.; Akpo, A.; Veronique, Y.; Gardrat, E.; Bedou, M.; Bodjrenou, M.

2017-12-01

Air quality observations in the major cities of South-Western Africa still remains few with regards to economic growth and the large increase in the urban population. The main cities lying on the Gulf of Guinea experiences low air quality because of the contribution of local emissions and advection of pollutants from the African continent. We present in this paper new observations acquired from February 2015 to March 2017 in the major cities of Cotonou (Bénin) and Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire). The PM2.5 mass concentration and carbon composition (elemental and organic carbon) were recorded on a weekly basis at 4 different locations representative of major emission sources, i.e. traffic emission, domestic fire and waste burning. Additionally, the aerosol optical depth (AOD) was also recorded daily inside and outside the cities. We observe large similarly between both cities. The mean PM2.5 concentration of around 30 µg.m-3 is coherent with previous studies for sub-Saharan western Africa and is 3 times higher than the concentrations recommended by the World Health Organization. The sampled collected at the domestic fire site shows a large pollution by smoking activity with an average concentration of 145 µg.m-3, nearly 5 times the traffic background. The seasonality of PM2.5 is affected by the contribution of desert dust and biomass burning emissions that is clearly observed from the AOD time series. We observe that dust events contribute sporadically to large amount of PM2.5, above 100 µg.m-3, during the dry seasons. Moreover, the biomass burning activity is also maximum before and during the dry season and contributes to increase the PM2.5 concentration. Low PM2.5 observed during the minor dry season can be explain by an enhancement of the atmospheric dispersion due to the increase in the wind intensity and the absence of biomass burning activity. We observe a significant difference in the carbonaceous aerosols between the traffic site in Abidjan and Cotonou. The mean OC/EC ratio is on average 4.0 for Cotonou and 2.0 for Abidjan, clearly indicating the larger contribution emission by the 2-wheel motorcycles in Cotonou compared to Abidjan

Observation of snowfall with a low-power FM-CW K-band radar (Micro Rain Radar)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kneifel, Stefan; Maahn, Maximilian; Peters, Gerhard; Simmer, Clemens

2011-06-01

Quantifying snowfall intensity especially under arctic conditions is a challenge because wind and snow drift deteriorate estimates obtained from both ground-based gauges and disdrometers. Ground-based remote sensing with active instruments might be a solution because they can measure well above drifting snow and do not suffer from flow distortions by the instrument. Clear disadvantages are, however, the dependency of e.g. radar returns on snow habit which might lead to similar large uncertainties. Moreover, high sensitivity radars are still far too costly to operate in a network and under harsh conditions. In this paper we compare returns from a low-cost, low-power vertically pointing FM-CW radar (Micro Rain Radar, MRR) operating at 24.1 GHz with returns from a 35.5 GHz cloud radar (MIRA36) for dry snowfall during a 6-month observation period at an Alpine station (Environmental Research Station Schneefernerhaus, UFS) at 2,650 m height above sea level. The goal was to quantify the potential and limitations of the MRR in relation to what is achievable by a cloud radar. The operational MRR procedures to derive standard radar variables like effective reflectivity factor ( Z e) or the mean Doppler velocity ( W) had to be modified for snowfall since the MRR was originally designed for rain observations. Since the radar returns from snowfall are weaker than from comparable rainfall, the behavior of the MRR close to its detection threshold has been analyzed and a method is proposed to quantify the noise level of the MRR based on clear sky observations. By converting the resulting MRR- Z e into 35.5 GHz equivalent Z e values, a remaining difference below 1 dBz with slightly higher values close to the noise threshold could be obtained. Due to the much higher sensitivity of MIRA36, the transition of the MRR from the true signal to noise can be observed, which agrees well with the independent clear sky noise estimate. The mean Doppler velocity differences between both radars are below 0.3 ms-1. The distribution of Z e values from MIRA36 are finally used to estimate the uncertainty of retrieved snowfall and snow accumulation with the MRR. At UFS low snowfall rates missed by the MRR are negligible when comparing snow accumulation, which were mainly caused by intensities between 0.1 and 0.8 mm h-1. The MRR overestimates the total snow accumulation by about 7%. This error is much smaller than the error caused by uncertain Z e-snowfall rate relations, which would affect the MIRA36 estimated to a similar degree.

Path to the stars: the evolution of the species in the hunting to the GRBs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vitali, Fabrizio; Chincarini, Guido; Zannoni, Mario; Covino, Stefano; Molinari, Emilio; Benetti, Stefano; Bonoli, Carlotta; Bortoletto, Favio; Cascone, Enrico; Cosentino, Rosario; D'Alessio, Francesco; D'Avanzo, Paolo; de Caprio, Vincenzo; Della Valle, Massimo; Fernandez-Soto, Alberto; Fugazza, Dino; Giro, Enrico; Magrin, Demetrio; Malaspina, Giuseppe; Mankiewicz, Lech; Margutti, Raffaella; Mazzoleni, Ruben; Nicastro, Luciano; Riva, Alberto; Riva, Marco; Salvaterra, Ruben; Spanò, Paolo; Sperandio, Monica; Stefanon, Mauro; Tosti, Gino; Testa, Vincenzo

2010-07-01

During the last years, a number of telescopes and instruments have been dedicated to the follow-up of GRBs: recent studies of the prompt emission (see for instance GRB080319B) and of their afterglows, evidenced a series of phenomena that do not fit very well within the standard fireball model. In those cases, optical observations were fundamental to distinguish among different emission mechanisms and models. In particular, simultaneous observation in various optical filters became essential to understand the physics, and we discovered the need to have a detailed high time resolution follow up. Finally, recent observations of the polarization in GRB 090102 clearly indicate the presence of an ordered magnetic field favoring the electromagnetic outflows models. This is, however, only one case and, in order to detail properly the model, we need a bit of statistics. But, after the Swift launch, the average observed intensity of GRB afterglows showed to be lower than thought before. Robotic telescopes, as demonstrated by REM, ROTSE, TAROT, etc. (but see also the GROND set up) is clearly the winning strategy. Indeed, as we will also briefly discuss later on, the understanding of the prompt emission mechanism depends on the observations covering the first few hundreds seconds since the beginning of the event with high temporal resolution. To tackle these problems and track down a realistic model, we started the conceptual design and phase A study of a 4 meter class, fast-pointing telescope (40 sec on target), equipped with multichannel imagers, from Visible to Near Infrared (Codevisir/Pathos). In the study we explored all the different parts of the project, from the telescope to the instrumental suite to data managing and analysis, to the dome and site issue. Contacts with industry have been fruitful in understanding the actual feasibility of building such a complex machine and no show stoppers have been identified, even if some critical points should be better addressed in the Phase B study. In this paper, we present the main results of the feasibility study we performed.

Pedestrian crowd dynamics in merging sections: Revisiting the ;faster-is-slower; phenomenon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shahhoseini, Zahra; Sarvi, Majid; Saberi, Meead

2018-02-01

The study of the discharge of active or self-driven matter in narrow passages has become of the growing interest in a variety of fields. The question has particularly important practical applications for the safety of pedestrian human flows notably in emergency scenarios. It has been suggested predominantly through simulation in some theoretical studies as well as through few experimentations that under certain circumstances, an elevated vigour to escape may exacerbate the outflow and cause further delay although the experimental evidence is rather mixed. The dimensions of this complex phenomenon known as the "faster-is slower" effect are of crucial importance to be understood owing to its potential practical implications for the emergency management. The contextual requirements of observing this phenomenon are yet to be identified. It is not clear whether a "do not speed up" policy is universally beneficial and advisable in an evacuation scenario. Here for the first time we experimentally examine this phenomenon in relation to the pedestrian flows at merging sections as a common geometric feature of crowd egress. Various merging angles and three different speed regimes were examined in high-density laboratory experiments. The measurements of flow interruptions and egress efficiency all indicated that the pedestrians were discharged faster when moving at elevated speed levels. We also observed clear dependencies between the discharge rate and the physical layout of the merging with certain designs clearly outperforming others. But regardless of the design, we observed faster throughput and greater avalanche sizes when we instructed pedestrians to run. Our results give the suggestion that observation of the faster-is-slower effect may necessitate certain critical conditions including passages being overly narrow relative to the size of participles (pedestrians) to create long-lasting blockages. The faster-is-slower assumption may not be universal and there may be circumstances where faster is, in fact, faster for evacuees. In the light of these findings, we suggest that it is important to identify and formulate those conditions so they can be disentangled from one another in the models. Misguided overgeneralisations may have unintended adverse ramifications for the safe evacuation management, and this highlights the need for further exploration of this phenomenon.

The Dynamics and Implications of Gap Clearing via Planets in Planetesimal (Debris) Disks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morrison, Sarah Jane

Exoplanets and debris disks are examples of solar systems other than our own. As the dusty reservoirs of colliding planetesimals, debris disks provide indicators of planetary system evolution on orbital distance scales beyond those probed by the most prolific exoplanet detection methods, and on timescales 10 r to 10 Gyr. The Solar System possesses both planets and small bodies, and through studying the gravitational interactions between both, we gain insight into the Solar System's past. As we enter the era of resolved observations of debris disks residing around other stars, I add to our theoretical understanding of the dynamical interactions between debris, planets, and combinations thereof. I quantify how single planets clear material in their vicinity and how long this process takes for the entire planetary mass regime. I use these relationships to assess the lowest mass planet that could clear a gap in observed debris disks over the system's lifetime. In the distant outer reaches of gaps in young debris systems, this minimum planet mass can exceed Neptune's. To complement the discoveries of wide-orbit, massive, exoplanets by direct imaging surveys, I assess the dynamical stability of high mass multi-planet systems to estimate how many high mass planets could be packed into young, gapped debris disks. I compare these expectations to the planet detection rates of direct imaging surveys and find that high mass planets are not the primary culprits for forming gaps in young debris disk systems. As an alternative model for forming gaps in planetesimal disks with planets, I assess the efficacy of creating gaps with divergently migrating pairs of planets. I find that migrating planets could produce observed gaps and elude detection. Moreover, the inferred planet masses when neglecting migration for such gaps could be expected to be observable by direct imaging surveys for young, nearby systems. Wide gaps in young systems would likely still require more than two planets even with plantesimal-driven migration. These efforts begin to probe the types of potential planets carving gaps in disks of different evolutionary stages and at wide orbit separations on scales similar to our outer Solar System.

Mode S and ADS-B as a Source of Clear-Air Turbulence Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kopeć, Jacek; Kwiatkowski, Kamil; de Haan, Siebren; Malinowski, Szymon

2016-04-01

Clear-Air Turbulence (CAT) beside being the most common cause for commercial aircraft incidents in the cruise phase is a complex physical phenomenon. CAT is an effect of various underlying physical mechanisms such as different kinds of hydrodynamic instabilities or large scale forcing. In order to properly understand and correctly forecast it one needs a significant amount of observation data. Up to date the best available observations are the in-situ EDR (from eddy dissipation rate - a measure of turbulence intensity). Those observations are reported every ~1 min of flight (roughly every 15 km). Yet their availability is limited by the willingness of the airlines to cooperate in adjusting on-board software. However there is a class of data that can be accessed more freely. In this communication we present and discuss a feasibility analysis of the three methods of processing Mode S/ADS-B messages into viable turbulence measurements. The Mode S/ADS-B messages are unrestricted navigational data broadcast by most of the commercial aircraft. The unique characteristic of this data is a very high temporal resolution. This allows to employ processing which results in obtaining turbulence information characterized by spatial resolution comparable with the best available data sources. Moreover due to using Mode-S/ASS-B data, the number of aircraft that are providing observations increases significantly. The methods are either using simple positioning information available in the ADS-B or high-resolution wind information from the Mode S. The paper is largely based on the results of the methods application to the data originating from DELICAT flight campaign that took place in 2013. The flight campaign was conducted using NLR operated Cessna Citation II. The reference Mode-S/ADS-B data partly overlapping with the research flights were supplied by the KNMI. Analysis shows very significant potential of the Mode-S wind based methods. J. M. Kopeć, K. Kwiatkowski, S. de Haan, and S. P. Malinowski, Retrieving clear-air turbulence information from regular commercial aircraft using Mode-S and ADS-B broadcast, Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., 8, 11817-11852, doi:10.5194/amtd-8-11817-2015, 2015

Spatial variability in land-atmosphere coupling strength at the ARM Southern Great Plains site under different cloud regimes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Q.; Xie, S.; Zhang, Y.

2016-12-01

The paucity of land/soil observations is a long-standing limitation for land-atmosphere (LA) coupling studies, in particular for estimating the spatial variability in the coupling strengths. Spatially dense atmospheric radiation measurement (ARM) sites deployed at the U.S. Southern Great Plains (SGP) covers a wide range of vegetation, surface, and soil types, and thus allow us to observe the spatial patterns of LA coupling. The upcoming "super site" at SGP will facilitate these studies at even finer scales. While many previous studies have focused only on the observations from the central facility (CF) site or the domain mean from multiple sites, in the present work we examine the robustness of many key surface and land observations (e.g., radiation, turbulence fluxes, soil moisture, etc.) at extended sites besides the CF site for a decade. The coupling strengths are estimated with temporal covariations between important variables. We subsample the data to different categories based on different cloud regimes (e.g., clear sky, shallow cumulus, and deep cumulus. These cloud regimes are strongly impacted by local factors. The spatial variability of coupling strengths at different ARM sites is assessed with respect to dominant drivers (i.e., vegetation, land type, etc.). The results of this study will provide insights for improving the representation of LA coupling in climate models by providing observational constraints to parameterizations, e.g., shallow convective schemes. This work is performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344. LLNL-ABS-698523

Clear-Water Abutment and Contraction Scour in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont Provinces of South Carolina, 1996-99

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-08-01

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the South Carolina Department of Transportation, collected observations of clear-water abutment and contraction scour at 146 bridges in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont of South Carolina. Scour depths ran...

Occupational accidents in professional dance with focus on gender differences

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Classical dance comprises gender specific movement tasks. There is a lack of studies which investigate work related traumatic injuries in terms of gender specific differences in detail. Objective To define gender related differences of occupational accidents. Methods Basis for the evaluation were occupational injuries of professional dancers from three (n = 785; f: n = 358, m: n = 427) state theatres. Results The incidence rate (0.36 per year) was higher in males (m: 0.45, f: 0.29). There were gender specific differences as to the localizations of injuries, particularly the spine region (m: 17.3%, f: 9.8%, p = 0.05) and ankle joint (m: 23.7%, f: 35.5%, p = 0.003). Compared to male dancers, females sustained more injuries resulting from extrinsic factors. Significant differences could specifically be observed with dance floors (m: 8.8%, f: 15.1%, p = 0.02). There were also significant gender differences observed with movement vocabulary. Conclusion The clearly defined gender specific movement activities in classical dance are reflected in occupational accidents sustained. Organisational structures as well as work environment represent a burden likewise to male and female dancers. The presented differences support the development of gender specific injury prevention measures. PMID:24341391

Covert enaction at work: Recording the continuous movements of visuospatial attention to visible or imagined targets by means of Steady-State Visual Evoked Potentials (SSVEPs).

PubMed

Gregori Grgič, Regina; Calore, Enrico; de'Sperati, Claudio

2016-01-01

Whereas overt visuospatial attention is customarily measured with eye tracking, covert attention is assessed by various methods. Here we exploited Steady-State Visual Evoked Potentials (SSVEPs) - the oscillatory responses of the visual cortex to incoming flickering stimuli - to record the movements of covert visuospatial attention in a way operatively similar to eye tracking (attention tracking), which allowed us to compare motion observation and motion extrapolation with and without eye movements. Observers fixated a central dot and covertly tracked a target oscillating horizontally and sinusoidally. In the background, the left and the right halves of the screen flickered at two different frequencies, generating two SSVEPs in occipital regions whose size varied reciprocally as observers attended to the moving target. The two signals were combined into a single quantity that was modulated at the target frequency in a quasi-sinusoidal way, often clearly visible in single trials. The modulation continued almost unchanged when the target was switched off and observers mentally extrapolated its motion in imagery, and also when observers pointed their finger at the moving target during covert tracking, or imagined doing so. The amplitude of modulation during covert tracking was ∼25-30% of that measured when observers followed the target with their eyes. We used 4 electrodes in parieto-occipital areas, but similar results were achieved with a single electrode in Oz. In a second experiment we tested ramp and step motion. During overt tracking, SSVEPs were remarkably accurate, showing both saccadic-like and smooth pursuit-like modulations of cortical responsiveness, although during covert tracking the modulation deteriorated. Covert tracking was better with sinusoidal motion than ramp motion, and better with moving targets than stationary ones. The clear modulation of cortical responsiveness recorded during both overt and covert tracking, identical for motion observation and motion extrapolation, suggests to include covert attention movements in enactive theories of mental imagery. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.