76 research outputs found

    A Prototype Hail Detection Algorithm and Hail Climatology Developed with the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU)

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    In previous studies published in the open literature, a strong relationship between the occurrence of hail and the microwave brightness temperatures (primarily at 37 and 85 GHz) was documented. These studies were performed with the Nimbus7 SMMR, the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) and most recently, the Aqua AMSRE sensor. This lead to climatologies of hail frequency from TMI and AMSRE, however, limitations include geographical domain of the TMI sensor (35 S to 35 N) and the overpass time of the Aqua satellite (130 am/pm local time), both of which reduce an accurate mapping of hail events over the global domain and the full diurnal cycle. Nonetheless, these studies presented exciting, new applications for passive microwave sensors. Since 1998, NOAA and EUMETSAT have been operating the AMSUA/B and the MHS on several operational satellites: NOAA15 through NOAA19; MetOpA and B. With multiple satellites in operation since 2000, the AMSU/MHS sensors provide near global coverage every 4 hours, thus, offering a much larger time and temporal sampling than TRMM or AMSRE. With similar observation frequencies near 30 and 85 GHz and additionally three at the 183 GHz water vapor band, the potential to detect strong convection associated with severe storms on a more comprehensive time and space scale exists. In this study, we develop a prototype AMSUbased hail detection algorithm through the use of collocated satellite and surface hail reports over the continental U.S. for a 12year period (20002011). Compared with the surface observations, the algorithm detects approximately 40 percent of hail occurrences. The simple threshold algorithm is then used to generate a hail climatology that is based on all available AMSU observations during 200011 that is stratified in several ways, including total hail occurrence by month (March through September), total annual, and over the diurnal cycle. Independent comparisons are made compared to similar data sets derived from other satellite, ground radar and surface reports. The algorithm was also applied to global land measurements for a single year and showed close agreement with other satellite based hail climatologies. Such a product could serve as a prototype for use with a future geostationary based microwave sensor such as NASA's proposed PATH mission

    The potential of the ‘Internet of Things’ to enhance inquiry in Singapore schools

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    Background: The Internet of Things (IoT) is a global network of data-sensing devices which pupils can access during science or other curriculum activities. Purpose: This article reports on a commissioned evaluation of a small-scale pilot project to explore the potential of the IoT combined with local sensors to enhance pupils’ data interpretation skills within inquiry-based approaches to primary science and secondary geography education. Sample: The project involved 14 teachers and 196 pupils from three primary and two secondary schools in Singapore. Design and methods: Using a mixed-method approach, the evaluation drew upon repeated video interviews with the teaching teams in each school, planning documentation and repeated pupil attitude surveys to determine the extent to which investigative and inquiry-based learning had been promoted; the contextual factors influencing effective implementation and the leadership expertise required to manage the project. Results: The combined use of IoT and local sensors appears to have effected some pedagogic change in participant teachers and led to some pupil learning gains in procedural skills; however significant technical and pedagogic challenges – together with tensions between time allocation and curriculum coverage – limited the extent to which the approach was embedded within classroom practice. Conclusion: This pilot project suggests strategies to meet the challenges associated with using the emergent technology of the Internet of Things to enhance inquiry-based science education

    Regulation of Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression by the Translational Silencer TIA-1

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    The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme catalyzes the rate-limiting step of prostaglandin formation in inflammatory states, and COX-2 overexpression plays a key role in carcinogenesis. To understand the mechanisms regulating COX-2 expression, we examined its posttranscriptional regulation mediated through the AU-rich element (ARE) within the COX-2 mRNA 3′-untranslated region (3′UTR). RNA binding studies, performed to identify ARE-binding regulatory factors, demonstrated binding of the translational repressor protein TIA-1 to COX-2 mRNA. The significance of TIA-1-mediated regulation of COX-2 expression was observed in TIA-1 null fibroblasts that produced significantly more COX-2 protein than wild-type fibroblasts. However, TIA-1 deficiency did not alter COX-2 transcription or mRNA turnover. Colon cancer cells demonstrated to overexpress COX-2 through increased polysome association with COX-2 mRNA also showed defective TIA-1 binding both in vitro and in vivo. These findings implicate that TIA-1 functions as a translational silencer of COX-2 expression and support the hypothesis that dysregulated RNA-binding of TIA-1 promotes COX-2 expression in neoplasia

    Mechanism and biological significance of constitutive expression of MGSA/GRO chemokines in malignant melanoma tumor progression

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    By reverse transcriptaseâ polymerase chain reaction, enzymelinked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry, MGSAâ α, â β, â γ, and CXCR2 mRNA expression and proteins are detected in 7 out of 10 human melanoma lesions. The biological consequence of constitutive expression of the MGSA/GRO chemokine in immortalized melanocytes was tested in SCID and nude mouse models. Continuous expression of MGSA/GROâ α, â β, or â γ in immortalized melanâ a mouse melanocytes results in nearly 100% tumor formation for each of the clones tested, whereas clones expressing only the neomycin resistance vector form tumors <10% of the time. Moreover, antibodies to the MGSA/GRO proteins slow or inhibit the formation of tumors in the SCID mouse model and block the angiogenic response to conditioned medium from the tumorâ producing clones. Transcription of the MGSA/ GRO chemokines is regulated by an enhancesomelike complex comprised of the nuclear factorâ κB (NFâ κB), HMG(I)Y, IUR, and Sp1 elements. In Hs294T melanoma cells the half life of the IκB protein is shortened in comparison to normal retinal epithelial cells, facilitating the endogenous nuclear localization of NFâ κB. We propose that this endogenous nuclear NFâ κB, working in concert with the 115â κDa IURâ binding factor, promotes constitutive expression of MGSA/GRO genes. J. Leukoc. Biol.62: 588â 597; 1997.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/141559/1/jlb0588.pd

    1974: Abilene Christian College Bible Lectures - Full Text

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    DISCIPLESHIP Being the Abilene Christian College Annual Bible Lectures 1974 Published by ABILENE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE Book Store ACC Station Abilene, Texas 7960

    1977: Abilene Christian College Bible Lectures - Full Text

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    Seeking The Lost Being the Abilene Christian University Annual Bible Lectures 1977 Published by ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY Book Store ACU Station Abilene, Texas 7960

    Lifespan extension and the doctrine of double effect

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    Recent developments in biogerontology—the study of the biology of ageing—suggest that it may eventually be possible to intervene in the human ageing process. This, in turn, offers the prospect of significantly postponing the onset of age-related diseases. The biogerontological project, however, has met with strong resistance, especially by deontologists. They consider the act of intervening in the ageing process impermissible on the grounds that it would (most probably) bring about an extended maximum lifespan—a state of affairs that they deem intrinsically bad. In a bid to convince their deontological opponents of the permissibility of this act, proponents of biogerontology invoke an argument which is grounded in the doctrine of double effect. Surprisingly, their argument, which we refer to as the ‘double effect argument’, has gone unnoticed. This article exposes and critically evaluates this ‘double effect argument’. To this end, we first review a series of excerpts from the ethical debate on biogerontology in order to substantiate the presence of double effect reasoning. Next, we attempt to determine the role that the ‘double effect argument’ is meant to fulfil within this debate. Finally, we assess whether the act of intervening in ageing actually can be justified using double effect reasoning

    1972: Abilene Christian College Bible Lectures - Full Text

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    THE CHURCH AND THE FUTURE Being the Abilene Christian College Annual Bible Lectures 1972 Published by ABILENE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE BOOK STORE ACC Station Abilene, Texas 7960

    The Vehicle, Fall 1993

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    Table of Contents 7/10ths SynthesisPeter F. Essigpage 5 Aug 1992 (My Small Catechism)Jon Montgomerypage 6 Chaos Is-J. Dylan McNeillpage 7 UntouchedTraci Williamspage 8 The JustificationJohn C. Carminepage 8 LincolnJon Montgomerypage 9 Untitled (Photo)Nicole Niemanpage 10 Park PoemJohn Brillhartpage 11 SmokeJulia Ann Canhampage 12 Warming the BenchAnn Moutraypage 12 Cereal KillerJay Harnackpage 13 The Dutiful SonsTom McGrathpage 14 UntitledCatherine DeGraafpage 17 7-up bottleWalt Howardpage 17 BreedDan Trutterpage 18 An Argument Against LoveTony Martinezpage 19 UntitledT. Scott Laniganpage 19 Glassblowers BallStephanie Franzenpage 20 Portrait of a Young GirlJohn C. Carminepage 20 Untitled (artwork)Dan Trutterpage 21 Death of a FriendLizabeth Kulkapage 22 Submission BluesMartin Paul Brittpage 23 To the Fourteen Year Old SuicideScott Langenpage 23 The Flabby PilgrimTom McGrathpage 24 The Fall of ImmortalityBrian Wheelerpage 25 Merging with AirThom Schnarrepage 26 UntitledCatherine DeGraafpage 27 Tree FishSandra Beauchamppage 28 Country SlumberJ. Dylan McNeillpage 29 Untitled (artwork)Dan Trutterpage 33 Authors\u27 Pagepage 34https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1060/thumbnail.jp
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