The useful potential of using existing data to uniquely identify predictable wind events and regimes, part 2

Wind data from four sites were stratified and found to naturally fit into a few unique groups. These were compared with synoptic weather patterns using the Booz-Allen classification system. Strong relationships became evident between a particular synoptic type and wind events for each site. Statistics indicate certain patterns which result in strong winds and some that result in weak winds. For each site there is a preferred wind direction associated with the strongest speed. Important relationships were also found comparing 850-mb and surface wind. Additionally, comparisons between pressure gradient and wind speed for a given gradient direction show some significant relationships. It can be stated that the overall results show what by using existing data for any site, the winds can be characterized and correlated with synoptic weather patterns. As a result, reliable wind forecasts can be made for utility companies for the purpose of power generation

Prostaglandin- and theophylline-induced Cl secretion in rat distal colon is inhibited by microtubule inhibitors

The aim of the present study was to examine the possible role of microtubules in chloride secretion by distal rat colon stimulated by prostaglandin (PGE 2 ) and theophylline. Distal colonic tissue from male rats was mounted in Ussing chambers, and short-circuit current (I sc ) was measured to assess chloride secretion. Three microtubule inhibitors, colchicine, nocodazole, and taxol, all inhibited the stimulated I sc and reduced the 60-min integrated secretory response to PGE 2 and theophylline (▪I sc dt) by 39–52%, whereas the inactive colchicine analog lumicolchicine did not. Atropine and tetrodotoxin had no effect on stimulated chloride secretion. To confirm the source of I sc , unidirectional 22 Na + and 36 Cl − fluxes were measured in tissues exposed to lumicolchicine (control) or colchicine. Control tissues absorbed both chloride [5.0 (1.1–8.6) (median and 95% confidence interval) μeq/cm 2 /hr] and sodium [2.8 (0.9–7.2) μeq/cm 2 /hr], and this net absorption was reduced by 96% and 79%, respectively, by treatment with PGE 2 and theophylline due to an increase in serosal-to-mucosal chloride and sodium movement. Colchicine-treated tissues exhibited similar net basal chloride and sodium absorption that was reduced by 71% and 75%, respectively, by treatment with PGE 2 and theophylline. Thus the PGE 2 - and theophylline-induced increase in chloride secretion was significantly reduced by colchicine ( P <0.05 by Wilcoxon rank-sum test), whereas colchicine had no effect on PGE 2 - and theophylline-induced changes in sodium fluxes. Furthermore, the colchinine-related changes in stimulated chloride secretion were numerically similar to colchicine-related changes in stimulated I sc . These findings indicate that microtubules are required for normal PGE 2 - and theophylline-induced chloride secretion in distal rat colon and suggest that induced chloride secretion may involve vesicular insertion of ion transporters into the plasma membrane or other microtubule-dependent regulatory processes.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44414/1/10620_2005_Article_BF01299864.pd

Noise sources and levels in the Evgenidion Hospital intensive care unit

Noise sources and levels were evaluated in a six-bed intensive care unit (ICU) in Athens, Greece. Ten patients (six males, four females) completed specifically designed questionnaires, and at the same time nine 8-h sound measuring sessions took place. A Bruel and Kjaer 2231 sound-meter was used on the decibel-A scale combined with observation. Human activity, operating equipment and construction engineering of the hospital building were identified as sources of noise. Noise levels were elevated [LEQ = 60.3-67.4 dB(A)]. No reliable information was obtained from the questionnaires. ICU noise levels were higher by 27 dB(A) than recommended hospitals levels. To counteract noise pollution in ICUs, staff awareness and sensitivity are needed

A preliminary look at the prehistoric metallurgy at Tepe Hissar Iran

Mettallurgia dell'Ira