1,730 research outputs found
Assessing the Impact of Sea-Surface Temperature Biases and Errors on Tropical Cyclone Simulations and Predictions
Tropical cyclones (TCs) are one of the most impactful natural hazards to peopleâs life and
economy, and improving forecast and future projection of TCs is one of the most important areas
for the weather and climate research community. Previous studies show that sea surface
temperature (SST) patterns both local to and remote from TC development regions are important
drivers of the variability of TC activity on different timescales. Thus, reliable simulations and
predictions of TC activity depend on a realistic representation of tropical SSTs. Nevertheless,
severe SST biases are common to the current generation of global climate models, especially in
the tropical Pacific and Atlantic, where TCs are active. Alleviating these SST biases has proven
challenging, leading to the prospect that the bias problem may persist for decades, even with
improvements in our understanding of the causes of the biases and in reducing the biases in the
newer version of climate models. It is, therefore, crucial to understand and evaluate the effects
of the biases on simulations of climate extremes. Using an atmospheric-only tropical-channel
model (TCM), we investigated the impact of SST biases and uncertainties in SST prediction on
TC simulations. The simulation results show significant influences from SST biases on TC
simulations both in local basins and remote ocean basins. Moreover, ensemble dynamical
downscaling experiments using TCM forced by SST anomalies derived from CESM Decadal
Prediction Large Ensemble (CESM-DP-LE) experiments also reveal impacts from uncertainties
in lateral boundary conditions, suggesting that uncertainties in tropical SST prediction may not
be the only dominant factor limiting TC predictability. Last but not least, we explored the
prospect of multiyear-to-decadal TC prediction by evaluating the skill of CESM-DP-LE in
predicting TC-related environmental condition changes on multiyear-to-decadal time scales. The
results show that CESM-DP-LE is highly skillful in predicting TC genesis potential index (GPI)
on multiyear to decadal timescales. In particular, it successfully predicted the decadal shift in the
mid 1990s when the Atlantic TC activities increased abruptly. This result paves the way for
further study of decadal TC forecast
Celecoxib extends C. elegans lifespan via inhibition of insulinâlike signaling but not cyclooxygenaseâ2 activity
Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/86911/1/ACEL_688_sm_FigS1-S2-TableS1-S2.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/86911/2/j.1474-9726.2011.00688.x.pd
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The Association between Virus Prevalence and Intercolonial Aggression Levels in the Yellow Crazy Ant, Anoplolepis Gracilipes (Jerdon).
The recent discovery of multiple viruses in ants, along with the widespread infection of their hosts across geographic ranges, provides an excellent opportunity to test whether viral prevalence in the field is associated with the complexity of social interactions in the ant population. In this study, we examined whether the association exists between the field prevalence of a virus and the intercolonial aggression of its ant host, using the yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes) and its natural viral pathogen (TR44839 virus) as a model system. We delimitated the colony boundary and composition of A. gracilipes in a total of 12 study sites in Japan (Okinawa), Taiwan, and Malaysia (Penang), through intercolonial aggression assay. The spatial distribution and prevalence level of the virus was then mapped for each site. The virus occurred at a high prevalence in the surveyed colonies of Okinawa and Taiwan (100% infection rate across all sites), whereas virus prevalence was variable (30%-100%) or none (0%) at the sites in Penang. Coincidentally, colonies in Okinawa and Taiwan displayed a weak intercolonial boundary, as aggression between colonies is generally low or moderate. Contrastingly, sites in Penang were found to harbor a high proportion of mutually aggressive colonies, a pattern potentially indicative of complex colony composition. Our statistical analyses further confirmed the observed correlation, implying that intercolonial interactions likely contribute as one of the effective facilitators of/barriers to virus prevalence in the field population of this ant species
The relationship between velocity utilization rate and pole vault performance
In the pole vault event, the velocity of approach is a highly vital factor. As velocity of approach improvements highly impact performance improvements. This study analysed the relationships between sprint runningâs speed (SR), pole running (PR, without jump), and the pole vault approach (PVA, with real jump). Analysed too were the relationships between both the approach and performanceâs respective running distance, velocity, and velocity utilization rates. Methods: Ten male pole vaulters were recruited. Measured was each 5-meter segmentâs average velocity of his respective SR, PR, and PVA, along with the distance to maximum velocity. Results: The maximum average velocity of the PRâs 5m segments altogether was significantly positively correlated with pole vault (PV) performance; The maximum average velocity of the PRâs 5m segments altogether was significantly positively correlated with the last 5m PVA average velocity; The PVA velocityâs utilization rate was significantly negatively correlated with the difference between the distance to the PRâs maximum velocity and the PVAâs distance. Conclusion: The PR segmentâs maximum speed capability can evaluate both a pole vaulterâs potential and pole vault-specific abilities. This studyâs recruited pole vaultersâ respective approach distances were generally insufficient that resulted in a lower velocity utilization rate. Suggested is that in training, the pole vaulter could first find the distance required to reach the highest velocity upon starting from the PR test. Thus, this subsequently known distance could be applied in tandem with the pole vaultâs approach to both improve the PVAâs utilization rate and reach the individual highest speed level
Traditional Chinese medicine in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee
AbstractTo evaluate whether the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM; äžé« zhĆng yÄ«) influences symptoms or functional outcomes in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee (èéçŻç xÄ« guÄn jiĂ© yĂĄn).A systematic review of randomized control trials was conducted. Searches for studies in PubMed that were performed between 1965 and August 2013, and retrieved studies were subjected to reference screening. The types of studies included in our review were 1) placebo-based or comparative studies; 2) open label, single-blinded or double-blinded studies; 3) studies evaluating the efficacy of TCM for treating OA of the knee; and 4) studies evaluating only TCM or combination preparations. Trials were conducted with participants over 18 years of age with knee pain and at least three of the following characteristics: 1) an age greater than 50 years; 2) morning stiffness lasting for fewer than 30 min; 3) a crackling or grating sensation; 4) bony tenderness of the knee; 5) bony enlargement of the knee; or 6) no detectable warmth of the joint to the touch. Studies were rated for risk of bias and graded for quality.After screening, 104 studies that satisfied the eligibility requirements were identified, and only 18 randomized control trials were included in the quantitative and qualitative synthesis. Upon review, we found âmoderate-qualityâ evidence of effects from acupuncture (éçž zhÄn jiÇ) on pain, which was measured using a visual analogue scale, and physical function, which was measured using qigong (æ°Łć qĂŹ gĆng) with motion. âLow-qualityâ evidence was found regarding the effects of acupuncture on physical function, and no evidence was found regarding the effects of herbal medicine on pain or physical function. Herbal patches (è„ćž yĂ o bĂč) appeared to affect pain and physical and function, but these effects were not found to be significant.The initial findings included in this review suggest that acupuncture is a promising intervention according to the primary outcome measure, pain, and qigong with motion is an effective method for treating physical function. However, according to the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria, only moderate-quality evidence was found in these studies. Further rigorous studies are warranted to investigate the application of TCM in treating OA of knee
Critical quality attributes (CQAs) of a therapeutic antibody produced from integrated continuous bioprocessing
The integrated continuous bioprocess provides an innovative way to produce protein drugs with flexibility and efficiency. However, during the long-term cultivation and complicated production, how to ensure the process stability and product quality is critically important. In this study, the monoclonal antibody (mAb) was produced in a bioreactor operated in a perfusion mode utilizing the ATF cell retention system for up to 32 days. The 2L harvest per day starting at day 10 was continuously purified using the 3-column periodic counter-current (PCC) chromatography system. The first protein A capture purification was performed with the dynamic binding capacity of 50% breakthrough around 60 mg mAb/mL of resin (vs 20 mg/mL resin for batch purification) for 120 cycles or 360 column operations followed by a polishing step of mixed mode chromatography for 20 cycles. The process and quality attributes were monitored daily. The results demonstrate consistency in both the purification process and the mAb qualities (in the aspects of product integrity, aggregates, and glycan profile) between PCC and batch purifications. Culture-related charge heterogeneity was observed accompanied by an increase of bioreactor harvest time using both batch and PCC purification processes. In addition, the impurities such as endotoxin and HCP were also monitored while under this high capacity utilization of chromatography resins. By sharing the insights of process and quality attributes, we hope to provide better understanding on the process-related heterogeneity between batch and continuous production and/or purification
Further our understanding of reflection through I-statement Analysis
Since Dewey (1933) highlighted reflection as an essential component in higher education, scholars (Dyment & OâConnell, 2011, Finlay 2008, & Hatcher, Bringle, & Muthiah, 2004) have pointed out the crucial role reflection plays in Service-Learning (S-L). Listed as one of the essential elements in service-learning, reflection acts as the hyphen between service and learning (Giles & Eyler, 1999). It enables participants to connect action and learning in a real-life setting, creating a new dimension through a deeper understanding of their experiences. No longer passive consumers of knowledge, participants can better clarify their own beliefs and values, explore issues emerged in their service and relate themselves to the community they engage. In the English Department, Fu-Jen Catholic University, teachers and students initiated this two-week English teaching project in Nan-tou, central Taiwan, since 2005 in order to bridge the âEnglish Divideâ. This case study aims to further our understanding of how the reflective process can be facilitated in the five stages of S-L projects--investigation, planning, action, reflection and demonstration (Kaye, 2010). How can teachers design tasks facilitating reflection at these five stages? How do evidences in studentsâ reflective accounts correspond to the task configuration? The literature review section focuses on the role of reflection and summarizes various frameworks and models in S-L (Brookfield, 1995, Shön, 1983, Boud et al, 1985, Kolb, 1984). Types of reflective activities designed in each of the stages will then be exemplified to discuss pedagogical impacts. In order to study the subtle changes captured in studentsâ reflective process, qualitative data including studentsâ reflective accounts, semi-structured interviews and classroom observation are collected. One particular data-analysis technique, I-statement analysis, will be discussed to show how participantsâ streams of thoughts can be quantified and studied in more detail. The findings of this study, particularly the application of I-statement analysis, illustrate how the four Cs reflection principleâcontinuous, connected, challenging and contextualized reflectionâcan guide the practice (Eyler & Dwight, 1996). This small scale investigation demonstrates that systematic analysis on reflection helps practitioners see more depths in the reflective process
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