Interannual variations in the Earth's radiative budget and the general circulation

August, 1972.Includes bibliographical references

Cloudiness, the planetary radiation budget, and climate

Spring 1978.Includes bibliographic references (pages 110-115).This research was sponsored in part under NASA Grant NGR 06-002-102.Covers not scanned.Print version deaccessioned 2020.Satellite planetary radiation budget measurements from the Nimbus 3 satellite for four semi-monthly periods along with a 29 month composite of measurements from six satellites are applied in a quantitative study to evaluate the effect of cloudiness on the planetary radiation budget. Annual and seasonal results are expressed as zonal, hemispherical and global mean values. The results show that for the planet as a whole the effect of "present day" clouds in reducing the absorbed shortwave flux is larger than their effect in reducing the long wave emitted flux. The difference between the two effects is significantly larger over oceans than over land. Similarly, the sensitivity to changes in cloud amount is greater in the shortwave absorbed flux than in the longwave flux emitted to space. It was also shown that the presence of clouds act to reduce the amplitude of the annual variation of the global planetary net radiation budget. One may hypothesize from the results of this study and the works of others that a uniform increase in global cloud amount (in the absence of changes in cloud top height, cloud albedo, other atmospheric constituents, and vertical temperature lapse rates) will decrease the global mean surface temperature until radiative equilibrium is restored

Wafer-Level Parylene Packaging With Integrated RF Electronics for Wireless Retinal Prostheses

This paper presents an embedded chip integration technology that incorporates silicon housings and flexible Parylene-based microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices. Accelerated-lifetime soak testing is performed in saline at elevated temperatures to study the packaging performance of Parylene C thin films. Experimental results show that the silicon chip under test is well protected by Parylene, and the lifetime of Parylenecoated metal at body temperature (37°C) is more than 60 years, indicating that Parylene C is an excellent structural and packaging material for biomedical applications. To demonstrate the proposed packaging technology, a flexible MEMS radio-frequency (RF) coil has been integrated with an RF identification (RFID) circuit die. The coil has an inductance of 16 μH with two layers of metal completely encapsulated in Parylene C, which is microfabricated using a Parylene–metal–Parylene thin-film technology. The chip is a commercially available read-only RFID chip with a typical operating frequency of 125 kHz. The functionality of the embedded chip has been tested using an RFID reader module in both air and saline, demonstrating successful power and data transmission through the MEMS coil

Atlas of radiation budget measurements from satellites (1962-1970)

December 1974.Includes bibliographical references

Subaru Weak Lensing survey -- II: Multi-object Spectroscopy and Cluster Masses

We present the first results of a MOS campaign to follow up cluster candidates located via weak lensing. Our main goals are to search for spatial concentrations of galaxies that are plausible optical counterparts of the weak lensing signals, and to determine the cluster redshifts from those of member galaxies. Around each of 36 targeted cluster candidates, we obtain 15-32 galaxy redshifts. For 28 of these targets, we confirm a secure cluster identification. This includes three cases where two clusters at different redshifts are projected along the same line-of-sight. In 6 of the 8 unconfirmed targets, we find multiple small galaxy concentrations at different redshifts. In both the remaining two targets, a single small galaxy concentration is found. We evaluate the weak lensing mass of confirmed clusters. For a subsample of our most cleanly measured clusters, we investigate the statistical relation between their weak lensing mass and the velocity dispersion of their member galaxies, comparing our sample with optically and X-ray selected samples from the literature. Our lensing-selected clusters are consistent with sigma_v=sigma_sis, with a similar scatter to the optically and X-ray selected clusters. We thus find no evidence of selection bias compared to these other techniques. We also derive an empirical relation between the cluster mass and the galaxy velocity dispersion, which is in reasonable agreement with the prediction of N-body simulations in the LCDM cosmology.Comment: 58 pages, 45 figures, submitted to PASJ. A version with full-resolution figures is available at http://th.nao.ac.jp/~hamanatk/PP/supcam_wl2.pd

Final Summary Report to the Narragansett Bay Project Office: Assessment of Organic Contaminants in Narragansett Bay Sediments and Hard Shell Clams

As part of a multidisciplinary investigation on the sediments of Narragansett Bay, sediment trap materials, surface sediments, hard shell clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) and sediment cores from throughout the bay were analyzed for organic contaminants including: polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs). polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), substituted benzotriazoles (BZTs), bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and coprostanol (COP). The objectives of this particular study were to provide information on the source, transport and biogeochemical fate of organic contaminants in the bay: while the overall goals of the investigation were to characterize the sediments and sedimentary processes of the Narragansett Bay system based on the results of integrated biological, chemical and geological studies. Sediment Trap Materials The sediment trap samples showed a trend of decreasing concentration for most components from Fox Point to Ohio Ledge, suggesting that the source(s) of these contaminants were pollution discharges (e.g., industrial and municipal effluents, CSOs. spills and runoff,) to the upper Providence River and its tributaries. In general, the agreement between the results from the present sediment trap study and older suspended solids data (1985-86) was quite good. However, the PHC concentrations reponed in 1977 were considerably higher than the more recent values. But it is difficult, if not impossible, to determine if changes have really occurred based on the limited number of samples analyzed and procedural variations in the different studies. In the case of BZT concentrations and their ratios (C10-BZT/Cl-BZT), there was a maximum amount of both BZTs and a minimum ratio in trap material at a Providence River station about 7 km south of Fox Point (i.e., adjacent to the Pawtuxet Cove entrance). This trend with distance is probably due to the source of the BZTs to the Providence River which is the Pawtuxet River via Pawtuxet Cove. The BZT ratio indicates a change in the relative amounts of the two compounds over the distance from the point of entry, i.e., there is a trend of increasing values with distance from Pawtuxet Cove (ratio = 1.5) to Ohio Ledge (ratio = 3.2). The ratio for sediment trap material from the Pawtuxet River was 1.0 - 2.0; since these values are generally lower than any others reported, it suggests that the river is the major source of the material in the Pawtuxet Cove traps. The relationships between contaminant concentrations in sediment trap material and surface sediments were quite good. For Ar 1254, the sediment levels were about twice the trap values. Conversely, the hydrocarbon concentrations in trap material were about 1.5 times as high for PHCs and about equal in pyrene, relative to the surface sediments. (In all cases, the correlations were significant at the 95% confidence level). In general, these data support the concept that the chemical composition of particulate material and surf ace sediments are closely related, and that the former could be a major source of contaminants to the underlying surface sediments. It is also possible that resuspended surface sediments could contribute to the particulate material in the water column depending on a number of factors such as bottom currents and extent of bioturbation. There was a significant relationship between the concentration of Cl-BZT in trap material and surface sediments; however, the relationship for the C10-BZT was not as good. and there is presently no explanation for these differences other than that the production of C-BZT started in 1963 and ceased in 1972, while that of the C10-BZT started in 1970 and continued to 1985. (The log Kow for both BZTs are essentially the same, Pruell & Quinn, 1985.) Perhaps, the former BZTs more uniformally distributed in particulate material and sediments than the more recently discharged C10-BZT. Changes in the BZT ratio (C10/Cl) of trap material may be due to a number of reasons including: the preferential retention of the C10-BZT and/or loss of Cl-BZT due to various biogeochemical reactions, and the resuspension of more recent sediments containing higher concentrations of the C10-BZT. This trend would be in agreement with the low ratio in Pawtuxet River surface sediments relative to sediment from the other locations where the ratios generally increase as found in the trap material. For example, the BZT ratio in surface sediments from Ohio Ledge is 7.2, in the mid-bay it is 8.2 and at the west passage the ratio is 9.5 (significant at the 9S% confidence level). Surface Sediments and Clams In general, the levels of all contaminants were highest in the Providence River sediments and decreased exponentially with distance downbay, with the lowest values usually found at the mouth of the bay. The major exception was a station in Newport Harbor in the lower east passage, where the concentrations of PHCs, PCBs and COP were relatively high and similar to some of the upper bay stations. The sources of the contaminants at this station may be related to sewage effluent, CSO discharges and runnoff to the harbor area. One way of evaluating the distribution of various contaminants in surface sediments is to compare the half distances for these components (defined as the distance in which the highest contaminant concentration decreases by 50%). A comparison of values for the east and west transects obtained in this study showed some small differences. For most components (exceptions are BZTs) the half distances were longer in the cast transect, suggesting additional sources of contaminants to that area. This may be due to several reasons including the influence of Newport effluents etc., different water circulation patterns in the two passages, and possible influences from Mount Hope Bay. Organic carbon had the longest half distance due to a large number of sources throughout the bay, and the BZTs had the lowest values since their only source is the Providence River via the Pawtuxct River. Finally, the PH Cs, P AHs. PCBs (sometimes measured as specific chlorobiphenyl (CB) cogeners) and coprostanol had similar half distances, suggesting major sources in the Providence River as well as smaller additional inputs throughout the bay. Five of the contaminants (CB 101, CB 138, PHCs, C10-BZT) showed significant correlations (95% confidence level or better) between sediment and clam concentrations, and all values decreased with distance from the Providence River. These sediment components are hydrophobic and are strongly partitioned into the clams\u27 lipids. Based on the data from this study, it may be possible to identify areas of the bay from which clams are harvested for commercial use. For example, clams suspected of being taken from areas closed to shellfishing could be analyzed for, these 5 contaminants and the results converted to sediment location using the relationships developed in this investigation. Trends from older investigations were generally similar to those observed in the present study; namely, highest concentrations in Providence River sediments and clams with decreasing amounts downbay. The range of previous values brackets those obtained in this study. Given then variations in station location, collection procedures, processing techniques and analytical methods, it is impossible to determine at the present time, if the concentrations have significantly changed over the past 15-20 years. Sediment Cores Highest levels and deepest penetration of PCBs (measured as CB 138) were in the Fox Point core which had a fairly uniform concentration down to 72 cm, but increased at 110 cm and remained about the same at the bottom of the core (147 cm). The other cores showed less penetration ranging from 42 cm (bottom of core) at Conimicut Point to 13 cm at Fields Point where the CB 138 values reached background (\u3c 0.1 ng/g) concentration. Apparently, the latter core site is a non-depositional area in contrast to Fox Point which has a relatively high sedimentation rate. The distribution of PHCs and pyrene were similar in some respects. In both cases, Fox Point had the highest level and deepest penetration with relatively constant values down to 147 cm. The PHCs never quite reached background levels in these cores (Ohio Ledge and Fields Point were the closest to background), but the pyrene did reach this level in two cores including the Fields Point core which again had the shallowest penetration (18 cm). Similar distributions were shown by COP and DEHP in that the Fox Point core had the highest levels and deepest penetration - a slight increase down to 110 cm followed by a prominent decrease to 147 cm. None of the cores reached background values for DEHP, but Ohio Ledge and Conimicut Point came very close. The COP reached background in only the Fields Point core but it rapidly increased again. It is impossible to adequately explain all of the trends in sediment core distributions with only the organic contaminant results. However, a detailed evaluation of all of the data (i.e., trace metals, organic components, biological species, pollen and geochemical analyses and radiometric dating) is currently being prepared in order to provide information on historical trends as recorded in the bay sediment cores (King et al., 1992). [Text taken from report summary.

Dalbavancin in the treatment of complicated skin and soft-tissue infections: a review

Increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance among strains of Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Enterococcus spp. have been widely documented. At least 50% of nosocomial Staphylococcus aureus infections in intensive care units in the US and UK are due methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Drug resistance is not confined to hospitals, and community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) strains are now common causes of complicated skin and soft-tissue infections (cSSTIs) in many regions. Dalbavancin is a novel parenterally administered semisynthetic lipoglycopeptide similar to the naturally produced glycopeptides vancomycin and teicoplanin. Dalbavancin features a multifaceted mechanism of action that inhibits bacterial cell wall formation by two different mechanisms that enhances its activity against a wide range of gram-positive bacteria including staphylococci, streptococci, enterococci, and some anaerobes. Additionally, dalbavancin possesses unique pharmacokinetic properties, the most significant of which is a long terminal half-life that allows for once weekly dosing. This attribute may prove to yield clinical and cost benefit. Overall, clinical trials indicate that dalbavancin is a safe, well-tolerated, and effective antimicrobial agent. In the largest investigation evaluating dalbavancin for the treatment of cSSTIs, it appeared to be as effective as linezolid. Dalbavancin, which is expected to receive FDA approval in 2008, appears to be a promising new antimicrobial agent for the treatment of cSSTIs

Symmetric ideals in group rings and simplicial homotopy

In this paper homotopical methods for the description of subgroups determined by ideals in group rings are introduced. It is shown that in certain cases the subgroups determined by symmetric product of ideals in group rings can be described with the help of homotopy groups of spheres.Comment: 10 pages, to appear in J. Pure Appl. Algebr

A Subaru Weak Lensing Survey I: Cluster Candidates and Spectroscopic Verification

We present the results of an ongoing weak lensing survey conducted with the Subaru telescope whose initial goal is to locate and study the distribution of shear-selected structures or halos. Using a Suprime-cam imaging survey spanning 21.82 square degree, we present a catalog of 100 candidate halos located from lensing convergence maps. Our sample is reliably drawn from that subset of our survey area, (totaling 16.72 square degree) uncontaminated by bright stars and edge effects and limited at a convergence signal to noise ratio of 3.69. To validate the sample detailed spectroscopic measures have been made for 26 candidates using the Subaru multi-object spectrograph, FOCAS. All are confirmed as clusters of galaxies but two arise as the superposition of multiple clusters viewed along the line of sight. Including data available in the literature and an ongoing Keck spectroscopic campaign, a total of 41 halos now have reliable redshifts. For one of our survey fields, the XMM LSS (Pierre et al. 2004) field, we compare our lensing-selected halo catalog with its X-ray equivalent. Of 15 halos detected in the XMM-LSS field, 10 match with published X-ray selected clusters and a further 2 are newly-detected and spectroscopically confirmed in this work. Although three halos have not yet been confirmed, the high success rate within the XMM-LSS field (12/15) confirms that weak lensing provides a reliable method for constructing cluster catalogs, irrespective of the nature of the constituent galaxies or the intracluster medium.Comment: To appear in ApJ, High resolution preprint available at http://anela.mtk.nao.ac.jp/suprime33/papers/p1.ps.g