123 research outputs found
A new algorithm for simultaneous retrieval of aerosol and marine parameters in coastal environments
We present simultaneous retrievals of aerosol and marine parameters in coastal areas from ocean color data using the OC-SMART algorithm, Ocean Color: Simultaneous Marine and Aerosol Retrieval Tool. OC-SMART uses a one-step nonlinear optimal estimation/Levenberg-Marquardt method instead of the traditional two-step look-up table approach to improve retrieval accuracy, and a radial basis function neural network (RBF-NN) forward radiative transfer model for the coupled atmosphere-water system to increase retrieval speed without loss of accuracy. We discuss applications of OC-SMART to analyze SeaWiFS, MERIS, and MODIS images obtained over coastal waters. Five parameters are obtained from the retrieval: aerosol optical depth, aerosol bi-modal fraction, chlorophyll concentration, CDOM absorption, and backscattering coefficient. The water leaving radiance is provided as a by-product.publishedVersio
Music listening in everyday life: Devices, selection methods, and digital technology
Two studies considered whether psychological variables could predict everyday music listening practices more than those demographic and technology-related variables studied predominantly hitherto. Study 1 focused on music-listening devices, while Study 2 focused on music selection strategies (e.g. playlists). Study 1 indicated the existence of a one-dimensional identity based on music technology. Further, psychological variables (such as innovativeness and self-efficacy) predicted whether individuals possess such an identity. Moreover, while psychological variables predicted whether individuals preferred âfamiliarizedâ advantages inherent to listening devices, a preference for âprogressiveâ advantages was predicted by technological behaviors. Study 2 supported the first study in terms of identity, and demonstrated that a different pattern of variables predicted playlist listening from listening to music via shuffle. More generally, the findings suggest the utility of applying constructs from consumer psychology to everyday music-listening behaviors
HRâpQCT measures of bone microarchitecture predict fracture : systematic review and metaâanalysis
HRâpQCT is a nonâinvasive imaging modality for assessing volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and microarchitecture of cancellous and cortical bone. The objective was to (i) assess fractureâassociated differences in HRâpQCT bone parameters and (ii) to determine if HRâpQCT is sufficiently precise to reliably detect these differences in individuals. We systematically identified 40 studies that used HRâpQCT (39/40 used XtremeCT scanners) to assess 1291â3253 and 3389â10,687 individuals with and without fractures, respectively, ranging in age from 10.9 to 84.7âyears with no comorbid conditions. Parameters describing radial and tibial bone density, microarchitecture, and strength were extracted and percentage differences between fracture and control subjects were estimated using a random effects metaâanalysis. An additional metaâanalysis of shortâterm in vivo reproducibility of bone parameters assessed by XtremeCT was conducted to determine whether fractureâassociated differences exceeded the least significant change (LSC) required to discern measured differences from precision error. Radial and tibial HRâpQCT parameters, including failure load, were significantly altered in fracture subjects, with differences ranging from â2.6% (95% CI: â3.4 to â1.9) in radial cortical vBMD to â12.6% (95% CI: â15.0 to â10.3) in radial trabecular vBMD. Fractureâassociated differences reported by prospective studies were consistent with those from retrospective studies, indicating that HRâpQCT can predict incident fracture. Assessment of study quality, heterogeneity and publication biases verified the validity of these findings. Finally, we demonstrated that fractureâassociated deficits in total and trabecular vBMD, and certain tibial cortical parameters, can be reliably discerned from HRâpQCTârelated precision error and can be used to detect fractureâassociated differences in individual patients. Although differences in other HRâpQCT measures, including failure load, were significantly associated with fracture, improved reproducibility is needed to ensure reliable individual crossâsectional screening and longitudinal monitoring. In conclusion, our study supports the use of HRâpQCT in clinical fracture prediction
Quantifying the recent expansion of native invasive rush species in a UK upland environment
Rushes, such as soft rush (Juncus effusus L.), hard rush (Juncus inflexus L.) and compact rush (Juncus conglomeratus L.) have become problem species within upland grasslands across the UK and the coastal grasslands of western Norway. Indeed, being largely unpalatable to livestock and having a vigorous reproductive ecology means that they can rapidly come to dominate swards. However, rush dominance results in a reduction in grassland biodiversity and farm productivity. Anecdotal evidence from the UK suggests that rush cover within marginal upland grasslands has increased considerably in recent decades. Yet, there is currently no published evidence to support this observation. Here, we use recent and historical Google Earth imagery to measure changes in rush frequency over a 13-year period within four survey years: 2005, 2009, 2015 and 2018. During each survey year, we quantified rush presence or absence using a series of quadrats located within 300 upland grassland plots in the West Pennine Moors, UK. Data were analysed in two stages, first, by calculating mean rush frequencies per sample year using all the available plot-year combinations (the full dataset), and second by examining 25 differences in rush frequency using only the plots for which rush frequency data were available in every sample year (the continuous dataset). The full dataset indicated that rush frequency has increased by 82% between 2005 and 2018. Similarly, the continuous dataset suggested that rush frequency has increased by 174% over the same period, with the increases in frequency being statistically significant (P<0.05) between 2005-2018 and 2009-2018. We discuss the potential drivers of rush expansion in the West Pennine Moors, the ecological and agronomic implications of grassland rush infestations, and priorities for future research
Processes and experiences of creative cognition in seven Western classical composers
In a qualitative study, we explored the range of reflections and experiences involved in the composition of score-based music by administering a 15-item, open-ended, questionnaire to seven professional composers from Europe and North America. Adopting a grounded theory approach, we organized six different codes emerging from our data into two higher-order categories ( the act of composing and establishing relationships). Our content analysis, inspired by the theoretical resources of 4E cognitive science, points to three overlapping characteristics of creative cognition in music composition: it is largely exploratory, it is grounded in bodily experience, and it emerges from the recursive dialogue of agents and their environment. More generally, such preliminary findings suggest that musical creativity may be advantageously understood as a process of constant adaptation â one in which composers enact their musical styles and identities by exploring novel interactivities hidden in their contingent and historical milieux
Longâterm seleniumâyeast supplementation does not affect bone turnover markers: a randomized placeboâcontrolled trial
Higher selenium status has been associated with lower bone turnover markers (BTM) in epidemiological studies. However, the long-term impact of selenium supplementation on BTMs has not been studied. We investigated the effects of selenium supplementation on BTMs including osteocalcin (OC), procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP), collagen type I cross-linked C-telopeptide (CTX), and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) in the short (6âmonths) and long term (5âyears). A total of 481 Danish men and women (60â74âyears) were randomized to receive placebo-yeast versus 100, 200, or 300âÎźg selenium as selenium-enriched yeast daily for 5âyears. Plasma selenium concentration was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and BTMs were measured in nonfasted samples at baseline, 6âmonths, and 5âyears. Data were analyzed by ANCOVA to investigate the shape of the dose-response relationships. Covariates included age, body mass index, baseline selenium status, baseline BTM, smoking, alcohol, supplement use, and medication. Plasma selenium concentration (mean 86.5 Îźg/d at baseline) increased significantly with increasing selenium supplementation to 152.6, 209.1, and 253.7 Îźg/L after 6âmonths and remained elevated at 5âyears (158.4, 222.4, and 275.9 Îźg/L for 100, 200, and 300âÎźg supplemental selenium/d, respectively (p <â0.001)). There was no change in plasma selenium concentration in the placebo-treated group. There was no significant effect of selenium supplementation on OC (6âmonths p =â0.37; 5âyears p =â0.63), PINP (6âmonths p =â0.37; 5âyears p =â0.79), CTX (6âmonths p =â0.91; 5âyears p =â0.58) or BALP (6âmonths p =â0.17; 5âyears p =â0.53). The relatively replete baseline selenium status in the study participants may explain this lack of effect. Testing in more deficient populations may provide further insights into the impact of selenium supplementation on bone health. Š 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR)
Development of a silicon bulk radiation damage model for Sentaurus TCAD
This article presents a new bulk radiation damage model for p -type silicon for use in Synopsys Sentaurus TCAD. The model is shown to provide agreement between experiment and simulation for the voltage dependence of the leakage current and the charge collection efficiency, for fluences up to 8Ă10151MeVneqâcm2
Gene Expression Profiling of Soft and Firm Atlantic Salmon Fillet
Texture of salmon fillets is an important quality trait for consumer acceptance as well as for the suitability for processing. In the present work we measured fillet firmness in a population of farmed Atlantic salmon with known pedigree and investigated the relationship between this trait and gene expression. Transcriptomic analyses performed with a 21 K oligonucleotide microarray revealed strong correlations between firmness and a large number of genes. Highly similar expression profiles were observed in several functional groups. Positive regression was found between firmness and genes encoding proteasome components (41 genes) and mitochondrial proteins (129 genes), proteins involved in stress responses (12 genes), and lipid metabolism (30 genes). Coefficients of determination (R2) were in the range of 0.64â0.74. A weaker though highly significant negative regression was seen in sugar metabolism (26 genes, R2â=â0.66) and myofiber proteins (42 genes, R2â=â0.54). Among individual genes that showed a strong association with firmness, there were extracellular matrix proteins (negative correlation), immune genes, and intracellular proteases (positive correlation). Several genes can be regarded as candidate markers of flesh quality (coiled-coil transcriptional coactivator b, AMP deaminase 3, and oligopeptide transporter 15) though their functional roles are unclear. To conclude, fillet firmness of Atlantic salmon depends largely on metabolic properties of the skeletal muscle; where aerobic metabolism using lipids as fuel, and the rapid removal of damaged proteins, appear to play a major role
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