On estimating scale invariance in stratocumulus cloud fields

Examination of cloud radiance fields derived from satellite observations sometimes indicates the existence of a range of scales over which the statistics of the field are scale invariant. Many methods were developed to quantify this scaling behavior in geophysics. The usefulness of such techniques depends both on the physics of the process being robust over a wide range of scales and on the availability of high resolution, low noise observations over these scales. These techniques (area perimeter relation, distribution of areas, estimation of the capacity, d0, through box counting, correlation exponent) are applied to the high resolution satellite data taken during the FIRE experiment and provides initial estimates of the quality of data required by analyzing simple sets. The results of the observed fields are contrasted with those of images of objects with known characteristics (e.g., dimension) where the details of the constructed image simulate current observational limits. Throughout when cloud elements and cloud boundaries are mentioned; it should be clearly understood that by this structures in the radiance field are meant: all the boundaries considered are defined by simple threshold arguments

Studies of Penetration of Phenol-Formaldehyde Resin into Wood Cell Walls with the SEM and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Analyzer1

The following technical note is offered as an extension of and a rebuttal to the article by Bernard M. Collett in the Summer 1970 issue of Wood and Fiber, 2(2): 113-133. We were impressed by the historical review and technical coverage given to SEM by Mr. Collett. However, we felt that readers of Wood and Fiber would be left with an erroneous, or at least incomplete, impression of the analytical capabilities of this instrument. Admittedly, accessories are required to accomplish what is described in the following preliminary note. Nevertheless, we were of the opinion that some indication of this type of instrumentation potential should have been made in the article. Actually, his diagram in Fig. 3 included X-ray detection, but no mention of its use was made. In fact, the emphasis on the secondary electron detection mode when used for studies of the interface between wood substrate and adhesive or coating was perhaps too great

Escape from model-land

Both mathematical modelling and simulation methods in general have contributed greatly to understanding, insight and forecasting in many fields including macroeconomics. Nevertheless, we must remain careful to distinguish model-land and model-land quantities from the real world. Decisions taken in the real world are more robust when informed by estimation of real-world quantities with transparent uncertainty quantification, than when based on “optimal” model-land quantities obtained from simulations of imperfect models optimized, perhaps optimal, in model-land. The authors present a short guide to some of the temptations and pitfalls of model-land, some directions towards the exit, and two ways to escape. Their aim is to improve decision support by providing relevant, adequate information regarding the real-world target of interest, or making it clear why today’s model models are not up to that task for the particular target of interest

The Need for Continued Development of Ricin Countermeasures

Ricin toxin, an extremely potent and heat-stable toxin produced from the bean of the ubiquitous Ricinus communis (castor bean plant), has been categorized by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a category B biothreat agent that is moderately easy to disseminate. Ricin has the potential to be used as an agent of biological warfare and bioterrorism. Therefore, there is a critical need for continued development of ricin countermeasures. A safe and effective prophylactic vaccine against ricin that was FDA approved for “at risk” individuals would be an important first step in assuring the availability of medical countermeasures against ricin

An assessment of the foundational assumptions inhigh-resolution climate projections: the case of UKCP09

The United Kingdom Climate Impacts Programme’s UKCP09 project makes highresolution projections of the climate out to 2100 by post-processing the outputs of a large-scale global climate model. The aim of this paper is to describe and analyse the methodology used and then urge some caution. Given the acknowledged systematic, shared shortcomings in all current climate models, treating model outputs as decision relevant projections can be significantly misleading. In extrapolatory situations, such as projections of future climate change impacts, there is little reason to expect that postprocessing of model outputs can correct for the consequences of such errors. This casts doubt on our ability, today, to make trustworthy, high-resolution probabilistic projections out to the end of this century

Effect of adenosine on insulin activation of rat adipocyte pyruvate dehydrogenase

AbstractAdenosine and its analogue N6-phenylisopropyladenosine stimulated pyruvate dehydrogenase activity of isolated rat adipocytes. Maximal stimulation was obtained with concentrations between 50 and 100 μM, with the effect decreasing at higher concentrations. The effects of insulin on this enzyme was modified by adenosine. The concentration of insulin (10 μunitsml) that produced almost half-maximal stimulation, had little or no effect, when adenosine deaminase was present. Adenosine also enhanced the effect of suboptimal but not optimal concentrations of insulin. Thus, the mechanism of adenosine action on adipocyte pyruvate dehydrogenase could in some way be similar or related to that of insulin

Evaluating a Youth Leadership Life Skills Development Program

Using a pre-test/post-test/follow-up/hindsight format, the study described here evaluated the development of leadership life skills in the participants in the Appalachian Regional Commission Youth Leadership Incubator Program. The participants consisted of youth (n=32), ages 12 to 17, from seven economically distressed counties in the Appalachian Region of Alabama. Repeated-measures analyses and paired samples t-tests indicated significant differences between pre-, post-, and follow-up scores when using hindsight shifts in the analyses. Hindsight shifts seem to more accurately measure the changes in participant abilit