1,828 research outputs found
The Probability Density Function of Ocean Surface Slopes and Its Effects on Radar Backscatter
Based on Longuet-Higgins\u27s theory of the probability distribution of wave amplitude and wave period and on some observations, a new probability density function (PDF) of ocean surface slopes is derived. It is f(zeta(x), zeta(y)) = n/2 pi(n - 1)sigma(u) sigma(c) x [1 + zeta(x)(2)/(n - 1)sigma(n)(2) + zeta(y)(2)/(n - 1)sigma(c)(2)](-(n + 2)/2) + skewness, where zeta(x) and zeta(y) are the slope components in upwind and crosswind directions, respectively; sigma(u)(2) and sigma(c)(2) are the corresponding mean-square slopes. The peakedness of slopes is generated by nonlinear wave-wave interactions in the range of gravity waves. The skewness of slopes is generated by nonlinear coupling between the short waves and the underlying long waves. The peakedness coefficient n of the detectable surface slopes is determined by both the spectral width of the gravity waves, and the ratio between the gravity wave mean-square slope and the detectable short wave mean-square slope. When n equals 10, the proposed PDF fits the Gram Charlier distribution, given by Cox and Munk, very well in the range of small slopes. When n --\u3e infinity, it is very close to the Gaussian distribution. Radar backscatter cross sections (RBCS), calculated from specular reflection theory using the new PDF of the C-band radar filtered surface slopes, are in keeping with empirically based ERS-1 C-band scatterometer models. In other words, the proposed PDF can be used successfully in the specular reflection theory to predict the RBCS in the range of incidence angles away from normal incidence. This suggests that the proposed PDF can be used to describe the distribution of surface slopes over the full range of slopes. This is an improvement over the Gaussian distribution and the Gram Charlier distribution. The comparison between the calculated RBCS and the ERS-1 C-band scatterometer models indicates that the peakedness coefficient n should be 5, for wind condition of U-10 less than or equal to 10 m s(-1). It is also found that the spectral width plays an important role on radar backscatter in the range of incidence angles less than 30 degrees
Fomitiporia punicata and Phaeoacremonium minimum associated with Esca complex of grapevine in China
Photoluminescence and lasing characteristics of single nonpolar GaN microwires
published_or_final_versio
Gene and protein expression of glucose transporter 1 and glucose transporter 3 in human laryngeal cancer—the relationship with regulatory hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression, tumor invasiveness, and patient prognosis
Increased glucose uptake mediated by glucose
transporters and reliance on glycolysis are common features
of malignant cells. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α supports the
adaptation of hypoxic cells by inducing genes related to
glucose metabolism. The contribution of glucose transporter
(GLUT) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) activity to
tumor behavior and their prognostic value in head and neck
cancers remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine
the predictive value of GLUT1, GLUT3, and HIF-1α messenger
RNA (mRNA)/protein expression as markers of tumor
aggressiveness and prognosis in laryngeal cancer. The level of
hypoxia/metabolic marker genes was determined in 106 squamous
cell laryngeal cancer (SCC) and 73 noncancerous
matched mucosa (NCM) controls using quantitative realtime
PCR. The related protein levels were analyzed by
Western blot. Positive expression of SLC2A1, SLC2A3, and
HIF-1α genes was noted in 83.9, 82.1, and 71.7 % of SCC
specimens and in 34.4, 59.4, and 62.5 % of laryngeal cancer
samples. Higher levels of mRNA/protein for GLUT1 and
HIF-1α were noted in SCC compared to NCM (p<0.05).
SLC2A1 was found to have a positive relationship with grade,
tumor front grading (TFG) score, and depth and mode of
invasion (p<0.05). SLC2A3 was related to grade and invasion
type (p<0.05). There were also relationships of HIF-1α with
pTNM, TFG scale, invasion depth and mode, tumor recurrences,
and overall survival (p<0.05). In addition, more advanced
tumors were found to be more likely to demonstrate
positive expression of these proteins. In conclusion, the
hypoxia/metabolic markers studied could be used as molecular
markers of tumor invasiveness in laryngeal cancer.This work was supported, in part, by the statutory
fund of the Department of Cytobiochemistry, University of Łódź, Poland
(506/811), and by grant fromtheNational Science Council, Poland (N403
043 32/2326)
Effect of ZnCdTe-Alloyed Nanocrystals on Polymer–Fullerene Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells
The photovoltaic properties of solar cell based on the blends of poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexoxy-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (MEH-PPV), fullerene (C60), and ZnCdTe-alloyed nanocrystals were investigated. Comparing the spectral response of photocurrent of the MEH-PPV:C60(+ZnCdTe) nanocomposite device with that of the devices based on MEH-PPV:C60and pristine MEH-PPV, one can find that the nanocomposite device exhibits an enhanced photocurrent. In comparing the composite devices with different ZnCdTe:[MEH-PPV + C60] weight ratios of 10 wt% (D1–1), 20 wt% (D1–2), 40 wt% (D1–3), and 70 wt% (D1–4), it was found that the device D1–3exhibits the best performance. The power conversion efficiency (η) is improved doubly compared with that of the MEH-PPV:C60device
Predatory protists reduce bacteria wilt disease incidence in tomato plants
Soil organisms are affected by the presence of predatory protists. However, it remains poorly understood how predatory protists can affect plant disease incidence and how fertilization regimes can affect these interactions. Here, we characterise the rhizosphere bacteria, fungi and protists over eleven growing seasons of tomato planting under three fertilization regimes, i.e conventional, organic and bioorganic, and with different bacterial wilt disease incidence levels. We find that predatory protists are negatively associated with disease incidence, especially two ciliophoran Colpoda OTUs, and that bioorganic fertilization enhances the abundance of predatory protists. In glasshouse experiments we find that the predatory protist Colpoda influences disease incidence by directly consuming pathogens and indirectly increasing the presence of pathogen-suppressive microorganisms in the soil. Together, we demonstrate that predatory protists reduce bacterial wilt disease incidence in tomato plants via direct and indirect reductions of pathogens. Our study provides insights on the role that predatory protists play in plant disease, which could be used to design more sustainable agricultural practices
Hepatitis B Virus Genotyping Among Chronic Hepatitis B Individuals With Resistance to Lamivudine in Shahrekord, Iran
Background: Hepatitis B infection, caused by hepatitis B Virus (HBV), is one of the major global public health problems. Hepatitis B Virus genotypes appear to show varying geographic distribution with possible pathogenic and therapeutic differences. Knowledge of HBV genotypes is very important for clinical treatment. Lamivudine is a nucleoside analogue that is clinically used to treat chronic hepatitis B infection. However, the main problem with the application of lamivudine is the development of viral resistance to the treatment with this anti viral drug. Besides, it has been suggested that lamivudine-resistant HBV may be genotype dependent. However, HBV genotype distribution and the biological relevance in this region are poorly understood. Objectives: The current study aimed to determine hepatitis B genotypes and their correlation with lamivudine-resistant HBV frequency among patients with chronic hepatitis B from Shahrekord, Iran. Methods and Materials: Hepatitis B virus DNA was detected by conventional PCR in some of the serum samples obtained from HBsAg-positive Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) patients who were referred to Health Centers of Shahrekord for routine monitoring of the disease. Subsequently, using real-time PCR, the DNA samples were used for genotyping and analysis of resistance to lamivudine. Results: The DNA was detected in 23 out of 116 (19.82%) of the studied samples. Genotypes D and C were found in 17 out of 23 (73.9%), and in 6 out of 23 (26.1%) of the samples, respectively. To the authors' best knowledge, the current study is the first report on isolation of Genotype C from Iran. Two out of 17 (11.76%), and 6 out of 6 (100%) of genotypes D and C were resistant to lamivudine, respectively. Resistance to this drug was significantly different between genotypes C and D (P < 0.001). Conclusions: In addition to genotype D, other lamivudine resistant hepatitis B genotypes might be distributed in Iran
Pacific warm pool excitation, earth rotation and El Niño southern oscillations
2002-2003 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe
Radial Growth of Qilian Juniper on the Northeast Tibetan Plateau and Potential Climate Associations
There is controversy regarding the limiting climatic factor for tree radial growth at the alpine treeline on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. In this study, we collected 594 increment cores from 331 trees, grouped within four altitude belts spanning the range 3550 to 4020 m.a.s.l. on a single hillside. We have developed four equivalent ring-width chronologies and shown that there are no significant differences in their growth-climate responses during 1956 to 2011 or in their longer-term growth patterns during the period AD 1110–2011. The main climate influence on radial growth is shown to be precipitation variability. Missing ring analysis shows that tree radial growth at the uppermost treeline location is more sensitive to climate variation than that at other elevations, and poor tree radial growth is particularly linked to the occurrence of serious drought events. Hence water limitation, rather than temperature stress, plays the pivotal role in controlling the radial growth of Sabina przewalskii Kom. at the treeline in this region. This finding contradicts any generalisation that tree-ring chronologies from high-elevation treeline environments are mostly indicators of temperature changes
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