Cyclone-induced mixing does not cool SST in the post-monsoon north Bay of Bengal

High-resolution data from the TRMM satellite shows that sea surface temperature (SST) cools by 3 degrees C under the tracks of pre-monsoon tropical cyclones in the north Indian Ocean. However, even the strongest post-monsoon cyclones do not cool the open north Bay of Bengal. In this region, a shallow layer of freshwater from river runoff and monsoon rain caps a deep warm layer. Therefore, storm-induced mixing is not deep, and it entrains warm subsurface water. It is possible that the hydrography of the post-monsoon north Bay favours intense cyclones.

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: A narrative review to inform dietetics practice

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) are common nutrition-impact symptoms experienced by cancer patients. They exert a detrimental effect on dietary intake, risk of malnutrition and quality of life. While CINV are primarily managed with medication, dietitians play an important role in the management of CINV-related complications such as reduced dietary intake. This review discusses the burden of nausea and vomiting which cancer patients can experience, including its effect on quality of life, nutrition status, and treatment outcomes. Implications for dietetic practice include the need to explore the nature of reported symptoms, identify predisposing risk factors, and to consider the use of a variety of interventions that are individualised to the patient’s symptoms. There are little clinical data regarding effective dietetic interventions for nausea and vomiting. In summary, this review discusses dietetic-related issues surrounding CINV including the pathophysiology, risk factors, prevalence, and both pharmacological and dietetic treatment options.

Stress analysis of carotid atheroma in transient ischemic attack patients: Evidence for extreme stress-induced plaque rupture

Plaque rupture has been considered to be the result of its structural failure. The aim of this study is to suggest a possible link between higher stresses and rupture sites observed from in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients, by using stress analysis methods. Three patients, who had recently suffered a TIA, underwent in vivo multi-spectral MR imaging. Based on plaque geometries reconstructed from the post-rupture status, six pre-rupture plaque models were generated for each patient dataset with different reconstructions of rupture sites to bridge the gap of fibrous cap from original MRI images. Stress analysis by fluid structure interaction simulation was performed on the models, followed by analysis of local stress concentration distribution and plaque rupture sites. Furthermore, the sensitivity of stress analysis to the pre-rupture plaque geometry reconstruction was examined. Local stress concentrations were found to be located at the plaque rupture sites for the three subjects studied. In the total of 18 models created, the locations of the stress concentration regions were similar in 17 models in which rupture sites were always associated with high stresses. The local stress concentration region moved from circumferential center to the shoulder region (slightly away from the rupture site) for a case with a thick fibrous cap. Plaque wall stress level in the rupture locations was found to be much higher than the value in non-rupture locations. The good correlation between local stress concentrations and plaque rupture sites, and generally higher plaque wall stress level in rupture locations in the subjects studied could provide indirect evidence for the extreme stress-induced plaque rupture hypothesis. Local stress concentration in the plaque region could be one of the factors contributing to plaque rupture.

Comparative analysis of the uropathogenic Escherichia coli surface proteome by tandem mass-spectrometry of artificially induced outer membrane vesicles

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are the major cause of urinary tract infections. For successful colonisation of the urinary tract, UPEC employ multiple surface-exposed or secreted virulence factors, including adhesins and iron uptake systems. Whilst individual UPEC strains and their virulence factors have been the focus of extensive research, there have been no outer membrane (OM) proteomic studies based on large clinical UPEC collections, primarily due to limitations of traditional methods. In this study, a high-throughput method based on tandem mass-spectrometry of EDTA heat-induced outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) was developed for the characterisation of the UPEC surface-associated proteome. The method was applied to compare the OM proteome of fifty-four UPEC isolates, resulting in the identification of 8789 proteins, consisting of 619 unique proteins, which were subsequently interrogated for their subcellular origin, prevalence and homology to characterised virulence factors. Multiple distinct virulence-associated proteins were identified, including two novel putative iron uptake proteins, an uncharacterised type of chaperone-usher fimbriae and various highly prevalent hypothetical proteins. Our results give fundamental insight into the physiology of UPEC and provide a framework for understanding the composition of the UPEC OM proteome.

Rank regression for analysis of clustered data: A natural induced smoothing approach

We consider rank regression for clustered data analysis and investigate the induced smoothing method for obtaining the asymptotic covariance matrices of the parameter estimators. We prove that the induced estimating functions are asymptotically unbiased and the resulting estimators are strongly consistent and asymptotically normal. The induced smoothing approach provides an effective way for obtaining asymptotic covariance matrices for between- and within-cluster estimators and for a combined estimator to take account of within-cluster correlations. We also carry out extensive simulation studies to assess the performance of different estimators. The proposed methodology is substantially Much faster in computation and more stable in numerical results than the existing methods. We apply the proposed methodology to a dataset from a randomized clinical trial.

Pressure-Induced transitions in amorphous TlxSe100-x alloys

The electrical resistivity of bulk semiconducting amorphous TlxSe100-x alloys with 0 ≤ x ≤ 25 has been investigated up to a pressure of 14 GPa and down to liquidnitrogen temperature by use of a Bridgman anvil device. All the glasses undergo a discontinuous pressure-induced semiconducting-to-metal transition. X-ray diffraction studies on the pressure-recovered samples show that the high-pressure phase is the crystalline phase. The pressure-induced crystalline products are identified to be a mixture of Se having a hexagonal structure with a = 4·37 Aring and c = 4·95 Aring and TlSe having a tetragonal structure with a = 8·0 Aring and c = 7·0 Aring

Induced smoothing for rank regression with censored survival times

Adaptions of weighted rank regression to the accelerated failure time model for censored survival data have been successful in yielding asymptotically normal estimates and flexible weighting schemes to increase statistical efficiencies. However, for only one simple weighting scheme, Gehan or Wilcoxon weights, are estimating equations guaranteed to be monotone in parameter components, and even in this case are step functions, requiring the equivalent of linear programming for computation. The lack of smoothness makes standard error or covariance matrix estimation even more difficult. An induced smoothing technique overcame these difficulties in various problems involving monotone but pure jump estimating equations, including conventional rank regression. The present paper applies induced smoothing to the Gehan-Wilcoxon weighted rank regression for the accelerated failure time model, for the more difficult case of survival time data subject to censoring, where the inapplicability of permutation arguments necessitates a new method of estimating null variance of estimating functions. Smooth monotone parameter estimation and rapid, reliable standard error or covariance matrix estimation is obtained.

Photo-​induced proton coupled electron transfer from a benzophenone 'antenna' to an isoindoline nitroxide

The current study reports the synthesis and properties of a novel isoindoline nitroxide contg. a benzophenone chromophore fused into the carbon framework. When exposed to UV light, rather than undergoing traditional benzophenone photochem. pathways, the presence of the nitroxide enables an energy transfer process whereby the nitroxide enters an excited state which induces an efficient hydrogen atom transfer from unactivated alkanes.

Inhibition of Peroxidase-Catalyzed Iodination by Cephalosporins: Metallo-beta-Lactamase-Induced Antithyroid Activity of Antibiotics

Broad-spectrum antibiotics with heterocyclic side chains strongly inhibit peroxidase-catalyzed iodination in the presence of metallo--lactamase. This suggests that antibiotic resistance due to hydrolysis of the -lactam ring in antibiotics would have negative effects on thyroid activity.

Induced Resistance: Potential for Control of Postharvest Diseases of Horticultural Crops

Fortunately, plants have developed highly effective mechanisms with which to defend themselves when attacked by potentially disease-causing microorganisms. If not, then they would succumb to the many pathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes and insect pests, and disease would prevail. These natural defence systems of plants can be deliberately activated to provide some protection against the major pathogens responsible for causing severe yield losses in agricultural and horticultural crops. This is the basis of what is known as ‘induced’ or ‘acquired’ disease resistance in plants. Although the phenomenon of induced resistance has been known amongst plant pathologists for over 100 years, its inclusion into pest and disease management programmes has been a relatively recent development, ie. within the last 5 years. This review will discuss very briefly some of the characteristics of the induced resistance phenomenon, outline some of the advantages and limitations to its implementation and provide some examples within a postharvest pathology context. Finally some approaches being investigated by the fruit pathology team at DPI Indooroopilly and collaborators will be outlined.

Laboratory investigation on the effects of overburden pressure, water, and time on slaking induced material property degradation of coal mine spoil

In open-cut strip mining, waste material is placed in-pit to minimise operational mine costs. Slope failures in these spoil piles pose a significant safety risk to personnel, along with a financial risk from loss of equipment and scheduling delays. It has been observed that most spoil pile failures occur when the pit has been previously filled with water and then subsequently dewatered. The failures are often initiated at the base of spoil piles where the material can undergo significant slaking (disintegration) over time due to overburden pressure and water saturation. It is important to understand how the mechanical properties of base spoil material are affected by slaking when designing safe spoil pile slope angles, heights, and dewatering rates. In this study, fresh spoil material collected from a coal mine in Brown Basin Coalfield of Queensland, Australia was subjected to high overburden pressure (0 – 900 kPa) under saturated condition and maintained over a period of time (0 – 6 months) allowing the material to slake. To create the above conditions, laboratory designed pressure chambers were used. Once a spoil sample was slaked under certain overburden pressure over a period of time, it was tested for classification, permeability, and strength properties. Results of this testing program suggested that the slaking of saturated coal mine spoil increase with overburden pressure and the time duration over which the overburden pressure was maintained. Further, it was observed that shear strength and permeability of spoil decreased with increase in spoil slaking.

Stress-induced martensitic phase transformation in Cu-Zr nanowires

A novel stress-induced martensitic phase transformation in an initial < 100 >/{100} B2-CuZr nanowire is reported for the first time in this letter. Such behavior is observed in a nanowire with cross-sectional dimensions of 19.44 x 19.44 angstrom(2) over a temperature range of 100-400 K and at a strain rate of 1 x 10(9) s(-1) using atomistic simulations. Phase transformation from an initial B2 phase to a BCT (Body-Centered-Tetragonal) phase is observed via nucleation and propagation of {100} twinning plane under high strain rate tensile deformation. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Absorption of electromagnetic radiation by superconducting YBa2Cu3O7: an oxygen-induced phenomenon

In the superconducting state, YBa2Cu3O7 absorbs electromagnetic radiation over a wide range of frequencies (8 MHz-9 GHz). The absorption is extremely sensitive to temperature, particle size and the magnetic field and depends crucially on the presence of oxygen. A possible explanation for the phenomenon based on the formation of Josephson junctions is suggested.

Standardization and validation of an induced ovulation model system in buffalo cows: Characterization of gene expression changes in the periovulatory follicle

In bovines characterization of biochemical and molecular determinants of the dominant follicle before and during different time intervals after gonadotrophin surge requires precise identification of the dominant follicle from a follicular wave. The objectives of the present study were to standardize an experimental model in buffalo cows for accurately identifying the dominant follicle of the first wave of follicular growth and characterize changes in follicular fluid hormone concentrations as well as expression patterns of various genes associated with the process of ovulation. From the day of estrus (day 0), animals were subjected to blood sampling and ultrasonography for monitoring circulating progesterone levels and follicular growth. On day 7 of the cycle, animals were administered a PGF2α analogue (Tiaprost Trometamol, 750 μg i.m.) followed by an injection of hCG (2000 IU i.m.) 36 h later. Circulating progesterone levels progressively increased from day 1 of the cycle to 2.26 ± 0.17 ng/ml on day 7 of the cycle, but declined significantly after PGF2α injection. A progressive increase in the size of the dominant follicle was observed by ultrasonography. The follicular fluid estradiol and progesterone concentrations in the dominant follicle were 600 ± 16.7 and 38 ± 7.6 ng/ml, respectively, before hCG injection and the concentration of estradiol decreased to 125.8 ± 25.26 ng/ml, but concentration of progesterone increased to 195 ± 24.6 ng/ml, 24 h post-hCG injection. Inh-α and Cyp19A1 expressions in granulosa cells were maximal in the dominant follicle and declined in response to hCG treatment. Progesterone receptor, oxytocin and cycloxygenase-2 expressions in granulosa cells, regarded as markers of ovulation, were maximal at 24 h post-hCG. The expressions of genes belonging to the super family of proteases were also examined; Cathepsin L expression decreased, while ADAMTS 3 and 5 expressions increased 24 h post-hCG treatment. The results of the current study indicate that sequential treatments of PGF2α and hCG during early estrous cycle in the buffalo cow leads to follicular growth that culminates in ovulation. The model system reported in the present study would be valuable for examining temporo-spatial changes in the periovulatory follicle immediately before and after the onset of gonadotrophin surge.