Rate Of Change In Size Research Articles

On tropical cyclone size and intensity changes associated with two types of long-lasting rainbands in monsoonal environments

Tropical cyclones (TCs) in a monsoonal environment may have heavy rain events separate from the eyewall rainfall. Two types of long-lasting rainbands in western North Pacific TCs interacting with the East Asia summer monsoon during 1999–2009 are identified and the effects of these rainbands on TC size and intensity changes are examined. For all of the south-type Outer Mesoscale Convective Systems as defined in our previous study, the TC intensification rate is decreased but the rate of size change is not modified. Long-lasting south-type Enhanced Rainbands (ERBs) that develop between 100 and 300 km radii and move cyclonically are associated with significant TC size increases. Seventy percent of very large typhoons had an ERB during the period when they intensified from tropical storms to typhoons.

Investigating the von Neumann–Mullins relation under triple junction dragging

The influence of triple junction mobility on the rate of size change is investigated by square-lattice Monte Carlo Potts model simulations. For normal, grain-boundary-controlled grain growth the classical von Neumann–Mullins relation (Ȧ∝n-nc) is fulfilled for individual polyhedral grains as well as for polycrystalline grain microstructures. For triple-junction-controlled grain growth the number of neighboring grains is related self-similarly to the radius change rate (Ṙ∝(n-nc)/n), which is also shown to be fulfilled for individual grains and polycrystalline microstructures.

A Retrospective Review of the Progression of Pediatric Vocal Fold Nodules

To our knowledge, the rate of change in the size of pediatric vocal fold nodules (VFNs) has not been investigated. Improved understanding of the factors that affect change in VFN size may help to better guide treatment decisions and counselling of families. To characterize the rate of change in the size of pediatric VFNs over time and to identify which factors affect increased rates of improvement. Retrospective review of 67 children evaluated in a voice clinic between 2002 and 2011 with a primary diagnosis of VFNs. No treatment or behavioral modification only (n = 19) vs targeted voice therapy with or without the treatment of associated conditions (gastroesophageal reflux and allergic rhinitis) (n = 45) vs surgical intervention (n = 3). Change in VFN grade (graded according to a previously validated scale based on size) over time. Sixty-seven patients with a median (range) age of 6.0 (3.8-20.6) years were analyzed. Median (range) follow-up was 25 (1-119) months. The rate of change in VFN grade over time was significantly associated with large baseline VFN size (P < .001) and targeted voice therapy with or without the management of associated conditions or surgery (P = .01); the association with postpubescent age was not significant (P = .09). The rate of change in VFN grade was not significantly different at 1 and 3 years postbaseline (P = .33). Baseline VFN size, treatment, and patient age are important in predicting the rate of improvement in nodule size over time. Rate of change in VFN size is a gradual decrease that is steady over time. This information can be used to help guide treatment decisions and counsel families of children with VFNs regarding expectations for improvement. Additional study is needed to evaluate whether the same factors that influence nodule size similarly influence parental perception of voice and expert perceptual voice analysis.

Photocontrol of Solvent Responsiveness of Structural Colored Balloons

The structural colored balloons (SCBs) composed of poly(vinyl cinnamate) (PVCi) showed solvent responsiveness of structural color by the change of shell thickness along with the size change by osmotic pressure, and the gradual color change could be stopped by UV irradiation. The rate of size change was decreased by the increase of the molecular weight upon photo-cross-linking reaction of PVCi.

Dwarfism in insular carnivores: a case study of the pygmy raccoon

AbstractInsular dwarfism is common in mammals. Many theories have been put forward to explain it, including competitive release, predation release, resource limitation and limited dispersal abilities. However, recent analyses have challenged many of these assertions and indicate that size evolution is more complex with populations and species developing unique patterns of morphological variation. We explore the evolution of body size in a poorly studied island carnivore, the pygmy raccoon Procyon pygmaeus, and compare it with other mainland and island populations within its genus. We studied 36 males and 42 females of the endemic and endangered pygmy raccoon on Cozumel Island, Mexico, from 2001 to 2003. Insular P. pygmaeus are, on average, 17.5% smaller in linear dimensions than their closest mainland relative. Minimum linear rate of size change was 6.21% per 1000 years or 5.43 darwins. Size reduction is likely to have been an adaptation to fewer resources and predators. Our population genetic examination identified different patterns of divergence than the morphological examination, indicating that the rate of morphological evolution likely exceeds that represented in this genus’ neutral genetic history. This case study highlights the importance of an autecological approach toward examining insular dwarfism given that clear patterns are not visible across the Carnivora.

Radiographic Response of Brain Metastasis after Linear Accelerator Radiosurgery

Background: Radiographic response of brain metastasis to stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) over time has not been well characterized. Being able to predict SRS-induced changes in tumor size over time may allow improved counseling of patients and potentially earlier recognition of poor response to SRS. Objective: To quantify the rate of change in size of metastatic brain tumors after treatment with a linear accelerator (LINAC) SRS. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with single metastatic brain tumors treated with LINAC SRS at the University of Florida between 1992 and 2009 who had at least one MRI after treatment. A total of 218 patients with 406 follow-up MRI scans were included in the study. Tumor area was calculated by measuring the largest tumor area on axial imaging and using the equation for area of an ellipse. Primary outcome was percent change in tumor size. The contribution of several factors including gender, primary tumor histology, synchronous or asynchronous presentation, prior treatment, primary tumor control, and SRS dose were examined using multivariate analysis. Results: Mean patient age was 58.3 years (range 4–86), and 48.6% of patients were female. Sixty-three percent of patients had primary tumor control and 70.6% had asynchronous presentation of their brain metastases. SRS peripheral dose range was 1,000–2,250 cGy with a median of 1,750 cGy. The mean percent size change was –22.6% with a mean rate of change of –7.0% per month. The median percent change was –49.7% with a median rate of change of –8.8% per month. The median follow-up was 4.8 months (range 0.3–52.5). Female gender and melanoma histology were found to be significant predictors of an increase in tumor size. Lack of previous surgical resection was a significant predictor of a decrease in tumor size after SRS. Other factors tested with multivariate analysis, including age, synchronicity of presentation, dose, dose volume, Karnofsky performance score, and primary tumor control, were not significant in predicting tumor size change after SRS. Conclusion: In this study, brain metastases decreased in size by a median of 50% for a median follow-up of 4.8 months after SRS. The overall rate of decrease was 9% per month after treatment with SRS. Melanoma histology was a predictor of poor tumor control.

Measurements of the timescales for the mass transfer of water in glassy aerosol at low relative humidity and ambient temperature

Abstract. The influence of glassy states and highly viscous solution phases on the timescale of aerosol particle equilibration with water vapour is examined. In particular, the kinetics of mass transfer of water between the condensed and gas phases has been studied for sucrose solution droplets under conditions above and below the glass transition relative humidity (RH). Above the glass transition, sucrose droplets are shown to equilibrate on a timescale comparable to the change in RH. Below the glass transition, the timescale for mass transfer is shown to be extremely slow, with particles remaining in a state of disequilibrium even after timescales of more than 10 000 s. A phenomenological approach for quantifying the time response of particle size is used to illustrate the influence of the glassy aerosol state on the kinetics of mass transfer of water: the time is estimated for the droplet to reach the halfway point from an initial state towards a disequilibrium state at which the rate of size change decreases below 1 nm every 10 000 s. This half-time increases above 1000 s once the particle can be assumed to have formed a glass. The measurements are shown to be consistent with kinetic simulations of the slow diffusion of water within the particle bulk. When increasing the RH from below to above the glass transition, a particle can return to equilibrium with the gas phase on a timescale of 10's to 100's of seconds, once again forming a solution droplet. This is considerably shorter than the timescale for the size change of the particle when glassy and suggests that the dissolution of the glassy core can proceed rapidly, at least at room temperature. Similar behaviour in the slowing of the mass transfer rate below the glass transition RH is observed for binary aqueous raffinose solution droplets. Mixed component droplets of sucrose/sodium chloride/water also show slow equilibration at low RH, illustrating the importance of understanding the role of the bulk solution viscosity on the rate of mass transfer with the gas phase, even under conditions that may not lead to the formation of a glass.

Steelhead Life History on California's Central Coast: Insights from a State‐Dependent Model

AbstractSteelheadOncorhynchus mykissdisplay a dizzying array of life history variation (including the purely resident form, rainbow trout). We developed a model for female steelhead in coastal California (close to the southern boundary of their range) in small coastal streams. We combined proximate (physiological) and ultimate (expected reproductive success) considerations to generalize the notion of a threshold size for emigration or maturity through the development of a state‐dependent life history theory. The model involves strategies that depend on age, size or condition, and recent rates of change in size or condition during specific periods (decision windows) in advance of the actual smolting or spawning event. This is the first study in which such a model is fully parameterized based on data collected entirely from California steelhead populations, the majority of data coming from two watersheds the mouths of whose rivers are separated by less than 8 km along the coast of Santa Cruz County. We predicted the occurrence of resident life histories and the distribution of sizes and ages at smolting for steelhead rearing in the upstream habitats of these streams. We compared these predictions with empirical results and show that the theory can explain the observed pattern and variation.

Molecular Dynamics Study of Bubble Nucleation in Liquid Oxygen Including Impurities

In the present study, bubble nucleation in liquid oxygen where impurities (nitrogen molecules or helium ones) are dissolved is investigated using molecular dynamics simulation. When the mole fraction of impurities is 0.05, bubble nucleation mechanism is fundamentally different ; vaporization in homogeneous bulk makes a bubble in the case of nitrogen-dissolved liquid while phase separation of impurities makes a nucleus in the case of helium-dissolved liquid. The effect of fluctuation to bring a local void, which can grow to be a bubble, is stronger in the case of helium-dissolved liquid under the lower mole fraction (0.01) than in the case of nitrogen-dissolved liquid under the higher mole fraction (0.05). From these results, we found that helium molecules have much stronger action to raise bubble formation pressure compared with nitrogen. In this paper, the kinetically-defined critical nucleus, which is very important factor to evaluate the nucleation mechanism qualitatively, is also estimated through the calculation of size change rate of each nucleus.

Relative effects of climate change, isolation and competition on body‐size evolution in the Japanese field mouse, Apodemus argenteus

AbstractAim This paper examines body size variation in both recent and Quaternary populations of the Japanese field mouse Apodemus argenteus in order to assess the relative effects on body size of climate change, isolation and competitive interactions with its congeneric A. speciosus. Both temporal (since the Last Glacial Maximum, LGM) and spatial (over the Japanese archipelago) scales are considered.Location The small field mouse is widespread in Japan, and the specimens examined were collected from 10 localities on islands of widely differing area (from 4 km2 to 230,510 km2) and at latitudes ranging from 30.3° N to 45.1° N.Methods The effects of geographical factors such as latitude and island area on the size variation of A. argenteus were investigated, using the lower incisor size. In addition, the size of some specimens from two Quaternary localities was compared with the size of the extant specimens. Evolutionary rates of size change since the LGM were calculated in darwins. Hutchinson size ratios were used to examine the pattern of variation of the size segregation between the two Japanese field mice, A. argenteus and A. speciosus, in relation to time and space.Results There was a negative relationship between size and latitude among living A. argenteus populations. In addition, there was no effect of island area on body size, especially at higher latitudes. At lower latitudes, A. argenteus were larger on smaller islands, although this trend was not statistically significant. Quaternary specimens of A. argenteus were smaller in size than their living representatives. The interspecific size ratio between the two Japanese Apodemus was larger on smaller islands and at higher latitudes, and there has been a decrease in the size ratio between the two Apodemus since the LGM. Lastly, in accordance with the theory of character displacement, the small A. argenteus was larger in allopatry than in sympatry, whereas the large A. speciosus was smaller in allopatry than in sympatry.Main conclusions These results indicate that A. argenteus does not conform to Bergmann's rule or to the island rule. The variation in size for the small Japanese field mouse at both spatial and temporal scales may be related to climate change, with an additional effect of competition with the large field mouse, especially on smaller islands. The size convergence between the two Japanese Apodemus observed over the last 21,000 years may be explained by the diminution of available food resources due to the reduction of land mass areas following the LGM. It may also be the result of an evolution towards an optimal body size; a hypothesis previously proposed to explain the evolution of body size in island mammals. Lastly, the evolutionary rates of body size calculated for A. argenteus since the LGM are typical of rates calculated for other Quaternary mainland mammals, thus suggesting that the evolution in this species was not particularly rapid, as is often thought for island mammals.

放送カメラマンのズーミング計測法の検討と静止している被写体を撮影するときのズーミング特性分析

We are studying an intelligent robot camera that can shoot automatically as well as a human broadcast cameraman can. To elucidate a cameraman's zooming techniques, we recently examined our measurement methods and conducted a basic experiment while shooting still subjects. The results showed that our measurement methods were effective in faithfully gauging zooming characteristics. Furthermore, analyses of zooming actions revealed that, in the case of repeated shooting of the same scene, the velocity of the operating rod always followed almost the same shaped zooming velocity curve, and that the rates of size change of the subject for normalized zooming times were 0.62-0.91 (second half) in the zooming-in operation and 0.17-0.44 (first half) in the zooming-out operation.

Obstetric complications and age-related changes in brain morphology in schizophrenia

Birth problems can lead to changes in brain morphology in the general population and an increased prevalence of both birth problems and altered brain morphology are found in patients with schizophrenia. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that these two findings are related. Birth history and the size of ventricular and sulcal spaces from nine regions of the brain were assessed in 80 male subjects with schizophrenia. No differences were found between patients with and those without a history of birth problems for the size of any brain space; however, ventricular size increased significantly with age in patients who had no birth complications but not in patients with a history of birth problems. The size of cortical sulci increased with age in patients with and those without a history of birth problems. These results suggest that region-specific rates of change in size may identify clinically meaningful patients subgroups.

Rates of evolution in Paleocene-Eocene mammals of the Clarks Fork Basin, Wyoming, and a comparison with Neoghene Siwalik lineages of Pakistan

Abstract Rates of size change are quantified in 19 species-level evolutionary lineages of Clarks Fork Basin Paleocene and early Eocene mammals. Intrinsic rates of change in Clarks Fork Basin lineages range from about 10−0.1 to 10−3.4 haldanes (standard deviations per generation), with a median rate of about 10−1.1 haldanes. These values are in the usual range of intrinsic rates commonly seen in other settings. Temporal scaling slopes indicate that seven of the 19 Clarks Fork Basin lineages were stable over time (37%), five were stable with a random component (26%), four were indistinguishable from random (21%), two were directional with a random component (11%), and one lineage cannot be classified. Clarks Fork Basin mammalian species have mean durations of about 0.95 m.y. and median durations of about 0.76 m.y. Intrinsic rates of size change are similar to those for Miocene Siwalik mammals, but the average species duration is less than one-half the average for Siwalik mammals.

Synthesis, Mechanism, and Application of An Electro-Driven Chemomechanical System Using Polymer Gels

Abstract When a water-swollen polyelectrolyte gel is interposed between a pair of electrodes and dc is applied, the gel undergoes electrochem-omechanical contraction and concomitant water exudation. Micro-particles of crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) also undergoes reversible shrinkage by the electric field. The contraction was associated with the electrohydrodynamic transport of hydrated ions, and an equation expressing the rate of size change was derived as a function of voltage, charge density, and degree of swelling. Applications of this phenomenon to drug delivery systems, artificial muscles lifting and lowering a load, and some gel actuators walking in water are introduced.

Diffusion-controlled mass transfer to or from spheres with concentration-dependent diffusivity

Analytical solutions for the growth of an isolated sphere from zero initial size have been derived with diffusivity an explicit function of concentration. Numerical methods have also been developed to treat either growth or dissolution with concentration-dependent diffusivity. Diffusivity is here taken to be an exponential function of concentration but several other forms have been studied. The predictions of the two methods show the same asymptotic behaviour (rate of change in size and concentration distribution) for growing spheres and this is considered to validate the numerical procedures. When appropriately normalized the change in size of a sphere can be described by a constant property model. However, the equivalent diffusivity is equal to the expected average over the appropriate concentration range only for very low solubility; the equivalent diffusivity can be estimated for higher solubilities.

Site-fidelity, longevity, and population dynamics of broad-tailed hummingbirds: a ten year study.

In the course of other studies we have amassed a decade of records from banding, and observing the nests of, a breeding population of broad-tailed hummingbirds in Colorado, USA. In addition we have less extensive banding records for two other hummingbird species that migrate through the area but do not breed there. The rate of return of broad-tails between consecutive breeding seasons has been as high as 70% for females and 27% for males, suggesting substantial site fidelity and malebiased dispersal or mortality; our records also suggest that rufous hummingbirds are faithful to a particular migratory route. The oldest recaptured birds were at least eight years old, an age that exceeds predictions based on allometric extrapolation from other bird species; the apparent yearly survival rate of females is also unexpectedly high for birds of such small body mass. The earliest broad-tails to arrive at the start of the breeding season appear to be older, experienced individuals. Reuse of a specific nest site between consecutive years by the same female or different females seems to depend on the success of nesting efforts at that site. We have calculated the rate of change in size of the broad-tail population based on our estimates of female survivorship and fledging success. By this method the population appears to be declining, although nest counts themselves suggest that numbers of breeding females have remained fairly constant at least over the last seven years of our study.

Separable aftereffects of changing-size and motion-in-depth: Different neural mechanisms?

The following two aftereffects resulted from inspecting a square whose vertical edges moved towards each other with a ramping waveform: (1) a static test square appeared to be continously expanding along the horizontal direction, and (2) a static test square appeared to be moving in depth. We quantified each aftereffect by measuring the real rate of size change required to cancel it. Both aftereffects decayed exponentially. No. 1 rapidly with a time constant between 6.4 and 9.9 sec. and No. 2 more slowly with a time constant between 21 and 54 sec. Because of the different decay rates, the two aftereffects could be seen separately. We propose that the existence of these two aftereffects is consistent with a psychophysical model in which unidirectional motion filters feed a changing-size filter that in turn feeds a motion-in-depth stage. We tentatively suggest that this model might help to explain how the visual system resolves the ambiguity of a retinal image whose magnification is changing.

Angiographic study of the growth of intracranial aneurysms

The authors have attempted to assess whether there is any standard rate of growth of intracranial aneurysms. Angiographic studies were performed on 67 patients with 82 aneurysms with intervals between angiograms ranging from a few days to 10 years. Examination of these records showed no consistent rate of change in size, possibly partly because of inherent inaccuracies in the method, which are discussed. The clinical reasons for the repeat studies are briefly mentioned. It is concluded that it is unwise to wait and see what may happen to any but perhaps the smallest aneurysm.

Effect of crystal attrition on crystal size distribution in continuous crystallizers

AbstractIn a literature review is stated that the attempts to lessen the divergence between theory and practice of the determination of particle size distribution have not yet been successful. One of the significant causes of the observed deviations are abrasion and breakage. For this an effective growth rate re = rc + rs is postulated (rc – mean linear growth rate, rs – mean linear rate of size change by abrasion and breakage). Two models for the relation between these quantities are presented. – The dependence of attrition rate on particle size, especially in a CMSMPR crystallizer is discussed.

ASSET SHIFTS INVOLVING CURRENCY AND THE STRENGTH OF MONETARY CONTROLS*

A GROWING BODY of monetary theorists has become convinced that our monetary authority should concentrate on the size and rate of change in size of some monetary aggregate, such as the supply of money or credit, as a target and indicator of monetary policy. The monetary authority can manipulate monetary aggregates by altering the size of the monetary base-an operation it can perform quickly and with precision. Altering the monetary base is aimed at exerting precise control over the target monetary aggregate. To have such control the monetary authority must know the relationship between the monetary base and the target monetary aggregate. That is, precise estimates of the size of the relevant credit expansion multiplier are essential if the monetary authority is to be able, ex ante, to make the size, or rate of change in size, of the monetary aggregate hit some specific target. There are two popular approaches to evaluating the size of credit expansion multipliers. One simple approach is to look at past observations of the ratio of the monetary aggregate to the base and use the observed ratios as a forecast of the expected future ratio. Many monetary theorists would argue that the world is not so cooperative, that the value of a credit expansion multiplier is likely to be different at different stages of the business cycle or even for different sizes of policy actions so that this simple approach will introduce serious errors into monetary policy actions. There is an alternative method which may yield better forecasts of the size of the multipliers. This alternative approach requires: (1) that we build credit expansion models which specify the relevant behavioral relationships (for the commercial banking system's portfolio selection behavior as well as that of the nonbank public) affecting the size of the multiplier; and (2) that we estimate the parameters in the model to allow us to use it for forecasting purposes. While considerable research has been conducted to cast light on some of the behavioral relationships necessary to forecast multipliers, other relationships have received relatively little attention. This study deals with one of the essential behavioral patterns which has been neglected: the currency-holding behavior of the nonbank public. Traditional credit expansion models rely on highly simplified assumptions as to the currency-holding behavior of the nonbank public during credit expansion or contraction. On the other hand, any modern portfolio analysis would require that currency holdings be influenced by an array of variables which in turn are affected by monetary policy actions; those variables include a portfolio constraint and yields on alternative assets. If systematic currency demand responses to changes in variables affected by monetary policy actually occur, the strength of monetary controls, (the impact on intermediate or ultimate target variables of a given monetary policy action) may be considerably different from what traditional credit expansion models imply. For example, if a tight money policy raises the interest rate on marketable securities inducing a shift out of currency and into marketable securities, slippage will be introduced into monetary policy in the sense that the endogenous shift from