This paper presents a range of applications of the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS), a comprehensive mesoscale meteorological modeling system. Applications discussed in this paper include large eddy simulations (LES) and simulations of thunderstorms, cumulus fields, mesoscale convective systems, mid-latitude cirrus clouds, winter storms, mechanicallyand thermally-forced mesoscale sys...

This proposal is linked to the Rain in Cumulus over the Ocean (RICO) project, described in the RICO Scientific Overview Document. The project's aim is to study shallow, precipitating cumulus over a tropical ocean. A field campaign is planned for the winter 2004-05 in the area of the Lesser Antilles. The proposed work is for the study the onset of precipitation, and its effect on cumulus organiz...

STUDY QUESTION Is the activity of sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) altered in granulosa and cumulus cells from young women with reduced ovarian reserve or women of advanced maternal age? SUMMARY ANSWER SIRT3 mRNA and active protein in granulosa and cumulus cells were decreased in women with reduced ovarian reserve and advanced maternal age. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Young women with reduced ovarian reserve or...

Most studies have considered the negative influence of obesity on fertility in both genders. In the present study, we assessed mitochondrial activity expressed as the mitochondrial potential index (MPI) in cumulus cells from obese women and women with a normal body mass index (BMI) during assisted reproductive therapy. The results revealed a significant reduction of MPI with increased body mass...

BACKGROUND Deficiencies remain in the ability of in vitro-matured human oocytes to acquire full developmental competence and give rise to a healthy pregnancy. A clear deficiency of current systems utilizing human oocytes has been the absence of cumulus cells. In the present study, a three-dimensional (3D) co-culture system exploiting an extracellular matrix was developed and compared to convent...

Porcine cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured together in 10-microliters droplets of culture medium. When 10 COCs were cultured for 24 h, germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) occurred in 81% of them. When more COCs (20 or 40) were put into the same volume of medium the frequency of GVBD gradually decreased. This inhibition was not observed in denuded oocytes. The process of GVBD was advers...

OBJECTIVE This study examines the effects of hydrostatic pressure on in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes derived from in vitro grown follicles. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this experimental study, preantral follicles were isolated from 12-day-old female NMRI mice. Each follicle was cultured individually in Alpha Minimal Essential Medium (α-MEM) under mineral oil for 12 days. Then, follicles wer...

Many individuals enter the U.S. prison system with a history of high-risk drug and sexual practices, which are two primary contributors to the high rates of HIV and hepatitis cases among this population. As these individuals return to the community, they are likely to continue high-risk behaviors, making it critical that decisionmaking programs designed to reduce risky behaviors be instituted d...

Background: Cryopreservation of ovaries is an important technique in assisted reproduction technology. Physical forces like hydrostatic pressure have a pivotal role in reproduction systems. Due to changes in intrafollicular pressure during ovulatory process, this study designed to examine the effects of hydrostatic pressure on oocyte maturation and cell death in cumulus cells from cryopreserved...