bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Particulate trimethylamine in the summertime Canadian high Arctic lower troposphere
Authors: Köllner Franziska , Schneider Johannes , Willis Megan D. , Klimach Thomas , Helleis Frank , Bozem Heiko , Kunkel Daniel , Hoor Peter , Burkart Julia , Leaitch W. Richard , Aliabadi Amir A. , Abbatt Jonathan P. D. , Herber Andreas B. , Borrmann Stephan
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Size-resolved and vertical profile measurements of single particle chemical composition (sampling altitude range 50–3000 m) were conducted in July 2014 in the Canadian high Arctic during the aircraft-based measurement campaign NETCARE 2014. We deployed the single particle laser ablation aerosol mass spectrometer ALABAMA (vacuum aerodynamic diameter range approximately 200–1000 nm) to identify different particle types and their mixing states. On basis of the single particle analysis, we found that a significant fraction (23 %) of all analyzed particles (in total: 7412) contained trimethylamine (TMA). The identification of TMA in ambient mass spectra was confirmed by laboratory measurements. From the maximum occurrence of particulate TMA in the Arctic boundary layer and the higher abundance of smaller TMA-containing particles (maximum in the size distribution at 300 nm), we conclude that the TMA component of these particles resulted from emissions within the Arctic boundary layer. Air mass history according to FLEXPART backward simulations and associated wind data give evidence of a marine-biogenic influence on particulate TMA. The marine influence on particle chemical composition in the summertime Arctic is further demonstrated by the existence of larger sodium and chloride (Na/Cl-) containing particles which are mainly abundant in the boundary layer. Some of these sea spray particles were internally mixed with carbohydrates (e.g., cellulose) which likely originated from a sea surface microlayer enriched with microorganisms and organic compounds. The external mix of sea spray particles and TMA-containing particles suggests the latter result from secondary conversion of precursor gases from marine inner-Arctic sources. In contrast to TMA- and Na/Cl-containing aerosol types, particles with biomass-burning markers (such as levoglucosan) showed a higher fraction at higher altitudes, thereby indicating long-range transport as their source. Our measurements highlight the importance of natural, marine inner-Arctic sources for summertime Arctic aerosol.
Link between the Outgoing Longwave Radiation and the altitude where the space-borne lidar beam is fully attenuated
Authors: Vaillant de Guélis Thibault , Chepfer Hélène , Noel Vincent , Guzman Rodrigo , Dubuisson Philippe , Winker David M. , Kato Seiji
Published: June 2017

Abstract. According to climate models’ simulations, cloud altitude change is the dominant contributor of the positive ensemble mean longwave cloud feedback. Nevertheless, the cloud altitude longwave feedback mechanism and its amplitude struggle yet to be verified in observations. An accurate, stable in time, and potentially long-term observation of a cloud property summarizing the cloud vertical distribution and driving the longwave cloud radiative effect is needed to hope to achieve a better understanding of the cloud altitude longwave feedback mechanism. This study proposes the direct lidar measurement of the atmosphere opacity altitude is a good candidate to derive the needed observed cloud property. This altitude is the level at which a space-borne lidar beam is fully attenuated when probing an optically opaque cloud. By combining this altitude with the direct lidar measurement of the cloud top altitude, we derive the radiative temperature of opaque clouds that linearly drives, as we show, the outgoing longwave radiation. This linear relationship provides a simple formulation of the cloud radiative effect in the longwave domain for opaque clouds and so, helps to understand the cloud altitude longwave feedback mechanism. We find that in presence of an opaque cloud, a cloud temperature change of 1 K modifies its cloud radiative effect by 2 W m−2. We show that this linear relationship holds true at single atmospheric column scale with radiative transfer simulations, at instantaneous radiometer footprint scale of the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES), and at monthly mean 2° x 2° gridded scale. Opaque clouds cover 35 % of the ice-free ocean and contribute to 73 % of the global mean cloud radiative effect. Thin clouds cover 36 % and contribute to 27 %.
Synergy between land use and climate change increases future fire
risk in Amazon forests
Authors: Le Page Yannick , Morton Douglas , Corinne Hartin , Ben Bond-Lamberty , Cardoso Pereira José Miguel , Hurtt George , Asrar Ghassem
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Tropical forests have been a permanent feature of the Amazon basin for at least 55 million years, yet climate change and land use threaten the forest's future over the next century. Understory forest fires, common under current climate in frontier forests, may accelerate Amazon forest losses from climate-driven dieback and deforestation. Far from land use frontiers, scarce fire ignitions and high moisture levels preclude significant burning, yet projected climate and land use changes may increase fire activity in these remote regions. Here, we used a fire model specifically parameterized for Amazon understory fires to examine the interactions between anthropogenic activities and climate under current and projected conditions. In a scenario of low mitigation efforts with substantial land use expansion and climate change – the representative concentration pathway (RCP) 8.5 – projected understory fires increase in frequency and duration, burning 4–28 times more forest in 2080–2100 than during 1990–2010. In contrast, active climate mitigation and land use contraction in RCP4.5 constrain the projected increase in fire activity to 0.9–5.4 times contemporary burned area. Importantly, if climate mitigation is not successful, land use contraction alone is very effective under low to moderate climate change, but does little to reduce fire activity under the most severe climate projections. These results underscore the potential for a fire-driven transformation of Amazon forests if recent regional policies for forest conservation are not paired with global efforts to mitigate climate change.
Big data from the sky: popular perceptions of private drones in Switzerland
Authors: Klauser Francisco , Pedrozo Silvana
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Camera-fitted drones are now easily affordable for the public. The resulting extension of the vertical gaze raises a series of critical questions, ranging from the changing regimes of visibility and control that characterise today's world of big data from the sky to the novel opportunities, risks, and power dynamics hence implied. The paper addresses these issues empirically, focussing on the popular perception of commercial and hobby drones in Switzerland. This provides a deeper understanding of the driving forces and obstacles that shape current drone developments and highlights that the societal diffusion of private drones today transforms the very ways in which the aerial realm is lived and perceived, as a highly contested space of risks, opportunities, and power. This discussion is rooted in a research approach that places questions of power and (air-)space at the centre when approaching the drone problematic.
A single-column particle-resolved model for simulating the vertical
distribution of aerosol mixing state: WRF-PartMC-MOSAIC-SCM
v1.0
Authors: Curtis Jeffrey H. , Riemer Nicole , West Matthew
Published: June 2017

Abstract. The particle-resolved aerosol model PartMC-MOSAIC was previously developed to predict the aerosol mixing state as it evolves in the atmosphere. However, the modeling framework was limited to a 0-D box model approach without resolving spatial gradients in aerosol concentrations. This paper presents the development of stochastic particle methods to simulate turbulent diffusion and dry deposition of aerosol particles in a vertical column within the planetary boundary layer. The new model, WRF-PartMC-MOSAIC-SCM, resolves the vertical distribution of aerosol mixing state. We verified the new algorithms with analytical solutions for idealized testcases and illustrate the capabilities with results from a two-day urban scenario that shows the evolution of black carbon mixing state in a vertical column.
Impacts of microtopographic snow-redistribution and lateral subsurface processes
on hydrologic and thermal states in an Arctic polygonal ground ecosystem
Authors: Bisht Gautam , Riley William J. , Wainwright Haruko M. , Dafflon Baptiste , Fengming Yuan , Romanovsky Vladimir E.
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Microtopographic features, such as polygonal ground, are characteristic sources of landscape heterogeneity in the Alaskan Arctic coastal plain. Here, we analyze the effects of snow redistribution (SR) and lateral subsurface processes on hydrologic and thermal states at a polygonal tundra site near Barrow, Alaska. We extended the land model integrated in the ACME Earth System Model (ESM) to redistribute incoming snow by accounting for microtopography and incorporated subsurface lateral transport of water and energy (ALMv0-3D). Three 10-years long simulations were performed for a transect across polygonal tundra landscape at the Barrow Environmental Observatory in Alaska to isolate the impact of SR and subsurface process representation. When SR was included, model results show a better agreement (higher R2 with lower bias and RMSE) for the observed differences in snow depth between polygonal rims and centers. The model was also able to accurately reproduce observed soil temperature vertical profiles in the polygon rims and centers (overall bias, RMSE, and R2 of 0.59 °C, 1.82 °C, and 0.99, respectively). The spatial heterogeneity of snow depth during the winter due to SR generated surface soil temperature heterogeneity that propagated in depth and time and led to ~10 cm shallower and ~5 cm deeper maximum annual thaw depths under the polygon rims and centers, respectively. Additionally, SR led to spatial heterogeneity in surface energy fluxes and soil moisture during the summer. Excluding lateral subsurface hydrologic and thermal processes led to small effects on mean states but an overestimation of spatial variability in soil moisture and soil temperature as subsurface liquid pressure and thermal gradients were artificially prevented from spatially dissipating over time. The effect of lateral subsurface processes on active layer depths was modest with mean absolute difference of ~3 cm. Our integration of three-dimensional subsurface hydrologic and thermal subsurface dynamics in the ACME land model will facilitate a wide range of analyses heretofore impossible in an ESM context.
Water levels of the Mekong River Basin based on CryoSat-2 SAR data classification
Authors: Boergens Eva , Nielsen Karina , Andersen Ole B. , Dettmering Denise , Seitz Florian
Published: June 2017

Abstract. In this study we use CryoSat-2 SAR (Delay-Doppler Synthetic Aperture Radar) data over the Mekong River Basin to estimate water levels. Smaller inland waters can be observed with CryoSat-2 data with a higher accuracy compared to the classical radar altimeters due to the increased along track resolution of SAR and the smaller footprint. However, even with this SAR data the estimation of water levels over smaller (width less than 500 m) is still challenging as only very few consecutive observations over the water body are present. The usage of land-water-masks for target identification tends to fail as the river becomes smaller. Therefore, we developed a classification to divide the observations into water and land observations based solely on the observations. The classification is done with an unsupervised classification algorithm, and it is based on features derived from the SAR and RIP (Range Integrated Power) waveforms. After the classification, classes representing water and land are identified. The measurements classified as water are used in a next step to estimate water levels for each crossing over the Mekong River. The resulting water levels are validated and compared to gauge data, Envisat data and CryoSat-2 water levels derived with a land-water mask. The CryoSat-2 classified water levels perform better than results based on the land-water-mask and Envisat. Especially, in the smaller upstream regions the improvements of the classification approach for CryoSat-2 are evident.
SWAT-CUP for Calibration of Spatially Distributed Hydrological Processes and Ecosystem Services in a Vietnamese River Basin Using Remote Sensing
Authors: Ha Lan T. , Bastiaanssen Wim G. M. , van Griensven Ann , van Dijk Albert I. J. M. , Senay Gabriel B.
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Distributed hydrological models are usually calibrated against the measured outflow of a certain drainage area, provided flow data is available. A close match with flow does however not mean that the spatially distributed hydrological processes are properly understood and simulated. In this paper, remotely sensed precipitation, evapotranspiration (ET) and leaf area index (LAI) from open access data sources were used to calibrate the SWAT model for the Day Basin, a tributary of the Red River in Vietnam. The efficacy of the SWAT-CUP parameter sensitivity and optimization model developed by Abbaspour (2015) was tested with spatial remote sensing input parameters. The innovation is that the parameters of the soil-vegetation processes were optimized for every Hydrological Response Unit for which remotely sensed monthly ET and LAI values were available. Such level of detail cannot be achieved from flow measurements, which are the integrated result of many processes over large areas. A total of 15 soil-vegetation process parameters were calibrated. The SUFI2 algorithm in SWAT-CUP appeared to be an adequate practical tool for the calibration process. Simulated monthly ET correlations with remote sensing estimates showed an R2 = 0.71 and NSE = 0.65 while monthly LAI showed correlations of R2 = 0.59 and NSE = 0.57 over a five year validation period. Accumulated modelled ET over the 5-year calibration period amounted to 5713 mm compared to 6015 mm of remotely sensed ET: a non-significant difference of 302 mm (5.3 %). Because river flow was not optimized during the calibration process, it could be used as an independent validation of the calibrated model simulations. The monthly flow at two flow measurement stations were adequately estimated (R2 = 0.78 and 0.55, NSE = 0.71 and 0.63 for Phu Ly and Ninh Binh, respectively). The estimated total water withdrawal from the Red River was 1.934 billion m3/yr with a peak flow of approximately 200 m3/s during the months of February and July. The availability of a reliable set of parameters will make SWAT a useful tool for optimizing water conservation, agricultural outputs, and ecosystem services such as reduced soil erosion, better water quality standards, carbon sequestration, micro-climate cooling amongst others. Such calibrated distributed eco-hydrological models can be used for appraising scenarios of green growth.
Experimental determination of the flood wave transformation and the
sediment resuspension in a small regulated stream in an agricultural
catchment
Authors: Zumr David , Dostál Tomáš , Devátý Jan , Valenta Petr , Rosenforf Pavel , Eder Alexander , Strauss Peter
Published: June 2017

Abstract. This paper presents the methodology used for artificial flood experiments conducted in a small artificial, trained (regulated) channel on the Nučice experimental agricultural catchment (0.5 km2), central Czech Republic, and the results of the experiments. Two series of experiments were carried out in contrasting initial conditions: (a) in summer, when the stream banks were dry, the baseflow was negligible and the channel was fully overgrown with vegetation; and (b) in spring, when the stream banks were almost water saturated, the baseflow was above the annual average, and there was no vegetation present. Within each campaign, three successive flood waves, each with an approximate volume of 17 m3 and peak flow of ca 40 l s−1, were pumped into the upper part of the catchment drainage channel. The transformation of the flood wave and the sediment transport regime within an approximately 400 m long channel section were monitored by measuring the discharge, the turbidity and the electrical conductivity in three profiles along the stream. On the basis of the results, it was concluded that there is a considerable amount of deposited sediment in the channel that can be re-mobilized even by small floods. Part of the recorded sediment therefore originates from the particles deposited during previous soil erosion events. The flood waves initiated in dissimilar instream conditions progressed differently – we show that the saturation of the channel banks, the stream vegetation and the actual baseflow had a strong influence on the flood transformation and the sediment regime in the channel.
A dimensionless approach for the runoff peak assessment: effects of
the rainfall event structure
Authors: Gnecco Ilaria , Palla Anna , La Barbera Paolo
Published: June 2017

Abstract. The present paper proposes a dimensionless analytical framework to predict the hydrologic response of a given catchment thus assessing the impact of the rainfall event structure on the runoff peak. The dimensionless form of the rainfall depth is described as a simple power function of the dimensionless duration. Soil abstractions are modelled using the Soil Conservation Service method and the Instantaneous Unit Hydrograph theory is undertaken to determine the dimensionless form of the hydrograph; the two-parameter gamma-distribution is selected to test the proposed methodology. A set of analytical expressions are derived in case of constant-intensity hyetograph to assess the highest runoff peak with respect to a given rainfall event structure irrespective of the specific catchment. Looking at the results, the curve of the highest values of the runoff peak reveals a local minimum point in the neighbourhood of d* and n values equal to 1 and 0.3, respectively. As an example, the proposed approach has been applied to analyse the hydrologic response of a small Mediterranean catchment to three observed rainfall events characterized by different rainfall internal structures.
A Nonparametric Statistical Technique for Combining Global
Precipitation Datasets: Development and Hydrological Evaluation
over the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Bhuiyan Md Abul Ehsan , Nikolopoulos Efthymios I. , Anagnostou Emmanouil N. , Quintana-Seguí Pere , Barella-Ortiz Anaïs
Published: June 2017

Abstract. This study investigates the use of a nonparametric, tree-based model, Quantile Regression Forests (QRF), for combining multiple global precipitation datasets and characterizing the uncertainty of the combined product. We used the Iberian Peninsula as the study area, with a study period spanning eleven years (2000–10). Inputs to the QRF model included three satellite precipitation products, CMORPH, PERSIANN, and 3B42 (V7); an atmospheric reanalysis precipitation and air temperature dataset; satellite-derived near-surface daily soil moisture data; and a terrain elevation dataset. We calibrated the QRF model for two seasons and two terrain elevation categories and used it to generate rainfall ensembles for these conditions. We then carried an evaluation based on a high-resolution, ground-reference precipitation dataset (SAFRAN) available at 5 km/1 h resolution and further used generated ensembles to force a distributed hydrological model (the SURFEX land-surface model and the RAPID river routing scheme). To evaluate relative improvements and the overall impact of the combined product in hydrological response, we compared its streamflow simulation results with the results of simulations from the individual global precipitation and reference datasets. We concluded that the proposed technique could generate realizations that successfully encapsulate the reference precipitation and provide significant improvement in streamflow simulations, with reduction in systematic and random error on the order of 20 %–99 % and 44 %–88 %, respectively, when considering the ensemble mean.
Precipitation Pattern in the Western Himalayas revealed by Four
Datasets
Authors: Li Hong , Haugen Jan Erik , Xu Chongyu
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Data scarcity is the biggest problem for scientific research related to hydrology and climate studies in the great Himalayas Region. High quality precipitation data are among the most difficult to obtain due to sparse network, cold climate and high heterogeneity in topography. This paper examines four different types of datasets, including interpolated gridded data based on ground observations (IMD, 1° × 1° and APHRODITE, 0.25° × 0.25°), reanalysis data (ERA-interim, 0.75° × 0.75°) and high resolution simulation by a regional climate model (WRF, 0.15° × 0.15°). In Northern India of the Western Himalayas, the four datasets show a similar spatial pattern and temporal variation during the period 1981–2007, though the absolute values vary significantly (497–819 mm/year) mainly due to the data source and the methods of data generation. The differences are particularly large in July and August at the windward slopes and the high elevation area. All the datasets show a wetter summer and drier winter during the period, though most of the trends in monthly precipitation are not significant. The comparison between two periods of 1981–1985 and 2003–2007 shows an increase in summer and a decrease in winter with large variations. Between the periods, the runoff is expected to increase which is likely to result in more and bigger floods in the downstream areas according to the IMD, APHRODITE and WRF datasets, whereas the ERA-interim dataset reveals a tendency toward longer low flow periods and more droughts. All the datasets can give a good overview of the precipitation, but because of coarse spatial resolution and small size of basins in this area, future work such as local correction is necessary for hydro-glacial modelling.
Microwave implementation of two-source energy balance approach for
estimating evapotranspiration
Authors: Holmes Thomas R. , Hain Christopher , Crow Wade T. , Anderson Martha C. , Kustas William P.
Published: June 2017

Abstract. A newly developed microwave (MW) land surface temperature (LST) product is used to substitute thermal infrared (TIR) based LST in the two-source energy balance approach (TSEB) for estimating ET from space. This TSEB land surface scheme, the Atmosphere Land Exchange Inverse (ALEXI) model framework, is an approach that minimizes sensitivity to absolute biases in input records of LST through the analysis of the rate of temperature change in the morning. This experiment is therefore an important test of the ability to retrieve diurnal temperature information from a constellation of satellites with microwave radiometers that together provide 6–8 observations of Ka-band brightness temperature per location per day. This represents the first ever attempt at a global implementation of ALEXI with MW-based LST and is intended as the first step towards providing all-weather capability to the ALEXI framework. The leveraging of all sky capability of MW sensors is the main motivation of this work, as TIR-based ALEXI is limited to clear sky conditions. The analysis is based on a 9-year long record of ALEXI ET generated with MW-LST as an input, which is compared to an existing implementation of the same framework with thermal infrared based LST. In this study, the MW-LST sampling is restricted to the same clear sky days as in the IR-based implementation to be able to analyse the impact of changing the LST dataset separately from the impact of sampling all-sky conditions. The results show that long-term bulk ET estimates agree with a spatial correlation of 92 % for total ET in the Europe/Africa domain and agreement in seasonal (3-month) totals of 83–97 % depending on the time of year. Most importantly, the ALEXI-MW also matches ALEXI-IR very closely in terms of 3-month inter-annual anomalies, demonstrating its ability to capture the development and extent of drought conditions. The weekly ET output from the two parallel ALEXI implementations is further compared to a common ground measured reference provided by the FLUXNET consortium. Overall, they indicate a surprisingly close match in both performance metrics (correlation and RMSE) for all but the most challenging sites in terms of spatial heterogeneity and level of aridity. Moreover, merging MW- and IR-based ALEXI may provide estimates of ET with a reduced uncertainty, even during nominally clear sky days. It is concluded that a constellation of MW satellites can effectively be used to provide LST for estimating ET through TSEB, which is an important step towards all-sky satellite-based ET estimates.
Hydrogeological effects of dredging navigable canals through lagoon
shallows. A case study in Venice
Authors: Teatini Pietro , Isotton Giovanni , Nardean Stefano , Ferronato Massimiliano , Mazzia Annamaria , Da Lio Cristina , Zaggia Luca , Bellafiore Debora , Zecchin Massimo , Baradello Luca , Cellone Francisco , Corami Fabiana , Gambaro Andrea , Libralato Giovanni , Morabito Elisa , Volpi Ghirardini Annamaria , Broglia Riccardo , Zaghi Stefano , Tosi Luigi
Published: June 2017

Abstract. For the first time a comprehensive investigation has been carried out to quantify the possible effects of dredging a navigable canal on the hydrogeological system underlying a coastal lagoon. The study is focused on the Venice Lagoon, Italy, where the Port Authority is planning to open, a new 10-m deep and 3-km long canal to connect the city passenger terminal to the central lagoon inlet thus avoiding the passage of large cruise ships through the historic centre of Venice. A modelling study has been developed to evaluate the short (minutes), medium (months), and long (decades) term processes of water and pollutant exchange between the shallow aquifer system and the lagoon, possibly enhanced by the canal excavation, and ship-wakes. An in-depth characterization of the lagoon subsurface along the channel has supported the numerical modelling. Piezometer and sea level records, geophysical acquisitions, laboratory analyses on groundwater and sediment samples (chemical analyses and ecotoxicity testing), and the outcome of 3D hydrodynamic and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) models have been used to set-up and calibrate the subsurface multi-model approach. The numerical outcomes allow to quantify the groundwater volume and estimate the mass of anthropogenic contaminants (As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Hg, Pb, Se) likely leaked from the nearby industrial area over the past decades, and released into the lagoon from the canal bed by the action of depression waves generated by ships. Moreover, the model outcomes help to understand the effect of the hydrogeological layering on the propagation of the tidal fluctuation and salt concentration into the shallow brackish aquifers underlying the lagoon bottom.
On the use of GRACE intersatellite tracking data for improved estimation of soil moisture and groundwater in Australia
Authors: Tangdamrongsub Natthachet , Han Shin-Chan , Decker Mark
Published: June 2017

Abstract. An accurate estimation of soil moisture and groundwater is essential for monitoring the availability of water supply in domestic and agricultural sectors. In order to improve the water storage estimates, previous studies assimilated terrestrial water storage variation (∆TWS) derived from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) into land surface models. However, the GRACE-derived δTWS was generally computed from the high level products (e.g., land grid). The gridded data products are subjected to several drawbacks such as signal attenuation and/or distortion caused by ad hoc posteriori filters, and a lack of error covariance information. The consequence is undesired alteration of δTWS data and its statistical property. To exploit the GRACE information rigorously and negate these limitations, this study uses the fundamental GRACE satellite tracking Level 1B (L1B) data, not the post-processed ∆TWS grid data. The approach combines the GRACE's least-squares normal equation (full error variance-covariance information) of L1B data with the results from the Community Atmosphere Land Exchange (CABLE) model to improve soil moisture and groundwater estimates. This study demonstrates, for the first time, an importance of using the raw GRACE data. The GRACE-combine (GC) approach is developed for optimal least-squares combination maximizing the strength of the model and observations while suppressing the weaknesses. The approach is applied to estimate the soil moisture and groundwater over 10 Australian river basins and the results are validated against the satellite soil moisture observation and the in-situ groundwater data. We demonstrate the GC approach delivers evident improvement of water storage estimates, consistently from all basins, yielding better agreement at seasonal and inter-annual time scales. Significant improvement is found in groundwater storage while marginal improvement is observed in surface soil moisture estimates likely due to limitation of GRACE's temporal and spatial resolution.
Scaled distribution mapping: a bias correction method that preserves raw climate model projected changes
Authors: Switanek Matthew B. , Troch Peter A. , Castro Christopher L. , Leuprecht Armin , Chang Hsin-I , Mukherjee Rajarshi , Demaria Eleonora M. C.
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Commonly used bias correction methods such as quantile mapping (QM) assume the function of error correction values between modeled and observed distributions are stationary or time invariant. This article finds that this function of the error correction values cannot be assumed to be stationary. As a result, QM lacks justification to inflate/deflate various moments of the climate change signal. Previous adaptations of QM, most notably quantile delta mapping (QDM), have been developed that do not rely on this assumption of stationarity. Here, we outline a methodology called scaled distribution mapping (SDM), which is conceptually similar to QDM, but more explicitly accounts for the frequency of rain days and the likelihood of individual events. The SDM method is found to outperform QM, QDM, and detrended QM in its ability to better preserve raw climate model projected changes to meteorological variables such as temperature and precipitation.
On the Relationship Between Atmospheric Rivers, Weather Types
and Floods in Galicia (NW Spain)
Authors: Eiras-Barca Jorge , Lorenzo Nieves , Taboada Juan , Robles Alba , Miguez-Macho Gonzalo
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Atmospheric Rivers (ARs) – long and narrow structures of anomalously high water vapor flux located in the warm sector of extratropical cyclones – have been shown to be closely related to extreme precipitation and flooding. This paper analyzes the connection between ARs and floods in the Spanish region of Galicia under different synoptic conditions represented by the so-called weather types, a classification of daily sea level pressure patterns obtained by means of a simple scheme that adopts the subjective procedure of Lamb. Flood events are identified from oficial reports of the Spanish Emergency Agency from 1979 to 2010. Results suggest that although most flood events in Galicia do not coincide with the presence of an overhead atmospheric river, the latter are present in the majority of severe cases, particularly in coastal areas. Flood events associated with ARs are connected to cyclonic weather types with west and southwesterly flow and occur mostly in winter months. The link between ARs and severe flooding is not so apparent in inland areas or summer months, in which cases heavy precipitation is usually not of frontal nature but convective. Nevertheless, our results show that, in general, the amount of precipitation in flood events in Galicia more than doubles when an AR is present.
Application of EnOI Assimilation in BCC_CSM1.1: Twin Experiments for Assimilating Sea Surface Data and T/S Profiles
Authors: Zhou Wei , Li Jinghui , Xu Fang-Hua , Shu Yeqiang
Published: June 2017

Abstract. We applied an Ensemble Optimal Interpolation (EnOI) data assimilation method in the BCC_CSM1.1 to investigate the impact of ocean data assimilations on seasonal forecasts in an idealized twin-experiment framework. Pseudo-observations of sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface height (SSH), sea surface salinity (SSS), temperature and salinity (T/S) profiles were first generated in a free model run. Then, a series of sensitivity tests initialized with predefined bias were conducted for a one-year period; this involved a free run (CTR) and seven assimilation runs. These tests allowed us to check the analysis field accuracy against the truth. As expected, data assimilation improved all investigated quantities; the joint assimilation of all variables gave more improved results than assimilating them separately. One-year predictions initialized from the seven runs and CTR were then conducted and compared. The forecasts initialized from joint assimilation of surface data produced comparable SST root mean square errors to that from assimilation of T/S profiles, but the assimilation of T/S profiles is crucial to reduce subsurface deficiencies. The ocean surface currents in the tropics were better predicted when initial conditions produced by assimilating T/S profiles, while surface data assimilation became more important at higher latitudes, particularly near the western boundary currents. The predictions of ocean heat content and mixed layer depth are significantly improved initialized from the joint assimilation of all the variables. Finally, a central Pacific El Niño was well predicted from the joint assimilation of surface data, indicating the importance of joint assimilation of SST, SSH, and SSS for ENSO predictions.
Numerical modelling of convective heat transport by air flow in permafrost talus slopes
Authors: Wicky Jonas , Hauck Christian
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Talus slopes are a widespread geomorphic feature in the Alps. Due to their high porosity a gravity-driven internal air circulation can be established which is forced by the gradient between external (air) and internal (talus) temperature. The thermal regime is different from the surrounding environment, leading to the occurrence of permafrost below the typical permafrost zone. This phenomenon has mainly been analysed by field studies and only few explicit numerical modelling studies exist. Numerical simulations of permafrost sometimes use parameterisations for the effects of convection but mostly neglect the influence of convective heat transfer in air on the thermal regime. In contrast, in civil engineering many studies have been carried out to investigate the thermal behaviour of blocky layers and to improve their passive cooling effect. The present study further develops and applies these concepts to model heat transfer in air flows in a natural-scale talus slope. Modelling results show that convective heat transfer has the potential to develop a significant temperature difference between the lower and the upper parts of the talus slope. A seasonally alternating chimney-effect type of circulation develops. Modelling results also show that this convective heat transfer leads to the formation of a cold reservoir in the lower part of the talus slope, which can be crucial for maintaining the frozen ground conditions despite increasing air temperatures caused by climate change.
PERFIL DAS VÍTIMAS DE AFECÇÕES NEUROLÓGICAS ATENDIDAS POR UM SERVIÇO PRÉ-HOSPITALAR MÓVEL DE URGÊNCIA
Authors: Sarmento Sabrina Daiane Gurgel , Dantas Rodrigo Assis Neves , Dantas Daniele Vieira , De Oliveira Sara Porfírio , Henriques Lívia Maria Nunes , Costa Izabelle Bezerra
Published: June 2017

Este artigo tem por objetivo caracterizar o perfil epidemiológico das vítimas de afecções neurológicas atendidas por um Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência. Trata-se de estudo exploratório, descritivo e de abordagem quantitativa dos dados. A coleta foi realizada no período de janeiro a junho de 2016, em um hospital referência em atendimentos de urgência e emergência do estado do Rio Grande do Norte. Foram analisadas 73 ocorrências neurológicas, 38 (52,1%) do sexo masculino, 43 (58,9%) entre a faixa etária de 68 a 101 anos. Quanto à característica da afecção neurológica, 59 (80,8%) sofreram Acidente Vascular Encefálico, oito (11%) crise convulsiva, três (4,1%) lombalgia associada a lesão medular e três (4,1%) eram de outra natureza neurológica. Quanto ao tempo resposta para o atendimento, a média foi de 31 minutos. O perfil epidemiológico identificado foi de homens idosos, que sofreram Acidente Vascular Encefálico e que não receberam atendimento no tempo resposta adequado.
Assessment of combining ability for yield and quality components in hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)
Authors: Rohini Narayanasamy , Lakshmanan Valliyappan , Saraladevi Desabandhu , Amalraj John J. , Govindaraju Perumal
Published: June 2017

Six parental genotypes and their thirty F1 hybrids in a full diallel cross system with reciprocals, were used in the present study to estimate combining ability for five quantitative and five qualitative traits in hot pepper. The mean sum of squares due to general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA) and reciprocal combining ability (RCA) were significant for all the characters which suggest that these parents could have performed differently in different combinations indicating interallelic interactions. All the traits studied exhibited greater SCA variance than GCA, suggesting that these traits are controlled by non-additive gene action. Analysis of the GCA effects of parents for various traits revealed that LCA625, K1 and PKM1 were the best general combiners for almost all the traits. Estimates of SCA effects showed that the hybrids LCA625 × K1, K1 × Arka LohitandPusa Jwala × PKM1were found to be the best combiners for yield and its attributes. The hybrid K1 × Arka Lohitwas the best reciprocal combiner for quality parameters based on its better mean performance and combining ability. These results suggest that commercial production of hot pepper hybrids and isolation of pure lines from these hybrids is a possible way to enhance the yield and fruit quality.
In vitro effects of copper nanoparticles on plant pathogens, beneficial microbes and crop plants
Authors: Banik Susanta , Pérez-de-Luque Alejandro
Published: June 2017

Copper-based chemicals are effectively used as antimicrobials in agriculture. However, with respect to its nanoparticulate form there has been limited number of studies. In this investigation, in vitro tests on effect of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) against plant pathogenic fungi, oomycete, bacteria, beneficial microbes Trichoderma harzianum and Rhizobium spp., and wheat seeds were conducted. Integration of CuNPs with non-nano copper like copper oxychloride (CoC) at 50 mg/L concentration each recorded 76% growth inhibition of the oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomi in vitro compared to the control. CuNPs also showed synergistic inhibitory effect with CoC on mycelial growth and sporulation of A. alternata. Pseudomonas syringae was inhibited at 200 mg/L of CuNPs. CuNPs were not significantly biocidal against Rhizobium spp. and Trichoderma harzianum compared to CoC. Evaluation of the effect of CuNP on wheat revealed that rate of germination of wheat seeds was higher in presence of CuNPs and CoC compared to control. Germination vigor index, root length, shoot dry weight and seed metabolic efficiency of wheat were negatively affected. At low concentration, CuNPs promoted the growth of the plant pathogenic fungi Botrytis fabae, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris, F.oxysporum f.sp. melonis, Alternaria alternate and P. syringae, and sporulation of T. harzianum. Synergistic effect of CuNPs and CoC in inhibiting P. cinnamomi offers a possibility of developing new fungicide formulation for better control of the oomycetes. Non-biocidal effect of CuNPs against beneficial microbes indicates its potential use in the agri-ecosystem.
Awakening Aspirations of Primary School Students: Where Will Your Dreams Take You?
Authors: Greenaway Ruth , Terton Uwe
Published: June 2017

This article posits that when children are encouraged to aspire, they can become aware of a new world of choices and opportunities. Children should be supported to aspire in all areas of their lives. Of interest is children’s capacity to aspire to attend tertiary education. Literature shows that children cannot aspire to attend higher education when they have no knowledge of the opportunities nor realise its purpose. To support this argument, we discuss a project involving primary school students from areas that have been identified as having a low socio-economic status. The results show that as a consequence of students participating in the My Tertiary Eductaion (MyTED) program they developed the capacity to aspire to attend tertiary education.“Alicia would look up at the starry sky and dream”(Bright Star, Crew, 1997, p.5)
The Development of English Language Teaching Skills for Graduate Students through the Process of Learning by Doing
Authors: Likitrattanaporn Wannakarn
Published: June 2017

The purposes of this investigation were 1) to examine the findings of effectiveness of the process of learning by doing conducted with 5 linguistic graduate students at Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand 2) to develop the linguistic graduate students skill of designing English teaching materials and teaching English language and 3) to find out the efficient format of learning by doing used for training the student teachers skill of teaching English. The subjects of the study were 5 graduate students majoring in Linguistics at Srinakharinwirot University. This investigation is a qualitative research. The research instrument was a questionnaire designed to ask the students’ opinions towards learning by doing of constructing English teaching materials and teaching English language of their own and their friends. The qualitative data from brainstorming in a group discussion were taken into account. The results showed that the students get the benefits from the process of learning by doing. It can assist them to discover the knowledge of designing English teaching materials and English teaching skill by themselves. It is also found out that the efficient format for training teaching skill of the student teachers should integrate with the activity of brainstorming in a group discussion in every teaching-learning step i.e. from the preparation step when the principles and teching techniques of language teaching input of Audio Lingual Method, Cognitive Code Learning Theory and Communicative Language Teahing Approach were presented, during the step of adaping teaching materials and experimenting the practical teaching in school as well as after the students completed their self reflection and peer reflection.
Medieval illuminated manuscripts: Online images and resources
Authors: Miller Robert
Published: June 2017

With their rich representation of medieval life and thought, illuminated manuscripts serve as primary sources for scholars in any number of fields: history, literature, art history, women’s studies, religious studies, philosophy, the history of science, and more.
Uganda: Higher Education Modernization Needed
Authors: Hyuha Mukwanason A.
Published: June 2017

Uganda’s higher education sector has just over 200,000 students, 45 percent of whom are women. These study at 41 institutions, of which 11 are public universities. The private sector is vital and represents 72 percent of the tertiary institutions. Access by the poor is problematic. Since the 1980s, there has been tremendous growth in higher education, resulting from its ever-growing demand. Unfortunately, technical education is neglected and has been declining. Currently, mainly due to underfunding, the sector is declining in terms of quality and physical infrastructure. Hence, as a way forward, it requires overhauling, modernization, rehabilitation, and refocusing.
The Challenges of Creating a Ranking: A Colombian Example
Authors: Montes Felipe , Forero David , Salas Ricardo , Zarama Robert
Published: June 2017

In 2015, as members and advisors of the ministry of education of Colombia, the authors developed an academic ranking with a multidimensional approach (MIDE), with the objective of measuring the quality performance of higher education institutions. Throughout the course of design and implementation of the model, they had to overcome different challenges, from issues of information and choice of indicators to the actual process of disclosure to stakeholders. In this article, they present five main challenges that they faced and the solutions they adopted for the design and implementation of the ranking.
Management of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria, Urinary Catheters and Symptomatic Urinary Tract Infections in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Joint Replacement: A Position Paper of the Expert Group 'Infection' of swissorthopaedics
Authors: Sendi Parham , Borens Olivier , Wahl Peter , Clauss Martin , Uçkay Ilker
Published: June 2017

Abstract. In this position paper, we review definitions related to this subject and the corresponding literature. Our recommendations include the following statements. Asymptomatic bacteriuria, asymptomatic leukocyturia, urine discolouration, odd smell or positive nitrite sediments are not an indication for antimicrobial treatment. Antimicrobial treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria does not prevent periprosthetic joint infection, but is associated with adverse events, costs and antibiotic resistance development. Urine analyses or urine cultures in asymptomatic patients undergoing orthopaedic implants should be avoided. Indwelling urinary catheters are the most frequent reason for healthcare-associated urinary tract infections and should be avoided or removed as soon as possible.
Inter-Fork Strand Annealing causes genomic deletions during the termination of DNA replication
Authors: Morrow Carl A , Nguyen Michael O , Fower Andrew , Wong Io Nam , Osman Fekret , Bryer Claire , Whitby Matthew C
Published: June 2017

Problems that arise during DNA replication can drive genomic alterations that are instrumental in the development of cancers and many human genetic disorders. Replication fork barriers are a commonly encountered problem, which can cause fork collapse and act as hotspots for replication termination. Collapsed forks can be rescued by homologous recombination, which restarts replication. However, replication restart is relatively slow and, therefore, replication termination may frequently occur by an active fork converging on a collapsed fork. We find that this type of non-canonical fork convergence in fission yeast is prone to trigger deletions between repetitive DNA sequences via a mechanism we call Inter-Fork Strand Annealing (IFSA) that depends on the recombination proteins Rad52, Exo1 and Mus81, and is countered by the FANCM-related DNA helicase Fml1. Based on our findings, we propose that IFSA is a potential threat to genomic stability in eukaryotes.