bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparing Satellite and Surface Rainfall Products over West Africa at Meteorologically Relevant Scales during the AMMA Campaign Using Error Estimates
Authors: Roca Rémy , Chambon Philippe , Jobard Isabelle , Kirstetter Pierre-Emmanuel , Gosset Marielle , Bergès Jean Claude 
Published: December 2009

AbstractMonsoon rainfall is central to the climate of West Africa, and understanding its variability is a challenge for which satellite rainfall products could be well suited to contribute to. Their quality in this region has received less attention than elsewhere. The focus is set on the scales associated with atmospheric variability, and a meteorological benchmark is set up with ground-based observations from the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis (AMMA) program. The investigation is performed at various scales of accumulation using four gauge networks. The seasonal cycle is analyzed using 10-day-averaged products, the synoptic-scale variability is analyzed using daily means, and the diurnal cycle of rainfall is analyzed at the seasonal scale using a composite and at the diurnal scale using 3-hourly accumulations. A novel methodology is introduced that accounts for the errors associated with the areal–time rainfall averages. The errors from both satellite and ground rainfall data are computed using dedicated techniques that come down to an estimation of the sampling errors associated to these measurements. The results show that the new generation of combined infrared–microwave (IR–MW) satellite products is describing the rain variability similarly to ground measurements. At the 10-day scale, all products reveal high regional and seasonal skills. The day-to-day comparison indicates that some products perform better than others, whereas all of them exhibit high skills when the spectral band of African easterly waves is considered. The seasonal variability of the diurnal scale as well as its relative daily importance is only captured by some products. Plans for future extensive intercomparison exercises are briefly discussed.
Effects of Surface Albedo on Cloud and Radiation Processes in Cloud-Resolving Model Simulations
Authors: Park Sunwook , Wu Xiaoqing 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
The relationship among the surface albedo, cloud properties, and radiative fluxes is investigated for the first time using a year-long cloud-resolving model (CRM) simulation with the prescribed evolving surface albedo. In comparison with the run using a fixed surface albedo, the CRM with the observed surface albedo represents the shortwave radiative budget closer to the observations in the winter. The greater surface albedo induces weaker instability in the low troposphere so that the amount of low clouds decreases during the winter. This reduces the shortwave and longwave cloud radiative forcing at the surface. The analysis of the CRM simulations with the evolving surface albedo reveals that there is a critical value (0.35) of the surface albedo. For albedos greater than the critical value, the upward shortwave flux at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) is positively proportional to the surface albedos when optically thin clouds exist, and is not much affected by reflection on the cloud top. If optically thick clouds occur and the surface albedo is greater than the critical value, the upward shortwave flux at the TOA is significantly influenced by the reflection of cloud top, but not much affected by the surface albedo. In addition, for albedos larger than the critical value, the downward shortwave flux at the surface is primarily influenced by the surface albedo and the reflection from the cloud base if optically thick clouds occur. However, the downward shortwave flux at the surface is not significantly affected by the surface albedo when optically thin clouds exist because the reflection on the cloud base is weak. When surface albedos are less than the critical value, those relationships among surface albedo, shortwave flux, and cloud properties are not obvious. The surface albedo effect on shortwave flux increases as solar zenith angle (SZA) decreases, but its dependence on the SZA is negligible when optically thick clouds exist.
Influence of the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation on the Extratropical Winter Stratosphere in an Atmospheric General Circulation Model and in Reanalysis Data
Authors: Anstey James A. , Shepherd Theodore G. , Scinocca John F. 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
The interannual variability of the stratospheric polar vortex during winter in both hemispheres is observed to correlate strongly with the phase of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) in tropical stratospheric winds. It follows that the lack of a spontaneously generated QBO in most atmospheric general circulation models (AGCMs) adversely affects the nature of polar variability in such models. This study examines QBO–vortex coupling in an AGCM in which a QBO is spontaneously induced by resolved and parameterized waves.
The QBO–vortex coupling in the AGCM compares favorably to that seen in reanalysis data [from the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40)], provided that careful attention is given to the definition of QBO phase. A phase angle representation of the QBO is employed that is based on the two leading empirical orthogonal functions of equatorial zonal wind vertical profiles. This yields a QBO phase that serves as a proxy for the vertical structure of equatorial winds over the whole depth of the stratosphere and thus provides a means of subsampling the data to select QBO phases with similar vertical profiles of equatorial zonal wind. Using this subsampling, it is found that the QBO phase that induces the strongest polar vortex response in early winter differs from that which induces the strongest late-winter vortex response. This is true in both hemispheres and for both the AGCM and ERA-40.
It follows that the strength and timing of QBO influence on the vortex may be affected by the partial seasonal synchronization of QBO phase transitions that occurs both in observations and in the model. This provides a mechanism by which changes in the strength of QBO–vortex correlations may exhibit variability on decadal time scales. In the model, such behavior occurs in the absence of external forcings or interannual variations in sea surface temperatures.
Circulation Sensitivity to Heating in a Simple Model of Baroclinic Turbulence
Authors: Zurita-Gotor Pablo , Vallis Geoffrey K. 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
This paper examines the sensitivity of the circulation of an idealized primitive equation two-level model on the form and strength of the heating, aiming to understand the qualitatively different sensitivity of the isentropic slope on differential heating reported by previous idealized studies when different model formulations are used. It is argued that this contrasting behavior might arise from differences in the internal determination of the heating. To test this contention, the two-level model is forced using two different heating formulations: a standard Newtonian cooling formulation and a highly simplified formulation in which the net lower-to-upper troposphere heat transport is prescribed by construction. The results are interpreted using quasigeostrophic turbulent closures, which have previously been shown to have predictive power for the model. It is found that the strength of the circulation, as measured by eddy length and velocity scales and by the strength of the energy cycle, scales with the vertical heating (the lower-to-upper troposphere heat transport), with a weak dependence. By contrast, the isentropic slope is only sensitive to the structure of the heating, as measured by the ratio between meridional versus vertical heating, and not to the actual strength of the heating. In general the heating is internally determined, and this ratio may either increase or decrease as the circulation strengthens. It is shown that the sign of the sensitivity depends on the steepness of the relation between vertical heating and stratification for the particular heating formulation used. The quasigeostrophic limit (fixed stratification) and the prescribed heating model constrain the possible range of behaviors and provide bounds of sensitivity for the model. These results may help explain the different sensitivity of the isentropic slope on differential heating for dry and moist models and for quasigeostrophic and primitive equation models.
The 11-Yr Solar Cycle in ERA-40 Data: An Update to 2008
Authors: Frame Thomas H. A. , Gray Lesley J. 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Multiple linear regression is used to diagnose the signal of the 11-yr solar cycle in zonal-mean zonal wind and temperature in the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) dataset. The results of previous studies are extended to 2008 using data from ECMWF operational analyses. This analysis confirms that the solar signal found in previous studies is distinct from that of volcanic aerosol forcing resulting from the eruptions of El Chichón and Mount Pinatubo, but it highlights the potential for confusion of the solar signal and lower-stratospheric temperature trends. A correction to an error that is present in previous results of Crooks and Gray, stemming from the use of a single daily analysis field rather than monthly averaged data, is also presented.
The Annual Range of Southern Hemisphere SST: Comparison with Surface Heating and Possible Reasons for the High-Latitude Falloff*
Authors: Chiodi A. M. , Harrison D. E. 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Globally, the seasonal cycle is the largest single component of observed sea surface temperature (SST) variability, yet it is still not fully understood. Herein, the degree to which the structure of the seasonal cycle of Southern Hemisphere SST can be explained by the present understanding of surface fluxes and upper-ocean physics is examined. It has long been known that the annual range of Southern Hemisphere SST is largest in the midlatitudes, despite the fact that the annual range of net surface heat flux peaks well poleward of the SST peak. The reasons for this discrepancy (“falloff of the annual range of SST”) are determined here through analysis of net surface heat flux estimates, observed SST, and mixed layer depth data, and results from experiments using two different one-dimensional ocean models. Results show that (i) the classical explanations for the structure of the annual range of SST in the Southern Hemisphere are incomplete, (ii) current estimates of surface heat flux and mixed layer depth can be used to accurately reproduce the observed annual range of SST, and (iii) the prognostic mixed layer models used here often fail to adequately reproduce the seasonal cycle at higher latitudes, despite performing remarkably well in other regions. This suggests that more work is necessary to understand the changes of upper-ocean dynamics that occur with latitude.
Buoyancy Arrest and Bottom Ekman Transport. Part II: Oscillating Flow
Authors: Brink K. H. , Lentz S. J. 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
The effects of a sloping bottom and stratification on a turbulent bottom boundary layer are investigated for cases where the interior flow oscillates monochromatically with frequency ω. At higher frequencies, or small slope Burger numbers s = αN/f (where α is the bottom slope, N is the interior buoyancy frequency, and f is the Coriolis parameter), the bottom boundary layer is well mixed and the bottom stress is nearly what it would be over a flat bottom. For lower frequencies, or larger slope Burger number, the bottom boundary layer consists of a thick, weakly stratified outer layer and a thinner, more strongly stratified inner layer. Approximate expressions are derived for the different boundary layer thicknesses as functions of s and σ = ω/f. Further, buoyancy arrest causes the amplitude of the fluctuating bottom stress to decrease with decreasing σ (the s dependence, although important, is more complicated). For typical oceanic parameters, arrest is unimportant for fluctuation periods shorter than a few days. Substantial positive (toward the right when looking toward deeper water in the Northern Hemisphere) time-mean flows develop within the well-mixed boundary layer, and negative mean flows exist in the weakly stratified outer boundary layer for lower frequencies and larger s. If the interior flow is realistically broad band in frequency, the numerical model predicts stress reduction over all frequencies because of the nonlinearity associated with a quadratic bottom stress. It appears that the present one-dimensional model is reliable only for time scales less than the advective time scale that governs interior stratification.
Development of an Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Standard Gas Saving System and Its Application to a Measurement at a Site in the West Siberian Forest
Authors: Watai T. , Machida T. , Shimoyama K. , Krasnov O. , Yamamoto M. , Inoue G. 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Observations of the atmospheric CO2 concentration from a 90-m tower in Berezorechka, western Siberia, that have taken place since October 2001 were used to characterize CO2 variations over a vast boreal forest area. A new CO2 standard gas saving system was developed that reduced the consumption of standard gases and kept the analysis precision to within 0.3 μmol mol−1. The CO2 day-to-day variation correlated well with atmospheric stability. The average amplitudes of the diurnal variation at 80 m were found to be about 17 and 1.5 μmol mol−1 in July and December 2003, respectively. Extremely high daytime CO2 concentrations of greater than 400 μmol mol−1 were occasionally observed during the winter, which were caused by anticyclonic atmospheric conditions lasting more than several days. Afternoon CO2 values observed at the 80-m height agreed to within 0.4 μmol mol−1 with aircraft CO2 measurements taken in the planetary boundary layer; disagreements were found for anticyclonic conditions in the winter. The afternoon CO2 values reached their maximum in mid-January and their minimum late in July, with the seasonal amplitude of 30.9 μmol mol−1. Compared to observations at background stations, this observation tower recorded a larger seasonal amplitude and earlier occurrence of the seasonal minimum.
Do the Tallest Convective Cells over the Tropical Ocean Have Slow Updrafts?
Authors: Kelley Owen A. , Stout John , Summers Michael , Zipser Edward J. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractFar from continents, a few storms lift precipitation-size ice particles into the stratosphere, 17 to 18 km above the tropical ocean. This study is the first to examine the observed properties of a large sample of these extremely tall convective storm cells. The central questions in this study are whether the unusually tall ocean cells have the slow updrafts known to be typical of oceanic convection, and if so, how can these tall cells reach such extreme heights. The precipitation radar on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite observed 174 extremely tall oceanic cells from 1998 to 2007. Relative updraft intensity is inferred from 17-km-tall oceanic cells having, on average, a 7-km lower 40-dBZ radar reflectivity height and an order of magnitude less lightning than do equally tall cells over the Sahel region of Africa, a region known for vigorous convective updrafts. Despite some ambiguity, the potential temperature and lapse rate of the NCEP reanalysis suggest that the environment in which these oceanic cells form is conducive to modest updrafts reaching extreme heights. Extrapolating based on the limited coverage of the TRMM satellite radar, it is likely that such extremely tall cells occur more often than once each day somewhere over the tropical ocean.
Vertical Structure of Convective Systems during NAME 2004
Authors: Lerach David G. , Rutledge Steven A. , Williams Christopher R. , Cifelli Robert 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
This study describes the vertical structure of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) that characterized the 2004 North American monsoon utilizing observations from a 2875-MHz (S band) profiler and a dual-polarimetric scanning Doppler radar. Both instrument platforms operated nearly continuously during the North American Monsoon Experiment (NAME). A technique was developed to identify dominant hydrometeor type using S-band (profiler) reflectivity along with temperature. The simplified hydrometeor identification (HID) algorithm matched polarimetric scanning radar fuzzy logic–based HID results quite well. However, the simplified algorithm lacked the ability to identify ice hydrometeors below the melting layer and on occasion, underestimated the vertical extent of graupel because of a profiler reflectivity bias.
Three of the strongest NAME convective rainfall events recorded by the profiler are assessed in this study. Stratiform rain exhibited a reflectivity bright band and strong Doppler velocity gradient within the melting layer. Convective rainfall exhibited high reflectivity and Doppler velocities exceeding 3 (−10) m s−1 in updrafts (downdrafts). Low-density graupel persisted above the melting layer, often extending to 10 km, with high-density graupel observed near 0°C. Doppler velocity signatures suggested that updrafts and downdrafts were often tilted, though estimating the degree of tilt would have required a more three-dimensional view of the passing storms. Cumulative frequency distributions (CFDs) of reflectivity were created for stratiform and convective rainfall and were found to be similar to results from other tropical locations.
Toward Random Sampling of Model Error in the Canadian Ensemble Prediction System
Authors: Charron Martin , Pellerin Gérard , Spacek Lubos , Houtekamer P. L. , Gagnon Normand , Mitchell Herschel L. , Michelin Laurent 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
An updated global ensemble prediction system became operational at the Meteorological Service of Canada in July 2007. The new elements of the system include the use of 20 members instead of 16, a single dynamical core [the Global Environmental Multiscale (GEM) model], stochastic physical tendency perturbations and a kinetic energy backscatter algorithm, an ensemble Kalman filter with four-dimensional data handling, and a decrease from 1.2° to 0.9° in horizontal grid spacing. This system is compared with the former operational one using a variety of probabilistic measures. For global upper-air dynamical fields, the improvement in predictive skill for equivalent forecast quality is from 9 to 16 h around day 6. Precipitation forecasts, verified over Canada, are also significantly improved. The impact of each of the abovementioned new elements of the ensemble prediction system is also evaluated separately in a series of sensitivity experiments for which one given element is removed from the system.
Sensitivity of Surface Air Temperature Analyses to Background and Observation Errors
Authors: Tyndall Daniel P. , Horel John D. , de Pondeca Manuel S. F. V. 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
A two-dimensional variational method is used to analyze 2-m air temperatures over a limited domain (4° latitude × 4° longitude) in order to evaluate approaches to examining the sensitivity of the temperature analysis to the specification of observation and background errors. This local surface analysis (LSA) utilizes the 1-h forecast from the Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) downscaled to a 5-km resolution terrain level for its background fields and observations obtained from the Meteorological Assimilation Data Ingest System.
The observation error variance as a function of broad network categories and the error variance and covariance of the downscaled 1-h RUC background fields are estimated using a sample of over 7 million 2-m air temperature observations in the continental United States collected during the period 8 May–7 June 2008. The ratio of observation to background error variance is found to be between 2 and 3. This ratio is likely even higher in mountainous regions where representativeness errors attributed to the observations are large.
The technique used to evaluate the sensitivity of the 2-m air temperature to the ratio of the observation and background error variance and background error length scales is illustrated over the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia for a particularly challenging case (0900 UTC 22 October 2007) when large horizontal temperature gradients were present in the mountainous regions as well as over two entire days (20 and 27 May 2009). Sets of data denial experiments in which observations are randomly and uniquely removed from each analysis are generated and evaluated. This method demonstrates the effects of overfitting the analysis to the observations.
Evaluation of Percutaneous Endoscopic Feeding Tube Placement in Obese Patients
Authors: Wiggins Travis F. , Garrow Donald A. , DeLegge Mark H. 
Published: December 2009

Background:Percutaneous endoscopic feeding tube placement is generally safe and effective for establishing enteral access. In certain subpopulations, such as obese patients, substantial data are limited. This study evaluates the success rate and potential for late complications with placement of feeding tubes in obese patients.Methods:The Medical University of South Carolina endoscopy database was queried for adult patients with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 who had undergone percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, percutaneous endoscopic gastrojejunostomy, and direct percutaneous jejunostomy placement procedures between the years 2000 and 2006.Results:Sixty‐seven subjects met the inclusion criteria. Percutaneous endoscopic feeding tube placement was successful in 60 of 67 individuals (89.6%) with an average procedure time of 15.5 minutes (range, 5–70 minutes). Postplacement complications occurred in 26 of 59 subjects (44.1%) and included peristomal pain (8.5%), cellulitis (8.5%), inadvertent removal (6.8%), peritubular leak (6.8%), nausea (3.4%), and hemoperitoneum (3.4%). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, weight >250 pounds (>113 kg) predicted a significantly increased likelihood of complications (adjusted odds ratio = 3.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–14.57). Other covariates did not significantly affect the complication rate.Conclusions:Percutaneous enteral access device placement in obese patients is generally safe, and a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 alone should not be a procedural contraindication. Adherence to safe enteral access placement techniques and close periprocedure follow‐up should occur in obese patients, especially those weighing >250 pounds (>113 kg). More research is needed to fully evaluate the efficacy of enteral access in this population.