scholarly journals An intercomparison of subtropical cut-off lows in the Southern Hemisphere using recent reanalyses: ERA-Interim, NCEP-CFRS, MERRA-2, JRA-55, and JRA-25

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 777-792 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henri Rossi Pinheiro ◽  
Kevin Ivan Hodges ◽  
Manoel Alonso Gan

AbstractFour recent reanalysis products ERA-Interim, NCEP-CFSR, MERRA-2 and JRA-55 are evaluated and compared to an older reanalysis JRA-25, to quantify their confidence in representing Cut-off lows (COLs) in the Southern Hemisphere. The climatology of COLs based on the minima of 300-hPa vorticity ($$\xi_{300}$$ξ300) and 300-hPa geopotential ($$Z_{300}$$Z300) provides different perspectives of COLs and contributes to the understanding of the discrepancies observed in the literature regarding their numbers and seasonality. The COLs compare better among the newest reanalyses than compared to the older reanalysis JRA-25. The difference in number between the latest reanalyses are generally small for both $$\xi_{300}$$ξ300 and, with more COLs identified in $$\xi_{300}$$ξ300 than in $$Z_{300}$$Z300 for all reanalyses. The spatial differences observed between the newest reanalyses are mainly due to differences in the track lengths, which is larger in ERA-Interim and JRA-55 than in NCEP-CFSR and MERRA-2, resulting in disparities in the track density. This is likely due to the difference in the assimilation data system used in each reanalysis product. The largest differences in intensities occur in the $$\xi_{300}$$ξ300, because this field is very sensitive to the reanalysis resolution. The mean separation distance of the COLs that match between the latest reanalyses are generally small, while the older JRA-25 has a broader distribution and larger number of matches with relatively large distances, indicating larger uncertainties in location of COLs. The results show significant improvements for the most recent reanalyses compared to the older JRA-25 reanalysis, indicating a progress in representing the COL properties.

After some preliminary remarks upon the labours of others in this department of inquiry, Dr. Marcet proceeds to the immediate objects of his own investigation, which were to ascertain the specific gravity of many specimens of sea-water from different parts, and afterwards to examine their saline contents. The results relating to the first of these objects are prefaced by an account of the mode of taking the specific gravities, and of the instrument by which the water was raised, and of which two plates are annexed. The author then proceeds to the inferences deducible from his experiments, which, for the sake of conciseness, are given in the form of tables; whence it appears that the ocean in the Southern hemisphere is rather more salt than in the Northern, in the proportion of 1029.19 to 1027.57. The mean specific gravity of specimens from various parts of the equator, is 1027.77, and therefore a little exceeds that prevalent in the Northern hemisphere, while it is decidedly less than that of the Southern Ocean. There is no material difference between different east and west longitudes at the equator, nor in the same hemisphere. In general, the salt seems most abundant in the deepest water, and in that furthest from land; the vicinity of ice also diminishes the saltness: if therefore this quality should increase in approaching the pole, it may be considered as militating against the probability of the ocean being extensively frozen in those regions. In general, small inland seas, communicating with the ocean, are less salt than the ocean itself. The waters of the Mediterranean, however, are more saline, and in attempting to account for this circumstance, the author’s attention is directed to the relative densities of water from different depths of the ocean; and though in some cases it appeared lightest at the surface, such a result was generally referable to the vicinity of thawing ice, for, in ordinary circumstances, the density at great depths in no instance exceeded the mean density of the waters of the ocean. In regard, however, to different seas or arms of the ocean, the case is often different, in consequence of local circumstances. At the entrance of the Dardanelles, for instance, the difference between the upper and lower strata is as 1020 to 1028. Dr. Marcet next details some researches upon the congelation of sea-water which takes place at 28°, and when slowly effected, is always attended by the total separation of the salt, which forms a strong brine that is washed away by the neighbouring water. The different specimens of water obtained from the ice in the late Northern Expedition, varied very little in specific gravity; the water was sweet, and in many instances its specific gravity did not exceed that of distilled water.


2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 562-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawna Duff

Purpose Vocabulary intervention can improve comprehension of texts containing taught words, but it is unclear if all middle school readers get this benefit. This study tests 2 hypotheses about variables that predict response to vocabulary treatment on text comprehension: gains in vocabulary knowledge due to treatment and pretreatment reading comprehension scores. Method Students in Grade 6 ( N = 23) completed a 5-session intervention based on robust vocabulary instruction (RVI). Knowledge of the semantics of taught words was measured pre- and posttreatment. Participants then read 2 matched texts, 1 containing taught words (treated) and 1 not (untreated). Treated texts and taught word lists were counterbalanced across participants. The difference between text comprehension scores in treated and untreated conditions was taken as a measure of the effect of RVI on text comprehension. Results RVI resulted in significant gains in knowledge of taught words ( d RM = 2.26) and text comprehension ( d RM = 0.31). The extent of gains in vocabulary knowledge after vocabulary treatment did not predict the effect of RVI on comprehension of texts. However, untreated reading comprehension scores moderated the effect of the vocabulary treatment on text comprehension: Lower reading comprehension was associated with greater gains in text comprehension. Readers with comprehension scores below the mean experienced large gains in comprehension, but those with average/above average reading comprehension scores did not. Conclusion Vocabulary instruction had a larger effect on text comprehension for readers in Grade 6 who had lower untreated reading comprehension scores. In contrast, the amount that children learned about taught vocabulary did not predict the effect of vocabulary instruction on text comprehension. This has implications for the identification of 6th-grade students who would benefit from classroom instruction or clinical intervention targeting vocabulary knowledge.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-47
Author(s):  
Mohsena Akhter ◽  
Ishrat Bhuiyan ◽  
Zulfiqer Hossain Khan ◽  
Mahfuza Akhter ◽  
Gulam Kazem Ali Ahmad ◽  
...  

Background: Scabies is one of the most common skin diseases in our country. It is caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis, which is an ecto-parasite infesting the epidermis. Scabies is highly contagious. Prevalence is high in congested or densely populated areas. Individuals with close contact with an affected person should be treated with scabicidal which is available in both oral and topical formulations. The only oral but highly effective scabicidal known to date is Ivermectin. Amongst topical preparations, Permethrin 5 % cream is the treatment of choice. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy & safety of oral Ivermectin compared to topical Permethrin in the treatment of scabies. Methodology: This prospective, non-randomized study was conducted at the out-patient department of Dermatology and Venereology of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College & Hospital over a period of 6 months, from August 2016 to January 2017. The study population consisted of one hundred patients having scabies, enrolled according to inclusion criteria. They were divided into two groups. group A was subjected to oral Ivermectin and the group B to Permethrin 5% cream. Patients were followed up on day 7 and 14 for assessment of efficacy and safety. Result: The mean scoring with SD in group A (Ivermectin) and group B (Permethrin) were 8.26 ± 2.22 and 7.59 ± 2.01 respectively at the time of observation. The difference between the mean score of the two group is not significant (p=0.117) the mean scoring with SD in group A and group B were 4.54 ± 2.05 and 1.64 ± 1.84 respectively at 7thdays. The difference between the mean score of the two group is significant (p<0.001). The mean scoring with SD in group A and group B were 2.68± 2.35 and .36± 1.10 respectively at 14th day difference between the mean score of the group is significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Topical application of permethrin 5% cream is more effective and safer than oral Ivermectin in the treatment of scabies. TAJ 2020; 33(1): 41-47


1974 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 647-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Rannevik ◽  
J. Thorell

ABSTRACT Eight amenorrhoeic women were given 100 μg synthetic LRH (Hoechst) iv and im, respectively, at an interval of 2 weeks. Four of the women received the iv injection first and four the im injection. The urinary excretion of oestrogens and pregnanediol was low and unaltered throughout the test weeks. The effects of LRH were compared by serial measurements of the plasma LH and FSH during 8 h. The initial response of LH for up to 25 min and that of FSH for up to 60 min were equal whether LRH was given iv or im. The difference appeared later. Four hours after the injection the mean increase of LH to iv injection was 0.5 ng/ml (N. S.), while that to im injection was 1.9 ng/ml (P < 0.01). The corresponding values for FSH were 1.3 (P < 0.05) and 3.2 (P < 0.001). The effect of LRH administration im was thus found to be larger and more prolonged.


Author(s):  
P B Parejiya ◽  
B S Barot ◽  
P K Shelat

The present study was carried out to fabricate a prolonged design for tramadol using Kollidon SR (Polyvinyl acetate and povidone based matrix retarding polymer). Matrix tablet formulations were prepared by direct compression of Kollidon SR of a varying proportion with a fixed percentage of tramadol. Tablets containing a 1:0.5 (Drug: Kollidon SR) ratio exhibited a rapid rate of drug release with an initial burst effect. Incorporation of more Kollidon SR in the matrix tablet extended the release of drug with subsequent minimization of the burst effect as confirmed by the mean dissolution time, dissolution efficiency and f2 value. Among the formulation batches, a direct relationship was obtained between release rate and the percentage of Kollidon SR used. The formulation showed close resemblance to the commercial product Contramal and compliance with USP specification. The results were explored and explained by the difference of micromeritic characteristics of the polymers and blend of drug with excipients. Insignificant effects of various factors, e.g. pH of dissolution media, ionic strength, speed of paddle were found on the drug release from Kollidon-SR matrix. The formulation followed the Higuchi kinetic model of drug release. Stability study data indicated stable character of Batch T6 after short-term stability study.


2004 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.D. Gurney ◽  
D.S.L. Lawrence

Seasonal variations in the stable isotopic composition of snow and meltwater were investigated in a sub-arctic, mountainous, but non-glacial, catchment at Okstindan in northern Norway based on analyses of δ18O and δD. Samples were collected during four field periods (August 1998; April 1999; June 1999 and August 1999) at three sites lying on an altitudinal transect (740–970 m a.s.l.). Snowpack data display an increase in the mean values of δ18O (increasing from a mean value of −13.51 to −11.49‰ between April and August), as well as a decrease in variability through the melt period. Comparison with a regional meteoric water line indicates that the slope of the δ18O–δD line for the snowpacks decreases over the same period, dropping from 7.49 to approximately 6.2.This change points to the role of evaporation in snowpack ablation and is confirmed by the vertical profile of deuterium excess. Snowpack seepage data, although limited, also suggest reduced values of δD, as might be associated with local evaporation during meltwater generation. In general, meltwaters were depleted in δ18O relative to the source snowpack at the peak of the melt (June), but later in the year (August) the difference between the two was not statistically significant. The diurnal pattern of isotopic composition indicates that the most depleted meltwaters coincide with the peak in temperature and, hence, meltwater production.


1983 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 2232-2248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivo Roušar ◽  
Michal Provazník ◽  
Pavel Stuhl

In electrolysers with recirculation, where a gas is evolved, the pumping of electrolyte from a lower to a higher level can be effected by natural convection due to the difference between the densities of the inlet electrolyte and the gaseous emulsion at the outlet. An accurate balance equation for calculation of the rate of flow of the pumped liquid is derived. An equation for the calculation of the mean volume fraction of bubbles in the space between the electrodes is proposed and verified experimentally on a pilot electrolyser. Two examples of industrial applications are presented.


2020 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2020-016728
Author(s):  
Joshua S Catapano ◽  
Andrew F Ducruet ◽  
Stefan W Koester ◽  
Tyler S Cole ◽  
Jacob F Baranoski ◽  
...  

BackgroundTransradial artery (TRA) access for neuroendovascular procedures is associated with fewer complications than transfemoral artery (TFA) access. This study compares hospital costs associated with TRA access to those associated with TFA access for neurointerventions.MethodsElective neuroendovascular procedures at a single center were retrospectively analyzed from October 1, 2018 to May 31, 2019. Hospital costs for each procedure were obtained from the hospital financial department. The primary outcome was the difference in the mean hospital costs after propensity adjustment between patients who underwent TRA compared with TFA access.ResultsOf the 338 elective procedures included, 63 (19%) were performed through TRA versus 275 (81%) through TFA access. Diagnostic procedures were more common in the TRA cohort (51 of 63, 81%) compared with the TFA cohort (197 of 275, 72%), but the difference was not significant (p=0.48). The TRA cohort had a shorter length of hospital stay (mean (SD) 0.3 (0.5) days) compared with the TFA cohort (mean 0.7 (1.3) days; p=0.02) and lower hospital costs (mean $12 968 ($6518) compared with the TFA cohort (mean $17 150 ($10 946); p=0.004). After propensity adjustment for age, sex, symptoms, angiographic findings, procedure type, sheath size, and catheter size, TRA access was associated with a mean hospital cost of $2514 less than that for TFA access (95% CI −$4931 to −$97; p=0.04).ConclusionNeuroendovascular procedures performed through TRA access are associated with lower hospital costs than TFA procedures. The lower cost is likely due to a decreased length of hospital stay for TRA.


Author(s):  
Morteza Arab-Zozani ◽  
Hossein Safari ◽  
Zoha Dori ◽  
Somayeh Afshari ◽  
Hosein Ameri ◽  
...  

Health-state utility values of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) patients are necessary for clinical praxis and economic modeling. The purpose of this study was to estimate utility values in DFU patients using the EuroQol-5-dimension-5-level (EQ-5D-5L) and composite time trade-off (cTTO). The EQ-5D-5L and cTTO were used for estimating utility values. Data were collected from 228 patients referred to the largest governmental diabetes center in the South of Iran, Yazd province. When appropriate, independent sample t-test or analysis of variance test was used to test the difference in the utility values in each of the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients. Finally, the BetaMix was used to identify predictors of the utility values. The means of EQ-5D-5L and cTTO values were 0.55( SD 0.21) and 0.67( SD 0.23), respectively. Anxiety and pain were the most common problems reported by the patients. The difference between the mean EQ-5D-5L values was significant for age, grade of ulcer, number of comorbidities, and having complications. In addition, variables of gender, age, grade of ulcer, and having complications were significant predictors of the EQ-5D-5L. The difference between the mean cTTO values was significant for age, employment status, grade of ulcer, number of comorbidities, and having complications. Moreover, variables of gender, age, grade of ulcer, number of comorbidities, and developing complications were significant predictors of cTTO. The current study provided estimates of utility values for DFU patients for clinical praxis and economic modeling. These estimates, similar to utilities reported in other studies, were low. Identifying strategies to decrease anxiety/depression and pain in patients is important to improve the utility values.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s116-s118
Author(s):  
Qunna Li ◽  
Andrea Benin ◽  
Alice Guh ◽  
Margaret A. Dudeck ◽  
Katherine Allen-Bridson ◽  
...  

Background: The NHSN has used positive laboratory tests for surveillance of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) LabID events since 2009. Typically, CDIs are detected using enzyme immunoassays (EIAs), nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), or various test combinations. The NHSN uses a risk-adjusted, standardized infection ratio (SIR) to assess healthcare facility-onset (HO) CDI. Despite including test type in the risk adjustment, some hospital personnel and other stakeholders are concerned that NAAT use is associated with higher SIRs than are EIAs. To investigate this issue, we analyzed NHSN data from acute-care hospitals for July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018. Methods: Calendar quarters for which CDI test type was reported as NAAT (includes NAAT, glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH)+NAAT and GDH+EIA followed by NAAT if discrepant) or EIA (includes EIA and GDH+EIA) were selected. HO CDI SIRs were calculated for facility-wide inpatient locations. We conducted the following analyses: (1) Among hospitals that did not switch their test type, we compared the distribution of HO incident rates and SIRs by those reporting NAAT vs EIA. (2) Among hospitals that switched their test type, we selected quarters with a stable switch pattern of 2 consecutive quarters of each of EIA and NAAT (categorized as pattern EIA-to-NAAT or NAAT-to-EIA). Pooled semiannual SIRs for EIA and NAAT were calculated, and a paired t test was used to evaluate the difference of SIRs by switch pattern. Results: Most hospitals did not switch test types (3,242, 89%), and 2,872 (89%) reported sufficient data to calculate SIRs, with 2,444 (85%) using NAAT. The crude pooled HO CDI incidence rates for hospitals using EIA clustered at the lower end of the histogram versus rates for NAAT (Fig. 1). The SIR distributions of both NAAT and EIA overlapped substantially and covered a similar range of SIR values (Fig. 1). Among hospitals with a switch pattern, hospitals were equally likely to have an increase or decrease in their SIR (Fig. 2). The mean SIR difference for the 42 hospitals switching from EIA to NAAT was 0.048 (95% CI, −0.189 to 0.284; P = .688). The mean SIR difference for the 26 hospitals switching from NAAT to EIA was 0.162 (95% CI, −0.048 to 0.371; P = .124). Conclusions: The pattern of SIR distributions of both NAAT and EIA substantiate the soundness of NHSN risk adjustment for CDI test types. Switching test type did not produce a consistent directional pattern in SIR that was statistically significant.Disclosures: NoneFunding: None


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