The Influences of TOVS Radiance Assimilation on Temperature and Moisture Tendencies in JRA-25 and ERA-40

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 1435-1455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masami Sakamoto ◽  
John R. Christy
Keyword(s):  
Water Cycle ◽  
University Of Alabama ◽  
Infrared Observation ◽  
Tropical Water ◽  
Stratospheric Temperature ◽  
Sensing Systems ◽  
Remote Sensing Systems ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
The University

Abstract A Japanese long-term reanalysis (JRA-25) was completed in 2006 utilizing the comprehensive set of observations from the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40). JRA-25 and ERA-40 adopted the same type of assimilation systems: 3DVAR with direct use of satellite sounding radiances. Long-term upper-air thermal tendencies in both reanalyses are examined and compared with the observational deep-layer temperatures of the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) and Remote Sensing Systems (RSS). The upper-air temperature tendencies in the reanalyses are significantly different from those of UAH and RSS, and they appear to be influenced by the way the observations of the Television and Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS) Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS) are used. This study focuses on documenting problems in TOVS assimilation, especially problems in bias corrections used in the reanalyses. Referring to quantitative results in an examination of biases between the reanalyses and raw TOVS observations, this study identifies (i) spurious thermal tendencies derived from transitions in TOVS and in the reanalysis calculation streams, (ii) an excessive enhancement of the tropical water cycle in ERA-40, and (iii) an excessive cooling trend and unstable behavior in the stratospheric temperature in JRA-25. The results of this study suggest that any inconsistencies in TOVS usage can lead to serious inconsistencies in the reanalyses. Therefore, time-consuming efforts to obtain reliable observational information from TOVS are necessary for further progress in reanalyses.

scholarly journals A Bias in the Midtropospheric Channel Warm Target Factor on the NOAA-9 Microwave Sounding Unit

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 646-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Po-Chedley ◽  
Qiang Fu
Keyword(s):  
Tropospheric Temperature ◽  
University Of Alabama ◽  
Sensing Systems ◽  
Temperature Trends ◽  
Microwave Sounding Unit ◽  
Microwave Sounding ◽  
Remote Sensing Systems ◽  
Temperature Records ◽  
The University

Abstract The University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH), Remote Sensing Systems (RSS), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have constructed long-term temperature records for deep atmospheric layers using satellite Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU) and Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU) observations. However, these groups disagree on the magnitude of global temperature trends since 1979, including the trend for the midtropospheric layer (TMT). This study evaluates the selection of the MSU TMT warm target factor for the NOAA-9 satellite using five homogenized radiosonde products as references. The analysis reveals that the UAH TMT product has a positive bias of 0.051 ± 0.031 in the warm target factor that artificially reduces the global TMT trend by 0.042 K decade−1 for 1979–2009. Accounting for this bias increases the global UAH TMT trend from 0.038 to 0.080 K decade−1, effectively eliminating the trend difference between UAH and RSS and decreasing the trend difference between UAH and NOAA by 47%. This warm target factor bias directly affects the UAH lower tropospheric (TLT) product and tropospheric temperature trends derived from a combination of TMT and lower stratospheric (TLS) channels.

scholarly journals A Comparative Analysis of Data Derived from Orbiting MSU/AMSU Instruments

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 225-232
Author(s):  
R. Eric Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Star Products ◽  
University Of Alabama ◽  
Sensing Systems ◽  
Merging Procedure ◽  
Satellite Applications ◽  
Remote Sensing Systems ◽  
North Polar ◽  
The University ◽  
Tropopause Temperature

AbstractSpencer and Christy of the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) recently introduced a new method to process MSU/AMSU satellite brightness temperature data with their version 6 (v6) data. A comparison of UAH v6 north polar lower stratospheric (TLS) data with that from Remote Sensing Systems (RSS) is presented, indicating a possible bias between 1986 and 1988. Comparing UAH and NOAA Center for Satellite Applications and Research (NOAA) TLS data produces a similar result. An additional analysis utilizing midtropospheric (TMT) data also found a similar bias. Comparing the NOAA TMT data for the May 2016 release against UAH and RSS TMT evidenced another excursion, dated at the middle of 2005, that was corrected in later releases. These comparisons reinforce the concerns expressed by other analysts regarding the merging procedure for UAH v6, repeating similar concerns regarding the earlier UAH v5 products. Any biases in the UAH, RSS, or STAR products would impact the trends calculated for these products and could explain the differences between these trends. Biases in the UAH series would also impact the UAH TLTv6 lower-troposphere product, which is a linear combination of the UAH TMT, tropopause temperature (TTP), and TLS series.

scholarly journals Satellite and VIZ–Radiosonde Intercomparisons for Diagnosis of Nonclimatic Influences

2006 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 1181-1194 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Christy ◽  
William B. Norris
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Time Series ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
University Of Alabama ◽  
High Significance ◽  
Sensing Systems ◽  
Microwave Sounding Unit ◽  
Microwave Sounding ◽  
Remote Sensing Systems ◽  
The University

Abstract Radiosonde datasets of temperature often suffer from discontinuities due to changes in instrumentation, location, observing practices, and algorithms. To identify temporal discontinuities that affect the VIZ/Sippican family of radiosondes, the 1979–2004 time series of a composite of 31 VIZ stations are compared to composites of collocated values of layer temperatures from two microwave sounding unit datasets—the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) and Remote Sensing Systems (RSS). Discontinuities in the radiosonde time series relative to the two satellite datasets were detected with high significance and with similar magnitudes; however, some instances occurred where only one satellite dataset differed from the radiosondes. For the products known as lower troposphere (LT; surface–300 hPa) and midtroposphere (MT; surface–75-hPa layer), significant discontinuities relative to both satellite datasets were found—two cases for LT and four for MT. These are likely associated with changes in the radiosonde system. Three apparent radiosonde discontinuities were also determined for the lower-stratospheric product (LS; 150–15 hPa). Because they cannot be definitely traced to changes in the radiosonde system, they could be the result of common errors in the satellite products. When adjustments are applied to the radiosondes based independently on each satellite dataset, 26-yr trends of UAH (RSS) are consistent with the radiosondes for LT, MT, and LS at the level of ±0.06, ±0.04, and ±0.07 (±0.12, ±0.10, and ±0.10) K decade−1. Also, simple statistical retrievals based on radiosonde-derived relationships of LT, MT, and LS indicate a higher level of consistency with UAH products than with those of RSS.

Discontinuity Issues with Radiosonde and Satellite Temperatures in the Australian Region 1979–2006

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 508-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Christy ◽  
William B. Norris
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Lower Stratosphere ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
University Of Alabama ◽  
The Third ◽  
Sensing Systems ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Remote Sensing Systems ◽  
Temperature Records ◽  
The University

Abstract The temperature records of 28 Australian radiosonde stations were compared with the bulk-layer temperatures of three satellite products of The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) and Remote Sensing Systems (RSS) for the period 1979–2006. The purpose was to use the satellite data as “reference truth” to quantify the effect of changes in station equipment, software, and operations on the reported upper air temperatures and resulting trends. The products are lower troposphere (LT), midtroposphere (MT), and lower stratosphere (LS). Four periods of significant shifts in temperatures were found in the radiosondes relative to both satellite datasets. In the first two shifts—around 1982/83 and 1987/88—the radiosondes experienced an accumulated LT and MT warming shift of 0.5 K on average. These shifts coincided with equipment changes. If unadjusted for these shifts, the radiosondes report spurious tropospheric warming of almost 0.2 K decade−1. For LS in the first period, there is relative warming but in the second, cooling. If unadjusted, the radiosondes overstate LS cooling by about −0.15 K decade−1. The third (early 1990s) and fourth (1998 LT and MT and 2002 LS) shifts are less robustly connected to changes in the radiosondes. Errors in the construction methodology of the satellite products likely account for at least part of the discrepancies but cannot be attributed with confidence to a specific cause. Having opposite signs in the two periods, the last two discrepancies tend to cancel each other. The net effect of these last two shifts on the overall LT and MT trends of ±0.03 K decade−1 is small.

Conjunctival lymphangiectasia associated with classic Fabry disease

2017 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie D Sivley ◽  
Eric L Wallace ◽  
David G Warnock ◽  
William J Benjamin
Keyword(s):  
Fabry Disease ◽  
Dry Eye ◽  
Imaging System ◽  
University Of Alabama ◽  
Multisystem Disease ◽  
Enzyme Replacement ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
Alpha Galactosidase ◽  
The University

BackgroundFabry disease (FD) is a treatable multisystem disease caused by a defect in the alpha-galactosidase gene. Ocular signs of FD, including corneal verticillata, are among the earliest diagnostic findings. Conjunctival lymphangiectasia (CL) has not previously been associated with FD.MethodsWe examined the eyes of a cohort of 13 adult patients, eight men and five women, with documented classic FD, all treated with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham between February 2014 and April 2015. The average age was 48 years with a range of 35–55 years for men and 21–71 years for women. The mean duration of ERT was 8.4 years (men 8.9 years, women 7.6 years) with a range of 4–14 years. Classical Fabry mutations included Q283X, R227X, W236X and W277X. A high resolution Haag-Streit BQ-900 slit lamp with EyeCap imaging system was used to record conjunctival images.ResultsCL was observed in 11 of the 13 patients (85%) despite long-term ERT. Clinical presentations included single cysts, beaded dilatations and areas of conjunctival oedema. Lesions were located within 6 mm of the corneal limbus. Ten of the 13 subjects (77%) had Fabry-related cataracts and all 13 demonstrated bilateral corneal verticillata. Twelve of the 13 patients had evidence of dry eye, 9 of whom were symptomatic, and 10 had peripheral lymphoedema.ConclusionCL represents a common but under-recognised ocular manifestation of FD, which persists despite ERT, and is often accompanied by peripheral lymphoedema and dry eye syndrome.

scholarly journals THE PROCESS OF NATURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION: THE ASPECT OF CONCEPTS INTERIORIZATION

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-18
Author(s):  
Jūratė Mocartienė ◽  
Rita Makarskaitė-Petkevičienė
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Natural Science ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Visual Aids ◽  
Active Involvement ◽  
Natural Science Education ◽  
The University ◽  
Positive Effect

The article presents the results of the research in adoption of the content of the programme “Water” developed by the scientists from the University of Rostock. The sample of the research included school learners from the 2nd and 3rd forms. The data of three testings were analysed and the evaluated change in the school learners’ knowledge development proved that application of the methodology of the programme “Water” significantly improved the respondents’ knowledge of water, its structure, states, the water cycle, the mechanism of water treatment and self-cleaning. This knowledge includes and expands not only learning about the environment, but also develops school learners’ ecological attitude to nature and natural resources. However, only well-established long-term knowledge (which is the focus of the programme under discus-sion) will ensure the application of this knowledge in the further process of natural science education. The article also presents the analysis of school learners’ reflections on learning, which shows that the respondents, involved in the investigation of the discussed object (i.e. water in this case) demonstrated a better acquisition of the presented material since visual aids, motivation and active involvement of learners are as relevant as the presented information itself. The conducted research allowed to evaluate the role of the programme “Water” in long-term knowledge adoption, that is, learning and internalisation of concepts. The change in test results showed that information provided together with the concepts daily used by children, which gradually are changed into scientific ones, has a positive effect on formation of concepts of natural science education, their understand-ing and learning. Key words: natural science education, teaching process, long-term adoption of knowledge, interior-ization of concept.

scholarly journals Comments on “A Bias in the Midtropospheric Channel Warm Target Factor on the NOAA-9 Microwave Sounding Unit”

2013 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 1006-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Christy ◽  
Roy W. Spencer
Keyword(s):  
Noise Reduction ◽  
Sensing Systems ◽  
Temperature Trends ◽  
Microwave Sounding Unit ◽  
Reduction Coefficient ◽  
Similar Product ◽  
Microwave Sounding ◽  
Remote Sensing Systems ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The University

Abstract Po-Chedley and Fu investigated the difference in the magnitude of global temperature trends generated from the Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU) for the midtroposphere (TMT, surface to about 75 hPa) between the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) and Remote Sensing Systems (RSS). Their approach was to examine the magnitude of a noise-reduction coefficient of one short-lived satellite, NOAA-9, which differed from UAH and RSS. Using radiosonde comparisons over a 2-yr period, they calculated an adjustment to the UAH coefficient that, when applied to the UAH data, increased the UAH global TMT trend for 1979–2009 by +0.042 K decade−1, which then happens to agree with RSS’s TMT trend. In studying their analysis, the authors demonstrate 1) the adjustment calculated using radiosondes is inconclusive when errors are accounted for; 2) the adjustment was applied in a manner inconsistent with the UAH satellite merging strategy, creating a larger change than would be generated had the actual UAH methodology been followed; and 3) that trends of a similar product that uses the same UAH coefficient are essentially identical to UAH and RSS. Based on the authors’ previous analysis and additional work here, UAH will continue using the NOAA-9 noise-reduction coefficient, as is, for version 5.4 and the follow-on version 5.5.

LASER AND INFRARED TECHNIQUES FOR WATER POLLUTION CONTROL

1993 ◽  
Vol 1993 (1) ◽  
pp. 525-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto L. Geraci ◽  
Francesco Landolina ◽  
Luca Pantani ◽  
Giovanna Cecchi
Keyword(s):  
Water Pollution ◽  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
National Council ◽  
Pollution Characteristics ◽  
Passive Remote Sensing ◽  
Sensing Systems ◽  
Remote Sensing Systems ◽  
The University ◽  
Infrared Techniques

ABSTRACT A remote sensing application for the control of oil pollution and water quality was developed by the National Council of Research at Florence, and the University of Catania, both in Italy. The application is based on the simultaneous use of active and passive remote sensing systems (lidar and flir systems) from a helicopter. Water pollution characteristics were determined with the lidar system, in polluted areas of water detected, on a larger scale, by the flir system. Pollution characteristics detected included type of pollutant, type of oil, and oil thickness. The experiment, named LIRA, was carried out using an Italian Navy helicopter over sea areas around Sicily having a high risk of pollution. The results proved the effectiveness and usefulness of the techniques proposed.

From Volunteering to Academic Programming: A Case Example

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (17) ◽  
pp. 7-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy Gill ◽  
Sneha Bharadwaj ◽  
Nancy Quick ◽  
Sarah Wainscott ◽  
Paula Chance
Keyword(s):  
Special Needs ◽  
Cultural Relevance ◽  
Master's Program ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Charitable Organization ◽  
Language Pathology ◽  
The University

A speech-language pathology master's program that grew out of a partnership between the University of Zambia and a U.S.-based charitable organization, Connective Link Among Special needs Programs (CLASP) International, has just been completed in Zambia. The review of this program is outlined according to the suggested principles for community-based partnerships, a framework which may help evaluate cultural relevance and sustainability in long-term volunteer efforts (Israel, Schulz, Parker, & Becker, 1998).

Lack of Agreement of Chromogenic and Glotting Assays for Factor X and Protein C in Warfarinised Plasma

1991 ◽  
Vol 65 (04) ◽  
pp. 360-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Han ◽  
K P Fung ◽  
U Rahdakrishnan
Keyword(s):  
Serine Proteases ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Warfarin Therapy ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Chromogenic Substrate ◽  
Factor X ◽  
Laboratory Automation ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Assay Methods

SummaryCoagulation serine proteases can be measured with either a chromogenic substrate assay or a clotting assay using deficient plasmas. It is a concern whether both assays give similar quantitative results, in particular in plasma obtained fiom patients on long term warfarin therapy. If these two assay methods were interchangeable, then the chromogenic substrate assay has the advantages of precision as well as laboratory automation. We used the intraclass correlation coefficient (r1) to assess the agreement between the two methods in measuring factor X and protein C levels in warfarinised plasma. The results indicate that the extent and pattern of agreement of the two methods for the measurement of the two variables in warfarinised plasma are poor, despite high Pearson product moment coefficients of correlation.

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