Relation between total ozone and sub-tropical jet stream

This article investigates the relationship between total ozone and subtropical jet stream (STJ). Total ozone data have been obtained from the total ozone mapping spectrometer (TOMS) instrument on the Nimbus - 7 satellite and have been examined in conjunction with meteorological data in the region 90°- 160°E, 20° -50°N, i.e., the entrance region of the East Asian STJ from October 1982 to September 1983. The STJ marks the boundary between the high tropical tropopause (ca. 1000 hPa) and lower subtropical tropopause (ca. 200 hPa). In winter it has been found that the total ozone contours are almost parallel to the wind direction, and the horizontal gradient in total ozone increases as the wind speed strengthens. The STJ normally marks a steep gradient in total ozone but in spring anomalous patterns are seen sometimes with very small gradients across the jet. A particular study has been conducted of these events, which are associated with a layer of relatively low but still stratospheric potential vorticity (PV) at around 150 hPa (380K) on the poleward side of the jet. This appears to be consistent with a transfer of air from troposphere to stratosphere above the jet core in March and April.

Semi quantitative forecasts for Baghmati/Adhwara Group of rivers/Kamala Balan catchments by synoptic analogue technique

An attempt has been made to issue semi-quantitative precipitation forecasts for Baghmati/Adhwara Group of rivers/Kamala-Balan catchments based upon 22 years data (1982-2003). The study reveals that it is possible to issue semi-quantitative precipitation forecast with confidence. Local topography and its steep gradient on Indo-Nepal Border are main factors that give birth to severe floods during south west monsoon and pose problems to Darbhanga City.

Cations and Phenolic Compounds Concentrations in Fruits of Fig Plants Exposed to Moderate Levels of Salinity

Fig trees are often grown in areas affected by salinity problems. We investigated changes in the concentrations of 15 phenolic compounds and mineral elements (Mg, Ca, K, Zn, Cu, Mn, Mo, Fe, Na) in fruits of fig plants (Ficus carica L. cv. Dottato) subjected to irrigation with saline water (100 mM of NaCl) for 28 days. We used UHPLC-MS/MS techniques to determine chlorogenic acid, tiliroside, catechin, epicatechin (ECTC), p-coumaric acid, trans-ferulic acid, phloridzin, phloretine, quercetagetin 7-O-glucoside, rutin, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol 7-O-glucoside, kaempferol 3-O-glucoside, and quercetin. There was a steep gradient of Na+ concentrations between the root and the canopy of salinized plants, but leaf Na+ was similar in control and salt-treated plants. Quercetin, ECTC, and chlorogenic acid were the most abundant phenolic compounds in fig fruits. Salinity increased total phenols by 5.6%, but this increase was significant only for ECTC. Salt stress significantly increased Zn and Mg concentration in the fruit. Leaf levels of K, Mg, Ca, and Mn were similar in control and salinized plants. Moderate salt stress appears to improve fig fruit quality because of its positive effect on nutrients and antioxidant compounds such as epicatechin.

113Social gradient in health literacy among primary healthcare users in Cyprus

Background From a notion concentrated on the ability to understand health information, health literacy (HL) has become a broad concept, considered a critical determinant of community health. The HLS-EU-measures perceived HL based on a theoretical model of the concept. Methods This study explored the metric properties of the tool in a new European setting among a convenience sample of 300 healthcare users in a state General Hospital, including the construct and known-group validity by social position and health-related behaviours. Results While factor analysis did not reveal the 12 theoretical subscales, there was a meaningful 3-factor structure (52.1% variance): “access to information”, “prevention and health promotion” and “user-provider interaction”. The postulated four cognitive skills (access, understand, appraise, apply) were evident within each domain (healthcare, prevention, health promotion), and vice versa. Overall, HL was problematic in 50.7% of participants with a steep gradient by social position. Alcohol consumption and physical activity were associated with HL, but not being overweight (mean BMI 26.8, SD: 5.2) or smoking (45.6% current or past smokers), which were generally prevalent. Conclusions HLS-EU-Q47 supports at least partly the theoretical construct of HL. The social gradient supports the criterion validity of the tool and highlights an important aspect of health inequality. Key messages HLS-EU-Q47 is a valid measure of perceived health literacy There was a steep gradient in low health literacy by social position

Conservation and economic aspects of a combination of forestry-agricultural crops (Neolamarckia cadamba-Phaseolus vulgaris) and terrace systems in different slope classes

The utilization of steep lands by planting forestry and agricultural species can provide benefits from soil-water conservation and economic aspects. The combination of planting <em>Neolamarckia cadamba-Phaseolus vulgaris</em> and terrace systems can increase land use values, such as soil conservation, crop production, and farmers’ income. The aim of this study was to analyze silvicultural, hydro-orological, and economic aspects of a combination of forestry-agricultural crops<em> </em>(<em>N. cadamba – P. vulgaris</em>) and terrace systems on two slope classes. Two study plots were established on a steep gradient (25–40%) and a very steep gradient (&gt;40%). The results showed an annual increase in the average diameter and height of <em>N. cadamba</em> of 1.78 cm and 1.84 m, respectively on the steep slope, and 1.68 cm and 1.53 m, respectively on the very steep slope. The surface run off and erosion rate were lower on the steep ground compared to the very steep ground. Erosion hazard indices and levels on the plots in the steep slope and very steep slope were categorized as low and very low; meanwhile the erosion hazard class was I. The profit of <em>P. vulgaris cultivation </em>was IDR 9,360,000.00 ha^–1 per cropping seasonon steep slope and IDR 6,480,000.00 ha^–1 per cropping season on very steep slope. The planting of <em>P. vulgaris</em> as an intercropping plant to fill empty land in between <em>N. cadamba</em> can increase the economic value obtained from selling <em>P. vulgaris</em> in the short term until the leaves of the <em>N. cadamba</em> plant are linked. The combination of planting <em>N. cadamba–P. vulgaris</em> and terrace system on steep slopes is therefore more profitable not only from the economic perspective, but also in lowering runoff and potential erosion rates than on very steep lands.

Physics informed deep learning for coupled flow and poromechanics. Mandel’s problem

We evaluate the performance of the physics informed deep learning paradigm for solving the Biot system modeling coupled flow and poromechanics using Mandel’s problem analytical solution. The solution presents a unique set of challenges to the deep learning paradigm, such as the disparity in expected orders of magnitude of the output variables as well as the non-monotonicity and steep gradient in one of the output variables in a certain spatio-temporal domain. We tackle those challenges in this work and comment on the effect of activation function and minimization algorithm on the deep learning framework.

Kentucky’s Distilling Environment

Kentucky’s nineteenth-century distillers operated in a physical environment that varied from one location to another and presented opportunities as well as impediments. Groundwater was available across the Bluegrass country and had long been regarded as “pure” and therefore acceptable for distilling. With the development of modern scientific water analysis, hydrologists were able to establish that many of Kentucky’s springs produced water that was comparatively high in iron, calcium, and inorganic minerals and metals and was not consistently “pure.” The climate is conducive to corn and wheat production and is characterized by hot summers and comparatively dry, cool winters. The nineteenth-century distilling calendar was seasonal, with works operating from early winter through late spring, when the grain harvest was over and farmhands were available for hire. Distillers utilizing waterpower often sited their works beside steep-gradient streams; adoption of the steam engine permitted them to choose level sites and gain access to primary transport routes. Limestone bedrock yielded the most productive soils for crop production and also attracted distillers

Vernalization alters sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) sink and source identities and reverses phloem translocation from taproots to shoots

ABSTRACTDuring vegetative growth, biennial sugar beets maintain a steep gradient between the shoot (source) and the sucrose-storing taproot (sink). To shift from vegetative to generative growth, they require a chilling phase, called vernalization. Here, we studied sugar beet sink-source dynamics upon cold temperature-induced vernalization and revealed a pre-flowering taproot sink to source reversal. This transition is induced by transcriptomic and functional reprogramming of sugar beet tissue, resulting in a reversal of flux direction in long distance transport system, the phloem. As a key process for this transition, vacuolar sucrose importers and exporters, BvTST2;1 and BvSUT4, are oppositely regulated, leading to re-mobilization of sugars from taproot storage vacuoles. Concomitant changes in the expression of floral regulator genes suggest that the now deciphered processes are a prerequisite for bolting. Our data may thus serve dissecting metabolic and developmental triggers for bolting, which are potential targets for genome editing or breeding approaches.

Analogue Orientation Control of a Carbon Fibre in a Nematic Liquid Crystal

A carbon fibre is a rod-like microstructure, the longitudinal axis of which is aligned with the orientation of the director in a nematic liquid crystal. A nematic liquid crystal with negative dielectric anisotropy is mixed with carbon fibres. By applying an electric field perpendicular to the director, the carbon fibres tend to rotate in response to the electric field, and the directors around the carbon fibres tends to suppress the rotation. We control individual carbon fibres to obtain an expected orientation by handling the competition of two actions. The carbon fibre barely reacts in a small electric field. Meanwhile, when the threshold electric field is exceeded, the carbon fibre rotates with a steep gradient in the direction of the electric field. The change in the rotation shows little hysteresis. As the length of the carbon fibre is increased, the threshold electric field decreases. We analysed the above process with a theoretical model considering the response of the carbon fibre and liquid crystal. This study shows the possibility of accurate analogue orientation control of individual rod-like microstructures.