On the relationship between milk yield and climatic factors

Statistical analysis was carried out between seasonal milk yield and some of the derived climatic variables at a semi-arid tropical locality in Bangalore. The study revealed that the milk yields varied from the highest (9, 3 lit/cow/day) in summer season to the lowest (8, 5 lit/cow/day) in winter season and almost the same in both the monsoon season (8, 7 and 8, 5 lit/cow/day during southwest and northeast monsoon seasons). It was envisaged that the climatic components like wind chill index had negative effect while wetness index and photo-thermal heat units had both positive (summer and winter seasons) and negative (two monsoon seasons) influences on seasonal milk yields.

Numerical stochastic modelling of spatial and spatio-temporal fields of the wind chill index in the South of Western Siberia

The paper presents the results of comparison of various methods of spatial interpolation of the wind chill index in two regions located in the South of Western Siberia (Russia). It is shown that stochastic interpolation provides the least interpolation error in the considered regions. The results of modelling the spatial and spatio-temporal fields of the considered bioclimatic index on a regular grid are presented.

Stochastic Model of Spatial Fields of the Average Daily Wind Chill Index

The objective of this paper was to construct a numerical stochastic model of the spatial field of the average daily wind chill index on an irregular grid defined by the location of the weather stations. It is shown in the paper that the field in question was heterogeneous and non-Gaussian. A stochastic model based on the real data collected at the weather stations located in West Siberia and on the method of the inverse distribution function that sufficiently well reproduce different characteristics of the real field of the average daily wind chill index is proposed in this paper. I also discussed several questions related to the simulation of the field on a regular grid. In the future, my intention is to transform the model proposed to a model of the conditional spatio-temporal field defined on a regular grid that allows one to forecast the wind chill index.

HEAT WAVES AND COLD SPELLS IN THREE ARCTIC AND SUBARCTIC CITIES AS MORTALITY RISK FACTORS

Climate change leads to an increase in the frequency of temperature waves. To assess the impacts of temperature waves on cause-specific mortality rates, this study characterized the frequency and duration of heat waves and cold spells in the cities of Murmansk, Archangelsk, and Yakutsk in the period of 1999 - 2016. The relationships between mortality and temperature waves in these cities were estimated using three bioclimatic indices (dry bulb temperature, apparent temperature, wind-chill index). The relative predictive powers of these indices were compared. The main drivers of elevated mortality during such events were identified differentially by the cause and the age of death. Forty heat waves and thirty-seven cold spells were identified in these cities, using dry bulb temperature as an explanatory variable. Cardiovascular deaths mostly contribute to elevated total mortality rates during protracted exposures to extreme heat and cold. Heat-related health risks are more pronounced in the south of European Russia than in the Arctic cities. Cold-related risks are higher in the northern cities.

Changes in bioclimatic indices in the Republic of Moldova (1960–2012): consequences for tourism

El presente estudio incluye el análisis diagnóstico y evolutivo del bioclima de la República de Moldavia según Wind Chill Index (WCI) y Cooling Power (CP). Entre 1960 y 2012, el bioclima de la temporada fría (octubre-marzo) presentó una tendencia de calentamiento gradual, evidenciada por la baja de los valores de WCI. Durante la temporada cálida, el bioclima de la República de Moldovia registró un calentamiento gradual, evidenciado por la baja de los valores de CP. Los valores del índice CP han sido analizados según los valores del Índice Climático turístico (TCI), útil para planificar actividades turísticas de cualquier tipo. Los valores actuales de TCI y los anticipados para el futuro indican un clima favorecedor para todo tipo o toda clase de turismo en la República Moldavia.

Characteristics and outcomes of patients with cold-related local injuries and accidental hypothermia from emergency department–based surveillance network in northern region of South Korea

Background: Cold weather has been known to cause various cold-related local injuries as well as accidental hypothermia. Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the basal characteristics, outcomes, and risk factors of patients with cold-related comorbidities using prospective emergency department–based surveillance system in high-risk area. Methods: We designed a prospective emergency department–based surveillance system throughout northern part of Gyeonggi province located in the northernmost of South Korea. A total of 20 emergency departments participated in the surveillance system. Patients who visited emergency department with cold-related comorbidities from 1 December 2012 to 28 February 2013 were prospectively enrolled in final analysis. We analyzed risk factors associated with outcome and correlation between climate factor (wind-chill index) and incidence. Results: During the study period, 54 patients with cold-related comorbidities were used for final analysis, including 35 hypothermia, 15 frostbite, and 4 trench foot. Among 35 patients with accidental hypothermia, 11 patients were admitted to intensive care unit and defined to have major adverse outcome. Hypothermic patient with major adverse outcome had lesser possession of coat as outwear when exposed to the cold (9.1% vs 58.3%, p < 0.01). Lower wind-chill index was likely to develop higher incidence of cold-related comorbidities (incidence rate ratio per 1°C decrease in wind-chill index: 1.086 (95% confidence interval: 1.038–1.135)). Conclusion: Patients with cold-related comorbidities were successfully monitored with emergency department–based surveillance system. Absence of coat was associated with major adverse outcomes in patient with accidental hypothermia. Lower wind-chill index was associated with higher incidence of cold-related comorbidities.