Slope Adjustment of Runoff Curve Number (CN) using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM) for Kuantan River Basin

The Natural Resources Conservation Service Curve Number (NRCS-CN) method is widely used for predicting direct runoff from rainfall. It employs the hydrologic soil groups and landuse information along with period soil moisture conditions to derive NRCS-CN. This method has been well documented and available in popular rainfallrunoff models such as HEC-HMS, SWAT, SWMM and many more. The SharplyWilliams and Hank methods was used to adjust CN values provided in standard table of TR-55. The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM) is used to derive slope map with spatial resolution of 30 m for Kuantan River Bsin (KRB). The two investigated method stretches the conventional CN domain to the lower values. The study shows a successful application of remote sensing data and GIS tools in hydrological studies. The result of this work can be used for rainfall-runoff simulation and flood modeling in KRB

A strong wind event on the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica: A case study of scale interactions

In situ observations, satellite imagery, numerical weather prediction, and reanalysis fields are used to investigate the synoptic and mesoscale environment of a strong wind event (SWE) at McMurdo Station/Ross Island region on the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica, on 10 October 2003. The SWE occurred during the passage of a sequence of three mesoscale low pressure systems from the central Ross Ice Shelf to the southwest Ross Sea. A potential vorticity (PV) analysis showed that the lows drew air of continental origin down the glacial valleys of the Transantarctic Mountains and onto the ice shelf as a katabatic drainage flow. However, the analysis indicated that the air mass associated with the SWE was of recurved maritime origin drawn in by the second mesoscale low (L2). This air mass approached McMurdo Station from the south where interactions with the orography played a critical role. In the early stages of the event, when the wind speed was less than 10 m s−1, the air was deflected around the topographical features, such as Minna Bluff and Black and White Islands. As the pressure gradient increased, winds of more than 10 m s−1 crossed the orography and developed mountain waves along the lee slopes. When the Froude number became larger than 1, large-amplitude vertically propagating mountain waves developed over the McMurdo Station/Ross Island area, increasing the wind to 16 m s−1. The reanalysis fields did not resolve the mesoscale lows; however, the Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System (AMPS) model was able to simulate important characteristics of the SWE such as the mesoscale low pressure system, flow around the topographical barrier, and the mountain wave

Dynamics of the water circulations in the southern South China Sea and its seasonal transports

A three-dimensional Regional Ocean Modeling System is used to study the seasonal water circulations and transports of the Southern South China Sea. The simulated seasonal water circulations and estimated transports show consistency with observations, e.g., satellite altimeter data set and re-analysis data of the Simple Ocean Data Assimilation. It is found that the seasonal water circulations are mainly driven by the monsoonal wind stress and influenced by the water outflow/inflow and associated currents of the entire South China Sea. The intrusion of the strong current along the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia and the eddies at different depths in all seasons are due to the conservation of the potential vorticity as the depth increases. Results show that the water circulation patterns in the northern part of the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia are generally dominated by the geostrophic currents while those in the southern areas are due solely to the wind stress because of negligible Coriolis force there. This study clearly shows that individual surface freshwater flux (evaporation minus precipitation) controls the sea salinity balance in the Southern South China Sea thermohaline circulations. Analysis of climatological data from a high resolution Regional Ocean Modeling System reveals that the complex bathymetry is important not only for water exchange through the Southern South China Sea but also in regulating various transports across the main passages in the Southern South China Sea, namely the Sunda Shelf and the Strait of Malacca. Apart from the above, in comparision with the dynamics of the Sunda Shelf, the Strait of Malacca reflects an equally significant role in the annual transports into the Andaman Sea

The impacts of socio-economic indicator on urban growth in Selangor, Malaysia

All cities in the world including Malaysia are experiencing rapid urbanization which has given significant impact on the variability of socio-economy. The present study is conducted to investigate the expansion of urban growth in the state of Selangor by selecting appropriate socio-economic indicators used in urban growth studies. The study partly aims to describe a set of socio-indicators that most directly contribute to urban growth analysis. The objectives of the research are (i) to test the availability of dataset of each socio-economic indicators, (ii) examine the changes of each indicator in a decade, and (iii) propose new criteria for the selection of socio-economic indicators. Findings are derived from the secondary data from a local government agency and available digital datasets. The result advocates the use of criteria to validate the indicators to be used in future studies

Effects of vertically propagating mountain waves during a strong wind event over the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica

Weather forecasting in the Antarctic presents many challenges, with strong wind events (SWEs) often disrupting air and field operations. Here, we study the mechanisms responsible for a SWE (maximum wind speed 22 ms–1) that occurred at the McMurdo/Scott Base region on the Ross Ice Shelf (Antarctica) over 12–13 October 2003. The study is based on in situ observations, satellite imagery and output from the Antarctic mesoscale prediction system (AMPS) model. The event occurred during the passage of a complex low pressure system that increased the pressure gradient between the northwest Ross Ice Shelf and the continental high, initiating a strong southerly flow. AMPS simulations as well as upper air sounding profiles from McMurdo station showed the involvement of large amplitude vertically propagating mountain waves over the area. The amplification of mountain waves by the self-induced critical level reflected all the energy back towards the surface to generate high downslope winds

Study of the climatic teleconnection between the Siberian high and maritime continent warm pool

This paper attempts to establish a method for analysing the relationship between the polar and equatorial climate of the Northern Hemisphere. The Arctic Oscillation (AO) is known to have no direct relationship with the monsoon over the Maritime Continent (MC). Thus, an index called the Siberian High(SH)–Maritime Continent(MC) Index (SHMCI) is developed to represent the mean sea level pressure difference between the SH and the warm pool over the MC. This index indicates a strong link with the monsoon circulation. A positive (strong) value of the SHMCI is associated with strong meridional winds and intense and frequent cold surge events over the South China Sea. The correlation between the AO index and the SHMCI is -0.39, which is medium but statistically significant; however, it is not sufficiently conclusive to infer direct correlation. Nevertheless, the SHMCI can be used as a tool to relate the AO with the monsoon over the MC because of the influence demonstrated by the AO towards the SH. Further analysis on the convergence and divergence anomalies over the MC reveals an impact discernible only from the SHMCI. This implies that the SHMCI manifests clearly the relationship between the Arctic and equatorial climate

Reviews on the socio-economic indicators for spatial urban scale

In recent decades, socio-economic variables have been widely used to investigate regional scale particularly in climate change studies. This paper aims to review appropriate socio-economic indicators for studies related to environment and climate at the level of spatial urban scale. It has been a challenge to select appropriate indicators because the interrelationship between human interference and the environment has proved difficult to be understood. The method used for the review is content analysis. The finding proposes the future research to choose suitable socio-economic indicators by referring to the scale of study and the spatial coverage of the topic. This article also provides a socio-economic framework to ensure that the appropriate of urban scale is the key aspect for selection of indicators in environmental and climate related studies

Webcast technology in teaching: It’s implementation from the perspective of instructors

The paper reports issues relating to the use of three modes of webcast technology in the teaching of two undergraduate courses, namely, BTK4003 (Bioinformatics) for Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) programme at the Faculty of Food Science and Biotechnology, and DCE 3301 (Learning at Workplace) for Bachelor of Science (Human Resource Development) programme at the Faculty of Educational Studies at the Universiti Putra Malaysia. The study, aimed in determining the effectiveness of using webcast technology at the university was carried out in two phases over a period of two successive academic sessions. This report focuses on the experiences and perceptions of the observers who were instructors of the two courses. Lectures were conducted via three different modes of webcasting: i) Live streaming; ii) Pre-recorded streaming; and iii) Video-on-demand. The fourth group, which is the control group received live face-to-face normal lecture. Observations noted by instructors during the actual exercise were reported back to the research team to be compiled throughout the duration of the study. Findings show that experiences relayed by instructors who participated in the study ranged from the instructors’ state of readiness to be involved in the study to the management of students’ behaviour and the quality of network and connectivity. Lessons learned throughout the course of the study as well as some recommendations on best-practises are discussed

第1090回千葉医学会例会・第7回環境生命医学研究会

A three-dimensional Regional Ocean Modelling System is used to study the tidal characteristics and their dynamics in the Sunda Shelf of the southern South China Sea. In this model, the outer domain is set with a 25 km resolution and the inner one, with a 9 km resolution. Calculations are performed on the inner domain. The model is forced at the sea surface by climatological monthly mean wind stress, freshwater (evaporation minus precipitation), and heat fluxes. Momentum and tracers (such as temperature and salinity) are prescribed in addition to the tidal heights and currents extracted from the Oregon State University TOPEX/Poseidon Global Inverse Solution (TPXO7.2) at the open boundaries. The results are validated against observed tidal amplitudes and phases at 19 locations. Results show that the mean average power energy spectrum (in unit m2/s/cph) for diurnal tides at the southern end of the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia is approximately 43% greater than that in the East Malaysia region located in northern Borneo. In contrast, for the region of northern Borneo the semidiurnal power energy spectrum is approximately 25% greater than that in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. This implies that diurnal tides are dominant along the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia while both diurnal and semidiurnal tides dominate almost equally in coastal East Malaysia. Furthermore, the diurnal tidal energy flux is found to be 60% greater than that of the semidiurnal tides in the southern South China Sea. Based on these model analyses, the significant tidal mixing frontal areas are located primarily off Sarawak coast as indicated by high chlorophyll-a concentrations in the area

Webcast technology in teaching : its implementation from the perspectives of instructors.

The paper reports issues relating to the use of three modes of webcast technology in the teaching of two undergraduate courses, namely, BTK4003 (Bioinformatics) for Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) programme at the Faculty of Food Science and Biotechnology, and DCE 3301 (Learning at Workplace) for Bachelor of Science (Human Resource Development) programme at the Faculty of Educational Studies at the Universiti Putra Malaysia. The study, aimed in determining the effectiveness of using webcast technology at the university was carried out in two phases over a period of two successive academic sessions. This report focuses on the experiences and perceptions of the observers who were instructors of the two courses. Lectures were conducted via three different modes of webcasting: i) Live streaming; ii) Pre-recorded streaming; and iii) Video-on-demand. The fourth group, which is the control group received live face-to-face normal lecture. Observations noted by instructors during the actual exercise were reported back to the research team to be compiled throughout the duration of the study. Findings show that experiences relayed by instructors who participated in the study ranged from the instructors’ state of readiness to be involved in the study to the management of students’ behaviour and the quality of network and connectivity. Lessons learned throughout the course of the study as well as some recommendations on best-practises are discussed