174 research outputs found
Evaluation of the Diurnal Cycle in the Atmospheric Boundary Layer Over Land as Represented by a Variety of Single-Column Models: The Second GABLS Experiment
We present the main results from the second model intercomparison within the GEWEX (Global Energy andWater cycle EXperiment) Atmospheric Boundary Layer Study (GABLS). The target is to examine the diurnal cycle over land in today’s numerical weather prediction and climate models for operational and research purposes. The set-up of the case is based on observations taken during the Cooperative Atmosphere-Surface Exchange Study-1999 (CASES-99), which was held in Kansas, USA in the early autumn with a strong diurnal cycle with no clouds present. The models are forced with a constant geostrophic wind, prescribed surface temperature and large-scale divergence. Results from 30 different model simulations and one large-eddy simulation (LES) are analyzed and compared with observations. Even though the surface temperature is prescribed, the models give variable near-surface air temperatures. This, in turn, gives rise to differences in low-level stability affecting the turbulence and the turbulent heat fluxes. The increase in modelled upward sensible heat flux during the morning transition is typically too weak and the growth of the convective boundary layer before noon is too slow. This is related to weak modelled nearsurface winds during the morning hours. The agreement between the models, the LES and observations is the best during the late afternoon. From this intercomparison study, we find that modelling the diurnal cycle is still a big challenge. For the convective part of the diurnal cycle, some of the first-order schemes perform somewhat better while the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) schemes tend to be slightly better during nighttime conditions. Finer vertical resolution tends to improve results to some extent, but is certainly not the solution to all the deficiencies identifie
Cross-evaluation of modelled and remotely sensed surface soil moisture with in situ data in southwestern France
The SMOSMANIA soil moisture network in Southwestern France is used to evaluate modelled and remotely sensed soil moisture products. The surface soil moisture (SSM) measured in situ at 5 cm permits to evaluate SSM from the SIM operational hydrometeorological model of Météo-France and to perform a cross-evaluation of the normalised SSM estimates derived from coarse-resolution (25 km) active microwave observations from the ASCAT scatterometer instrument (C-band, onboard METOP), issued by EUMETSAT and resampled to the Discrete Global Grid (DGG, 12.5 km gridspacing) by TU-Wien (Vienna University of Technology) over a two year period (2007–2008). A downscaled ASCAT product at one kilometre scale is evaluated as well, together with operational soil moisture products of two meteorological services, namely the ALADIN numerical weather prediction model (NWP) and the Integrated Forecasting System (IFS) analysis of Météo-France and ECMWF, respectively. In addition to the operational SSM analysis of ECMWF, a second analysis using a simplified extended Kalman filter and assimilating the ASCAT SSM estimates is tested. The ECMWF SSM estimates correlate better with the in situ observations than the Météo-France products. This may be due to the higher ability of the multi-layer land surface model used at ECMWF to represent the soil moisture profile. However, the SSM derived from SIM corresponds to a thin soil surface layer and presents good correlations with ASCAT SSM estimates for the very first centimetres of soil. At ECMWF, the use of a new data assimilation technique, which is able to use the ASCAT SSM, improves the SSM and the root-zone soil moisture analyses
Supercooled liquid water cloud observed, analysed, and modelled at the top of the planetary boundary layer above Dome C, Antarctica
Abstract. A comprehensive analysis of the water budget over the Dome C (Concordia,
Antarctica) station has been performed during the austral summer 2018–2019
as part of the Year of Polar Prediction (YOPP) international campaign. Thin
(∼100 m deep) supercooled liquid water (SLW) clouds have been
detected and analysed using remotely sensed observations at the station
(tropospheric depolarization lidar, the H2O Antarctica Microwave Stratospheric and Tropospheric
Radiometer (HAMSTRAD), net
surface radiation from the Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN)), radiosondes, and satellite observations (CALIOP, Cloud-Aerosol LIdar with Orthogonal Polarization/CALIPSO, Cloud Aerosol Lidar and Infrared
Pathfinder Satellite Observations) combined with a specific
configuration of the numerical weather prediction model: ARPEGE-SH (Action
de Recherche Petite Echelle Grande Echelle – Southern Hemisphere). The
analysis shows that SLW clouds were present from November to March, with the
greatest frequency occurring in December and January when ∼50 % of the days in summer time exhibited SLW clouds for at least 1 h. Two case studies are used to illustrate this phenomenon. On 24 December 2018, the atmospheric planetary boundary layer (PBL) evolved
following a typical diurnal variation, which is to say with a warm and dry
mixing layer at local noon thicker than the cold and dry stable layer at
local midnight. Our study showed that the SLW clouds were observed at Dome C
within the entrainment and the capping inversion zones at the top of the
PBL. ARPEGE-SH was not able to correctly estimate the ratio between liquid
and solid water inside the clouds with the liquid water path (LWP) strongly
underestimated by a factor of 1000 compared to observations. The lack of
simulated SLW in the model impacted the net surface radiation that was 20–30 W m−2 higher in the BSRN observations than in the ARPEGE-SH
calculations, mainly attributable to the BSRN longwave downward surface
radiation being 50 W m−2 greater than that of ARPEGE-SH. The second
case study took place on 20 December 2018, when a warm and wet episode
impacted the PBL with no clear diurnal cycle of the PBL top. SLW cloud
appearance within the entrainment and capping inversion zones coincided with
the warm and wet event. The amount of liquid water measured by HAMSTRAD was
∼20 times greater in this perturbed PBL than in the typical
PBL. Since ARPEGE-SH was not able to accurately reproduce these SLW clouds,
the discrepancy between the observed and calculated net surface radiation
was even greater than in the typical PBL case, reaching +50 W m−2,
mainly attributable to the downwelling longwave surface radiation from BSRN
being 100 W m−2 greater than that of ARPEGE-SH. The model was then run
with a new partition function favouring liquid water for temperatures below
−20 down to −40 ∘C. In this test mode, ARPEGE-SH has
been able to generate SLW clouds with modelled LWP and net surface radiation
consistent with observations during the typical case, whereas, during the
perturbed case, the modelled LWP was 10 times less than the observations and
the modelled net surface radiation remained lower than the observations by
∼50 W m−2. Accurately modelling the presence of SLW
clouds appears crucial to correctly simulate the surface energy budget over
the Antarctic Plateau
How an improved sorghum variety evolves in a traditional seed system in Mali: Effects of farmers’ practices on the maintenance of phenotype and genetic composition
In Africa, it is mostly the informal seed system that ensures farmers’ seed supply. This is partly because
the formal seed systems are not always effective in meeting demand for new seed varieties. Sometimes
informal seed recycling and exchange of improved sorghum varieties will take place alongside formal
initiatives, as is the case in southern Mali. Focusing on one particular village in the Dioïla district, we
analyze the efficacy of farmers’ strategies for preserving varietal seed purity and genetic integrity of an
improved inbred-line (Soumba variety). Six seed lots of Soumba, recycled for two to six years by farmers
using different practices, were collected and assessed in on-station trials in order to compare their
agronomic performance and phenotypic purity (off-type plant frequencies) with control versions of the
variety. Additionally, 30 panicle samples were randomly collected from five farmer fields sown with
recycled Soumba and assessed for phenotypic purity in a progeny nursery and investigated for molecular
diversity using 12 SSR markers. A total of 150 panicles from five other non-Soumba varieties were
collected in the village in order to investigate eventual gene flow and its potential genetic consequences
for the Soumba variety. In fields sown with recycled Soumba seed, between 2% and 14% of plants showed
phenotypic deviations from the typical Soumba variety. The progeny nursery and SSR marker analysis
verified the presence of the off-type plants observed in the field. The STRUCTURE program revealed
admixtures with other varieties in 23% of Soumba plants, confirming the presence of gene flow. Gene
diversity values in Soumba samples ranged from 0.006 for the commercial sample to 0.257 for recycled
samples. Introgression and contamination were best minimized when (1) farmers had received specific
training in seed production, (2) they could take advantage of isolated fields and (3) they could practise
true-to-type panicle selection. Farmerswere generally able to maintain the phenotype, as well as sustain
or even improve yield performance of their Soumba variety while at the same time genetically enriching
their seed stock
Assessing and Responding to Palliative Care Needs in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa: Results from a Model Intervention and Situation Analysis in Malawi
Introduction: Palliative care is rarely accessible in rural sub-Saharan Africa. Partners In Health and the Malawi government established the Neno Palliative Care Program (NPCP) to provide palliative care in rural Neno district. We conducted a situation analysis to evaluate early NPCP outcomes and better understand palliative care needs, knowledge, and preferences. Methods: Employing rapid evaluation methodology, we collected data from 3 sources: 1) chart review of all adult patients from the NPCP’s first 9 months; 2) structured interviews with patients and caregivers; 3) semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders. Results: The NPCP enrolled 63 patients in its first 9 months. Frequent diagnoses were cancer (n = 50, 79%) and HIV/AIDS (n = 37 of 61, 61%). Nearly all (n = 31, 84%) patients with HIV/AIDS were on antiretroviral therapy. Providers registered 112 patient encounters, including 22 (20%) home visits. Most (n = 43, 68%) patients had documented pain at baseline, of whom 23 (53%) were treated with morphine. A majority (n = 35, 56%) had ≥1 follow-up encounter. Mean African Palliative Outcome Scale pain score decreased non-significantly between baseline and follow-up (3.0 vs. 2.7, p = 0.5) for patients with baseline pain and complete pain assessment documentation. Providers referred 48 (76%) patients for psychosocial services, including community health worker support, socioeconomic assistance, or both. We interviewed 36 patients referred to the NPCP after the chart review period. Most had cancer (n = 19, 53%) or HIV/AIDS (n = 10, 28%). Patients frequently reported needing income (n = 24, 67%) or food (n = 22, 61%). Stakeholders cited a need to make integrated palliative care widely available. Conclusions: We identified a high prevalence of pain and psychosocial needs among patients with serious chronic illnesses in rural Malawi. Early NPCP results suggest that comprehensive palliative care can be provided in rural Africa by integrating disease-modifying treatment and palliative care, linking hospital, clinic, and home-based services, and providing psychosocial support that includes socioeconomic assistance
Supercooled liquid water clouds observed over Dome C, Antarctica: temperature sensitivity and cloud radiative forcing
Clouds affect the Earth climate with an impact that depends on the cloud nature (solid and/or liquid water). Although the Antarctic climate is changing rapidly, cloud observations are sparse over Antarctica due to few ground stations and satellite observations. The Concordia station is located on the eastern Antarctic Plateau (75∘ S, 123∘ E; 3233 m above mean sea level), one of the driest and coldest places on Earth. We used observations of clouds, temperature, liquid water, and surface irradiance performed at Concordia during four austral summers (December 2018–2021) to analyse the link between liquid water and temperature and its impact on surface irradiance in the presence of supercooled liquid water (liquid water for temperature less than 0 ∘C) clouds (SLWCs). Our analysis shows that, within SLWCs, temperature logarithmically increases from −36.0 to −16.0 ∘C when liquid water path increases from 1.0 to 14.0 g m−2. The SLWC radiative forcing is positive and logarithmically increases from 0.0 to 70.0 W m−2 when liquid water path increases from 1.2 to 3.5 g m−2. This is mainly due to the downward longwave component that logarithmically increases from 0 to 90 W m−2 when liquid water path increases from 1.0 to 3.5 g m−2. The attenuation of shortwave incoming irradiance (that can reach more than 100 W m−2) is almost compensated for by the upward shortwave irradiance because of high values of surface albedo. Based on our study, we can extrapolate that, over the Antarctic continent, SLWCs have a maximum radiative forcing that is rather weak over the eastern Antarctic Plateau (0 to 7 W m−2) but 3 to 5 times larger over West Antarctica (0 to 40 W m−2), maximizing in summer and over the Antarctic Peninsula.</p
Effects of Goat Manure Fertilization on Grain Nutritional Value in Two Contrasting Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Varieties Cultivated at High Altitudes
In this study, the effects of goat manure fertilization (2, 4, 8, and 12 Tn/ha) on the grain yield, organic compounds, and mineral composition of two quinoa varieties (CICA-17 and Regalona Baer) were evaluated under field conditions in Northwest Argentina. The results indicate that fertilization improved the quinoa grain yield and total protein content. Low manure doses positively affected the fatty acid (FA) profile, and significant changes were determined for the monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acid contents of CICA-17 and on the saturated fatty acid (SFA) contents of R. Baer seeds. The amino acid contents were positively affected in CICA-17 and negatively in R. Baer. Soluble sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose), major elements (K, Si, P, Mg, Ca, and Na), minor elements (Fe, Mn, Al, Zn, and Cu), and ultratrace elements (Cr and Li) were detected and discussed in terms of their impact on human nutrition and health. Conclusively, manure addition affected some essential amino acids, the desaturase activity, the n6:n3 and SFA/UFA ratios, the atherogenic index, soluble sugars, and mineral content, and the fatty acid metabolism of each variety was differently affected, especially the C16 and C18 desaturase activity, which responded differently to various manure doses. Manure addition is a promising alternative to improve the nutritional quality and functionality of quinoa grains, but the response is not linear
The ALADIN system and its canonical model configurations AROME CY41T1 and ALARO CY40T1
The ALADIN System is a numerical weather prediction (NWP) system developed by the international ALADIN consortium for operational weather forecasting and research purposes. It is based on a code that is shared with the global model IFS of the ECMWF and the ARPEGE model of Meteo-France. Today, this system can be used to provide a multitude of high-resolution limited-area model (LAM) configurations. A few configurations are thoroughly validated and prepared to be used for the operational weather forecasting in the 16 partner institutes of this consortium. These configurations are called the ALADIN canonical model configurations (CMCs). There are currently three CMCs: the ALADIN baseline CMC, the AROME CMC and the ALARO CMC. Other configurations are possible for research, such as process studies and climate simulations.
The purpose of this paper is (i) to define the ALADIN System in relation to the global counterparts IFS and ARPEGE, (ii) to explain the notion of the CMCs, (iii) to document their most recent versions, and (iv) to illustrate the process of the validation and the porting of these configurations to the operational forecast suites of the partner institutes of the ALADIN consortium.
This paper is restricted to the forecast model only; data assimilation techniques and postprocessing techniques are part of the ALADIN System but they are not discussed here
Effects of Goat Manure Fertilization on Grain Nutritional Value in Two Contrasting Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Varieties Cultivated at High Altitudes
In this study, the effects of goat manure fertilization (2, 4, 8, and 12 Tn/ha) on the grain yield, organic compounds, and mineral composition of two quinoa varieties (CICA-17 and Regalona Baer) were evaluated under field conditions in Northwest Argentina. The results indicate that fertilization improved the quinoa grain yield and total protein content. Low manure doses positively affected the fatty acid (FA) profile, and significant changes were determined for the monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acid contents of CICA-17 and on the saturated fatty acid (SFA) contents of R. Baer seeds. The amino acid contents were positively affected in CICA-17 and negatively in R. Baer. Soluble sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose), major elements (K, Si, P, Mg, Ca, and Na), minor elements (Fe, Mn, Al, Zn, and Cu), and ultratrace elements (Cr and Li) were detected and discussed in terms of their impact on human nutrition and health. Conclusively, manure addition affected some essential amino acids, the desaturase activity, the n6:n3 and SFA/UFA ratios, the atherogenic index, soluble sugars, and mineral content, and the fatty acid metabolism of each variety was differently affected, especially the C16 and C18 desaturase activity, which responded differently to various manure doses. Manure addition is a promising alternative to improve the nutritional quality and functionality of quinoa grains, but the response is not linear.EEA FamailláFil: González, Juan A. Fundación Miguel Lillo. Instituto de Ecología, Comportamiento y Conservación; ArgentinaFil: Yousif, Sawsan K.M. Al-Baha University. College of Arts and Science in Baljurashi. Department of Chemistry; Arabia SauditaFil: Erazzu, Luis Ernesto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: Erazzu, Luis Ernesto. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Agronomía y Zootecnia; ArgentinaFil: Martinez Calsina, Luciana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: Lizarraga, Emilio. Fundación Miguel Lillo. Instituto de Fisiología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Lizarraga, Emilio. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; ArgentinaFil: Omer, Rihab M. Al-Baha University. College of Arts and Science in Baljurashi. Department of Chemistry; Arabia SauditaFil: Bazile, D. CIRAD, UMR SENS; FranciaFil: Bazile, D. University Paul Valery Montpellier 3. CIRAD, IRD; FranciaFil: Fernandez-Turiel, J.L. CSIC. Geosciences Barcelona; EspañaFil: Buedo, Sebastián E. Fundación Miguel Lillo. Instituto de Ecología, Comportamiento y Conservación; ArgentinaFil: Rejas, M. CSIC. Geosciences Barcelona; EspañaFil: Fontana, Paola Daniela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: González, D.A. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto de Bioprospección y Fisiología Vegetal (INBIOFIV); ArgentinaFil: González, D.A. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Bioprospección y Fisiología Vegetal (INBIOFIV); ArgentinaFil:Oviedo, A. Fundación Miguel Lillo. Instituto de Fisiología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Alzuaibr, Fahad Mohammed. University of Tabuk. Faculty of Science. Department of Biology; Arabia SauditaFil: Al-Qahtani, Salem Mesfer. University of Tabuk. University College of Tayma. Biology Department; Arabia SauditaFil: Al-Harbi, Nadi Awad. University of Tabuk. University College of Tayma. Biology Department; Arabia SauditaFil: Ibrahim, Mohamed F.M. Ain Shams University. Faculty of Agriculture. Department of Agricultural Botany; EgiptoFil: Van Nieuwenhove, Carina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; ArgentinaFil: Van Nieuwenhove, Carina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos. Laboratorio de Ecofisiología Tecnológica; Argentin
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