A westward extension of the warm pool leads to a westward extension of the Walker circulation, drying eastern Africa

Observations and simulations link anthropogenic greenhouse and aerosol emissions with rapidly increasing Indian Ocean sea surface temperatures (SSTs). Over the past 60 years, the Indian Ocean warmed two to three times faster than the central tropical Pacific, extending the tropical warm pool to the west by ~40° longitude (><4,000 km). This propensity toward rapid warming in the Indian Ocean has been the dominant mode of interannual variability among SSTs throughout the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans (55°E–140°W) since at least 1948, explaining more variance than anomalies associated with the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). In the atmosphere, the primary mode of variability has been a corresponding trend toward greatly increased convection and precipitation over the tropical Indian Ocean. The temperature and rainfall increases in this region have produced a westward extension of the western, ascending branch of the atmospheric Walker circulation. Diabatic heating due to increased mid-tropospheric water vapor condensation elicits a westward atmospheric response that sends an easterly flow of dry air aloft toward eastern Africa. In recent decades (1980–2009), this response has suppressed convection over tropical eastern Africa, decreasing precipitation during the ‘long-rains’ season of March–June. This trend toward drought contrasts with projections of increased rainfall in eastern Africa and more ‘El Niño-like’ conditions globally by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Increased Indian Ocean SSTs appear likely to continue to strongly modulate the Warm Pool circulation, reducing precipitation in eastern Africa, regardless of whether the projected trend in ENSO is realized. These results have important food security implications, informing agricultural development, environmental conservation, and water resource planning

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity &gt; 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

Climatic variations and desertification in the Great Lakes region (main Ethiopian rift valley).

none3The presentation is about the climate changes that came out from the analysis of a large set of temperature and rainfal data from several meteo stations widely distributed across the countrynoneBILLI P.; FAZZINI M.; SHANKO D.Billi, Paolo; Fazzini, M.; Shanko, D

Краніофаціальна блок-резекція при злоякісних пухлинах основи черепа

For the period from 2001 till 2007 51 patients with craniofacial tumours were operated by joint brigade of neurosurgeons, oncologists, plastic surgeons; 28 patients had non malignant, 23 — malignant tumours. Primary surgical interventions were performed to 14 (61%) patients, repeated — to 9 (39%). The block-resection was performed at 17 (74%) patients. The comparative analysis of patients’ survival rates at craniofacial tumours was made. Surviving rates for 5 years with and without relapses was 53%, the relapsfree period for 3 years was 31,2%, for 5 years — 21,8%.За период с 2001 по 2007 г. совместной бригадой нейрохирургов, онкологов и пластических хирургов оперирован 51 больной по поводу краниофациальных опухолей, в том числе 28 — доброкачественных, 23 — злокачественных. Первичное хирургическое вмешательство произведено 14 (61%) больным, повторные — 9 (39%). Блок-резекция осуществлена у 17 (74%) больных. Проведен сравнительный анализ показателей выживаемости больных с краниофациальными опухолями. В течение 5 лет с рецидивами и без них жили 53% пациентов, 3 лет без рецидивов — 31,2%, 5 лет — 21,8%.За період з 2001 по 2007 р. спільною бригадою нейрохірургів, онкологів та пластичних хірургів оперований 51 хворий з краніофаціальними пухлинами, в тому числі 28 — з доброякісними, 23 — з злоякісними. Первинне хірургічне втручання здійснене у 14 хворих, повторне — у 9. Блок-резекція застосована у 17 хворих. Проведений порівняльний аналіз показників виживання хворих з краніофаціальними пухлинами. Протягом 5 років жили з рецидивами і без таких 53% пацієнтів, 3 років без рецидивів — 31,2%, 5 років — 21,8%.

Microfluidic Magnetic Mixing at Low Reynolds Numbers and in Stagnant Fluids

Microfluidic mixing becomes a necessity when thorough sample homogenization is required in small volumes of fluid, such as in lab-on-a-chip devices. For example, efficient mixing is extraordinarily challenging in capillary-filling microfluidic devices and in microchambers with stagnant fluids. To address this issue, specifically designed geometrical features can enhance the effect of diffusion and provide efficient mixing by inducing chaotic fluid flow. This scheme is known as “passive” mixing. In addition, when rapid and global mixing is essential, “active” mixing can be applied by exploiting an external source. In particular, magnetic mixing (where a magnetic field acts to stimulate mixing) shows great potential for high mixing efficiency. This method generally involves magnetic beads and external (or integrated) magnets for the creation of chaotic motion in the device. However, there is still plenty of room for exploiting the potential of magnetic beads for mixing applications. Therefore, this review article focuses on the advantages of magnetic bead mixing along with recommendations on improving mixing in low Reynolds number flows (Re ≤ 1) and in stagnant fluids.</jats:p