Large-scale SST anomalies associated with subtropical fronts in the western North Atlantic during FASINEX

We describe the large-scale variability of sea surface temperature (Ts) and fronts in the western North Atlantic Subtropical Convergence Zone from January–June 1986 within an approximately 11° longitude by 10° latitude domain. Fronts were primarily found within interconnected bands separated by \u3c500 km that tended to be located on the periphery of anisotropic Ts spatial anomaly features that propagated westward at about 3 km day–1. Relatively weak and strong (small or large |∇Ts|) segments of the dominant zonally-oriented frontal band (the Subtropical Frontal Zone, or SFZ) shifted westward with these anomaly features, which had characteristic peak-to-peak space scales of up to ≈800 km in the minor axis direction (NW-SE) and time scales of up to ≈275 days, both larger than the scales of mesoscale eddies observed during earlier experiments. Both the main and seasonal thermoclines tended to be elevated (depressed) by several tens of meters beneath cold (warm) anomaly features, suggesting that the influence of eddies on Ts and fronts extends to larger space and longer time scales than those resolved in earlier studies. Because of the very limited spatial and temporal coverage of available subsurface data, however, this relationship could not be verified conclusively. Properties of the anomaly features were consistent with the dispersion of lowest-mode internal Rossby waves, and they were apparently not generated or significantly influenced by wind-driven Ekman transport. A much longer data set, including altimetry and subsurface data, will be required to verify that eddies influence Ts and fronts at these large scales, and if so, to determine the physical processes behind this influence

Large-Scale SST Variability in the Western North Atlantic Subtropical Convergence Zone during FASINEX. Part II: Upper Ocean Heat Balance and Frontogenesis

We analyzed the influence of wind-deriven horizontal heat advection on the large-scale [O(1000) km wavelength] variability of both the upper-ocean mixed-layer heat content and the subtropical frontal zone (SFZ) within an 11° by 10° domain in the western North Atlantic Ocean during FASINEX (January through June 1986). By estimating heat advection due to both Ekman transport and interior geostrophic (Sverdrup minus Ekman) transport from a slab mixed layer heat balance equation using satellite-derived sea surface temperature (Ts) and wind analysis maps, it was found that these processes could not account for the observed variability in either beat content or the SFZ. The annual cycle of surface vertical heat flux had the dominant influence on the heat content. Even when the average heat balance was analyzed during a 4-month time interval when the net influence of the annual cycle was nearly zero (mid-January to mid-May 1986), westward-propagating Ts spatial anomaly features with peak-to-peak scales of several hundred kilometers apparently had the dominant influence on heat content. The influence of Ekman transport appeared to become marginally detectable only when terms in the heat equation were zonally averaged across the entire analysis domain, apparently reducing the influence of the propagating anomaly features. Ekman transport did act to maintain the SFZ during the 4-month interval, and thus may have been ultimately responsible for its existence, but the large-amplitude variability in heat content and the SFZ driven by other processes made this impossible to prove conclusively in the FASINEX region

Westward-propagating SST Anomalies and Baroclinic Eddies in the Sargasso Sea

Previous studies have documented the existence of a zonal band of strong, persistent, westward-propagating sea surface temperature (Ts) anomalies with zonal wavelengths of ≈800 km and periods of ≈200 days that are confined to the subtropical convergence zone (STCZ, roughly 26°–32°N). Two years of satellite-derived sea surface temperature (Ts) and sea surface elevation anomaly (η) maps of the Sargasso Sea (22.5°–33.5°N, 71.5°–59.5°W) are analyzed to determine how these anomalies are forced and why they an confined to the STCZ. A simple anomaly model forced by horizontal eddy currents and damped by a linear feedback mechanism explains many properties of the anomaly response. At wavelengths exceeding several hundred kilometers, forcing by horizontal eddy currents becomes less important relative to atmospheric forcing with increasing wavelength. The anomalies are confined to the STCZ partly because the large mean Ts gradient there enables the horizontal eddy currents to be relatively effective at forcing anomalies. Also, the eddies that force these anomalies, wavelike features with wavelengths of ∼800 km and periods of ∼200 days, are themselves confined to the STCZ. These wavelike eddies were not detecting during earlier experiments such as MODE because the domains within which they were conducted were too small. Within the STCZ, zonal dispersion properties of the eddy field are consistent with baroclinic Rossby wave variability. To the north and south of the STCZ, however, zonal dispersion properties differ substantially from the properties observed within the STCZ. The eddy dispersion properties change abruptly across transition zones 1–2 degree wide centered at 32.5° and 25.5°N. A simple linearized reduced-gravity model is used to demonstrate that interaction between eddies and zonal mean currents can qualitatively account for the change is dispersion properties south of the STCZ, but not to the north within the Gulf Stream recirculation region

Westward-propagating SST Anomaly Features in the Sargasso Sea, 1982–88

Sea surface temperature (Ts) maps of the region from 59.5° to 75.5°W, 22.5° to 33.5°N containing the western North Atlantic Subtropical Convergence Zone (STCZ) were derived from AVHRR/2 images. The 7- year mean annual cycle was removed and the maps were filtered in space and time to represent anomaly variability with wavelengths ≥ 220 km and periods ≥ 50 days. Warm and cold anomaly features were observed cast of 71°W between 26° and 32°N that propagated westward at 3–4 km day−1 and that occasionally exceeded ±1°C in amplitude. They are generally strong and persistent from fall to spring and are only marginally detectable during summer. During 1981–82, 1982–83, and 1985–86, individual features could be followed through the entire fall-spring interval. During 1983–84,1986–87,and 1987–88,they could typically be followed for 2–4 months, and during 1984–85, for only 1–2 months. The features were anisotropic during all fall-spring intervals except 1986–87, and they had characteristic wavelengths of ∼800 km in the minor axis direction and periods of ∼200 days. Local forcing by synoptic atmospheric variability alone could not amount for the existence of these features. Anomaly features propagated westward in a manner consistent with theoretical zonal dispersion properties of first-mode baroclinic Rossby waves, suggesting that the anomalies may be coupled to a field of wavelike eddies. Since the anomalies were confined to the zonal hand of large mean meridional Ts gradients associated with the STCZ, where meridional eddy currents are relatively effective at forcing anomalies these eddy currents could be largely responsible for their existence. In one case, however, the influence of eddies an vertical heat flux at the mixed layer base appeared to be important. The relatively strong and persistent 1985–86 anomaly features appeared during a several-day interval at the onset of relatively stormy fall weather and (presumably) rapid mixed-layer deepening

The Code large-scale meteorological, sea surface temperature, and coastal sea level data set, 1980-84

Meteorological, sea surface temperature, and coastal sea level data were collected along the west coast of North America from northern Baja California to the Alaska/British Columbia border from 1980 to mid-1984 for the large-scale component of the Coastal Ocean Dynamics Experiment (CODE). This report presents statistical summaries and plots of selected meteorological variables, sea surface temperature, and coastal sea level from this data set

Towards an empirical test of realism in cognition

We review recent progress in designing an empirical test of (temporal) realism in cognition. Realism in this context is the property that cognitive variables always have well defined (if possibly unknown) values at all times. We focus most of our attention in this contribution on discussing the exact notion of realism that is to be tested, as we feel this issue has not received enough attention to date. We also give a brief outline of the empirical test, including some comments on an experimental realisation, and we discuss what we should conclude from any purported experimental ‘disproof’ of realism. This contribution is based on Yearsley and Pothos (2014)

Effect of exercise therapy on lipid profile and oxidative stress indicators in patients with type 2 diabetes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Yoga has been shown to be a simple and economical therapeutic modality that may be considered as a beneficial adjuvant for type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study investigated the impact of Hatha yoga and conventional physical training (PT) exercise regimens on biochemical, oxidative stress indicators and oxidant status in patients with type 2 diabetes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This prospective randomized study consisted of 77 type 2 diabetic patients in the Hatha yoga exercise group that were matched with a similar number of type 2 diabetic patients in the conventional PT exercise and control groups. Biochemical parameters such as fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were determined at baseline and at two consecutive three monthly intervals. The oxidative stress indicators (malondialdehyde – MDA, protein oxidation – POX, phospholipase A2 – PLA2 activity) and oxidative status [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities] were measured.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The concentrations of FBG in the Hatha yoga and conventional PT exercise groups after six months decreased by 29.48% and 27.43% respectively (P < 0.0001) and there was a significant reduction in serum TC in both groups (P < 0.0001). The concentrations of VLDL in the managed groups after six months differed significantly from baseline values (P = 0.036). Lipid peroxidation as indicated by MDA significantly decreased by 19.9% and 18.1% in the Hatha yoga and conventional PT exercise groups respectively (P < 0.0001); whilst the activity of SOD significantly increased by 24.08% and 20.18% respectively (P = 0.031). There was no significant difference in the baseline and 6 months activities of PLA2 and catalase after six months although the latter increased by 13.68% and 13.19% in the Hatha yoga and conventional PT exercise groups respectively (P = 0.144).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study demonstrate the efficacy of Hatha yoga exercise on fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, oxidative stress markers and antioxidant status in patients with type 2 diabetes and suggest that Hatha yoga exercise and conventional PT exercise may have therapeutic preventative and protective effects on diabetes mellitus by decreasing oxidative stress and improving antioxidant status.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12608000217303</p

Antiinflammatory Therapy with Canakinumab for Atherosclerotic Disease

Background: Experimental and clinical data suggest that reducing inflammation without affecting lipid levels may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Yet, the inflammatory hypothesis of atherothrombosis has remained unproved. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial of canakinumab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β, involving 10,061 patients with previous myocardial infarction and a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level of 2 mg or more per liter. The trial compared three doses of canakinumab (50 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg, administered subcutaneously every 3 months) with placebo. The primary efficacy end point was nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. RESULTS: At 48 months, the median reduction from baseline in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level was 26 percentage points greater in the group that received the 50-mg dose of canakinumab, 37 percentage points greater in the 150-mg group, and 41 percentage points greater in the 300-mg group than in the placebo group. Canakinumab did not reduce lipid levels from baseline. At a median follow-up of 3.7 years, the incidence rate for the primary end point was 4.50 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group, 4.11 events per 100 person-years in the 50-mg group, 3.86 events per 100 person-years in the 150-mg group, and 3.90 events per 100 person-years in the 300-mg group. The hazard ratios as compared with placebo were as follows: in the 50-mg group, 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.07; P = 0.30); in the 150-mg group, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.98; P = 0.021); and in the 300-mg group, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.99; P = 0.031). The 150-mg dose, but not the other doses, met the prespecified multiplicity-adjusted threshold for statistical significance for the primary end point and the secondary end point that additionally included hospitalization for unstable angina that led to urgent revascularization (hazard ratio vs. placebo, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.95; P = 0.005). Canakinumab was associated with a higher incidence of fatal infection than was placebo. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for all canakinumab doses vs. placebo, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.06; P = 0.31). Conclusions: Antiinflammatory therapy targeting the interleukin-1β innate immunity pathway with canakinumab at a dose of 150 mg every 3 months led to a significantly lower rate of recurrent cardiovascular events than placebo, independent of lipid-level lowering. (Funded by Novartis; CANTOS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01327846.

Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries.

BACKGROUND: As global initiatives increase patient access to surgical treatments, there remains a need to understand the adverse effects of surgery and define appropriate levels of perioperative care. METHODS: We designed a prospective international 7-day cohort study of outcomes following elective adult inpatient surgery in 27 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were death following a complication (failure to rescue) and death in hospital. Process measures were admission to critical care immediately after surgery or to treat a complication and duration of hospital stay. A single definition of critical care was used for all countries. RESULTS: A total of 474 hospitals in 19 high-, 7 middle- and 1 low-income country were included in the primary analysis. Data included 44 814 patients with a median hospital stay of 4 (range 2-7) days. A total of 7508 patients (16.8%) developed one or more postoperative complication and 207 died (0.5%). The overall mortality among patients who developed complications was 2.8%. Mortality following complications ranged from 2.4% for pulmonary embolism to 43.9% for cardiac arrest. A total of 4360 (9.7%) patients were admitted to a critical care unit as routine immediately after surgery, of whom 2198 (50.4%) developed a complication, with 105 (2.4%) deaths. A total of 1233 patients (16.4%) were admitted to a critical care unit to treat complications, with 119 (9.7%) deaths. Despite lower baseline risk, outcomes were similar in low- and middle-income compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Poor patient outcomes are common after inpatient surgery. Global initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments should also address the need for safe perioperative care. STUDY REGISTRATION: ISRCTN5181700

US GODAE: Global Ocean Prediction with the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM)

During the past five to ten years, a broad partnership of institutions under NOPP sponsorship has collaborated in developing and demonstrating the performance and application of eddy-resolving, real-time global- and basin-scale ocean prediction systems using the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM). The partnership represents a broad spectrum of the oceanographic community, bringing together academia, federal agencies, and industry/commercial entities, and spanning modeling, data assimilation, data management and serving, observational capabilities, and application of HYCOM prediction system outputs. In addition to providing real-time, eddy-resolving global- and basin-scale ocean prediction systems for the US Navy and NOAA, this project also offered an outstanding opportunity for NOAA-Navy collaboration and cooperation, ranging from research to the operational level. This paper provides an overview of the global HYCOM ocean prediction system and highlights some of its achievements. An important outcome of this effort is the capability of the global system to provide boundary conditions to even higherresolution regional and coastal models