Atmospheric water vapor transport: Estimation of continental precipitation recycling and parameterization of a simple climate model

The advective transport of atmospheric water vapor and its role in global hydrology and the water balance of continental regions are discussed and explored. The data set consists of ten years of global wind and humidity observations interpolated onto a regular grid by objective analysis. Atmospheric water vapor fluxes across the boundaries of selected continental regions are displayed graphically. The water vapor flux data are used to investigate the sources of continental precipitation. The total amount of water that precipitates on large continental regions is supplied by two mechanisms: (1) advection from surrounding areas external to the region; and (2) evaporation and transpiration from the land surface recycling of precipitation over the continental area. The degree to which regional precipitation is supplied by recycled moisture is a potentially significant climate feedback mechanism and land surface-atmosphere interaction, which may contribute to the persistence and intensification of droughts. A simplified model of the atmospheric moisture over continents and simultaneous estimates of regional precipitation are employed to estimate, for several large continental regions, the fraction of precipitation that is locally derived. In a separate, but related, study estimates of ocean to land water vapor transport are used to parameterize an existing simple climate model, containing both land and ocean surfaces, that is intended to mimic the dynamics of continental climates

The quantum correlation between the selection of the problem and that of the solution sheds light on the mechanism of the quantum speed up

In classical problem solving, there is of course correlation between the selection of the problem on the part of Bob (the problem setter) and that of the solution on the part of Alice (the problem solver). In quantum problem solving, this correlation becomes quantum. This means that Alice contributes to selecting 50% of the information that specifies the problem. As the solution is a function of the problem, this gives to Alice advanced knowledge of 50% of the information that specifies the solution. Both the quadratic and exponential speed ups are explained by the fact that quantum algorithms start from this advanced knowledge.Comment: Earlier version submitted to QIP 2011. Further clarified section 1, "Outline of the argument", submitted to Phys Rev A, 16 page

Leishmaniasis: new approaches to disease control.

The leishmaniases afflict the world's poorest populations. Among the two million new cases each year in the 88 countries where the disease is endemic (fig 1), it is estimated that 80% earn less than $2 a day. Human infections with Leishmania protozoan parasites, transmitted via the bite of a sandfly, cause visceral, cutaneous, or mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. The global burden of leishmaniasis has remained stable for some years, causing 2.4 million disability adjusted life years (DALYs) lost and 59 000 deaths in 2001. Neglected by researchers and funding agencies, leishmaniasis control strategies have varied little for decades, but in recent years there have been exciting advances in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. These include an immunochromatographic dipstick for diagnosing visceral leishmaniasis; the licensing of miltefosine, the first oral drug for visceral leishmaniasis; and evidence that the incidence of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in children can be reduced by providing dogs with deltamethrin collars. There is also hope that the first leishmaniasis vaccine will become available within a decade. Here we review these developments and identify priorities for research

How to Conduct a Successful Tea Tasting Event

Hosting a tea tasting event can be challenging for small tea shop owners or owners new to the industry. Knowledge of tea is not a guarantee a tea tasting will be a success. This handbook will be a reference for tea rooms, coffee shops, spas, restaurants, hotels, and gourmet retail outlets or shops to use when planning a tea tasting events. The objective is to provide tea rooms, coffee shops, spas, restaurants, hotels, gourmet retail outlets or shops and others in the tea industry with the tools to hold a successful tea tasting event. Each tea tasting event will have different requirements, but the goals will probably be the same, to increase sales. The handbook will serve as a guide or road map to a creating successful event. Starting with the benefits of holding a tea tasting, the next challenge is to determine the style of tasting appropriate for the location. The style of tasting determines the equipment needed for the tasting. Marketing the tea tasting event to the appropriate market is critical to success. Next comes preparation, then execution of the event. Finally, one often overlooked task that should be part of every event is evaluation of the event

The Birth of Nations: Understanding Variation in Political Development Across Post-Communist States

Alissandra StoyanSince the collapse of communism in the early 1990s, researchers have sought to understand the variations in political development across post-communist Europe and Central Asia. However, much of the existing research focuses only on the outcomes of specific countries within the postcommunist space or specific regions, such as former Soviet Union states. There are many compelling findings from these works; however, the existing research designs, which utilize small-N structures over narrow temporal ranges are ill suited to identify generalizable features of political outcomes and patterns across the entire post-communist region. In this project, I employ a large-N cross-sectional time series data structure to explore the relationship between the postcommunist states and democracy. This research design allows for deriving more generalizable conclusions across the post-communist space. Future research should move in the direction of a wider temporal range and empirically testing for a broader set of factors influencing the political development of post-communist states

Impasse Resolution Mechanisms and Teacher Strikes

Public school teachers have no right to strike under Michigan law, but the power to strike exists. Michigan residents witnessed forty teacher strikes in the autumn of 1973 alone. Among them was the forty-four-day strike by Detroit teachers. The strikes during the past fall were not an unfortunate aberration. Ninety percent of the strikes in Michigan are by school teachers. In the public education context, the threat of a strike no longer brings negotiating parties together. A new mechanism for resolution of deadlocks in teacher-school board contract disputes is needed. This article describes the problem, outlines impasse resolution procedures presently used, and proposes a mechanism better suited to the needs of the public

Fruit and Vegetable Intake Exceeds National Average Among Food Pantry Clients

IMPACT. 1: 79 participants, 3 pantries (with weekly access to fresh produce), randomly assigned to intervention/control. Intervention participants received laminated copy of MyPlate & consumer message, "make half your plate fruits and vegetables"; viewed daily, 1 month. -- 2. 79 participants; 53 completed follow up assessments. Result: Regular (weekly) access to FV may have contributed to reported consumption of 4 servings of FV daily – nearly 1 serving greater than US average of 3.04. -- 3. 79 participants; 53 completed follow up assessments. Result: No significant differences in FV consumption (p<.53), FV behavioral intention (p <.9) and perceived diet healthfulness (p< .3) were found between intervention and control groups.OSU PARTNERS: College of Public Health, Division of Health Behavior & Health Promotion; College of Medicine, Division of General Internal MedicineCOMMUNITY PARTNERS: Mid-Ohio Foodbank; Lutheran Social Services of Central; Ohio Food Pantries; Broad Street Presbyterian Church; Food Pantry; Kroger Community Pantry at Mid-Ohio FoodbankPRIMARY CONTACT: Gail L. Kaye ([email protected])Increased dietary intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with lower risk of chronic diseases. However, most Americans don't meet dietary guidelines for fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption, particularly those in low income categories. MyPlate messages were developed to remind food pantry consumers to "make half your plate fruits and vegetables." This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of the MyPlate icon and this consumer message on dietary intake of FV in food pantry clients