Cloud and convection frequencies relative to small-scale geographic features

January 1990.Principal investigator: Thomas H. Vonder Haar.Includes bibliographical references.Visible and infrared data of GOES West were collected for nine hours each day during the summer of 1986. Cloud frequency charts were computed for the area from Mississippi east to Georgia and the Gulf of Mexico north to Tennessee for each of the nine hours as well as convection frequency charts to four convection intensities as defined by the temperature of the cloud top. Strong diurnal tendencies were noted. As was expected, these charts show that over the land areas cloudiness is at a maximum during the early afternoon hours with convection at a maximum in the late afternoon and evening. Cloudiness and convection are at a maximum during the nocturnal hours over the Gulf of Mexico. Cloud frequency shows a strong relationship to small terrain features. Small fresh water bodies have cloud minima in the afternoon hours relative to the surrounding terrain while higher terrain, especially if there is a sharp slope, have cloud maxima. The adjacent lower terrain exhibits afternoon cloud minima due to divergence caused by the valley to mountain breeze. The sea breeze-induced convergence causes relative cloud maxima over near-shore land areas with the stronger maxima over peninsulas. It is shown that the sea breeze results in convergent low level flow regardless of the weather over a peninsula or over land adjacent to a bay or inlet. Cloud frequencies tend to be larger both in magnitude and areal extent over peninsulas. Small scale geographical features show no relationship to convection, but larger peninsulas and extensive higher terrain show late afternoon convection maxima.Research supported by National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contract NAS8-36472 and by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NESDIS Grant NA85-RAH-05045

Satellite moisture profiling of eastern Pacific moisture plumes

Spring 2000.Includes bibliographical references.Sponsored by NASA NAG5-3449

Coronary artery calcium scoring in individuals at risk for coronary artery disease:current status and future perspectives

The aim of this review is to provide clinicians with an overview of the role of coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring across the spectrum ranging from asymptomatic individuals to chronic chest pain patients. We will briefly introduce the technical background of CAC scoring, summarize the major guidelines per type of patient at risk and discuss latest research with respect to CAC. Finally, the reader should be able to determine when CAC scoring is indicated or may be of added value

Executive (dys)function after stroke: special considerations for behavioral pharmacology

Stroke is a world-wide leading cause of death and long-term disability with concurrent secondary consequences that are largely comprised of mood dysfunction, as well as sensory, motor, and cognitive deficits. This review focuses on the cognitive deficits associated with stroke specific to executive dysfunction (including decision making, working memory, and cognitive flexibility) in humans, non-human primates, and additional animal models. Further, we review some of the cellular and molecular underpinnings of the individual components of executive dysfunction and their neuroanatomical substrates after stroke, with an emphasis on the changes that occur during biogenic monoamine neurotransmission. We concentrate primarily on changes in the catecholaminergic (dopaminergic and noradrenergic) and serotonergic systems at the levels of neurotransmitter synthesis, distribution, re-uptake, and degradation. We also discuss potential secondary stroke-related behavioral deficits (specifically, post-stroke depression as well as drug-abuse potential and addiction) and their relationship with stroke-induced deficits in executive function, an especially important consideration given that the average age of the human stroke population is decreasing. In the final sections, we address pharmacological considerations for the treatment of ischemia and the subsequent functional impairment, as well as current limitations in the field of stroke and executive function research

Computed tomography for myocardial characterization in ischemic heart disease:a state-of-the-art review

This review provides an overview of the currently available computed tomography (CT) techniques for myocardial tissue characterization in ischemic heart disease, including CT perfusion and late iodine enhancement. CT myocardial perfusion imaging can be performed with static and dynamic protocols for the detection of ischemia and infarction using either single- or dual-energy CT modes. Late iodine enhancement may be used for the analysis of myocardial infarction. The accuracy of these CT techniques is highly dependent on the imaging protocol, including acquisition timing and contrast administration. Additionally, the options for qualitative and quantitative analysis and the accuracy of each technique are discussed

Executive (dys)function after traumatic brain injury: special considerations for behavioral pharmacology

Executive function is an umbrella term that includes cognitive processes such as decision-making, impulse control, attention, behavioral flexibility, and working memory. Each of these processes depends largely upon monoaminergic (dopaminergic, serotonergic, and noradrenergic) neurotransmission in the frontal cortex, striatum, and hippocampus, among other brain areas. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) induces disruptions in monoaminergic signaling along several steps in the neurotransmission process – synthesis, distribution, and breakdown – and in turn, produces long-lasting deficits in several executive function domains. Understanding how TBI alters monoamingeric neurotransmission and executive function will advance basic knowledge of the underlying principles that govern executive function and potentially further treatment of cognitive deficits following such injury. In this review, we examine the influence of TBI on the following measures of executive function – impulsivity, behavioral flexibility, and working memory. We also describe monoaminergic-systems changes following TBI. Given that TBI patients experience alterations in monoaminergic signaling following injury, they may represent a unique population with regard to pharmacotherapy. We conclude this review by discussing some considerations for pharmacotherapy in the field of TBI

Investigation of the radiative boundary conditions during the development of the southwest monsoon Saudi Arabian heat low, An

January 1982.Includes bibliographical references.Progress report no. 2 on the cooperative research project between the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University and the Faculty of Meteorology and Environmental Science at King Abdul-Aziz University in accordance with the CID-ARME TED Project of the University of Arizona. Period covered August 16-November 30, 1981.CID contract #CSU-SA-KAU-02

Description of the cloud layer experiment (CLEX), field phase, surface data archive

December 1996.Includes bibliographical references.Sponsored by the DOD Center for Geosciences, Phase II grant DAAHO4-94-G-0420