The response of tropospheric circulation to perturbations in lower-stratospheric temperature

A multiple regression analysis of the NCEP-NCAR reanalysis dataset shows a response to increased solar activity of a weakening and poleward shift of the subtropical jets. This signal is separable from other influences, such as those of El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and is very similar to that seen in previous studies using global circulation models (GCMs) of the effects of an increase in solar spectral irradiance. The response to increased stratospheric (volcanic) aerosol is found in the data to be a weakening and equatorward shift of the jets. The GCM studies of the solar influence also showed an impact on tropospheric mean meridional circulation with a weakening and expansion of the tropical Hadley cells and a poleward shift of the Ferrel cells. To understand the mechanisms whereby the changes in solar irradiance affect tropospheric winds and circulation, experiments have been carried out with a simplified global circulation model. The results show that generic heating of the lower stratosphere tends to weaken the subtropical jets and the tropospheric mean meridional circulations. The positions of the jets, and the extent of the Hadley cells, respond to the distribution of the stratospheric heating, with low-latitude heating forcing them to move poleward, and high-latitude or latitudinally uniform heating forcing them equatorward. The patterns of response are similar to those that are found to be a result of the solar or volcanic influences, respectively, in the data analysis. This demonstrates that perturbations to the heat balance of the lower stratosphere, such as those brought about by solar or volcanic activity, can produce changes in the mean tropospheric circulation, even without any direct forcing below the tropopause

Lantana: Current Management Status and Future Prospects

Crop Production/Industries,

Lantana (Lantana camara L.) biocontrol agents in Australia with possible options for India and Sri Lanka

The focus of this short article is the biocontrol agents of the globally-important species - lantana (Lantana camara L.), which was introduced as an ornamental plant during the 18th and 19th Centuries across continents. Lantana is now naturalized in most continents and causing problems in human-modified landscapes and is also spreading fast into conservation areas and forests. Currently, where it needs to be controlled, a variety of methods are available, which include manual, mechanical and chemical control, as well as fire. However, none of these methods, even when applied in combinations (integrated) have been sufficiently effective on a landscape level or can be sustainably applied to control large and dense infestations. It appears that future lantana management must be oriented towards re-investing in biocontrol simply because it is not feasible to control lantana over the long term using conventional methods. Numerous biocontrol agents have shown considerable promise but have not been well utilized in countries that have increased risks of further spread. Efforts to manage lantana in Australia are still continuing, with a well-developed National framework, an integrated approach and investment in additional biocontrol agents. South-Asian countries, especially India and Sri Lanka, can certainly benefit from Australian experiences in lantana management and R&D investments in biological control. This is especially so since research on host specificity and the effectiveness of agents would have already been conducted. This would require that both countries, and also, possibly some African countries, re-appraise the risks of lantana and make an increased effort at biocontrol to manage those risks, especially in natural ecosystems and conservation areas, heavily disturbed by tourism activities

Direct Use of Low Enthalpy Deep Geothermal Resources in the East African Rift Valley

Geothermal energy is already harnessed across East Africa to provide hundreds of megawatts of electricity, with significant plans for future expansion towards generation at the gigawatt scale. This power generation utilizes the high steam temperatures (typically more than 200 °C) that are available in several locations in Kenya, Ethiopia and elsewhere. The presence of these high enthalpy resources has deflected attention from the often attractive low and medium enthalpy resources present across a more extensive portion of the region. Geothermally heated water at cooler temperatures (less than 90 °C) could be widely produced by drilling shallower and cheaper boreholes than those required for power production. This low enthalpy resource could be widely exploitable throughout the Rift Valley, offering a low carbon, sustainable, reliable and commercially competitive source of heating, drying and cooling (via absorption chillers) to local farmers and growers, and for low temperature commercial and industrial uses. Applications of this type would displace expensive fossil fuels, reducing costs and carbon emissions as well as improving the region’s energy and food security. The power input for pump systems can be accommodated by relatively small generators, so direct heat projects could be beneficial to consumers in areas with no grid access

Effects of age, length, and pattern of burial on survival of Mikania micrantha stem sections

For many landholders in the South Pacific, weed control of Mikania micrantha Kunth is conducted by manual or mechanical means, leaving fragments on or below the ground to reshoot and grow. Effects of age, length (number of nodes), and pattern of burial on the survival of stem sections of M. micrantha were examined in the field in Viti Levu, Fiji. The experiment was arranged in a randomized factorial design, with number of nodes, age of stem sections, and pattern (depth and orientation) of stem burial as factors. Stem sections with two or three nodes had significantly greater survival (30% and 25%, respectively) than those with one node (12%). Mature stem sections had a significantly greater survival rate (31%) than young stem sections (13%) when buried in either the horizontal or the vertical position. Vertical plantings had significantly greater survival (43%) than horizontal plantings (10%), and for both orientations survival decreased with depth of burial. Only 8% of stem sections survived when cut into smaller (3 to 5 cm) sections and buried at a depth of 10 cm. This study revealed that cutting the M. micrantha stems into smaller sections

Proposed plant host test list for assessing the risk of biological control agents for Clidemia hirta (L.) D.Don.

Background The following proposed plant host list is for the testing of potential biological control agents of Clidemia hirta (L.) D. Don (Melastomataceae). Post-release evidence from other countries suggests a promising outlook for biological control of C. hirta in Australia. Seven agents have already been released in Hawaii for this purpose, with six of these becoming established (Nakahara et al. 1992). Liothrips urichi Karny (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) is the first candidate biological control species proposed to undergo testing in Australia. The thrips have been released as a biological control agent for C. hirta in Fiji (1930), the Solomon Islands (1938, 1973 and 1975), Hawaii (1953), Palau (1960 and 1972), and American Samoa (1974) (Conant 2009). Liothrips urichi has established in all but the Solomon Islands and appears to be effective in open, sunny areas (Conant 2009). Host specificity of this insect has been demonstrated both within its native range and within countries where it has been introduced as a biological control of C. hirta (Table 1)

World Small Animal Veterinary Association Vaccination Guidelines Group: vaccination guidelines for cats and dogs pictorial factsheets 2015

Pictorial fact sheet describing symptomatic presentation and guidelines for vaccination of cats and dogs for Canine Distemper Virus, Canine Adenovirus-1, Canine Parvovirus, Feline Parvovirus, Feline Herpesvirus, Feline Calicivirus and Rabies Virus

Live-Fly, Large-Scale Field Experimentation for Large Numbers of Fixed-Wing UAVs

In this paper, we present extensive advances in live-fly field experimentation capabilities of large numbers of fixed-wing aerial robots, and highlight both the enabling technologies as well as the challenges addressed in such large-scale flight operations. We showcase results from recent field tests, including the autonomous launch, flight, and landing of 50 UAVs, which illuminate numerous operational lessons learned and generate rich multi-UAV datasets. We detail the design and open architecture of the testbed, which intentionally leverages low-cost and open-source components, aimed at promoting continued advances and alignment of multi-robot systems research and practice

Handover patterns: an observational study of critical care physicians

Abstract Background Handover (or 'handoff') is the exchange of information between health professionals that accompanies the transfer of patient care. This process can result in adverse events. Handover 'best practices', with emphasis on standardization, have been widely promoted. However, these recommendations are based mostly on expert opinion and research on medical trainees. By examining handover communication of experienced physicians, we aim to inform future research, education and quality improvement. Thus, our objective is to describe handover communication patterns used by attending critical care physicians in an academic centre and to compare them with currently popular, standardized schemes for handover communication. Methods Prospective, observational study using video recording in an academic intensive care unit in Ontario, Canada. Forty individual patient handovers were randomly selected out of 10 end-of-week handover sessions of attending physicians. Two coders independently reviewed handover transcripts documenting elements of three communication schemes: SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendations); SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan); and a standard medical admission note. Frequency and extent of questions asked by incoming physicians were measured as well. Analysis consisted of descriptive statistics. Results Mean (± standard deviation) duration of patient-specific handovers was 2 min 58 sec (± 57 sec). The majority of handovers' content consisted of recent and current patient status. The remainder included physicians' interpretations and advice. Questions posed by the incoming physicians accounted for 5.8% (± 3.9%) of the handovers' content. Elements of all three standardized communication schemes appeared repeatedly throughout the handover dialogs with no consistent pattern. For example, blocks of SOAP's Assessment appeared 5.2 (± 3.0) times in patient handovers; they followed Objective blocks in only 45.9% of the opportunities and preceded Plan in just 21.8%. Certain communication elements were occasionally absent. For example, SBAR's Recommendation and admission note information about the patient's Past Medical History were absent from 22 (55.0%) and 20 (50.0%), respectively, of patient handovers. Conclusions Clinical handover practice of faculty-level critical care physicians did not conform to any of the three predefined structuring schemes. Further research is needed to examine whether alternative approaches to handover communication can be identified and to identify features of high-quality handover communication.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/112680/1/12913_2011_Article_1919.pd