Indian summer monsoon prediction and simulation in CFSv2 coupled model

Using carefully designed coupled model experiments, we have demonstrated that the prediction skill of the all India summer monsoon rainfall (AISMR) in Climate Forecast System version 2 (CFSv2) model basically comes from the El-Niňo Southern Oscillation-Monsoon teleconnection. On the other hand, contrary to observations, the Indian Ocean coupled dynamics do not have a crucial role in controlling the prediction skill of the AISMR in CFSv2. We show that the inadequate representation of the Indian Ocean coupled dynamics in CFSv2 is responsible for this dichotomy. Hence, the improvement of the Indian Ocean coupled dynamics is essential for further improvement of the AISMR prediction skill in CFSv2

A Case Report on Siraja Granthi

Siraja Granthi is one among the Granthi Roga described in various Ayurvedic classics. It denotes a pathological condition characterised by an elevated, quickly developing and round swelling of veins, which are non pulsating and painless. Symptomatologies of Siraja Granthi indicate the correlation towards the varicose veins. Ayurvedic management has multiple time tested modalities of treatment such as external application of Sahacharadi Taila, internal Basti and Para surgical procedure such as Raktamokshana,for the management of Siraja Granthi. A hypothesis was made that, whether Raktamokshana by Siravyadha method which is comparatively safe, has extended systemic action quoted to be Ardha Chikitsa and can be employed in patients with Siraja Granthi / varicose veins. Case Presentation: A 39 year old male patient visited OPD of Shalya Tantra, GAMC, Bengaluru, who had presented with complaint of dull aching pain which aggravates specially by the end of the day and dilated, engorged veins over right lower limb for about 2 years associated with gradual onset of mild edema around the right ankle, discoloration and itching for last 4 months. It was planned to treat the patient with Raktamokshana by Siravyadha 4 sittings at an interval of 7 days and Sahacharadi Kashaya 15 ml Bid given internally for 28 days. Conclusion: Raktamokshana (Siravyadha) line of treatment was found to be beneficial in relieving pain, swelling, itching and discoloration around the affected regions of varicose veins

Processes and boreal summer impacts of the 2004 El Nino Modoki: An AGCM study

The sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) of tropical Pacific in the boreal summer of 2004 show a distinct tripolar pattern with warm SSTA in the central tropical Pacific, flanked on both sides by cold SSTA. The distinct conditions during the boreal summer of 2004 and the following winter were catalogued as a new coupled phenomenon named El Niño Modoki in a recent generalized study. The 2004 event is unique in the sense that it occurred without any co-occurring IOD, thereby without any possibility of external modulation of its processes and impacts in the tropics. Using observed data since 1979, we show that the 2004 event indeed involves the distinct equatorial coupled ocean-atmosphere dynamics different from the conventional El Niño. Further, using an AGCM, we confirm that during boreal summer anomalous twin Walker circulation cells associated with the El Niño Modoki SSTA give rise to observed rainfall anomalies in the tropic

Challenges in Fabricating Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stacks for Portable Applications: A Short Review

Despite being the most efficient and quiet operation type of fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) deal with several constraints in terms of fabrication cost, material selection and durability issues due to their high operating temperature. The high operating temperature of SOFCs limits their stationary and large-scale applications. Moreover, these constraints restrict the commercialization of portable SOFCs. Therefore, the operation temperature of SOFCs must be reduced to overcome the aforementioned problems. However, this task is challenging because the operation temperature mainly affects the material preparation and the stack design to produce the electrical power needed for small-scale applications. This paper provides an overview of the challenges faced by each component such as the materials, the design of stack, fabrication cost and related research in fabricating high power SOFC stacks

Evaluation of the CERES-Rice version 3.0 model for the climate conditions of the state of Kerala, India

The CERES-Rice version 3.0 crop growth simulation model was calibrated and evaluated for the agroclimatic conditions of the state of Kerala in India. Genetic coefficients were developed for the rice crop variety Jaya and used for the model evaluation studies. In four experiments using different transplanting dates during the virippu season (June to September) under rainfed conditions (i.e. no irrigation), the flowering date was predicted within an error of four days and date of crop maturity within an error of two days. The model was found to predict the phenological events of the crop fairly well. The grain yield predicted by the model was within an error of 3 for all the transplanting dates, but the straw yield prediction was within an error of 27. The high accuracy of the grain yield prediction showed the ability of the model to simulate the growth of the crop in the agroclimatic conditions of Kerala. It can be concluded from this study that the model can be used for making various strategic and tactical decisions related to agricultural planning in the state

Remote sensing of spectral signatures of tropospheric aerosols

With the launch of the German Aerospace Agency's (DLR) Modular Opto-electronic Scanner (MOS) sensor on board the Indian Remote Sensing satellite (IRS-P3) launched by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in March 1996, 13 channel multi-spectral data in the range of 408 to 1010nm at high radiometric resolution, precision, and with narrow spectral bands have been available for a variety of land, atmospheric and oceanic studies. We found that these data are best for validation of radiative transfer model and the corresponding code developed by one of the authors at Space Applications Centre, and called ATMRAD (abbreviated for ATMospheric RADiation). Once this model/code is validated, it can be used for retrieving information on tropospheric aerosols over ocean or land. This paper deals with two clear objectives, viz., (1) Validation of ATMRAD model/code using MOS data and synchronously measured atmospheric data, and if found performing well, then to (2) derive relationship between MOS radiances and Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT). The data validation procedure essentially involves near-synchronous measurements of columnar aerosol optical thickness and altitude profiles of aerosol concentration using ground-based multi-filter solar radiometers and Argon-ion Lidar, respectively and computation of the top-of-the-atmosphere (TOA) radiances from a low reflecting target (near clear water reservoir in the present study) using the ATMRAD model. The results show that the model performance is satisfactory and a relationship between the spectral parameters of MOS radiances and aerosol optical thickness can be established. In this communication, we present the details of the experiments conducted, database, validation of the ATMRAD model and development of the relationship between AOT and MOS radiance