57 research outputs found
Multi-scale transport and exchange processes in the atmosphere over mountains. Programme and experiment
TEAMx is an international research programme that aims at improving the understanding of exchange processes in the atmosphere over mountains at multiple scales and at advancing the parameterizations of these processes in numerical models for weather and climate prediction–hence its acronyms stands for Multi-scale transport and exchange processes in the atmosphere over mountains – Programme and experiment. TEAMx is a bottom-up initiative promoted by a number of universities, research institutions and operational centres, internationally integrated through a Memorandum of Understanding between inter- ested parties. It is carried out by means of coordinated national, bi-national and multi-national research projects and supported by a Programme Coordination Office at the Department of Atmospheric and Cryospheric Sciences of the University of Innsbruck, Austria. The present document, compiled by the TEAMx Programme Coordination Office, provides a concise overview of the scientific scope of TEAMx. In the interest of accessibility and readability, the document aims at being self-contained and uses only a minimum of references to scientific literature. Greyboxes at the beginning of chapters list the literature sources that provide the scientific basis of the document. This largely builds on review articles published by the journal Atmosphere between 2018 and 2019, in a special issue on Atmospheric Processes over Complex Terrain. A few other important literature pieces have been referenced where appropriate. Interested readers are encouraged to examine the large body of literature summarized and referenced in these articles. Blue boxes have been added to most sub-chapters. Their purpose is to highlight key ideas and proposals for future collaborative research
Outfighting or Outpopulating? Main Reasons for Early Colonial Conquests, 1493-1788
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Evaluating Shallow Convective Mixing and Precipitation Processes Using Isotope Ratios in Water Vapor
Water vapor and clouds both respond to and influence global temperature. Consequently, understanding the processes that control humidity patterns and cloudiness is key for predicting future climate accurately. To elucidate the physical processes controlling water cycle feedbacks in the subtropics, this thesis applies new observational techniques to evaluate moisture and pollutant transport between the Hawaiian boundary layer--near ocean surface--and the dry free troposphere above. Beginning with a case study, paired measurements of humidity and the ratio of heavy-to-light oxygen isotopes in vapor are used to characterize vertical moisture transport as a simple mixing process. Strong mixing events are found to shape moisture transport for multiple days at a time, highlighting the need to understand which factors control the strength of convective mixing.
Large-scale dynamical controls on convective mixing near Hawaii are subsequently evaluated, and the relative importance of large-scale transport and microphysical processes in modifying humidity and pollutant distributions is investigated. Based on isotopic theory, strong convective events are classified as having either high or low precipitation efficiency. While the latter are associated with a branching of the subtropical jet, which facilitates advection of relatively high concentrations of methane and ozone from Eurasia, the former are associated with tropical plumes that transport relatively clean and moist air. Particle number concentrations, in comparison, exhibit clear sensitivity to the precipitation processes associated with convection, with higher precipitation efficiency events resulting in scavenging of pre-existing aerosol that, in turn, appears to facilitate new particle formation at higher altitudes.
To determine whether the resultant variations in vertical distributions of moisture and pollutants influence cloud fields, isotopic retrievals from satellite are used to define precipitation efficiency over broader regions. Precipitation efficiency is shown to be a strong indicator of low-level cloud fraction but only in areas of active convection. This finding is consistent with the idea that as cloud evaporation is favored over precipitation, the resultant drying of the boundary layer inhibits low-cloud formation. The results thus provide critical observational constraints for future studies wishing to evaluate cloud feedbacks and, ultimately, climate model sensitivity
So Why Were the Aztecs Conquered, and What Were the Wider Implications? Testing Military Superiority as a Cause of Europe's Pre- industrial Colonial Conquests
Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest in Neurovascular Surgery: Evolving Indications and Predictors of Patient Outcome
OBJECTIVE: One of the largest contemporary neurosurgical experiences with hypothermic circulatory arrest was analyzed for trends in patient selection and clinical variables affecting outcome. METHODS: During a 12- year period, 60 patients underwent 62 circulatory arrest procedures: 54 had posterior circulation aneurysms, 4 had anterior circulation aneurysms, and 2 had other lesions (hemangioblastoma and vertebral artery atherosclerosis). RESULTS: The surgical morbidity and mortality rates associated with hypothermic circulatory arrest were 13.3 and 8.3%, respectively. At late follow-up, 76% of the patients had good outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale scores of 1 and 2), 5% had poor outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale scores of 3 and 4), and 18% had died. After 1992, circulatory arrest was limited to posterior circulation aneurysms and included increasing numbers of basilar trunk aneurysms. Patient outcome correlated with preoperative neurological condition (admission Glasgow Coma Scale score, P \u3c 0.001; Hunt and Hess grade, P = 0.037; and age, P = 0.007). Preservation of perforating arteries was paramount to achieving a good outcome (P = 0.005); duration of circulatory arrest was not. CONCLUSION: Current indications for hypothermic circulatory arrest include only giant and complex posterior circulation aneurysms that cannot be treated using conventional techniques or that recur after endovascular coiling. Surgical morbidity and mortality rates reflect the increasing complexity of the aneurysms treated but are still more favorable than the natural history of these lesions. This experience demonstrates that management in specialized neurovascular centers can minimize the morbidity associated with circulatory arrest so that it remains a viable treatment option for complex posterior circulation aneurysms
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