Динаміка мітотичної активності клітин меристеми хвої модрини західної (Larix occidentalis Nutt.)

У результаті дослідження динаміки мітотичної активності клітин меристеми хвої модрини західної (Larix occidentalis Nutt.) визначено, що максимальна кількість клітин, які діляться, припадає на ранкові години доби (6 – 9 години). Графік динаміки має двовершинний характер з піками о 7-ій та о 9-ій годинах ранку.В результате исследований динамики митотической активности клеток меристемы хвои лиственницы западной (Larix occidentalis) установлено, что максимальное количество делящихся клеток обнаруживается в утренние часы суток (6 – 9 часов). График динамики имеет двухвершинный тип с пиками в 7 и 9 часов утра.Results of researches for dynamics of mitotic activity of merystem cells of Western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.) needles show, that maximal amount of divided cells was found out at 6 – 9 o'clock in the morning. The graph of dynamics has bimodal type with the peaks at 7 and at 9 o'clock in the morning

Oceanic variability around Madagascar : connections to the large-scale Indian Ocean circulation and its forcing

The connection between the mesoscale eddy activity around Madagascar and the large-scale interannual variability in the Indian Ocean is investigated. We use the combined TOPEX/Poseidon-ERS sea surface height (SSH) data for the period 1993-2003. The SSH-fields in the Mozambique Channel and east of Madagascar exhibit a significant interannual oscillation. This is related to the arrival of large-scale anomalies that propagate westward in the band 10-15S in response to the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) events. Positive (negative) SSH anomalies associated to a positive (negative) IOD phase induce a shift in the intensity and position of the tropical and subtropical gyres in the Indian Ocean. A weakening (strengthening) results in the intensity of the South Equatorial Current and its branches along east Madagascar. In addition, the flow through the narrows of the Mozambique Channel around 17S increases (decreases) during periods of a stronger and northward (southward) extension of the subtropical (tropical) gyre. Interaction between the currents in the narrows and southward propagating eddies from the northern Channel leads to interannual variability in the eddy kinetic energy of the central Channel in phase with the one in the SSH-field. The origin of the eddy variability along the 25S band in the Indian Ocean is also investigated. We have found that the surface circulation east of Madagascar shows an anticyclonic subgyre bounded to the south by eastward flow from southwest Madagascar and to the north by the westward flowing South Equatorial Current (SEC) between 15-20S. The shallow, eastward flow, named the South Indian Ocean Countercurrent (SICC), extends above the deep reaching, westward flowing SEC up to 95E, with its core over the latitude of the high variability band. Applying a 2-layer model reveals that regions of large vertical shear along the SICC-SEC system are baroclinically unstable. Estimates of the frequencies (3.5-6 times/year) and wavelengths (290-470 km) of the unstable modes are close to observations of the mesoscale eddy variability derived from altimetry data. It is likely then that Rossby wave variability locally generated in the subtropical South Indian Ocean by baroclinic instability is the origin of the eddy variability around 25S as seen for example in satellite altimetry

Long-term controls on ocean phosphorus and oxygen in a global biogeochemical model

In this study, we use a biogeochemical ocean general circulation model (HAMOCC), originally developed for the carbon and silicon cycles, and expand it with a description of the sedimentary phosphorus (P) cycle. The model simulates the release of reactive P by aerobic and anaerobic degradation of organic matter in the sediment, as well as formation and burial of Fe‐oxide bound P and authigenic Ca‐P minerals. We also include pre‐anthropogenic inputs of P from atmospheric dust, which is mostly in the form of detrital apatite. Model predicted total P concentrations and rates of reactive P burial for the deep sea agree reasonably well with observations in open ocean and near continental margin sediments. As part of a sensitivity analysis, we assess the long‐term response of ocean productivity and deep water oxygenation to increases in the riverine input of P and preferential release of P from sediments. The simulations show that the feedback from preferential P regeneration accelerates the expansion of suboxia (O2 < 25 mM) along continental margins and in the naturally suboxic areas in tropical‐subtropical regions on timescales of 10–100 ka. For a case in which maximum P regeneration from sediments is enabled, a large‐scale pattern of bottom water suboxia (30% of the total ocean area) develops over the southeastern, tropical and northern Pacific Ocean sectors

Inertially induced connections between subgyres in the South Indian Ocean

A barotropic shallow-water model and continuation techniques are used to investigate steady solutions in an idealized South Indian Ocean basin containing Madagascar. The aim is to study the role of inertia in a possible connection between two subgyres in the South Indian Ocean. By increasing inertial effects in the model, two different circulation regimes are found. In the weakly nonlinear regime, the subtropical gyre presents a recirculation cell in the southwestern basin, with two boundary currents flowing westward from the southern and northern tips of Madagascar toward Africa. In the highly nonlinear regime, the inertial recirculation of the subtropical gyre is found to the east of Madagascar, while the East Madagascar Current overshoots the island’s southern boundary and connects through a southwestward jet with the current off South Africa

Clinical measurement of the thoracic kyphosis : a study of the intra-rater reliability in subjects with and without shoulder pain

BACKGROUND: Clinical sagittal plane assessment of the thoracic kyphosis angle is considered an essential component of the postural examination of patients presenting with upper body pain syndromes. Cervical headaches and conditions involving the shoulder, such as subacromial pain syndrome, have all been associated with an increase in the thoracic kyphosis. Concomitantly a decrease in the thoracic kyphosis as a result of a stretching and strengthening rehabilitation programme is believed to be associated with a reduction in symptoms and pain and improvement in function. Clinicians generally measure the sagittal plane kyphosis angle visually. There is no certainty that this method is reliable or is capable of measuring angular changes over time or in response to intervention. As such a simple and reliable clinical method of measuring the thoracic kyphosis would enable clinicians to record this information. The aim of this investigation was to determine the intra-tester reliability of measuring the thoracic kyphosis angle using a clinical method METHODS: Measurements were made in 45 subjects with and 45 subjects without upper body symptoms. Measurements were made with the subjects in relaxed standing. Two gravity dependent inclinometers were used to measure the kyphosis. The first was placed over the region of the 1st and 2nd thoracic spinous processes. The other, over the region of the 12th thoracic and 1st lumbar spinous processes. The angle produced by each inclinometer was measured 3 times in succession. Each set of 3 measurements was made on two occasions (separated by a minimum of 30 minutes and additional data collection involving 46 further measurements of posture and movement on the same and an additional subject before the thoracic kyphosis measurements were re-measured) by one rater. The reliability of the measurements was analyzed using 2-way ANOVA intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), 95% confidence intervals (CI) and standard error of measurement (SEM) for precision, for a single measurement [ICC(single)] and the average of 3 measures [ICC(average)]. The assessor remained 'blinded' to data input and the measurements were staggered to reduce examiner bias. RESULTS: The measurement of the thoracic kyphosis as used in this investigation was found to have excellent intra-rater reliability for both subjects with and without symptoms. The ICC(single) results for the subjects without symptoms were, .95; (95% CI .91-.97). The corresponding ICC(average) results were; .97; (95% CI .95-.99). The results for the subjects with symptoms were; 93; (95% CI .88-.96), for ICC(single) and for ICC(average); .97; (95% CI .94-.98). The SEM results for subjects without and with symptoms were 1.0 degrees and 1.7 degrees , respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this immediate test-retest reliability study suggest that the clinical measurement of the thoracic kyphosis using gravity dependent inclinometers demonstrates excellent intra-rater reliability. Additional research is required to determine the inter-rater reliability of this method

A link between low-frequency mesoscale eddy variability around Madagascar and the large-scale Indian Ocean variability

A connection is shown to exist between the mesoscale eddy activity around Madagascar and the large-scale interannual variability in the Indian Ocean. We use the combined TOPEX/Poseidon-ERS sea surface height (SSH) data for the period 1993–2003. The SSH-fields in the Mozambique Channel and east of Madagascar exhibit a significant interannual oscillation. This is related to the arrival of large-scale anomalies that propagate westward along 10°–15°S in response to the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) events. Positive (negative) SSH anomalies associated to a positive (negative) IOD phase induce a shift in the intensity and position of the tropical and subtropical gyres. A weakening (strengthening) results in the intensity of the South Equatorial Current and its branches along east Madagascar. In addition, the flow through the narrows of the Mozambique Channel around 17°S increases (decreases) during periods of a stronger and northward (southward) extension of the subtropical (tropical) gyre. Interaction between the currents in the narrows and southward propagating eddies from the northern Channel leads to interannual variability in the eddy kinetic energy of the central Channel in phase with the one in the SSH-field

Flow structure and variability in the subtropical Indian Ocean: Instability of the South Indian Ocean Countercurrent

The origin of the eddy variability around the 25°S band in the Indian Ocean is investigated. We have found that the surface circulation east of Madagascar shows an anticyclonic subgyre bounded to the south by eastward flow from southwest Madagascar, and to the north by the westward flowing South Equatorial Current (SEC) between 15° and 20°S. The shallow, eastward flowing South Indian Ocean Countercurrent (SICC) extends above the deep reaching, westward flowing SEC to 95°E around the latitude of the high variability band. Applying a two-layer model reveals that regions of large vertical shear along the SICC-SEC system are baroclinically unstable. Estimates of the frequencies (3.5–6 times/year) and wavelengths (290–470 km) of the unstable modes are close to observations of the mesoscale variability derived from altimetry data. It is likely then that Rossby wave variability locally generated in the subtropical South Indian Ocean by baroclinic instability is the origin of the eddy variability around 25°S as seen, for example, in satellite altimetry

On the role of the Agulhas system in ocean circulation and climate

The Atlantic Ocean receives warm, saline water from the Indo-Pacific Ocean through Agulhas leakage around the southern tip of Africa. Recent findings suggest that Agulhas leakage is a crucial component of the climate system and that ongoing increases in leakage under anthropogenic warming could strengthen the Atlantic overturning circulation at a time when warming and accelerated meltwater input in the North Atlantic is predicted to weaken it. Yet in comparison with processes in the North Atlantic, the overall Agulhas system is largely overlooked as a potential climate trigger or feedback mechanism. Detailed modelling experiments—backed by palaeoceanographic and sustained modern observations—are required to establish firmly the role of the Agulhas system in a warming climate