The impact of two coupled cirrus microphysics-radiation parameterizations on the temperature and specific humidity biases in the tropical tropopause layer in a climate model

The impact of two different coupled cirrus microphysics-radiation parameterizations on the zonally averaged temperature and humidity biases in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) of a Met Office climate model configuration is assessed. One parameterization is based on a linear coupling between a model prognostic variable, the ice mass mixing ratio, qi, and the integral optical properties. The second is based on the integral optical properties being parameterized as functions of qi and temperature, Tc, where the mass coefficients (i.e. scattering and extinction) are parameterized as nonlinear functions of the ratio between qi and Tc. The cirrus microphysics parameterization is based on a moment estimation parameterization of the particle size distribution (PSD), which relates the mass moment (i.e. second moment if mass is proportional to size raised to the power of 2 ) of the PSD to all other PSD moments through the magnitude of the second moment and Tc. This same microphysics PSD parameterization is applied to calculate the integral optical properties used in both radiation parameterizations and, thus, ensures PSD and mass consistency between the cirrus microphysics and radiation schemes. In this paper, the temperature-non-dependent and temperature-dependent parameterizations are shown to increase and decrease the zonally averaged temperature biases in the TTL by about 1 K, respectively. The temperature-dependent radiation parameterization is further demonstrated to have a positive impact on the specific humidity biases in the TTL, as well as decreasing the shortwave and longwave biases in the cloudy radiative effect. The temperature-dependent radiation parameterization is shown to be more consistent with TTL and global radiation observations.

Desenvolvimento e validação de modelo de previsão para mancha preta dos citros em função de variáveis meteorológicas

A mancha preta dos citros é uma doença causada pelo fungo Guignardia citricarpa que produz lesões em frutos em variedades de laranja doce comerciais, causando a queda precoce dos frutos, diminuindo a produtividade e levando a sua depreciação para o mercado de fruta fresca. O objetivo do trabalho foi desenvolver e validar um modelo de favorabilidade climática da mancha preta dos citros relacionado a ocorrência dos sintomas da doença no Estado de São Paulo. Desenvolveu-se um sistema empírico com base em um banco de dados da ocorrência da doença e das condições climáticas, em campo, nos municípios de Barretos/SP e Gavião Peixoto/SP, durante as Safras 2007/2008 e 2008/2009. A variedade de laranjeira doce utilizada nos experimentos foi a 'Valência' enxertada sobre limoeiro 'Cravo', com 10 anos de idade. Para a incidência da mancha preta foi avaliada a porcentagem de frutos com sintomas na planta e para a severidade, a porcentagem de casca lesionada por fruto. Na análise de regressão as variáveis climáticas e os dados de intensidade de doença de Barretos foram selecionados no procedimento 'stepwise'. As melhores equações de regressão foram selecionadas pelo coeficiente de determinação (R²) e pela significância da regressão no teste F (P < 0,05 e P < 0,01) que resultou na equação Y= -502,43 + 9,61 X10 + 4,78 X30 + 0,54 X46 - 7,9 X50 em que Y=Índice de Favorabilidade, X10 é a temperatura média, X30 é a umidade relativa média, X46 é o molhamento foliar e X50 é a temperatura média durante o molhamento foliar, determinados com dados de intervalos de sete dias. Procedeu-se a validação no campo no município de Gavião Peixoto durante a Safra 2008/2009, realizando a correlação entre a incidência e severidade observadas no experimento e os dados previstos que foram os determinados pela equação, sendo que a correlação mostrou-se positiva para a incidência da doença com um R²=0,87.

Evaluation of geomembrane UV degradation using melt flow index and oxidative induction time tests

Many factors such as the sunlight, intensity of radiation, temperature, and moisture may influence the degradation process of geosynthetics. UV stabilizers are used especially in polyolefin geomembrane to prevent the degradation process. In these geomembranes the service lifetime is initially governed by the consumption of antioxidants. Tests like MFI and OIT are a alternative to detect the oxidative degradation in polyolefins. This article evaluates HDPE geomembrane degradation after UV exposure through the results of MFI and OIT tests. Two kinds of geomembranes were evaluated: a black and smooth (0.8, 1.0, 1.5, 2.5 mm) and a white and textured (1.0 mm). MFI test showed some levels of superficial degradation (crosslink) in HDPE geomembrane.

The Temperature and Humidity in a Low-Flow Anesthesia Workstation With and Without a Heat and Moisture Exchanger

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Aspirin increases tolerance to high temperature in seeds of Raphanus sativus L. cvar Early Scarlet Globe

The incubation of seeds of Raphanus sativus L. cvar Early Scarlet Globe with 10 mu M aspirin resulted in increase in the temperature range for germination. The analysis of percentage germination and germination rates indicated the increase in the optimum temperature from 21.4 to 26 degrees C although at 32.6 degrees C 80.8% of seeds germinated with aspirin and no germination in the control. The analysis of the kinetics of seed germination indicated that aspirin treatment resulted in germination by decreasing the enthalpy of activation of the process. The aspirin treatment also resulted in the synchronization of seed germination. on the base of our results we propose aspirin application in practice to increase the tolerance to high temperature and to synchronize seed germination at least in Raphanus sativus L. cvar early scarlet globe.

Seasonality of viral respiratory infections in Southeast of Brazil: the influence of temperature and air humidity

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Persistence of conidia of Entomophthora muscae in relation to age, temperature, and humidity

In this paper, the effect of age, humidity, and temperature on the conidial survival of Entomophthora muscae was evaluated. E. muscae was obtained from Musca domestica in a dairy in Itatiba (São Paulo, Brazil) and maintained in the laboratory by continuous passage through flies. Furthermore, the ability of conidia to infect flies at three temperatures (17, 21, and 27 degrees C), four ages of conidia (12, 72, 96, and 154 hours) and two humidities (100 and 60% RH) was evaluated. The temperature of 21 degrees C was the most favorable for the infection of house flies. Humidity was a cause of variation at 27 degrees C when the conidia were up to 12 hours old, but had no effect at lower temperatures. Conidia held at 100% RH and aged 72 hours caused no infection at 17 degrees C, but were infective at 21 degrees C. In the present study, conidia retained viability much longer than previously observed. Finally, the effect of humidity, temperature, and conidial age is discussed.

Effects of Incubation Temperature and Relative Humidity on Embryonic Development in Eggs of Red-Winged Tinamou (Rhynchotus rufescens).

This study was conducted to assess the effects of incubation temperature (34 C, 36[degree]C and 38[degree]C) and relative humidity (RH, 50% and 60%) on egg weight loss, embryo mortality, hatchability, incubation time and chick weight in eggs from red-winged tinamou. The eggs were placed in incubators that were operated at 34[degree]C, 36[degree]C, or 38[degree]C and 50% or 60% RH (mean wet bulb temperatures of 28[degree]C and 30[degree]C, respectively) from day 1 to hatching. Each treatment had two replicate groups of 30 eggs each. Hatchability varied with incubation temperature and RH and was highest for eggs incubated at 36[degree]C and 60% RH and lowest for eggs incubated at 38[degree]C. Early, intermediate and late embryo mortality were highest at 38[degree]C, 38[degree]C/50% RH, and 50% RH, respectively. Incubation period was longest at 34[degree]C and shortest at 38[degree]C/50% RH. Present results show the highest hatchability of red-winged tinamou eggs after incubation at 36[degree]C and 60% RH; highest embryo sensitivity to high temperature in the early period of incubation (1 to 7 days), to high temperature and low RH in the second period of incubation (8-14 days) and to low RH in the late period of incubation (after 15 days) and shortest incubation period with increasing temperature and RH.

An evaluation of ocean color model estimates of marine primary productivity in coastal and pelagic regions across the globe

Nearly half of the earth's photosynthetically fixed carbon derives from the oceans. To determine global and region specific rates, we rely on models that estimate marine net primary productivity (NPP) thus it is essential that these models are evaluated to determine their accuracy. Here we assessed the skill of 21 ocean color models by comparing their estimates of depth-integrated NPP to 1156 in situ C-14 measurements encompassing ten marine regions including the Sargasso Sea, pelagic North Atlantic, coastal Northeast Atlantic, Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Arabian Sea, subtropical North Pacific, Ross Sea, West Antarctic Peninsula, and the Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone. Average model skill, as determined by root-mean square difference calculations, was lowest in the Black and Mediterranean Seas, highest in the pelagic North Atlantic and the Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone, and intermediate in the other six regions. The maximum fraction of model skill that may be attributable to uncertainties in both the input variables and in situ NPP measurements was nearly 72%. on average, the simplest depth/wavelength integrated models performed no worse than the more complex depth/wavelength resolved models. Ocean color models were not highly challenged in extreme conditions of surface chlorophyll-a and sea surface temperature, nor in high-nitrate low-chlorophyll waters. Water column depth was the primary influence on ocean color model performance such that average skill was significantly higher at depths greater than 250 m, suggesting that ocean color models are more challenged in Case-2 waters (coastal) than in Case-1 (pelagic) waters. Given that in situ chlorophyll-a data was used as input data, algorithm improvement is required to eliminate the poor performance of ocean color NPP models in Case-2 waters that are close to coastlines. Finally, ocean color chlorophyll-a algorithms are challenged by optically complex Case-2 waters, thus using satellite-derived chlorophyll-a to estimate NPP in coastal areas would likely further reduce the skill of ocean color models.

Effect of air temperature and humidity on ingestive behaviour of sheep

Thirty-two Polwarth ewes, of ages up to 1 year, were observed in a climatic chamber (24 to 45° C) for eight periods of 5 h each. The observations were made through a window in the chamber wall. All animals were observed four times, then shorn and observed four times again. The animals were given weighed quantities of water and feed consisting of commercial concentrate plus Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay. The water and feed remaining after 5 h of observation were weighed. The following traits were analysed: time eating hay (TEH), time eating concentrate (TEC), time drinking water (TDW), weight of hay eaten (WHE), weight of concentrate eaten (WCE), volume of ingested water (VIW), ruminating time standing up (RTS), ruminating time lying down (RTL), idling time standing up (ITS), and idling time lying down (ITL). Shearing had a significant effect for all traits except ITS. Shearing resulted in higher values for all traits except for ITS and ITL. Ingestion of hay (TEH and WHE) decreased with increased air temperature and humidity, while the ingestion of concentrate (TEC) and WHE) and water (TDW and VIW) increased. Rumination decreased with increased air temperature and humidity, and was higher in shorn than in unshorn sheep. © 1992 International Society of Biometeorology.

Variabilidade dos elementos energéticos e ambientes em meio protegido com polietileno, sem e com cultura do pimentão (Capsicum annuum L.)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of the Temperature and Maturation Stages on the Germination of Roystonea regia Seeds

Roystonea regia (Kunth) O.F. Cook is largely used as ornamental. The propagation is done almost exclusively by seeds; however, there is a great variation in the germination process influenced by many factors. The objective of this work was to study the effects of the temperature and maturation stages on the germination of R. regia seeds. The experimental design was entirely randomized in a factorial arrangement 6x3 (six temperatures: constant at 20, 25, 30 and 35 degrees C and alternated at 20-30 and 25-35 degrees C, with a photoperiod of 12 hours; and three fruit maturation stages: brown, yellow and black), with four replications of 25 disseminules (seed with stucked endocarp) each. The disseminules had their mesocarp and exocarp were removed and shade dried. Their moisture content was determined, and then they were placed in plastic boxes (gerbox type) containing vermiculite. The disseminules, with the germinative intumescence, were daily noted until germination was steady. The germination rate and the germination speed index were calculated, and the data were submitted to the variance analysis. The means were compared by the Tukey test. It was concluded that the highest germination rate (99.7%) and germination speed were obtained by seeds from mature (black) fruits at the temperature of 35 degrees C.

Internal standard for amorphous pharmaceuticals products quantification and an application of Parametric Rietveld refinement using time, temperature and relative humidity as 'non-crystallographic' parameters

Pós-graduação em Química - IQ

Index of thermal stress for cows (ITSC) under high solar radiation in tropical environments

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Body temperature, Aldrete-Kroulik index, and patient discharge from the Post-Anesthetic Recovery Unit

Patient discharge from post-anesthetic recovery (PAR) depends, among other factors, on normothermia and the patient's score on the Aldrete-Kroulik index. The objective of this study was to verify the relationship between the Aldrete-Kroulik index and body temperature in patients. This study was performed at the University of Sao Paulo University Hospital. Convenience sampling was used, and the sample consisted of 60 patients of ages between 18 and 60 years who underwent general anesthesia. The patients' body temperature was obtained by tympanic measurement, and the Aldrete-Kroulik index was measured on admission and at discharge from post-anesthetic recovery. The data were processed using SPSS, considering a significance level of 5%, and the Spearman and Wilcoxon tests were applied. In conclusion, no significant correlation was found between the two parameters for discharge.