Average Sunshine Research Articles

Modifications in climate suitability for wine production of Romanian wine regions as a result of climate change

The aim of this study is to reveal the shifts in climate suitability for wine production affecting Romanian wine growing regions. For this, we analyzed the spatial distribution over Romanian territory of the oenoclimate aptitude index (IAOe) for the 1961 to 1990 and 1991 to 2013 time periods. The IAOe has been calculated based on gridded data at 10 × 10 km resolution of average daily temperature, precipitation and sunshine duration between 1961–2013, originating from about 150 weather stations across Romanian territory and recorded in the ROCADA database. The study reveals: northward shifts and to higher altitudes of suitability for wine production; the appearance of new areas suitable for wine production; the expansion or the shrinkage of the current areas suitable for wine production; shifts in classes of suitability for wine production in the current wine regions and appearance of premises of replacing their specific varieties and traditional wine type production; the tendency to level climate suitability at regional scale by diminishing suitability for white wines and replacing it with climate suitability for red wines. The study provides a solid support for developing strategies to adapt Romanian viticulture to climate change.

Meteorological factors affecting the sudden decline in Lake Urmia’s water level

Lake Urmia, in northwest Iran, is the second most saline lake in the world. During the past two decades, the level of water has markedly decreased. In this paper, climate of the lake region is investigated by using data from four meteorological stations near the lake. The data include climatic parameters such as temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind speed, sunshine hours, number of rain days, and evaporation. Climate around the lake is examined by way of climate classification in the periods before and after the reduction in water level. Rainfall in the lake catchment is also evaluated using both gauge and satellite data. The results show a significant decreasing trend in mean annual precipitation and wind speed and an increasing trend in annual average temperature and sunshine hours at the four stations. Precipitation and wind speed have decreased by 37 mm and 2.7 m/s, respectively, and the mean annual temperature and sunshine hours have increased by 1.4 °C and 41.6 days, respectively, over these six decades. Only the climate of the Tabriz region is seen to have significantly changed, going from semiarid to arid. Gauge records and satellite data show a large-scale decreasing trend in rainfall since 1995. The correlation between rainfall and year-to-year changes in lake level is 0.69 over the period 1965 to 2010. The relationship is particularly strong from the early 1990s to 2005. This suggests that precipitation has played an important role in the documented decline of the lake.

Correlation between practice location as a surrogate for UV exposure and practice patterns to prevent corneal haze after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)

BackgroundPRK is a refractive surgery that reshapes the corneal surface by excimer laser photoablation to correct refractive errors. The effect of increased ultraviolet (UV) exposure on promoting post-PRK corneal haze has been reported in the literature; however, information is lacking regarding the effect of ambient UV exposure on physician practice patterns. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ophthalmologists’ practice location on their reported practice patterns to prevent post-PRK corneal haze. MethodsA cross-sectional observational study was conducted through an online survey sent to ophthalmologists performing PRK. The survey recorded the primary city of practice from which the two independent variables, latitude and average annual sunshine days, were determined. It also measured the frequency of use of postoperative preventive interventions (dependent variables) which are as follows: intraoperative Mitomycin-C, oral vitamin C, sunglasses, topical corticosteroids, topical cyclosporine, oral tetracyclines and amniotic membrane graft. ResultsFifty-one ophthalmologists completed the survey. Practice locations’ mean latitude was 36.4 degrees north, and average sunshine days annually accounted for 60% of year days. There was no significant relation between latitude/average annual sunshine days and usual post-PRK prophylactic treatments (P>0.05). The commonest protective maneuvers were sunglasses (78%), prolonged topical corticosteroids (57%), Mitomycin-C (39%) and oral vitamin C (37%). ConclusionWe found no significant difference in ophthalmologists’ practice patterns to prevent post-PRK corneal haze in relation to practice location latitude and average sunshine days. Moreover, the results demonstrated that the most widely used postoperative measures to prevent post-PRK haze are sunglasses, Mitomycin-C, topical corticosteroids, and oral Vitamin C.

Temporal and Spatial Variation of Haze Pollution over China from 1960 to 2013

Based on haze observation and related meteorological data from the surface weather stations in China during 1960-2013, we analyzed the variation of haze days and its relationship to meteorological elements using climatic linear-trend estimation, cluster analysis, cumulative departure and the Mann-Kendall test. The results showed that the haze events occurred mainly in mid-eastern and southern China, especially in Beijing, central and southern areas of Shanxi, Henan, the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta areas. At the same time, the haze days were less frequently observed in western and northeastern China. The occurrence of haze days was increasing in the past 54 years, which was consistent with the total energy consumption in China. While the emission of air pollutant could be an important factor of haze increase, the adverse weather conditions also played a role. The correlation coefficients of precipitation, average wind speed, sunshine duration and relative humidity with haze days were -0.653, -0.635, -0.462 and -0.699, respectively, which all exceeded the 99.9% significance. Cluster analysis showed that haze days of stations with very significant increase, significant increase and obvious increase have accelerated in recent years, and the trend of cumulative variance type was fall-flat-rise. Haze days of slight rise station increased from 1960s to the late1970s and after 2000, of which cumulative variance type was multi wobbled. Moreover, Haze days of slight fall and obvious fall stations increased from 1960s to 1970s, and their cumulative variance types were rise-gently-fall. Furthermore, haze days showed mutation from more to less during 1992 to 1993.

Performance assessment of empirical models for prediction of daily and monthly average global solar radiation: the case study of Ibadan, Nigeria

ABSTRACTIn this study, the performance assessment of empirical models for modelling global solar radiation in Ibadan is presented. The empirical models are derived from the three basic models: Angstrom–Prescott model, Garcia model and Hargreaves–Sammani model. The data used in the analysis consist of daily average global solar radiation, daily average sunshine hours, daily average maximum temperature and daily average minimum temperature collected over a period of nine years (2000–2008). Regression constants are determined for each of the model for each months of the year. The study reveals that Garcia Quadratic model puts up the best overall performance. The model can predict the daily average global solar irradiation with Mean Absolute Error of 1.86 MJ m−2 day−1, Root Mean Square Error of 2.7 MJ m−2 day−1, Mean Absolute Percentage Error 9.34% and Coefficient of Determination (R2) of 0.68.

Correlation between weather and incidence of selected ophthalmological diagnoses: a database analysis.

PurposeOur aim was to correlate the overall patient volume and the incidence of several ophthalmological diseases in our emergency department with weather data.Patients and methodsFor data analysis, we used our clinical data warehouse and weather data. We investigated the weekly overall patient volume and the average weekly incidence of all encoded diagnoses of “conjunctivitis”, “foreign body”, “acute iridocyclitis”, and “corneal abrasion”. A Spearman’s correlation was performed to link these data with the weekly average sunshine duration, temperature, and wind speed.ResultsWe noticed increased patient volume in correlation with increasing sunshine duration and higher temperature. Moreover, we found a positive correlation between the weekly incidences of conjunctivitis and of foreign body and weather data.ConclusionThe results of this data analysis reveal the possible influence of external conditions on the health of a population and can be used for weather-dependent resource allocation.

The occurrence of rice planthoppers in diversified farming on Chongming Eco-Island in China

Nine-year data were collected to analyze the occurrence of rice planthoppers in diversified farming on Chongming Eco-Island in China from 2006 to 2014, the most important pests of rice in agroecosystems. We found a significantly linear decrease in the average numbers of adult rice planthoppers trapped per light trap per day. Using quadratic regression polynomial analysis we concluded that four meteorological indicators (average daily temperature, daily rainfall, sunshine duration, and average daily wind velocity) had significant effects on the numbers of brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) and white-backed planthopper (Sogatella furcifera) trapped in the lamp, and that average daily temperature had a significant effect on the number of small brown planthopper (Laodelphax striatella) trapped in the lamp. These findings suggest that increasing temperature related to climate change might promote the occurrence of rice planthoppers in diversified farming in the future.

Factors Influencing the Purchase Decision of Perfumes with Habit as a Mediating Variable:An Empirical Study in Malaysia

The majority of the Malaysian consumers prefer to use perfumes since the average daily sunshine duration in Malaysia ranges from 4-8 hours per day, irrespective of the months of the year. The decomposed stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) model was applied in this study with the purchase characteristics of perfumes form the stimulus (S), habit as the organism (O), and the purchase decision as the response (R). About 164 respondents in Peninsular Malaysia were included in this primary questionnaire survey, of which 81 (49.4%) favored branded perfumes and 83 (50.6%) preferred non-branded perfumes. The attractive packaging and seasonal variations in fragrance and flavor of the perfumes were highly prioritized by the respondents. The significant findings of the study revealed that habit of using perfume mediates the relationship between message framing and perceived quality on the purchase decision of perfumes. Surprisingly, there was no significant difference between branded and non-branded perfumes when the quality of the perfume was well maintained. Also, there was no significant difference in the usage of perfumes between men and women and between the races Malays and Chinese. The practical contribution of the present study involves in considering 'habit' as the mediating variable which has direct and indirect implications on the purchase decision of perfumes. The established results of this article have many business implications for both manufacturers and consumers of perfumes.

Sunshine, Sea, and Season of Birth: MS Incidence in Wales.

Maternal sun exposure in gestation and throughout the lifetime is necessary for vitamin D synthesis, and living near the sea is a population level index of seafood consumption. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence rate of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Wales and examine its association with sun exposure, coastal living, and latitude. The study used a database of MS hospital visits and admissions in Wales between 2002 and 2013. For the 1,909 lower layer super output areas (LSOAs) in Wales, coastal status, population, longitude/latitude, and average sunshine hours per day were obtained. Age-specific and age-standardised MS incidence were calculated and modelled using Poisson regression. The distribution of births by month was compared between MS cases and the combined England and Wales population. There were 3,557 new MS cases between 2002 and 2013, with an average annual incidence of 8.14 (95% CI: 7.69–8.59) among males and 12.97 (95% CI: 12.44–13.50) among females per 100,000 population. The female-to-male ratio was 1.86:1. For both sexes combined, the average annual incidence rate was 9.10 (95% CI: 8.80–9.40). All figures are age-standardized to the 1976 European standard population. Compared to the combined England and Wales population, more people with MS were born in April, observed-to-expected ratio: 1.21 (95% CI: 1.08–1.36). MS incidence varied directly with latitude and inversely with sunshine hours. Proximity to the coast was associated with lower MS incidence only in easterly areas. This study shows that MS incidence rate in Wales is comparable to the rate in Scotland and is associated with environmental factors that probably represent levels of vitamin D.

The climate change variations in the northern Greater Khingan Mountains during the past centuries

The Greater Khingan Mountains (Daxinganling) are China’s important ecological protective screen and also the region most sensitive to climate changes. To gain an in-depth understanding and reveal the climate change characteristic in this high-latitude, cold and data-insufficient region is of great importance to maintaining ecological safety and corresponding to global climate changes. In this article, the annual average temperature, precipitation and sunshine duration series were firstly constructed using tree-ring data and the meteorological observation data. Then, using the climate tendency rate method, moving-t-testing method, Yamamoto method and wavelet analysis method, we have investigated the climate changes in the region during the past 307 years. Results indicate that, since 1707, the annual average temperature increased significantly, the precipitation increased slightly and the sunshine duration decreased, with the tendency rates of 0.06°C/10a, 0.79 mm/10a and −5.15 h/10a, respectively (P≤0.01). Since the 21st century, the period with the greatest increase of the annual average temperature (also with the greatest increase of precipitation) corresponds to the period with greatest decrease of sunshine duration. Three sudden changes of the annual average temperature and sunshine duration occurred in this period while two sudden changes of precipitation occurred. The strong sudden-change years of precipitation and sunshine duration are basically consistent with the sudden-change years of annual average temperature, suggesting that in the mid-1860s, the climatic sudden change or transition really existed in this region. In the time domain, the climatic series of this region exhibit obvious local variation characteristics. The annual average temperature and sunshine duration exhibit the periodic variations of 25 years while the precipitation exhibits a periodic variation of 20 years. Based on these periodic characteristics, one can infer that in the period from 2013 to 2030, the temperature will be at a high-temperature stage, the precipitation will be at an abundant-precipitation stage and the sunshine duration will be at an less-sunshine stage. In terms of spatial distribution, the leading distribution type of the annual average temperature in this region shows integrity, i.e., it is easily higher or lower in the whole region; and the second distribution type is more (or less) in the southwest parts and less (or more) in the northeast parts. Precipitation and sunshine duration exhibit complex spatial distribution and include four spatial distribution types. The present study can provide scientific basis for the security investigation of homeland, ecological and water resources as well as economic development programming in China’s northern borders.

Impacts of climate change on water requirements of winter wheat over 59 years in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain

Daily data from 40 meteorological stations in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain from 1955 to 2013 were analyzed using the Mann-Kendall test and partial correlation to determine the temporal trends of meteorological factors and their impacts on water requirements of winter wheat in different growing periods. Results showed that water requirements during the whole growing period in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain were between 374 and 485.2 mm with an average of 412 mm in the past 59 years. In general, the value declined by 4 mm per decade. The distribution was ribbon-like, decreasing from the N to the S. Average wind speed, humidity, and sunshine hours declined significantly (α = 0.01, 0.05, and 0.01, respectively). Average vapour pressure and temperature increased significantly (α = 0.01). Only rainfall in Dongtai, Gaoyou, and Zhumadian could meet the water requirement of winter wheat over the whole growing period. Response of crop water requirement (ETc) to meteorological factors change was linear and the order of impact on ETc was vapour pressure, temperature, wind speed, and sunshine hours, while humidity had little impact on ETc. Among the impacting factors, vapour pressure was in positive relation with ETc.

The sunshine induced placebo effect in major depressive disorder patients exhibits gender differences

RationaleSunshine increases placebo effect in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients (Gailledreau et al., 2015). Kokras et al. (2014) showed that sunshine induces different responses in female than male mice in preclinical models of depression.ObjectiveTo determine whetehr the sunshine induced placebo effect exhibits gender differences in human.Materiel and methodsData from 9 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies of antidepressants conducted by the French GICIPI network were reviewed. MADRS (5) or HAM-D 17 (4) were used as the main efficacy tool. For each patient, variation of scores (Delta MADRS/Delta HAM-D) between two consecutive visits were correlated with the average sunshine index observed at noon between these visits. Sunshine indexes were provided by Météo-France. Correlations were computed with Microsoft Excel.ResultsAnalysis of both genders (n = 52) showed no statistically significant (NS) correlation (r2 = 0.0064) between sunshine and score variations. Analysis of males (n = 8) failed to demonstrate any significant correlation in cloudy (< 1000 Joules/cm2), variable (1000–2000 Joules/cm2) or sunny (> 2000 Joules/cm2) weather. Analysis of females (n = 44) showed NS correlation as well for cloudy or variable weather (r2 = 0.0016), but a strong correlation was observed for females exposed to sunny weather: r2 = 0, 315, n = 20, P < 0.01. This correlation was even stronger in the subpopulation of females aged less than 50 years: r2 = 0.6398, n = 12, P < 0.001.DiscussionThe hypothesis underlying this correlation between sunshine index and variations of MADRS/HAMD scales will be discussed.ConclusionSunshine increases placebo effect in female patients aged less than 50. This insufficiently known effect may be responsible for failure of a number of double-blind, randomized, studies of antidepressant compounds.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Impacts of Some Climatic Variables on the Seasonal Productivity of Aman Rice at Dhaka Region, Central Part of Bangladesh

An agro-climatic study was conducted at Dhaka region of Bangladesh using 43 years (1970-2012) of climatic data (daily maximum temperature, seasonal total rainfall, daily average humidity, and daily sunshine hour) to observe the climatic variability and their impacts on the productivity of Aman rice. The average maximum temperature increased by 0.04°C in Aman season in Dhaka region. The average sunshine hours decreased by 0.05 in the season. The average humidity decreased by 0.14% in the season. The average seasonal rainfall increased slightly by 0.09 mm in the season. The Aman rice production increased by 0.03 t ha-1 in the region. The production year 2003 shows highest productivity due to less climatic devastation impact on the seasonal productivity of the rice. The climatic variables impact ( Savg > Havg > Tmax ) implies the seasonal productivity of Aman rice was mostly and inversely correlated with average sunshine (Savg) hour. However, most of the time the production showed increasing trend except some devastating natural calamities in the year of 1988 and 1998 which affected crop production seriously.J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 8(2): 7-10 2015

Influence of temperature changes in various regions of Turkey on powers of photovoltaic solar panels

ABSTRACTRenewable sources of energy, which are significant alternatives for every nonrenewable energy sources, can be converted to electric energy by productive rotations. Although Turkey is the country that has pretty high solar energy potential when compared to samples in the world, it has facilities still remarkably below required structuring. Demand for solar energy applications that is included in renewable sources of energy is increasing gradually. In Turkey, according to results received by the averages of long periods, approximately 2.68% power loss has been substantiated in powers of photovoltaic panel. Here, it is obviously observed that the East Anatolian region is the most convenient district for panel powers of environmental temperature averages. Turkey is involved in between countries that may take advantage from solar energy and annual average sunshine duration is 2,640 hours in the country. A heat factor occurs by the absorption of sun beams, which comes to solar panels and affects the power of the panels. In this study, the influence of losses occurring from temperature differences in various regions of Turkey on power of photovoltaic solar panels has been examined and proposals have been progressed in order to reduce losses down to a minimum in electrical systems to be established for this aim.

Assessing the suitability of hybridizing the Cuckoo optimization algorithm with ANN and ANFIS techniques to predict daily evaporation

Estimation of evaporation is of indispensable significance for management and development of water resources. This study aims to identify the suitability of hybridizing the Cuckoo optimization algorithm (COA) with two well-known approaches of artificial neural networks (ANN) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) for prediction of daily pan evaporation. For this aim, two hybrid models of ANN–COA and ANFIS–COA are developed and their performances are compared with single ANN and ANFIS. As case study, the daily climate parameters including the average air temperature (Tavg), sunshine hours (S), relative humidity (Rh), wind speed (W) and pan evaporation (E) measured and collected for three Iranian stations of Zabol, Iranshahr and Shiraz have been utilized. The used data sets are divided into three parts so that 60, 20 and 20 % of the data are applied for training, testing and prediction phases, respectively. The achieved results prove that the models’ performances are variable among cities. It is found that combining the COA with ANN and ANFIS techniques does not enhance the precision of the developed ANN and ANFIS models noticeably in all considered stations. In fact, the results demonstrate that hybridizing the COA with ANN and ANFIS cannot be a viable option for estimation of daily evaporation. Overall, the study results indicate that further accuracy can generally be achieved by the ANN model; consequently, the ANN model can be sufficiently used in the prediction of daily evaporation.

诸城市2015年气候影响评价

目的：分析诸城市2015年气候变化特征、主要气象灾害及其对各行业的影响。方法：利用诸城市2015年1~12月平均气温、降水、日照与常年、2014年气温、降水、日照对比，采用柱形图、数据对比等方法进行了统计分析。结果：诸城市2015年年平均气温13.8℃，较常年偏高1.0℃，较2014年偏低0.1℃。年降水量493.2毫米，较常年偏少208.3毫米，较2014年偏少28.7毫米。年日照时数2400.8小时，较常年偏多9.1小时，较2014年偏多8.1小时。2015年主要气象灾害为干旱和雾、霾，对工农业生产造成一定损失。结论：通过分析2015年气温、降水、日照等气象资料，做到科学指导农业生产，有效地防御气象灾害，减少损失。 Objective: To analyze climate change’s characteristics, main meteorological disasters and their impact on various industries in Zhucheng city in 2015. Methods: Using the data of average temperature, precipitation, sunshine and annual temperature, precipitation and sunshine in 2014 and 2015 from January to December in Zhucheng city, the methods of column chart and data correlation were used. Results: The average temperature of the city in the year 2015 was 13.8˚C, which was 1˚C higher than that of the year round, and was 0.1˚C lower than that in 2014. Annual rainfall was 493.2 mm, which was less than normal 208.3 mm, and 28.7 mm in 2014. Annual sunshine hours were 2400.8 hours, more than 9.1 hours of perennial partial, and more than 8.1 hours in 2014. The main meteorological disasters in 2015 were drought, fog, and haze, caused some damage to the industrial and agricultural production. Through analyzing the meteorological data of temperature, precipitation, sunshine and so on in 2015, it is scientific to guide agricultural production, effectively prevent the meteorological disasters and reduce the loss.

Analysis on Variation Characteristics of Agro-Climatic Resources in Weixian County, China in Recent 54 Years

Based on the daily temperature, precipitation and sunshine data of the National Weather Station of Weixian County, Hebei, China from 1961 to 2014, the average temperature, accumulated temperature, precipitation and sunshine trends of the year and four seasons were analyzed. The results showed an upward trend of the average annual temperature, average annual maximum temperature and average annual minimum temperature and the minimum temperature increase is the largest. The average temperature in summer is decreasing, while the average temperature, maximum temperature and minimum temperature in spring, autumn and winter showed an upward trend. ≥0&#176C accumulated temperature increased by 193.82&#176C for 54 years, and ≥10&#176C accumulated temperature increased 54.59&#176C for 54 years. Weixian County sunshine hours were 119.121 h/10 years to reduce the rate of adverse effects on crop growth; annual precipitation decreased by 116.4 mm for 54 years, the maximum precipitation decreased by 8.2 mm, and the number of annual precipitation decreased 18.6 d, which caused great pressure on groundwater recharge

植被对不同时间尺度干旱事件的响应特征及成因分析

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 植被对不同时间尺度干旱事件的响应特征及成因分析 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201506111182 作者: 作者单位: 中山大学水资源与环境系,中山大学水资源与环境系,中山大学水资源与环境系,中山大学水资源与环境系,中山大学 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家杰出青年科学基金项目（51425903）；香港特别行政区研究资助局资助项目（CUHK441313）；中山大学滨海小流域自然地理综合过程观测与实验平台建设资助项目（2012年度）；中央高校基本科研业务费专项资金资助项目；广东省教育部产学研结合项目（2012B091100471） Vegetation responses to drought at different time scales in China Author: Affiliation: Department of Water Resources and Environment,Sun Yat-sen University,Department of Water Resources and Environment,Sun Yat-sen University,Department of Water Resources and Environment,Sun Yat-sen University,Department of Water Resources and Environment,Sun Yat-sen University, Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:利用标准化降雨蒸散发指数（SPEI）与归一化植被指数（NDVI）系统研究了中国不同区域、不同土地利用类型的植被对不同时间尺度干旱事件的响应特征，并对成因做出探讨。研究表明：（1）全国大部分区域NDVI与SPEI呈显著正相关，表明中国大部分区域植被生物量变化受干旱时空特征的影响。而沿北纬30度附近的长江流域区域，尤其是长江流域东南部、珠江流域下游等降水相对丰沛区域；黑龙江东北部及长白山地区、四川西部等高寒区域，NDVI与SPEI表现出弱相关性，受干旱影响较小；（2）多年平均水平衡是影响植被对干旱响应的关键因素，土壤水分变化是植被活力与生物量变化的关键影响因子。多年平均日照时数较长的区域，植被变化受干旱影响较大。从对干旱影响敏感性程度来讲，越是水量丰沛的区域，植被受干旱的影响越小，其中，草地对干旱的影响最为敏感，其次为灌木与森林。 Abstract:NDVI and SPEI drought index are collected and analyzed to investigate vegetation responses to drought regimes at different time scales in different regions and vegetation types across China, and the causes of changes are discussed. The results show that: 1) SPEI and NDVI are significantly positively correlated in most regions of China, indicating that the changes in vegetation biomass are influenced mainly by spatiotemporal characteristics of available water. The southeastern Yangtze River basin and the lower Pearl River basin are characterized by abundant precipitation and vegetation that is not sensitive to drought. The northeastern Heilongjiang Province, the Changbai Mountains, and the western Sichuan Province are characterized by weak correlation between NDVI and SPEI, indicating small effect of drought on vegetation. (2) The effects of the average water balance, average annual rainfall, average annual effective accumulated temperature, and average daily sunshine hours on correlations between NDVI and SPEI show that the average water balance is the key factor behind the changes in vegetation vigor. Hence, it can be concluded that change in soil moisture is the key factor determining the changes in vegetation activity and biomass. Regional precipitation or water balance is related significantly to the correlation between SPEI and NDVI, whereas vegetation in the regions with longer sunshine hours is more sensitive to droughts. In general, grasslands are the most sensitive to droughts, followed shrubs and forest. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Design and Implementation of Automatic Wheat Mower Based on Smart Sensor Fed by a Photovoltaic

The biggest problems of our time are environmental pollution and the reduction of fossil fuel resources. In recent years, photovoltaic (PV) has started to be used efficiently in order to produce electrical energy from solar energy throughout the world. In this study, a wheat mover machine taking its energy with PV technology transformation from the sun was designed supported by smart sensors. The designed vehicle was tested in two wheat fields in Sivas in Turkey. It was seen that daily average sunshine rates were not lower than 700 Watt/m2during the testing dates and time. The amounts of electrical charge used to mow 5 m2and 50 m2areas are obtained as 500 mAh and 3395 mAh, respectively. Also maximum power is calculated from used PV panel as 26.15 Watt during the day of the experiments. The range of solar radiation intensity is found 4.5 kWh/m2/day at the studied kWh which was$0.140 USD on the date of November 2015. This system is 94.5% more economic than conventional mowers over an area of 1000 m2.

Seasonal and meteorological associations with depressive symptoms in older adults: A geo-epidemiological study

BackgroundGiven increased social and physiological vulnerabilities, older adults may be particularly susceptible to environmental influences on mood. Whereas the impact of season on mood is well described for adults, studies rarely extend to elders or include objective weather data. We investigated the impact of seasonality and meteorological factors on risk of current depressive symptoms in older adults. MethodsWe used data on 8027 participants from the first wave of The Irish Longitudinal Study of Ageing, a population-representative cohort of adults aged 50+. Depressive symptoms were recorded using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Season was defined according to the World Meteorological Organisation. Data on climate over the preceding thirty years, and temperature and rain over the preceding month, were provided by the Irish Meteorological Service and linked using Geographic Information Systems techniques to participant's geo-coded locations at a resolution of one kilometre. ResultsThe highest levels of depressive symptoms were reported in winter and the lowest in spring (mean 6.56 [CI95% 6.09, 7.04] vs. 5.81 [CI95%: 5.40, 6.22]). In fully adjusted linear regression models, participants living in areas with higher levels of rainfall in the preceding and/or current calendar month had greater depressive symptoms (0.04 SE 0.02; p=0.039 per 10mm additional rainfall per month) while those living in areas with sunnier climates had fewer depressive symptoms (−2.67 SE 0.88; p=0.003 for every additional hour of average annual daily sunshine). LimitationsThis was a cross-sectional analysis thus causality cannot be inferred; monthly rain and temperature averages were available only on a calendar month basis while monthly local levels of sunshine data were not available. ConclusionsEnvironmental cues may influence mood in older adults and thus have relevance for the recognition and treatment of depression in this age group.