December January Research Articles

The association between indoor air pollution from solid fuels and cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aimed to comprehensively and methodically evaluate the correlation between cognitive impairment and indoor air pollution from solid fuel used for cooking/heating. PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to December January 2023. 13 studies from three countries with a total of 277,001 participants were enrolled. A negative correlation was discovered between solid fuel usage for cooking and total cognitive score (β=-0.73, 95 % CI: -0.90 to -0.55) and episodic memory score (β=-0.23, 95 % CI: -0.30 to -0.17). Household solid fuel usage for cooking was considerably associated with a raised risk of cognitive impairment (HR=1.31, 95 % CI: 1.09-1.57) and cognitive decline (HR=1.24, 95 % CI: 1.18-1.30). Compared to continuous solid fuel use for cooking, sustained use of clean fuel and switching from solid fuel to clean fuel were associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline (OR=0.55, 95 % CI: 0.42-0.73; OR=0.81, 95 % CI: 0.71-0.93). A negative association was found between solid fuel usage for heating and total cognitive score (β=-0.43, 95 % CI: -0.59 to -0.26) and episodic memory score (β=-0.22, 95 % CI: -0.34 to -0.10). Our research provided evidence that exposure to indoor air pollution from solid fuel is a potential cause of cognitive impairment and cognitive decline. Making the switch from solid fuels to cleaner fuels could be an important step in preventing cognitive impairment in the elderly.

Validation of geostationary environment monitoring spectrometer (GEMS), TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), and Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite Nadir Mapper (OMPS) using pandora measurements during GEMS Map of Air Pollution (GMAP) field campaign

This study presents the validation of total column ozone (TCO) data retrieved from the Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) against ground-based Pandora spectrometer observations during the GEMS Map of Air Pollution (GMAP) campaign from November 2020 to January 2021 in Seosan, South Korea. To evaluate the accuracy of the Pandora TCO measurements obtained during the campaign period, all Pandora instruments were installed at the Seosan supersite for intercomparison analysis. Subsequently, the instruments were relocated to four sites for direct sunlight measurements. The Pandora instruments exhibited a high degree of consistency with an average difference of 0.5 ± 1.0 DU. This study demonstrated that accurate comparison of ground-based ozone measurements with satellite ozone measurements depended on the threshold values set for the spatial and temporal alignment of the two datasets and the size of the satellite footprint and viewing angle. The comparison of the GEMS, TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), and Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite Nadir Mapper (OMPS) satellite TCO with the Pandora TCO showed high agreement across measurements. However, a distinct downward trend was observed in the Mean Bias (MB) for GEMS from December–January, indicating an issue with the GEMS Level 1C irradiance. The validation using hourly Pandora data demonstrated GEMS capability to monitor daily ozone variations but with a bias of approximately −1% to −2.6% compared with that of Pandora.

Replicating the Hadley cell edge and subtropical jet latitude disconnect in idealized atmospheric models

Abstract. Recent work has shown that variability in the subtropical jet's (STJ) latitude, ϕSTJ, is not coupled to that of the Hadley cell (HC) edge, ϕHC, but the robustness of this disconnect has not been examined in detail. Here, we use meteorological reanalysis products, comprehensive climate models, and an idealized atmospheric model to determine the necessary processes for a disconnect between ϕHC and ϕSTJ in the Northern Hemisphere's December–January–February season. We find that a decoupling can occur in a dry general circulation model, indicating that large-scale dynamical processes are sufficient to reproduce the metrics' relationship. It is therefore not reliant on explicit variability in the zonal structure, convection, or radiation. Rather, the disconnect requires a sufficiently realistic climatological basic state. Further, we confirm that the robust disconnect between ϕSTJ and ϕHC across the model hierarchy reveals their differing sensitivities to midlatitude eddy momentum fluxes; ϕHC is consistently coupled to the latitude of maximum eddy momentum flux, but ϕSTJ is not.

Variation in Seed Quality Paramertes of Off-Season Soybean of Different Planting Dates and Varieties

The work was carried out to assess the effect of varieties and dates of sowing on seed quality parameters of soybean seed produced during off-season i.e., Rabi at Rajendranagar. The seeds of varieties AISb-50, Basara and JS-335 were used for estimation of seed quality parameters which were sown on 15th December and 15th January. The seed quality parameters differed significantly due to dates of sowing and varieties. The treatment sum of squares revealed a significant difference in germination, seedling vigour index-I, seedling dry weight, speed of germination and field emergence, whereas seedling length was non-significant for varieties. While the seedling vigour index-II and electrical conductivity showed non-significant variation in the interaction between varieties and dates of sowing. The 15th December sown crop showed higher germination (91.11%), seedling length (27.63 cm), seedling vigour index-I (2518), dry weight (95.90 mg), seedling vigour index-II (8713), speed of germination (25.05) and field emergence (89.22%). The variety JS-335 exhibited higher germination (92.83%), seedling length (27.55cm), vigour index I (2558), speed of germination (28.25%), while higher seedling dry weight and vigour index II was exhibited by Basara (94.86 mg and 8097). The amount of leachates was found in Basara with electrical conductivity of 23.82 µScm-1g-1. The interaction between dates of sowing and varieties revealed that the variety JS-335 of 15th December sown exhibited higher germination (95.33%), seedling length (28.43 cm), seedling vigour index I (2711), speed of germination (29.97) among other varieties. The variety Basara of 15th December sown crop showed higher seedling dry weight (103.93 mg) and seedling vigour index II (8936). The electrical conductivity was higher in case of Basara of 15th January (24.59 µScm-1g-1).

Challenges and motivators for nurses' well-being during and post-COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative exploration

PurposeThe present study was designed to explore the major challenges being faced by the Indian nurses' pre-post pandemic period affecting their well-being (WB) and identify factors that motivated them to perform their service wholeheartedly during the pandemic. The study also tries to bridge the gap in the study area by providing various ways that can help maintain the WB of health care professionals.Design/methodology/approachA descriptive exploratory qualitative design involving semi-structured interviews was conducted during December–January 2021 with 30 nurses from hospitals in Punjab Qualitative and thematic data analysis technique were adopted. In addition, a literature review was also conducted to study the various factors that affect the WB of health care professionals.FindingsThere are various themes and subthemes that were identified by the health care professionals, such as (1) psychological WB, (2) social WB and (3) workplace WB and (4) key motivators. This research work has identified various managerial implications that can play a huge rolein strengthening the healthcare sector of the entire world economy, paving the way toward the better WB of healthcare professionals (HCPs).Originality/valueFirstly, it is probably the only study that is performed on nursing staff to evaluate their personal experiences during crucial times. It has successfully compared the factors affecting WB pre- and post-pandemic, leading to the emergence of many new factors that have originated due to the pandemic and are the cause of the poor WB of HCPs (Figures 2, 4). Secondly, it is the only study that targeted only those nurses who have provided their services in both scenarios. Finally, the study has been a pioneer in identifying the importance of maintaining the WB of HCPs at hospitals.

Mixing of Rain and River Water in the Bay of Bengal From Basin‐Scale Freshwater Balance

AbstractWe construct freshwater balance in the Bay of Bengal (BoB) within a control volume (CV) bounded by 1,018 kg/m3 isopycnal surface using observations and ocean reanalysis during 2011–2015. Freshwater in CV is maximum in October–November due to monsoonal rain and river inflows, and minimum in April–May. Water lighter than 1,018 kg/m3 is not transported out of BoB, implying that freshwater lost from CV is mixed away entirely within the basin. From freshwater budget, we infer moderate diapycnal mixing rates (∼0.8 × 10−5 m2/s) in boreal spring and summer; in winter (December–January), the rate of freshwater loss to subsurface ocean is 0.015 m/day, corresponding to a median turbulent diffusivity of 4.2 × 10−5 m2/s, with standard error of 25%. We show that enhanced winter mixing across the shallow pycnocline is due to reduced shortwave radiation and subseasonal episodes of surface buoyancy loss when cool, dry northeast monsoon winds blow over BoB.

Effect of Sowing Environment and Varieties on Growth Attributes of Rain-fed Wheat under Sub-tropical Foothills of Jammu

A field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm Advanced Centre for Rain-fed Agriculture (ACRA), Rakh-Dhiansar of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications at during Rabi season of 2018-19 to study the effect of six dates of sowing (31st October, 15th November, 30th November, 15th December, 30th December and 14th January) on growth attributes of two wheat varieties (PBW-175 and JAUW-598). The sowing of rain-fed was done at spacing of 20 cm in sandy loam soil. The observations were recorded on plant height, total dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate and relative crop growth rate of wheat crop. Growth of wheat in terms of plant height, dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate and relative growth rate at periodic intervals revealed that at all the growth stages, the growth characters of wheat showed a pronounced improvement with varieties and sowing environments. The data showed significant effects of different sowing time on plant height, total dry matter and crop growth rate while relative crop growth rate found to be non-significant. Among varieties total dry matter found to be significant at 90, 120 DAS and at harvest as well as CGR at 60-90 DAS and 90-120 DAS while plant height and RGR showed to be non-significant at periodic intervals. In addition, the interaction effects were significant in some of observations.

Myocarditis and pericarditis risk with mRNA COVID-19 vaccination compared to unvaccinated individuals: A retrospective cohort study in a Spanish Tertiary Hospital

ObjectiveThis study compared the incidence of pericarditis and myocarditis in patients exposed to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines to the incidence in those who were not vaccinated, considering the incidence of these conditions resulting from COVID-19 infection. MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of individuals assigned to health area of La Paz University Hospital in Spain. The exposure factor was vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines between December 27th, 2020 and January 9th, 2022 with a minimum follow-up of one month. The outcome was the incidence of pericarditis or myocarditis in these individuals. ResultsThe incidence of pericarditis and myocarditis in the total population exposed to at least one dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines was 5/100,000 (CI95%:3 to 8 per 100,000), compared to 70/100,000 (CI95%: 66 to 92 per 100,000) in those who were not vaccinated. In the adolescent population (aged 12–17), the incidence was 10/100,000 in vaccinated population (CI95%: 5 to 45 per 100,000) compared to 20/100,000 in unvaccinated (CI95%: 6 to 79 per 100,000). The incidence of pericarditis or myocarditis in patients with COVID-19 infection was 200/100,000 people (CI95%: 114 to 306 per 100,000). The most common cause of pericarditis and myocarditis in the cohort was idiopathic/infectious (74 cases). Cases of myocarditis attributed to COVID-19 infection were more severe and had higher mortality rates compared to cases with other causes. ConclusionThe incidence of pericarditis and myocarditis in patients exposed to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines was lower than in those who were not vaccinated, especially in adults.The most common cause of pericarditis and myocarditis was idiopathic/infectious, but the most frequent cause in adolescent patients was mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. Cases of myocarditis due to COVID-19 infection were more severe and had greater mortality.

Expansion of winter ENSO‐associated rainfall affected area in Southeast Asia under warmer climate

AbstractThis paper examines the changes of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) associated winter rainfall relationship in Southeast Asia (SEA) in the historical period (1981–2010) and future period (2071–2100) based on the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models simulations. Twenty general circulation models (GCMs) are chosen from the Scenario Model Intercomparison Project (ScenarioMIP) highest emission scenario—Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) 5‐8.5. This study focuses only on the GCMs that have been able to replicate the consistent associated patterns observed, referred to as “teleconnection‐consistent models” (TCMs). During historical period, ENSO has significant negative association with SEA winter rainfall, particularly over Indochina mainland, Maritime Continent (MC) and northern Borneo. The significant negative‐associated teleconnection affected area has increased under future climate, particularly over southern part of South China Sea (SCS). The weakening of south westerlies at Western North Pacific (WNP) centred near 20°N reduces the moisture transport from Indochina into south of China, increase the negative correlated affected area in the SEA regions above equator. The northeasterlies/easterlies that prevailed from the WNP anticyclone (AC) brings significant moisture flux into southern Borneo, causing increment of significant positive‐associated moisture flux convergence to that region. The weakening of upward motion in TCM results in less warm and moist air rising over SEA MC, reducing the rainfall availability. The 1° eastward expansion of WC downward branch eastern edge leads to suppression of convective activities, increasing the dry affected area. The results suggest that the ENSO has a larger influence on the negative‐associated SEA rainfall and atmospheric circulation in the December–January–February (DJF) late‐21st century when compared to the 1980–2010.

The tropical influence on sub‐seasonal predictability of wintertime stratosphere and stratosphere–troposphere coupling

AbstractA unique set of relaxation experiments with a forecast model initialized during December–January 1999–2019 is used to explore tropical influence on the Northern Hemisphere polar stratosphere and stratosphere–troposphere coupling, to quantify predictability benefits due to the perfect knowledge of the tropical variability. On average, predictability of the polar stratosphere, as represented by the 50 hPa geopotential height anomalies north of 50°N (Z50), increases from 17 days in freely running (control) forecasts to 21 days in the tropical relaxation experiments. At sub‐seasonal time‐scales, a statistically significant improvement in weekly mean skill scores can be demonstrated in 14%–20% of individual forecast ensembles, mostly in cases when the skill of the corresponding control forecast is worse than average. In these forecasts, root‐mean‐square errors and forecast spread of Z50 during forecast weeks 3–5 are decreased by 10%–15%. Stratospheric improvements are detected during periods of both vortex strengthening and vortex weakening, including most major Sudden Stratospheric Warmings that occurred during the study period, via modulation of the upward wave activity fluxes. An active Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) is found in most of these events with MJO phase 5–7 preceding vortex weakening and MJO phase 3–4 preceding vortex strengthening. Forecasts with improved stratospheric circulation also have improved tropospheric circulation during and after the periods when improvements are detected in the stratosphere. We attribute these improvements to both stratosphere–troposphere coupling and tropospheric tropical teleconnections.

Seasonally dependent increases in subweekly temperature variability over Southern Hemisphere landmasses detected in multiple reanalyses

Abstract. The inter-dataset agreement of trends in subweekly near-surface (850 hPa) temperature variability over Southern Hemisphere midlatitude land masses is assessed among 12 global atmospheric reanalysis datasets. A comparison of the climatological temperature variance and dominant sources and sinks of the variance reveals that, except for NCEP-NCAR (R1) and NCEP-DOE (R2), there is a relatively good agreement for their magnitudes and spatial distributions during the satellite era (1980–2022), which indicates that the key features of subweekly variability are sufficiently well represented. A good agreement is noted for the positive trends found in subweekly variability over the satellite era affecting South Africa in September–October–November (SON) and South America in December–January–February (DJF). Although there is agreement in most of the reanalyses concerning the positive trend affecting Australia in SON, this has not yet emerged from the noise associated with interannual variability when considering only the satellite era. It is significant, however, when the period is extended (1954–2022) or limited to the most recent decades (1990–2022). The trends are explained primarily by a more efficient generation of subweekly temperature variance by horizontal temperature advection. This generation is also identified as a source of biases among the datasets. The trends are found to be reproduced even in those reanalyses that do not assimilate satellite data (JRA-55C) or that assimilate surface observations only (ERA-20C, 20CRv2c, and 20CRv3).

Authoritarian Nationalism and Identity Politics in the Face of the Jina Movement

Since last Shahrivar [August—September], a movement has arisen across Iran which has come to be recognised globally by its pivotal slogan, ‘Zan Zendegi Azadi’. This movement can be viewed from one perspective, as a continuation of the Dey 1396 [December—January 2017–2018], and Aban 1398 protests [October—November 2019] protests, in large part due to the fact that, like these previous two uprisings, it featured the same anti-establishment demands. However, this most recent Movement has also featured the highest rates of involvement from women, youth, and ethnic minority groups in decades. Much has been written to describe and explain the Jinah Movement, and so I don’t intend to discuss the reasons for its formation, nor its distinguishing features, the reasons for its subsequent decline, or its current prospects. Instead I will take this opportunity to question what factors—aside from the decisive role of repressive structure—contributed to the decline of the movement, what discourses played an inhibiting role in this movement and what could ultimately make its victory impossible?

Evidence of distribution overlap between Atlantic and Baltic grey seals

Abstract Grey seals from both the Atlantic and Baltic Sea subspecies are recovering from dramatic declines and recolonising former ranges, potentially leading to overlapping distributions and an emerging subspecies transition zone in Kattegat between Denmark and Sweden. The two subspecies have asynchronous moulting and pupping seasons. We present aerial survey data from 2011 to 2023 in Danish Kattegat during the Atlantic subspecies' moulting (March–April) and pupping (December–January) seasons, as well as the Baltic subspecies' moulting season (May–June). During the Atlantic subspecies' peak moulting season, 82% of the grey seals were recorded north of the island of Læsø (N57°18′, E11°00′). In contrast, during the Baltic moulting season in those years, only 9% of the grey seals were recorded here. This indicates a predominance of Atlantic grey seals in the north and Baltic grey seals in central and southern Kattegat. In 2022 and 2023, three pups were recorded around Læsø during early January, which coincides with the pupping season of northern Wadden Sea grey seals. Previously, pups have been recorded in the same locations during the Baltic pupping season, which demonstrates overlapping breeding ranges. Grey seals are known to have plasticity in the timing of pupping indicated by a west to east cline of progressively later pupping in the eastern North Atlantic. Historical sources document that the Baltic pupping season in Kattegat was earlier than it has been in recent years. Thus, the expanding ranges may be associated with convergence of Atlantic and Baltic subspecies' pupping seasons and potential hybridisation in this emerging transition zone.

Probabilistic skill of statistically downscaled ECMWF S2S forecasts of maximum and minimum temperatures for weeks 1–4 over South Africa

AbstractThe probabilistic forecast skill level of statistically downscaled European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) subseasonal‐to‐seasonal (S2S) forecasts is determined in predicting maximum and minimum temperatures for weeks 1–4 lead times during 20‐year December–January–February (DJF) seasons from 2001 to 2020 over South Africa. Skilful S2S forecasts are vital in assisting decision‐makers in the development of contingency planning for any eventualities that may arise because of weather and climate phenomena. Extreme high‐ and low‐temperature events over a prolonged period can lead to hyperthermia and hypothermia, respectively, and can lead to loss of life. The results from the relative operating characteristic (ROC) and reliability diagrams indicate that the ECMWF S2S model has skill in predicting maximum temperature up to week 3 ahead, particularly over the central and eastern parts of South Africa. The ROC scores indicate that the model has skill in predicting minimum temperature up to week 4 ahead for the above‐normal category, particularly over the central and eastern parts of South Africa. Reliability diagrams indicate that the model has a tendency of overestimating the below‐normal category when predicting both maximum and minimum temperatures for weeks 1–4 lead times over South Africa. Furthermore, canonical correlation analysis (CCA) pattern analysis suggests that when there are anomalously positive and negative predicted 850‐hPa geopotential heights located over South Africa, there are anomalously hot and cold conditions during the DJF seasons over most parts of South Africa, respectively. These results suggests that statistical downscaling of model forecasts can improve forecast skill. Moreover, the results suggest that there is potential for S2S predictions in South Africa, and as such, S2S prediction system for maximum and minimum temperatures can be developed.

Impact of a Parent Education Program Delivered by Nurses and Health Care Providers in Reducing Infant Physical Abuse Hospitalization Rates in British Columbia, Canada.

The Period of PURPLE Crying Program® (PURPLE) is a universal parent education program that is delivered by nurses and health care providers to all parents/caregivers of newborns in British Columbia (B.C.). The aim of the program is to reduce the incidence of Traumatic Head Injury -Child Maltreatment (THI-CM), a form of child physical abuse. To determine if the PURPLE program had an impact on the rate of physical abuse hospitalizations for children less than or equal to 24 months of age in B.C. since implementation in 2009. The analysis measured physical abuse hospitalization rates for the period January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2019 and excluded any cases of confirmed Traumatic Head Injury-Child Maltreatment. Data were divided into pre-implementation period January, 1999 to December, 2008, and post-implementation period January, 2009 to December, 2019. Data were obtained from the Discharge Abstract Database and B.C. THI-CM Surveillance System to capture information on infant child abuse. Poisson regression and ANCOVA was applied to model the change in rates pre and post program implementation. Physical abuse hospitalization rates decreased by 30% post-implementation period (95% CI: -14%, 57%, p = 0.1561). The decreasing linear trend in the post-implementation period was significantly different than the increasing linear trend in the pre-implementation period (F1,17 = 4.832, p = 0.042). Nurses' role in engaging parents in conversations about PURPLE messages over multiple timepoints within a structured universal program model resulted in a decrease in physical abuse hospitalization rates since the implementation of PURPLE.

Spatial Characteristics and Temporal Trend of Urban Heat Island Effect over Major Cities in India Using Long-Term Space-Based MODIS Land Surface Temperature Observations (2000–2023)

The alteration of the Earth’s surface due to urbanization and the formation of urban heat islands is one of the most evident and widely discussed anthropogenic impacts on Earth’s microclimate. The elevated land surface temperature in the urban perimeter compared with the surrounding non-urban area is known as the surface urban heat island (SUHI) effect. India has experienced swift urban growth over the past few decades, and this trend is expected to persist in years to come. The literature published on SUHI in India focuses only on a few specific cities, and there is limited understanding of its geospatial variation across a broader region and its long-term trend. Here, we present one of the first studies exploring the long-term diurnal (daytime, and nighttime), seasonal, and annual characteristics of SUHI in the 20 largest urban centers of India and its neighboring countries. The study highlights a statistically significant (95% confidence interval) rise in nighttime surface temperatures across major cities based on a linear fit over 23 years (2000–2023) of MODIS land surface temperature satellite observations. The nighttime SUHI was found to be more conspicuous, positive, and consistent when compared with daytime satellite observations. The nighttime SUHI for April–May–June representing the pre-monsoon and onset of monsoon months for the top 10 cities, ranged from 0.92 to 2.33 °C; for December–January–February, representing the winter season, it ranged from 1.38 to 2.63 °C. In general, the total change in the nighttime SUHI based on linear fit (2000–2023) for the top ten cities showed warming over the urban region ranging from 2.04 to 3.7 °C. The highest warming trend was observed during the months of May–June–July (3.7 and 3.01 °C) in Ahmedabad and Delhi, cities that have undergone rapid urbanization in the last two to three decades. The study identified strongly positive annual SUHI intensity during nighttime, and weakly negative to moderately positive annual SUHI intensity during daytime, for major cities. Jaipur (India), Lahore (Pakistan), Dhaka (Bangladesh), and Colombo (Sri Lanka) showed a nighttime SUHI intensity of 2.17, 2.33, 0.32, and 0.21 °C, respectively, during the months of April–May–June, and a nighttime SUHI intensity of 2.63, 1.68, 0.94, 0.33 °C, respectively, for the months of December–January–February (2000–2023). It is apparent that the geographical location (inland/coastal) of the city has a high influence on the daytime and nighttime SUHI patterns. The current research is intended to help city planners and policymakers better understand SUHI intensity (day and night/seasonal basis) for developing strategies to mitigate urban heat island effects.

Dynamic and Thermodynamic Contributions to Late 21st Century Projected Rainfall Change in the Congo Basin: Impact of a Regional Climate Model’s Formulation

Addressing the impacts of climate change requires, first of all, understanding the mechanisms driving changes, especially at the regional scale. In particular, policymakers and other stakeholders need physically robust climate change information to drive societal responses to a changing climate. This study analyses late 21st-century (2071–2100) precipitation projections for the Congo Basin under representative concentration pathway (RCP) 8.5, using the Rossby Centre Regional Climate Model (RCM) RCA4. Specifically, we examine the impact of the RCM formulation (reduction of turbulent mixing) on future change in seasonal mean precipitation by comparing the results of the modified model version (RCA4-v4) with those of the standard version (RCA4-v1) used in CORDEX (Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment). The two RCM versions are driven by two global climate models participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5). The results show that seasonal precipitation is largely affected by modifications in the atmospheric column moisture convergence or divergence, and, in turn, associated with changes in the dynamic (ΔDY) and thermodynamic (ΔTH) components of the moisture-budget equation. Projected decreased precipitation in the dry seasons (December–January–February and June–July–August) is linked to increased moisture divergence driven by dynamic effects (changes in circulation), with most experiments showing ΔDY as the main contributor (>60%) to the total moisture budget. Overall, precipitation is projected to increase in the wet seasons (March–April–May and September–October–November), which can be attributed to both dynamic and thermodynamic effects, but with a larger thermodynamic contribution (changes in specific humidity, ΔTH > 45%), compared to the dynamic one (ΔDY > 40%). Through a comparison of the two model versions, we found that the formulation (reducing turbulent mixing) and boundary conditions (driving GCM) strongly influence precipitation projections. This result holds substantial value for ensuring the fitness of models for future projections intended for decision-makers.

A comprehensive analysis of small-scale building integrated photovoltaic system for residential buildings: Techno-economic benefits and greenhouse gas mitigation potential

The present paper aims to highlight the techno-economic and greenhouse mitigation potential of the small-scale building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) of 10 kW suitable for residential as well as small commercial agglomerations. To carry out this investigation a mathematical model has been developed utilizing the RetScreen simulation tool. The model has been implemented by choosing various cities across India that are major residential hubs such as Delhi, Lucknow, Indore, Jodhpur, Pune, and Coimbatore. The result showed that the energy production remained highest at Jodhpur i.e. 15678 kWh amounting to Rs. 94107/year of energy savings. The energy payback period (ENPP) for a 10 kW system has been obtained between 6 and 7 years. The highest capacity utilization factor (CUF) was obtained during March but the performance ratio (PR) and efficiency remained highest during December–January (Winter). Jodhpur had the highest net present value (NPV) and profitability index (PI) which indicated that Jodhpur was the most lucrative site among all locations. The simple and the equity payback (SPP and EPP) obtained were between 7.1 and 9.3 years. The Levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) was between Rs. 5.81/kWh- Rs. 6.95/kWh. The result also revealed that the 10 kW BIPV system was capable of reducing 15 tonnes/year of carbon and more than 400 tonnes of carbon in 25 years. The carbon credit earned by a single installation was more than Rs. 70 thousand in a year. If the current model is applied to 3000 households in a locality, there can be 40–50 GWh of energy savings amounting to Rs. 230–280 million.

Reasons for Low Fraction of Arctic Stratospheric Cloud in 2014/2015 Winter

AbstractPolar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) play a key role in Arctic amplification and stratospheric ozone destruction in polar regions. In this paper, we used the CALIPSO data to analyze the spatiotemporal distribution of Arctic PSCs from 2006 to 2021. We found that Arctic PSCs mainly appear in December, peak in late December and early January, disappearing in late February and early March. PSCs can extend from heights near the tropopause to over 25 km. However, there is the lowest fraction of PSCs in the 2014/2015 winter. This study found that the temperature in the 2014/2015 winter was warmer than the 15‐year average temperature, with the lowest temperature slightly below the PSCs formation temperature of about 5 K. The formation of the Ural blocking high accompanied by the poleward propagation of the planetary wave caused a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event on 3 January 2015, during which the warm air entered the polar vortex and divided it into two lobes. Additionally, a reduction in SO2 column mass density before the SSW event resulted PSCs occurring with a frequency of only 0.148 and dissipating rapidly in December. Moreover, the concentration of H2O and HNO3 in the gravitational settling process of PSCs decreased by 20–50%, the reduction of condensation nuclei made PSCs with the highest frequency of 0.074 in February appear briefly and then disappear. The chemical and dynamic analysis of PSCs formation is needed to further understand the spatiotemporal distribution of Arctic PSCs and to better predict future Arctic amplification and ozone destruction.

Influence of Irrigation Scheduling on Physiological Growth Parameters and Yield of Wheat under Different Sowing Dates

Sowing time and irrigation play an important role to ensure higher production. Delay in sowing affects the growth and development of crop. Studying the effect of irrigation scheduling and sowing dates can provide a knowledge for improving production in late sowing conditions. A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2020-21 at Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh to study the influence of irrigation scheduling on physiological growth parameters and yield of wheat under different sowing dates. The experiment comprised of 12 treatment combinations having three sowing dates, 3rd December, 18th December and 2nd January in the main-plot and four Irrigation Water/ Cumulative Pan Evaporation (IW/CPE) based irrigation scheduling, viz. 1.0, 0.9, 0.8 and 0.7 in the sub-plot was analyzed in split-plot design with three replications. The findings of present investigation revealed that the physiological growth parameters and yield were higher in 3rd December sown date. Among the irrigation scheduling, IW/CPE ratio 1.0 recorded significantly higher growth parameters and yield. The results of the present study conclude that adjusting sowing date with irrigation scheduling could assist in enhancing yield.