Large Regional Variations Research Articles

ALMA 12CO (J = 1–0) imaging of the nearby galaxy M 83: Variations in the efficiency of star formation in giant molecular clouds

Abstract We present results of the 12CO (1–0) mosaic observations of the nearby barred-spiral galaxy M 83 obtained with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The total flux is recovered by combining the ALMA data with single-dish data obtained using the Nobeyama 45 m telescope. The combined map covers a ∼13 kpc2 field that includes the galactic center, eastern bar, and spiral arm with a resolution of 2${^{\prime\prime}_{.}}$03 × 1${^{\prime\prime}_{.}}$15 (∼45 pc × ∼25 pc). With a resolution comparable to typical sizes of giant molecular clouds (GMCs), the CO distribution in the bar and arm is resolved into many clumpy peaks that form ridge-like structures. Remarkably, in the eastern arm, the CO peaks form two arc-shaped ridges that run along the arm and exhibit a distinct difference in the activity of star formation: the one on the leading side has numerous H ii regions associated with it, whereas the other one on the trailing side has only a few. To see whether GMCs form stars with uniform star formation efficiency (SFE) per free-fall time (SFEff), GMCs are identified from the data cube and then cross-matched with the catalog of ${H}\,\, \small {II}$ regions to estimate the star formation rate for each of them. 179 GMCs with a median mass of 1.6 × 106 M⊙ are identified. The mass-weighted average SFEff of the GMCs is ∼9.4 × 10−3, which is in agreement with models of turbulence regulated star formation. Meanwhile, we find that SFEff is not universal within the mapped region. In particular, one of the arm ridges shows a high SFEff with a mass-weighted value of ∼2.7 × 10−2, which is higher by more than a factor of 5 compared to the inter-arm regions. This large regional variation in SFEff favors the recent interpretation that GMCs do not form stars at a constant rate within their lifetime.

Tick abundance, pathogen prevalence, and disease incidence in two contrasting regions at the northern distribution range of Europe

BackgroundEmergence of tick-borne diseases is impacting humans and livestock across the Northern Hemisphere. There are, however, large regional variations in number of cases of tick-borne diseases. Some areas have surprisingly few cases of disease compared to other regions. The aim here is to provide a first step towards a better understanding of such contrasting regional patterns of disease emergences at the northern distribution range of Ixodes ricinus in Europe.MethodsWe compare disease incidence, vector abundance and pathogen prevalence in eastern and western Norway differing in the number of tick-borne disease cases. First, we analysed the incidence of Lyme borreliosis in humans, tick-borne fever (anaplasmosis) in sheep and anaplasmosis and babesiosis in cattle to verify if incidence differed. Secondly, we analysed extensive field data on questing tick density, pathogen prevalence, as well as the broad spatial pattern of human and livestock distribution as it may relate to tick exposure.ResultsThe incidences of all diseases were lower in eastern, compared to western, Norway, but this was most marked for the livestock diseases. While the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) in ticks was similar in the two regions, the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum was markedly lower in eastern, compared to western, Norway. We found overall a lower abundance of questing nymphs in the east. In the east, there were cases of babesiosis in cattle where anaplasmosis was absent, suggesting absence of the pathogen rather than differences in exposure to ticks as part of the explanation for the much lower incidence of anaplasmosis in eastern Norway.ConclusionsMany factors contribute to different disease incidence across ecosystems. We found that regional variation in tick-borne disease incidence may be partly linked to vector abundance and pathogen prevalence, but differently for human and livestock diseases. Further studies are needed to determine if there is also regional variation in specific genospecies and strain frequencies differing in pathogenicity.

Incidence of gastric cancer in the USA during 1999 to 2013: a 50-state analysis.

The incidence of gastric cancer, while declining in many places worldwide, is characterized by considerable geographical variability. The USA has large racial, ethnic and regional variation; we collected data from all 50 states to better characterize recent changes in gastric cancer incidence nationwide. Annual gastric cancer incidence rates from 1999 to 2013 were extracted from the United States Cancer Statistics (USCS) registry. Secular trends of gastric cancer incidence were examined overall and by sociodemographic factors and states. We used Joinpoint regression to compute annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). SEER 13 registries data were extracted to examine the secular trends by cardia and non-cardia gastric cancers. Overall gastric cancer incidence decreased until 2007 (APC = -1.55, 95% CI: -1.88, -1.21), and remained stable thereafter (APC = -0.32, 95% CI: -0.84, 0.20). However, rates increased among persons <50 years of age (AAPC = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.61, 1.16), especially among non-Hispanic white females and Hispanic females. Incidence of non-cardia gastric cancer increased among persons <50 years of age (AAPC = 0.69, 95% CI: -0.06, 1.44), whereas rates of gastric cardia cancer remained unchanged. States with rapid increases in high-risk population groups (e.g. Hispanic females aged <50), including California and Texas, had highest annual increases in gastric cancer incidence. Divergent trends for gastric cancer incidence were observed in the USA. Incidence rates, particularly for non-cardia gastric cancer, were stable or increasing among persons aged <50 years.

41. RECONSIDERING THE EVIDENCE FOR CLOZAPINE FOR TREATMENT REFRACTORY SCHIZOPHRENIA

Overall : The superiority of clozapine for treatment refractory schizophrenia was, until very recently, seen as one of the few unshakeable truths in psychiatry. But the pre-eminence of clozapine has recently been called into question by meta-analyses. What are we to make of the fact that meta-analyses of clinical trials, supposedly the pinnacle of evidence based medicine, fail to show an effect which seems clearly evident to most clinicians, and on which many of our guidelines are based? Have we believed in a fairytale for the past three decades? Or do biases in RCTs and methodological limitations of meta-analyses explain the results? These questions will be discussed by Dan Siskind.Another way to address the question of efficacy is to examine the pharmaco-epidemiological evidence using population-based registers. Jari Tiihonen will present data from his seminal studies of mortality and readmission rates under clozapine treatment versus other antipsychotics, as well as other data. These data seem to show powerful positive effects of clozapine at the population level. Furthermore, more recent evidence suggests a role for clozapine in reducing rates of violent offending, with new data presented for the first time by Vishal Bhavsar.Finally, despite clinical guidelines recommending the use of clozapine, the actual rates of clozapine use are much lower than expected, with large regional and international variations. There is evidence that the burden of blood monitoring deters physicians from prescribing clozapine. Yvonne van der Zalm will present new data from a cluster randomised trial testing the efficacy and safety of an intervention to increase rates of clozapine prescribing by employing nurse practitioners trained in the initiation and monitoring of clozapine.John Kane, author of the first, seminal RCT of clozapine in 1988, will lead the discussion.

Global and Japanese regional variations in radiologist potential workload for computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging examinations.

To investigate the global variation in radiologist potential workload for CT and MRI examinations, and the regional variation in potential workload and extent of radiologists' involvement in CT and MRI examinations in Japan. "Radiologist potential workload" was defined as the annual number of CT plus MRI examinations divided by the total number of diagnostic radiologists. The extent of radiologists' involvement was measured as the proportion of CT and MRI examinations to which "Added-fees for Radiological Managements on Imaging-studies (ARMIs)" were applied among eligible examinations. Maximum variation was computed as the ratio of the highest-to-lowest values among the countries or Japanese prefectures. The radiologist potential workload in Japan was 2.78-4.17 times higher than those in other countries. A maximum prefecture-to-prefecture variation was 3.88. The average percentage of CT plus MRI examinations with ARMI applied was 43.3%, with a maximum prefecture-to-prefecture variation of 3.97. Prefectures with more radiologists tended to have a higher extent of radiologists' involvement. Japan had a far greater radiologist potential workload compared with other countries, with a large regional variation among prefectures. Prefectures with more radiologists tended to have a higher extent of radiologists' involvement in CT and MRI examinations.

Association between social health insurance and choice of hospitals among internal migrants in China: a national cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThere is a tendency to pursue higher-level hospitalisation services in China, especially for internal migrants. This study aims to investigate the choices of hospitalisation services among internal migrants, and evaluate...

With axial loading during MRI diurnal T2-value changes in lumbar discs are neglectable: a cross sectional study

BackgroundAxial loading during MRI (alMRI) combined with T2 mapping recently was shown as a promising method to reveal biomechanical intervertebral disc (IVD) characteristics. This feasibility study aims to investigate whether there is a diurnal variation in the IVD T2-value when using alMRI. This is of importance for the planning of when to perform alMRI investigations and for interpretations of alMRI findings in relation to clinical symptoms.MethodsSix healthy volunteers (30 lumbar discs), were examined with alMRI at three different sessions during 1 day. To be representative for a low back pain cohort in terms of age and IVD degeneration the included participants had a wide age range (27-63y) and all Pfirrmann grades represented. The T2-values were measured in five IVD regions of interest (ROI). The ROIs were equally large in sagittal plane with ROI1 representing anterior parts of the IVD, ROI5 posterior IVD parts and ROI2–4 the parts in between.ResultsT2-values of the entire IVD varied between 38 and 138 ms at 7 am, 33-143 ms at 11.30 am, and 31-147 ms at 4 pm with large regional IVD variations at all time points. No significant alterations of the T2-values over the day were found, neither for the entire IVD (p = 0.4) nor for the various ROIs (p = 0.2–1.0). Neither when correlated to Pfirrmann grade, any significant diurnal T2-value changes were found.ConclusionsWith alMRI, only minor diurnal T2-value changes were found in the lumbar discs. Nonsignificant and neglectable diurnal changes are advantageous both for research purposes, as well as in the clinical setting, giving comparable and robust data regardless of at what time-point the alMRI is performed.

云南省农田生态系统碳足迹时空变化及其影响因素

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 云南省农田生态系统碳足迹时空变化及其影响因素 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201805301190 作者: 作者单位: 北京师范大学,北京师范大学,北京师范大学,北京师范大学,北京师范大学,北京师范大学 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家重点研发计划项目（2016YFC0502103）；国家自然科学基金（41571173） Temporal and spatial dynamics in the carbon footprint and its influencing factors of farmland ecosystems in Yunnan Province Author: Affiliation: Beijing Normal University,Beijing Normal University,Beijing Normal University,Beijing Normal University,Beijing Normal University,Beijing Normal University Fund Project: National Key Research and Development Project；National Natural Sciences Foundation of China 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:农田碳足迹研究对农田生态系统管理与农业可持续发展具有重要意义，也可表征农田扩展的生态影响程度。利用县域尺度统计数据与空间分析，对云南省农田生态系统近30年的碳足迹的时空演变进行研究。结果表明：1985-2015年期间，云南省农田生态系统碳排放年均增幅为13.9%，化肥施用引起的碳排放贡献率最大，为56%，2015年的化肥单位面积碳排放达到331.6 kg/hm2。云南省农田生态系统碳吸收年均增幅为3.04%，稻谷的碳吸收比例最大，为41%，然而，玉米的碳吸收的增幅最大，为8.76%。云南省农田生态系统存在碳生态盈余，且碳足迹总体呈现增长趋势，年均增长率为16.8%，单位面积碳足迹随年份增加不断增长。从空间上看，云南省农田生态系统碳排放、碳吸收在空间上均呈东南高、西北低的分布格局，而碳足迹在空间上呈现东西部高、中部低的分布格局，三者的空间差异和变化幅度差异都较大。 Abstract:The study of farmland carbon footprint is of great significance to farmland ecosystem management and sustainable agricultural development. It can also characterize the ecological effects of farmland expansion. Based on the county-scale statistical data and spatial analysis, we studied the temporal and spatial changes of the carbon footprint of the Yunnan farmland ecosystem over the past 30 years. The results showed that:during the period from 1985 to 2015, the average annual increase of carbon emissions from farmland ecosystems in Yunnan Province was 13.9%. The contribution of carbon emissions from chemical fertilizer was the largest, accounting for 56%. In 2015, the carbon emissions per unit area reached 331.6 kg/hm2. The average annual increase rate of carbon absorption of farmland ecosystems in Yunnan Province was 3.04%. Rice had the largest proportion of carbon absorption, accounting for 41% of the total carbon absorption, whereas corn had the fastest growth rate of carbon absorption at 8.76%. There was a carbon surplus in farmland ecosystems in Yunnan Province. Furthermore, the overall carbon footprint showed a growing trend with the average annual growth rate of 16.8%, and the carbon footprint per unit area increased continuously. From the spatial point of view, the carbon emission and carbon absorption of farmland ecosystems in Yunnan Province had similar spatial distributions, which appeared more in the southeast and less in the northwest. However, the carbon footprint was spatially distributed more in the east and west and less in the middle. Their most obvious features were large regional differences and variation range. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Comparison of climate projections between driving CSIRO-Mk3.6.0 and downscaling simulation of RegCM4.4 over China

A 151-year (1950–2100) dynamical downscaling simulation over East Asia is conducted by using the Regional Climate Model RegCM4.4 at 25 km grid spacing, which is nested within CSIRO-Mk3.6.0. Climate changes over China during the 21st century under the RCP4.5 scenario from CSIRO-Mk3.6.0 and RegCM4.4 are analyzed. Both simulations project that continuous warming with large regional variations will occur in the future. The two simulations obtain similar inter-annual fluctuations of regional average warming, with RegCM4.4 obtaining somewhat smaller values than CSIRO-Mk3.6.0. Projected precipitation changes are even more regionally variable than temperature changes. In western China, both models project increased precipitation, while the projections from two models show different regional details in eastern China. In both simulations, projected annual mean precipitation on a national scale does not change significantly due to the contrast changes between dry and wet seasons. To analyze uncertainties of the projected climate change in China, the simulation of RegCM4.4 is compared with a previous simulation of the RegCM3 at the same horizontal resolution. The overall consistency in precipitation change between RegCM3 and RegCM4.4 is projected across western China, while inconsistency is identified in most of eastern China.

A Population-Based Epidemiologic Study of Female Sexual Dysfunction Risk in Mainland China: Prevalence and Predictors

BackgroundEpidemiologic data on female sexual dysfunction in China are sparse. AimTo assess the prevalence of risk of female sexual dysfunction in mainland China and its regional and sociodemographic variations and physiologic, pathologic, and behavioral risk factors. MethodsA survey of the general female population was conducted in mainland China from February 2014 through January 2016. Women were randomly selected using multistage, stratified, cluster sampling. The prevalence rate of sexual dysfunction, as measured by the Female Sexual Function Index and a score lower than 23.45 as the cutoff threshold, was determined. Multivariate logistical regression models were used to examine the effects of sociodemographic, physiologic, pathologic, and behavioral factors on women’s risk of experiencing sexual dysfunction and domain-specific sexual problems. OutcomesThe questionnaire on sexual dysfunction was completed by 25,446 women 20 to 70 years old. ResultsThe prevalence of sexual dysfunction in women 20 to 70 years old in mainland China was estimated at 29.7% (99% CI = 28.9–30.4), with large regional variations. The prevalence rates of potential domain-specific sexual problems were 21.6% (99% CI = 20.9–22.2) for low desire, 21.5 (99% CI = 20.8–22.2) for arousal disorder, 18.9% (99% CI = 18.3–19.6) for lubrication disorder, 27.9% (99% CI = 27.2–28.7) for orgasm disorder, and 14.1% (99% CI = 13.6–14.7) for sexual pain. Higher educational attainment and urban residency were associated with a decreased risk of sexual dysfunction. Women of ethnic minorities (or non-Han ethnicity) had fewer reports of sexual dysfunction than women of Han ethnicity (odds ratio = 0.67, 99% CI = 0.47–0.97). Diabetes, cancers, pelvic inflammatory disease, and pelvic organ prolapse significantly increased the reports of sexual dysfunction. Clinical TranslationThis survey provided the prevalence and risk factors of female sexual dysfunction in China, information that could be useful for potential prevention and clinical treatment. Strengths and LimitationsThis is the first large-scale, nationally based epidemiologic study of female sexual dysfunction in mainland China. The limitations of the study design included an overpowered study caused by the large sample, the under-representation of younger and unmarried women, and no information on the women’s partners, their values and knowledge, and detailed medical conditions. ConclusionsThe prevalence rate of female sexual dysfunction in mainland China was modest overall, although variations existed across regions and social groups.Zhang C, Tong J, Zhu L, et al. A Population-Based Epidemiologic Study of Female Sexual Dysfunction Risk in Mainland China: Prevalence and Predictors. J Sex Med 2017;14:1348–1356.

Large regional variation in HF hospitalisation outcomes in the US

Large regional variation in HF hospitalisation outcomes in the US

Analysis of the relationship between community characteristics and depression using geographically weighted regression.

OBJECTIVESAchieving national health equity is currently a pressing issue. Large regional variations in the health determinants are observed. Depression, one of the most common mental disorders, has large variations in incidence among different populations, and thus must be regionally analyzed. The present study aimed at analyzing regional disparities in depressive symptoms and identifying the health determinants that require regional interventions.METHODSUsing health indicators of depression in the Korea Community Health Survey 2011 and 2013, the Moran’s I was calculated for each variable to assess spatial autocorrelation, and a validated geographically weighted regression analysis using ArcGIS version 10.1 of different domains: health behavior, morbidity, and the social and physical environments were created, and the final model included a combination of significant variables in these models.RESULTSIn the health behavior domain, the weekly breakfast intake frequency of 1-2 times was the most significantly correlated with depression in all regions, followed by exposure to secondhand smoke and the level of perceived stress in some regions. In the morbidity domain, the rate of lifetime diagnosis of myocardial infarction was the most significantly correlated with depression. In the social and physical environment domain, the trust environment within the local community was highly correlated with depression, showing that lower the level of trust, higher was the level of depression. A final model was constructed and analyzed using highly influential variables from each domain. The models were divided into two groups according to the significance of correlation of each variable with the experience of depression symptoms.CONCLUSIONSThe indicators of the regional health status are significantly associated with the incidence of depressive symptoms within a region. The significance of this correlation varied across regions.

Biogeochemical versus ecological consequences of modeled ocean physics

Abstract. We present a systematic study of the differences generated by coupling the same ecological–biogeochemical model to a 1°, coarse-resolution, and 1∕6°, eddy-permitting, global ocean circulation model to (a) biogeochemistry (e.g., primary production) and (b) phytoplankton community structure. Surprisingly, we find that the modeled phytoplankton community is largely unchanged, with the same phenotypes dominating in both cases. Conversely, there are large regional and seasonal variations in primary production, phytoplankton and zooplankton biomass. In the subtropics, mixed layer depths (MLDs) are, on average, deeper in the eddy-permitting model, resulting in higher nutrient supply driving increases in primary production and phytoplankton biomass. In the higher latitudes, differences in winter mixed layer depths, the timing of the onset of the spring bloom and vertical nutrient supply result in lower primary production in the eddy-permitting model. Counterintuitively, this does not drive a decrease in phytoplankton biomass but results in lower zooplankton biomass. We explain these similarities and differences in the model using the framework of resource competition theory, and find that they are the consequence of changes in the regional and seasonal nutrient supply and light environment, mediated by differences in the modeled mixed layer depths. Although previous work has suggested that complex models may respond chaotically and unpredictably to changes in forcing, we find that our model responds in a predictable way to different ocean circulation forcing, despite its complexity. The use of frameworks, such as resource competition theory, provides a tractable way to explore the differences and similarities that occur. As this model has many similarities to other widely used biogeochemical models that also resolve multiple phytoplankton phenotypes, this study provides important insights into how the results of running these models under different physical conditions might be more easily understood.

A questionnaire study of associations between potential risk factors and salmonella status in Swedish dairy herds

In this study associations between potential risk factors and salmonella status in Swedish dairy herds were investigated. A case-control study design was used, including existing as well as new cases. Herds were assigned a salmonella status on the basis of antibody analysis of bulk milk samples. Information on potential risk factors was collected from registry data and from farmers via a questionnaire. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to investigate associations between salmonella status and potential risk factors. In addition, multivariate analysis with Additive Bayesian Network (ABN) modelling was performed to improve understanding of the complex relationship between all the variables. Because of the difficulty in identifying associations between potential risk factors and infections with low prevalence and a large regional variation, exposure of potential risk factors in the high-prevalence region (Öland) were compared to exposure in other regions in Sweden.In total 483 of 996 (48%) farmers responded to the questionnaire, 69 herds had test-positive bulk milk samples. The strongest association with salmonella status was ‘presence of salmonella test-positive herds <5 km’ (OR 4.3, 95% CI 2.0–9.4). Associations with salmonella status were also seen between ‘feeding calves residue milk only’ (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2–4.6), ‘certified organic herds’ (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2–4.9) and ‘frequently seeing signs of rodents’ (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.13-0.97). The ABN model showed associations between Öland and four of the variables: salmonella status, presence of test-positive herds <5km, shared pastures and providing protective clothing for visitors. The latter is probably a reflection of increased disease awareness in Öland. The ABN model showed associations between herd size and housing as well as several management procedures. This provides an explanation why herd size frequently has been identified as a risk factor for salmonella by other studies.The study confirms the importance of local transmission routes for salmonella, but does not identify specific components in this local spread. Therefore, it supports the use of a broad biosecurity approach in the prevention of salmonella. In Öland, some potential risk factors are more common than in other parts of Sweden. Theoretically these could contribute to the spread of salmonella, but this was not confirmed in the present study. The study also highlights the difficulty in identifying associations between potential risk factors and infections with low prevalence and large regional variation.

Nutrient losses and greenhouse gas emissions from dairy production in China: Lessons learned from historical changes and regional differences

The dairy industry in China was rapidly expanded and intensified from 1980 to 2010, engendering potential long-term impacts on the environment and natural resources. However, impacts of dairy intensification on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) losses and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were unknown. This study was undertaken to examine these relations using the NUtrient flows in Food chains, Environment and Resources use (NUFER)-dairy model. Results showed that milk yield increased by 64% from 1980 to 2010 on average, and the use of concentrate feeds increased by 57% associated with a shift of production from traditional and grassland systems to collective and industrialized systems. At herd level, the N use efficiency (NUE; conversion of N inputs to products) doubled from 7 to 15%, and the P use efficiency (PUE) increased from 10 to 17%, primarily resulting from increased milk yield per cow. In contrast, at the system level, NUE showed a small increase (from 10 to 15%, associated with reduced gaseous losses) while PUE decreased from 46 to 30% due to a large increase in manure discharges. This is attributed to decoupling of feed and dairy production, as the proportion of manure N and P recycled to cropland decreased by 52% and 54%, respectively. Despite this, the average total N loss decreased from 63 to 48gkg−1 milk, and the average GHG emissions from 1.7 to 1.1kgCO2equivalentkg−1 milk associated with increased per-cow productivity. However, average P loss increased from 1.4 to 2.8gPkg−1 milk due to higher discharge rate to wastewater and landfill in collective and industrialized systems. Anyhow, average N and P losses exceeded levels in developed countries. There were large regional variations in nutrient use efficiency, nutrient losses and GHG emissions in China, largely determined by the dairy production structure. Average N losses and GHG emissions per unit of milk showed a negative correlation with production intensification based on the proportion of farms in collective or industrialized systems, while average P losses per unit of milk in different regions showed a positive relationship with intensification. In conclusion, dairy intensification was associated with increased milk yield per cow and reduced average N losses and GHG emissions per unit of milk, but reduced system level PUE and manure recycling contributed to high levels of total N and P losses. Dairy production in China is likely to continue to be intensified as a result of rising milk demand, and significant improvements must be made in manure management to control N and P losses and GHG emissions.

Precipitation Associated with Convergence Lines

Precipitation is often organized along coherent lines of low-level convergence, which at longer time and space scales form well-known convergence zones over the world’s oceans. Here, an automated, objective method is used to identify instantaneous low-level convergence lines in reanalysis data and calculate their frequency for the period 1979–2013. Identified convergence lines are combined with precipitation observations to assess the extent to which precipitation around the globe is associated with convergence lines in the lower troposphere. It is shown that a large percentage of precipitation (between 65% and 90%) over the tropical oceans is associated with such convergence lines, with large regional variations of up to 30% throughout the year, especially in the eastern Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Over land, the annual-mean proportion of precipitation associated with convergence lines ranges between 30% and 60%, and the lowest proportions (less than 15%) associated with convergence lines occur on the eastern flank of the subtropical highs. Overall, much greater precipitation is associated with long coherent lines (greater than 300 km in length) than with shorter fragmented lines (less than 300 km), and the majority of precipitation associated with shorter lines occurs over land. The proportion of precipitation not associated with any convergence line primarily occurs where both precipitation and frequency of convergence lines are low. The high temporal and spatial resolution of the climatology constructed also enables an examination of the diurnal cycle in the relationship between convergence lines and precipitation. Here an example is provided over the tropical Maritime Continent region.

Prevalence, trends, correlates and treatment of depression in Chile in 2003 to 2010.

There is a need for recent, nationally representative data on the prevalence of mental disorders in Latin America. We aim to assess the prevalence of depression in Chile and possible changes over time. In the Chilean National Health Surveys in 2003 (n = 5469) and 2010 (n = 7212), two nationally representative cross-sectional population surveys, the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, Short Form (CIDI-SF) was applied to establish diagnosis of major depressive episode (MDE) using DSM-IV criteria. Sociodemographic correlates of MDE and time trends were analyzed. The prevalence of MDE was 20.5% (95% CI 18.3-22.7) in 2003 and 18.4% (95% CI 16.5-20.2) in 2010. In 2003, women and persons residing in urban areas had increased risk of depression, whereas in 2010 the risk factors were female sex, younger age and lower education. There were up to 15-fold differences in prevalence between regions. No significant changes in prevalence occurred over the observation period. 21.2% (95% CI 16.6-25.8) of those depressed were currently receiving antidepressant treatment, with large regional variations in access to treatment. Depressive disorders are a pressing public health concern in Chile, and particularly women, persons with low education, and the poorer regions of the country are affected. Prompt actions are needed to address the burden of depression with sufficient resources for treatment and prevention.

Quantifying the causes of differences in tropospheric OH within global models

AbstractThe hydroxyl radical (OH) is the primary daytime oxidant in the troposphere and provides the main loss mechanism for many pollutants and greenhouse gases, including methane (CH4). Global mean tropospheric OH differs by as much as 80% among various global models, for reasons that are not well understood. We use neural networks (NNs), trained using archived output from eight chemical transport models (CTMs) that participated in the Polar Study using Aircraft, Remote Sensing, Surface Measurements and Models, of Climate, Chemistry, Aerosols and Transport Model Intercomparison Project (POLMIP), to quantify the factors responsible for differences in tropospheric OH and resulting CH4 lifetime (τCH4) between these models. Annual average τCH4, for loss by OH only, ranges from 8.0 to 11.6 years for the eight POLMIP CTMs. The factors driving these differences were quantified by inputting 3‐D chemical fields from one CTM into the trained NN of another CTM. Across all CTMs, the largest mean differences in τCH4 (ΔτCH4) result from variations in chemical mechanisms (ΔτCH4 = 0.46 years), the photolysis frequency (J) of O3 → O(1D) (0.31 years), local O3 (0.30 years), and CO (0.23 years). The ΔτCH4 due to CTM differences in NOx (NO + NO2) is relatively low (0.17 years), although large regional variation in OH between the CTMs is attributed to NOx. Differences in isoprene and J(NO2) have negligible overall effect on globally averaged tropospheric OH, although the extent of OH variations due to each factor depends on the model being examined. This study demonstrates that NNs can serve as a useful tool for quantifying why tropospheric OH varies between global models, provided that essential chemical fields are archived.

Poor Relations: Connecting Waste, Need, And Health SpendingPoverty And The Myths Of Health Care Reform By Cooper Richard “Buz” Baltimore (MD) : Johns Hopkins University Press , 2016 304 pp., $35.00

Poor Relations: Connecting Waste, Need, And Health SpendingPoverty And The Myths Of Health Care Reform By Cooper Richard “Buz” Baltimore (MD) : Johns Hopkins University Press , 2016 304 pp., $35.00

Direct atmosphere opacity observations from CALIPSO provide new constraints on cloud‐radiation interactions

AbstractThe spaceborne lidar CALIPSO (Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation) directly measures atmospheric opacity. In 8 years of CALIPSO observations, we find that 69% of vertical profiles penetrate through the complete atmosphere. The remaining 31% do not reach the surface, due to opaque clouds. The global mean altitude of full attenuation of the lidar beam (z_opaque) is 3.2 km, but there are large regional variations in this altitude. Of relevance to cloud‐climate studies, the annual zonal mean longwave cloud radiative effect and annual zonal mean z_opaque weighted by opaque cloud cover are highly correlated (0.94). The annual zonal mean shortwave cloud radiative effect and annual zonal mean opaque cloud cover are also correlated (−0.95). The new diagnostics introduced here are implemented within a simulator framework to enable scale‐aware and definition‐aware evaluation of the LMDZ5B global climate model. The evaluation shows that the model overestimates opaque cloud cover (31% obs. versus 38% model) and z_opaque (3.2 km obs. versus 5.1 km model). In contrast, the model underestimates thin cloud cover (35% obs. versus 14% model). Further assessment shows that reasonable agreement between modeled and observed longwave cloud radiative effects results from compensating errors between insufficient warming by thin clouds and excessive warming due to overestimating both z_opaque and opaque cloud cover. This work shows the power of spaceborne lidar observations to directly constrain cloud‐radiation interactions in both observations and models.