Small Size Categories Research Articles

Economic Analysis of Milk Production and Marketed Surplus in Chittorgarh District of Rajasthan

The present study was conducted by selecting 150 milk producers adopting multistage stratified random sampling technique. The households were further post stratified into three herd size categories as small, medium and large using cumulative square root frequency method. The distribution of sample household across each of the herd size categories were 68, 50 and 32, respectively. The study revealed that per day net maintenance cost was found higher for crossbred cow followed by buffalo and local cow. The high maintenance cost for crossbred cow was found, with higher cost of concentrate fed to these animals. In case of buffalo, the higher cost of maintenance was found with higher cost of green fodder. The highest cost per litre was found, in case of local cow followed by buffalo and crossbred cow, which may possible due to low milk productivity of these local cows. Cost of milk per litre was found decreased with increase in herd size of milk producer across all type of animal breeds. Marketed surplus of milk was found more in the case of large herd size category of households and there was no much difference in the case of medium and small herd size category of household. The higher amount of marketed surplus was disposed off to milk cooperatives society nearby sixty per cent of total surplus milk.

Marketed surplus, consumption and disposal pattern of milk in Banswara district of Rajasthan

The present study investigated marketed surplus, consumption and disposal pattern of milk in Banswara district of Rajasthan. The study covered 90 milk producers selected randomly from six villages which were post-stratified into small, medium and large herd size category. The study revealed that production, marketable surplus and marketed surplus of milk per household were 7.16 lit., 5.56 lit. and 2.81 lit., respectively. Marketed surplus of milk (39.01%) was lower than marketable surplus of milk (77.65%). Out of total milk retained at home (4.35 lit.), about 1.78 and 2.57 lit. milk were consumed as liquid and converted into milk products, respectively. The per capita per day availability and consumption of milk were found 245.23 and 149.07 g, respectively. About 76.15 per cent marketed surplus of milk was sold by milk producers to un-organized sector and rest of surplus milk (23.85%) to organized sector. The percentage of surplus milk sold through directly to consumers was the highest (31.51%) followed by milk vendors (30.18%), dairy co-operative societies (23.85%) and tea shops (11.26%) in the study area.

Floor Cover Percentage Determines Splash Erosion inChamaecyparis obtusaForests

Plantations of Chamaecyparis obtusa (Siebold & Zucc.) Endl. are susceptible to soil erosion following significant decreases in forest floor cover. We quantified the relationship between forest floor cover and erosion under C. obtusa stands to provide information on soil conservation for sustainable forest management. We measured the forest floor cover percentage (FCP) as the percentage of ground covered by litter or understory 0 to 50 cm above the ground surface. We measured the erosion rate (g m−1 yr−1) using 25-cm-wide sediment traps on steep slopes in Japanese C. obtusa stands where splash soil erosion was dominant. We confirmed that the amount of transported sediment ≤22.4 mm in diameter significantly decreased with increasing FCP and defined these small size categories of sediments as “transportable size sediments” (TSS). The amount of transported TSS increased by 66% in association with a 10% decrease in FCP in the stands with a FCP of 30 to 90%. However, the increase in transported TSS reached a ceiling close to 0% FCP but matched field observations for values up to 100% FCP. Using this quantitative relationship between FCP and sediment transport, we proposed 80% FCP as a target guideline for soil conservation under C. obtusa canopies. Incorporating our results into the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation indicates that erosion from C. obtusa stands on steep slopes with a low FCP is as significant as in rill-dominated arable land and abandoned mine sites. These results suggest that soil erosion in these forests can be controlled through management of the forest floor coverage.

Angiosperms Are Unique among Land Plant Lineages in the Occurrence of Key Genes in the RNA-Directed DNA Methylation (RdDM) Pathway.

The RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway can be divided into three phases: 1) small interfering RNA biogenesis, 2) de novo methylation, and 3) chromatin modification. To determine the degree of conservation of this pathway we searched for key genes among land plants. We used OrthoMCL and the OrthoMCL Viridiplantae database to analyze proteomes of species in bryophytes, lycophytes, monilophytes, gymnosperms, and angiosperms. We also analyzed small RNA size categories and, in two gymnosperms, cytosine methylation in ribosomal DNA. Six proteins were restricted to angiosperms, these being NRPD4/NRPE4, RDM1, DMS3 (defective in meristem silencing 3), SHH1 (SAWADEE homeodomain homolog 1), KTF1, and SUVR2, although we failed to find the latter three proteins in Fritillaria persica, a species with a giant genome. Small RNAs of 24 nt in length were abundant only in angiosperms. Phylogenetic analyses of Dicer-like (DCL) proteins showed that DCL2 was restricted to seed plants, although it was absent in Gnetum gnemon and Welwitschia mirabilis. The data suggest that phases (1) and (2) of the RdDM pathway, described for model angiosperms, evolved with angiosperms. The absence of some features of RdDM in F. persica may be associated with its large genome. Phase (3) is probably the most conserved part of the pathway across land plants. DCL2, involved in virus defense and interaction with the canonical RdDM pathway to facilitate methylation of CHH, is absent outside seed plants. Its absence in G. gnemon, and W. mirabilis coupled with distinctive patterns of CHH methylation, suggest a secondary loss of DCL2 following the divergence of Gnetales.

Pricing on the Fish Market—Does Size Matter?

The importance of fish size for price per kilo is studied using an inverse demand approach. Price per kilo in different size categories of the same species differs significantly. This means that the average price for a species may change due to e.g., high grading or a changing climate, which both have the potential to change the size composition of the catch. Estimates show that quantity flexibilities differ substantially across size and species, while scale flexibilities, in general, are close to homothetic. Holding total catch constant, an approximate 1% decrease in the largest size category and a corresponding increase in the smallest size category is estimated to reduce the value of an average week’s catch by roughly 0.1–0.4%. The results imply that the effect of size on price is an important consideration when formulating regulations or policies to curb, for example, high grading.

Integrated Supply Chain Management of Vegetables in Jhansi Division of Uttar Pradesh

Objectives of the study are to examine the trends and percent growth rates for the area, production and productivity of different vegetable crops; ii) to estimate the trend for arrival and market prices of different vegetable crops; iii) to calculate the yearly arrival index for vegetables arrival in selected mandies, and iv) to judge integrated supply chain management of vegetables marketing in selected region. The study has been made on backward division of Uttar Pradesh named Jhansi division. Division comprises three districts: Jhansi, Lalitpur and Jalaun on the basis of secondary and primary information. The secondary information is collected for area, production, productivity, arrival and market prices of tomato, brinjal, potato, onion, okra, bottle gourd, torai and cauliflower in Jhansi, Lalitpur and Jalaun districts of Jhansi division. The primary information has been collected from Lalitpur district. There are six blocks in Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh (UP) viz. Bar, Birdha, Jakhoura, Madavra, Mahroni, and Talbehat. Two stage stratified random sampling method has been adopted to collect the information from vegetables growers of three blocks i.e., Mahroni, Birdha and Jakhoura. Total 114 vegetables growers categorized marginal (up to 2.5 acre land), small (> 2.5 acre land to 5 acre land) and Large (> 5 acre land) farmers, 22 middlemen (aadatiya) and 20 retailers have chosen to complete the present study.
 In the selected study area vegetables growers were not grading their produce. They picked vegetables from field and make bora bandi to carry in mandi. On the other hand the middlemen and retailers were grading the purchased vegetables for earning maximum profit. Preferred transportation modes were tractors, buses and taxies. But for retail selling cycle and haththela were mostly used. Vegetables growers did not store vegetables in home and warehouse. In Lalitpur district tomato production was highest in 2009-10, it was 2821 metric ton (MT). It was due to rise in area. Lalitpur and Jhansi districts have potential to increase the productivity of tomato through better governmental support. Percent Growth Rates (PGR) informed regarding percentage change in present year compare to previous year. The total arrival indicated presence of vegetables in the different vegetable mandies and arrival index presented vegetables consistent presence in the mandies i.e., higher the index higher amount of quantity arrived in the mandies. Under the marketing chain management the channel II was found most favored channel in the study area as maximum (about 90%) quantity of produce was sold through this channel by small and large farmers. Though channel I was mostly liked by marginal farmers.
 Middlemen purchased vegetables at 6 percent commission on per quintal basis from producers and sold to retailer by charging 3 percent mandishulk on per quintal basis. In Jakhoura block all the selected farm size categories and in Birdha block small and large farm size categories were sold their cent percent vegetables produce to middlemen. Middlemen also provide space to keep their produce and stay at night for farmers in mandi. At some occasions middlemen also provide credits to farmers for fulfilling their agricultural and family daily needs.

Cost of Milk Production and Break Even Analysis of Member and Non Member of Dairy Cooperative Society for Milch Animals (Cow & Buffalo) in District Etawah of U.P.

This study covered 150 cooperative member milk producers and 150 non-member milk producers which were post- stratified into Landless, Marginal, small, medium and large herd size categories. Breakeven point is a point where no profit no loss status achieved where MR = MC. In this study breakeven point analysis was done to estimate the minimum quantity milk to be produced to cover the total cost on all categories (members and nonmembers) of households of milch animals (Cow and buffalo). And also in this study the researchers have find out the Total cost of milk production per liter for member and non member categories. This study is helpful to find out the total cost of milk production in all categories as well as members and nonmembers of dairy cooperative society are able to find out the breakeven point of the whole business.

COST OF MILK PRODUCTION AND BREAK EVEN ANALYSIS OF MEMBER AND NON MEMBER OF DAIRY COOPERATIVE SOCIETY FOR MILCH ANIMALS (COW & BUFFALO) IN DISTRICT ETAWAH OF U.P.

This study covered 150 cooperative member milk producers and 150 non-member milk producers which were post- stratified into Landless, Marginal, small, medium and large herd size categories. Breakeven point is a point where no profit no loss status achieved where MR = MC. In this study breakeven point analysis was done to estimate the minimum quantity milk to be produced to cover the total cost on all categories (members and nonmembers) of households of milch animals (Cow and buffalo). And also in this study the researchers have find out the Total cost of milk production per liter for member and non member categories. This study is helpful to find out the total cost of milk production in all categories as well as members and nonmembers of dairy cooperative society are able to find out the breakeven point of the whole business.

Scaling of growth rate and mortality with size and its consequence on size spectra of natural microphytoplankton assemblages in the East China Sea

Abstract. Allometric scaling of body size versus growth rate and mortality has been suggested to be a universal macroecological pattern, as described by the metabolic theory of ecology (MTE). However, whether such scaling generally holds in natural assemblages remains debated. Here, we test the hypothesis that the size-specific growth rate and grazing mortality scale with the body size with an exponent of −1/4 after temperature correction, as MTE predicts. To do so, we couple a dilution experiment with the FlowCAM imaging system to obtain size-specific growth rates and grazing mortality of natural microphytoplankton assemblages in the East China Sea. This novel approach allows us to achieve highly resolved size-specific measurements that would be very difficult to obtain in traditional size-fractionated measurements using filters. Our results do not support the MTE prediction. On average, the size-specific growth rates and grazing mortality scale almost isometrically with body size (with scaling exponent ∼0.1). However, this finding contains high uncertainty, as the size-scaling exponent varies substantially among assemblages. The fact that size-scaling exponent varies among assemblages prompts us to further investigate how the variation of size-specific growth rate and grazing mortality can interact to determine the microphytoplankton size structure, described by normalized biomass size spectrum (NBSS), among assemblages. We test whether the variation of microphytoplankton NBSS slopes is determined by (1) differential grazing mortality of small versus large individuals, (2) differential growth rate of small versus large individuals, or (3) combinations of these scenarios. Our results indicate that the ratio of the grazing mortality of the large size category to that of the small size category best explains the variation of NBSS slopes across environments, suggesting that higher grazing mortality of large microphytoplankton may release the small phytoplankton from grazing, which in turn leads to a steeper NBSS slope. This study contributes to understanding the relative importance of bottom-up versus top-down control in shaping microphytoplankton size structure.

Establishing Maximum Size Expectations for Urban Trees with Regard to Designed Space

One issue confronting the application of forest management principles to urban tree canopy management decisions is the lack of data correlating site, tree size, and tree age. Researchers tested whether terminal size (stem diameter) can be linked to site type for informed management and design decisions. Data were considered from eleven New Jersey, U.S. communities. Diameter breast height (DBH) distribution established regionalized service life expectancies of commonly planted species by site type and expected maximum DBH. The goal was to develop a method to identify trees approaching senescence within an inventory. Three common urban landscape site types were used: tree pit, planting strip, and unlimited soil. Thirty-one taxa were present in large enough populations to use in species-specific analysis. The species were classified into small, medium, and large size categories based on published growth expectations. The study authors developed DBH occurrence percentiles, and DBH within the ninety-fifth were described as a maximum size range. There was a significant difference in maximum sizes between planting site types. Regardless of the size class of the tree, the data showed reduced planting space resulted in reduced maximum size.

Utility of the hyperbranched polymer Hybrane S1200 for production of instant-release particles by hot melt extrusion

Particles composed of 90:10 or 80:20 mixtures of the hyperbranched poly(esteramide) Hybrane S1200 and the poorly water-soluble drug hydrochlorothiazide were produced by hot melt extrusion at maximum temperatures of 90°C without any need for addition of a plasticizer. In dissolution rate assays in USP 29 apparatus II, particles of the smallest size category (<250 µm) containing 10% of hydrochlorothiazide released 95% of their load within 5 min. This fast release is attributed to the combination of the high solubility of Hybrane S1200, the dispersion of the drug in non-crystalline form in the polymer matrix (attested to by the results of powder X-ray diffractometry, and scanning electron microscopy), and to the fact that the main interaction between drug and polymer is through hydrogen bonds (attested to by ATR-IR difference spectra).

Follicular characteristics and intrafollicular concentrations of nitric oxide and ascorbic acid during ovarian acyclicity in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The objective of this study was to examine the follicular characteristics and intrafollicular concentrations of nitric oxide and ascorbic acid during ovarian acyclicity in buffaloes. Ovaries were collected from 56 acyclic and 95 cyclic buffaloes at slaughter, surface follicle number was counted and follicles were classified into small (5.0-6.9 mm), medium (7.0-9.9 mm), and large (≥ 10.0 mm) size categories based on their diameter. Follicular fluid was aspirated and assayed for nitric oxide, ascorbic acid, estradiol, and progesterone. Acyclic buffaloes had a higher (P<0.05) number of medium-sized follicles and a lower (P<0.001) number of large follicles than the cyclic ones. In acyclic animals, the number of large follicles was lower (P<0.01) than in medium size category which in turn was lower (P<0.001) than the number of small follicles. In contrast, the number of medium and large follicles was not different (P>0.05) in the cyclic control. However, the number of small-sized follicles was higher (P<0.001) compared to the other two categories. The incidence of large-sized follicles was lower (P<0.05) in acyclic buffalo population compared to the cyclic control. Evaluation of estrogenic status demonstrated that all the follicles of acyclic buffaloes are estrogen-inactive (E (2)/P (4) ratio<1). Small- and medium-sized follicles of acyclic buffaloes had higher concentrations of nitric oxide (P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively) and lower concentrations of ascorbic acid (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively) than the corresponding size estrogen-active follicles of their cyclic counterparts. In conclusion, this study indicates that follicular development continues during acyclicity in buffaloes. Although follicles in some acyclic buffaloes attain a size corresponding to morphological dominance, they are unable to achieve functional dominance, perhaps due to an altered balance of intrafollicular nitric oxide and ascorbic acid and, as a result, these follicles instead of progressing to ovulation undergo atresia.

Does Local Firm Ownership Matter?

A data set for U.S. counties that includes residence status of firm owners is used to assess whether per capita density of locally owned businesses affects local economic growth, compared with nonlocal ownership. The database also permits stratification of firms across different employment size categories. Economic growth models that control for other relevant factors reveal a positive relationship between density of locally owned firms and per capita income growth but only for small (10-99 employees) firms, whereas the density of large (more than 500 workers) firms not owned locally has a negative effect. These results provide strong evidence that local ownership matters for economic growth but only in the small size category. Results are robust across rural and urban counties.

Volatility and trading activity following changes in the size of futures contracts

Abstract This paper has two purposes. First, we examine the relationship between daily price volatility and trading activity one year before and after a change in contract size by examining the results of contract splits in the Australian share price index futures and the U.K. FTSE-100 futures contracts and a reverse contract split in the Australian Bank Bill Acceptance futures contract. Second, we evaluate the effect of the change in contract size on the use of the particular futures market. We find that after a contract size change, the change in total trading frequency has the power to explain the change in daily price volatility. Specifically, after a contract split, trading frequency increased, resulting in increased daily price volatility, and vice versa after a reverse contract split. Most of the average trade size variable has an immaterial impact on price volatility. However, decomposing the total trading frequency into four trade size classes, we find that the trading frequency for small and large trade size categories are highly significant in explaining changes in daily price volatility after the contract splits. Finally, we find the change in contract size for each futures market was successful because within three years following the change, the adjusted trading volume and open interest surpassed the levels prior to the change and have continued to increase thereafter.

The investor recognition hypothesis: the New Zealand case

Recently, Kaniel et al. (2005) find that the Investor Recognition Hypothesis (IRH) is valid across countries. The New Zealand (NZ) stock market is among the developed countries which exhibit significant High-Volume Return Premiums (HVRP) supporting the IRH. In this article, we reexamine Kaniel et al.'s finding for the NZ stock market. We confirm that HVRP does exist in NZ stocks. However, when we classify NZ stocks into large, medium and small size categories, the HVRP exists actually only in medium sized stocks. When we further partition NZ medium size stocks into penny and nonpenny stocks, the HVRP exists only in nonpenny stocks.

Effects of elutriation and sieving processing (Elusieve) of distillers dried grains with solubles on the performance and carcass characteristics of male broilers

SUMMARY A technique combining elutriation (air classification) and sieving was developed to remove some of the fiber component of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). Herein, DDGS were sieved into 4 different sizes: large, medium, small, and pan. Fiber was removed from the 3 largest sizes by elutriation via an aspirator, whereby air was blown through the different size categories at a predetermined velocity as the product was falling from the sifter, through the aspirator, and into a collection container. This air movement resulted in a portion of the lighter fiber component being blown into a separate chamber of the respirator and thus into a separate container. The DDGS product obtained by mixing the material that underwent this procedure was called “big DDGS.” The pan material, which was in the smallest size category, has a lower fiber concentration and thus underwent no elutriation (pan DDGS). Four different dietary treatments with 12 replicates each were fed to Ross × Ross 308 male broilers from hatch until 42 d of age. A corn- and soybean meal-based diet without DDGS served as the control (treatment 1); treatment 2 had conventional DDGS included at a concentration of 8% (unmodified DDGS); treatment 3 consisted of 8% big DDGS inclusion (partially modified DDGS, PMD), and the fourth treatment consisted of 8% pan DDGS (ED). Final BW was observed to be superior for the birds fed the ED-based diets compared with the BW of those birds fed the control diet and the PMD-based diet. However, contrast analysis showed a significant difference in BW (P = 0.08), with birds fed ED-based diets exhibiting higher BW compared with birds fed unmodified DDGS-based diets. Feed intake was numerically higher for birds fed ED-based diets compared with all other treatments and was significantly greater for birds fed ED-based diets vs. those fed PMD-based diets for the 0- to 42-d period. No other differences were found in bird performance or carcass traits. Results showed some improvement of DDGS via the use of this technology, judging by a marginal improvement in final BW.

Comparative population analysis of desert ironwood ( Olneya tesota) in the Sonoran Desert

Olneya tesota (ironwood) is a keystone tree species that modifies the structure and function of Sonoran desert ecosystems. Presently, extraction of trees and branches in the region constitutes a severe risk for ironwood populations. We analyzed the size structure, two damage indicators (damaged basal area or “DBA” and percents of damaged individuals or “PDI”) for eleven ironwood populations in Sonora and Baja California, México. In four populations, we compared damage indicators obtained in 1992 and 2004. We found that in unexploited populations, small size categories (<500 cm 2 in basal area) and juveniles were better represented. In contrast in exploited populations large size individuals were severely damaged and lacked recruitment. Populations on the coast of Sonora have greater damage (up to 50% of the individuals), while those in the Baja California Peninsula exhibited less damage (smaller than 20%), with high juvenile recruitment (up to 40%). Historical comparisons of DBA and PDI exhibited non significant differences between 1992 and 2004 for three populations, and only in Bahia Kino population (Sonora) did the PDI decreased significantly. One population surveyed in 1992 (Sonoyta) was completely removed. Even that the damage seems to be constant, the damage indicators remain high, affecting the ecosystems dynamics.

Influences of seedling size, container type and mammal browsing on the establishment of Eucalyptus globulus in plantation forestry

Rapid early growth of tree seedlings is critical to the success of plantation establishment. We investigated the effects of seedling size (small and large) and container types (small [Lannen 121], medium [Lannen 81] and large [Forestry Tube]) in the nursery and the effects of mammal browsing after planting on growth of Eucalyptus globulus in Tasmania’s Southern Forests. After planting, seedlings were either exposed to browsing or protected from browsing by wire-mesh cages until age 6 months. Low browsing pressure resulted in around 20% and 5–10% of foliage being browsed in the large and small size categories, respectively, between 1 and 3 months after planting the uncaged treatment. 6 months after planting, height growth increment was lower, and 4 years after planting, mortality was higher in uncaged large than caged large seedling treatments. Six and twelve months after planting, seedlings raised in Forestry Tube containers had significantly greater height increment and root collar diameter relative to other treatments. By 4 years after planting, trees of the small seedling treatment had significantly greater diameter than those of the large seedling treatment, but there was no effect of container type treatment. Four years after planting there was no effect on diameter growth by browsing of <30% of foliage up to 3 months after planting, although there was greater incidence of double leaders in trees that had been browsed as seedlings. Small seedlings produced more growth 4 years after planting than large seedlings of E. globulus.

The term "carcinoid" is a misnomer: the evidence based on local invasion

BackgroundSince Oberndorfer proposed the term "carcinoid" in 1907, over 100 years have passed. This attractive term was initially proposed for 6 cases of his own experience with 12 submucosal lesions in the small intestine.Oberndorfer summarized the characteristic features of these lesions as follows: (1) small in size and often multiple, (2) histologically undifferentiated with a suggestion of gland-formation, (3) well-defined without any tendency to infiltrate the surroundings, (4) no metastases, and (5) apparently slow-growing reaching no significant size with a seemingly harmless nature.ReviewThis article stresses the malignant nature of "carcinoid" on the basis of local invasion prior to metastases in the first two sessions, (1) with Oberndorfer's original diagram, and (2) with an experimental observation on extraglandular microcarcinoid in a form of "budding".Next, (3) a statistical comparison between a carcinoid group and a non-carcinoid ordinary carcinoma group is introduced on metastasis rates at an early stage with two prescribed factors of the depth of invasion restricted within the submucosa (sm-lesion) and a small tumor size category of 1 cm to 2 cm: the carcinoid group exhibited metastasis rates higher than those in the ordinary carcinoma group when calculated in the stomach and rectum.In the author's experience, "carcinoids" are malignant not only in the gastrointestinal tract but also in the other sites on the basis of local invasion.Lastly, (4) discussion on the terminology of "carcinoid" as a misnomer is carried out.Adequate terms referring to the entity of this malignant tumor group are discussed. One of the most adequate and brief terms for "carcinoid" that is included now in neuroendocrine tumor group would be "endocrinocarcinoma" as per the author's proposal, followed by NEC (neuroendocrinocarcinoma) or GEC (gut endocrinocarcinoma).ConclusionThe term "carcinoid" is a misnomer that can be confirmed on the basis of local invasion prior to metastases. "No metastases without local invasion" is not of a negligible importance.

Evaluation of Cloud Physical Properties of ECMWF Analysis and Re-Analysis (ERA) against CERES Tropical Deep Convective Cloud Object Observations

Abstract This study presents an approach that converts the vertical profiles of grid-averaged cloud properties from large-scale models to probability density functions (pdfs) of subgrid-cell cloud physical properties measured at satellite footprints. Cloud physical and radiative properties, rather than just cloud and precipitation occurrences, of assimilated cloud systems by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) operational analysis (EOA) and 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) are validated against those obtained from Earth Observing System satellite cloud object data for the January–August 1998 and March 2000 periods. These properties include the ice water path (IWP), cloud-top height and temperature, cloud optical depth, and solar and infrared radiative fluxes. Each cloud object, a contiguous region with similar cloud physical properties, is temporally and spatially matched with EOA and ERA-40 data. Results indicate that most pdfs of EOA and ERA-40 cloud physical and radiative properties agree with those of satellite observations of the tropical deep convective cloud object type for the January–August 1998 period. There are, however, significant discrepancies in selected ranges of the cloud property pdfs such as the upper range of EOA cloud-top height. A major discrepancy is that the dependence of the pdfs on the cloud object size for both EOA and ERA-40 is not as strong as in the observations. Modifications to the cloud parameterization in ECMWF that occurred in October 1999 eliminate the clouds near the tropopause but shift power of the pdf to lower cloud-top heights and greatly reduce the ranges of IWP and cloud optical depth pdfs. These features persist in ERA-40 due to the use of the same cloud parameterizations. The less sophisticated data assimilation technique and the lack of snow water content information in ERA-40, not the larger horizontal grid spacing, are also responsible for the disagreements with observed pdfs of cloud physical properties, although the detection rates of cloud object occurrence are improved for small-size categories. A possible improvement to the convective parameterization is to introduce a stronger dependence of updraft penetration heights on grid-cell dynamics.