Sunny Weather Conditions Research Articles

A design supporting simulation system for predicting and evaluating the cool microclimate creating effect of passive evaporative cooling walls

As a passive cooling strategy to control increased surface temperatures and create cooler urban environments, we have developed a passive evaporative cooling wall (PECW) constructed of pipe-shaped ceramics that possess a capillary force to absorb water up to a level higher than 130 cm. The current paper presents a simulation system to predict and evaluate microclimatic modifying effects of PECWs in urban locations where PECW installation is under consideration at the design stage. This simulation system is composed of a CFD simulation tool and a 3D-CAD-based thermal simulation tool. Simulation methodology of coupling the two simulation tools was developed and described in this paper. Numerical models for simulating surface temperatures and evaporation of PECWs were proposed based on analysis results of experimental data. Validation of the proposed numerical models was confirmed by comparing simulated results with measured data. In order to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed simulation system, a case study was then performed to predict and evaluate the microclimate in a rest station where PECWs were assumed to be installed. Spatial distributions of air temperature, airflow, moisture and surface temperature in the rest station were simulated under a sunny weather condition in the summer of Tokyo. Furthermore, thermal comfort indexes (mean radiant temperature and new standard effective temperature) were used to evaluate thermal comfort in the human activity spaces of the rest station. Simulation results show that this simulation system can provide quantitative predictions and evaluations of microclimatic modifying effects resulting from the application of PECWs.

Effects of harvest time across maturity stages and within a day on the nutritive value in the first crop of timothy (Phleum pratense L.)

AbstractTimothy (Phleum pratense L.) is the most important perennial forage grass grown in parts of Canada, USA, the Nordic countries of Europe and Hokkaido, Japan. Improvement of its nutritive value through breeding should result in enhanced livestock productivity. The objective of the present study was to investigate the magnitude of genotype × maturity stage interaction (G × M), genotype × harvest time on sunny day interaction (G × TS) and genotype × harvest time on cloudy day interaction (G × TC) for the nutritive value of the first crop of timothy. Fifteen early‐maturing clones of timothy were used to evaluate G × M and 13 clones were used to evaluate G × TS and TC in Kunneppu, Hokkaido in 2005 by analyzing the nutritive value of the first crops using near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Contents of low‐digestible fiber (Ob) and water‐soluble carbohydrate and the ratio of Ob to organic cell wall measured at early heading significantly correlated with their measurements at full heading stage, with non‐significant effects of G × M. These traits also showed a significant correlation between morning and evening in both sunny and cloudy weather conditions, with non‐significant effects of G × TS and TC. We conclude that the relative ranking of genotypes at different maturity stages from early to full heading stage and at different times within a day should be consistent for the required traits, and that selection for these traits at any stage of heading and any time of day should permit effective improvement of the nutritive value of timothy only if the plants are harvested at about the same time (within 1 h).

Characteristics of springtime profiles and sources of ozone in the low troposphere over northern Taiwan

To quantify the possible sources of the high ambient ozone concentration in the low troposphere over Taiwan, ozone sounding data from a two-year intensive field measurement program conducted in April and early May of 2004 and 2005 in northern Taiwan has been examined. We found that the vertical ozone distributions and occurrence of enhanced ozone in the lower troposphere (below 6 km) mainly resulted from (1)Type NE: the long-range transport of ozone controlled by the prevailing northeasterly winds below 2 km, (2)Type LO: the local photochemical ozone production process, and (3)Type SW: the strong southwest/westerly winds aloft (2–6 km). In the boundary layer (BL), where Asian continental outflow prevails, the average profile for type NE is characterized by a peak ozone concentration of nearly 65 ppb at about 1500 m altitude. For type LO, high ozone concentration with an average ozone concentration greater than 80 ppb was also found in the BL in the case of stagnant atmospheric and sunny weather conditions dominated. For type SW, significant ozone enhancement with average ozone concentration of 70–85 ppb was found at around 4 km altitude. It is about 10 ppb greater than that of the types NE and LO at the same troposphere layer owing to the contribution of the biomass burning over Indochina. Due to Taiwan's unique geographic location, the complex interaction of these ozone features in the BL and aloft, especially features associated with northeasterly and south/southwesterly winds, have resulted in complex characteristics of ozone distributions in the lower troposphere over northern Taiwan.

Applicability of adaptive optics for solar telescopes

We summarize the first results of the application of adaptive optics in a solar telescope. The optical experiments were accompanied by the measurements of local astroclimate characteristics near the Big Solar Vacuum Telescope (BSVT), at which the work to apply adaptive optics is carried out. The observations were performed in July 2005 under clear sunny weather conditions and in the almost complete absence of cloudiness. Based on meteorological measurements, we have calculated the local temperature stratification parameter, the Monin-Obukhov number. Tests of a modified correlation sensor (MCS) at the BSVT of the Baikal Astrophysical Observatory, Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics SB RAS (ISTP) have shown that the MCS reliably measures the shift of the solar granulation image at the first telescope focus for properly chosen parameters of the filtering function. During routine use of the adaptive optical system, the MCS should measure the image shift at the second telescope focus. The MCS turned out to measure the shift of the solar granulation image at the second telescope focus only under exceptionally good visibility conditions and for a certain granulation structure. Reducing the telescope entrance aperture to 170 mm only slightly affects the image quality and, hence, the MCS operation.

Total gaseous mercury exchange between water and air during cloudy weather conditions over Hongfeng Reservoir, Guizhou, China

Total gaseous mercury (TGM) exchange fluxes between air and water surface were measured using a dynamic flux chamber (DFC) coupled with a gaseous mercury analyzer at two sampling sites of Hongfeng reservoir in cloudy and rainy weather conditions. The concentrations of dissolved gaseous mercury (DGM) in water were also measured and indicated that DGM was supersaturated at most time during the sampling periods, which implied that the water body acted primarily as a source of mercury to the atmosphere. In general, TGM fluxes displayed a consistent diurnal pattern with peak fluxes at noon and minimum levels at early morning or night. However, this diurnal pattern was not clear when the weather was heavily cloudy and rainy with the maximum solar radiation of less than 140 W m−2. At this specific weather condition, a significantly positive correlation between TGM flux and relative humidity was observed. The behaviors of TGM flux over Hongfeng reservoir observed at cloudy weather conditions were some what different from those observed during mostly sunny weather conditions in Northern America and Europe. The empirical model developed based on the correlation between TGM flux and solar radiation during sunny days in Northern America was not applicable for estimation of TGM flux at cloudy and rainy weather conditions.

Short‐term variations in development of a recurrent toxic Alexandrium minutum–dominated dinoflagellate bloom induced by meteorological conditions1

Development of an Alexandrium minutum Halim bloom affecting a Mediterranean harbor was monitored in detail using a multidisciplinary approach. A. minutum was by far the most abundant species at and near the bloom maximum, but always coexisted with members of three additional dinoflagellate genera and prasinophytes. Bloom initiation (early February) occurred during prolonged influences of sunny weather conditions, when day length exceeded 10.5 h and water temperatures reached 10.2°C. Subsequent development toward its maximum (end of March) also relied on good weather conditions, with specific wind directions favoring accumulation of cells. Arrival of rainy weather, associated with frontal boundaries of large‐scale low‐atmospheric‐pressure systems and characterized by reduced solar irradiance (heavy cloud coverage), opposite wind directions, and enhanced wind speeds, always caused temporal declines of the bloom. These declines were attributed to dispersal or displacement of algae, but a vertical migration of A. minutum cells toward the sediment was not excluded. Delayed inflows of excess terrestrial rainwater along the inner harbor wall strongly reduced salinity and prolonged a temporal decline far beyond influences of bad weather. The associated nutrient supply favored development of the phytoplankton population but reduced the toxin production of A. minutum cells. The HPLC‐determined Gonyautoxin (GTX) 1 + 4/GTX 2 + 3 ratio strongly increased toward the bloom maximum. This ratio was influenced by nutrient status and cell density and has a potential value for monitoring developmental stages of blooms. Prolonged bad weather conditions eventually hindered continuation of bloom development, and subsequent declines of algal biomass were attributed to grazing.

Predictive & Adaptive MPPT Perturb and Observe Method

The perturb and observe (P&O) best operation conditions are investigated in order to identify the edge efficiency performances of this most popular maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique for photovoltaic (PV) applications. It is shown that P&O may guarantee top-level efficiency, provided that a proper predictive (by means of a parabolic interpolation of the last three operating points) and adaptive (based on the measure of the actual power) hill climbing strategy is adopted. The approach proposed is aimed at realizing, in addition to absolute best tracking performances, high robustness and promptness both in sunny and cloudy weather conditions. The power gain with respect to standard P&O technique is proved by means of simulation results and experimental measurements performed on a low power system. Besides the performance improvements, it is shown that the proposed approach allows possible reduction of hardware costs of analog-to-digital (A/D) converters used in the MPPT control circuitry.

Modelling radiation fluxes in simple and complex environments—application of the RayMan model

The most important meteorological parameter affecting the human energy balance during sunny weather conditions is the mean radiant temperature T(mrt). It considers the uniform temperature of a surrounding surface giving off blackbody radiation, which results in the same energy gain of a human body given the prevailing radiation fluxes. This energy gain usually varies considerably in open space conditions. In this paper, the model 'RayMan', used for the calculation of short- and long-wave radiation fluxes on the human body, is presented. The model, which takes complex urban structures into account, is suitable for several applications in urban areas such as urban planning and street design. The final output of the model is, however, the calculated T(mrt), which is required in the human energy balance model, and thus also for the assessment of the urban bioclimate, with the use of thermal indices such as predicted mean vote (PMV), physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) and standard effective temperature (SET*). The model has been developed based on the German VDI-Guidelines 3789, Part II (environmental meteorology, interactions between atmosphere and surfaces; calculation of short- and long-wave radiation) and VDI-3787 (environmental meteorology, methods for the human-biometeorological evaluation of climate and air quality for urban and regional planning. Part I: climate). The validation of the results of the RayMan model agrees with similar results obtained from experimental studies.

Effects of solar ultraviolet radiation on biomass production and pigment contents of Spirulina platensis in commercial operations under sunny and cloudy weather conditions

Shantou Univ, Marine Biol Inst, Shantou 515063, Guangdong, Peoples R China; Chinese Acad Sci, Inst Hydrobiol, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, Peoples R China; Hainan DIC Microalgae Co Ltd, Haikou Int Commercial Ctr, Haikou 570102, Hainan, Peoples R China

How Long After Waterproofing a Deck Can You Still Isolate an Ignitable Liquid?

Dried, treated wood was sealed with Thompson's WaterSeal "Clear Multi-Surface Waterproofer" and exposed to outdoor, summer conditions. Sections of the sealed wood were then periodically tested and analyzed in accordance with ASTM methods. The WaterSeal contained a medium petroleum distillate (MPD) as a solvent for a wax. The treated lumber contained a background of aldehydes that could mimic a dearomatized MPD if not carefully investigated by the analyst. The MPD of the WaterSeal was detectable 14 days, but not 27 days after application with exposure to relatively hot, dry and sunny weather conditions. The test was repeated with the MPD detectable 16 days, but not 20 days after application with exposure to cooler and wetter weather conditions. The testing demonstrates the need for a thorough and complete investigation by the fire investigator and the submission of comparison samples to the laboratory.

Multifunctional organic nitrates as constituents in European and US urban photo-smog.

Air samples of the atmospheric ground layer in the cities of Ulm in Germany, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Salt Lake City, Utah, in the US were analyzed for organic nitrates. The air samples were taken around noon in summer at sunny weather conditions. 43 (C6-C13) alkyl mononitrates, 24 (C3-C6) alkyl dinitrates, and 19 (C2-C6) hydroxy alkyl nitrates have been identified. The analytical protocol included high-volume-sampling, NP-HPLC group separation, high resolution capillary gas chromatography, and detection by the highly selective mass spectrometer detector (SIM mode, m/z = 46). The levels of the sum of 15 (C6-C10) alkyl mononitrates ranged from 2.9 to 11.0 parts per trillion (ppt(v)). The levels of the sum of 21 (C3-C6) alkyl dinitrates ranged from 2.3 to 10.5 ppt(v), and the levels of the sum of 7 (C2-C4) hydroxy alkyl nitrates ranged from 7.3 to 28 ppt(v), respectively, in the urban air samples. These results emphazise the contribution of the alkyl dinitrates and hydroxy alkyl nitrates besides the alkyl mononitrates to the budget of NO(Y) compounds. No major differences in levels and pattern of the organic nitrates are present in air of the German and the US cities.

Summertime sun protection used by adults for their children

Background: Because an estimated 50% to 80% of the skin’s lifetime sun damage is thought to occur in childhood and adolescence, it is during these critical periods that intense, intermittent sun exposure causing burning increases melanoma risk. Methods: A 1997 telephone survey of 503 households evaluated parental attitudes about their child having a tan, and ease of practicing sun protection, sun protection methods used, and sunburning on 5 successive summer weekends. Results: In a random sample of 1 child from each household, 13% of children sunburned during the past week or weekend, and 9% of their parents experienced a sunburn during the past weekend. Children’s sunburn was significantly associated with sunburn in the adult respondent, increasing age of the child, having fair skin, being white, and using sunscreens. Duration and peak hours of sun exposure were associated for children and parents. Sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15 was the predominant form of sun protection used. Sunscreen use in children was significantly associated with longer duration of sun exposure, sunny weather conditions, younger age, fair skin, a history of sunburns before this study, a family history of skin cancer, and a higher family income. Feeling that a tan appeared healthy was associated with male gender of the adult and increasing age of the child. Complimenting the child on the appearance of a tan was associated with male gender of the adult, older children, children with skin type reported as olive or dark, and lower educational levels. Conclusion: Although there has been a promising initial effort to alert parents to the need to protect their children from sunburns, many view a tan as healthy and do not effectively implement sun protection behaviors for their children, which results in sunburns. Sun protection that prevents sunburning could be achieved by more children seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, limiting exposure during peak hours, and effectively using sunscreen. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2000;42:746-53.)

Can I drive after those drops, doctor?

To document the experience of patients driving after drops to dilate the pupils. There are no documented guidelines on driving after pupillary dilatation. This is a study of patients who drove a car after attending the eye casualty for an ocular examination during which their pupils were dilated. Thirty patients were identified who felt confident to drive after their pupils were dilated. Distant visual acuities, colour vision and confrontation visual fields were assessed before and after pupillary dilatation with 2.5% phenylephrine and 1% tropicamide. These patients met the legal requirements for driving after pupillary dilatation. The patients completed a questionnaire that recorded their subjective experiences of driving while their pupils were dilated. The mean age of the patients was 51.9 +/- 19.7 years (range 20-73 years). Twenty-seven of the 30 patients undertook the journey on familiar roads, and 14 of 30 wore spectacles. The mean spherical equivalent was +2.00 dioptre sphere for distance and a mean additional spherical equivalent of 1.75 dioptre sphere for near. Twenty patients experienced glare, which was severe enough to cause difficulty driving in three cases. Two of these patients drove in sunny weather conditions and one in light (not sunny) weather. Six patients had difficulty with road signs, two had difficulty judging distances and one reported difficulty with traffic lights. Dilating the pupils did not reduce distance visual acuity. However, it would seem appropriate to warn patients of the problems associated with glare and, if driving is their only option for transport home, recommend that they allow sufficient time to adapt to a dilated pupillary state, drive only on familiar roads and avoid driving in sunny weather.

The baltic sea in 1997-impacts of the extremely warm summer and of the exceptional oder flood

The winter of 1996/97 can be characterized as moderate in the western and central Baltic Sea but was only weak in the Gulfs of Bothnia, Finland and Riga. The temperatures in the winter surface and summer intermediate layers met the long-term mean. The summer of 1997 was the warmest since 1890. Water temperatures reached positive anomalies up to 6 K in the 10 m upper layer due to sunny weather conditions and weak winds during August.

The Baltic Sea in 1996 — continuation of stagnation and decreasing phosphate concentrations

The severe winter of 1995/96, which was among the coldest in the western and central Baltic Sea since 1946 (4th rank), caused negative temperature anomalies in the winter surface and summer intermediate waters. The surface temperatures remained below the long-term mean until July, but reached positive anomalies between 2 and 4 K in August due to sunny high pressure weather conditions and weak winds.

Neighbour interaction and stability in subalpine meadow communities

Abstract. The ability of a plant community to maintain favourable conditions within its canopy was examined by means of removing the vegetation around individual plants (radius ca. 1 m) and measuring light and temperature relations and rates of net photosynthesis in both isolated and sward plants. The results suggest that neighbour interactions are important for the stabilization of environmental relations within the canopy, at least in hay meadows as compared to intensively grazed pastures. The canopy may maintain optimal conditions for plant life within a wider variation of environmental factors. At the same time, plants have to adapt to contrasting (sunny vs. cloudy) weather conditions occurring with about equal frequency during the vegetation period in the central Caucasus.

Control of Rough Harvester Ants in Low Water-Use Urban Parks, New Mexico, 1994

Abstract Rough harvester ant control was evaluated in an urban forest park in the city of Albuquerque. Treatments were randomized within blocks and replicated 4 times. Ant mounds were checked for activity, selected and marked, and counts made of active ants on and in the clear area of each mound prior to treatment. Treatments were made on 2 June under sunny weather conditions while ants were active (7:30-11:30 a.m.). Broadcast granular treatments were made by applying measured amounts to a 100 ft2 area around each mound with an Ortho® Whirly-Bird® granular applicator. The broadcast spray treatment was applied with a CO2 pressured back-pack, small-plot sprayer with 6 X-4 tips spaced 20 inches apart. At 60 psi and 4 mph the sprayer delivered 5.63 gal of finished spray per acre. However, the 10 ft by 10 ft (100 ft2) area around each plot was sprayed in each direction to give a spray volume of 11.3 gal per acre. Dry Mound (M) treatments were made by sprinkling measured amounts of each form on the mound area around the entrance hole only. The Orthene 75SP mound drench was applied in 3.78 liters of water sprinkled over a 0.37 m2 area around the center of each mound.

Enzymatic antioxidant protection in spawn, larvae and adult worms ofPhyllodoce mucosa(Polychaeta)

Abstract Antioxidant enzymes were analysed in spawn, larvae and in adult individuals of the polychaete Phyllodoce mucosa from an intertidal sandflat of the German Wadden coast. The analyses were carried out during two successive years (1992 and 1993) which were markedly different with respect to the weather conditions during the spawning period of P. mucosa. Extremely sunny weather conditions in 1993 led to hyperoxia and maximum peroxide concentrations of 4000 nmol l-1 in intertidal pools during daytime. Egg masses deposited into these intertidal pools were directly exposed to solar radiation and to hyperoxia stress. They had higher levels of the oxygen radical scavenger superoxide-dismutase (SOD) and of glutathione-reductase (GR, analysed only in 1993), a constituent of the glutathione antioxidant cycle, than the adults. Moreover, SOD and GR activities in the spawn were higher in 1993 than in 1992. We postulate that high UV irradiation during early spring, which causes elevated H2O2 concentrations in tid...

Target‐directed Orientation in Displaced Honeybees

AbstractUnder sunny weather conditions, displaced honeybees (Apis mellifera) usually fly into the celestial compass direction and thus may be misled from their goal, or they are disorientated. Under cloudy conditions, they may determine the celestial compass direction from prominent landmarks. They may also fly directly toward their goal from a release site. In two experiments, we investigated the orientation of displaced bees when a landmark (target) was close to the goal under different weather conditions. It is shown that in sunny conditions, the celestial compass will override target orientation under most conditions. Under 100% cloud cover, the celestial compass direction retrieved from landmarks modulates target‐orientated behaviour but is not by itself a primary orientation factor. The bees will fly toward a previously encountered landmark that signals the target, and in case of several similar landmarks which are visible to the bees, they will choose the one in the direction nearest the celestial compass direction. The results indicate that honeybee orientation is the result of a set of context‐specific interdependent orientation mechanisms.

Control of Harvester Ants in Low Water-Use Urban Parks, Nm, 1992

Abstract Rough harvester ant control was evaluated in an urban forest park in the city of Albuquerque. Treatments were randomized within blocks and replicated 6 times. Ant mounds were checked for activity, selected and marked, and counts made on active ants on and in the clear area of each mound prior to treatment. Applications were made on 17 Sep under calm, sunny weather conditions while ants were active (4:00-5:30 pm). All dry treatments were made by sprinkling measured amounts of each formulation on the mound areas around the entrance hole only. The Orthene drench was applied in 3.78 liters of water sprinkled over a 0.37 m2 area around the center of each mound.