The Impact of the Tropical Indian Ocean on South Asian High in Boreal Summer

The tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) is warmer than normal during the summer when or after the El Nino decays. The present study investigates the impact of TIO SST on the South Asian High (SAH) in summer. When the TIO is warmer, the SAH strengthens and its center shifts southward. It is found that the variations in the SAH cannot be accounted for by the precipitation anomaly. A possible mechanism is proposed to explain the connection between the TIO and SAH: warmer SST in the TIO changes the equivalent potential temperature (EPT) in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL), alters the temperature profile of the moist atmosphere, warms the troposphere, which produces significant positive height anomaly over South Asia and modifies the SAH. An atmospheric general circulation model, ECHAM5, which has a reasonable prediction skill in the TIO and South Asia, was selected to test the effects of TIO SST on the SAH. The experiment with idealized heating over the TIO reproduced the response of the SAH to TIO warming. The results suggest that the TIO-induced EPT change in the ABL can account for the variations in the SAH.     

The Genesis of Tropical Cyclone Bilis (2000) Associated with Cross-equatorial Surges

T The purpose of this paper is to explore how a tropical cyclone forms from a pre-existing large-scale depression which has been observed and associated with cross-equatorial surges in the western North Pacific. Tropical cyclone Bilis (2000) was selected as the case to study. The research data used are from the results of the non-hydrostatic mesoscale model (MM5), which has successfully simulated the transformation of a pre-existing weak large-scale tropical depression into a strong tropical storm. The scale separation technique is used to separate the synoptic-scale and sub-synoptic-scale fields from the model output fields. The scale-separated fields show that the pre-existing synoptic-scale tropical depression and the subsynoptic scale tropical cyclone formed later were different scale systems from beginning to end. It is also shown that the pre-existing synoptic-scale tropical depression did not contract to become the tropical cyclone. A series of weak, sub-synoptic-scale low and high pressure systems appeared and disappeared in the synopticscale depression, with one of the low systems near the center of the synoptic-scale depression having deepened to become the tropical cyclone. The roles of the synoptic-scale flow and the sub-synoptic scale disturbances in the formation of the tropical cyclone are investigated by diagnoses of the scale-separated vertical vorticity equation. The results show that the early development of the sub-synoptic scale vortex was fundamentally dependent on the strengthening synoptic-scale environmental depression. The depression was strengthened by cross-equatorial surges, which increased the convergence of the synoptic-scale depression at low levels and triggered the formation of the tropical cyclone.     

Effect of temperature on chlorophyllase activity, chlorophyll degradation and carotenoids of Cavendish bananas during ripening

Changes in chlorophyllase activity, chlorophyll and carotenoid content of Giant Cavendish banana fruit peel during ripening were measured at tropical temperatures (30–34°C) and at 20°C to relate them to the greenish and yellow colours of the fruit ripened at these temperatures. At 30–34°C bananas remained green on ripening due to incomplete chlorophyll degradation while at 20°C complete degreening occurred and fruits turned yellow. Peel total carotenoid content remained constant during ripening and did not change with temperature. Free xanthophylls decreased while xanthophyll esters increased on ripening. Chlorophyllase activity increased during ripening and paralleled the respiratory climacteric, although activity was not consistently related to the differential degradation of chlorophyll at these temperatures. Exogenous application of ethylene and ethrel accelerated ripening, but had no effect on chlorophyllase levels, chlorophyll degradation and carotenoid content of bananas ripened at either 30–34°C or at 20°C.     

Growth Potential of Listeria Monocytogenes and Staphylococcus Aureus on Fresh‐Cut Tropical Fruits

The objective of this study was to evaluate the fate of Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and natural microbiota on fresh‐cut tropical fruits (pitaya, mango, papaya and pineapple) with commercial PVC film at different storage temperature (5, 13, and 25 °C). The results showed that S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, and natural microbiota increased significantly on fresh‐cut tropical fruits at 25 °C. Both pathogen and natural microbiota were able to grow on fresh‐cut tropical fruits at 13 °C. The maximum population of L. monocytogenes was higher than that of S. aureus on fresh‐cut tropical fruits. L. monocytogenes and S. aureus could survive without growth on fresh‐cut pitaya, mango, and papaya at 5 °C. The population of L. monocytogenes declined significantly on fresh‐cut pineapple at all temperature, indicating composition of fresh‐cut pineapple could inhibit growth of L. monocytogenes. However, S. aureus was still able to grow on fresh‐cut pineapple at storage temperature. Thus, this study suggests that 4 kinds of fresh‐cut tropical fruits (pitaya, mango, papaya, and pineapple) should be stored at low temperature to extend shelf life as well as to ensure the safety of fresh‐cut fruits.     

Effect of regrowth interval and a microbial inoculant on the fermentation profile and dry matter recovery of guinea grass silages

The objectives of this study were to characterize and quantify the microbial populations in guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq. cultivar Mombasa) harvested at different regrowth intervals (35, 45, 55, and 65 d). The chemical composition and fermentation profile of silages (after 60 d) with or without the addition of a microbial inoculant were also analyzed. Before ensiling, samples of the plants were used for the isolation and identification of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in the epiphytic microbiota. A 4 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments (4 regrowth intervals × with/without inoculant) was used in a completely randomized design with 3 replications. Based on the morphological and biochemical characteristics and the carbohydrate fermentation profile, Lactobacillus plantarum was found to be the predominant specie of LAB in guinea grass forage. Linear increases were detected in the dry matter (DM) content and concentrations of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent insoluble nitrogen, and DM recovery as well as linear reductions in the concentrations of crude protein and NH₃-N with regrowth interval. Additionally, linear reductions for gas and effluent losses in silages were detected with increasing regrowth interval. These results demonstrate that guinea grass plants harvested after 55 d of regrowth contain a LAB population sufficiently large to ensure good fermentation and increase the DM recovery. The use of microbial inoculant further enhanced the fermentation of guinea grass at all stages of regrowth by improving the DM recovery.     

Managing nitrogen for sustainable crop production

This paper discusses the influence of N resources (fertilizer, legume, soil) on sustainable agriculture in temperate/boreal ecosystems (exemplified by the Canadian prairies), and in the humid, subhumid and semi-arid tropic (exemplified by southeast Asia and central and south America). A sustainable agricultural system is one that is economically viable, provides safe, nutritious food, and. conserves or enhances the environment. Consequently, we discuss the impact of N on crop yields, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), food quality, environmental quality and on socioeconomic factors. Considerably more long-term research has been conducted in the temperate regions, consequently this was where most information was available. However, the principles governing the behaviour of N are very similar in all ecosystems. It is mainly the rates of nutrient cycling and the socioeconomic constraints that differ. Legumes and N fertilizers, used in a responsible manner, will increase crop production, provide quality food, increase net returns, reduce risk of monetary loss, improve soil quality, and reduce N loss via leaching and gaseous means. The key to sustainable management of N is to synchronize N supply with N use by the crop. Because societies in most temperate ecosystems are more affluent they are better positioned to encourage adoption of management techniques that promote sustainability. In contrast, most producers in the tropics are, subsistence farmers; consequently, their immediate goal is economic survival, not preservation of the environment.     

SEASONAL CIRCULATION IN THE NORTHWESTERN TROPICAL PACIFIC OCEAN DIAGNOSED WITH THE ASSIMILATION DATA FROM 1989 THROUGH 1997

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Turbid flow through a tropical reservoir (Lake Dalrymple, Queensland, Australia): Responses to a summer storm event

The first flood event following a prolonged dry period is described for an impoundment, Lake Dalrymple, in tropical north‐eastern Australia. The event, in January 1996, generated substantial flow in the two main inflow sources: the Burdekin River from the north and the Suttor River from the south. Flow through the Burdekin River peaked early and then subsided to a lower level, but flow through the Suttor River persisted at a moderate level for over 15 days after the initial inflow. An extensive water quality survey was conducted on 16 January 1996 (seven days after the initial dam overflow) to determine the nature of the inflows originating from the two major subcatchments feeding the reservoir as they entered and passed through the impoundment. The inflow comprising waters of high turbidity and low conductivity occupied the mid‐column region along the two major inflow channels through the impoundment to the dam wall. The suspended particulate material in the form of silt and clay sized particles remained in suspension as the flow passed through the reservoir, due in part to the low ionic strength of the inflow and the relative densities of the inflowing and receiving waters. For both river sources, more than 50% of the total nitrogen and almost all of the total phosphorus were bound to the suspended particulate matter. Much of this was exported in the flow over the spillway. The highly turbid nature of the inflow resulted in strong attenuation of down‐welling photosynthetically active radiation (up to maximum attenuation values of 12.24 m^–1 in the reservoir where the euphotic depth was only 0.38 m). The irradiance reflectance and the scattering coefficient were considerably higher than any reported for other Australian inland waters. Concentrations of viable chlorophyll a in the surface waters were very low (maximum value 3.4 μg L^–1) because of the highly turbid conditions and extensive dilution by the inflow. The results of this study provide an example of the significant impact a large inflow of turbid, low conductance water can have on a large reservoir in the arid tropics following a prolonged dry period. During inflow events such as the one described in this paper, the reservoir becomes riverine in nature, and large amounts of suspended particulate matter and associated nutrients are transported through the reservoir.     

Rainfall rate characteristics for microwave systems in tropical and equatorial areas

The wave propagation at frequencies from about 10 GHz can suffer rain effects such as attenuation, scattering and depolarization. The magnitude of these effects depends on rain characteristics. This paper presents results of the propagation experiments undertaken in Douala (Cameroon) and in Brazzaville (Congo) under the auspices of the ITU (Geneva) with the collaboration of CNET (France Telecom). Data based on five months measurements of rain rates in Douala with a network of four rain-gauges are presented with reference also to some results of a propagation campaign in Brazzaville. The rain measurement period in Douala includes all of the rainy season. The measurement data are used to investigate the rain effect characteristics of the low latitude tropical regions of Africa and are discussed in relation to the influence of rain on microwave system performances in the region.     

20 世纪热带现代主义建筑实践的若干线索初探

热带建筑是20世纪中叶现代主义建筑一个重要的实践领域。由纵向梳理与横向比较可以发现,热带现代主义建筑经历了从实践、理论到教育的发展进程。热带各地域的现代建筑因政治、社会及经济条件的差异使其发展呈现不同轨迹和图景。热带现代建筑由初期重视改善酷热气候条件下的人居环境,逐步转向注重本土文化和地域技术的价值,与地域传统有机结合,在技术层面表现出共通性,在文化层面表现出多样性。岭南现代建筑具有典型的热带特征,是全球热带现代主义建筑实践的有机组成。系统研究20世纪热带现代主义建筑实践,对扩展彼此的研究视域,深入探讨岭南现代建筑的历史与当代发展具有现实意义。