Implementation of a new cumulus parameterization scheme based on an explicit time-dependent tilting cloud model in ARPS model

A one-dimensional Explicit Time-dependent Tilting cloud Model (ETTM) that separates updraft and downdraft columns and takes into account the effect of cloud tilting on precipitation is introduced and incorporated into the Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS). Results of the stand-alone ETTM are compared with that of cloud resolving simulations using the ARPS mesoscale model. Inter-comparison is performed by qualitative examination of simulated parameters such as vertical distribution of fluxes of mass, heat, and moisture. Although there is a great degree of similarity between the vertical profiles, ETTM systematically underestimates magnitudes of all fluxes. Sensitivity tests carried with ETTM show that the effect of varying cloud radius and tilting angle is considerable on the simulated cloud behavior. Increasing the cloud radius, results in a corresponding increase in fluxes of mass, heat, and moisture, while increasing the cloud tilt angle has the opposite effect. Since ETTM showed promise as a suitable sub-grid cumulus parameterization scheme; it was incorporated into ARPS as an additional cumulus parameterization scheme (CPS) to be available for the wider community. Results of simulations using ETTM and other CPSs already available in ARPS were compared for 2, 4 and 10 km grid spacings to assess its utility. Simulation results of the 2 km grid showed that at this resolution, the simulated time series of updraft velocities using the new scheme (ETTM) compared well with the results of other schemes in the ARPS model. The simulations with horizontal resolution of 4 km that was compared with the convection resolving reference run (No-CPS-2KM) showed almost consistent results for all schemes except for one using KF scheme. The results of the simulation with the ETTM scheme and other schemes in the model with resolution of 10 km showed that at this resolution, there is not significant difference between the uses of these schemes.     

Evaluating the effect of ocean-atmospheric indices on drought in Iran

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - This study investigated the relationship between ocean-atmospheric indices and drought in Iran. Using > 30-year precipitation data from 37...     

Interaction between tachyon dark energy and modified Chaplygin gas

In the present work we assume that the universe is dominated with a two component mixture which do not evolve separately but interact non-gravitationally with one another. we consider the issue of the tachyon as a source of the dark energy and modified Chaplygin gas as background fluid. So we study the interacting between tachyon field and modified Chaplygin gas in different forms of interactions term Q in both flat and non-flat FRW universe. Then we reconstruct the potential and the dynamics of the tachyon field which describe tachyon cosmology. Also we find a equivalence potential for MCG in this model. Next we study two dark components respect to redshift and we find the conditions that are required for the stability of this model.     

Variability patterns of the annual frequency and timing of low streamflow days across the United States and their linkage to regional and large‐scale climate

Low‐flow events can cause significant impacts to river ecosystems and water‐use sectors; as such, it is important to understand their variability and drivers. In this study, we characterise the variability and timing of annual total frequency of low‐streamflow days across a range of headwater streams within the continental United States. To quantify this, we use a metric that counts the annual number of low‐flow days below a given threshold, defined as the cumulative dry days occurrence (CDO). First, we identify three large clusters of stream gauge locations using a Partitioning Around Medoids (PAM) clustering algorithm. In terms of timing, results reveal that for most clusters, the majority of low‐streamflow days occur from the middle of summer until early fall, although several locations in Central and Western United States also experience low‐flow days in cold seasons. Further, we aim to identify the regional climate and larger scale drivers for these low‐streamflow days. Regionally, we find that precipitation deficits largely associate with low‐streamflow days in the Western United States, whereas within the Central and Eastern U.S. clusters, high temperature indicators are also linked to low‐streamflow days. In terms of larger scale, we examine sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies, finding that extreme dry years exhibit a high degree of co‐occurrence with different patterns of warmer SST anomalies across the Pacific and Northern Atlantic Oceans. The linkages identified with regional climate and SSTs offer promise towards regional prediction of changing conditions of low‐streamflow events.     

Compensatory growth response of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum following short starvation periods

This sixty-day study was performed to determine the effects of short-term starvation and refeeding cycles on growth, feeding performances and body composition of rainbow trout(O ncorhynchus mykiss). Three hundred trout fingerlings with an average initial weight of 17.5±0.06 g were randomly distributed in 15 circular fiberglass tanks. The fish were exposed to 5 different feeding regimes; control: continuously fed twice daily to apparent satiation; T1 : starved for 1 day and re-fed for 2 days; T2 : starved for 1 day and re-fed for 4 days; T3 : starved for 3 days and re-fed for 12 days; T 4 : starved for 4 days and re-fed for 16 days. At the end of the experiment, growth performance, feed utilization, whole body ash and moisture contents were not significantly(P 0.05) different among the treatments. However, whole body protein content in T3 was significantly higher than other treatments(P 0.05). A significant difference in whole body fat content was observed between T3 and the control group at the end of the experiment(P 0.05). In conclusion this experiment suggests that feeding schedules involving starvation(1–4 days) and re-feeding cycles are a promising feed management tool for rainbow trout culture.     

Application of Spectral Angle Mapper Classification to Discriminate Hydrothermal Alteration in Southwest Birjand,Iran, Using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer Image Processing

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) classification method for determining the optimum threshold (maximum spectral angle) to unveil the hydrothermal mineral assemblages related to mineral deposits. The study area indicates good potential for Cu-Au porphyry, epithermal gold deposits and hydrothermal alteration well developed in arid and semiarid climates, which makes this region significant for Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) image processing analysis. Given that achieving an acceptable mineral mapping requires knowing the alteration patterns, petrochemistry and petrogenesis of the igneous rocks while considering the effect of weathering, overprinting of supergene alteration, overprinting of hypogene alteration and host rock spectral mixing, SAM classification was implemented for argillic, sericitic, propylitic, alunitization, silicification and iron oxide zones of six previously known mineral deposits: Maherabad, a Cu-Au porphyry system; Sheikhabad, an upper part of Cu-Au porphyry system; Khoonik, an Intrusion related Au system; Barmazid, a low sulfidation epithermal system; Khopik, a Cu-Au porphyry system; and Hanish, an epithermal Au system. Thus, the investigation showed that although the whole alteration zones are affected by mixing, it is also possible to produce a favorable hydrothermal mineral map by such complementary data as petrology, petrochemistry and alteration patterns.     

In-situ zircon U-Pb age and Hf-O isotopic constraints on the origin of the Hasan-Robat A-type granite from Sanandaj–Sirjan zone,Iran: implications for reworking of Cadomian arc igneous rocks

Mineralogy and Petrology - The Lower Permian Hasan-Robat syenogranite occurs as a single pluton and intruded the Upper Carboniferous–Lower Permian sandstones and dolomitic limestones in the...     

Variations in crab claw morphology and diet across contrasting inter‐tidal habitats

Crabs are important predators of inter‐tidal ecosystems, controlling the abundance and distribution of their prey populations. Often the same crab species occupies several habitats and, although their effects on prey have been quantified across habitats, crabs’ dietary and morphological responses to differing environmental influences have been overlooked. Here, we used the crabs Eriphia verrucosa and Pachygrapsus marmoratus as model species to examine differences in claw morphometry – size and wear – and diet between rocky shore and heterogeneous sand flat habitats. We predicted that, intra‐specifically, crabs from rocky shores would consume more hard‐shelled prey owing to their high availability and consequently, would display chelipeds with the following claw characteristics: a higher degree of claw damage, stronger musculature (higher propel height) and increased mechanical advantage (defined as the ratio of input lever length to output lever length) than crabs in the heterogeneous sand flat habitats. Sampling was performed in heterogeneous sand flat habitats and rocky shores of the Central Portuguese coast. For each crab species, carapace width, diet composition and several claw morphometric measures were recorded, revealing significant intra‐specific differences (using multivariate analysis) between shore types. We found that E. verrucosa and P. marmoratus consumed more hard prey on rocky shore than on sand flat habitats, which resulted in rocky shore crabs having more accentuated dentition wear and larger musculature than their sand flat habitat counterparts. We suggest that the strong response of crab claw morphometry to environmentally induced diet variations is an important mechanism in the successful adaptation of crab species to inhabit differing habitats. A major implication is that the impact of the same species on prey may vary largely with habitat type as a result of predation efficiency varying with claw condition.     

Weathering and soils formation on different parent materials in Golestan Province,Northern Iran

Geochemical, mineralogical, and micromorphological characteristics of soils and their relevant parent rocks including loess, ignimbrite, sandstone and limestone were investigated to identify the soil-parent material uniformity and the weathering degree of soils in Golestan Province, northern Iran. Highly developed Calcixerolls and moderately developed Haploxerepts were formed on loess and limestone, respectively. In contrast, the soils formed on ignimbrite and sandstone were non-developed Entisols. Illite was the dominant clay mineral found in ignimbrite and sandstone in both the A horizon and parent material. In loess derived soils however, smectite was dominant especially in the Bt horizon compared to its parent material indicating partly to its pedogenic formation. In limestone, illite and vermiculite were dominant both in the A and C horizons. Ti/Zr ratio proved that the studied soils were closely related to their underlying parent materials geochemically. Chemical index of alteration (CIA), micromorphological index of soil development (MISECA), smectite/illite+chlorite ratio and magnetic susceptibility were applied to investigate the degree of soil development. Results showed that the most and the least developed soils were those formed on loess deposits and limestone, respectively. Application of the different geochemical and pedogenetic approaches was proved to be useful in identifying the relevance of soils to their underlying parent materials and also their degree of development.