No abstract

Monthly and daily variations in rainfall over Cherapunjee and Mawsynram on the Meghalaya plateau of northeastern India are analysed. Cherapunjee and Mawsynram are well known as two of the places with the heaviest rainfall in the world. The daily rainfall variation is attributed to the influence of synoptic scale disturbances, with a periodicity of 10-20 days, and the orographic interaction. The annual and monthly highest rainfalls over Cherapunjee during the 31 years from 1973 to 2003 were much larger than mean values.

The fundamental optical absorption spectra of CsPbI3 and Cs4PbI6 have been measured for the first time. There are distinct differences in the absorption characteristic between the two compounds: Cs4PbI6 exhibits strong, oscillator-like absorption and a prominent, blue-shifted excitonic peak, compared to the case of CsPbI3. The differences are explainable in terms of whether the Pb2+(I-)6 octahedra are weakly (CsPbI3) or strongly (Cs4PbI6) mutually isolated in the respective compounds

Canine histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is a rare neoplasm that originates from dendritic cells or macrophages, and there have been a number of cases experienced in Japan. To identify the characteristics and prognostic variables that determine outcome in dogs with HS in Japan, medical records of 73 dogs with HS were retrospectively analyzed. Signalment, clinical signs, complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistry profiles, treatment, response to treatment and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. Diagnosis of HS was determined histologically in 44 cases and cytologically in 29 cases. The most frequently diagnosed breeds were Flat-Coated Retrievers (n=16, odds ratio [OR] 62.0), Pembroke Welsh corgis (n=15, OR 9.7) and Bernese Mountain dogs (n=14, OR 45.0). Median survival time for all dogs in this study was 43 days. In the dogs that received no treatment or only symptomatic treatment, the median OS was 12 days (range 2–254 days) compared with that of dogs that received surgical treatment and/or chemotherapy (85 days, range 4–360 days). Univariate analysis identified anemia, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, hypoproteinemia and not receiving antitumor treatment (chemotherapy and/or surgery) as factors significantly associated with shorter OS. Multivariate analysis confirmed that platelet counts, localized/disseminated lesional pattern and whether the dog received antitumor treatment were significantly predictive of survival.

No abstract

To improve flood forecasting, the understanding of the atmospheric conditions associated with severe rainfall is crucial. We analysed the atmospheric conditions at Dhaka, Bangladesh, using upper-air soundings. We then compared these conditions with daily rainfall variations at Cherrapunjee, India, which is a main source of floodwater to Bangladesh, and a representative sample of exceptionally heavy rainfall events. The analysis focussed on June and July 2004. June and July are the heaviest rainfall months of the year at Cherrapunjee. July 2004 had the fourth-heaviest monthly rainfall of the past 31 years, and severe floods occurred in Bangladesh. Active rainfall periods at Cherrapunjee corresponded to ''breaks'' in the Indian monsoon. The monsoon trough was located over the Himalayan foothills, and strong westerly winds dominated up to 7 km at Dhaka. Near-surface wind below 1 km had southerly components, and the wind profile had an Ekman spiral structure. The results suggest that rainfall at Cherrapunjee strongly depends on the near-surface wind speed and wind direction at Dhaka. Lifting of the near-surface southerly airflow by the Meghalaya Plateau is considered to be the main contributor to severe rainfall at Cherrapunjee. High convective available potential energy (CAPE) also contributes to intense rainfall.

Rice production in India is highly correlated with monsoon rainfall. The relationships between rainfall variation and rice production have attracted significant interest at a country scale in Asia, but regional differences within a country remain unclear. In this study, we examined the effects of rainfall variation on 'kharif' rice (rainy season rice) -including temporal changes in this relationship -in the Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin, using a statistical model and a district-level data series of rice production and rainfall. Three homogeneous regions were identified within the study area. In the upper Ganges, the drought effect on rice production was dominant; however it became less pronounced due to decreased rainfall variation. In the lower Ganges, the flood effect increased due to increased rainfall. In the Brahmaputra Basin, the drought effect increased due to increased rainfall variation. Non-stationarity in the rainfall-rice production relationship was caused mainly by changes in rainfall patterns; however the impact of other factors, including social factors, should be evaluated on a regional scale.KEY WORDS: Rice cultivation · India · Bangladesh · Ganges · Brahmaputra · Non-stationarity Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisher

A 9‐month‐old intact crossbred female cat was presented with jaundice, intermittent anorexia and lethargy, increased hepatic enzyme activities, and hyperammonemia. Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomographic examinations determined that the liver had a rounded and irregular margin, and histopathological examination identified excessive accumulation of copper hepatocytes in the liver. Concentrations of both blood and urine copper were higher than in healthy cats. The patient responded well to treatment with penicillamine. Clinicopathological abnormalities and clinical signs improved within 2 months, and the patient was alive for >9 months after starting treatment. Genetic examination determined that the patient and its littermate had a single‐nucleotide variation (SNV, p. T1297R) that impaired the function of the ATP7B gene product; the gene that is mutated in patients with Wilson's disease (WD). Hepatic copper accumulation was believed to be associated with the SNV of the ATP7B gene, and the patient had a genetic disorder of copper metabolism equivalent to WD in humans.