[1] Global observations of gravity waves have been performed using the High Resolution Dynamics Limb Sounder (HIRDLS) temperature data. A background field that was derived by dynamically calculating 31 day (±15 day) means to block the stationary component and the slowly varying planetary-scale waves, was first subtracted from the HIRDLS temperature measurements. An additional step was then taken to remove rapidly moving planetary-scale waves by developing an along-track temperature filter, which was created by averaging the profiles within a 1000 km along-track window. Finally, each individual temperature perturbation vertical profile was analyzed using a fast Fourier transform to estimate gravity wave temperature amplitudes and vertical wavelengths. The investigation of the monthly mean gravity wave temperature amplitudes for the year 2006 found that gravity wave activity in the stratosphere is highly variable with season and can be very orographically dependent, especially in the winter extratropics. The monthly zonal means show that the peak vertical wavelengths correspond closely to the peak amplitudes. The increasing amplitudes and vertical wavelengths are faster and generated at lower altitudes in the winter extratropical and high-latitude stratosphere than those in the summer tropical stratosphere. This is consistent with the lower source altitudes of orographic gravity waves in the extratropics and high latitudes and the higher source altitudes of convectively generated gravity waves in the tropics. Three cases were studied for the observed gravity waves over large mountain ranges using the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts wind data. Investigations of episodes of enhanced gravity wave activity over the southern Andes, the Cascade Range, and the Rockies in winter months of 2006 indicate that orographic gravity waves refract downwind from the mountains and propagate along the direction of the intense winds. By way of contrast, observations of gravity waves around the Himalayas show a strong relationship with the cyclones in that region.

Not available.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-06-30T19:37:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2-s2.0-67649442830.pdf: 282421 bytes, checksum: 9a74de40a4a70dc8a0b7150bec7ffafe (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008

Plant growth and development are particularly sensitive to changes in the light environment and especially to vegetational shading. The shade-avoidance response is mainly controlled by the phytochrome photoreceptors. In Arabidopsis, recent studies have identified several related bHLH class transcription factors (PIF, for phytochrome-interacting factors) as important components in phytochrome signaling. In addition to a related bHLH domain, most of the PIFs contain an active phytochrome binding (APB) domain that mediates their interaction with light-activated phytochrome B (phyB). Here we show that PIF4 and PIF5 act early in the phytochrome signaling pathways to promote the shade-avoidance response. PIF4 and PIF5 accumulate to high levels in the dark, are selectively degraded in response to red light, and remain at high levels under shade-mimicking conditions. Degradation of these transcription factors is preceded by phosphorylation, requires the APB domain and is sensitive to inhibitors of the proteasome, suggesting that PIF4 and PIF5 are degraded upon interaction with light-activated phyB. Our data suggest that, in dense vegetation, which is rich in far-red light, shade avoidance is triggered, at least partially, as a consequence of reduced phytochrome-mediated degradation of transcription factors such as PIF4 and PIF5. Consistent with this idea, the constitutive shade-avoidance phenotype of phyB mutants partially reverts in the absence of PIF4 and PIF5.

A unique case of a fatal leopard seal attack against an adult human female is presented. The death occurred in Rothera, Antarctica when the female was snorkeling while undertaking scientific research. The principle injuries occurred, during life, to the facial areas prior to the act of drowning. The method of attack of leopard seals against their natural prey is discussed and related to the findings on the deceased.