Vertical Structures of Convective and Stratiform Clouds in Boreal Summer over the Tibetan Plateau and Its Neighboring Regions

Cloud is essential in the atmosphere, condensing water vapor and generating strong convective or large-scale persistent precipitation. In this work, the relationships between cloud vertical macro- or microphysical properties, radiative heating rate, and precipitation for convective and stratiform clouds in boreal summer over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) are analyzed and compared with its neighboring land and tropical oceans based on CloudSat/CALIPSO satellite measurements and TRMM precipitation data. The precipitation intensity caused by convective clouds is twofold stronger than that by stratiform clouds. The vertical macrophysics of both cloud types show similar features over the TP, with the region weakening the precipitation intensity and compressing the cloud vertical expansion and variation in cloud top height, but having an uplift effect on the average cloud top height. The vertical microphysics of both cloud types under conditions of no rain over the TP are characterized by lower-level ice water, ice particles with a relatively larger range of sizes, and a relatively lower occurrence of denser ice particles. The features are similar to other regions when precipitation enhances, but convective clouds gather denser and larger ice particles than stratiform clouds over the TP. The atmospheric shortwave (longwave) heating (cooling) rate strengthens with increased precipitation for both cloud types. The longwave cooling layer is thicker when the rainfall rate is less than 100 mm d?1, but the net heating layer is typically compressed for the profiles of both cloud types over the TP. This study provides insights into the associations between clouds and precipitation, and an observational basis for improving the simulation of convective and stratiform clouds over the TP in climate models.

Special library services for regional economic development(SRED)—Practice of the NSLC

Purpose: By case studies of the service for regional economic development(SRED) carried out by the National Science Library of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(NSLC), this article tries to describe basic directions of special libraries in the SRED.Design/methodology/approach: By comparing the aims and service forms of the SRED provided by domestic and foreign libraries and information service institutions, the authors examined the basic services provided by special libraries. Through a summary of the SRED exploration carried out by the NSLC, the authors introduce its main content, service methods, products, and service mechanisms. By analyzing the information needs of SRED users and summarizing users’ practical experiences of services, the authors propose a design for the SRED framework of the NSLC. In addition, the authors mention key points to be noticed during the process of service implementation, illustrating them with a number of selected SRED cases. The authors suggest that the SRED network and joint service mechanism are effective ways to implement SRED services. Findings: Based on information resource and expert networks, special libraries like the NSLC can carry out SRED to meet user requirements. The NSLC has not only constructed its own SRED framework, but has also expanded the patron service to the industrial intelligence service area. By setting up a nationwide S&T;(science and technology) novelty search network and a literature and information service alliance, the NSLC provides a variety of information training services. This enriches the content of the knowledge service of special libraries and enlarges the library service of the NSLC.Research limitations: The SRED of Chinese libraries is still in the exploratory stage. Questions as how to scientifically design service content and service modes, and how to establish a sustainable regional service system based on user needs are still being researchedand discussed. Furthermore, we need to pay more attention to the construction of the service network and respond more quickly to feedback while creating the SRED.Practical implications: The SRED experience of the NSLC has shown that special libraries can implement a knowledge service for economic development, and the SRED is an important direction of knowledge services for special libraries.Originality/value: Through describing a practical SRED, this paper provides a valuable reference for libraries in the transformation process from library service to knowledge service. The experimental SRED of the NSLC has verified the rationality of our service framework in support of regional economic development.

Epidemiology of community pre-hypertensive patients and related risk factors in Chengdu city

Objective:This study aims to explore the epidemiologic characteristics of pre-hypertension,its related risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and its relativity with metabolic disorders among community residents of Chengdu city.Methods:Cluster random sampling was performed in three districts and counties of Chengdu.A total of 3524 residents(resident for≥1 year,≥18 years of age)were enrolled in the investigation.All the participants were interviewed in the questionnaire survey.Physical examination,blood pressure measurements,and blood sampling were also performed.Results:The overall prevalence of pre-hypertension was 34.07%.The prevalence of prehyper-tension was higher in males than in females(41.16%vs.23.89%,P<0.05).The prevalence of pre-hypertension among patients with systolic/diastolic blood pressures of 120-129 mmHg/80-84 mmHg and 130-139 mmHg/85-89 mmHg were 34.90%and 17.16%,respectively.The prevalence of pre-hypertension increased with age,reaching a peak at 30-39 years(39.93%),and then declined.Multi-ple risk factors for cardiovascular disease were more common in patients with hypertension and pre-hypertension than in the population with normal blood pressure.Pre-hypertension was associated with increased fasting blood glucose and increased relative risks of hypertriglyceridemia,hyperuricemia,overweight,obesity,and abdominal obesity,compared with patients who had normal blood pressure.Conclusion:The prevalence of pre-hypertension in residents of Chengdu was high.Multiple metabolic disorders were already present in the population,and multiple cardiovascular disease risk factors were more common than in the population with normal blood pressure.Early screening for cardiovascular risk factors should be performed in patients with pre-hypertension.In addition,comprehensive measures,such as lifestyle improvement and medications,should be implemented.