Origins of intraseasonal rainfall variations over the southern South China Sea in boreal winter

This study investigates the origins of intraseasonal rainfall variations over the southern South China Sea（SCS） region in boreal winter.It is found that intraseasonal rainfall variations over the southern SCS have different origins on the 10-20-day and 30-60-day time scales.On the 10-20-day time scale,large rainfall anomalies over the southern SCS are preceded by strong northerly wind anomalies associated with the East Asian winter monsoon（EAWM）,by about two days.On the 30-60-day time scale,the strong EAWM-related northerly wind anomalies almost appear simultaneously with large rainfall anomalies over the southern SCS.In addition,obvious large rainfall anomalies occur over the southeastern tropical Indian Ocean about one week before the peak southern SCS rainfall anomalies.It indicates that the convection and related circulation anomalies with origins over the tropical Indian Ocean may play an important role in inducing intraseasonal rainfall variations over the southern SCS on the 30-60-day time scale,but not on the 10-20-day time scale.

Rome Ⅲ survey of irritable bowel syndrome among ethnic Malays

AIM:To survey irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) using Rome Ⅲ criteria among Malays from the north-eastern region of Peninsular Malaysia.METHODS:A previously validated Malay language Rome Ⅲ IBS diagnostic questionnaire was used in the current study.A prospective sample of 232 Malay subjects(80% power) was initially screened.Using a stratified random sampling strategy,a total of 221 Malay subjects(112 subjects in a "full time job" and 109 subjects in "no full time job") were recruited.Subjects were visitors(friends and relatives) within the hospital compound and were representative of the local community.Red flags and psychosocial alarm symptoms were also assessed in the current study using previously translated and validated questionnaires.Subjects with IBS were sub-typed into constipation-predominant,diarrhea-predominant,mixed type and un-subtyped.Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to test for association between socioeconomic factors and presence of red flags and psychosocial alarm features among the Malays with IBS.RESULTS:IBS was present in 10.9%(24/221),red flags in 22.2%(49/221) and psychosocial alarm features in 9.0%(20/221).Red flags were more commonly reported in subjects with IBS(83.3%) than psychosocial alarm features(20.8%,P < 0.001).Subjects with IBS were older(mean age 41.4 years vs 36.9 years,P = 0.08),but no difference in gender was noted(P = 0.4).Using univariable analysis,IBS was significantly associated with a tertiary education,high individual income above RM1000,married status,exsmoker and the presence of red flags(all P < 0.05).In multiple logistic regression analysis,only the presence of red flags was significantly associated with IBS(odds ratio:0.02,95%CI:0.004-0.1,P < 0.001).The commonest IBS sub-type was mixed type(58.3%),followed by constipation-predominant(20.8%),diarrheapredominant(16.7%) and un-subtyped(4.2%).Four of 13 Malay females(30.8%) with IBS also had menstrual pain.Most subjects with IBS had at least one red flag(70.8%),12.5% had two red flags and 16.7% with no red flags.The commonest red flag was a bowel habit change in subjects > 50 years old and this was reported by 16.7% of subjects with IBS.CONCLUSION:Using the Rome Ⅲ criteria,IBS was common among ethnic Malays from the north-eastern region of Peninsular Malaysia.

Modulation of Tropical Cyclogenesis over the South China Sea by ENSO Modoki During Boreal Summer

This study examines the modulation of tropical cyclogenesis over the South China Sea （SCS） by the E1 Nifio-Southem Oscillation （ENSO） Modoki during the boreal summer. Results reveal that there were more tropical cyclones （TCs） formed over the SCS during central Pacific warming years and less TC frequency during central Pacific cooling years. How different environmental factors （including low-level relative vorticity, mid-level relative humidity, vertical wind shear, and potential intensity） contribute to this influence is investigated, using a genesis potential （GP） index developed by Emanuel and Nolan. Composite anomalies of the GP index are produced for central Pacific warming and cooling years separately, which could account for the changes of TC frequency over the SCS in different ENSO Modoki phases. The degree of contribution by each factor is determined quantitatively by producing composites of modified indices in which only one of the contributing factors varies, with the others set to climatology. The results suggest that the vertical wind shear and low-level relative vorticity, which are associated with the ENSO Modold-induced anomalous circulations in Matsuno-Gill patterns, make the largest contributions to the ENSO Modoki modulation of tropical cyclogenesis over the SCS as implied by the GP index. These results highlight the important roles of dynamic factors in the modulation of TC fre-quency over the SCS by the ENSO Modold during the boreal summer.

Assessment of Groundwater Resources in Northeastern Sinai Peninsula Constrained by Mathematical Modeling Techniques

The study area extended from El-Gora and its vicinities in the south to E1 Sheikh Zowyed and Rafah cities in the north. Quantitatively the water bearing formation in the area has been illustrated by applying the PMW1N （Processing Modflow for Windows） and modulus contour map techniques. Qualitatively, the groundwater is evaluated by an isosalinity distribution map. The hydraulic parameters of the water bearing formations were determined and evaluated through 12 pumping tests carried out on selected wells. On the other hand, the ground elevation of the study area is illustrated by a DEM （Digital Elevation Model）. The DEM map indicated that the investigated area lies within a low land area. Due to the depths of groundwater （46.1-105 m from the ground surface）, the rainfall replenishment is nearly absent. Based on the resulting modulus contour map, the northern and northwestern portions are characterized by reasonable potentiality of groundwater. Moreover, the eastern and southern portions reflect limited aquifer potentials. The mathematical modeling results revealed that the recharge to the investigated aquifer is about 9.794 million m3.

Northern Hemisphere Stratospheric Polar Vortex Extremes in February under the Control of Downward Wave Flux in the Lower Stratosphere

Using ECWMF ERA-40 and Interim reanalysis data, the planetary wave fluxes associated with the February extreme stratospheric polar vortex were studied. Using the three-dimensional Eliassen-Palm (EP) flux as a measure of the wave activity propagation, the authors show that the unusual warm years in the Arctic feature an anomalous weak stratosphere-troposphere coupling and weak downward wave flux at the lower stratosphere, especially over the North America and North Atlantic (NANA) region. The extremely cold years are characterized by strong stratosphere-troposphere coupling and strong downward wave flux in this region. The refractive index is used to examine the conception of planetary wave reflection, which shows a large refractive index (low reflection) for the extremely warm years and a small refractive index (high reflection) for the extremely cold years. This study reveals the importance of the downward planetary wave propagation from the stratosphere to the troposphere for explaining the unusual state of the stratospheric polar vortex in February.

辽西区几种考古学文化中“萨满式”的遗存(上)——萨满教溯源

萨满教是地球北半部众多古代民族赖以信奉的一种以'万物皆灵'为精髓(即相当于其他宗教的教义)、以强烈的氏族关系为本位与以牢固的内向性为凝聚力的原始宗教。据研究,它萌生于人猿揖别后的蒙昧时代,兴起并繁荣于母系氏族社会末期。它曾广布于东北亚及北美、北欧等辽阔的寒土地上。其信仰、崇拜与祭祀是在一定范围的社会群体中自发滋生,却不具显赫、明确的创教者;其虽然没有明文规章,但可世代承袭。

鲜卑诗人元好问文论思想中的民族基质

金元一代文学之所以具有明显的北地风范,比较成功地反映了女真贵族统治下的北半部中国的社会现实,其中一个重要的原因在于北方游牧民族具有率真任情、刚健粗犷的气质,因而作品往往呈现出质朴而遒劲、自然而悲壮的北方少数民族文学风格。这一时期文学成就最高的当数鲜卑族后裔的元好问。

A step metallogenetic model for gold deposits in the northwestern Shandong Peninsula, China

Based on our study of the nature and variation of mineralization-controlling faults in their deep extension and the spatial distribution of gold orebodies in the northwestern Shandong Peninsula (NSP), here we propose that the gold deposits in the Jiaojia gold belt are controlled by listric faults and the gold deposits in the NSP are controlled by extensional fault system. We also suggest that there is a multiple mineralization space in the deep part of the NSP gold belt. As steps or benches occur along the deep extention of the listric fault where its dipping angle changes from steep to gentle, a number of gold deposits are correspondingly distributed as a steplike pattern, which is named as a step metallogenetic model for gold deposits in the NSP. The gold deposits in Shandong Peninsula were formed in the Cretaceous when the crust in the region experienced extention and thinning following the strong collision between North China Plate and Yangtze Plate during the Triassic. Crust anataxis, fluid remobilization, and extention-detachement of the crust are the leading factors for the gold mineralization.