Regional Variability of Climate Change Hot-Spots in East Asia

The regional climate change index （RCCI） is employed to investigate hot-spots under 21st century global warming over East Asia. The RCCI is calculated on a 1-degree resolution grid from the ensemble of CMIP3 simulations for the B1, AIB, and A2 IPCC emission scenarios. The RCCI over East Asia exhibits marked sub-regional variability. Five sub-regional hot-spots are identified over the area of investigation： three in the northern regions （Northeast China, Mongolia, and Northwest China）, one in eastern China, and one over the Tibetan Plateau. Contributions from different factors to the RCCI are discussed for the sub-regions. Analysis of the temporal evolution of the hot-spots throughout the 21st century shows different speeds of response time to global warming for the different sub-regions. Hot-spots firstly emerge in Northwest China and Mongolia. The Northeast China hot-spot becomes evident by the mid of the 21st century and it is the most prominent by the end of the century. While hot-spots are generally evident in all the 5 sub-regions for the A1B and A2 scenarios, only the Tibetan Plateau and Northwest China hot-spots emerge in the B1 scenario, which has the lowest greenhouse gas （GHG） concentrations. Our analysis indicates that subregional hot-spots show a rather complex spatial and temporal dependency on the GHG concentration and on the different factors contributing to the RCCI.

Relationship analysis between September precipitation in western China and 700 hPa wind field in East Asia

The regional wind index influencing September precipitation in western China has been defined using the 700 hPa u and v components of NCAR/NCEP reanalysis data of 1961 to 2006. There are three regional wind field indices： southwest, southeast, and north, and these indices reflect the change of East Asian monsoon. The relationship between the indices was studied, and results show that they not only have a close relationship, but also have independence. Moreover, there is an obvious relationship between the wind indices and the autumn in particular the September precipitation in western China. The effect of wind indices on rain occurrence is most different： the influenced area of the southwest wind index is larger than that of the southeast wind index, and the southwest wind index is a controlling factor on autumn precipitation in western China. The weakening of southwest wind is the main cause resulting in reduction of autumn precipitation on the east side of the Tibetan Plateau.

Optimization of parameters of Yi Zhi Chan Tuina manipulation promotes peripheral circulation

OBJECTIVE:To explore the most effective parameters of Yi Zhi Chan Tuina manipulation for improving peripheral blood circulation.METHODS:A total of 45 volunteers were recruited from Pudong district in Shanghai,China,from October to December 2010,and randomly divided into nine groups using computer-generated random numbers.Participants received Yi Zhi Chan Tuina manipulation on Chengjin(BL 56) acupoint;each group received a particular combination of manipulation force and treatment time.We used a two-factor,three-level factorial design to examine the effects of force and treatment time on changes in popliteal artery average volume flow,pulsatility index,and vessel diameter to determine the optimal parameter group.Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after Tuina manipulation by interviewers blind to treatment group status.RESULTS:After manipulation,two of the nine groups showed an increase in popliteal artery volume flow.An inter-participants effect test showed that for main effect of time,F = 0.331,P = 0.720;for main effect of force,F = 2.934,P = 0.066;and for the force-time interaction effect,F = 1.072,P = 0.385,indicating no interaction between force and time.However,a pairwise comparison of the three levels of time showed that a treatment time of 10 min was significantly more effective than that of 2 min(P = 0.024).A pairwise comparison of light force,medium force,and heavy force showed a statistically significant effect for medium force(P = 0.035).CONCLUSION:Yi Zhi Chan Tuina manipulation with vertical force of 9.31 N for 10 min is most effective in improving peripheral circulation.

Nonlinear dynamics of Kuroshio intrusion in the Luzon Strait

This study used a 1.5-layer reduced-gravity numerical model to investigate the nonlinear dynamics of Kuroshio intrusion into the Luzon Strait.The model results suggested that both basin-scale wind curl and lateral friction are the primary factors that control the transformation of the flow,although inertia also plays an important role.Using an idealized model,both the mechanism via which the flow pattern changes depending on the two primary factors and the occurrence of hysteresis were investigated.It was established that the transformation of the Kuroshio flow field between the four previously reported flow patterns(i.e.,leaping across,current looping,eddy shedding,and branch intruding) can be explained under a unified theoretical framework.A diagram is proposed to explain how the flow field transforms between the four patterns from a certain prior state when varying the values of the controlling factors.