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Bias correction of climate variables is a standard practice in climate change impact (CCI) studies. Various methodologies have been developed within the framework of quantile mapping. However, it is well known that quantile mapping may significantly modify the long-term statistics due to the time dependency of the temperature bias. Here, a method to overcome this issue without compromising the day-to-day correction statistics is presented. The methodology separates the modeled temperature signal into a normalized and a residual component relative to the modeled reference period climatology, in order to adjust the biases only for the former and preserve the signal of the later. The results show that this method allows for the preservation of the originally modeled long-term signal in the mean, the standard deviation and higher and lower percentiles of temperature. To illustrate the improvements, the methodology is tested on daily time series obtained from five Euro CORDEX regional climate models (RCMs).

The Optical Spectrograph and Infra-Red Imager System (OSIRIS) and the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) have been taking measurements from space since 2001 and 2003, respectively. This paper presents intercomparisons between ozone and NO2 measured by the ACE and OSIRIS satellite instruments and by ground-based instruments at the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL), which is located at Eureka, Canada (80° N, 86° W) and is operated by the Canadian Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Change (CANDAC). The ground-based instruments included in this study are four zenith-sky differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) instruments, one Bruker Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and four Brewer spectrophotometers. Ozone total columns measured by the DOAS instruments were retrieved using new Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC) guidelines and agree to within 3.2%. The DOAS ozone columns agree with the Brewer spectrophotometers with mean relative differences that are smaller than 1.5%. This suggests that for these instruments the new NDACC data guidelines were successful in producing a homogenous and accurate ozone dataset at 80° N. Satellite 14–52 km ozone and 17–40 km NO2 partial columns within 500 km of PEARL were calculated for ACE-FTS Version 2.2 (v2.2) plus updates, ACE-FTS v3.0, ACE-MAESTRO (Measurements of Aerosol Extinction in the Stratosphere and Troposphere Retrieved by Occultation) v1.2 and OSIRIS SaskMART v5.0x ozone and Optimal Estimation v3.0 NO2 data products. The new ACE-FTS v3.0 and the validated ACE-FTS v2.2 partial columns are nearly identical, with mean relative differences of 0.0 ± 0.2% and −0.2 ± 0.1% for v2.2 minus v3.0 ozone and NO2, respectively. Ozone columns were constructed from 14–52 km satellite and 0–14 km ozonesonde partial columns and compared with the ground-based total column measurements. The satellite-plus-sonde measurements agree with the ground-based ozone total columns with mean relative differences of 0.1–7.3%. For NO2, partial columns from 17 km upward were scaled to noon using a photochemical model. Mean relative differences between OSIRIS, ACE-FTS and ground-based NO2 measurements do not exceed 20%. ACE-MAESTRO measures more NO2 than the other instruments, with mean relative differences of 25–52%. Seasonal variation in the differences between NO2 partial columns is observed, suggesting that there are systematic errors in the measurements and/or the photochemical model corrections. For ozone spring-time measurements, additional coincidence criteria based on stratospheric temperature and the location of the polar vortex were found to improve agreement between some of the instruments. For ACE-FTS v2.2 minus Bruker FTIR, the 2007–2009 spring-time mean relative difference improved from −5.0 ± 0.4% to −3.1 ± 0.8% with the dynamical selection criteria. This was the largest improvement, likely because both instruments measure direct sunlight and therefore have well-characterized lines-of-sight compared with scattered sunlight measurements. For NO2, the addition of a ±1° latitude coincidence criterion improved spring-time intercomparison results, likely due to the sharp latitudinal gradient of NO2 during polar sunrise. The differences between satellite and ground-based measurements do not show any obvious trends over the missions, indicating that both the ACE and OSIRIS instruments continue to perform well.

We investigate the power of voting among diverse, randomized software agents. With teams of computer Go agents in mind, we develop a novel theoretical model of two-stage noisy voting that builds on recent work in machine learning. This model allows us to reason about a collection of agents with different biases (determined by the first-stage noise models), which, furthermore, apply randomized algorithms to evaluate alternatives and produce votes (captured by the second-stage noise models). We analytically demonstrate that a uniform team, consisting of multiple instances of any single agent, must make a significant number of mistakes, whereas a diverse team converges to perfection as the number of agents grows. Our experiments, which pit teams of computer Go agents against strong agents, provide evidence for the effectiveness of voting when agents are diverse.

Within the project MUSICA (MUlti-platform remote Sensing of Isotopologues for investigating the Cycle of Atmospheric water), long-term tropospheric water vapour isotopologue data records are provided for ten globally distributed ground-based mid-infrared remote sensing stations of the NDACC (Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change). We present a new method allowing for an extensive and straightforward characterisation of the complex nature of such isotopologue remote sensing datasets. We demonstrate that the MUSICA humidity profiles are representative for most of the troposphere with a vertical resolution ranging from about 2 km (in the lower troposphere) to 8 km (in the upper troposphere) and with an estimated precision of better than 10%. We find that the sensitivity with respect to the isotopologue composition is limited to the lower and middle troposphere, whereby we estimate a precision of about 30‰ for the ratio between the two isotopologues HD16O and H216O. The measurement noise, the applied atmospheric temperature profiles, the uncertainty in the spectral baseline, and the cross-dependence on humidity are the leading error sources. We introduce an a posteriori correction method of the cross-dependence on humidity, and we recommend applying it to isotopologue ratio remote sensing datasets in general. In addition, we present mid-infrared CO2 retrievals and use them for demonstrating the MUSICA network-wide data consistency. In order to indicate the potential of long-term isotopologue remote sensing data if provided with a well-documented quality, we present a climatology and compare it to simulations of an isotope incorporated AGCM (Atmospheric General Circulation Model). We identify differences in the multi-year mean and seasonal cycles that significantly exceed the estimated errors, thereby indicating deficits in the modeled atmospheric water cycle.

Global climate model (GCM) outputs feature systematic biases that render them unsuitable for direct use by impact models, especially for hydrological studies. To deal with this issue, many bias correction techniques have been developed to adjust the modelled variables against observations, focusing mainly on precipitation and temperature. However, most state-of-the-art hydrological models require more forcing variables, in addition to precipitation and temperature, such as radiation, humidity, air pressure, and wind speed. The biases in these additional variables can hinder hydrological simulations, but the effect of the bias of each variable is unexplored. Here we examine the effect of GCM biases on historical runoff simulations for each forcing variable individually, using the JULES land surface model set up at the global scale. Based on the quantified effect, we assess which variables should be included in bias correction procedures. To this end, a partial correction bias assessment experiment is conducted, to test the effect of the biases of six climate variables from a set of three GCMs. The effect of the bias of each climate variable individually is quantified by comparing the changes in simulated runoff that correspond to the bias of each tested variable. A methodology for the classification of the effect of biases in four effect categories (ECs), based on the magnitude and sensitivity of runoff changes, is developed and applied. Our results show that, while globally the largest changes in modelled runoff are caused by precipitation and temperature biases, there are regions where runoff is substantially affected by and/or more sensitive to radiation and humidity. Global maps of bias ECs reveal the regions mostly affected by the bias of each variable. Based on our findings, for global-scale applications, bias correction of radiation and humidity, in addition to that of precipitation and temperature, is advised. Finer spatial-scale information is also provided, to suggest bias correction of variables beyond precipitation and temperature for regional studies.

The H-Index Scholar is a bibliometric index that measures the productivity and scientific impact of the academic production in humanities and social sciences by professors and researchers at public Spanish universities. The methodology consisted of counting their publications and citations received in Google Scholar. The main features and characteristics of the index are explained. Despite technical and methodological problems that Google Scholar might have as a source of information, the authors estimate that they do not affect substantially the calculated h and g indexes, probably being the error lower than 10%. The total population analyzed was 40,993 researchers, but data are displayed only for 13,518 researchers, the ones located in the first tertile of their respective areas.

During the last decade, several limb sounding satellites have measured the global sodium (Na) number densities in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT). Datasets are now available from Global Ozone Monitoring by Occultation of Stars (GOMOS), the SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartography (SCIAMACHY) (both on Envisat) and the Optical Spectrograph and InfraRed Imager System (OSIRIS) (on Odin). Furthermore, global model simulations of the Na layer in the MLT simulated by the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model, including the Na species (WACCM-Na), are available. In this paper, we compare these global datasets.The observed and simulated monthly averages of Na vertical column densities agree reasonably well with each other. They show a clear seasonal cycle with a summer minimum most pronounced at the poles. They also show signs of a semi-annual oscillation in the equatorial region. The vertical column densities vary from 0. 5 × 109 to 7 × 109 cm−2 near the poles and from 3 × 109 to 4 × 109 cm−2 at the Equator. The phase of the seasonal cycle and semi-annual oscillation shows small differences between the Na amounts retrieved from different instruments. The full width at half maximum of the profiles is 10 to 16 km for most latitudes, but significantly smaller in the polar summer. The centroid altitudes of the measured sodium profiles range from 89 to 95 km, whereas the model shows on average 2 to 4 km lower centroid altitudes. This may be explained by the mesopause being 3 km lower in the WACCM simulations than in measurements. Despite this global 2–4 km shift, the model captures well the latitudinal and temporal variations. The variation of the WACCM dataset during the year at different latitudes is similar to the one of the measurements. Furthermore, the differences between the measured profiles with different instruments and therefore different local times (LTs) are also present in the model-simulated profiles. This capturing of latitudinal and temporal variations is also found for the vertical column densities and profile widths.

This research aims to determined the effect of promotions and discounts on purchasing decisions cosmetics brand The Body Shop Outlet Sun Plaza Medan. The type of this research is quantitative descriptive with survey method. Sample of this research is 100 consumers of The Body Shop Outlet Sun Plaza Medan, using proportionate stratified random sampling. The hypothesis in this research is tasted using multiple regression analysis and descriptive statistical analysis. The research showed that the promotions partial positive and significant influence on purchasing decisions, while the discounts are not positive and significant impact on the consumer purchasing decisions on brand cosmetic products The Body Shop Outlet Sun Plaza Medan. Simultaneously the influence of promotions and discounts positive and significant impact on purchasing decisions cosmetics brand The Body Shop Outlet Sun Plaza Medan. 110502228

This Report is based on the clinical activity carried out in the period between September 16th 2013 and June 27th 2014. This activity was carried out in the context of Clinical Practice, a subject from the 5th year curriculum of the Integrated Master in Dental Medicine from the Institute of Health Sciences of the Portuguese Catholic University - Beiras Regional Center. The objective of this report focuses on reporting the critical knowledge of several live activities performed and observed during the period of clinical activity and all the learning. The clinical activity has focused on the following subjects: Oral Medicine, Paediatric Dentistry, Periodontology, Dental Surgery, Fixed Prosthodontics, Removable Prosthodontics, Endodontics, Orthodontics, Occlusion and Oral Surgery, during thirty-four weeks in the University Dental Clinic Institute of Health Sciences at the Portuguese Catholic University - Beiras Regional Center. The clinical activity has allowed the rotation through the various disciplines that reaped the assistance to the sick, during thirty and four weeks in Dental Clinic University Institute of Health Sciences at the Portuguese Catholic University - Beiras Regional Center. Generally, the Clinical Activity was meeting the goals which were previously established, allowing an enrichment in curricular and human terms, with the aim of acquiring knowledge and the development of standards of clinical conduct in the context of the specialties of Dental Medicine, indispensable for basic training and with great importance for the future of our career. Este Relatório tem como base a atividade clínica realizada no período entre o dia 16 de Setembro de 2013 e o dia 27 de Junho de 2014, realizado no âmbito da Prática Clínica enquadrada no 5º ano curricular do Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Dentária do Instituto de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Católica Portuguesa – Centro Regional das Beiras. O objetivo deste relatório incide em relatar o conhecimento crítico das várias atividades presenciais realizadas e observadas durante o período da atividade clínica e todas as aprendizagens. A atividade clinica incide nas seguintes disciplinas Medicina Oral, Odontopediatria, Periodontologia, Dentisteria Operatória, Prostodontia Removível, Prostodontia Fixa, Endodontia, Ortodontia, Oclusão e Cirurgia Oral, durante trinta e quatro semanas na Clínica Dentária Universitária do Instituto de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Católica Portuguesa – Centro Regional das Beiras. A atividade clínica permitiu a rotação pelas diversas disciplinas que asseguravam a assistência ao doente, durante trinta e quatro semanas na Clínica Dentária Universitária do Instituto de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Católica Portuguesa – Centro Regional das Beiras. De uma forma geral, a Atividade Clínica foi ao encontro dos objetivos previamente estabelecidos, permitindo um enriquecimento em termo curriculares e humanos, com o intuito de adquirir conhecimentos e o desenvolvimento de normas de conduta clinica do âmbito das especialidades de Medicina Dentária, imprescindíveis à formação básica, e com grande importância no futuro da nossa carreira

Polítiques de salut; Salut pública; Sistema sanitari Health policies; Public health; Sanitary system Políticas de salud; Salud pública; Sistema sanitario Aquesta infografia dóna fe d'unes accions i d’uns resultats, però, sobretot, vol reconèixer l'esforç i el sacrifici fets aquest lustre per un capital humà que, amb el seu coneixement i per sobre de l'interès personal, ha estat a l'altura del que el país i la sanitat pública requerien, ja fos a les administracions, a les professions o a les entitats organitzades de la societat civil.