ABSTRACT
An investigation of the distribution of finite time trajectory divergence is performed on an atmospheric global circulation model. The distribution of the largest local Lyapunov exponent shows a significant probability for negative values over time spans up to 10 days. This effect is present for resolutions up to wave numbers â=42 (≈250 km). The probability for a negative local largest Lyapunov exponent decreases over time, similarly to the predictions of the fluctuation theorem for entropy production. The model used is hydrostatic with variable numbers of vertical levels and different horizontal resolutions.
Subject(s)
Air Movements , Algorithms , Atmosphere , Models, Statistical , Computer Simulation , EntropyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: In 2011 a nationwide outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O104:H4 infection occurred in Germany with severe hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). We defined abdominal radiologic findings in these patients and correlated them with clinical parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 23 patients (7 men; age: 48 ± 19 years) with O104:H4 colitis and/or HUS received abdominal CT (n = 12) or radiographs (n = 11). Colonic distension, air-fluid levels, and free intraabdominal air were assessed. Colonic wall thickening, contrast enhancement, pericolic stranding, and ascites were evaluated on CT. Laboratory parameters and clinical presentation were reviewed. Chi-square test, Student's t-test, McNemar's test and Spearman correlation were performed. RESULTS: Colonic lumen distension was seen in 16/23 patients (69.6 %). The ascending colon (11/23 patients; 47.8 %) and transverse colon (12/23 patients; 52.2 %) were dilated significantly more often (p = 0.006 and p = 0.003, respectively) than the descending colon (1/23; 4.3 %). All 12 patients undergoing CT scanning had abnormally thickened colonic wall segments, 3 (25 %) had pancolic involvement and 9 (75 %) had segmental involvement. The descending colon was predominantly affected (11/12 patients; 91.7 %) and thickened significantly more often than other colonic segments (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The segmental type of STEC O104:H4 colitis mainly affects the descending colon with upstream distension of the transverse/ascending colon and differs from other types of colitis.
Subject(s)
Colitis/diagnostic imaging , Colitis/microbiology , Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli , Escherichia coli Infections/diagnostic imaging , Escherichia coli Infections/microbiology , Colitis/epidemiology , Disease Outbreaks/statistics & numerical data , Escherichia coli Infections/epidemiology , Female , Germany/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , RadiographyABSTRACT
We discuss how atmospheric eddies affect transport and mixing of tracers at midlatitudes. To this purpose, we study baroclinic life cycles in a simple dynamical model of the atmosphere. We consider the trapping properties of the developing eddies and the characteristics of meridional transport, and we identify regions of increased mixing. Although the flow is in principle three-dimensional, we illustrate how some of the concepts developed in the study of two-dimensional chaotic advection provide useful information on tracer dynamics in more complicated flows. (c) 2000 American Institute of Physics.
