Verlorenvlei is a globally important RAMSAR wetland on the arid west coast of South Africa. A prolonged drought between 2016 and 2021 and increasing competition for water from the agricultural sector resulted in extremely low water levels. We used historical aerial and satellite imagery from 1942 and rainfall and water level data for the past 50 years, to assess habitat changes within the estuarine functional zone of the Verlorenvlei Estuarine Lake. Prior to the drought, lake water levels and water surface area remained stable (1113 ± 27 ha (SE)). Since then, there has been a 64% decrease in open water area, exposing 193 ha of sandbanks, of which 190.9 ha were hyper-sulfidic pyrite-rich. The water in the lower lake was hypersaline (>100), and in the middle, it was acidic (pH<3). The low water level plus sediment and nutrient input from surrounding agriculture resulted in a localised increase in reeds. Additional pressures, such as fires, have reduced the above-ground biomass of reeds and sedges, potentially altering surface morphology and reducing stored carbon. Despite flooding and filling up in June 2023, the lake remained in an acidic state (3.9-4.3). Similar low-lake level, hypersaline and acidic conditions are predicted to become more common under future climate change scenarios where aridity and extreme weather events are anticipated. Inflow of fresh water into the estuary and control of farming practices are required to keep the Verlorenvlei in a functional state, with long-term monitoring necessary to assess the ecological condition in response to restoration actions. SIGNIFICANCE: We assessed the habitat changes in Verlorenvlei, an estuarine lake on the arid west coast of South Africa. Estuarine lakes are scarce, and an extended drought greatly reduced the water surface area, exposing hyper-sulfidic pyrite-rich soils, leading to lake acidification and a negative response from biota. Competition for water from agribusiness and the burning of reeds are added pressures. Subsequent heavy rains have been slow to buffer lake acidity, and the impacts thereof serve as a warning for the management of similar ecosystems and their ecological water requirements, especially under climate change where extreme weather conditions, increased aridity and competition for water are realities.

Resumo Os dragões são presenças frequentes nas antigas sagas nórdico-islandesas, compostas entre os séculos XIII e XV. Até ao presente, os locais associados aos dragões têm sido analisados sobretudo na perspetiva da sua relação com as dinâmicas centro/periferia e com as fronteiras do Outro Mundo. Uma menor atenção foi até agora votada aos ambientes físicos ocupados pelos dragões, tanto os por eles normalmente habitados como os por eles tornados inabitáveis. O habitat dos dragões abrange, na literatura islandesa medieval, uma grande variedade de paisagens naturais. Neste artigo, focar-nos-emos nas paisagens literárias (ocasionalmente reflectindo geografias reais familiares aos autores, dependendo do cenário evocado) que rodeiam os dragões nas sagas, atendendo em particular aos elementos topográficos, fenómenos meteorológicos, alturas do dia e estações do ano. O objectivo principal será definir as principais paisagens em que os dragões são encontrados e reflectir sobre as suas interações com o meio envolvente, alterando as paisagens, principalmente através de meios destrutivos e transformando-as em lugares não-partilhados. Como as descrições dos ambientes que envolvem os dragões são frequentemente parcas em detalhes, será realizado um estudo alargado do corpus de sagas com referências a dragões, procurando-se vocabulário relacionado com paisagens nas 55 ocorrências encontradas em 38 sagas e þættir (“contos, episódios”). Focar-me-ei nas “sagas lendárias” e nas “sagas de cavalaria”, dada a prevalência de material nestes subgéneros, mas também incluirei episódios das “sagas de Islandeses”, das “sagas de reis” e de outros textos que lhes são adjacentes.

Abstract Dragons are frequent presences in Old Norse-Icelandic sagas, composed between the 13th and 15th centuries. The locations where dragons appear have been so far observed mainly under the lens of their relation to centre/periphery dynamics and regarding the borders of the otherworldly. Less focus has been devoted to the physical environments that dragons occupy, whether the ones they habitually inhabit or the ones they turn uninhabitable. The habitat of dragons encompasses a variety of natural environments throughout Old Norse-Icelandic literature. In this article, we will focus on the literary landscapes (sometimes informed by real geographies familiar to the authors, depending on setting), which surround dragons in the sagas, namely topographical features, weather phenomena, times of day and seasons. The main goal will be to define which landscapes saga dragons are mainly found in, and reflect on how dragons interact with their surroundings, altering their landscapes, most often through destructive means and making spaces into non-shared zones. As descriptions of dragon surroundings are often scarce in detail, this study intends to take a broad-scope approach to the available corpus of sagas with dragons in them, combing 55 dragon occurrences across 38 sagas and þættir (“tales, episodes”) for landscape-oriented vocabulary. It will focus on “legendary sagas” and "chivalric sagas" due to prevalence of the material, but also include episodes from "sagas of Icelanders", "kings’ sagas" and other texts adjacent to those genres.

ABSTRACT Global solar radiation (Qg) is of paramount importance for several functions, such as photosynthesis and other biological processes, technologies based on solar energy (production of electricity and hot water), estimation of evapotranspiration (irrigation management), and forecast of crops, among other activities, at zero cost. This study aimed to develop a new methodology to estimate the daily and monthly value of global solar radiation based on the power generated by a 10 W photovoltaic solar panel. The methodology performance was assessed by comparing the Qg values estimated by the new method and the Qg values observed in a weather station, and also calculated by the SunDATA software and observed in the NASA POWER system. High r, R2, and Willmott coefficient values (close to 1), a low mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.202 kWh m−2 per day, a low mean bias error (MBE) of −0.146 kWh m−2 per day, a low mean percentage error (MPE) of 3.25%, and a low root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.292 kWh m−2 per day were obtained, confirming the excellent accuracy and reliability of the proposed methodology to estimate Qg. The NASA POWER system and SunDATA software presented similar values for the entire study period compared to the observed data, but not as good as the proposed technique. Thus, the proposed methodology had high performance in estimating Qg. (Qg functions processes production water, water , water) irrigation management, management management) crops activities cost 1 panel station r R2 R close 1, 1) MAE (MAE 0202 0 202 0.20 m2 m 2 m− MBE (MBE 0146 146 −0.14 MPE (MPE 325 3 25 3.25% RMSE (RMSE 0292 292 0.29 obtained data technique Thus 020 20 0.2 014 14 −0.1 32 3.25 029 29 02 0. 01 −0. 3.2 −0 3. −

RESUMO A radiação solar global (Qg) é de suma importância para diversas funções, como fotossíntese e outros processos biológicos, tecnologias baseadas em energia solar (produção de eletricidade e água quente), estimativa da evapotranspiração (manejo da irrigação), previsão de cultivos, entre outras atividades, a custo zero. Este estudo teve como objetivo desenvolver uma nova metodologia para estimar o valor diário e mensal da radiação solar global com base na potência gerada por um painel solar fotovoltáico de 10 W. O desempenho da metodologia foi avaliado pela comparação entre os valores de Qg estimados pelo novo método e os valores de Qg observados em uma estação metereológica, e também pelos valores calculados pelo software SunDATA e os observados no sistema NASA POWER. Altos valores de r, R2 e coeficiente de Willmott (próximos de 1), baixo erro médio absoluto (MAE) de 0,202 kWh m-2 por dia, baixo erro médio da estimativa (MBE) de -0,146 kWh m-2 por dia, baixo erro médio percentual (MPE) de 3,25% e baixa raiz do erro quadrático médio (RMSE) de 0,292 kWh m-2 por dia foram obtidos, confirmando a excelente acurácia e confiabilidade da metodologia proposta para estimar o Qg. O sistema NASA POWER e o software SunDATA apresentaram valores semelhantes para todo o período de estudo em relação aos dados observados, mas os da presente metodologia foram melhores. Assim, a metodologia proposta apresentou alto desempenho na estimativa da Qg. (Qg funções biológicos produção quente, quente , quente) manejo irrigação, irrigação irrigação) cultivos atividades zero 1 W metereológica r R próximos 1, 1) MAE (MAE 0202 0 202 0,20 m2 m 2 m- MBE (MBE 0,146 0146 146 -0,14 MPE (MPE 325 3 25 3,25 RMSE (RMSE 0292 292 0,29 obtidos melhores Assim 020 20 0,2 0,14 014 14 -0,1 32 3,2 029 29 02 0, 0,1 01 -0, 3, -0 -

Abstract Introduction. Forage sweet sorghum plants (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) are characterized by tall height; however, this attribute and variable weather conditions favor the overturning of the plants and make the mechanized harvest of lots difficult for certified seed production, leading to the low availability of quality seed of this species. Objective. As an alternative to this problem, the effect of 3 growth retardants were tested. The production quality seed, growth parameters, plant settling, and seed yield were evaluated. Materials and methods. The research was carried out in 2 locations located in the warm upper Magdalena Valley and the dry Caribbean of Colombian. A complete block design was used, randomized with 3 repetitions and 6 treatments was used, consisting of the application of variable doses of ethephon, mepiquat chloride, and trinexapac-ethyl in 2 plant development stages (1 and 3). Results. In both environments, the application of trinexapac-ethyl at a rate of 200 g i.a.ha-1 had a greater effect on reduction of plant height and a reduction of 89.2 in the percentage of toppling compared to the control in the dry Caribbean Colombian location, which increased seed yield by approximately 3 times compared to the control in this locality and without significant differences compared to the control in the warm upper Magdalena valley location. Conclusion. The results of this evaluation allow us to conclude that the use of trinexapac-ethyl is an alternative for the production of quality sweet forage sorghum seed and to reduce plant height and in therefore plant overturning. The observed response was dependent of the type of growth retardant and edaphoclimatic conditions.

Resumen Introducción. Las plantas de sorgo dulce forrajero (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) se caracterizan por presentar un porte alto, sin embargo, este atributo, junto con las condiciones variables del clima, favorecen el volcamiento de las plantas y dificulta la cosecha mecanizada de los lotes de producción de semilla certificada, lo que conlleva a la baja disponibilidad de semilla de calidad de esta especie. Objetivo. Como alternativa a esta problemática, se probó el efecto de 3 retardantes de crecimiento sobre la producción de semilla de calidad en condiciones experimentales en campo. Materiales y métodos. Se evaluaron parámetros de crecimiento, volcamiento de las plantas y el rendimiento a semilla. La investigación se llevó a cabo en 2 localidades ubicadas en el valle cálido alto del Magdalena y el Caribe seco colombiano. Se empleó un diseño de bloques completos al azar con 3 repeticiones y 6 tratamientos, conformados por la aplicación de dosis variables de etefón, cloruro de mepiquat y trinexapac-etil, en 2 estados de desarrollo de la planta (1 y 3). Resultados. En los 2 ambientes, la aplicación de trinexapac-etil a razón de 200 g i.a.ha-1 tuvo un mayor efecto en la reducción de la altura de la planta y una reducción del 89,2 en el porcentaje de volcamiento respecto al testigo en la localidad del Caribe seco colombiano, lo que incrementó el rendimiento de semilla aproximadamente 3 veces respecto al testigo en esta localidad y sin diferencias significativas en comparación con el control en la localidad del Valle Cálido del alto del Magdalena. Conclusión. Los resultados de esta evaluación permiten concluir que el uso de trinexapac-etil es una alternativa para mejorar la producción de semilla de calidad de sorgo dulce forrajero al reducir el porte de las plantas y con ello el volcamiento. La respuesta es dependiente del tipo de retardante y las condiciones edafoclimáticas.

Abstract Unsupervised learning techniques are employed to study the relationship between atmospheric circulation and precipitation over Central America and its surrounding areas. Specifically, the clustering algorithm k-means++ is applied to three coarse-grained datasets from ERA-interim reanalysis that are the candidates for representing the atmospheric state vector, each candidate contains its full temporal variability. Datasets are composed of: a) wind fields at 925, 800 and 200 hPa, b) same as “a)” plus convective available potential energy and c) same as “a)” plus total column water vapor. Clustering metrics, namely the variance ratio criterion, the silhouette criterion and the mean squared error, are computed to quantify clustering quality. Clusters are interpreted as weather types, recurrent configurations of the atmospheric state vector associated with observable weather states. The correct number of clusters for each dataset is determined with a Monte Carlo test of normality, to assure cluster existence. The main objective is to obtain a set of weather types containing elements that characterize the transition from and to the rainy season over the Pacific side of Central America as well as other elements of the seasonal cycle of regional precipitation, such as the Mid-Summer Drought. Besides the statistical metrics, in order to select between candidate datasets and plausible number of clusters, focus is given to the temporal characteristics of the clusters. Existing literature does not provide a set of weather types suitable to analyze seasonal transitions and the differences in the mechanisms associated with rainfall maxima.

Resumen Técnicas de aprendizaje no supervisado se emplean para estudiar la relación entre la circulación atmosférica y la precipitación sobre América Central y sus áreas circundantes. Específicamente, el algoritmo de agrupamiento k-means++ se aplica a tres conjuntos de datos de baja resolución del reanálisis ERA interim, estos son candidatos a representar el vector de estado atmosférico y cada uno contiene su variabilidad temporal completa. Los conjuntos de datos probados son: a) campos de viento a 925, 800 y 200 hPa, b) lo mismo que “a)” más la energía potencial convectiva disponible y c) lo mismo que “a)” más el vapor de agua en la columna total. Se calculan métricas de agrupamiento, a saber, el criterio de relación de varianza, el criterio de silueta y el error cuadrático medio, para cuantificar la calidad del agrupamiento. Los grupos se interpretan como weather types, configuraciones recurrentes del vector de estado atmosférico asociadas con estados observables del tiempo atmosférico. El número correcto de grupos para cada conjunto de datos se determina con una prueba de normalidad de Monte Carlo para asegurar la existencia de grupos reales. El objetivo principal es obtener un conjunto de weather types que contengan elementos que caractericen la transición de y hacia la temporada de lluvias en la vertiente del Pacífico de América Central, así como otros elementos del ciclo estacional de precipitación regional, como las canículas. Además de las métricas estadísticas, para seleccionar entre conjuntos de datos y un número plausible de grupos, se presta atención a las características temporales de los grupos. La literatura existente no proporciona un conjunto de weather types adecuado para analizar transiciones estacionales y las diferencias en los mecanismos asociados con los máximos estacionales de lluvia.

The increased frequency of extreme weather events associated with climate change is a growing concern for road authorities, consultants, contractors and end users. Climate change adaptation is not yet incorporated into South Africa's transport design and planning. Current design methods for asphalt pavements include recently introduced performance-graded (PG) specifications for bitumen. Although the need exists to use future-projected temperature maps in the road industry, the hindrance to this adoption has been extracting the appropriate rising air temperatures from climate model projections. This study focuses on the integration of bias-adjusted historical and projected climate model temperature outputs between 1980 and 2060 to estimate changes in pavement temperatures throughout South Africa to inform a strategy for adaptive material selection. Differences in bitumen selection are observed for the PG 58 and PG 52 maximum temperature grade, and an introduction of PG 70 regions, as derived from climate model data in comparison with the SATS 3208 technical standard. The general trend is a gradual increase in maximum pavement design temperatures, mostly affecting the country's northern and central regions and corresponding road networks. This paper concludes that adjustments are required regarding climate projections for use in bituminous binder selection based on the current specification.

Abstract Temperature records and extreme weather events are increasingly frequent in Brazil, where the protection of biomes and, mainly, the Amazon, is a central point in this debate. However governments and large corporations have not made efforts to meet these global demands. To reverse the situation, journalism (which, in this article, can be understood as journalisms) stands as an important aspect of visibility in public debate and, mainly, as a lever for engagement on the part of civil society, pointing out causes, responsibilities and possible solutions in order to encourage everyone's involvement in solving the identified problems. This article explores the boundaries of journalism and its potential new hybrid configurations regarding engagement in the climate cause, as perceived by Brazilian activists from different themes and causes. From the perspective of cultural studies, a reception study was conducted in 2022, using online focus groups with activists aged 18 to 35 across Brazil's five regions. The discourse was categorised through content analysis, considering the emergence of recurring themes and their alignment with the theoretical framework. The research findings indicated a permeability in the boundaries between journalism and other communication genres within the discourse of participants. Additionally, activists suggested the potential for journalism to incorporate additional practices and characteristics from various genres to enhance engagement with climate issues.

Resumo Recordes de temperatura e eventos climáticos extremos são cada vez mais frequentes no Brasil, sendo a proteção de biomas e, especialmente, da Amazônia um dos pontos centrais nesse debate. Ainda assim, governos e grandes corporações não têm enviado esforços à altura dessas demandas globais. Para reverter a situação, o jornalismo (que, neste artigo, pode ser entendido como jornalismos) coloca-se como um aspecto importante de visibilidade do debate público e, principalmente, como alavancador do engajamento por parte da sociedade civil, apontando causas, responsabilidades e possíveis soluções a fim de encorajar o envolvimento de todos na resolução dos problemas identificados. A partir do olhar de ativistas brasileiros sobre diferentes temas ou causas, este artigo discute as fronteiras do jornalismo e suas novas possíveis configurações híbridas na relação com o engajamento na causa climática. A partir da perspectiva dos estudos culturais, foi realizado um estudo de recepção, no ano de 2022, com a condução de grupos focais online, com ativistas, de 18 até 35 anos, das cinco regiões do Brasil. A categorização das falas, feita a partir da análise de conteúdo, levou em consideração a irrupção de temas recorrentes e sua relação com o aporte teórico. Dentre os resultados de pesquisa, evidenciou-se, na fala dos participantes, uma permeabilidade de fronteiras entre jornalismo e outros gêneros comunicacionais, sendo que os ativistas também instigaram a possibilidade de o jornalismo adotar mais práticas e características de outros gêneros para propiciar mais engajamento em relação às questões climáticas.

Abstract The objective of this exploratory study is to chart the discourses circulating on the TikTok social network concerning climate change in Brazil. It investigates the predominant narratives on Brazilian TikTok regarding climate change and the implications of these narratives. Using a methodology based on Basch et al. (2022) tailored for the Brazilian context, this study analyses 50 videos indicated as the most relevant by the platform using the hashtag #mudancaclimatica (#climatechange). Key aspects investigated include language patterns, the use of sources and strategies for addressing climate change. The videos were categorised based on various criteria, including their stance on the truth of climate change, the environmental issues highlighted, the social and ecological impacts mentioned, and the extreme weather events described. Given TikTok’s immense popularity in Brazil, the prevalence of disinformation on digital platforms in the country, and the lack of awareness among Brazilians about climate change, this study aims to assess the potentially harmful effects of narrative circulation on the platform on understanding the issue. The findings indicate a relative consensus on the reality and severity of climate change. However, aspects pertaining to the complexity of the problem often receive less attention. Prominent in the analysed narratives are those with an alarmist tone, amplified by the platform’s features. Moreover, the sources and channels behind these productions often lack clear identification, even when they are directly linked to scientific dissemination. This ambiguity could pose challenges in using these materials to counter climate denialism.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo exploratório é realizar um mapeamento dos discursos em circulação na rede social TikTok ligados à temática das mudanças climáticas no Brasil. Investiga-se, portanto, que narrativas predominam no TikTok brasileiro quando se trata de mudanças climáticas e que sentidos essas narrativas engendram. A partir de metodologia baseada em Basch et al. (2022) com adaptações para o contexto brasileiro, 50 vídeos indicados como os mais relevantes pela plataforma a partir da hashtag #mudancaclimatica foram analisados. Investigamos aspectos como linguagens utilizadas, uso de fontes e estratégias de enfrentamento às mudanças climáticas. Os vídeos foram classificados segundo diversos critérios, como seu posicionamento em relação à veracidade, ou não, das mudanças climáticas, os temas ambientais abordados, impactos sociais e ambientais citados e os eventos climáticos extremos referenciados. Em um contexto de grande popularidade do TikTok no Brasil, disseminação de desinformação em plataformas digitais no país e brasileiros pouco informados sobre as mudanças climáticas, a pesquisa busca compreender em que medida a circulação de narrativas na plataforma pode ser nociva à compreensão do problema. Concluímos que, por um lado, existe relativo consenso em relação à veracidade e gravidade das mudanças climáticas. Por outro, aspectos relacionados à complexidade da questão ficam em segundo plano. Narrativas em tom alarmista, reforçadas pelas affordances da plataforma, aparecem em proeminência. Além disso, fontes utilizadas e canais responsáveis pelas produções são pouco identificáveis, mesmo quando relacionados diretamente à divulgação científica, o que pode representar um problema para o uso desses materiais no enfrentamento ao negacionismo climático.

ABSTRACT Brazil has the highest incidence of atmospheric discharges, on average of 77.8 million hitting the country yearly. Companies providing post-harvest services have a high monetary value concentrated in their predominantly metallic structures. Atmospheric discharge protection systems (ADPS) are used in this context to protect the facilities and people, composed of several elements that require visual inspection with a certain periodicity, an activity framed as working at height. This research aimed to establish a methodology for employing a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) in the visual analysis of the operational condition of external atmospheric discharge protection systems components located in grain storage structures to collect information during the preliminary risk analysis and planning of activities at height. A survey of the current literature related to the subject was carried out, in addition to the norms, inspection agencies, and operational prerequisites of this type of equipment in the national territory. Finally, a method was created and validated based on the inspection checklist with the main points for checking, which generates a score that represents the urgency level of intervention, applied in a unit located in western Paraná, Brazil, on 11/28/2022. This procedure eliminated the risk of workers falling during the planning and inspection stage of the structures, which helped the qualified professional to issue the technical inspection report more quickly. The disadvantage is related to the dependence on favorable weather conditions. discharges 778 77 8 77. yearly postharvest post harvest ADPS (ADPS people periodicity height RPAS (RPAS out norms agencies territory Finally checking intervention Paraná 11282022 11 28 2022 11/28/2022 quickly conditions 7 1128202 1 2 202 11/28/202 112820 20 11/28/20 11282 11/28/2 1128 11/28/ 112 11/28 11/2 11/

RESUMO O Brasil é o país com a maior incidência de descargas atmosféricas, em média 77,8 milhões atingem o país todos os anos. As empresas prestadoras de serviços pós-colheita possuem um elevado valor monetário concentrado em suas estruturas, que predominantemente são metálicas. Os sistemas de proteção contra descargas atmosféricas (SPDA) são utilizados neste contexto para realizar a proteção das instalações e pessoas, os quais são compostos por vários elementos que necessitam de inspeção visual com determinada periodicidade, atividade enquadrada como trabalho em altura. Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo estabelecer uma metodologia para o emprego de Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) na análise visual das condições operacionais dos componentes de um sistema de proteção contra descargas atmosféricas externo, localizados em estruturas de armazenamento de grãos para coletar informações durante a análise preliminar de riscos e planejamento das atividades em altura. Realizou-se um levantamento da atual literatura relacionada ao assunto, além das normas, órgãos fiscalizadores e pré-requisitos operacionais deste tipo de equipamento em território nacional. Por fim, foi criado e validado um método com base no checklist de inspeção com os principais pontos para conferência, que gera uma pontuação que representa o nível de urgência de intervenção, aplicado em uma unidade localizada no oeste do Paraná, Brasil, em 28/11/2022. Este procedimento eliminou o risco de queda do trabalhador na etapa de planejamento e inspeção das estruturas, o que auxiliou o profissional habilitado a emitir o laudo técnico de vistoria com maior agilidade. A desvantagem relaciona-se à dependência das condições climáticas favoráveis. 778 77 8 77, anos póscolheita pós colheita metálicas SPDA (SPDA pessoas periodicidade altura RPAS (RPAS externo Realizouse Realizou se assunto normas prérequisitos pré requisitos nacional fim conferência intervenção Paraná 28112022 28 11 2022 28/11/2022 agilidade relacionase relaciona favoráveis 7 2811202 2 1 202 28/11/202 281120 20 28/11/20 28112 28/11/2 2811 28/11/ 281 28/11 28/1 28/

Over regions with sparse observation networks, including South Africa's Northern Cape Province, gridded data sets represent valuable supplementary data sources enabling spatially detailed climate investigations. Their performance is, however, influenced by regional characteristics, thus a performance assessment should be a prerequisite for any regional application. Through a pairwise comparison with eight point-based temperature records, we evaluated the AgERA5 data sets representation of mean summer (November-March; Tms) and winter (May-September; Tmw) temperatures and respective seasonal heatwave and coldwave characteristics across the Northern Cape for 1980-2020. Correlations ranging from 0.48 to 0.92 for Tms and from 0.38 to 0.94 for Tmw reflect relatively strong, but varying, temporal correspondence between the AgERA5 data and stations. Low biases, averaging -0.08 (0.17) °C and ranging from -0.79 to 2.10 (-0.40 to 1.47) °C for Tms (Tmw) were evident. Biases for the heatwave (coldwave) magnitudes were low, averaging -0.38 (0.19) °C², and ranging from -1.55 to 1.47 (-2.05 to 2.91) °C². Biases for the heatwave (coldwave) frequency were also low, but typically overestimated, averaging 1.19 (0.73) days, and ranging from -1.33 to 5.60 (-1.61 to 3.39) days. Biases for the heatwave (coldwave) number were low and typically overestimated, averaging 0.27 (0.08) events, and ranging from -0.28 to 1.40 (-0.39 to 0.39) events. Despite some stations depicting consistently poor performance, the study results support further application of the AgERA5 product for spatiotemporal analyses of mean and extreme temperatures across the Northern Cape, provided limitations are adequately acknowledged. Further application of the fine-resolution AgERA5 product will greatly inform impact-based studies exploring mean and extreme temperature influences over the Northern Cape Province. SIGNIFICANCE: • The AgERA5 product was assessed on its performance in representing average and extreme temperature characteristics over South Africa's Northern Cape Province. • Good comparability between the AgERA5 product and point-based observations supports further application of the AgERA5 across the Northern Cape. • The AgERA5 product offers a spatially detailed picture of mean and extreme temperatures across the Northern Cape, which is valuable for regions where weather stations are not available. • The AgERA5 product is thus important for impact-based studies assessing, for instance, the impact of extreme temperatures on livestock and human health.

RESUMEN La modelación del tiempo y el clima a escala local en las montañas han sido relevantes para el estudio de los ecosistemas agroforestales y su evolución futura. El trabajo tuvo como objetivo integrar un conjunto de datos espaciales de alta resolución al modelo numérico de predicción e investigación meteorológica WRF, adecuado para el análisis meteorológico y del clima local en las montañas de Cuba. En el trabajo, se definió como datos espaciales prioritarios los referidos al relieve, la máscara de tierra como interface océano-suelo, el tipo de cobertura y tipo de suelo. Se seleccionaron las bases de datos espaciales de alta resolución nacionales o globales de mejor calidad y más adecuadas a las características del modelo. Las bases de datos integradas al WRF tuvieron resolución espacial entre 0,95 y 0,03 km aproximadamente en el Ecuador. El incremento y actualización de los datos espaciales robustecieron la capacidad del modelo para el análisis de los factores geográficos formadores del clima local, propiciando mejor desempeño en las montañas. Los resultados de la investigación pudieran contribuir a la vigilancia y pronóstico meteorológico y climático a escala local para las montañas de Cuba. De igual manera, beneficiarían los estudios y gestión de riesgos asociados a incendios forestales, eventos hidrometeorológicos severos, la variabilidad climática, el cambio climático, y otros peligros relacionados con el sistema climático que han afectado los ecosistemas agroforestales cubanos.

RESUMO A modelagem do tempo e do clima em escala local nas montanhas tem sido relevante para o estudo dos ecossistemas agroflorestais e sua evolução futura. O objetivo deste trabalho foi integrar um conjunto de dados espaciais de alta resolução ao modelo numérico de pesquisa e previsão do tempo WRF, adequado para a análise do tempo e do clima local nas montanhas de Cuba. No trabalho, os dados espaciais prioritários foram definidos como aqueles referentes ao relevo, à máscara de terra como uma interface oceano-solo, ao tipo de cobertura e ao tipo de solo. Foram selecionados os bancos de dados espaciais nacionais ou globais de alta resolução da mais alta qualidade e mais adequados às características do modelo. Os bancos de dados integrados ao WRF tinham resolução espacial entre 0,95 e 0,03 km aproximadamente no equador. Os dados espaciais ampliados e atualizados fortaleceram a capacidade do modelo de analisar os fatores geográficos que moldam o clima local, levando a um melhor desempenho nas montanhas. Os resultados da pesquisa podem contribuir para o monitoramento e a previsão do tempo e do clima em escala local nas montanhas de Cuba. Eles também beneficiariam estudos e gerenciamento de riscos associados a incêndios florestais, eventos hidrometeorológicos graves, variabilidade climática, mudanças climáticas e outros perigos relacionados ao sistema climático que afetaram os ecossistemas agroflorestais cubanos.

ABSTRACT Local-scale weather and climate modeling in mountains has been relevant for the study of agroforestry ecosystems and their future evolution. The study aimed to integrate a set of high-resolution spatial data to the WRF numerical meteorological prediction and research model, suitable for meteorological and local climate analysis in the mountains of Cuba. In the study, priority spatial data were defined as those referring to the relief, the land mask as the ocean-soil interface, the type of cover and type of soil. The national or global high-resolution spatial databases of the best quality and most appropriate to the characteristics of the model were selected. The databases integrated into the WRF had spatial resolution between approximately 0.95 and 0.03 km in Ecuador. The increase and updating of spatial data strengthened the model's capacity for the analysis of the geographic factors that shape the local climate, promoting better performance in the mountains. The research results could contribute to meteorological and climate monitoring and forecasting at a local scale for the mountains of Cuba. Likewise, studies and risk management associated with forest fires, severe hydrometeorological events, climate variability, climate change, and other dangers related to the climate system that have affected Cuban agroforestry ecosystems would benefit.

Abstract: In the contemporary landscape, two-wheelers have emerged as the predominant mode of transportation, despite their inherent risk due to limited protection. Disturbing data from 2020 reveals a daily toll of 304 lives lost in India in road accidents involving two-wheeler riders without helmets, emphasizing the urgent need for safety measures. Recognizing the crucial role of helmets in mitigating risks, governments have made riding without one a punishable offense, employing manual strategies for enforcement with limitations in speed and weather conditions. In today’s world of advancing technology, we can leverage the power of computer vision and deep learning to tackle this problem. This can eliminate the need for constant human surveillance to be kept on riders and can automate this process, thus enforcing law and order as well as making this process efficient. Our proposed solution utilizes video surveillance and the YOLOv8 deep learning model for automatic helmet detection. The system employs pure machine learning to identify helmet types with minimal computation cost by utilizing various image processing algorithms. Once the helmet-less person is detected, the number plate corresponding to the rider’s motorcycle is also detected and extracted using computer vision techniques. This number plate is then stored in a database thus allowing further intervention to be done in this matter by the authorities to ensure penalties and enforce safety rules properly. The model developed achieves an overall accuracy score of 93.6% on the testing data, thus showcasing good results on diverse datasets.

ABSTRACT This report analyzes the main indicators that characterize Cuba's climate as well as some factors that regulate its variability in the region. Also included are some of the extreme weather and climate phenomena that have a high impact in Cuba. Variables such as temperature and rainfall are particularly important. As the main climate modulating factor, although it is not the only one, the behavior of the El Niño - Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event during 2023 is included. All information is referred to the standard climatological normal from 1991 to 2020, making it possible to compare recent or current observations as well as calculate the deviations or anomalies of a value with respect to that reference value. However, sometimes the period 1961-1990 is used, recommended by the WMO (2017) to evaluate long-term temperature changes, and in the case of bioclimatic conditions, the historical periods 1981-2010 was used.

RESUMEN Se analizan en este reporte los principales indicadores que caracterizan el clima de Cuba así como algunos factores que regulan su variabilidad en la región. Se incluyen además algunos de los fenómenos meteorológicos y climáticos extremos que son de alto impacto en Cuba como la sequía, ciclones tropicales y extremos por calor. Resultan particularmente importante variables como la temperatura y la lluvia. Como principal factor modulador del clima, aunque no es el único, se incluye el comportamiento del evento el Niño - Oscilación del Sur (ENOS) durante el 2023. Toda la información es referida a la normal climatológica estándar 1991-2020, con lo que es posible comparar observaciones recientes o actuales así como el cálculo de las desviaciones o anomalías de un valor respecto a ese valor de referencia. No obstante, en ocasiones, se utiliza el periodo 1961-1990, recomendado por la OMM (2017), para evaluar los cambios de temperatura a largo plazo y en el caso de las condiciones bioclimáticas se empleó como período de referencia la normal climatologica 1981-2010.

ABSTRACT Electrical discharges cause great damage to people and the economy. The adaptation measures lead to the analysis of the phenomenon, its spatial distribution and its variability over time, keeping the studies updated. The objective of the present work is to analyze the interannual course of the occurrence of storms in the period where all the stations of the country have complete and unbiased information for the present and past weather state code variables. For the study, records of present and past weather conditions are used for 68 stations in the country in the period 2005-2019, where the information is complete and allows the number of days with storms per year to be calculated. The analysis of the interannual changes in the number of days with storms shows that in 35% of the stations under study there is an indication of the decreasing nature of storm activity. Of the stations under study, only four show a growing trend and 21 are homogeneous. The analyzed series show a decreasing behavior from the year 2015 in almost all the stations under study.

RESUMEN Las descargas eléctricas provocan grandes daños a las personas y la economía. Las medidas de adaptación conllevan al análisis del fenómeno, su distribución espacial y su variabilidad en el tiempo, manteniendo los estudios actualizados. El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar la marcha interanual de la ocurrencia de tormentas en el periodo donde todas las estaciones del país poseen información completa y sin sesgos para las variables código de estado de tiempo presente y pasado. Para el estudio se utilizan los registros de estado del tiempo presente y pasado para 68 estaciones del país en el periodo 2005 - 2019 donde la información es completa y permite calcular el número de días con tormenta al año. El análisis de las marchas interanuales del número de días con tormenta muestra que en el 35 % de las estaciones en estudio hay un indicativo del carácter decreciente de la actividad de tormentas. De las estaciones en estudio solo cuatro presentan tendencia creciente y 21 son homogéneas. Las series analizadas presentan un comportamiento decreciente a partir del año 2015 en casi todas las estaciones en estudio.

ABSTRACT This article described the main characteristics of the 2021-2022 winter season. For the conformation of the same, were used the summaries that each Provincial Meteorological Center makes after the pass of a cold front in the country. In addition, the General States of Weather made by the Forecast Center of the Institute of Meteorology were used, as well as the chronological data on cold fronts from the archive that is also carried out by this center. The 2021-2022 winter season began on October 29, 2021, with the arrival in Cuba of the first cold front and extended to April 8, 2022, the day it affected FF No. 15 and last of this season winter. It was classified as not very active in relation to climatic value (19 FF per season), finding 12 cold fronts that were classified as classic, while 3 fronts were reverses due to their type. Regarding their intensity, 11 cold fronts were weak and four moderate, without any strong cold front appearing this season. In addition, 60% of the fronts transited over the entire national territory, demonstrating the loss of their characteristics once they transited over tropical areas.

RESUMEN En este artículo se describen las principales características de la temporada invernal 2021-2022. Para la conformación del mismo se utilizaron los resúmenes que cada Centro Meteorológico Provincial realiza tras el paso de un frente frío en el país. Además, se utilizaron los Estados Generales del Tiempo realizados por el Centro de Pronósticos del Instituto de Meteorología, así como los datos cronológicos sobre los frentes fríos del archivo que también lleva a cabo este centro. La temporada invernal 2021-2022 se inició el día 29 de octubre de 2021, con la llegada a Cuba del primer frente frío y se extendió hasta el 8 de abril de 2022, día en que afectó el FF No. 15 y último de esta temporada invernal. La misma fue clasificada como poco activa con relación al valor climático (19 FF por temporada), encontrándose en ella 12 frente fríos que fueron clasificados como clásicos, mientras 3 frentes fueron revesinos por su tipo. En cuanto a su intensidad 11 frentes fríos fueron débiles y 4 moderados, sin presentarse ningún frente frío fuerte en esta temporada. Además, el 60 % de los frentes transitaron sobre todo el territorio nacional, demostrando la perdida de sus características una vez que transiten sobre zonas tropicales.