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This paper studies the simulation of Cyclone Nicholas that occurred close to the coastal area of Western Australia and fell on the mainland of Southwestern Australia. The simulation was conducted via a dynamical downscaling model, Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF), to obtain a higher resolution with reference to the regional climate data. The model simulation is generated using a global reanalysis of climate data for the initial and lateral boundary conditions. We investigated the response of the tropical storm to the model regarding the track and intensity using a modified Kyklop method that appears more appropriate for a landfall cyclone. Our study suggests that the regional climate data computed by the model deviates from the storm track of the global climate data forcing field. In this study, the track of the simulated storm is parallel to the satellite data, but it is shifted slightly to the east, closer to the mainland. Nevertheless, the model simulation can implement the intensity of the storm as strongly as the observation, while the forcing data delivers substantial underestimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses the articles within the issue on topics including carbon taxes and economies, coastal ecosystems, and survivors of flash flood events in south east Queensland.

Abstract: Brunonia australis R. Br (Goodeniaceae) and Calandrinia (Portulacaceae), native to Australia, are potential new flowering potted plants. This research investigated the role of daylength and growth regulators, Gibberellic acid (GA3) and paclobutrazol (Pac), to control vegetative growth, peduncle elongation and flowering of Brunonia and Calandrinia. Plants were grown under long days (16h), short days (11h) and 8 weeks under short day then transferred to long day (SDLDs). Plants in each daylength were treated with GA3, Pac, and GA3+ Pac. GA3 was applied as 10μL drop of 500mgL−1 concentration to the newest mature leaf. A single application of Pac was applied as a soil drench at 0.25mg a.i. dose per plant. Both Brunonia and Calandrinia flowered earlier in long days but still flowered in short days, so both can be classified as facultative LD plants. Brunonia under SDLDs were more vigorous and attractive than plants under LDs while still being more compact than plants under SDs. In Brunonia, GA3 promoted earlier flowering and increased the number of inflorescences under SDs. Pac at 0.25mg a.i. per plant applied alone or in combination with GA3 had extended flower development in Brunonia, and resulted in a reduced number of inflorescences per plant compared to the control plants. Vegetative growth of Calandrinia was similar under LDs, SDs and SDLDs, whereas GA3 application increased plant size. Pac-treated Calandrinia looked compact and attractive, and Pac application did not affect time to flower and flower number. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) according to total number of pulses on hamstring muscle spasticity in children with spastic type cerebral palsy (CP)., Methods: This study is a randomized controlled trial consisting of thirteen patients with spastic CP, 9 males and 4 females, aged 5 to 14 years (mean age 9.2). Twenty-five spastic hamstring muscles were divided in four groups. Group I: 500 pulses, Group II: 1,000 pulses, Group III: 1,500 pulses, and Group IV: 2,000 pulses. Australian Spasticity Assessment Scale (ASAS) was measured at four different time points (pre-ESWT, post-ESWT, 2 weeks post-ESWT, and 4 weeks post-ESWT)., Results: All four groups showed improvement in ASAS relative to pre-treatment, although only significant in Group III (1,500 pulses). There were no statistically significant differences in ASAS between all four groups in pre-ESWT [|2(2) = 3.907, p = 0.272], immediately post-ESWT [|2(2) = 1.250, p = 0.741], 2 weeks post-ESWT vs pre-ESWT [|2(2) = 3.367, p = 0.338], and 4 weeks post-ESWT vs pre-ESWT [|2(2) = 1.566, p = 0.667]., Conclusion: The effect of rESWT on spastic hamstring in children with spastic CP is not dependent on the number of pulses.