COST ES0602: towards a European network on chemical weather forecasting and information systems

The COST ES0602 action provides a forum for benchmarking approaches and practices in data exchange and multi-model capabilities for chemical weather forecasting and near real-time information services in Europe. The action includes approximately 30 participants from 19 countries, and its duration is from 2007 to 2011 (<a href="http://www.chemicalweather.eu/" target="_blank">http://www.chemicalweather.eu/</a>). Major efforts have been dedicated in other actions and projects to the development of infrastructures for data flow. We have therefore aimed for collaboration with ongoing actions towards developing near real-time exchange of input data for air quality forecasting. We have collected information on the operational air quality forecasting models on a regional and continental scale in a structured form, and inter-compared and evaluated the physical and chemical structure of these models. We have also constructed a European chemical weather forecasting portal that includes links to most of the available chemical weather forecasting systems in Europe. The collaboration also includes the examination of the case studies that have been organized within COST-728, in order to inter-compare and evaluate the models against experimental data. We have also constructed an operational model forecasting ensemble. Data from a representative set of regional background stations have been selected, and the operational forecasts for this set of sites will be inter-compared and evaluated. The Action has investigated, analysed and reviewed existing chemical weather information systems and services, and will provide recommendations on best practices concerning the presentation and dissemination of chemical weather information towards the public and decision makers

On the shock transition, the hydraulic jump, and vortex breakdown

The normal shock, hydraulic jump, and vortex breakdown have a common feature: they are all marked by a transition from a supercritical to a subcritical flow state. These phenomena are due to the nonlinearity of the flow, and it will be shown that viscosity also plays an essential role. This paper demonstrates explicitly how viscosity enters into these flows, The treatment of normal shock served a starting illustration. Then an equation governing the phenomenon of hydraulic jump is derived with the inclusion of the effect of viscosity. It is explicitly shown that supercritical flow is not stable and has to go through a transition to a conjugate subcritical flow state downstream. Similar treatment is also applied to vortex breakdown with largely similar results

Family bereavement care interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review protocol

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions to daily social routines and to the lived experience of bereaved families. This article outlines the protocol for a scoping review of published studies to evaluate psychosocial and psychotherapeutic interventions intended to help family carers adjust to grief, loss and bereavement due to COVID-19. This review addresses one broad research question: ‘What do we know about bereavement support interventions for family carers of COVID-19 victims?info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sir Joseph Banks as patron of the Investigator expedition: Natural history, geographical knowledge, and Australian exploration

This paper analyses the ways in which Sir Joseph Banks served as an informed and energetic patron for the preparations for the Investigator’s expedition, and for the dissemination of its scientific and geographical knowledge. This was the first voyage to circumnavigate Australia, under the command of Matthew Flinders. Banks was an essential facilitator for Flinders’ ambitions: he drew up plans to promote the voyage and mustered the support of relevant officials in the Admiralty, Navy Board, East India Company and Board of Longitude. With his knowledge of sailing on Cook’s Endeavour voyage and his understanding of the expedition’s scientific requirements, Banks took a leading role in recruiting personnel. Banks recognised in Flinders someone who had the ambition and the nautical skill to carry out the Investigator’s expedition with full commitment. Banks and Flinders combined a passion for improving geographical, nautical and scientific knowledge of the last inhabitable continent discovered by explorers. Banks played a crucial role in ensuring that the achievements of the Investigator’s voyage were not lost. He made repeated attempts to have Flinders released from his confinement in the Ile de France. He was updated from time to time on Flinders’ situation through letters received from that island. He corresponded with Flinders and his scientific associates to ensure that the achievements of the expedition—the charts and the natural history specimens—were not abandoned. After Flinders and his ship’s company returned to England, Banks ensured their findings from the voyage were prepared for public dissemination by persuading the Admiralty to pay their salaries and by personally overseeing their work during the several years necessary to complete the tasks required. Banks was closely involved with the production of Flinders’ voyage account and atlas, published in A Voyage to Terra Australis, and with the dissemination of the scientific and artistic achievements of the Investigator expedition.The research for this paper was made possible by an Australian Bicentennial Scholarship from the Menzies Centre for Australian Studies, King’s College, London, and a Scouloudi Foundation Historical Award from the Institute of Historical Research, University of London

Somalia: Line in the Sand--Identification of MYM Vulnerabilities

The al-Shabaab Organization, also known as the Mujahidin Youth Movement (MYM), and its allies have been active opponents in undermining the United Nations (UN)-supported African Union (AU) peacekeeping forces, the fledging Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG), and all the UN efforts to support the Somali people. Al-Shabaab’s use of the internet and its control of the local news media has resulted in its increased ability to disseminate its story to the Somali public, to sympathizers throughout the world, and to the greater Islamic community. It is able to accomplish its strategic communication campaign through the use of organic websites, publication of online magazines and newsletters, and through international press conferences and interviews. The authors of this monograph identify al-Shabaab’s strategic, operational, and tactical vulnerabilities organized according to four sources of national power: diplomatic, informational, military, and economic (DIME). After exploring the group’s inherent and apparent weaknesses, the authors then provide some suggestions on what efforts or capabilities may be leveraged in defeating and deterring the group. Such instruments do not have to be kinetic or military in nature, but can be diplomatic, economic, or persuasive. The authors concentrate on diplomatic and informational options and do not address the military or economic implications at this time.https://press.armywarcollege.edu/monographs/1341/thumbnail.jp

Technology transfer: Transportation

The successful application of aerospace technology to problems related to highways and rail and rapid transit systems is described with emphasis on the use of corrosion resistant paints, fire retardant materials, and law enforcement. Possible areas for the use of spinoff from NASA technology by the California State Department of Corrections are identified. These include drug detection, security and warning systems, and the transportation and storage of food. A communication system for emergency services is also described