KAPEX RAFOS float data report 1997-1999 part B : float trajectories at 750 m in the Benguela Current

Thirty-two RAFOS floats were launched at the depth of intermediate water, near 750 m, in the Benguela Current along 30S and its extension along 7W. The floats were tracked acoustically for two years during 1997–1999. Seven floats looped in three Agulhas Current rings, which drifted west northwestward at a mean velocity of around 5 cm/sec. Floats not in Agulhas rings tended to drift westward at around 2 cm/sec in the latitude band 22S–35S. North of 22S three floats drifted eastward. This report describes the float trajectories and summarizes the main results. These are the first subsurface long-term Lagrangian data in the Benguela Current.Funding was provided by the National Science Foundation under Grant Nos. OCE-9528574 and OCE-0236654

A Phase Diagram of Low Temperature Epitaxial Silicon Grown by Hot-wire Chemical Vapor Deposition for Photovoltaic Devices

We have investigated the low-temperature epitaxial growth of thin silicon films by hot-wire chemical vapor deposition (HWCVD). Using reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we have found conditions for epitaxial growth at low temperatures achieving twinned epitaxial growth up to 6.8 µm on Si(100) substrates at a substrate temperature of 230°C. This opens the possibility of growing high quality films on low cost substrates. The H_2:SiH_4 dilution ratio was set to 50:1 for all growths. Consistent with previous results, the epitaxial thickness is found to decrease with an increase in the substrate temperature

Radial pn junction nanorod solar cells: device physics principles and routes to fabrication in silicon

We have developed quantitative device-physics models for a radial pn junction nanorod solar cell, that is, a cell which consists of densely packed nanorods attached to a conducting substrate, each nanorod with a pn junction in the radial direction. It is found that this novel design shows large improvements over the planar geometry so long as two conditions are satisfied: a) a planar solar cell made from the same material is collection limited, i.e. the diffusion length of minority carriers is too low to allow for collection of most or all of the light-generated carriers in the conventional planar geometry, and b) recombination in the depletion region is not too high, or, equivalently, the lifetime of carriers in the depletion region is not too short. In order to experimentally validate this concept, the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth of silicon (Si) nanorods has been explored using metal catalyst particles that are not as deleterious to the minority carrier lifetime of Si as gold (Au), the most commonly used wire growth catalyst

SOFAR float trajectories in the tropical Atlantic 1989-1992

Neutrally buoyant SOFAR floats at nominal depths of 800 m, 1800 m, and 3300 m were tracked acoustically for 3.7 years in the vicinity of the western boundary and the equator of the Atlantic Ocean. Trajectories and summaries from the whole experiment are shown along with detailed trajectories from the second setting of the listening stations, October 1990 to September 1992. Some highlights are mentioned below. Trajectories at 1800 m revealed a swift narrow southward flowing deep western boundary current (DWBC) extending from 7°N across the equator. Two floats directly crossed the equator in the DWBC and went to 10°S. Two other floats left the DWBC near the equator and drifted eastward. Three floats entered the DWBC from the equatorial current system and drifted southward. No obvious DWBC or swift equatorial currents were observed by the 3300 m floats. The 800 m floats plus some surface drifters measured seven anticyclonic eddies as they translated northwestward along the coast of South America in a band from the equator to 12°N. One of the floats (28) entered the Caribbean where tracking stopped. This float was again tracked as it drifted across the mid-Atlantic Ridge and entered the Canary Basin near 34°N 28°W after a gap of 2.7 years. We infer that this float went westward though the Caribbean and northeastward in the Gulf Stream. Float 17 drifted northward from 10°N to 22°N in an eastern boundary current off the coast of West Africa. Floats between 6°N-6°S (roughly) drifted long distances zonally in the equatorial current system.Funding was provided by the National Science Foundation through Grants Nos. OCE85-21082, OCE85-17375, and OCE91-14656

North Brazil Current Rings Experiment : RAFOS float data report : November 1998 – June 2000

Twenty-one RAFOS floats were tracked at depths of 200-1000 meters in and around several North Brazil Current Rings between November 1998 and June 2000. This was part of an experiment to study the role of these current rings in transporting upper level South Atlantic water across the equatorial-tropical gyre boundary into the North Atlantic subtropical gyre. The float trajectories in combination with surface drifters and satellite imagery reveal the sometimes complex life histories of several rings and their fate as they collide with the Lesser Antilles Islands. This report describes the float trajectories, the velocity, temperature, and depth time series, and a preliminary analysis of the float data.Funding was provided by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. OCE-9729765 and OCE-0136477

Ten simple rules for learning the language of statistics

In this paper we propose ten simple ‘rules’ for guiding students’ learning of the language of statistics. Learning any new subject brings with it the requirement to learn the language associated with that subject. Students also bring with them varying understandings about the relationship between statistics and mathematics. Many students expect the formality and precision of mathematics to transfer to statistics, and are baffled to discover this is not the case. The first four rules will guide instructors and learners around the landscape of tricky terms, from general English to the English of mathematics, statistics and other disciplines. The remaining six rules will establish some signposts along the way to assisting students to overcome the challenges of the language of statistics. We acknowledge that there is no single route to enforce here, and that management of expectations, embracing ambiguity in terminology, and reinforcement of new language through writing and speaking all have a role to play in teaching and learning the language of statistics

Pharmacists in Pharmacovigilance: Can Increased Diagnostic Opportunity in Community Settings Translate to Better Vigilance?

The pharmacy profession has undergone substantial change over the last two to three decades. Whilst medicine supply still remains a central function, pharmacist’s roles and responsibilities have become more clinic and patient focused. In the community (primary care), pharmacists have become important providers of healthcare as Western healthcare policy advocates patient self-care. This has resulted in pharmacists taking on greater responsibility in managing minor illness and the delivery of public health interventions. These roles require pharmacists to more fully use their clinical skills, and often involve diagnosis and therapeutic management. Community pharmacists are now, more than ever before, in a position to identify, record and report medication safety incidents. However, current research suggests that diagnostic ability of community pharmacists is questionable and they infrequently report to local or national schemes. The aim of this paper is to highlight current practice and suggest ways in which community pharmacy can more fully contribute to patient safety

Timing of CGM initiation in pediatric diabetes: The CGM TIME Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether timing of CGM initiation offering low glucose suspend (LGS) affects CGM adherence in children and youth starting insulin pump therapy. METHODS: A 5-site RCT of pump-naïve subjects (aged 5-18 years) with type 1 diabetes (T1D) for at least 1 year compared simultaneous pump and CGM initiation offering LGS vs standard pump therapy with CGM initiation delayed for 6 months. Primary outcome was CGM adherence (hours per 28 days) (MiniMed™ Paradigm™ Veo™ system; CareLink Pro™ software) over 6 months after CGM initiation. Secondary outcome HbA1c was measured centrally. Linear mixed-models and ordinary least squares models were fitted to estimate effect of intervention, and covariates baseline age, T1D duration, HbA1c, gender, ethnicity, hypoglycemia history, clinical site, and association between CGM adherence and HbA1c. RESULTS: The trial randomized 144/152 (95%) eligible subjects. Baseline mean age was 11.5 ± 3.3(SD) years, T1D duration 3.4 ± 3.1 years, and HbA1c 7.9 ± 0.9%. Six months after CGM initiation, adjusted mean difference in CGM adherence was 62.4 hours per 28 days greater in the Simultaneous Group compared to Delayed Group (P = .007). There was no difference in mean HbA1c at 6 months. However, for each 100 hours of CGM use per 28-day period, HbA1c was 0.39% (95% CI 0.10%-0.69%) lower. Higher CGM adherence was associated with reduced time with glucose \u3e10 mmol/L (P \u3c .001). CONCLUSION: CGM adherence was higher after 6 months when initiated at same time as pump therapy compared to starting CGM 6 months after pump therapy. Greater CGM adherence was associated with improved HbA1c

Standing up for Myself (STORM): Adapting and piloting a web-delivered psychosocial group intervention for people with intellectual disabilities

BACKGROUND: Our STORM intervention was developed for people (16 +) with intellectual disabilities to enhance their capacity to manage and resist stigma. The current study describes the adaptation of STORM for (synchronous) on-line delivery in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. AIMS: To adapt the manualised face-to-face STORM group intervention for delivery via web-based meeting platforms and to conduct an initial pilot study to consider its acceptability and feasibility. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: The 5-session STORM intervention was carefully adapted for online delivery. In a pilot study with four community groups (N = 22), outcome, health economics and attendance data were collected, and fidelity of delivery assessed. Focus groups with participants, and interviews with facilitators provided data on acceptability and feasibility. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: The intervention was adapted with minimal changes to the content required. In the pilot study, 95% of participants were retained at follow-up, 91% attended at least three of the five sessions. Outcome measure completion and fidelity were excellent, and facilitators reported implementation to be feasible. The intervention was reported to be acceptable by participants. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: When provided with the necessary resources and support, people with intellectual disabilities participate actively in web-delivered group interventions