Paramedics' Newborn Life Support Knowledge and Skills Before and After a Targeted Simulation-Based Educational Intervention

Objective: Resuscitation of neonates after birth in the out-of-hospital setting is challenging. Thus, we aimed to assess paramedics' newborn life support knowledge and skills before and after targeted simulation-based training.Methods: Voluntary paramedics were recruited from a single Red Cross division. During a 1-day simulation-based educational intervention, essential aspects of neonatal resuscitation were taught and practiced. Before and after simulation-based training, we assessed (1) knowledge of current European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines using a 20-item-questionnaire and (2) the quality of simulated bag-valve-mask ventilation by measuring face mask leakage, using a respiratory function monitor (Standardized Measurement of Airway Resuscitation Training [SMART], GM Instruments Ltd., United Kingdom).Results: Forty-one paramedics participated in the initial survey and 12 took part in the simulation-based educational intervention. There was a significant increase in the number of correctly answered questions: median 62.1% (IQR 37.5–77.4%) vs. 91.7% (IQR 83.3–100%; p = 0.001). A total of 1,332 inflations were analyzed. The incidence of substantial mask leakage >75% decreased significantly after training (15.8 vs. 6.1%; p < 0.001), while median mask leakage was similar (17.0% [IQR 0.0–55.0%] vs. 18.0% [IQR 6.0–34.0%]; p = 0.414).Conclusions: Among paramedics, theoretical knowledge of current ERC guidelines was moderate in this study. Participation in a targeted simulation-based educational intervention was associated with a significant increase in theoretical knowledge. The initially high incidence of substantial mask leakage >75% was decreased after simulation-based training using respiratory function monitoring

Continuous solar wind forcing knowledge: Providing continuous conditions at Mars with the WSA‐ENLIL + Cone model

Knowledge of solar wind conditions at Mars is often necessary to study the planet’s magnetospheric and ionospheric dynamics. With no continuous upstream solar wind monitor at Mars, studies have used a variety of methods to measure or predict Martian solar wind conditions. In situ measurements, when available, are preferred, but can often be limited in continuity or scope, and so studies have also utilized solar wind proxies, spacecraft flybys, and Earth‐Mars alignment to provide solar wind context. Despite the importance of solar wind knowledge and the range of methods used to provide it, the use of solar wind models remains relatively unutilized. This study uses the Wang‐Sheeley‐Arge (WSA)‐ENLIL + Cone solar wind model to calculate solar wind parameters at Mars’ orbital location to provide a new approach to determining solar wind conditions at Mars. Comparisons of the model results with observations by the MAVEN spacecraft indicate that the WSA‐ENLIL + Cone model can forecast solar wind conditions at Mars as accurately as it has predicted them historically at the Earth, although at Mars the model systematically mispredicts solar wind speed and density, likely a result of magnetogram calibration. Particular focus is placed on modeling the early March 2015 interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) that interacted with Mars. Despite the complexity of the ICMEs, the model accurately predicted the speed and arrival time of the ICME‐driven interplanetary shock, although it underpredicted other solar wind parameters. These results suggest that solar wind models can be used to provide the necessary general context of the heliospheric conditions to planetary studies.Key PointsThe WSA‐ENLIL + Cone model provides continuous, generally accurate solar wind conditions at MarsThe WSA‐ENLIL + Cone model captures both background and disturbed solar wind conditions accuratelyThese continuous solar wind parameters can provide context to planetary and magnetospheric studiesPeer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134218/1/jgra52721_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134218/2/jgra52721.pd

Origins of the Ambient Solar Wind: Implications for Space Weather

The Sun's outer atmosphere is heated to temperatures of millions of degrees, and solar plasma flows out into interplanetary space at supersonic speeds. This paper reviews our current understanding of these interrelated problems: coronal heating and the acceleration of the ambient solar wind. We also discuss where the community stands in its ability to forecast how variations in the solar wind (i.e., fast and slow wind streams) impact the Earth. Although the last few decades have seen significant progress in observations and modeling, we still do not have a complete understanding of the relevant physical processes, nor do we have a quantitatively precise census of which coronal structures contribute to specific types of solar wind. Fast streams are known to be connected to the central regions of large coronal holes. Slow streams, however, appear to come from a wide range of sources, including streamers, pseudostreamers, coronal loops, active regions, and coronal hole boundaries. Complicating our understanding even more is the fact that processes such as turbulence, stream-stream interactions, and Coulomb collisions can make it difficult to unambiguously map a parcel measured at 1 AU back down to its coronal source. We also review recent progress -- in theoretical modeling, observational data analysis, and forecasting techniques that sit at the interface between data and theory -- that gives us hope that the above problems are indeed solvable.Comment: Accepted for publication in Space Science Reviews. Special issue connected with a 2016 ISSI workshop on "The Scientific Foundations of Space Weather." 44 pages, 9 figure

Assessing the quality of models of the ambient solar wind

In this paper we present an assessment of the status of models of the global Solar Wind in the inner heliosphere. We limit our discussion to the class of models designed to provide solar wind forecasts, excluding those designed for the purpose of testing physical processes in idealized configurations. In addition, we limit our discussion to modeling of the ‘ambient’ wind in the absence of coronal mass ejections. In this assessment we cover use of the models both in forecast mode and as tools for scientific research. We present a brief history of the development of these models, discussing the range of physical approximations in use. We discuss the limitations of the data inputs available to these models and its impact on their quality. We also discuss current model development trends

eHEROES: where Space Weather and Communication meet

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