A heuristic method to distinguish horse rider mounts using a single wrist mounted inertial sensor

A Design Science methodology was used to create a context recognition method for data from a single, wearable inertial sensor. The sensor was worn on riders right wrists. The data was associated with a rider mounting their horse within the traditional European riding style. Data was collected from 20 participants, 2 laboratory and 55 real-life data collection sessions. A manual human pattern matching search method was applied to 2 laboratory and 7 real life datasets during recognition training and two features, one within the accelerometer data and the other within the gyroscope data were identified. The method was evaluated by searching for these two features within 15 alternate datasets. The method was successful in recognising features that could be associated with mounting where riders used a hand-on-cantle mounting technique. The method did not consistently recognise features that could be associated with mounting when riders used a hand-on-front of saddle mounting technique. The researcher concluded that manual heuristic human pattern search and matching methods could be used to distinguish mounting in 11 out of 12 cases where the domain was restricted to hand-on-cantle mounting techniques and that such methods may possibly be generalised to include other mounting techniques and other contexts. The researcher also concluded that a single compound sensor can, in some instances, provide enough information within a restricted domain to enable successful context recognition

An update on engineering issues concerning stratospheric aerosol injection for geoengineering

Abstract: Solar Radiation Management (SRM) geoengineering is a proposed response to anthropogenic global warming (AGW). Stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) is one proposed method, reliant on lofting material into the stratosphere. Engineering reviews related to this technology approach have been sparse, with most major primary analyses now at least five years old. We attempt to bridge this gap—with a short, qualitative review of recent developments in various fields of engineering that have potential applicability to SAI. Our analysis shows that a new conventional aircraft design is still likely to be the most dependable and affordable technology solution (cost estimates start around $1000–1500 per ton lofted), with hybrid or vacuum airships a potential challenger. Rockets, gas guns and MAGLEV/coilguns show some potential—although they lack the inherent level-flight capability that would be needed for direct aerosol distribution (versus distribution of gaseous precursors), without substantial additional engineering. Should very high-altitude access be required, rockets, jet-hybrid rockets, and various guns (especially light-gas guns) potentially offer the required capability. Costs and performance for tethered balloons remain highly uncertain. Towers are not found to be promising. The extreme accessibility of free balloons suggests that this method may be used primarily for reasons of political leverage, as opposed to being an optimal engineering solution

COSMIC-2 Precise Orbit Determination

We present initial results for post-processed GNSS orbit and clock estimation for the FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 (Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate) constellation. The six COSMIC-2 satellites launched on June 25, 2019 into a 24 deg inclination, ~725 km circular orbit. The primary Tri-GNSS Radio-occultation Receiver System (TGRS) payload tracks GPS and GLONASS signals on two upward looking precise orbit determination (POD) antennas. We evaluate three GPS and GPS+GLONASS POD solutions applied at the COSMIC Data Analysis and Archive Center using the Bernese GNSS Software. The obtained results are very consistent for the six satellites. Orbit precision estimates are below the 10 cm and 0.1 mm/s 3D position and velocity requirements, respectively. A test case applying carrier phase ambiguity resolution indicates this technique may support the generation of more precise orbits in the future

Parent-Child Sexual Communication Among Middle School Youth

Middle school youth (N=1472) in Central Indiana completed a survey about parent-adolescent sexual communi-cation. Being older, female, mixed race, ever had sex, ever arrested, and higher HIV knowledge were associatedwith more frequent sexual communication

Comparing the Costs and Acceptability of Three Fidelity Assessment Methods for Assertive Community Treatment

Successful implementation of evidence-based practices requires valid, yet practical fidelity monitoring. This study compared the costs and acceptability of three fidelity assessment methods: on-site, phone, and expert-scored self-report. Thirty-two randomly selected VA mental health intensive case management teams completed all fidelity assessments using a standardized scale and provided feedback on each. Personnel and travel costs across the three methods were compared for statistical differences. Both phone and expert-scored self-report methods demonstrated significantly lower costs than on-site assessments, even when excluding travel costs. However, participants preferred on-site assessments. Remote fidelity assessments hold promise in monitoring large scale program fidelity with limited resources

Strategic analysis of the drought resilience of water supply systems

Severe droughts can result in shortages of water supplies, with widespread social and economic consequences. Here we use a coupled simulation model to assess the reliability of public water supplies in England, in the context of changing scenarios of water demand, water regulation and climate change. The coupled simulation model combines climate simulations, a national-scale hydrological model and a national-scale water resource systems model to demonstrate how extreme meteorological droughts translate into hydrological droughts and water shortages for water users. We use this model to explore the effectiveness of strategic water resource options that are being planned in England to secure water supplies to most of England's population up to a drought return period of 1 in 500 years. We conclude that it is possible to achieve a 1-in-500-years standard in locations where strategic resource options are used, while also reducing water abstraction to restore the aquatic environment. However, the target will be easier to achieve if effective steps are also taken to reduce water demand. This article is part of the Royal Society Science+ meeting issue ‘Drought risk in the Anthropocene’

Youth Connectedness Mitigates the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on Adolescent Substance Use in a Rural Midwest County

Background: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) increase the risk of adolescent substance abuse. Positive youth connections may mitigate these negative effects. We test whether and how home and school connectedness influences adolescent substance use. Methods: Youth (N=1651 6 th to 8 th graders, N=565, 10 th graders) from a rural, Midwestern low to middle income school district completed a baseline questionnaire prior to a health education program. The outcome, substance use, was a mean index of eight reported substance use behaviors (tobacco, electronic vapor, alcohol, any marijuana [organic or synthetic], prescription pills, inhalants, IV injection; all 6 categories: never to 40+ times). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to evaluate both the direct and indirect relationships between ACEs (middle school (MS), α =.700; high school (HS), α=.740), school- (MS α =.805; HS α=.833) and parent- connectedness (MS α =.923; HS α=.942) and substance use (Stata, 15.1). Results: Higher ACEs was directly associated with lower school connectedness (MS: B=-0.29, p<.000; HS: B=- 0.27, p<.000) and lower parent connectedness (MS: B=-0.16, p<.000; HS: B=-0.23, p<.000). Higher school connectedness (MS: B=-0.19; p<.000; HS: B=-0.14, p<.000), higher parent connectedness (MS: B=-0.09; p<.000; HS: B=-0.209, p<.000) and lower ACEs (MS: B=0.27; p<.000; HS: B=-.17, p<000) all directly associated with lower substance use. The impact of ACEs on substance use was mitigated indirectly through higher school connectedness (MS: B=0.01, p<.000; HS: B=0.03, p<.000) and parent connectedness (MS: B=0.03, p<.000; HS: B=-=0.01, p<.000). Conclusion: Prevention programs should be trauma-informed and incorporate parent-youth and teacher-student components

Comparison of Assertive Community Treatment Fidelity Assessment Methods: Reliability and Validity

Assertive community treatment is known for improving consumer outcomes, but is difficult to implement. On-site fidelity measurement can help ensure model adherence, but is costly in large systems. This study compared reliability and validity of three methods of fidelity assessment (on-site, phone-administered, and expert-scored self-report) using a stratified random sample of 32 mental health intensive case management teams from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Overall, phone, and to a lesser extent, expert-scored self-report fidelity assessments compared favorably to on-site methods in inter-rater reliability and concurrent validity. If used appropriately, these alternative protocols hold promise in monitoring large-scale program fidelity with limited resources