Systematic Scatterometer Wind Errors Near Coastal Mountains.

Satellite scatterometers provide the only regular observations of surface wind vectors over vast swaths of the world oceans, including coastal regions, which are of great scientific and societal interest but still present challenges for remote sensing. Here we demonstrate systematic scatterometer wind errors near Hawaii's Big Island: Two counter-rotating lee vortices, which are clear in the International Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set ship-based wind climatology and in aircraft observations, are absent in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Remote Sensing Systems scatterometer wind climatologies. We demonstrate similar errors in the representation of transient Catalina Eddy events in the Southern California Bight. These errors likely arise from the nonuniqueness of scatterometer wind observations, that is, an "ambiguity removal" is required during processing to select from multiple wind solutions to the geophysical model function. We discuss strategies to improve the ambiguity selection near coastal mountains, where small-scale wind reversals are common

Towards an understanding of social networks among organizational self-initiated expatriates: a qualitative case study of a professional services firm

Drawing on a qualitative case study of 51 organizational self-initiated expatriates (OSIEs) in a professional services firm, this article investigates the role of networks during expatriation and, specifically, in the development of learning that is beneficial to both the individual expatriate and the global operations of the firm. First, we investigate the extent to which individual motivations to engage in OSIE impact on the development of networks. Second, we investigate individual’s experiences of network development. Third, we investigate individual perceptions of the benefits of networks for both organizations and individual actors. The paper will report that professionals initiating their own expatriation develop continually expanding and composite networks such that mobility and networks evolve in a seemingly symbiotic relationship. In doing so, it contributes to our understanding of the role of agency in network development and extends our understanding of organizational self-initiated expatriation as a relatively under-researched phenomenon

Host galaxies of luminous quasars: population synthesis of optical off-axis spectra

There is increasing evidence of a connection between AGN activity and galaxy evolution. To obtain further insight into this potentially important evolutionary phase, we analyse the properties of quasar host galaxies. In this paper, we present a population synthesis modeling technique for off-axis spectra, the results of which constrain host colour and the stellar ages of luminous quasars (M_V(nuc)<-23). Our technique is similar to well established quiescent-galaxy models, modified to accommodate scattered nuclear light (a combination of atmospheric, instrumental and host galaxy scattered light) observed off axis. In our model, subtraction of residual scattered quasar light is performed, while simultaneously modeling the constituent stellar populations of the host galaxy. The reliability of this technique is tested via a Monte-Carlo routine in which the correspondence between synthetic spectra with known parameters and the model output is determined. Application of this model to a preliminary sample of 10 objects is presented and compared to previous studies. Spectroscopic data was obtained via long-slit and integral-field unit observations on the Keck and WIYN telescopes. We confirm that elliptical quasar hosts are distinguishable (bluer) from inactive ellipticals in rest frame B-V colour. Additionally, we note a trend for radio luminous (L_5GHz > 10^40 erg s^-1) quasars to be located in redder host galaxies in comparison to their less luminous radio counterparts. While the host colour and age of our radio luminous sample is in close proximity to the green valley, our radio faint sample is consistent with quiescent star-forming galaxies. However, further observations are needed to confirm these results. Finally, we discuss future applications for our technique on a larger sample of objects being obtained via SALT and WIYN telescope observing campaigns.Comment: 18 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Type of Track and Trigger system and incidence of in-hospital cardiac arrest: an observational registry-based study.

BACKGROUND: Failure to recognise and respond to patient deterioration on hospital wards is a common cause of healthcare-related harm. If patients are not rescued and suffer a cardiac arrest as a result then only around 15% will survive. Track and Trigger systems have been introduced into the NHS to improve both identification and response to such patients. This study examines the association between the type of Track & Trigger System (TTS) (National Early Warning Score (NEWS) versus non-NEWS) and the mode of TTS (paper TTS versus electronic TTS) and incidence of in-hospital ward-based cardiac arrests (IHCA) attended by a resuscitation team. METHODS: TTS type and mode was retrospectively collected at hospital level from 106 NHS acute hospitals in England between 2009 to 2015 via an organisational survey. Poisson regression and logistic regression models, adjusted for case-mix, temporal trends and seasonality were used to determine the association between TTS and hospital-level ward-based IHCA and survival rates. RESULTS: The NEWS was introduced in England in 2012 and by 2015, three-fifths of hospitals had adopted it. One fifth of hospitals had instituted an electronic TTS by 2015. Between 2009 and 2015 the incidence of IHCA fell. Introduction or use of NEWS in a hospital was associated with a reduction of 9.4% in the rate of ward-based IHCA compared to non-NEWS systems (incidence rate ratio 0.906, p < 0.001). The use of an electronic TTS was also associated with a reduction of 9.8% in the rate of IHCA compared with paper-based TTS (incidence rate ratio 0.902, p = 0.009). There was no change in hospital survival. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of standardised TTS and electronic TTS have the potential to reduce ward-based IHCA. This is likely to be via a range of mechanisms from early intervention to institution of treatment limits. The lack of association with survival may reflect the complexity of response to triggering of the afferent arm of the rapid response system

Mechanism of the transmetalation of organosilanes to gold

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to study the reaction mechanism of the first transmetalation of organosilanes to gold as a cheap fluoride-free process. The versatile gold(I) complex [Au(OH)(IPr)] permits very straightforward access to a series of aryl-, vinyl-, and alkylgold silanolates by reaction with the appropriate silane reagent. These silanolate compounds are key intermediates in a fluoride-free process that results in the net transmetalation of organosilanes to gold, rather than the classic activation of silanes as silicates using external fluoride sources. However, here we propose that the gold silanolate is not the active species (as proposed during experimental studies) but is, in fact, a resting state during the transmetalation process, as a concerted step is preferred

Quasars and their host galaxies

This review attempts to describe developments in the fields of quasar and quasar host galaxies in the past five. In this time period, the Sloan and 2dF quasar surveys have added several tens of thousands of quasars, with Sloan quasars being found to z>6. Obscured, or partially obscured quasars have begun to be found in significant numbers. Black hole mass estimates for quasars, and our confidence in them, have improved significantly, allowing a start on relating quasar properties such as radio jet power to fundamental parameters of the quasar such as black hole mass and accretion rate. Quasar host galaxy studies have allowed us to find and characterize the host galaxies of quasars to z>2. Despite these developments, many questions remain unresolved, in particular the origin of the close relationship between black hole mass and galaxy bulge mass/velocity dispersion seen in local galaxies.Comment: Review article, to appear in Astrophysics Update

Development of paediatric quality of inpatient care indicators for low-income countries - A Delphi study

BACKGROUND: Indicators of quality of care for children in hospitals in low-income countries have been proposed, but information on their perceived validity and acceptability is lacking. METHODS: Potential indicators representing structural and process aspects of care for six common conditions were selected from existing, largely qualitative WHO assessment tools and guidelines. We employed the Delphi technique, which combines expert opinion and existing scientific information, to assess their perceived validity and acceptability. Panels of experts, one representing an international panel and one a national (Kenyan) panel, were asked to rate the indicators over 3 rounds and 2 rounds respectively according to a variety of attributes. RESULTS: Based on a pre-specified consensus criteria most of the indicators presented to the experts were accepted: 112/137(82%) and 94/133(71%) for the international and local panels respectively. For the other indicators there was no consensus; none were rejected. Most indicators were rated highly on link to outcomes, reliability, relevance, actionability and priority but rated more poorly on feasibility of data collection under routine conditions. There was moderate to substantial agreement between the two panels of experts. CONCLUSIONS: This Delphi study provided evidence for the perceived usefulness of most of a set of measures of quality of hospital care for children proposed for use in low-income countries. However, both international and local experts expressed concerns that data for many process-based indicators may not currently be available. The feasibility of widespread quality assessment and responsiveness of indicators to intervention should be examined as part of continued efforts to improve approaches to informative hospital quality assessment

LS I +61 303 as a potential neutrino source on the light of MAGIC results

Very high energy $\gamma$-rays have recently been detected from the microquasar LS I +61 303 using the MAGIC telescope. A phenomenological study on the concomitant neutrinos that would be radiated if the $\gamma$-ray emission is hadronic in origin is herein presented. Neutrino oscillations are considered, and the expected number of events in a km-scale detector such as ICECUBE is computed under different assumptions including orbital periodicity and modulation, as well as different precision in the modeling of the detector. We argue that the upper limits already imposed on the neutrino emission of LS I +61 303 using AMANDA-II and the forthcoming measurements by ICECUBE may significantly constrain -in an independent and unbiased way- the $\gamma$-ray to neutrino flux ratio, and thus the possibility of a hadronic origin of the $\gamma$-rays. The viability of hadronic models based on wind-jet interactions in the LS + 61 303 system after MAGIC measurements is discussed.Comment: 2 new sections, 1 new figur

Adaptive Optics: Observations and Prospects for Studies of Active Galactic Nuclei

These lectures take a look at how observations with adaptive optics (AO) are beginning to influence our understanding of active galactic nuclei (AGN). By focussing on a few specific topics, the aim is to highlight the different ways in which enhanced spatial resolution from AO can aid the scientific analysis of AGN data. After presenting some background about how AO works, I will describe a few recent observations made with AO of QSO host galaxies, the Galactic Center, and nearby AGN, and show how they have contributed to our knowledge of these enigmatic objects.Comment: Accepted for NewAR in proceedings of "Active Galactic Nuclei at the highest angular resolution: theory and observations", 2007 summer school, Torun, Poland. A version with high resolution colour figures is available from http://www.mpe.mpg.de/~davies/Davies_AGN_AO.pd

Ten-year optical monitoring of PKS 0735+178: historical comparison, multiband behaviour and variability timescales

New data and results on the optical behaviour of the blazar PKS 0735+178 are presented. In addition the whole historical light curve, and a new photometric calibration of comparison stars are reported. Optical spectral indexes are calculated and studied on years scales, while several methods for time-series analysis are applied to the whole historical series and to each observing season of our data set. This allowed to search and identify optical variability modes, characteristic timescales and the signal power spectrum over 3 decades in time. In the last 10 years the optical flux of PKS 0735+178 exhibited a rather achromatic long-term behaviour and a variability mode resembling the shot-noise. The brightness level was in an intermediate/low state with a mild flaring activity and a superimposition/succession of rapid and slower flares, with no extraordinary/isolated outbursts but, at any rate, characterized by 1 major active phase in 2001. Several mid-term scales (days, weeks) were found, the more common falling into values of about 27-28 days, 50-56 days and 76-79 days. The rapid variability in the historical curve appear to be modulated by a general, slower and rather oscillating trend, where typical timescales of about 4.5, 8.5 and 11-13 years can be identified. This spectral and temporal analysis, accompanying our data publication, suggests the occurrence of distinctive variability signatures at days/weeks scales, that can likely be of transitory nature. On the other hand the possible pseudo-cyclical or multi-component modulations at long times could be more stable, recurrent and correlated to the bimodal radio flux behaviour and the twisted radio structure observed by many years in this blazar.Comment: 21 pages, 13 figures, 3 tables. Typeset with a LaTex2e-AMSLaTex code prepared by the author (using AA vers. 6.1, June 2006, class, and natbib, hyperref, graphicx, packages). Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic