268 research outputs found
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Stochastic parameterization: uncertainties from convection
In 2005, the ECMWF held a workshop on stochastic parameterisation, at which the convection was seen as being
a key issue. That much is clear from the working group reports and particularly the statement from working group
1 that “it is clear that a stochastic convection scheme is desirable”. The present note aims to consider our current
status in comparison with some of the issues raised and hopes expressed in that working group report
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Evaluation of the Plant–Craig stochastic convection scheme (v2.0) in the ensemble forecasting system MOGREPS-R (24 km) based on the Unified Model (v7.3)
The Plant–Craig stochastic convection parameterization (version 2.0) is implemented in the Met Office Regional Ensemble Prediction System (MOGREPS-R) and is assessed in comparison with the standard convection scheme with a simple stochastic scheme only, from random parameter variation. A set of 34 ensemble forecasts, each with 24 members, is considered, over the month of July 2009. Deterministic and probabilistic measures of the precipitation forecasts are assessed. The Plant–Craig parameterization is found to improve probabilistic forecast measures, particularly the results for lower precipitation thresholds. The impact on deterministic forecasts at the grid scale is neutral, although the Plant–Craig scheme does deliver improvements when forecasts are made over larger areas. The improvements found are greater in conditions of relatively weak synoptic forcing, for which convective precipitation is likely to be less predictable
Inclusive neutron cross-sections at forward angles from Nb Nb and Au Au collisions at 800-MeV/nucleon
Inclusive neutron spectra were measured at 0°, 4°, 8°, 15°, 30°, and 42° from Nb-Nb and Au-Au collisions at 800 MeV/nucleon. A peak that originates from neutron evaporation from the projectile appears in the spectra at angles out to 8°. The shapes and magnitudes of the spectra are compared with those calculated from models of nucleus-nucleus collisions. The differential cross sections for Au-Au collisions are about four times those for Nb-Nb collisions. The predictions of the Vlasov-Uehling-Uhlenbeck (VUU) and QMD theories agree with the angular distributions of the differential cross sections except at small angles; the VUU prediction overestimates the angular distributions from a few degrees to about 20°, whereas the QMD prediction underestimates the angular distributions below 8°. The Firestreak model overestimates the angular distribution for Nb-Nb collisions and underestimates it for Au-Au collisions. Also, the VUU and QMD models agree with the measured double-differential cross sections in more angular and energy regions than the Firestreak and intranuclear cascade models; however, none of the models can account for the peaks at small angles (θ≤15°)
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‘Eastern African paradox’ rainfall decline due to shorter not less intense long rains
An observed decline in the Eastern African Long Rains from the 1980s to late 2000s appears contrary to the projected increase under future climate change. This “Eastern African climate paradox” confounds use of climate projections for adaptation planning across Eastern Africa. Here we show the decline corresponds to a later onset and earlier cessation of the long rains, with a similar seasonal maximum in area-averaged daily rainfall. Previous studies have explored the role of remote teleconnections, but those mechanisms do not sufficiently explain the decline or the newly identified change in seasonality. Using a large ensemble of observations, reanalyses and atmospheric simulations, we propose a regional mechanism that explains both the observed decline and the recent partial recovery. A decrease in surface pressure over Arabia and warmer north Arabian Sea is associated with enhanced southerlies and an earlier cessation of the long rains. This is supported by a similar signal in surface pressure in many atmosphere-only models giving lower May rainfall and an earlier cessation. Anomalously warm seas south of Eastern Africa delay the northward movement of the tropical rain-band, giving a later onset. These results are key in understanding the paradox. It is now a priority to establish the balance of mechanisms that have led to these trends, which are partially captured in atmosphere-only simulations
The Australian Corneal Graft Registry 2015 Report
The Australian Corneal Graft Registry (ACGR) opened in May 1985 and has now been operating for 30 years. Over the years, we have collected information on more than 30,000 corneal grafts.
At registration, we seek information on the donor, eye bank practices, the recipient, the surgeon, the graft type and the operative procedure. Follow-up then occurs at approximately yearly intervals for an indefinite period, and ceases upon graft failure, or the death or loss-to-follow-up of the patient. At each round of follow-up, we request information on the survival of the graft, the visual outcomes, and any relevant post-operative events and treatments.
The data are entered into an Access database and checked for consistency. Descriptive, univariate and multivariate analyses are subsequently performed using SPSS and Stata software, and the report is eventually collated.Eye Bank of South Australia, Lions New South Wales Eye Bank, Lions Eye Bank of Western Australia, Lions Eye Donation Service, Victoria, Queensland Eye Bank, The Australian Government Organ and Tissue Authority (DonateLife
A comparison of endothelial and penetrating keratoplasty outcomes following failed penetrating keratoplasty: a registry study
Author version made available in accordance with publisher copyright policy.Purpose To compare graft survival and visual
outcomes for endothelial keratoplasty (EK) after a first
penetrating keratoplasty (PK), with outcomes of repeat
PK after a first PK.
Methods 400 eyes with a second graft (65 EKs, 335
PKs) performed after failure of a primary PK were
identified through the Australian Corneal Graft Registry,
a national prospectively followed cohort. Grafts were
performed after January 2008 (follow-up of the second
graft extending to 6.75 years maximum). Kaplan–Meier
graft survival plots were constructed and Cox
proportional hazards regression was used to identify
independent risk factors for graft failure. Best-corrected
Snellen visual acuity (BCVA) at last follow-up was
compared with pregraft acuity.
Results Poor Kaplan–Meier graft survival was observed
for PK-EK compared with PK-PK (log-rank=29.66,
p<0.001). Variables retained in multivariate analysis as
significantly influencing survival of the second graft
included graft type (PK-EK or PK-PK, p<0.001), length
of survival of the previous PK (global p=0.011), graft
era (global p=0.018), occurrence of rejection in the
second graft (p=0.005) and a history of raised
intraocular pressure at any time ( p=0.048), but not
indication for the first graft. BCVA improved in the
majority of surviving grafts and attainment of 6/12 vision
was similar for both PK-EK and PK-PK groups.
Conclusions Our registry findings suggest that repeat
PK may deliver a better outcome in terms of graft
survival than EK after a failed PK that was performed
initially for keratoconus or pseudophakic bullous
keratopathy. For surviving grafts, visual outcomes
appeared equivalent across groups
Self-Swabbing for Virological Confirmation of Influenza-Like Illness Among an Internet-Based Cohort in the UK During the 2014-2015 Flu Season: Pilot Study.
BACKGROUND: Routine influenza surveillance, based on laboratory confirmation of viral infection, often fails to estimate the true burden of influenza-like illness (ILI) in the community because those with ILI often manage their own symptoms without visiting a health professional. Internet-based surveillance can complement this traditional surveillance by measuring symptoms and health behavior of a population with minimal time delay. Flusurvey, the UK's largest crowd-sourced platform for surveillance of influenza, collects routine data on more than 6000 voluntary participants and offers real-time estimates of ILI circulation. However, one criticism of this method of surveillance is that it is only able to assess ILI, rather than virologically confirmed influenza. OBJECTIVE: We designed a pilot study to see if it was feasible to ask individuals from the Flusurvey platform to perform a self-swabbing task and to assess whether they were able to collect samples with a suitable viral content to detect an influenza virus in the laboratory. METHODS: Virological swabbing kits were sent to pilot study participants, who then monitored their ILI symptoms over the influenza season (2014-2015) through the Flusurvey platform. If they reported ILI, they were asked to undertake self-swabbing and return the swabs to a Public Health England laboratory for multiplex respiratory virus polymerase chain reaction testing. RESULTS: A total of 700 swab kits were distributed at the start of the study; from these, 66 participants met the definition for ILI and were asked to return samples. In all, 51 samples were received in the laboratory, 18 of which tested positive for a viral cause of ILI (35%). CONCLUSIONS: This demonstrated proof of concept that it is possible to apply self-swabbing for virological laboratory testing to an online cohort study. This pilot does not have significant numbers to validate whether Flusurvey surveillance accurately reflects influenza infection in the community, but highlights that the methodology is feasible. Self-swabbing could be expanded to larger online surveillance activities, such as during the initial stages of a pandemic, to understand community transmission or to better assess interseasonal activity
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