Methodology to Analyze Tropical Cyclone Intensity from Microwave Imagery

Satellites with microwave remote sensing capabilities can be utilized to study atmospheric phenomena through high-level cloud cover (particularly cirrus), an advantage over visible and infrared bands, which only sense cloud tops. This unique capability makes microwave imagery ideal for studying the cloud structures of tropical cyclones (TCs) in detail, and relating these features to TC intensity. Techniques to estimate the intensity of TCs using infrared imagery, such as the Dvorak technique, have been used in TC forecasting for 40 years. However, due to the inherent temporal limitations of microwave imagery, no such similar technique exists for the microwave spectrum. This study utilizes pattern recognition to develop a subjective technique for estimating TC intensity using microwave imagery. The dataset includes TC composite imagery from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (85 GHz), Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-Earth Observing System (89 GHz), Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (89 GHz), and the Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder (91 GHz) from the Atlantic basin, and aircraft reconnaissance data are used for verification. The composite imagery is binned into four categories to facilitate detection of common patterns for TCs of similar size and estimated intensity. This analysis provides the foundation for a new method to estimate TC intensity when aircraft data are unavailable. Multiple techniques are applied to explore relationships between brightness temperature values and TC intensity, and ten test cases in the Western Pacific basin are presented to validate the results. Five out of the ten TCs were classified correctly applying the microwave intensity techniques developed by this analysis

Pathogens, Social Networks, and the Paradox of Transmission Scaling

Understanding the scaling of transmission is critical to predicting how infectious diseases will affect populations of different sizes and densities. The two classic “mean-field” epidemic models—either assuming density-dependent or frequency-dependent transmission—make predictions that are discordant with patterns seen in either within-population dynamics or across-population comparisons. In this paper, we propose that the source of this inconsistency lies in the greatly simplifying “mean-field” assumption of transmission within a fully-mixed population. Mixing in real populations is more accurately represented by a network of contacts, with interactions and infectious contacts confined to the local social neighborhood. We use network models to show that density-dependent transmission on heterogeneous networks often leads to apparent frequency dependency in the scaling of transmission across populations of different sizes. Network-methodology allows us to reconcile seemingly conflicting patterns of within- and across-population epidemiology

Is the incidence of depressive disorders increased following cerebral concussion?

Q: Is the incidence of depressive disorders increased following cerebral concussion? Evidence-based answer: yes, in some populations. Youth and adolescents with self-reported history of concussion had increased risk of depressive disorders (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, based on a prospective cohort study and a retrospective cohort study). Evidence was inconsistent for college athletes. Athletes with ≥ 3 concussions exhibited more depressive disorders, but no association was observed for those with 1 or 2 concussions compared to nonconcussion injuries (SOR: B, based on a cross-sectional study, a small prospective cohort study, and a case-control study). In semiprofessional and professional athletes, evidence was variable and may be sport related. Retired rugby players with a history of concussion showed no increase in depression compared to controls with no concussion history (SOR: B, based on a case-control study). Retired football players with previous concussions displayed increased incidence of depression, especially after ≥ 3 concussions (SOR: B, based on a prospective cohort study and a small case-control study). There is a significant risk of bias in these studies because of their reliance on self-reported concussions, differing definitions of depression, and possible unmeasured confounders in the study designs, making a causative relationship between concussion and depression unclear.Jason W. Deck, MD; Thomas Kern, MD; LaMont Cavanagh, MD; Matthew Bartow, DO; Franklin T. Perkins III, MD (Department of Family and Community Medicine, OU-TU School of Community Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Tulsa); Toni Hoberecht, MA, MLIS, AHIP; Alyssa Migdalski, MLIS (Schusterman Library, University of Oklahoma-Tulsa

Poligami dalam Hukum Islam dan Hukum Positif Indonesia Serta Urgensi Pemberian Izin Poligam di Pengadilan Agama

Penulisan artikel ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dasar hukum berpoligami dalam hukum islam maupun hukum positif di Indonesia serta mengetahui bagaimana urgensi pemberian izin berpoligami di Pengadilan Agama. Dalam tulisan ini menggunakan pendekatan yuridis normatif dengan berbagai teori interpretasi. Pengadilan Agama merupakan lembaga peradilan dibawah Mahkamah Agung yang sangat penting dalam menangani permasalahan mengenai sengketa yang berhubungan dengan agama Islam. Mulai dari perkawinan, kewarisan, wasiat, hibah, wakaf, zakat, infak, sedekah, sampai ekonomi syariah menjadi tugas dan wewenang dari Pengadilan Agama yang sesuai dengan Pasal 49 dan 50 UU No.7 Tahun 1989 tentang Pengadilan Agama yang telah diamandemen dengan UU No.3 Tahun 2006. Dalam Pasal 4 ayat (1) UU No. 1 Tahun 1974 tentang Perkawinan, apabila seorang suami ingin beristri lebih dari seorang maka wajib mengajukan permohonan kepada Pengadilan di daerah tempat tinggalnya (yaitu Pengadilan Agama). Diatur pula dalam pasal-pasal berikutnya dalam pengajuan poligami harus memenuhi syarat-syarat yang sudah ditentukan menurut UU Perkawinan. Pengaturan tentang poligami di hukum positif seakan mempersulit suami untuk poligami, sedangkan hukum islam sendiri tidak terlalu mempersulit seorang suami untuk poligami. Oleh karena itu kedua hukum ini harus saling sinkron agar tidak menimbulkan suatu permasalahan dalam perkawinan khususnya poligami

Reproductive Failure in UK Harbour Porpoises Phocoena phocoena : Legacy of Pollutant Exposure?

This research was supported by a Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowship within the Seventh European Community Framework Programme (Project Cetacean-stressors, PIOF-GA-2010-276145 to PDJ and SM). Additional funding was provided through the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas (ASCOBANS) (Grants SSFA/2008 and SSFA / ASCOBANS / 2010 / 5 to SM). Analysis of Scottish reproductive and teeth samples was funded by the EC-funded BIOCET project (BIOaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants in small CETaceans in European waters: transport pathways and impact on reproduction, grant EVK3-2000-00027 to GJP), and Marine Scotland (GJP). Samples examined in this research were collected under the collaborative Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (http://ukstrandings.org/), which is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the UK’s Devolved Administrations in Scotland and Wales (http://sciencesearch.defra.gov.uk/Defaul​t.aspx?Menu=Menu&Module=More&Location=No​ne&Completed=0&ProjectID=15331) (grants to PDJ, RD). UK Defra also funded the chemical analysis under a service-level agreement with the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (grants to RJL, JB). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Brain injury after cardiac arrest

Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Elsevier LtdAs more people are surviving cardiac arrest, focus needs to shift towards improving neurological outcomes and quality of life in survivors. Brain injury after resuscitation, a common sequela following cardiac arrest, ranges in severity from mild impairment to devastating brain injury and brainstem death. Effective strategies to minimise brain injury after resuscitation include early intervention with cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation, restoration of normal physiology, and targeted temperature management. It is important to identify people who might have a poor outcome, to enable informed choices about continuation or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments. Multimodal prediction guidelines seek to avoid premature withdrawal in those who might survive with a good neurological outcome, or prolonging treatment that might result in survival with severe disability. Approximately one in three admitted to intensive care will survive, many of whom will need intensive, tailored rehabilitation after discharge to have the best outcomes.Peer reviewe

The Influence of Antenatal Partner Support on Pregnancy Outcomes

BACKGROUND: While there has been considerable attention given to the multitude of maternal factors that contribute to perinatal conditions and poor birth outcomes, few studies have aimed to understand the impact of fathers or partners. We examined associations of antenatal partner support with psychological variables, smoking behavior, and pregnancy outcomes in two socioeconomically distinct prebirth cohorts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were from 1764 women recruited from an urban-suburban group practice (Project Viva) and 877 women from urban community health centers (Project ACCESS), both in the Boston area. Antenatal partner support was assessed by the Turner Support Scale. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses determined the impact of low antenatal partner support on the outcomes of interest. RESULTS: In early pregnancy, 6.4% of Viva and 23.0% of ACCESS participants reported low partner support. After adjustment, low partner support was cross-sectionally associated with high pregnancy-related anxiety in both cohorts (Viva AOR 1.8; 95% CI: 1.0-3.4 and ACCESS AOR 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1-3.3) and with depression in ACCESS (AOR 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1-3.3). In Viva, low partner support was also related to depression mid-pregnancy (AOR 3.1; 95% CI: 1.7-5.7) and to smoking (AOR 2.2; 95% CI: 1.3-3.8). Birth weight, gestational age, and fetal growth were not associated with partner support. CONCLUSIONS: This study of two economically and ethnically distinct cohorts in the Boston area highlights higher levels of antenatal anxiety, depression, and smoking among pregnant women who report low partner support. Partner support may be an important and potentially modifiable target for interventions to improve pregnancy outcomes

Statistical competencies for medical research learners: What is fundamental?

IntroductionIt is increasingly essential for medical researchers to be literate in statistics, but the requisite degree of literacy is not the same for every statistical competency in translational research. Statistical competency can range from 'fundamental' (necessary for all) to 'specialized' (necessary for only some). In this study, we determine the degree to which each competency is fundamental or specialized.MethodsWe surveyed members of 4 professional organizations, targeting doctorally trained biostatisticians and epidemiologists who taught statistics to medical research learners in the past 5 years. Respondents rated 24 educational competencies on a 5-point Likert scale anchored by 'fundamental' and 'specialized.'ResultsThere were 112 responses. Nineteen of 24 competencies were fundamental. The competencies considered most fundamental were assessing sources of bias and variation (95%), recognizing one's own limits with regard to statistics (93%), identifying the strengths, and limitations of study designs (93%). The least endorsed items were meta-analysis (34%) and stopping rules (18%).ConclusionWe have identified the statistical competencies needed by all medical researchers. These competencies should be considered when designing statistical curricula for medical researchers and should inform which topics are taught in graduate programs and evidence-based medicine courses where learners need to read and understand the medical research literature

Body size data collected non-invasively from drone images indicate a morphologically distinct Chilean blue whale (Blaenoptera musculus) taxon

© The Author(s), 2020. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Leslie, M. S., Perkins-Taylor, C. M., Durban, J. W., Moore, M. J., Miller, C. A., Chanarat, P., Bahamonde, P., Chiang, G., & Apprill, A. Body size data collected non-invasively from drone images indicate a morphologically distinct Chilean blue whale (Blaenoptera musculus) taxon. Endangered Species Research, 43, (2020): 291-304, https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01066.The blue whale Balaenoptera musculus (Linnaeus, 1758) was the target of intense commercial whaling in the 20th century, and current populations remain drastically below pre-whaling abundances. Reducing uncertainty in subspecific taxonomy would enable targeted conservation strategies for the recovery of unique intraspecific diversity. Currently, there are 2 named blue whale subspecies in the temperate to polar Southern Hemisphere: the Antarctic blue whale B. m. intermedia and the pygmy blue whale B. m. brevicauda. These subspecies have distinct morphologies, genetics, and acoustics. In 2019, the Society for Marine Mammalogy’s Committee on Taxonomy agreed that evidence supports a third (and presently unnamed) subspecies of Southern Hemisphere blue whale subspecies, the Chilean blue whale. Whaling data indicate that the Chilean blue whale is intermediate in body length between pygmy and Antarctic blue whales. We collected body size data from blue whales in the Gulfo Corcovado, Chile, during the austral summers of 2015 and 2017 using aerial photogrammetry from a remotely controlled drone to test the hypothesis that the Chilean blue whale is morphologically distinct from other Southern Hemisphere blue whale subspecies. We found the Chilean whale to be morphologically intermediate in both overall body length and relative tail length, thereby joining other diverse data in supporting the Chilean blue whale as a unique subspecific taxon. Additional photogrammetry studies of Antarctic, pygmy, and Chilean blue whales will help examine unique morphological variation within this species of conservation concern. To our knowledge, this is the first non-invasive small drone study to test a hypothesis for systematic biology.We are thankful to Foundation MERI (Melimoyu Ecosystem Research Institute) for logistical and funding support. Cruise support in 2017 was provided by the Dalio Foundation (now ‘OceanX’)

Patient, health service factors and variation in mortality following resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in acute coronary syndrome : analysis of the Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project

Aims To determine patient and health service factors associated with variation in hospital mortality among resuscitated cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods In this cohort study, we used the Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project database to study outcomes in patients hospitalised with resuscitated OHCA due to ACS between 2003 and 2015 in the United Kingdom. We analysed variation in inter-hospital mortality and used hierarchical multivariable regression models to examine the association between patient and health service factors with hospital mortality. Results We included 17604 patients across 239 hospitals. Overall hospital mortality was 28.7%. In 94 hospitals that contributed at least 60 cases, mortality by hospital ranged from 10.7% to 66.3% (median 28.6%, IQR 23.2% to 39.1%)). Patient and health service factors explained 36.1% of this variation. After adjustment for covariates, factors associated with higher hospital mortality included increasing serum glucose, ST-Elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) diagnosis, and initial admission to a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) capable hospital. Hospital OHCA volume was not associated with mortality. The key modifiable factor associated with lower mortality was early reperfusion therapy in STEMI patients. Conclusion There was wide variation in inter-hospital mortality following resuscitated OHCA due to ACS that was only partially explained by patient and health service factors. Hospital OHCA volume and pPCI capability were not associated with lower mortality. Early reperfusion therapy was associated with lower mortality in STEMI patients