Trends in total column ozone measurements

It is important to ensure the best available data are used in any determination of possible trends in total ozone in order to have the most accurate estimates of any trends and the associated uncertainties. Accordingly, the existing total ozone records were examined in considerable detail. Once the best data set has been produced, the statistical analysis must examine the data for any effects that might indicate changes in the behavior of global total ozone. The changes at any individual measuring station could be local in nature, and herein, particular attention was paid to the seasonal and latitudinal variations of total ozone, because two dimensional photochemical models indicate that any changes in total ozone would be most pronounced at high latitudes during the winter months. The conclusions derived from this detailed examination of available total ozone can be split into two categories, one concerning the quality and the other the statistical analysis of the total ozone record

Initial Results of DC Electric Fields, Associated Plasma Drifts, Magnetic Fields, and Plasma Waves Observed on the C/NOFS Satellite

Initial results are presented from the Vector Electric Field Investigation (VEFI) on the Air Force Communication/Navigation Outage Forecasting System (C/NOFS) satellite, a mission designed to understand, model, and forecast the presence of equatorial ionospheric irregularities. The VEFI instrument includes a vector DC electric field detector, a fixed-bias Langmuir probe operating in the ion saturation regime, a flux gate magnetometer, an optical lightning detector, and associated electronics including a burst memory. Compared to data obtained during more active solar conditions, the ambient DC electric fields and their associated E x B drifts are variable and somewhat weak, typically < 1 mV/m. Although average drift directions show similarities to those previously reported, eastward/outward during day and westward/downward at night, this pattern varies significantly with longitude and is not always present. Daytime vertical drifts near the magnetic equator are largest after sunrise, with smaller average velocities after noon. Little or no pre-reversal enhancement in the vertical drift near sunset is observed, attributable to the solar minimum conditions creating a much reduced neutral dynamo at the satellite altitude. The nighttime ionosphere is characterized by larger amplitude, structured electric fields, even where the plasma density appears nearly quiescent. Data from successive orbits reveal that the vertical drifts and plasma density are both clearly organized with longitude. The spread-F density depletions and corresponding electric fields that have been detected thus far have displayed a preponderance to appear between midnight and dawn. Associated with the narrow plasma depletions that are detected are broad spectra of electric field and plasma density irregularities for which a full vector set of measurements is available for detailed study. Finally, the data set includes a wide range of ELF/VLF/HF oscillations corresponding to a variety of plasma waves, in particular banded ELF hiss, whistlers, and lower hybrid wave turbulence triggered by lightning-induced sferics. The VEFI data represents a new set of measurements that are germane to numerous fundamental aspects of the electrodynamics and irregularities inherent to the Earth's low latitude ionosphere

Making sense of methods – a conversation about qualitative research in library and information studies

Currently there is an embarrassment of riches with regards to the range of research methods appropriate for library and information studies [LIS]; including qualitative and quantitative methods as well as ‘mixed methods’. All of this provides a rich body of resources for researchers, but this abundance also has a downside since it can also result in confusion and perplexity amongst researchers as they plan their investigative studies. Contributions such as this special issue are welcome opportunities to resolve and ameliorate this situation, and so in our contribution we seek to address some of these issues in the form of an interchange between two researchers with interests that include, but are not limited to, research in LIS. Between us we have a wide range of publications, as well as 80 plus PhD completions, many of which fall under the heading of LIS – broadly conceived. In particular we would claim specific expertise in Grounded Theory [Bryant] and Action Research [Abbott-Halpin]. Our aim is to seek clarification of some of the key methodological issues; although we realize that this is unlikely to provide any definitive outcome, it may assist those seeking guidance on these matters

Effect of various crop and pasture species on the growth of a subsequent wheat crop

83WH29: The effect of various crop and pasture species on the growth of a subsequent wheat crop. Aim: To characterise the effect of various crop and pasture species on the growth and yield components of a subsequent wheat crop with special emphasis on the nitrogen nutrition of that crop. To provide validation data for modelling wheat growth and nitrogen uptake. Measurements: Factors to be monitored through time were; Soil moisture profiles; Mineral nitrogen profiles; Root growth profiles; Top growth and nitrogen uptake; Development score; Incidence of disease and pests. Seasonal notes, trial design, weed diseases and pests. Results: The results are presented in the following tables. As yet they have not been subject to statistical analysis and conclusions drawn from them should be treated with caution. Table 1. Records the rainfall at WHRS in 1984. Table 2. 1983 production and estimates of nitrogen balance. Table 3. Summer dry matter balance. Table 4. Mineral nitrogen levels. Table 5. Anthesis cuts and yield components. Table 6. Dry matter production through time. Table 7. Soil nitrogen profiles. Table 8. Root lengths. Table 9. ZADOK development scores. Table 10. Water use to 2 metres depth. Table 11. Pre anthesis water use by depth. Table 12. Post anthesis water use by depth

Genetic parameters and genomic regions associated with piglet response to vaccination for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus and co-infection with PRRS virus and porcine circovirus type 2b (PCV2b)

Citation: Dunkelberger, J. R., Serao, N. V. L., Kerrigan, M. A., Lunney, J. K., Rowland, R. R. R., & Dekkers, J. C. M. (2016). Genetic parameters and genomic regions associated with piglet response to vaccination for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus and co-infection with PRRS virus and porcine circovirus type 2b (PCV2b). Journal of Animal Science, 94, 52-53. doi:10.2527/msasas2016-112Objectives of this research were to estimate genetic parameters and to identify genomic regions associated with PRRS viral load (VL), PCV2b VL, and average daily gain (ADG) in nursery pigs vaccinated or non-vaccinated for PRRS virus (PRRSV), followed by co-infection with PRRSV and PCV2b. Data used included 396 commercial crossbred pigs from two PRRS Host Genetics Consortium trials, all from the same genetic supplier. Pigs were sent to Kansas State University after weaning and randomly sorted into two rooms. All pigs in one room were vaccinated for PRRS, and 28 d later, pigs in both rooms were co-infected with PRRSV and PCV2b, followed for 42 d, and genotyped using the 80K BeadChip. PRRS VL after vaccination and post co-infection and PCV2b VL were calculated as area under the curve of serum viremia from ?28 to 0, 0 to 21, and 0 to 42 d post co-infection, respectively. Genetic parameters were estimated by fitting multivariate animal models in ASReml4 with litter and pen (trial) as additional random effects. Trait-specific fixed effects of trial and weight and age at vaccination were also fitted. Genome-wide association (GWA) studies were performed by fitting SNPs as fixed effects one at a time in bivariate animal models for the non-vaccinated (Non-Vx) and vaccinated (Vx) groups for each trait. Heritability estimates following vaccination were 0.31, 0.07, and 0.10 for ADG Non-Vx, ADG Vx, and PRRS Vx, respectively. During the co-infection period, heritability estimates were slightly higher at 0.53, 0.57, 0.56, 0.20, 0.18, and 0.15 for ADG Non-Vx, ADG Vx, PRRS Non-Vx, PRRS Vx, PCV2b Non-Vx, and PCV2b Vx, respectively. Standard errors ranged from 0.14 to 0.22. A strong, positive genetic correlation (0.95 ± 1.01) was observed for PRRS VL post-vaccination with PRRS VL Non-Vx. Unique genomic regions were identified between Vx and Non-Vx pigs for each trait, the most significant of which was identified for PCV2b VL and located near the major histocompatibility complex, an important region for response to infection. The chromosome 4 region, which has been associated with VL following PRRSV-only infection, was associated with PRRS VL Non-Vx but not PRRS Vx or PRRS VL post-vaccination. Together, these results suggest that selection for improved performance under co-infection of PRRS and PCV2b is possible. Additionally, identification of unique genomic regions between Vx and Non-Vx pigs may enable selection of pigs with better response to vaccination. This research was supported by USDA-NIFA grants 2012–38420–19286 and 2013–68004–20362

Cost-effectiveness of adding indoor residual spraying to case management in Afghan refugee settlements in Northwest Pakistan during a prolonged malaria epidemic.

INTRODUCTION: Financing of malaria control for displaced populations is limited in scope and duration, making cost-effectiveness analyses relevant but difficult. This study analyses cost-effectiveness of adding prevention through targeted indoor residual spraying (IRS) to case management in Afghan refugee settlements in Pakistan during a prolonged malaria epidemic. METHODS/FINDINGS: An intervention study design was selected, taking a societal perspective. Provider and household costs of vector control and case management were collected from provider records and community survey. Health outcomes (e.g. cases and DALYs averted) were derived and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for cases prevented and DALYs averted calculated. Population, treatment cost, women's time, days of productivity lost, case fatality rate, cases prevented, and DALY assumptions were tested in sensitivity analysis. Malaria incidence peaked at 44/1,000 population in year 2, declining to 14/1,000 in year 5. In total, 370,000 malaria cases, 80% vivax, were diagnosed and treated and an estimated 67,988 vivax cases and 18,578 falciparum and mixed cases prevented. Mean annual programme cost per capita was US$0.56. The additional cost of including IRS over five years per case prevented was US$39; US$50 for vivax (US$43 in years 1-3, US$80 in years 4-5) and US$182 for falciparum (US$139 in years 1-3 and US$680 in years 4-5). Per DALY averted this was US$266 (US$220 in years 1-3 and US$486 in years 4-5) and thus 'highly cost-effective' or cost-effective using WHO and comparison thresholds. CONCLUSIONS: Adding IRS was cost-effective in this moderate endemicity, low mortality setting. It was more cost-effective when transmission was highest, becoming less so as transmission reduced. Because vivax was three times more common than falciparum and the case fatality rate was low, cost-effectiveness estimations for cases prevented appear reliable and more definitive for vivax malaria

Quenched QCD with O(a) improvement: I. The spectrum of light hadrons

We present a comprehensive study of the masses of pseudoscalar and vector mesons, as well as octet and decuplet baryons computed in O(a) improved quenched lattice QCD. Results have been obtained using the non-perturbative definition of the improvement coefficient c_sw, and also its estimate in tadpole improved perturbation theory. We investigate effects of improvement on the incidence of exceptional configurations, mass splittings and the parameter J. By combining the results obtained using non-perturbative and tadpole improvement in a simultaneous continuum extrapolation we can compare our spectral data to experiment. We confirm earlier findings by the CP-PACS Collaboration that the quenched light hadron spectrum agrees with experiment at the 10% level.Comment: 36 pages, 7 postscript figures, REVTEX; typo in Table XVIII corrected; extended discussion of finite-size effects in sections III and VII; version to appear in Phys. Rev.

Boreal forest fire emissions in fresh Canadian smoke plumes: C_1-C_(10) volatile organic compounds (VOCs), CO_2, CO, NO_2, NO, HCN and CH_3CN

Boreal regions comprise about 17% of the global land area, and they both affect and are influenced by climate change. To better understand boreal forest fire emissions and plume evolution, 947 whole air samples were collected aboard the NASA DC-8 research aircraft in summer 2008 as part of the ARCTAS-B field mission, and analyzed for 79 non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) using gas chromatography. Together with simultaneous measurements of CO_2, CO, CH_4, CH_2O, NO_2, NO, HCN and CH_3CN, these measurements represent the most comprehensive assessment of trace gas emissions from boreal forest fires to date. Based on 105 air samples collected in fresh Canadian smoke plumes, 57 of the 80 measured NMVOCs (including CH_2O) were emitted from the fires, including 45 species that were quantified from boreal forest fires for the first time. After CO_2, CO and CH_4, the largest emission factors (EFs) for individual species were formaldehyde (2.1 ± 0.2 g kg^(−1)), followed by methanol, NO_2, HCN, ethene, α-pinene, β-pinene, ethane, benzene, propene, acetone and CH_3CN. Globally, we estimate that boreal forest fires release 2.4 ± 0.6 Tg C yr^(−1) in the form of NMVOCs, with approximately 41% of the carbon released as C_1-C_2 NMVOCs and 21% as pinenes. These are the first reported field measurements of monoterpene emissions from boreal forest fires, and we speculate that the pinenes, which are relatively heavy molecules, were detected in the fire plumes as the result of distillation of stored terpenes as the vegetation is heated. Their inclusion in smoke chemistry models is expected to improve model predictions of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. The fire-averaged EF of dichloromethane or CH_2Cl_2, (6.9 ± 8.6) × 10^(−4)gkg^(−1), was not significantly different from zero and supports recent findings that its global biomass burning source appears to have been overestimated. Similarly, we found no evidence for emissions of chloroform (CHCl_3) or methyl chloroform (CH_3CCl_3) from boreal forest fires. The speciated hydrocarbon measurements presented here show the importance of carbon released by short-chain NMVOCs, the strong contribution of pinene emissions from boreal forest fires, and the wide range of compound classes in the most abundantly emitted NMVOCs, all of which can be used to improve biomass burning inventories in local/global models and reduce uncertainties in model estimates of trace gas emissions and their impact on the atmosphere

Validation of a general measure of treatment satisfaction, the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM), using a national panel study of chronic disease

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to develop and psychometrically evaluate a general measure of patients' satisfaction with medication, the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM). METHODS: The content and format of 55 initial questions were based on a formal conceptual framework, an extensive literature review, and the input from three patient focus groups. Patient interviews were used to select the most relevant questions for further evaluation (n = 31). The psychometric performance of items and resulting TSQM scales were examined using eight diverse patient groups (arthritis, asthma, major depression, type I diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, migraine, and psoriasis) recruited from a national longitudinal panel study of chronic illness (n = 567). Participants were then randomized to complete the test items using one of two alternate scaling methods (Visual Analogue vs. Likert-type). RESULTS: A factor analysis (principal component extraction with varimax rotation) of specific items revealed three factors (Eigenvalues > 1.7) explaining 75.6% of the total variance; namely Side effects (4 items, 28.4%, Cronbach's Alpha = .87), Effectiveness (3 items, 24.1%, Cronbach's Alpha = .85), and Convenience (3 items, 23.1%, Cronbach's Alpha = .87). A second factor analysis of more generally worded items yielded a Global Satisfaction scale (3 items, Eigenvalue = 2.3, 79.1%, Cronbach's Alpha = .85). The final four scales possessed good psychometric properties, with the Likert-type scaling method performing better than the VAS approach. Significant differences were found on the TSQM by the route of medication administration (oral, injectable, topical, inhalable), level of illness severity, and length of time on medication. Regression analyses using the TSQM scales accounted for 40–60% of variation in patients' ratings of their likelihood to persist with their current medication. CONCLUSION: The TSQM is a psychometrically sound and valid measure of the major dimensions of patients' satisfaction with medication. Preliminary evidence suggests that the TSQM may also be a good predictor of patients' medication adherence across different types of medication and patient populations