A plasma vortex revisited: The importance of including ionospheric conductivity measurements

In an earlier paper [Kosch et al., 1998], simultaneous all-sky TV imager and Scandinavian Twin Auroral Radar Experiment (STARE) observations of an ionospheric plasma vortex located poleward of an auroral arc were presented. The vortex is associated with a sudden brightening of the arc and corresponds to an ionospheric region of diverging horizontal electric fields, which is equivalent to a downward field-aligned current (FAC), i.e., the closure current for the upward current above the arc. This event has been revisited because of the subsequent availability of data from the Scandinavian Magnetometer Array. These data, combined with STARE electric fields, have been used to determine the real ionospheric conductance distribution throughout the field of view. As a result, a more realistic, quantitative picture of the current system associated with the arc is obtained than was possible in an earlier model based on an assumed constant conductance. In particular, a complete macroscopic electrodynamic description of a plasma vortex, composed of ionospheric conductances, true horizontal currents, and FACs, is obtained for the first time. It is shown that the plasma vortex corresponds to an area of decreased conductance, thus broadening the FAC distribution and reducing the current density compared to the earlier results. The study illustrates that horizontal conductance gradients should not be neglected when computing FACs

Distribution of ozone between 60 deg North and 60 deg South

The distribution of total column ozone is investigated, using data from the TOMS (Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer) experiment aboard the US Nimbus 7 satellite. The region of interest extends from 60 North to 60 South, encircling the earth. Data for several years have been used in order to assess the long-term variations in the distribution of total column ozone. First results are presented on the seasonal variability of total column ozone in each hemisphere. The effects of the seasons are strongest at the highest latitudes but can still be discerned at the equator. While the variations are similar in the two hemispheres, ozone levels in the north are larger than in the south. Strong similarities are also found in the drift patterns of total column ozone in the two hemispheres. These drift patterns are compared to meteorological phenomena. We find an almost stationary ozone distribution drifts eastward in both hemispheres and this drift shows a seasonal variation. At very high latitudes (70 deg and higher) during spring in the southern hemisphere the ozone distribution is once again almost stationary, indicating that these regions are inside the polar vortex

A profile of UK doctoral candidates in social work and social care

One important indication of the strength of a discipline is the state of its doctoral research. An important milestone for the official recognition of social work in the UK has been its inclusion in Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) doctoral funding schemes. The current study assesses the longer-term impact of these schemes, via a 2013 survey, following up a previous one in 2008. A web-based survey of social work doctoral candidates in the UK (n = 216) was conducted, to profile student demographics, research topics, methods, challenges of and supports for doctoral work. Most doctoral candidates (70 per cent) were using a primarily qualitative research strategy and only 4 per cent were using a primarily quantitative approach. Social work doctoral candidates were slightly less satisfied with their research degree programme than the general population of doctoral students. Key areas of similarity with the 2008 survey included the demographical profile (gender, age, ethnicity) and the percentage who were qualified social workers; key differences included increased percentages of candidates who were registered full time, funded by the ESRC and doing a Ph.D., as opposed to a professional doctorate. The findings highlight a need for capacity building in quantitative research methods and improved support for this academic community

Non-native fold of the putative VPS39 zinc finger domain

Background: The multi-subunit homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting (HOPS) membrane-tethering complex is involved in regulating the fusion of late endosomes and autophagosomes with lysosomes in eukaryotes. The C-terminal regions of several HOPS components have been shown to be required for correct complex assembly, including the C-terminal really interesting new gene (RING) zinc finger domains of HOPS components VPS18 and VPS41. We sought to structurally characterise the putative C-terminal zinc finger domain of VPS39, which we hypothesised may be important for binding of VPS39 to cellular partners or to other HOPS components. Methods: We recombinantly expressed, purified and solved the crystal structure of the proposed zinc-binding region of VPS39. Results: In the structure, this region forms an anti-parallel β-hairpin that is incorporated into a homotetrameric eight-stranded β-barrel. However, the fold is stabilised by coordination of zinc ions by residues from the purification tag and an intramolecular disulphide bond between two predicted zinc ligands. Conclusions: We solved the structure of the VPS39 C-terminal domain adopting a non-native fold. Our work highlights the risk of non-native folds when purifying small zinc-containing domains with hexahistidine tags. However, the non-native structure we observe may have implications for rational protein design.This work was supported by a Sir Henry Dale Fellowship (098406), jointly funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Royal Society (to SCG). BGB is a Wellcome Trust PhD student. Remote synchrotron access was supported in part by the EU FP7 infrastructure grant BIOSTRUCT-X (Contract No. 283570

Solar proton effects on austral ozone during the final months of 1989

Intense solar activity during 1989 prompted six major particle events. Four of these occurred between August and December. Energetic solar protons are a natural source of ozone depletion due to the nitric oxides they produce in the polar atmospheres. In particular, modelling (Reid et al., 1991) of an event that peaked on October 20 (with greater than 10 MeV proton flux of 73000 particles sq cm s(exp -1) ster(exp -1) yields 55 percent column density enhancements of NO over the southern polar cap. Total column ozone data from the total ozone ,mapping spectrometer (TOMS) instrument aboard the Nimbus 7 satellite used at times when solar illumination facilitates measurements by TOMS over the entire southern polar regions. The impact of odd nitrogen enhancements on the spatial extent of low total column ozone and of the total ozone mass, over a region August to December. Comparisons are made with previous years (1984 to 1988) of moderate solar activity. The effect, if any, of these events on ozone during times of heterogeneous chlorine chemistry and dynamic processes is discussed

Comparing fathers and mothers who have social work contact: a research note

High quality evidence about the characteristics of fathers who have contact with social workers is relatively scant. This research note uses a British birth cohort study, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (n=13,988), to describe and compare the characteristics of fathers and mothers who have had contact with a social worker and to examine the predictors of social work contact. The research note demonstrates the use of classification trees, as an alternative approach to logistic regression, for predicting social work contact. Classification trees have the advantage of not requiring researchers to specify interactions in advance and allow for the creation of more complicated predictive models. Just four variables predicted social work contact in the classification tree model: the respondent having experienced a job loss over the last year, alcohol problems, depression, and emotional cruelty from a partner. We find that the gender of the respondent did not help predict social work contact after other factors are accounted for, and the predictors of social work contact were similar for both fathers and mothers

The vertical distribution of ozone at Pretoria from July 1990 to June 1991 and its changes

Total ozone and the vertical distribution of ozone were measured at Pretoria between 1965 and 1968. Total ozone measurements recommenced in Pretoria in August 1989, and measurements of the vertical distribution of ozone near Pretoria recommenced in July 1990. Relative to the earlier data, mean monthly total ozone values are significantly higher in all months, with a mean annual relative increase of 12 percent. The recent profiles show a significant increase in the mean monthly concentration of ozone in the lowest 12 km. Concurrent to this increase a relative decrease in ozone concentration is shown between 12 and 42 km. The increased ozone concentration in the lower troposphere may be related to urbanization and the increase in ozone-forming nitrogen oxides over the last two decades. It is suggested that the decreased ozone concentration in the stratosphere and upper troposphere is evidence of the global decrease in the mid-latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere

Paradoxical evidence on ethnic inequities in child welfare: towards a research agenda

This paper aims to compare developments in theory and evidence about ethnic disparities in the USA with findings from the Child Welfare Inequalities Project in England with a view to identifying key issues for a future research agenda. It has a particular focus on the relevance of the concept of the Hispanic Paradox for disparate intervention rates between ethnic populations in England. Three key theoretical dimensions for explaining such disparities are identified and outlined: artefactual, demand and supply factors. Findings from the study in England are then introduced to explore the relevance of these dimensions in a data set of over 14,000 individual children who were either on child protection plans (with substantiated child abuse or neglect) or who were ‘looked after children: in out-of-home care, at the 31st March 2015. While some ethnic populations were experiencing much more difficult average socio-economic circumstances (SEC) than others (using deprivation scores for small neighbourhoods as a proxy measure of family SEC), such factors were only a partial explanation for differential intervention rates between ethnic groups. Overall, large differences in intervention rates were found between ethnic categories and sub-categories which also confounded simply attributing disparities to either cultural differences, such as family patterns, or to individual or institutionalised discrimination. The potential for cost saving if intervention rates could match those ethnic groups with the lowest levels of service use would be considerable. More research is needed to ensure that data is comprehensive, reliable and valid, that there is better understanding of how socio-economic factors affect service demand and what characteristics of different ethnic populations and different approaches to service provision contribute to differential intervention rates. Key elements of such a research agenda are identified

Pragmatic trials of non-NHS interventions: experiences from a Randomised Controlled Trial of the Strengthening Families 10-14 UK Programme (SFP10-14 UK)

Background: Pragmatic trials of public health interventions outside the NHS are relatively scarce, much needed and face particular challenges. These include funding, of intervention costs in particular; trial implementation in professional and organisational cultures unused to randomised trial procedures, including randomisation, maintaining the counterfactual, recruitment; and relevance of findings for and translation into policy and practice. Objectives: The current NPRI funded trial of SFP 10-14 UK is presented as a case study to discuss these issues, solutions and remaining barriers. The SFP 10-14 UK programme aims to strengthen areas of family life that protect against substance misuse, for example, parenting, communication, and young people’s resilience skills. The SFP 10-14 UK is being delivered by statutory and voluntary agencies in six local authority areas across Wales, and is offered to mixed groups comprised of families from the general population, and families who may experience/present challenges within a group setting. Methods: The trial aims to recruit 748 families, 374 of whom will be randomised to receive the usual services available to families within their local area. 374 families will receive the SFP 10-14 UK in addition to usual care. Families are identified by staff employed within the statutory services and voluntary sectors and referred to embedded research staff for recruitment. Results: Challenges encountered related to a lack of awareness of the randomised trial as a research paradigm among staff and key referring agencies, related concerns about the ethics of randomisation and the maintenance of the counterfactual among the usual care group, and challenges regarding the maintenance of recruitment and intervention fidelity. Whilst a challenge in itself, partnership working with delivery agencies, programme trainers, and the Welsh Assembly Government at all stages of the development, funding and conduct of the trial has proved an important strategy to overcome these issues. Conclusions: This trial seeks to generate evidence on the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the SFP10-14 UK which is of direct relevance to policy makers, commissioners and practitioners. The trial highlights that strategic partnership working, the winning of ‘hearts and minds’ regarding the ethics and operationalisation of randomisation, and maintaining the balance between internal and external validity are key areas of focus for the successful conduct of pragmatic trials in non-NHS settings. The lessons learnt from its implementation will be important for future multi-sector/agency policy trials and for role out of the intervention if found to be efficacious