Non-Gaussian density fields and their signatures in redshift surveys

The wealth of structure observed from galactic to super-cluster scales is believed to have formed through the gravitational collapse of tiny inhomogeneities that existed in the m atter field in the early universe. The origin of these inhomogeneities, however, is still a m atter of debate, and there are a number of theories that set out to explain their initiation. A possible distinguishing factor between these theories is the nature of the distribution of the primordial density fluctuations.This thesis is concerned with the measurement of the statistics of density fluctuations from redshift surveys with a view to placing constraints on the distribution of fluctuations in the primordial density field. The first approach considered is the effect of different statistical distributions on the evolution of the power spectrum into the highly non­linear regime. This has been explored by running N-body simulations with different non-Gaussian initial conditions, and comparing the locus of evolution from the linear to the non-linear power spectrum with that derived for initially Gaussian fields. The evolution of power for a field with x 2 initial conditions is used to form a test for the viability of an isocurvature %2 model which has been proposed in the literature. Higher order moments of evolved simulations of this model under various biasing schemes are then compared with existing measurements of higher order moments from the APM galaxy survey.aving investigated the evolution of the power spectrum of initially non-Gaussian fields, a natural progression is to consider higher order Fourier statistics as a test for non- Gaussian fields. A four-point Fourier based test is developed in which correlations be­tween the amplitude squared of the density modes (power modes) are compared with the Gaussian prediction, which is a function of the selection function only. The test has been applied to the combined QDOT and 1.2 Jy redshift surveys, and the results have enabled quantitative limits to be placed on a particular class of non-Gaussian models. The projected increase in sensitivity of the test for forthcoming surveys has also been calculated.The power correlations test is to some degree affected by redshift distortions, and ex­tensions to the test are developed to take into account their effect for spherical redshift surveys. The emphasis is then shifted, and the correlations between Fourier modes are used as a new method for measuring the redshift distortion parameter, ¡3. This approach does not rely on the distant observer approximation, and extensions have been made to deal with the mildly non-linear regime, in which the randomised velocities of galaxies in clusters damp the linear redshift distortions, and form the so called ‘fingers of god’. The method is applied to an ensemble of simulations to test its reliability, including some mock QDOT+1.2 Jy and PSCz surveys. Finally, the test is applied to the real QDOT+1.2 Jy survey, and an estimate found for the redshift distortion parameter, Β

Respondent Understanding in Discrete Choice Experiments : A Scoping Review

Acknowledgements The authors would like to acknowledge the contributions of Brendan Mulhern, who gave feedback on the initial project proposal and helped with the full-text reviews, and Bernadette Carr, the librarian who gave assistance developing and implementing the search strategy. Funding During part of this project, Alison Pearce was supported by a University of Technology Sydney Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellowship and the University of Technology Sydney International Researcher Development Scheme. Mark Harrison is supported by a Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar Award 2017 (#16813), and holds the UBC Professorship in Sustainable Health Care, which, between 2014 and 2017, was funded by Amgen Canada, AstraZeneca Canada, Eli Lilly Canada, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck Canada, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada, Pfizer Canada, Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada), Hoffman-La Roche, LifeScan Canada, and Lundbeck Canada. The Health Economics Research Unit (HERU) receives funding from the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Modifications to the representation of subgrid mixing in kilometre‐scale versions of the Unified Model

A mixed subgrid scheme for scalars and momentum fluxes in cloud‐resolving models which includes an extra subgrid vertical flux, referred to as “the Leonard term”, that accounts for the tilting of horizontal flux into the vertical by horizontal gradients in vertical velocity was proposed by Moeng. Here we describe the implementation of the Leonard term in the current subgrid mixing scheme used in kilometre‐scale versions of the Met Office's Unified Model. We present results that show that including this extra term in the Met Office's 1.5 km grid length UK model reduces the domain‐average precipitation by reducing the number of grid points with rainfall rates greater than 4 mm/hr‐1, which are over‐represented by the model. Increasing the magnitude of the Leonard terms further decreases the occurrence of the heaviest rainfall rates

Statistics of convective cloud turbulence from a comprehensive turbulence retrieval method for radar observations

Turbulent mixing processes are important in determining the evolution of convective clouds,and the production of convective precipitation. However, the exact nature of these impacts remains uncertain due to limited observations. Model simulations show that assumptions made in parametrizing turbulence can have a marked effect on the characteristics of simulated clouds. This leads to significant uncertainty in forecasts from convection‐permitting numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. This contribution presents a comprehensive method to retrieve turbulence using Doppler weather radar to investigate turbulence in observed clouds. This method involves isolating the turbulent component of the Doppler velocity spectrum width, expressing turbulence intensity as an eddy dissipation rate, ϵ. By applying this method throughout large datasets of observations collected over the southern United Kingdom using the (0.28° beam‐width) Chilbolton Advanced Meteorological Radar (CAMRa), statistics of convective cloud turbulence are presented. Two contrasting case days are examined: a shallow “shower” case, and a “deep convection” case, exhibiting stronger and deeper updraughts. In our observations, ϵ generally ranges from 10−3 to 10−1 m2/s3, with the largest values found within, around and above convective updraughts. Vertical profiles of ϵ suggest that turbulence is much stronger in deep convection; 95th percentile values increase with height from 0.03 to 0.1 m2/s3, compared to approximately constant values of 0.02–0.03 m2/s3 throughout the depth of shower cloud. In updraught regions on both days, the 95th percentile of ϵ has significant (p < 10−3) positive correlations with the updraught velocity, and the horizontal shear in the updraught velocity, with weaker positive correlations with updraught dimensions. The ϵ‐retrieval method presented considers a very broad range of conditions, providing a reliable framework for turbulence retrieval using high‐resolution Doppler weather radar. In applying this method across many observations, the derived turbulence statistics will form the basis for evaluating the parametrization of turbulence in NWP models

Foot health education for people with rheumatoid arthritis : the practitioner's perspective

Background: Patient education is considered to be a key role for podiatrists in the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patient education has undoubtedly led to improved clinical outcomes, however no attempts have been made to optimise its content or delivery to maximise benefits within the context of the foot affected by rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this study was to identify the nature and content of podiatrists' foot health education for people with RA. Any potential barriers to its provision were also explored. Methods: A focus group was conducted. The audio dialogue was recorded digitally, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a structured, thematic approach. The full transcription was verified by the focus group as an accurate account of what was said. The thematic analysis framework was verified by members of the research team to ensure validity of the data. Results: Twelve members (all female) of the north west Podiatry Clinical Effectiveness Group for Rheumatology participated. Six overarching themes emerged: (i) the essence of patient education; (ii) the content; (iii) patient-centred approach to content and timing; (iv) barriers to provision; (v) the therapeutic relationship; and (vi) tools of the trade. Conclusion: The study identified aspects of patient education that this group of podiatrists consider most important in relation to its: content, timing, delivery and barriers to its provision. General disease and foot health information in relation to RA together with a potential prognosis for foot health, the role of the podiatrist in management of foot health, and appropriate self-management strategies were considered to be key aspects of content, delivered according to the needs of the individual. Barriers to foot health education provision, including financial constraints and difficulties in establishing effective therapeutic relationships, were viewed as factors that strongly influenced foot health education provision. These data will contribute to the development of a patient-centred, negotiated approach to the provision of foot health education for people with RA

Fruit and Vegetable Intake, Food Security, Barriers to Healthy Eating, and Empowerment Among Dietetic Interns and Physician Assistant Interns: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

Students are required to complete supervised practice hours prior to becoming Registered Dietitians and Physician Assistants. Research suggests that environmental and social factors affect dietetic interns’ diets during their internship, although these factors have not been studied among physician assistant interns. This cross-sectional study utilized an online survey to compare dietetic interns’ (n = 81) and physician assistant interns’ (n = 79) fruit and vegetable intake, food security, barriers to healthy eating, and empowerment for making healthy dietary choices during an internship. Differences were assessed via independent t-tests and chi-square distributions. The significance was set at p \u3c 0.05. Dietetic interns had a higher vegetable intake (p = 0.002) while physician assistant interns had higher rates of food insecurity (p = 0.040). Dietetic interns reported a greater impact on their dietary choices due to mental fatigue (p = 0.006), while physician assistant interns’ dietary choices were more heavily impacted by peer influence, interactions with patients, and interactions with preceptors (p \u3c 0.05). There was not a group difference in overall empowerment (p = 0.157), although both groups rated empowerment for asking for help with food and nutrition challenges the lowest of the empowerment sub-items. Addressing interns’ unique needs may support students’ educational success and wellbeing once they are professionals, promote a diverse workforce, and ensure optimal care for patients

Determining the sources of nutrient flux to water in headwater catchments:Examining the speciation balance to inform the targeting of mitigation measures

Diffuse water pollution from agriculture (DWPA) is a major environmental concern, with significant adverse impacts on both human and ecosystem health. However,without an appropriate understanding of the multiple factors impacting on water, mitigation measures cannot be targeted. Therefore, this paper addresses this gap in understanding, reporting the hydrochemicalmonitoring evidence collected from the UK Government's Demonstration Test Catchments (DTC) programme including contrasting chalk and clay/mudstone catchments. We use data collected at daily and sub-daily frequency overmultiple sites to address: (1) How does the behaviour of the full range of nitrogen (N) species and phosphorus (P) fractions vary? (2) How do N species and P fractions vary inter- and intra-annually? (3)What do these data indicate about the primary pollution sources? And (4) which diffuse pollution mitigation measures are appropriate in our study landscapes? Key differences in the rates of flux of nutrients were identified, dependent on catchment characteristics. Full N speciation and P fractionation, together with dissolved organic carbon (DOC) enabled identification of the most likely contributing sources in each catchment. Nitrate (NO3-N) was the dominant N fraction in the chalk whereas organic and particulate N comprised the majority of the load in the clay/mudstone catchments. Despite current legislation, orthophosphate (PO4-P)was not found to be the dominant form of P in any of the catchments monitored. The chalk sub-catchments had the largest proportion of inorganic/dissolved organic P (DOP), accompanied by episodic delivery of particulate P (PP). Contrastingly, the clay/mudstone sub-catchments loads were dominated by PP and DOP. Thus, our results show that by monitoring both the inorganic and organic fractions a more complete picture of catchment nutrient fluxes can be determined, and sources of pollution pin-pointed. Ultimately, policy and management to bring nutrient impacts under control will only be successful if a multistressor approach is adopted

An investigation of the construct validity of the ICECAP-A capability measure

Abstract Purpose To investigate the construct validity of the ICECAP-A capability wellbeing measure. Methods A face-to-face interview-administered survey was conducted with 418 members of the UK general population, randomly sampled from the Postcode Address File. Pre-specified hypotheses were developed about the expected associations between individuals’ ICECAP-A responses and their socio-economic circumstances, health and freedom. The hypotheses were investigated using statistical tests of association. Results The ICECAP-A responses and scores reflected differences across different health and socioeconomic groups as anticipated, but did not distinguish individuals by the level of local deprivation. Mean ICECAP-A scores reflected individuals’ perceived freedom slightly more closely than did measures of health and happiness. Conclusion This study suggests that the ICECAP-A measure can identify expected differences in capability wellbeing in a general population sample. Further work could establish whether self-reported capabilities exhibit desirable validity and acceptability in sub-groups of the population such as patients, social care recipients and informal carers

The Met Office Unified Model Global Atmosphere 6.0/6.1 and JULES Global Land 6.0/6.1 configurations

We describe Global Atmosphere 6.0 and Global Land 6.0: the latest science configurations of the Met Office Unified Model and JULES land surface model developed for use across all timescales. Global Atmosphere 6.0 includes the ENDGame dynamical core, which significantly increases mid-latitude variability improving a known model bias. Alongside developments of the model’s physical parametrisations, ENDGame also increases variability in the tropics, which leads to an improved representation of tropical cyclones and other tropical phenomena. Further developments of the atmospheric and land surface parametrisations improve other aspects of model performance, including the forecasting of surface weather phenomena. We also describe Global Atmosphere 6.1 and Global Land 6.1, which include a small number of long-standing differences from our main trunk configurations that we continue to require for operational global weather prediction. Since July 2014, GA6.1/GL6.1 has been used by the Met Office for operational global NWP, whilst GA6.0/GL6.0 was implemented in its remaining global prediction systems over the following year