THE INTEGRATION OF CLOUD SATELLITE IMAGES WITH PREDICTION OF ICY CONDITIONS ON DEVON'S ROADS

The need for improved cloud parameterisations in a road surface temperature model is demonstrated. Case studies from early 1994 are used to investigate methods of tracking cloud cover using satellite imagery and upper level geostrophic flow. Two of these studies are included in this thesis. Errors encountered in cloud tracking methods were investigated as well as relationships between cloud height and pixel brightness in satellite imagery. For the first time, a one dimensional energy balance model is developed to investigate the effects of erroneous cloud forecasts on surface temperature. The model is used to determine detailed dependency of surface freezing onset time and minimum temperature on cloud cover. Case studies from the 1995/96 winter in Devon are undertaken to determine effects of differing scenarios of cloud cover change. From each study, an algorithm for predicting road surface temperature is constructed which could be used in future occurrences of the corresponding scenario of the case study. Emphasis is strongly placed on accuracy of predictions of surface freezing onset time and minimum surface temperature. The role o f surface and upper level geostrophic flow, humidity and surface wetness in temperature prediction is also investigated. In selected case studies, mesoscale data are also analysed and compared with observations to determine feasibility of using mesoscale models to predict air temperature. Finally, the algorithms constructed from the 1995/96 studies are tested using case studies from the 1996/97 winter. This winter was significantly different from its preceding one which consequently meant that the algorithm from only one scenario of the 1995/96 winter could be tested. An algorithm is also constructed from a 1996/97 winter case study involving a completely different scenario Recommendations for future research suggest testing of existing algorithms with guidance on additional scenarios.Devon County Counci

The observed state of the water cycle in the early twenty-first century

Author Posting. © American Meteorological Society, 2015. This article is posted here by permission of American Meteorological Society for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Journal of Climate 28 (2015): 8289–8318, doi:10.1175/JCLI-D-14-00555.1.This study quantifies mean annual and monthly fluxes of Earth’s water cycle over continents and ocean basins during the first decade of the millennium. To the extent possible, the flux estimates are based on satellite measurements first and data-integrating models second. A careful accounting of uncertainty in the estimates is included. It is applied within a routine that enforces multiple water and energy budget constraints simultaneously in a variational framework in order to produce objectively determined optimized flux estimates. In the majority of cases, the observed annual surface and atmospheric water budgets over the continents and oceans close with much less than 10% residual. Observed residuals and optimized uncertainty estimates are considerably larger for monthly surface and atmospheric water budget closure, often nearing or exceeding 20% in North America, Eurasia, Australia and neighboring islands, and the Arctic and South Atlantic Oceans. The residuals in South America and Africa tend to be smaller, possibly because cold land processes are negligible. Fluxes were poorly observed over the Arctic Ocean, certain seas, Antarctica, and the Australasian and Indonesian islands, leading to reliance on atmospheric analysis estimates. Many of the satellite systems that contributed data have been or will soon be lost or replaced. Models that integrate ground-based and remote observations will be critical for ameliorating gaps and discontinuities in the data records caused by these transitions. Continued development of such models is essential for maximizing the value of the observations. Next-generation observing systems are the best hope for significantly improving global water budget accounting.This research was funded by multiple grants from NASA’s Energy and Water Cycle Study (NEWS) program.2016-05-0

Social Entrepreneurship as a Path to Alleviate Global Socio-Economic and Environmental Issues

This project focused on the work of eight students who are part of the Global Scholars program for the 2018-2019 school year. As a team, we traveled to Australia for 10 days in January 2019 to partner with two different nonprofit social enterprises, and five students from Central Queensland University. The primary research question we reviewed was, ‘How can social entrepreneurship save the Great Barrier Reef?’. To answer this, we conducted ethnographic research and the collection of 75 surveys from various individuals and interviewees. Once back at Boise State, we conducted archive research, analyzed our data, and made recommendations to the partner organizations on how they can increase their business operations, resulting in greater impact and positive results on saving the Great Barrier Reef. Conclusions emphasize that no single social enterprise model is sufficient to tackle environmental issues, but that as part of a greater initiative, each model can play a significant role

Cartan semigroups and twisted groupoid C*-algebras

We prove that twisted groupoid C*-algebras are characterised, up to isomorphism, by having Cartan semigroups, a natural generalisation of normaliser semigroups of Cartan subalgebras. This extends the classic Kumjian-Renault theory to general twisted \'etale groupoid C*-algebras, even non-reduced C*-algebras of non-effective groupoids.Comment: 39 page

Using spectral indices to estimate water content and GPP in Sphagnum moss and other peatland vegetation

Peatlands provide important ecosystem services including carbon stroage and biodiversity conservation. Remote sensing shows potential for monitoring peatlands, but most off-the-shelf data produces are developed for unsaturated environments and it is unclear how well they can perform in peatland ecosystems. Sphagnum moss is an important peatland genus with specific characteristics which can affect spectral reflectance, and we hypothesized that the prevalence of Sphagnum in a peatland could affect the spectral signature of the area. This study combines results from both laboratory and field experiments to assess the relationship between spectral indices and the moisture content and GPP of peatland (blanket bog) vegetation species. The aim was to consider how well the selected indices perform under a range of conditions, and whether Sphagnum has a significant impact on the relationships tested. We found that both water indices tested (NDWI and fWBI) were sensitive to the water content changes in Sphagnum moss in the laboratory, and there was little difference between them. Most of the vegetation indices tested (the NDVI, EVI, SIPI and CIm) were found to have a strong relationship with GPP both in the laboratory and in the field. The NDVI and EVI are useful for large-scale estimation of GPP, but are sensitive to the proportion of Sphagnum present. The CIm is less affected by different species proportions and might therefore be the best to use in areas where species cover is unknown. The PRI is shown to be best suited to small-scale studies of single species

Magnetic modulation of keyhole instability during laser welding and additive manufacturing

Keyhole instability during laser welding and laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) can cause keyhole collapse and pore formation. Using high-speed x-ray imaging, we demonstrate that the flow vortex-induced protrusion on the rear keyhole wall is crucial in initiating keyhole instability. Applying a transverse magnetic field suppresses the keyhole instability by driving a secondary thermoelectric magnetohydrodynamics (TEMHD) flow that alters the net flow vortex. This minimizes protrusions and large-amplitude keyhole oscillations. The suppression effectiveness depends on the laser scanning direction relative to the magnetic field orientation because this controls the Seebeck effect-induced Lorentz force's direction. We show that at LPBF length scales, electromagnetic damping is weak, and for alloys with a large Seebeck coefficient, TEMHD becomes the dominant mechanism controlling flow behind the keyhole

The impact of point-of-care testing for influenza on antimicrobial stewardship (PIAMS) in UK primary care: protocol for a mixed methods study

Background: Molecular point-of-care testing (POCT) used in primary care can inform whether a patient presenting with an acute respiratory infection has influenza. A confirmed clinical diagnosis, particularly early in the disease, could inform better antimicrobial stewardship. Social distancing and lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic have disturbed previous patterns of influenza infections in 2021. However, data from samples taken in the last quarter of 2022 suggest that influenza represents 36% of sentinel network positive virology, compared with 24% for respiratory syncytial virus. Problems with integration into the clinical workflow is a known barrier to incorporating technology into routine care. Objective: This study aims to report the impact of POCT for influenza on antimicrobial prescribing in primary care. We will additionally describe severe outcomes of infection (hospitalization and mortality) and how POCT is integrated into primary care workflows. Methods: The impact of POCT for influenza on antimicrobial stewardship (PIAMS) in UK primary care is an observational study being conducted between December 2022 and May 2023 and involving 10 practices that contribute data to the English sentinel network. Up to 1000 people who present to participating practices with respiratory symptoms will be swabbed and tested with a rapid molecular POCT analyzer in the practice. Antimicrobial prescribing and other study outcomes will be collected by linking information from the POCT analyzer with data from the patient’s computerized medical record. We will collect data on how POCT is incorporated into practice using data flow diagrams, unified modeling language use case diagrams, and Business Process Modeling Notation. Results: We will present the crude and adjusted odds of antimicrobial prescribing (all antibiotics and antivirals) given a POCT diagnosis of influenza, stratifying by whether individuals have a respiratory or other relevant diagnosis (eg, bronchiectasis). We will also present the rates of hospital referrals and deaths related to influenza infection in PIAMS study practices compared with a set of matched practices in the sentinel network and the rest of the network. We will describe any difference in implementation models in terms of staff involved and workflow. Conclusions: This study will generate data on the impact of POCT testing for influenza in primary care as well as help to inform about the feasibility of incorporating POCT into primary care workflows. It will inform the design of future larger studies about the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of POCT to improve antimicrobial stewardship and any impact on severe outcomes. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/4693