Comparison of dimensionally-split and multi-dimensional atmospheric transport schemes for long time-steps

Dimensionally split advection schemes are attractive for atmospheric modelling due to their efficiency and accuracy in each spatial dimension. Accurate long time steps can be achieved without significant cost using the flux-form semi-Lagrangian technique. The dimensionally split scheme used in this paper is constructed from the one-dimensional Piecewise Parabolic Method and extended to two dimensions using COSMIC splitting. The dimensionally split scheme is compared with a genuinely multi-dimensional, method of lines scheme which, with implicit time-stepping, is stable for Courant numbers significantly larger than one. Two-dimensional advection test cases on Cartesian planes are proposed that avoid the complexities of a spherical domain or multi-panel meshes. These are solid body rotation, horizontal advection over orography and deformational flow. The test cases use distorted non-orthogonal meshes either to represent sloping terrain or to mimic the distortions near cubed-sphere edges. Mesh distortions are expected to accentuate the errors associated with dimension splitting, however, the accuracy of the dimensionally split scheme decreases only a little in the presence of mesh distortions. The dimensionally split scheme also loses some accuracy when long time-steps are used. The multi-dimensional scheme is almost entirely insensitive to mesh distortions and asymptotes to second-order accuracy at high resolution. As is expected for implicit time-stepping, phase errors occur when using long time-steps but the spatially well-resolved features are advected at the correct speed and the multi-dimensional scheme is always stable. A naive estimate of computational cost (number of multiplies) reveals that the implicit scheme is the most expensive, particularly for large Courant numbers. If the multi-dimensional scheme is used instead with explicit time-stepping, the Courant number is restricted to less than one, the accuracy is maintained and the cost becomes similar to the dimensionally split scheme

Development and initial validation of the Northwick Park Therapy Dependency Assessment

Objectives: To describe the development and initial validation of the Northwick Park Therapy Dependency Assessment (NPTDA) as a measure of therapy interventions in neurorehabilitation

Manual handling training: investigation of current practices and development of guidelines

This report presents findings of a systematic literature review, telephone survey and expert panels undertaken to determine what constitutes effective manual handling training. The results of the systematic review indicate there is very little evidence supporting the effectiveness of both technique and educational based manual handling training. There was evidence that principles learnt during training are not applied in the workplace. Strength and flexibility training appears potentially beneficial, however further research is needed to determine whether it has long term benefits in terms of injury reduction. There was no evidence for the effectiveness of back schools in preventing low back pain. Ergonomics interventions that include risk assessment, observation of workers, tailored training and task/equipment redesign have been shown to be beneficial in the literature. The telephone survey indicated that induction of new staff and statutory requirements are the main drivers for manual handling training. More than 75% of companies surveyed conduct inhouse manual handling training rather than out sourcing training to consultants. Most organisations and consultancies record participant feedback on training courses and sickness absence is regarded as the main outcome measure of effectiveness. Survey respondents felt that manual handling training is mor effective if it is tailored to specific industry and task demands. Practical elements in training were believed to reinforce learning, particularly if tailored to individual job demands. To be effective, manual handling training needs to be embedded as an ongoing process in organisations and reinforced with regular refresher courses. Training should encourage the workforce to assess risk and there needs to be careful monitoring of working practices. The expert panels reviewed the findings and the discussions were used to generate and refine a set of guiding principles for ef fective manual handling training

Manual handling training: an investigation of current practice

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common cause of severe long-term pain and physical disability affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. In industrialised countries, about one third of all health-related absences from work are due to MSDs. In the UK, the 1992 Manual Handling Operations Regulations (UK) set out a hierarchy of measures aimed at reducing the risks presented by manual handling; nevertheless concerns have been raised regarding the suitability of manual handling training and it’s effectiveness in reducing MSDs among employees. The study outlined here investigated current practice in relation to manual handling training within the UK and aimed to establish whether such training was considered by organisations to be effective. One hundred and fifty telephone interviews were conducted in total comprising 120 interviews with representatives from UK organisations and 30 interviews with representatives from UK training consultancies. The findings suggest that manual handling training is considered to be more effective if it is tailored to meet specific task and industry needs. The results from this study have informed new guidelines for effective manual handling training. It is hoped that these guidelines will be useful for other nations

Comparison of terrain following and cut cell grids using a non-hydrostatic model

Terrain following coordinates are widely used in operational models but the cut cell method has been proposed as an alternative that can more accurately represent atmospheric dynamics over steep orography. Because the type of grid is usually chosen during model implementation, it becomes necessary to use different models to compare the accuracy of different grids. In contrast, here a C-grid finite volume model enables a like-for-like comparison of terrain following and cut cell grids. A series of standard two-dimensional tests using idealised terrain are performed: tracer advection in a prescribed horizontal velocity field, a test starting from resting initial conditions, and orographically induced gravity waves described by nonhydrostatic dynamics. In addition, three new tests are formulated: a more challenging resting atmosphere case, and two new advection tests having a velocity field that is everywhere tangential to the terrain following coordinate surfaces. These new tests present a challenge on cut cell grids. The results of the advection tests demonstrate that accuracy depends primarily upon alignment of the flow with the grid rather than grid orthogonality. A resting atmosphere is well-maintained on all grids. In the gravity waves test, results on all grids are in good agreement with existing results from the literature, although terrain following velocity fields lead to errors on cut cell grids. Due to semi-implicit timestepping and an upwind-biased, explicit advection scheme, there are no timestep restrictions associated with small cut cells. We do not find the significant advantages of cut cells or smoothed coordinates that other authors find

Data rescue: An assessment framework for legacy research collections

Widespread investments in the reproducibility and reuse of scientific data have spurred an increasing recognition of the potential value of data biding in unpublished records and collections of legacy research materials, such as scientists’ papers, historical publications, and working files. Recovering usable scientific data from legacy collections constitutes one kind of data rescue: the application of selected data curation processes to data at imminent risk of loss. Given the growing interest in data-intensive science and growing movement toward computationally amenable collections in memory institutions, the National Agricultural Library and other curation institutions need systematic approaches to processing legacy collections with the specific goal of retrieving reusable or historically valuable scientific data. This white paper reports on research conducted under the auspices of the Digital Curation Fellows Program, a collaborative research initiative of the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Library and the University of Maryland College of Information Studies. We offer a framework for assessing collections of scientific records for the purpose of data rescue, developed through research on three case studies of agricultural research collections. This framework aims to guide data rescue initiatives at the National Agricultural Library and other agricultural research centers, and to provide conceptual and practical framing for emerging conversations around data rescue in the agricultural research community and across disciplines.This white paper is the product of research conducted under a Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement #58-8260-6-003 between the University of Maryland and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Agricultural Library with funding provided by the USDA, ARS, Office of National Programs

Post-collisional Tertiary–Quaternary mafic alkalic magmatism in the Carpathian–Pannonian region: a review

Mafic alkalic volcanism was widespread in the Carpathian–Pannonian region (CPR) between 11 and 0.2 Ma. It followed the Miocene continental collision of the Alcapa and Tisia blocks with the European plate, as subduction-related calc-alkaline magmatism was waning. Several groups of mafic alkalic rocks from different regions within the CPR have been distinguished on the basis of ages and/or trace-element compositions. Their trace element and Sr–Nd–Pb isotope systematics are consistent with derivation from complex mantle-source regions, which included both depleted asthenosphere and metasomatized lithosphere. The mixing of DMM-HIMU-EMII mantle components within asthenosphere-derived magmas indicates variable contamination of the shallow asthenosphere and/or thermal boundary layer of the lithosphere by a HIMU-like component prior to and following the introduction of subduction components. Various mantle sources have been identified: Lower lithospheric mantle modified by several ancient asthenospheric enrichments (source A); Young asthenospheric plumes with OIB-like trace element signatures that are either isotopically enriched (source B) or variably depleted (source C); Old upper asthenosphere heterogeneously contaminated by DM-HIMU-EMII-EMI components and slightly influenced by Miocene subduction-related enrichment (source D); Old upper asthenosphere heterogeneously contaminated by DM-HIMU-EMII components and significantly influenced by Miocene subduction-related enrichment (source E). Melt generation was initiated either by: (i) finger-like young asthenospheric plumes rising to and heating up the base of the lithosphere (below the Alcapa block), or (ii) decompressional melting of old asthenosphere upwelling to replace any lower lithosphere or heating and melting former subducted slabs (the Tisia block)

Economic analysis of the health impacts of housing improvement studies: a systematic review

Background: Economic evaluation of public policies has been advocated but rarely performed. Studies from a systematic review of the health impacts of housing improvement included data on costs and some economic analysis. Examination of these data provides an opportunity to explore the difficulties and the potential for economic evaluation of housing. Methods: Data were extracted from all studies included in the systematic review of housing improvement which had reported costs and economic analysis (n=29/45). The reported data were assessed for their suitability to economic evaluation. Where an economic analysis was reported the analysis was described according to pre-set definitions of various types of economic analysis used in the field of health economics. Results: 25 studies reported cost data on the intervention and/or benefits to the recipients. Of these, 11 studies reported data which was considered amenable to economic evaluation. A further four studies reported conducting an economic evaluation. Three of these studies presented a hybrid ‘balance sheet’ approach and indicated a net economic benefit associated with the intervention. One cost-effectiveness evaluation was identified but the data were unclearly reported; the cost-effectiveness plane suggested that the intervention was more costly and less effective than the status quo. Conclusions: Future studies planning an economic evaluation need to (i) make best use of available data and (ii) ensure that all relevant data are collected. To facilitate this, economic evaluations should be planned alongside the intervention with input from health economists from the outset of the study. When undertaken appropriately, economic evaluation provides the potential to make significant contributions to housing policy

Attenuated sex steroid receptor expression in fallopian tube of women with ectopic pregnancy

CONTEXT: Sex steroid hormone receptor (SHR) dynamics are well-documented in human endometrium but have not been comprehensively studied in Fallopian tube (FT). OBJECTIVE: To compare expression patterns and hormonal regulation of SHR in FT with that described in endometrium, and determine whether SHR expression is altered in FT of women with ectopic pregnancy (EP). DESIGN: Tissue analysis and culture. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Women undergoing surgery for benign gynaecological conditions (n=14) and EP (n=6). INTERVENTIONS: Q-RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to determine SHR mRNA expression and protein localization, respectively. SHR levels were measured in tubal explant cultures stimulated with estrogen and progestogen. RESULTS: ERα and ERβ mRNAs were constitutively expressed in FT during the menstrual cycle. PR-AB and PR-B mRNAs were decreased in mid-luteal compared to follicular phase. ERα, PR-AB and PR-B mRNAs were downregulated in human FT in vitro by treatment with progestogen. ERα, ERβ1, ERβ2, PR and AR proteins localised to cell nuclei of epithelium, stroma and smooth muscle of non-pregnant FT. In FT from women with EP, PR-B mRNA was decreased when compared to mid-luteal FT, and ERα protein was not detected. CONCLUSIONS: SHR expression in FT is different from that observed in endometrium recovered at similar stages of the menstrual cycle and expression in FT from women with EP is also altered compared with normal FT. These data are an important benchmark for furthering understanding of normal human FT physiology, transcriptional changes in FT in response to progesterone, and disorders of FT function, such as EP

Multidimensional method-of-lines transport for atmospheric flows over steep terrain using arbitrary meshes

Including terrain in atmospheric models gives rise to mesh distortions near the lower boundary that can degrade accuracy and challenge the stability of transport schemes. Multidimensional transport schemes avoid splitting errors on distorted, arbitrary meshes, and method-of-lines schemes have low computational cost because they perform reconstructions at fixed points. This paper presents a multidimensional method-of-lines finite volume transport scheme, “cubicFit”, which is designed to be numerically stable on arbitrary meshes. Stability conditions derived from a von Neumann analysis are imposed during model initialisation to obtain stability and improve accuracy in distorted regions of the mesh, and near steeply-sloping lower boundaries. Reconstruction calculations depend upon the mesh only, needing just one vector multiply per face per time-stage irrespective of the velocity field. The cubicFit scheme is evaluated using three, idealised numerical tests. The first is a variant of a standard horizontal transport test on severely distorted terrain-following meshes. The second is a new test case that assesses accuracy near the ground by transporting a tracer at the lower boundary over steep terrain on terrain-following meshes, cut-cell meshes, and new, slanted-cell meshes that do not suffer from severe time-step constraints associated with cut cells. The third, standard test deforms a tracer in a vortical flow on hexagonal-icosahedral meshes and cubed-sphere meshes. In all tests, cubicFit is stable and largely insensitive to mesh distortions, and cubicFit results are more accurate than those obtained using a multidimensional linear upwind transport scheme. The cubicFit scheme is second-order convergent regardless of mesh distortions