Upper wind observing systems used for meteorological operations

1994 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 691-710 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Nash

Abstract. Methods of upper wind measurements used in operational meteorology have been reviewed to provide guidance to those developing wind profiler radar systems. The main limitations of the various methods of tracking weather balloons are identified using results from the WMO radiosonde comparisons and additional tests in the United Kingdom. Costs associated with operational balloon measurements are reviewed. The sampling and quality of operational aircraft wind observations are illustrated with examples from the ASDAR system. Measurement errors in horizontal winds are quantified wherever possible. When tracking equipment is functioning correctly, random errors in southerly and westerly wind component measurements from aircraft and weather balloons are usually in the range 0.5-2 m s-1.

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 757-768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edmund Keith Stone ◽  
Gary Pearce

AbstractAircraft are an important source of meteorological observations for both numerical weather models and aviation weather forecasting. There has been increasing interest in novel methods for gathering aircraft-based observations, especially mode-selective (Mode-S) enhanced surveillance (EHS)-derived data. This paper reports on the progress made in the United Kingdom at the Met Office on receiving and processing these data. Five receivers have been deployed, providing up to 5.7 million observations of horizontal wind and temperatures per day over the United Kingdom. The receivers are relatively low cost and deploying them at existing operational weather radar sites has been shown to be an ideal choice. Heading corrections are required to improve the quality of the wind observations. When corrected the Mode-S EHS wind data have similar observations-minus-background (o−b) statistics as Aircraft Meteorological Data Relay [AMDAR; using a Met Office version of the Unified Model over the United Kingdom (UKV)]. For the u wind component, the average per model run o−b root-mean-square value for the Mode-S EHS–derived data was 2.45 and 2.12 m s−1 for AMDAR. The AMDAR data are assimilated into the model.


2006 ◽  
Vol 134 (4) ◽  
pp. 1140-1160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Chieng Liou ◽  
Tai-Chi Chen Wang ◽  
Wen-Chau Lee ◽  
Ya-Ju Chang

Abstract The ground-based velocity track display (GBVTD) technique is extended to two Doppler radars to retrieve the structure of a tropical cyclone’s (TC’s) circulation. With this extension, it is found that the asymmetric part of the TC radial wind component can be derived up to its angular wavenumber-1 structure, and the accuracy of the retrieved TC tangential wind component can be further improved. Although two radar systems are used, a comparison with the traditional dual-Doppler synthesis indicates that this extended GBVTD (EGBVTD) approach is able to estimate more of the TC circulation when there are missing data. Previous research along with this study reveals that the existence of strong asymmetric radial flows can degrade the quality of the GBVTD-derived wind fields. When a TC is observed by one radar, it is suggested that the GBVTD method be applied to TCs over a flat surface (e.g., the ocean) where the assumption of relatively smaller asymmetric radial winds than asymmetric tangential winds is more likely to be true. However, when a TC is observed by two radar systems, especially when the topographic effects are expected to be significant, the EGBVTD rather than the traditional dual-Doppler synthesis should be used. The feasibility of the proposed EGBVTD method is demonstrated by applying it to an idealized TC circulation model as well as a real case study. Finally, the possibility of combining EGBVTD with other observational instruments, such as dropsonde or wind profilers, to recover the asymmetric TC radial flow structures with even higher wavenumbers is discussed.


At production of fabrics, including fabrics for agricultural purpose, an important role is played by the cor-rect adjustment of operation of machine main regulator. The quality of setup of machine main controller is determined by the proper selection of rotation angle of warp beam weaving per one filling thread. In the pro-cess of using the regulator as a result of mistakes in adjustment, wear of transmission gear and backlashes in connections of details there are random changes in threads length. The purpose of the article is the research of property of random errors of basis giving by STB machine regulator. Mistakes can be both negative, and positive. In case of emergence only negative or only positive mistakes operation of the machine becomes im-possible as there will be a consecutive accumulation of mistakes. As a result of experimental data processing for stable process of weaving and the invariable diameter of basis threads winding of threads it is revealed that the random error of giving is set up as linear function of the accidental length having normal distribution. Measurements of accidental deviations in giving of a basis by the main regulator allowed to construct a curve of normal distribution of its actual length for one pass of weft thread. The presented curve of distribution of random errors in giving of a basis is the displaced curve of normal distribution of the accidental sizes. Also we define the density of probability of normal distribution of basis giving errors connected with a margin er-ror operation of the main regulator knowing of which allows to plan ways of their decrease that is important for improvement of quality of the produced fabrics.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faiza Siddiqui ◽  
Marija Barbateskovic ◽  
Sophie Juul ◽  
Kiran Kumar Katakam ◽  
Klaus Munkholm ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Major depression significantly impairs quality of life, increases the risk of suicide, and poses tremendous economic burden on individuals and societies. Duloxetine, a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, is a widely prescribed antidepressant. The effects of duloxetine have, however, not been sufficiently assessed in earlier systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Methods/design A systematic review will be performed including randomised clinical trials comparing duloxetine with ‘active’ placebo, placebo or no intervention for adults with major depressive disorder. Bias domains will be assessed, an eight-step procedure will be used to assess if the thresholds for clinical significance are crossed. We will conduct meta-analyses. Trial sequential analysis will be conducted to control random errors, and the certainty of the evidence will be assessed using GRADE. To identify relevant trials, we will search Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Excerpta Medica database, PsycINFO, Science Citation Index Expanded, Social Sciences Citation Index, Conference Proceedings Citation Index—Science and Conference Proceedings Citation Index—Social Science & Humanities. We will also search Chinese databases and Google Scholar. We will search all databases from their inception to the present. Two review authors will independently extract data and perform risk of bias assessment. Primary outcomes will be the difference in mean depression scores on Hamilton Depression Rating Scale between the intervention and control groups and serious adverse events. Secondary outcomes will be suicide, suicide-attempts, suicidal ideation, quality of life and non-serious adverse events. Discussion No former systematic review has systematically assessed the beneficial and harmful effects of duloxetine taking into account both the risks of random errors and the risks of systematic errors. Our review will help clinicians weigh the benefits of prescribing duloxetine against its adverse effects and make informed decisions. Systematic review registration PROSPERO 2016 CRD42016053931


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 2840
Author(s):  
Jillian M. Rickly ◽  
Nigel Halpern ◽  
Marcus Hansen ◽  
John Welsman

There is considerable research on people with vision impairment (PwVI) in the transport, travel and tourism sectors, which highlights the significance of real-time information and consistency in services to accessibility. Based on interviews with guide dog owners in the United Kingdom, this paper contributes an additional dimension to our understanding of transport accessibility for PwVI by focusing specifically on guide dog owners’ experiences in the travel and tourism sector. A guide dog is more than a mobility tool, but a human–dog partnership that improves the quality of life for PwVI; however, it also introduces constraints related to the dog’s welfare and safety. Further, lack of understanding of guide dog owners’ rights to reasonable accommodation leads to discrimination through service refusals and challenges to service access. This paper concludes that the limited and inconsistent public knowledge of disability diversity has serious ramifications for transport accessibility and suggests specific industry and legislative interventions in response.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilia Majsiak ◽  
Magdalena Choina ◽  
Dominik Golicki ◽  
Alastair M. Gray ◽  
Bożena Cukrowska

Abstract Background Coeliac disease (CD) is characterised by diverse clinical symptoms, which may cause diagnostic problems and reduce the patients’ quality of life. A study conducted in the United Kingdom (UK) revealed that the mean time between the onset of coeliac symptoms and being diagnosed was above 13 years. This study aimed to analyse the diagnostic process of CD in Poland and evaluate the quality of life of patients before and after CD diagnosis. In addition, results were compared to the results of the original study conducted in the UK. Methods The study included 2500 members of the Polish Coeliac Society. The patients were asked to complete a questionnaire containing questions on socio-demographic factors, clinical aspects and quality of life, using the EQ-5D questionnaire. Questionnaires received from 796 respondents were included in the final analysis. Results The most common symptoms reported by respondents were bloating (75%), abdominal pain (72%), chronic fatigue (63%) and anaemia (58%). Anaemia was the most persistent symptom, with mean duration prior to CD diagnosis of 9.2 years, whereas diarrhoea was observed for the shortest period (4.7 years). The mean duration of any symptom before CD diagnosis was 7.3 years, compared to 13.2 years in the UK. CD diagnosis and the introduction of a gluten-free diet substantially improved the quality of life in each of the five EQ-5D-5L health dimensions: pain and discomfort, anxiety and depression, usual activities, self-care and mobility (p < 0.001), the EQ-Index by 0.149 (SD 0.23) and the EQ-VAS by 30.4 (SD 28.3) points. Conclusions Duration of symptoms prior to the diagnosis of CD in Poland, although shorter than in the UK, was long with an average of 7.3 years from first CD symptoms. Faster CD diagnosis after the onset of symptoms in Polish respondents may be related to a higher percentage of children in the Polish sample. Introduction of a gluten-free diet improves coeliac patients’ quality of life. These results suggest that doctors should be made more aware of CD and its symptoms across all age groups.


1985 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Hudson

The past decade has seen the growth of a considerable literature on the link between government popularity, as reflected by the proportion of the public indicating their intention to vote for the government in opinion polls, and the state of the economy, as represented by certain key variables. The work began in the early 1970s with articles by Goodhart and Bhansali, Mueller, and Kramer. It continued through the decade; some of the more recent contributions can be found in a set of readings edited by Hibbs and Fassbender. However, despite the amount and quality of this work, problems remain. Principal amongst these, as Chrystal and Alt have pointed out, is the inability to estimate a relationship which exhibits any degree of stability either over time or between researchers. Nearly all the studies have been successful in finding a significant relationship for specific time periods, but when these are extended, or when the function is used to forecast outside the original estimation period, the relationship appears to break down.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace Frimpong ◽  
Kwabena Ofori-Kwakye ◽  
Noble Kuntworbe ◽  
Kwame Ohene Buabeng ◽  
Yaa Asantewaa Osei ◽  
...  

The quality of 68 samples of 15 different essential children’s medicines sold in licensed medicine outlets in the Ashanti Region, Ghana, was evaluated. Thirty-two (47.1%) of the medicines were imported, mainly from India (65.6%) and the United Kingdom (28.1%), while 36 (52.9%) were locally manufactured. The quality of the medicines was assessed using content of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), pH, and microbial limit tests, and the results were compared with pharmacopoeial standards. Twenty-six (38.2%) of the samples studied passed the official content of API test while 42 (61.8%) failed. Forty-nine (72.1%) of the samples were compliant with official specifications for pH while 19 (27.9%) were noncompliant. Sixty-six (97.1%) samples passed the microbial load and content test while 2 (2.9%) failed. Eighteen (26.5%) samples passed all the three quality evaluation tests, while one (1.5%) sample (CFX1) failed all the tests. All the amoxicillin suspensions tested passed the three evaluation tests. All the ciprofloxacin, cotrimoxazole, flucloxacillin, artemether-lumefantrine, multivitamin, and folic acid samples failed the content of API test and are substandard. The overall API failure rate for imported products (59.4%) was comparable to locally manufactured (63.9%) samples. The results highlight the poor quality of the children’s medicines studied and underscore the need for regular pharmacovigilance and surveillance systems to fight this menace.


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