DEM Generation with ICESat-2 Altimetry Data for the Three Antarctic Ice Shelves: Ross, Filchner–Ronne and Amery

The ice shelf is an important component of the Antarctic system, and the interaction between the ice sheet and the ocean often proceeds through mass variations of the ice shelf. The digital elevation model (DEM) of the ice shelf is particularly important for ice shelf elevation change and mass balance estimation. With the development of satellite altimetry technology, it became an important data source for DEM research of Antarctica. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) launched in 2018 is a significant improvement in along-track sampling rate and measurement accuracy compared with previous altimetry satellites. This study uses ordinary kriging interpolation to present new DEMs (ICESat-2 DEM hereinafter) for the three ice shelves (Ross, Filchner–Ronne and Amery) in Antarctica with ICESat-2 altimetry data. Two variogram models (linear and spherical) of ordinary kriging interpolation are compared in this paper. The result shows that the spherical model generally shows better performance and lower standard deviation (STD) than the linear models. The precision of the ultimate DEM was evaluated by NASA Operation IceBridge (OIB) data and compared with five previously published Antarctic DEM products (REMA, TanDEM-X PolarDEM, Slater DEM, Helm DEM, and Bamber DEM). The comparison reveals that the mean difference between ICESat-2 DEM of the Ross ice shelf and OIB is −0.016 m with a STD of 0.918 m, and the mean difference between ICESat-2 DEM of the Filchner–Ronne ice shelf and OIB is −0.533 m with a STD of 0.718 m. The three ICESat-2 DEMs show higher spatial resolution and elevation accuracy than five previously published Antarctic DEMs.

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Investigations of the Oxygen-18 Content of Samples from Snow Pits and Ice Cores from the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelves and Ekström Ice Shelf

Annals of Glaciology ◽

10.3189/s0260305500005899 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 49-53 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

O. Reinwarth ◽

W. Graf ◽

W. Stichler ◽

H. Moser ◽

H. Oerter

Keyword(s):

Accumulation Rate ◽

Ice Cores ◽

Research Programme ◽

Ice Shelf ◽

Annual Average ◽

Ice Shelves ◽

Antarctic Research ◽

Isotope Studies ◽

The Mean ◽

Ice Edge

Since 1979–80, isotope studies with oxygen-18 (18O) have been carried out at several snow pits and ice cores near the German Georg-von-Neumayer station (Ekström ice shelf, Atka Bay), as well as from the Filchner-Ronne ice shelves, in the framework of the German Antarctic research programme. The investigations of snow pits on the Filchner-Ronne ice shelves yield a standard deviation for the annual average δ18O values of approximately 1‰ over the last five years, and a decrease of δ18O with distance from the ice edge of about 1‰ per 50 km. The variation of δ18O for stratigraphically matching snow layers from snow pits at the same location in different years is about 0.3‰ on the Filchner-Ronne ice shelves, and 0.8‰ at Georg-von-Neumayer station. The mean annual accumulation rate in the surroundings of Georg-von-Neumayer station was determined to be 34 g cm-2 for the years 1977–81. On the Filchner-Ronne ice shelves the mean annual accumulation rate (1979–83) decreases from 22 g cm−2 at Filchner station to 15 g cm−2 at traverse point T340, located 200 km southeast of Filchner station.

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Investigations of the Oxygen-18 Content of Samples from Snow Pits and Ice Cores from the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelves and Ekström Ice Shelf

Annals of Glaciology ◽

10.1017/s0260305500005899 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 49-53 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

O. Reinwarth ◽

W. Graf ◽

W. Stichler ◽

H. Moser ◽

H. Oerter

Keyword(s):

Accumulation Rate ◽

Ice Cores ◽

Research Programme ◽

Ice Shelf ◽

Annual Average ◽

Ice Shelves ◽

Antarctic Research ◽

Isotope Studies ◽

The Mean ◽

Ice Edge

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Sensitivity of the ice-shelf/ocean system to the sub-ice-shelf cavity shape measured by NASA IceBridge in Pine Island Glacier, West Antarctica

Annals of Glaciology ◽

10.3189/2012aog60a073 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 53 (60) ◽

pp. 156-162 ◽

Cited By ~ 85

Author(s):

Michael P. Schodlok ◽

Dimitris Menemenlis ◽

Eric Rignot ◽

Michael Studinger

Keyword(s):

Mass Loss ◽

Temporal Evolution ◽

West Antarctica ◽

Ice Shelf ◽

Amundsen Sea ◽

Ice Shelves ◽

Cavity Shape ◽

Grounding Line ◽

The Mean

AbstractTwo high-resolution (1 km grid) numerical model simulations of the Amundsen Sea, West Antarctica, are used to study the role of the ocean in the mass loss and grounding line retreat of Pine Island Glacier. The first simulation uses BEDMAP bathymetry under the Pine Island ice shelf, and the second simulation uses NASA IceBridge-derived bathymetry. The IceBridge data reveal the existence of a trough from the ice-shelf edge to the grounding line, enabling warm Circumpolar Deep Water to penetrate to the grounding line, leading to higher melt rates than previously estimated. The mean melt rate for the simulation with NASA IceBridge data is 28 ma–1, much higher than previous model estimates but closer to estimates from remote sensing. Although the mean melt rate is 25% higher than in the simulation with BEDMAP bathymetry, the temporal evolution remains unchanged between the two simulations. This indicates that temporal variability of melting is mostly driven by processes outside the cavity. Spatial melt rate patterns of BEDMAP and IceBridge simulations differ significantly, with the latter in closer agreement with satellite-derived melt rate estimates of ~50ma–1 near the grounding line. Our simulations confirm that knowledge of the cavity shape and its time evolution are essential to accurately capture basal mass loss of Antarctic ice shelves.

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Tidal bending of ice shelves as a mechanism for large-scale temporal variations in ice flow

The Cryosphere ◽

10.5194/tc-12-1699-2018 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 1699-1713 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Sebastian H. R. Rosier ◽

G. Hilmar Gudmundsson

Keyword(s):

Stream Flow ◽

Large Scale ◽

Temporal Variations ◽

Mean Flow ◽

Ice Shelf ◽

Ice Flow ◽

Ice Shelves ◽

The Mean ◽

Viscoelastic Modelling ◽

Shelf Flow

Abstract. GPS measurements reveal strong modulation of horizontal ice shelf and ice stream flow at a variety of tidal frequencies, most notably a fortnightly (Msf) frequency not present in the vertical tides themselves. Current theories largely fail to explain the strength and prevalence of this signal over floating ice shelves. We show how well-known non-linear aspects of ice rheology can give rise to widespread, long-periodic tidal modulation in ice shelf flow, generated within ice shelves themselves through tidal flexure acting at diurnal and semidiurnal frequencies. Using full-Stokes viscoelastic modelling, we show that inclusion of tidal bending within the model accounts for much of the observed tidal modulation of ice shelf flow. Furthermore, our model shows that, in the absence of vertical tidal forcing, the mean flow of the ice shelf is reduced by almost 30 % for the geometry that we consider.

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Near real-time water vapor distribution surface rendering using Ordinary KrigingThis article is one of a series of papers published in this Special Issue on the theme GEODESY.

Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences ◽

10.1139/e09-014 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 46 (8) ◽

pp. 611-625

Author(s):

Wenyou Tao ◽

Yang Gao

Keyword(s):

Water Vapor ◽

Real Time ◽

Ordinary Kriging ◽

Weighted Least Squares ◽

Gaussian Model ◽

Spherical Model ◽

Precipitable Water ◽

Kriging Interpolation ◽

Surface Rendering ◽

The University

Based on the near real-time Global Positioning System (GPS) precise pointing positioning (PPP)-inferred water vapor system recently developed at the University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, an Ordinary Kriging procedure has been developed to predict the local and regional precipitable water vapor (PWV) and describe its distribution over Canada using limited available data. The Ordinary Kriging procedure includes five steps: (1) quantifying PWV spatial structure by calculating an experimental semivariogram; (2) fitting semivariogram models (spherical, exponential, and Gaussian) with nonlinear, weighted least squares; (3) determining the best-fitted model with cross-validation analysis; (4) estimating whole PWV maps by Ordinary Kriging interpolation; and (5) outputting kriging standard error maps. The 24 h variogram analysis shows that the correctly calculated experimental semivariogram is essential to the accuracy of the kriged maps, which depends on the configuration of the sites, lag step, and lag tolerance. The optimal lag step and lag tolerance for the current Canadian GPS network configuration are 5° and 2.5°, respectively. Among the three semivariogram models, the spherical model fails in its performance most of the time, and the best hourly fitted semivariogram model is either the exponential (90%) or the Gaussian (10%) model. The Gaussian-model-based Ordinary Kriging process produces more detailed maps. The surface maps of the kriging standard errors indicate that the area between longitudes –125° and –60° and latitudes 44° and 54° has higher accuracy due to higher availability of data.

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Do we need to improve the reporting of evidence in tendinopathy management? A critical appraisal of systematic reviews with recommendations on strength of evidence assessment

BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine ◽

10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000920 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. e000920

Author(s):

Dimitris Challoumas ◽

Neal L Millar

Keyword(s):

Systematic Reviews ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Cochrane Collaboration ◽

Mean Difference ◽

Strength Of Evidence ◽

The Mean ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

The Cochrane Collaboration

ObjectiveTo critically appraise the quality of published systematic reviews (SRs) of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in tendinopathy with regard to handling and reporting of results with special emphasis on strength of evidence assessment.Data sourcesMedline from inception to June 2020.Study eligibilityAll SRs of RCTs assessing the effectiveness of any intervention(s) on any location of tendinopathy.Data extraction and synthesisIncluded SRs were appraised with the use of a 12-item tool devised by the authors arising from the Preferred Reporting Items in Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement and other relevant guidance. Subgroup analyses were performed based on impact factor (IF) of publishing journals and date of publication.ResultsA total of 57 SRs were included published in 38 journals between 2006 and 2020. The most commonly used risk-of-bias (RoB) assessment tool and strength of evidence assessment tool were the Cochrane Collaboration RoB tool and the Cochrane Collaboration Back Review Group tool, respectively. The mean score on the appraisal tool was 46.5% (range 0%–100%). SRs published in higher IF journals (>4.7) were associated with a higher mean score than those in lower IF journals (mean difference 26.4%±8.8%, p=0.004). The mean score of the 10 most recently published SRs was similar to that of the first 10 published SRs (mean difference 8.3%±13.7%, p=0.54). Only 23 SRs (40%) used the results of their RoB assessment in data synthesis and more than half (n=30; 50%) did not assess the strength of evidence of their results. Only 12 SRs (21%) assessed their strength of evidence appropriately.ConclusionsIn light of the poor presentation of evidence identified by our review, we provide recommendations to increase transparency and reproducibility in future SRs.

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The Sankara Nethralaya Tamil Nadu Essilor Myopia (STEM) Study—Defining a Threshold for Non-Cycloplegic Myopia Prevalence in Children

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10061215 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 1215

Author(s):

Aparna Gopalakrishnan ◽

Jameel Rizwana Hussaindeen ◽

Viswanathan Sivaraman ◽

Meenakshi Swaminathan ◽

Yee Ling Wong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Open Field ◽

Tamil Nadu ◽

Mean Difference ◽

School Vision ◽

Elite School ◽

Prevalence Estimates ◽

The Mean ◽

Clinically Significant ◽

Set Up ◽

Definition Of

The aim of this study was to investigate the agreement between cycloplegic and non-cycloplegic autorefraction with an open-field auto refractor in a school vision screening set up, and to define a threshold for myopia that agrees with the standard cycloplegic refraction threshold. The study was conducted as part of the Sankara Nethralaya Tamil Nadu Essilor Myopia (STEM) study, which investigated the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors for myopia among children in South India. Children from two schools aged 5 to 15 years, with no ocular abnormalities and whose parents gave informed consent for cycloplegic refraction were included in the study. All the children underwent visual acuity assessment (Pocket Vision Screener, Elite school of Optometry, India), followed by non-cycloplegic and cycloplegic (1% tropicamide) open-field autorefraction (Grand Seiko, WAM-5500). A total of 387 children were included in the study, of whom 201 were boys. The mean (SD) age of the children was 12.2 (±2.1) years. Overall, the mean difference between cycloplegic and non-cycloplegic spherical equivalent (SE) open-field autorefraction measures was 0.34 D (limits of agreement (LOA), 1.06 D to −0.38 D). For myopes, the mean difference between cycloplegic and non-cycloplegic SE was 0.13 D (LOA, 0.63D to −0.36D). The prevalence of myopia was 12% (95% CI, 8% to 15%) using the threshold of cycloplegic SE ≤ −0.50 D, and was 14% (95% CI, 11% to 17%) with SE ≤ −0.50 D using non-cycloplegic refraction. When myopia was defined as SE of ≤−0.75 D under non-cycloplegic conditions, there was no difference between cycloplegic and non-cycloplegic open-field autorefraction prevalence estimates (12%; 95% CI, 8% to 15%; p = 1.00). Overall, non-cycloplegic refraction underestimates hyperopia and overestimates myopia; but for subjects with myopia, this difference is minimal and not clinically significant. A threshold of SE ≤ −0.75 D agrees well for the estimation of myopia prevalence among children when using non-cycloplegic refraction and is comparable with the standard definition of cycloplegic myopic refraction of SE ≤ −0.50 D.

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Study on Association between Height, Weight, Iodine Supplementation and Thyroid Volume

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114521002622 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-25

Author(s):

Lanchun Liu ◽

Lixiang Liu ◽

Ming Li ◽

Yang Du ◽

Peng Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Iodine Deficiency ◽

Linear Models ◽

Thyroid Volume ◽

Salt Iodization ◽

Iodine Supplementation ◽

Random Pairing ◽

Level Data ◽

The Mean ◽

Salt Iodine ◽

The Difference

Abstract The policy of Universal Salt Iodization (USI) could reduce population’s thyroid volume (TVOL) in iodine deficiency areas. Conversely, the improved growth and developmental status of children might increase the TVOL accordingly. Whether the decreased TVOL by USI conceals the increase effect of height and weight on TVOL is unclear. The aim of this study was to analyse the association between height, weight, iodine supplementation and TVOL. Five national Iodine Deficiency Disorder surveys were matched into four pairs according to the purpose of analysis. County-level data of both detected by paired surveys were incorporated, 1: 1 random pairing method was used to match counties or individuals. The difference of TVOL between different height, weight, different iodine supplementation measures groups and the association between TVOL and them were studied. The mean height and weight of children aged 8-10 years increased from 129.9cm and 26.9kg in 2002 to 136.2cm and 32.1kg in 2019; while the median TVOL decreased from 3.10ml to 2.61ml. Iodine supplementation measures can affect TVOL; after exclude iodine effects, the median TVOL was increased with the height and weight. On the other side, after excluding the influence of height and weight, the median TVOL remained decreased. Only age, weight and salt iodine were significant associated with TVOL in multiple linear models. Development of height and weight in children is the evidence of improved nutrition. The decreased TVOL caused by iodized salt measures conceals the increase effect of height and weight on TVOL. Age, weight, and salt iodine affect TVOL significantly.

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Estimates of the mean difference in orthopaedic randomized trials: obligatory yet obscure

BMC Medical Research Methodology ◽

10.1186/s12874-021-01249-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lauri Raittio ◽

Antti Launonen ◽

Ville M. Mattila ◽

Aleksi Reito

Keyword(s):

Primary Outcome ◽

Outcome Measure ◽

Patient Reported Outcome ◽

Ceiling Effect ◽

Mean Difference ◽

Discussion Section ◽

Power Calculations ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Patient Reported ◽

The Mean

Abstract Background Randomized controlled trials in orthopaedics are powered to mainly find large effect sizes. A possible discrepancy between the estimated and the real mean difference is a challenge for statistical inference based on p-values. We explored the justifications of the mean difference estimates used in power calculations. The assessment of distribution of observations in the primary outcome and the possibility of ceiling effects were also assessed. Methods Systematic review of the randomized controlled trials with power calculations in eight clinical orthopaedic journals published between 2016 and 2019. Trials with one continuous primary outcome and 1:1 allocation were eligible. Rationales and references for the mean difference estimate were recorded from the Methods sections. The possibility of ceiling effect was addressed by the assessment of the weighted mean and standard deviation of the primary outcome and its elaboration in the Discussion section of each RCT where available. Results 264 trials were included in this study. Of these, 108 (41 %) trials provided some rationale or reference for the mean difference estimate. The most common rationales or references for the estimate of mean difference were minimal clinical important difference (16 %), observational studies on the same subject (8 %) and the ‘clinical relevance’ of the authors (6 %). In a third of the trials, the weighted mean plus 1 standard deviation of the primary outcome reached over the best value in the patient-reported outcome measure scale, indicating the possibility of ceiling effect in the outcome. Conclusions The chosen mean difference estimates in power calculations are rarely properly justified in orthopaedic trials. In general, trials with a patient-reported outcome measure as the primary outcome do not assess or report the possibility of the ceiling effect in the primary outcome or elaborate further in the Discussion section.

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Corneal Biomechanical Parameters and Central Corneal Thickness in Glaucoma Patients, Glaucoma Suspects, and a Healthy Population

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10122637 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 2637

Author(s):

Mª. Ángeles del Buey-Sayas ◽

Elena Lanchares-Sancho ◽

Pilar Campins-Falcó ◽

María Dolores Pinazo-Durán ◽

Cristina Peris-Martínez

Keyword(s):

Central Corneal Thickness ◽

Corneal Thickness ◽

Mean Difference ◽

The Other ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Population ◽

Diagnostic Categories ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Biomechanical Parameters ◽

The Mean

Purpose: To evaluate and compare corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), and central corneal thickness (CCT), measurements were taken between a healthy population (controls), patients diagnosed with glaucoma (DG), and glaucoma suspect patients due to ocular hypertension (OHT), family history of glaucoma (FHG), or glaucoma-like optic discs (GLD). Additionally, Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure (IOPg) and corneal-compensated IOP (IOPcc) were compared between the different groups of patients. Methods: In this prospective analytical-observational study, a total of 1065 patients (one eye of each) were recruited to undergo Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) testing, ultrasound pachymetry, and clinical examination. Corneal biomechanical parameters (CH, CRF), CCT, IOPg, and IOPcc were measured in the control group (n = 574) and the other groups: DG (n = 147), FHG (n = 78), GLD (n = 90), and OHT (n = 176). We performed a variance analysis (ANOVA) for all the dependent variables according to the different diagnostic categories with multiple comparisons to identify the differences between the diagnostic categories, deeming p < 0.05 as statistically significant. Results: The mean CH in the DG group (9.69 mmHg) was significantly lower compared to controls (10.75 mmHg; mean difference 1.05, p < 0.001), FHG (10.70 mmHg; mean difference 1.00, p < 0.05), GLD (10.63 mmHg; mean difference 0.93, p < 0.05) and OHT (10.54 mmHg; mean difference 0.84, p < 0.05). No glaucoma suspects (FHG, GLD, OHT groups) presented significant differences between themselves and the control group (p = 1.00). No statistically significant differences were found in the mean CRF between DG (11.18 mmHg) and the control group (10.75 mmHg; mean difference 0.42, p = 0.40). The FHG and OHT groups showed significantly higher mean CRF values (12.32 and 12.41 mmHg, respectively) than the DG group (11.18 mmHg), with mean differences of 1.13 (p < 0.05) and 1.22 (p < 0.001), respectively. No statistically significant differences were found in CCT in the analysis between DG (562 μ) and the other groups (control = 556 μ, FHG = 576 μ, GLD = 569 μ, OHT = 570 μ). The means of IOPg and IOPcc values were higher in the DG patient and suspect groups than in the control group, with statistically significant differences in all groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study presents corneal biomechanical values (CH, CRF), CCT, IOPg, and IOPcc for diagnosed glaucoma patients, three suspected glaucoma groups, and a healthy population, using the ORA. Mean CH values were markedly lower in the DG group (diagnosed with glaucoma damage) compared to the other groups. No significant difference was found in CCT between the DG and control groups. Unexpectedly, CRF showed higher values in all groups than in the control group, but the difference was only statistically significant in the suspect groups (FHG, GLD, and OHT), not in the DG group.

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