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Storm surges are a significant hazard to coastal communities around the world, putting lives at risk and costing billions of dollars in damage. Understanding how storm surges and high tides interact is crucial for estimating extreme water levels so that we can protect coastal communities. We demonstrate that in a tidal regime the best measure of a storm surge is the skew surge, the difference between the observed and predicted high water within a tidal cycle. Based on tide gauge records spanning decades from the UK, U.S., Netherlands, and Ireland we show that the magnitude of high water exerts no influence on the size of the most extreme skew surges. This is the first systematic proof that any storm surge can occur on any tide, which is essential for understanding worst‐case scenarios. The lack of surge generation dependency on water depth emphasizes the dominant natural variability of weather systems in an observation‐based analysis. Weak seasonal relationships between skew surges and high waters were identified at a minority of locations where long‐period changes to the tidal cycle interact with the storm season. Our results allow advances to be made in methods for estimating the joint probabilities of storm surges and tides. Skew surge is the best metric of storm surge in a tidal regimeAny skew surge can coincide with any tideWhere seasonal relationships exist, they should be included in risk predictions

The article discusses the interior design and decorations of a town house in the Chelsea section of London, England designed by Russian mosaicist Boris Anrep.

Prior research has studied risk factors associated with horse-falls during racing but is now dated. This study investigated if risk factors associated with Class 1 steeplechase race horse-falls concur with those in prior research, and related these to current prophylactics strategies designed to enhance racehorse welfare. Factors associated with horse-falls and clinical injury were collected via the Racingpost website for Class 1 steeplechase races (n=647; 6454 horses) between 1999 and 2011. Data were analysed using a logistic regression model, with a Poisson fit. Speed, number of runners, distance and soft going all resulted in more falls; differences in risk between grades existed. Whilst some factors remained high risk as previously identified, some have reduced suggesting scope remains for improving preventative strategies and thus racehorse welfare.

For a simple dynamical system, such as a pendulum, it is easy to deduce where and when applied forcing might produce a particular response. However, for a complex nonlinear dynamical system such as the ocean or atmosphere, this is not as obvious. Knowing when or where the system is most sensitive, to observational uncertainty or otherwise, is key to understanding the physical processes, improving and providing reliable forecasts. We describe the application of adjoint modeling to determine the sensitivity of sea level at a UK coastal location, Sheerness, to perturbations in wind stress preceding an extreme North Sea storm surge event on 9 November 2007. Sea level at Sheerness is one of the most important factors used to decide whether to close the Thames Flood Barrier, which protects London. Adjoint modeling has been used by meteorologists since the 1990s, but is a relatively new technique for ocean modeling. It may be used to determine system sensitivity beyond the scope of ensemble modeling and in a computationally efficient way. Using estimates of wind stress error from Met Office forecasts, we find that for this event total sea level at Sheerness is most sensitive in the 3 h preceding the time of its unperturbed maximum level and over a radius of approximately 300 km. We also find that the pattern of sensitivity follows a simple sequence when considered in the reverse‐time direction. We use adjoint modelling to find the sensitivity of coastal sea level to wind.This vital sensitivity question is beyond the scope of ensemble forecasting.For this storm surge event, the sensitivity is localised and propagates.

AbstractBackground: The domestic horse is utilised as a companion or competition animal, subsequently many horses are exposed to management regimens which can limit mastication opportunities often resulting in the development of pathology requiring prophylactic dental treatment (routine floating). To date, limited research has undertaken evaluation of the efficacy of mastication pre and post floating. Aim: This study aimed to utilise kinematic analysis to measure changes within lateral excursion and power stroke duration as a result of routine floating to establish its influence on the mastication cycle. Methods: Six horses presenting with sharp buccal and lingual points were charted by a qualified equine dental technician and then underwent kinematic analysis of mastication (Qualysis ProReflex) on Day 0. Prophylactic dental treatment was conducted on Day 1 and kinematic evaluation was repeated on Day 8. Results: No differences were found pre to post floating for the duration of the power stroke or lateral excursion. However, distances travelled during both the power stroke and lateral excursion exhibited significant differences between treatments. The horse appears to exhibit a 'natural' frequency for components of mastication including the durations of the cycle, power stroke and lateral excursion. Increases in distance travelled could facilitate attrition over a larger surface area of the cheek teeth thus improving the efficiency of the mastication cycle. Conclusion: Prophylactic dentistry appears to produce initial enhancement of the 'power' component of the mastication cycle which should exert a positive influence on attrition and thus improve welfare in the horse. Further research to evaluate the longitudinal impact of prophylactic dentistry is warranted.

Aim:To date epidemiology has been widely utilised to analyse disease and identify risk factors associated with injury. This study aimed to establish if epidemiology has the potential to be employed as a predictive model of National Hunt racing performance.Objectives:The purpose of the present study was to apply the principles of epidemiology to predict factors that impact on individual performance in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and to strengthen the potential of epidemiology as a valid methodology for predicting racehorse performance.MethodsRelevant factors related to racehorse performance were identified and collated via the Racingpost website for horses that had run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup from 1995 to 2010. Subsequent univariate and multivariable single-level and mixed effects logistic regression models were developed using winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup as the dependent variable.ResultsThe chance of a horse winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup is increased by1.09 times for each extra 10 percentage point increase in the percentage of starts at Cheltenham that resulted in a win. Horses that had been ridden by only one or two jockeys throughout their career were 40 times more likely to win than horses that had been ridden by three or more jockeys.ConclusionsNational Hunt racehorses that have one or two consistent jockeys throughout their racing career and have a higher course runs to win ratio at Cheltenham are predicted to perform superiorly to their peers who do not.Potential relevance:Epidemiology appears to be a valid tool for predicting variables that can increase the probability of superior performance for specific events and has potential to be utilised in other equine sporting fields.

Tendon injuries are commonplace in the equine athlete and are reported to be one of the most prevalent forms of musculoskeletal injuries occurring in horses competing in all disciplines. The superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) is the more commonly injured of the flexor tendons, accounting for 75–93% of clinical cases; research suggests that lesions typically occur at the mid-metacarpal level in the ‘core’ or central region of the SDFT.Aims and objectives:The aim of this research was to increase knowledge regarding the susceptibility to injury of specific topographical regions within the SDFT, and to identify any relationship between topographical location and lesion severity to laterality and the equestrian discipline the subjects competed in.Method:Secondary data were ultrasound scans from the forelimb SDFTs of horses (n=100) presenting with primary ‘core’ lesions. Topographical location, percentage distribution of the lesion entirety and the echogenicity of lesions were ascertained and graded. Statistical analysis identified if any significant differences were present between discipline competed in and right and left forelimb lesion severity within the population.Results:No significant differences were exposed between competitive discipline or right and left forelimb lesions severity (p>0.05). Lesions that present in the mid-metacarpal region of the SDFT comprised the greater percentage of the total clinical lesion and exhibited higher echogenicity scores, suggesting they were more severe in nature.Conclusions:The study confirmed that the mid-metacarpal region of the SDFT exhibited more severe legions in comparison with the proximal and distal regions; however, no differences between disciplines or with reference to laterality were observed. Although these results can only be applied to this population, they suggest that ultrasonographic evaluation of topography and echogenicity translated to severity scores can aid in the diagnosis of tendon pathology and subjects’ subsequent rehabilitation regimen.

Equine locomotion is complex to measure and has warranted clinical interest since early high-speed photography in the late 19th century produced the first accurate representation of a galloping horse. The advancement of gait analysis technology has produced easy to use systems that have enabled scientists and clinicians to evaluate equine gait characteristics in more detail and with increased objectivity and accurately. Goniometry, force plate, videography and optoelectric systems provide methods for subjective analysis of equine gait. A review of the literature concludes that simple objective, repeatable and user friendly assessment tools have worth in the monitoring of clinical efficacy of therapeutic interventions used in orthopaedics and rehabilitation, and to evaluate locomotor performance in combination with traditional veterinary examinations and equine training practices.

Tendon injuries are commonplace in the equine athlete and contribute to days lost from competition and training, and wastage of horses. Equestrian sport, in particular horseracing, is popular with the general public and the advent of television coverage and the internet enables accidents to be more widely broadcast. This can have a significant negative impact on public perception of equine welfare and negatively affect participation and financial input to the industry. Riders and trainers would benefit from an increased understanding of the risk factors and pathology of tendon injuries to enable prophylactic strategies to be employed to reduce tendon injury occurrence, promote equine health and welfare and optimize performance and career longevity in the equine athlete. This review provides an introduction to the role of tendons in the equine distal limb specifically the superficial digital flexor tendon as this has the highest incidence rate of injury recorded. Intrinsic and extrinsic risks are introduced and related to loading and subsequent pathology to enable preventative strategies to be proposed. This should enable the veterinary support team to enhance knowledge of tendon injury and prevention in clients.

Laterality can be defined as an individual's cerebral hemisphere or motor handed-ness/pawed-ness/hoofed-ness preference, which is recognized in multiple animal species. It has been proposed that the concept can be used to evaluate and predict animal behavioural responses or to determine performance-related variables. This article examines research related to laterality predominately in the horse and its application in clinical practice, in relation to injury prevalence, training and rehabilitation. It concludes that the recognition of hemisphere lateral preference can be used to determine a horse's reactions in novel environments and could inform both clinical and training practice. In addition, assessment of motor lateral preference would be a beneficial addition to integrate into equine training programmes to optimize performance and should be considered when determining rehabilitation programmes post injury.

Background:Relationships have been established between trichoglyphs (whorls) and temperament, laterality and the occurrence of abnormal behaviour in multiple species. Within the equine industry stereotypic behaviour is considered to impair performance and reduce value in affected individuals, potentially reducing career longevity and compromising welfare through preventing their expression when they occur.Aim:The study aimed to determine whether dermatoglyph profiles (whorl morphology, orientation, number and topography) could be used to predict susceptibility to perform abnormal repetitive behaviours (ARB) in thoroughbred racehorses.Method:Trainer interviews combined with experimenter direct observation were used to ascertain expression of ARBs. Whorls were digitally photographed and overall whorl profiles derived using remote computer analysis.Results:Non-parametric statistical analysis revealed significant relationships between aspects of whorl morphology and performance of ARBs (round epicentre: sum ARBs p<0.05; round gross morphology: sum ARBs p<0.0001), orientation and distribution (abdominal trichoglyph orientation asymmetry: sum ARBs p<0.05; clockwise orientation: sum ARBs p<0.05 and social stereotypies p<0.05).Conclusion:This study indicates that whorls may be viable physical indicators of predisposition to perform ARBs in the thoroughbred. Assessment of dermatoglyph profiles have potential to assist with the improvement of horse welfare via informed management practices if patterns exposed are transferable to other breeds and can reliably predict individuals with a propensity to develop ARBs.

There is strong evidence for early supported discharge (ESD) following stroke, but there is no evidence on how these services should be organized or the best models of care. ESD teams rarely include a community stroke rehabilitation nurse. A service development project was undertaken in Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust’s community stroke rehabilitation team to identify and explore the unique contributions of community stroke rehabilitation nurses in an established ESD team. When the team was set up, the nurses had inpatient stroke rehabilitation skills, but no community experience. This novel approach, which involved taking specialist hospital nurses into the community, meant there was a steep learning curve and, unfortunately, there were no role models to support their development. During these early days, it became apparent that intensive stroke rehabilitation within an interdisciplinary ESD team required effective and timely nursing intervention, the development of skills to support interdisciplinary working and a greater understanding of the roles of all team members. Locally and nationally, questions were being asked pertaining to the nurses’ role, which precipitated this project. Through a series of journal club sessions, the interdisciplinary team reviewed the evidence base of the nurse role in stroke rehabilitation. The team were able to evaluate findings against current practice. The project confirmed that the community stroke rehabilitation nurse provides a unique and fundamental role to the team that strengthens the model of interdisciplinary teamworking

Knowledge, skills, and competencies in transition planning are essential components of preparation programs for special and general educators. This study investigated teacher preparation, implementation of transition services, and perceived gaps in transition service delivery. Candidates in five special education preparation programs completed presemester and postsemester surveys to determine (a) the transition-related knowledge, skills, and competencies that candidates believe they are taught, (b) the transition competency level candidates believe they have, (c) facilitators and barriers to implementing transition practices, and (d) attitudes and perceptions about transition services and the candidates' related preparation. Results indicated that few candidates received any instruction in transition services prior to taking dedicated transition-related coursework. Candidates were not confident about their knowledge and skills in assessment, accountability, postschool outcomes, and student-focused planning and assessment.

The article investigates how physical activity can support young people who have experienced the death of a parent. Topics discussed include positive impact of physical activity and sport on the mental health of the youth, the Belonging After Bereavement in the Young, Support Through Exercise, Physical Activity and Sport (BABY STEPS) project, and international bereavement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Arm anthropometry is used as a proxy of body composition in clinical and field research but its validity has not been established in children. To address this issue, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and triceps skinfold thickness (TS) were measured in 110 healthy children aged 4.4–13.9 y (55 boys) and 49 cystic fibrosis (CF) patients aged 8.1–13.4 y (22 boys). Reference values were arm and whole-body fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry and four-component model, respectively. Arm fat area (AFA), MUAC, and TS correlated well with arm FM (r0.84–0.92) and total FM (r0.78–0.92). Arm muscle area (AMA) and MUAC correlated well with arm FFM (r0.68–0.82) and total FFM (r0.60–0.86). After adjusting for age, sex, and height, arm anthropometry correlated strongly with FM but weakly with FFM. AFA, MUAC, and TS explained 67, 63, and 61% of variability in total FM in healthy children and 70, 72, and 63% in CF. AMA and MUAC explained only 24 and 16% of variability in total FFM in healthy children and 33 and 28% in CF. Arm anthropometry is useful for predicting FM and ranking healthy children and patients for fatness. It has poorer success in predicting regional or total FFM.

This article describes results of a literature review of articles addressing self-determination published in 24 journals between 1995 and 2002. The purposes of the study were to (a) identify professional journals most likely to contain articles on self-determination useful to teachers, and (b) categorize the articles to help teachers locate information related to the instructional needs of their students. Results indicated that the majority of articles published on self-determination were located in four research-oriented or disability-specific journals. Few articles were published in practitioner-oriented journals or provided information to teachers regarding educational practices to help students acquire the core component skills of self-determination. Implications for teaching self-determination to students with disabilities are provided.

AbstractThis article briefly explores the literature focusing on early childhood development, parenting and the provision of health services to young families. It highlights a number of reasons why some children with subtle developmental difficulties are not identified until school age. Relevant to child health nurses are: a changing focus on early childhood health issues; low repeat attendance at child health clinics, and the reluctance of parents to seek assistance; the impact of socio-economic status, cultural and ideological influences; the challenges presented in using complex screening tools; the difficulty in detecting subtle developmental problems; the lack of involvement of parents in decision-making; and, the reluctance of both professionals and parents to ‘label’ children. Drawing attention to these issues is essential for child health nurses who have the opportunity to provide effective and timely assistance to families and young children.

Preparation of high quality personnel to provide educational services to students with disabilities living in rural areas is, at best, challenging. Findings from a comprehensive study concerning the status of the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in rural settings and the issues such implementation presents to teacher education programs in these areas are discussed. Members of the American Council on Rural Special Education (ACRES) participated in the study. Results indicated that strategies for enhancing personnel preparation, recruitment, and retention of individuals to institutions of higher education and K-12 schools in rural settings include distance learning, on-site professional development opportunities, salary incentives/increments, and benefits. Linking evaluation data to the general education curriculum and determining how the student's disabilities affect his/her progress in general education are issues for practitioners implementing IDEA in rural settings. Recommendations are provided for enhancing personnel preparation and service delivery based on the results.

The occurrence of fungicidal, elemental S is well documented in certain specialized prokaryotes, but has rarely been detected in eukaryotes. Elemental S was first identified in this laboratory as a novel phytoalexin in the xylem of resistant genotypes of Theobroma cacao, after infection by the vascular, fungal pathogen Verticillium dahliae. In the current work, this phenomenon is demonstrated in a resistant line of tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum, in response to V. dahliae. A novel gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy method using isotope dilution analysis with 34S internal standard was developed to identify unambiguously and quantify 32S in samples of excised xylem. Accumulation of S in vascular tissue was more rapid and much greater in the disease-resistant than in the disease-susceptible line. Levels of S detected in the resistant variety (approximately 10 microg g-1 fresh weight excised xylem) were fungitoxic to V. dahliae (spore germination was inhibited >90% at approximately 3 microg mL-1). Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis confirmed accumulation of S in vascular but not in pith cells and in greater amounts and frequency in the Verticillium spp.-resistant genotype. More intensive localizations of S were occasionally detected in xylem parenchyma cells, vessel walls, vascular gels, and tyloses, structures in potential contact with and linked with defense to V. dahliae. Transient increases in concentrations of sulfate, glutathione, and Cys of vascular tissues from resistant but not susceptible lines after infection may indicate a perturbation of S metabolism induced by elemental S formation; this is discussed in terms of possible S biogenesis.

Children with epilepsy are at risk for academic underachievement. Multiple etiologies for this academic vulnerability have been suggested by past research including lower self-esteem, inattention, memory inefficiency, and lower socioeconomic status. The present study assessed 65 children (mean age = 10 years, 5 months) with well-controlled epilepsy on the four primary factors, as well as academic achievement and intelligence. A stepwise regression analysis was employed with academic achievement as the dependent variable and measures of self-esteem, attention, memory, and socioeconomic status as independent variables. When intelligence was controlled, attention was the only variable associated with achievement scores. Seizure variables including seizure type and duration of epilepsy were not associated with differences in academic performance. Findings support the importance of measuring attention skills in children with epilepsy and suggest that reduced auditory attention skills may be associated with decreased academic performance in these children. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

It was only after World War I that rehabilitation began to emerge as a separate development within health care. Since then, there has been debate at all levels about its existence as a specialty. The importance of rehabilitation is recognized across the spectrum of health and social care, but opinions vary as to the exact nature of rehabilitation nursing. This article has been produced to help nurses to reflect on rehabilitative aspects of their role, regardless of their area of practice.

AbstractEducating a son or daughter who has learning difficulties is likely to be a lifelong responsibility for many parents who find themselves in this situation. This practice-based paper explores the nature of effective teaching support and how it may be offered to parents. Flexible support which meets the needs of the child and the family at the beginning of this journey, aims to build confidence and skills which will be invaluable along the way. The priority of the specialist teacher, working to support the parents or carers of very young children with learning difficulties, is to build a relationship based on mutual trust and understanding with the parents. This relationship acknowledges that parents and teachers have different but equivalent expertise and provides the best opportunity for the teacher to work directly with the child as a ‘trusted adult’ within the family. By getting to know the child and how he learns, the visiting teacher can work with the child's family to develop the optimum learning environment for the child within the home. As relationships evolve, a range of techniques can be sensitively developed into a cohesive approach to help the child learn within the family context. Part of this work is recorded on an Individual Educational Plan (IEP), which aims to summarise the priorities of the parents alongside the advice offered by all the professionals involved with supporting the child. The visiting teacher must be aware of the dangers of being overly prescriptive when advising families about teaching specific skills, at the expense of nurturing interactions and relationships within families. The potential for developing practice in working in collaboration with parents is recognised. Further research into effective schemes is necessary to inform future service provision on a national scale.

Assessment of memory in children and adolescents has been limited because of the lack of standardized instruments available. The recently released Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning (WRAML; Sheslow & Adams, 1990) was used in this exploratory study to examine memory skills in children and adolescents with conditions affecting neuropsychological functioning. Diagnostic categories included epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse, as well as a nonneurological comparison group with psychiatric disturbance. Results indicated that children with epilepsy scored significantly below those with substance abuse or psychiatric disorders on the Verbal Memory Index. Within-group comparisons suggested that all clinical groups had more difficulty with tasks that purportedly measure auditory attentional skills. Children with epilepsy demonstrated greater variability in memory performances, suggesting possible problems with both attention and memory factors. The WRAML appears to be a potentially useful assessment tool in the measurement of memory processes in children, although further research is needed concerning subtest specificity.

This article explores constructs underlying nonverbal abilities in children as measured by neuropsychological test instruments. A principal-components factor analysis with a varimax rotation was used to examine the relationships between performances on subtests from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised, subtests from the Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning, the Beery Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration, Benton's Visual Form Discrimination Test, Trail Making, Grooved Pegboard, and Finger Tapping. Four factors with eigenvalues greater than 1 were obtained, which accounted for 61% of the variance. These included a visuospatial-motor factor, a psychomotor speed factor, a visual-attentional factor, and a factor comprised of visual learning, visual sequencing, and complex-processing speed.

Writing fluency, the ability to write rapidly and easily, is critical for the timely completion of written assignments in the classroom. Children who possess basic writing skills and have an ability to communicate ideas are often penalized for slowness in completing written tasks. The present study used frequently administered nonverbal tasks to predict performance on the Writing Fluency subtest of the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement—Revised for 146 subjects from 6 to 16 years old. A stepwise-regression analysis indicated the Coding subtest of the WISC—R, Beery Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration, the Grooved Pegboard, and gender accounted for 32% of the variance. Logistic regression suggested cut-off scores falling one standard deviation below the mean on Coding and Beery's visuomotor test would signal need for further evaluation of writing dysfluency, particularly for boys.

This bibliography compiles the primary and secondary materials relating to an individual state's determinate or presumptive sentencing scheme.

Outcome findings based on a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological and psychosocial measurements were compared for a set of monozygotic twins. One twin had been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and given prophylactic treatment involving intrathecal methotrexate. Her twin sibling, who developed no signs of the disease, served as a unique control. Remarkably similar profiles were noted for the twins on tests of nonverbal intelligence, visual memory, visual attention, psychomotor speed, and mental flexibility. All performances were in the average to high average range. Significant differences were found on tasks measuring verbal abstract reasoning skills. These differences were postulated to result from prophylactic treatment, leukemia itself, or disruption in normal psychosocial development. As in previous studies, problems with auditory attention were found. However, both children displayed attentional difficulties regardless of treatment status. Emotional assessment indicated that both twins were experiencing a clinically significant level of anxiety that was postulated to play a role in reduced attention skills. Findings argue for the continued need for monitoring the neuropsychological functioning of children given prophylactic treatment and demonstrate the importance of measuring emotional factors in assessment with these children.