Spatial variability of forward modelled attenuated backscatter in clear-sky conditions over a megacity: Implications for observation network design.

Sensors that measure the attenuated backscatter coefficient (e.g., automatic lidars and ceilometers [ALCs]) provide information on aerosols that can impact urban climate and human health. To design an observational network of ALC sensors for supporting data assimilation and to improve prediction of urban weather and air quality, a methodology is needed. In this study, spatio-temporal patterns of aerosol-attenuated backscatter coefficient are modelled using Met Office numerical weather prediction (NWP) models at two resolutions, 1.5 km (UKV) and 300 m (London Model [LM]), for 28 clear-sky days and nights. Initially, attenuated backscatter coefficient data are analysed using S-mode principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation. Four to seven empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) are produced for each model level, with common EOFs found across different heights (day and night) for both NWP models. EOFs relate strongly to orography, wind, and emissions source location, highlighting these as critical controls of attenuated backscatter coefficient spatial variability across the megacity. Urban-rural differences are largest when wind speeds are low and vertical boundary-layer dynamics can more effectively distribute near-surface aerosol emissions vertically. In several night-time EOFs, gravity-wave features are found for both NWP models. Increasing the horizontal resolution of native ancillaries (model input parameters) and improving the urban surface scheme in the LM may enhance the urban signal in the EOFs. PCA output, with agglomerative Ward cluster analysis (CA), minimises intra-group variance. The UKV and LM CA shape and size results are similar and strongly related to orography. PCA-CA is a simple, but adaptable methodology, allowing close alignment with observation network design goals. Here, CA is used with wind roses to suggest the optimised ALC deployment is one in the city to observe the urban plume and others surrounding the city, with priority given to cluster size and frequency of upwind advection.

Consensus-based guidelines for Video EEG monitoring in the pre-surgical evaluation of children with epilepsy in the UK.

PURPOSE: Paediatric Epilepsy surgery in the UK has recently been centralised in order to improve expertise and quality of service available to children. Video EEG monitoring or telemetry is a highly specialised and a crucial component of the pre-surgical evaluation. Although many Epilepsy Monitoring Units work to certain standards, there is no national or international guideline for paediatric video telemetry. METHODS: Due to lack of evidence we used a modified Delphi process utilizing the clinical and academic expertise of the clinical neurophysiology sub-specialty group of Children's Epilepsy Surgical Service (CESS) centres in England and Wales. This process consisted of the following stages I: Identification of the consensus working group, II: Identification of key areas for guidelines, III: Consensus practice points and IV: Final review. Statements that gained consensus (median score of either 4 or 5 using a five-point Likerttype scale) were included in the guideline. RESULTS: Two rounds of feedback and amendments were undertaken. The consensus guidelines includes the following topics: referral pathways, neurophysiological equipment standards, standards of recording techniques, with specific emphasis on safety of video EEG monitoring both with and without drug withdrawal, a protocol for testing patient's behaviours, data storage and guidelines for writing factual reports and conclusions. All statements developed received a median score of 5 and were adopted by the group. CONCLUSION: Using a modified Delphi process we were able to develop universally-accepted video EEG guidelines for the UK CESS. Although these recommendations have been specifically developed for the pre-surgical evaluation of children with epilepsy, it is assumed that most components are transferable to any paediatric video EEG monitoring setting.

The Birmingham Urban Climate Laboratory-A high density, urban meteorological dataset, from 2012-2014.

There is a paucity of urban meteorological observations worldwide, hindering progress in understanding and mitigating urban meteorological hazards and extremes. High quality urban datasets are required to monitor the impacts of climatological events, whilst providing data for evaluation of numerical models. The Birmingham Urban Climate Laboratory was established as an exemplar network to meet this demand for urban canopy layer observations. It comprises of an array of 84 wireless air temperature sensors nested within a coarser array of 24 automatic weather stations, with observations available between June 2012 and December 2014. data routinely underwent quality control, follows the ISO 8601 naming format and benefits from extensive site metadata. The data have been used to investigate the structure of the urban heat island in Birmingham and its associated societal and infrastructural impacts. The network is now being repurposed into a testbed for the assessment of crowd-sourced and satellite data, but the original dataset is now available for further analysis, and an open invitation is extended for its academic use.