SW Quadrant Research Articles

Why cost-effectiveness should trump (clinical) effectiveness: the ethical economics of the South West quadrant.

In many health decision making situations there is a requirement that the effectiveness of interventions, usually their 'clinical' effectiveness, be established, as well as their cost-effectiveness. Often indeed this is effectively a prior requirement for their cost-effectiveness being investigated. If, however, one accepts the ethical argument for using a threshold incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for interventions that are more effective but more costly (i.e. fall in the NE quadrant of the cost-effectiveness plane), one should apply the same decision rule in the SW quadrant, where the intervention is less effective but less costly. This implication is present in most standard treatments of cost-effectiveness analysis, including recent stochastic versions, and had gone relatively unquestioned within the discipline until the recent suggestion that the ICER threshold might be 'kinked'. A kinked threshold would, O'Brien et al. argue, better reflect the asymmetrical individual preferences found in empirical studies of consumer's willingness to pay and willingness to accept and justify different decision rules in the NE and SW quadrants. We reject the validity of such asymmetric preferences in the context of public health care decisions and consider and counter the two main 'ethical' objections that probably underlie the asymmetry in this case--the objection to 'taking away' and the objection to being required to undergo treatment that is less effective than no treatment at all.

Spatial relationships between natural seismicity and faults, southeastern Ontario and north-central New York state

A statistical analysis was carried out to investigate spatial associations between natural seismicity and faults in southeastern Ontario and north-central New York State (between 73°18′ and 77°00′W and 43°30′ and 45°18′N). The study area is situated to the west of the seismically active St. Lawrence fault zone, and to the east of the Lake Ontario basin where recently documented geological and geophysical evidence points to possible neotectonic faulting. The weights of evidence method was used to judge the spatial associations between seismic events and populations of faults in eight arbitrarily defined orientation groups. Spatial analysis of data sets for seismic events in the periods 1930–1970 and post-1970 suggest stronger spatial associations between earthquake epicentres and faults with strikes that lie in the NW–SE quadrants, and weaker spatial associations of epicentres with faults that have strikes in the NE–SW quadrants. The strongest spatial associations were determined for groups of faults with strikes between 101° and 146°. The results suggest that faults striking broadly NW–SE, at high angles to the regional maximum horizontal compressive stress, are statistically more likely to be spatially associated with seismic events than faults striking broadly NE–SW. If the positive spatial associations can be interpreted as indicating genetic relationships between earthquakes and mapped faults, then the results may suggest that, as a population, NW–SE trending faults are more likely to be seismically active than NE–SW striking faults. Detailed geological studies of faults in the study area would be required to determine possible neotectonic displacements and the kinematics of the displacements.

Preferred VGP paths during geomagnetic polarity reversals: Symmetry considerations

The reversing geomagnetic field has been said to have virtual geomagnetic poles (VGPs) confined to a pair of longitudes close to where magnetic flux is concentrated at the core surface today, at approximately 90°W and 110°E. This can be explained if flux remains concentrated on the same longitudes throughout the transition. The VGP path then depends on site position, reversal sense (R→N or N→R), and sense of flux migration (pole‐ or equator‐ward). For transitional fields which remain antisymmetric about the equator, N→R transitions with poleward flux migration give western longitude VGP paths for sites in the NE and SW quadrants and eastern longitude VGP paths for sites in the NW and SE quadrants. Sites on quadrant boundaries record rapid, variable VGP positions. Data from the last (Matuyama‐Brunhes) reversal are broadly consistent with poleward flux migration.

Changes in a spar-stage ecotonal forest ofEucalyptus regnans, Eucalyptus obliquaandEucalyptus cypellocarpafollowing wildfire on the Hume Range in November 1982

Summary A wildfire in a mixed, even-aged stand of damp sclerophyll forest (i.e. intermediate between wet and dry sclerophyll forest) killed a large proportion of the predominating Eucalyptus regnans 1, whereas most Eucalyptus obliqua and Eucalyptus cypellocarpa recovered vegetatively. Since most of the canopy-stored fruits were immature at the time of the fire, seedling density was not great. Severe mortality of seedlings occurred in the first two years due to browsing, insect and fungal attack, and smothering by the heavy fall of bracken litter. The area examined was a 1.1 ha plot that had been studied in detail 2 years before the fire. The vast majority of tree seedlings were E. regnans, which, after 5 years, had established only in the SW quadrant of the plot, where the fire had been most severe and the basal area of overstorey reduced by 63%. Where basal area was reduced by about 50%, seedling regeneration was further depleted by rapid tussock grass regrowth in the understorey. A shift in dominance ha...

On the potential of regional-scale emissions zoning as an air quality management tool for the grand canyon

Air arriving at the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River during 1988–1989 is attributed to one of four geographic quadrants—NE, SE, SW, NW—on the basis of routinely calculated back-trajectories. Most of the haze observed at the Canyon is attributed to the SW quadrant, which contains the populous and industrialized areas of southern California. Air from either northern quadrant tends to be significantly clearer than air from either southern quadrant. Clear northern air is most common during the winter, and is rarely observed during the summer tourist season, when steady flow from the southwest is the norm. Various possible interpretations of these empirical results are discussed, with varying implications for emissions management policy.

Pre-harvest rindstain of ‘Valencia’ orange: histochemical and developmental characterization

Pre-harvest rindstain of California cultivar ‘Valencia’ orange has economic significance since fresh fruit marketability is reduced. Quantification of the incidence of rindstain as related to tree quadrant has allowed us to designate quadrants where rindstain was most likely to occur (upper outside SW) or least likely (lower inside NE) to occur. Growth and development characteristics of fruit from the two quadrants were measured throughout fruit development. Significant differences in percent weight loss between fruit from the SW and NE quadrants occurred at color break and at commercial maturity. Structural and histochemical changes in flavedo tissue of fruit from SW or NE tree quadrants were monitored over the course of fruit development and maturation. First evidence of periderm formation occurred in October, coincident with observed changes in histochemical staining for lipids. These differences were increasingly evident as the fruit approached horticultural maturity and visual symptoms of rindstain developed. The development of a pronounced periderm in affected fruit suggests that rindstain is due to a physical trauma, although we do not believe it is caused by wind.

Winter Offshore/Onshore Wind Differences in Southeastern Hudson Bay, Canada

Acquisition of two 38-day wind data sets collected over a fast-ice shelf and at a nearby coastal weather station (Kuujjuarapik) in Hudson Bay allowed the calculation for the first time of an offshore/onshore wind speed ratio for an ice-covered environment. Mean wind over the ice was 29% higher than at the coast, compared to values of 65% for open ocean locations. This reflects the effect of the higher drag coefficient of the sea ice that more strongly attenuates the wind than does the sea surface. The data set also allowed the evaluation of the change in the wind field by local topography. Thus, a strong orographic effect was found in the SW quadrant, as winds of less than 5 m/s were deflected toward the SE and NW.

The Detailed Magnetic Field Structure in the SW Quadrant of M31

A three-dimensional, arc-like structure in the magnetic field was found coming out of the plane of M31. This structure may be the first Parker-Jeans instability observed in an external galaxy.

Impact of Pesticides on California Red Scale Populations on Orange, 1984

Abstract A randomized complete block experiment with 7 replicates was conducted in a field of Valencia oranges (ca 15 ft tall, 20 ft × 21 ft planting) in Riverside, California. The field was divided into 9-tree (3 × 3) plots. Pretreatment densities of California red scale (CRS) were estimated by sampling 120 twigs (9-in terminal twigs) per plot in mid May ’84 and posttreatment densities were estimated by sampling 120 twigs and 120 fruit per plot in mid Oct ’84 and again in early Apr ’85. Fruit counts are an index of how well a treatment prevented the current crop from becoming infested and consequently down-graded. This is the immediate benefit of a CRS control application. Twig counts are an index of how well a treatment suppressed scale population growth. The 120 sample units per plot consisted of 15 randomly selected sample units from each of 8 locations within each plot: on the center tree, the NE, NW, SE, and SW quadrants; and on each of the 4 trees immediately N, S, E, and W of the center tree (rows ran E-W), the quadrant that faces the center tree (the S, N, W, and E quadrants of these trees, respectively). Each sample unit was scored in situ as being infested or not infested with live CRS. Blocks with relatively uniform pretreatment counts were created by assigning plots with similar pre-treatment counts to the same block. The treatments were randomized within each of the 7 blocks. Pesticides were applied with an oscillating boom sprayer (500 psi, 1.4 mph) at a rate of ea 2,038 gal/A on 27 Jun ’84 which was approximately 1 wk prior to the peak of the second generation male flight as estimated from pheromone trap catches in a field ca 20 mi from Riverside.

Evaluation of Baits for Control of Brown Garden Snail in California, 1984

Abstract Various bait formulations of metaldehyde, methiocarb and larvin were tested for control of brown garden snails in an 11-year-old grapefruit grove (NS rows rowspacing 24 x 12 ft) in Buckhorn CA using 4 single-tree replicates per treatment. Trees were devoid of weeds, but some leaf litter had accumulated under each tree. The grove was irrigated on 22 May, 4 Jun, and 11 Jun using low volume sprinklers, 1 located between each tree in a row. Counts of live snails pretreatment and dead snails posttreatment were taken within 1-yard-square counting frames (positions marked by stakes) which were placed half-way under the drip line of each tree on the NE, SE, SW and NW quadrants. Each count was taken of snails of all life stages within the 4 square yard area per tree. On each date, all dead snails were removed from the sample area so that they would not be recounted at a later date. Treatments were applied in a circle at the drip lines of the trees using dime-sized drops for the Deadline 40 (4% metaldehyde) or by sprinkling the dry baits in a narrow band.

Source areas for chemical components in Minnesota rain

Air parcel back trajectories were used to quantify the contributions of major source areas to the chemical composition of rainwater in an area of central Minnesota. Air masses arriving from the SW contributed the majority of the rain, and the rain contained the highest concentrations of the chemical components. However, rain from the SW quadrant was less acidic than rain arriving from other quadrants because it contained a disproportionate amount of alkaline cations. It was inferred from meteorological evidence that components in rain arriving at the study site from the SW quadrant may have come from eastern and southern U.S.A. sources and been transported around a high pressure system to Minnesota. Rain from the SE quadrant was the most acidic. Concentrations of substances in rain arriving from the NW were higher than expected, consistent with a possible impact from western coal development.

The use of average annual rainfall to derive estimates of orographic enhancement of frontal rain over England and Wales for different wind directions

AbstractA field of average annual enhancement, defined as the mean rainfall rate al inland sites minus the mean rate over the coast, has been derived for England and Wales. Past cases of frontal rain associated with low‐level winds from the SW quadrant were analysed so as to determine the typical distribution and intensity of orographic enhancement. It is shown that these results are sensitive to wind speed and, in particular, direction. Comparison of these results suggest relationships between orographic enhancement and average annual enhancement which are used to produce estimates of the distribution of enhancement which may occur with low‐level winds from other directions. These enhancement fields can he combined with radar observations of rain over the sea to produce short‐period forecasts of rainfall intensity when it moves overland.

Metal-rich globular clusters in the Galaxy. V - A photometric study of 47 Tucanae

view Abstract Citations (120) References (33) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Metal-rich globular clusters in the Galaxy. V. A photometric study of 47 Tucanae. Hesser, J. E. ; Hartwick, F. D. A. Abstract Magnitudes and colors on the UBV system are given for 97 photoelectrically measured 47 Tuc stars having 8.98 < B < 19.9 mag; the stars are predominantly located in the SW quadrant of 47 Tuc where contamination by SMC stars is minimized. Photographic V and (B - V) values are also given for three samples of stars: (i) a uniform sample of 1500 stars located in the SW quadrant, upon which the conclusions of our 1974 paper were based; (ii) a group consisting of 600 stars brighter than V 14.6 mag chosen from a large area centered on the cluster; (ili) a sample of 1100 stars in the NE quadrant. The photographic data are used to construct colormagnitude diagrams and luminosity functions of the cluster. We find that the giant branch appears to have a relatively broad peak at V 13.1 mag and a narrower peak at V 12.4 mag, suggesting that evolution up the asymptotic branch of 47 Tuc is not smooth. An integrated (B - V) = 0.88 mag is found for the outer regions of 47 Tuc by summing our photographic magnitudes to Mv 5.8. Subject headings: clusters: globular - stars: Population II Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series Pub Date: March 1977 DOI: 10.1086/190431 Bibcode: 1977ApJS...33..361H Keywords: Globular Clusters; Stellar Luminosity; Tables (Data); Ubv Spectra; Electrophotometers; Giant Stars; Metallic Stars; Stellar Evolution; Stellar Spectrophotometry; Astronomy full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (32) GCPD (1) Related Materials (4) Part 1: 1972ApJ...175...77H Part 2: 1973ApJ...185..887H Part 3: 1976ApJ...203...97H Part 4: 1976ApJ...203..113H

Clonal variation in the incidence of Hypoxylon canker on trembling aspen

The incidence of Hypoxylon canker, caused by Hypoxylon mammatum (Whal.) Miller, on ramets of 80 pole-sized Populus iremuloides clones was determined on three sites near Pellston, Michigan, and two sites near Iron River, Michigan. Variation in the incidence of canker within clones was slight. No significant difference (P &gt;.05) in canker incidence was found among NE, SE, SW, and NW quadrants of 47 clones on the Pellston Plain site. Significant differences (P &lt;.005) were found among clones in the incidence of canker in four of the five sites studied. In some cases, nearby or adjacent pairs of clones showed significant and striking differences in the incidence of canker infection. The range in canker incidence (percentage of living and dead ramets with stem or branch cankers) for all clones was 9 to 90%; the range was wide on all sites. Low stand density and light bark color of ramets were both significantly (P &lt;.01 and P &lt;.05, respectively) correlated with high canker infection.Although genetic differences between clones in the incidence of canker were not proven, the marked phenotypic differences among clones and other findings suggested moderate genetic control on four of the five sites investigated. In studies relating the incidence of canker to site and biotic factors, the clonal structure of aspen stands should be recognized, and the clone should be used as the basic unit of sampling.

Observations and analysis of ionospheric drift

Observations of radio fading at spaced receivers for 2.33 Mc/s and 4.57 Mc/s indicate that the ionospheric drift is more variable in winter than summer. Average speeds are 19 m/sec for 2.33-Mc/s records and 12 m/sec for 4.57-Mc/s records. Fading resulting from random changes is always significant. Random changes appear to be anisotropic and tend to rotate the correlation ellipse to a position along the magnetic field. The ellipse almost invariably is oriented with the major axis in the SW quadrant. The method of similar fades is less reliable than the correlation method in evaluating drift velocities and directions.