A total electron content space weather study of the Nighttime Weddell Sea Anomaly of 1996/97 southern summer with TOPEX/Poseidon radar altimetry

This paper reports on a total electron content space weather study of the nighttime Weddell Sea Anomaly, overlooked by previously published TOPEX/Poseidon climate studies, and of the nighttime ionosphere during the 1996/1997 southern summer. To ascertain the morphology of spatial TEC distribution over the oceans in terms of hourly, geomagnetic, longitudinal and summer-winter variations, the TOPEX TEC, magnetic, and published neutral wind velocity data are utilized. To understand the underlying physical processes, the TEC results are combined with inclination and declination data plus global magnetic field-line maps. To investigate spatial and temporal TEC variations, geographic/magnetic latitudes and local times are computed. As results show, the nighttime Weddell Sea Anomaly is a large (∼1,600(°)2; ∼22 million km2 estimated for a steady ionosphere) space weather feature. Extending between 200°E and 300°E (geographic), it is an ionization enhancement peaking at 50°S–60°S/250°E–270°E and continuing beyond 66°S. It develops where the spacing between the magnetic field lines is wide/medium, easterly declination is large-medium (20°–50°), and inclination is optimum (∼55°S). Its development and hourly variations are closely correlated with wind speed variations. There is a noticeable (∼43%) reduction in its average area during the high magnetic activity period investigated. Southern summer nighttime TECs follow closely the variations of declination and field-line configuration and therefore introduce a longitudinal division of four (Indian, western/eastern Pacific, Atlantic). Northern winter nighttime TECs measured over a limited area are rather uniform longitudinally because of the small declination variation. TOPEX maps depict the expected strong asymmetry in TEC distribution about the magnetic dip equator.

A preliminary case series on the use of quetiapine for posttraumatic stress disorder in juveniles within a youth detention center

Juveniles within the youth justice system have high rates of psychiatric morbidity, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This case series describes 6 young people aged 15 to 17 years within a youth detention center who met the criteria for PTSD and reported an improvement in symptoms after 6 weeks of treatment with low-dose quetiapine. The primary outcome measure used was the Traumatic Symptom Checklist in Children. The dose of quetiapine ranged from 50 to 200 mg/d; T scores for PTSD symptoms decreased from 75 (SD, +/- 5.2; range, 68-82) to 54 (SD: +/- 7.4; range, 43-62) (P <= 0.01). Significant improvements in symptoms of dissociation (P <= 0.01), anxiety (P < 0.01), depression (P < 0.01).. and anger (P < 0.05) were also noted over the 6-week evaluation period. Low-dose quetiapine was tolerated well, with no persisting side effects or adverse events. Nighttime sedation was reported, although this was viewed as beneficial. All young people opted to continue with treatment after the assessment period. This preliminary case series suggests that juveniles in detention who have PTSD may benefit from treatment with quetiapine. Caution is needed in interpreting these findings. Both larger open-label and blinded trials are war-ranted to define the use of quetiapine in the treatment of PTSD in the adolescent forensic population.