bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Will Perturbing Soil Moisture Improve Warm-Season Ensemble Forecasts? A Proof of Concept
Authors: Sutton Christian , Hamill Thomas M. , Warner Thomas T.
Published: November 2006

Current generation short-range ensemble forecast members tend to be unduly similar to each other, especially for components such as surface temperature and precipitation. One possible cause of this is a lack of perturbations to the land surface state. In this experiment, a two-member ensemble of the Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model (ARW) was run from two different soil moisture analyses. One-day forecasts were conducted for six warm-season cases over the central United States with moderate soil moistures, both with explicit convection at 5-km grid spacing and with parameterized convection at 20-km grid spacing. Since changing the convective parameterization has previously been demonstrated to cause significant differences between ensemble forecast members, 20-km simulations were also conducted that were initialized with the same soil moisture but that used two different convective parameterizations as a reference. At 5 km, the forecast differences due to changing the soil moisture were comparable to the differences in 20-km simulations with the same soil moisture but with a different convective parameterization. The differences of 20-km simulations from different soil moistures were occasionally large but typically smaller than the differences from changing the convective parameterization. Thus, perturbing the state of the land surface for this version of WRF/ARW was judged to be likely to increase the spread of warm-season operational short-range ensemble forecasts of precipitation and surface temperature when soil moistures are moderate in value, especially if the ensemble is comprised of high-resolution members with explicit convection.
Computation of the Streamfunction and Velocity Potential for Limited and Irregular Domains
Authors: Li Zhijin , Chao Yi , McWilliams James C.
Published: November 2006

An algorithm is proposed for the computation of streamfunction and velocity potential from given horizontal velocity vectors based on solving a minimization problem. To guarantee the uniqueness of the solution and computational reliability of the algorithm, a Tikhonov regularization is applied. The solution implies that the obtained streamfunction and velocity potential have minimal magnitude, while the given velocity vectors can be accurately reconstructed from the computed streamfunction and velocity potential. Because the formulation of the minimization problem allows for circumventing the explicit specification of separate boundary conditions on the streamfunction and velocity potential, the algorithm is easily applicable to irregular domains. By using an advanced minimization algorithm with the use of adjoint techniques, the method is computationally efficient and suitable for problems with large dimensions. An example is presented for coastal oceans to illustrate the practical application of the algorithm.
Formation and Maintenance Mechanisms of the Stable Layer over the Po Valley during MAP IOP-8
Authors: Hoggarth Allison M. , Reeves Heather Dawn , Lin Yuh-Lang
Published: November 2006

During intensive observation period 8 (IOP-8) of the Mesoscale Alpine Program, a strong stable layer formed over Italy’s Po Valley and the northern Ligurian Sea. This stable layer has been shown in previous research to be important for the formation of convection over the Ligurian Sea and the lack thereof over the Po Valley and southern slopes of the Alps. The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanisms that acted to form and maintain the stable layer during IOP-8. This aim is accomplished through inspection of observed data as well as numerical simulations and sensitivity experiments. Observations and reanalysis data show that starting on 17 October 1999, a relatively cool, stable air mass was advected around the eastern side of the Alps into the lower atmosphere of the Po Valley. Both observational data and model output show this air mass as being blocked as it encountered the western Alps, thus resulting in an accumulation of cool, stable air at low levels in the Po Valley during the ensuing 60 h. When southerly flow approached northern Italy beginning on 20 October 1999, both the western Alps and the northern Alps appeared to help retain the low-level, cool, stable air over the Po Valley. A trajectory and sounding analysis shows that warmer, less stable air originating from over the southern Mediterranean Sea was advected atop the low-lying stable layer within the Po Valley. It is hypothesized that this differential advection, as well as blocking by the western and northern flanks of the Alps, were responsible for the longevity of the stable layer. A series of numerical simulations and sensitivity experiments were performed to test the above hypotheses. These tests support the hypotheses. Other mechanisms were also considered, including blocking of solar radiation by clouds, friction, and evaporative cooling. These simulations revealed that all three processes were critical for the longevity of the stable layer and point to the importance of accurate model representation of subgrid-scale processes.
Analysis of Hurricane Catarina (2004)
Authors: McTaggart-Cowan Ron , Bosart Lance F. , Davis Christopher A. , Atallah Eyad H. , Gyakum John R. , Emanuel Kerry A.
Published: November 2006

The development of Hurricane Catarina over the western South Atlantic Ocean in March 2004 marks the first time that the existence of a hurricane has been confirmed by analysis and satellite imagery in the South Atlantic basin. The storm undergoes a complex life cycle, beginning as an extratropical precursor that moves east-southeastward off the Brazilian coast and toward the midlatitudes. Its eastward progress is halted and the system is steered back westward toward the Brazilian coast as it encounters a strengthening dipole-blocking structure east of the South American continent. Entering the large region of weak vertical shear that characterizes this blocking pattern, Catarina begins a tropical transition process over anomalously cool 25°C ocean waters above which an elevated potential intensity is supported by the cold upper-level air associated with the trough component of the block. As the convective outflow from the developing tropical system reinforces the ridge component of the dipole block, the storm is accelerated westward toward the Santa Catarina province of Brazil and makes landfall there as a nominal category-1 hurricane, causing extensive damage with its heavy rains and strong winds.

The complex evolution of the system is analyzed using a suite of diagnostic tools, and a conceptual model of the tropical transition and steering processes in the presence of a dipole block is developed. Once the essential properties of the upper-level flow are established, an analog study is undertaken to investigate lower-atmospheric responses to similar blocking regimes. Persistent dipole-blocking structures are found to be rare east of South America; however, the evolution of systems occurring during these periods is shown to be complex and to exhibit various subtropical development modes.
Going Public in the European Union
Authors: Kriesi Hanspeter , Tresch Anke , Jochum Margit
Published: November 2006

As a result of the Europeanization of politics and the increasing role of the public sphere, political actors in Western Europe are currently facing a double strategic challenge. Based on data from seven West European countries and the European Union, the authors analyze how state actors, political parties, interest groups, and social movement organizations cope with this double challenge at both the national and the supranational level. Results indicate that the classic repertoire of inside strategies at the national level is still the most typical for all actors, but media-related strategies are also prominent at the national level. The Europeanization of repertoires is mainly determined by institutional factors and by the actors’ power, whereas the public arena plays an equally important role for all types of actors, in all countries and at both the national and the EU level.
Transactional and Participatory Activism in the Emerging European Polity
Authors: Petrova Tsveta , Tarrow Sidney
Published: November 2006

In this article, the authors examine the potential for concerted collective action in the societies that emerged from state socialism in East-Central Europe after 1989. Although scholars have found strong individual-level evidence that protest potential is weaker here than in other parts of the world, the authors question whether individual-level data adequately tap all the dimensions of activism that are relevant to contentious politics. They propose a differentiated model of civil society consisting of (a) internal potential for citizen action and (b) relational aspects of social activism and argue that some forms of the latter—and in particularly, what they call “transactional activism”—are more robust than what evidence at the individual level suggests. They also examine some local and transnational-level data from the region and speculate about the capacities for collective action they find there and their potential for contributing to the construction of a transnational Europe.
Debating the Direction of Comparative Politics
Authors: Munck Gerardo L. , Snyder Richard
Published: November 2006

This article contributes to ongoing debates about the direction of comparative politics through an analysis of new data on the scope, objectives, and methods of research in the field. The results of the analysis are as follows. Comparative politics is a rich and diverse field that cannot be accurately characterized on the basis of just one dimension or even summarized in simple terms. In turn, the tendency to frame choices about the direction of the field in terms of a stark alternative between an old area studies approach and a new economic approach relies on largely unsupported assumptions. It is therefore advisable to focus on problematic methodological practices that, as this study shows, are widespread in comparative research and thus pose serious impediments to the production of knowledge.
National embeddedness and calculative human resource management in US subsidiaries in Europe and Australia
Authors: Gooderham Paul , Nordhaug Odd , Ringdal Kristen
Published: November 2006

This article presents a study of the degree to which national institutional settings impact on the application of management practices in foreign subsidiaries of multinational companies. Applying the national business systems approach our study centres on the use of calculative human resource management (HRM) practices by subsidiaries of US multinational companies in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Denmark/Norway and Australia, respectively, in comparison with these countries’ indigenous firms.The analysis indicates that while US subsidiaries adapt to the local setting in terms of applying calculative HRM practices, they also diverge from indigenous firm practices.
Streams of inconsistent institutional influences: Middle managers as carriers of multiple identities
Authors: Delmestri Giuseppe
Published: November 2006

Conceiving institutional effects as occurring within the boundaries of predefined institutional environments, spaces or fields leaves little leeway for understanding transnational phenomena of interaction, competition and overlapping jurisdiction of ideas, norms and regulations of multiple origin. I propose here the metaphor of intersecting institutional streams, which influence social actors due to their different origin, strength and fluidity. Thanks to a new understanding of the interaction between roles, institutionalized identities and the self, I refer to individuals not as cultural and institutional dopes, but as able, in varying degrees, to participate in multiple cultural traditions and to maintain distinctive and inconsistent action frames. I collected quantitative information on 418 Italian middle managers, working for local and international firms in Italy, and qualitative information on 113 of them. The majority in international firms enacted Anglo-Saxon identities, and more so in US and British firms; hybridizations occurred with positively perceived aspects of Italian institutions. The majority in Italian firms enacted a traditional Italian identity. Enactment was dependent on characteristics of the role (hierarchical level, international interconnectedness) and on the degree of identification with the international firm’s culture. The latter was spurred by the global integrated use of HRM practices.
The role of multinational corporations in transnational institution building: A policy network perspective
Authors: Dahan Nicolas , Doh Jonathan , Guay Terrence
Published: November 2006

In this article, we provide a critique and re-specification of international business and institutional literature related to the interactions of multinational corporations (MNCs) and institutions. Drawing from research in economic sociology and political economy, we offer a novel perspective on MNCs’ influence on transnational institution building. We argue that MNCs seek to influence institutional development by creating or participating in policy networks within transnational social and economic systems. We describe different types of policy networks, the relative position that MNCs occupy within them, and the power MNCs yield by virtue of their position and influence within those networks. We provide examples to illustrate how MNCs exploit these network relationships to influence emergent institutions and to advance convergence in institutional policies. The policy network perspective is an effective and useful mode of analysis to understand the range of interactions among MNCs and the institutional fields in which they operate.
Subsidiary responses to institutional duality: Collective representation practices of US multinationals in Britain and Germany
Authors: Tempel Anne , Edwards Tony , Ferner Anthony , Muller-Camen Michael , Wächter Hartmut
Published: November 2006

New institutionalist studies of human resource management in multinational companies argue that subsidiaries are faced with institutional duality-pressures to conform to parent company practices and to the local institutional environment in which they are based. To date, they have concentrated on how subsidiaries respond to parent company pressures. This article considers how subsidiary management responds to both parent company demands and host country pressures in trying to reconcile the challenges of institutional duality. It focuses on how such responses are shaped by the interdependence of subsidiary management with the parent company and the local environment. It does so by comparing case study evidence of collective representation practices in US-owned subsidiaries in Britain and Germany.
The Relationships of Cross-Cultural Adjustment with Dispositional Learning Orientation and Goal Setting: A Longitudinal Analysis
Authors: Gong Yaping , Chang Song
Published: November 2006

In this article, the authors posit that dispositional learning orientation and self-set goal level are two critical motivational antecedents to cross-cultural adjustment. They collected longitudinal field data from 117 sojourning international undergraduate students. Regression results indicate that self-set academic and socialinteraction goal levels are positively related to academic and social adjustment, respectively. A dispositional learning orientation is positively related to academic and social adjustment but the relationship is mediated by the self-set goal level. They discuss contributions to and implications for cross-cultural adjustment research.
Understanding Cultural Models of Parenting: The Role of Intracultural Variation and Response Style
Authors: Lamm Bettina , Keller Heidi
Published: November 2006

Intracultural variation and response behavior are understood as integral parts of cultural models of parenting that provide independent information. German, Euro-American, and Greek middle-class women representing the independent cultural model; Cameroonian Nso and Gujarati farming women representing the interdependent cultural model; and urban Indian, Chinese, Mexican, and Costa Rican women representing an autonomous-related model were recruited. The results confirm that participants with an interdependent cultural model respond more extremely on the scales, but the expected lower intracultural variation in this group was confirmed only partially.
Spontaneous Inferences from Cultural Cues: Varying Responses of Cultural Insiders and Outsiders
Authors: Fu Jeanne Ho-Ying , Chiu Chi-Yue , Morris Michael W. , Young Maia J.
Published: November 2006

Results from two groups of biculturals (Hong Kong undergraduates, Chinese Americans) and a group of European Americans in two studies showed that in the presence of applicable cues of a culture, individuals with expert knowledge in the culture spontaneously make inferences about the culture's moral values, producing a Stroop-like effect. Although both biculturals and European Americans made spontaneous cultural inferences from American cultural cues, only biculturals made spontaneous inferences from Chinese cultural cues. Moreover, American-Chinese bicultural individuals can switch between correspondent cultural inferences from American and Chinese cultural cues numerous times within one experimental session. Implications on cultural adaptation and cultural competence are discussed.
Agent-based Simulation Platforms: Review and Development Recommendations
Authors: Railsback Steven F. , Lytinen Steven L. , Jackson Stephen K.
Published: December 2006

Five software platforms for scientific agent-based models (ABMs) were reviewed by implementing example models in each. NetLogo is the highest-level platform, providing a simple yet powerful programming language, built-in graphical interfaces, and comprehensive documentation. It is designed primarily for ABMs of mobile individuals with local interactions in a grid space, but not necessarily clumsy for others. NetLogo is highly recommended, even for prototyping complex models. MASON, Repast, and Swarm are “framework and library” platforms, providing a conceptual framework for organizing and designing ABMs and corresponding software libraries. MASON is least mature and designed with execution speed a high priority. The Objective-C version of Swarm is the most mature library platform and is stable and well organized. Objective-C seems more natural than Java for ABMs but weak error-handling and the lack of developer tools are drawbacks. Java Swarm allows Swarm’s Objective-C libraries to be called from Java; it does not seem to combine the advantages of the two languages well. Repast provides Swarm-like functions in a Java library and is a good choice for many, but parts of its organization and design could be improved. A rough comparison of execution speed found MASON and Repast usually fastest (MASON 1-35% faster than Repast), Swarm (including Objective-C) fastest for simple models but slowest for complex ones, and NetLogo intermediate. Recommendations include completing the documentation (for all platforms except NetLogo), strengthening conceptual frameworks, providing better tools for statistical output and automating simulation experiments, simplifying common tasks, and researching technologies for understanding how simulation results arise.
Modelling and control of the flame temperature distribution using probability density function shaping
Authors: Sun Xubin , Yue Hong , Wang Hong
Published: December 2006

This paper presents three control algorithms for the output probability density function (PDF) control of the 2D and 3D flame distribution systems. For the 2D flame distribution systems, control methods for both static and dynamic flame systems are presented, where at first the temperature distribution of the gas jet flames along the cross-section is approximated. Then the flame energy distribution (FED) is obtained as the output to be controlled by using a B-spline expansion technique. The general static output PDF control algorithm is used in the 2D static flame system, where the dynamic system consists of a static temperature model of gas jet flames and a second-order actuator. This leads to a second-order closed-loop system, where a singular state space model is used to describe the dynamics with the weights of the B-spline functions as the state variables. Finally, a predictive control algorithm is designed for such an output PDF system. For the 3D flame distribution systems, all the temperature values of the flames are firstly mapped into one temperature plane, and the shape of the temperature distribution on this plane can then be controlled by the 3D flame control method proposed in this paper. Three cases are studied for the proposed control methods and desired simulation results have been obtained.
Older Husbands as Caregivers
Authors: Ducharme Francine , Lévesque Louise , Lachance Lise , Gangbè Marcellin , Zarit Steven H. , Vézina Jean , Caron Chantal D.
Published: December 2006

The purpose of this study, based on Pearlin et al.'s model, was to determine the factors associated with the health of older husband caregivers and with their intention to end home caregiving for their wives. The results showed subjective stressors to be associated with outcomes. Role overload was linked to psychological distress and to lower self-perceived health, whereas role captivity was associated with psychological distress and the intention to end home caregiving. The likelihood of ceasing home caregiving increased when caregivers reported high relational deprivation. A high percentage of the variance in psychological distress was explained (51%). The quality of prior husband-wife relationships, the frequency of disruptive behaviors, family conflicts, and self-efficacy were associated with this variable. Selfefficacy had a mediating effect between subjective stressors and psychological distress, whereas the number of services received had a moderating effect on the intention to end home caregiving among husbands with high role captivity. This study provides avenues for interventions sensitive to male caregivers.
Questionable Requirement for Consent in Observational Research in Psychiatry
Authors: Hem Marit Helene , Heggen Kristin , Ruyter Knut W
Published: December 2006

Informed consent represents a cornerstone of the endeavours to make health care research ethically acceptable. Based on experience of qualitative research on power dynamics in nursing care in acute psychiatry, we show that the requirement for informed consent may be practised in formalistic ways that legitimize the researcher's activities without taking the patient's changing perception of the situation sufficiently into account. The presentation of three patient case studies illustrates a diversity of issues that the researcher must consider in each situation. We argue for the necessity of researchers to base their judgement on a complex set of competencies. Consciousness of research ethics must be combined with knowledge of the challenges involved in research methodology in qualitative research and familiarity with the therapeutic arena in which the research is being conducted. The article shows that the alternative solution is not simple but must emphasize the researcher's ability to doubt and be based on an awareness of the researcher's fallibility.
A Novel Framework for Reflecting on the Functioning of Research Ethics Review Panels
Authors: Macduff Colin , McKie Andrew , Martindale Sheelagh , Rennie Anne Marie , West Bernice , Wilcock Sylvia
Published: December 2006

In the past decade structures and processes for the ethical review of UK health care research have undergone rapid change. Although this has focused users' attention on the functioning of review committees, it remains rare to read a substantive view from the inside. This article presents details of processes and findings resulting from a novel structured reflective exercise undertaken by a newly formed research ethics review panel in a university school of nursing and midwifery. By adopting and adapting some of the knowledge to be found in the art and science of malt whisky tasting, a framework for critical reflection is presented and applied. This enables analysis of the main contemporary issues for a review panel that is primarily concerned with research into nursing education and practice. In addition to structuring the panel's own literary narrative, the framework also generates useful visual representation for further reflection. Both the analysis of issues and the framework itself are presented as of potential value to all nurses, health care professionals and educationalists with an interest in ethical review.
Approaches/Practices: Eliminating the Shell Game: Using Writing-Assignment Names to Integrate Disciplinary Learning
Authors: Shaver Lisa
Published: November 2006

This article demonstrates how students in a disciplinary writing study conducted at Miami University's business school failed to understand writing assignments based on the names of the assignments. It proposes effective writing-assignment names as prompts to connect students to previous writing experience and reinforce students' acquisition of disciplinary writing skills and genres. In addition, the article suggests that writing-assignment names offer a pedagogical tool for integrating learning across a discipline; that is, naming writing assignments encourages faculty to identify and define the types of disciplinary writing and critical-thinking skills that students should learn.
Association Between Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Mothers and Children in Low-Income, Urban Neighborhoods
Authors: Sylvestre Marie-Pierre , O'Loughlin Jennifer , Gray-Donald Katherine , Hanley James , Paradis Gilles
Published: November 2006

To understand factors influencing fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption in children, the authors studied the association between F&V consumption in mothers and children in a sample of 1,106 boys and girls in Grades 4-6 in 24 elementary schools in low-income, multiethnic neighborhoods in Montreal, Canada. Approximately 10% of girls and 19% of boys reported not having eaten any vegetables in the week prior to questionnaire administration; 53% of girls and 63% of boys did not consume whole fruits daily. Each unit increase in F&V consumption in mothers was associated with a 10% to 20% increase in F&V consumption in children. Interventions to improve F&V consumption should aim to improve awareness among parents of the importance of fruits and vegetables and of the impact of their own behavior on their children's F&V consumption.
Inventing opera as art in nineteenth-century Manchester
Authors: Storey John
Published: November 2006

There can be little doubt that in recent times opera has gained an increasing social visibility. This can be illustrated in a number of different ways; for example, by the fairly extensive use of opera in advertising and on film soundtracks. At a more general level, one could point to opera stars performing with pop stars, opera stars hosting variety shows and opera stars performing at major sporting events. Are these (and other) changes something new or are they in fact a return to the cultural relations of opera as they existed before the nineteenth century? This article, based on original empirical research, presents a critical analysis of the invention of opera as art in nineteenth-century Manchester.
How the other half votes
Authors: Coleman Stephen
Published: November 2006

This article explores the ways in which British Big Brother viewers experienced and responded to the 2005 UK general election. On the basis of 10 surveys, which included open-ended questions, the research aimed to discover how, if at all, Big Brother viewers translated sensitive and nuanced techniques for judging game-show contestants into the context of a political election campaign.
Blogs, wikis and creative innovation
Authors: Quiggin John
Published: November 2006

In this article, recent developments in the creation of web content, such as blogs and wikis, are surveyed with a focus on their role in technological and social innovation. The innovations associated with blogs and wikis are important in themselves, and the process of creative collaboration they represent is becoming central to technological progress in general. The internet and the world wide web, which have driven much of the economic growth of the past decade, were produced in this way. Standard assumptions about the competitive nature of innovation are undersupported in the new environment. If governments want to encourage the maximum amount of innovation in social production, they need to de-emphasize competition and emphasize creativity and cooperation.
Remembering motivation research: toward an alternative genealogy of interpretive consumer research
Authors: Tadajewski Mark
Published: December 2006

This article traces the emergence and subsequent decline of motivation research. It argues that contrary to recent opinion that interpretive consumer research emerged in the mid-1980s, an embryonic form of interpretive research can actually be found in the 1930s in the form of motivation research. It demonstrates that there are clear and distinct parallels regarding the ontology, axiology, epistemology, methodology and view of human nature between motivation research, interpretive research and, to a limited extent, critical theory. Not only is motivation research presented as an early form of interpretive consumer research, but in addition, Holbrook's and Hirschman's experiential analysis is shown to be a possible take-off point to make the case that motivation research represents an early root of Consumer Culture Theory. This genealogical exercise resituates the emergence of the CCT discourse by 80 years and interpretive research by 60 years.
Nondestructive Evaluation of Prestressed Concrete Beams using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) Approach
Authors: Jeyasehar C. Antony , Sumangala K.
Published: November 2006

An artificial neural network (ANN) based approach for the assessment of damage in prestressed concrete (PSC) beams using its present stiffness and natural frequency as the test inputs to the ANN has been proposed. The details of the extensive experimental programme designed and executed in this study to induce the known extent of damage in the PSC beams by a method that resembles natural damage processing techniques and to generate the training and test data for the ANN used to model damage levels have been presented. It has been demonstrated that it is possible to assess the damage with reasonable accuracy by the ANN learning by a back propagation algorithm and stiffness and natural frequency as test inputs. The efficiency of this damage assessment algorithm has been studied by testing this ANN with the test data available in the literature. The results indicate that this approach can be used as a cost effective and simple structural health monitoring tool for PSC beams since this procedure needs only limited nondestructive static and dynamic measurements on the structure under study.
Vibration Based Diagnosis of a Centrifugal Pump
Authors: Sinha Jyoti K. , Rao A. Rama
Published: November 2006

The centrifugal pump has a long history of frequent failure of anti-friction bearing since its commissioning in 1985. Vibration based conventional condition monitoring has regularly been used to identify the progressive nature of the bearing failure, but has failed to identify the root cause. Modal tests have been conducted on the pump assembly to understand the dynamics of the complete assembly. A typical case of the resonance of the bearing pedestals with 2X component (two times the pump RPM) of the response during pump operation mainly due to nonlinear interaction between the pump foundation and the concrete floor has been identified as the main source of the bearing failure. The results, observations, and the diagnosis to identify the root cause are discussed here.
Evaluation of Concrete Structures by the Acoustic Tomography Technique
Authors: Rhazi J.
Published: November 2006

This study is concerned with the acoustic tomography method, using measurements of primary wave (P-wave) travel time. In the first step, the principle of the technique is described. Then, the ability of this technique to assess the quality of concrete dams is discussed through two field surveys. It is shown that the acoustic tomography technique enables the evaluation of a large volume of material compared to other conventional nondestructive testing technologies. The benefit of this technique is more evident in identifying the location of anomalous zones that require further investigation and/or restoration work.
Equivalent Parameters of Embedded PZT Elements for Concrete Structure Monitoring
Authors: Chen Yu , Wen Yumei , Li Ping
Published: November 2006

The characteristics of a PZT ceramic element embedded in concrete are studied in this article. Based on the theory that the material coefficients of ceramic change their values under different stress levels, a method of measuring concrete stress by detecting the characteristics of the embedded ceramic element is proposed. The experiment uses a network analyzer to monitor some physical parameters of the piezoelectric element during the loading cycle in which the loads are applied on a concrete specimen with an embedded PZT ceramic. In order to describe the characteristic change from the aspect of energy losses, three dissipation factors are also obtained from the piezoelectric equations. The experimental results show that although some equivalent parameters show a better monotonicity, the measurement error analysis indicates that such monotonicity is not reproductive. The piezoelectric dissipation factor performs a relatively good monotonicity and reproducibility, and is recommended to be taken as the stress indicator for the stress measurement.
Ceramic Body Armor Single Impact Force Identification on a Compliant Torso Using Acceleration Response Mapping
Authors: Cardi Adam A. , Adams Douglas E. , Walsh Shawn
Published: November 2006

This research proposes and experimentally implements a new method to identify the location and magnitude of a single impulsive excitation to body armor. The technique could easily be extended to other components that undergo rigid body dynamics. Impact loads are identified in two steps. First, the location of the impact force is determined from time domain acceleration responses by comparing them to attributes of either reference acceleration time histories or the responses generated by a proposed Newtonian analytical model. Then based on that location, appropriate reference frequency response functions are used to reconstruct the input force in the frequency domain through a least squares inverse problem. Both the analytical model and experiments incorporate the mechanical properties of a deformable dummy’s torso. Experimental results demonstrate the validity of this method both at low energy excitations, which are produced by a medium modally tuned impact hammer, and at high energy excitations, which are produced by dropping 0.2-0.6 kg rods from a height of 2 m. The maximum error in the estimated location or magnitude for the low energy excitations on the 10 cm square ceramic body armor was 7.07 mm with an average error of 1.09 mm. For the high energy excitations, which produced accelerations at the measurement locations up to 50 times greater than that of the low energy excitations, the maximum error in the predicted location of the input force was 11.18 mm with an average error of 6.64 mm. There was no force transducer to capture the input force on the body armor from the rod but, from non-energy-dissipative projectile motion equations, the validity of the solutions was confirmed by comparing the impulses. The frequency response functions (FRFs) used to reconstruct the input force from the rods relied on frequencies that were poorly excited by the metal-tipped modal impact hammer used to generate the FRFs. Despite this limitation, responses from impact points near the center of the tile, which were predominantly comprised of frequencies in a regime where the FRFs were adequately excited, were successfully used to reconstruct the input forces with impulses close to theoretical predictions. Optimal sensor locations for predicting the impact location are also determined with the use of a genetic algorithm that utilizes a fitness function derived from the proposed physics-based analytical model.
Material Damage Modeling and Detection in a Homogeneous Thin Metallic Sheet and Sandwich Panel using Passive Acoustic Transmission
Authors: Jiang Hao , Adams Douglas E. , Jata Kumar
Published: November 2006

A passive acoustic method is developed for material damage detection and location in homogeneous thin metallic sheets and sandwich panels using non-contact acoustic transmission measurements. Theoretical models of a flat sheet and sandwich panel are developed to describe the effects of global material damage due to density, modulus, or thickness changes on backplane radiated sound pressure level distributions. To describe the effects of local material damage, a two-dimensional, three-segment stepped beam model is developed. It is shown that increases in transmitted sound energy at high frequencies occur behind a damaged material component that exhibits changes in thickness or other geometric or material property. Experiments on a baffled homogeneous sheet subjected to broadband acoustic energy show that transmitted intensity measurements with non-contact probes can be used to identify and locate material defects in the sheet. Material damage is most readily identified where transmitted sound intensity is highest in the resonant frequency range of the panel.
Takayasu's Arteritis: A Rare Case in a Young Female Caucasian, Provisionally Diagnosed by Ultrasound in a District General Hospital
Authors: Beardshall Matthew , Holdcroft Donna
Published: November 2006

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a rare disease with non-specific clinical signs and symptoms, and an unpredictable natural history that poses a problem for diagnosis and treatment. It is an inflammatory and obliterating disease of the medium and large arteries. Its aetiology is unknown. TA is most common in East Asia and appears to affect young females mainly. This case describes the use of ultrasound in the provisional diagnosis of TA in a young female Caucasian, with a complicated medical history, admitted to a District General Hospital (DGH).
Not All Swollen Legs are DVT's
Authors: Lenton James , Weston Mike
Published: November 2006

The suspected clinical diagnosis often guides the imaging and an investigation may be tailored accordingly. We present a case in which the suspected diagnosis was not confirmed, in order to emphasize the need to consider alternative pathology in that situation.
Letting the Outsiders In! A Postgraduate Certificate in Diagnostic Ultrasound for Emergency Medicine Clinicians
Authors: Aitken Victoria , Thompson Peter
Published: November 2006

Diagnostic Ultrasound has a well recognized role in the evaluation of patients across the spectrum of clinical practice. Technological advances have improved image quality, while making the functionality and ease of use better. This has resulted in more compact systems becoming available at more affordable prices. Over the past 10 years there has been an increase in the development of the point of care application of this skill, in particular at the bedside by clinicians looking to complement their traditional forms of patient assessment. This has been most evident in some of the acute specialist practices, such as Emergency Medicine, and other critical care practices, as well as some out-patient and primary care environments. In this article we describe some of the training and educational challenges inherent in the development of imaging skills by non-traditional practitioners. We describe an innovative post-graduate award (Postgraduate Certificate) that has been specifically designed to provide a suitable educational structure for clinicians wishing to develop focused ultrasound skills. In particular we concentrate on the experience of the first cohort of students from Emergency Medicine who have completed the course successfully. We describe the experience related to the development of the course and the lessons learned from its provision. We argue that there is an increasing need for such courses across the spectrum of clinician ultrasound at the bedside and we look forward to further evaluation in the years ahead.
Ultrasound of the Paediatric Scrotum: A Pictorial Review
Authors: Kurian Raghey , de Bruyn Rose
Published: November 2006

Scrotal pathologies in young boys have a wide differential diagnosis. Clinical presentation can vary widely and eliciting a 'patient history' can be challenging. Moreover, due to the small size of the testis and epididymis, clinical examination in most cases is difficult. Therefore, imaging of the scrotum plays a major role in the management of these disorders. Of all the imaging modalities used for evaluating scrotal disorders in children, sonography is the first and foremost. It provides excellent information regarding anatomy and blood flow, is readily accessible and can be performed relatively rapidly. Use of sedatives and intravenous access are unnecessary.

A wide variety of scrotal pathologies in children are presented in this pictorial review. For ease of evaluation, we have classified the paediatric scrotal disorders based on their clinical presentations as acute painful scrotum and scrotal masses.
Place of an Ultrasonography Simulator in Ultrasonography Training for Fertility Nurses
Authors: Bahl Rachna , Hinks Julie , Halliwell Mike , Phillips Rita , Jenkins Julian
Published: November 2006

Ultrasonography has a vital place in British fertility units, where it is commonly performed by nurses. This study evaluated the place of an ultrasonography simulator (Ultrasim) in ultrasonography training particularly for fertility nurses. Thirty-one participants took part in evaluation of the ultrasound simulator—two doctors, two ultrasonographers, and 27 fertility nurses and midwives with varying level of ultrasonography expertise. After using the simulator, participants were asked to give their opinion on the realism of the simulator and its potential as a training tool. All the 29 responding participants reported that the mannequin was easy to scan and suitable for training. Most participants found the mannequins (29 of 31 respondents) and transducer handling (27 of 29 respondents) to be satisfactory or greater than satisfactory. All 31 participants were satisfied with the image recognition training ability. Most participants felt that Ultrasim has a place in ultrasound training (29 of 31 respondents). Compared with ultrasound machines used routinely in fertility clinics this study suggests that the Ultrasim simulator has realistic controls and image quality with a place in the future training of fertility nurses.
Is a Routine Ultrasound Scan Necessary for the Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
Authors: Cho Li Wei , Coady Anne Marie , Kilpatrick Eric S , Atkin Stephen L
Published: November 2006

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is common among women of reproductive years and patients with this condition may be referred to an endocrinologist, a gynaecologist or a dermatologist, depending on their main presenting complaint. A recently mailed questionnaire to endocrinologists and gynaecologists showed a lack of consensus between the two specialties in the definition, diagnosis and treatment of PCOS. Can routine ultrasound for the imaging of polycystic ovaries be dispensed with? In large measure, the answer is 'yes'. First, polycystic ovaries are common in women without PCOS and not all women with PCOS have polycystic ovaries. Secondly, if the patient has irregular periods and biochemical hyperandrogenism, why scan? Thirdly, the operator dependence of the technique may give false positive and negative scan results. Economically and practically, ultrasound scanning in PCOS should be limited to cases of diagnostic uncertainty performed by a recognized expert in pelvic ultrasonography.
Microbubble Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound Features of Common Focal Liver Lesions: A Guide for the Novice
Authors: Berry Jonathan D. , Sidhu Paul S.
Published: November 2006

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound continues to grow in importance as a tool that may be used for the detection and characterization of focal liver lesions. The enhancement characteristics of the more common focal liver lesions are predictable given the pathophysiology of the lesion and mechanism of action of microbubbles, allowing for a confident diagnosis to be made. We present a review of the commonly encountered enhancement characteristics of a variety of focal liver lesions, which may be seen in everyday practice.
Environmental and technical considerations of preflux bath composition on structure of hot dip zinc galvanised coatings
Authors: Konidaris S. , Pistofidis N. , Vourlias G. , Pavlidou E. , Stergioudis G. , Tsipas D.
Published: November 2006

The influence of the preflux bath composition upon the structure of zinc coatings deposited with hot dip galvanising has been examined. Various compositions were studied containing chloride salts of Na, K and Sr. The as formed coatings were examined by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Depending on each specific compound and its concentration in the preflux bath, different crystallisation procedures are induced, which finally results in the formation of Fe–Zn intermetallic phases with different morphologies, thicknesses and qualities. Fluxing in an aqueous solution of NaCl or KCl introduced several cracks in and between the phases while fluxing in an aqueous solution of SrCl2 caused total failure of the coating because it had no cohesion to the substrate. However, when the same salts were dissolved in an aqueous solution containing 50 wt-%ZnCl2·2NH4Cl instead of water, the coatings were improved.
Influence of glass bead blasting of 9%Cr steel substrate on development of aluminide diffusion coatings
Authors: Huttunen-Saarivirta E. , Rohr V. , Stott F. H. , Schütze M.
Published: November 2006

The influence of two surface pretreatments, glass-bead blasting and grinding, on the development of aluminide diffusion coatings on 9%Cr steel substrates has been studied by optical, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopies. The results showed that pretreatment of the surface by glass-bead blasting yields an aluminised layer with a more uniform structure and less thickness variation than pretreatment by grinding. These beneficial consequences of glass-bead blasting are introduced by an increase in surface roughness which, by increasing the specific surface area that is accessible to gaseous metal halides to react with the substrate, to release aluminium, facilitates the surface reactions step in the coating development process, and by an increase in dislocation density. Furthermore, changes in dislocation arrangement take place as a result of glass-bead blasting, as the dislocations form into an arrangement of cells and tangles. As such defects contribute to coating nucleation and solid-state diffusion, it is apparent that glass-bead blasting of the substrate surface affects the surface reaction and the solid-state diffusion stages of the aluminising process. However, the dislocation arrangement developed during the glass-bead blasting pretreatment changes and the density of dislocation decreases during annealing at 650°C, the pack aluminising temperature. Coating development is, therefore, influenced by the treatment only in the early stages of the aluminising process.