bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resonant Forcing of Mixed Layer Inertial Motions by Atmospheric Easterly Waves in the Northeast Tropical Pacific*
Authors: Mickett John B. , Serra Yolande L. , Cronin Meghan F. , Alford Matthew H.
Published: August 2009

Westward-propagating atmospheric easterly waves contribute to much of the variability of the low-level wind fields within the northeast tropical Pacific. With the dominant period of these waves (3–5 days) close to the local inertial period (2.4 days at 12°N to 5.7 days at 5°N), there is the expectation that the associated winds may resonantly force mixed layer inertial motions in this region. The authors test this hypothesis using a simple slab model and roughly 4½ yr of wind data from four NOAA Tropical Atmosphere Ocean/Eastern Pacific Investigation of Climate Processes (TAO/EPIC) buoys along 95°W at 12°, 10°, 8°, and 5°N. The degree of resonance is determined by comparing model simulations using observed wind stress with simulations forced with reversed-rotation wind stress. Results strongly indicate that Pacific easterly waves (PEWs) resonantly force inertial motions in the region. This resonance shows both significant seasonality and latitudinal dependence that appears to be related to the meridional position and intensity of the PEWs. North of the zonal axis of the mean track of the PEWs, the low-level winds associated with the waves rotate predominantly clockwise with time and resonantly force mixed layer inertial motions. South of this axis, the winds rotate counterclockwise, resulting in dissonant (antiresonant) forcing. As this axis migrates annually from about 4°N during the boreal winter/spring to a maximum northerly position of about 8°–10°N in the late boreal summer/early fall, the region of strongest resonance follows, consistently remaining to its north. Model output suggests that resonant forcing results in roughly 10%–25% greater net annual flux of kinetic energy from the wind to mixed layer inertial motions than in neutral or nonresonant conditions. This finding has strong implications for mixed layer properties, air–sea coupling, and the generation of near-inertial internal waves.
In Situ Calibration of Hot-Film Probes Using a Collocated Sonic Anemometer: Implementation of a Neural Network
Authors: Kit E. , Cherkassky A. , Sant T. , Fernando H. J. S.
Published: August 2009

Although the integral quantities of atmospheric turbulence are conveniently measured using sonic anemometers, obtaining relevant finescale variables such as the kinetic energy dissipation using conventional hot-film/wire techniques remains a challenge because of two main difficulties. The first difficulty is the mean wind variability, which causes violation of the requirement that mean winds have a specific alignment with the hot-film/wire probe. To circumvent this problem, a combination of collocated sonic and hot-film anemometers, with the former measuring mean winds and aligning the latter in the appropriate wind direction via an automated platform, is successfully designed and implemented. The second difficulty is the necessity of frequent and onerous calibrations akin to hot-film anemometry that lead to logistical difficulties during outdoor (field) measurements. This is addressed by employing sonic measurements to calibrate the hot films in the same combination, with the output (velocity) to input (voltage) transfer function for the hot film derived using a neural network (NN) model. The NN is trained using low-pass-filtered hot-film and sonic data taken in situ. This new hot-film calibration procedure is compared with the standard calibration method based on an external calibrator. It is inferred that the sonic-based NN method offers great potential as an alternative to laborious standard calibration techniques, particularly in the laboratory and in stable atmospheric boundary layer settings. The NN approximation technique is found to be superior to the conventionally used polynomial fitting methods when used in conjunction with unevenly spaced calibration velocity data generated by sonic anemometers.
Identifying and Estimating Biases between XBT and Argo Observations Using Satellite Altimetry
Authors: DiNezio Pedro N. , Goni Gustavo J.
Published: August 2009

A methodology is developed to identify and estimate systematic biases between expendable bathythermograph (XBT) and Argo observations using satellite altimetry. Pseudoclimatological fields of isotherm depth are computed by least squares adjustment of in situ XBT and Argo data to altimetry-derived sea height anomaly (SHA) data. In regions where the correlations between isotherm depth and SHA are high, this method reduces sampling biases in the in situ observations by taking advantage of the high temporal and spatial resolution of satellite observations. Temperature profiles from deep XBTs corrected for a bias identified and adopted during the 1990s are considered in this study. The analysis shows that the pseudoclimatological isotherm depths derived from these corrected XBTs are predominantly deeper than the Argo-derived estimates during the 2000–07 period. The XBT-minus-Argo differences increase with depth consistent with hypothesized problems in the XBT fall-rate equation. The depth-dependent XBT-minus-Argo differences suggest a global positive bias of 3% of the XBT depths. The fact that this 3% error is robust among the different ocean basins provides evidence for changes in the instrumentation, such as changes in the terminal velocity of the XBTs. The value of this error is about the inverse of the correction to the XBT fall-rate equation (FRE) implemented in 1995, suggesting that this correction, while adequate during the 1990s, is no longer appropriate and could be the source of the 3% error. This result suggests that for 2000–07, the XBT dataset can be brought to consistency with Argo by using the original FRE coefficients without the 1995 correction.
Nonlinear Balance in Terrain-Following Coordinates
Authors: Decker Steven G.
Published: August 2009

Potential vorticity (PV) is a powerful concept in geophysical fluid dynamics. One property of PV that makes it so powerful is that it may be inverted under certain conditions, one of which is the imposition of a balance constraint. Previous studies have made use of a particular nonlinear balance constraint suited to isobaric coordinates as part of their inversion procedures. The present study constructs and tests a new nonlinear balance constraint that may be applied directly to the output of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model on its native terrain-following vertical coordinate. Output from the nonlinear balance operator is examined in the context of idealized and real-data WRF forecasts, and the results indicate that the simplifications necessary to derive the nonlinear balance operator are justified on the synoptic and meso-α scales. On the other hand, once the scales resolved by the model are small enough, neglected terms reach magnitudes on the order of the retained terms, even over flat terrain. This suggests that the use of this operator within a PV inversion scheme that also uses the WRF vertical coordinate would not capture a divergent portion of the flow that may be significant.
An Examination of Background Error Correlations between Mass and Rotational Wind over Precipitation Regions
Authors: Caron Jean-François , Fillion Luc
Published: August 2009

The differences in the balance characteristics between dry and precipitation areas in estimated short-term forecast error fields are investigated. The motivation is to see if dry and precipitation areas need to be treated differently in atmospheric data assimilation systems. Using an ensemble of lagged forecast differences, it is shown that perturbations are, on average, farther away from geostrophic balance over precipitation areas than over dry areas and that the deviation from geostrophic balance is proportional to the intensity of precipitation. Following these results, the authors investigate whether some improvements in the coupling between mass and rotational wind increments over precipitation areas can be achieved by using only the precipitation points within an ensemble of estimated forecast errors to construct a so-called diabatic balance operator by linear regression. Comparisons with a traditional approach to construct balance operators by linear regression show that the new approach leads to a gradually significant improvement (related to the intensity of the diabatic processes) of the accuracy of the coupling over precipitation areas as judged from an ensemble of lagged forecast differences. Results from a series of simplified data assimilation experiments show that the new balance operators can produce analysis increments that are substantially different from those associated with the traditional balance operator, particularly for observations located in the lower atmosphere. Issues concerning the implementation of this new approach in a full-fledged analysis system are briefly discussed but their investigations are left for a following study.
Effects of Leveling Agent on the Uptake of Reactive Dyes by Untreated and Plasma-treated Wool
Authors: Naebe Maryam , Cookson Peter G. , Rippon John A. , Wang Xungai G.
Published: August 2009

Atmospheric-pressure plasma treatment of wool fabric produced a significantly higher level of adsorbed fiber-reactive dye when applied at 50 °C (pH 3.0—6.0) in the absence of any organic leveling agent. In addition, color yields indicated that dye was more uniformly adsorbed by the plasma-treated fabric compared with the untreated material. When untreated fabric was dyed in the presence of a leveling agent (Albegal B), the extent and levelness of dye sorption were enhanced. These enhancements were, however, relatively small on the plasma-treated wool compared with those on untreated wool. A ‘surface’ mechanism, similar to that proposed when plasma-treated wool is dyed in the absence of leveling agent, can explain the leveling ability of Albegal B under adsorption conditions. Increasing the dyebath temperature to 90 °C resulted in dye penetration of the fibers. Under these conditions, any enhancements of dye uptake produced by the plasma treatment, as well as the use of Albegal B, were relatively small, in contrast to the behavior at 50 °C. Improvements in the uniformity of dye sorption observed at 50 °C were, however, maintained at the higher temperature. It is concluded that the inability of reactive dyes to migrate (and so promote leveling and uniformity) once they have reacted with the fiber, means that differences in the uniformity of dye sorbed at 50 °C are still apparent at equilibrium.
The Relative Ability of Different Propensity Score Methods to Balance Measured Covariates Between Treated and Untreated Subjects in Observational Studies
Authors: Austin Peter C.
Published: August 2009

The propensity score is a balancing score: conditional on the propensity score, treated and untreated subjects have the same distribution of observed baseline characteristics. Four methods of using the propensity score have been described in the literature: stratification on the propensity score, propensity score matching, inverse probability of treatment weighting using the propensity score, and covariate adjustment using the propensity score. However, the relative ability of these methods to reduce systematic differences between treated and untreated subjects has not been examined. The authors used an empirical case study and Monte Carlo simulations to examine the relative ability of the 4 methods to balance baseline covariates between treated and untreated subjects. They used standardized differences in the propensity score matched sample and in the weighted sample. For stratification on the propensity score, within-quintile standardized differences were computed comparing the distribution of baseline covariates between treated and untreated subjects within the same quintile of the propensity score. These quintile-specific standardized differences were then averaged across the quintiles. For covariate adjustment, the authors used the weighted conditional standardized absolute difference to compare balance between treated and untreated subjects. In both the empirical case study and in the Monte Carlo simulations, they found that matching on the propensity score and weighting using the inverse probability of treatment eliminated a greater degree of the systematic differences between treated and untreated subjects compared with the other 2 methods. In the Monte Carlo simulations, propensity score matching tended to have either comparable or marginally superior performance compared with propensity-score weighting.
Growing Hidden Markov Models: An Incremental Tool for Learning and Predicting Human and Vehicle Motion
Authors: Vasquez Dizan , Fraichard Thierry , Laugier Christian
Published: August 2009

Modeling and predicting human and vehicle motion is an active research domain. Owing to the difficulty in modeling the various factors that determine motion (e.g. internal state, perception) this is often tackled by applying machine learning techniques to build a statistical model, using as input a collection of trajectories gathered through a sensor (e.g. camera, laser scanner), and then using that model to predict further motion. Unfortunately, most current techniques use offline learning algorithms, meaning that they are not able to learn new motion patterns once the learning stage has finished. In this paper, we present an approach where motion patterns can be learned incrementally, and in parallel with prediction. Our work is based on a novel extension to hidden Markov models, called growing hidden Markov models, which gives us the ability to learn incrementally both the parameters and the structure of the model. The proposed approach has been evaluated using synthetic and real trajectory data. In our experiments our approach consistently learned motion models that were more compact and accurate than those produced by two other state-of-the-art techniques.
Mimesis Model from Partial Observations for a Humanoid Robot
Authors: Lee Dongheui , Nakamura Yoshihiko
Published: August 2009

This paper proposes a new mimesis scheme for partial observations, consisting of two strategies; (1) motion understanding from partial observations and (2) proto-symbol-based motion duplication. With the proposed method, whole-body motion imitation is possible even when observing partial motion data. The scheme enables a humanoid robot to imitate a new observed motion by utilizing its own prior knowledge, without learning the demonstrated motion. Evaluation factors, such as inheritance coordinate and matching error, are introduced to evaluate imitation performance. The feasibility of the proposed scheme is demonstrated by an evaluation for a 20-degree-of-freedom humanoid robot.
Distributed Kinematic Motion Control of Multi-Robot Coordination Subject to Physical Constraints
Authors: Kim Youngshik , Minor Mark A.
Published: August 2009

This paper presents a kinematic motion control strategy for an n-axle Compliant Framed Modular wheeled Mobile Robot (CFMMR). This robot is essentially a passive-joint active-wheel snake robot where coordinated motion of the robot modules is critical for maximizing mobility and minimizing traction forces. A distributed master—slave kinematic motion control structure is proposed where the front axle module of the robot is the master and subsequent axle modules are slaves. An existing path manifold based controller is used to guide the motion of the master. Two steering algorithms with different specializations are then proposed for the slave modules. Performance of the steering algorithms is characterized based upon their capability to reduce traction forces, control final robot posture, and maneuver in a limited space. It is shown that these algorithms satisfy the physical constraints of the robot, which are characterized by path curvature and velocity limitations. Simulation and experimental results validate and characterize the performance of the algorithms.
Stability Analysis of Passive Dynamic Walking of Quadrupeds
Authors: Remy C. David , Buffinton Keith , Siegwart Roland
Published: August 2009

We introduce a detailed numerical simulation and analysis framework to extend the principles of passive dynamic walking to quadrupedal locomotion. Non-linear limit cycle methods are used to identify possible gaits and to analyze the stability and efficiency of quadrupedal passive dynamic walking. In doing so, special attention is paid to issues that are inherent to quadrupedal locomotion, such as the occurrence of simultaneous contact collisions and the implications of the phase difference between front and back leg pairs. Limit cycles identified within this framework correspond to periodic gaits and can be placed into two categories: in-phase gaits in which front and back legs hit the ground at roughly the same time, and out-of-phase gaits with a ±90° phase shift between the back and front leg pairs. The latter are, in comparison, energetically more efficient but exhibit one unstable eigenvalue that leads to a phase divergence and results in a gait-transition to a less efficient in-phase gait. A detailed analysis examines the influence of various parameters on stability and locomotion speed, with the ultimate goal of determining a stable solution for the energy-efficient, out-of-phase gait. This was achieved through the use of a wobbling mass, i.e. an additional mass that is elastically attached to the main body of the quadruped. The methods, results, and gaits presented in this paper additionally provide a point of departure for the exploration of the considerably richer range of quadrupedal locomotion found in nature.
Golf After Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Jackson Jeffrey D. , Smith Jay , Shah Jay P. , Wisniewski Stephen J. , Dahm Diane L.
Published: August 2009

Background

Golf provides an opportunity for relatively low-impact exercise for nearly all age groups and is considered a recommended activity for patients after total knee arthroplasty.

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that total knee arthroplasty would afford patients increased ability to participate in and enjoy golf, allowing a large percentage of these patients to walk the golf course.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

Surveys were sent to 151 golfers who had undergone primary total knee arthroplasty from 1995 to 2000. The detailed survey included 33 questions specific to the patients’ golf performance, enjoyment of golf, frequency of participation, timing of return to play, presence of pain, use of a cart, and related golf-specific issues.

Results

We received and evaluated 93 responses (62%). Fifty-seven percent reported they had returned to golf within 6 months after total knee arthroplasty. Eighty-one percent of respondents reported golfing as frequently, or more frequently, than before knee replacement. Notably, golfers reported less pain while golfing after total knee arthroplasty than before (13% vs 83%; P < .0001), and 94% of respondents reported currently enjoying golf as much as or more than before surgery. Twenty-eight percent of respondents stated that they walked the course, rather than using a motorized golf cart, before surgery, while only 14% walked the course after surgery ( P = .02).

Conclusion

In this population of golfers, total knee arthroplasty reliably relieved pain that had been previously experienced while golfing, and increased or maintained this group’s enjoyment of playing golf. However, 86% of these patients reported using a cart while golfing. Further patient education is needed regarding the potential health benefits of walking during golf after total knee arthroplasty.
Patellar Tendon Versus Hamstring Tendon Autografts for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Taylor Dean C. , DeBerardino Thomas M. , Nelson Bradley J. , Duffey Michele , Tenuta Joachim , Stoneman Paul D. , Sturdivant Rodney X. , Mountcastle Sally
Published: August 2009

Background

Controversy remains over the most appropriate graft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Hypothesis

There is no significant difference in outcomes after 4-strand hamstring and patellar tendon autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions using similar fixation techniques.

Study Design

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods

Between August 2000 and May 2003, 64 Keller Army Hospital patients with complete anterior cruciate ligament tears were randomized to hamstring (n = 32) or patellar tendon (n = 32) autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Operative graft fixation and rehabilitative techniques were the same for both groups. Follow-up assessments included the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score, Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee score, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. Postoperative radiographs were analyzed for tunnel location and orientation.

Results

Eleven women and 53 men were randomized. Eighty-three percent of the patients (53 of 64) had follow-up of greater than 2 years, or to the point of graft rupture or removal (average follow-up, 36 months). Four hamstring grafts (12.5%) and three patellar tendon grafts (9.4%) ( P = .71) ruptured. One deep infection in a hamstring graft patient necessitated graft removal. Forty-five of the 56 patients with intact grafts had greater than 2-year follow-up. Patients with patellar tendon grafts had greater Tegner activity scores ( P = .04). Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores were 88.5 (95% confidence interval: 83.1, 93.8) and 90.1 (95% confidence interval: 85.2, 96.1) for the hamstring and patellar tendon groups, respectively ( P = .53). Lysholm scores were 90.3 (95% confidence interval: 84.4, 96.1) and 90.4 (95% confidence interval: 84.5, 96.3) for the hamstring and patellar tendon groups, respectively ( P = .97). There were no significant differences in knee laxity, kneeling pain, isokinetic peak torque, International Knee Documentation Committee score, or Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores. Postoperative graft rupture correlated with more horizontal tibial tunnel orientation.

Conclusion

Hamstring and patellar tendon autografts provide similar objective, subjective, and functional outcomes when assessed at least 2 years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
The Effect of Non-linear Piezoelectric Coupling on Vibration-based Energy Harvesting
Authors: Triplett Angela , Quinn D. Dane
Published: August 2009

Advances in electronic and consumer technology are increasing the need for smaller, more efficient energy sources. Thus vibration-based energy harvesting, the scavenging of energy from existing ambient vibration sources and its conversion to useful electrical power, is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional power sources such as batteries. Energy harvesting devices have been developed based on a number of electromechanical coupling mechanisms and their design must be optimized to produce the maximum output for given environmental conditions. While the role of non-linearities in the components has been shown to be significant in terms of the overall device efficiency, few studies have systematically investigated their influence on the system performance. In this work the role of a non-linear piezoelectric relationship is considered on the performance of a vibration-based energy harvester. Using a Poincaré-Lindstedt perturbation analysis the response of the harvesting system is approximated, including mechanical damping, stiffness non-linearities, and the above mentioned non-linear piezoelectric constitutive relationship. The predicted behavior is then compared against numerical simulations of the original system, focusing on the relationship between the power generated by the device, the ambient vibration characteristics, and the non-linearities in the system.
Commentary: Myths, Narratives, and Patterns of Rumors: The Construction of ‘Jewish Subversion’ and Retributive Violence in 1940—41 Romania
Authors: Ionescu Stefan
Published: August 2009

Sen and Wagner (2009) advance the thesis of the centrality of fundamentalist belief systems in violence. I provide further explication of their thesis by looking at the Romanian case. The explosion of violence around 1940—41, the years when Romania joined the Axis and entered the Second World War cannot be understood without taking into account the historical, political, social, and cultural factors that created the radical atmosphere of xenophobia, mass psychosis, and mobilization against Others . Rumors emerge as the most powerful psychological means of spreading the official master narrative of ‘domestic Jewish treason’. Reinterpretation of various cultural symbols also played an important role in excluding the Jewish Other from the national community.
Commentary: Omniculturalism: Policy Solutions to Fundamentalism in the Era of Fractured Globalization
Authors: Moghaddam Fathali M.
Published: August 2009

Cultural researchers need to pay more attention to religious fundamentalism, which has persisted and even increased, against expectations raised by modernization theories. This discussion represents a preliminary exploration of fractured globalization and global conditions associated with religious fundamentalism. Continuing intergroup conflicts, fundamentalism, and terrorism suggest a need to rethink traditional policies for managing diversity. The alternative policy of omniculturalism is put forward as a longer term solution to fundamentalism and intergroup conflict. Omniculturalism is based, first, on universals and a primary identity consisting of the superordinate category ‘human’, but also on distinctiveness and a secondary identity formed through affiliation with religious, ethnic, and other such groupings.
Review Essay: A Sociocultural Perspective on Genocide: A Review of The Psychology of Genocide: Perpetrators, Bystanders, and Rescuers by Steven Baum
Authors: Phillips DeZalia Rebekah
Published: August 2009

In The Psychology of Genocide, Steven Baum adds a new voice to the field of genocide studies. By connecting relevant psychological theories, Baum is able to effectively show that one’s level of emotional and moral development plays a part in determining whether one will become a bystander, perpetrator or rescuer during a genocide. However, his look into hate and genocide lacks a complete psychological perspective because his sole emphasis is on developmental theories. By adding a sociocultural perspective to this approach, specifically through the addition of social identity and representation research, one can get a fuller picture of what leads a society and its people to genocide and hate.
Cultural Mechanics of Fundamentalism: Religion as Ideology, Divided Identities and Violence in Post-Gandhi India
Authors: Sen Ragini , Wagner Wolfgang
Published: August 2009

This study analyses the history of Hindu fundamentalism up to the present time, as it developed since India’s independence. In the course of its rise, Hindutva destroyed the Gandhian symbolism of non-violence, reinterpreted cultural symbols to become political signs and prepared the ground for communal violence. Secularists and the religious out-group, Muslims, became targeted as enemies. During the resulting Hindu ethnic dominance, religion was converted from a faith into an ideology. The sequence of events in the development of this movement repeats the common scheme of a religious fundamentalist movement that serves the nationalist goals of political leaders. It is argued that such groups cannot reasonably be conceptualized in terms of an individual psychology or personality, that is, a trait, but as a cultural movement that unites people sharing membership of a social class, that is, a sociocultural state. Such movements, in contrast to Abrahamic religious fundamentalisms, do not form well-established stable groups over time, but are more like a waxing and waning political movement where membership is determined by social class and ethnic identity. Their politics trigger a heightened awareness of ethnic identity, prime a religiously ideological mindset and, as a consequence, release communal violence.
Measuring Rebelliousness and Predicting Health Behaviour and Outcomes
Authors: Klabbers G. , Bosma H. , van den Akker M. , van Boxtel M.P.J. , Kempen G.I.J.M. , McDermott M.R. , Van Eijk J. TH. M.
Published: August 2009

The Social Reactivity Scale is a questionnaire measure of individual differences in rebelliousness. The associations between rebelliousness, health behaviours and health outcomes were examined in two Dutch samples by means of cross-sectional survey data. We found moderate support for the reliability and construct validity of the scale. Findings were suggestive of rebelliousness, first, being associated with low control beliefs, second, being related to hostility and, third, also heightening the risk of engaging in unhealthy behaviours and that of poor health (perhaps through deliberately rejecting health education messages). Findings thus contribute to the ongoing emergence of an empirically viable theoretical construct.
‘Coping Quite Well with a Few Difficult Bits’
Authors: Prior Jess , O'Dell Lindsay
Published: August 2009

Facial disfigurement affects approximately one in 500 children and young people in the UK. Four mothers and their four children aged 11—13 years who have a facial disfigurement were recruited through the charity Changing Faces, in order to examine the perspectives and concerns of adolescents and their mothers, and how they live with their disfigurement. Semi-structured interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The implications for research and practice in health psychology are discussed, and in particular the support and intervention of friends, constant vigilance and practical assistance from mothers, and the individual characteristics of the child are highlighted for further consideration.
A Pragmatist Approach to the Problem of Knowledge in Health Psychology
Authors: Cornish Flora , Gillespie Alex
Published: August 2009

The multiplicity of forms of health-related knowledge, including biomedical knowledge, lay knowledge and critical constructionist knowledge, raises challenges for health researchers. On one hand, there is a demand for a pluralist acceptance of the variety of health-related knowledge. On the other, the need to improve health calls for action, and thus for choices between opposing forms of knowledge. The present article proposes a pragmatist approach to this epistemological problem. According to pragmatism, knowledge is a tool for action and as such it should be evaluated according to whether it serves our desired interests. We identify implications for research methodology and the choice of research goals.
Effects of Exercise Interventions on Body Image
Authors: Campbell Anna , Hausenblas Heather A.
Published: August 2009

Our meta-analysis examined the impact of exercise interventions on body image; and participant, intervention, and design features associated with larger effects. We identified 57 interventions (with pre-and post-data for the exercise and control groups) examining the effects of exercise on body image. A small random effect indicated that exercise intervention conditions had improved body image compared to control conditions; and that participant (age), design (year of publication), and intervention (exercise frequency and specificity) features moderated the effect size. Research examining the mechanisms and the exercise dose-response required for body image change is needed.
The Mediating Role of Time Perspective in Socio-economic Inequalities in Smoking and Physical Activity in Older English Adults
Authors: Adams Jean
Published: August 2009

Socio-economic variations in health behaviours contribute to socio-economic inequalities in health. Time perspective describes how individuals’ consideration of future outcomes influences their present day behaviours and is associated with health behaviours and socio-economic position. Although theoretically plausible, the potential mediating role of time perspective in socio-economic inequalities in health behaviours has received little research attention. Analysis of data from wave 1 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing revealed that time perspective played a small partial mediating role in socioeconomic inequalities in smoking and physical activity. The data were self-report and cross-sectional, and the sample restricted to individuals aged 50+.
The cost-effectiveness of a new disease management model for frail elderly living in homes for the elderly, design of a cluster randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Boorsma Marijke , van Hout Hein PJ , Frijters Dinnus H , Ribbe Miel W , Nijpels Giel
Published: August 2009

Background

The objective of this article is to describe the design of a study to evaluate the clinical and economic effects of a Disease Management model on functional health, quality of care and quality of life of persons living in homes for the elderly.

Methods

This study concerns a cluster randomized controlled clinical trial among five intervention homes and five usual care homes in the North-West of the Netherlands with a total of over 500 residents. All persons who are not terminally ill, are able to be interviewed and sign informed consent are included. For cognitively impaired persons family proxies will be approached to provide outcome information. The Disease Management Model consists of several elements: (1) Trained staff carries out a multidimensional assessment of the patients functional health and care needs with the interRAI Long Term Care Facilities instrument (LTCF). Computerization of the LTCF produces immediate identification of problem areas and thereby guides individualized care planning. (2) The assessment outcomes are discussed in a Multidisciplinary Meeting (MM) with the nurse, primary care physician, nursing home physician and Psychotherapist and if necessary other members of the care team. The MM presents individualized care plans to manage or treat modifiable disabilities and risk factors. (3) Consultation by an nursing home physician and psychotherapist is offered to the frailest residents at risk for nursing home admission (according to the interRAI LTCF). Outcome measures are Quality of Care indicators (LTCF based), Quality Adjusted Life Years (Euroqol), Functional health (SF12, COOP-WONCA), Disability (GARS), Patients care satisfaction (QUOTE), hospital and nursing home days and mortality, health care utilization and costs.

Discussion

This design is unique because no earlier studies were performed to evaluate the effects and costs of this Disease Management Model for disabled persons in homes for the elderly on functional health and quality of care.

Trail registration number

ISRCTN11076857
Random and coherent noise attenuation by empirical mode decomposition
Authors: Bekara Maïza , van der Baan Mirko
Published: August 2009

We have devised a new filtering technique for random and coherent noise attenuation in seismic data by applying empirical mode decomposition (EMD) on constant-frequency slices in the frequency-offset [Formula: see text] domain and removing the first intrinsic mode function. The motivation behind this development is to overcome the potential low performance of [Formula: see text] deconvolution for signal-to-noise enhancement when processing highly complex geologic sections, data acquired using irregular trace spacing, and/or data contaminated with steeply dipping coherent noise. The resulting [Formula: see text] EMD method is equivalent to an autoadaptive [Formula: see text] filter with a frequency-dependent, high-wavenumber cut filtering property. Removing both random and steeply dipping coherent noise in either prestack or stacked/migrated sections is useful and compares well with other noise-reduction methods, such as [Formula: see text] deconvolution, median filtering, and local singular value decomposition. In its simplest implementation, [Formula: see text] EMD is parameter-free and can be applied to entire data sets without user interaction.
Acoustic impedance inversion and seismic reflection continuity analysis for delineating gas hydrate resources near the Mallik research sites, Mackenzie Delta, Northwest Territories, Canada
Authors: Riedel Michael , Bellefleur Gilles , Mair Stephanie , Brent Thomas A. , Dallimore Scott R.
Published: August 2009

We combine acoustic impedance inversion of 3D seismic data, log-to-seismic correlation, and seismic attribute analyses to delineate gas-hydrate zones at the Mallik site, Mackenzie Delta, Northwest Territories, Canada. Well-log data define three distinct hydrate zones over a depth range of 890–1100 m. Synthetic seismic modeling indicates the base of the two deeper hydrate zones are prominent reflectors. The uppermost gas-hydrate zone correlates to seismic data with a lower degree of confidence. The extent and geometry of the two lower hydrate zones suggest that local geology plays a significant role in the lateral and vertical distribution of gas hydrate at Mallik. The reliability of the hydrate concentrations calculated from the inverted impedances isqualified by the match between original and synthetic seismic data to produce confidence maps for the two lower gas-hydrate-bearing intervals. A total in-place volume estimate of solid gas hydrate for an area of [Formula: see text] around well 5L-38 yields a value of approximately [Formula: see text] (equivalently, [Formula: see text] of gas). We further qualify our mapping of gas hydrates by some amount of continuous resource, defined as lateral continuity measured by seismic attribute similarity and sand-dominated rock. Using these attributes, the continuous amount of hydrate at Mallik is about half the in-place volume (i.e., [Formula: see text]). Elsewhere within the 3D seismic cube, the seismic impedance inversion yields evidence of potential gas-hydrate deposits near wells A-06 and P-59 at levels near the predicted base of the hydrate stability zone.
Useful characteristics of shallow and deep marine CSEM responses inferred from 3D finite-difference modeling
Authors: Sasaki Yutaka , Meju Max A.
Published: August 2009

Hydrocarbon reservoirs can be mapped if sufficient resistivity contrasts exist between them and their confining layers, but practical problems remain in target discrimination in deep and shallow waters, especially in the presence of heterogeneous overburden. We have developed an efficient 3D staggered-grid finite-difference controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) modeling code that enables study of the physics underlying some practical problems. We undertook a comparative analysis of reservoir detection in [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-deep waters using the simulated electric and magnetic field responses of a simple 3D reservoir. We examined the effect of two types of near-surface heterogeneity (mimicking disconnected gas clouds and/or patchy geochemical alteration halos) on the 3D reservoir response. We found that small-scale, shallow heterogeneities cause distortions that are almost independent of the source frequency. These persist at all source-receiver offsets in the electric amplitude response in deep and shallow waters and phase response in shallow water. They decrease in magnitude with increasing offset in deepwater phase response. Large-scale near-surface heterogeneities distort the horizontal electric field response more significantly than the small-scale ones, but the near-surface response gets smaller in amplitude as the offset increases. The distortions in shallow water are much smaller in magnitude than those for the deepwater case, so that the reservoir signatures still are visible on the response profiles. This might be considered as a positive feature for shallow-water inline electric field exploration. The magnetic field responses for the orthogonal direction provide diagnostic target signatures that are similar to the inline electric field responses in deep water but that are different in shallow water. The magnetic responses are affected by the airwave in a different manner from the electric field, suggesting that combined 3D electric and magnetic field analysis might be vital for handling the airwave problem.
Automatic train regulation for metro lines using dual heuristic dynamic programming
Authors: Lin W-S , Sheu J-W
Published: August 2009

Issues regarding capacity and service quality of metro lines have been receiving attention in worldwide transportation circles recently. Because investment in metro infrastructure is costly, increasing capacity utilization of existing systems while maintaining service quality, particularly in environments where disturbance occurs frequently, is a challenge. For highly homogeneous railway systems such as metro lines, the robustness of the train regulation system against disturbances is an important factor affecting capacity utilization and service quality. Train regulation in metro lines is essentially a highly non-linear, stochastic, and constrained optimization problem. This article proposes an automatic train regulation (ATR) design using dual heuristic dynamic programming (DHP). The ATR system makes easier the handling of the non-linear and stochastic characteristics of metro line with infrastructure constraint; and near-optimal regulation can be obtained more rapidly and accurately. The verification of the DHP-based ATR referring to practical operation data of Taipei metro is presented, and a comparison with a design using linear quadratic regulator is also provided, especially regarding robustness against disturbance.
H∞ filter design for singular time-delay systems
Authors: Wu Z , Su H , Chu J
Published: August 2009

This paper aims to solve the H∞ filtering problem for singular time-delay systems. Two new and improved delay-dependent bounded real lemmas (BRLs), which are equivalent to each other, are proposed. Based on one of them, an H∞ filter is designed via a linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach. Numerical examples are given to illustrate that the newly proposed methods introduce less conservatism than the existing ones.
Linear-matrix-inequality-based sliding mode control for brushless d.c. motor drives
Authors: Soliman H M , Bayoumi E H E , Soliman M
Published: August 2009

This paper deals with the robust sliding mode control of a brushless d.c. motor drive. A state-space model of the system is developed. The sliding mode controller is separated into linear and non-linear components. The novelty of the approach is in the rationale and method used to synthesize the linear control component which involves a linear matrix inequality (LMI) optimization. System uncertainty due to changes in load inertia is represented as norm bounded. A robust design approach is developed, yielding a robust controller against system uncertainties. A reaching condition to bring the system states to a sliding surface is developed, and the control burden lies heavily on the linear part to alleviate the chattering problem of conventional sliding mode control. The effect of the non-linear component on system performance is analysed. Testing the proposed controller verifies its effectiveness compared with the conventional one.
Robust stabilization of switched non-linear systems with time-varying delays under asynchronous switching
Authors: Xiang Z R , Wang R H
Published: August 2009

This paper investigates the problem of robust stabilization for switched non-linear systems with time-varying delays under asynchronous switching. Sufficient conditions for the existence of the robust stabilization problem are developed. First, when the switching instants of the controller experience delays with respect to those of the system, a state feedback controller is proposed to guarantee exponential stability for switched systems with time-varying delays. The dwell-time approach and free weighting matrix scheme are utilized for stability analysis and controller design. Then the approach is extended to take into account switched time-delay systems with Lipschitz non-linearities and structured uncertainties. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Estimating the Value of Brand Alliances in Professional Team Sports
Authors: Yang Yupin , Shi Mengze , Goldfarb Avi
Published: August 2009

Brands often form alliances to enhance their brand equities. In this paper, we examine the alliances between professional athletes (athlete brands) and sports teams (team brands) in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Athletes and teams match to maximize the total added value created by the brand alliance. To understand this total value, we estimate a structural two-sided matching model using a maximum score method. Using data on the free-agency contracts signed in the NBA during the four-year period from 1994 to 1997, we find that both older players and players with higher performance are more likely to match with teams with more wins. However, controlling for performance, we find that brand alliances between high brand equity players (defined as receiving enough votes to be an all-star starter) and medium brand equity teams (defined by stadium and broadcast revenues) generate the highest value. This suggests that top brands are not necessarily best off matching with other top brands. We also provide suggestive evidence that the maximum salary policy implemented in 1998 influenced matches based on brand equity spillovers more than matches based on performance complementarities.
Validation of the Agilent 244K Oligonucleotide Array–Based Comparative Genomic Hybridization Platform for Clinical Cytogenetic Diagnosis
Authors: Yu Shihui , Bittel Douglas C. , Kibiryeva Nataliya , Zwick David L. , Cooley Linda D.
Published: August 2009

High-resolution microarray comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) is being adopted for diagnostic evaluation of genomic disorders, but validation for clinical diagnosis has not yet been reported. We present validation data for the Agilent Human Genome Microarray Kit 244K for clinical application. The platform contains approximately 240,000 distinct 60-mer oligonucleotide probes spanning the entire human genome. We studied 45 previously characterized samples (43 abnormal, 2 normal), 32 with knowledge of prior results and 13 in a blinded manner with 11 performed in a reference laboratory providing microarray testing. Array analysis confirmed known aberrations in 43 samples and a normal result in 2. The array analysis corrected 1 karyotype and clarified 2 additional cases. Array data from 6 patients with 22q11.2 deletion found an average of 2.56 megabases (Mb; range, 2.49–2.62 Mb) with a common 2.43-Mb deleted region. Approximately 7 copy number variants from 400 base pairs to 1.6 Mb were identified per sample. Results demonstrate the usefulness of the aCGH-244K platform as a powerful diagnostic tool.
Residency Training in Pathology Informatics
Authors: Kang Hyunseok P. , Hagenkord Jill M. , Monzon Federico A. , Parwani Anil V.
Published: August 2009

Efforts are being made to provide informatics training in residency programs. However, various factors limit this process: (1) limited access to pathology informatics expertise and resources, (2) crowded rotation schedules, and (3) incompatible rotation structures at different institutions. We devised a novel e-learning solution (located at https://secure. opi.upmc.edu/VRPI/index.cfm) that circumvents these limitations.

The course includes didactic lectures given by experts in the field and video-recorded hands-on laboratories. The lectures are supplemented by readings from a textbook. Because it is self-paced, it can accommodate various rotation structures. Module topics and depth of coverage are directed to the level of general practicing pathologists, with quizzes provided for each module. Course progress can be tracked on the Web site by an administrator.

The experience so far with this resource has been positive, and it seems to be effective in improving resident competency in pathology informatics and basic computer skills.