bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spurious Grid-Scale Precipitation in the North American Regional Reanalysis
Authors: West Gregory L. , Steenburgh W. James , Cheng William Y. Y.
Published: June 2007

Spurious grid-scale precipitation (SGSP) occurs in many mesoscale numerical weather prediction models when the simulated atmosphere becomes convectively unstable and the convective parameterization fails to relieve the instability. Case studies presented in this paper illustrate that SGSP events are also found in the North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) and are accompanied by excessive maxima in grid-scale precipitation, vertical velocity, moisture variables (e.g., relative humidity and precipitable water), mid- and upper-level equivalent potential temperature, and mid- and upper-level absolute vorticity. SGSP events in environments favorable for high-based convection can also feature low-level cold pools and sea level pressure maxima. Prior to 2003, retrospectively generated NARR analyses feature an average of approximately 370 SGSP events annually. Beginning in 2003, however, NARR analyses are generated in near–real time by the Regional Climate Data Assimilation System (R-CDAS), which is identical to the retrospective NARR analysis system except for the input precipitation and ice cover datasets. Analyses produced by the R-CDAS feature a substantially larger number of SGSP events with more than 4000 occurring in the original 2003 analyses. An oceanic precipitation data processing error, which resulted in a reprocessing of NARR analyses from 2003 to 2005, only partially explains this increase since the reprocessed analyses still produce approximately 2000 SGSP events annually. These results suggest that many NARR SGSP events are not produced by shortcomings in the underlying Eta Model, but by the specification of anomalous latent heating when there is a strong mismatch between modeled and assimilated precipitation. NARR users should ensure that they are using the reprocessed NARR analyses from 2003 to 2005 and consider the possible influence of SGSP on their findings, particularly after the transition to the R-CDAS.
Statistical Differences of Quasigeostrophic Variables, Stability, and Moisture Profiles in North American Storm Tracks
Authors: Mercer Andrew E. , Richman Michael B.
Published: June 2007

Three common synoptic storm tracks observed throughout the United States are the Alberta Clipper, the Colorado cyclone, and the East Coast storm. Numerous studies have been performed on individual storm tracks analyzing quasigeostrophic dynamics, stability, and moisture profiles in each. This study evaluated storms in each track to help diagnose patterns and magnitudes of the aforementioned quantities, documenting how they compare from track to track. Six diagnostic variables were computed to facilitate the comparison of the storm tracks: differential geostrophic absolute vorticity advection, temperature advection, Q-vector divergence, mean layer specific humidity, low-level stability, and midlevel stability. A dataset was compiled, consisting of 101 Alberta Clippers, 165 Colorado cyclones, and 159 East Coast cyclones and mean fields were generated for this comparison. Maxima and minima of the 25th and 75th percentiles were generated to diagnose magnitudes and patterns of strong versus weak cyclones and measure their similarities and differences to the mean patterns. Alberta Clippers were found to show the weakest magnitude of quasigeostrophic variables, while East Coast storms had the strongest magnitudes. Alberta Clippers maintained the lowest moisture content through their life cycle as well. However, East Coast storms were the most stable of the three tracks. Typically, correlations between storm tracks were high; suggesting that storm evolution is similar between tracks, in terms of the patterns of diagnostic variables measured. However, significant magnitude differences in the quasigeostrophic variables distinguished the storms in each track.
Improvements in the Subgrid-Scale Representation of Moist Convection in a Cumulus Parameterization Scheme: The Single-Column Test and Its Impact on Seasonal Prediction
Authors: Byun Young-Hwa , Hong Song-You
Published: June 2007

This study describes a revised approach for the subgrid-scale convective properties of a moist convection scheme in a global model and evaluates its effects on a simulated model climate. The subgrid-scale convective processes tested in this study comprise three components: 1) the random selection of cloud top, 2) the inclusion of convective momentum transport, and 3) a revised large-scale destabilization effect considering synoptic-scale forcing in the cumulus convection scheme of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction medium-range forecast model. Each component in the scheme has been evaluated within a single-column model (SCM) framework forced by the Tropical Ocean Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Response Experiment data. The impact of the changes in the scheme on seasonal predictions has been examined for the boreal summers of 1996, 1997, and 1999. In the SCM simulations, an experiment that includes all the modifications reproduces the typical convective heating and drying feature. The simulated surface rainfall is in good agreement with the observed precipitation. Random selection of the cloud top effectively moistens and cools the upper troposphere, and it induces drying and warming below the cloud-top level due to the cloud–radiation feedback. However, the two other components in the revised scheme do not play a significant role in the SCM simulations. On the other hand, the role of each modification component in the scheme is significant in the ensemble seasonal simulations. The random selection process of the cloud top preferentially plays an important role in the adjustment of the thermodynamic profile in a manner similar to that in the SCM framework. The inclusion of convective momentum transport in the scheme weakens the meridional circulation. The revised large-scale destabilization process plays an important role in the modulation of the meridional circulation when this process is combined with other processes; on the other hand, this process does not induce significant changes in large-scale fields by itself. Consequently, the experiment that involves all the modifications shows a significant improvement in the seasonal precipitation, thereby highlighting the importance of nonlinear interaction between the physical processes in the model and the simulated climate.
Mesoscale Convective Vortices Observed during BAMEX. Part II: Influences on Secondary Deep Convection
Authors: Trier Stanley B. , Davis Christopher A.
Published: June 2007

Observations from the Bow Echo and Mesoscale Convective Vortex (MCV) Experiment are used to examine the role of the five mesoscale convective vortices described in Part I on heavy precipitation during the daytime heating cycle. Persistent widespread stratiform rain without deep convection occurs for two strong MCVs in conditionally stable environments with strong vertical shear. Two other MCVs in moderate-to-strong vertical shear have localized redevelopment of deep convection (termed secondary convection) on their downshear side, where conditional instability exists. The strongest of the five MCVs occurs in weak vertical shear and has widespread secondary convection, which is most intense on its conditionally unstable southeast periphery. The two MCVs with only localized secondary convection have well-defined mesoscale vertical motion couplets with downshear ascent and upshear descent above the planetary boundary layer (PBL). Although the amplitude is significantly greater, the kinematically derived vertical motion dipole resembles that implied by steady, vortex-relative isentropic flow, consistent with previous idealized (dry) simulations and diagnoses based on operational model analyses. In the other three cases with either widespread precipitation or weak environmental vertical shear, the kinematic and isentropic vertical motion patterns are poorly correlated. Vertical motions above the PBL provide a focus for secondary convection through adiabatic cooling downshear and adiabatic warming upshear of the MCV center. The MCVs occur within surface frontal zones with large temperature and moisture gradients across the environmental vertical shear vector (Part I). Thus, the effect of vertical motions on conditional instability is reinforced by horizontal advections of high equivalent potential temperature air downshear, and low equivalent potential temperature air upshear within the PBL. On average, the quadrant immediately right of downshear (typically southeast of the MCV center) best supports deep convection because of the juxtaposition of greatest mesoscale ascent, high equivalent potential temperature PBL air, and MCV-induced enhancement of the vertical shear.
Banded Convection Caused by Frontogenesis in a Conditionally, Symmetrically, and Inertially Unstable Environment
Authors: Schultz David M. , Knox John A.
Published: June 2007

Several east–west-oriented bands of clouds and light rain formed on 20 July 2005 over eastern Montana and the Dakotas. The cloud bands were spaced about 150 km apart, and the most intense band was about 20 km wide and 300 km long, featuring areas of maximum radar reflectivity factor of about 50 dBZ. The cloud bands formed poleward of an area of lower-tropospheric frontogenesis, where air of modest convective available potential energy was being lifted. During initiation and maintenance of the bands, mesoscale regions of dry symmetric and inertial instability were present in the region of the bands, suggesting a possible mechanism for the banding. Interpretation of the extant instabilities in the region of the bands was sensitive to the methodology to assess the instability. The release of these instabilities produced circulations with enough vertical motion to lift parcels to their lifting condensation level, resulting in the observed cloud bands. A high-resolution, numerical weather prediction model demonstrated that forecasting these types of events in such real-time models is possible, although the timing, evolution, and spacing of the bands were not faithfully reproduced. This case is compared to two previous cases in the literature where banded convection was associated with a combination of conditional, symmetric, and inertial instability.
Examining Two-Way Grid Nesting for Large Eddy Simulation of the PBL Using the WRF Model
Authors: Moeng C-H. , Dudhia Jimy , Klemp Joe , Sullivan Peter
Published: June 2007

The performance of two-way nesting for large eddy simulation (LES) of PBL turbulence is investigated using the Weather Research and Forecasting model framework. A pair of LES-within-LES experiments are performed where a finer-grid LES covering a smaller horizontal domain is nested inside a coarser-grid LES covering a larger horizontal domain. Both LESs are driven under the same environmental conditions, allowed to interact with each other, and expected to behave the same statistically. The first experiment of the free-convective PBL reveals a mean temperature bias between the two LES domains, which generates a nonzero mean vertical velocity in the nest domain while the mean vertical velocity averaged over the outer domain remains zero. The problem occurs when the horizontal extent of the nest domain is too small to capture an adequate sample of energy-containing eddies; this problem can be alleviated using a nest domain that is at least 5 times the PBL depth in both x and y. The second experiment of the neutral PBL exposes a bias in the prediction of the surface stress between the two LES domains, which is found due to the grid dependence of the Smagorinsky-type subgrid-scale (SGS) model. A new two-part SGS model is developed to solve this problem.
Gynecomastia: Evaluation and Treatment Recommendations for Primary Care Providers
Authors: Cakan Nedim , Kamat Deepak
Published: June 2007

Gynecomastia is defined as excessive development of the breast in boys. It is common in neonates and adolescents. Although in most cases this is a transient phenomenon, it might lead to significant social impediments such as decreased participation in physical education because of embarrassment. A primary care provider should be able to diagnose a false gynecomastia, a physiologic gynecomastia, and a gynecomastia with underlying pathology by taking good history, performing a thorough physical examination, and checking few screening laboratory tests. In most cases with physiologic gynecomastia, just reassurance and close follow-up is sufficient; however, psychologic counseling and surgical intervention may be required in few selected cases of physiologic gynecomastia. Suspected cases with underlying pathologic causes should be referred to a pediatric endocrinologist for further evaluation and management. Treatment of underlying causes should resolve the gynecomastia in those patients.
Pediatric Obesity Management: Variation by Specialty and Awareness of Guidelines
Authors: Rhodes Erinn T. , Ebbeling Cara B. , Meyers Alan F. , Bayerl Cynthia T. , Ooi Wee L. , Bettencourt Maria F. , Ludwig David S.
Published: June 2007

A survey of 2727 pediatric clinicians evaluated pediatric overweight management and awareness of Expert Committee recommendations (ECR) on obesity. Adjusted response rate was 45%. ECR awareness was reported by 24.6%. Family practice specialists (FPS) were less likely than pediatric specialists (PS) to be aware of ECR (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.30-0.71). Body mass index (BMI) was never used by 25.6% to identify overweight; 35.4% did not obtain laboratory tests. Among PS but not FPS, ECR awareness was associated with BMI use (OR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.56-4.65) and frequent follow-up (OR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.58-3.90). FPS were more likely than PS to use BMI (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.15-2.75) and obtain thyroid function tests (OR, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.53-4.37), but less likely to obtain fasting lipids (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.30-0.73). Specialty differences in dietary recommendations, referrals, and barriers to treatment were identified. Pediatric overweight management guidelines should consider specialty differences and be accessible to all pediatric care providers.
The Children's Advocacy Project of Philadelphia's Cap4Kids Survey: An Innovative Tool for Pediatrician—Community-Based Organization Collaboration
Authors: Taylor Daniel R. , Maniar Payal
Published: June 2007

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the online advocacy resource tool, the Children's Advocacy Project of Philadelphia (Cap4Kids), is effective in helping pediatrics residents and pediatricians learn more about community-based organizations (CBOs). This study used an online survey of Cap4Kids Listserv members and analyzed the responses by subgroups. Three hundred twenty-seven Listserv members responded to this survey. Of these respondents, 41 were pediatricians and 62 were pediatrics residents. Results from this study demonstrated that 60% of pediatrics residents and 85% of pediatricians who were introduced to the Cap4Kids resource reported that they became more or much more knowledgeable about the community-based resources that serve families in need in their communities. Additionally, 61.6% of pediatrics residents and 100% of pediatricians rated the Cap4Kids resource as an excellent or above average teaching tool for learning about CBOs in their community. The Cap4Kids resource is an effective tool for introducing pediatricians and pediatrics residents to CBOs in their community.
Long-term Outcome in Children After Henoch-Schönlein Purpura Nephritis
Authors: Butani Lavjay , Morgenstern Bruce Z.
Published: June 2007

This study investigated predictors of renal survival in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura glomerulonephritis. Records of patients with Henoch-Schönlein purpura glomerulonephritis evaluated at our center, from 1953-1990, were reviewed. Data were abstracted from records of patients seen within 5 years. Others were mailed a questionnaire or contacted by telephone. Primary outcome measures were renal survival and presence of urinary abnormalities or hypertension. Of the 65 eligible patients with Henoch Schönlein purpura glomerulonephritis, follow-up data was obtainable for 81.5%. The median follow-up was 20 years. At last follow-up, 66% of patients had normal renal function and urinalyses, and 21% had progressed to end-stage renal disease. The only factor associated with the development of end-stage renal disease was the use of cytotoxic agents. There are no features at initial presentation that identify children at risk of disease progression. Close follow-up of all children with Henoch Schönlein purpura glomerulonephritis is warranted.
Comparison of the Validity of Direct Pediatric Developmental Evaluation Versus Developmental Screening by Parent Report
Authors: Voigt Robert G. , Llorente Antolin M. , Jensen Craig L. , Fraley J. Kennard , Barbaresi William J. , Heird William C.
Published: June 2007

To compare the validity of direct pediatric developmental evaluation with developmental screening by parent report, parents completed a developmental screen (the Child Development Review), a pediatrician performed a direct developmental evaluation (Capute Scales), and a psychologist administered the Bayley Scales of Infant Development to a group of 30-month-old children. The agreement between these instruments was tested. All developmental quotient scores derived from the Capute Scales were more highly correlated with concurrent Bayley Mental Development Index scores than developmental quotient scores derived from the Child Development Review. Differences between developmental quotient scores derived from the Capute Scales and corresponding Bayley Mental Development Index scores were significantly smaller than those derived from the Child Development Review. Thus, direct pediatric developmental evaluation more reliably predicted concurrent Mental Development Index scores at 30 months of age than developmental screening by parent report. Increased emphasis on training of pediatric health care providers in direct developmental evaluation should be considered.
Constant Urinary Dribbling Due to an Ectopic Ureter and Delays in Diagnosis
Authors: Gordon Morris , Cervellione Raimondo M. , Hennayake Supul
Published: June 2007

We present 2 patients who had a solitary kidney visualized on ultrasound imaging and experienced constant urinary dribbling. Further imaging modalities defined the anatomy and visualized the contralateral kidney and ectopic ureter causing the dribbling. Both patients went on to have curative surgical procedures. These cases reinforce the point that in a toilet-trained girl with normal voiding at normal intervals experiencing constant urinary dribbling, the diagnosis of an ectopic ureter must be considered early and referral made for appropriate imaging. Because of the abnormal anatomy, ultrasound imaging is particularly limited in such cases, but if used, one should take account of antenatal and postnatal scans. Referral is advocated, based on history alone, for appropriate imaging and investigation.
Recurrent Neonatal Group B Streptococcal Disease Associated With Infected Breast Milk
Authors: Wang Lin-Yu , Chen Chun-Ta , Liu Won-Hsiung , Wang Yin-Hsuan
Published: June 2007

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a major cause of severe systemic infections among the newborn. Both recurrent and maternal mastitis-associated, group B streptococcus diseases are uncommon. Persistence of GBS colonization of infants' mucous membrane is postulated to influence the pathogeneses of recurrent GBS infection. The authors describe a term infant who was treated for GBS sepsis and meningitis and then later developed recurrent GBS sepsis, without meningitis, due to feeding of infected breast milk. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction assay was performed to demonstrate that the GBS isolates from the first and second episode of infection and the maternal milk are identical. The authors conclude that transmission of GBS through breast milk should be considered in cases of recurrent neonatal GBS infection and bacterial culture of breast milk should be routinely performed in such cases.
Escaping the Ties That Bind: Exchange Rate Choice Under Central Bank Independence
Authors: O'Mahony Angela
Published: June 2007

Central bank independence has been seen as an effective way to achieve low inflation. However, by increasing the likelihood that the government will adopt a fixed exchange rate rather than maintain domestic control over monetary policy, an independent central bank may be a victim of its own success. Because monetary policy set by an independent central bank may result in what the government considers to be adverse distributive consequences, governments may look for ways to mitigate the central bank's control over monetary policy, turning to a fixed exchange rate as one possible solution. The author examines the implications of this argument through an analysis of the British, German, and French governments' preferences on joining the European Monetary System in 1978.
The Rejected, the Ejected, and the Dejected: Explaining Government Rebels in the 2001-2005 British House of Commons
Authors: Benedetto Giacomo , Hix Simon
Published: June 2007

The combination of parliamentary government and plurality elections in the British House of Commons is often assumed to produce highly cohesive parliamentary parties. However, the number and magnitude of backbench revolts against the governing party in the British Parliament has increased since the 1960s. The contention of this article is that particular forms of rebellion against the government are the norm rather than the exception in Britain. The reason, the authors contend, is that members of Parliament (MPs) who have been refused ministerial promotion or who are ex-ministers cannot be controlled by the promise of ministerial office and are hence free to vote against the government if they have variant policy preferences from the cabinet. This idea is confirmed in an analysis of Labour MPs' voting behavior in the 2001-2005 House of Commons.
Strategic Imperatives of India as an Emerging Player in Pacific Asia
Authors: Scott David
Published: June 2007

India's links to the Pacific have gradually emerged in the last decade. Initially this was seen in the Look East policy enunciated in the early 1990s. This policy was rather limited in scope in terms of its emphasis mostly on economic relations with the ASEAN countries. However, the last decade has seen India move beyond such ASEAN, Southeast Asia economic horizons. Its Look East policy has entered ‘phase-2’. Consequently, India has become further involved in military-security power projection, particularly through naval deployments and maritime diplomacy. India has also moved into wider East Asia (Pacific Asia) and Pacific Basin (southern Pacific) settings. In doing so rivalry with China is evident, as is balancing with other Pacific actors like Japan and the US. Whilst India's drive in the Indian Ocean remains more noticeable and manifest, this has spilled further eastwards. India has thus become a Pacific player and a factor within the Pacific Asia balance of power.
Teacher Pipelines: Career Pathways Extending From High School to Community College to University
Authors: Bragg Debra D.
Published: June 2007

Because K-12 teacher preparation is enormously important to the future of the nation, university teacher education programs are being joined by programs at other educational institutions to address the teacher shortage. Community colleges are one of the most eager and entrepreneurial new providers. In addition to providing the first 2 years of teacher preparation through transfer agreements, some community colleges are taking a more comprehensive approach. Working with a variety of institutional partners, community colleges are developing career pathways that recruit high school students into teacher education programs extending from the secondary level to the 2-year college and, ultimately, the baccalaureate degree. Drawing on multicase research, this article describes efforts at three community colleges to implement career pathways for K-12 teaching careers, detailing implementation strategies, student enrollment in high school, and outcomes related to their transition including college matriculation and the need for remedial course taking.
Adaptation To Imprisonment
Authors: Dhami Mandeep K. , Ayton Peter , Loewenstein George
Published: June 2007

The study investigated the effects of time spent in prison and quality of life before prison on male, federally sentenced prisoners' adaptations to imprisonment, controlling for sentence length and prison security level. Data consisted of responses on a self-administered survey completed by 712 prisoners. Findings tended to support the independent effects of the indigenous (deprivation) and importation approaches rather than their interaction effects. Time spent in prison had a direct effect on prisoners' participation in programs, their thoughts of needing control over their lives, their feelings of hopelessness, and their disciplinary infractions in prison. Prisoners' quality of life before prison had a direct effect on their participation in programs, their feelings of happiness, and their prison infractions. Finally, time spent in prison and quality of life before prison interacted to affect prisoners' contact with their family and friends.
Homography-based 2D Visual Tracking and Servoing
Authors: Benhimane S. , Malis E.
Published: June 2007

The objective of this paper is to propose a new homography-based approach to image-based visual tracking and servoing. The visual tracking algorithm proposed in the paper is based on a new efficient second-order minimization method. Theoretical analysis and comparative experiments with other tracking approaches show that the proposed method has a higher convergence rate than standard first-order minimization techniques. Therefore, it is well adapted to real-time robotic applications. The output of the visual tracking is a homography linking the current and the reference image of a planar target. Using the homography, a task function isomorphic to the camera pose has been designed. A new image-based control law is proposed which does not need any measure of the 3D structure of the observed target (e.g. the normal to the plane). The theoretical proof of the existence of the isomorphism between the task function and the camera pose and the theoretical proof of the stability of the control law are provided. The experimental results, obtained with a 6 d.o.f. robot, show the advantages of the proposed method with respect to the existing approaches.
A fly-locust based neuronal control system applied to an unmanned aerial vehicle: the invertebrate neuronal principles for course stabilization, altitude control and collision avoidance
Authors: Bermudez i Badia Sergi , Pyk Pawel , Verschure Paul F.M.J.
Published: June 2007

The most versatile and robust flying machines are still those produced by nature through evolution. The solutions to the 6 DOF control problem faced by these machines are implemented in extremely small neuronal structures comprising thousands of neurons. Hence, the biological principles of flight control are not only very effective but also efficient in terms of their implementation. An important question is to what extent these principles can be generalized to man-made flying platforms. Here, this question is investigated in relation to the computational and behavioral principles of the opto-motor system of the fly and locust. The aim is to provide a control infrastructure based only on biologically plausible and realistic neuronal models of the insect opto-motor system. It is shown that relying solely on vision, biologically constrained neuronal models of the fly visual system suffice for course stabilization and altitude control of a blimp-based UAV. Moreover, the system is augmented with a collision avoidance model based on the Lobula Giant Movement Detector neuron of the Locust. It is shown that the biologically constrained course stabilization model is highly robust and that the combined model is able to perform autonomous indoor flight.
Visual Servoing for Nonholonomically Constrained Three Degree of Freedom Kinematic Systems
Authors: Lopes Gabriel A. D. , Koditschek Daniel E.
Published: June 2007

This paper addresses problems of robot navigation with nonholonomic motion constraints and perceptual cues arising from onboard visual servoing in partially engineered environments. A general hybrid procedure is proposed that adapts to the constrained motion setting the standard feedback controller arising from a navigation function in the fully actuated case. This is accomplished by switching back and forth between moving “down” and “across” the associated gradient field toward the stable manifold it induces in the constrained dynamics. Guaranteed to avoid obstacles in all cases, conditions are provided under which the new procedure brings initial configurations to within an arbitrarily small neighborhood of the goal.

Simulation results are given for a sample of visual servoing problems with a few different perceptual models. The empirical effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is documented by reporting results of its application to outdoor autonomous visual registration experiments with the robot RHex guided by engineered beacons.
A review of vegetation—atmosphere interactions and their influences on mesoscale phenomena
Authors: McPherson Renee A.
Published: June 2007

Vegetation strongly influences exchanges of energy and moisture between land and atmosphere through (1) the vegetation's response to incoming radiation and its emission of longwave radiation (2) the vegetation's physical presence, and (3) the plant's transpiration. These processes affect the diurnal temperature range, processes in the atmospheric boundary layer, cloud cover, rainfall, differential heating, and atmospheric circulations. This paper overviews how vegetation interacts with surface energy and moisture budgets and reviews both observational and modelling studies that examine how vegetation affects weather and climate on the mesoscale (ie, phenomena 10s to 100s of kilometres in horizontal size).
Measuring the Informal Economy: A Validation Study of the Resource Generating Strategies Scale
Authors: Pyles Loretta
Published: June 2007

Objective: This article reports on the reliability and validity of a new instrument called the Resource Generating Strategies (RGS) Scale, which was created to measure participation in the informal economy. Method: Researchers interviewed 285 adult women who had received domestic violence services, were currently incarcerated, or were residing in the community. Results: Five subtypes of informal economic activity are identified: (a) informal selling and exchange, (b) credit card use, (c) institutionalized informal economy, (d) gifts or loans from family and partners, and (e) illegal informal economy. Strong evidence is found for reliability and validity. Conclusions: This scale can be used to expand the knowledge base of practitioners and policy makers about the strengths and economic coping strategies of low-income individuals.
The Ohio Supported Employment Coordinating Center of Excellence
Authors: Biegel David E. , Swanson Sarah , Kola Lenore A.
Published: June 2007

The Ohio Supported Employment Coordinating Center of Excellence is a joint project of the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences and the Department of Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University. The center is focused on helping to implement and evaluate evidence-based employment services provided to individuals with a severe mental illness. The staffing and funding of the center is described, as are the current research projects, future directions, and the implementation lessons learned. This article is the latest in a series of reports of social work research centers published in Research on Social Work Practice.
A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Professional Opinion Scale
Authors: Greeno Elizabeth J. , Hughes Anne K. , Hayward R. Anna , Parker Karen L.
Published: June 2007

The Professional Opinion Scale (POS) was developed to measure social work values orientation. Objective: A confirmatory factor analysis was performed on the POS. Method: This cross-sectional study used a mailed survey design with a national random (simple) sample of members of the National Association of Social Workers. Results: The study validated a 28-item POS retaining the four subscales described by Abbott, and the model fit was acceptable. Conclusions: Findings suggest that the POS may be useful in assessing social work values across the social work profession.
Chaotic Responses in a Stable Duffing System of Non-ideal Type
Authors: Zukovic M. , Cveticanin L.
Published: June 2007

In this paper the dynamics of a non-linear system with non-ideal excitation are studied. An unbalanced motor with a strong non-linear structure is considered. The excitation is of non-ideal type. The model is described with a system of two coupled strong non-linear differential equations. The steady state motions and their stability is studied applying the asymptotic methods. The existence of the Sommerfeld effect in such non-linear non-idealy excited system is proved. For certain values of system parameters chaotic motion appears. The chaos is realized through period doubling bifurcation. The results of numerical simulation are plotted and the Lyapunov exponents are calculated. The Pyragas method for control of chaotic motion is applied. The parameter values for transforming the chaos into periodical motion are obtained.
Semi-active Electro-inductive Devices: Characterization and Modelling
Authors: Casciati F. , Domaneschi M.
Published: June 2007

Electro-inductive devices have recently been introduced to implement passive control schemes in special classes of structures. Their fascinating feature is the feasibility of large devices, to be installed, for instance, in long span bridges, much shorter than hydraulic dampers with identical maximum span. The characterization of an electro-inductive device with semi-active behavior is presented in detail in this paper. The paper also discusses ways of building a semi-active device, and details its passive control function.
Ties to the Past in Organization Research: A Comparative Analysis of Retrospective Methods
Authors: Cox Julie Wolfram , Hassard John
Published: June 2007

This paper addresses a traditionally neglected area of management and organizational studies—retrospective research. It identifies, describes and analyses four positions on retrospective research: Controlling the Past, in which attempts are made to maximize accurate recall or to reveal potential sources of error or bias; Interpreting the Past, in which understanding of the present is informed by the construction of past reality; Co-opting the Past, in which causal explanations link the past and the present; and Representing the Past, which involves the problematization of time and research on time. These positions are compared in terms of, for example, method, philosophy, examplars and potential contribution. Finally, implications are drawn for the practice of retrospective research in management and organization studies.
Achieving Transparency: The Visible, Invisible and Divisible in Academic Accountability Networks
Authors: Neyland Daniel
Published: June 2007

Demands for greater transparency form an increasingly prevalent feature of many areas of organizational activity. Through the rubric of transparency, demands are made for organizations to demonstrate recognition of their responsibility for environmental impact, how money is spent, the returns received on money invested and so on. This paper argues that transparency reviews, however, do not straightforwardly open up opportunities for observing the internal dynamics of an organization in order to render the organization accountable and its members aware of their responsibilities. Instead, transparency reviews encourage the adoption of new or re-formatted informational production processes that produce information intended to fit the auspices of the review. In this way, internal aspects of organizations are not `made available' but instead are re-oriented toward the production of specific forms of informational output that will externalize (or make available) a particular version of the internal dynamics of the organization. By studying these production processes in detail we find a series of ad-hoc, uncertain and disconnected processes through which accountability criteria are met and transparency achieved.
Redrawing Foucault's Social Ontology
Authors: Al-Amoudi Ismael
Published: June 2007

I propose that Foucault's works, since he wrote Discipline and Punish , rely on an implicit meta-theory that is compatible with the fundamentals of critical realism. To this end I examine the status of truth, methodology and social ontology used by Foucault. If this thesis is correct, then a critical realist reading of Michel Foucault would avoid some of the pitfalls that have been attributed to his works—such as constructivism, determinism, localism, and reductionism. Moreover, this understanding of Foucault's works would also offer novel and challenging perspectives for researchers adopting a Foucauldian and/or critical realist study of organizations.
Dignity at Work: Broadening the Agenda
Authors: Sayer Andrew
Published: June 2007

The paper seeks to broaden concerns about dignity at work beyond issues of bullying and harassment to the whole range of circumstances which support or tend to undermine employees' dignity, and argues for their consideration by critical management studies. It does so by drawing both upon empirical studies and moral philosophy to improve understanding of the nature and sources of dignity. It deals first with the relationship of dignity to autonomy, dependence, seriousness and trust, and discusses how dignity and respect might be maintained in a context in which instrumental relations to others are dominant. It then examines the difference that inequalities make to the maintenance of dignity, and addresses the ways in which particular kinds of work afford employees dignity, or make it difficult to maintain. The conclusion summarizes the main ways in which dignity at work can be supported.
Managing customer relationships in the self-service environment of e-tourism
Authors: Stockdale Rosemary
Published: June 2007

The provision of self-service technologies in the travel and tourism industry has increased rapidly with the widespread use of e-commerce. There is an apparent contradiction between increasing the opportunities for customer autonomy while encouraging firms to develop close and lasting relationships to gain competitive advantage in an intensely competitive electronic market. An examination of the concepts of managing customer relationships online and the use of self-service technologies highlights the complementary capabilities of CRM for self-service technologies. A framework is offered to support the development of more effective customer relationships within the self-service environment.
Ethnicity and marginality effects on casino gambling behavior
Authors: Chhabra Deepak
Published: June 2007

This study examines the marginality and ethnicity dynamics in the context of differences in gambling behavior between the black and white residents of a mid-western state in the USA. Striking similarities between the many socio-demographic characteristics of black and white populations are noted. The results indicate combined influences of marginality and ethnicity on selected dimensions of gambling behavior, such as travel and spending. The study suggests that ethnicity plays a significant role in determining some aspects of leisure behavior, such as largest amount lost and total trip expenditures, and distance traveled (one way) to the most frequented casino regardless of social class. Further, marginality variations in gambling behavior, such as total trip expenditures and distance traveled, are noted.
Uniquely Singapore? A case study in destination branding
Authors: Henderson Joan C.
Published: June 2007

The subject of this article is destination branding and its role in the marketing of tourism as revealed by the example of Singapore. A case study approach, incorporating a review of information in the public domain and analysis of the content of promotional material, is employed to assess the country's most recent branding exercise. The campaign is considered within the context of prevailing place images and tourism development strategies and the importance attached to destination images and brands in general are also evaluated. Destination branding is shown to be growing in popularity among marketers and the factors underlying this trend are revealed. The appeal of the practice is demonstrated, but the discussion also identifies some of its drawbacks and suggests it should be exposed to greater critical appraisal in certain instances.
Does Migration Matter in Trade? A Study of India's Exports to the GCC Countries
Authors: Karayil Sajitha Beevi
Published: June 2007

This article examines India's exports to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries with a special focus on the influence of migration. In order to explain the growing orientation of India's exports towards the Gulf countries, we analyse the demand pattern of GCC as represented by its import structure. The GCC countries’ import structure reveals the influence of the Indian diaspora and the possible migration–trade link. The hypothesis of migration–trade nexus is further verified using a longitudinal gravity-type model. The econometric evidence also illustrates the strong immigrant preference effect for their home-country products. Thus, the preference similarity mechanism is seen to work in the India–GCC context despite the violation of its crucial assumption of income similarity. Overall, the study brings out the importance of migrant population as a unique source of advantage for India's exports to the region.
Effects of Proposed Free Trade Agreement between India and Bangladesh
Authors: Siriwardana Mahinda , Yang Jinmei
Published: June 2007

There have been substantial efforts to intensify economic interactions between India and Bangladesh in recent times. Despite these, trade imbalance remains a key feature in their bilateral trade. India maintains a huge trade surplus against Bangladesh and the trade policy negotiators are hopeful that a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries may address this issue. For instance, Indian investment in Bangladesh can enhance new supply and export capacities under free trade arrangements. This article examines the possible effects of proposed FTA between India and Bangladesh using the GTAP model. The analysis highlights the possible costs and benefits to the two nations in the event that the FTA is negotiated.
The Economic Effects of the Asian Tsunami on the ‘Tear Drop in the Indian Ocean’
Authors: Bandara Jayatilleke S. , Naranpanawa Athula
Published: June 2007

Sri Lanka is the second worst affected country by the Indian Ocean tsunami (IOT) in absolute terms after Indonesia and the most affected country in relative terms of per capita deaths, missing and displaced people. In addition to the damages to public infrastructure and owner-occupied houses, some sectors of the economy such as fishing and tourism have been severely affected. This article demonstrates how a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model can provide some information on the effects of the IOT and on the likely effects of a reconstruction aid package on tsunami affected economies such as Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia. The article indicates that it is important to consider the combined effects of the IOT and the reconstruction package. While the IOT has produced negative economic effects on the economy, the reconstruction package would stimulate the economy.
Savings, Investment and Growth in India
Authors: Verma Reetu
Published: June 2007

This article considers savings, investment and economic growth for India using annual time series data for the period 1950/51 to 2003/04. The analysis uses Perron's innovational outlier model to conduct unit root tests which endogenously determines structural break. The empirical results show that the null hypothesis of unit root cannot be rejected for gross domestic product. Moreover, the results show that the most significant structural breaks over the last five decades correspond to the wars, regime change and the nationalization of the banks. The study also utilizes the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach to test for cointegration. Whilst the results support the existing evidence for the Carroll-Weil hypothesis, the study also finds that saving unambiguously determines investment in both the short and long runs. No evidence is found to support the commonly accepted growth models in India, that investment is the engine of economic growth.
Asymmetric Volatility and Risk-return Relationship in the Indian Stock Market
Authors: Karmakar Madhusudan
Published: June 2007

This article investigates the heteroscedastic behaviour of the Indian stock market using different GARCH models. First, the standard GARCH approach is used to investigate whether stock return volatility changes over time and if so, whether it is predictable. Then, the EGARCH models are applied to investigate whether there is asymmetric volatility. Finally, (E) GARCH in the mean extension has been tried to examine the relation between market risk and expected return. The investigation has been made on market index S&P CNX Nifty for a period of 14 and a half years from July 1990 to December 2004. The study reports an evidence of time varying volatility which exhibits clustering, high persistence and predictability. It is found that the volatility is an asymmetric function of past innovation, rising proportionately more during market decline. It is also evidenced that return is not significantly related to risk. The findings are useful to policy makers and to all market participants for pricing derivatives and designing dynamic trading strategies.
Benchmarking and Regulation for the Electricity Distribution Sector in Pakistan
Authors: Saleem Muhammad
Published: June 2007

Liberalization of public utilities, especially the electricity sector, in developing countries is a significant trend. In addition, some developing countries are in the process of developing a regulatory framework for the liberalized sector. These countries are facing the core issue of how to transform public utilities into market-oriented and regulated entities. Like other developing countries, Pakistan is no exception. This article measures the changes in and sources of efficiency between 1998 and 2003. We rely on DEA and Malmquist indices to calculate and decompose the changes in productivity of nine distribution companies in Pakistan between 1998 and 2003. The results suggest that on average there is 92 per cent efficiency in the sector and six firms are operating on the frontier. It also shows that total factor productivity in the distribution sector rose by an average 3 per cent a year in the 1998–2003 period. There is deterioration in efficiency change, pure efficiency change and scale efficiency change. All growth in total factor productivity is due to growth in technical change. The paper concludes by arguing that any electricity regulator could use these types of results to improve the efficiency and performance of the sector.