bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficient Terrain Triangulation and Modification Algorithms for Game Applications
Authors: Raman Sundar , Jianmin Zheng 
Published: May 2008

An efficient terrain generation algorithm is developed, based on constrained
conforming Delaunay triangulation. The density of triangulation in different regions of a terrain is
determined by its flatness, as seen from a height map, and a control map. Tracks and other objects
found in a game world can be applied over the terrain using the “stenciling”	and “stitching” algorithms.
Using user controlled parameters, varying levels of detail can be preserved when applying these objects
over the terrain as well. The algorithms have been incorporated into 3dsMax as plugins, and the
experimental results demonstrate the usefulness and efficiency of the developed algorithms.
The Secondary Low and Heavy Rainfall Associated with Typhoon Mindulle (2004)
Authors: Lee Cheng-Shang , Liu Yi-Chin , Chien Fang-Ching 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
This paper presents an observational and numerical study of Typhoon Mindulle (2004) as it affected Taiwan. Mindulle made landfall on the east coast of Taiwan at 1500 UTC 1 July 2004, and after 13 h, it exited Taiwan from the north coast. Severe rainfall (with a maximum amount of 787 mm) occurred over central-southwestern Taiwan on 2 July 2004. During the landfall of Mindulle’s main circulation, a secondary low formed over the Taiwan Strait. However, the secondary low, after it developed significantly (vorticity exceeded 5 × 10−4 s−1 over a 30-km radius), did not replace the original center as was observed in many other storms. Instead, it moved inland and dissipated after the original center redeveloped near the north coast of Taiwan. In this study, the evolution of the secondary low, the redevelopment of the primary center, and the processes leading to the severe rainfall were examined. Results showed that the processes leading to the formation and the development of the secondary low were similar to those described in previous studies. These processes include the leeside subsidence warming, the horizontal transport of vorticity around the northern tip of the Central Mountain Range (CMR), and the overmountain upper-level vorticity remnant. However, because of the northward track, Mindulle preserved some strong vorticity on the eastern slope of the CMR. This strong vorticity remnant was steered northward over the ocean offshore from the north coast where the redevelopment of the primary center occurred. This “quasi-continuous track” of Mindulle has not been documented in previous studies. The vortex interaction between the redeveloped primary center and the secondary low resulted in the northeastward movement of the secondary low, which then dissipated after making landfall. Analyses also showed that even though heavy rainfall would occur over the mountain area when only the southwesterly flow prevailed, as on 3 July 2004, Typhoon Mindulle and the secondary low provided extra convergence that resulted in the west–east-oriented convective bands. These convective bands and the orographic lifting of the circulation associated with the secondary low resulted in the heavy rainfall over the central-western plains area.
The Impact of High-Resolution Sea Surface Temperatures on the Simulated Nocturnal Florida Marine Boundary Layer
Authors: LaCasse Katherine M. , Splitt Michael E. , Lazarus Steven M. , Lapenta William M. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
High- and low-resolution sea surface temperature (SST) analysis products are used to initialize the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model for May 2004 for short-term forecasts over Florida and surrounding waters. Initial and boundary conditions for the simulations were provided by a combination of observations, large-scale model output, and analysis products. The impact of using a 1-km Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) SST composite on subsequent evolution of the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) is assessed through simulation comparisons and limited validation. Model results are presented for individual simulations, as well as for aggregates of easterly- and westerly-dominated low-level flows. The simulation comparisons show that the use of MODIS SST composites results in enhanced convergence zones, earlier and more intense horizontal convective rolls, and an increase in precipitation as well as a change in precipitation location. Validation of 10-m winds with buoys shows a slight improvement in wind speed. The most significant results of this study are that 1) vertical wind stress divergence and pressure gradient accelerations across the Florida Current region vary in importance as a function of flow direction and stability and 2) the warmer Florida Current in the MODIS product transports heat vertically and downwind of this heat source, modifying the thermal structure and the MABL wind field primarily through pressure gradient adjustments.
Proper Scores for Probability Forecasts Can Never Be Equitable
Authors: Jolliffe Ian T. , Stephenson David B. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
Verification is an important part of any forecasting system. It is usually achieved by computing the value of some measure or score that indicates how good the forecasts are. Many possible verification measures have been proposed, and to choose between them a number of desirable properties have been defined. For probability forecasts of a binary event, two of the best known of these properties are propriety and equitability. A proof that the two properties are incompatible for a wide class of verification measures is given in this paper, after briefly reviewing the two properties and some recent attempts to improve properties for the well-known Brier skill score.
High-Resolution Observations and Model Simulations of the Life Cycle of an Intense Mesoscale Snowband over the Northeastern United States
Authors: Novak David R. , Colle Brian A. , Yuter Sandra E. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
This paper investigates the structural and dynamical evolution of an intense mesoscale snowband occurring 25–26 December 2002 over the northeastern United States. Dual-Doppler, wind profiler, aircraft, and water vapor observations in concert with the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–NCAR Mesoscale Model run at 4-km grid spacing are used to highlight evolutionary aspects of a snowband unresolved by previous studies. The high-resolution observations and model simulations show that band formation was coincident with a sharpening of a midlevel trough and associated increase in frontogenesis in an environment of conditional and inertial instability. Band maturity was marked by increasing conditional stability and a threefold increase in frontogenetical forcing. Band dissipation occurred as the midlevel trough and associated frontogenetical forcing weakened, while the conditional stability continued to increase. The effect of changing ascent is shown to dominate over changing moisture in explaining band dissipation in this case. Unconventional aspects of band structure and dynamics revealed by the high-resolution data are discussed, including the location of the band relative to the frontogenesis maximum, increasing stability during the band-formation process, and the presence of inertial instability. The model realistically predicted the band evolution; however, maximum precipitation was underforecast within the banded region by ∼30% at 4-km grid spacing, and the axis of heaviest precipitation was displaced ∼50 km to the southeast of the observed location. Higher horizontal model resolution is shown to contribute toward improved QPF in this case; however, it appears more dramatic improvement may be gained by better simulating the frontogenesis, stability, and moisture evolution.
Airborne Doppler Radar and Sounding Analysis of an Oceanic Cold Front
Authors: Wakimoto Roger M. , Murphey Hanne V. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
An analysis of a cold front over the eastern Atlantic Ocean based on airborne Doppler wind syntheses and dropsonde data is presented. The focus and unique aspect of this study is a segment of the front that was near the center of the cyclone. The dual-Doppler wind synthesis of the frontal zone combined with an average dropsonde spacing of ∼30 km covers a total distance of &gt;450 km in the cross-frontal direction. The finescale resolution and areal coverage of the dataset are believed to be unprecedented. The cold front was characterized by a distinct wind shift and a strong horizontal temperature gradient. The latter was most intense aloft and not at the surface, in contrast to the classical paradigm of surface cold fronts. The shear of the alongfront component of the wind was relatively uniform as a function of height within the frontal zone. This observation is contrary to studies suggesting that frontal zones decrease in intensity above the surface. The surface convergence within the frontal zone was weak. This may have been related to the closeness of the analysis region to the surface low pressure. The prefrontal low-level jet and the upper-level polar jet were both shown to be supergeostrophic based on the analysis of the geopotential height field. It is believed that a major contributing factor to the former was the isallobaric wind from the large pressure tendencies associated with the moving cyclone. A dry pocket accompanied by descending air was noted out ahead of the low-level jet. This pocket produced a region of potential instability that could have supported deep convection, although none was observed on this day. The vertical structure of the front revealed couplets of potential vorticity that appeared to be the result of diabatic heat sources from condensation. The diabatic effect in the frontogenesis equation was the dominant term, exceeding the combined effects of the confluence and tilting terms. As a result, an alternating pattern of frontogenesis–frontolysis developed along the flanks of the maxima of diabatic heating. This study highlights the importance of taking diabatic heating into account even in the absence of deep convection.
Mesoscale Modeling of the Atmosphere over Antarctic Sea Ice: A Late-Autumn Case Study
Authors: Valkonen Teresa , Vihma Timo , Doble Martin 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
Atmospheric flow over Antarctic sea ice was simulated applying a polar version of the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (Polar MM5). The simulation period in late autumn lasted for 48 h, starting as northerly warm airflow over the Weddell Sea ice cover and turning to a southwesterly cold-air outbreak. The model results were validated against atmospheric pressure and wind and air temperature observations made by five buoys drifting with the sea ice. Four different satellite-derived sea ice concentration datasets were applied to provide lower boundary conditions for Polar MM5. During the period of the cold-air outbreak, the modeled air temperatures were highly sensitive to the sea ice concentration: the largest differences in the modeled 2-m air temperature reached 13°C. The experiments applying sea ice concentration data based on the bootstrap and Arctic Radiation and Turbulence Interaction Study (ARTIST) algorithms yielded the best agreement with observations. The cumulative fetch over open water correlated with the bias of the modeled air temperature. The sea ice concentration data affected the simulated air temperature in the lower atmospheric boundary layer, but above it the temperature and wind fields were more strongly controlled by the boundary layer scheme applied in Polar MM5. Analysis nudging applying four-dimensional data assimilation had a positive effect on the pressure and wind fields but negative or no effect on the air temperature fields. The results suggest that applying a sea ice model to update sea ice fields frequently throughout atmospheric model simulations will likely lead to important improvements in forecasts.
The Use of Structure Functions and Spectra from Numerical Model Output to Determine Effective Model Resolution
Authors: Frehlich Rod , Sharman Robert 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
The effective model resolution of three numerical weather prediction (NWP) models is determined from analyses of spatial structure functions and spatial spectra. In this paper, the effective resolution is defined as the dimensions of the rectangular spatial filter that describes the net effect of all of the NWP model’s numerical filtering and smoothing effects. These effects are determined by comparison of spatial statistics of the NWP model output with statistical climatologies derived from aircraft data for the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. The comparisons are based on both spatial structure functions and spatial spectra. The structure function approach has fewer assumptions and fewer numerical artifacts. Accurate estimates of NWP effective model resolution require a robust climatology of the spatial statistics, which are a function of latitude and location, such as over mountainous regions. An artifact in the climatology of the velocity statistics resulting from mountain waves is identified from NWP model output and corroborated with research aircraft data, which has not been previously observed in global statistical climatologies.
Turbulent Mixing Processes in Atmospheric Bores and Solitary Waves Deduced from Profiling Systems and Numerical Simulation
Authors: Koch Steven E. , Feltz Wayne , Fabry Frédéric , Pagowski Mariusz , Geerts Bart , Bedka Kristopher M. , Miller David O. , Wilson James W. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
Families of solitary waves (“solitons”) associated with two atmospheric bores on the same day were observed by an unprecedented number of ground-based and airborne profiling systems during the International H2O Project (IHOP). In addition, a very high-resolution numerical weather prediction model initialized with real data was used with success to simulate one of the bores and the evolving soliton. The predicted wave amplitude, phase speed, wavelength, and structure compared well to these extraordinarily detailed observations. The observations suggest that during the active phase (when turbulent mixing was active, which was prior to bore collapse), the bores and waves vigorously mixed dry air from above a nocturnal boundary layer down to the surface. Refractivity computed from near-surface radar observations showed pronounced decreases due to sudden drying during the passage of the bores in this phase, but refractivity increases appeared during the period of bore collapse. During both phases, the bores wafted aerosol-laden moist air up to the middle troposphere and weakened the capping inversion, thus reducing inhibition to deep convection development. The model results indicate that the refractivity decreases near the surface were due to drying caused by downward turbulent mixing of air by the wave circulations. Turbulent kinetic energy was generated immediately behind the bore head, then advected rearward and downward by the solitary waves. During the dissipation stage, the lifting by the bore head produced adiabatic cooling aloft and distributed the very moist air near the surface upward through the bore depth, but without any drying due to the absence of vigorous mixing. Thus, this study shows that the moist thermodynamic effects caused by atmospheric bores and solitons strongly depend upon the life cycle of these phenomena.
Can smoking cessation services be better targeted to tackle health inequalities? Evidence from a cross-sectional study
Authors: Blackman Tim 
Published: May 2008

Objective To investigate how smoking cessation services could be more effectively targeted to tackle socioeconomic inequalities in health. Design Secondary analysis of data from a household interview survey undertaken for Middlesbrough Council in north east England using the technique of Qualitative Comparative Analysis. Setting Home-based interviews in Middlesbrough. Method Qualitative Comparative Analysis of data for 2882 respondents aged 16 years or over. Smoking prevalence was calculated for different combinations of respondents' characteristics: worklessness, income, education, neighbourhood liveability and neighbourliness. Results Smoking prevalence ranged from 74.5 per cent to 10.3 per cent across 19 combinations of the selected characteristics. Almost all combinations with smoking rates higher than 50 per cent included worklessness. One other combination exceeded 50 per cent and included respondents reporting all of the following: unhelpful neighbours, no further education, low liveability and low income. The combinations with the lowest smoking prevalences had only one or two of these characteristics present and the very lowest prevalence of 10.3 per cent was associated with all being absent. If unhelpful neighbours were present in any combination smoking rates were moderately high (32.4 per cent or higher). Conclusions The analysis points to important features of the context of smokers' lives. By improving these conditions, appreciable reductions in smoking prevalence are likely. These reductions might be even greater if interventions to improve neighbourhoods and job opportunities are combined with the timely provision of smoking cessation services. Targeting these transitions could be a more effective strategy than simply targeting all deprived neighbourhoods.
Success and challenges of a community healthy lifestyles intervention in Merseyside (UK) to target families at risk from coronary heart disease
Authors: Peerbhoy D. , Majumdar A.J. , Wightman N.A. , Brand V.L. 
Published: May 2008

Objective To document the lifestyle health impacts (activity, diet and physiological), along with the operational success and challenges, of a programme for families presenting one or more coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factor. Design Data are based on a wider evaluation of a government-funded community initiative conducted in a deprived area of Liverpool (UK) between September 2004 and January 2006. Setting Data are based on readings and responses taken by programme staff, and Liverpool John Moores University evaluation exercises held within May Logan Healthy Living Centre. Method Lifestyle behaviour changes, monitored at weeks 1, 7 and 14 and at 6 months, for 34 families were analysed. Further exploration of programme success and challenges was through focus groups with families and interviews with staff. Results Sustained changes in activity and diet support the viability of a short and supportive programme in reducing CHD risks. Physiological change was less positive, suggesting limited improvement in this domain. Personal, environmental and cultural factors presented as a challenge to programme success.
Lower Extremity Jumping Mechanics of Female Athletes with and without Patellofemoral Pain before and after Exertion
Authors: Willson John D. , Binder-Macleod Stuart , Davis Irene S. 
Published: May 2008

Background Patellofemoral pain is especially common among female athletes and is traditionally associated with lower extremity mechanics thought to increase retropatellar stress. These detrimental mechanics may increase with exertion. Hypothesis Differences in lower extremity mechanics during single-legged jumps between female athletes with and without patellofemoral pain will increase after exertion. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Twenty women with patellofemoral pain and 20 healthy female controls participated in a functional lower extremity exertion protocol of repetitive single-legged jumps. Pain, exertion, hip and trunk strength, and 3-dimensional lower extremity joint mechanics were recorded at the beginning and end of the protocol. Results The patellofemoral pain group reported increased pain at the conclusion of the protocol. However, all subjects terminated the protocol due to complaints of fatigue. Mean strength measurements for the patellofemoral pain group were 24% lower for lateral trunk flexion ( P = .06), 13% lower for hip abduction ( P = .09), and 14% lower for hip external rotation ( P = .03) than for controls. Subjects with patellofemoral pain demonstrated greater contralateral pelvic drop at the end of the exertion protocol compared with the control group ( P = .003). Group differences in lower extremity mechanics, including increased hip adduction angle, hip flexion angle, hip abduction angular impulse, and decreased hip internal rotation angles, were observed among women with patellofemoral pain throughout the exertion protocol. These group differences were consistent despite increased pain for the patellofemoral pain group after exertion. Both groups demonstrated decreased jump height, hip flexion and internal rotation, knee flexion, and hip extension impulse at the end of the protocol. Conclusion Women with patellofemoral pain demonstrated lower extremity mechanics that differed from the healthy control group during single-legged jumping, particularly at the hip. These differences do not appear to vary with exertion level or pain among patellofemoral pain subjects during single-legged jumps. Clinical Relevance Lower extremity jumping mechanics appear to be consistently different among women with patellofemoral pain. Conservative treatment programs that include kinematic retraining as well as hip and trunk strengthening may improve patient outcomes and prevent recurrence of this common orthopaedic condition.
Proximal Hamstring Strains of Stretching Type in Different Sports
Authors: Askling Carl M. , Tengvar Magnus , Saartok Tonu , Thorstensson Alf 
Published: May 2008

Background Hamstring strains can be of at least 2 types, 1 occurring during high-speed running and the other during motions in which the hamstring muscles reach extreme lengths, as documented for sprinters and dancers. Hypothesis Hamstring strains in different sports, with similar injury situations to dancers, also show similarities in symptoms, injury location, and recovery time. Study Design Case series (prognosis); Level of evidence, 4. Methods Thirty subjects from 21 different sports were prospectively included. All subjects were examined clinically and with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The follow-up period lasted until the subjects returned to or finished their sport activity. Results All injuries occurred during movements reaching a position with combined extensive hip flexion and knee extension. They were located proximally in the posterior thigh, close to the ischial tuberosity. The injuries were often complex, but 83% involved the semimembranosus and its proximal free tendon. Fourteen subjects (47%) decided to end their sports activity. For the remaining 16 subjects, the median time for return to sport was 31 weeks (range, 9-104). There were no significant correlations between specific clinical or MRI parameters and time to return to sport. Conclusions In different sports, an injury situation in which the hamstring muscles reach extensive length causes a specific injury to the proximal posterior thigh, earlier described in dancers. Because of the prolonged recovery time associated with this type of injury, correct diagnosis, based on history and palpation, and adequate information to the subject are essential.