The estimation of pointing angle and normalized surface scattering cross section from GEOS-3 radar altimeter measurements

The statistical error of the pointing angle estimation technique is determined as a function of the effective receiver signal to noise ratio. Other sources of error are addressed and evaluated with inadequate calibration being of major concern. The impact of pointing error on the computation of normalized surface scattering cross section (sigma) from radar and the waveform attitude induced altitude bias is considered and quantitative results are presented. Pointing angle and sigma processing algorithms are presented along with some initial data. The intensive mode clean vs. clutter AGC calibration problem is analytically resolved. The use clutter AGC data in the intensive mode is confirmed as the correct calibration set for the sigma computations

A cyber storm on the horizon

In November 2017, a major local authority in the south west came under sustained cyber-attack. John Curry explains that the cause of the attack was nothing to do with the local authority – it was linked to British foreign policy in Syria

ADOPTION OF BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN STOCKER CATTLE PRODUCTION

This study identifies current production and management practices of Oklahoma stocker cattle producers and analyzes factors affecting the adoption of best management practices (BMPs) using chi-square analysis. Results reveal that factors influencing the adoption of BMPs are operation size, dependency upon income from the operation, and specialization in stocker production.cattle, stockers, management, production, Livestock Production/Industries,

Partnerships as a potential means of increasing the production of hardwood timber on NIPF lands in North Mississippi

North Mississippi has significant hardwood timber resources. Hardwood timber in the region has traditionally been an important source of raw material for furniture and other wood-based industries. In recent years, however, demand has greatly increased for hardwood timber for use in the pulp and paper industry, resulting in increased harvest levels of pole-sized and small sawtimber-sized hardwoods in the region. Increased harvests of hardwood timber have given rise to concerns about the longerterm availability of hardwoods that are large enough in size to be efficiently converted into lumber and other solid wood products. Futures options, futures contracts, leases, and limited partnerships were initially considered for potential application to increase the longer-term production of hardwood sawtimber on nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) lands in North Mississippi. Considering the resource, the NIPF ownership, and the timber markets involved, limited partnerships were chosen for further evaluation. Results of informal discussions involving hardwood sawmill operators, private landowners, and timberland investment firm representatives are presented. A discussion follows, assessing the acceptability and attributes of partnerships in contrast to other possible options such as long-term leases as a positive influence for investment in the long-term production of hardwood sawtimber in North Mississippi

An inventory and condition survey of rangelands in the Carnarvon Basin, Western Australia

The inventory and condition survey of rangelands in the Carnarvon Basin, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) between 1980 and 1982, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The area surveyed covers about 74 500km² in the Carnarvon Basin and Shark Bay regions, and includes the catchments of the Lyndon and Minilya rivers and the lower reaches of the Gascoyne and Wooramel Rivers. The vegetation of the Carnarvon Basin area is mainly dominated by perennial shrubs. A small number of botanical families contain a large proportion of the dominant perennials in the area. Of these Acacia, Eremophila and Cassia are pre-eminent in the taller shrub communities, Atriplex and Maireana in the low chenopod shrublands, Eucalyptus in the low woodlands and Triodia and Plectrachne in the hummock grasslands

Bilateral Simultaneous Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: A Case Report and National Survey of Orthopedic Surgeon Management Preference

Unilateral anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is a common injury seen by sports medicine orthopedic surgeons. However, a bilateral simultaneous ACL injury is extremely rare and has been reported only three times in the literature. We present a young female skier with simultaneous bilateral ACL tears that were managed with staged ACL reconstruction. We then conducted a nationwide survey (United States) to determine the prevalence of simultaneous bilateral ACL tear and preferred management strategies by sports medicine orthopedic surgeons. Sports medicine fellowship directors were contacted and asked to send an 8-item survey to colleagues (sports medicine fellowship trained surgeons) asking about overall number of ACL reconstructions performed, number of bilateral simultaneous ACL injuries seen and optimal management strategies of such an injury. Out of 43 responses, only 22 (51.2%) surgeons had seen a bilateral simultaneous ACL injury. Of these, 16 (76.2%) preferred staged reconstruction. Graft choice was mixed between autograft and allograft, but a large majority preferred either patellar tendon autograft (58%) or hamstring autograft (41%) were the most common choice. Staged reconstruction is the treatment of choice by surgeons surveyed in our study

Unchecked box Heat from Underground Energy London (Heat FUEL)

This paper aims to introduce a heat recovery scheme that will collect waste energy from the London Underground in Islington, London. The system is based on the installation of an air to water heat exchanger within a ventilation shaft of the London Underground. The heat captured is distributed to a heat pump, which upgrades it to a suitable temperature for reuse and provides low carbon energy to a local district heating network. This paper introduces some of the key aspects of the technical design of this novel urban heat recovery and delivery system. Its theoretical performance is evaluated and compared to the previous heating method used for the buildings supplied by the network. It also provides recommendations for the implementation of future installations for secondary heat recovery and reuse in cities