A Parametric Study of Tillage Effects on Radar Backscatter

Radar backscatter data for different field configurations and modulation function curves for angular and frequency variations are presented. A simplistic approach to modeling this effect is presented. It is concluded that: (1) row direction is a significant contributor to radar backscatter from cropland and must be considered when making radar measurements over bare or sparsely vegetated fields; (2) while the effect decrease with increasing frequency, it is still large (5 dB) at 13.3 GHz; (3) row effects are independent of linear polarization; (4) there is a strong aspect angle sensitivity which is a function of the scene and radar system parameters

The Relationship between Executive Coaching Dimensions and Transformational Leadership Behaviors: A Validation of Key Coaching Dimensions

This survey study examined the relationship between six key executive coaching dimensions (emotional support [ES], tactical support [TS], challenge the status quo [CSQ], challenge to stretch [CS], active learning [AL], and learning orientation [LO]) and transformational leadership as measured by the Multi-Factor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ). Participants included 64 international executive coaches and 109 direct reports, peers and supervisors (raters). Coaches completed the Coaching Dimensions Scales (measuring the six coaching dimensions) and the MLQ while raters assessed the coach on the MLQ. When controlling for the rater, the six coaching dimensions created a significant regression model that could predict transformational leadership and leadership outcomes. Significant predictor variables for transformational Leadership included ES and AL while ES and LO were significant predictors for leadership outcomes. The LO and AL scales were combined into one variable and the combined AL-LO variable was found to be a significant predictor of both transformational leadership and leadership outcomes. None of the above results were found when raters were assessing the coach on transformational leadership and leadership outcomes. Recommendations for future research include utilizing a larger sample size and a higher response rate, using a single-tiered data collection process, gathering additional demographic information, utilizing a different raters, adding additional coaching dimensions, providing clearer, more concise instructions on the guidelines for raters, comparing the Coaching Dimensions Scales to a different leadership theory, and comparing the Coaching Dimensions Scales to different outcome or performance measures

Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy:A Systematic Review of International Clinical Practice Guidelines

Background Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are developed to assist health care providers in decision-making. We systematically reviewed existing CPGs on the HDPs (hypertensive disorders of pregnancy) to inform clinical practice. Methodology & Principal Findings MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Methodology Register, Health Technology Assessments, and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (Ovid interface), Grey Matters, Google Scholar, and personal records were searched for CPGs on the HDPs (Jan/03 to Nov/13) in English, French, Dutch, or German. Of 13 CPGs identified, three were multinational and three developed for community/midwifery use. Length varied from 3–1188 pages and three guidelines did not formulate recommendations. Eight different grading systems were identified for assessing evidence quality and recommendation strength. No guideline scored ≧80% on every domain of the AGREE II, a tool for assessing guideline methodological quality; two CPGs did so for 5/6 domains. Consistency was seen for (i) definitions of hypertension, proteinuria, chronic and gestational hypertension; (ii) pre-eclampsia prevention for women at increased risk: calcium when intake is low and low-dose aspirin, but not vitamins C and E or diuretics; (iii) antihypertensive treatment of severe hypertension; (iv) MgSO4 for eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia; (v) antenatal corticosteroids a

Pilot-scale conversion of lime-treated wheat straw into bioethanol: quality assessment of bioethanol and valorization of side streams by anaerobic digestion and combustion

The limited availability of fossil fuel sources, worldwide rising energy demands and anticipated climate changes attributed to an increase of greenhouse gasses are important driving forces for finding alternative energy sources. One approach to meeting the increasing energy demands and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is by large-scale substitution of petrochemically derived transport fuels by the use of carbon dioxide-neutral biofuels, such as ethanol derived from lignocellulosic material. Results This paper describes an integrated pilot-scale process where lime-treated wheat straw with a high dry-matter content (around 35% by weight) is converted to ethanol via simultaneous saccharification and fermentation by commercial hydrolytic enzymes and bakers' yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). After 53 hours of incubation, an ethanol concentration of 21.4 g/liter was detected, corresponding to a 48% glucan-to-ethanol conversion of the theoretical maximum. The xylan fraction remained mostly in the soluble oligomeric form (52%) in the fermentation broth, probably due to the inability of this yeast to convert pentoses. A preliminary assessment of the distilled ethanol quality showed that it meets transportation ethanol fuel specifications. The distillation residue, which contained non-hydrolysable and non-fermentable (in)organic compounds, was divided into a liquid and solid fraction. The liquid fraction served as substrate for the production of biogas (methane), whereas the solid fraction functioned as fuel for thermal conversion (combustion), yielding thermal energy, which can be used for heat and power generation. Conclusion Based on the achieved experimental values, 16.7 kg of pretreated wheat straw could be converted to 1.7 kg of ethanol, 1.1 kg of methane, 4.1 kg of carbon dioxide, around 3.4 kg of compost and 6.6 kg of lignin-rich residue. The higher heating value of the lignin-rich residue was 13.4 MJ thermal energy per kilogram (dry basis)

Brown dwarfs in the Hyades and beyond?

We have used both the Low-Resolution Imaging Spectrograph and the HIRES echelle spectrograph on the Keck telescopes to obtain spectra of twelve candidate members of the Hyades cluster identified by Leggett and Hawkins (1988, 1989). All of the objects are chromospherically-active, late-type M-dwarfs, with H$\alpha$ equivalent widths varying from 1 to 30\AA. Based on our measured radial velocities, the level of stellar activity and other spectroscopic features, only one of the twelve stars has properties consistent with cluster membership. We consider how this result affects estimates of the luminosity and mass function of the Hyades cluster. Five of the eleven field stars have weak K I 7665/7699\AA and CaH absorption as compared with M-dwarf standards of the same spectral type, suggesting a lower surface gravity. Two of these sources, LH0416+14 and LH0419+15, exhibit significant lithium 6708 \AA absorption. Based partly on parallax measurements by the US Naval Observatory (Harris et al, 1998), we identify all five as likely to be young, pre-main sequence objects in or near the Taurus-Auriga association at distances of between 150 and 250 parsecs. A comparison with theoretical models of pre-main sequence stars indicates masses of less than 0.05 M$_\odot$.Comment: to appear in AJ, January 1999; 34 pages, (Latex format), including 10 embedded postscript figures and two table

The Influence of Education and Socialization on Radicalization: An Exploration of Theoretical Presumptions and Empirical Research

Background and Objective: Research into radicalization does not pay much attention to education. This is remarkable and possibly misses an important influence on the process of radicalization. Therefore this article sets out to explore the relation between education on the one hand and the onset or prevention of radicalization on the other hand. Method: This article is a theoretical literature review. It has analyzed empirical studies-mainly from European countries-about the educational aims, content and style of Muslim parents and parents with (extreme) right-wing sympathies. Results: Research examining similarity in right-wing sympathies between parents and children yields mixed results, but studies among adolescents point to a significant concordance. Research also showed that authoritarian parenting may play a significant role. Similar research among Muslim families was not found. While raising children with distrust and an authoritarian style are prevalent, the impact on adolescents has not been investigated. The empirical literature we reviewed does not give sufficient evidence to conclude that democratic ideal in and an authoritative style of education are conducive to the development of a democratic attitude. Conclusion: There is a knowledge gap with regard to the influence of education on the onset or the prevention of radicalization. Schools and families are underappreciated sources of informal social control and social capital and therefore the gap should be closed. If there is a better understanding of the effect of education, policy as well as interventions can be developed to assist parents and teachers in preventing radicalization. © 2011 The Author(s)

Gendered Representations of Male and Female Social Actors in Iranian Educational Materials

This research investigates the representations of gendered social actors within the subversionary discourse of equal educational opportunities for males and females in Iranian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) books. Using critical discourse analysis (CDA) as the theoretical framework, the authors blend van Leeuwen’s (Texts and practices: Readings in critical discourse analysis, Routledge, London, 2003) ‘Social Actor Network Model’ and Sunderland’s (Gendered discourses, Palgrave Macmillan, Hampshire, 2004) ‘Gendered Discourses Model’ in order to examine the depictions of male and female social actors within this gendered discourse. The gendered discourse of equal opportunities was buttressed by such representations within a tight perspective in proportion to gender ideologies prevailing in Iran. Resorting to CDA, we can claim that resistance against such gendered discourse in Iranian EFL textbooks militates against such gender norms. These representations of male and female social actors in school books are indicative of an all-encompassing education, reinforcing that the discourse of equal opportunities is yet to be realized in the education system of Iran

‘Like the stranger at a funeral who cries more than the bereaved’: ethical dilemmas in ethnographic research with children

This article contributes to debates on the practicality and utility of prior ethical review in ethnography and qualitative research using an ethnography of children’s involvement in artisanal gold mining work in Ghana as a case study. Reflecting on dilemmas and obstacles encountered in attempts to employ prescribed institutional ethical guidance modelled for childhood research in the UK during the fieldwork, the discussion brings to attention some of the problems that can arise when ethical guidance is not anchored in the lived realities or value systems of the setting in which fieldwork is conducted. The article seeks to rejuvenate calls for more flexible and socio-culturally responsive ethical review and practice as an alternative to the prescriptive ethical regimes

The political dimension: added value for cross-cultural analysis:Nozawa and Smits, two CEO's and their public statements

Work-related cultural differences, which were familiarized by scholars such as Hall and Hofstede, offer important concepts to help us understand various forms of cooperation and communication. However, the predominant focus of cultural analysis on collectivistic harmony prevents us from gaining an understanding of strategy and conflict. In an attempt to grasp how conflicts are handled, a political analysis can provide new insights. This is illustrated by a comparative study of two CEOs who gave public statements concerning management failure: Shouhei Nozawa of Yamaichi and Paul Smits of KPN. Their statements were strikingly different in several ways, but the classical insights of cross-cultural analysis can only partly explain the differences. This is where political analysis comes in, focusing on interest relationships, responsibilities and virtues, tactics and strategy