Tidal estimation in the Pacific with application to SEASAT altimetry

The techniques for computing the eigenfunctions of the velocity potential (Proudman functions) set out in Sanchez, et al. (1986) in relation to the Atlantic-Indian Oceans are here applied to the Pacific Ocean, using a 6x6 degree grid of 510 points (455 points for the associated stream functions). Normal modes are computed from the first Proudman functions and have natural periods from 43.9h downward. Tidal syntheses are derived from these modes by direct application of the (frictionless) dynamic equations and by least-squares fitting of Proudman functions to the dynamically interpolated tide-gauge data of Schwiderski (1983). The modes contributing the most energy to the principal harmonic tidal constituents are different in the two computations: their natural periods are typically in the range of 9 to 16h for semidiurnal, and 14 to 43h for diurnal tides. The rms of fit for the Proudman functions is, in all cases, better than the corresponding value for the same number of spherical harmonics

Estimation of genetic parameters for height using spatial analysis in Tsuga heterophylla full-sibling family trials in British Columbia

Non-spatial and spatial analyses were carried out to study the effects on genetic parameters in ten-year height growth data across two series of 10 large second-generation full-sib progeny trials of western hemlock [Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.] in British Columbia. To account for different and complex patterns of environmental heterogeneity, spatial single trial analyses were conducted using an individual-tree mixed model with a two-dimensional smoothing surface with tensor product of B-spline bases. The spatial single trial analysis, in all cases, showed sizeable lower Deviance Information Criterion values relative to the non-spatial analysis. Also, fitting a surface displayed a consistent reduction in the posterior mean as well as a decrease in the standard deviations of error variance, no appreciable changes in the additive variance, an increase of individual narrow-sense heritability, and accuracy of breeding values. The tensor product of cubic basis functions of B-spline based on a mixed model framework does provide a useful new alternative to model different and complex patterns of spatial variability within sites in forest genetic trials. Individual narrow-sense heritabilities estimates from the spatial single trial analyses were low (average of 0.06), but typical of this species. Estimated dominance relative to additive variances were unstable across sites (from 0.00 to 1.59). The implications of these estimations will be discussed with respect to the western hemlock genetic improvement program in British Columbia.Fil: Cappa, Eduardo Pablo. British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range; Canadá. University of British Columbia; Canadá. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación de Recursos Naturales. Instituto de Recursos Biológicos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Yanchuk, A. D.. British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range; CanadáFil: Cartwright, C. V.. British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range; Canad

Why Fight Fought?: A Missed ERISA Opportunity in the Ninth Circuit

This Note analyzes the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit\u27s standard of review in cases in which a conflicted administrator has denied benefits. Part I of this Note examines early standards of review prior to ERISA. Part II sets forth the split among the circuits in evaluating a conflicted administrator\u27s denial of benefits and explains the Ninth Circuit\u27s former standard. Part ill compares the Ninth Circuit\u27s prior standard of finding such denials presumptively void with its recent holding in Abatie v. Alta Health & Life Insurance Company, in which the court effectively adopted a unique standard similar to a sliding scale used by other circuits that considers the extent to which a conflict of interest may alter the abuse of discretion standard. Part IV argues that the Ninth Circuit took a positive step in lessening the burden on plaintiffs in such cases, but left the district courts without guidance as to the extent a conflict of interest may alter the abuse of discretion standard. Part IV concludes that by adopting the Tenth Circuit\u27s approach, whereby a conflict is categorized in addition to being weighed on a sliding scale, the Ninth Circuit could provide clearer direction to district courts for balancing a conflict of interest with all the facts in cases in which benefits have been denied

Student Life at the College of The Bahamas: The Role of COBUS

Student government and student activities at the College of The Bahamas have helped to define the growth and development of the institution. The College of the Bahamas Union of Students or COBUS as it is better known, has been a crucible for civic and professional leaders. Many COBUS Presidents have gone on to become leaders in the community, well-known forerunners in their respective fields of endeavour and have become household names in the Bahamas

Why Fight Fought?: A Missed ERISA Opportunity in the Ninth Circuit

This Note analyzes the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit\u27s standard of review in cases in which a conflicted administrator has denied benefits. Part I of this Note examines early standards of review prior to ERISA. Part II sets forth the split among the circuits in evaluating a conflicted administrator\u27s denial of benefits and explains the Ninth Circuit\u27s former standard. Part ill compares the Ninth Circuit\u27s prior standard of finding such denials presumptively void with its recent holding in Abatie v. Alta Health & Life Insurance Company, in which the court effectively adopted a unique standard similar to a sliding scale used by other circuits that considers the extent to which a conflict of interest may alter the abuse of discretion standard. Part IV argues that the Ninth Circuit took a positive step in lessening the burden on plaintiffs in such cases, but left the district courts without guidance as to the extent a conflict of interest may alter the abuse of discretion standard. Part IV concludes that by adopting the Tenth Circuit\u27s approach, whereby a conflict is categorized in addition to being weighed on a sliding scale, the Ninth Circuit could provide clearer direction to district courts for balancing a conflict of interest with all the facts in cases in which benefits have been denied

A mixed methods evaluation of an individualised yoga therapy intervention for rheumatoid arthritis: Pilot study

Objectives: to explore patients’ experiences of an individualised yoga therapy intervention for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), specifically in terms of its acceptability and impact on patient-reported outcomes. Design: Ten patients took part in a 16 week yoga therapy intervention in a hospital setting, consisting of 10 one-to-one consultations with a yoga therapist followed by two group review sessions. Changes in health (EQ-5D, HADS) were assessed pre- and post-intervention and at 12-month follow-up. In-depth interviews were conducted post-intervention and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Attendance of the 1-to-1 sessions was high (98%) and all participants reported strong commitment to their personalised home practice. There were significant improvements in measures of depression, anxiety, pain, quality of life and general health at post-intervention and 12-months (p<0.05). In interviews, all but one participant reported positive changes to their symptoms and several reported reductions in their medication and broader benefits such as improved sleep, mood and energy, enabling re-engagement with life. The personally tailored nature of the practice and perceived benefits were key motivational factors. Particular value was placed on the therapeutic function of the consultation and provision of tools to manage stress and build resilience. Conclusion: This yoga therapy intervention was positively received by patients with RA, with high levels of adherence to both the treatments and tailored home practice. The findings suggest that yoga therapy has potential as an adjunct therapy to improve RA symptoms, increase self-care behaviours and manage stress and negative affect such as anxiety. A larger multi-centre study is therefore warranted

U.S. Law of the Sea Cruise to Map the Foot of the Slope and 2500-m Isobath of the Northeast U.S. Atlantic Continental Margin: Legs 4 and 5. Cruise Report

U.S. Law of the Sea cruise to map the foot of the slope and 2500-m isobath of the Northeast US Atlantic continental margin: Legs 4 and 5 CRUISES PF05-1 and 2 April 25 to June 30, 2005 Norfolk, VA to Port Canaveral, F

A Further Look at the \u27Reactance of a Parallel RLC Circuit\u27

We show that the maximum impedance of the parallel combination of a resistor R, an inductor L and capacitor C, studied in a previous paper can be found analytically, without using calculus. In fact, we show that the maximum impedance of this parallel combination is just the value of the resistor R and occurs when the driving frequency is equal to 1/ . o LC These results were only demonstrated graphically in the aforementioned paper. We also provide PSpice simulations which verify the theoretical predictions

Asymptotic Performance of the Pth Power-Law Phase Estimator

An expression for the true variance of the Pth powerlaw phase estimator, as the number of samples approaches infinity, is given. This expression is an extension to the linear approximation of Moeneclaey and de Jonghe [1] which is known to be inadequate in some practical systems. Our new expression covers general 2π/P-rotationally symmetric constellations that include those of PAM, QAM, PSK, Star M-QAM, MR-DPSK, and others. This expression also generalizes the known expressions for QAM and PSK. Additionally, our expression reduces to the Cramer-Rao bound given by Steendam and Moeneclaey [9], as SNR goes to zero. Monte Carlo simulations provide experimental verification of the theoretical expression for various constellations

Finding the Minimum Input Impedance of a Second-Order Unity-Gain Sallen-Key Low-Pass Filter without Calculus

We derive an expression for the input complex impedance of a Sallen-Key second-order low-pass filter of unity gain as a function of the natural frequency , o quality factor Q and the ratio of the resistors of the filter. From this expression, it is shown that the filter behaves like a single capacitor for low frequencies and as a single resistor at high frequencies. Furthermore, the minimum input impedance magnitude is found without using calculus. We discovered that the minimum input impedance magnitude is inversely proportional to Q and can be substantially less than its highfrequency value. Approximations to the minimum input impedance and the frequency at which it occurs are also provided. Additionally, PSpice simulations are presented which verify the theoretical derivations