An objective method for forecasting tropical cyclone intensity and motion using Nimbus-5 ESMR measurements and non-satellite derived descriptors

An empirical analysis program, based on finding an optimal representation of the data was applied to 120 observations of 29 1973 and 1974 North Pacific tropical cyclones. Each observation consists of a field of Nimbus-5 Electrically Scanning Microwave Radiometer radiation measurements at 267 grid points covering and surrounding the tropical cyclone plus nine other non-satellite derived discriptors. Forecast algorithms to estimate storm intensity and motion at 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each observation were developed using an independent eigen screening analysis. These algorithms were based on best track data. Independent testing of these algorithms showed that the performance of most of these algorithms were better than persistence and the algorithms forecasting 24, 48, and 72 hour maximum wind speed were better than those made operationally by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center for 1973 and 1974 that did not use best track data

Lensing Properties of Cored Galaxy Models

A method is developed to evaluate the magnifications of the images of galaxies with lensing potentials stratified on similar concentric ellipses. A simple contour integral is provided which enables the sums of the magnifications of even parity or odd parity or the central image to be easily calculated. The sums for pairs of images vary considerably with source position, while the signed sums can be remarkably uniform inside the tangential caustic in the absence of naked cusps. For a family of models in which the potential is a power-law of the elliptic radius, the number of visible images is found as a function of flattening, external shear and core radius. The magnification of the central image depends on the core radius and the slope of the potential. For typical source and lens redshifts, the missing central image leads to strong constraints; the mass distribution in the lensing galaxy must be nearly cusped, and the cusp must be isothermal or stronger. This is in accord with the cuspy cores seen in high resolution photometry of nearby, massive, early-type galaxies, which typically have the surface density falling like distance^{-1.3} outside a break radius of a few hundred parsecs. Cuspy cores by themselves can provide an explanation of the missing central images. Dark matter at large radii may alter the slope of the projected density; provided the slope remains isothermal or steeper and the break radius remains small, then the central image remains unobservable. The sensitivity of the radio maps must be increased fifty-fold to find the central images in abundance.Comment: 42 pages, 11 figures, ApJ in pres

Effects of Elevated H\u3csup\u3e+\u3c/sup\u3e And P\u3csub\u3ei\u3c/sub\u3e on The Contractile Mechanics of Skeletal Muscle Fibres From Young and Old Men: Implications for Muscle Fatigue in Humans

The present study aimed to identify the mechanisms responsible for the loss in muscle power and increased fatigability with ageing by integrating measures of whole‐muscle function with single fibre contractile mechanics. After adjusting for the 22% smaller muscle mass in old (73–89 years, n = 6) compared to young men (20–29 years, n = 6), isometric torque and power output of the knee extensors were, respectively, 38% and 53% lower with age. Fatigability was ∼2.7‐fold greater with age and strongly associated with reductions in the electrically‐evoked contractile properties. To test whether cross‐bridge mechanisms could explain age‐related decrements in knee extensor function, we exposed myofibres (n = 254) from the vastus lateralis to conditions mimicking quiescent muscle and fatiguing levels of acidosis (H+) (pH 6.2) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) (30 mm). The fatigue‐mimicking condition caused marked reductions in force, shortening velocity and power and inhibited the low‐ to high‐force state of the cross‐bridge cycle, confirming findings from non‐human studies that these ions act synergistically to impair cross‐bridge function. Other than severe age‐related atrophy of fast fibres (−55%), contractile function and the depressive effects of the fatigue‐mimicking condition did not differ in fibres from young and old men. The selective loss of fast myosin heavy chain II muscle was strongly associated with the age‐related decrease in isometric torque (r = 0.785) and power (r = 0.861). These data suggest that the age‐related loss in muscle strength and power are primarily determined by the atrophy of fast fibres, but the age‐related increased fatigability cannot be explained by an increased sensitivity of the cross‐bridge to H+ and Pi

Comment on ``Cosmological Gamma Ray Bursts and the Highest Energy Cosmic Rays''

In a letter with the above title, published some time ago in PRL, Waxman made the interesting suggestion that cosmological gamma ray bursts (GRBs) are the source of the ultra high energy cosmic rays (UHECR). This has also been proposed independently by Milgrom and Usov and by Vietri. However, recent observations of GRBs and their afterglows and in particular recent data from the Akeno Great Air Shwoer Array (AGASA) on UHECR rule out extragalactic GRBs as the source of UHECR.Comment: Comment on a letter with the above title published by E. Waxman in PRL 75, 386 (1995). Submitted for publication in PRL/Comment

Application of laser Doppler velocimeter to chemical vapor laser system

A laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) system was used to measure iodide vapor flow fields inside two different-sized tubes. Typical velocity profiles across the laser tubes were obtained with an estimated +/-1 percent bias and +/-0.3 to 0.5 percent random uncertainty in the mean values and +/-2.5 percent random uncertainty in the turbulence-intensity values. Centerline velocities and turbulence intensities for various longitudinal locations ranged from 13 to 17.5 m/sec and 6 to 20 percent, respectively. In view of these findings, the effects of turbulence should be considered for flow field modeling. The LDV system provided calibration data for pressure and mass flow systems used routinely to monitor the research laser gas flow velocity

Parallel pull flow: A new lean production design

This case study is #2 in a series of studies that relate specifically to the development and application of lean manufacturing techniques for the furniture and wood component supplying industries. Case study #2 is an example of how productivity can be increased in a furniture manufacturing organization by using a new lean production design termed Parallel Pull Flow (PPF). This case study provides information about lean manufacturing and how a lean manufacturing system can be implemented, followed by a detailed case study of a furniture manufacturing company’s adoption of a new final assembly PPF lean production system

The Double-D cell for assembling hardware in upholstered furniture production

This is the first case study in a series of studies that relate specifically to the development and application of lean manufacturing techniques of furniture and wood component supplying industries. Case study one is an example of how a subassembly process in an upholstered furniture facility was re-configured from a traditional flow line to a “Double-D” manufacturing cell. This case study provides general information about lean manufacturing and how a lean manufacturing system can be implemented, followed by a detailed description of Franklin Corporation’s adoption of a new type of manufacturing cell—the “Double-D”. A discussion of the original state of the subassembly system and the result of the Double-D modifications are also given

Macrobenthic assemblage structure and organismal stoichiometry control faunal processing of particulate organic carbon and nitrogen in oxygen minimum zone sediments

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

From transformative learning to social change? Using action research to explore and improve informal complaints management in an NHS trust

Background: The number of complaints concerning aspects of care from patients and/or carers have increased over time. Yet, in spite of a growing body of national and international literature on health care complaints there is a lack of knowledge around how nurses and midwives manage informal complaints at ward level, or staff needs in relation to this. Aim: Using an Action research (AR) approach with mixed methods, four phases and four cycles, the aim was to explore informal complaints management by nurses and midwives at ward level. We discuss the AR process primarily in connection with learning and service change, drawing from the qualitative data in this paper. Findings: The analysis of the collected qualitative data resulted in three main themes related to the complexities of complaints and complaints management, staff support needs and the existing ambiguous complaints systems which are hard for both staff and servicer users to negotiate. The AR approach facilitated learning and change in participants in relation to views on complaints management, and the main issues around complaints management in the collaborating trust. Conclusions: The extant body of research on complaints does not sufficiently recognise the complexity of complaints and informal complaints management or the complaints systems in place. Needs based staff training can help support staff to manage informal complaints more effectively