Water-Column Variability Assessment for Underway Profilers to Improve Efficiency and Accuracy of Multibeam Surveys

With the advent of underway profilers, sampling the water-column to obtain sound speed corrections is no longer a detriment to hydrographic survey efficiency. Instead, the challenge has become deciding how many casts are necessary to maintain a desired level of multibeam sounding accuracy, while not needlessly overworking the profiler. Ray tracing uncertainty analysis can determine in hindsight whether a particular sampling interval is adequate or not. Based on this methodology, an algorithm was developed to generate recommended sampling intervals based on successively acquired sound speed profiles, allowing the MVP to run in a “cruise-control” mode where the sampling interval is altered in response to changing oceanographic conditions. In collaboration with Rolls Royce, the algorithm was implemented in Python and loosely couples with the MVP controller software such that the recommended sampling interval can be adjusted without operator intervention. Integration of the software with the MVP controller was successfully tested aboard the NOAA Ship Ferdinand R. Hassler in September of 2012. Initial results from field trials and from analysis of existing data sets are presented

A Case Report of Case Report Pursuit by Medical Student

Medical students often seek case reports as vehicles for academic writing opportunities, conference presentation avenues, and residency/fellowship application highlights. Here we review a case where, due to unfortunate circumstances, a student made a unique diagnosis central to proper patient clinical care, wished to write up the case subsequently, but was ultimately excluded from the final work stemming from the patient case. We review the pitfalls that occurred in the process of pursuing publication of an interesting case, the educational value of pursuing case reports for students, the necessity for strong mentorship in this process, and general principles that medical students can follow regarding case report creation to avoid being burned

Mapping cultural change and engineering consent – through social networks and identifying key stakeholders

Purpose To provide insight into how Public Relations can be used in an innovative manner, when looking to harmonise social, resource-based and financial equity - through strengthening stakeholder relations and capitalising on dynamic extended networks. Following this, the suggestion is that the root of its successful execution lies in mapping cultural change and then embarking on a process of engineering consent. Areas of discussion are offered, in the interests of stimulating new thinking and further knowledge - surrounding public relations, also within a Muslim context. More specifically, Iranian culture and the differences between Arab and Persian-centric approaches, towards an adherence to Islamic ethea are considered. Design/methodology/approach Interpretive phenomenological analysis and syllogisms, as a basis for conceptual metaphor theory, inductive reasoning and critical discourse analysis. Evidence supported by discussions and participant observation methods. Findings Consumers are becoming more significant in shaping the PR agenda. Furthermore, the evolutionary growth and mutations spawned by Web 2.0 draw non-brand users, social networks and anti-branding movements towards engagement and the possession of greater social capital. When gifting stakeholders with a larger share of voice, consumption definitions become judged less by tangible transactions; and more by figurative, intangible and co-dependent communication drivers. In addition, with the increase in interactivity afforded by media channels, two-way communication, and the inclusion of more parties; a normalisation and leveling of information also occurs. Originality/value The paper attempts to respond conceptually to phenomena with point towards an increase in the significance of technology, fused with social networks and cultural hybridisation. Finally, there currently exists little academic material examining public relations, with consideration of varying Muslim perspectives, cultures and schools of thought. Furthermore, analyses which are reflective of examining the nuances between different Muslim nations remains scarce. To this end the following paper attempts to highlight and address some of these issues

Unpacking culture using Delphi

Following a phenomenological Expert Delphi Study of academics and practitioners, findings suggest that: a by-product of post-industrialism, Globalization, and Web2.0 is the value of investigating culture from an associated, rather than a disassociated state; cultural understanding and its application beyond simply defining and classifying has become the rate-determining step; and that national identity, whilst widely used, is not the most insightful unit. Furthermore, culture cannot be judged on a linear scale – it is dynamic, contextual, and perishable. For these reasons it is argued that when culture is measured, it should be viewed as something which is symbiotic and osmotic. The paper reports findings of field work done in decamping culture and branding with establishing their relationship and interdependence

Making Voting Easier: Election Day Registration in New York

As policymakers, election officials, and the public consider whether New York should change the way in which voters are allowed to register to participate in elections, and bring New York State election law into compliance with the Help America Vote Act, the following report provides an analysis of the potential impact of election day registration (EDR) in New York. EDR in New York has the potential to increase voter participation for New Yorkers by as much as: Over 12 percentage point increase in turnout by 18-to-25-year-olds. Nearly 10 percentage point increase in turnout by thosewith a grade school education or less.An 11 point increase in turnout by Latinos and nearly 9 percentage point increase in turnout by African Americans.Over 10 percentage point increase in turnout by those who have lived at their current address for less than six months.Over 12 percentage point increase in turnout by naturalized citizens

Genetic Variation in Resistance of Scotch Pine to Zimmerman Pine Moth

(excerpt) Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), a forest tree introduced from Eurasia, is commonly planted for Christmas tree and timber use in northeastern United States. In this country it has numerous insect enemies. Among the most important are European pine shoot moth, Rhyacionia buoliana (Schiffermiieller); pine root collar weevil, Hylobius radicis Buchanan;,European pine sawfly, Neodiprion sertifer (Geoffroy); and eastern white-pine shoot borer, Eucosma gloriola Heinrich. Previous studies (Wright et al., 1967; Wright and Wilson, 1972; Steiner, 1974) have revealed large genetic differences in resistance to some of these pests. Another destructive pest is the Zimmerman pine moth, Dioryctria zimmermani (Grote). In 1968 this insect, native to the United States, was found attacking trees in a Scotch pine provenance test in southwestern Michigan. The attack rate was heavy and by 1973 it was obvious that some rams or varieties were attacked more heavily than others. This is a report on those differences

‘The Pinocchio Effect’ – when managing the brand creation process, across cultures

In global marketing and international management, the fields of Branding and Culture are well discussed as separate disciplines; within both academia and industry. However, there appears to be limited supporting literature, examining brands and culture as a collective discipline. In addition, environmental factors such as ethnicity, nationality and religion are also seen to play a significant role. This in itself adds to the challenges encountered, by those looking to critically apply learning and frameworks, to any information gathered. In the first instance, this paper tries to bring aspects together from Branding and Culture and in doing so, aims to find linkages between the two. The main purpose of this paper is to distil current brand thinking and explore what impact cross-cultural, cross-national, and ethnic interactions have on a brand’s creation. The position of the authors is that without further understanding in this field, a brand will experience what has been termed by them as the ‘Pinocchio Effect’. Pinocchio was a puppet who longed to become a real human being; but sadly encountered difficulties. The conclusion presented is that the critical long-term success of a brand lies in three areas: how it is created; the subsequent associated perceptions; and more specifically in the reality of the relationships that it enjoys. Collectively these processes necessitate an appraisal of connecting strategic management procedures and thinking. Finally, this paper looks into proposing future methods for brand evaluation and strategic management. The aim is to stimulate further thinking in a field; which transcends national, ethnic and cultural boundaries - in the interests of developing new insight, and to provide a platform for marketers to develop more effective communications