Specular null polarization theory: applications to radar meteorology

Includes bibliographical references.Specular null polarization theory (SNPT) has been recently introduced for the case of coherent scattering where a 2 x 2 scattering matrix is sufficient to describe the scattering process. In this paper, SNPT is extended to the case of incoherent scattering. Optimum polarization states are derived and the results are discussed in relation to the classic radar optimum polarizations. In traditional radar polarimetry, modeling of the radar receive/transmit network is included in the radar voltage equation and consequently this affects the optimum polarizations and polarization responses of scatterers. SNPT eliminates this effect and therefore allows for a more direct analysis of scatterers. Modeling of ensembles of precipitation particles is used to illustrate the results of the analysis.This work was supported by the National Science Foundation under Grants ATM-8915141 and ATM-9214864

Polyharmonic approximation on the sphere

The purpose of this article is to provide new error estimates for a popular type of SBF approximation on the sphere: approximating by linear combinations of Green's functions of polyharmonic differential operators. We show that the $L_p$ approximation order for this kind of approximation is $\sigma$ for functions having $L_p$ smoothness $\sigma$ (for $\sigma$ up to the order of the underlying differential operator, just as in univariate spline theory). This is an improvement over previous error estimates, which penalized the approximation order when measuring error in $L_p$, p>2 and held only in a restrictive setting when measuring error in $L_p$, p<2.Comment: 16 pages; revised version; to appear in Constr. Appro

Differences in Efficacy Between Gamithromycin, Tilmicosin, and Tulathromycin as Metaphylactic Treatments in High Risk Calves for Bovine Respiratory Disease

The cost of Bovine Respiratory Disease to the beef industry due to death, poorer conversions, and therapy is estimated to cost more than $3 billion per year. Identifying and mitigating Bovine Respiratory Disease in cattle can be difficult due to the increased susceptibility for Bovine Respiratory Disease in high risk cattle. One management option to minimize an outbreak of respiratory disease is the use of metaphylaxis, the mass treatment of a group of calves to reduce the incidence and adverse effects of respiratory disease on high risk animals. Criteria used to determine the necessity of metaphylactic treatment against Bovine Respiratory Disease in feedlots can be based on several factors depending on feedlot preference; however, the primary criteria often considered are: a known history of no previous vaccinations, overall appearance of cattle, source of cattle, Bovine Respiratory Disease in calves received from same source previously, long shipping distance, season of the year, and light arrival weight. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of treating newly received, highrisk feedlot calves with gamithromycin, tulathromycin, and tilmicosin as metaphylactic treatments on health and performance characteristics

Polarimetric radar observations and interpretation of co-cross-polar correlation coefficients

Includes bibliographical references (page 354).Preliminary analysis of all components of the polarimetric radar covariance matrix for precipitation measured with the NCAR S-band dual-polarization Doppler radar (S-Pol) and the Colorado State University-University of Chicago-Illinois State Water Survey (CSU-CHILL) radars is presented. Radar reflectivity at horizontal polarization Zh, differential reflectivity ZDR, linear depolarization ratio LDR, specific differential phase KDP, crosscorrelation coefficient | ρhv | , and two co-cross-polar correlation coefficients, ρxh and ρxv, have been measured and examined for two rain events: the 14 August 1998 case in Florida and the 8 August 1998 case in Colorado. Examination of the coefficients ρxh and ρxv is the major focus of the study. It is shown that hydrometeors with different types of orientation can be better delineated if the coefficients ρxv and ρxv are used. Rough estimates of the raindrop mean canting angles and the rms width of the canting angle distribution are obtained from the co-cross-polar correlation coefficients in combination with other polarimetric variables. Analysis of the two cases indicates that the raindrop net canting angles averaged over the propagation paths near the ground in typical convective cells do not exceed 2.5°. Nonetheless, the mean canting angles in individual radar resolution volumes in rain can be noticeably higher. Although the net canting angle for individual convective cells can deviate by a few degrees from zero, the average over a long propagation path along several cells is close to zero, likely because canting angles in different cells vary in sign. The rms width of the canting angle distribution in rain is estimated to vary mainly between 5° and 15° with the median value slightly below 10°

Flake Density, Roll Diameter, and Flake Moisture All Influence Starch Availability of Steam-Flaked Corn

Steam-flaked corn is commonly fed in feedlot finishing diets because steam-flaking improves starch availability and nutrient utilization, thus improving the overall feeding value of corn. In most operations which utilize steam-flaked corn, grain is processed to a pre-determined flake density by setting the rolls to a specific separation distance and using tension to hold rolls together. Flaked grain is most often produced to a bulk density between 24 and 32 lb/bu, with a common recommendation of 27 lb/bu for corn; however, flake density among steam-flakers within a single mill and among feedlots can vary greatly. Flaking to a similar density using 2 flakers does not ensure similar starch availability. The degree of starch gelatinization or starch availability of steam-flaked corn can be estimated using analytical procedures such as enzymatic hydrolysis, gas production, and steam-flaked corn gelatinization methods. Routinely evaluating starch availability is used as a quality control method to standardize the steam-flaking process to ensure within-day and day-to-day manufacturing consistency. The concentration of readily available starch in steam-flaked corn is indicative of the rate of starch fermentation in the rumen. When starch is too readily available and is fermented at an excessively rapid rate, acid can accumulate in the rumen, reducing ruminal pH, and ultimately resulting in increased prevalence of digestive disturbances. Factors that contribute to variation between feedlot operations with respect to steamflaked corn quality include type and dimensions of flaking equipment, grain type, grain variety and moisture content, roll wear, and steam-flaking procedures. Sampling and handling procedures contribute to precision of results; therefore, sampling procedures need special attention, and consistency must be evaluated when attempting to determine starch availability of steam-flaked corn. The objective of this study was to evaluate starch availability of steam-flaked corn comparing roll dimensions and steam-flaked corn flake densities among flaking systems and feedyards and to provide information on the equipment utilized, steam-flaked corn flaking procedures, and to define current manufacturing practices of steam-flaking in commercial feedlot operations

The effect of phase-correlated returns and spatial smoothing on the accuracy of radar refractivity retrievals

Radar refractivity retrievals have the potential to accurately capture near-surface humidity fields from the phase change of ground clutter returns. In practice, phase changes are very noisy and the required smoothing will diminish large radial phase change gradients, leading to severe underestimates of large refractivity changes (ΔN). To mitigate this, the mean refractivity change over the field (ΔNfield) must be subtracted prior to smoothing. However, both observations and simulations indicate that highly correlated returns (e.g., when single targets straddle neighboring gates) result in underestimates of ΔNfield when pulse-pair processing is used. This may contribute to reported differences of up to 30 N units between surface observations and retrievals. This effect can be avoided if ΔNfield is estimated using a linear least squares fit to azimuthally averaged phase changes. Nevertheless, subsequent smoothing of the phase changes will still tend to diminish the all-important spatial perturbations in retrieved refractivity relative to ΔNfield; an iterative estimation approach may be required. The uncertainty in the target location within the range gate leads to additional phase noise proportional to ΔN, pulse length, and radar frequency. The use of short pulse lengths is recommended, not only to reduce this noise but to increase both the maximum detectable refractivity change and the number of suitable targets. Retrievals of refractivity fields must allow for large ΔN relative to an earlier reference field. This should be achievable for short pulses at S band, but phase noise due to target motion may prevent this at C band, while at X band even the retrieval of ΔN over shorter periods may at times be impossible

Evaluation of the transmitted exposure through lead equivalent aprons used in a radiology department, including the contribution from backscatter

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/135071/1/mp3207.pd

The Intentional Use of Service Recovery Strategies to Influence Consumer Emotion, Cognition and Behaviour

Service recovery strategies have been identified as a critical factor in the success of. service organizations. This study develops a conceptual frame work to investigate how specific service recovery strategies influence the emotional, cognitive and negative behavioural responses of . consumers., as well as how emotion and cognition influence negative behavior. Understanding the impact of specific service recovery strategies will allow service providers' to more deliberately and intentionally engage in strategies that result in positive organizational outcomes. This study was conducted using a 2 x 2 between-subjects quasi-experimental design. The results suggest that service recovery has a significant impact on emotion, cognition and negative behavior. Similarly, satisfaction, negative emotion and positive emotion all influence negative behavior but distributive justice has no effect

Unconventional Gas and the European Union: Prospects and Challenges for Competitiveness

This article studies the likely impact of unconventional gas developments in the U.S. on EU competitiveness. We find, first of all, little evidence for a prosperous unconventional gas development in Europe. Second, the U.S. boom has already a strong impact on both world and European energy markets. In particular, lower U.S. gas and coal prices have changed relative energy prices both at home and abroad. Finally, competitiveness impacts in some (sub)sectors will be considerable. These impacts are not only related to production based on gas use as a feedstock but also on the byproducts' from unconventional gas production, such as ethylene, propane and butane. However, several indirect impacts, such as lower coal import prices, may soften the adverse competitiveness impact in the EU