Effects of foam on ocean surface microwave emission inferred from radiometric observations of reproducible breaking waves

WindSat, the first satellite polarimetric microwave radiometer, and the NPOESS Conical Microwave Imager/Sounder both have as a key objective the retrieval of the ocean surface wind vector from radiometric brightness temperatures. Available observations and models to date show that the wind direction signal is only 1-3 K peak-to-peak at 19 and 37 GHz, much smaller than the wind speed signal. In order to obtain sufficient accuracy for reliable wind direction retrieval, uncertainties in geophysical modeling of the sea surface emission on the order of 0.2 K need to be removed. The surface roughness spectrum has been addressed by many studies, but the azimuthal signature of the microwave emission from breaking waves and foam has not been adequately addressed. Recently, a number of experiments have been conducted to quantify the increase in sea surface microwave emission due to foam. Measurements from the Floating Instrumentation Platform indicated that the increase in ocean surface emission due to breaking waves may depend on the incidence and azimuth angles of observation. The need to quantify this dependence motivated systematic measurement of the microwave emission from reproducible breaking waves as a function of incidence and azimuth angles. A number of empirical parameterizations of whitecap coverage with wind speed were used to estimate the increase in brightness temperatures measured by a satellite microwave radiometer due to wave breaking in the field of view. These results provide the first empirically based parameterization with wind speed of the effect of breaking waves and foam on satellite brightness temperatures at 10.8, 19, and 37 GHz.     

Challenges in securing the domain name system

Two main security threats exist for DNS in the context of query/response transactions. Attackers can spoof authoritative name servers responding to DNS queries and alter DNS responses in transit through man-in-the-middle attacks, and alter the DNS responses stored in caching name servers. The IETF has defined the digital signature-based DNSSEC for protecting DNS query/response transactions through a series of requests for comments.     

Managerial Competences for ERP Journeys

This paper investigates the managerial competences required for the complex interactions required to successfully integrate an Enterprise Resource Planning system into an organization—the ERP journey. A feature of the study (a five year longitudinal study of a Danish production company implementing SAP R/3) was the rise and fall of the ERP project managers. The study showed that different stages of the ERP journey required different competences from the managers. A manager with a certain competence mix might successfully oversee part of the ERP journey, but a different blend of competences was required to manage other parts. The paper concludes that a wide range of competences are required: personal, business and technical. The competence mix should be expected to vary through the journey, and is often too much to expect of one person.     

Guided wave nuances for ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation

Recent developments in guided wave generation, reception, and mode control show that increased penetration power and sensitivity are possible. A tone burst function generator and appropriate signal processing are generally used. Variable angle beam and comb-type transducers are the key to this effort. Problems in tubing, piping, hidden corrosion detection in aging aircraft, adhesive and diffusion bonding, and ice detection are discussed. Additionally, sample configurations, inspection objectives, and logic are being developed for such sample problems as defect detection and analysis in lap splice joints, tear straps, cracks in a second layer, hidden corrosion in multiple layers, cracks from rivet holes, transverse cracking in a beam, and cracks in landing gear assembly. Theoretical and experimental aspects of guided wave analysis include phase velocity, group velocity, and attenuation dispersion curves; boundary element model analysis for reflection and transmission factor analysis; use of wave structure for defect detection sensitivity; source influence on the phase velocity spectrum, and the use of angle beam and comb transducer technology. Probe design and modeling considerations are being explored. Utilization of in-plane and out-of-plane displacement patterns on the surface and longitudinal power distribution across the structural cross-section are considered for improved sensitivity, penetration power, and resolution in nondestructive evaluation. Methods of controlling the phase velocity spectrum for mode and frequency selection are available. Such features as group velocity change, mode cut-off measurements, mode conversion, amplitude ratios of transmission, and reflection factors of specific mode and frequency as input will be introduced for their ability to be used in flaw and material characterization analysis.     

Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition prevents delayed death of CA1 hippocampal neurons following global ischemia

The inducible isoform of the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) is an immediate early gene induced by synaptic activity in the brain. COX2 activity is an important mediator of inflammation, but it is not known whether COX2 activity is pathogenic in brain. To study the role of COX2 activity in ischemic injury in brain, expression of COX2 mRNA and protein and the effect of treatment with a COX2 inhibitor on neuronal survival in a rat model of global ischemia were determined. Expression of both COX2 mRNA and protein was increased after ischemia in CA1 hippocampal neurons before their death. There was increased survival of CA1 neurons in rats treated with the COX2-selective inhibitor SC58125 [1-[(4-methylsulfonyl) phenyl]-3-trifluoro-methyl-5-[(4-fluoro)phenyl] pyrazole] before or after global ischemia compared with vehicle controls. Furthermore, hippocampal prostaglandin E2 concentrations 24 h after global ischemia were decreased in drug-treated animals compared with vehicle-treated controls. These results suggest that COX2 activity contributes to CA1 neuronal death after global ischemia.     

Platten-Modellversuche zur Erklärung des Entstehens von Eigenspannungen beim Schweißen

Ermittlung von Temperaturverteilung, Abkühlungsverlauf, Gefüge, Härte und Eigenspannungen bei mittig erwärmten Stahlplatten aus St 37-3 und StE 70. Einfluß des Umwandlungsverhaltens auf die Eigenspannungen. Deutung der Eigenspannungsentstehung beim Zusammenwirken von Wärme- und Umwandlungsspannungen.     

Der Einfluß des Umwandlungsverhaltens auf die Schweißeigenspannungen bei Stahl

Untersuchung des Schrumpfungs- und Umwandlungsverhaltens von Schweißproben aus austenitischem und hochfestem Grund- und Schweißzusatzwerkstoff. Messung von Eigenspannungen im Schweißnahtbereich. Erklärung der Eigenspannungen aus Temperaturverläufen und Härtemessungen im Schweißnahtbereich sowie aus Weg-Zeit-Aufschreibungen für das freie Ende einseitig eingespannter Schweißproben. Deutung der Umwandlungsvorgänge durch Zeit-Temperatur-Umwandlungsschaubilder.     

Prednisolone disposition in steroid-dependent asthmatics

A 40-mg intravenous dose of prednisolone was given as prednisolone phosphate to seven severe steroid-dependent asthmatics and to 13 healthy volunteers to determine if the large prednisone requirements of these patients were a function of the disease, cellular response, or rapid clearance of prednisolone. Plasma concentrations of prednisolone, prednisone, and cortisol were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography over an 8-hr test period. Circulating eosinophil concentrations were monitored concurrently. The apparent half-lifes of prednisolone in the asthmatics and normals were 3.33 +/- 0.71 and 3.25 +/- 0.58 hr (mean +/- SD). The apparent plasma clearances of prednisolone were 201 +/- 54 and 198 +/- 38 ml/min/1.73 m2 and the apparent volumes of distribution were 50.8 +/- 11.7 and 53.5 +/- 13.5 L/1.73 m2 for the asthmatic and normal groups, respectively. When the concentration-dependent binding of prednisolone to plasma protein was examined, no differences in the apparent clearances of unbound drug were found between the two groups. The eosinopenic response to prednisolone was similar in the steroid-dependent asthmatics and healthy normal volunteers. These studies indicate that binding, distribution, and clearance of prednisolone are not responsible for the large prednisone requirement of some steroid-dependent asthmatics. Differences in steroid-receptor sensitivity or in severity or pathophysiology of the disease state more likely account for the need for large prednisone dosages in these patients.     

Evaporation of crude oil at sea

A simple model for describing the simultaneous evaporation and spreading of oil spills at sea has been developed and tested. A previously reported theory was used for calculating the aerodynamic part of the evaporation process. Here, the thermodynamic part, i.e. the oil characterization and the weathering processes, is described in detail. By comparison with the results of laboratory evaporation experiments and sea trials the model is shown to work quite adequately. Also, the influence of the mixing of oil into the water column, e.g. due to wave action, is shown to be small enough to be neglected. The spreading model was purposely kept as simple as possible, in view of the uncertain influences of wave action and emulsion formation. The velocity of the edge of the oil slick is prescribed and a critical thickness beyond which the slick stops spreading is introduced. The latter turns out to have a significant influence on the rate of evaporation. Examples of crude evaporation are given and the influence of temperature and wind velocity is investigated.