Experiences in building a Grid-based platform to serve Earth observation training activities

Earth observation data processing and storing can be done nowadays only using distributed systems. Experiments dealing with a large amount of data are possible within the timeframe of a lesson and can give trainees the freedom to innovate. Following these trends and ideas, we have built a proof-of-the-concept platform, named GiSHEO, for Earth observation educational tasks. It uses Grid computing technologies to analyze and store remote sensing data, and combines them with eLearning facilities. This paper provides an overview of the GiSHEO's platform architecture and of its technical and innovative solutions.     

Testing butt joints in pipes made of VM12-SHC martensitic steel

VM12-SHC steel is the newest grade of 12% Cr steel developed by the V&M company. At the present moment, there are works being conducted in order to make use of this steel in steam superheaters. It is also planned to implement VM12-SHC steel to the fabrication of water-walls for prototype boilers operated at very high temperature and pressure parameters. In this article, test materials and welding consumbables are characterized and the process of preparation of pipes to be welded is discussed. The results of metallographic examination and mechanical testing of the test joints are presented.     

Sub-micrometer particulate air pollution and cardiovascular mortality in Beijing, China

Background

While the link between particulate matter and cardiovascular mortality is well established, it is not fully investigated and understood which properties of the aerosol might be responsible for the health effects, especially in polluted mega-city areas.

Objectives

Our goal was to explore the association between daily cardiovascular mortality and different particle metrics in the sub-micrometer range in Beijing, China.

Methods

We obtained daily counts of cause-specific cardiovascular deaths in the Beijing urban area for the period March 2004 to August 2005. Concurrently, continuous measurements of particle number size distributions were performed. Particle number concentrations (NC) between 0.003 μm and 0.8 μm were converted to particle mass and surface area concentrations assuming spherical particles. Semi-parametric Poisson regression models adjusting for trend, seasonality, day of the week, and meteorology were used to estimate immediate, delayed and cumulative particle effects. Additionally, effect modification by air mass origin was investigated.

Results

We observed associations between daily cardiovascular mortality and particle NC for a 2-days delay. Moreover, nearly all particle metrics showed 2-days delayed associations with ischemic heart disease mortality. The strongest association was found for particle NC in the size range 0.03-0.1 μm (7.1% increase in daily mortality with a 95%-confidence interval of 2.9%-11.5%, per an increase of 6250 particles/cm³). Results for surface and mass concentrations with a lag of two days indicated effect modification by air mass origin, whereas effects of particle NC were not modified.

Conclusions

Results show an elevated risk of cardiovascular mortality in Beijing from short-term exposure to particulate air pollution in the sub-micrometer range. Results also indicate that locally produced smaller particles and regionally transported particles may exhibit different effects in Beijing.     

Mary Alice White (1920-2000).

Memorializes Mary Alice White for her many contributions to school psychology. White was foremost an experimental and behaviorally oriented educational psychologist, whose interests cut across educational, clinical, and school psychology and technology applications to schooling. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Less is more: Meta-analyses of sensitivity and attachment interventions in early childhood.

Is early preventive intervention effective in enhancing parental sensitivity and infant attachment security, and if so, what type of intervention is most successful? Seventy studies were traced, producing 88 intervention effects on sensitivity (n=7,636) and/or attachment (n=1,503). Randomized interventions appeared rather effective in changing insensitive parenting (d=0.33) and infant attachment insecurity (d=0.20). The most effective interventions used a moderate number of sessions and a clear-cut behavioral focus in families with, as well as without, multiple problems. Interventions that were more effective in enhancing parental sensitivity were also more effective in enhancing attachment security, which supports the notion of a causal role of sensitivity in shaping attachment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Piecewise approximate analytical solutions for a Jeffcott rotor with a snubber ring

In the paper two approximate analytical methods for calculating nonlinear dynamic responses of an idealised model of a rotor system are devised in order to obtain robust analytical solutions, and consequently speed up the computations maintaining high computational accuracy. The physical model, which is similar to a Jeffcott rotor, assumes a situation where gyroscopic forces can be neglected and concentrates on the dynamic responses caused by interactions between a whirling rotor and a massless snubber ring, which has much higher stiffness than the rotor. The system is modelled by two second-order differential equations, which are linear for non-contact and strongly nonlinear for contact scenarios. The first and the simpler method has been named one point approximation (1PA) and uses only one point in the first-order Taylor expansion of the nonlinear term. It is suitable for soft impacts and gives a reasonable prediction of responses ranging from period one to period four motion. The second and more accurate method of multiple point approximation (MPA) expands the nonlinear term many times when the rotor and the snubber ring are in contact and it can even be used for calculating chaotic responses. The methods are evaluated by a comparison with direct numerical integration showing an excellent level of accuracy.     

Organizational Norm Congruency and Interpersonal Familiarity in E‐Mail: Examining Messages From Two Different Status Perspectives

Relying on SIDE theory, this 2 × 2 experimental design tested the effects of adherence to organizational norms and interpersonal familiarity in e‐mail messages from both superior and subordinate perspectives. Results reveal that using norm‐congruent e‐mail messages account for over 50% of the variance in both superior and subordinate attitudes toward the message and between 30% and 56% of the variance in perceptions of source credibility. Data from the superiors indicate that norm congruent e‐mail messages account for 14.4% of the variance in message compliance. Results from subordinates reveal an interaction effect that is consistent with SIDE‐based predictions. Subordinates believe superiors are most likely to comply with e‐mail requests from unfamiliar subordinates that are crafted in a manner congruent with organizational norms.